Nate's Northcoast Notes• Music, Film, Comedy, Literary Arts

Rich array of arts and entertainment on  October horizon

By Nate Paige

Great Lakes African American Writers Conference (October 2-4)

The Great Lakes African American Writers Conference (GLAAWC) is an unparalleled three-day literary event for lovers of African American literature in the Great Lakes region and, for the first time, will be held virtually. Each year participants have marveled at the quality of our program and our setting. This year, we expect to maintain, perhaps even elevate, the quality of our offering as we go virtual. This year’s events include a spoken word competition, a virtual play, and Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center has signed on to provide some innovative online creative writing tools.

Click here to register for this FREE event. 

Rare screenings of original 1951 version of ‘Native Son’ (available through October 15)

Acclaimed novelist Richard Wright tales the lead role of Bigger Thomas in original movie adaption
of Native Son the 1951 film of Wright's 1940 blockbuster novel.

As part of its Virtual Cinema series, The Cleveland Cinematheque presents the original movie adaptation (1951) of the classic Richard Wright novel, “Native Son,” starring the author in the lead role as Bigger Thomas.  One of the most controversial novels of its day, Richard Wright's Native Son (first published in 1940) exposed the injustices of urban African American life, witnessed through the eyes of Bigger Thomas, whose violent tendencies and moral confusion were the natural result of a lifetime of deprivation. In prison for murder and sentenced to death, Thomas reflects on the circumstances that led to his fate. Directed by Pierre Chenal and shot in Argentina, this newly restored film is presented in association with the Library of Congress, Fernando Martin Peña and Argentina Sono Film. 

The film is preceded by a special introduction by film historians Eddie Muller (host of TCM’s “Noir Alley”) and Jacqueline Najima Stewart (co-curator of Kino Lorber's Pioneers of African American Cinema collection).  

The screening fee is $12.  Once the film is opened, you have five days to watch it.              

Click here for the screening link.

Comedian Lavell Crawford at Cleveland Improv (October 9-11)

Some of you know him from The Tom Joyner Morning Show; others know him from his appearances on AMC’s “Breaking Bad”; and even others may have seen him on “Chelsea Lately” or “Lopez Tonight,” but however you know him, you know that comedian Lavell Crawford is hilarious! Crawford is headed to Cleveland for a three-day/six-show stint at the Cleveland Improv in the Flats October 9-11. Tickets are $30. Hurry, some shows are already sold out!

BOP STOP’s 6^th Anniversary Party featuring The Theron Brown Trio (October 18)

Happy 6^th birthday to the BOP STOP under the ownership of The Music Settlement! The Theron Brown Trio [pianist Theron Brown, drummer Zaire [Zigg] Darden, and Jordan McBride, bass] will be on hand for the celebration with a livestream performance from 7-8:30PM on the BOP STOP’s Facebook page.  The performance will stream for free, but donations to the band and the venue are welcomed. A limited number of tickets are available for those wanting to attend in person.  To purchase, click here. Note:  The bar will be open, but the kitchen will be closed.  Feel free to bring your own snacks. Masks required.

Is there an upcoming event you’d like included in this column? Please send the details, along with a high-resolution photo/graphic, to northcoastnotes@realdealpress.com at least two weeks prior to the event.

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