New York Amsterdam News — 1963-02-21

Handy's Dorothy’ sturme? who” aang’~the through, we had grave doubts. But the girls proved to be tenacious and determined. “The Heroine” opened at the Lyceum Theater (149 West 45th Street) last Tuesday. 18 • N. Y AMSTERDAM NEWS, Sat. Feb. 21, 1963 Harlem Opera Society it took last in Editorial Column The contemporary Negro com- ... . week’* Amsterdam positions of Leslie Adams were News to give the Harlem Opera sung by Mr. Mace, with the Society long earned recognition, com poser at the piano. The Emancipation Proclamation After intermission, Nora Holi Centennial Concert, given at presented Awards to Marion An Town Hall last Sunday after- Inoon. had a capacity audience. Sponsored by the World Fel­ lowship of Faiths, it was most musically rewarding. The pro­ gram moved from Spirituals to Grand Opera. The Schubert Mu­ sic Society,' featuring Charles Ward, tenor, opened the pro­ gram with Spirituals by Mar- jgetson, Boatner and Hall John­ son. Arthur Johnson's Dixie Land Combo played jazz num Ibers, including W. C. deraon. Laontyna Price, Camilla Williams, Mattiwilda Dobbs and George Shirley for their having advanced the cultural arts, hu­ man relations and bringing Ne­ gro artistry to its full fruition. Only Mias Dobbs and Mr. Shir­ ley were present to receive the awards. The program ended with Grand Opera. The Nile Scene from "Aida" and tbe Prison Scene from “Il Trovatore" were sung BOTH STATIONS — Robert S. Smith, formerly vice president -jt Louis Blues." The "MusicalI role of Aida was superb. Splen- and director of programming for WOR-Radio and WOR-TV, has been named vice president and station manager for both stations, it was announced by Robert J. Leder, vice presi­ dent and general manager for the two RKO General Broad­ casting station*. Tour Europe Rev. Alex Bradford tad the Bradford Singers, stars of the musical "Black Nativity," have completed their engagement at the Theatre Champa Elysees in Paris and have now embarked on a six month tour through Italy, Belgium, Holland, Ger­ many, Switzerland. Sweden. Theatre" had excerpts from did performances were given by "Porgy and Bess." sung by Eve- Albert Clipper and Marguerite lyn Greene, soprano and Hart- Ruffino, who sang in both ex­ cerpts; and Fred Thomas and well Mace, baritone. Evelyn Easton. ’ mezzo-so- Charles Gordon. Joseph Delli- prano, sang lieder by Schubert.i carri was the conductor. The Coffee Concert Raul Abdul, artistic director, and Bartok’a "Quartet No. 1 In presented a hand picked group A Minor.” of artists at the opening of the Georgia Davit, contralto, great­ 1903 season of Coffee Concerts. ly pleased tbe audience with her given at the Little Theatre of warmth of tone delicate inter- St. Martin’* Episcopal Church pretation and the bigness of last Sunday evening. her voice as she sang works by The Cleveland Orchestra Is Kodaly and Spirit aals by Hall famous for its perfection. The Johnson. Koch Quarter, composed of mem-. bers of that orchestra, gave a pjne Arts Committee musically inspired reading Dvorak's Quartet in F The Fine Arts Committee of of Major ’ > ENJOY THE BEST AMERICA HAS TO OFFER OLD TAYLOR 86 SO GOOD...EVEN THE ROCKS TASTE BETTER *■*)(■!« HIllUTCMUaKHMTl TOWN HALL 113 W. 43 ST„ N. Y.C. SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 8:30 F.M. JOSEPH LOCKETT, Pianist raoOBAM: BACB. BBABMS, KACHMANINOrr. CHOPIN Ticarr raicn: uh - its* - si.ts NOW ON SALK AT TOWN BALL BOX OFPICX Club La Chose HARLEM'S NEWLY DECORATED SHOWPLACE AIR CONDITIONED JOSEPHINE THENSTEAD, MGR. Availoble for Donets, Weddings, Banquets and Cocktail Portias, Catering. 7th Ave. Bet. 154th end 155 Sts., N.Y.C AU 3-I5OI - AU 4-7564 CLUB . SEA BREEZE The Moat Modern Place tn Harlem Leuex Ave. nr. 131 St. Catering to Private Parties, Weddings, Etc. For reservotions call: AU 6-7759 or LE 4-3419. MARCH, APRIL 8. MAY BOOKINGS AVAILABLE the Manhattan Council, Nation­ al Council of Negro Women pre­ sented a Gala Emancipation Centennial Concert at Salem Methodist Church last Tuesday- evening. with Alma John as Mis­ tress of Ceremony. Work by composers Margaret Bonds and Leslie Adams were presented. Miss Bonds played her compositions and Mr. Adams accompanied Roy O’Loughlin, tenor, in a group of songs. The Eva Jessye Choir sang a group of Spirituals. Nora Holt gave a resume of tbe first 100 years since the Emancipation Procla­ mation. Other artists, who ap­ peared, were Aurelia Walkes, soprano, accompanied by Rich­ ard Hoyt; Edward Culbreth, cel­ list; Helen Norvelle, soprano and the Negro Opera Workshop En­ semble. Camilla Williams. Camilla Williams, soprano, was one of the participating artists at Carnegie Hall last Sunday afternoon, when Mendelssohn’s “Elijah" was presented by the Symphony of the Air Orchestra, conducted by Walter Keppesser and The Scbola Cantorum. Miss Williams artistry thrilled Vernon Shinell, bass. N1TELT AT t » N.V.'s CENTXB •» POLK ML SIC CASEY ANDERSON ., . guts . . ■ t*ors and wit from an incomporabl* artist. BETH VANOVER Southam Mountain Songs Garda's FOLK CITY 11 W Mk SC. N T. . AL ASM* I blk*. B. *t W*»bt*«to* H Pk- N* C*v*e Chars* TWjV.rxL NAX a atm. Weekend Jazz & Corned GERI igan Qvurt*t OODY ALLEN Itrllllaat Cwnadlaa WILL HOLT AH n Las.fr. VILLAGE GATE Ml 5-5120 nttaaMa at MMeker Lou ASCHENFELDER VOCAL COACH A TEACHER Clubs, Mvaical Camady, GRAND OPERA and CONCERTS PIANO INSTRUCTION PIANO AUDITION FREE AUDITION Studios of Starlin Production*, Inc. 3 West 73 St. EN 2 3614 Asency Lte. 2704 AT of M L » "•» DANCING wt TEACH it Anderson's Studio 2323 7th Ave. (136th St.) AU 3-0542 j THE CENTRAL ANNEX HARLEM'S NEWEST BALLROOM 118 W. 125th ST. UN 4-9453 * Bookings far dancing nre naw availahla far March, April A In The Wings By DAVE HEPBURN THE POWER OF A WOMAN Never underestimate the powter of a woman, they say. They’ve got a point. In this case there were two women, so the power was that much greater. Actress Billie Allen and Mrs. Juanita Poitier, wife of the actor, took a chore on themselves only a few weeks ago—to raise enough money among Negro investors to float a Broadway production which was a good ^investment possibility. Most people with whom they talked, while using their pocket-books as their office, told them they didn’t have much of a chance. Not many women have tried to be brokers for a Broadway production, and certainly no Negro women. And, at first, when we saw the disappointments, broken appoint­ ments and promises they were going HEPBURN Raised 175,000 Miss Allen and Mrs. Poitier raised the sum of 175,000 to put the show on and are co-producers with Phil Rose, whom you’ll remember as the man who would not give up when people said he couldn’t raise the money for “Raisin in the Sun.’’ This too it' a first because there have been no Negro women producers on Broadway. And come to think of it, only one Negro man — Perry Watkins back in 1951 — “Beggar’s Holiday”-the Elling ton-John La Touche production. So the achievement of these two courageous women is really an outstanding one. “The Heroine” is a warm comedy which, inciden­ tally, has no Negroes in the cast. It stars Kay Medford and Murray Hamilton, features Doris Belack, Joe Silver and gorgeous Beverly Bentley. Whether the play will be a hit or not, in this strike-bound theater season, we don’t know and don’t really care. The important thing is that a definite step towards establishing Negroes in the economic end of the theater has been taken. In the final analysis this is the only way we will gain full admission into theater proper—in all its phases—by controlling some of the cash gains. But the saddest part of this story is that despite the many promises of help that these two women got from so called wealthy men uptown, not a single Negro contributed to the $75,000. All the money came from white people. And thereby hangs a tale. The same men who could not invest were throwing it away on race tracks. Next Stop ' Next stop for the Allen-Poitier duo is to produce Sidney Poitier’s new play (written by Sidney), “Six Hundred To One.” It’s a play on juvenile delinquency, and the girls, with equal optimism are preparing to start raising the loot in two weeks. They think they can do it too, and we say the best of luck to them. Incidentally, Billie Allen, also achieved another first last week. She did an Oxydol commercial which will be the first network commercial seen on television done around a Negro. With her in it is Vinnie Burrows, another Negro actress. Done through Dancer, Fitz­ gerald and Sample, it is taped straight and, what's more, is not a “Negro” product aimed at “Negroes.” Intercollegiate Jazz Festival at Villanova University, Philadel­ phia, will be broadcast live by the ABC Radio Network Friday, Feb 22 at 9-10:55 p.m., EST, with a 10-minute break at 9:55. NEW VOICES TRAINED MANAGED Far Show Businas* Terrific Opportunity! D'AMICIS RADIO A TV STUDIO Established 25 jreara IIS W. 37 St, N.Y.C. CO 3-1133 By appointment — 12 to I p.m. MUSICAL GROUPS REHEARSE PENN'S STUDIO Sporial Daytime Rate. Mono — Steren Tapas Mad. W. MS at.. N.T.C. AT *-on* 214 BWIA LOWEST FARES TO THE CARIBBEAN Round trip prop-jet economy faro* affective oil year ’round. NEW YORK TO: ANTIGUA *208“ BARBADOS *270°' TRINIDAD *289" TOBAEO *289" Stopover privileges allowed tn route. Pure jet farat slightly higher. For information and res­ ervations, Me your travel agent, any BOAC office or, in New York, call MU 7-1600. BWIA BRITISH WEST INDIAN AIRWAYS CRABTREE PRESENTS TWO CARNEGIE HALL CONCERTS The recent svccas* al the David Jaknian-Alisan Susan Daana recital has prompted Ray Crabtree to beak the hall far two addi­ tional date*: EASTER SUNDAY EVE., APRIL 14 AT 1:30 - A PROGRAM OF ORIGINAL MUSIC AND on Monday Eve., Apr. 22 at 8:30 — A Program of Music by Ray Crabtree Participating Artists For The Two Dates Are CLAUDETTE FREEMON, soprano PENELOPE JOHNSON, violinist DAVID JOHNSON, violinist MARION GUMBO, cellist ANN HILLIARD, pianist Alan Booth, Accompanist (Price S1.90 A 32.00) FOB TKWirr INFORMATION »»IW O* CALL, KAT rSABTIM. I «. I MR* GLADYS JOHNSON, HI SVCR INGRAM BD.I Ft.. BB s YOMKEBK. N.T- TO I KBS. AUCB JOHNSON, BI 00040. TO BE AN ACTOR, JOIN THE ACTORS CLUB 19-A COMMERCE ST., N.Y.C. Advanced Actors Accepted on Fellow­ ship Interviewi Fridays A Saturdeys, 3 to 6 PM Or Celt for Special Appoint ment-CN 3 2942 Will give 3O-Day Free Upon Perthase ef Spenser Ticket te our Shew, OTHELLO. Robert Earl Jones, Dir. Musicians On Radio The Brooklyn Museum Con- plan lit; Raoul Abdul, baritone: certs la presenting the Associa- Margaret Bondi, pianiat; Kermit tlon of Negro Musicians in con- Moore, cellist. cert over radio station WNYC in Also the Eastern Region Chor- obaervance of Brotherhood Week aie> conducted by Samuel Dan- on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. |ielg. with Marvinell Hanna, ao- Musiciaus to be heard include prano; Carol Gardner, contralto; Selwart Clarke, violinist; Ben-Mitchell Oleavia, tenor, and Lee jamln Gray, pianist; Enid Dale, Walker, She Belongs “To World” Grace Bumbry la acclaimed aa "one ef the golden voice* of her time" la an article in the current Look Magutiae. The 26- year-old Negro mezzo-soprano, who catapulted to International lame in Juat three year*, came home thia aeason for her first American tour. The “emotional apex" of Miss Bumbry’s return to America was a concert in her hometown of St. Louia, which "tuned out Io hear her sing In Kiel Audi­ torium.” When she finished, "3,000 people rose aa one. in tribute," according to Look. "I belong to the world now," aays Miss Bumbry. She makes her home in Switzerland, Is currently on a concert tour of Germany and will sing at La Scala in April. Bronx NAACP Has Gossett Actor Lou Gossett, currently appearing in the off-Broadway hit, "The Blacks," will be the guest when the Bronx Branch NAACP holds its Brotherhood Meeting, Monday, Feb. 25 at St. Augustine’s Presbyterian Church, 165th St. and Prospect Ave. at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Gossett will sing folk songs that depict the Negro’s history from Africa through the Freedom Riders. For Superb Drinks and Superb Savings, Try These Quality Brands Bottled in Scotland Imported KING GILBERT SCOTCH 86 Proof M39 4Qzt5 CANADIAN STAR WHISKY 86 Proof *4” 4/5 For experience, safety and convenience Greyhound leads them all. Greyhound actually travels more miles, carries more passengers than any other company - air, rail or bus. Go with the leader, GO GREYHOUND... AND LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US, Exclusive Scenicruiser Service® at no extra fore. For example: Albany Charlotte Jacksonville Chicago On* Round W»j Trip $ 4.95 $ 8.95 . 18.55 33.40 57.70 48.55 28.15 26.95 Washington Norfolk Richmond Birmingham On* Round W»y Trip $ 7.85 $14.15 . 11.80 21.25 20.10 51.85 11.15 28.80 Save Morel Ask about "$99 See the U.S.A. Travel Ticket" GREYHOUND TERMINALS 242 W. 34th tt. 243 W. 50th St. PHONE CO 5-3000 FRIEDLAND'S Wine A Liquor Store 603 Lenox Ave. Nr. 140th St. Free Fast Home Delivery Call AU 6-7722 GO GREYHOUND ...and leave the driving to us Says Sammy Davis, Jr. ‘‘Helping the NAACP is everybody’s job and you can join me on Tuesday night, 26 Feb, at midnight at the Apollo Theatre when I do a benefit for the New York branch of the NAACP. We need your help to be in a better position te- help those in the south who look to the NAACP to open the way for them in equal employment, schools* public accommoda­ tions, etc.” FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, TUESDAY, 26 February At Midnight George Treadwell, in association with Will Mastin Trio, presents SAMMY DAVIS, JR. And his Company of Ent«rtain«r> Wifh Pat Henry, George Rhodes, and Sy Oliver's 23 Piece Band IN A BENEFIT FOR THE NEW YORK BRANCH OF THE NAACP Apollo Theatre, 253 West 125th St. ALL TICKETS For The Entire Theater $5 First Come, First Served , Tickets on Sab at the Apollo Theatre Box Office Daily from 2 to 10 PM ? ■ , ’ • If Sammy Davis Can Do His Part For The NAACP, Then You Can Do Your Part By Attending This Gala Benefit. the audience for her voice was gleamingly delicate and her die-Finals rilMW tlon perfect. The other artfcts were Kerstin Meyer, mezzo-so­ prano; Joseph Sopher, tenor and The finals of the third annual Untitled Document file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AMThomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com