Breakfast Bonus–South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 77, (ret.) of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, comes this way on Friday to receive a special honor from the Chicago Center for Cultural Con-nections at an Interfaith Breakfast at t
Breakfast Bonus–South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 77, (ret.) of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, comes this way on Friday to receive a special honor from the Chicago Center for Cultural Connections at an Interfaith Breakfast at the Inter-Continental Hotel. The much-loved and celebrated human rights activist and Nobel Laureate, who achieved worldwide fame during the 1980s as a strong opponent of apartheid, will speak on The Dawn of a New Moral Awakening.
CCCC, begun in 1935 as The National Conference of Christians and Jews, is a leading human relations organization dedicated to building bridges of mutual respect among cultural, racial and religious communities. Board members include Atty. Michael J. Hayes, R. Paul Maddock, Ilene Shaw, Ch.7’s Chicagoing host Bill Campbell (CampbellQuest) and The Boeing Co.’s Atty. Joyce E. Tucker. Barbara J. Abrajano is CCCC’s executive director. Call (312) 236- 9272.
Gala Gals & Guys–Sandra and Timothy Rand and Andrea and William Zopp are fast approaching count-down to Nov. 2, the date of an unforgettable and spectacular gala to celebrate Chicago’s premiere of Margaret Garner, a new American opera based on one of the most significant and controversial fugitive slave stories in pre-Civil War America. The quartet of gala co-chairs will greet hundreds of guests at 3 p.m. in Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre as they gather to enjoy the epic opera featuring renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, who stars in the title role that was written specifically with her in mind. The libretto was penned by Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. The opera is loosely based on Morrison’s award-winning novel, Beloved. Broadway sensation Kenny Leon directs the production that features music by Grammy winning composer Richard Danielpour. Stefan Lano conducts the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra.
Following the final curtain, gala guests will move on to the Palmer House Hilton for a cocktail reception in the restored and renovated Grand and State Ballrooms followed by dinner with the opera’s cast and creators. Live entertainment tops off the extraordinary evening.
A host of Chicago area cultural and civic icons have been recruited to execute this major project: James and Mary Bell, Bob and Marjilee Blackwell, Gail Waller and Tim Schwertfeger, co-chairs; and Amina Dickerson and Anna E. Roosevelt, executive committee chairs. And on the committee: Virginnia Bobins, Marcus Boggs, Bill and Peggy Brazley, Diane Dinkins-Carr, Lester Coney, Sondra Berman Epstein, Margaret Garner, Erin Gilbert, Suzanne Griffith, Ronne Hartfield, Hermene Hartman, Judge Patri-cia Holmes, Twyler Jenkins, Mel Katen, James and Pauline Montgomery, Barbara Pace-Moody, Ann Nash, Isobel Neal, Andre and Dana Rice, Jane M. Saks, Audrey Tug-gle and Nancy Yawtz. Exelon is the corporate sponsor. Tables of 10 gala tickets are $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000; individual tickets are $500 and $750. Call (312) 922-2110, ext. 368 or e-mail amartinez@auditoriumtheatre.org.
Individual tickets are now on sale, priced from $40-$150. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more, including student groups for the Oct. 31 dress rehearsal, are available. Call (312) 431-2357 or e-mail bbullock@auditorumtheatre. org. Bravo!
Golden Gathering–Linda Johnson Rice, president/CEO of Johnson Publishing Co. (Ebony and JET), receives special honors from Cheryle Jackson, president/CEO of Chicago Urban League, on Nov. 8 at its 47th annual Golden Fellowship Dinner, a $750 per person black-tie gala at the Hilton Chicago, featuring Grammy-nominated recording artist Anthony Hamilton. Themed “Lights, Camera, next TV: A Change You Can See,” the evening celebrates the Urban League’s next step toward creating pathways to the media. The fast-paced business and life-style program showcases African Americans changing their lives through entrepreneurship, career opportunity and financial literacy. The half-hour weekly show will air on FOX Chicago in February. The premiere one-hour special will highlight the Golden Fellowship Dinner, red carpet interviews and a behind-the-scenes view. The gala ends with an After Party, a scholarship fundraiser, from 10 p.m.–2 a.m., in the Continental Ballroom. On stage: a special performance by Noel Gourdin and featuring DJ Vince Adams. Hamilton, an R&B, soul and neo soul singer, songwriter and record producer rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album, Comin’ from Where I’m From, which featured the singles, Comin’ from Where I’m From and Charlene. Call (773) 624-8811, or hurry and send an e-mail to gfd@thechicagourbanleague.org.
Star Power–Jann W. Honore, UNCF’s Illinois Area Development director, has selected a number of UNCF friends and supporters to join a unique group and be part of an initiative to make a life-changing difference for a college student. Also, to win a chance to receive an all-expenses paid trip to California in January for the 30th anniversary taping of the television special, An Evening of Stars Tribute to Patti LaBelle, “a fantastic experience,” Jann says, “with all the bells and whistles of Hollywood and all for a great cause!” She hosts a Star Power Ambassador’s Kick-Off Reception on Thursday, 5:30 p.m., at the UNCF office, 55 E. Monroe, with its magnificent view of the lakefront and Millennium Park. We’re there!
Kappa Kool–Local alumni frat brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi want you to have a “heads up” for their annual scholarship benefit on Dec. 12 at Star Plaza Theatre in nearby Merrillville, Ind. with The Temptations, Jimmie “J.J.” Walker and vocalist Terisa Griffin. Tickets to benefit the alumni chapter’s Edward G. Irvin Foundation are $75 and include a V.I.P. Buffet & Cocktail Reception in the adjacent Radisson Hotel with dancing and door prizes. In charge: Ned Dunbar, foundation prez; Frank Horton, chair; Dr. Major Armstead, Torrence Moore, Mel Hopson, Earl Barnes, Dr. Leon Finney, Emmitt Horne, Lester McKeever, Jerome Gay, Miles Dawson Jr., Timothy Thomas Jr., Byron Thomas, Tommie King, Lynier Cole, Al Smith, Jerry Johnson, Herb Hedgeman and Joe Jenkins. Begun in 1981, the program provides college scholarships for African American male high school seniors. Grants are given for four years at $1,125 a year, as long as the Kappas’ requirements are met. Call (773) 750-5242.
Newsy Names–Get well prayers for Ann Sanders, here from Arkansas to be with her doting son, Hosea, Ch. 7’s news anchor, as he recovers from hip replacement surgery. But Ann had a fall outside and was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with cuts, bruises and a couple of broken bones. She’s now on the fast mend at Hosea’s digs while receiving lots and lots of TLC. Well, turnabout is fair play!
Also prayers for a longtime pal and international jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, who’s a bit under the weather!
It’s Jazz & Gumbo on Sunday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at Room 43, 1043 E. 43rd St., with Terisa Griffin singing from My Naked Soul, her latest album. Hosts: Norm Bolden and Terisa! To RSVP, call (773) 667-9608
Cong. Danny K. Davis (7th) and the People’s Assembly host a political education class on Getting Out the Vote this Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., at Wallace’s Catfish Corner, 2800 W. Madison (at California). “Come learn the game plan, the roles for all and positions to be played,” Davis says. Call (773) 626-8481.
NAACP Note–A trio of retired NAACP stalwarts from the Chicago Southside Branch, Veronica Fickling, Judge Odas Nicholson and Gloria T. Wailes, will be honored Friday, 6 p.m., at a Membership Recognition Ceremony, “Looking Back to Move Forward,” at the Beverly Woods Restaurant. Also on the honor roll: Liberty Baptist Church (Rev. Darrell L. Jackson), Progressive Baptist Church (Rev. Dr. Willie Ray Davis) and several branch volunteers. Dr. Jean P. Odem will emcee; Atty. Sam Lacey is branch prez.
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