B4
December 20, 2008 - December 26, 2008, The Washington Afro-American
Author Spotlight
Toni Morrison
Continued from B3
The story forms as Rebekka contracts small pox, and Florens is sent on a journey to get help. Morrison uses the story to show how enslavement affects the characters—who they are and who they’re forced to become. The novel is only 167 pages, but Morrison, in that short space, weaves a complex and poetic story. Morrison, who also wrote about slavery in Beloved, dismissed critics who say she should give the subject a rest. “There is no final or ultimate closing the door to slavery,” she said, “or closing the door to the holocaust, or closing the door to war. You don’t close the door on a period. That’s closing the door to your past.” Morrison explained her novel’s unique title. “A Mercy was simple; it sounded almost accidental,” she said. “God provides mercy, but a mercy, that’s something only a human can offer.”
Toni Morrison
D.C. Arts and Entertainment Calendar Dec. 18
The Sweet Heaven Kings Gospel Celebration Kennedy Center-Millennium Stage, 2700 F St., N.W., D.C. 6 p.m. A 16-member gospel percussion and brass ensemble performs holiday music with powerful singers. Free. For more information: 202-467-4600 or visit www. kennedy-center.org.
Dec. 19
A ‘Glympse’ of Glory: Birthing the Vision of Holiness Howard University, Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th St., N.W., D.C.7 p.m. Priase in Motion presents a play about a teenage girls who finds and fulfills her destiny. Includes music, dance and more. $20 with group specials. For more information and to purchase tickets: 240-788-3596 or visit www.praiseinmotion. info
Denyce Graves to Perform me on this path,” said Graves. Today, Graves is one of the most respected female opera singers in the world, but it has not come without battling obstacles such as racism in an art form Graves believes “has a tradition and people who have their own ideas of what they like to see.” “I have people who made no bones about it. People told me right in my face, and at least you know what you are dealing with. Some general directors said there was no way they would hire me.” She cites as an example the time when she was asked to play Juliet by the producer of the opera, “by the director did not want a black Juliet. The first day I showed up, he wouldn’t even shake my hand or look at me. But I showed up every day and made sure my voice was ready. I even showed up at rehearsals where I didn’t have to be. One day slowly, he started to acknowledge me, and slowly, slowly he began to accept that I was doing this role and was part of this project.” Later, that same director offered the singer another role in France. Graves called the incident, “a very important lesson for me, and I am proud because there were so many ways to handle that. I came to understand that often it is hard for people to imagine your face in a role unless people see your face in the role. In the end, it was about the talent, and it brought something different to the production itself.” Graves notes that for African-American male singers, the blocks can be even harder to hurdle. “Most of the roles are written for the lead, and some feel uncomfortable with African-American men in leading roles,”
Continued from B3
underwent surgery for a non-cancerous polyp on her vocal chords. These days, however, the 40-something singer said “things are good” and she is happy. “[Since 1980] I have been working 98 percent of the time in America,” said Graves. “Previously, I was working mostly in Europe.” She remains fiercely close to her mother who she says “helps me out a lot with Ella.” She calls her only child “beautiful and bossy” and more outgoing than the shy, awkward child that she was. “She is more comfortable in social situations, and she loves to sing,” Graves said. “We can’t stop her!” One of three children who sang in their family gospel group, The Inspirational Children of God, Graves was raised in a strict, Christian home, listening to The Mighty Clouds of Joy and Mahalia Jackson. She was able to pull her life together during the difficult times, “because of my faith, and because of my belief in something other than this life here. I know that God has a hand in my life.” She notes that this has been evident since she was a kindergarten student and was taken under the wing of her music teacher, Judith Grove Allen. It was almost a mystical relationship, as the two crossed paths repeatedly during Graves’ childhood. “She was able to recognize my love for music, and I loved going to her class from kindergarten to middle school,” she said. By the time she had advanced to high school, Grove was the principal at Ellington and encouraged Graves to apply. “Heaven sent this woman and she guided me and set
GOLDEN GLOBE
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NOMINEE
Graves said. Still, she sees some progress and is tremendously excited about Barack Obama becoming the 44th president of the United States. “For me this has been an enormous achievement. Even before he has taken office, he has brought change. I have a tremendous excitement about where we are going. When Barack spoke in 2004, I called my best friend in Switzerland and I said he could be president.” After Obama was nominated, the singer vowed, “I didn’t care where I was in the world. I said that I would fly back to vote for him, and I voted in Maryland.” Graves believes that Obama and others, like her idol, Leontyne Price, represent “the best of preparing yourself to your ability. Leontyne, for instance, is the reason I am singing. The sheer beauty and power of her voice changed my life.” And she empathizes with singers who are called divas because they demand excellence of the people they are working with. “We are trained to be super critical of every single note. It is the art of beautiful singing, and we are judged in that way. When you are out there on the front line, it’s just you and Jesus. Nobody is going to know that the conductor asked you to sing it that way. At the end of the day, you have to responsible for your choices because they are only going to remember that you sang it that way.” For the Feb. 25th performance, Graves will be accompanied by outstanding musical accompanists, including students from the Duke Ellington High School Choir. For tickets, call the Kennedy Center box office at 202-467-4600 or call 800-444-1324.
EXPERIENCE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
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FAST, LIVELY AND PACKED WITH SHARP PERFORMANCES –
The Evolution of John Legend Continued from B3
sometime departure from your usual fare to commercial interests. Did the pressure to ‘sell’ influence your choices in this album? JL: “Everybody wants to sell records and have hit songs, but I don’t let that cloud my creative vision. I figure that if I make great music, it’s going to sell. So I focus on that first. Once you make the music, you have to market it right, choose the right singles, etc., to maximize it. But, most importantly, you have to make great records.” AFRO: Mr. Legend in all three of your albums—and more so in Evolver, I think—you come across as a very smooth, very elegant, dare I say master of seduction. Is that an alter ego or are you the same in your real life? JL: “Everybody has their own style and approach to seduction. I think mine works pretty well, and I think my songwriting reflects my personality and the way I think and carry myself. I’m probably not as smooth as I portray myself in my lyrics though. Who is?! I’m still a nerd at heart. But there are plenty of young ladies who like that in a man. So I’m gonna stick with what works for me!” AFRO: You were an avid supporter of President-elect Barack Obama during his campaign. Where were you when election results were announced and how did it feel to know that he would become the next president of the United States? What message would you give to the millions of singers, actors, college students and other ordinary people who contributed to his victory about the role they should play in framing the future of this country and perhaps, the world? JL: “I was in Los Angeles when the results were announced. My band and I had just done a taped performance that afternoon. (I absentee voted in New York a week early). We rented out the V.I.P. room in the hotel bar and had them set up a TV so I could watch the results with the band and crew and some friends. We pretty much knew he was going to win, but every time a swing state came in, we cheered. And we finally popped champagne when the networks called it for Obama. I was thrilled. I was emotional. I was inspired. It was a beautiful feeling. The sense of euphoria and optimism lasted for a while, and I’m still feeling really good about it. It’s exciting to have a new administration that, though it will make some mistakes, is at least being led by a brilliant, thoughtful individual and a set of highly competent staff and cabinet members. It’s exciting to have been part of this campaign. The campaign was truly driven by the people, not by the establishment. Everyone who volunteered, voted and contributed should be proud.” AFRO: Will you be in D.C. for the presidential inauguration and are you performing in the festivities? JL: “I’ll be there. We’re still confirming the details of my appearances and performances, but I wouldn’t miss it.”
this is how true-life movies should be done.” Rafer Guzmán, Newsday
“ROLLICKING AND INSIGHTFUL” A.O. Scott, The New York Times
Friends of Carter Barron and Trust Corporation presents the
“BEYONCÉ KNOWLES IS A REVELATION” Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
8th Annual Youth Holiday DC Musical,
“JEFFREY WRIGHT IS SUPERB”
GOD’s Gift to DC - No Mo’ Crime.
Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal
December 19-21, 2008
THE STORY OF THE LEGENDS WHO CHANGED MUSIC FOREVER
SONY MUSIC FILM AND PARKWOOD PICTURES PRESENT A SONY MUSIC FILM PRODUCTION ADRIEN BRODY JEFFREY WRIGHT “CADILLAC RECORDS” GABRIELLE UNION COLUMBUS SHORT CEDRIC THECOSTUMEENTERTAINER EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI EAMONNDIRECTOR WALKER WITH MOS DEF PRODUCTION OF AND BEYONCÉ KNOWLES CASTINGBY KIMBERLY R. HARDIN DESIGNER JOHNETTA BOONE DESIGNER LINDA BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY ANASTAS MICHOS, ASC COMUSIC ORIGINAL EXECUTIVE EDITOR PETER . FRANK, A.C.E. PRODUCER PETRA HOEBEL MUSIC PRODUCER MARSHALL CHESS PRODUCER STEVE JORDAN SCORE TERENCE BLANCHARD MUSIC EXECUTIVE PRODUCED WRITTEN AND SUPERVISOR BETH AMY ROSENBLATT PRODUCERS BEYONCÉ KNOWLES MARC LEVIN BY ANDREWLACK SOFIASONDERVAN DIRECTED BY DARNELL MARTIN SOUNDTRACK FEATURES MUSIC BY BEYONCÉ, Q-TIP, BUDDY GUY, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, NAS FEATURING OLU DARA, SOLANGE AND MORE
NOW PLAYING
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES
COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA AN OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT ESCAPE ARTISTS PRODUCTION A FILM BY GABRIELE MUCCINO “SEVENC POUNDS” ROSARIO DAWSON MICHAEL EALY WITH BARRY PEPPER AND WOODY HARRELSON EXECUTIVE WRITTEN MUSIC BY GRANT NIEPORTE BY ANGELO MILLI PRODUCERS DAVID ROCKETT DAVID BLOOMFIELD KEN STOVITZ DOMENICO PROCACCI PRODUCED DIRECTED BY TODD BLACK JAMES LASSITER JASON BLUMENTHAL STEVE TISCH WILL SMITH BY GABRIELE MUCCINO
NOW PLAYING
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT
“Historic” Lincoln Theater; starring DC’s gifted and talented youth, featuring Five Time Grammy Award K E L LY P R I C E Winner, KELLY PRICE and Dual Grammy Platinum Award Winners, MARY MARY, entertainment from Council members Yvette M. Alexander, Marion S. Barry, Jr. and Harry Tommy Thomas, Jr. for (three) 7:30 pm evening and 3:30 pm matiness performances. For more info call: 202-328-6000 or 232-5610 General Admission: M A RY M A R Y $20.00