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APRIL 22-28, 2026
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 17
3 Greensboro-based filmmaker Ken Comito’s latest short film, “ GLIMMER,” an existential science-fiction parable, will have its world premiere at 7 p.m. Friday at a/perture cinema, 311 W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem.
4 What happened at LEINBACH PARK is heartbreaking. Another act of violence. Another moment that should shake us — not just emotionally, but into action.
5 Quite simply, “ NORMAL” is the most entertaining film of the year to date — for those who can take it.
10 “Spending tens of millions on a performing arts center and developer parking decks while toxic conditions persist nearby is reprehensible,” said Jeff Sykes about what inspired “ BIG COVER STORY,” his novel about Bingham Park.
11 Award-winning actor MICHAEL EALY stepped onto the Harrison Auditorium stage to a sold-out “Quarter Zips and Matcha Moods” event. “Can I get an Aggie Pride?” he said to a roaring audience of more than 800 people.
12
GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL’
s 2026 Gateways Spring Festival honors the festival’s visionary founder, pianist and educator Armenta Hummings Dumisani, in celebration of her 90th birthday on June 27.
Donna The Buffalo Rising Appalachia Lila Iké
‘Glimmer’ has world premiere at a/perture cinema
Greensborobased filmmaker Ken Comito’s latest short film, “Glimmer,” an existential sciencefiction parable, will have its world premiere at 7 p.m. Friday at a/perture cinema, 311 W. Fourth St., WinstonSalem. Admission is free, but early arrival is encouraged as seating is limited. Filmed on location throughout the Piedmont Triad, “Glimmer” bears some thematic similarities to Richard Matheson’s classic 1954 novel “I Am Legend” –which was adapted, with mixed results, as “The Last Man on Earth” (1964), “The Omega Man” (1971), and under its original title for the 2007 Will Smith vehicle. But instead of emphasizing action or hardware, Comito’s film remains focused on the human element.
John Halsey stars as Dylan Ford, an everyman who appears to be the last survivor of a holocaust that has ravaged the planet. Whether it’s chemical warfare, germ warfare, or a virus (not unlike COVID-19) is never specifically divulged, nor does it need to be. Having lost his family and received no radio contact since the catastrophe, he’s a man with no hope and nothing to live for, until one fateful afternoon …
Little did Comito know that the project would itself be compromised by the pandemic, an ironic turn of events given the narrative. “I wrote this screenplay sometime around 2018 and passed around the film community for feedback,” he said. “It was met with great enthusiasm and interest and was revised slightly based on others’ suggestions. By the time I felt comfortable enough to move into production, the world shut down.
“After that soul — and small businesscrushing nightmare, it took some time to get back on my feet in the film world,” he explained. “It was hard. It seemed like the previous energy for making anything
creative was gone, but I stuck to it because I felt an attachment to the story. The idea came to me in one question: What would you really do if you were the last person on Earth? I think the answer is an interesting take on how people process and handle loss di erently. The timing was uncannily right for a postapocalyptic story since we just got over a pandemic. The road to getting an exhibition has been long and frustrating, but we are ready to show this film.”
“Showcasing local talent is vital for an arthouse cinema,” observed Jake Laystrom, curator of a/perture cinema.
“It not only gives a home base to filmmakers based in or from the [Piedmont] Triad but is also part of our mission in presenting relevant artistic o erings and increasing access to our community.
“We’ve had incredible responses from screenings of local works, from Austin Highsmith Garces returning last year with her film ‘Inheritance,’ a RiverRun 2025 selection, and a recent premiere event for Chad Nance and Carissa Joines’ ‘Night Terrors: Blood Date on Trade Street,’ returning for an encore screening
Friday April 17, following a screening of an earlier documentary by Nance and Joines. I’d also be remiss not to mention Angus MacLachlan’s incredible film ‘A Little Prayer,’ shot in Winston-Salem and by far our highest-grossing film of the past few years.
“Our city has a remarkable depth of talent and support for the arts, and with us being outside of the ‘usual’ film hubs of major cities, we strive to be a welcoming space for filmmakers, actors, and all artists to have a space to share their work in a theatrical setting, as well as a place for our audiences to experience both new voices and creative works by their family, friends, and neighbors. It’s been a great association with Ken so far. We have not seen his film outside of testing for the screening, but are excited to welcome him and hope to continue the partnership with his future works.”
“I held a local premiere of my first feature, ‘In the Devil’s Courthouse,’ at a/ perture in 2011,” recalled Comito. “I, and most other Greensboro-based filmmakers, used to rely on RED Cinemas for showings in Greensboro. That had also been the cinema that hosted the Triad Film Collaborative ‘Showcase for Short Films’ for over five years. Since I was the founder of the Triad Film Collaborative [https://triadfilm.org/] and worked very closely with RED Cinemas, it was disheartening to see that they closed their doors for good. The great news is — we have a/perture!”
“Winston-Salem is incredibly lucky for a city our size to boast so many film assets, including RiverRun and UNCSA, along with a/perture,” observed Leigh Dyer, a/perture’s executive director, “and this is just further evidence of the wealth of our creative economy!”
“The talent we have in the Triad area is amazing — from cast to crew, we have it,” Comito said. “Although 2020 took its toll on cinemas and filmmaking, we are still going. It’s in our blood. When I have a story in my head, it has to come out — one way or the other. Whether it’s on paper as a screenplay or a finished film, I wish I had the time and money to film every story I write, but it’s just not possible. I have other short horror screenplays and one feature that I would love to produce. It’s just a matter of time and money, which there never seems to be enough of either.”
For more information, call 336-7228148 or visit the o cial a/perture cinema website: https://aperturecinema.com/ Follow Comito’s film company, Brain Juice Productions, on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/BrainJuiceProductionsNC. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.
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Check out Mark Burger’s weekly film reviews at https://www.yesweekly.com/film/
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Mark Burger
Contributor
Enough is enough: Our community deserves better
BY BISHOP JOHN C. PARKS Senior Pastor & Teacher, City of Hope
What happened at Leinbach Park is heartbreaking. Another act of violence. Another moment that should shake us — not just emotionally, but into action. This is bigger than one incident. This is about what we are building — or failing to build — for our youth. We cannot keep reacting.
We must start PREVENTING. We cannot just hold a press conference or post on Facebook, casting blame, have no concern at all, or throw shade on our local and county elected o cials.
HERE’S THE REAL TRUTH: Our young people are not just “getting in trouble” — they are UNDEREXPOSED, UNDERDEVELOPED, AND UNDERSERVED.
• When opportunity is absent…
• Streets become the teacher
• Influence becomes dangerous
• Potential goes untapped WE NEED A UNITED FRONT — NOW. This is not just a job for our city and elected o cials, law enforcement, or the justice system. This is a community responsibility. We need:
• Community institutions to create safe spaces and structured programs
• Churches & religious Institutions to build character, purpose, and spiritual grounding
• Families to stay engaged, aware, and present
• Nonprofits to provide mentorship, skills training resulting in career pathways that lead to real opportunities!
OUR YOUTH DON’T NEED MORE LECTURES — THEY NEED PATHWAYS.
Pathways to:
• Skills training
• Career opportunities
• Mentorship
• Financial literacy
• Purpose-driven living
Because when a young person can SEE a future … They stop gambling with their life. If we don’t prepare them, the streets will.
And the streets don’t teach purpose — they teach survival.
Let’s stop asking “Why does this keep happening?” And start asking … “What are we doing — together — to change it?”
HERE’S THE CHALLENGE — AND THE OPPORTUNITY:
We are actively working with 30 organizations to create real pathways for our youth — not just programs, but outcomes.
But imagine this… There are 3,812 nonprofits in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.
If just 10% (381 organizations) came together with our community with an intentional focus …
• We could reshape the future of this city
• We could flood our community with opportunity
• We could interrupt cycles before they start
If you are a leader, an organization, a church, or a concerned family — LET’S COLLABORATE. I’m ready to work with EVERYONE who is willing to be part of the SOLUTION! Not next year. Not someday. NOW. Because the truth is simple: Opportunity changes everything. Please EMAIL me and let’s get busy! !
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] “JAMES & JOEL” RETURNS ON MAY 8, 2026
SUBMITTED BY ARTS COUNCIL OF WINSTON-SALEM & FORSYTH COUNTY
The Arts Council of WinstonSalem & Forsyth County presents “James & Joel: A Tribute to Great American Songwriters,” Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanesbrands Theatre. The concert features Virginia-based musician Clay Mottley performing classic songs and sharing stories behind the works of hitmakers James Taylor and Billy Joel. The 2.5-hour solo show features Mottley on vocals, guitar, and piano. Musican Clay Mottley spoke to the arts council about the show.
Why is this event important to you?
“I’ve always been a fan of both JT and Billy Joel, and as a musician, it’s a rite of passage to learn to play their songs. I think it’s important to carry on great music across the generations, and so sharing these songs and the stories behind them is my way of not only saying “thank you” to these two great artists, but also keeping their music alive for another generation.”
Why did you get into this line of work?
“Playing music to an audience is an amazing experience — there’s a back and forth, when you see people singing along, or a smile when a particular song starts. I love that feeling, and want to experience it as much as I can.”
Why are the arts important to you and our community?
to take a chance on my show two years ago, when they had no reason to. And it’s been worked well for both of us.”
What do you hope the audience will get out of this experience?
“I hope the audience enjoys the performance of songs they know, and a deep cut they hadn’t heard before. And I hope the stories about the songs make them appreciate the songs in a deeper way than they had before.”
How would you describe the show?
“‘James & Joel’ is celebration of two of America’s greatest songwriters, James Taylor and Billy Joel. Audiences will enjoy not only these amazing songs, but the stories behind how these songs came to be. All your favorite hits, but also some hidden gems and newer classics in the making.”
We will see you in the theater! !
WANNA go?
“Arts are what make us individuals. Everything is unique, even when you emulate someone else, and it’s what makes communities unique. Food is specific to regions, music is di erent in various parts of the world. Art gives life its color.”
Why did you choose to host your event with arts council?
“The arts council was kind enough
The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County presents “James & Joel: A Tribute to Great American Songwriters,” Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N. Spruce St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Tickets are $30+. Buy tickets at intothearts. org/events. All ages are welcome.
Quite simply, “Normal” is the most entertaining film of the year to date — for those who can take it. It’s a supremely assured, rip-roaring combination of black comedy and blistering action, as well as a triumph for producer/star Bob Odenkirk, who cowrote the story with producer/screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who previously collaborated on “Nobody” (2021) and “Nobody 2” (2025).
The new film is in the same vein but otherwise unrelated, with Odenkirk’s Ulysses Robinson the temporary sheri of the titular Minnesota town. It’s yet another dead-end gig for the laconic lawman, biding his time until Normal elects a new sheri to replace the recently deceased Sheri Gunderson, who froze to death. Normal is the sort of town where the local tavern is adorned with a variety of rifles, all of them loaded. (This will come in handy later, although not without a few hitches along the way.)
In typical film-noir fashion, Ulysses’ internal monologue serves as the film’s narration. “Life’s a lot easier when you care a little bit less,” he muses. Occasionally, he leaves voicemail messages for his estranged wife, but otherwise it’s business as usual. He even strikes up something of a friendship with bartender Moira (Lena Headey), in whom he confides some of his regrets, and turns down an invitation by smug Mayor Kibner (Henry Winkler) to stay on as a permanent resident of Normal. Thus far, “Normal” has been a lowkey, character-driven comedy, but when the local bank is robbed, and Ulysses attempts to defuse a hostage situation, all hell breaks loose — and so does the film. As it turns out, Normal is a town with many secrets, and the biggest one is right there in the bank’s vault. Ulysses was never meant to discover it, and it’s only because of the ineptness of the robbers (Reena
‘Normal’: A full-throttle knockout
Jolly and Brendan Fletcher) that he does. And, boy, he wishes he hadn’t. What follows is a raucous, relentless rollercoaster ride as Ulysses desperately attempts to extricate himself from a seemingly impossible quandary, and just when he thinks things can’t get worse, he learns that the Japanese Yakuza is not only involved but are headed to Normal to “fix” things by any means necessary. This does not bode well for Ulysses or, indeed, any of Normal’s population, which is quickly decreasing as the situation intensifies. There are some very
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elaborate, imaginative kills in “Normal,” as well as first-rate action choreography, both in fisticu s and shoot-outs, of which there are plenty.
At the eye of the storm, both literally and figuratively (a winter blizzard has inconveniently rolled into town at just the wrong time), is Odenkirk, whose Ulysses is unflappable throughout, even when he’s taking or dishing out a beating. Having first made his name in comedy as an actor and Emmy-winning writer, Odenkirk segued brilliantly into dramatic territory playing Saul Goodman in the much-acclaimed “Breaking Bad” (2009 - ’13) and its equally hailed spin-o “Better Call Saul” (2015-’22). He became an unexpected action hero in the two “Nobody” films, and here he delivers a tour de force turn that combines comedy and drama in almost seamless fashion.
The direction by Ben Wheatley is e cient, expedient, and exemplary. There’s nary a wasted moment in the
film’s breathless 90-minute running time, and Kolstad’s inspired screenplay repeatedly and gleefully upends a lot of conventional expectations. There’s even a touch of the classic Western here, particularly “High Noon” (1951), in that Ulysses is essentially one man facing impossible odds, yet he manages to overcome them time and again, often in unexpected and inspired ways.
Odenkirk is front and center throughout, but there’s solid support from Winkler, Headey, Jolly, and Fletcher, as well as Ryan Allen and Billy MacLellan as Ulysses’ deputies, and Jess McLeod as the estranged daughter of the late Sheri Gunderson, whose death wasn’t the accident everyone said it was. Amid the incessant chaos, each can make a mark and establish a character, yielding a near-perfect ensemble cast. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.
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Tries to swat with an open hand 39 2002 film with Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes 45 “I have it!”
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Photos by Natalie Garcia
spread Toxic history inspires journalist to become novelist
“Spending tens of millions on a performing arts center and developer parking decks while toxic conditions persist nearby is reprehensible,” said Je Sykes about what inspired “Big Cover Story,” his novel about Bingham Park.
Although born in Winston-Salem, Sykes was fascinated with Greensboro for as long as he could remember, due to his love of pro wrestling and college basketball.
“As a child of factory workers, I thought Greensboro was the big city. I was watching the Clemson-Wake game when WFMY broke into it to report the Greensboro Massacre. I remained fascinated with the city and its complex history throughout my life. I dreamed of working at a newspaper, and as an adult, my goal was the News & Record. Considering how Landmark and then BH Media gutted it, I may be fortunate I never did.”
More than 30 years ago, Sykes spent six months in solitary confinement. Due to his family’s inability to a ord the bond, most of his incarceration was pre-trial. Decades later, this influenced several stories in his 2024 short fiction collection “Touch Your Defenses.”
“I abused substances aggressively and made a series of horrible decisions that led to spending 145 days in the Forsyth County jail awaiting my day in court. When I pleaded guilty to attempted arson, I learned the value of the saying, ‘the truth shall set you free.’ As a convicted felon with a history of substance abuse, I qualified for the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program and enrolled at the urging of my Aunt Julia Moore. I was very lucky to have her in my corner when most everyone else thought I’d thrown my life away. My incarceration made me understand su ering on a broader human level, giving me the clarity to make amends for my failures, and then an opportunity to finish my education and try to build an adult life.”
He graduated cum laude from Western
Carolina University with a degree in history, and was hired by the Hickory Daily Record in 2000. This led to the Lynchburg News and Advance, where he won multiple Virginia Press Association awards. He returned to his Tarheel roots when hired as editor at the Reidsville Review, where his brief tenure later became the subject of his novella “Two Days at the O ce.”
In 2014, Sykes moved to Greensboro to become editor of YES! Weekly, where he won awards for his reporting, and the premise of “Big Cover Story” was born. One of many inspirations for the novel was a conversation he overheard while dining at Table 16 on Elm Street.
“One of the most powerful men in Greensboro was seated in earshot, talking animatedly with his wife and another couple. They were discussing District 1 Representative Sharon Hightower. One woman complained about Hightower’s insistence on minority and womenowned contractors getting a piece of the LeBauer Park construction project. Nobody said anything overtly racist, but the tone was not pleasant, as they kept making fun of Sharon and her insistence that underrepresented business owners get a piece of the big ol’ foundation pie.”
This was in 2014.
“Tanger Center was not built yet. They’d just approved the first financing scheme that would see the city spend $80 million in taxpayer money to build a playhouse downtown, while poverty clusters in census tracts east and south of downtown lingered above 60-70 percent. The jokes continued until they began lamenting how the powerful man would have to deal with Hightower’s insistence on including Black and women contractors in the coming largesse. His wife placed her hand on his arm and said ‘He loves MWBE [Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprises] requirements.’”
In his novel, there is no direct equivalent of this conversation or the people having it, but it influenced his depiction of Greensboro’s economic and cultural elite.
“There are several scenes in ‘Big Cover Story’ where this sentiment is played out in gala events and dinners plated in porcelain. ‘We’ve always ignored them, councilman, that’s the agreement,’ one of my characters says.”
A year after Sykes overheard that conversation, he was having a casual chat with then-new and now-retired Assistant City Manager Chris Wilson.
“Chris was formerly with Parks and Recreation. I was trying to do more solutions-oriented reporting and had been looking at budget documents for where the city was spending money. Chris mentioned Bingham Park as something the city needed to work on. I researched and was dumbfounded to learn that there had been a municipal incinerator there that the city just covered and planted grass over and called a park.”
After looking at maps, he realized the park was next to Cottage Grove and just north of Willow Oaks and the site of the 1979 Greensboro Massacre. And then he visited the park.
“It was a sunny day, and the park was an oasis of serenity in the middle of the city. But I was shocked that the creek was not fenced o and the water was discolored. I’d read reports on contaminants in that water and realized that any child could play in it.”
Sykes was familiar with the high rates of poverty in the census tracts around downtown, and the asthma clusters that UNCG’s Dr. Stephen Sills and Rev. Beth McKee-Huger identified through their housing advocacy work. He left YES! Weekly with a notebook full of story ideas and characters he wanted to explore in fiction.
“My reporting career over, I decided to work labor jobs and focus on writing. With the wellness corridor versus Bingham Park idea, I had enough for my villain, given all I’d observed, read, and heard in Greensboro.”
In 2018, he moved his family back to
Cullowhee, where he works as a janitor, which he calls the ideal job for a writer. His collection “Touch Your Defenses: A Life in Stories” was published in 2024.
“Big Cover Story” was published on March 24. It builds a fictional narrative on a disturbing foundation of truth about how elite Greensboro used a Black and brown neighborhood as a toxic waste dump and built Bingham Park over it. He calls the park and the city by their real names, and the physical and economic geography of his Greensboro mostly matches that of the city that inspired him. But he stressed that it’s not a roman à clef, the traditional term for a novel in which the characters are closely based on real people.
“My protagonists and villain are not based on anyone in Greensboro. Goldie and Walter are completely imagined. The three minor characters that are politicians could be construed as composites of people readers might recognize, but I’ve no insight into their thought processes, which were also imagined on my part.”
“Big Cover Story” is available at Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro, and can be ordered at Bookmarks in Winston-Salem. !
IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book “I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith” was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.
Ian McDowell
Contributor
Je Stykes
Chancellor’s Speaker Series welcomes actor Michael Ealy
Awardwinning actor Michael Ealy stepped onto the Harrison Auditorium stage to a sold-out “Quarter Zips and Matcha Moods” event.
“Can I get an Aggie Pride?” he said to a roaring audience of more than 800 people.
The event was part of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s spring 2026 edition of the Chancellor’s Speaker Series held on April 7. In a nod to viral clips of young men showcasing their versatility of style and thought, the “Quarter Zips and Matcha Moods” conversation focused on responsibility, intentionality, lifestyle, and goals for college-aged men. Additionally, the series will explore how those areas influence development and maturity.
“I do believe tonight’s conversation, like all of our conversations, you’re going to take something from it that’s going to be important. That’s why we do this. It’s going to be compelling. And it’s going to be transformative,” said Chancellor James R. Martin II. “I am committed to learning and growing every single day. And that’s why all of us are here. That’s why you are here. It’s not just about what you’re doing while you’re here. It’s about learning for your life and growing. And so with growth, it requires preparation. And growth is not comfortable all the time. In fact, if it’s real growth, it won’t be comfortable. Every new level of knowledge requires preparation. And it requires e ort. I prepared for every position. And yes, for every relationship, too. And that’s really important. We have to connect with each other. We have to realize we’re in the people business. So connecting with each other, listening to each other, empathizing, relating to each other is an important skill set, certainly in this world.”
Alumnus Christian Robinson facilitated the conversation. Robinson earned his B.S. in economics in 2012 from A&T and
Juris Doctor in 2022 from Howard University School of Law. His journey as a leader began in Aggie Land, where he immersed himself in student leadership, culminating in his election as SGA President. Beginning his career working with an economic inequality and financial literacy social justice nonprofit, Robinson later received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Department of Education under the Obama administration. There he served in various positions. Now a licensed attorney, Robinson focuses his practice on advising startup founders at the pre-seed and seed stages, helping build solid entities, designing capitalization frameworks, and assisting in securing institutional investment.
“Just like many of you all, I’m versatile. But, I can’t be my best self if I’m not sound mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And if I’m not solid and sound in those spaces, and I’m not willing to put my pride and ego to the side, then I can’t be the best partner I can for my mate,” Robinson said. “Tonight’s conversation is about leveling up. With responsibility, intentionality, with career goals and life goals, and also advice.”
Ealy has worked in television and film for the past few decades. He has starred in blockbuster hits like “Think Like A Man,” “Takers,” and “Barbershop.” Ealy starred alongside Hilary Swank in “Fatale,” which held the No. 1 spot on Netflix last summer, and in the Lionsgate film “The Devil You Know,” on which he also served as executive producer. Previously, Ealy starred in the Sony thriller “The Intruder” opposite Dennis Quaid. He served as an executive producer and starred as the title character in the 2015 Sony thriller “The Perfect Guy,” which opened No. 1 at the box o ce and earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.
Most recently, Ealy starred in the hit STARZ series “Power Book II: Ghost.” He previously starred in Onyx Collective’s Hulu series “Reasonable Doubt.” He also guest-starred on Peacock’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and had a guest-starring role on “The Afterparty” for Apple TV. Additionally, Ealy co-starred opposite Kristen Bell in the dark comedy series “The
On television, audiences will soon see him portray legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X in Prime Video’s upcoming limited series on Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest.”
When asked when Ealy realized his behavior and choices shaped how others perceive Black men, he said early on in life, especially having grown up in the DMV area.
“I definitely had my fair share of profiling and stu that happened to me, and you were always cognizant of your surroundings and how you carried yourself and whether or not you were putting yourself in potential jeopardy. And there just wasn’t a lot of hope when I was growing up, sadly. We were told oftentimes that we would not make it as Black men to the age of 21,” he said. “I can go all over the world, and people can know me from this and that and the other, but everywhere I go, I represent my people. And, you know, hopefully I do it well.”
Robinson asked Ealy, “What does it mean to intentionally prepare yourself for opportunities before they arrive?”
“I remember I was sitting next to this guy who was a Marine, and we were about to do a scene together, and the director said, ‘Okay, you guys ready?’ And he said, ‘I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready.’
And the director said, ‘Action!’ And I said, ‘Hold on, hold on, hold on.’ I said, ‘I need about 5 minutes just to process what he was saying.’ That has stuck with me and has been a mantra that I say to myself
every day. I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready. Even when you don’t see me on a show, a movie, a billboard, a talk show, or whatever. I’m working on working. That is my life. I’m always working. I’m always putting myself in the best possible position so that when preparation meets opportunity, I’m ready,” he said. “You stay ready as much as you can. Do everything that you can to stay ready so that when your opportunity presents itself, you are beyond ready.”
When asked what advice he would give to students and those in the audience, Ealy said to build the future as you envision it.
“I think you can take everything we discussed tonight help define what you want your life to be and what you want it to look like, and that limitations are obstacles that haven’t necessarily been put in place by, you know, you, but by systems and governments, and sometimes family. Let’s be honest, sometimes we do it to ourselves,” he said. “We have to rise up. We have to use our resources. We have to pull together. We have to look out for each other. Find a mentor, and focus on your mental health, your wellness. Define what you want out of life, and pursue that with vigor, with diligence, discipline, and with the fearlessness that you are the solution, not the problem.” !
CHANEL DAVIS is the editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.
Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” for Netflix.
Chanel Davis
Editor
Michael Ealy and Alumnus Christian Robinson
Gateways Music Festival’s 2026 spring season honors Armenta Hummings Dumisani
Gateways Music Festival’s 2026 Gateways Spring Festival honors the festival’s visionary founder, pianist and educator Armenta Hummings Dumisani, in celebration of her 90th birthday on June 27. Dumisani, a hidden figure in both Black and women’s history whose leadership built one of the most vital communities for Black classical musicians in America, founded the festival in WinstonSalem, N.C. where the festival will return this April. The 2026 Gateways Spring Festival is presented in association with the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music.
THE 2026 GATEWAYS SPRING FESTIVAL: A TRIUMPHANT HOMECOMING
The 2026 Gateways Spring Festival will thread legacy and community into five days of artistic programming and events anchored by “Gateways in Celebration,” a concert honoring Dumisani’s singular contributions and featuring the Gateways Chamber Orchestra and Brass Collective, with performances by Amadi Azikiwe, Marcus Thompson, Damien Sneed, and Jas Ogiste. Included will be works by Black composers Samuel ColeridgeTaylor, Margaret Bonds, and George Walker, as well as Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This program embodies the festival’s ethos: bridging generations, illuminating lineage, and celebrating artistry shaped by heritage and lived experience. Throughout the week, the festival will present free public programming designed to inspire audiences of all ages. This includes Young Musicians Institute: Brass Day, a high-impact community workshop led by the Gateways Brass Collective; Masterclasses for strings, brass and piano at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts; and a piano recital with Damien Sneed, whose multifaceted career as an Emmy-winning conductor, composer, pianist and professor of music at Howard University has earned recognition across classical, operatic and interdisciplinary circles.
Additional festival o erings include the Dr. Paul J. Burgett Lecture and Community Conversation, led this year by National Association of Negro Musicians’ 2025 Competition winner Mira Walker, Gateways Brass Collective in concert, and The Family Dinner: A Gateways Reunion, an intimate gathering celebrating the community of artists and supporters first envisioned by Dumisani. The Festival also launches with a prefestival livestream, Prelude to Spring, featuring archival performances by Sneed, Rochelle Sennet, David Berry, and Dumisani herself.
Festival has stood as a powerful testament to the living tradition of Black artistry in classical music and to the enduring fellowship that sustains it. Founded in 1993 by Dumisani, a concert pianist, as a space where Black classical musicians could gather in a rmation, artistry and shared culture, Gateways has grown into one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to celebrating and amplifying Black classical artistry. For more than thirty years, it has brought together generations of artists — not only to perform at the highest level, but to enlighten, collaborate, connect, and inspire while honoring the composers and traditions that shape their artistic lives. By convening this community year after year — and welcoming audiences of all backgrounds into that shared expression — Gateways a rms the essential and ongoing contributions of Black artists across the classical music landscape.
“At Gateways, Black culture and classical music are not in conversation from a distance — they’re inseparable — and you don’t just hear it, you feel it. It moves through the room, connecting people across time, tradition, and lived experience,” said Gateways Music Festival President and Artistic Director Alex Laing. “That spirit began with Miss Armenta — her vision, her insistence on excellence, and her belief that Black classical artists deserve a home in this music. We are honored to pay tribute to her because every time Gateways convenes, we’re carrying her legacy forward, building community and showing what Black artistry makes possible across generations.”
2026 SPRING SEASON AT-A-GLANCE
Monday, April 6
Prelude to Spring: Celebrating The Gateways Piano Legacy Livestream | www.gatewaysmusicfestival.org/watch | 7:30 p.m. ET | Free
A pre-festival livestream featuring archival perfor-
mances by Damien Sneed, David Berry, Rochelle Sennet, and Armenta Hummings Dumisani, celebrating the pianistic lineage that anchors its founder’s artistry.
2026 GATEWAYS SPRING FESTIVAL — PUBLIC EVENTS
All events are free with RSVP unless noted Tuesday, April 21
Gateways Brass Collective in Concert United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church — Winston-Salem, N.C. | 6:30 p.m.
The Gateways Brass Collective presents a dynamic program tracing the impact of Black artistry across the musical landscape, performing works by Margaret Bonds, Dizzy Gillespie, Anthony Barfield, Je Scott, and more.
Wednesday, April 22
Young Musicians Institute: Brass Day
Centenary United Methodist Church — Winston-Salem, N.C. | 3:30-6:30 p.m.
In this public Brass Day experience, the Gateways Brass Collective leads young musicians through technique workshops, ensemble playing, and collaborative music-making in a dynamic, inspiring environment.
Thursday, April 23
Gateways in Celebration: A Concert Honoring the Legacy of Armenta Hummings Dumisani
Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. | 7 p.m.
A culminating concert featuring violists Amadi Azikiwe and Marcus Thompson performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto as well as works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Margaret Bonds, alongside a special musical o ering by Damien Sneed, honoring the vision and legacy of Gateways’ founder.
PRESS RELEASE PHOTO BY MATT WHITMEYER
ABOUT ARMENTA HUMMINGS DUMISANI
Armenta Hummings Dumisani is an acclaimed concert pianist, educator, and the visionary founder of Gateways Music Festival. A former Associate Professor of Music at the Eastman School of Music and the school’s Distinguished Community Mentor, she founded Gateways in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1993 as a gathering place for Black classical musicians — a space rooted in a rmation, artistic excellence, and fellowship.
A Juilliard graduate and international concert artist, Dumisani performed across five continents, appearing at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her career included performances under U.S. State Department sponsorship and numerous national and international honors.
At Eastman and in communities throughout Rochester, she was known for bringing music directly to churches, schools, senior centers and neighborhood spaces — expanding access to classical music while nurturing the next generation of artists.
Through Gateways, Dumisani created what has become one of the nation’s leading artistic homes for Black classical musicians, shaping generations of performers whose impact continues to resonate across the field.
ABOUT GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Gateways Music Festival celebrates Black artistry in classical music and inspires communities through the power of performance.
For more than 30 years, Gateways has created opportunities for Black classical artists to gather, connect and perform at the highest artistic level — creating programming for all backgrounds uniquely infused with occasion and excellence. Through festivals, residencies, ensem-
bles, broadcasts and education initiatives, Gateways uplifts and sustains the living tradition of Black classical artistry, and a rms the essential contributions of Black artists across the classical music landscape.
Founded in 1993 by concert pianist Armenta Hummings Dumisani in WinstonSalem, N.C., Gateways began as a local convening rooted in a rmation, artistry and fellowship. In 1995, the festival relocated to Rochester, New York, following Dumisani’s appointment to the faculty of the Eastman School of Music — establishing a home for the organization in Rochester and expanding its impact.
In 2016, while remaining an independent nonprofit organization, Gateways formalized its longstanding partnership with the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music and appointed its first professional sta . This milestone strengthened Gateways’ organizational infrastructure and expanded its capacity to serve artists and audiences locally and nationally.
Each year, Black classical musicians from across the field come together through Gateways’ festivals and programs. United by artistic excellence and shared lived experience, these artists form a vibrant community grounded in collaboration, mentorship and cultural legacy.
The Gateways Festival Orchestra is the organization’s flagship ensemble which convenes the community of artists and anchors its artistic vision and amplifies its impact across the field. Drawing leading players from the nation’s symphony orchestras, conservatory faculties and the international freelance community, each presentation of the Festival Orchestra is shaped by a unique constellation of musicians — creating performances marked by celebration, artistic excellence and cultural significance. From this foundation, Gateways
has advanced a growing portfolio of residencies and programs, including the Gateways Brass Collective, the nation’s only all-Black professional brass quintet; the Gateways Chamber Players; education and youth engagement initiatives, including the Young Musicians Institute; and Gateways Radio, a nationally syndicated program amplifying Black classical artistry across the United States.
Rooted in three decades of impact, Gateways is tradition in motion, guided by artistic brilliance, a vibrant commu-
nity of support and the commitment to be a lasting home for Black artistry in classical music. !
WANNA
For more information about Gateways, visit www.gatewaysmusicfestival.org.
For details about the 2026 Gateways Spring Festival, including tickets, visit: https://www. gatewaysmusicfestival.org/spring-festival-2026. Follow Gateways Music Festival on Instagram @Gateways_Music_Festival and Facebook @ GatewaysMusicFestival.
CARBORRO
CAT’S CRADLE
300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com
Apr 23: Easy Honey, Homemade Haircuts
Apr 24: Krooked Kings, Night Cap
Apr 24: Ritt Momney
Apr 25: Caitlin, Ggwendolyn
CHARLOTTE
BOJANGLES COLISEUM
2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600 www.boplex.com
Apr 24: Floetry
Apr 26: Phil Wickham
Apr 29: SatchVai Band ft. Joe Satrini & Steve Vai with Animals as Leaders
PNC MUSIC PAVILION
707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292 www.livenation.com
Apr 25: Peso Pluma
DURHAM
DPAC
123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787 www.dpacnc.com
Apr 24-25: Alison Krauss & Union Station ft. Jerry Douglas
Apr 26: Floetry ft. Raheem DeVaughn ft. Teedra Moses
Apr 27: Biscuits & Banjos
GREENSBORO
CAROLINA THEATRE
310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com
Apr 21: Troubadours Tour: Josh Baldwin, Matt Maher, John Mark McMillan
Apr 29: Ariella & Nicolaas
FLAT IRON
221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com
Apr 22: Laurelyn Dossett
Apr 23: Ryan Shook w/ Nathan James Hall
Apr 24: Murphy Campbell + Paper Wings
Apr 26: Sugar Meat, Knockout Artist and The Other Men
Apr 26: Chris Acker
GREENSBORO COLISEUM
1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
Apr 24: Manilow HANGAR 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com
Apr 24: TopOppGen
Apr 25: Return To Dust w/ Druidess, Identity Crisis
Apr 26: We Rise To Fall w/ Devil In Disguise, Deepest Red, Lilith Rising, Paddy B
Apr 30: Trevor Jackson
PIEDMONT HALL
2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
Apr 24: Green Queen Bingo
www.idiotboxers.com
Apr 24: Pedro Gonzales
Apr 25: Ben Jonez
www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/ Apr 24: Hwy 42
Apr 25: Stereo Doll
Apr 26: Sunday Funday: Gods of Grunge
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of April 27, 2026
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Impatience is still somewhat of a problem. But a sign of progress should soothe the anxious ARIES heart. Meanwhile, invest some of the waiting time in preparing for a change ahead.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Bovines tend to excel at solving problems, not creating them. But you risk doing just this if you’re slow to respond to a timely situation. If necessary, seek advice from someone you trust.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The GEMINI Twin might need to do more than a routine check of both a job-linked and homebased situation. Dig deeper for more data on both fronts to avoid unwanted surprises later.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Moon Children who are facing an important workplace decision are being encouraged to use their perceptiveness to see through any attempt to win them over with a supercharge of fawning and flattery.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Good news catapults LEOs and LEOnas into reconsidering a deferred decision. But time has moved on, and it’s a good idea to recheck your plans and make adjustments where necessary.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The week favors relationships, both personal and professional. Take the time to look for and immediately repair any vulnerable areas that were caused by unresolved misunderstandings.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A friend’s problems bring out your protective instincts. Be careful to keep a balance between meeting the obligations of friendship
without being overwhelmed by them.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The temptation to take an extreme position on an issue is strong, but moderation is favored both in personal and professional dealings. Move toward finding areas of agreement.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Getting another boss or teacher? Try to see the person behind the image. It will help you adjust more easily to the changes that new authority figures inevitably bring.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Much as you might dislike the idea, keep an open mind about using the assistance of a third party to help resolve problems that threaten to unravel an important agreement.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Music helps restore the Aquarian’s spiritual energies this week. Take someone you care about to a concert of your musical choice. Also, expect news about a workplace matter.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A challenge that seems easy enough at first could take an unexpected turn that might test your resolve. Decide if you should stay with it or if it’s better to move in another direction.
BORN THIS WEEK: You can be strong when standing up for justice, both for yourself and for others. In the right setting, this skill can be revolutionary.
© 2026 by King Features Syndicate
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 6
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on page 6
[1. TELEVISION: What was the title of the final episode of “M*A*S*H”?
[2. GEOGRAPHY: The Red Sea is an inlet of which ocean?
[3. INVENTIONS: Which English scientist invented the color wheel?
[4. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do pandas mostly eat?
[5. MOVIES: What is the name of the fictional college where “Animal House” is set?
[6. HISTORY: What was the last Chinese imperial dynasty?
[7. GEOMETRY: What is the distance around a circle called?
[8. SCIENCE: The world’s first vaccine was developed to prevent which disease?
[9. LITERATURE: Where is Stephen King’s novel “It” set?
[10. BUSINESS: What is the Disney logo based on?
answer
10. The signature of Walt Disney.
6. Qing. 7. Circumference. 8. Smallpox. 9. Derry, Maine.
© 2026 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
1. “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.”
2. Indian Ocean. 3. Sir Isaac Newton. 4. Bamboo. 5. Faber College.
FRI
FOUR TET • VINCE STAPLES • SPIRITUAL CRAMP THURS
MT. JOY • MAJOR LAZER • JESSIE MURPH • GEESE • CL NEE • GANJA WHITE NIGHT
LIL JON • BL D ORANGE • WET LEG • HOT MULLIGAN • BBNO$ • ZACK FOX • SMINO
SIDEPIECE • RACHEL CHINOURIRI • THE DARE • ADVENTURE CLUB • NOTION • INZO
MOTHER MOTHER • ŁASZEWO • BLUES TRAVELER • WOLFMOTHER • WEDNESDAY • THE CHATS • LAMBRINI GIRLS
AMBLE • DANIEL ALLAN • GOLDIE BOUTILIER • DORA JAR • VILLANELLE • JACKIE HOLLANDER • PAWPAW ROD
ALABAMA SHAKES • CHASE & STATUS • SARA LANDRY • RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE
FREDDIE GIBBS ALCHEMIST • AMYL SNIFFERS • SUB FOCUS • GORGON CITY
FLIPTURN • PASSION PIT • SNOW STRIPPERS • TASH SULTANA • WYATT FLORES
JUELZ • THE STEWS • CONGRESS THE BAND • MIDNIGHT GENERATION • SUNAMI • NIKITA, THE WICKED & THE SAT AND THE
BOYS NOIZE • HOLLY HUMBERSTONE • DEATHPACT • SG LEWIS • OSEES • WAYLON WYATT • THE RUNAROUNDS
DJ TRIXIE MATTEL • BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM • CONFIDENCE MAN • ARCY DRIVE • MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT
SUN & ORLEANS AVENUE
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND • LSZEE • CLIPSE • MARIAH THE SCIENTIST • DAILY BREAD
MODEST MOUSE • BIG GIGANTIC • JAPANESE BREAKFAST • TURNOVER • SAN HOLO
TROMBONE SHORTY • DEL WATER GAP • SPACEY JANE • AUDREY HOBERT
FCUKERS • BLONDSHELL • LITTLE STRANGER • ALY & AJ • HEMLOCKE SPRINGS • STEPH STRINGS A HUNDRED DRUMS • GIRL TONES • MOTIFV • NAT MYERS
