Jazz, laughter and drama

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Jazz, laughter and drama

By Toni Baker-Tyson – January 7, 2011

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Welcome to the first official weekend of 2011. No, I'm not counting last week’s New Year’s festivities. That was something else entirely.

If you’re looking for entertainment options, this week has no shortage. Here are my top picks:

Friday
Jazz at the Bechtler: By popular demand, the summer jazz series continues each first Friday at the uptown museum. Music by The Ziad Jazz Quartet. This week’s performance is called “Post Holiday Blues. Begin the new year on a mellow note with great jazz blues standards by Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Oliver Nelson, Duke Ellington, and Charles Mingus featuring Work Song, Stolen Moments, Walkin’, Things Ain’t What They Used to Be and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: Free with cost of museum admission.

Saturday:
Ok, so the Lauryn Hill performance at Amos’ Southend is sold out. Might as well laugh about it. The “Legends of Comedy Tour” at Ovens Auditorium will feature Teddy Carpenter, Chris Thomas, Shuckey Duckey and Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones. The show is hosted by Bern Nadette Stanis. (You know, Thelma from "Good Times.") Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $39.50

Sunday
At the Gantt Center, the Classic International Black Cinema Series will feature Sidney Poitier’s debut film, “No Way Out”: (1950) The Biddle brothers, shot while robbing a gas station, are taken to the prison ward of the County Hospital; Ray Biddle, a rabid racist, wants no treatment from black resident Dr. Luther Brooks. When brother John dies while Luther tries to save him, Ray is certain it's murder and becomes obsessed with vengeance. But there are black racists around too, and the situation slides rapidly toward violence. (Recommended for ages 18+) Time: 2 p.m. Cost: Free with cost of museum admission.