A-May-Zing May - exhibitions, festivals, performances, conventions; May 2001 - Brief Article

Ebony, May, 2001 by Bennett Kinnon

IT's the month when spring fulfills its promise just in time to honor all mothers. It's also the time when travel plans begin in earnest. Suitcases are dragged from storage, reservations made and clothes purchased. Give mom the greatest gift of all, a personal visit from her children for Mother's Day. Better yet, send her on a getaway trip of her choice, to visit relatives or to pamper herself--your treat. Check the following lists for special events to celebrate mom.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WHERE

ATLANTA

* The 24th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Pork and other city venues. May 20-28

* Women in Mourning and Outrage: Amadou Diallo (1975-1999). Photography and video exhibit. Hammonds House Galleries and Resource Center of African American Art. May 1-June 24.

BALTIMORE

* The Girls Choir of Harlem. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. May 13.

CHICAGO

* 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Supremes. Concert starring Mary Wilson. Centre East, Skokie. May 5.

* Armstrong Centennial Celebration. Featuring Nicholas Payton. Ameritech Jazz at Symphony Center. May 24.

CLEVELAND

* Threads of Freedom: The Underground Railroad Story in Quilts. New Union Center for the Arts' FAVA Gallery. May 13-Aug. 26.

* Great American Rib Cook-Off. Burke Lakefront Airport May 24-28.

DEARBORN, Mich.

* The National Bowling Association annual convention. Hyatt-Regency. May 17-27.

DETROIT

* Flower Day at Eastern Market. The nation's oldest (160th year) and largest outdoor farmers market. May 20.

* Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. August Wilson play by Plowshares Theatre Company. Through May 27.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.

* Miles 2001. Celebration of Miles Davis' 75th birthday with an Arts Festival, Homecoming Parade and All-Star Jazz Festival. Noon-7 p.m. May 26.

JACKSON, Miss.

* Jubilee! JAM Outdoor music and arts festival. Downtown Jackson. May 18-20.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.

* Coalition of Black Trade Unionists annual convention. Colorado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World. May 23-28.

LOS ANGELES

* UCLA Jazz & Reggae Festival. UCLA Campus. May 27-28.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

* Memphis in May International Festival. May 1-31.

* W.C. Handy Blues Awards and Festival. Various sites. May 24-28.

NEW ORLEANS

* New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans Fair Grounds. May 3-6.

NEW YORK CITY

* The Sixth Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival Avery Fisher Hall. May 18 & 19.

* Urban Financial Services Coalition (formerly the National Association of Urban Bankers) annual convention. New York Hilton & Towers. May 29-June 2.

* The National Urban League 1910-2000: Celebrating Ninety Years of Service. The Schomburg Center. Exhibit ends May 31.

ORLANDO

* National Organization of Black County Officials annual convention Rosen Center Hotel. May 2-6.

PHILADELPHIA

* Pathmark Multicultural Arts Festival. The Gallery at Market East. May 18-19.

* Praise Power Celebration. Philadelphia Marriott Center. May 25-27.

* Sistah's Exposition. Pennsylvania Convention Center. May 19.

PITTSBURGH

* Africa: One Continent Many Worlds. Exhibit. Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Through May 13.

ST. LOUIS

* Art & Soul Festival. Washington Loft District, between 15th and 17th streets. May 19-29.

* St. Louis African Arts Festival. World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. May 25-28.

* Milestones: A Miles Davis Retrospective Exhibit in honor of Miles Davis' 75th birthday, May 26-July 25.

SAN FRANCISCO

* Carnaval 2001. San Francisco's version of Mardi Gras. May 27.

* Twelfth Night. A new production of Shakespeare's comedy set in New Orleans. The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre May 4-27.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

* Over the Line: The Art and Life of Jacob Lawrence. Exhibit. The Phillips Collection. May 26-Aug. 19.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.

* Conference of Prince Hall Grand Masters annual meeting. Adams Mark Hotel May 8-12.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS:

AFRICA

* The Sixth African/African-American Summit. Biannual conference convened by the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, Abuja, Nigeria. May 20-25.

BARBADOS

* Gospelfest. This international festival features major gospel talent from the United States, the UK and the Caribbean. May 20-27.

CURACAO

* The 14th Annual Curacao Jazz Festival. Features local and international talent. May 25 & 26.

MEXICO

* Cancun Jazz Festival. Various sites. May 22-26.

ST. LUCIA

* St. Lucia Jazz Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with a wide variety of international stars such as Miriam Makeba, Eric Benet, Luther Vandross, Carl Thomas, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Montell Jordan and Ronnie Laws. May 5-14.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Virgin Islands International Film & Video Festival. Reichhold Center for the Arts. St. Thomas. May 24-June 1.