Thursday 3

Jazz jam

CJ’s Restaurant & Lounge presents “The Roger Humphries & RH Factor Jazz Jam Session” at 8 p.m. at 2901-2911 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be live jazz and fun every Thursday night. Must be 30 years or older and there is a dress code that will be enforced. No tennis shoes, sweats or athletic gear. For more information, call 412-642-2377.

“Pittsburghers can expect to see a show like they have never seen before. There will be a lot of dancing and movement on the stage. Uncle Charlie does it different than the Gap Band,” said singer Charlie Wilson about his recent performance at the Classic Soul Music Festival on May 14. “I came to turn this mother out.”

And Uncle Charlie surely delivered a fantastic show.

CHARLIE WILSON

Wilson effortlessly weaved a show together with his new songs and Gap Band favorites.

He came on stage dressed in a black suit with a royal purple shirt and black newsboy cap. He immediately launched into the Gap Band hit, “Party Train,” which brought the audience to its feet.

Hard work and dedication is paying off for an entertainment company called Money Motivated Entertainment, which consists of Robert “Bum” Sledge, Michael Talley and Andre Robinson. On May 30, actress Vivica A. Fox will host an event called the “All White Memorial Day Celebration” held at the Whim in Station Square.

VIVICA A. FOX

Fox coming to Pittsburgh to host this celebration is not a stretch for the actress.

“I make public appearances all the time and I’m heavily involved in the community and the community loves to see some Vivica. It keeps me in touch with my audience and fan base. I do a lot of that mostly on the weekends by promoting my projects and greetings the fans at the same time,” Fox said.

This week I visited the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh and The August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Downtown Pittsburgh, The Improv in Homestead, Glenn Campbell’s Celebration Cookout in the Hill District and the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty.

My first stop was at the Benedum Center where Groove Productions presented the Classic Soul Music Festival starring Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band, Con Funk Shun, Artistree and comedian Cool-Aide. This event was sold out and everyone was dressed to impress as they enjoyed the soulful sounds of Charlie Wilson. He sang all his old hits and some of the new ones and he shared how God has rescued him and turned his life around. It was a great time for everyone.

The Charlie Wilson dancers representin’ at the Benedum Center.