This week I visited Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland, Games N’At on the South Side, The Corner Café on the South Side, CJ’s in the Strip District, Ace and Deuces Lounge in the Hill District and The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty.

My first stop was at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland where gospel legend Vickie Winans performed her gospel hits for her fans and everyone got their praise on. I have to shout out Dorian for putting together a great event.

Fletcher Jones and 1st place winner Purpose at the Corner Café on the South Side.

One of the region’s premiere jazz events celebrates 40 years this November, as the University of Pittsburgh hosts its annual 2010 Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert Nov. 4-6.

Founded in 1971 by Pitt Jazz Studies Program Director Nathan Davis as the first academic jazz seminar of its kind in the country, the event features international artists connecting with aspiring students in a lecture format, then performing together as an ensemble.

JON FADDIS

Over four decades, the Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert has played host to some of the greatest names in American jazz history, including saxophonists Grover Washington Jr. and Sonny Stitt, drummer and bandleader Art Blakey, trumpet master Dizzy Gillespie and pianist Billy Taylor.

Thursday 4

Soul Garden

Charismatic Nightlife and the August Wilson Center presents The Soul Garden featuring N’Dambi at 7:30 p.m. at AWC, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. This signature Soul Music Showcase features recording artist N’Dambi. There will be a happy hour. For more information, call 412-338-8742.

Your parents gave up a lot for you over the years.

From the start, your mother gave her body over to you and nurtured you. Your father taught you, mom guided you (and vice versa). They put a roof over your head, food in your belly, toys on the floor and memories in your heart.

Author Condoleezza Rice’s parents did that and more. In the new book “Extraordinary, Ordinary People,” you’ll read about how they instilled a love of learning in their daughter’s life.

The descendant of slaves but possessing Italian lineage, Rice was born in Alabama, well before the Civil Rights Movement.