Martin Luther King, Jr. News

The 2014 First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival runs today, September 18-27, 2014, in and around downtown Rochester's East End. Fringe 2014 will include more than 380 shows of all genres in 28 venues that range from parked cars to the return of the Magic Crystal Spiegeltent.

The Geffen Playhouse announces its production of The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord. Written by Scott Carter, executive producer and writer for Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect and Real Time, this whip-smart philosophical comedy features Larry Cedar (Deadwood, PBS's Square One TV), David Melville (Travel Channel Lawrence of America, film Ironclad) and Armin Shimerman (Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Associate Artistic Director at The Antaeus Company) and will be again helmed by director, Matt August (Broadway How the Grinch Stole Christmas). Discord begins previews on October 7 with the press opening on October 15. The closing date is currently scheduled for November 16.

Gulfshore Playhouse will begin their 2014-2015 season with Olivier Award winning play, The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, playing October 4th through 19th, with $30 preview performances on October 2nd and 3rd.

Stage and screen star Bryan Cranston stars in a new MLB commercial for TBS, in which he 'previews' his one-man show version of the post season. Check out his hilarious tribute to baseball below!

The Coterie opens its 2014/2015 Season with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a drama that interweaves the compelling true story of Rosa Parks with dynamic and uplifting songs from the period. Directed by Brad Shaw, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott will be performed live on stage September 23 - October 19, 2014.

Marin Theatre Company continues its 48th Season with the Bay Area premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's The Whale, which won MTC's 2011 Sky Cooper New American Play Prize and has gone on to become one of the most critically acclaimed new plays in America since its premiere in 2012.

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy and Executive Director Tom Parrish are proud to announce the 12 major productions of the much anticipated 2014-2015 Season, the non-profit's 42nd year of making professional theatre of a national standard in Rochester.

Perseverance Theatre, which produces professional theatre by and for Alaskans in both Juneau and Anchorage, has announced its slate of plays for 2014-2015. With five productions in Juneau and Anchorage, Perseverance continues its commitment to statewide programming and expanding its community of audience and artisans. The season opens with An Iliad tonight, September 5 - 28 in Juneau while Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike plays in Anchorage September 12 - 21.

Perseverance Theatre, which produces professional theatre by and for Alaskans in both Juneau and Anchorage, has announced its slate of plays for 2014-2015. With five productions in Juneau and Anchorage, Perseverance continues its commitment to statewide programming and expanding its community of audience and artisans. The season opens with An Iliad September 5 - 28 in Juneau while Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike plays in Anchorage September 12 - 21.

According to Deadline, NBC has landed small screen adaptation of Conn and Hal Iggulden's THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS from Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized as a vital "American Cultural Ambassador" to the world and New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the New York City Center stage for the 43rd consecutive year from December 3, 2014 - January 4, 2015. The Company will present 39 performances during an exciting annual season that has become a joyous holiday tradition.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized as a vital "American Cultural Ambassador" to the world and New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the New York City Center stage for the 43rd consecutive year from December 3, 2014 - January 4, 2015. The Company will present 39 performances during an exciting annual season that has become a joyous holiday tradition.

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted Tuesday night (August 26) to present Honorary Awards to Jean-Claude Carrière, Hayao Miyazaki and Maureen O'Hara, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Harry Belafonte. All four awards will be presented at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards on Saturday, November 8, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center.

James Blair worked as a staff photographer for the National Geographic Magazine for thirty years. He has had more than 45 stories published in the magazine, and more than 2000 of his photos have appeared within its covers.

ArtsWest opens their 2014-2015 season with the Seattle Premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop.

Hodges & Hodges grooved their way down to the Orpheum Theatre to dance the night away at MOTOWN the Musical! The hit record company defined the sound of the sixties and seventies, breaking down racial barriers with a signature soul/pop sound that cut across the black/white divide at a time when segregation was still the law of the land. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and the Temptations were just a few of the artists that made up the hit parade at Motown.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

TV One, which entertains, informs and inspires Black adult viewers, today announced that its popular investigative docu-series Celebrity Crime Files returns for a riveting third season Monday, September 8 at 10 PM/ET.

Colin is proud to offer his debut work which represents his personal journey towards understanding his own identity, 'I am not African American' is already available on Amazon.com and Kindle and will be hitting bookstores everywhere very soon. 'I am not African American' is an informative explanation outlining the plight of black Americans throughout the history of the United States. It focuses on how black Americans have been lumped together without differentiation for their unique ethnic origins. In particular, Colin clarifies who black Americans of slave origins are, presently labeled as, for lack of a better term, African Americans, and why they are different from the other blacks who immigrated to America. He examines how their unique history of persecution and oppression has resulted in all blacks, for that matter, all people of color, are frequently treated as non-Americans. But also, Colin further emphasizes what important roles many black Americans have played in the history of this great nation. By specifically focusing on the speeches and writings of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 'I am not African American' illuminates the fact that Dr. King's dream of seeing all Americans aspire to reach the Mountaintop can never be fulfilled if we do not understand and acknowledge the long journey African Americans have taken towards making this nation a 'more perfect union.' Only through their achievement will America be able to live up to its creed of 'All men are created equal...' Being a Jamaican American allows Colin to view race relations from a different perspective. He understands the necessity for unity against those who tried to oppress; however, through his own life experiences believes that we as a nation have reached a moment in our history where without proper delineation, our children will never be 'judged by the content of their character.' They will continue to struggle against those who believe that America is simply a place which can only be represented by a single face.

UUA Moderator Jim Key reflects on how, nearly fifty years ago, the UUA Board of Trustees recessed their 1965 spring meeting to join Unitarian Universalists from across the country in Selma, Alabama, in the struggle for voting rights.