Among the entertainment options for Charlotteans this weekend, are events in honor of Women’s History Month. One includes an author talk that dives into social issues impacting women today.
One specific issue: the relatively high incarceration rates among African-American women. Author and scholar Dr. DaMaris B. Hill examines this issue through her writings – including a book of poetry titled, “A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing.”
Dr. Hill will participate in several local events this weekend, including a reading and forum tomorrow evening sponsored by the Gantt Center.
“I do want others to understand the problem with women and incarceration are not just statistics," Dr. Hill said in an interview this week with WFAE. "It affects their individual lives, the lives of their children and the lives of our society.”
Pride Magazine's Shawn Allison joined WFAE's Mark Rumsey to talk about Dr. Hills' events — and others — on this week's "Weekend in Entertainment" segment.
Mark Rumsey: So Shawn Allison in your view, are there some broader issues that you think are also behind her work that may be coming up in these discussions this weekend?
Shawn Allison: Yes. Subjects such as employment equality, educational equality, opportunity, public resources, welfare, SNAP and things of that sort. [Hill will also look at] how all these things configure into the livelihood of many women of color in Charlotte, and that the lack of access to them is a hindrance for not only them but their families as well and the community in general.
Rumsey: What are the details of this Friday's evening event?
Allison: It will be held at the Wells Fargo Auditorium inside the Knight Theater this Friday starting at 6:30 p.m.
Rumsey: All right. Let's change gears now. The late rapper known as the Notorious B.I.G., or Biggie Smalls, was shot and killed on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles. He was 24 and his murder has never been solved. On Saturday night in Charlotte, it's the eighth annual Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy tribute and celebration. Tell us about this event.
Allison: The event is called POPPA. What you're gonna get is just classic hip hop flavor all night in remembrance of this icon, along with a healthy dose of classic hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and everything else in the musical universe.
Rumsey: Right. So what made it so iconic and lasting?
Allison: His music had the ability to paint pictures of inner-city youth, more so those from Brooklyn. But also those who were in impoverished neighborhoods around this country and even around the world. They have some relation to his work. He was a great storyteller. He was very humorous at times. But as we always say, he kept it real.
Rumsey: And Shawn, who shows up for these tribute events. [Biggie Smalls] has been, you know, not with us now for over two decades?
Allison: Everybody does and there's no certain demographic of people. Everybody is welcome because his music touches all. When certain intros to some of his songs come on, everybody gets up and dances.
Rumsey: And give us a time and place on that one?
Allison: Certainly. The jump-off is at 9:00 p.m. at Loft and Cellar in Uptown.
Rumsey: And Shawn, one more quick note for this weekend. There is an event tomorrow night titled "The Art of Easing" at the Tip Top Daily Market in Plaza Midwood.
Allison: "The Art of Easing" is just how the title sounds. It’s just the ease of the mind. You just come in after a long work week. You're tired of your kids, your spouse or significant other — life's trouble. And you just ease your mind to the sound of music being spun from classic vinyl records. And just hang out with friends in the community.
Rumsey: And the start time for that Friday night in Plaza Midwood is?
Allison: The event starts at 8 p.m. and it runs to whenever we feel like going home.
Every Thursday tune in to All Things Considered on WFAE 90.7 for our latest Weekend in Entertainment segment featuring voices from Charlotte’s media scene bringing you the latest music, cultural and social events.
