Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
April showers bring May flowers. These two months usually have near perfect weather. Get up, get out and get on with it! Enjoy the arts and the entertainment. JAZZ ON THE CAPE The 2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place this April 3-4, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). More than 40 bands will perform on five stages over two days. In its 10th year, the festival's lineup includes, but is not limited to legendary trumpeter Hugh Masekela, the collab- oration of guitarist Jonathan Butler and saxophonist Dave Koz, Mos Def, Dianne Reeves (US), Zap Mama (Belgium), Cape Town–based band, Loading Zone; the Stylistics (US), South African guitarist Dr. Philip Tabane, saxophon- ist McCoy Mrubata, Abigail Kubeka and the group Shakatak. Rashid Lombard is the festival director. WHITE SANDS FILM FEST The 5th annual White Sands International Film Festival takes place April, 23- 26, 2009. Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown to include and offer a uniquely diverse program encompassing a wide range of cinema, educational panels, and workshops, hosted by well recognized and experienced Industry professionals. This year the WSIFF again focuses on its goal of bringing eminent filmmakers to share their insights with audiences and heighten their apprecia- tion of the art of cinema. For information: (877) 345-6973 or info@wsiff.com. DANCE, DANCE, DANCE Momentum Dance Company is hosting the 6th Annual Miami Dance Festival in Miami, FL April 1-May 9. The nationally recognized festival will showcase art-in-motion, featuring two premieres, a satirical, economy-inspired dance/drama including, Bollywood Film Night and more! The festival kicks off with a world premiere from Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, a dance/drama based on Shakespeare's famed play, King Lear. Artistic director, Ilisa Rosal and company bring the classic themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, rivalry, righteousness and greed to life. Other highlights include the Brazz Dance Theater in Dreaming Amazonia and the Dance Now! Ensemble. For information: (305) 858-7002. MEMPHIS MUSIC The Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival is set for May 1-3, 2009, at Tom Lee Park. The festival will feature more than 60 music acts on four stages in an event that defines Memphis' music. Artists include: The All-American Rejects, Steve Miller Band, Al Green, 311, James Taylor, Katy Perry, Korn, Fall Out Boy, Ben Harper & Relentless 7, Snoop Dogg, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, John Lee Hooker, Jr., George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Bonnie Raitt, Three 6 Mafia, Elvis Costello, The Cult, The Roots and others. Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets or can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com. For information: www.memphisinmay.org. AT THE MOVIES Denzel Washington stars as a New York City subway dispatcher in, The Taking of Pelham 123, Washington plays Walter Garber, a guy whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. John Travolta stars as Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train's pas- sengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. The movie is set to release June 12. In The Soloist, an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez (Oscar® nom- inee Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. he Soloist is directed by Joe Wright. Tyson, a Sony Pictures Classics project, is set for an April 24, release. The movie, written and directed by James Toback, was a hit at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. It features the life of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The movie is B Y D A R L E N E C . D O N L O E – A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T E D I T O R Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 Jonathan Butler