Jackie Robinson Exhibit at African-American Heritage Museum

NEWS & VIEWS

Plus the Album of the Week, Drew Toonz and upcoming shows at Stockton's PAC.

By AC Weekly Staff

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jan. 25, 2012

Jackie Robinson Exhibit at African-American Heritage Museum 

All grade-schoolers learned about the Civil Rights Movement and can recall, with varying degrees of detail, the courage and determination it took to battle racial discrimination by people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, the Freedom Riders and others. It is likely though, based on how America’s leisure time is consumed by the love of athletics, that the name Jackie Robinson is best recognized for smashing color barriers. Robinson’s entry into the Major Leagues of baseball ended six decades of black players being relegated to the Negro Leagues, and began a long road of racial torment along the way. And it would not have been enough to merely play well in the majors. Robinson would have to dominate to dispel the notion that blacks were not of whites’ athletic ilk, and he did, earning six straight All-Star selections (1949-’54) for the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 10-year Major League career. Those interested in learning more about this American hero should visit the Jackie Robinson Exhibit at the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern N.J. (661 Jackson Rd., Newtonville). Ralph Hunter Sr., president of the museum, acquired the exhibit through a donation last August. It was originally assembled in 1997 to mark the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s breaking into the majors. “I had to do a lot of restoration,” says Hunter. “There were 11 crates and the process was difficult and time consuming, but we are very excited and happy to have such an amazing exhibit.” On Saturday, Jan. 28, a reception is scheduled from 2-4pm at the Martin Luther King Center in Newtonville to welcome the exhibit to the museum, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-4pm, and on Monday and Saturday by appointment. “I believe that after walking through the exhibit and viewing the videos, hearing the hurdles that Jackie overcame, the determination he possessed and the admirers he gathered along the way, it should inspire young people to never give up and to keep striving for that goal,” says Hunter. “No matter what stands in their way, keep on reaching out to achieve.” Call 704-5495 or visit aahmsnj.org. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. — Ray Schweibert  

Stockton P.A.C. Warms Up  The Winter Months  

The southern New Jersey shore area can be a great place to live with all the free beach concerts, shows and attractions. But in the bleak of mid-winter, the pickings do get a little slim. So it’s a great boost to people who like a good show that the Stockton Performing Arts Center presents a full slate of winter programs. That program starts Sunday with a concert by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony at 2pm. Traditionally the symphony starts its year with chamber music and this year features works by Mendelssohn and Antonin Dvorak, among other selections. The show is followed quickly by concert in the college’s new venue the Campus Center Theater by Steve Green & The Elevators, a six-piece rhythm powerhouse group that blends jazz, hip hop, funk, gospel, rock and Afro-Cuban sounds into a magical brew. On Saturday Feb. 4, the P.A.C. presents Theater a Go-Go, The Queen of Bingo. Part of the description of this comedy sketch performance is “The audience joins in the fun during the ‘Middle Bird Special’ — a real Bingo game where some lucky audience member wins a free 10lb. frozen turkey at every performance.” Other shows in the winter program include Philadanco Feb. 9, Michel Bell and concert pianist Catherine Matejka, Feb. 12, The Brubek Project Feb. 27 and the Moscow Festival Ballet March 19. Can you say eclectic? — Mike Pritchard 

Etta James 

‘The Dreamer’ (Verve Forecast) 

On Etta James’ final studio album, The Dreamer, the late blues singer, who passed away Jan. 20 at 73, one of the greatest blues singers of all-time adds an extraordinary final notch to her legacy. “At Last,” her 1961 Chess Records classic, may be the most well-known song associated with James, but the erratic, deeply passionate and often uncontrollable artist delved into all sorts of music through her career, from R&B and rootsy blues to standards, pop, and even hard rock. While her 2006 album All the Way included Prince’s “Purple Rain” and John Lennon’s “Imagine,” The Dreamer features the Guns N’ Roses hit “Welcome to the Jungle,” in addition to 10 more tracks carried by James’ ever-mighty blues-singing attack, including Otis Redding’s “Cigarettes & Coffee,” Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Dreamer” and Little Milton’s “Let Me Down Easy.” Just before its release last November year, James announced that The Dreamer would be her last album as she was determined to quit the music biz in order to deal with her mounting health issues. She will be missed, but alas, her music lives on forever. — Jeff Schwachter