Happy Anniversary

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters is celebrating 30 years—and they're doing it big. This year's 30th Anniversary Black Tie and Red Carpet Season Opening Gala features a who's who list of black star power. The lineup includes appearances and performances by no less than Oleta Adams, Erykah Badu, Regina Belle, Peabo Bryson, Ruby Dee, Marla Gibb, Louis Gossett Jr.—and the list goes on and on...literally.

The weekend's festivities kick off Friday at noon with a celebrity and sponsors' press conference. On Saturday, there will be a VIP reception beginning at 6 p.m. The gala begins at 8 p.m. with performances by Oleta Adams, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. At 10 p.m., each venue in TBAAL's facility will host a different kind of party—jazz, reggae and even a New Orleans second line. Tickets are $75 to $100 for the entire evening. Tickets for the post-gala reception and entertainment only are $50. For more information or to purchase tickets, call TBAAL's box office at 214-743-2400 or visit tbaal.org .
Sat., Sept. 23, 8 p.m.