MLK Peace Conference commemorates King's death
The event, presented by the Martin Luther King Social Action Committee, is being held in commemoration of the anniversary of King's assassination on April 4, 1968.
The event will also include music by psalmist Kiera Whitaker and a speech by Sophia Stevens, winner of the 2025 MLK Oratorical Contest.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 336-476-7218 or visit www.mlksac.com.
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Chicago Tribune
6 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Review: ‘Billie Jean' at Chicago Shakes is a straightforward account of a champion's story
In the final few minutes of 'Billie Jean,' the new play with Broadway aspirations at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, we follow Billie Jean King and her spouse, Ilana Kloss, the South African former tennis player. King, one of the most extraordinary living Americans and once (frankly, still) one of the most famous women in the world, came fully out of the closet relatively late in life, and the scenes involve King's loving but traditional Southern California parents accepting the lesbian couple. Those moments are deeply emotional and, quite frankly, beautiful enough in their simplicity to bring a tear to the eye. Chilina Kennedy, the Canadian star who plays King, is finally allowed a chance to breathe and Callie Rachelle Johnson, who plays Ilana (among others), is one of those performers capable of creating a character to whom one inherently warms. King has come home in all the ways we all crave and the gravitas and challenges of her journey feel at once familiar and extraordinary. In a world seemingly bereft of heroes and heroines, these last few minutes send the audience out on a genuine high. I wouldn't normally talk about the end of a show like this, but this hardly is a spoiler for any tennis fans who have followed King's career. More importantly, this script and production would be so much better if more scenes took their time to land emotionally and felt the same way. Biographical shows about very famous, and very impressive, living people are tricky. The writer inevitably wants to please and hail the subject, who holds the keys to her own life, having been there. As we've seen with many Broadway jukebox biographies, even if the subject doesn't want a hagiography (and I can't imagine that the famously honest King did), that doesn't mean she won't get one. There's also commercial motivation: No one coming to a play about Billie Jean King is looking for something that does not celebrate her achievements. So it's easy for the authorial voice to blur with the subject, and that is what happens here, a bit too much. Supporting characters, many of whom remain overly one-dimensional, are seen through a singular lens. On some levels, that's fair enough. We can read whose name is on the marquee. And why not celebrate the struggles and triumphs of such an icon? Given that King is now 81 years old, it's also likely that generations of Americans are less than fully aware of all she achieved and I can see mothers, especially, taking their daughters to this show and saying, 'See?' The piece is also a celebration of the multi-decade LGBTQ struggle, and of the LGBTQ community as a whole, especially since it includes King's full-throttle support of the pioneering transsexual player Renée Richards (Murphy Taylor Smith), tacitly distinguishing King from, say, Martina Navratilova on that issue. All of the above are valid reasons for a piece of biographical theater. But I also think plays, even plays about a person as virtuous and courageous as King, also have an imperative to challenge and surprise their audiences. You don't get other points of view here on anything, at least not beyond the appearance of various stereotypical obstacles to King's progress. So when the play, say, posits the Australian player Margaret Court mostly as a villain, one cannot help but wonder what she would have had to say, given the chance. The same is true of Larry King (Dan Amboyer), who is a confusing and underwritten presence here, kinda supporting the heroine one moment and behaving like the classic controlling dude the next, so as to fit the overall narrative in which his influence must be vanquished for full self-actualization. I wonder what he would have said, too. Plus, human lives like this one are long, and they can feel that way when plays precede chronologically. 'Billie Jean' sets itself the task of exploring its subject from girlhood through emergent doubles accomplishment, through her astonishing list of singles titles at Wimbledon, where she thrived, to her complicated but abiding marriage to Larry, through the famous 'Battle of the Sexes' match with Bobby Riggs to the scandal involving King's relationship with Lenne Klingaman's wacky Marilyn Barnett (who filed a palimony suit against King in 1981), to King's work to create the Virginia Slims tournament (and by extension the WTA tour), to how the media treated her to her admirable philosophies of life to her impact on Venus Williams (Courtney Rikki Green). Along the way, it heralds many of King's views of sports and life, including her conviction, rare among professional athletes of all stripes, that 'pressure is a privilege.' King's life has, to say the least, been amply documented. For decades. So for those of us who have followed tennis, we already know about her astonishing 39 Grand Slam titles and her unstinting advocacy for women's tennis, especially the need to persuade the tennis establishment that women deserved to have a place to play, equal and fair compensation, and to be recognized and understood not just for their looks or as amateur curiosities but as some of the world's greatest professional athletes. And, of course, we also know what King achieved in tennis also (eventually) crushed barriers to women in other sports from golf to soccer. 'Billie Jean' tells its laudatory story very capably, thanks in no small part to a very energized and fluid production from director Marc Bruni. The show does not feature actual tennis (beyond a few stylized arm movements and sound effects), nor does it get into the tennis weeds at all; 'Billie Jean' actually never really explores what made King so good at the game besides chronicling her determination and love of winning. Some sense of her formidable technique surely would help round out the picture. The show also glosses over her first singles title, which seemed strange to me, but then there's a lot to cover in such a life. The battle with Riggs also zips by, presumably since the show well knows it already was the subject of an excellent movie. At times, it feels like you are watching a staged Wikipedia entry, frankly, given all the narrative interjections from the eight-person ensemble, not all of which are needed. But at others, playwright Lauren Gunderson's skills with poetic language really kick in, the text takes more risks of style and form and Kennedy, who is superbly cast in this difficult role, handles everything anyone hurls her way with aplomb. I'm sure many of King's fans will love this piece, which is set on a revolving tennis court set designed by Wilson Chin, but I hope the next draft deviates a little more from the straight race through an incredible American life and sits longer with the beating heart of its most human of subjects. That, after all, was Billie Jean King's actual secret weapon. Review: 'Billie Jean' (3 stars) When: Through Aug. 10 Where: Chicago Shakespeare's Yard Theatre on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes Tickets: $73-$134 at 312-595-5600 and
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
King Charles Shares Rare Glimpse of His Private Royal Residence Amid Health Issues
King Charles Shares Rare Glimpse of His Private Royal Residence Amid Health Issues originally appeared on Parade. King Charles provided royal fans with a rare glimpse inside his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk during a high-profile diplomatic meeting. The monarch welcomed President Maia Sandu of Moldova and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to the historic royal residence. The meeting took place in Sandringham House's main reception room, offering royal watchers a rare view of the estate's interior design. The Royal Family's X account captured the King shaking hands with both world leaders as they stood for a photo-op. The reception room's décor was on full display, featuring a traditional fireplace as the centerpiece, with large plants to the side. There are also numerous lamps throughout the room, providing ample lighting alongside the massive windows. During the diplomatic encounter, King Charles received a symbolic tree as a gift, which will be planted on the estate grounds this fall. This thoughtful present connects to Prime Minister Modi's environmental initiative that encourages individuals to plant trees in honor of their mothers. Sandringham Estate holds deep significance to the royal family as they usually stay there for Christmas and New Years. This tradition began in 1988 when the late Queen Elizabeth established the custom. During their holiday visit, particularly on Christmas Eve, the royal family attends a black-tie dinner followed by a gift exchange. The next day, Christmas morning, marks one of the most photographed royal traditions. The family walks to St. Mary Magdalene Church, located directly on the Sandringham Estate grounds. This public appearance allows the royals to interact with local residents and fans who gather to witness this beloved ritual. Following the church service, the family returns to Sandringham House to continue their private Christmas celebrations. The upcoming holiday festivities will likely include the core royal family members — King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. However, recent years have shown some changes in the royal Christmas guest list. Extended family members, including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have occasionally chosen to spend holidays with their in-laws King Charles Shares Rare Glimpse of His Private Royal Residence Amid Health Issues first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Upturn
a day ago
- Business Upturn
World's First Yaari Jam at 36,000 Feet: House of McDowell's Soda Takes Yaari to the Sky
House of McDowell's Soda hosts the world's first Yaari Jam at 36,000 feet this Friendship Day with King, Karma, and comedians Ravi Gupta and Gurleen Pannu on a chartered flight from Mumbai to Kolkata. Fans can win a seat for themselves and their yaars by sharing #FirstWithFriends stories on Instagram. The experience includes an exclusive in-flight jam and VIP access to the Kolkata concert — all in celebration of music, friendship, and unforgettable yaari. Business Wire India This Friendship Day, House of McDowell's Soda is taking the spirit of Yaari to soaring new heights. Presenting the most exclusive jam in the world, happening 36,000 feet above ground on a chartered flight, headlined by none other than rap sensation, King. Joining him are rapper Karma and comedians Ravi Gupta and Gurleen Pannu – ready to bring the beats, banter, and unfiltered fun . This isn't just another opportunity, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience curated for the most spirited yaars in the country – where music, friendship and altitude come together. The flight will take off from Mumbai and land in Kolkata, where the full-fledged House of McDowell's Soda Yaari Jam event will unfold. To be part of this sky-high celebration, you won't buy a ticket, you'll have to win it. Tag House of McDowell's Soda on Instagram to unlock access to the microsite, where you can share your craziest, most unforgettable 'first with friends' stories. The winning duo will not only board India's first-ever in-flight Jam but also receive VIP access to the Kolkata show featuring King, Fossils, and Sanam, exclusive backstage passes and a luxurious suite stay – making it a grand celebration of yaari. 'We've jammed in clubs, across sprawling grounds, and on high-production stages — but never in the sky,' said Varun Koorichh, Vice President and Portfolio Head – Marketing, Diageo India. 'That's where the idea for Yaari Jam at 36,000 ft took off. We didn't just want to create something memorable — we wanted it to be meaningful. Music has always been a powerful connector, and we saw an opportunity to celebrate friendship in a way that felt truly extraordinary. A bunch of friends in the sky, vibing to music becomes the perfect symbol — elevated, joyful, and unforgettable. With King onboard and a format built around real stories of friendships; we're not just creating buzz — we're creating moments. This is our tribute to the friendships that shape us.' 'Music has always been about connection and community,' said singer-songwriter, rapper, and music producer KING . 'I've performed on countless stages, but a jamming with friends at 36,000 feet in the air? That's a first. With a brand that truly celebrates yaari, it feels personal. I'm excited for a flight of laughter, conversation and endless music, mid-air – making this Friendship Day unforgettable. Can't wait to see who's joining me on board.' Rapper, singer, songwriter, and music composer Karma, added , 'Friendship has always been the rhythm of my life – through every high and low, my friends have been my constant melody. We've made memories in cafés, rooftops, and road trips, but the idea of taking our bond above the clouds? – That's something else. Being part of a celebration that honours true yaari makes it feel even more special. I'm ready for conversations that don't end, laughter that echoes, and music that connects us mid-air. Can't wait to experience this unforgettable moment with the ones who've always had my back." 'No script, no stage – just a bunch of yaars jamming thousands of feet in the air. It's going to be one fun ride with King and Karma. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds!" added standup comedian Ravi Gupta . Think you and your yaars have what it takes to jam above the clouds? Share your ultimate yaari story with House of McDowell's Soda on Instagram and you could turn a core friendship moment into the most unforgettable #FirstWithFriends moment of your life . Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. Business Upturn take no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
