A Carib duo in ‘Black Panther’
Among the shining stars of this weekend’s opening of the Marvel Studios’ superhero movie “Black Panther” were Letitia Wright from Guyana and Winston Duke of Tobago, who gave notable performances in the Hollywood blockbuster.
Based on the Marvel comic book series that started in the mid-1960s, “Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira.
Wright, 24, was born in Guyana. While a child, she moved to London with her family. She plays Shuri, the sister of T’Challa, the prince who becomes ruler of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda and reigning Black Panther — the country’s masked superhero protector.
Wright’s Shuri is passionate, intelligent, technologically intense and — like the other female characters in “Panther” — well equipped for intense physical combat.
Duke, 31, portrays the powerful leader M’Baku, whose Jabari Tribe lives in far-flung mountains away from urban Wakanda.
One of People magazine’s “Hottest Rising Stars” and the focus of a Vanity Fair article titled “Black Panther’s Winston Duke Is the Star You Should Be Watching,” the Tobago-born actor came to the U.S. with his family when he was 9 years old.
He attended Yale School of Drama, became friends with fellow student Nyong’o, and both were members of Yale’s “Folks” club, co-founded by Yale alumnus — and “Panther” — Angela Bassett for student actors of color, according to the Vanity Fair article.
In a “Black Panther” post-credit scene, Wright gives audiences a peek into the upcoming the Marvel superhero movie, “Avengers: Infinity War.” Along with Boseman and Gurira, Wright and Duke appear in the Avengers sequel, which opens in May.
Belafonte birthday concert
An unforgettable birthday celebration for singer/activist Harry Belafonte is taking place March 1 in Manhattan, highlighting songs performed by the music legend and featuring some longtime collaborators.
“Turn the World Around: The Music and Legacy of Harry Belafonte” concert, presented by the City College Center for the Arts, is a musical tribute to Belafonte, taking place on his 91st birthday. The affair will be held at the City College Center for the Arts’ Aaron Davis Hall, W. 135th St. (at Convent Ave.), starting at 7:30 p.m.
Members of the Belafonte Alumni Group — performers who have worked with the entertainer over the years — will be featured in the concert. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $20 students and seniors with valid ID. Visit www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org for tickets and information.
St. Lucia celebration continues
“New York Independence 39,” the area events marking the 39th anniversary of St. Lucia’s independence, continues today with an ecumenical service at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 331 Hawthorne St., in Brooklyn at 2 p.m.
On Thursday, there will be a flag raising ceremony and performances at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St. in Brooklyn at 10 a.m.
And on Saturday, the Independence 39 Gala and dinner will be held at Glenn Terrace, located at 5313 Avenue N, in Brooklyn, starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person.
Call (212) 697-9360 for information or send email to sluconsulateny@govt.lc.