Rap icon KRS-One, comedian Kountry Wayne and author Ilyasah Shabazz (daughter of late activist Malcolm X) are some of the next big guests coming to Wilmington soon.
All of these events are free to the public. (Additional celebrities are coming next month. See below for details.)
The first high-profile guest this week will be an appearance from KRS-One at Wilmington Public Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.
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You’ll want to arrive at least an hour early because it’s safe to assume this event will sell out fast.
Bear in mind, that still won’t guarantee you a seat because this event is first-come, first-served. But it’ll improve your chances.
What can we expect from KRS-One?
Rap legend KRS-One, whose real name is Lawrence Parker, will be back in Wilmington in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
Similar to the name of his 1990 album, you can expect KRS-One to deliver a mix of “Edutainment” during this speaking engagement, which also includes a performance.
The event will be moderated by Middletown rapper and entrepreneur Eric “Zeeky El” Gross, formerly of Wilmington.
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KRS-One is a deep thinker and lyricist who pushed back against the commercialization of hip-hop in the 1990s. He’s known for dropping nuggets of wisdom in his music. But he’s also no stranger to doing it in lecture events.
The New York native has lectured at over 500 universities, according to his website.
Malcom X’s daughter & Marc Lamont Hill on deck
Prominent authors Ilyasah Shabazz and Marc Lamont Hill will be in attendance for meet-and-greet book signings for North Wilmington Branch Library’s grand reopening on Saturday, April 29.
Other participating authors are Gordon C. James, Janya Brown-Wood, Patricia Raybon and Antwan Eady.
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This grand reopening of Wilmington Public Library’s sister branch also offers festivities such as food trucks, music, games and more.
Guests will receive a $20 voucher when they visit author table(s), according to Wilmington Library’s Facebook page.
North Wilmington Branch Library (3400 N. Market St., Wilmington) from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Visit Facebook.com/WilmingtonLibraryDE or (302) 571-7400.
Kountry Wayne, Lynn Whitfield coming to Wilmington
Wilmington Public Library recently announced popular comedian Kountry Wayne will be a guest at 11 a.m. May 13. The event is free.
Wayne, whom Variety named as one of 10 comics to watch in 2021, has made a splash on social media with more than 12 million followers.
Another high-profile guest coming to Wilmington is Emmy-winning actress Lynn Whitfield.
Whitfield has appeared in a ton of films, including “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” and “Eve’s Bayou.”
The actress will be in the building in Wilmington for a free talk from 6 to 7 p.m. May 18.
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The details
For more info about events at the Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington), visit wilmington.lib.de.us or (302) 571-7400.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
