Marian Anderson Award

THE MOST RECENT recipients of the Marian Anderson Award are actress Mia Farrow in 2011, actor and comedian Bill Cosby in 2010, author Maya Angelou and screenwriter Norman Lear in 2008, actor Richard Gere in 2007 and actor Sidney Poitier in 2006. No award was given in 2009. n

Berry Gordy, the 83-year-old founder of Motown Records, the Detroit label that became a hit-making factory and produced such stars as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and Michael Jackson, is the recipient of the 2013 Marian Anderson Award, Mayor Nutter announced Monday. The award, given to "artists and individuals whose body of work has improved the world beyond the power to entertain," is named for the late African American contralto and South Philadelphia High graduate who was celebrated as a singer of both classical music and spirituals in her lifetime.

Next summer, Philadelphia will announce the first Marian Anderson Award, a $100,000 cash prize presented to a renowned arts figure who also works to better society. And arts events will be part of the festivities. Bravo. Think of it: An annual honor for an internationally renowned arts figure with a social conscience - set off by events showcasing outstanding performers and artists, all in our own backyard. It's a great opportunity for regional arts and cultural organizations to remain in the spotlight - especially because summer's a time when many venues have gone dark for the season.

When the first Marian Anderson Award was given out three years ago, the recipient was Harry Belafonte. Clearly a fine choice. Singer, longtime civil rights activist and famous Hollywood actor. The next year, the award went to Gregory Peck. Nice guy. Quietly supported liberal causes. Star of To Kill A Mockingbird. And famous Hollywood actor. This year"s recipient will be Elizabeth Taylor. Legendary beauty. Raises both awareness and millions of dollars to fight the scourge of AIDS.

Mia Farrow, the actress and humanitarian whose persistent advocacy of human rights in sub-Saharan Africa has earned her international recognition, will receive the Marian Anderson Award in May, Mayor Nutter announced Friday. The prize is named for the Philadelphia-born contralto who used her celebrity to effect social change. Since 1998, it has been given to entertainer/activists such as Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier, and Gregory Peck. When Anderson (1897-1993), the celebrated African American singer, met with racial intolerance, she gracefully fought for social justice.

"Maya Angelou makes me cry," the filmmaker Jonathan Demme said of the poet and co-recipient of the Marian Anderson Award, bestowed at a Kimmel Center gala last night. "And Norman Lear makes me crack up," Demme noted of Angelou's co-honoree, the TV pioneer and social activist. The event was star-studded and politically connected. Harry Belafonte, the first recipient of the award given in the name of the Philadelphia contralto who used her art in the service of social justice, sat for dinner with Demme and Judge Marjorie O. Rendell of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

FILM actor Sidney Poitier has been named this year's recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. He'll receive the honor at a Nov. 14 Philadelphia Orchestra concert dedicated to the famed contralto and famous symbol of freedom. Poitier, one of the first African-American actors to be cast in major films, showed his strength and charisma in such films as "A Raisin In The Sun," "To Sir With Love," "A Patch Of Blue," "In The Heat Of The Night" and "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. " His career took flight with a 1957 Venice Film Festival Award for "Something Of Value.

Berry Gordy, the 83-year-old founder of Motown Records, the Detroit label that became a hit-making factory and produced such stars as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and Michael Jackson, is the recipient of the 2013 Marian Anderson Award, Mayor Nutter announced Monday. The award, given to "artists and individuals whose body of work has improved the world beyond the power to entertain," is named for the late African American contralto and South Philadelphia High graduate who was celebrated as a singer of both classical music and spirituals in her lifetime.

IT'S THE s---storm of the century. John Bolaris finally got his day in court Friday in Miami, testifying against the Russian crime syndicate charged with using women to scam and drug unsuspecting tourists like him. But he says that experience was marred by report on Philadelphia magazine's website that he defecated himself, as one of his alleged scammers testified in court. "No. 1, it didn't happen," Bolaris told us over the weekend. "If it did happen, I would say it happened.

NEW YORK - You hear James Earl Jones before you see him, as it should be. The oceanic rumble of his familiar bass announces his arrival at Gabriel's, the cozy brasserie near Lincoln Center. First, the voice fills the restaurant, followed by the six-footer with the sea-green eyes. Clad in a bomber jacket, souvenir of his role as Admiral Greer in The Hunt for Red October , the lion of Broadway may be in the winter of his career but there is spring in his step. The man who lent his voice to The Lion King presents himself with modesty, not majesty.

Barbados-born singer Rihanna , smokin' hot from Thursday night's MTV Video Music Awards, brings her "Diamonds World Tour" to the Wells Fargo Center at 7:30 p.m. March 14. Tickets go on sale Saturday, so get 'em or get the heck out!!!! She was last at Wells Fargo in July 2011. Which of her accomplishments shall we list? Her Moonman award for vid of the year at the VMAs? Or "We Found Love," inescapable this summer, 10 weeks at No. 1? The thing she does most is shock. She's got this new tattoo of Isis , purportedly in honor of her grandma, Clara "Dolly" Braithwaite, who departed this vale on July 1. Where is this memorial tat?

Darth Vader is about to be rewarded for his philanthropy.   On Nov. 19, actor James Earl Jones, whose voice gave life to the famous "Star Wars" character, will join Bill Cosby, Elizabeth Taylor and Oprah Winfrey on the list of accomplished Marian Anderson Award recipients. Mayor Nutter made the official announcement at the Sofitel hotel on Monday. The award — which honors philanthropic artists with a gift of $50,000 — is given each year in the name of Philadelphia contralto Marian Anderson.

THE MOST RECENT recipients of the Marian Anderson Award are actress Mia Farrow in 2011, actor and comedian Bill Cosby in 2010, author Maya Angelou and screenwriter Norman Lear in 2008, actor Richard Gere in 2007 and actor Sidney Poitier in 2006. No award was given in 2009. n

Arthur Yegyan, 80, of Swarthmore, who operated Rittenhouse Cleaners in Center City for more than 30 years, died of complications from heart surgery on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Saunders House in Wynnewood. In 1967, Mr. Yegyan took over Rittenhouse Cleaners, which his father-in-law, Haig DerGazarian, established at 17th and Pine Streets in 1928. His son, David, later joined him in the business. Their regular customers included Ed Rendell, among other politicians, and professional athletes such as Julius Irving.

Rihanna , 23, lit up her native Barbados like a Christmas tree Monday in a skimpy red bikini 'n' fishnet stockings outfit, capped by an explosion of neon-red feathers on her pate. The singer, who launched her "Loud Tour" in June, was celebrating the Kadooment Day Parade. The fest, dating to the late 18th century, marks the sugar cane harvest, says the island's tourism board. In fit fashion, Rihanna tells September's Glamour her fashion aesthetic rests on the quality of the bizarre.