Today, February 3rd
AMERICA’S 1ST BLACK PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER BORN IN 1879. Charles Follis’ story—like many in the play-for-pay, pre-NFL era—might have remained unknown, if not for historian and playwright, Jim Stoner. Digging through football ephemera at the Shelby Museum of History, he says he was taken aback by a certain photo. “Seeing a white man, [Shelby Blues coach, Frank Schiffer] willing to be photographed with his hand on Charles' shoulder… I had to know his story."
He discovered that the six-foot, 200 lb. Follis had earned the nickname “Black Cyclone from Wooster” playing for the amateur Wooster, Ohio team in 1901. Three years later, he signed a contract with the Shelby Blues, becoming the nation’s first pro African-American player. (Coincidently, his teammate was Branch Rickey, the future Brooklyn Dodger owner who would sign Jackie Robinson to integrate baseball in 1947.)
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TODAY’S IOWA CAUCUSES? The caucuses gained national attention after helping catapult Jimmy Carter to the White House in 1976—and candidates have anxiously been wooing Iowans ever since. As newscasters and policy wonks spout endless facts, here’s a chance to see how many you know!
Who is the only non-incumbent candidate to win the caucuses twice?
1. Bob Dole
2. Jimmy Carter
3. George W. Bush
4. Ronald Reagan
Get the answer by taking the Des Moines Register’s “Iowa Caucus Trivia” Test.
SEE TSUTOMU NAKAI @ ZINC BAR’S GUITAR MASTERS SERIES. Zinc Bar’s series is the chance to discover some of the City’s most respected musicians, including jazz guitarist Tsutomu Nakai. While called a “master of improvisation,” Nakai emphasizes melody above all else. Whether playing standards or original pieces, noted one reviewer, “his unique bell like guitar tone casts an atmosphere of freshness over any musical situation he’s involved with.” Take a listen here.
Tsutomu Nakai : guitar
Lonnie Plaxico : bass
Dwayne Cook Broadnax : drum
Mon, February 3, 7:30 and 9:00PM; Tickets: $20 in advance/$25 at the door. Zinc Bar, 82 West 3rd Street. Info at (212) 477-9462 or zincjazz.com.