By Jack Houston
MGM Grand 7 p.m. Aug. 4, $118-$158 plus tax and fee, 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster (awards show); MGM Grand, 8 p.m. Aug. 2, $48-$68 plus tax and fee, 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster (Harvey concert); visit thehoodieawards.com for a complete list of events
Steve Harvey wears many hats, both literally and figuratively, but there’s one headpiece he’s looking to hang up this year: his Original Kings of Comedy crown. The 55-year-old comedian is set to retire from stand-up following a performance to kick off the 2012 Hoodie Awards.
Created by Harvey and producer Rushion McDonald to honor community leaders and neighborhood institutions, the Hoodie Awards now encompasses concerts, parties, expositions and a golf tournament, all preludes to the actual awards ceremony, which features categories such as Best Barber Shop, Best High School, Best Church and Best Fried Chicken. Harvey’s final stand-up performance is a bittersweet introduction to four days of events, including a live broadcast of the Steve Harvey Morning Show; an interactive expo; the VIP after-party with Doug E. Fresh and a beach party featuring Keith Sweat and Robin Thicke. The awards show, Aug. 4, features performances by Stevie Wonder, New Edition, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin and Stephanie Mills, with presenters including Anthony Anderson, George Wallace, Morris Chestnut, Stephen A. Smith, Selita Ebanks and Tichina Arnold.
