tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78313130181088956642024-03-18T02:14:07.047-07:00Donloe's LowdownUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-48039121119225966512024-03-14T14:06:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:06:40.843-07:00Cafe Mocha Network Presents 'Women Creating A Legacy' at the 14th Annual Salute HER Awards<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39TPJqECX2fN_NpDmNHEuCjcCxAqZKS2iJv7oSqEL_EmFikH7pw1V23lekQoXCqE3fiG8_ctVGuGdkIyidvgxzln0y9u7uJxR9E9PlPK4sAzj0h25TI16peUrOwQiOER50BgSFCgiem34tGLiFbg880vKFkHqSLdSGyM0A2BqXGHaxjaA9_UOl-c43UPE/s4961/mail-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="4961" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39TPJqECX2fN_NpDmNHEuCjcCxAqZKS2iJv7oSqEL_EmFikH7pw1V23lekQoXCqE3fiG8_ctVGuGdkIyidvgxzln0y9u7uJxR9E9PlPK4sAzj0h25TI16peUrOwQiOER50BgSFCgiem34tGLiFbg880vKFkHqSLdSGyM0A2BqXGHaxjaA9_UOl-c43UPE/w351-h226/mail-1.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">(Harlem, NY – March 14, 2024) — In its 14th celebratory year, the nationally syndicated Café Mocha radio show’s <strong style="outline: none !important;">Salute HER Awards</strong> shined a light on Black women who have made history and have excelled beyond odds in honor of Women’s History Month. The sold-out event occurred at the historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, NY on Thursday, March 7. Hosted by Café Mocha co-hosts Angelique Perrin and hip-hop icon Yo-Yo with pop culture icon Jawn Murray, the evening was treated to an exceptional musical performance by Grammy-Award-winning duo <strong style="outline: none !important;">Louis York</strong>.</p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The esteemed group of seven honorees includes: <strong style="outline: none !important;">Ann Tripp</strong>, news icon and news director at WBLS-FM and the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, who was the recipient of the Broadcast Legacy Award;<strong style="outline: none !important;"> DeDe McGuire</strong>, national media personality, philanthropist, and host of the nationally-syndicated “DeDe In The Morning Show”, was the recipient of the Media Innovator Award; <strong style="outline: none !important;">Melba Moore</strong>, Legendary singer, and award-winning actress, was the recipient of the Legend Award; <strong style="outline: none !important;">Flo Anthony</strong>, famed celebrity journalist, was the recipient of the Media Legend Award; <strong style="outline: none !important;">Alicia Reece</strong>, Hamilton County Commission President and founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, was the recipient of the Creating the Legacy Award; <strong style="outline: none !important;">Jotaka Eaddy</strong>, widely-respected social impact activist, was the recipient of the Champion for Change Award; <strong style="outline: none !important;">Melba Wilson</strong>, well-known Harlem restauranteur and founder of Melba’s, was the recipient of the Business Legacy Award.</p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">The opening prayer was led by Cheryl Polote-Williamson, 2019 Salute Her Award honoree and CEO of Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC. Each honoree gave acceptance speeches. </p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">There were various notables in the room such as the former legendary NAACP National President and current President of the NAACP New York State chapter. <strong style="outline: none !important;">Hazel Nell Dukes</strong>, 91, was given flowers as several honorees expressed their gratitude for her long-time commitment, to fighting for equality and combating injustice.</p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“The purpose of the Salute HER Awards is to bring together women to collaborate and inspire one another by the journey of our honorees. The evening was already so memorable but having Hazel Dukes present made it historic” said Sheila Eldridge, CEO & founder of Miles Ahead Entertainment & Broadcasting.</p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">The Salute HER Awards supports the Mocha Cares Foundation whose mission is to provide shelter families with transitional housing support to support visit <a href="https://cafemocharadio.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13221949e8ad49f5dd511f906&id=1933d9a44a&e=cbc2f33db2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; direction: ltr; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">www.mochacaresfoundation.org</a>. </p><p style="direction: ltr; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br style="background-color: white; outline: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-69428330990576237512024-03-13T15:58:00.000-07:002024-03-13T15:58:48.497-07:00James Conlon To Become Conductor Laureate of LA Opera in 2026<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmdlbv-zIYFo1_-SWJdPGYxLI-nrIaqAe3n0vYXZmQdoyAEnKIln0Lzfwkv583Rz153ucPaTBorc__FOZX_ab_oTtSJ_SbGinT-nhrwhCXxDGTSVUHoUYWlfUBXuLwbQbEHgoJlXbxNdgA8jySQqzinlcbozFsNNDCC4ggHQPruaGW4KXqcPS54hC9Dqi/s259/download-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="259" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmdlbv-zIYFo1_-SWJdPGYxLI-nrIaqAe3n0vYXZmQdoyAEnKIln0Lzfwkv583Rz153ucPaTBorc__FOZX_ab_oTtSJ_SbGinT-nhrwhCXxDGTSVUHoUYWlfUBXuLwbQbEHgoJlXbxNdgA8jySQqzinlcbozFsNNDCC4ggHQPruaGW4KXqcPS54hC9Dqi/w300-h244/download-3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Conlon</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />(Los Angeles) March 13, 2024 — James Conlon, Music Director of <a href="https://www.laopera.org/">LA Opera</a> since 2006, announced at an organizational board meeting today that the 2025/26 season will be his final season as music director. It will mark both his 20th season in this leadership role and the 40th anniversary of the company. President and CEO Christopher Koelsch, along with the LA Opera board of directors, has named Conlon as Conductor Laureate, a lifetime appointment, in recognition of his distinguished tenure and contribution to LA Opera and the community at large, and in acknowledgment of the mutual intention for Conlon to return to the company as a guest conductor.</p><p>“The long, productive relationship that I have shared with LA Opera and the greater Los Angeles community has been a source of enormous professional fulfillment, and I have decided to make the 2025/2026 season my last as music director,” Conlon said. “Twenty years with the company marks an extraordinary personal milestone. I am moving on to a new phase of my professional activities and am grateful to the board and to Christopher for their understanding."</p><p>Conlon continued: “I have been a music director with orchestras, opera companies, and festivals in Europe and the United States for almost 50 years and am looking forward to launching new projects of great importance to me, both musically and personally.</p><p>"As a product of the public education system of New York City, at a time when music was a significant presence for young people, I am passionate about using my voice and influence to encourage and develop a new and growing audience for classical music across generations. I will continue to dedicate myself to those goals through future conducting, writing, public speaking, and, most importantly, education and mentorship.</p><p>“One of the greatest satisfactions has been working with the musicians of the LA Opera Orchestra. I am deeply grateful to them for their dedication, hard work, and support. I am confident that they will be in very good hands with the next generation of leadership.</p><p>"I simultaneously express my deepest gratitude to all of those with whom I have collaborated onstage and backstage: the entire chorus, music staff, and orchestral library; the audio department, stage management, and stage hands; the costume and wig department; all of the administrative staff, volunteers and, in short, all of those whom the public rarely sees but without whom none us would be able to perform at our best. Last but not least, my deepest appreciation to Christopher Koelsch, Board Chairman Keith R. Leonard, Jr., Honorary Chairman Marc Stern, Chairman of the Executive Committee Carol F. Henry, and the entire board of directors, without whose support and caring Los Angeles would not have the opera company it needs and deserves."</p><p>Koelsch, who has worked alongside Conlon at the company since the beginning of his tenure as music director, said, “James’ impact as music director is unparalleled and cannot be overstated. He has been a fierce and passionate advocate for the power and beauty of the art form, dedicating so much of his time to connect directly with audiences and community members, enthusiastically sharing his knowledge with everyone from the most learned opera fan to children who have never been exposed to classical music. He is equally committed to the members of the orchestra and ensuring that, as a group, they are continually developing, expanding, and sharpening their collective sound; from my point of view, they have never sounded better as an ensemble. Under his guidance, the LA Opera Orchestra has truly become one of the premiere orchestras in the world.”</p><p>“The sustained and remarkable artistic excellence that James has provided LA Opera for almost 20 years has literally made him central to the company’s artistic achievements and growth," said Keith R. Leonard, Jr., chairman of the LA Opera board of directors. "Our commitment to celebrating unsung artists started with his dedication to staging operas by composers silenced during World War II. In addition to his leadership in the orchestra pit, he possesses an unparalleled knowledge, insight and passion for opera history. He has a gift for placing works in historical context and connecting them to current issues and events, which explains the popularity of his pre-show lectures. I personally read everything he writes and love his podcasts.”</p><p>Internationally recognized as one of classical music’s most accomplished, versatile, and prolific figures, James Conlon became LA Opera's second music director in 2006. Having conducted 68 operas by 32 different composers and over 460 performances to date with the company, James Conlon has led more productions than any other conductor in LA Opera's history. Highlights of his tenure include the company’s first Ring cycle by Wagner; a 2015 “Figaro Trilogy” consisting of John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; spearheading Britten 100/LA, a citywide celebration honoring the centennial of composer Benjamin Britten’s birth; and conducting a rare performance of The Anonymous Lover by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a prominent Black composer in 18th-century France.</p><p>Conlon additionally launched the groundbreaking Recovered Voices initiative, an ongoing commitment to staging neglected masterpieces by composers suppressed by the Third Reich. In 1999 he received the Vienna-based Zemlinsky Prize for his work bringing composer Alexander Zemlinsky’s music to a broader audience; in 2013 he was awarded the Roger E. Joseph Prize at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for his efforts to eradicate racial and religious prejudice and discrimination; and in 2007 he received the Crystal Globe Award from the Anti-Defamation League. His work on behalf of silenced composers led to the creation of the OREL Foundation, an invaluable resource on the topic for music lovers, students, musicians, and scholars; the Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices at the Colburn School; and a virtual TEDx Talk titled “Resurrecting Forbidden Music.”</p><p>Recovered Voices programming is currently represented onstage at LA Opera with a double bill featuring The Dwarf by Alexander Zemlinsky, an opera based on Oscar Wilde’s fable The Birthday of the Infanta, paired with Highway 1, USA by William Grant Still, often called the “dean of African-American composers,” which marks the first time that an LA Opera Recovered Voices presentation has featured a composition by an American composer subjected to racial prejudice and suppression. Conlon is the conductor of both works.</p><p>He also collaborates closely with the members of LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, conducting them in concerts and in performances of operas that have included, most recently, Impressions de Pelléas, an adaptation of Claude Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande.</p><p>Since coming to Los Angeles, Conlon has demonstrated his deep investment in the role of music in civic life and the human experience. At LA Opera, his enormously popular pre-performance talks have blended musicology, literary studies, history, and social sciences to discuss the enduring power and relevance of opera and classical music. He has also frequently collaborated with universities, museums, and other cultural institutions and worked with scholars, practitioners, and community members across disciplines in his efforts to improve awareness of and accessibility to classical music.</p><p>Conlon also initiated the annual Community Opera, a signature and unique program for LA Opera hosted at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. The Community Opera brings together more than 400 amateur singers, dancers, and instrumentalists who perform in a fully staged opera alongside LA Opera’s professional singers and musicians of the LA Opera Orchestra. “When I was 12 years old, I participated in a children’s chorus in an opera and it changed the course of my life,” explained Conlon. “It is important to share the experience of art with young people; it is an experience that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives in ways we can’t even imagine today.” Each Community Opera presentation is performed free to the public, for an audience of around 3,000 people. For 2024, LA Opera will host two performances of Benjamin Britten’s Noah's Flood on May 3 and May 4.</p><p>Apart from LA Opera, James Conlon has been Principal Conductor of the Paris Opera (1995-2004); General Music Director of the City of Cologne, Germany (1989-2002), simultaneously leading the Gürzenich Orchestra and the Cologne Opera; Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (1983-91); and Principal Conductor of the RAI Orchestra Nazionale Torino. Conlon was Music Director of the Ravinia Festival (2005-15), summer home of the Chicago Symphony, and is now Music Director Laureate of the Cincinnati May Festival―the oldest choral festival in the United States―where he was Music Director for 37 years (1979-2016), marking one of the longest tenures of any director of an American classical music institution. He also served as Artistic Advisor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (2021-23). He has conducted over 270 performances at the Metropolitan Opera since his 1976 debut there. He has conducted at leading opera houses and festivals worldwide, such as the Vienna State Opera, Salzburg Festival, La Scala in Milan, the Rome Opera, Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Real in Madrid, Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence.</p><p>Conlon’s extensive discography and filmography spans the Bridge, Capriccio, Decca, EMI, Erato, RCA, and Sony Classical labels. His recordings of LA Opera productions have received four Grammy Awards: two respectively for John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles and for Kurt Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. Additional highlights include an ECHO Klassik Award-winning recording cycle of operas and orchestral works by Alexander Zemlinsky; a CD/DVD release of works by Viktor Ullmann, which won the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik; and the world premiere recording of Liszt’s oratorio St. Stanislaus</p><p>Conlon holds four honorary doctorates, was one of the inaugural five recipients of the Opera News Awards, and was distinguished by the New York Public Library as a Library Lion. He recently received the Cross of Honor for Science and Art (Österreichische Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst) from the Republic of Austria in 2023 and was named Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana by Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic in 2016. He was also named Commandeur de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and, in 2002, personally accepted France’s highest honor, the Legion d’Honneur, from then-President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-65942910984572536332024-03-12T23:17:00.000-07:002024-03-12T23:20:42.838-07:00IGNITE: A Fire Luxury Gifting Lounge Pays Homage To Doris Bergman<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGREqPNKmXBJD9EK50TMKiKzPIT3cH6yGO5leA55-28QaC6n-xKcveHJT25fUoymKFt5AoJLvgBaYdguGV36FrxYaLEtzAwoTKSPvuFqt1EDpk3mzrNewg1gA3VBl2TBxdNBNCceEWD3WFcYj6hr7gQuvUyTbZkvOrTv6CO7HOfW5oKLuIXJF8EF6hAQZ/s960/432314500_10160056050245949_8643916983138985413_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGREqPNKmXBJD9EK50TMKiKzPIT3cH6yGO5leA55-28QaC6n-xKcveHJT25fUoymKFt5AoJLvgBaYdguGV36FrxYaLEtzAwoTKSPvuFqt1EDpk3mzrNewg1gA3VBl2TBxdNBNCceEWD3WFcYj6hr7gQuvUyTbZkvOrTv6CO7HOfW5oKLuIXJF8EF6hAQZ/s320/432314500_10160056050245949_8643916983138985413_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p>The late Doris Bergman, a longtime Hollywood publicist, was known for presenting the “best of the best” at her various celebrity-infused gifting lounges.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp-GOKJCic_wFZ4baR-WQ_fifhW2ILI2385EusqVmR-DQR2p3obyPbs41QvgGgZHFSGWdKg8M2A8PYccMeAQk2Eq92m-ygy33BASrwEdqX5SQXDNQVbK0tTTeFR_qE4in5_dJcA-Nzip_WCb9u2GWrvNtbVcs7k-bcsy9t2-GXyzJgZ2VPU89m72skbTc/s400/DORIS+BERGMAN.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp-GOKJCic_wFZ4baR-WQ_fifhW2ILI2385EusqVmR-DQR2p3obyPbs41QvgGgZHFSGWdKg8M2A8PYccMeAQk2Eq92m-ygy33BASrwEdqX5SQXDNQVbK0tTTeFR_qE4in5_dJcA-Nzip_WCb9u2GWrvNtbVcs7k-bcsy9t2-GXyzJgZ2VPU89m72skbTc/s320/DORIS+BERGMAN.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doris Bergman</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Bergman, who, herself, was the “best of the best,” passed away unexpectedly in 2023.</p><p>On a beautiful, sunny day, Nicole Lester and Heather Marianna, founders of The Merritt + Marianna Group paid homage to Bergman with a champagne toast during its IGNITE, A Fire Luxury Gifting Lounge held March 7, at The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3ojhKoOaI5V8XKYcBWsCZUyw6NuYTuhatP39lkKw7QgtSA40m8Age-HhAtlWa0kOP9k7OWt_3FYhaZR8bg_Hj-5i15rGo8QhzOCfJ868CS4_ECkHlkeYD0uPYTJmOQc8bOOekB6vZfWY_NG7eqtRzdISV6KyOLneE04UshmIUml9NknRk_TqRx98FgU-/s960/432228291_10160056048725949_4427607074408634614_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="960" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3ojhKoOaI5V8XKYcBWsCZUyw6NuYTuhatP39lkKw7QgtSA40m8Age-HhAtlWa0kOP9k7OWt_3FYhaZR8bg_Hj-5i15rGo8QhzOCfJ868CS4_ECkHlkeYD0uPYTJmOQc8bOOekB6vZfWY_NG7eqtRzdISV6KyOLneE04UshmIUml9NknRk_TqRx98FgU-/s320/432228291_10160056048725949_4427607074408634614_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Lester and Marianna hosted the event to celebrate the hard work of movie writers, producers, and actors during the Oscar awards season.</p><p>“Doris meant everything to me,” said Lester, the lead producer of the event. “She was a mentor, friend, and my sister. I worked with her for 13 years. This event will continue every year in her honor. I miss her.” </p><p>The enviable invitation-only event boasted good food, good drinks, an impressive, eclectic gifting suite, and a host of Hollywood notables.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2C8G_XuIknxG_B8c6rQqYWiVXuOJLRJqBLu2nSE6p7s2_QCa9Rxj_eqZoTb1Yu-YrrH8uWXvlmj9EG_68N1xCYefrxiepbB3fquvM1UVskHiIgwwkH_7rVY9JBPaMc-yfWcec8RHVxzOeZiKvWrfZNkDCy2TVrv5gGfm-8fwYX-3YiclmTqLmhMj6klM/s960/432375631_10160056049885949_169671297731753325_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2C8G_XuIknxG_B8c6rQqYWiVXuOJLRJqBLu2nSE6p7s2_QCa9Rxj_eqZoTb1Yu-YrrH8uWXvlmj9EG_68N1xCYefrxiepbB3fquvM1UVskHiIgwwkH_7rVY9JBPaMc-yfWcec8RHVxzOeZiKvWrfZNkDCy2TVrv5gGfm-8fwYX-3YiclmTqLmhMj6klM/s320/432375631_10160056049885949_169671297731753325_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IGNITE: A Fire Luxury Gifting Lounge attendees</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The packed event, which included current Oscar nominees, previous nominees and winners, and past presenters, proved to be the place to be and the place to be seen. The soiree brought out celebrities including Bruce Dern, NBA vet John Salley, KiKi Shepard, Kym Whitley, Kate Linder, and more.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l96ixbssgl_mUiflOWD4zz1JG_HfcZldiOzPS9wsob4IEMlbAfEMd566lPnziNYosVb3fQUlxmrgfGRV6H99kseBr0UIMSDzVT9BLG9-1TjsCXisnamc3ZXe-_N11LkELGDHEVtraYEQosFgKXBk2a8Zn87MNiIyrtOJXTkkyrOzM8PBxEWv_iuC87AG/s960/432232163_10160056049445949_4133453826594457747_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l96ixbssgl_mUiflOWD4zz1JG_HfcZldiOzPS9wsob4IEMlbAfEMd566lPnziNYosVb3fQUlxmrgfGRV6H99kseBr0UIMSDzVT9BLG9-1TjsCXisnamc3ZXe-_N11LkELGDHEVtraYEQosFgKXBk2a8Zn87MNiIyrtOJXTkkyrOzM8PBxEWv_iuC87AG/s320/432232163_10160056049445949_4133453826594457747_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Linder</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />“I’m here for a couple of reasons,” said Linder, who has played Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless for 42 years. “This is carrying on a tradition for Doris (Bergman). She was an amazing person. I supported all her events. I can feel her presence here. I miss how much she cared and how she supported everyone. It’s a huge loss for all of us.”</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Fg4s2UMSrMkMaakPUeghlfsKqeMwvBhYBhc1tebR0an-vfkn1_V_MFnvGbVzSxQbleWJc5y-BJGwPsLHN41K-ta1N_PKWZfAmSV6Pc7nkXWuO_a6NL1XUGd1JcXY6f_6UI65m9Ihk_EVtpmKpyRJjxVAsvfx_SzZookXutucx-RT4rinHUpdTAmPtj4/s960/432287086_10160056049965949_1857322418316991678_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Fg4s2UMSrMkMaakPUeghlfsKqeMwvBhYBhc1tebR0an-vfkn1_V_MFnvGbVzSxQbleWJc5y-BJGwPsLHN41K-ta1N_PKWZfAmSV6Pc7nkXWuO_a6NL1XUGd1JcXY6f_6UI65m9Ihk_EVtpmKpyRJjxVAsvfx_SzZookXutucx-RT4rinHUpdTAmPtj4/s320/432287086_10160056049965949_1857322418316991678_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQCRROVioZ1Y0iB8-8YeF8P2w7sJda7wMaZGQjYt997TEno6w9sBHLxk2XDws-ojFP5ACl3Is70gvumipIpkdQ9xB6akB8JlcEU3z__bKfi5K2cLl65GQTTa62Co8z4gGKl1yRhr8Cm2POw09p04ScJUHHEWSPBhqHzRnx5T-7S0_ja97SX6sWv5YCvnI/s960/432364510_10160056048850949_3399541648117601512_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQCRROVioZ1Y0iB8-8YeF8P2w7sJda7wMaZGQjYt997TEno6w9sBHLxk2XDws-ojFP5ACl3Is70gvumipIpkdQ9xB6akB8JlcEU3z__bKfi5K2cLl65GQTTa62Co8z4gGKl1yRhr8Cm2POw09p04ScJUHHEWSPBhqHzRnx5T-7S0_ja97SX6sWv5YCvnI/s320/432364510_10160056048850949_3399541648117601512_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty Kitchen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fs6V_edyeZjSN6yABrQPgT22rXR_gWkBZsaIhBH_1yoS1-c_IVJMgkgO1vrCG0FFrIdYj6TOddHbClwWunjroCfsFmXCzXUcfOV-ttbYT5O-_kVKjKJLPfChyphenhyphen2aTDczeFhbbI8I4El-43pfx-2JJG8G4UflU-qaAL9Js83EBq6qmH_PjJeJMXXnsAIJd/s960/432314978_10160056048915949_5038431295386799030_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fs6V_edyeZjSN6yABrQPgT22rXR_gWkBZsaIhBH_1yoS1-c_IVJMgkgO1vrCG0FFrIdYj6TOddHbClwWunjroCfsFmXCzXUcfOV-ttbYT5O-_kVKjKJLPfChyphenhyphen2aTDczeFhbbI8I4El-43pfx-2JJG8G4UflU-qaAL9Js83EBq6qmH_PjJeJMXXnsAIJd/s320/432314978_10160056048915949_5038431295386799030_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Lewin Bespoke Menswear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qEscB_s1HeVclnY4PV2EdU99GqzyQB8XdpeU5-FRzmPEBmNbhy3jr6FB-Khyo-1nD5M8R0aQrXP1WBVVKCAseGXd_PB7z9V9ew93zirbObT3QxiCC3jeCxZFzNTtX1Jiiz-zJN3bUsorF-JZDgiu_1SVLwVgmwscSxraVdSNCFUU-QRup9A7QZJ3m9sJ/s960/432274583_10160056049275949_4883251101171907606_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qEscB_s1HeVclnY4PV2EdU99GqzyQB8XdpeU5-FRzmPEBmNbhy3jr6FB-Khyo-1nD5M8R0aQrXP1WBVVKCAseGXd_PB7z9V9ew93zirbObT3QxiCC3jeCxZFzNTtX1Jiiz-zJN3bUsorF-JZDgiu_1SVLwVgmwscSxraVdSNCFUU-QRup9A7QZJ3m9sJ/s320/432274583_10160056049275949_4883251101171907606_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reading Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G5B261lvZFJ_N7rQYemVZm5ZV7rnlOg6XBy9eBriP4o1BPkAirqYTPe0eFeLJ-hkxcYnMNJngBPkyYc9SiH_GNqaAUAWUpHI2aNCS-EI7P9t_WSEdJQX76Ctefm0ducknUalMmSwX_hGwdrKIFheWKudG1QdNLTfrJRlcx4dJmPmUCdkL2UwNPd96g8I/s960/432314187_10160056049500949_7962352082850896699_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G5B261lvZFJ_N7rQYemVZm5ZV7rnlOg6XBy9eBriP4o1BPkAirqYTPe0eFeLJ-hkxcYnMNJngBPkyYc9SiH_GNqaAUAWUpHI2aNCS-EI7P9t_WSEdJQX76Ctefm0ducknUalMmSwX_hGwdrKIFheWKudG1QdNLTfrJRlcx4dJmPmUCdkL2UwNPd96g8I/s320/432314187_10160056049500949_7962352082850896699_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quantum Energy</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjOKeAO7gcSpgFLyu-msjO2tz6RUudhqhTISdotTORj71va0sgCf8jZZDjjBrx64NorhCvkkO61pmJamHgvYe0VUfa6zLU3hinB9lv4Oa9eb6IvymNBLL2W3R4fgJJfDRPPxGk0y2RiDk1IVYlbxfFVJ57shTBXDOwe_rYuriFYemyhwHw8jt7OGRWaRp/s960/432207074_10160056049770949_7514741259186197488_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjOKeAO7gcSpgFLyu-msjO2tz6RUudhqhTISdotTORj71va0sgCf8jZZDjjBrx64NorhCvkkO61pmJamHgvYe0VUfa6zLU3hinB9lv4Oa9eb6IvymNBLL2W3R4fgJJfDRPPxGk0y2RiDk1IVYlbxfFVJ57shTBXDOwe_rYuriFYemyhwHw8jt7OGRWaRp/s320/432207074_10160056049770949_7514741259186197488_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farah Brushes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjOKeAO7gcSpgFLyu-msjO2tz6RUudhqhTISdotTORj71va0sgCf8jZZDjjBrx64NorhCvkkO61pmJamHgvYe0VUfa6zLU3hinB9lv4Oa9eb6IvymNBLL2W3R4fgJJfDRPPxGk0y2RiDk1IVYlbxfFVJ57shTBXDOwe_rYuriFYemyhwHw8jt7OGRWaRp/s960/432207074_10160056049770949_7514741259186197488_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4VcnTx-LItxSk0QTUgRsPjXsmrfJEkFgaUC3_BOhERUVtCQtnMEExByLs9PpSRgD7g6b1msKxbltRJwuoPvcvE577drIdKDHpiVuqofIPv7Q_3XMrlyFp7B20vgLPEPbB9nszxSNGhWruK9w1MgbZqzsJjOetVk310mnIuQ7laPyLFzR9v5OE2n3LZqx/s960/432149375_10160056050035949_181270648953618730_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4VcnTx-LItxSk0QTUgRsPjXsmrfJEkFgaUC3_BOhERUVtCQtnMEExByLs9PpSRgD7g6b1msKxbltRJwuoPvcvE577drIdKDHpiVuqofIPv7Q_3XMrlyFp7B20vgLPEPbB9nszxSNGhWruK9w1MgbZqzsJjOetVk310mnIuQ7laPyLFzR9v5OE2n3LZqx/s320/432149375_10160056050035949_181270648953618730_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quantum Energy</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Several vendors were on hand showering attendees with various gifts.</p><p>The gifting lounge featured the unique and luxury brands, Dulce Vida Tequila, Ophora Water, Empress Gin, ATA Cosmetics, Camilla Seretti Jewelry, Precious Vodka, Royal Kingz Skincare, Christine Bond of C-B-OND 20/20, Hidden Hills Coffee, Art Lewin Bespoke Menswear, Beauty Kitchen, Farah Brushes, The Reading Room, La Casa del Camino, Blanche Lip Gloss and Barbie Layton, The Libra Collection, Andre Notice (Coach Andre), and Chef Katie Chin. Attendees were able to experience the Quantum Energy Wellness Bed. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgbEYIdLGSRsiEWD_7ngGVs9nmTqbz92BSjsmUdz_x6wGTouqwmm-t8FduBVhBRJVevaw9A79j-qYSBZVSpI_S8dtJrPreLZu-q8prayezcSzRTmksarQLbyV8RFToeg7l8RQMBrC_pNsdU4oLNWDfsRoovUSJ_XkKTJ5SyF4FxVoUQUh6NybaTs5GGds/s960/432130302_10160056049360949_4419147299959217777_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgbEYIdLGSRsiEWD_7ngGVs9nmTqbz92BSjsmUdz_x6wGTouqwmm-t8FduBVhBRJVevaw9A79j-qYSBZVSpI_S8dtJrPreLZu-q8prayezcSzRTmksarQLbyV8RFToeg7l8RQMBrC_pNsdU4oLNWDfsRoovUSJ_XkKTJ5SyF4FxVoUQUh6NybaTs5GGds/s320/432130302_10160056049360949_4419147299959217777_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanche Lip Gloss</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr33_FhWuJybwSZGbGAeitRHTgHMu81fM_YbJ3RtHE44eutGhb3_2wqrM_XuXqk3gFg-B8QSC70njZXhwUZ6EViGqyjh7n8oYvSDQv3GL8dQKHCiTWziyyBr9OLopFMfV96Nc8QllcBbhhTNTB-ehrw0M7ncEJUpbWh25ITDhduRLAHrtWvF-qJNEpH5L/s960/432248971_10160056049095949_494599155007902821_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr33_FhWuJybwSZGbGAeitRHTgHMu81fM_YbJ3RtHE44eutGhb3_2wqrM_XuXqk3gFg-B8QSC70njZXhwUZ6EViGqyjh7n8oYvSDQv3GL8dQKHCiTWziyyBr9OLopFMfV96Nc8QllcBbhhTNTB-ehrw0M7ncEJUpbWh25ITDhduRLAHrtWvF-qJNEpH5L/s320/432248971_10160056049095949_494599155007902821_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>“My legs were cramping up,” said actress KiKi Shepard. “Within a matter of five minutes laying on the Wellness Bed, I was relaxed. What you feel first is heat. Heat makes you succumb. It was terrific.”<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdDkGN_JPlYTTXo12kWl4V4YAPLqVEZ-fJCVjLoE2VvjIPZfGOS0H1AOEWR58Me803KT1kJaeeZbDPg7c5K8ibKDtbfPeOuaXPiE1SWNf8vbO4PI7hmyidDpvyUo84-dqTNnijy1CrDxmr-yZHbNe8vLRUAWAEvontIulpXIMhBKnYcnxgnd4p_MkfyrO/s960/432222330_10160056049030949_1030318005798282518_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdDkGN_JPlYTTXo12kWl4V4YAPLqVEZ-fJCVjLoE2VvjIPZfGOS0H1AOEWR58Me803KT1kJaeeZbDPg7c5K8ibKDtbfPeOuaXPiE1SWNf8vbO4PI7hmyidDpvyUo84-dqTNnijy1CrDxmr-yZHbNe8vLRUAWAEvontIulpXIMhBKnYcnxgnd4p_MkfyrO/s320/432222330_10160056049030949_1030318005798282518_n-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Bond</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />“I wrote the book because we have to tap into the power we don’t know we have,” said Christine Bond, author of C-B-OND 20/20. “I wrote the book because of my life story. I am legally blind. I have an eye condition called keratoconus. The cornea doesn’t reflect the light well so I can see. My goal is to teach as many people as I can about their purpose. I want to teach people about their purpose. I enjoy helping people.”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV7pEGtwJ2Ev4D5_wN4PVrpguRpejGFtetoll-lij9wXXVKMrqadJ6BWIQHhw3I62_59YLiarNVHC6o_4Ci7z2x02j1K2rprAYu0MU8MAaH1sjdQQucgjHXGbd9czhHGoufHScZYfKp6cNxeeQ0QmFhZqLlbZVxOgpyA09tRKscCs7rYlCdYTicK-0whd/s960/432263528_10160056049620949_2611603377383131385_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV7pEGtwJ2Ev4D5_wN4PVrpguRpejGFtetoll-lij9wXXVKMrqadJ6BWIQHhw3I62_59YLiarNVHC6o_4Ci7z2x02j1K2rprAYu0MU8MAaH1sjdQQucgjHXGbd9czhHGoufHScZYfKp6cNxeeQ0QmFhZqLlbZVxOgpyA09tRKscCs7rYlCdYTicK-0whd/s320/432263528_10160056049620949_2611603377383131385_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Kingz</td></tr></tbody></table><p>“This is an all-natural and organic skincare line for men,” said Tiffany M. Morrow, CEO of Royal Kingz Skincare based in Detroit. “It's a four-step process with active charcoal. There is a cleanser toner, scrub, and mask. I have one hundred percent avocado oil to soften the hair.”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DFe3zy3DlAf_OpRD5yA3FroxqvG55LZ8Md6tULWFLjSXa3H6ubQmzrciMiuZID31-6GOxvCNUhI100jIk4PcCtiBTKbxXairOxYlIcdfz1Xo8z4sapydAlBEF-uqY8W_TU5uptUYIszsM9Cxt0jHe3x5SXEQi9goeSSWwlDKjS2oHtrggx8pphyKrRtR/s960/432267083_10160056049165949_5996658941460415055_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DFe3zy3DlAf_OpRD5yA3FroxqvG55LZ8Md6tULWFLjSXa3H6ubQmzrciMiuZID31-6GOxvCNUhI100jIk4PcCtiBTKbxXairOxYlIcdfz1Xo8z4sapydAlBEF-uqY8W_TU5uptUYIszsM9Cxt0jHe3x5SXEQi9goeSSWwlDKjS2oHtrggx8pphyKrRtR/s320/432267083_10160056049165949_5996658941460415055_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Notice</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />“I am the poetic purpose coach,” said Coach Andre (Andre Notice), who once was homeless for three years and slept in his car for three months. “I’ve been doing this for five years now. I push people to pursue purpose. My purpose is to encourage, edify, and to ignite. I’m here to spread the message that you’re not just supposed to live life. Most people live and die and never know what they were here for.” </p><p>Coach Andre has a book called ‘Your Purpose Is Not For You.’ </p><p>In the spirit of giving back, attendees donated doggie attire and treats benefiting the Vanderpump Dogs Foundation, the Kids Excelling In College Foundation, and the Business Architects TXG Foundation.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDGrjmMx9LiwdN_x5pD_ZGktDj03nGOjpAZb1anw3ysqyGnzezo5wKiYsaSRtIhpbvRCOz1zc5shg9qKUlGYQFG80cnAkPRBNKH0-_nTzb1q2MGAuuahjZCr67PvJ73KY-aH5FvxINVUn5qoHmyk02cqmgnySloYmc2T2jAlL1hK2cRt3EEGz1rslYXpH/s960/432175669_10160056048780949_1429429738348652701_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDGrjmMx9LiwdN_x5pD_ZGktDj03nGOjpAZb1anw3ysqyGnzezo5wKiYsaSRtIhpbvRCOz1zc5shg9qKUlGYQFG80cnAkPRBNKH0-_nTzb1q2MGAuuahjZCr67PvJ73KY-aH5FvxINVUn5qoHmyk02cqmgnySloYmc2T2jAlL1hK2cRt3EEGz1rslYXpH/s320/432175669_10160056048780949_1429429738348652701_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TeDjJT-Sr8apd25itQB0MALRIYqeMe35HuFFDpGHH01ejkTEP95-DInQF68daLTSGj2A5VrZvFtGKI90WHaXGB1CFGsRhrav_QEV-q72w6lPSkVGtqqbcLU5auOKBWBllimG-z_1sc9S6N6cVwdwoaj4ETeeZoWIjaci1Ao8Sav_yIjDO32evPqoLaHZ/s960/432377207_10160056049210949_7903268208508552342_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TeDjJT-Sr8apd25itQB0MALRIYqeMe35HuFFDpGHH01ejkTEP95-DInQF68daLTSGj2A5VrZvFtGKI90WHaXGB1CFGsRhrav_QEV-q72w6lPSkVGtqqbcLU5auOKBWBllimG-z_1sc9S6N6cVwdwoaj4ETeeZoWIjaci1Ao8Sav_yIjDO32evPqoLaHZ/s320/432377207_10160056049210949_7903268208508552342_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Delroy O. Walker and rep</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-71744369211313916652024-03-06T12:30:00.000-08:002024-03-06T12:30:51.349-08:00CTG and American Conservatory Theater Announce Cast for "A Strange Loop"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8fElDZayzk0jnkoghf9DWCrFivB01d_tdgy2DiNHSarWLX0y5zTA6bcRtntl5rWPxNZq2FfYQhAG_YDFQkC10CpbLpNuKTueY1MWPhlnfkYydyFtb7HjiRff97xIyETkMOklDYas-VqMevelW6hMoM5xvK702NT_BFxnFmqMEk1PgcBlG-58SwnyHbOs/s600/LOOP-Title-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8fElDZayzk0jnkoghf9DWCrFivB01d_tdgy2DiNHSarWLX0y5zTA6bcRtntl5rWPxNZq2FfYQhAG_YDFQkC10CpbLpNuKTueY1MWPhlnfkYydyFtb7HjiRff97xIyETkMOklDYas-VqMevelW6hMoM5xvK702NT_BFxnFmqMEk1PgcBlG-58SwnyHbOs/s320/LOOP-Title-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>LOS ANGELES, CA (March 6, 2024) — Today, Center Theatre Group (CTG) and American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced the cast and creative team for the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning acclaimed musical, A Strange Loop, making its West Coast premiere at A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater (415 Geary St., San Francisco) from Thursday, April 18 through Sunday, May 12, 2024 and then moving to Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles) from Wednesday, June 5 through Sunday, June 30, 2024. Single tickets ($25 - $137) for the San Francisco engagement are on sale now by visiting act-sf.org/strangeloop. Single tickets ($35–$155) for the Los Angeles engagement are on sale now by visiting ctgla.org/a-strange-loop.</p><p>Meet Usher: a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Direct from Broadway and the West End to San Francisco and Los Angeles, A Strange Loop is the big, Black, and queer-ass Great American Musical for all!</p><p>“I began writing what would become A Strange Loop in a small room of a bungalow-style apartment in the middle of nowhere Queens when I was 23 years old,” said Michael R. Jackson. “I had never been so scared or uncertain of my place in the world. Working on the show was my life raft and I never in a million years imagined the miles it would travel. I am so excited to share A Strange Loop with even more audiences and so grateful to A.C.T. and CTG for making this West Coast premiere possible. What a strange loop!”</p><p>“It only seems fitting that such a big, bold, and irreverent play would call both CTG and A.C.T. home—two iconic theatre companies in cities known for pushing boundaries and telling wholly original stories,” said CTG Artistic Director Snehal Desai. “A Strange Loop is one of the most discussed and awarded musicals of our time. It is also audacious, hilarious, empowering, and very moving. The company for this co-production joins us from a national search and I can’t wait for SF audiences to experience A Strange Loop starting in April and to keep the conversation going when it plays the Ahmanson Theatre in June.”</p><p>“I love that A.C.T. is in partnership with Los Angeles’s Center Theatre Group in bringing this gorgeous, provocative, and full story by Michael R. Jackson to the West Coast,” said A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon. “I’m on the edge of my seat in anticipation to see and hear A Strange Loop at the Toni Rembe Theater.”</p><p>The cast of A Strange Loop includes (in alphabetical order): Dave J. Abrams (Understudy, Thought 2 & 3), Angela Alisa (Understudy, Thought 1), Jordan Barbour (Thought 5), J. Cameron Barnett (Thought 2), Carlis Shane Clark (Understudy, Thought 5 & 6), Alvis Green Jr. (Usher Alternate), Albert Hodge (Understudy, Thought 4), Avionce Hoyles (Thought 3), Tarra Conner Jones (Thought 1), Malachi McCaskill (Usher), Jamari Johnson Williams (Thought 6), and Tony Award nominee John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4).</p><p>A Strange Loop features book, music, and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson. Members of the show’s Broadway creative team will join the West Coast engagements. They include Tony Award nominee Stephen Brackett (Director), Raja Feather Kelly (Choreography), Tony award nominee Arnulfo Maldonado (Scenic Design), Montana Levi Blanco (Costume Design), Tony Award nominee Drew Levy (Sound Design), Tony Award nominee Jen Schreiver (Lighting Design), Aaron Tacy (Associate Lighting Design), Candace Taylor (Associate Choreography), Cookie Jordan (Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design), Chelsea Pace (Intimacy), and The Telsey Office / Destiny Lilly, CSA (Casting).</p><p>Rounding out the creative team are Nailah Harper-Malveaux (Associate Director), Sean Kana (Music Director), David Möschler (Associate Music Director), Randy Cohen (Keyboard Programmer), Edmond O'Neal (Production Stage Manager), Julia Formanek (Assistant Stage Manager), and Camella Coopilton (Assistant Stage Manager).</p><p>A Strange Loop made its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in May 2019. In December 2021, the show had a critically acclaimed run at Washington D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company prior to coming to Broadway in spring 2022. A Strange Loop won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was the recipient of 11 Tony Award nominations, the most of any show in 2022. The production took home the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. A Strange Loop was also named Best Musical by New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Off-Broadway Alliance. A Strange Loop recently played a limited 12-week engagement at London’s Barbican Theatre.</p><p>Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director / CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Center Theatre Group is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group has produced more than 700 productions across its three stages, including such iconic shows as “Zoot Suit;” “Angels in America;” “The Kentucky Cycle;” “Biloxi Blues;” “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992;” “Children of a Lesser God;” “Curtains;” “The Drowsy Chaperone;” “9 to 5: The Musical;” and “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.” CenterTheatreGroup.org</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-46062210736105585832024-03-04T11:13:00.000-08:002024-03-04T11:13:06.593-08:00LA Opera Presents La Traviata<p>(Los Angeles) March 4, 2024 — From April 6 through 27, LA Opera will present Giuseppe Verdi's beloved romantic tragedy, La Traviata, starring soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen. Music Director James Conlon will conduct five of the six performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, with Louis Lohraseb conducting the opera on April 18. The production, new to Los Angeles, is directed by Shawna Lucey.</p><p>"For 120 years, La Traviata has reigned as a supreme expression of the heightened emotions that can only be fully experienced in the opera house," said Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera's president and CEO. "This season's gorgeous production, with James Conlon in the pit and Rachel Willis-Sørensen in the leading role, provides opera newcomers and seasoned aficionados alike with the perfect opportunity to see why Verdi's masterpiece has held its place as one of the most beloved of all operas."</p><p>About La Traviata</p><p>Violetta Valéry is the queen of Parisian nightlife for now, but she knows that life in the fast lane can't last forever. The arrival of a fresh-faced suitor offers her an unexpected taste of true love until society’s disapproval threatens to tear them apart.</p><p>La Traviata ("The Fallen Woman") is based on the life of a real woman, Marie Duplessis (1824-1847), who rose from poverty to become one of 19th-century Paris's most celebrated courtesans before dying at the age of 23 from tuberculosis. Writer Alexandre Dumas fils (one of her many lovers) based his romantic novel La Dame aux Camélias on their all-too-brief fling. He subsequently adapted it into a hugely successful play, upon which Verdi based his opera.</p><p>Marie's tragically short life has also inspired filmmakers from the silent era to modern times. Notable screen adaptations of the story include the 1936 Greta Garbo classic Camille, the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, which made Julia Roberts a superstar, and the 2001 musical Moulin Rouge! with Nicole Kidman. The latter was adapted into a smash hit stage musical of the same name, opening on Broadway in 2019 and drawing capacity crowds to this day.</p><p>Meet the Cast</p><p>Rachel Willis-Sørensen, who made her LA Opera debut last season as Desdemona in Otello, returns to sing the leading role of Violetta. One of the most acclaimed American sopranos of her generation, she is known for her diverse repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner and is a regular guest at the leading opera houses around the world. Her appearances this season include Elisabeth in Don Carlos in Geneva, Antonia in The Tales of Hoffmann in Paris, Elsa in Lohengrin in Munich, and both Desdemona in Otello and Elena in I Vespri Siciliani in Vienna.</p><p>Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan will make his LA Opera debut as Violetta's lover Alfredo, a role he performed earlier this year in Dresden and Amsterdam. He has also performed Alfredo, one of his signature roles, at London's Covent Garden, the Bolshoi in Moscow, and in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Zürich, Munich, Yerevan and Sydney.</p><p>South Korean baritone Kihun Yoon, a former member of the company's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, returns as Alfredo's father Giorgio Germont. His LA Opera appearances include the leading roles of Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Scarpia in Tosca, and Marcello in La Bohème. He is now in his seventh year as a principal artist at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater, where his roles this season include the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Wotan in Die Walküre.</p><p>Tenor Julius Ahn will make his company debut as Gastone de Letorieres and bass-baritone Patrick Blackwell will perform the role of Baron Douphol. The cast also includes several members of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program: mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino as Flora, baritone Ryan Wolfe as Marquis d'Obigny, bass Alan Williams as Dr. Grenvil and mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny as Annina.</p><p>The Creative Team</p><p>Music Director James Conlon conducts five of the six performances. Louis Lohraseb, who conducted the company's production of The Barber of Seville earlier this season, will conduct the performance of La Traviata on April 18.</p><p>Shawna Lucey directs a production first seen at the San Francisco Opera in 2022, with scenery and costumes designed by Robert Innes Hopkins. The lighting designer is Michael James Clark, the chorus director is Jeremy Frank and the choreographer is John Heginbotham.</p><p>Performance Dates, Times, and Address</p><p>There will be six performances of La Traviata presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012:</p><p>Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 7:30 pm</p><p>Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 2 pm</p><p>Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7:30 pm</p><p>Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 2 pm</p><p>Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 7:30 pm</p><p>Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 7:30 pm</p><p><br /></p><p>Tickets</p><p>Tickets begin at $29 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at LAOpera.org, by phone at 213.972.8001, or in person at the LA Opera box office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012). For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-36267437149641908592024-02-28T16:10:00.000-08:002024-02-28T16:10:03.932-08:00Blake Aaron To Drop "Love and Rhythm" In April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC_m5NQS3x99jBr7VG8E3TkPQw_5OC4bZ9hXFTL1eK56SCOnTOwLA3YYxHF-5xsP9inD91O4WMnnpLAmbhYDALlMnbsJ3WZVblZWzfHOOXuSPEjluWZ18flsqY-lHH9KgpfZY8BqV1TdUtaCWZZJnEHsmSp_LdlHfm26Y0R4gB_NNgH3pW7aRRwRq4J6V/s802/thumbnail-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="802" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC_m5NQS3x99jBr7VG8E3TkPQw_5OC4bZ9hXFTL1eK56SCOnTOwLA3YYxHF-5xsP9inD91O4WMnnpLAmbhYDALlMnbsJ3WZVblZWzfHOOXuSPEjluWZ18flsqY-lHH9KgpfZY8BqV1TdUtaCWZZJnEHsmSp_LdlHfm26Y0R4gB_NNgH3pW7aRRwRq4J6V/s320/thumbnail-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The heartbeat of jazz guitarist Blake Aaron’s forthcoming Innervision Records album, “Love and Rhythm,” is his passion for creating music from a wide array of sounds and styles. The expansive scope of music he explores and experiments with on the ten-tracker he wrote and produced with Billboard hitmakers Adam Hawley and Greg Manning spans his winning blend of contemporary jazz, R&B, funk, and pop music along with a couple of audacious departures that venture into fusion and Brazilian jazz. The album, releasing April 19, has already notched two Billboard No. 1 singles, “Dreamland” and “Feels So Right,” and the top three hit “Crush.” Aaron’s current single, the R&B romancer “She’s the One,” is already in the Billboard top 5.</p><p>“‘Love and Rhythm’ is all about my musical journey and my love for all kinds of rhythm and music. I have spent my life in pursuit of exploring the beauty of every genre of music there is. I will probably never be bored and because of my vast experience in so many different genres, I will likely always be in demand as a musician. Even if I never retire and spend my entire life in music, I will not even scratch the surface of the depth and beauty of the performance, composition, and production of all genres of music,” said Aaron, a five-time Billboard chart-topping musician, songwriter, producer, and popular concert performer.</p><p>“Love and Rhythm” is Aaron’s first outing since his 2020 disc, “Color and Passion,” which earned him three Billboard No. 1 singles and Radiowave’s Song of the Year, “Drive.” In the intervening years between albums, Aaron wrote and recorded new music, releasing singles along the way, and maintaining his presence on the national charts, radio, and Spotify playlists. The singles released since “Color and Passion” are now available on “Love and Rhythm.” </p><p>As he always does, Aaron’s seventh album highlights the first-call guitarist keeping company with the cream-of-the-crop session musicians. He uses plenty of horns and horn section décor to underscore his guitar-driven melodies and harmonies. David Mann, Trevor Neumann, Donald Hayes, Michael Stever, Bob Mintzer, Jimmy Reid, Andrew Neu, and Nick Lane provide the firepower saxophones, trombones, and trumpets. The rhythms are deftly constructed by drummers Eric Valentine, Tony Moore, and Will Kennedy; anchored by bassists Mel Brown, Alex Al, and Hussain Jiffry; and enhanced by percussionist Ramon Yslas. Manning plays keyboards and piano along with Tateng Katindig and Carnell Harrell. Adding to the lush backdrops are strings crafted by Tyries Rolfe. </p><p>“Love and Rhythm” opens with the energizing “Dreamland,” which Aaron said, “captures the imagination, excitement, fun and unbridled curiosity of a dream come true.” He wrote it with Hawley who produced it. It’s one of the tunes that resulted from one of their in-person writing and recording dates.</p><p>“Working with another Billboard No. 1 producer inspired ideas and concepts that I may not have thought of on my own. Having a writing and production partner whom I respect but has a different style than mine opens up new musical and creative doors through different approaches and compromises. Utilizing a producer challenges an artist to go to another level with an idea they may have thought was already ‘making the cut’ or conversely, encourages the artist to run with an idea they were ready to throw out, and that can take the song in a whole new direction. In the internet age when most artists are collaborating online, Adam (Hawley) and I have found a certain magic of writing ‘old-school’ by actually meeting in the studio, locking the door, and not leaving until we have a fully recorded rough mix of a hit single,” said Aaron, who has concert dates booked in the coming months to support the album release throughout the U.S., United Kingdom and the Netherlands. </p><p>The sunny and smiley “Feels So Right” is an overtly happy Aaron-Manning collab that shines via the bright vocal touch of Ken Turner. Aaron said that when Manning first presented the concept for the song, with the luminous vocalizations, he was inspired to “compose a melody that would capture the innocence of a woman dancing outside in the sun ‘like nobody is watching.’” </p><p>Writing the melody and remaining sections of the song from a chorus, groove and rhythm track constructed by Hawley and Carnell, Aaron said “‘She’s the One’ captures the feeling of the moment when you realize that the special person you have been with is ‘the one.’ I wanted to create a song that has the perfect combination of romance, elegance, passion, and uninhibited groove.”</p><p>Aaron explained that “Crush,” another song that he wrote with Hawley who produced the track, “captures the feelings of summer and driving to the beach with the top down while celebrating a major accomplishment, knowing that you ‘crushed’ it. It’s about adding color to an otherwise black-and-white day.”</p><p>Katindig’s piano adds grace and elegance to the sensual groove that is “Irresistible.” Aaron’s guitar play takes on sultry qualities.</p><p>“Most of the songs I write are largely up-tempo, made to hopefully be a bright spot in what could otherwise be a dull day, but ‘Irresistible’ is all about sexy. Sexy groove, sexy melodies, sexy production and sounds. ‘Irresistible’ captures that feeling of a magnetic, chemical attraction to someone you just can't stay away from. Sometimes that can be incredibly good, and sometimes that can be…well…not so much,” said Aaron with a smile.</p><p>Tipping the cap to high-energy, horn-powered acts like Tower of Power; Earth, Wind & Fire, and David Sanborn, “Big Bounce” features Hayes on sax on this danceable joint. The horns stay hot on “The Way You Sway,” a retro 70s R&B/soul groove.</p><p>Shining brightly with a motivational message, “Diamond in the Sun” reflects the wisdom and encouragement that Aaron provides to his children.</p><p>“Sometimes we all lose confidence in our talents and abilities to shine in a challenging situation. I tell my kids that not everyone can recognize or appreciate the beauty of a diamond all the time, but when the dawn comes, your talent, abilities, and inner and outer beauty will shine like a diamond in the sun. ‘Diamond in the Sun’ captures the feeling of when it's finally your turn to shine,” said Aaron, a father of two. </p><p>The deep cuts “Rise” and “Alter Ego” reveal seldom-heard sides of Aaron’s artistry, both of which feature a rhythm section comprised of Grammy winner Jiffry (Herb Albert) and Kennedy (Yellowjackets). Along with a gauzy electric guitar, Aaron plays acoustic guitar and mandolin on “Rise.” The brisk Brazilian jazz cadence blends with a spacey fusion excursion into the abyss, braised with an elegant piano solo from Manning. </p><p>“Both “Rise” and “Alter Ego” are an exciting adventure and somewhat of a departure for me into other musical influences that I love,” shared Aaron, who went on to explain the meaning of “Rise.”</p><p>“Actually, the ‘Rise’ in my career as a solo artist wasn't due to a direct pursuit on my part of having such a career at all, but rather a love for teaching music. Years ago, one of my students, who was an Olympic gold medal winner, heard one of my first demo EP’s because he was looking for unique musical gifts to give out during his popular motivational speaking seminars. He decided to invest in my career to help me go from being a sideman to being a solo artist, which is how my first full CD, "With Every Touch," was born. Six albums and five Billboard No. 1 hits later, plus three No. 1 hits as a producer, here I am with ‘Love and Rhythm.’” </p><p>“Alter Ego” ventures deep into the fusion stratosphere with a hint of a spirited South African cadence. Amidst Aaron’s fast and feverish fusion guitar play comes a storming sax solo from Mintzer, best known for his work in the Grammy-winning fusion outfit Yellowjackets. Aaron has a long history of collaborating with urban-jazz icon Najee and the two musicians have discussed one day forming a jazz fusion band together, an “alter ego” that would allow them the freedom to make records like Yellowjackets and Brecker Brothers.</p><p>“I wrote ‘Alter Ego’ in dedication and with inspiration from Najee’s vision of a jazz fusion band. With our busy schedules, we have yet to form that band together, but ‘Alter Ego’ is a tribute to what will hopefully be another wonderful musical experience in my life. I knew the song ‘Alter Ego’ had to be an important part of the musical journey I am calling ‘Love and Rhythm,’" Aaron said about the album closer. </p><p>In addition to summiting the Billboard chart a handful of times as a solo artist and three times as a producer, Aaron was a featured soloist on two No. 1 singles, including 2022’s Billboard Song of the Year by flutist Kim Scott (“Shine”). As an in-demand guitarist, he’s recorded and/or performed with such diverse R&B, jazz and rock headliners as Philip Bailey (EWF), Sheila E., The Alan Parson Project, The Gap Band, Lakeside, Ronnie Laws, Keiko Matsui, Warren Hill, and Bobby Womack and Carlos Santana. Aaron has film and television music credits that include “MAD TV,” “Super Dave Osborne” and “The Ben Stiller Show.” For more information, please visit https://www.blakeaaron.com.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-20885634917861670272024-02-26T23:16:00.000-08:002024-02-26T23:16:59.875-08:0031st Annual Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Announces 2024 Honorees<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8lVNLkLKgKIfuy9gaf35RNZ_TwV-abITi-UZ4DjKFZ71CPoeyzZ8jkT3i3A9pS7vFJa9x2bikqBS3e2dIF98NYH2P5HTf1ULX1lyGAOIxlx9SV6Axv6E_HBmb5G472Rnzd-xfCMz0PyYB8rm-wVG9d7Gf29Mo8YBN8HPARdNHBwTv4uBhTjqmiHQD4-j/s251/download-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8lVNLkLKgKIfuy9gaf35RNZ_TwV-abITi-UZ4DjKFZ71CPoeyzZ8jkT3i3A9pS7vFJa9x2bikqBS3e2dIF98NYH2P5HTf1ULX1lyGAOIxlx9SV6Axv6E_HBmb5G472Rnzd-xfCMz0PyYB8rm-wVG9d7Gf29Mo8YBN8HPARdNHBwTv4uBhTjqmiHQD4-j/s1600/download-7.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adilah Barnes</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />The 31st Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) will honor eight deserving women for their exceptional career and life achievements in the Opening Night Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony on March 28, 2024, at 8 p.m., preceded by a reception and Red Carpet at 6:30 p.m., at Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. This year’s theme for the Awards Ceremony is In Honor Of. The event will be hosted by Hattie Winston and Margaret Avery.</p><p>The 2024 Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival is directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.</p><p>These worthy honorees who have made laudable contributions to the world of theatre are listed here:</p><p>The recipient this year of the posthumous Infinity Award, memorializing the exceptional achievements of a theatre artist, is Shirley Jo Finney.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmgET86KTAsCx4M9rM_ZugmKptgvg0bhAEmn5jH6dcz5HWH5ylSuz9QYpJ2FJwvYwdAEGevSHL9R8qQ0SUy9jcxx-vc7o3cDqvnaMGbPtMKC_P2PswiO1asRoh94t4qpPgHzQfQQJZurO3uvkYNo4S8uI_M70GQsFCJ7sj-tG7vzLyOHyRuYg8AlFke_G/s267/download-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="189" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmgET86KTAsCx4M9rM_ZugmKptgvg0bhAEmn5jH6dcz5HWH5ylSuz9QYpJ2FJwvYwdAEGevSHL9R8qQ0SUy9jcxx-vc7o3cDqvnaMGbPtMKC_P2PswiO1asRoh94t4qpPgHzQfQQJZurO3uvkYNo4S8uI_M70GQsFCJ7sj-tG7vzLyOHyRuYg8AlFke_G/s1600/download-8.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirley Jo Finney</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Shirley Jo Finney was born in Merced, California, and received an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts at UCLA. She was the first African-American in that Master’s Degree Program. She achieved early success as an actor, starring as her friend, Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph, in the NBC television movie Wilma. She also appeared in guest roles in episodic television (Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, Amen) and several feature films before turning to directing. She directed at regional theatres across the country, and locally at Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse, and Los Angeles Theatre Center. Her artistic home, however, was the Fountain Theatre, where she directed nine shows. Her many directorial credits included Citizen: An American Lyric, Yellowman, Central Avenue, The Ballad of Emmett Till, From the Mississippi Delta, Runaway Home, and more. Ms. Finney received multiple awards and was revered as an important figure in the Los Angeles theatre community. Her final show was Clyde’s, at the Ensemble Theatre of Houston. </p><p>caryn desai and Maria G. Martinez will be bestowed with the Eternity Award, presented to an artist or individual whose lifetime achievements have made a lasting contribution to the world of theatre. </p><p>caryn desai is the Artistic Director and Producer at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. The recipient of an M.F.A. in Directing from UC Irvine, her numerous directing credits include Beast on the Moon, Uncanny Valley, Art, Doubt, Cardboard Piano, Other Desert Cities, Red, God of Carnage, Dinah Was, Backwards in High Heels, Raisin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Once on This Island, Contradictions (her original work). She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. She taught college for over 25 years and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Long Beach City College, where she was inducted into its Hall of Fame. She was also named Distinguished Alumna at Cal State Long Beach. She teaches Theatre Management at Cal State Fullerton. She was recognized as a Community Hero by the African American History and Culture Foundation., and as an LA 2023 Inspirational Woman by the Los Angeles Times. </p><p>Maria G. Martinez is a Board Member and active supporter of CASA0101. She has participated in CASA as a co-producer, writer, director, and actor with the Chicana, Cholas y Chisme’s Play Festival. Maria also collaborates withTeAda Productions and Frida Kahlo Theater. As a playwright, she staged Breakfast With My Mother at CASA 0101, and at Miles Memorial Playhouse. Her updated version of For My Cause Your Spirit Will Speak has been presented at CASA 0101 and at the Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival. Maria has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University at Los Angeles and a certificate in Engineering and Construction Management from UCLA. Maria retired from the City of Los Angeles in the Community Development Department where she held the position of Director of the Neighborhood Development Division. A theatre activist, Maria G. Martinez joined the CASA0101 Board of Directors in May 2014.</p><p>Two recipients will receive the Maverick Award this year. This award is presented to an artist or individual whose work has set a high standard of individuality and self-styled creativity. The recipients are Naomi Grossman and Wendy Raquel Robinson.</p><p>Naomi Grossman created a trilogy of three solo shows: Girl in Argentine Landscape (L.A. Weekly Theatre Award nomination, Pick of the Week), Carnival Knowledge: Love, Lust and Other Human Oddities (“Recommended” by L.A. Weekly, with a transfer to London’s West End), and American Whore Story (winner of Broadway World’s Los Angeles Regional Award for Best solo Production, followed by a run off-Broadway). The New Mexico native graduated from Northwestern University and was a member of the famed Groundlings Sunday Company. She received an Emmy nomination for her acting in the series Ctrl Alt Delete, but became an international TV star for her roles in the series American Horror Story and its spinoffs, for her memorable characters Rabid Ruth, Samantha Crowe, and most especially Pepper, which gained her millions of fans around the world. Additionally, Naomi Grossman has created numerous comedy shorts available for viewing online. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQQ8I4cwgyIJVsFQ5Ug_2naTfxnvOJkERuHzLQhMeQG_EsNxDpgw2E-U4Viw2XN6fjyoo3eWb7bXHeT60pDqg4zmt0hkNKO-kIQz3tWxOqANzpjMbebB-3PZel5wW9OgESMAQF056hFMr03Opb1-ehHmgbrHdcOJlRnAwOa5WHx7udhc4YVVLFXF4G6N0/s226/download-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="223" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQQ8I4cwgyIJVsFQ5Ug_2naTfxnvOJkERuHzLQhMeQG_EsNxDpgw2E-U4Viw2XN6fjyoo3eWb7bXHeT60pDqg4zmt0hkNKO-kIQz3tWxOqANzpjMbebB-3PZel5wW9OgESMAQF056hFMr03Opb1-ehHmgbrHdcOJlRnAwOa5WHx7udhc4YVVLFXF4G6N0/s1600/download-9.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy Raquel Robinson</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Wendy Raquel Robinson was born in Los Angeles and received her B.F.A. from Howard University. Her stage work includes roles in Agnes of God, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Black Women’s Blues, The Colored Museum, The Vagina Monologues, and Vanities, for which she received an NAACP Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography. She achieved national fame on television for her series regular roles on The Game, The Steve Harvey Show, Minor Adjustments, and Grand Hotel, and won an Emmy for PBS’ Theatre Corner. She has also appeared in twenty feature films, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Miss Congeniality, and Hip Hop Holiday, Wendy Raquel Robinson is also known for her contributions to the community, notably as the Co-Founder of the non-profit Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC). Located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles, AGC focuses on providing personal growth, professional training, and opportunities for inner-city youth.</p><p>There will be two recipients of the Integrity Award, presented to an artist or individual who has brought credibility and dignity to her work. This year’s designated recipients are Lisa Sanaye Dring and Carolyn Ratteray. </p><p>Lisa Sanaye Dring is a writer director, and actor originally from Hilo, Hawaii, and Reno, Nevada. She is currently the Tow Foundation Resident Playwright with Ma-Yi Theatre Company. Her plays include Sumo, Hungry Ghost, Happy Fall: A Queer Stunt Spectacular, Kairos, Seven Hoshi, The Wicked One, The Sea, Big Ones. As a director, she has worked with Theatre of NOTE, Circle X, Antaeus Theatre Company, We the People at Sacred Fools, California Repertory Company, The Blank Theatre, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and more. As an actor, her work includes roles in 4000 Miles, Wood Boy Dog Fish, O Gastronomy!, Measure for Measure, Death Play, Double Me Double You, and Six Seeds. She has also performed on episodic television, including two seasons of How to Get Away with Murder. Her accolades include an Emmy® nomination for Welcome to the Blumhouse Live, which she co-directed and co-wrote, and the PLAY LA Stage Raw/Humanitas Prize. Lisa Sanaye Dring is an alumna of USC. </p><p>Carolyn Ratteray is an Emmy-nominated actor, director, and playwright based in the Los Angeles area. She has appeared in off-Broadway, as well as in TV/Film and voice-over. Credits also include appearances at The Mark Taper Forum, The Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court Theatre, A Noise Within, Antaeus Theatre, Echo Theatre Company, and The Garry Marshall Theatre. Regional theatres include The Old Globe, The Pearl Theatre Company, and the Classical Theatre of Harlem. In addition to performing, Carolyn has directed By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, In Love and Warcraft, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She received her M.F.A. from The Old Globe/University of San Diego. Carolyn Ratteray is a Resident Artist at A Noise Within Theatre, a member of Antaeus Theatre and Ammo Theatre Company and she is a professor at Pomona College. </p><p>Jessica Lynn Johnson will receive the Rainbow Award, bestowed on an artist or individual for her diverse contributions to fostering non-traditional and multicultural theatre works. Jessica Lynn Johnson is a published playwright, recipient of the Best National Solo Artist Award from the Dialogue One Festival, Advisory Board Member of the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, Co-Executive Producer of both the Stars Solo Series and the Joshua Tree Solo Theatre Festival, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo Studios International. Jessica has aided in the development, direction, and producing of over 150 solo shows (and still going strong)! Jessica was also nominated for the Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival and most recently nominated for Best Director of a Play by Broadway World 2023. Jessica Lynn Johnson is honored to receive this treasured award. </p><p>There will be special performances at the GALA, in addition to the Awards Ceremony. Performers include:</p><p>Karen A. Clark in The Women.</p><p>In this excerpt, through music and spoken word, Karen honors women and also reflects on the women in her family, particularly her mother. </p><p>Juli Kim, dancer, performs Salpuri Adagio, a slow-tempo Korean cleansing dance that wishes great peace. Five Drum Dance is a popular Korean dance that incorporates five standing drums.</p><p>Founded by Executive Producer Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival is an Annual Event unique among Los Angeles cultural institutions and should not be missed as LAWTF celebrates its 31st year.</p><p>This year’s organizational funders of Official Sponsors and Government Grantors include the Los Angeles County Arts and Culture, California Arts Council, City of Culver City, Department of Cultural Affairs-LA, California Wellness Foundation, City National Bank, Blackbaud Giving Fund, 4imprint, KPFK 90.7 FM, and Adilah Barnes Productions.</p><p>Tickets to the March 28 GALA are $60 each or $100 a pair (including reception). Tickets to each of the weekend’s other five shows are $25 for early birds (through March 10) and $30 thereafter. A VIP all-access pass for the entire weekend is $150. Reservations will be available at (818) 760-0408 or go to http://www.lawtf.org. To join and follow LAWTF on Facebook and other social media platforms, click on their links at http://www.lawtf.org</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-16055550197840669942024-02-21T21:16:00.000-08:002024-02-21T21:16:50.622-08:0031st Annual Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Announces 2024 Honorees<p>The 31st Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) will honor eight deserving women for their exceptional career and life achievements in the Opening Night Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony on March 28, 2024, at 8 pm, preceded by a reception and Red Carpet at 6:30 p.m., at Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. This year’s theme for the Awards Ceremony is In Honor Of. The event will be hosted by Hattie Winston and Margaret Avery.</p><p>The 2024 Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival is directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. </p><p>These worthy honorees who have made laudable contributions to the world of theatre are listed here: </p><p>The recipient this year of the posthumous Infinity Award, memorializing the exceptional achievements of a theatre artist, is Shirley Jo Finney. </p><p>Shirley Jo Finney was born in Merced, California, and received an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts at UCLA. She was the first African-American in that Master’s Degree Program. She achieved early success as an actor, starring as her friend, Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph, in the NBC television movie Wilma. She also appeared in guest roles in episodic television (Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, Amen) and several feature films before turning to directing. She directed at regional theatres across the country, and locally at Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse, and Los Angeles Theatre Center. Her artistic home, however, was the Fountain Theatre, where she directed nine shows. Her many directorial credits included Citizen: An American Lyric, Yellowman, Central Avenue, The Ballad of Emmett Till, From the Mississippi Delta, Runaway Home, and more. Ms. Finney received multiple awards and was revered as an important figure in the Los Angeles theatre community. Her final show was Clyde’s, at the Ensemble Theatre of Houston. </p><p>caryn desai and Maria G. Martinez will be bestowed with the Eternity Award, presented to an artist or individual whose lifetime achievements have made a lasting contribution to the world of theatre. </p><p>caryn desai is the Artistic Director and Producer at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. The recipient of an M.F.A. in Directing from UC Irvine, her numerous directing credits include Beast on the Moon, Uncanny Valley, Art, Doubt, Cardboard Piano, Other Desert Cities, Red, God of Carnage, Dinah Was, Backwards in High Heels, Raisin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Once on This Island, Contradictions (her original work). She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. She taught college for over 25 years and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Long Beach City College, where she was inducted into its Hall of Fame. She was also named Distinguished Alumna at Cal State Long Beach. She teaches Theatre Management at Cal State Fullerton. She was recognized as a Community Hero by the African American History and Culture Foundation., and as an LA 2023 Inspirational Woman by the Los Angeles Times. </p><p>Maria G. Martinez is a Board Member and active supporter of CASA0101. She has participated in CASA as a co-producer, writer, director, and actor with the Chicana, Cholas y Chisme’s Play Festival. Maria also collaborates with TeAda Productions, and Frida Kahlo Theater. As a playwright, she staged Breakfast With My Mother at CASA 0101, and at Miles Memorial Playhouse. Her updated version of For My Cause Your Spirit Will Speak has been presented at CASA 0101 and at the Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival. Maria has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University at Los Angeles and a certificate in Engineering and Construction Management from UCLA. Maria retired from the City of Los Angeles in the Community Development Department where she held the position of Director of the Neighborhood Development Division. A theatre activist, Maria G. Martinez joined the CASA0101 Board of Directors in May 2014.</p><p>Two recipients will receive the Maverick Award this year. This award is presented to an artist or individual whose work has set a high standard of individuality and self-styled creativity. The recipients are Naomi Grossman and Wendy Raquel Robinson. </p><p>Naomi Grossman created a trilogy of three solo shows: Girl in Argentine Landscape (L.A. Weekly Theatre Award nomination, Pick of the Week), Carnival Knowledge: Love, Lust and Other Human Oddities (“Recommended” by L.A. Weekly, with a transfer to London’s West End), and American Whore Story (winner of Broadway World’s Los Angeles Regional Award for Best solo Production, followed by a run off-Broadway). The New Mexico native graduated from Northwestern University and was a member of the famed Groundlings Sunday Company. She received an Emmy nomination for her acting in the series Ctrl Alt Delete, but became an international TV star for her roles in the series American Horror Story and its spinoffs, for her memorable characters Rabid Ruth, Samantha Crowe, and most especially Pepper, which gained her millions of fans around the world. Additionally, Naomi Grossman has created numerous comedy shorts available for viewing online. </p><p>Wendy Raquel Robinson was born in Los Angeles and received her B.F.A. from Howard University. Her stage work includes roles in Agnes of God, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Black Women’s Blues, The Colored Museum, The Vagina Monologues, and Vanities, for which she received an NAACP Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography. She achieved national fame on television for her series regular roles on The Game, The Steve Harvey Show, Minor Adjustments, and Grand Hotel, and won an Emmy for PBS’ Theatre Corner. She has also appeared in twenty feature films, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Miss Congeniality, and Hip Hop Holiday, Wendy Raquel Robinson is also known for her contributions to the community, notably as the Co-Founder of the non-profit Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC). Located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles, AGC focuses on providing personal growth, professional training, and opportunities for inner-city youth.</p><p>There will be two recipients of the Integrity Award, presented to an artist or individual who has brought credibility and dignity to her work. This year’s designated recipients are Lisa Sanaye Dring and Carolyn Ratteray. </p><p>Lisa Sanaye Dring is a writer director, and actor originally from Hilo, Hawaii, and Reno, Nevada. She is currently the Tow Foundation Resident Playwright with Ma-Yi Theatre Company. Her plays include Sumo, Hungry Ghost, Happy Fall: A Queer Stunt Spectacular, Kairos, Seven Hoshi, The Wicked One, The Sea, and Big Ones. As a director, she has worked with Theatre of NOTE, Circle X, Antaeus Theatre Company, We the People at Sacred Fools, California Repertory Company, The Blank Theatre, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and more. As an actor, her work includes roles in 4000 Miles, Wood Boy Dog Fish, O Gastronomy!, Measure for Measure, Death Play, Double Me Double You, and Six Seeds. She has also performed on episodic television, including two seasons of How to Get Away with Murder. Her accolades include an Emmy® nomination for Welcome to the Blumhouse Live, which she co-directed and co-wrote, and the PLAY LA Stage Raw/Humanitas Prize. Lisa Sanaye Dring is an alumna of USC. </p><p>Carolyn Ratteray is an Emmy-nominated actor, director, and playwright based in the Los Angeles area. She has appeared in off-Broadway, as well as in TV/Film and voice-over. Credits also include appearances at The Mark Taper Forum, The Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court Theatre, A Noise Within, Antaeus Theatre, Echo Theatre Company, and The Garry Marshall Theatre. Regional theatres include The Old Globe, The Pearl Theatre Company, and the Classical Theatre of Harlem. In addition to performing, Carolyn has directed By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, In Love and Warcraft, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She received her M.F.A. from The Old Globe/University of San Diego. Carolyn Ratteray is a Resident Artist at A Noise Within Theatre, a member of Antaeus Theatre and Ammo Theatre Company and she is a professor at Pomona College. </p><p>Jessica Lynn Johnson will receive the Rainbow Award, bestowed on an artist or individual for her diverse contributions to fostering non-traditional and multicultural theatre works. Jessica Lynn Johnson is a published playwright, recipient of the Best National Solo Artist Award from the Dialogue One Festival, Advisory Board Member of the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, Co-Executive Producer of both the Stars Solo Series and the Joshua Tree Solo Theatre Festival, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo Studios International. Jessica has aided in the development, direction, and production of over 150 solo shows (and still going strong)! Jessica was also nominated for the Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival and most recently nominated for Best Director of a Play by Broadway World 2023. Jessica Lynn Johnson is honored to receive this treasured award. </p><p>There will be special performances at the GALA, in addition to the Awards Ceremony. Performers include: </p><p>Karen A. Clark in The Women.</p><p>In this excerpt, through music and spoken word, Karen honors women and also reflects on the women in her family, particularly her mother. </p><p>Juli Kim, the dancer, performs Salpuri Adagio, a slow-tempo Korean cleansing dance that wishes great peace. Five Drum Dance is a popular Korean dance that incorporates five standing drums. </p><p>Founded by Executive Producer Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival is an Annual Event unique among Los Angeles cultural institutions and should not be missed as LAWTF celebrates its 31st year. </p><p>This year’s organizational funders of Official Sponsors and Government Grantors include the Los Angeles County Arts and Culture, California Arts Council, City of Culver City, Department of Cultural Affairs-LA, California Wellness Foundation, City National Bank, Blackbaud Giving Fund, 4imprint, KPFK 90.7 FM, and Adilah Barnes Productions.</p><p>Tickets to the March 28 GALA are $60 each or $100 a pair (including reception). Tickets to each of the weekend’s other five shows are $25 for early birds (through March 10) and $30 thereafter. A VIP all-access pass for the entire weekend is $150. Reservations will be available at (818) 760-0408 or go to http://www.lawtf.org. To join and follow LAWTF on Facebook and other social media platforms, click on their links at http://www.lawtf.org</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-5599992208321384202024-02-20T22:35:00.000-08:002024-02-20T22:35:44.814-08:00Calhoun's 'Black Cypress Bayou': A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaIV_XC1uvXyC4zbWnjZtPSu4gpB3RLQAxAKvqtONJehK2ivhLUIK2FvE_CvNVxjL5YPKEMTvg15eZjmIM73-xp1i-T5eKAtEpdq2sQkc2IzC6Ih7QdjPibiqOiKTHJvKlXB0ab5u0HAcaL5Ns90lzD7ounDUchJ1u0L81CEx6W2ezYWrI1jOERZSEPLE/s696/south-pasadena-news-02-19-2024-black_cypress_bayou-_photo_by_erik_carter-696x464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="696" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaIV_XC1uvXyC4zbWnjZtPSu4gpB3RLQAxAKvqtONJehK2ivhLUIK2FvE_CvNVxjL5YPKEMTvg15eZjmIM73-xp1i-T5eKAtEpdq2sQkc2IzC6Ih7QdjPibiqOiKTHJvKlXB0ab5u0HAcaL5Ns90lzD7ounDUchJ1u0L81CEx6W2ezYWrI1jOERZSEPLE/w349-h244/south-pasadena-news-02-19-2024-black_cypress_bayou-_photo_by_erik_carter-696x464.jpg" width="349" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) Angela Lewis, Kimberly Scott, <br />Amber Chardae Robinson and Brandee Evans in<br />'Black Cypress Bayou'<br />courtesy photo</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe </p><p>A lot is happening in a Lodi, Texas bayou, and it turns out, it’s life-changing. </p><p>When the dark comedy, “Black Cypress Bayou” opens, Ladybird Manifold is sitting in the middle of a swampy, lush, foggy bayou waiting for her mother, Vernita, who called and asked her to meet so they could go night fishing. </p><p>While she’s a bit puzzled at the request, she goes. </p><p>Set in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Ladybird is a strict disciplinarian about COVID protocol, which is why, even with family members, she wants to maintain a distance of six feet, and is armed with more than enough hand sanitizer. </p><p>When her mother shows up, the mood in an already eerie bayou setting - gets even creepier once she reveals what she has in the basket she’s carrying. </p><p>As it turns out, Ladybird is going to catch something – but it certainly isn’t fish. </p><p>Vernita has a lot to say – but she insists LadyBird call her sister RaeMeka before she spills the beans. RaeMeka is more ‘street’ than LadyBird who is a bit conservative. </p><p>When LadyBird suggests they call the police to help with the situation, her mother reminds her that their family does not call the cops. Family is the cure for whatever ailment because no one and Vernita means no one, is coming to their rescue – especially cops. </p><p>“Considering they do most of the killing you must want me laid up dead next to him,” says Vernita. “What I look like calling the death squad to my door? We don’t ever call the police. Not for nothing.” </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3RieNFLVwiZ_lX_Tx_xHARZDhsdBN1rnm5lu8atXJQOymGw8ITTH2Sh85eSxQnTCDXca6kBUn4XuGZs3prO72PtiqNmUuPGKv4LL0GEwo0TAgZkWR-8WWC0EppJN571Yq1WLRCjWozPX4jm4-WtTimOneE7Dd4PW_0O4gx8dBD91amZR9JEbMmWyCFQN/s1392/south-pasadena-news-02-19-2024-black_cypress_bayou_-_angela_lewis_and_brandee_evans-1392x928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1392" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3RieNFLVwiZ_lX_Tx_xHARZDhsdBN1rnm5lu8atXJQOymGw8ITTH2Sh85eSxQnTCDXca6kBUn4XuGZs3prO72PtiqNmUuPGKv4LL0GEwo0TAgZkWR-8WWC0EppJN571Yq1WLRCjWozPX4jm4-WtTimOneE7Dd4PW_0O4gx8dBD91amZR9JEbMmWyCFQN/s320/south-pasadena-news-02-19-2024-black_cypress_bayou_-_angela_lewis_and_brandee_evans-1392x928.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela Lewis (left) and Brandee Evans in <br />"Black Cypress Bayou'<br />courtesy photo</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thus begins Kristen Adele Calhoun’s latest play, “Black Cypress Bayou,” currently playing through March 17 at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. </p><p>This is a delicious play with a lot of twists and turns that will ultimately change the lives of four Black female family members.</p><p>The story, a haunting mystery, is full of intrigue, trauma, violence, loyalty, ancestral drama, and a good ‘ol crime thrown in for good measure. That being said, the show is full of comedy, which makes the tragedy they must confront a bit easier to swallow.</p><p>Once Vernita reveals why she called her daughters to the bayou, LadyBird (Brandee Evans) convinces her sister, RaeMeka (Angela Lewis) to meet them at their favorite place to fish. </p><p>Director Tiffany Nichole Greene and playwright Calhoun have done a great job melding the comedy and the drama. </p><p>The show works because of the able cast assembled to bring this story to life.</p><p>Veteran Kimberly Scott, who plays Vernita Manifold, makes any production a success. She doesn’t disappoint as a sassy, no-nonsense, shoot-from-the-lip momma enlisting the help of her daughters to quickly rectify a situation that could land them all in jail.</p><p>Scott, Evans, Lewis, and Amber Chardae Robinson, who plays the mysterious Taysha Hunter, brilliantly breathe life into the production with their comedic timing and on-point delivery. </p><p>When Taysha (Amber Chardae Robinson) enters, she has a shadowy connection to Vernita. It turns out Taysha, knows more than she initially let on. </p><p>All of the women have their secrets, which makes for lots of deliciousness.</p><p>What’s good about Calhoun’s play is how she keeps the audience on its heels. As soon as you think you’ve got the mystery figured out, she throws a wrench on that theory and leads you down a different path. It elevates the play and gives each character some yummy bit of business to work with.</p><p>Complementing the show is the dark and mysterious lighting by Donny Jackson and the swampy, foggy scenic design of Lawrence E. Moten III, who fills the stage with Spanish moss hanging from black cypress trees.</p><p>This review is not going to reveal what Vernita has in the basket. For now, know, it’s worth the wait!</p><p>‘Black Cypress Bayou’ is a satisfying 90 minutes of theater.</p><p>‘Black Cypress Bayou,’ written by Kristen Adele Calhoun, and directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, stars Amber Chardae Robinson, Brandee Evans, Angela Lewis, and Kimberly Scott. </p><p>The show includes herbal cigarette smoke, strobe lighting effects, and theatrical haze. </p><p>Running time: 80 minutes, no intermission. </p><p>On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), E (excellent), ‘Black Cypress Bayou’ gets an E (excellent).</p><p>‘Black Cypress Bayou,’ Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, $30-$129; www.geffenplayhouse.org or 310 208-2028.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-9060899457845607762024-02-20T13:46:00.000-08:002024-02-20T13:46:57.994-08:00Guitarist Jimmy B Remembers "My Old Street"<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6ywYsjD92JaNXmsOPkfsxLsMiVRKT7rGc6Fu7u5dmtqNgVif8Mt44xLbP9HsPJtqEVkEH1m94PHH6usgQpZz-kfb_kVhPXwSUfMsyHmQwL2JlLUMjql7tBTFX0Sac2Bf45chSeXIUtb88u0J1NU3CgoAzVMRtPgaG19PJhGAC-nnrqzVU5WKUB6CC7FI/s782/thumbnail-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="782" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6ywYsjD92JaNXmsOPkfsxLsMiVRKT7rGc6Fu7u5dmtqNgVif8Mt44xLbP9HsPJtqEVkEH1m94PHH6usgQpZz-kfb_kVhPXwSUfMsyHmQwL2JlLUMjql7tBTFX0Sac2Bf45chSeXIUtb88u0J1NU3CgoAzVMRtPgaG19PJhGAC-nnrqzVU5WKUB6CC7FI/s320/thumbnail-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>HOUSTON (20 February 2024): Mixing nostalgic memories from childhood when he discovered his passion for music and honoring his siblings’ strength and his mother’s courage are the inspiration for R&B/jazz guitarist Jimmy B’s newly released single, “My Old Street.” The follow-up to his first Billboard No. 1 single, “It’s Personal” featuring 9-time Grammy nominee Gerald Albright, “My Old Street” was written and produced by Kerry Wilkins. The WKM Records single was one of the most added new singles on the Billboard/Mediabase chart in its debut week of release.</p><p>Jimmy B is an instrumental storyteller, using his lyrically expressive guitar play to tell tales chronicling his youth, family life, and seminal moments. “My Old Street” pays tribute to the formative lessons he learned from his siblings. His 2018 album, “I’m Still Standing,” reflects the tenacity and persistence that his family exemplified. The new track, which features Wilkins on rhythm guitar and a piano solo by Ted Wenglinski that illuminates the soulful midtempo groove, is an uplifting lesson about the strength and courage instilled in all of his siblings.</p><p>“My mother had towering strength and courage. Whenever she faced adversity, she did so head-on. She stood up and made a change for our family,” explained Jimmy B, recalling when his older siblings orchestrated his mother to move them into a much better neighborhood in Canton, Ohio when the guitarist was ten.</p><p>“On the particular street she moved us to is where I first embraced my love of music, making me who I am today,” said Jimmy B, who now resides in Houston.</p><p>Jimmy B debuted in 2010 with “Just The Way I Feel.” He collaborated with Grammy-nominated saxophonist/flutist Najee and Emmy-nominated urban-jazz pianist Bobby Lyle. On stage, Jimmy B has shared the spotlight with R&B/soul singer Glenn Jones, sophisticated soul singer Phil Perry, and R&B crooner Eddie Levert of The O’Jays. “My Old Street” will appear on “Jimmy B & Friends Two,” his fifth album, which he expects to release in April.</p><p>Many of the people in Jimmy B’s life try to guess what street “My Old Street” is about. He is amused by the intrigue and speculation, but he declines to reveal the exact street name to keep the focus on the song’s broader message.</p><p>“Many people from my hometown think they know which street I’m referring to, but let it be known, it is still a mystery and I’m going to keep it that way because which street is not really important. Everyone can relate to ‘My Old Street’ because everyone has a past and a journey to get to the street that they are on now.” </p><p>For more information, please visit https://wkmrecords.com.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-29872546092590077062024-02-19T13:40:00.000-08:002024-02-19T13:40:50.036-08:00'Outlaw Posse' Premieres at 32nd Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVoS13eqqB1MkjqFd3oPwG_MlO7onsdJhdMn6eNsz2aE2R1Fl2fl5wAhohmN4Mfb6zhOq7fPdwR10FMeY2AnVjgiPFJc0idtCQXAQJDtVZALG9KxEWKlVEH-L_AQvYuJhMrH_tCjnSYV7nH-mIFjLKokQOVa_oefUZl4k32IH_aNxfknR2Y3l2qNjJoRJ/s1200/mail-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1200" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVoS13eqqB1MkjqFd3oPwG_MlO7onsdJhdMn6eNsz2aE2R1Fl2fl5wAhohmN4Mfb6zhOq7fPdwR10FMeY2AnVjgiPFJc0idtCQXAQJDtVZALG9KxEWKlVEH-L_AQvYuJhMrH_tCjnSYV7nH-mIFjLKokQOVa_oefUZl4k32IH_aNxfknR2Y3l2qNjJoRJ/w384-h298/mail-2.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Outlaw Posse' cast at the 32nd Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival screening premiere of “Outlaw Posse” at the Cinemark BHC in Los Angeles, California on February 18, 2024. Credit: Koi Sojer/ Snap’N U Photos/MediaPunch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The highly anticipated red carpet world premiere of Mario Van Peebles' latest cinematic masterpiece, “Outlaw Posse”, took center stage at the prestigious Pan African Film & Arts Festival Sun., Feb. 18. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Held at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD theaters in Los Angeles, California, the event drew a diverse and enthusiastic audience eager to witness the next chapter in Van Peebles' illustrious filmmaking career and the sequel to his hit film “Posse.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“Outlaw Posse” starts in 1908 when Chief returns from years of hiding in Mexico to claim stolen gold hidden in the hills of Montana. In his quest, he reunites an ensemble of fresh and familiar faces – together they fight off Angel, whose rationale to the gold leaves a trail of deception and dead bodies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With Van Peebles at the helm as director and starring in a lead role, the film captivated audiences with its blend of action, drama, and social commentary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "We can make Edutainment, we can make films that show our-story-- not just his-story, but equally important, are film festivals run by conscious people that reflect us and give our movies a platform,” said Van Peebles. “The Pan African Film Festival is our festival. It’s run by our folks! I am truly honored and excited to premiere 'Outlaw Posse' as the closing night film. This festival holds a special place in my heart for its commitment to diverse storytelling, and I believe 'Outlaw Posse' aligns perfectly with the spirit of this celebration.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“Outlaw Posse” stars Mario van Peebles, Whoopi Goldberg, Cedric the Entertainer, John Carrol Lynch, Neil McDonough, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, DC Young Fly, and Cam Gigandet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The atmosphere on the red carpet was electric as cast members, celebrities, and industry insiders gathered to celebrate the film's premiere. Mario Van Peebles, along with the talented ensemble cast, graciously greeted fans and posed for photos, exuding excitement and anticipation for the film's debut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“Outlaw Posse” opens nationwide Mar. 1.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-28071232844418632112024-02-18T13:21:00.000-08:002024-02-18T13:21:51.113-08:00"Oppenheimer" Wins Big At EE BAFTA Film Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3_L632fd_nvB-niJiwcLbOGirZUKTivD7CK83IqHsw4VggKCW5aPyDzOBVXmrahNc5LEMaRm_DlByI8qMHJ_34jiZ-POjfx8GCYValfa6YmKvKUBxzC3ibJmZeI76m2aRzQgHv6zaNmFTRVMM5tTFCuUGmA_uGexvae4_0yYLnsx_UgD65m9mrELF7Ou/s270/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="270" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3_L632fd_nvB-niJiwcLbOGirZUKTivD7CK83IqHsw4VggKCW5aPyDzOBVXmrahNc5LEMaRm_DlByI8qMHJ_34jiZ-POjfx8GCYValfa6YmKvKUBxzC3ibJmZeI76m2aRzQgHv6zaNmFTRVMM5tTFCuUGmA_uGexvae4_0yYLnsx_UgD65m9mrELF7Ou/w323-h219/download-1.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%; text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;">Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” continued its successful award season ride by being named the best film of 2023 at the EE BAFTA Film Awards, which took place Sunday, Feb. 18, in London. The film also won awards for director Nolan, actors Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., and its editing, cinematography, and score, giving it seven wins to lead all films.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;">The film was the favorite going into the ceremony, where it led all films with 13 nominations, followed by Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” with 11. “Poor Things” won five awards, including Emma Stone’s victory in the Lead actress category.</p><p>Here is the complete list of nominees. Winners are indicated by *WINNER.</p><p><br /></p><p>BEST FILM</p><p>“Anatomy of a Fall”</p><p>“The Holdovers”</p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon”</p><p>“Oppenheimer” *WINNER</p><p>“Poor Things”</p><p><br /></p><p>OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM</p><p>“All of Us Strangers”</p><p>“How to Have Sex”</p><p>“Napoleon”</p><p>“The Old Oak”</p><p>“Poor Things”</p><p>“Rye Lane”</p><p>“Saltburn”</p><p>“Scrapper”</p><p>“Wonka”</p><p>“The Zone of Interest” *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER</p><p>“Blue Bag Life”</p><p>“Bobi Wine: The People’s President”</p><p>“Earth Mama” *WINNER</p><p>“How To Have Sex”</p><p>“Is There Anybody Out There?”</p><p><br /></p><p>FILM NOT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE</p><p>“20 Days In Mariupol”</p><p>“Anatomy of a Fall”</p><p>“Past Lives”</p><p>“Society of the Snow”</p><p>“The Zone of Interest” *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>DOCUMENTARY</p><p>“20 Days In Mariupol” *WINNER</p><p>“American Symphony”</p><p>“Beyond Utopia”</p><p>“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”</p><p>“Wham!”</p><p><br /></p><p>ANIMATED FILM</p><p>“The Boy And The Heron” *WINNER</p><p>“Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget”</p><p>“Elemental”</p><p>“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”</p><p><br /></p><p>DIRECTOR</p><p>Andrew Haigh, “All of Us Strangers”</p><p>Justine Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall”</p><p>Alexander Payne, “The Holdovers”</p><p>Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”</p><p>Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” *WINNER</p><p>Jonathan Glazer, “The Zone of Interest”</p><p><br /></p><p>ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY</p><p>“Anatomy of a Fall,” Justine Triet, Arthur Harari *WINNER</p><p>“Barbie,” Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach</p><p>“The Holdovers,” David Hemingson</p><p>“Maestro,” Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer</p><p>“Past Lives,” Celine Song</p><p><br /></p><p>ADAPTED SCREENPLAY</p><p>“All of Us Strangers,” Andrew Haigh</p><p>“American Fiction,” Cord Jefferson *WINNER</p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan</p><p>“Poor Things,” Tony McNamara</p><p>“The Zone of Interest,” Jonathan Glazer</p><p><br /></p><p>LEADING ACTRESS</p><p>Fantasia Barrino, “The Color Purple”</p><p>Sandra Hüller, “Anatomy of a Fall”</p><p>Carey Mulligan, “Maestro”</p><p>Vivian Oparah, “Rye Lane”</p><p>Margot Robbie, “Barbie”</p><p>Emma Stone, “Poor Things” *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>LEADING ACTOR</p><p>Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”</p><p>Colman Domingo, “Rustin”</p><p>Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”</p><p>Barry Keoghan, “Saltburn”</p><p>Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer” *WINNER</p><p>Teo Yoo, “Past Lives”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8ElZpny6aFXoQigVkawMOYjweO1DVJvCU_bkGJiyMyCeeI_NwB9dhaBm7D5QRUEdQ3iJALrKzKGf6tN244tlJ_yUxinnLmrSeo-TMLZ9Cg-BLParPYxea2Do-a6kosVR95AdzZ2tZAIH5Isdg_fXwI3ZdIfietm0FDHAKQafA2cWEpM-yxwqs1Dhb7Fx/s253/download-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="199" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8ElZpny6aFXoQigVkawMOYjweO1DVJvCU_bkGJiyMyCeeI_NwB9dhaBm7D5QRUEdQ3iJALrKzKGf6tN244tlJ_yUxinnLmrSeo-TMLZ9Cg-BLParPYxea2Do-a6kosVR95AdzZ2tZAIH5Isdg_fXwI3ZdIfietm0FDHAKQafA2cWEpM-yxwqs1Dhb7Fx/s1600/download-8.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da'Vine Joy Randolph</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>SUPPORTING ACTRESS</p><p>Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”</p><p>Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”</p><p>Claire Foy, “All of Us Strangers”</p><p>Sandra Hüller, “The Zone of Interest”</p><p>Rosamund Pike, “Saltburn”</p><p>Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers” *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>SUPPORTING ACTOR</p><p>Robert De Niro, “Killers of The Flower Moon”</p><p>Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer” *WINNER</p><p>Jacob Elordi, “Saltburn”</p><p>Ryan Gosling, “Barbie”</p><p>Paul Mescal, “All of Us Strangers”</p><p>Dominic Sessa, “The Holdovers”</p><p><br /></p><p>CASTING</p><p>“All of Us Strangers,” Kahleen Crawford </p><p>“Anatomy of a Fall,” Cynthia Arra </p><p>“The Holdovers,” Susan Shopmaker *WINNER</p><p>“How to Have Sex,” Isabella Odoffin </p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Ellen Lewis, Rene Haynes </p><p><br /></p><p>CINEMATOGRAPHY</p><p>“Killers of The Flower Moon,” Rodrigo Prieto</p><p>“Maestro,” Matthew Libatique</p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Hayle van Hoytema *WINNER</p><p>“Poor Things,” Robbie Ryan</p><p>“The Zone of Interest,” Łukasz Żal </p><p><br /></p><p>COSTUME DESIGN</p><p>“Barbie,” Jacqueline Durran </p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Jacqueline West </p><p>“Napoleon,” Dave Crossman, Janty Yates </p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Ellen Mirojnick </p><p>“Poor Things,” Holly Waddington *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>EDITING</p><p>“Anatomy of a Fall,” Laurent Sénéchal </p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Thelma Schoonmaker </p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Jennifer Lame *WINNER</p><p>“Poor Things,” Yorgos Mavropsaridis </p><p>“The Zone of Interest,” Paul Watts </p><p><br /></p><p>MAKE UP & HAIR</p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Kay Georgiou, Thomas Nellen </p><p>“Maestro,” Sian Grigg, Kay Georgiou, Kazu Hiro, Lori McCoy-Bell </p><p>“Napoleon,” Jana Carboni, Francesco Pegoretti, Satinder Chumber, Julia Vernon </p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Luisa Abel, Jaime Leigh McIntosh, Jason Hamer, Ahou Mofid </p><p>“Poor Things,” Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, Josh Weston *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>ORIGINAL SCORE</p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Robbie Robertson </p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson *WINNER</p><p>“Poor Things,” Jerskin Fendrix </p><p>“Saltburn,” Anthony Willis </p><p>“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Daniel Pemberton </p><p><br /></p><p>PRODUCTION DESIGN</p><p>“Barbie” — Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer </p><p>“Killers of the Flower Moon” — Jack Fisk, Adam Willis </p><p>“Oppenheimer” — Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufman </p><p>“Poor Things” — Shona Heath, James Price, Zsuzsa Mihalek *WINNER</p><p>“The Zone of Interest” — Chris Oddy, Joanna Maria Kuś, Katarzyna Sikora </p><p><br /></p><p>BEST SOUND</p><p>“Ferrari,” Angelo Bonanni, Tony Lamberti, Andy Nelson, Lee Orloff, Bernard Weiser </p><p>“Maestro,” Richard King, Steve Morrow, Tom Ozanich, Jason Ruder, Dean Zupancic</p><p>“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” Chris Burdon, James H. Mather, Chris Munro, Mark Taylor </p><p>“Oppenheimer,” Willie Burton, Richard King, Kevin O’Connell, Gary A. Rizzo </p><p>“The Zone of Interest,” Johnnie Burn, Tarn Willers *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS</p><p>“The Creator,” Jonathan Bullock, Charmaine Chan, Ian Comley, Jay Cooper “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Theo Bialek, Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams </p><p>“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” Neil Corbould, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland, Alex Wuttke </p><p>“Napoleon,” Henry Badgett, Neil Corbould, Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet </p><p>“Poor Things,” Simon Hughes *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION</p><p>“Crab Day,” Ross Stringer, Bartosz Stanislawek, Aleksandra Sykulak *WINNER</p><p>“Visible Mending,” Samantha Moore, Tilley Bancroft </p><p>“Wild Summon,” Karni Arieli, Saul Freed, Jay Woolley</p><p><br /></p><p>BRITISH SHORT FILM</p><p>“Festival of Slaps,” Abdou Cissé, Cheri Darbon, George Telfer </p><p>“Gorka,” Joe Weiland, Alex Jefferson </p><p>“Jellyfish and Lobster,” Yasmin Afifi, Elizabeth Rufai *WINNER</p><p>“Such a Lovely Day,” Simon Woods, Polly Stokes, Emma Norton, Kate Phibbs </p><p>“Yellow,” Elham Ehsas, Dina Mousawi, Azeem Bhati, Yiannis Manolopoulos </p><p><br /></p><p>EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) </p><p>Phoebe Dynevor </p><p>Ayo Edebiri </p><p>Jacob Elordi </p><p>Mia McKenna-Bruce *WINNER</p><p>Sophie Wilde </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-67246913762923777112024-02-11T13:32:00.000-08:002024-02-11T17:07:14.830-08:00Los Angeles Philharmonic Announces 2024 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFXjopfAuX2FHKDAu-26DTLw5bMuRYTrKloU9pXuX9-3rbEfKnDJSjQGxIFeUAUM1nMnyR1v2oap-i6auHFngbnYiL6_uNWbbSVpseM_UdaQIUZc6YHahT-M__LvGjYXfSdo-osObN5IFLqRH2E-t1MjW6ZL3MEwnvXY7MOdnZEkurVKZzGmutY7EkBF4/s1092/mail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1092" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFXjopfAuX2FHKDAu-26DTLw5bMuRYTrKloU9pXuX9-3rbEfKnDJSjQGxIFeUAUM1nMnyR1v2oap-i6auHFngbnYiL6_uNWbbSVpseM_UdaQIUZc6YHahT-M__LvGjYXfSdo-osObN5IFLqRH2E-t1MjW6ZL3MEwnvXY7MOdnZEkurVKZzGmutY7EkBF4/w378-h246/mail.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>2024 Season Highlights Include:</p><p>Nine performances under the stars with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil, including two nights with 18-time Latin Grammy winner Natalia Lafourcade, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and a celebration with opera stars Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann</p><p>Zubin Mehta’s highly anticipated return to the Hollywood Bowl after 30 years</p><p>The world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience</p><p>The Hollywood Bowl debuts of Laufey, Mitski, Mt. Joy, and six-time Latin Grammy-winner Camilo</p><p>Stellar artists include Beck, Chaka Khan, Christopher Cross, Count Basie Orchestra, Gary Clark Jr., George Benson, The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes, and Herbie Hancock, India.Arie, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Mt. Joy, Patti LaBelle, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sylvan Esso, Toto, Trombone Shorty, Vance Joy and more</p><p>Classical superstars including Augustin Hadelich, Diana Damrau, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Jonas Kaufmann, Joshua Bell, Midori, Pinchas Zukerman, Ray Chen, Yunchan Lim and more</p><p>The first-ever Roots Picnic West Coast featuring The Roots, Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep and more</p><p>Juneteenth Celebration with T-Pain plus special guests and the Color of Noize Orchestra conducted by Derrick Hodge</p><p>The return of the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival with two days of jazz’s finest including Jodeci, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper with special guest Yebba and more</p><p>100th Birthday Celebrations of the great Henry Mancini on Opening Night with Michael Bublé and a star-studded tribute to the legendary Sammy Davis, Jr.</p><p>July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Harry Connick Jr. and the LA Phil led by conductor Thomas Wilkins and the end-of-season Fireworks Finale featuring Boyz II Men</p><p>Herbie Hancock reunites for the first time since 1973 with the original players from the Head Hunters recording for a one-night-only jazz extravaganza featuring Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin, Bill Summers, and Marcus Miller filling in for the late Paul Jackson.</p><p>The return of fan favorites including Maestro of the Movies featuring John Williams and the LA Phil, Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks, Reggae Night, Pink Martini with China Forbes, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long, and The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA</p><p>The <a href="Los Angeles Philharmonic Association">Los Angeles Philharmonic Association</a> today announces the 2024 <a href="https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/">Hollywood Bowl</a> summer season with performances at the world-renowned amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills from June to September 2024. In 1924, Hollywood Bowl founders deeded the land to Los Angeles County to ensure it could be enjoyed by all members of the public. The Bowl became a County Park in 1959, operated in partnership with the nonprofit Hollywood Bowl Association, which later became part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. In 2024, the LA Phil will continue this century-long collaboration and stewardship of the iconic venue that welcomes visitors from across the county and beyond each summer. For the 2024 Hollywood Bowl season, the LA Phil continues its tradition of presenting classical concerts under the stars with LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel conducting the orchestra and a roster of star-studded guest artists spanning classical, pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, Broadway and opera as well as celebrations of beloved film music.</p><p>The exciting lineup opens with a 100th birthday celebration for 20-time Grammy winner Henry Mancini. Special holiday performances will honor Juneteenth, with T-Pain and special guests, and the July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Harry Connick Jr.</p><p>Among the artists who make their Hollywood Bowl debuts this summer are jazz sensation Laufey performing with the LA Phil, singer-songwriter Mitski, and six-time Latin Grammy-winner Camilo. Returning to the Hollywood Bowl are audience favorites Pink Martini featuring China Forbes, The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes, Boyz II Men and violinists Joshua Bell and Augustin Hadelich, as well as LA Phil Conductor Emeritus Zubin Mehta, who will return for his first performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 30 years. Also coming back this season is the traditional Tchaikovsky Spectacular, as well as the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival co-curated by Kamasi Washington and LA Phil Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock, which returns for its third year.</p><p>Additional season highlights include LA’s own Beck, for a special one-night performance with the LA Phil; Natalia Lafourcade teaming up with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil for two unforgettable nights; a 100th anniversary celebration of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue; the very first West Coast Roots Picnic, a tribute to hip-hop, with The Roots, Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep, and more; a landmark collaboration with Mexico’s premier traditional dance company, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández; an All-Beethoven evening featuring the virtuosic trio of Sunwook Kim, Clara-Jumi Kang, and Hayoung Choi in the Triple Concerto closing with Symphony No. 5; and composer and conductor John Williams’ Maestro of the Movies program, in which he will share the podium with accomplished composer and conductor David Newman for a memorable evening of music from Hollywood’s Golden Age as well as his own beloved film scores.</p><p>The season will also include the world debut of the highly anticipated Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience. Conducted by Dudamel, the concert will transport audiences on a cinematic journey through the franchise’s first 23 films, weaving together the legendary characters of the Marvel universe into one story from an all-new perspective.</p><p>Gustavo Dudamel said, “I celebrate my 15th summer at the Hollywood Bowl this year. The Bowl has always been a place that transports us to new and different musical worlds, and this season will take us on some truly wonderful journeys together. From Beethoven and Bernstein's musical explorations of joy to the farthest edges of the Marvel multiverse. From the whimsical march through the Carnival of the Animals to the deeply personal songs of Natalia Lafourcade, the Hollywood Bowl is a stage where the past and present come together to carry us toward a more beautiful future.”</p><p>The LA Phil will be led by Gustavo Dudamel, LA Phil Conductor Emeritus Zubin Mehta, and more than 15 outstanding guest conductors, including Teddy Abrams, David Afkham, Ryan Bancroft, Rodolfo Barráez, Lionel Bringuier, Elim Chan, Kevin John Edusei, François López-Ferrer, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Christian Reif, Steven Reineke, David Robertson, Dima Slobodeniouk, Otto Tausk and Xian Zhang. The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra will be conducted by its Principal Conductor, Thomas Wilkins, as well as guest conductor Sarah Hicks.</p><p>SEASON DETAILS</p><p><a href="Gustavo Dudamel">GUSTAVO DUDAMEL</a></p><p>LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel returns for his 15th Hollywood Bowl season to conduct nine performances with the LA Phil, beginning August 29 with breakout pianist Yunchan Lim for Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, along with Tchaikovsky’s passionate Fifth Symphony. Dudamel will lead the LA Phil through the Marvel universe for the evening-long Infinity Saga (Aug. 30 and 31) and then, on Sept. 3 and 5, joins brother-sister pianists Sergio Tiempo and Karin Lechner in Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals, and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb singing scenes from Carmen and also leads Spanish dance music by Roberto Sierra. Dudamel will conduct alongside 18-time Latin Grammy winner Natalia Lafourcade in songs from her celebrated De Todas las Flores (Sept. 6 and 7). He conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Bernstein’s stirring Chichester Psalms with the Los Angeles Master Chorale on Sept. 10. Two of opera’s most highly regarded singers—soprano Diana Damrau and tenor Jonas Kaufmann—will join Dudamel on Sept. 12 in his final performance of the season for a night of aria and duet favorites and symphonic scenes of Italy.</p><p>CLASSICAL</p><p>Classical Tuesdays and Classical Thursdays return to the Hollywood Bowl this season with a robust program featuring emerging and established talents. Classical Tuesdays opens with rising-star conductor and Dudamel Fellowship alumna Elim Chan leading Rimsky-Korsakov’s fantastical Scheherazade and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with one of the greatest violinists of our time, Augustin Hadelich, in his long-awaited return to the Bowl (July 9). The series continues with David Afkham conducting violin soloist Ray Chen playing Tchaikovsky (July 16); Zubin Mehta returning after three decades to lead a Bowl tradition he started with Mozart Under the Stars, featuring violinist Pinchas Zukerman (July 23); and Kevin John Edusei conducting Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite and Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto with soloist Martin Chalifour (July 30). The program continues in August with pianist Denis Kozhukhin performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and conductor Ryan Bancroft leading Shostakovich’s Symphony No.10 (Aug. 6). An all-Rachmaninoff program featuring pianist Alexander Malofeev in the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini will be led by Dima Slobodeniouk, who also will conduct Symphony No. 2 (Aug. 13). Star violinist Midori performs Dvořak’s Violin Concerto and Christian Reif leads the composer’s Carnival Overture and Seventh Symphony on Aug. 20. September offers two Classical Tuesday performances conducted by Dudamel: scenes from Carmen, Carnival of the Animals and Spanish dance music by Roberto Sierra (Sept. 3) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Sept. 10).</p><p>Classical Thursdays begin with the 100th-anniversary celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet conducted by Lionel Bringuier along with opera star Isabel Leonard in selections of Gershwin songs (July 11). Mexico’s premier traditional dance company Ballet Folklórico de México performs with conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto in music by Márquez, Moncayo, Revueltas, and more (July 18). Renowned conductor David Robertson leads the LA Phil on July 25 in performances of Beethoven’s exuberant Triple Concerto (with pianist Sunwook Kim, violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, and cellist Hayoung Choi) and Symphony No. 5. In August, Xian Zhang leads Wagner’s Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Schumann’s Symphony No. 1, and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with violinist Karen Gomyo (Aug. 1). François López-Ferrer will lead the LA Phil in an evening of Argentine and Spanish dance–inspired symphonic music with violinist Blake Pouliot, leading up to Ravel’s Bolero with the company Flamenco Vivo Carlos Santana (Aug. 8). On Aug. 15, the LA Phil’s Assistant Conductor Rodolfo Barráez leads performances of Copland’s Mexican folk–inspired symphonic piece El Salón México, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and The Elements, a collaborative work by five stellar U.S. composers, with violinist Joshua Bell as soloist. Teddy Abrams conducts Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Michael Tilson Thomas’ Agnegram on Aug. 22. Dudamel closes out the Classical Thursdays lineup conducting a performance of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky featuring breakout-star pianist Yunchan Lim (Aug. 29), selections from Carmen with Rihab Chaieb, Carnival of the Animals with pianists Sergio Tiempo and Karin Lechner and dance music by Roberto Sierra (Sept. 5), and a performance featuring two of opera’s most highly regarded singers, Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann (Sept. 12).</p><p>WEEKEND SPECTACULARS</p><p>Throughout the season, Friday and Saturday evenings will offer larger-than-life performances in the Weekend Spectacular series. Legendary composer and conductor John Williams brings his nights of movie music back to the Hollywood Bowl in this series, sharing the podium with maestro David Newman for a program of Hollywood classics and his own beloved film scores (July 12–13). Sarah Hicks conducts the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert with special guest vocalists performing songs from iconic Disney films of the 1980s and 1990s with clips shown on the big screen (July 19–20). The legendary Chaka Khan marks her 50th year in the music industry during her return to the Bowl (July 26). One of the Hollywood Bowl’s most thrilling summer traditions returns with Otto Tausk leading Tchaikovsky works, complete with a dazzling fireworks showcase (Aug. 2–3). Four-time Grammy-winning singer India. Arie returns to the Hollywood Bowl (Aug. 9). Grammy Award–winning hitmakers The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes return to celebrate the spirit of flamenco (Aug. 16–17). Pink Martini featuring China Forbes helmed by pianist Thomas Lauderdale returns with genre-defying songs that traverse time and geography (Aug. 23–24). Boyz II Men headlines the closing Weekend Spectacular of the season with a fireworks finale (Sept. 13–14).</p><p>JAZZ</p><p>A broad and dynamic range of singers, songwriters, rappers, instrumentalists, and more join T-Pain and the Color of Noize Orchestra led by conductor Derrick Hodge for a Juneteenth celebration honoring freedom, perseverance, determination, and creativity (June 19). Big Band Night showcases The Maria Schneider Orchestra and Count Basie Orchestra (July 17). Singer Laufey brings her unique songbook rooted in the classical stylings of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Chet Baker, joined by the LA Phil (Aug. 7). Herbie Hancock Head Hunters 50th celebrates the landmark album when Herbie reunites for the first time since 1973 with the original lineup of Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin, and Bill Summers, with Marcus Miller standing in for the late Paul Jackson (Aug. 14). Modern day blues legend Gary Clark Jr. returns with The War and Treaty on Aug. 21. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue as well as Big Boi return for a New Orleans-style celebration (Sept. 4). An extraordinary ensemble of singers, dancers, and musicians will come together with conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra to celebrate the life and music of Sammy Davis Jr. in recognition of his 100th anniversary (Sept. 11). The duo of Rodrigo y Gabriela returns to the Bowl for another night of power, energy, and precision on Sept. 18.</p><p>KCRW FESTIVAL</p><p>The KCRW Festival, now in its 24th year, will bring performances highlighting diverse musical genres to the Hollywood Bowl. The series begins with a co-headlined concert of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Sylvan Esso (July 21) and will be followed by an all-star lineup celebrating the influence and legacy of Jamaica, in Reggae Night XXII (Aug. 4). Mt. Joy will debut at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 25, Vance Joy celebrates the 10th anniversary of his album ‘dream your life away’ (Sept. 8) and three of cumbia’s biggest-ever bands—Grupo Cañaveral de Humberto Pabón, La Sonora Dinamita, and Los Hermanos Flores—will play the Bowl together on Sept. 22.</p><p>SUNDAY SUNSET</p><p>The Sunday Sunset concerts include the return of the Grammy-winning Godmother of Soul Patti LaBelle (July 7), fan-favorite music from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, and more, featuring Broadway classics by the legendary duo of lyricist Alain Boublil and composer Claude-Michel Schönberg sung by an all-star cast of special guests (July 28), as well as Toto and Christopher Cross performing their greatest hits (Sept. 1) and the Fireworks Finale with Boyz II Men (Sept. 15).</p><p>SPECIAL CONCERTS</p><p>The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival returns with an all-star line-up including Jodeci, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper with Yebba, Christian McBride, Cory Henry, Charles Lloyd, Baby Rose, The Soul Rebels with Seun Kuti, Mulatu Astatke, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Alex Isley, Aneesa Strings, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA and more (June 15-16). The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under the baton of Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins, along with special guests including Michael Bublé, Dave Koz, and Monica Mancini, raise the curtain on the Bowl’s 2024 season with a 100th birthday celebration of 20-time Grammy-winning composer and frequent conductor at the Hollywood Bowl Henry Mancini (June 23). The Roots, joined by their musical heroes and peers including Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, and Black Sheep celebrate hip-hop (June 29). Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Harry Connick Jr., the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and conductor Thomas Wilkins perform at the July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular (July 2-4). Eight-time Grammy winner Beck also joins forces with the LA Phil conducted by Steven Reineke (July 6). John Williams returns for a concert featuring some of the most memorable movie music complete with a selection of film clips (July 14). The annual mini-festival dedicated to smooth jazz returns, featuring George Benson (Aug. 18). David Newman will conduct the LA Phil in the score for Singin’ in the Rain, live to picture, on Aug. 27.</p><p>As the season begins to wrap up, Boyz II Men will take the stage Sept. 13-15, with a Fireworks Finale. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, performed by the world’s greatest ABBA tribute band, pays homage to the incomparable Swedish group (Sept. 20). Audience members are invited to don costumes for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long (Sept. 21), hosted by Melissa Peterman. Six-time Latin Grammy winner Camilo makes his Hollywood Bowl debut (Sept. 26), followed by Mitski coming to the Bowl in support of her “world-expanding record” The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We, along with singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten (Sept. 28).</p><p>TICKETING</p><p>Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl 2024 summer season will be available online at hollywoodbowl.com or via phone at 323 850 2000 on the following dates:</p><p>New subscriptions are available as of Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.</p><p>Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival tickets are available as of Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.</p><p>Group sales for select concerts began Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.</p><p>“Create Your Own” packages available Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m.</p><p>The Hollywood Bowl Box Office opens for single-ticket sales on Tuesday, May 7, at 10 a.m.</p><p>Programs, artists, prices, and dates are subject to change. Ticket limits may apply.</p><p>For additional information, please visit: http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/</p><p style="text-align: center;">###</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-17495152945530728032024-02-06T18:08:00.000-08:002024-02-06T18:08:49.752-08:00Matthew Bourne's Romeo + Juliet: A Review<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg7F2XwcePhflb_NMVsK7tW1ixr2J1b0n8TjhU9eZHrEWywYKxJajnnlrVxJtd9azZPgXfqcA-FIZ6FNoBnaSejzIfTrJ5DbB6sbEZiqikq_qZWxJuJzWcQe8GSYYyvuS1UO5nIKrl6eS3nbovysBnI0p3loehDBB9LCeIFPz-6xxzvkSBQFsMQ9KHGQ3/s275/download-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg7F2XwcePhflb_NMVsK7tW1ixr2J1b0n8TjhU9eZHrEWywYKxJajnnlrVxJtd9azZPgXfqcA-FIZ6FNoBnaSejzIfTrJ5DbB6sbEZiqikq_qZWxJuJzWcQe8GSYYyvuS1UO5nIKrl6eS3nbovysBnI0p3loehDBB9LCeIFPz-6xxzvkSBQFsMQ9KHGQ3/w311-h240/download-3.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p>The North American premiere of Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet has landed at the Ahmanson Theatre with high anticipation, and thunderous applause coupled with standing ovations. </p><p>The show is a contemporary re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet featuring young dancers in a production focused on bringing youth and vitality, accompanied by a new orchestration of the Prokofiev score, which is the show’s melodic character. </p><p>The opening night crowd that settled in to witness the dance revival of the classic Shakespeare story included Dule Hill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Adam Shankman, and Melissa McCarthy. </p><p>What everyone in that theater witnessed on opening night was nothing short of brilliant and hypnotic.</p><p>The show’s two stars, Paris Fitzpatrick (Romeo) and Monique Jonas (Juliet) are enchanting and symbiotic and in lockstep in their presentation of the star-crossed lovers.</p><p>This radical reworking of the classic offers a somewhat different story but maintains a powerful twist. </p><p>Bourne effectively uses the body instead of words to tell the story. The moving and emotional journey he takes the audience along the way to the climactic scene is worth the wait.</p><p>The setting is Verona Institute, an asylum for young people. It’s a pretty sad place with vicious guards who freely rape and cause havoc to presumed disturbed inhabitants put there by their parents who had no clue about how to handle their child’s issues. </p><p>The staging, which has prison bars, built-in ladders, and a walkway/balcony, doubles and triples for a place where the “inmates” sleep, do their morning exercises, and take their meds like good little Stepford Wives and Husbands. </p><p>There is camaraderie among the institute’s residents who come to each other’s aid when confronted by the brutal authority figures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6whOk0i2IC-MDfAew7VB5_3PH2Zdh5O1binfpBwGcVXthHjS0VMIQZ8sg4W78i0vrgZl775UJ7U1zc5UxMkwbMD-CZy6wTQxiR-vD5sHxmTvQ5HxVAaZywj3bvWxmWmab3bSoE3zDXREa6dKkeMrE20sY6motDqo6wXlCsdMsIElw0_3uAe-9nn7ItbR/s275/download-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6whOk0i2IC-MDfAew7VB5_3PH2Zdh5O1binfpBwGcVXthHjS0VMIQZ8sg4W78i0vrgZl775UJ7U1zc5UxMkwbMD-CZy6wTQxiR-vD5sHxmTvQ5HxVAaZywj3bvWxmWmab3bSoE3zDXREa6dKkeMrE20sY6motDqo6wXlCsdMsIElw0_3uAe-9nn7ItbR/w340-h222/download-4.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><p>Juliet is already at the institute when Romeo is unceremoniously dropped off by his parents - who happen to be politicians. Romeo doesn’t seem to fit into his parents’ picture of the politically correct familial bliss. </p><p>When Romeo and Juliet meet – it’s fireworks. Juliet, who is being pursued by a brute of a guard named Tybalt (Adam Galbraith) – finds comfort, solace, and safety in the arms of Romeo. </p><p>The choreography between Romeo and Juliet is mesmerizing, luscious, and sexy as it tells their love story. </p><p>The impressive choreography is also used to represent the angst of the youngsters through running, stomping, climbing walls, jumping on beds, and the usual horseplay that happens when young people’s hormones are trapped in one location.</p><p>This is a brilliant production with an even more brilliant cast. Romeo + Juliet makes for a wonderful night of theater. </p><p>Bourne, a British choreographer, is known for his quirky interpretations and revivals of classic musicals and stories like ‘Edward Scissorhands,’ ‘My Fair Lady,’ ‘Swan Lake,’ ‘Mary Poppins,’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance’. </p><p>'Romeo + Juliet' includes music by Terry Davies and is based on the original score by Sergei Prokofiev. The show is directed and choreographed by Bourne. It was presented in association with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, the New Adventures creative team, Sadler’s Wells, and Arts Council England. </p><p>'Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet,' directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with music by Sergei Prokofiev, stars Paris Fitzpatrick, Monique Jonas, Adam Galbraith, Cameron Flynn, Jackson Fisch, Euan Garrett, Daisy May Kemp, Alan Vincent, Anya Ferdinand, Bryony Pennington, Kate Lyons, Blue Makwana, Tanisha Addicott, Kurumi Kamayachi, Matthew Amos, Eve Ngbokota, Leonardo McCorkindale, Adam Davies, and Hannah Kremer. </p><p>Running time: 2 hours, including intermission. </p><p>Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012, 8 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. through Sunday, February 25, 2024, Thursday Matinee, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m., No performance Sunday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.; tickets begin at $35; CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person — Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012; groups - centertheatregroup.org/tickets/groups-and-corporate-offers</p><p>Access — Center Theatre Group - For more information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Access. </p><p>Photos courtesy of CTG</p><p>On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t know), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), 'Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet' gets an E (excellent). </p><div><br /></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-48709886370151683592024-02-05T21:23:00.000-08:002024-02-05T21:23:40.359-08:00CeCe Winans Releases New Single, 'That's My King'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcSSXsqRzWEpGU8bdCvZk5aRJXv3FtODvW-Tj24H73Uhbs9daBY13McUWjGXZ_gdKydNOIdsFPlyTQkArHEjUL0ATl0PNOL0DfN7sYJEna7e6hYQ4gH45UPCSQh3S7LGNcaNaieyYp9Vt-fOkTCyey06P0In1DhlOVJS8h7PHtnxyFk4lZIQp0PI-QGGe/s1024/2023-CeCe-4-HannahCorwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcSSXsqRzWEpGU8bdCvZk5aRJXv3FtODvW-Tj24H73Uhbs9daBY13McUWjGXZ_gdKydNOIdsFPlyTQkArHEjUL0ATl0PNOL0DfN7sYJEna7e6hYQ4gH45UPCSQh3S7LGNcaNaieyYp9Vt-fOkTCyey06P0In1DhlOVJS8h7PHtnxyFk4lZIQp0PI-QGGe/w237-h372/2023-CeCe-4-HannahCorwin.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CeCe Winans</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Gospel artist, CeCe Winans, is once again gracing the music scene with her unparalleled talent. Her latest single, "That's My King," another PureSprings Gospel and FairTrade Services collaboration is the first glimpse into her upcoming album, More Than This, scheduled for release in the Spring.</p><p>A new song for the new year. On the "That's My King" track Winans unleashes a powerful declaration to her King accompanied by an uplifting arrangement beautifully produced by Kyle Lee. This is the perfect song for worship leaders to share with church congregations around the world.</p><p>"This song brings me so much joy. You can't sit still while listening to 'That's My King' - It ushers in the power of God and puts us in the right posture of looking up and remembering that He is the King of kings!" says Winans.</p><p>Winans is now gearing up for a dynamic 2024. The Goodness Tour is set to kick off in Shreveport, LA on Wednesday, February 28, promising an unforgettable musical journey for audiences across the nation. Fans can anticipate being the first to hear some of the singer's new music long before it is available for public purchase.</p><p>For those looking to be a part of this extraordinary experience, it is advised to secure your seats early. Tickets are selling quickly! The second night of the tour in Mobile, AL on February 29, 2024, has already reached full capacity, with other tour dates closely following suit.</p><p>NEW DATES ADDED TO THE GOODNESS TOUR:</p><p>- 2/28 - Shreveport, LA - Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium</p><p><br /></p><p>- 2/29 - Mobile, AL - Cottage Hill Baptist Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/1 - New Orleans, LA - Franklin Avenue Baptist Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/6 - Fayetteville, NC - Crown Theater</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/7 - Greensboro, NC - Mt. Zion Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/8 - Hixson, TN (Chattanooga) - Abba's House</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/13 - Greenville, SC - Redemption Church East</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/14 - Richmond, VA - Liberation Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/15 - Columbia, SC -First Baptist Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/20 - Liberty Township, OH (Cincinnati) - Princeton Pike Church of God</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/21 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theater</p><p><br /></p><p>- 3/22 - Chicago, IL - House of Hope</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/12 - Mesa, AZ - City of Grace Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/13 - Los Angeles, CA - Peacock Theater</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/14 - Tucson, AZ - Zion City Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/17 - Stockon, CA - Bob Hope Theater</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/18 - Visalia, CA - Visalia First Assembly of God</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/19 - San Jose, CA - Redemption Church West</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/24 - Carrolton, TX (Dallas) - Bent Tree Bible Fellowship</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/25 - Austin, TX - Austin Ridge Bible Bee Cave</p><p><br /></p><p>- 4/26 - Houston, TX - Fallbrook Church</p><p><br /></p><p>- 5/1 - West Melbourne, FL - Calvary Chapel Melbourne</p><p><br /></p><p>- 5/2 - Miami, FL - James L. Knight Center</p><p><br /></p><p>- 5/3 - Brandon, FL (Tampa) - Bell Shoals Church</p><p><br /></p><p>GENERATIONS LIVE! 2024 Women's Conference</p><p><br /></p><p>- 5/10 to 5/11: Nashville, TN - Curb Event Center</p><p><br /></p><p>Tickets are available for purchase at www.cecewinans.com<http://www.cecewinans.com>.</p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-32710178429138791172024-02-05T20:49:00.000-08:002024-02-05T20:49:28.318-08:00Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Recording of Thomas Ades' Dante Wins GRAMMY®<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljjKxctkgR6ZRycUK9omsdgpBeWYglSUv0sG9BdHfwG9-8bVfDoXewz8Bns0YC_KPQTda6TuRziEqvhAj47eTTWPOydsCU7ps4mUTYTnlHLMXBVtlEoh6TO5IotMz5hUjmGQdaZ9oDbWH3uXJLboW6Q_8s3TsUF-7PZKT83GhUitw9wn_35_PjoPgTv7j/s300/download-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljjKxctkgR6ZRycUK9omsdgpBeWYglSUv0sG9BdHfwG9-8bVfDoXewz8Bns0YC_KPQTda6TuRziEqvhAj47eTTWPOydsCU7ps4mUTYTnlHLMXBVtlEoh6TO5IotMz5hUjmGQdaZ9oDbWH3uXJLboW6Q_8s3TsUF-7PZKT83GhUitw9wn_35_PjoPgTv7j/w339-h215/download-6.jpg" width="339" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gustavo Dudamel</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />LOS ANGELES (February 5, 2024) – Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s recording of Thomas Adès’ Dante won the GRAMMY® Award for Best Orchestral Performance yesterday at the 66th Annual GRAMMY® Awards.</p><p>Recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in April 2022 during performances conducted by Los Angeles Philharmonic Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, Thomas Adès’ Dante is a ballet score in three acts – “Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradiso” – inspired by the alternately chilling and sunlit landscapes of Dante Alighieri’s La Divina Commedia. This concert performance of the ballet score by the Los Angeles Philharmonic is the work’s world-premiere audio recording.</p><p>“Dante's legend is at the heart of Western culture. My dear friend Thomas Adès, together with the extraordinary musicians of the LA Phil, have captured the essence of this powerful journey through the underworld,” said Gustavo Dudamel. “It is a masterpiece and I am honored by this GRAMMY recognition of our work.”</p><p>This is the second year in a row that the LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel have been nominated for Best Orchestral Performance. In 2022 they were nominated for “Dvořák: Symphonies Nos. 7-9.” This is also the LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel’s fourth win for Best Orchestral Performance.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thomas Adès (1971)</p><p>Adès: Dante</p><p>Los Angeles Philharmonic</p><p>Gustavo Dudamel</p><p>Los Angeles Master Chorale</p><p>Recorded voices in Purgatorio:</p><p>Khazan Gabriel A. Shrem, and the Khazan and congregation of the Great Ades Synagogue, Jerusalem</p><p>Wayne McGregor, Choreographer (The Dante Project)</p><p>Tacita Dean, Design (The Dante Project)</p><p><br /></p><p>Side A: Inferno</p><p>I. Abandon Hope—</p><p>II. The Selfish—stung by wasps</p><p>III. The Ferryman</p><p>IV. Pavan of the Souls in Limbo—</p><p>V. Paolo and Francesca—the endless whirlwind</p><p>VI. The Gluttons—in slime</p><p><br /></p><p>Side B: Inferno</p><p>VII. The Suicides—the bleeding trees—</p><p>VIII. The Deviants—on burning sand—</p><p>IX. The Fortune-tellers—facing both ways</p><p>X. The Popes’ Adagio—heads first—</p><p>XI. The Hypocrites—in coats of lead</p><p>XII. The Thieves—devoured by reptiles</p><p>XIII. Satan—in the lake of ice</p><p><br /></p><p>Side C: Purgatorio</p><p>I. Dawn on the Sea of Purgatory—</p><p>II. Mount Purgatory—</p><p>III. The Valley of Flowers—</p><p>IV. The Healing Fire—</p><p>V. The Earthly Paradise—</p><p>VI. The Heavenly Procession—</p><p>VII. The Ascent</p><p><br /></p><p>Side D: Paradiso</p><p>Paradise—Moon—Mercury—Venus—Sun—Mars—Jupiter (The Eagle)—Saturn (The Golden Ladder)—Fixed Stars—Empyrean</p><p>Release Dates: April 21, 2023 - Nonesuch Records</p><p>Dante is a co-commission of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Royal Ballet with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund. Inferno was co-commissioned by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-37483374445467278062024-02-03T01:42:00.000-08:002024-02-03T01:42:19.157-08:00PAFF Announces Diverse 2024 Lineup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O0SnhSLLMOWQI7ygt9Fz-v0wFRpe0REyY0IafDHOqZ78KxUG1lUDkQkSj3J4mqdYM0Qvkf8A7g1aTLV-gFdOsVdYay3OoqYaqe8t7sgo6sITbBsAdPYITnkV40G9-McSNJ-n55JkMA1aB2LFJ4e9dZ2R9GK9DnY65CFOnrD_XAGpciLnnl-vIs1UcU40/s1200/mail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O0SnhSLLMOWQI7ygt9Fz-v0wFRpe0REyY0IafDHOqZ78KxUG1lUDkQkSj3J4mqdYM0Qvkf8A7g1aTLV-gFdOsVdYay3OoqYaqe8t7sgo6sITbBsAdPYITnkV40G9-McSNJ-n55JkMA1aB2LFJ4e9dZ2R9GK9DnY65CFOnrD_XAGpciLnnl-vIs1UcU40/w354-h223/mail.png" width="354" /></a></div><p>LOS ANGELES —The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is thrilled to announce the captivating and diverse lineup for its highly anticipated 2024 edition. As one of the premier events celebrating African and African American cinema and arts, PAFF promises to once again deliver a memorable experience for cinephiles, artists, and cultural enthusiasts.</p><p>Now in its 32nd year, PAFF continues to set the standard for showcasing extraordinary films, artistry, and cultural narratives from the African diaspora. The 2024 festival, scheduled for February 6-19, 202, in Los Angeles, will feature an exceptional selection of films that span genres, cultures, and stories.</p><p>“We are excited to present an incredible lineup for the 2024 Pan African Film & Arts Festival. This year’s films and artistic contributions showcase the richness of the African diaspora, celebrating its history, culture, and creativity,” said Ayuko Babu, Executive Director of PAFF.</p><p>PAFF is returning to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to host its renowned fine art show featuring over 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora. This year’s film festival features over 200 films from 54 countries, in 28 languages, including 68 World and 25 North American premieres. Of the films selected for the Festival, 49% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers.</p><p>For more information about the Pan African Film & Arts Festival, including film schedules, tickets, and event details, please visit paff.org.</p><p>The festival’s 2024 program will include:</p><p>World Premieres and Exclusive Screenings: PAFF will be the platform for world premieres and exclusive screenings of highly anticipated films, providing attendees with a first look at groundbreaking works.</p><p>Award-Winning Films: A selection of award-winning films from around the globe, recognized for their storytelling, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.</p><p>Documentaries: Insightful and thought-provoking documentaries that explore contemporary and historical issues affecting the African diaspora.</p><p>Short Films: A diverse range of short films, showcasing emerging talents and compelling narratives in a condensed format.</p><p>Art Exhibition: A stunning display of fine art, visual art, wearable art, photography, and more celebrating the creativity and talent within the African and African American art communities.</p><p>Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions: Engaging discussions with filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals, offering unique insights into the world of cinema and the arts.</p><p>Special Events: Exciting events and performances celebrating African and African American culture, including music, dance, and spoken word.</p><p>Children’s Festival: Over 500 children, ages 4-12, and their parents enjoy free film screenings, storytelling, and interactive activities, all reflecting and rooted in the beauty and artistry of the culture of Africa and its diaspora.</p><p>Studentfest: Each year over 10,000 students and their teachers from the Los Angeles Unified School District and other surrounding school districts and cities attend this free program showcasing films dealing with issues important to youth, such as Coming of Age, Teen Pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+, Women’s Empowerment, Cultural and Racial Respect, Self Esteem / Mental Health, and Gang and Drug Prevention.</p><p>Senior Connections: Packed with retired and active seniors (ages 62+), this program offers free afternoon screenings of select festival films, and a chance to socialize, meet other seniors, and get valuable information on programs and opportunities.</p><p>LOL! Comedy Show: Each year PAFF produces one of Hollywood’s hottest comedy shows featuring a diverse selection of Black comedians.</p><p>The 2024 Pan African Film & Arts Festival invites film enthusiasts, artists, scholars, and the public to celebrate storytelling's magic through film and art. PAFF remains committed to fostering cultural exchange and promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.</p><p>For general information visit paff.org.</p><p>Hashtags: #PAFF and #PAFFNow</p><p>Twitter: @PAFFNow</p><p>Instagram: @PAFFNow</p><p>Facebook: facebook.com/PAFFNow </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-19422813390894481662024-02-01T14:39:00.000-08:002024-02-01T14:39:56.763-08:00Gerald Ramsey Talks About Playing 'Mufasa' In 'The Lion King'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCfq6RALMp2ZN2I1ASLXXqCpGIvIp16Bjd-_AB6lSvgUw7BERSlilra_WmZ5iDqSULTYqiaApFAGzfxpLZRbUrE6pW6bb4Kk4Pb2tA45kqatKHZbA0HrWDjxinJZtEz3BZSAbJrcMqHqWe3OBZ-hszLH5pUVJUfVHXdtHJuwjRdThv_ECbqtZztc4ndG6/s957/Gerald_Ramsey_BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="957" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCfq6RALMp2ZN2I1ASLXXqCpGIvIp16Bjd-_AB6lSvgUw7BERSlilra_WmZ5iDqSULTYqiaApFAGzfxpLZRbUrE6pW6bb4Kk4Pb2tA45kqatKHZbA0HrWDjxinJZtEz3BZSAbJrcMqHqWe3OBZ-hszLH5pUVJUfVHXdtHJuwjRdThv_ECbqtZztc4ndG6/s320/Gerald_Ramsey_BW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerald Ramsey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">By Darlene Donloe</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p>Talking to Gerald Ramsey is like talking to an old friend. </p><p>The hunky actor has a soothing voice and a calming personality that lends itself to a friendly conversation.</p><p>I recently caught up with Ramsey, 38, in Northern California, where he was in rehearsals for the upcoming four-week, long-awaited return of “The Lion King” to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA, Feb. 1-25. </p><p>“The Lion King” is considered the biggest musical to ever tour. </p><p>The show has more than 70 global theatrical awards, there are 200 puppets in the show, four 18-foot giraffe puppets used by stilt-walking actors, 700 lighting instruments used for the show's lighting plot, there is an expanding Pride Rock which spans 8’ to 18’ feet, 49 cast members, five different indigenous African languages spoken in the show, and 134 people were tasked with the daily production of the tour. </p><p>I started the conversation with Ramsey, who has been playing the iconic role since 2015, by talking about how he came to play the popular Disney character. </p><p>On a dare, Ramsey went to a singer's open call for the popular show, "The Lion King."</p><p>“My friend dared me,” said the handsome actor who has played the iconic character Mufasa, in the show for the last eight years. “She said she’d buy me lunch.” </p><p>Growing up, he had seen the animated version, but that was it. He didn’t know what to expect. </p><p>“I didn't know what a Broadway show or musical was,” he said taking a break from rehearsals. “I come from a working family. I was planning to teach. I could retire and have a pension and retirement fund.” </p><p>As luck would have it, Ramsey got a callback.</p><p>“It was a singer’s callback,” said Ramsey, a Polynesian dancer at the time. “I took my guitar to the audition. They wanted to hear soul and R&B. So, I sang, Donnie Hathaway’s “For All We Know.”</p><p>It was a full year before he got a call saying there were no current openings. They said they would keep him in mind. </p><p>Eventually, he was offered the role of Mufasa in the touring company. </p><p>“I wasn’t sure what being on tour meant,” said Ramsey, an imposing figure in life, and on stage. “At the time, I was doing my master’s program. I was one year in. I’m still one year in. I haven’t been back – but I will.”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOQv0t9U3aehlehu7HWJHm7qVpJryyf-zr7Hg5rRgEBlXWcYhDefUvpILoEtasInSvPXbaG7Cgu6o9jFsoLx0KXH6RU5Ok4P5oQ3FP-JVB4ZKSsgN8XbRwrrP9l0kYFJUXhocUJcRL6jQh24JHfC2RNXRe1mh6TuFtcdHwlOhVxtIc4bswhHaBdPB4C1q/s251/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOQv0t9U3aehlehu7HWJHm7qVpJryyf-zr7Hg5rRgEBlXWcYhDefUvpILoEtasInSvPXbaG7Cgu6o9jFsoLx0KXH6RU5Ok4P5oQ3FP-JVB4ZKSsgN8XbRwrrP9l0kYFJUXhocUJcRL6jQh24JHfC2RNXRe1mh6TuFtcdHwlOhVxtIc4bswhHaBdPB4C1q/s1600/download-1.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerald Ramsey as 'Mufasa'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Ramsey agreed to answer more questions about The Lion King and his career. </p><p>DD: What is at the heart of The Lion King? </p><p>GR: Culture. It’s what sets it apart. Zulu, South African. It creates this spirit and heart that I think speaks to everybody. We all came from Africa. It’s in our bones. When Rafiki sings out in a language – you can still understand him.</p><p>DD: This show has been such a touchstone for so long, why do you think it still impacts audiences? </p><p>GR: You can hear it when the show is going on. It speaks to you depending on where you are in your life. Men relate more to Mufasa. As a woman, they relate to Nala. It has changed for me since I’ve been on the road. I think I was trying to imitate James Earl Jones. Through my South African co-stars, I've learned to accept who I am and be true to myself. I can bring my grandparents with me.</p><p>DD: How has your approach to the role changed over the years – or has it? </p><p>GR: Absolutely. Initially, I was a lot more unsure of myself. Even the way he walks. Now I’m secure. I used to yell to prove he was powerful. You don't have to yell. </p><p>DD: What do you like about what you do? </p><p>GR: It feels unbelievable. I had to battle imposter syndrome. I feel like I don't belong here. I sit and talk to the South Africans and they say the same thing. I watch them and I realize they are where they are supposed to be. I’d like to see more Pacific Islanders on stage. </p><p>DD: What is your strength as an actor?</p><p>GR: It's a challenge. I try my best not to carry the emotional weight of the story when I leave the theater. Even though loved ones pass on – they live in you. The culture I come from, we embrace it. </p><p>DD: In what way?</p><p>GR: Death - it’s accepted. When you’re young they don't shield you. In Samoa, we stop by the graves and talk to them as if they are still alive. We talk in the present tense, not the past tense. We never stop talking about them. When you have a child, you name them after loved ones.</p><p>DD: What, if anything, have you learned about yourself since taking on the role?</p><p>GR: In Samoa, you’re not a grown man until you are married. I am a man. It wasn't anyone telling me that, I was telling myself the same on stage. I had these self-doubts about the stage. The biggest thing is a fear of failure. It’s like death.</p><p>DD: What does acting do for you? </p><p>GR: I grew up stuttering and very shy. Acting allowed me to play a strong, confident character. Suddenly I walk and speak confidently. I’m glad I’m playing a beloved character. </p><p>DD: How do you prepare to be Mufasa each performance?</p><p>GR: Piece by piece. About 30 minutes before curtain, I’m in the makeup chair. You put on the costume and when they are all together, you can’t go back to being you. I’m Mufasa. </p><p>DD: What is it about theater? </p><p>GR: I wasn't sure until everything shut down during the pandemic. Collectively, the whole world realized how important it is to connect face-to-face. We pass down our stories in singing and dancing and sharing around the dinner table. The theater is live storytelling. There’s no barrier, no filter. </p><p>DD: You were a Polynesian dancer in Hawaii back in the day. Polynesians are storytellers who sing and dance. How does that help you, if at all, with this show? </p><p>GR: Sharing our stories and preserving our history is part of our culture. It’s in our bones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIN-dIb365YNzMtp9j9JuupuMxkWUlLNe7ycQ9L67wJb6wZQNvJwcuqHWBqnTwSd-W8fQrtilKQL11pc0JvYM26gvlmQjkw1BYtfhWkZusAEdiw8JouiNE9Awf03gGu_WFWReN98FLq2o0WRF58ZORmvLy1pAw3CSvwUPn0EW6JeTevSryqDZaJplr5tOQ/s225/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIN-dIb365YNzMtp9j9JuupuMxkWUlLNe7ycQ9L67wJb6wZQNvJwcuqHWBqnTwSd-W8fQrtilKQL11pc0JvYM26gvlmQjkw1BYtfhWkZusAEdiw8JouiNE9Awf03gGu_WFWReN98FLq2o0WRF58ZORmvLy1pAw3CSvwUPn0EW6JeTevSryqDZaJplr5tOQ/s1600/images.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p>DD: How often are you touring? What do you like and not like about it? </p><p>GR: The hardest is being away from family. You miss milestones and events. We do eight shows a week. It’s taxing. We tour for 12 months. We have Mondays off and travel days between cities. </p><p>DD: Talk about balancing yourself between touring and your home life. </p><p>GR: Touring becomes your whole life. Every day I Face-time with my sisters, parents, nephews, and nieces. I find things to do outside the show. I like eating and I like the gym. </p><p>DD: What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? </p><p>GR: It sounds wild but I would be a background singer for John Legend. I’d move to Europe and work in theater. </p><p>DD: What do you know for sure? </p><p>GR: Nothing lasts forever. Nothing good or bad lasts forever. When I’m having a hard time on the road, I realize that good times are coming. It makes me more brave. The Lion King isn’t going to last forever. I won’t be Mufasa forever. </p><p>“The Lion King,” Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Box Office 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 556-2787; Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; online at scfta.org, (714) 556-2787; orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling (714) 755-0236.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-60419888591331774042024-02-01T14:08:00.000-08:002024-02-01T14:08:23.895-08:002024 PAFF Hosts Three World Premieres<p style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyNmDZKwWUUJdii0RLtzSKC1JLUAxLZh4-mJbLb06FVl2VZwfeGJWj9LD9lPv339FzJsIO1L9A0HEXtZDtB1d1WQ6jl37xyOvmYz_h8WRSwkuuvmbqHCUXBAKhi1EWaXF_UC5ZAGE1OC1E2ijQpHwGvPtR2CZq5zxXisIZ_o0DOe7sXfxRUH4dC3LnjgK/s800/mail-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="800" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyNmDZKwWUUJdii0RLtzSKC1JLUAxLZh4-mJbLb06FVl2VZwfeGJWj9LD9lPv339FzJsIO1L9A0HEXtZDtB1d1WQ6jl37xyOvmYz_h8WRSwkuuvmbqHCUXBAKhi1EWaXF_UC5ZAGE1OC1E2ijQpHwGvPtR2CZq5zxXisIZ_o0DOe7sXfxRUH4dC3LnjgK/s320/mail-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast of "Outlaw Posse"</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div>LOS ANGELES - The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) continues to be the premiere International Black Film Festival to "Inspire" indie filmmakers and showcase Black cinema worldwide. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with three red carpet world premieres including the Opening Night film A Hip Hop Story, starring Affion Crockett, Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery, and Wayne Brady, the powerful Ethiopian war film, For the Love of the Motherland which will screen as the festival’s Centerpiece, and closing out the festival will be the star-studded Mario Van Peebles directed film Outlaw Posse with a cast of who's who including film director Mario Van Peebles, Edward James Olmos, Cedric the Entertainer, M. Emmet Walsh, DC Young Fly, and Whoopi Goldberg. </div><div><br /></div><div>For 12 days PAFF will take over the Crenshaw District and make it the center of Black Entertainment in Los Angeles by bringing some of Hollywood's top Black actors, producers, directors, and influencers to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD Theater.</div><div><br /></div><div>PAFF is at the forefront of a growing trend of recognition and appreciation for the impact of Black film festivals. Filmmakers and studios increasingly prioritize premiering their films at these culturally driven festivals. This shift underscores the significance and importance of such festivals in celebrating diversity and amplifying Black voices in cinema.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>CENTERPIECE</div><div><br /></div><div>PAFF’s Centerpiece screening will feature the red carpet world premiere of Ethiopia’s For the Love of the Motherland on February 15, at the Directors Guild of America. This cinematic blockbuster is set to be the most expensive film to ever come out of Africa, with over 30,000 film extras, cutting-edge special effects, and breakthrough action sequences. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hayelom from the Tigray region in Ethiopia is deeply in love with Lielt from Ethiopia's Amhara region. When Tigrai militants invade the Amhara region, he joins the militants and she joins the Ethiopian defense force, causing their love to face an expected turn. For the Love of the Motherland is an epic film of love and war. </div><div><br /></div><div>“The film’s writer John Steinbeck said that all war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal and everyone, including me, agrees with his quote,” said the film’s director Theodros Teshome.</div><div><br /></div><div>He continued, “But what if a country is attacked from within? What if the unity of the people of that country is in danger? This film is about soldiers of Ethiopia who were forced to take sides for whom they should die for the motherland or their region. More than 600,000 were sacrificed to satisfy the needs of some greedy politicians and the world misunderstood what was going on in Ethiopia just three years ago. As a filmmaker and citizen from this poor country, I have the responsibility to share the real story behind the war.”</div><div><br /></div><div>CLOSING NIGHT</div><div><br /></div><div>The second film in director Mario van Peebles’ Posse trilogy series Outlaw Posse will close out PAFF on February 19 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1908 Chief returns from years of hiding in Mexico to claim stolen gold hidden in the hills of Montana. In his quest, he reunites an ensemble of fresh and familiar faces - together they fight off Angel, whose rationale for the gold leaves a trail of deception and dead bodies. </div><div><br /></div><div>“America’s race-ocracy seems to be making an ugly comeback with teacher censorship, legislative obstruction, and voting rights under renewed attack,” explained Mario Van Peebles. “Of course, during the turn of the century, women of any color were not allowed to vote and men of color could be jailed and their homes burned just for exercising their right to vote or even own land. As our characters say in Outlaw Posse, “When the laws are unjust, the just are outlaws!” That said, the Wild West was not only brutal, it was also multicultural with approximately one out of every three or four cowboys being Black. As such, I wasn’t drawn to the reductive, traditional, whitewashed westerns, and I didn’t want to make a black western that was “reactive” to those pictures either. I was excited by the idea of seeing all of us. This, in some ways, mirrors the colorful diversity I grew up with in my own crazy family. I wanted to tell a father-son story inspired by the Johnny Cash song, “A Boy Named Sue,“ and informed by my own experiences as both a son and a father. To keep it grounded, I tapped my own actor kid, Mandela, to play my on-screen son – much like my own father did with me in “Sweet Sweetback.” If America is a melting pot, then I wanted to cook this cinematic gumbo with laughter, love, and jalapeños.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Outlaw Posse stars Mario Van Peebles, Whoopi Goldberg, Cedric the Entertainer, John Carrol Lynch, Neil McDonough, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, DC Young Fly, and Cam Gigandet. The star-filled cast is expected to hit the red carpet in support of the film.</div><div><br /></div><div>Black film festivals, like PAFF, have evolved into dynamic platforms that not only celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture but also serve as launching pads for compelling and thought-provoking stories that resonate with global audiences. The decision to premiere films PAFF reflects a deeper understanding of the unique opportunities they provide for both established and emerging filmmakers.</div><div><br /></div><div>“PAFF continues to offer an environment where stories rooted in African and African-American experiences are not only embraced but celebrated,” said PAFF co-founder Ayuko Babu. “This cultural relevance ensures that films resonate with their intended audience while reaching new and diverse viewers.”</div><div><br /></div><div>He continued, “Filmmakers recognize that premiering their work at festivals like PAFF allows for meaningful interactions with engaged and passionate audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. These interactions provide valuable feedback and foster connections between creators and their supporters.”</div><div><br /></div><div>PAFF general manager Asantewa Olatunji added, “Premiering at a Black film festival can significantly increase a film's visibility and attract the attention of distributors, industry professionals, and critics. This can lead to wider distribution opportunities, securing a larger audience base.”</div><div><br /></div><div> This year’s film festival features over 200 films from 54 countries, in 28 languages, including 68 World and 25 North American premieres. Of the films selected for the Festival, 49% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers. Tickets and passes are on sale now at paff.org.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">###</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For general information visit paff.org.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hashtags: #PAFF and #PAFFNow</div><div><br /></div><div>Twitter: @PAFFNow</div><div><br /></div><div>Instagram: @PAFFNow</div><div><br /></div><div>Facebook: facebook.com/PAFFNow </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-54309021672067677342024-01-24T13:55:00.000-08:002024-01-24T14:00:59.442-08:00The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival To Celebrate 31st Anniversary<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8z90f6NK4cnqkRzHilHIrZhxqY_3KMeMsyaWYUHyT7aFdLShdoDuqpJo7tqVrw0ZNi7Tz0OuVbtf6C4L2cW0pHAVUzqheXPZ36YTZAh5Iw945HGlzcMShO_0ldmQAfLbVuM9rhTV1Va9NSljDgTPiuWyZshAITnNdeB9Fyr-69HxF2-C1Str9AJcxiGl/s526/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8z90f6NK4cnqkRzHilHIrZhxqY_3KMeMsyaWYUHyT7aFdLShdoDuqpJo7tqVrw0ZNi7Tz0OuVbtf6C4L2cW0pHAVUzqheXPZ36YTZAh5Iw945HGlzcMShO_0ldmQAfLbVuM9rhTV1Va9NSljDgTPiuWyZshAITnNdeB9Fyr-69HxF2-C1Str9AJcxiGl/s320/thumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival will celebrate its 31st</span><sup style="font-family: "New serif"; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; outline: none !important; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </sup><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">Anniversary with four days of virtuosa performances, panels, workshops, and its Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony honoring distinguished women of achievement in theatre on Thursday, March 28 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Events will take place at Theatre 68 Arts Complex-The Rosalie, located at 5112 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">This year's theme is </span><i style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; outline: none !important; text-indent: 0.25in;">Telling Our Truths! </i><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Full details of the performer line-up, awardees, and co-hosts are forthcoming. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival was co-founded by solo artists Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">This year’s organizational funders of Official Sponsors and Government Grantors include the Los Angeles County Arts and Culture, California Arts Council, City of Culver City, Department of Cultural Affairs, Blackbaud Foundation, KPFK 90.7 FM, and Adilah Barnes Productions. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 41.75pt; outline: none !important; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">For more information about the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, go to</span><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><a href="http://lawtf.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; outline: none !important; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank">http://lawtf.org</a><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">or call (8180 760-0408.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-78998157474995045352024-01-11T11:23:00.000-08:002024-01-11T11:23:25.041-08:00Choreographer Camille A. Brown Explores Issue of Race<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnjRqc85xVhvKtvk1Rh-Bgs0B1_XIUtR99T0kGW0p2TmumDlCd0FvlCLAwvVVHfvLJDEkgsnvCOOm4c7ZqwM8bYS6DdrKoTyUykFy_Nz_MVHKRboaaXncUfNCd0IgaHs1gvfSdmodinR3DoKHQ52ZK8Gt8LXJ8poWZfXmvd51-0ZBIPC7r9Li8C5tzuUn/s225/download-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnjRqc85xVhvKtvk1Rh-Bgs0B1_XIUtR99T0kGW0p2TmumDlCd0FvlCLAwvVVHfvLJDEkgsnvCOOm4c7ZqwM8bYS6DdrKoTyUykFy_Nz_MVHKRboaaXncUfNCd0IgaHs1gvfSdmodinR3DoKHQ52ZK8Gt8LXJ8poWZfXmvd51-0ZBIPC7r9Li8C5tzuUn/s1600/download-3.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camille A. Brown</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br />By Darlene Donloe</p><p>Camille A. Brown, the founder and artistic director of Camille A. Brown & Dancers, is known for being edgy, dynamic, and inventive.</p><p>With boldness, she unapologetically explores issues of race, culture, and identity.</p><p>Committed to empowering communities through dance and dialogue, Brown, an award-winning choreographer, has been recognized for bringing life to Broadway shows like for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Choir Boy, and Once On This Island.</p><p>Brown’s award-winning choreography reclaims the cultural narrative of African American identity. The show allows her work to tap into both ancestral stories and contemporary culture to capture a range of deeply personal experiences.</p><p>Through dance and dialogue, Brown empowers Black bodies to tell their story in their language(s).</p><p>Brown credits legendary dancer, actress, and director Debbie Allen for providing her with profound mentorship and impactful guidance during her career.</p><p>The dancer, choreographer, director, and dance educator, who congruently choreographed commissioned pieces for dance companies, Broadway shows, and universities brings her energetic choreography to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills where Allen serves as a board member. Performances are set for two nights on January 12-13.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_j3BEOPuKJ0HKmSuEly5m0vBFCy_EhteJINocUq2Ycb2v6q1lViTrTs5PaJ1O9uE5tL3s-a3BctgVtkngbPAUz2mgwZs5zkebjX6sPR0N3lRwzAq1UQ90xlJ8TpIdLkRuEw7UmgQlgfYwq8QtM3mrMYW2QSrY1k_z98aFo5DDNU-iHnW1KDkkI4k0BQY/s367/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="367" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_j3BEOPuKJ0HKmSuEly5m0vBFCy_EhteJINocUq2Ycb2v6q1lViTrTs5PaJ1O9uE5tL3s-a3BctgVtkngbPAUz2mgwZs5zkebjX6sPR0N3lRwzAq1UQ90xlJ8TpIdLkRuEw7UmgQlgfYwq8QtM3mrMYW2QSrY1k_z98aFo5DDNU-iHnW1KDkkI4k0BQY/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camille A. Brown</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />I recently caught up with Brown (CAB) to talk about her career and her upcoming show.</p><p>DD: Describe what it has been like working with a dance legend like Debbie Allen. What does having her in your corner do for you?</p><p>CAB: It means the world! I have been inspired by Debbie Allen ever since FAME was on TV. She was so powerful. Her words and the tools she gave the students reminded me of my training as a young dancer at Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and Carolyn Devore Dance Center. In high school, I wrote essays about Debbie Allen. If I was asked who I looked up to, I always said her name... To watch how she has expanded her career—from dancer to choreographer, to director for film and television, and on and on. She created her lane, and by doing so, permitted us to believe that all things are possible. </p><p>DD: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from Debbie Allen?</p><p>CAB: Always be on your A-game. </p><p>DD: How does dance amplify the cultural narratives of African American identity?</p><p>CAB: Dance is a part of the cultural narrative of African-American identity. Through social dance specifically, we can see a place, a time, a movement. Dance can move us through centuries, tell us about our history, and bring us right into the present with one move. It is a language, and through movement, we see our identities. </p><p>DD: Why does bringing this show to LA matter?</p><p>CAB: I can only speak for myself. It matters to me because it allows me to share my perspective through my lens. There’s nothing like being able to speak your mind and create your own space to see whatever you want. I am very honored The Wallis has brought The Company here. </p><p>DD: You recently made your Broadway directorial debut on the Broadway revival of For Colored Girls…, and became the first Black female to be nominated for a Tony Award as both director and choreographer for a play on Broadway in over 67 years. Talk about what that means to you.</p><p>CAB: I’m not sure I can fully express through words how that entire experience changed my life. I always wanted to choreograph for theater and Broadway, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to direct and choreograph a Broadway show. I dreamed about it, but when it became a reality, it knocked me out. And the fact that it was one of Ntozake Shange’s most celebrated plays. No pressure! I had the honor of meeting Ntozake Shange, and she interviewed me for her book. I was captivated by how necessary dance was to her work and practice. When I was asked to direct and choreograph For Colored Girls..., I remembered our conversation and her love of dance. With For Colored Girls..., she was making the statement that dance is just as important as the text. The story must live through the words and how they are delivered but also how the body moves. And then to be nominated for a Tony as director and choreographer… I just wanted to give my all and give it my best shot. It felt amazing to be seen and acknowledged. It was a giant step in my career. </p><p>DD: You also made history as the MET Opera’s first Black director, co-directing and choreographing the production of "Fire Shut Up In My Bones. This is clearly your time. How do you process all of your success? What does something like this mean to you, and more importantly, what does it do for those coming behind you?</p><p>CAB: Thank you so much. I just think about the climb. People see your successes, but they rarely see what it took to get you there. I am thankful for both the highs and the lows. It all makes you who you are. Hopefully, it shows people—particularly young Black girls—that we can be anything we want to be. There may be challenges but keep climbing. If they say no, you say yes and you keep climbing. If the door is shut, find another way, or make your own space... Being the first at anything is a massive undertaking. You are learning in real-time, and everybody is watching. I zone in and focus on the work. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySfJfTIu5wDApHy1cIaclxe15otziGLNWNj17x174utnofJV5osYsWpMUgm0pmMSXS11L6zwG1r_i4cU16skWkJ6F5tA3vWB21j42RncKElKS4RYO2oG87Mxf8LBAnPl438gDxJf1dlZORjBuW643Ca_Lg8CWCEn0U2X8o11QjB-oO4xMHRzM1bQ3oafY/s328/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="328" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySfJfTIu5wDApHy1cIaclxe15otziGLNWNj17x174utnofJV5osYsWpMUgm0pmMSXS11L6zwG1r_i4cU16skWkJ6F5tA3vWB21j42RncKElKS4RYO2oG87Mxf8LBAnPl438gDxJf1dlZORjBuW643Ca_Lg8CWCEn0U2X8o11QjB-oO4xMHRzM1bQ3oafY/s320/download-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camille A. Brown</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />DD: Describe what the audience will see at the upcoming performance at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.</p><p>CAB: Yes! The Company is performing a work that we premiered in 2017 called ‘ink’. It celebrates the gestural language of African American culture through my lens. These movements are used to tell stories of love, brotherhood, and community. The Company includes our musicians as well who will be performing on stage. We dance about being a community and we really are one. </p><p>DD: Is it the same show on both days? If not, please describe each show.</p><p>CAB: It’s the same show, but I always say we are different from who we were yesterday. We’re going to bring our present selves to the space. It’s not about recreating what we did the night before. We’re taking the same journey but are open to discovering new things.</p><p>DD: How do you come up with the narrative for your shows?</p><p>CAB: It normally starts with a feeling. The inspiration behind 'ink' was wanting to celebrate Black Joy. What that looked like in some manifestations. I say some because there are so many ways we can show what Black Joy looks like. This is just my way. </p><p>DD: What is the story you’re trying to convey?</p><p>CAB: Gestural language and history living in the body to create Black joy and community. </p><p>DD: What is it about dance? What does it do for you?</p><p>CAB: I used to get teased about my voice when I was younger, so I didn’t always want to speak. Dance gave me the space to share my voice.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-55880181128238090582024-01-08T02:38:00.000-08:002024-01-08T02:38:41.804-08:00'Oppenheimer' and 'Succession' Dominate The 81st Golden Globes<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">By Darlene Donloe</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 81st Golden Globes honored the best in film and American television of 2023. The ceremony aired live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The show's host was comedian, Jo Koy, whose opening monologue drew mixed reactions from the stars and entertainment execs in attendance.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2021, the Los Angeles Times documented to lack of Black members within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presented the awards, and potential ethical transgressions related to the oversized influence of its then-roster of 87 international journalists. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ethics, finance, and diversity scandal within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association led to the cancellation of the 2022 broadcast. The Golden Globes were sold in 2023 and the Hollywood Foreign Press dissolved.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;">Below is a complete list of winners.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Motion Picture – Drama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Anatomy of a Fall<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Killers of the Flower Moon<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Maestro<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Oppenheimer *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Past Lives<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Zone of Interest</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Air<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />American Fiction<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Barbie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Holdovers<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />May December<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Poor Things *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Motion Picture – Animated</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Boy and the Heron *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Elemental<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Suzume<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Super Mario Bros. Movie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Wish<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Barbie *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />John Wick: Chapter 4<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oppenheimer<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Super Mario Bros. Movie</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Anatomy of a Fall (France) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Fallen Leaves (Finland)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Io Capitano (Italy)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Past Lives (United States)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Society of the Snow (Spain)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Annette Bening, Nyad<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Carey Mulligan, Maestro<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Greta Lee, Past Lives<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla</p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;"></span></p><div class="wp-block-the-wrap-read-more" style="--block-vertical-rhythm: 3rem; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><div class="the-wrap-read-more__container" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f7f7f7; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row-reverse; gap: 0.75rem; justify-content: space-between; padding: 1rem;"><a class="the-wrap-read-more__image" href="https://www.thewrap.com/golden-globes-analysis-oppenheimer-poor-things/" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 10.5rem; word-break: break-word;"></a></div></div><p></p><div class="yad-mob-box-ad-c wp-block-the-wrap-ad" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="y-ad" data-eager="" data-prebid="0x0:universal,336x280,320x50,300x250|771x0:" data-refresh-max="5" data-refresh-secs="30" data-refresh="viewable" data-sizes="0x0:336x280,320x50,300x250,300x100,300x50,1x1,fluid|771x0:" data-targeting="{"position":["mob-box-ad-c"]}" data-unit="/0480-thewrap.com" id="yad-11" name="htlunit-mob-box-ad-c" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama</span></p><p><b><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">Bradley Cooper, Maestro</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon</span></p><p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">Colman Domingo, Rustin</span></p><p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">Barry Keoghan, Saltburn</span></p><p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;">Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer *WINNER</span></p><p><b><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">Andrew Scott, All of Us Stranger</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jodie Foster, Nyad<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Julianne Moore, May December<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Rosamund Pike, Saltburn<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers *WINNER</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Willem Dafoe, Poor Things<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Ryan Gosling, Barbie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Charles Melton, May December<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Nicolas Cage, Dream Scenario<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Timothée Chalamet, Wonka<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Matt Damon, Air<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Joaquin Phoenix, Beau Is Afraid<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Natalie Portman, May December<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Alma Pöysti, Fallen Leaves<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Margot Robbie, Barbie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Emma Stone, Poor Things *WINNER</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Director — Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Bradley Cooper (Maestro)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Greta Gerwig (Barbie)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Celine Song (Past Lives)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Screenplay – Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Barbie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tony McNamara, Poor Things<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Celine Song, Past Lives<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Justine Triet, Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall *WINNER</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Original Score – Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jerskin Fendrix, Poor Things<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Ludwig Göransson, Oppenheimer *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mica Levi, The Zone of Interest<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Daniel Pemberton, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Robbie Robertson, Killers of the Flower Moon<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Boy and the Heron</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Original Song – Motion Picture</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Addicted to Romance,” Bruce Springsteen (She Came to Me)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Dance the Night,” Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (Barbie)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“I’m Just Ken,” Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (Barbie)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Peaches,” Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond & John Spiker (The Super Mario Bros. Move)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Road to Freedom,” Lenny Kravitz (Rustin)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">“What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish & Finneas (Barbie) *Winner</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Television Series – Drama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Succession (HBO/Max) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Crown (Netflix)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Diplomat (Netflix)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Last of Us (HBO/Max)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1923 (Paramount+)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Morning Show (Apple TV+)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Television Series – Comedy Or Musical</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Abbott Elementary (ABC)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Barry (HBO/Max)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jury Duty (Amazon Freevee)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Bear (FX) *WINNER</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Beef (Netflix) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Daisy Jones & the Six (Amazon)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Fargo (FX)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Fellow Travelers (Showtime)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Helen Mirren (1923)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Keri Russell (The Diplomat)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Sarah Snook (Succession) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Imelda Staunton (The Crown)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Emma Stone (The Curse)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Brian Cox (Succession)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Kieran Culkin (Succession) *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jeremy Strong (Succession)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Dominic West (The Crown)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Ayo Edebiri, The Bear *WINNER</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Elle Fanning (The Great)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face) </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1d1f; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.875rem; margin-block: var(--block-vertical-rhythm, 1.25rem); margin-inline: unset; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Bill Hader (Barry)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jason Segel (Shrinking)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) *WINNER</span></p><p>Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television</p><p>Riley Keough, Daisy Jones & the Six</p><p>Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry</p><p>Elizabeth Olsen, Love & Death</p><p>Juno Temple, Fargo</p><p>Rachel Weisz, Dead Ringers</p><p>Ali Wong, Beef *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television</p><p>Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers</p><p>Sam Claflin, Daisy Jones & the Six</p><p>Jon Hamm, Fargo</p><p>Woody Harrelson, White House Plumbers</p><p>David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves</p><p>Steven Yeun, Beef *WINNER</p><p><br /></p><p>Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role on Television </p><p>Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown *WINNER</p><p>Abby Elliott, The Bear</p><p>Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets</p><p>J. Smith-Cameron, Succession</p><p>Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building</p><p>Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso</p><p><br /></p><p>Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on Television </p><p>Billy Crudup, The Morning Show</p><p>Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) *WINNER</p><p>James Marsden (Jury Duty)</p><p>Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear </p><p>Alan Ruck (Succession)</p><p>Alexander Skarsgård (Succession)</p><p><br /></p><p>Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television</p><p>Chris Rock (Selective Outrage)</p><p>Sarah Silverman (Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love)</p><p>Wanda Sykes (I’m an Entertainer)</p><p>Ricky Gervais (Ricky Gervais Armageddon) *WINNER</p><p>Trevor Noah (Trevor Noah: Where Was I)</p><p>Amy Schumer (Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-45908914488983282642023-12-28T14:52:00.000-08:002023-12-31T12:10:01.911-08:00 In Memoriam <p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazt-svxOD22J5kK9kytpRK09ApUcqJ-mhhJwSgUd1MZgXdnfQXtfb7njcW5WxpY4CZRtPb5BPB03kicIli6huT5qExQwLUzAxvGPrVMfkChiuHDwY4Gw3WZn-T3LrSEenYQPsf6hmTNN_6m9n-xZZyB1MzPCLyd6LGi33cWRzujAMLlo7J17lAyrYS91F/s298/download-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="298" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazt-svxOD22J5kK9kytpRK09ApUcqJ-mhhJwSgUd1MZgXdnfQXtfb7njcW5WxpY4CZRtPb5BPB03kicIli6huT5qExQwLUzAxvGPrVMfkChiuHDwY4Gw3WZn-T3LrSEenYQPsf6hmTNN_6m9n-xZZyB1MzPCLyd6LGi33cWRzujAMLlo7J17lAyrYS91F/w330-h195/download-1.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p>Many noteworthy people closed their eyes for the last time in 2023. They were writers, actors, directors, musicians, publicists, entertainment executives, activists, community leaders, and politicians. All were influential in their own way. And, before leaving the planet, they all made their mark and touched the lives of so many. This column remembers their legacies and pays tribute to those who passed this way. Respect!</p><p>JANUARY</p><p>Jan. 1 – Frederick “Freddie” Eugene White, drummer with Earth, Wind, and Fire Original 9. He was 67.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZOxBvOzhIayKvM31B9zfbELHQ0Voe-PU__Owq6-P7HuEjbJeU2BW5BtOkGP0V3vnrn4AVy31btWa5eQTSZ4JiZxApPfoCR72HVjqHgWXSOTwcwy9Aq3e-jGqTz79qvmjpRoW0Jo0-xiFHfYEOBt5zjfivVO1sD1IF2e6M63bbSwXuUu0E90Qt_RfVHFw/s300/download-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZOxBvOzhIayKvM31B9zfbELHQ0Voe-PU__Owq6-P7HuEjbJeU2BW5BtOkGP0V3vnrn4AVy31btWa5eQTSZ4JiZxApPfoCR72HVjqHgWXSOTwcwy9Aq3e-jGqTz79qvmjpRoW0Jo0-xiFHfYEOBt5zjfivVO1sD1IF2e6M63bbSwXuUu0E90Qt_RfVHFw/s1600/download-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangsta Boo</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Jan. 1 - Gangsta Boo, female rapper (Where Dem Dollas At). She was 43.</p><p>Jan. 5 - Gordy Harmon, founding member of the R&B group - The Whispers. He was 79.</p><p>Jan. 11 – Charles White, USC running back and 1979 Heisman Trophy winner. He was 64.</p><p>Jan. 14 - Keith Beaton, co-founder of Blue Magic. He was 72.</p><p>Jan. 15 – C.J. Harris, ‘American Idol’ alum. He was 31. </p><p>Jan. 17 – Steve Buckley, music industry exec.</p><p>Jan. 27 – Gregory Allen Howard, screenwriter on ‘Remember The Titans.’ He was 70.</p><p>Jan. 28 – Barret Strong, Motown songwriter. He was 81.</p><p><br /></p><p>FEBRUARY</p><p>Feb. 1 - Stanley Wilson Jr., former Detroit Lion. He was 40.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5HYnU6ouFrdKFabohDhJfaSkUlGsXoZZO8E-J2F0k27qGC88c5EOASfdLqZZiwL75-0PiLk9zfgnBHtr_gOd07kMvISFJ3rq7hyphenhyphenHZYYku3zsybeytRIGiIs5Hdzb70GYzSl7UDXksFoA53kulmW1-wtkZfjEC4bvPRnGuofb5A3B-zOigrwSfSYv9grY/s225/download-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5HYnU6ouFrdKFabohDhJfaSkUlGsXoZZO8E-J2F0k27qGC88c5EOASfdLqZZiwL75-0PiLk9zfgnBHtr_gOd07kMvISFJ3rq7hyphenhyphenHZYYku3zsybeytRIGiIs5Hdzb70GYzSl7UDXksFoA53kulmW1-wtkZfjEC4bvPRnGuofb5A3B-zOigrwSfSYv9grY/s1600/download-3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p>Feb. 20 - Chuck Jackson, ‘Any Day Now’ soul singer. He was 85. </p><p><br /></p><p>MARCH</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBlThGUdt80tQGm5H2dfZAOm6ZHwH7fTmAYcegmm2mojvYrcaZgA67Zn-2mpWgKdv_fN6_PjA2BqaqCyH149tuRmN2gtdMKP2AwekNZXf6EQqmdJ4_cQKa-PdkkNz4LslRVHyBPeZ2HcenCOVW4iNwq4SMM4x3Qf9HWPKc-TH2I3-MdSMWnc7F2Rgmpul/s232/download-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="232" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBlThGUdt80tQGm5H2dfZAOm6ZHwH7fTmAYcegmm2mojvYrcaZgA67Zn-2mpWgKdv_fN6_PjA2BqaqCyH149tuRmN2gtdMKP2AwekNZXf6EQqmdJ4_cQKa-PdkkNz4LslRVHyBPeZ2HcenCOVW4iNwq4SMM4x3Qf9HWPKc-TH2I3-MdSMWnc7F2Rgmpul/s1600/download-4.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne Shorter</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />March 2 – Wayne Shorter, jazz great. He was 89.</p><p>March 5 – Bobby Caldwell, soul singer. He was 71.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPhL0mW09OZMcoZskhZOJmtqEh4HPJG7OLrUet-ewGgRpqzyeG8ACpNtbg2eN9UhRyVUIf1tFsYjibroMvETze-khovHBTIpFpL2Lb5bue1nnsMbuiOGbkTVC3p_r13nSXhg-g9yhSq09v__fS1BcDyHTm5gq4YXj_lMdgOG6hZMN9Gx5BL4bixMoAcM0/s248/download-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPhL0mW09OZMcoZskhZOJmtqEh4HPJG7OLrUet-ewGgRpqzyeG8ACpNtbg2eN9UhRyVUIf1tFsYjibroMvETze-khovHBTIpFpL2Lb5bue1nnsMbuiOGbkTVC3p_r13nSXhg-g9yhSq09v__fS1BcDyHTm5gq4YXj_lMdgOG6hZMN9Gx5BL4bixMoAcM0/s1600/download-5.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lance Reddick</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />March 17 – Lance Reddick, actor in The Wire, John Wick. He was 60.</p><p>March 21 - Willis Reed, Knicks Champ and NBA Champion. He was 80.</p><p><br /></p><p>APRIL</p><p>April 16 - Ahmad Jamal, legendary jazz pianist. He was 92.</p><p>April 17 - Ivan Mamao Conti, co-founder of the ground-breaking Brazilian Funk-Jazz Fusion trio, Azymuth. He was 76.</p><p>April 19 – Otis Redding III, musician and son of soul legend. He was 59.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7oxO-MbgyZwiEFQTfSDU4TUki1W4h0l2fELhCUnhniI6N_iF9N0dcsLzR2-2X8-bT-pqxiVL-iH1XQFnwNT2Yhq6-MEBeY4rxy2UXT4hsuNJI3F1Eiu7ka5t_ipTED4iS6uDzz07jP386HFxwwUfQ67jUvV-vJJMNljTBel7IFdz9asPjYXSO_iwL-vg/s299/images-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7oxO-MbgyZwiEFQTfSDU4TUki1W4h0l2fELhCUnhniI6N_iF9N0dcsLzR2-2X8-bT-pqxiVL-iH1XQFnwNT2Yhq6-MEBeY4rxy2UXT4hsuNJI3F1Eiu7ka5t_ipTED4iS6uDzz07jP386HFxwwUfQ67jUvV-vJJMNljTBel7IFdz9asPjYXSO_iwL-vg/s1600/images-1.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Belafonte</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />April 25 – Harry Belafonte, legendary civil rights activist, and entertainer. He was 96.</p><p><br /></p><p>MAY</p><p>May 3 – Torie Bowie, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist. Bowie won three medals at the 2016 Olympic Games, anchoring Team USA to a gold medal in the 100-meter relay. She was 32.</p><p>May 16 – Bill Perkins, New York politician. He was 74.</p><p>May 18 – Jim Brown, NFL Legend turned actor and civil rights activist. He was 87.</p><p>May 18 – Marlene Clark, actress. She was 73.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-Lx8T1lgux0e14_reIRIo1BnTA-71bKeAo3xyAAULNnPr2bxuCtx3toLvlyyqKW04BDx8aqJcZibk8WvP0yheZM1nLRmB-MPk5L1_Ap0l1AdV-KHNyoMIiaGMgasBNLlcahtEURJ95FZ424RaSWH9BkVM9Cizgp_Nl6rZkXvIg4zkgA5oxE4OJtuzj8/s300/download-6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-Lx8T1lgux0e14_reIRIo1BnTA-71bKeAo3xyAAULNnPr2bxuCtx3toLvlyyqKW04BDx8aqJcZibk8WvP0yheZM1nLRmB-MPk5L1_Ap0l1AdV-KHNyoMIiaGMgasBNLlcahtEURJ95FZ424RaSWH9BkVM9Cizgp_Nl6rZkXvIg4zkgA5oxE4OJtuzj8/s1600/download-6.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tina Turner</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />May 24 – Tina Turner, QUEEN of rock ‘n’ roll. She was 83. </p><p>May 24 – Bill Lee, bassist and composer of son Spike Lee’s films. He was 94. </p><p>May 30 – John Beasley, ‘Everwood’ actor. He was 79.</p><p><br /></p><p>JUNE</p><p>June 6 – Paul Eckstein, ‘Godfather of Harlem’ creator and “Hoodlum” and “Narcos” producer. He was 59.</p><p>June 7 – Jim Hines, U.S. Olympian and record-breaking sprinter. He was 76.</p><p>June 19 – Clark Haggans, former NFL linebacker. He was 46.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVAlzcDbJEzHwnx64X-p17HUPPSWOYkwZXBEcsvFNNrGSD4a7c4sgzZGFx25cGQRdu6MKm26ZOPAgnTWSHYwf2ww6PZu12J2EjOj_P3k_j7LpJYMMqWWdsuWC_SkJ8fmhtG0SZeQ9xDkeH8FaYoeUKZYK6MwpnWyMlN9tMreUH8oYKpH9OY-nVAFFqMJZ/s261/download-7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="193" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVAlzcDbJEzHwnx64X-p17HUPPSWOYkwZXBEcsvFNNrGSD4a7c4sgzZGFx25cGQRdu6MKm26ZOPAgnTWSHYwf2ww6PZu12J2EjOj_P3k_j7LpJYMMqWWdsuWC_SkJ8fmhtG0SZeQ9xDkeH8FaYoeUKZYK6MwpnWyMlN9tMreUH8oYKpH9OY-nVAFFqMJZ/s1600/download-7.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry "Gator" Rivers</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />June 29 – Larry “Gator” Rivers, Harlem Globetrotters legend. He was 73.</p><p>June 29 – Christine King Farris, the last living sibling of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was 95.</p><p><br /></p><p>JULY</p><p>July 7 - Nikki McCray-Penson, basketball star and Olympic gold medalist. She was 51.</p><p>July 7 – Mutulu Shakur, Tupac’s stepfather and renowned activist. He was 72.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffzDNx5vB-XrjbMbbr6QiU5PTXikYFzE_z7vGhuQe-VHBCGn4vYFl8mPd6CXEBaKzXdyEaxZfM9DYd-w01V4rgzHdDt15JXML02GHPHV8EJ4c53rZoYHeCw-3CtYOFheTt0xNqiTSWlKTpMbbHiO9x5QMOU2xcjzZ6DsEi4joDBaaI6z1nRrc8Id2qknO/s259/download-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffzDNx5vB-XrjbMbbr6QiU5PTXikYFzE_z7vGhuQe-VHBCGn4vYFl8mPd6CXEBaKzXdyEaxZfM9DYd-w01V4rgzHdDt15JXML02GHPHV8EJ4c53rZoYHeCw-3CtYOFheTt0xNqiTSWlKTpMbbHiO9x5QMOU2xcjzZ6DsEi4joDBaaI6z1nRrc8Id2qknO/s1600/download-8.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar Brashear</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />July 11 – Oscar Brashear, jazz trumpeter. He was 78.</p><p>July 16 – Elise Finch, Emmy-winning meteorologist for CBS New York affiliate WCBS-TV. She was 51.</p><p>July 20 – YNG Cheese, Philadelphia rapper. He was 25.</p><p>July 27 – William Dilday Jr., the first Black television station manager in the entire country and one of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists. He was 85.</p><p><br /></p><p>AUGUST</p><p>Aug. 1 – Sheila Oliver, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor. She was 71.</p><p>Aug. 3 – Wendell B, singer and songwriter.</p><p>Aug. 7 – DJ Casper, songwriter, and hype man. He was 58.</p><p>Aug. 11 – Gus Solomon’s Jr., choreographer, dancer. He was 84.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvjT0VzOJtUAVGnssIKm1jYm9Ogv_KnXEsZnGM5ojWvCuJ3Hhn4PtzY3Xc5zZCV1EA7A1mqqm5PL-Fo9ReU5vzbzo4hiRc_CdtZhmN9l-kpa-WlrSAf6m9BDMlKijHYQpOQdE5KYF-6M13XRhK8Vx0Do2BcnyHY5rB4Q7avgdwpGiLimKWnUfV2lY8zEf/s276/download-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvjT0VzOJtUAVGnssIKm1jYm9Ogv_KnXEsZnGM5ojWvCuJ3Hhn4PtzY3Xc5zZCV1EA7A1mqqm5PL-Fo9ReU5vzbzo4hiRc_CdtZhmN9l-kpa-WlrSAf6m9BDMlKijHYQpOQdE5KYF-6M13XRhK8Vx0Do2BcnyHY5rB4Q7avgdwpGiLimKWnUfV2lY8zEf/s1600/download-9.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarence Avant</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Aug. 13 - Clarence Avant, music executive known as The Black Godfather. He was 92. </p><p>Aug. 13 – Magoo (from producer/collaborator of Timbaland’s crew), rapper. He was 50.</p><p>Aug. 14 – Chico Del Vec, founding member of rap group Jr. M.A.F.I.A.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMD78YaDwUf1IyqQV08JfjikJiKcKgvZsRs27ukdT8v8NeLFz40zGqZp2sjgIDMPRmux3CJMbRbt-shLCG7j1HsgyBZsD-bOwAsK6hFX2iFNUjNROv4u90krV_NEvBkK-bHiSoyMvGNansGE9JAHtVmdEDNqieeE4MV8j5EokF1GiigGkkqUwcBoD0Ulc/s300/download-10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMD78YaDwUf1IyqQV08JfjikJiKcKgvZsRs27ukdT8v8NeLFz40zGqZp2sjgIDMPRmux3CJMbRbt-shLCG7j1HsgyBZsD-bOwAsK6hFX2iFNUjNROv4u90krV_NEvBkK-bHiSoyMvGNansGE9JAHtVmdEDNqieeE4MV8j5EokF1GiigGkkqUwcBoD0Ulc/s1600/download-10.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron Cephas Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Aug. 19 – Ron Cephas Jones, Emmy Award-winning actor ‘This Is Us’ and ‘Truth Be Told.’ He was 66.</p><p><br /></p><p>SEPTEMBER</p><p>Sept. 12 – Mike Williams, NFL wide receiver. He was 36.</p><p>Sept. 14 - Pearl Bowser, film director, recipient of the SCMS Distinguished Career Achievement Award (2005). Affectionately known as the "Godmother of Black Independent Cinema." She unearthed Oscar Micheaux's lost archives, shedding light on the origins of Black Cinema. She was 92.</p><p>Sept. 16 – Irish Grinstead, R&B singer, member of 702. She was 43.</p><p>Sept. 17 – Fred Lewis, founder of the R&B group, Lakeside. He was 72.</p><p>Sept. 21 - Katherine Anderson, co-founder of The Marvelettes. She was 79.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqyv6rtu2CC8pn8IP3WXmJLBaAliFPKIn4QrKI_VY-IvGde0ze5zd1jRevJ6khQG-VFCKr1V-JgTxmzn8xImzwqo22kcYLUEma1zrvDRg6M2yL9IXHg95mCIFyaXHAgU-YI0Zt1FNeOB0D0lSvAUTiZ9vnW7TlMw3HrTPV9tkWksOcpe06w59fP_qV-qg/s276/download-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqyv6rtu2CC8pn8IP3WXmJLBaAliFPKIn4QrKI_VY-IvGde0ze5zd1jRevJ6khQG-VFCKr1V-JgTxmzn8xImzwqo22kcYLUEma1zrvDRg6M2yL9IXHg95mCIFyaXHAgU-YI0Zt1FNeOB0D0lSvAUTiZ9vnW7TlMw3HrTPV9tkWksOcpe06w59fP_qV-qg/s1600/download-11.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Fleming</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Sept. 21 – Kevin Fleming, CEO/Publisher of “The Urban Buzz.” He was 65.</p><p>Sept. 25 – Zoleka, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela. She was 43. </p><p><br /></p><p>OCTOBER</p><p>Oct. 9 – Hughes Van Ellis, the last survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre. He was 102.</p><p>Oct. 10 – Gail O-Neil, Jamaican-American model. She was 60.</p><p>Oct. 10 – Louise Meriwether, writer and activist. She wrote “Daddy Was A Number Runner.” She was 100.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCHfeNlzPgn4k8fdjQp462imRLIOX7fzjhmoG1lFgWKqmnSImW7VvcQp0IuXRkGfvyIL0wkGIZnRkoenIBwOBgBU9WfHzS6vdWI2i-_Zjx8D33jwcS6PE0MHP74oSLaBxpPCX_LuTRLCXR8TGvvYFhLExkfeorFfe9JBrTKLG83RgzhOfPVEuRCHMU7QN/s276/download-12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="182" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCHfeNlzPgn4k8fdjQp462imRLIOX7fzjhmoG1lFgWKqmnSImW7VvcQp0IuXRkGfvyIL0wkGIZnRkoenIBwOBgBU9WfHzS6vdWI2i-_Zjx8D33jwcS6PE0MHP74oSLaBxpPCX_LuTRLCXR8TGvvYFhLExkfeorFfe9JBrTKLG83RgzhOfPVEuRCHMU7QN/s1600/download-12.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirley Jo Finney</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Oct. 11 – Shirley Jo Finney, director and actress. She was 74.</p><p>Oct. 11 – Rudolph Isley, Isley Brothers co-founder. He was 84.</p><p>Oct. 19 - Mark Howard James, aka DJ Mark the 45 King, a respected producer who helped create tracks for some of the most iconic hip-hop acts in history including Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Eric B. and Rakin, Gang Starr, and Common. He was 62. </p><p>Oct. 23 – Tasha Butts, Former WNBA player and women’s college basketball coach. She was 41. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wWsj3j2gl7NIk4TKoNLkGlh0VYFcBXEN8WnX1Or-UAy8eQi6D0Tpmgc40s8guk8ZaTneavmQKbsk2dFrbc_OS9068JCq-zqgW5fg74RKYEiJgxrlfHDh_8hFA85yi9TgkNu0cYk1T1ldNLH65Qx4JLq1Z88UnYXPrYqx2c4OttgxHrhy_qYsj7D3KT4J/s300/download-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wWsj3j2gl7NIk4TKoNLkGlh0VYFcBXEN8WnX1Or-UAy8eQi6D0Tpmgc40s8guk8ZaTneavmQKbsk2dFrbc_OS9068JCq-zqgW5fg74RKYEiJgxrlfHDh_8hFA85yi9TgkNu0cYk1T1ldNLH65Qx4JLq1Z88UnYXPrYqx2c4OttgxHrhy_qYsj7D3KT4J/s1600/download-13.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Roundtree</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Oct. 24 – Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor played Shaft. He was 81.</p><p>Oct. 25 - Herbert “Bertie” Bowman, the longest-serving Black congressional staffer in American history, had worked at the Capitol since he was 13. He was 92. </p><p>Oct. 30 - Aaron Spears, a drummer who worked with some of the biggest pop stars in the world including Usher and Ariana Grande. He was 47.</p><p><br /></p><p>NOVEMBER</p><p>Nov. 2 – Walter Davis, Six-time NBA All-Star. He was 69. </p><p>Nov. 7 – C-Knight, Rapper. He was 52.</p><p>Nov. 11 – D.J. Hayden, Former NFL cornerback. He was 33.</p><p>Nov. 14 – Neville Garrick, photographer, Jamaican graphic artist and visual designer. He was 70.</p><p>Nov. 17 – George Brown, co-founder Kool & The Gang. He was 74.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRt6KA5rroaC2DKPOYXCs5OHOp1jBlfMGyTYO5cFv3OgoIL8lr45GW9TkSXSGY3rFPoc3wM4r9SPmDj1VtBCjA5OrLEcIoa0ijncmj0CBBZZB1PNAhhhZn5SaScjz2atXj2_yy9YLUKkT6Paxr5d7r37krGnBRvVyQggP1a20LpQ5ujAiyIS-K1FpR-_H/s251/download-14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRt6KA5rroaC2DKPOYXCs5OHOp1jBlfMGyTYO5cFv3OgoIL8lr45GW9TkSXSGY3rFPoc3wM4r9SPmDj1VtBCjA5OrLEcIoa0ijncmj0CBBZZB1PNAhhhZn5SaScjz2atXj2_yy9YLUKkT6Paxr5d7r37krGnBRvVyQggP1a20LpQ5ujAiyIS-K1FpR-_H/s1600/download-14.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlton Pearson</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Nov. 19 – Carlton Pearson, founder and pastor of Higher Dimensions Family Church in Tulsa, OK. He was 70.</p><p>Nov. 27 - Jean Knight, “Mr. Big Stuff” singer. She was 80.</p><p><br /></p><p>DECEMBER</p><p>Dec. 3 - David McKnight, actor (J.D.’s Revenge/Hollywood Shuffle). He was 87.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoND0DfpbtNgNeUqb7VH6uvF-NX2oqmfNGfk0hUrVRQDqGHlIGKyugGqtVyyCehNnOyVIvdsbTIWmJz7NrXXKPNw-bMzm-cLZDfVh3774y8laZ5TLZCWkI58F0qUTyv3imcLeLXr2sUkVXkEQyB4A6CJ-sWmiRT3dQ3O5MGhClkIDpu_n0qFr1b01W_etm/s299/download-15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoND0DfpbtNgNeUqb7VH6uvF-NX2oqmfNGfk0hUrVRQDqGHlIGKyugGqtVyyCehNnOyVIvdsbTIWmJz7NrXXKPNw-bMzm-cLZDfVh3774y8laZ5TLZCWkI58F0qUTyv3imcLeLXr2sUkVXkEQyB4A6CJ-sWmiRT3dQ3O5MGhClkIDpu_n0qFr1b01W_etm/s1600/download-15.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen Holly</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Dec. 5 - Ellen Holly, the first Black actress to star in a soap opera (One Life to Live). She was 92. </p><p>Dec. 6 - Kendall Minter, music industry attorney.</p><p>Dec. 7 - Forest Whitaker, ex-wife, actress Keisha Nash. She was 51. </p><p>Dec. 8 - Nidra Beard, Dynasty lead singer. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RFk5LecDdRd6g2kELKpIs7AVOywNpyoY3EQSBkSp3NNU1fGOjdthf2ZVRb0vqQYBivrNWZvS-KjvxEM34f3UxuKeVDJWPbKIxR3tqSfq1ogLWTfC5cnzNUaKzL5TL_yhdkBmudP9LS8yCML4nHBM1xR1qi7M9he91_Bnq3siDSFySfDpfbW1W7V0epnU/s300/download-16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RFk5LecDdRd6g2kELKpIs7AVOywNpyoY3EQSBkSp3NNU1fGOjdthf2ZVRb0vqQYBivrNWZvS-KjvxEM34f3UxuKeVDJWPbKIxR3tqSfq1ogLWTfC5cnzNUaKzL5TL_yhdkBmudP9LS8yCML4nHBM1xR1qi7M9he91_Bnq3siDSFySfDpfbW1W7V0epnU/s1600/download-16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Braugher</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Dec. 12 - Andre Braugher, ‘Homicide: Life On The Street,’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’ He was 61.</p><p>Dec. 18 - Joseph “Amp” Fiddler, the Detroit-based singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer. He was 65.</p><p>Dec. 29 - Maurice Hines, Broadway singer, dancer, and choreographer. He was 80.</p><p>Dec. 31 - Les McCann, jazz pianist and vocalist. He was 88.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-82009361029023524522023-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:002023-12-21T18:22:48.577-08:00'Titanic: The Exhibition' Docks in Los Angeles<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLIpnoLw8SvjsrHatM9S0GV8LaVrXI0pGkBLi-cZJdis9_nYJurEVF-nSyrdAQNYIyx0GzRT6klCrnHuOm4jO6wmh94Sk8eFMNZHtoWBovT3iBKXcSv-fgomeD9zFnITpmZnU09t36viwsrM1PWyt4YwnpIh8kP2qdW7MTTnimmYfNsXpSq-8mnVhZl40/s960/412002693_10159941696340949_5332223385210137128_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="960" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLIpnoLw8SvjsrHatM9S0GV8LaVrXI0pGkBLi-cZJdis9_nYJurEVF-nSyrdAQNYIyx0GzRT6klCrnHuOm4jO6wmh94Sk8eFMNZHtoWBovT3iBKXcSv-fgomeD9zFnITpmZnU09t36viwsrM1PWyt4YwnpIh8kP2qdW7MTTnimmYfNsXpSq-8mnVhZl40/w345-h270/412002693_10159941696340949_5332223385210137128_n.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p>The tragedy that befell the Titanic on April 15, 1912, is a dark, interesting, but mostly sad tale.</p><p>On that fateful day, which was four days into the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, more than 1,500 passengers lost their lives after the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14, 1912, in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.</p><p>The haunting story of the Titanic is told in ‘Titanic: The Exhibition’ currently taking place at the Beverly Event Venue in Los Angeles. </p><p>Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Titanic can be found in this one-hour, self-guided, interactive experience that allows attendees to step inside recreations of the ship’s interior.</p><p>It’s been more than a century since the most famous maritime disaster occurred, and yet the Titanic remains the most well-known ship in American history.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioGcqs7uILQ8cA-NDIMr-HSojPv84quuFtd7Sjrhix-aCotX8MPIdkI42KySO7sX44xDlmJJL8Os7UaOcBZe6lvYmzx_rEldqI3YOIXg_rtBETK0wRns5OyBX9tth8_dc6KDsg8HOdNOwQQsFaAojj2NxjtEr9s2Lxy1MEnIBnQwKRDJ8cLBTZEruR44D/s960/410268577_10159941696440949_3496031293278657031_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioGcqs7uILQ8cA-NDIMr-HSojPv84quuFtd7Sjrhix-aCotX8MPIdkI42KySO7sX44xDlmJJL8Os7UaOcBZe6lvYmzx_rEldqI3YOIXg_rtBETK0wRns5OyBX9tth8_dc6KDsg8HOdNOwQQsFaAojj2NxjtEr9s2Lxy1MEnIBnQwKRDJ8cLBTZEruR44D/w352-h262/410268577_10159941696440949_3496031293278657031_n.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-class sitting room</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />Tom Zaller</b> (<b>TZ</b>), president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about the exhibition. </p><p><b>DD</b>: Why should people experience Titanic: The Exhibition?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: Whether you are a history buff or a big fan of the blockbuster film, or even if you don’t know much about the Titanic, there really is something for everyone at Titanic: The Exhibition. From the artifacts, personal stories, recreations of the ship, photo-ops, and virtual reality experience, the exhibit is profoundly educational, immersive, and emotionally impactful. </p><p>More importantly, people should visit the exhibit in LA before it closes! We are open for a very limited time before we take the exhibit to Chicago in February, so now is the perfect time to check it out. </p><p><b>DD</b>: It’s been 111 years since the ship sank. Why do you think there is still such a fascination with the Titanic?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: I love this story. Titanic has been a part of my life since the late 90s when I had the incredible opportunity to dive to the wreck site. I’m always amazed by how people continue to be fascinated by the story; it's every man’s story - the story of hopes and dreams. There is, of course, a huge historical significance and a unique mystique of the ‘unsinkable ship,’ but I believe it is the human stories of the passengers and crew that evoke such empathy and fascination. The Titanic represents a microcosm of society, carrying people from various backgrounds, and their individual narratives resonate deeply with people.</p><p><b>DD</b>: Describe the exhibit.</p><p><b>TZ</b>: Titanic: The Exhibition – produced by Imagine Exhibitions and Fever – is the largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition, and it is a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the sinking ship. It is also a uniquely interactive exhibition that tells the chronological and dramatic tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the largest and most luxurious ship in the world at that time. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnyNXYV93lJnu0AIA0kwPFmbeRHRMZK4OyyXKeUi4Bk9cuOGhuIfFiaiJt6pTIxvsKnjNuqWCoshwBBerOrg0AZ-DIaP8qKHUdAcapJWCH8vd_6V_c7xvza9DaxI3JeSz3w9h7Lh3JqHcZD7FZfIOQVYX35moDiytYxrFsJlkUnOzJ05PdYV587kgUnz8/s960/412281476_10159944387765949_131679524054334203_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnyNXYV93lJnu0AIA0kwPFmbeRHRMZK4OyyXKeUi4Bk9cuOGhuIfFiaiJt6pTIxvsKnjNuqWCoshwBBerOrg0AZ-DIaP8qKHUdAcapJWCH8vd_6V_c7xvza9DaxI3JeSz3w9h7Lh3JqHcZD7FZfIOQVYX35moDiytYxrFsJlkUnOzJ05PdYV587kgUnz8/s320/412281476_10159944387765949_131679524054334203_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A LifeVest</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />DD</b>: In what way is the exhibit interactive?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: The exhibit has many interactive elements to it - whether through the boarding pass that corresponds with a real-life passenger allowing each guest to follow an individual passenger story as they explore the first-, second-, and third-class galleries with their corresponding artifacts, or through the immersive chronologic galleries and the narrative that unfolds.</p><p><b>DD</b>: What is the most shocking thing attendees will see in the exhibit?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: I think the human stories of real-life people are always what touches people in the most shocking and poignant elements whether those stories are told through the use of artifact displays or recreations depicting the conditions aboard the ship during the sinking. 2 great examples, For instance, feeling the freezing temperature of the iceberg or seeing your name on the memorial wall has always touched people the most. Overall, the exhibit's ability to humanize the tragedy by showcasing individual stories, artifacts, and the sheer scale of the disaster often leaves a profound impact on attendees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ApqpXMplvDEzv0GnhGJ06XLRqm8iNdhZmFEMGJvEPQNgK1ME5KPcBbjq2pysbVDvyQaxVCnPgEdf4f_EQHGMlANxIF5MD7mmmyTTg2Cp1nwZ_1IPAQg5U-zCj96PhCISr8Fhpf10cksoBEEUVQX8wstwc6cXHIFYJR-wxN0krbP5IBbkXySK-ovXGmqj/s960/411851730_10159944387820949_502447945504136979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ApqpXMplvDEzv0GnhGJ06XLRqm8iNdhZmFEMGJvEPQNgK1ME5KPcBbjq2pysbVDvyQaxVCnPgEdf4f_EQHGMlANxIF5MD7mmmyTTg2Cp1nwZ_1IPAQg5U-zCj96PhCISr8Fhpf10cksoBEEUVQX8wstwc6cXHIFYJR-wxN0krbP5IBbkXySK-ovXGmqj/s320/411851730_10159944387820949_502447945504136979_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A porthole</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />DD</b>: What do you think people will find out – that they didn’t already know?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: An interesting part of the exhibit delves into the ship's design and construction, showcasing details about the materials used, the engineering innovations, and the ambitious scale of the Titanic itself. I think people would be interested to learn about the riveting techniques used and the sheer size and opulence of the ship's interior.</p><p>Furthermore, the exhibit sheds light on the passengers' experiences beyond the well-known stories, revealing details about lesser-known individuals aboard, their backgrounds, and the diverse range of people who were traveling on the Titanic, highlighting personal anecdotes and lesser-known tales of survival or loss. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KJkJ7KR_WmjXruqyBVtBfEgO8mFseFcahMppzRp1QjioFxhtGFPVXm8_-t1QIxLlrwNgBO-EOEnGqECm0sMniuK_E7V4z2Z787pY077lQg6N6GZiLDOMuZM-7Pm1tmB3UmAKG4UGIXVCE43WOS5dbvASlS2S32c2x-fCCQm0mEORFqosgak8K0kzR0BO/s960/412042165_10159941696485949_7331540235450587712_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KJkJ7KR_WmjXruqyBVtBfEgO8mFseFcahMppzRp1QjioFxhtGFPVXm8_-t1QIxLlrwNgBO-EOEnGqECm0sMniuK_E7V4z2Z787pY077lQg6N6GZiLDOMuZM-7Pm1tmB3UmAKG4UGIXVCE43WOS5dbvASlS2S32c2x-fCCQm0mEORFqosgak8K0kzR0BO/s320/412042165_10159941696485949_7331540235450587712_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Staircase</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />DD</b>: Are attendees able to walk the grand staircase – up to the clock?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: Due to safety concerns, attendees are not permitted to walk up the Grand Staircase, although they can get up close and personal with the iconic recreation for a great photo op! </p><p><b>DD</b>: What is a definite “must-see” in the exhibition?</p><p><b>TZ:</b> I personally love the “wow” factor when guests enter the immersive Grand Staircase, or later in our Discovery Gallery, dedicated to the discovery and research of the Titanic’s wreckage site. The Discovery Gallery features a raised glass floor simulating the impression of walking along the ocean floor with broken china in the sand that allows visitors to experience some of what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic site. At the end of the exhibition, visitors have the option to explore the wreck even further in a virtual reality experience that features 360° imagery of the Titanic’s final resting place. </p><p><b>DD</b>: Attendees hold the pass of an actual passenger on the Titanic. How were the actual real people chosen? </p><p><b>TZ</b>: We selected 100 passengers for whom we have the most complete story. When visitors enter we provide male passes for men and female passes for women and if a group or family we try to mix up the classes so that groups who experience the show together may be grouped in 1st class and the other in 3rd to provoke dialog about class separation and the reality of what that meant in 1912 and especially on the Titanic. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZ6Uw4wqJcvwjPDpKd0sXNWXB6qdKe83arlFuwqvSa8S42vFYaY_fjTO3mOPd_xNZgkVkTG9wW3PtlBi8oACusB4YSl5vsKiD57CNb27epn5eXu_wNjtvo3Joszvyl1V5YWXss3u3aQLKVaLtxCpFXQt3z2tnPYvCs6HT0vVigtfUOyYD5VSibC1SnuNH/s960/412247773_10159941696390949_2735648689295092081_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZ6Uw4wqJcvwjPDpKd0sXNWXB6qdKe83arlFuwqvSa8S42vFYaY_fjTO3mOPd_xNZgkVkTG9wW3PtlBi8oACusB4YSl5vsKiD57CNb27epn5eXu_wNjtvo3Joszvyl1V5YWXss3u3aQLKVaLtxCpFXQt3z2tnPYvCs6HT0vVigtfUOyYD5VSibC1SnuNH/s320/412247773_10159941696390949_2735648689295092081_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-class cabins hallway</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />DD</b>: Are/were there any Black passengers on the Titanic? If so, who were they?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: There was one Black Family on the Titanic. Notable was Joseph Laroche, a Haitian-born engineer, and his family. Laroche, his wife Juliette, and their two daughters were passengers on the Titanic. He was the only known Black passenger in the first class and the only passenger of African descent known to have been aboard the ship. Tragically, Joseph Laroche did not survive the sinking, but his wife and daughters were able to board a lifeboat and survived.</p><p><b>DD</b>: Is the exhibit led by a docent? If not, is there audio along the tour?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: Titanic: The Exhibition is a self-guided exhibit. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsyv369Mx9PJRh5y5u2l4J00F56Ai2kbwsMZ0Zcpze3Z9kDahx-BvI6zW2lq-Z_zWP38Rz2r7o2kLKGWpGRKx6U2URWZFKM6bYld58xewI88e11TmQ6m1auCyQAjVaT1QZh653O76-pKCBMcqgOcIra-ev7977Zd-6Zp9NGUwacazwrqOe8WrpiZPHHkb/s960/412272434_10159944388045949_4142632108829432003_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsyv369Mx9PJRh5y5u2l4J00F56Ai2kbwsMZ0Zcpze3Z9kDahx-BvI6zW2lq-Z_zWP38Rz2r7o2kLKGWpGRKx6U2URWZFKM6bYld58xewI88e11TmQ6m1auCyQAjVaT1QZh653O76-pKCBMcqgOcIra-ev7977Zd-6Zp9NGUwacazwrqOe8WrpiZPHHkb/s320/412272434_10159944388045949_4142632108829432003_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costumes from James Cameron's 1997 movie, 'Titanic'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />DD</b>: What kinds of relics are on display?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: The exhibit features hundreds of artifacts that encompass items that survived the sinking of the Titanic and her sister ships, as well as props and costumes from the beloved James Cameron 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. Set inside fully immersive recreations of the ship's interior, the artifacts help navigate guests through Titanic's timeline from sinking to underwater discovery. </p><p><b>DD</b>: Does the iceberg make an appearance? If so, in what way?</p><p><b>TZ</b>: It does! I won’t give too much away, but the iceberg definitely makes an appearance at the exhibit, and there is an interactive element to it as well. </p><p><b>DD</b>: Would you describe this exhibition as more informational or more emotional? Explain.</p><p><b>TZ</b>: The exhibition aims to provide a mix of both information and emotional depth. It offers a comprehensive look at the Titanic's history, including details about its construction, the passengers, the luxurious elements of the ship, and the events leading up to the tragic sinking. </p><p>Alongside factual information, the exhibit highlights personal stories of passengers and crew, artifacts both from the Titanic and her sister ships, and recreations of parts of the ship. Ultimately, the exhibit aims to provide a well-rounded experience that educates visitors about the Titanic's history while also touching on an emotional connection to the human side of the story.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*</p><p>The actual wreckage of the Titanic was found after 1 a.m. on Sept. 1, 1985, under more than 12,400 feet of water. One of the Titanic’s boilers was identified, confirming the wreck had been found. The ship was found by American oceanographer and marine geologist, Robert Ballard, 73 years after it sank. As suspected, the ship had split in half. </p><p>Titanic: The Exhibition – Los Angeles, 4327 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; $23 -$68.90; through Dec. 31, 2023.</p><p>**All photos by Darlene Donloe</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7831313018108895664.post-82056465117349125192023-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:002023-12-20T11:01:22.084-08:00Celebs Talk About What They Like and Don't Like About The Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQCJJT_pN2cg_kmvDHztq1VadncVS2pQWpgdmRVCmdqajy2LBDxmpQZEAHoO6cweBl5KjzO5UxzkkgSbn5XJvdm1fLyw_jhdEQl7JHJsGj0iRGW882-ttTHjw1CpzjZbvU6QlTUtgVfaaQJ5bHigm-V7txhllhQJhNoYEIs23RQrROaS5zHZc6UG7tlDW/s316/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="316" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQCJJT_pN2cg_kmvDHztq1VadncVS2pQWpgdmRVCmdqajy2LBDxmpQZEAHoO6cweBl5KjzO5UxzkkgSbn5XJvdm1fLyw_jhdEQl7JHJsGj0iRGW882-ttTHjw1CpzjZbvU6QlTUtgVfaaQJ5bHigm-V7txhllhQJhNoYEIs23RQrROaS5zHZc6UG7tlDW/w350-h195/download.png" width="350" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Darlene Donloe</p><p>Christmas is five days away.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just weeks ago we celebrated Thanksgiving. Soon we will celebrate both Christmas and New Year's Day.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s the trifecta of celebrations. There’s a lot to rejoice about. There’s a lot to be thankful for. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Celebrities were asked what they liked and didn't like about the holiday season. Some were poignant and others were predictable.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Check out the responses below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What do you like the most about the holiday season, and what is your least favorite thing about the holidays?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifsy3tKoA7DqFXPV3eZothkKSMKP0O2RBg9bgHJ2ZcEFtrPHKVJjIdSz_ghGoEbNHiLR-W-vaHJy05euVsyymCN0ShZaHl6RDWf1AnHNDyuIys90lrv-vYgLYVqGGLr_EPNqJaFKhGxgV7ui7wvwTDOX_O0X4McmxkJfpg9a8TmcN4n7MirKDe08gSt_p/s275/download-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifsy3tKoA7DqFXPV3eZothkKSMKP0O2RBg9bgHJ2ZcEFtrPHKVJjIdSz_ghGoEbNHiLR-W-vaHJy05euVsyymCN0ShZaHl6RDWf1AnHNDyuIys90lrv-vYgLYVqGGLr_EPNqJaFKhGxgV7ui7wvwTDOX_O0X4McmxkJfpg9a8TmcN4n7MirKDe08gSt_p/s1600/download-2.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Butler</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />I love Christmas and the spirit of Christmas – ushering in this beautiful spirit of Christ. I tour every year. I love the Christmas tree and looking at it. I love the lights. I love coming home and seeing them. I love having a beautiful meal with my kids and grandkids. I like to touch people. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing is turkey. Leave it alone. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not a fan of turkey. Leave that bird alone and let it run free. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvivJJFCYqG4KUytiT8Pi3SIwy-hnkvsvnXAdbboDpP3RKN4erRQxGEssmEcMrWL49C4wEAvdB5CTDUHRgxkPoy9tig9XiXQ40ZGOqgIsMjuD_93Jxqc_DCFFdNIs7l5ZvsVaYrMtRzhvTHib2HroJqzQ4O0Kn8rpXLFk50kPJv9vn0X3eYR_EgpLFl0az/s275/download-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvivJJFCYqG4KUytiT8Pi3SIwy-hnkvsvnXAdbboDpP3RKN4erRQxGEssmEcMrWL49C4wEAvdB5CTDUHRgxkPoy9tig9XiXQ40ZGOqgIsMjuD_93Jxqc_DCFFdNIs7l5ZvsVaYrMtRzhvTHib2HroJqzQ4O0Kn8rpXLFk50kPJv9vn0X3eYR_EgpLFl0az/s1600/download-8.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karyn Parsons (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />I love the joy in the streets. I love the warmth of gatherings. That touchstone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing is that the consumerism part is ghastly. We’ve gotten so out of control. It’s all about shopping and spending a lot of money.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoFdjoWi1vhT5oQvxvO9w9mfTtJnDrx7Cdh3PLPcli8HVyE6QLK1wPFB4PeKAEdhfE_8JpVFbgx0bJUTAVjf_mgk4e8jJcuzXFzCKy3Gxmr_AaYKfciPo7U1wRMZmNptPFvYSEA06QUjo89ZLkg96AVEOShHl8IjR8pQ6AewxUD9SxKaCIVVJtomnUBt6/s225/download-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoFdjoWi1vhT5oQvxvO9w9mfTtJnDrx7Cdh3PLPcli8HVyE6QLK1wPFB4PeKAEdhfE_8JpVFbgx0bJUTAVjf_mgk4e8jJcuzXFzCKy3Gxmr_AaYKfciPo7U1wRMZmNptPFvYSEA06QUjo89ZLkg96AVEOShHl8IjR8pQ6AewxUD9SxKaCIVVJtomnUBt6/s1600/download-4.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica Gimpel (Fame, God Friended Me)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />What I love is the time I get to slow down and spend time with family.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing is the pressure of everybody buying things.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrfVj39I_yUdxtCqw_Asr9URHztRoIxBy_2SLR4OBbeoHGBN2wKQCO-MMwVdRDzCRaRa-i6hgt16rO0BNcwvWMxDVS0L4_z_ZbHjJcwlHX-2WPSNPPPop4Fa_CuhOAUPTkjIQNGnoFGq9UvQFLBgW7CBgL4Y8NdRu6zK4aDtjMy5oeBa_UvTYGtmVpCnb/s225/download-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrfVj39I_yUdxtCqw_Asr9URHztRoIxBy_2SLR4OBbeoHGBN2wKQCO-MMwVdRDzCRaRa-i6hgt16rO0BNcwvWMxDVS0L4_z_ZbHjJcwlHX-2WPSNPPPop4Fa_CuhOAUPTkjIQNGnoFGq9UvQFLBgW7CBgL4Y8NdRu6zK4aDtjMy5oeBa_UvTYGtmVpCnb/s1600/download-3.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence LaRue (Fifth Dimension)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />My favorite things are the family gatherings and dinner. We always have good southern food. I cook. I like to make fudge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing about the holidays is competing and buying expensive gifts.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXa3guQDT1Vf4NRLRW8g5BwXbhqPVSycwFS6Vwvt-UtPQqa_rFgBBVF-J_AR0lvdAgmFwwQE6rHHwmEVfaLdAYi7osubRfPziCEZs2jn9UpNS2e_blrVV8Y5nEmQeD1HCU-6Gdp_dH2vYL3v9VSSfDQCcURsS_Hqo2kjRqZaDquM751VPCgWW6tmxNxEp/s251/download-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXa3guQDT1Vf4NRLRW8g5BwXbhqPVSycwFS6Vwvt-UtPQqa_rFgBBVF-J_AR0lvdAgmFwwQE6rHHwmEVfaLdAYi7osubRfPziCEZs2jn9UpNS2e_blrVV8Y5nEmQeD1HCU-6Gdp_dH2vYL3v9VSSfDQCcURsS_Hqo2kjRqZaDquM751VPCgWW6tmxNxEp/s1600/download-5.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarell Alvin McCraney<br />(Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director, "Moonlight" writer) </td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />I’m actually a Halloween person. I love going to a Christmas fair with my family. I do not like taking down Christmas trees.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5D8Cd7PFztuviL7wl2nZpEuNNWectenugXwozy6TrGh2_BrNm_PnPrBK5uAnoUh0dBQvUILpq0JID6cfYBV8aWc74qZURdWmImPKnDum9BnOkCHxMcGyDr5yaWtY1ComkQjWZUPccoH5PDs4iKWsLx1vSkNKgLHhBXEvxROUYMWPpuDtYZQeVS9rjV7W/s225/download-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5D8Cd7PFztuviL7wl2nZpEuNNWectenugXwozy6TrGh2_BrNm_PnPrBK5uAnoUh0dBQvUILpq0JID6cfYBV8aWc74qZURdWmImPKnDum9BnOkCHxMcGyDr5yaWtY1ComkQjWZUPccoH5PDs4iKWsLx1vSkNKgLHhBXEvxROUYMWPpuDtYZQeVS9rjV7W/s1600/download-7.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T.J. Wilkins (The Voice)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My favorite thing about the holidays is the family dinners. The whole family gets together. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing to do is taking down the Christmas lights.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOvNd_jc0rWg_JxzIsWiwWyYn0jJRddpG_cP9_QCy1N_HjwM1L08-jYDEMxox4DNuxbfv-yk5bQYzKnohiQwRD8YC1BScbtxjA-6FJRxJlvNU10TkPkhgNLo5tH_raJRk4Oyo4v9zX7rLWL9myewLplSKS4YDPiOUd32xQBuVBS42AasBtJTOU7xqUSFc/s260/download-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="260" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOvNd_jc0rWg_JxzIsWiwWyYn0jJRddpG_cP9_QCy1N_HjwM1L08-jYDEMxox4DNuxbfv-yk5bQYzKnohiQwRD8YC1BScbtxjA-6FJRxJlvNU10TkPkhgNLo5tH_raJRk4Oyo4v9zX7rLWL9myewLplSKS4YDPiOUd32xQBuVBS42AasBtJTOU7xqUSFc/s1600/download-6.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My favorite things about the holidays are putting up the Christmas tree, singing carols, and being with my family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My least favorite thing to do is taking down the 12 ft. Christmas tree. One time we kept it up until the end of January.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0