- Created on 11 May 2013
‘The Watsons Go to Birmingham’ Wraps Filming in Atlanta
"The Watsons Go to Birmingham," a movie adaptation from the award-winning book by Christopher Paul Curtis, just wrapped up production here in the Atlanta area.
The film, set in 1963, was directed by Atlanta's own Kenny Leon, founder of True Colors Theatre Company. During the final days of filming last week, visitors to the set had a chance to learn about the movie that invokes one of the Civil Rights Movement's most tragic moments: the bombing death of four little girls at the 16th Street Baptist Church.
The film stars Anika Noni Rose, LaTanya Richardson and Wood Harris as members of an "All American Family" who are transformed by their road trip from their home in Michigan to visit relatives in Alabama. Written by Tonya Lewis Lee, who serves as co-executive producer with Nikki Silver, the film will be part of the Walden Family Theater, a new series of family movies created by Walmart, P&G, Walden Media and ARC Entertainment.
During media and guest day on the movie set at a house near the Stone Mountain Women's Club, Randy Michael Testa, vice president of education and professional development for Walden Media, talked about the importance of a movie like "Watsons."
"This is an opportunity to teach young people about the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is more accessible than reading about it in a text book," Testa said. "We are committed to family entertainment with a message."
Testa said he and Walden also are working with The Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama to adapt their curriculum on teaching about the Civil Rights Movement in conjunction with the Watsons' movie. This will help school teachers use the film to teach about the Civil Rights Movement, he said.
The educational materials will be loaded on the Walden Media website, including some of the movie's storyboards by Brian McKissick, Testa said. "This will help teachers show students that you have to imagine things before you can do them," he said.
Without giving the whole movie away for those who have not read the book, here's what the press release says:
"So the Watsons load up the 1948 Plymouth Brown Bomber outfitted with a true tone Ultra-Glide turntable and head South with plenty of comedy en route. When they
finally make it to Birmingham, they meet Grandma Sands and her friend, Mr. Robert (David Alan Grier), who show them around town and the Watsons discover that life is very different there than in Flint – and not necessarily for the better."
Tonya Lee, wife of filmmaker Spike Lee, said she was invited to come on board for the movie by her co-executive producer Nikki Silver.
"I was familiar with the book because my child read it in school," she said. "I thought this would be a great project to bring to the screen." This is her first time producing, and she said she is excited about the opportunity.
Also visiting the set were Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and the Rev. C.T. Vivian. The Watsons' book received the Newberry and Coretta Scott King awards.
Director Leon, known for his support of projects with a message, is directing a feature-length film for a third time. His other TV film projects include "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Steele Magnolias."
Watsons is scheduled to be telecast on the Hallmark Channel on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.
(Photos: 1 - Bernice King (second from left) stands with actors Anika Noni Rose, La Tanya Richardson and ADW Publisher M. Alexis Scott on the movie set in Stone Mountain. 2 - Bernice King (second from right), CEO of The King Center and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, visits the set of “The Watsons Go to Birmingham” with co-producers Nikki Silver (left) and Tonya Lewis
Lee (right) and Walden Media Founder and President Micheal Flaherty. 3 - Randy Michael Testa, vice president of education and professional development for Walden Media, stands on the movie set with Bernice King, CEO of The King
Center and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Photos by M. Alexis Scott and Brian McKissick)
- Created on 08 May 2013
Charles Ramsey: ‘I Don’t Want Media Attention, I’m Just an American’
Anyone looking for Cleveland hero, Charles Ramsey, to be the next Sweet Brown or Antoine Dodson, is in for a huge disappointment, because he has no interest in being famous, reports Mediate.com.
Ramsey has been catapulted to instant fame in the wake of his heroic rescue of Amanda Berry, 27, which led to the rescues of Gina Dejesus, 23, and Michelle
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- Created on 03 May 2013
Atlanta Jazz Festival Turns '31 Days of Jazz' Into Citywide Celebration
"Atlanta is going to be alive with jazz throughout the entire month of May," states Camille Russell Love, Director of the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. "Neighborhood parks, museums, restaurants, clubs and even MARTA stations are going to be hosting musical performances and parties for this year's '31 Days of Jazz.' We've got something for every musical taste...from mellow Friday afternoon concerts at Atlantic Station to the hip-hop and neo soul stylings of Dionne Farris and Russell Gunn at the Late Night Jazz Concert. We invite you to get out and explore the city, make some new friends, and be part of this year's Atlanta Jazz Festival."
Here are some of the highlights of "31 Days of Jazz." Many of the events are free, but some are ticketed and there is an admission charge. For more details visit our web site, www.atlantafestivals.com.
May 1 @ Centennial Olympic Park from 5:30-8 pm: Wednesday WindDown hosted by WRFG 89.3 FM featuring Alex Lattimore, the Terence Harper Quintet and the ATL Brass Connection. Free admission.
May 2 @ Café Circa starting at 7 pm: Dinner and Jazz in a casually elegant atmosphere. Great date night!
May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ Atlantic Station: Enjoy brown bag Fridays in Central Park from 11 am to 2 pm while listening to live Jazz performances!
May 4 @ John A. White Park from 3-9 pm. Neighborhood Jazz concert hosted by Atlanta City Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms, featuring music by JFly, J. Henry, J.O. Wyatt & Mays-Young Jazztet.
May 5 @ Gordon White Park from 4-8 pm. Neighborhood Jazz concert hosted by Atlanta City Councilmember Cleta Winslow, featuring music by Chandra Currelley and Eric Thomas.
May 6, 13 & 20 @ various MARTA stations around the city from 3:30-5:30 pm. Enjoy live music during your afternoon commute!
May 7, 14, 21 & 28 @ Aurum Lounge presents "Elevated Jazz Tuesdays" from 8:30-11:30 pm featuring live jazz, special $5 martinis and more.
May 16 @ Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts "Jazz In The Garden" from 6-9 pm. Mix and mingle at the most beautiful cocktail party in the city! Members get in free, admission for non-members is $18.95.
May 18 @ Grove Park from 4-8 pm. Neighborhood Jazz concert hosted by Atlanta City Councilmember Felicia Moore, featuring music by Lemonade Jones and Saxman Antonio Bennett.
May 19 @ Churchill Grounds from 7-11 pm. "A Tribute to Miles Davis" is hosted by WRFG 89.3 FM and features music by David Potter & Friends. Admission is $15.
May 23 @ Acoustix from 6-10 pm enjoy dinner and live jazz. Meet friends for a lively evening of fun!
May 24 @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre from 7:30-11 pm enjoy jazz under the stars featuring BWB, with special guest Chrisette Michele. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.
May 26 @ Loews Atlanta Hotel in midtown from 10 pm-2 am experience the Late Night Jazz Concert with Dionne Farris and the Russell Gunn Quartet. Tickets are available at www.ticketalternative.com.
May 25-27 @ historic Piedmont Park from 1 – 11 pm daily hear music on two stages featuring some of today's most innovative new artists like José James, Gretchen Parlato, Aruán Ortiz, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dominick Farinacci, Aaron Diehl, Tia Fuller, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Julie Dexter and Ambrose Akinmusire. Admission is free.
May 31 @ Lee Street Park enjoy live jazz on the lawn beginning at 7 pm hosted by the City of Jonesboro. Admission is free.
Sponsors for this year's festival are PNC Bank, The Coca-Cola Company, the Georgia Lottery, Celebrity Cruises, Publix Super Markets, Bank of America, England Piano, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Federal Home Loan Bank-ATL, MARTA, Loews Atlanta Hotel and id8. Media partners include: the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, Atlanta Daybook, Candid Jazz Blast, Black Enterprise, iRock Jazz, atlantajazz.info, 1380 News & Talk WAOK, V-103, In Contact, Atlanta Inquirer, Atlanta Tribune, JS108-atlanta.com, Majic 107.5, JazzTimes, Rolling Out, WOWNOW and WRFG 89.3 FM.
The 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural organization whose mission is to educate and entertain a diverse audience of jazz fans and to nurture the next generation of jazz musicians. Join us on Facebook at AtlantaJazzFestival , download our new mobile app for iPhone and Android, and visit the official web site at www.atlantafestivals.com for the latest schedules, news and information.
- Created on 06 May 2013
Atlanta Funeral Scheduled For Kris Kross Rapper Chris Kelly
(AP) — Funeral services are planned next week in Atlanta for former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly, who was found dead in his home from a possible drug overdose.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta confirmed Saturday that it will hold a public viewing for Kelly throughout the afternoon and evening Wednesday. A funeral service has been
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- Created on 03 May 2013
Debts, Drugs, Messy Bedroom Highlighted in Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Trial
(CNN) -- A lawyer for Michael Jackson's family seemed satisfied as he left the Los Angeles courthouse after the first week of the pop star's wrongful death trial.
"There's a long way to go and we hope the evidence supports -- and we believe it does -- that Dr. (Conrad) Murray was unfit for the job he was hired to do," attorney Brian Panish said. "He was financially motivated and was in serious financial straits."
Jackson's mother and three children are suing AEG Live, contending the concert promoter is liable in the pop icon's death because it hired, retained and/or supervised Murray, the doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Murray's fatal treatment of Jackson with the surgical anesthetic the coroner ruled killed him was the result of the doctors' financial desperation and pressure from AEG executives to have Jackson ready for rehearsals for his comeback tour, Jackson lawyers argue.
AEG contends it was Jackson who chose and controlled Murray, not its executives. The company had no way of knowing what treatments the doctor was giving the singer, who it said was an expert at keeping his "deepest, darkest secret"
The trial's first witness was a paramedic who arrived at Jackson's home at 12:26 p.m. on June 25, 2009 to find a man who he initially thought was a hospice patient who had died after a long illness. Jackson lawyers see that description as support for their argument that AEG execs should have realized the frailty of Jackson's health.
The second witness was the Los Angeles Police detective who led the investigation of Jackson's death. Orlando Martinez arrived at court Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday wearing a black cowboy hat, which he said is not part of his uniform as a homicide investigator, but "the chief tolerates it."
The trial is off until Monday, when the coroner's toxicologist will give scientific testimony about the drugs found in Jackson's body after his autopsy. The doctor who conducted the autopsy will follow on the witness stand.
When AEG Live first talked to Murray about working as Michael Jackson's tour doctor, he asked for $5 million for a year. Now we know why.
Court records and credit reports showed Murray was at least $1 million in debt, including delinquent taxes, defaulted student loans, unpaid child support and a defaulted mortgage. His Las Vegas home, which had dropped in value by $500,000, was in foreclosure and his medical clinic was being evicted from an office building, according to records introduced as evidence in the trial.
Murray's chances of catching up financially became an achievable goal when AEG Live agreed to pay him $150,000 a month. Before that, his monthly expenses totaled $2,700 more than his income, according to one document.
Martinez testified that he concluded this was a major incentive for Murray to "break the rules, bend the rules, to do whatever he needed to do to get paid."
Jackson lawyers contend AEG could have at least run a credit check on Murray before giving him the responsibility of caring for Michael Jackson. It should have been a red flag warning that he would put his paycheck above his Hippocratic Oath.
The Jackson death trial jury broke out into laughter at the oddest time Thursday -- when Panish asked Martinez about another Murray patient who died under his care.
A Las Vegas man called Los Angeles police to tell them about how he thought Murray's negligence caused his father's death. The man said he didn't file a medical malpractice suit because Nevada law discouraged him.
Panish: "You learned Conrad Murray wasn't sued for malpractice, but he had killed someone else?" (The jury laughs.)
Panish: "You learned that Dr. Murray had caused the wrongful death of someone else?"
Martinez: "Yes."
AEG's lawyer brought out a document showing the coroner ruled the man's death was from natural causes -- a heart attack.
Martinez also testified that Murray had been suspended from hospitals three times in the decade before Jackson's death. The loss of hospital privileges in one case was because he failed to promptly respond to a phone call when he was on call. The others appeared to be based on failure to follow record keeping procedures.
Elvis' ghost haunts Jackson trial
Jackson lawyers will argue that a background check on Murray by AEG executives would have revealed these and served as red flag warnings that he should not be Jackson's tour doctor. AEG lawyer will contend they had no way of knowing.
'One Jackson' policy
Only one of Katherine Jackson's eight sons and daughters can sit with her in court at one time, the judge ruled this week. Unlike in Murray's criminal trial when all of the Jacksons filled a courtroom bench at times, the family will have just two seats throughout the civil trial.
The limit was imposed because all of the Jacksons -- with the exception of Marlon -- are on AEG's witness list. AEG lawyers objected when they saw Randy and Rebbie sitting with their mother as the first witnesses testified. There is "a risk in allowing any of them in the courtroom," an AEG lawyer argued. The risk is their own testimony would be influenced by hearing the testimony of others, she said.
Panish successfully argued that at least one should be allowed to sit with their 82-year-old mother, who plans to be in court each day -- except for the gruesome medical testimony about her son's autopsy.
"I think Mrs. Jackson should have at least one support person in the court room," he said.
The Jacksons star power could influence jurors who sit just a few feet away from them in the tiny courtroom.
AEG lawyers plan to call Janet, Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, La Toya, Rebbie and Randy Jackson to testify about their failed attempts to intervene with Michael Jackson's drug addiction and their lack of knowledge about what was happening to him. Only brother Marlon Jackson is not on the defense witness list.
AEG is trying to show that Jackson was able to deceive even those close to him about his drug use, which helps their argument that executives with the concert promoter could not have known about it.
The lawsuit contends that even if the executives didn't know about Murray's dangerous treatments, they should have.
Katherine Jackson told investigators that her family "attempted several interventions and she had spoken to her son about possible problems with drugs herself," Martinez testified Thursday. "He denied having a problem."
An intervention at Jackson's Neverland ranch, organized by sister Janet, failed because "Michael didn't want to participate," Martinez said.
The Los Angeles mansion where Michael Jackson died was clean and neat, except for Jackson's bedroom, according to Martinez. Jurors saw police photos taken hours after the pop icon's death, showing disorganized closets, cardboard boxes lining the hallway and a general mess throughout.
AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam spent several minutes questioning Martinez about the messiness. During the lunch break, the Jacksons' lawyer joked to reporters that Putnam has succeeded in proving Michael Jackson was messy.
Back in court, Panish asked the detective: "Is there anywhere in the penal code that says if you have a messy room that's against the law?" The jury thought that was funny and laughed.
Panish: "You've come across scenes that had a messy room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "And that's an indication that someone is not doing well, that their health is bad and they can't clean the room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "There were moving boxes in the room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "Did you know he was planning to go to England? Within a week or two he was leaving that residence?"
Martinez: "Yes."
When Martinez walked into the upstairs master bedroom,, he found the gas fireplace was burning, the television was on and music coming from the CD player. Except for Murray, "only the chef who can drop off food at the door" was allowed upstairs, he testified.
