- Created on 09 April 2013
Aretha Franklin to Headline Gospelfest on May 11
The “Queen of Soul” will return to her gospel roots to perform at the 30th Annual McDonald’s Gospelfest on May 11 in Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center.
Aretha Franklin’s road to legendary stardom began at a young age at the pulpit of her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin’s New Bethel Baptist Church. Considered a child prodigy whose musical skills were largely self-taught, Franklin came by her talent naturally as her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was also a gospel singer.
She further flowered under the influence of gospel luminaries such as Clara Ward, Mahalia Jackson and the Rev. James Cleveland, whom she met while singing in her father’s traveling revival show.
Marquee gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, and Cissy Houston will also grace the Gospelfest stage, while Bishop T.D. Jakes will preach.
McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corp. and the McDonald’s Tri-State Owner/Operator Association. Produced and directed by Emmy Award winning producer A. Curtis Farrow, the annual gospel music festival and talent competition features more than a thousand performers each year and has become known as one of the nation’s preeminent celebrations of the genre in all its expressions, including dance and poetry.
The event also raises funds to support education opportunities within local communities via scholarships.
Tickets can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster by calling 800.745.3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, call the McDonald’s Gospelfest Hotline at 973.643.6262. Competition will begin at 3 p.m.; the headliner performance will begin at 6 p.m.
- Created on 09 April 2013
Chris Rock Joining Cast of BET's 'Real Husbands of Hollywood'
Chris Rock a Real House Husband?
BET’s "Real House Husbands of Hollywood" will have Chris Rock join the show in its second season, according to HipHollywood.
“I just watched the show and it just seemed like they were having so much fun. I said, ‘I want to have fun,’” said Rock.
The reality show spoof of the Real Housewives franchise current cast members include: Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, JB Smoove and Robin Thicke, who will be replaced by Rock next season.
It is also being reported that Anthony Anderson will join the cast at the end of this season.
- Created on 08 April 2013
Snoop Lion: 'Gays Will be Tough to Accept in Rap World'
For as long as people can remember, there has always been a perception of homosexuality and hip hop not being hand in hand (pun intended). Based on the lyrics and overall machismo displayed, there is no doubt an issue with rappers accepting gays.
Snoop Lion just recently reconfirmed the feelings a lot of rappers have been expressing for years. And not to say he doesn’t accept gay people, he just feels that hip hop is similar to football in that it won’t be widely accepted.
When asked about singer Frank Ocean coming out last year, he states, “Frank Ocean ain’t no rapper. He’s a singer. It’s acceptable in the singing world, but in the rap world I don’t know if it will ever be acceptable because rap is so masculine.”
Read more at TMZ
- Created on 08 April 2013
City of Atlanta Prepares for Annual Jazz Festival
Throughout the month of May, the City of Atlanta will celebrate the 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Armed with the theme “Generation Next,” the festival will showcase some of the most innovative, up-and-coming artists like José James, Gretchen Parlato, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dominick Farinacci, Aaron Diehl, Tia Fuller, Jacob Deaton, Julie Dexter and Ambrose Akinsurire.
The 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.
The festivals organizers are also excited to introduce new artists like Alexandra Jackson and give youth jazz bands their first big break.
The festival is slated to begin on May 1 and will conclude with three days of music over Memorial Day Weekend. Audiences will enjoy concerts in clubs, museums and parks throughout the city of Atlanta. The festival will feature various types of jazz ranging from Latin jazz to swing to traditional straight-ahead and even Afro-Cuban jazz enlivened with neo-soul and R&B.
Concerts and activities for this year’s festival include 31 Days of Jazz, Neighborhood Jazz Series, Concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre with special guest Chrisette Michele, Late Night Jazz Concert featuring Dionne Farris with The Russell Gunn Quartet, Youth Jazz Band Competition, AJF36 at Piedmont Park starring Rudresh Mahanthappa, Uri Gurvich, Aruán Ortiz, Ginou, Rio Negro, Miguel Zenón and Cécile McLorin Salvant and Jazz Education Workshops.
For more information about the festival, visit www.atlantafestivals.com.
- Created on 07 April 2013
Florida Representatives Call For Investigation Into Jay-Z, Beyonce Anniversary Trip To Cuba
Conservative representatives from Florida are calling for an investigation into Jay-Z and Beyonce’s unexpected trip to Cuba, reports the NYDailyNews.
The couple was reportedly in the country to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary last week; but with the strict restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart
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