Motown Launches Casting Call for Actors to Play Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson

By Adam Hetrick

Producers of the upcoming Broadway musical Motown are launching a nationwide casting search for African-American actors to portray young versions of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder as well as such music legends as Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

In addition to a previously launched online casting campaign, the creative team has announced open auditions in Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City in advance of Motown's Broadway debut this spring at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The musical is based on the life of record mogul Berry Gordy.

The casting breakdown is seeking one actor between the ages of 8 and 11 with a "phenomenal high tenor" voice who can sing and move like Jackson at 10-years-old, during his Jackson 5 days and also portray 11-year-old Stevie Wonder and a pre-teen Gordy himself, described as a "bit of a hustler and bit of a dreamer."

In addition, adult actors are being sought to portray the physical and vocal likenesses of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. An additional African-American actor with a low bass range (solid low C) and female African-American singers who can cover the songs of Diana Ross are also being sought during these calls.

Auditions will take place in Detroit and New York City on Nov. 3; followed by Los Angeles on Nov. 10; Chicago on Nov. 18; and Atlanta on Dec. 1.
Click here for more information on the auditions. Online submissions are also being accepted.

Gordy, who also authored the book to Motown, is producing the musical along with Tony winner Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, Avenue Q) and Sony Music CEO Doug Morris. The jukebox musical will begin Broadway previews March 11, 2013, towards an April 14, 2013, opening.

Charles Randolph-Wright will direct Motown, which will be studded with songs made famous by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five.

Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys) and Valisia LeKae (Ragtime, The Book of Mormon) will co-star as Gordy and Diana Ross, respectively.

The musical promises "a gripping story about the protégés and stars of a uniquely talented musical family who, under Berry Gordy's guidance, began as 'the Sound of Young America' and went on to become some of the greatest superstars of all time."

Tilt by George Faison at Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance Festival

By Walter Rutledge

The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center began their 36 annual choreographic showcase on Sunday June 17. The three-day dance series, Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance Festival is being held at the Kumble Theater on the downtown Brooklyn campus of Long Island University. The series will present eight choreographers and dance companies spotlighting three works each night.

The opening night was a celebration of both the past and the future, offering works by emerging and established choreographers. Sidra Bell Dance New York presented an excerpt from Nudity entitled sink slowly, sink deep. Jonathan Campbell performed the extended solo with control and presence.

The simple costume of black short tights, a dark leotard and black socks combined with the colorless clear lights gave the work a stark, stripped down look. There was a surreal, almost monochromatic look and feel about the work that created an inner tension in Campbell. The floor mounted white lights placed in front of the stage intensified the imagery by producing a shadow of the dancer on the colorless backdrop.

The movement shifted between expansive jumps, extensions and battlements, to center generated upper body isolations. Arm and hand gestures, and exaggerated facial expressions completed the eerie feeling. These were repeated and varied throughout the work creating a gestural language with the audience.

The Philadelphia based modern dance company Danse4Nia presented an excerpt from Hollie E. Wrights’ Standing In My Skin. The female trio consisting of began the dance dressed in beige belted trench coats. As the dance developed the belt was removed, then one sleeve. The partially removed trench coat at one point moved around the performers like a cape.

The work revealed different levels of trust and solidarity between the performers. The dancers would break unison passages with one dancer usually forming the apex of a triangle as if she was telling her story. There were supported movements in which the dancers shared and shifted each others weight. These supportive moments were not quite lifts, but gave the appearance of bonding and a collective and shared angst.

In the final section choreographer Wright was able to create a peaceful and pleasant resolution. The movement and presentation had an affirming quality, and there was a clear sisterhood. The work ended with the dancers throwing the trench coats downstage in an overt act of defiance.

The evening closed with a new incarnation of Tilt by Tony and Emmy Award winning choreographer George Faison. This new rendition on Faison’s 1973 classic dance theatre work featured new costumes, projections and an expanded cast. What is most gratifying is that the thirty-nine year old ballet has retained a freshness and vibrancy that has kept it current.

Faison has amalgamated ballet, modern, jazz and popular dance and set it to a great music score of songs by the Jackson 5, Labelle and Ashford and Simpson. The result is a fast paced, high energy, and visually stimulating work. The colorful and futuristic video projections of a pinball machine integrated into the story perfectly, and complement the neon wigs and florescent colored costumes on the women.

Tilt’s outer premise is a pinball game featuring three women performed by Chloe’ O. Davis, Paunika Jones and Hollie E. Wright. The underlining story is about love, heartbreak, inner strength, and unity. This was accomplished through a series of female solos and group dances.

Three male dancers Justin S.M. Bryant, Nijawwon Matthews, and Devin L. Roberts have replaced the set, which consisted of three pinball bumpers. This addition extended the male dance roles, which originally was confined to a few brief non-dance passages in the opening and closing sections.

In many respects Tilt was the most youthful work on the program. This is due in part to the playful and unpretenous nature of the work, coupled with strong choreography and compositional structure. Tilt will be performed again on the closing day of the festival on Wednesday June 20.

The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center’s Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance Festival continues on Tuesday June 19. Dance Sons of Brooklyn will present works by three emerging male Brooklyn based choreographers Germaul Barnes, Jamal Jackson and Malcolm Low.  The Wednesday June 20 performance will feature DANCE IQUAL, Francesca Harper Project, and a reprise of George Faison’s Tilt, both performance are at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 and $12 for students and seniors, and may be purchased at the Kumble Theater box office, 718-488-1624, and online at www.kumbletheater.org.

Harlem World Radio Interview with Sidra Bell and Alex Smith Jr. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/harlemworld/2012/06/17/hw-radio-pod-show-with-walters-world-on-live-day-1#.T9tVWqcCsAo.email

In Photo: 1) Devin L. Roberts, Justin S.M. Bryant, Nijawwon Matthews, Paunika Jones and Hollie E. Wright 2) Jonathan Campbell 3) Cindy Logan, Jamey L. Rislin, and Blythe Smith 4) George Faison and Tilt cast 5) Devin L. Paunika Jones, Roberts, Justin S.M. Bryant, and Nijawwon Matthews,

Photo Credit: 1- 4) Agnes E. Green 5) Rodney Hurley

We Remember The King of POP

MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING of POP

We Remember the Time

Your 10 Personal Favorite Michael Jackson Songs

By Waddie Grant

www.worldwidewaddie.com

With the one-year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, a.k.a. The King Of Pop, looming tomorrow, I wanted to share with you all my ten personal favorite songs of Mr. Jackson.

Above all artists, his musical has been one of the most influential as far as how I want to express my own creativity. His trend-setting, thinking outside-the-box and social awareness significantly affected the music industry positively, and my creativity has been affected as well. I admired his perfection. I feel the emotions he spews in my favorite tunes of his. The upbeat tempos bring up my spirits where I want to dance whenever I hear them. Ultimately, Jackson’s music takes me onto an imaginary journey where I visualized my own visual soundtrack to his music.

Thus, these ten songs below are the Michael Jackson tunes I will never grow out of loving.

10. “In The Closet” (Dangerous album, 1992)

I love the New Jack Swing era of Michael Jackson. That kind of rhythm with one of Jackson’s sexiest lyrics and music videos kept me jammin’ for a long time. Also, this song has that extended instrumentation that was popular in the 80′s and 90′s that keep us party people dancing.

9.”Heal The World” (Dangerous album, 1992)

…

8.”Break Of Dawn” (Invincible album, 2002)

When I first listened to Invincible album, I remember loving every second of the album because I was glad that Michael finally released new music since his 1995 HIStory album. Immediately after, I realized how dated the album sounded, but this song stood out to me. I remember creating this beautiful imagery in my head of a beautiful, sunny morning atmosphere with the one I would love.

7.”They Don’t Care About Us” (HIStory album, 1996)

There are many sides of Michael that I love, and his militant side is what I appreciate the most. His pro-Black and caring for the world approach in his music about social injustice makes his catalog of music stand out above all other artists. I love singing the lyrics of this tune when I feel militant-minded. I even love the music video with Jackson protesting with the poor residents of Brazil.

6.”Ain’t No Sunshine” (Got To Be There album, 1972)

Who knew that a 14 year old male pop singer could sing a song with so much soul as Michael did with this remake of this Bill Withers classic? His vocal dynamics of this heart-wrenching soulful ballad made me feel the melancholy anguish of the lyrics. His rendition outperforms the vocal talents of his contemporaries twice his age.

5.”Got To Be There” (Got To Be There album, 1971)

I first fell in love with Chaka Khan’s remake of this tune before I even knew that Michael was the original singer from a decade prior. When I learned that revelation, I’m thinking Chaka’s version had to make Michael’s forgettable. Fortunately, I was wrong. Like “Ain’t No Sunshine,” I could not picture a young male teen singing his soul out like a seasoned adult performer about such experience a teen may be too young to endure. At that point, I realized Michael was able to sing anything at any age.

4.”Scream” (Naughty Pretty Pella remix) featuring Janet Jackson & Treach (HIStory album, 1995)

The pairing of Michael and his equally popular sister Janet made me go bananas on this tune. I admit that I was enamored with the high-tech music video more than the song’s album version until I heard the official remix with Treach of Naughty By Nature. The rock and neo-soul groove of the remix is one of my favorite instrumentations I have ever listened.

3.”Billie Jean” (Thriller album, 1993)

What is not to love about this tune? The bassline beat is the hottest. Jackson’s moonwalk changed the game of stage performance and became a legend instantly. The subject matter was ahead of its time, especially for a R&B/pop singer. I didn’t even understand what the lyrics were about. I was seven years old at that time. Regardless, I enjoy the song now as much as I did then.

2.”Man In The Mirror” (Bad album, 1988)

The humanitarian in Michael Jackson is what I will always admire most about his legacy. I remember being in middle singing this song all the time and realizing for the first time how I could be more socially aware especially about communities and countries who really need the help and love that I have been blessed to have.

1.”Remember The Time” (Dangerous album, 1992)

Hands down, this is my favorite song to perform at karaoke. I remember at first listen when I was 15 years how this song made me want to dance. The song could never get out of my head either…and that was before the video came out with all that Black star power and the hottest choreography of that era. When I got the Teddy Riley extended remix of this song, I fell in love with this song much more. I wish I had the talent of dancing because I would create the hottest choreography for this.

From this list you would think that Dangerous is my favorite Jackson album, but Thriller is really my favorite. What are your favorite Michael Jackson songs and albums?

Makossa with Manu

Manu Dibango, born Emmanuel Dibango N'Djoké on December 12, 1933 in Douala, Cameroon is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player. He developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk and traditional Cameroonian music. He is a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, though his mother was a Duala. He is best remembered for his afrobeat single "Soul Makossa", often considered the first disco record.

He was a member of the seminal Congolese rumba group

African Jazz, and has collaborated with many other musicians, including Fania All Stars, Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Don Cherry, and Sly and Robbie. In 1998 he recorded the album CubAfrica with Cuban artist Eliades Ochoa.

The song of the same name on that record contains the lyrics "makossa", which means "(I) dance" in his native tongue, the

Cameroonian language, Duala). It has influenced several popular music hits, including; Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", as well as his re-recording of that song with Akon, The Fugees' "Cowboys", and Rihanna’s "Don't Stop the Music". The 1982 parody song "Boogie In Your Butt" by comedian Eddie Murphy interpolates Soul Makossa's bassline and horn charts while "Butt Naked Booty Bless" by 1990s hip hop group Poor Righteous Teachers heavily samples its musical bridge and drum patterns.

He served as the first chairman of the Cameroon Music Corporation, with a high profile in disputes about artists' royalties. Dibango was appointed a

UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004.

His song "Reggae Makossa" is featured on the soundtrack to the 2006 video game Scarface: The World Is Yours.

'We Are The World 25 for Haiti' Vs. The 1985 Original

By Mike Ryan

Last Friday night, during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, a new version of 'We Are the World' was unleashed upon, well, the world, in an effort to raise money for Hatian earthquake relief. The original song, released in 1985, raised money and awareness for humanitarian aid in Africa. That original song went on to become a powerhouse of cultural significance. The new version? The cause is clearly just, but it's significance to popular culture remains to be seen. So, we decided to make a verse by verse comparison for each artist in the original version to those in the remake and see how they match up.

New Remake

- Lionel Richie vs. Justin Bieber

Normally, we'd be a bit cynical here -- a 15-year-old teenage Canadian pop star taking over for Richie, who was riding high with 'Can't Slow Down' at the time of the original. But there is something haunting about Bieber's voice opening the song, plus Richie hand-picked Bieber to replace him. We were considering calling this a push until we also remembered Lionel was also directly involved in introducing the world to Nicole Richie.

Advantage: Bieber/2010

- Stevie Wonder vs. Jennifer Hudson

We'd be happy to hear Stevie Wonder sing the phone book, which we hear were actually quite useful back in 1985, so Hudson didn't stand much of a chance here. The Oscar-winning actress uses her "listen to my vocal range" singing voice, which reminds us of her attempt to stand out during Hollywood Week on 'American Idol.' She didn't get the memo that only Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion were allowed to do that.

Advantage: Wonder/1985

- Paul Simon vs. Jennifer Nettles

Nettles' gritty voice hits the mark. Simon's performance was fine, but it's hard not to think that poor Paul is about to be eaten by a Sasquatch when Kenny Rogers enters the frame.

Advantage: Nettles/2010

- Kenny Rogers vs. Josh Groban

The aforementioned Sasquatch (the white shirt he's wearing doesn't help) lays down some "hey, this is important"-type vocals, while Grobin just sounds like he's singing in his ironic 'I'm F**king Ben Affleck' tone. It's now impossible to distinguish Groban's serious voice from his pretending-to-be-serious voice.

Advantage: Sasquatch/1985

- James Ingram vs. Tony Bennett

The biggest shock in this match-up is that Tony Bennett actually appears in the 2010 version. For that reason alone...

Advantage: Bennett/2010

- Tina Turner and Billy Joel vs. Mary J. Blige

Blige appears ready to attend a 'Watchmen' costume party immediately following the recording session. The interesting thing about Tina Turner, who looks ready to break into 'Private Dancer' right there (and it would have been glorious), is that she hands it off to Billy Joel. It seems an odd pairing until you remember that Turner appeared with Bryan Adams in a duet of 'It's Only Love' on his 'Reckless' album. After Adams, this duet with Joel seems a lot less odd.

Advantage: Turner and Joel/1985

- Michael Jackson vs. Michael Jackson

In the second most odd moment of the new 'We Are the World,' archive footage of Michael Jackson is used from the original -- with his sister, Janet, superimposed on to the screen. It is oddly reminiscent of Jim McMahon in 'The Superbowl Shuffle.' In 1985, Jackson was already starting to look a little different. In 2010, the 1985 version of Michael Jackson is a welcome sight.

Advantage: Jackson/2010

- Diana Ross vs. Barbra Streisand

Now this is interesting: Two dueling divas from, roughly, the same era. Ross makes no attempt to memorize the words, reading from her lyric sheet. Streisand looks way too happy to be there, even though she's probably not happy at all. If this is a true battle of divas, the winner has to be the one acting like a diva.

Advantage: Ross/1985

- Dionne Warwick vs. Miley Cyrus

Warwick, through the Psychics Friends Network, once envisioned that, someday, there would be a man who sang a country hit called 'Achy Breaky Heart.' And, she envisioned, one day, that man's daughter would some day sing her part in this tune.

Advantage: Cyrus/2010

- Willie Nelson vs. Enrique Iglesias

Nelson once sang a duet with Enrique's father Julio called 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before.' That has little to do with this comparison, but the fact that Nelson gave an honest rendition with this man's father on a song with lyrics like, "To all the girls I once caressed/And may I say I've held the best..." speaks volumes.

Advantage: Nelson/1985

- Al Jarreau vs. Jamie Foxx

Jaime Foxx has an Oscar for playing Ray Charles (hold this thought) while Al Jarreau sang the theme song to the Bruce Willis television show 'Moonlighting.'

Advantage: Jarreau/1985

- Bruce Springsteen vs. Wyclef Jean

The Boss, in all of his 'Born in the U.S.A.' glory, overdoes his part to the point where he sounds like he's passing a kidney stone. (Full disclosure: We love Springsteen, just not on this song.) Springsteen is from New Jersey; Jean is from Haiti and sings a lyric in Haitian Creole.

Advantage: Jean/2010

- Kenny Loggins vs. Adam Levine

Neither artist really stands out on their given part, though Loggins did sing the theme song to 'Caddyshack,' so...

Advantage: Loggins/1985

- Steve Perry vs. Pink

Poor Pink. It's not an easy task to take over for the Journey front man who's been immortalized in every karaoke bar in the world. Plus, Perry once sang a duet with Kenny Loggins called 'Don't Fight It' ... and Loggins sang the theme song to 'Caddyshack.'

Advantage: Perry/1985

- Daryl Hall vs. BeBe Winans

Both give soulful renditions. We can't help but think John Oates always got the worst of this Hall & Oates "duo." Name one song that Oates sang. How is this a true duo? John Oates is at the 1985 recording, so why doesn't he get to be front and center with Hall? We feel Hall was in a position to pull some strings for his "partner" and chose not to do so.

Advantage: Winans/2010

- Huey Lewis vs. Usher

Poor Lewis and Usher. They were both given the thankless role of being the warm-up act for human dynamos Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion, respectively.

Advantage: Push

- Cyndi Lauper vs. Celine Dion

It's shocking how similar these two are in their respective videos. Shocking because, in human history, it's not often these two show up in the same sentence. Both nail the "Whoa, Whoa, whoa!" and both clinch their fists in triumph or, possibly, agony. Dion was given her own room. Lauper was perched between Lewis and Kim Carnes. The look on Carnes' face is priceless. "I have to follow, that?"

Advantage: Lauper/1985

- Kim Carnes vs. Fergie

Just like Huey Lewis and Usher, these two are only here so Lauper and Dion can catch their individual breaths and belt out one more "Yeah!"

Advantage: Lauper and Dion

- Bob Dylan vs. Lil Wayne

The biggest surprise when comparing these two versions is that Dylan and Lil Wayne sound eerily similar. But Dylan didn't need an electronic voice manipulator.

Advantage: Dylan/1985

- Ray Charles vs. LL Cool J., Will.i.am, Snoop Dog, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Iyaz, Kanye West.

After hearing the most shocking change between the two songs, somewhere, in this studio, Jaime Foxx had to be shaking his head while thinking, "You know, this rap just isn't quite right." He was probably also thinking his version of Charles, that won him an Oscar, may have proved the better choice here.

The BIGGEST STORY of 2009

MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON

aka THE KING of POP

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Beyonce's "Video Phone" Gets Slammed + More Pop Culture Gossip

Beyonce's new video for her song "Video Phone" has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. And that’s with no exception to anything. Not Madea Goes To Jail. Not "The Tiny and Toya Show." Not even Soul Plane.

The "Video Phone" clip which finds Beyoncé throwing her ass and breasts around like an average video ho and painting herself white ala Bettie Paige among a number of other ludicrous visuals is the most coonish thing I’ve seen since "Soulja Girl." I thought after [President] Obama took office shit like this was supposed to stop.

It’s not that the video, and it’s accompanying five minute jingle isn’t so much stupid as it is pointless and horribly juvenile. What the hell is this about? Is she promoting X-Tube membership? Rainbow apparel? I don’t get it. If BET still had a time slot for the uncut videos this would be on it round the clock.

Beyoncé is reaching and trying to hold onto whatever credibility as an “artist” she has left. This is overreaching. It’s not working. Someone told me she’s on her way to being a legend. I don’t see it. If she doesn’t switch it up soon Rihanna's going to eclipse her.

Read the rest of the story at Art Nouveau.

Also, check these out:

• Michael Jackson's "This Is It" DVD hits stores in January 2010 (Billboard)


• Traditional pop singer Susan Boyle smashes sales radio in the UK with debut album; while Rihanna's Rated R gets unnoticed. (Billboard)


• Transexual newspaper columnist for the L.A. Times died (365Gay)


• List of 2009's Best Albums (Art Nouveau)


• List of 2009's Best Songs (Art Nouveau)


• Rapper calls out Mase's sexuality and pastoral capabilities in new diss track (Hip-Hop Wired)

Front Row Fashion with TMCF

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) once again celebrated the spirit of innovation in fashion with a presentation of the collection of established and emerging African and Latino American fashion designers at Front Row, its 4th Annual Fashion Show on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

The show hosted by Actress & Comedian Sherri Shepherd, paid tribute to trailblazers in the fashion industry with its Fashion Icon Award, saluting individuals who have influenced style and fashion and embody the spirit of leadership and commitment to their craft to their craft. The 2009 honored this year were Supermodel Naomi Campbell; Celebrity Makeup Artist & Author Sam Fine; Emmy Award Winning Hairstylist Andre Walker and Fashion Institute of Technology President, Dr. Joyce F. Brown. The 2009 Avante Garde Award will be presented posthumously to the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson. Marlon Jackson accepted his award.

Sherri Shepherd

Design by Montgomery

Seven Brown & Marlon Jackson

Design by Amsale

Design by Bryon Lars

Bethann Hardison

Naomi Campbell

Emil Wilbekin & Sam Fine

Photos Courtesy of Dexstar G. The Peoples Photographer his blog

Notes from Nathan: We Are The Media

I am thrilled to have completed another edition of We Are The Media. I have to first thank my amazing team The Future. Richard, you are a genius, thank you for continuing to not let me give up. Dwight, you have been there with me from the beginning of all invention and right there along side me plotting our next move to take over the media. Cornelius, my longest standing partner, I love how you've grown. To our newest addition, Waddie, the man who came with a vision and chose The Future to grow with. For a new man in town you move fast, I like your style.

Be sure to share this video with your friends and family and support the events. As the weather changes, it's time to pull out those fall ensembles and show them off at a few cultural and social events. And now without further adieu...

LADIES & GENTLEMEN: WE ARE THE MEDIA

Zolra's Corner: Michael Jackson beats New Moon and Miley Cyrus

New Moon doesn't appear to be the only ticket in town. While the film based on the highly successful vampires novels is awaiting it's release, it looks like there is one movie that is going to be the best movie for the winter. It's opponent: Michael Jackson: This is It.

MovieTickets.com announced that the film already recorded more than 550 sellouts. Globally, Sony Pictures bragged about big business from Britain to Japan. Fandango said the concert movie was its new top-seller, ousting The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

The movie has been so many records, it is without a doubt that this movie will surpass it's $60 million budget on the first day of it's release. There are also expectations that this will become the highest grossing concert film of all time.

The highest grossing concert film of all time right now was released last year. It's Miley Cyrus's Best of Both Worlds Concert film.

The film was supposed to be a one week film. But once the film made $31 million dollar opening weekend, they kept the film in theaters for a few more weeks, and the film went on to gross $71 million dollars worldwide.

While it's still early, This Is It is on track to top Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. During its first three days of sales, Fandango said, Jackson's film outpaced Cyrus' first three days by a wide three-to-one margin.

Looks like Miley Cyrus can't hold the record forever, and New Moon looks like it has a movie to compete with. Even though these films are pop phenoms, it can't beat the pop phenom.

Notes from Nathan: Let it Reign

fter one month, we have nearly reached our goal of having 3,000 hits to our site. One thing about goals is that you get to set them. If you reach them FANTASTIC! If you don't, it's not the end of the world. You get to set a new goal and strive to accomplish it. We at The Future aim to provide you with a wide variety of information to choose from when you visit our site. We bring fresh, new and innovative to your online experience.

2009 is almost complete! Have you reached the goals you set for yourself at the top of the year? There is an amazing buzz going around that 2010 is going to be a major year so get ready! Be sure to take time to appreciate the little things. Listen to the wind. Help an elderly person across the street. Watch children play. Visit a friend.

This past weekend I got a chance to catch up with an old friend. Karen Minors. Karen and I have been friends since college. We realized this weekend that 7/7/07 was a significant day for us. She got married on that day and I completed a relationship. Wow. Just typing that brought up interesting memories and a few tears. Now why she and I are just learning this about each other is beyond me but it was great to see her. I am wooing her into becoming a contributor. Wish me luck. She's an amazing writer!

Have an amazing month and be sure to tell a friend about The Future.

Have a Sevenly Day!

Dwight’s Top 10 VMA Moments

10. Red Carpet Pre Show, can we please get some more energy on the carpet by the hosts? OMG can we get DJ Baker, B Scott, Nathan 7 Scott??? Somebody!!!!

9. Shakira and Pink wearing the same dress. Pink defiantly wore it better though.

8.Why was Solange performing during commercial break and those guys who I don’t know who they are were performing live for DJ AM.

7. Pink arriving with the NYC Fire Department!

6. Pink did an amazing performance the best of the night, clearly my one of my favorites, please just make me understand why can she show her breast; however Janet’s wardrobe malfunction was an issue?

5. Taylor Swift’s performance on the F train up to the street with the many MTV extras was soooo cute, I just want to make sure she used hand sanitizer the subway has lots of germs.

4. Kanye West rudely going on stage to announce that Beyonce’ deserved the award over Taylor Swift, when clearly Taylor had 100% of the country vote and Beyonce’ had to split the pop vote with the other nominees.

3. Beyonce giving up her moment in accepting her award for Video of the Year and allowing Taylor on stage to finish her acceptance speech. Beyonce’ is the definition of class, I know many may think that the incident should be my #1 but I think we should highlight the positive.

2. A real tribute to Michael finally happened and MTV gave it to him!!! Janet did a wonderful job and I know her brother was smiling down from heaven! Maybe MTV will support her music now as well.

1. THE VMA’S RETURNING TO NEW YORK CITY!!!!