Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Tables Will Turn on HIV/AIDS" Premiere

Tables Will Turn on HIV/AIDS

by Jerol Huggins-Jackson

by Jerol Huggins-Jackson

Jems Theater Company and Heat Wave Productions have collaborated to present a special North American tour of the hit Caribbean play “Tables Will Turn”. The tour opens in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, 22nd January, 2011 at the Brooklyn Music School Play House – 126 St. Felix Street between Hanson Place and Lafayette Avenue.

After the New York performance, tour dates will be announced for Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Washington DC, Toronto and Montreal.

Part proceeds from the staging of the play will be donated to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. The funds will be handed to the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Organization.

The organization provides direct services to Caribbean populations who are especially vulnerable to HIV infection or to those who are often forgotten in the access to treatment and healthcare programmes. The idea for the contribution was born out of the realization that Third World regions are at a serious disadvantage in the global fight against HIV/AIDS due to low finances. Hence the two companies thought they would position themselves to make a needed contribution, starting with the opening of their North American tour in New York dubbed “An Evening at the Theater for A Cause”.

The play “Tables Will Turn” is poignant, funny and thoroughly entertaining. It depicts the everyday struggles of a Caribbean woman who is dependent on her siblings and other family members living in the Diaspora. She critiques the world, including the people she is dependent upon when she is faced with the unthinkable that may unfold out of a relationship reeked with lies betrayal and ultimately death. The play is intriguing, mind blogging and provocatively entertaining.

The cast which consists of a lineup of celebrated Caribbean actors and actresses is under the guidance of legendary Vincentian playwright and director Jerol Huggins-Jackson. They have performed the hit play to sold out audiences in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Miami and the Caribbean receiving thunderous applauses.

For general information call 1-347-692-9428 or 1-786-246-2684. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com. More details on the event’s beneficiary can be obtained by visiting www.cvccoalition.org.

A.A+W

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BET Honors Beauty IMAN for It's 4th Annual Event

On Saturday the 4th Annual BET Honors was hosted by Gabrielle Union. Celebration of special contributions of the six honorees in the arts and culture, the award show was a 2 hour event. Before the big show, the celebrities were on the red carpet of the BET Honors 2011 showing off their threads.

This inspirational award show which highlights distinguished African Americans performing at exceptional levels in their fields will premiere during Black History Month. The 2011 award ceremony were Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts), Jamie Foxx (Entertainer), Iman (Service), Linda Johnson Rice (Media), Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts), and historian Lonnie G. Bunch (Education).

Take a look at the red carpet of the 4th Annual BET Honors. The celebrities appear to be delighted to be part of the evening. The BET Honors will be on BET Channel on Monday, February 21 at 9:00 pm. Red Carpet Photos - Here

Iman's hair courtesy of Celebrity Hairstylist Oscar James at www.OscarJames.com

Happy Martin Luther King Day!!! -- Dare to DREAM

By Maurice Jamal

Today is set aside as a holiday of remembrance for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his tireless work for equality, civil rights and justice. As national and world events occur, one might take a moment and wonder about the current condition of peace, freedom and liberty.

Often when people speak of Dr. King, they discuss "the dream". Not only his landmark speech on civil rights, but the essence and content of his dream. I was reminded today that dreams are limitless. There are no boundaries, hurdles, fears or obstacles that can stand in our way. And dreams are not a child's folly. They are the power of the human spirit reminding us that we can rise above the obvious and move towards the great. Dreams make the impossible, possible.

The work each of us does everyday is part of this dream. It moves us towards a world where equality, acceptance, peace and justice are the norms and not the exceptions. Where regardless of background and sexual orientation, people are not only free to love, live and pursue their liberty, they are encouraged and supported to do so.

This year brought both highs and lows for our community; from the victory of DADT to youth suicides that shook us to our core. And each of you has made a fundamental difference for good in this march towards equity.

A dream is more than an idea, it is permission. It allows someone the ability to craft a world that has everything they could want and desire. It emboldens them to say not only "I can" but "I will" and most importantly "I am".

When we struggle, fight and are working to survive, remember that there are men, women and young people across this country who look at the work you do. They see YOU as evidence that their dream has merit. Your talent, work, dedication and perseverance make a difference. Everyday.

GLO TV may appear to be a digital television network. But it is so much more than that.

It is the dreams of people in small towns, church congregations, school campuses and homes across this nation, who often need a voice to speak for them, an ear to hear them, arms to embrace them, and a heart to welcome them.

It is the reality of what their world can be.

The road ahead is one that we will all walk down together. It is not always easy nor the path always cleared. But it is a road we walk down triumphantly, knowing that every step we take, gives our community permission for them to be bold enough, to dare to dream "I AM".

BE your dream!

The Price of Fame: Jazmine Sullivan Takes a Break From Music

The Price of Fame:  A featured post that takes a look at musicians and the impact that success has on their lives

By J9 of J9's MusicLife

On Sunday, January 2, 2011, the multi-Grammy nominated artist Jazmine Sullivan announced via Twitter to her 90,000 followers she was taking a break from music to figure out who she is.

This came as a shock since just this past November she released her sophomore album Love Me Back.  Read below her several tweets from the bottom to top.

An hour later, the posts were deleted.  Not sure if that meant she didn't really mean what she wrote but her label, J Records has yet to confirm whether she is truly taking a break.  Days later, a song Jazmine produced with Salaam Remi (one of my favorite producers) called "I'm Not a Robot" was leaked on the Internet.  Listen below as the lyrics might give insight as to why she wanted to quit.




To continue reading, click here.