ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKETS ARE ON SALE, BEGINNING RIGHT NOW!

Here's the link: http://www.essencemusicfestival.com/

Tickets for the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL® are On-Sale! Best Prices Now for a Limited Time on Weekend Packages! Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ESSENCE at the 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival®, July 2-4 in New Orleans. It will be the ultimate July 4 weekend of entertainment, empowerment, culture and community that you don't want to miss!

Buy your tickets now and get the best seats in the house. We've got three great ways to buy including the PLATINUM VIP FESTIVAL WEEKEND PACKAGE where you can party at the Festival with our performers and celebrities. The GOLD PLUS WEEKEND PACKAGE with great center stage floor seats. A special 40th anniversary offer: Get $40 off WEEKEND PACKAGE tickets available on Plaza and Loge level tickets for the next 40 days. Terrace level weekend packages are also on-sale.

Get more information and buy tickets here

THREE GREAT WAYS TO BUY TICKETS!

Platinum VIP Festival Weekend Package: $2250 – $3000
• Center stage seating in the first ten rows on the Superdome Floor
• All Access Pass to the Platinum VIP Club (next to the ESSENCE Main Stage) featuring full buffet and complimentary bar service
• VIP parking pass at the Superdome
• VIP seating at the Empowerment Seminars in the Convention Center
• Complimentary commemorative 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival T-Shirt
• Complimentary one-year subscription to ESSENCE Magazine
• Automatic Festival updates with the ESSENCE Music Festival newletter and mobile text alerts
• And much more…

Gold Plus Weekend Package: $1050
• Center stage seating on the Superdome Floor
• Complimentary commemorative 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival T-Shirt
• Complimentary one-year subscription to ESSENCE Magazine
• Automatic Festival updates with the ESSENCE Music Festival newsletter and
mobile text alerts
• And more…

Floor Level Weekend Package: $330 – $636

 

Get $40 Off Weekend Tickets Packages on Plaza and Loge Levels

• In celebration of ESSENCE's 40th Anniversary, we're offering $40 off weekend package tickets purchase in the next 40 days.*
• Plaza Level Weekend Package: $270
• Loge Level Weekend Package: $225

• Terrace Level Weekend Package: $159

• The Best Seats are On-Sale Now! Here's the link: http://www.essencemusicfestival.com/

 

Only three-night weekend/packages currently on-sale. No discount available for Platinum VIP and Gold packages, Floor or Terrace seats. Taxes, fees and surcharges may apply. The $40 discount on Plaza and Loge level packages expire on December 18. Any additional service charges will be added after the discount has been calculated.

Mia Love becomes Utah's first Black Female Mayor

 

 

Saratoga Springs made history Tuesday night, becoming the first Utah city to elect a black woman as mayor.

Councilwoman Mia Love defeated challenger Jeff Francom in the contest to replace outgoing Mayor Timothy Parker.

"I am absolutely honored," Love said. "I am so excited."

The 33-year-old mayor-elect said she's never experienced racism while living in Utah, first in Salt Lake County, then in American Fork before moving to Saratoga Springs in 2001.

"I don't have that victim attitude," said Love, a Connecticut native. "If someone doesn't like me, I think it is because of something I did."

Love said she would hope that her election would help dispel stereotypes that Utah is racially intolerant.

Parker said Love's success comes from her caring passionately about people. If someone brings a concern to her, she presents it before the council.

Love said she has a simple guiding principle for governing: What is in the best interests of the city? While she is willing to give an ear to a resident's concerns, she balances it against the city's best interests.

Plus, Love believes in ensuring government does not overstep its constitutionally mandated bounds.

She said she received this advice a while ago: "When I sit down at that podium, I should ask myself, 'What is the proper role of government?' " Love recalled. "It is a question I ask myself every time."

She says government's proper role is providing public safety and defending the country. Anything else should involve preserving basic rights.

Love traces her community involvement to her youth and the advice that her father, a Haitian immigrant, gave her during a school orientation

"He said: 'I came here with nothing and worked for everything I have received. I have not taken any handouts. You will not be a burden on society,' " Love said. "You have to give back."

And she has.

She volunteers in her children's school and serves as legislative vice president in the PTA, as well as serving on the City Council for six years.

Her political involvement began seven years ago, when she heard talk about taking the phrase "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. At that time, Love taught her then 2-year-old daughter to recite the pledge with the reference to deity in it, so she would know it the way her mother had learned it in school.

Love said her family -- husband Jason and their three children --are supportive of her political career. source

 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has rare form of cancer

 

 

NEW YORK — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, and the basketball great said his prognosis is encouraging.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer was diagnosed last December with chronic myeloid leukemia, he told The Associated Press on Monday.

The 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said his doctor didn't give any guarantees, but informed him: "You have a very good chance to live your life out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle."

Abdul-Jabbar is taking an oral medication for the disease. He is a paid spokesman for the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, which makes a drug that treats the illness.

Citing the way Los Angeles Lakers teammate Magic Johnson brought awareness to HIV, Abdul-Jabbar said he wants to do the same for his form of blood cancer, which can be fatal if left untreated.

"I've never been a person to share my private life. But I can help save lives," he said at a midtown Manhattan conference room. "It's incumbent on someone like me to talk about this."

 

Click here to read the full article.

Glamour Magazine Honors The 2009 Women of the Year (Pics)

Lifetime Achievement Honoree Dr. Maya Angelou

 

 

Princess Rhi Rhi (love her)

 

 

Serena Williams (love the makeup and new wig)

 

 

Serena Williams and Tyra Banks

 

 

Iman and Princess Rhi Rhi

 

 

UN Ambassador Susan Rice

 

 

photos

Katt Williams explains arrest

 

 

Katt Williams allegedly carried a crowbar when he entered an Atlanta-area home and made off with $3,555 in jewelry and collectable coins, according to police who spoke to the Associated Press about the comedian's arrest on Sunday.

However, a lawyer for the self-proclaimed pimp says his client is completely innocent of burglary and criminal trespassing charges stemming from accusations that he broke into someone's home.        

The 38-year-old remained at the Coweta County jail Monday after a judge set bond at more than $41,000 during a court hearing.

According to Katt's lawyer William Briggs, Williams was in Georgia shooting a movie and staying at the property of the movie's producer, Barry Hankerson. Briggs told TMZ that Williams was involved in a dispute with one of Hankerson's employees who lives in the guesthouse, and the employee called the cops and reported a faux burglary.       

Briggs adds Katt had "full permission" to be on the property and has been staying there for the last three weeks.

In a recording of a 911 call obtained by TMZ, , the caller says Williams wouldn't let him leave and "threatened to beat me up." The caller also said he wasn't sure if Williams had a weapon. source

Jesus Take the Wheel

Sammie Sosa before/after

 

 

No words.  This is former Major League Baseball player Sammie Sosa.  From the lighter skin to the green contacts.  I have no words.

Who In The Hell Left The Gate Open?

 

 

 

Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence to turn Sheneneh and Wanda into Movie 

 

Screen Gems has acquired "Sheneneh and Wanda," a comic vehicle for Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence to star in a comic caper film, playing female characters they developed during their stand up comedy days.

Foxx will write the script and he and Martin will produce together through Foxx's Foxxhole and Lawrence's Runteldat production banners.

The project originated as a parody of a movie trailer for a film called "Skank Robbers," which Foxx and Lawrence made for the BET Awards. The reaction was strong enough that the duo decided to turn the concept into a real film.

In the comedy, Sheneneh and Wanda are modern day independent women trying to make it on their own, one bank robbery at a time.

Foxx and Lawrence have long tried to find a vehicle to work together, and Screen Gems Clint Culpepper is fast tracking the production. source

 

Can someone please explain to me why I should be happy about this?  Don't get me wrong.  I loved me some Martin, but seriously, can we finally get films for black women portrayed by black women.  I just don't understand why black women always have to be the butt of the joke.  Maybe I'm being over sensitive, but this ish is really starting to get to me.  I guess it would be different if we actually had more of a presence in films, but the reality is we don't.  We are always being parodied by our brothers and made to look like fools.  Although, women like Sheneneh and Wanda do exist the protrayal of them are not the totality of who they are as people.  I'm definitely not one of those people to knock something before I've seen it, but let's be real.  The idea was funny when it was parodied on the BET Awards, but I think that's where we should leave it.

 

 

 

Entertainment News: Comedian Katt Williams in jail for burglary, trespassing

 

 

Atlanta comedian Katt Williams was in jail Monday morning after being arrested and charged with burglary and criminal trespassing, a deputy at the Coweta County jail said.

Williams, whose real name is Micah Williams, was arrested early Monday, the deputy said.

Williams was arrested by Coweta County deputies. No other details were immediately available.

Williams has hosted the BET awards and appeared in the comedy "First Sunday" and in the Eddie Murphy film "Norbitt."  He also had an HBO special, Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1," which was shot in Atlanta. source

 

Florida’s first pageant for Miss Black USA

Miss Black USA 2009 Shayna Rudd

 

For the past 22 years, Florida women seeking the Miss Black Florida USA title never got the chance to wow a crowd with their talents, or sashay across a stage in a glittering glamorous gown at a state pageant to compete for the title.

Current Miss Black Florida Asari Maurice, along with all the other previous winners, completed a mail-in entry, and were selected by the national Miss Black USA scholarship pageant organization to represent Florida in the national pageant. For Miss Black Florida USA 2010, however, it will be a different story.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, teenagers between the ages of 14-17 and young women ages 18-27 will seek to awe the judges at the 1st Annual Miss Black Florida USA and Talented Teen scholarship pageant at the Hilton in Daytona Beach.

The difference this time around is that Florida now has its own official branch affiliate to the Miss Black USA pageant, replacing the mail-in entry. The pageant will provide a preliminary competition for contestants in the Miss Black Florida USA title, plus a $2,500 scholarship.

The deadline to enter this year's pageant was Aug. 31.

Angel Coleman is the executive director of Miss Black Florida USA.  The former Miss Homestead USA 2006 has competed and won awards in mainstream local and national beauty pageants since age 17. But, she said, in the beginning, she had no guidance on how to train and compete.

"When I got there I wasn't even ready for that type of competition, they take it to a whole other level, it's like a sport," she said.

Considering the world of pageantry a culture of its own, with so few minorities competing in the first place, she said, she was conscious of the different issues black competitors faced in an industry predominantly occupied by white women.

"We (black women) have legs, hips,'' she said. "I'm standing up against people with certain body issues they (white women) don't have.''

With 10 years plus in pageantry and a degree in fashion design and fashion merchandise, Coleman said she understands the challenges of pageant competitions, and has made her expertise available to all the Miss Black Florida and Talented Teen competitors from across the state.

"I competed in a predominantly white system, and I didn't have access to a coach because I didn't know… as far as women of color, you can't go to every coach because they cannot coach women of color,'' Coleman said.  "I can coach across the board, so they can ask me questions, I always give them my personal opinion, and they're actually getting a lot of help that doesn't even happen in the industry.''

Since promoting the pageant at the beginning of this year, the Miami native has been delightfully surprised at the interest shown by potential contestants.

 

 

Click here to read the full article.

Author Bernice L. McFadden Fights to End Segregation in Book-Publishing Industry

 

 

I received a very intriguing email from author Bernice L. McFadden and I thought I would share it with everyone.  Because I am a true lover of books I feel compel to share her letter.  In order to demand books of substance, we have to be willing to fight for the authors that offer us sustenance.

 

You may not know me, or my novels, because I am a member of a growing band of African-American writers of literary fiction who are slowly disappearing. And not because I am lacking in talent and credentials; in fact I have already published a number of books with major publishing houses and have been reviewed by national newspapers and well-respected literary journals, and have received critical acclaim and awards for my efforts. My work has been hailed as vivid, thought provoking and brilliant. I have been compared to Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston and Gloria Naylor.

The fact that my novels may disappear is not due to the downward spiral of the economy or the pound of flesh it has taken from the book-publishing industry. No, my demise began long before the floor of the housing market began to rot away and the stock market crashed through.

Why?

I don't rightly know why publisher's market fiction written by African-Americans ONLY TO African-Americans - but it has become common practice. And by doing this, they've placed all AA authors in one box forcing them to compete for the attention of ONE audience.

The word that has been coined to describe what is happening to AA writers is: Seg-Book-Gation

Segregation is an abominable practice no matter how you slice it - but when you apply it to art -- it becomes a sin. Art of any medium should transcend color, race, class, religion and ethnicity, but alas, that is not the case in the publishing world.

AA literary writers like myself are being pushed out of the industry all together as we are no longer able to secure book deals, because publisher claim that AA readers are only interested in buying books about sex, street-life and drugs. We know that this is not the case. We are a diverse people, interested in a variety of subjects.

On January 9th, 2010, my debut novel, SUGAR will celebrate its 10th anniversary. In order to commemorate this occasion It is my great hope that this moving story of friendship and acceptance will sell 10,000 copies between now and the anniversary date.

It is my dream that the surge in sales for this decade old novel, will send a message to the publishers that we readers desire ...crave and DEMAND a variety of literature from our AA writers because their stories are just as riveting, thought-provoking and universally appealing as the stories coming from their non-African-American counterparts.

***STOP PUBLISHING FROM RACIALIZING LITERATURE***

Please purchase at least one copy of SUGAR for yourself, a friend or family member and spread the word as far and wide as you can.

Peace & Light,

Bernice L. McFadden

www.bernicemcfadden.com
www.firstborngirl.blogspot.com

You Go Girl: ABC's Robin Roberts gets her turn at prime-time spotlight

 

 

NEW YORK – Robin Roberts is comfortable in the knowledge that when ABC's "Good Morning America" makeover is complete, she will keep her seat at the anchor desk. She just doesn't know who will be sitting next to her.

As she waits, ABC is showing her some love. Roberts is the centerpiece for two prime-time specials this month: a Tuesday night hour featuring country music stars and an interview with Janet Jackson that will air on Nov. 18. The Jackson interview is the type of important "get" for which Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters used to compete.

The specials could be read as both internal and external signs of Roberts' importance to the news division. She's worked at ABC News or cable sister ESPN since 1990 and her contract expires in the spring.

ABC News President David Westin expects to choose Diane Sawyer's replacement as "GMA" anchor in December, spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said. Sawyer is taking over for Charles Gibson at "World News" at the end of the year.

Like most people at ABC, Roberts is keeping mum about the search ("I haven't seen a list yet") and certainly won't express a favorite. Two people thought to be contenders — George Stephanopoulos and Chris Cuomo — have filled in as co-anchors in recent weeks.

Even though she's been a "GMA" anchor since 2005, Roberts, 49, acknowledges that Sawyer's experience and stature makes her a first among equals.

She expects that to change.

"I always want to be a team player," said the former Southeastern Louisiana basketball star. "I'm not making any demands, or feeling like, `Ah-ha, now it's my turn.' I'm the nice one. I do throw some elbows under the basket, though."

ABC's morning show is a longtime, yet profitable, No. 2 to NBC's dominant "Today" show, and Roberts doesn't seem to expect the coming anchor change will bring with it a dramatic format shift.

"I have my routine in the morning and when it changes a little bit, I feel off-kilter," she said. "I can't imagine any sweeping changes, but you're always evaluating what your audience wants."

Roberts is serving an important role during a transition period for the show, said Jim Murphy, "Good Morning America" executive producer. "She's doing a lot of hard work right now. She keeps the show steady," he said.

Roberts has spent much of the past week preparing for her Jackson interview, which will be filmed at the singer's home in Malibu, Calif.

She has a difficult balancing act. Jackson is still mourning the death of her brother Michael, a story that continues to fascinate the public. But she's also a major star in her own right, with something to sell: Jackson has a greatest hits CD coming out in time for the holidays.

Roberts said she hasn't determined in advance how much of the interview would be related to Michael Jackson.

"I don't go in with a stack of questions and say three-quarters are going to be about this and one-quarter will be about that," she said. "I like to have a conversation. I like to walk away and have the person say, `I thought we were going to do an interview and we just talked.' source

"

Joe Jackson seeking support from Michael Jackson's Estate

 

 

Despite being left out of Michael Jackson's 2002 will, his father Joe Jackson is seeking a stipend from the singer's estate to help cover his $15,000 monthly expenses, according to court documents filed Friday.

The request seeking an unspecified amount was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the Jackson family patriarch, reports the AP.

The singer's private trust currently calls for money to be paid to his mother, Katherine, his three young children, and various charities. A judge has approved more than $26,000 in payments to Katherine Jackson each month, and a $60,000 monthly payment for the care of the children. There was no mention of his father in the will.

The latest court documents said Joe Jackson receives a $1,700 monthly Social Security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years.

"He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support," the filing stated.

"It was quite surprising to learn of the request," Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the administrators of Jackson's estate, said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson's petition will be considered as are all requests for money from Michael's estate."

According to the filing, Joe Jackson suffers from diabetes and had a stroke in 1998. He has been married to Katherine Jackson for 50 years, but he lists his home in Las Vegas. She lives at the family home in Encino, north of Los Angeles.

The filings are inconsistent in several places, listing Joe Jackson's age as 80 in one place and 81 in another. A declaration states his monthly expenses exceed $20,000 a month, but an itemized list only includes slightly more than $15,000. That list includes $1,200 a month on rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out; $1,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.

A judge on Friday denied Joe Jackson's petition for an expedited hearing on the matter.  The next hearing is scheduled for early 2010, at which time the payments to Katherine Jackson may be re-evaluated. source

New Feature: The Savvy Book Club

 

 

 

Those who know me can tell you that there's nothing I love more than reading.  When I was young(er) I spent the majority of my time locked up in my room and wrapped up in a book.  Books were my air.  My favorite day at school was book fair day (I think I was the only child who bought all the books off the Scholastic Book List).  There was nothing I didn't love about books.  I read everybody from Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison to Terri McMillan and BeBe Moore Campbell.  I love books and so now I feel the time is right for me to share my love of books with you.  I decided that now is the best time as any to start a book club and thus I would like to introduce you all to the Savvy Book Club.

 

Our First Book Selection

I was pondering what should be the first selection of the book club and my mind kept coming back to one particular book.  It is a book that I stumbled across accidentally, but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.  It was just that fascinating to me.  I like to describe it as a cross between 'The Color Purple' and 'Push a novel by Sapphire.'  The book that I am talking about is 'The Darkest Child' by Delores Phillips.

 

The Darkest Child is a novel that take place in a time just after the passage of Brown vs. Board of Education.  The main character is Tangy Mae who is the darkest of her mother Rozelle Quinn's ten children.  Rozelle Quinn is a very possessive and controlling woman.  She wants Tangy Mae to take over her jobs: days, doing house cleaning for whites; nights, servicing men, white and black, at the "Farmhouse", but it's Tangy Mae's thirst for knowledge that makes this story so complicated and enticing.

 

The Darkest Child deals with many social issues from Colorism, prostitution, and the slave mentality.  I hope you enjoy. 

 

Let me know what you think of this selection and please feel free to recommend books you think should be featured in The Savvy Book Club.

Video: Rihanna's interview with Diane Sawyer for 20/20 (Full Interview)

Toni Braxton Separates From Husband

 

 

ESSENCE.com has learned that superstar singer Toni Braxton is separated from her husband Keri Lewis, formerly of Mint Condition, after 8 years of marriage. Braxton has sold 40 million albums worldwide and won six Grammy Awards. source

Beauty Queen Brawl: Miss England Loses Crown After Bar Fight

 

 

The reigning Miss England has relinquished her crown after being accused of a fight in a bar.

Pageant organizers say Rachel Christie has also withdrawn from next month's Miss World competition in South Africa.

They said in a statement that the 21-year-old heptathlete will now focus on clearing her name and training for the 2012 Olympics.

British newspapers reported that Christie got into a dustup with another beauty queen – Miss Manchester Sara Beverley Jones – in a nightclub earlier this week.

Greater Manchester Police said Friday that a 21-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assault after an altercation at the city's Mansion nightclub on Monday. She was released on bail pending further enquiries. source

Breaking News: Shooting reported at Orlando high-rise

 

At least eight people have been shot in an Orlando, Florida, high-rise office building, CNN affiliates report. 

 

 

Firefighters and police responded to a reported shooting Friday at a high-rise building in Orlando, Florida.

Authorities received a report shortly before noon of a shooting on an upper floor of the office building, said John Tormos of the Orlando Fire Department.

CNN affiliate WESH reported that at least eight people were shot at the Gateway Center -- a 16-story building.

Police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the area, video showed. It also showed people fleeing. source

 

 

If You Can't Take The Heat...: Amidst Criticism Oprah Drops BeBe Winans from Karoke Contest

 

 

I thought it was just me.  I was watching the Oprah Karaoke Contest yesterday and I was trying to figure out, "Where did Gladys Knight come from," when it hit me.  The Mighty O had to do what she had to and let BeBe go once his ex-wife voiced her disappointed in O having him on her show.  The appearance of BeBe on the show made O look like a hypocrite and you know she don't roll like that.

 

Here is what is being reported:

 

Oprah Winfrey has removed gospel singer BeBe Winans from her show's "karaoke challenge" until charges against him for allegedly pushing his ex-wife to the ground are resolved, reports the Associated Press.

Winans appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last week to discuss the selection of contestants for the season-long challenge. He was also seen surprising some of the finalists with news they had made the cut.      

Winfrey spokesman Don Halcombe said Thursday that Winans will be cut out of the karaoke segments entirely.      

Winans was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault in a Feb. 13 incident, where Winans and his ex-wife Debra were allegedly arguing about their children. Winans has a court date set for Jan. 20.      

As previously reported, Winfrey was criticized this week for including Winans after she had taken a strong stand against domestic violence earlier this year. She did a show on the topic when singer Chris Brown assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna. Winfrey said at the time: "Domestic violence is something that I wouldn't tolerate. Period."      

Halcombe would only say that the decision to eliminate Winans was made this week, reports the AP. source

  

Video: Inmates Help Save Prison Guard's Life

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Movie Trailer: Why Did I Get Married Too