Category Archives: News/Events

Keyshia Cole Announces Woman to Woman Tour

Multiplatinum-selling songstress Keyshia Cole (Geffen) is gearing up for an 18 city headlining tour, she announced today. Set to kick off this March, the Woman to Woman tour—named after her November 2012 album—will serve as a thank you to fans; all five of Cole’s albums have reached the Billboard Top 200’s top 10. The month-long tour will begin in Westbury, NY on March 28 and wrap in Cole’s hometown of Oakland on April 21.

The tour announcement continues an exciting run for the R&B diva. First, the Grammy-nominated artist bared her soul on Woman to Woman; an effort which earned her the #2 position on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The record was host to singles “Enough of No Love” and “Trust and Believe”; the first, a passionately belted up tempo track, with the latter serving as a confessional, yet catchy tale of broken trust.

In addition to the release of her fifth studio album, Cole also starred alongside husband Daniel Gibson in BET’s hit reality series “Keyshia & Daniel: Family First.” She’s slated to hit the Essence Festival stage for the fourth time this July.

Concert goers will also be treated to the sultry sounds of fellow crooner and special guest, Chrisette Michele .

Tickets on sale now. For more information, please visit: http://smarturl.it/KeyshiaColeTour

KEYSHIA COLE ITINERARY
Thursday, March 28	Westbury, NY	Westbury Theater
Friday, March 29	Norfolk, VA	Chrysler Hall
Saturday, March 30	Washington, DC	Warner Theater
Tuesday, April 2	Boston, MA	Orpheum
Thursday, April 4	New York, NY	Beacon Theater
Friday, April 5	Wallingford, CT	Oakdale Theater
Saturday, April 6	Atlantic City, NJ	Borgata
Sunday, April 7	Philadelphia, PA	Tower Theatre
Tuesday, April 9	Toronto, ON	Danforth Music Hall *
Thursday, April 11	Detroit, MI	Motor City Casino
Friday, April 12	Cleveland, OH	State Theater
Saturday, April 13	Merrillville, IN	Star Plaza Theater
Sunday, April 14	Indianapolis, IN	Murat Theatre
Tuesday, April 16	Dallas, TX	Verizon
Thursday, April 18	Phoenix, AZ	Celebrity Theater
Friday, April 19	Los Angeles, CA	Club Nokia
Saturday, April 20	San Diego, CA	Humphrey’s
Sunday, April 21	Oakland, CA	Fox Theater
* Chrisette Michelle will not be appearing on this date.

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Spirit Lives On In “House of Wallace” Animated Series

The Notorious B.I.G.‘s creative spirit has had an inspirational impact that is felt to this day throughout popular culture, including music, films, and the written word. That influence will continue to live on through Ossian Media’s brand new animated series, House of Wallace .

Featuring the rapper’s children – C.J. and T’yanna – as its main characters, the show will follow them in their dramatic journey as they attempt to keep his studio in Bedford-Stuyvesant / Brooklyn alive, despite numerous trials and tribulations.

As legend has it, B.I.G. built his own studio to consolidate creative control once his musical career began to flourish. Now, it serves as the inspiration for both the series’ name and its central storytelling locale. An international music conglomerate threatens to buy out the House of Wallace and replace it with a cookie cutter “entertainment factory”. However, C.J. and T’yanna stand up for its ‘Notorious heritage’ and the “real” music it represents, attempting to re-energize the studio and elevate it to the status of a modern hit-maker. The spirit of B.I.G. himself serves as a central character, appearing to the children in ethereal form to guide them through the adversities they face as they struggle to preserve their father’s labor of love.

Facing a hostile corporate takeover, C.J. and T’yanna are guided to invent a novel approach to creating alternative revenue streams – re-imagining their Dad’s studio as a ‘jingle house by day’, where some of the world’s greatest talents lend their voices and abilities to some of the world’s best-known brand names. By night they return to the studio to work on their own musical projects, all while being inspired by the association with Biggie’s studio sound. “Come to cut a multi-platinum new album, stay to record a hit commercial!” is the phrase they like to employ as a means of enticing these artists to participate in their fledgling jingle ‘side business’.

“It’s been 16 years since our Dad was murdered and we miss him dearly. … It is such an honor for us to be able to carry on his legacy, not only through his music but also by channeling him through our own creativity. This project, “House Of Wallace” is a great opportunity for us to bridge the gap between our parents who loved his music and the kids and young adults our ages, that were not around to really appreciate it,” says T’yanna and C.J. Wallace.

Django UnChained among nominees for the 2013 MTV Movie Awards

MTV announced the categories and nominees for the “2013 MTV Movie Awards“ live today on MTV and MTV.com honoring the actors and films that enthralled and electrified audiences this year. Leading the pack with seven nominations each are Quentin Tarantino’s sweeping American slavery Western Django Unchained and Seth MacFarlane’s bromantic comedy Ted , followed by the critically acclaimed Silver Linings Playbook with six nods and the epic blockbuster conclusion to the Batman trilogy The Dark Knight Rises with five. Rounding out the most nominated films are The Avengers , The Perks of Being a Wallflower , Pitch Perfect and Skyfall with four each. Fans will have the “Power of the Popcorn” in their hands as voting begins today, Tuesday, March 5 at MovieAwards.MTV.com through Saturday, April 13.

Airing live on Sunday, April 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT from the Sony Pictures Studios Lot in Culver City, CA, the “2013 MTV Movie Awards” will serve as the official kick off to the Summer Blockbuster season with its trademark irreverent celebration of the movies, actors and music that audiences love. Previously announced, rising superstar Rebel Wilson, nominated for “Best Female Performance” and “Breakthrough Performance” as Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect, will star as host and be joined by MTV’s Inaugural “Comedic Genius Award” recipient Will Ferrell , who is nominated for “Best On-Screen Duo” with Zach Galifianakis for The Campaign .

Keeping with the show’s tradition of celebrating current cultural memes, this year’s telecast will introduce two new categories. Abdominally blessed nominees Channing Tatum (Magic Mike), Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2), Daniel Craig (Skyfall) and Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Rises) will sweat it out against fan-favorite stuffed bear Seth MacFarlane as Ted for the crown of “Best Shirtless Performance,” while unforgettable moments from Les Misérables , Magic Mike , Pitch Perfect, Silver Linings Playbook and The Perks of Being a Wallflower will compete to win the inaugural “Best Musical Moment” award.

Leading lady and recent Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook and House at the End of the Street ) joins fellow female front-runners Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect), Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) and Mila Kunis (Ted) for the chance to take home the most Golden Popcorns. At the head of the pack for the men are Seth MacFarlane as Ted (Ted), Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) and Channing Tatum (Magic Mike). As in previous years, the category of “Movie of the Year” will remain an ongoing battle throughout the 22^nd annual “2013 MTV Movie Awards” telecast. Additional presenters, performers and special award recipients will be announced at a later date.

Nominees for the “2013 MTV Movie Awards” are as follows (*denotes new category):

MOVIE OF THE YEAR (Voting stays live throughout the 2013 Movie Awards Telecast)

— Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Producers: Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone, Stacey Sher
Director: Quentin Tarantino

— Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Producers: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
Director: David O. Russell

— TED (Universal Pictures)
Producers: Jason Clark, John Jacobs, Seth MacFarlane, Scott Stuber
Director: Seth MacFarlane

— The Avengers (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Producer: Kevin Feige
Director: Joss Whedon

— The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Producers: Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas
Director: Christopher Nolan

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables (Universal Pictures)
Mila Kunis – TED (Universal Pictures)
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Emma Watson – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment, LLC)
Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect (Universal Pictures)

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

Ben Affleck – Argo (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Jamie Foxx – Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Channing Tatum – Magic Mike (Warner Bros. Pictures)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Ezra Miller – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment, LLC)
Eddie Redmayne – Les Miserables (Universal Pictures)
Suraj Sharma – Life of Pi (20^th Century Fox)
Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect (Universal Pictures)

BEST SCARED-AS-S**T PERFORMANCE

Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty (Sony Pictures)
Alexandra Daddario – Texas Chainsaw 3D (Lionsgate)
Martin Freeman – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jennifer Lawrence – House at the End of the Street (Relativity Media)
Suraj Sharma – Life of Pi (20^th Century Fox)

BEST ON-SCREEN DUO

Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson – Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane as Ted – Ted (Universal Pictures)
Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo – The Avengers (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis – The Campaign (Warner Bros. Pictures)

BEST SHIRTLESS PERFORMANCE*

Christian Bale – The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Daniel Craig – Skyfall (Sony Pictures)
Taylor Lautner – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (Summit Entertainment, LLC)
Seth MacFarlane as Ted – Ted (Universal Pictures)
Channing Tatum – Magic Mike (Warner Bros. Pictures)

BEST FIGHT

Jamie Foxx vs. Candieland Henchmen – Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Daniel Craig vs. Ola Rapace – Skyfall (Sony Pictures)
Mark Wahlberg vs. Seth MacFarlane as Ted – Ted (Universal Pictures)
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner vs. Tom Hiddleston – The Avengers (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Christian Bale vs. Tom Hardy – The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros. Pictures)

BEST KISS

Kerry Washington and Jamie Foxx – Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman – Moonrise Kingdom (Focus Features)
Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg – Ted (Universal Pictures)
Emma Watson and Logan Lerman – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment, LLC)

BEST WTF MOMENT

Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson – “Candieland Gets Smoked” in Django Unchained
(The Weinstein Company)
Denzel Washington – “Final Descent” in Flight (Paramount Pictures)
Anna Camp – “Hack-Appella” in Pitch Perfect (Universal Pictures)
Javier Bardem – “Oops… There Goes His Face” in Skyfall (Sony Pictures)
Seth MacFarlane as Ted – “Ted Gets Saucy” in Ted (Universal Pictures)

BEST VILLAIN

Javier Bardem – Skyfall (Sony Pictures)
Leonardo DiCaprio – Django Unchained (The Weinstein Company)
Marion Cotillard – The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Tom Hardy – The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Tom Hiddleston – The Avengers (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

BEST MUSICAL MOMENT*

Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables (Universal Pictures)
Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash and Adam Rodriguez – Magic Mike (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Ester Dean and Hana Mae Lee – Pitch Perfect (Universal Pictures)
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)
Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment, LLC)

Halle Berry and Morris Chestnut Visit Chicago to Promote New Film

Oscar winning actress Halle Berry and Morris Chestnut recently came to Chicago for the screening of their new film “The Call.” The Call is scheduled to open nationwide on March 15, 2013 through Tristar Pictures. Berry and Chestnut did interviews throughout the day and on the red carpet where they met fans. The event is sponsored in part by WGCI Chicago Radio and ClearChannel.

“The Call” is about a veteran 911 operator, Jordan (Halle Berry), who takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl’s life. Morris places Officer Paul Phillips in the film.

The First Lady Brings Let’s Move to Chicago

The First Lady, Michelle Obama, came to Chicago on February 28^th to jump start her Let’s Move Initiative.

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children. For more information on Let’s Move, visit www.letsmove.gov.

Photo by Dan Locke

The First Lady Brings Let’s Move to Chicago

The First Lady, Michelle Obama, came to Chicago on February 28^th to jump start her Let’s Move Initiative.

Photo by Dan Locke

Gap Launches Limited-Edition Jimi Hendrix T-Shirts

Gap announced the brand is joining a yearlong celebration of the life and music of Jimi Hendrix in honor of his 70th birthday with the launch of two limited-edition t-shirt designs. The t-shirts feature art from the iconic musician’s new album, People, Hell and Angels, which introduces previously unreleased studio recordings from 1969, the year Gap was founded in San Francisco.

Available in styles for men and women, the exclusive cotton t-shirts will launch online at Gap.com on March 5 th and be available in US stores on March 15 th for $29.95. In addition, the shirts will be offered in select Gap stores in Canada, UK, France, Italy, Japan and China starting in late March.

“From the moment we opened our first store in 1969 selling jeans and records, Gap has always connected with people through music,” said Seth Farbman, Gap’s Global Chief Marketing Officer. “This partnership is an opportunity to celebrate an influential, American artist whose music still inspires people today.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Gap to celebrate the release of People, Hell and Angels on the 70th anniversary year of the birth of our beloved Jimi. In fashion, as in music, he was adventurous, innovative and colorful. These beautiful shirts, along with Fender’s participation, are truly the reflections of his creative music, fashion and style,” stated Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC.

Gap’s 1969 Soho store in New York City and Gap’s Seattle stores at 5th & Pine and Southcenter will offer a special pre-launch of the t-shirts beginning March 5 th. In celebration of the pre-launch, shoppers will have the opportunity to win one of two Fender ® guitars by visiting the Soho store from March 5-10 and uploading an image of the Fender ® guitars to Instagram using the hashtag #JimiHendrixGap. Twenty lucky Hendrix fans will also have an opportunity to win the new Gap t-shirt and a copy of the new album by pinning one of the new exclusive t-shirts on Pinterest.

People, Hell and Angels, released on March 5 th by Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is an essential new album premiering twelve previously unreleased studio recordings completed by guitarist Jimi Hendrix. The album showcases the legendary guitarist working outside of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience trio. These twelve recordings present some of the finest Jimi Hendrix guitar work ever issued and provide a compelling window into his growth as a songwriter, musician and producer.

CeeLo Green Debuts New Show “CeeLo Green Is LOBERACE” At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Recently welcomed to Las Vegas by riding down the famed Las Vegas Strip with a flaming piano surrounded by dancing showgirls, CeeLo Green proved he was ready to take on the “Bright Lights” of Las Vegas. Saturday night, the mega superstar held the grand opening for the highly-anticipated “CeeLo Green is LOBERACE,” kicking-off his two-month residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

“CeeLo Green is LOBERACE” is an electrifying, musical journey into the colorful world of CeeLo’s brainchild, “LOBERACE.” Visually, the production captures CeeLo’s flamboyant sense of style and over-the-top creativity, paired with brilliant 3-D graphics and surprise appearances throughout the show. There’s magic, 10 amazingly talented (and flexible) female dancers that are sure to make you blush, and a larger-than-life wardrobe and impressive stage design that out-glams and out-clevers anything you’ve seen from the international Lady Killer to date. One hit after another, CeeLo takes the stage with non-stop high energy to perform powerful covers of music that inspires him, from Rod Stewart to INXS, as well as hits of his own, including “Bright Lights,” “Crazy” and “Forget You.” The 90-minute show – or dance-party – is guaranteed to get you on your feet and is the perfect pre-party for a night out in Vegas.

In order to turn his dream of a Las Vegas residency into a reality, CeeLo assembled a top-notch creative team, including multi-award-winning producer Paul Morphos; world-renowned production/lighting designer Mark Brickman ; one of the most sought-after choreographers in the world, Fatima Robinson, who is also the creative director; production manager Geoff Perren ; and executive producer Larry Mestel, who is also the Founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music, CeeLo’s management company. Apart from his role as executive producer, Mestel has overseen the entire project, keeping the creative team on task and schedule.

Tickets for the following performances are on-sale now:

March
Wednesday-Saturday, March 6, 7, 8, 9
Wednesday-Saturday, March 13, 14, 15, 16
Wednesday-Saturday, March 20, 21, 22, 23
Wednesday-Saturday, March 27, 28, 29, 30

April
Wednesday-Saturday, April 3, 4, 5, 6
Wednesday-Saturday, April 10, 11, 12, 13

*Wednesday-Friday show times 11 p.m. Saturday shows start at midnight.

Tickets range in price from $49.50 to $149.50 for table seating. Ticket prices do not include tax and fees. For tickets, visit the Planet Hollywood Box Office, call 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com .

For more information and updates, please visit:
www.planethollywoodresort.com | www.Loberace.com | www.PrimaryWaveMusic.com

VH1 Adds New Show The Gossip Game To Roster

VH1’s new series “The Gossip Game,” premiering Monday, April 1^stat 9:00 pm ET/PT, draws viewers into the lives of seven media personalities covering the fast-paced, competitive urban entertainment beat in New York City. Every day, these ambitious women navigate the ever-shifting landscape of the media industry, where they strive to preserve their place in the ‘pecking order’ while chasing the latest exclusive scoop. These rivals, who often find themselves at the epicenter of celebrity controversy, forge an uneasy alliance of friendly foes as they compete to hit their professional marks by being the first to break the latest news and divulge the intimate details of the enviable lives of hip hop’s movers and shakers.

The cast members of “The Gossip Game” are: Angela Yee (right photo), co-host of the top rated “Breakfast Club” show on Power 105.1; K. Foxx (left photo), co-host of “The Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg Show with K. Foxx” on Hot 97 FM; Kim Osorio, Editor-In-Chief of The Source magazine; Sharon Carpenter, reporter on Russell Simmons’ Global Grind website; Jas Fly, freelance writer, whose pop culture column appears on Vibe.com twice a week; Ms. Drama, an outspoken media personality and host of the entertainment news and gossip blog, MsDramaTV, and NYC Gossip Girl (Vivian Billings), whose HipHopGossipSite.com blog provides a taste of what the streets are saying along with exclusive dish on hip hop celebrities.

Ne-Yo Headlines 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival

Three–time Grammy Award-Winning Motown Recording Artist Ne-Yo will headline the 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival being held May 22-27 in Aruba. Bringing his sensational collection of Billboard chart-topping, dance-pop/R&B sophistication and a presence of style reminiscent of all things spectacular, Ne-Yo will headline the main stage of the Nikki Beach Amphitheatre closing night, Sunday, May 26. As Festival-goers escape to the perfect spot, a live stage performance cresting over the Caribbean Sea, megastar songwriter and artist Ne-Yo will splash into an unforgettable set that is sure to release a harmonious mist of grandeur on Memorial Day weekend. R.E.D. (“Realizing Every Dream”), Ne-Yo’s Motown released album, is his 5^th creation of wonder for the Universal Music Group and adds provenance to being named Senior Vice President of A&R for Motown, a coveted role at one of America’s most prestigious blue-chip record labels. The 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba has something for everyone.

“Aruba is proud to welcome Ne-Yo to Aruba. International and local fans can expect a spectacular performance at the Soul Beach Music Festival. The festival gets better every year and Aruba is looking beautiful with all the upgrades we’ve introduced in the city of Oranjestad. I am sure artists and fans alike will have a lot of fun at the festival and in Aruba,” said Otmar Oduber, Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor.

“We are thrilled to bring the exciting performer and international start Ne-Yo to the 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba,” said Mark Adkins, producer. “Fans can look forward to an amazing weekend of great performances on the exceptional island of Aruba this Memorial Day Weekend along with a combination of sizzling beach parties, luscious dining and plush Night Club after parties.”

The 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival will roll out more highly anticipated announcements of main stage performing artists in the weeks to come. For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest updates sign up for CLUB SOUL BEACH, visit http://www.soulbeach.net or http://www.aruba.com. Join the Soul Beach Music Festival community: follow us on Twitter @SoulBeachMusic and become a fan of 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival on www.Facebook.com/soulbeachmusic.