Keepingitreal

DAILY BLOG BUZZ FEED 05.31.09

Reaching Back To Move Forward: Gil Scott-Heron By Clutch on News.Gossip.Info Gil Scott-Heron (born April 1, 1949) is an American poet and musician known primarily for…Tyrese Gibson And Darius McCrary To Be Back In 'Transformers' Tyrese Gibson Frankly Speaking: R&B Singer Tamia Talks Body Image By Jawn Murray on Tamia Hill 'Sex And The City: The Movie' Film Review By Wilson Morales Black Voices Blogs: Finally, after years of failed scripts, and participation from all the leads, 'Sex and the City: The Movie' is in theaters and the folks want to know if the film is worth going to? Well, if you have been a diehard fan from get go to the end of the... Read more 'The Longshots' Trailer With Ice Cube, Keke Palmer, Tasha Smith & Jill Marie Jones Hurricane Season Hits One Day Early Tropical Storm Arthur, first of 2008 Atlantic season, dumps rain on Belize Mixtape Review "Tragic Allies - The Grey Skies Mixtape" by YaBoyJavi  (DestroTheBiggaFigga) on YaBoyJavi Reminiscent of New York’s 90s dungeon rap, New England’s Tragic Allies deliver hard rhymes and sharp production on “The Grey Skies Mixtape.” Reppin’ East Lynn, Mass., or as locals know it, “Sin City,” Purpose and Estee Neck are giving the region something to talk about other than Spygate and Red Sox Nation. The duo addresses their grievances with the establishment, society and the streets with....Obama Resigns from Trinity UCC Barack Obama resigns from Trinity United Church of Christ. Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun Times: "The Obama campaign in not confirming that Obama quit his church—but not saying the reports are wrong. Obama 'will answer questions this evening,' an... URL: Obama Resigns from Trinity UCC;  São Paulo Gay Pride 2008 Recap By Made In Brazil In case you have missed my week-long coverage of São Paulo Gay Pride weekend, below are links to all the posts about the parties and the parade. Make sure to check them out over the weekend. Pride 2008: The Week's Angels At Pacha The Week's Big Pride Circus Pride 2008: Go-go Boys At TOY Go-go Madness At Girassol Day Party 5 Million At São Paulo Gay Pride Parade? Pride 2008: Dancing In The Pool Pride 2008: At Avenida Paulista Pride 2008: Offer Nissim At The Week Pride 2008: New Set By Felipe Lira I Am Addicted To Go-go Dancers Pride 2008: At Flexx And here are some videos of the parade last Sunday from the top of the Manhunt float, courtesy of Aimee (DanceMusicDiva). For more videos of the parties and go-go boys, visit Blog Made In Brazil on YouTube. Picture of the parade by Pedro Marra for ParouTud; Gay Kiss Saves Soap, Cashes In On Culture War As The World Turns‘ gay gamble sure paid off. Despite all the conservative outcry over gay teen couple Luke and Noah, the long-running soap’s storyline has bucked the trend and garnered new viewers, reports the hilariously disinterested Gina Bellafante: Soaps have been shedding audiences for years now. The young, especially, have found their absurdities elsewhere; there [...]

 

 

 

Black bloggers fight to make voices heard

With its power-to-the-individual approach, the new media world promises anyone with a laptop the possibility of a publishing empire. But, as some black bloggers are finding out, the new media world is a lot like the old one: racially segregated, with many prominent black voices still fighting to be heard.Some bloggers felt insulted this month when the Democratic National Committee selected 55 state-oriented blogs to cover its convention in Denver; critics said few featured African American voices. The DNC said race wasn't considered in its selection from 400 applicants. Officials were more interested in the sites' audience size and how much chatter about local issues appeared on them. The DNC answered critics Thursday by adding several sites led by African Americans to its general blogger pool.But some critics say the DNC situation is indicative of a larger media divide. It's a division in which stories like the racially motivated beating in Jena, La., last year lingered for months on black blogs and talk radio before the mainstream press picked up the issue.That coverage gap is partly what inspired Gina McCauley to help organize the first Blogging While Brown conference this summer in Atlanta. The most popular online community conferences - like the Netroots Nation confab that grew out of the Daily Kos blog - tend to be predominantly white gatherings."The progressive blogosphere is segregated," said McCauley, whose What About Our Daughters blog was accepted to the DNC's blogger pool. Essence magazine named McCauley one of its 25 most influential people last year alongside Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and filmmaker Tyler Perry. "Black bloggers link to other black bloggers, and progressive white bloggers link to other white progressive bloggers," she said."I don't know why that is," said Gina Cooper, executive director of the Netroots Nation conference. After last year's second annual convention, she expressed her frustration about the lack of diversity. Netroots Nation is offering scholarships this year, and Cooper is seeking other ways to make the gathering inclusive.

Black TV News Channel

Obama's presidential campaign might have raised the visibility of black voices and stories in the mainstream media, but it has not, according to some, quenched the thirst for them.That's why former Oklahoma GOP Rep. J.C. Watts - a onetime CNN commentator - is planning to start a 24-hour cable news network devoted to African American issues and perspectives. Comcast plans to add the Black Television News Channel to its cable packages in cities with large African American populations, including Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington and Atlanta, sometime in mid-2009."The mainstream press by and large likes to see African Americans through a certain prism, and it is a small and cordoned-off prism," Watts said. "Most institutions are like that. They see the African American community as an afterthought. But we are much more than drugs and crime." SOURCE:SFGATE

here! presents the network premiere of "Kiss the Bride"

May 30, 2008 – here!, America's premium gay and lesbian television network, is pleased to present the network premiere of "Kiss the Bride." The romantic comedy directed by C. Jay Cox ("Latter Days") and starring Tori Spelling will make its network debut on Friday, June 6th.The story revolves around Matt (Philipp Karner), a gay bachelor who receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school best friend Ryan (James O' Shea). Matt is shocked to learn of Ryan's plans to marry and plans to rescue his former love from the "she-devil" that has trapped him into this huge mistake.On the other hand, Ryan's perky fiancé Alex (Spelling) takes quite the liking to Matt. Is she very cunning, disarmingly ditzy, completely adorable - or all three? As Matt tries to rekindle the old flame, Ryan is intent on dousing any sparks. Ryan dismisses their old romance as just an adolescent thing, while Matt realizes Ryan may actually be the love of his life. All the while, Matt must deal with his new galpal Alex, the two families, and a hometown he thought he'd left entirely in the past. Cox's first feature film, "Latter Days," won the Audience Award for Best First Narrative Feature and was nominated for its screenplay at the 2005 Los Angeles Outfest. "Latter Days" starred Jacqueline Bisset, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Steve Sandvoss and won top prizes at the Toronto and Philadelphia Internation Gay & Lesbian Film Festivals. Cox previously wrote the box office smash "Sweet Home Alabama," starring Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, and Josh Lucas. Shadow Factory, the production company formed by Cox along with producers Richard Santilena and Bob Schuck, is "dedicated to producing commercially successful entertainment projects under an efficient economic model." "Kiss the Bride" is their first feature."We are very excited to premiere this wonderful C. Jay Cox film on here!. He is a brilliant filmmaker adept at telling comedic and yet heartwarming romantic stories. It is a film that appeals to our diverse gay audience, and its message reminds us that love often does not have boundaries and may not discriminate based on sexual preference. "Kiss the Bride" is a film that crosses boundaries of sexuality; a movie that any man or woman – straight or gay – can enjoy on many different levels," says Mark Reinhart, General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions. In addition to starring on "Beverly Hills 90210" as Donna Martin, Spelling received critical praise for her performance in the Fine Line Features comedy "Trick," playing an aspiring actress who is constantly coming between her best friend and his potential hunky one-night stand. Her additional feature credits include the independent feature "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," opposite Poppy Montgomery and Fred Willard; S"cary Movie 2," the sequel to the 2000 blockbuster; a cameo in "Scream 2;" and a starring role in the Miramax comedy-drama "The House of Yes," garnering Spelling kudos for her portrayal of a young college student who meets her fiancée's dysfunctional family over a stormy Thanksgiving weekend. "Kiss the Bride," which previously had a limited theatrical release in April, is a funny, fascinating exploration of the complex social and sexual landscape we all inhabit, told with a sexy gay twist. SOURCE:HERE.TV

Just Like Music

Handshakes and Pounds All Around is what you hear when you turn on Tiron’s mixtape. Coming from the Chi but relocated to Cali, rapper Tiron is bringing a new meaning of Hip Hop from the SOUL. From beats that make you wanna go grab your momma or daddy’s flyest suit from back in the day to lyrics that everyone can relate to, two step to, look to the sky to, or just nod your head and vibe to. That’s what he’s giving us. Coming from a musical family background it’s no surprise that Tiron would have ended up the emcee that he is today. Using influences from just about every musical style, especially soul and, jazz and the Golden era of Hip Hop he still is set apart with one word: SWAG. When asked, “What is the difference between Hip Hop and rap?” he answered “Hip Hop is a world. Rap is just a WORD in it.” Makes you think right? “You have to listen to all the greats…even the one’s you don’t like…there’s a reason they were GREAT…”
With songs about “Throwing My Money” (Which I’m sure we can all relate to) getting our “Shine On” to “Boys and Girls” and being “Picky,” when it comes to the opposite sex it’s hard to not change your perception of Hip Hop after listening to the mix tape. Handshakes & Pounds linked with rap trilogy Pacific Division and many others on the underground scene (Blu, The Elevators, Tunji, etc.) There’s no reason why Tiron will end up “Never Happy.” Let’s keep changing the Hip Hop world. One rhyme at a time. Check out Tiron on MySpace at www.myspace.com/tiron and download Tiron’s mixtape “Handshakes & Pounds” at www.zshare.net/download/2810867cafcaf6.

2008 Tony Award Nominations

THE TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE IN CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S NOMINATIONS. AND YOU ALSO VOTE THIS YEAR WITH AN INTERACTIVE BALLOT. SPONSORED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES ALSO WITH REVIEWS ON EACH TONY AWARD NOMINATION. CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES BELOW:
SOURCE: NYTIMES.COM

Celtics 89 at Pistons 81

Boston got past an old nemesis to set up a matchup with another rival. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Ray Allen had 17 and Kevin Garnett added 16 to lift the Celtics to an 89-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Boston, which locked up with Detroit many times in the 1980s, will now rekindle another classic series in the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. "It's kind of surreal," Garnett said.The Celtics are in the NBA finals for the first since losing to the Lakers in 1987, the third meeting in a four-year span. The Pistons were eliminated on their home court for the first time during a six-year run that included a trip to the conference finals each year and the 2004 title. Boston entered the series without a road win in the postseason, then beat Detroit on its home court twice to win the grueling series. After playing two Game 7s, the Celtics will get a needed break before hosting Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Thursday night. "We're emotionally drained," Garnett said. Chauncey Billups scored a playoff-high 29 points and Richard Hamilton had 21, but the rest of their teammates had lackluster efforts - especially Rasheed Wallace. At one point Billups had 21 points, matching the total for the rest of the team. Wallace scored just four points on 2-of-12 shooting and had three turnovers in what might've been his last game as a Piston and could've been Flip Saunders' last as Detroit's coach. President of basketball operations Joe Dumars will likely make some sort of changes on the bench, the court or both. "I'm sure that's something Joe and I will sit down and evaluate," Saunders said. After it was 58-all, Detroit closed the third quarter with a 10-2 run and took its first lead since midway through the opening quarter. Just when it seemed the Pistons might be in control with a 70-60 lead early in the fourth, the Celtics scored nine points in less than 2 minutes and went on a 19-4 run that put them ahead 79-74. Billups' three-point play pulled Detroit to 83-79 with 2:24 left, then the Pistons wasted a chance to get closer. Tayshaun Prince grabbed a loose ball after a Boston miss and turned the ball over when James Posey surprised him from behind and snatched it away. Pierce made two free throws on the possession, putting the Celtics up by six with 1 1/2 minutes to go. "It was the best fourth quarter we played all playoff long," Pierce said. The Pistons failed on their 3-pointers down the stretch and couldn't take advantage of Garnett missing two free throws with 36 seconds left. SOURCE:FOX SPORTS ON MSN.COM

Lakers are back in NBA Finals after beating Spurs

The odyssey began on the shores of Honolulu, the Lakers convening for training camp without knowing what awaited them, other than a slew of grim possibilities. Maybe Kobe Bryant would stay with the Lakers. Maybe he wouldn't. Maybe the Lakers would make the playoffs. Maybe they wouldn't. But the purple and gold confetti fell again Thursday, this time with particular meaning. The Lakers became the Western Conference champions, completing an implausible seven-month run with a 100-92 victory Thursday over the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. After pushing through the tightest regular-season race in league history, the Lakers finished off the defending NBA champions, outscoring them by 21 points over the final three quarters and winning the West finals, four games to one.Game 1 of the NBA Finals is next Thursday, in either Boston or Detroit. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series will also be a road game for the Lakers, followed by three games scheduled at Staples Center. A year ago today, Bryant publicly asked to be traded, but on Thursday, he had 39 points on 16-for-30 shooting, driving daggers into the Spurs again and again with 17 fourth-quarter points. Three years ago, Phil Jackson was rehired to coach the Lakers, calling it a "story of reconciliation, redemption, of reuniting," a list he could begin checking off with the Lakers' advance to the championship round for the first time since 2004. Jerry West, who put together more than his share of Lakers champions, presented the conference trophy to General Manager Mitch Kupchak, a symbolic gesture that was more than just the passing of a silver ball.It was a reminder of all the franchise had been through over the past year. And what was still ahead."As I told the players, there's nothing like losing the Finals for a negative feeling after you've played as well as you've played, not to finish the job up," Jackson said. "As much as I appreciate the league trying to emphasize the Western Conference trophy, that doesn't mean too much when the big prize is still out there." Not that the Lakers didn't have fun when the West officially became theirs. There was excitement in the locker room. Even joy. Players ribbed Sasha Vujacic for drilling a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer. They soaked in the concept of being four victories away from the franchise's 15th title. "We're a bunch of kids, so we enjoyed it," Bryant said. "We laughed, joked around, clowned around. . . . We are kind of a goofy bunch." Bryant, though, also knew what awaited them in the near future. "This is the Lakers," he said. "They're used to winning Western Conference championships. I don't think we will go out on the street and see a riot or anything like that. People will be celebrating and be happy about it, but we play for one thing and one thing only, and that's championships." At first, it looked like the Lakers were playing themselves into another trip to San Antonio, for Game 6. They made only seven of 24 shots (29.2%) in the first quarter and trailed, 28-15. The Spurs led by as many as 17 points in the second quarter before the Lakers cut it to six at halftime, 48-42. They kept chipping away until Luke Walton's three-pointer with 9:38 to play gave them the lead for good, 70-68, on the way to their 23rd NBA Finals appearance. SOURCE:LATIMES

Black Anchor Out After Using "N" Word

A veteran African American television anchor who has worked in Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City and Charlotte, N.C., was ousted Tuesday from his latest job in Huntsville, Ala., after reportedly calling an African American producer the "N" word. Keith Lowhorne, interim news director, confirmed on Wednesday that, "Michael Scott is no longer with WAAY-TV." He said the action took place Tuesday, but would not elaborate, saying, "It's a personnel issue." However, another newsroom employee confirmed the substance of an account on the NewsBlues subscription-only Web site on Monday."Tipsters at Calkins-owned WAAY-31-ABC in Huntsville (Market #83) say primary news anchor Michael Scott has been suspended after openly berating news producer Jabaree [Prewitt], who abruptly quit," the item said."According to those who witnessed the incident, Scott, during a commercial break in the 10 p.m. newscast, referred to [Prewitt] as a Negro. When [Prewitt] ask him not to use that word, Scott called him a 'nigger.' Both men are black."Prewitt told Journal-isms that contrary to that report, he had not quit over the Thursday incident, that he had already given notice that he was taking a new job in Louisiana. He referred other questions to station management.The incident is but the latest censure of the N-word's use in a professional setting. SOURCE: MAYNARD INSTITUTE

GARY DOURDAN TAKES PLEA DEAL: Actor avoids lockdown on felony drug possession charges stemming from Palm Springs arrest.

Gary Dourdan managed to stay out of jail yesterday by pleading guilty to two of his three counts of felony drug possession stemming from an arrest last month in Palm Springs.The actor accepted one count each of cocaine and Ecstasy possession during Wednesday's arraignment in Indio, Calif; a third charge of heroin possession was dismissed. Under the plea deal, the "CSI" star avoided a possible three years and eight months behind bars. Instead, he must complete a series of drug-education courses by Nov. 20, 2009 as part of the court's diversion program."As a result of today's proceedings, Gary has been given diversion," his attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said outside the courthouse. "He very much regrets what happened, and he's very embarrassed by what occurred, but he's looking forward to moving on and getting back to work. He is very grateful to the court for being understanding and giving him an opportunity to resolve the issue and move forward."    Both of Dourdan's charges will be dismissed "as soon as he completes 30 hours of classes," Holley told E! News. Riverside District Attorney spokeswoman Ingrid Wyatt also told E! News that the actor will be required to pay a small fee as part of his restitution. Dourdan, 41, was arrested on April 28, when cops discovered him asleep at the wheel of his car, which was parked on the wrong side of the street. The drugs were found during a search of his vehicle. SOURCE:EURWEB

SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT AT R. KELLY SEX TRIAL: Court ends abruptly Wednesday due to surprise defense witness.

R. Kelly's child pornography trial was adjourned earlier than usual Wednesday due to the 11th hour emergence of a defense witness. Defense attorney Sam Adam Sr. said he got a call yesterday morning from a man who claims to have information that will undermine the testimony of the prosecution's star witness. "We never knew about the witness until 9 a.m. this morning," Adam said, according to reports. "The witness called us." Kelly, 41, has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. His lawyers maintain he is not on the tape, and the alleged victim, now 23, has denied she is on the tape. The prosecution's star witness, according to the Chicago Tribune, is a Georgia woman who is expected to testify that she engaged in a three-way sexual encounter with Kelly and the alleged victim. Sources say that the last-minute defense witness is a man from Atlanta who might be the woman's ex-boyfriend. On Wednesday, defense attorneys said they needed to speak with their new The defense is hoping to discredit the woman who was to be a key part of the case against Kelly – the only prosecution witness claiming to have actually seen sexual Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a high school basketball coach testified that one of his former players is the young female who appears on the tape. Jacques Conway said he recognized his former player, in part, by a distinctive cross worn by the female participant on the graphic 27-minute videotape. He said he had seen his former player wear the necklace. Joel Rhea, an assistant principal at Havlicek Elementary in Berwyn, was formerly a teacher and girls basketball coach at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park. He testified Wednesday that he met the alleged victim in the fall of 1997 when she was a player on an opposing team. The teams would play each other three or four times a season. Rhea said he would also see her at social events because she was best friends with one of his players. Rhea testified that he recognized the girl in the sex tape from her distinctive forehead.Everyone gave her a hard time because she had a big forehead," Rhea said. "We would joke  Late Tuesday, Kelly's former personal assistant Lindsey Perryman, who worked for the crooner and his family off and on from around 2000 to 2007, identified the "I didn't want to think it was them," said Perryman, 41, from the stand. She told jurors she saw the tape for the first time in December 2007, after prosecutors approached her. That first time she wasn't sure it was Kelly and the alleged victim, but she became "110 percent" certain after viewing it again, she said. "The image I saw looked exactly like Mr. Kelly," she said, adding she was "shocked" and "disturbed" by the video. Perryman said she saw the alleged victim numerous times, including when she would come to Kelly's Chicago music studio. She recognized the girl as the one in the video by her cheekbones, as well as by the "distinctive" way she moved her mouth, smiled and talked, she told jurors. SOURCE:EURWEB

Check It: Rihanna's Disturbia

On June 17th, Rihanna will re-release her album Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded with a hand full of new songs including this new track "Disturbia."Sticking with her winning combo of dance and pop with a touch of European feel, it's definitely radio-friendly and catchy. Very catchy.LISTEN: Rihanna - "Disturbia" In other Rihanna news, she is set to make her acting debut in the film adaption of Iceberg Slim's Mama Black Widow [READ A BOOK]. Little Miss Umbrella is determined to take over the world...

BURMA: IT CAN'T WAIT CAMPAIGN

Burma: It Can't Wait campaign with the US Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center. Candis' on-screen love, Billy Baldwin, raises his voice in support of the campaign and universal human rights. Billy's spot describes the atrocities going on in Burma - there are 70,000 Burmese child soldiers, not to mention torture, massacre of monks, and systematic rape are everyday occurrences under Than Shwe's ruthless dictatorship. The recent devastating cyclone may have killed more than 100,000 people - and yet the dictatorship is refusing aid to the desperate victims. In addition to Billy's PSA, Jennifer Aniston & Woody Harrelson, Will Ferrell, Sarah Silverman, Eva Longoria Parker, Ellen Page, Jason Biggs, Syvester Stallone, and Eddie Izzard have also participated.

Oakland's Neighborhood Summit 2008 to address concerns about crime

OAKLAND — Residents facing gang violence and other illegal activities in their communities are invited to attend the Neighborhood Summit 2008 on Saturday. The event is organized by the city's Neighborhood Services Division and will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Laney College, 200 Fallon St., Oakland. The goal of the summit is to address residents' concerns about crime and to educate them on how to be proactive. This year's theme is "My Block, My Community, My Responsibility." So far this year, Oakland has had 55 homicides, compared with 39 at the same time last year. "We will discuss what community policing means in Oakland," said Edith Guillen, a neighborhood services coordinator. The summit includes a variety of workshops based on ideas from residents and recent incidents involving crime that has affected neighborhoods. Some of the featured workshops will be Understanding and Recognizing Gang Activity, Youth Led Dialogue on Youth Culture and Violence, and Teen Prostitution. Other seminars include Personal Safety and Self-Defense and How to Build Strong, Cohesive Neighborhoods. Workshops will be translated in Spanish and Cantonese. The summit is the latest in an effort to help reduce crime. Last week, a citywide meeting at the Oakland Convention Center focusing on violence prevention and intervention brought out nearly 3,000 residents. Joseph Marshall, founder of the Omega Boys Club, is the summit's keynote speaker,Organizers say they are expecting the largest turnout for the summit since the event began in the 1990s.So far, more than 500 residents, nonprofit organizations, county representatives and church and school groups have signed up for the summit. Several Measure Y service providers, including California Youth Outreach, plan to attend.Summit organizers will hold a news conference today to promote the event and recognize residents doing good works in their neighborhoods. The news conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Laney College.Sandra Beal, chairwoman of the Garfield/Lower San Antonio Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council, said the purpose of the summit is also about community building. She said it's designed to give residents an opportunity to get to know one another and recognize the positive aspects of their community.and Oakland police Chief of Investigations Jeffrey Israel is the master of ceremonies. Mayor Ron Dellums and Oakland police Chief Wayne Tucker are special guests.SOURCE:OAKLAND TRIBUNE

Conversations Welcomes Bestselling author Dynah Zale!

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008
6p.m. --- Panelist during forum "HIPHOP: Why The Bad Rap" @ Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road * Jackson, MS); Admission free. Details, http://www.truconversations.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008
10-12p.m. --- Meet and greet at Pearl Public Library (Pearl, MS)
1-3p.m. --- Booksigning @ Wal-Mart, HWY 18 (Jackson, MS)
4-5p.m. --- Meet and greet at Richard Wright Library (Jackson, MS)

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008 (Atlanta, GA) Comfort Inn (795 Pollard Blvd.)
BOOK LOVERS' DAY!
11-12:45p.m. --- Meet and greet with authors and book lovers
1-2:30p.m. --- FORUM: The Business of Books ( authors discusss the joys and politics of publishing)
2:45-4:00p.m. --- FORUM: The Pros and Cons of Book Clubs. Why do they matter?
4:15-5:30p.m.--- What is ATL reading? Book lovers speak about what's hot and what's not.

C'MON. What are you waiting on? JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info.

CARTOON OF THE DAY

The Rise of Street Literature

IN PERCIVAL EVERETT’S NOVEL Erasure, Thelonious Ellison is a college professor who writes novels that are more praised than read. His work’s engagement with French post-structuralists and ancient Greek literature impresses and baffles reviewers, who wonder what those subjects have to do with the African-American experience. Frustrated by his latest novel’s seventh rejection and angered by the success of the street-lit hit We’s Lives in Da Ghetto, Ellison dashes off a novella parodying the “true, gritty real stories of [B]lack life” that he has been advised to write. This satiric tale, which is included in Erasure in its entirety, is peopled with stock characters like the perennially scowling thug and the vapid baby mama. It is sent to Random House as a protest, but to Ellison’s amazement and chagrin he is offered a $600,000 advance for his “magnificently raw and honest” account. Compromised, disgusted and rich, Ellison creates a reclusive, ex-con writer persona that the literary world celebrates as a “real! live! scary! Black male!” writer in their midst. Although Erasure is fictional, it is dead-on about the high-octane rise of a genre often called street lit. Also called ghetto lit, urban fiction and gangsta lit—as well as hip-hop’s literary equivalent—it unofficially burst on the scene in 1999. That’s when breakaway success greeted the novel The Coldest Winter Ever penned by rapper-activist Sista Souljah. Still considered to be the one of the best offerings in urban fiction, Souljah’s tale chronicles the hustling life and times of Winter Santiaga, who stole clothes and transported drugs for a living. Now considered classics, other novels from the late ‘90s  include Teri Woods’s True to the Game and Vickie Stringer’s Let That Be The Reason. Both writers published their own books and sold them from the trunks of their cars after collecting numerous rejections from mainstream publishers. Since that time, Woods’s novels have grossed more than $15 million, and she is now signed with a division of Warner Books, while Stringer has built an urban-fiction empire out of her Triple Crown Publications. According to Essence’s bestseller lists, which reflect data from Black bookstores across the country, street lit accounts for almost all of the current top-selling paperbacks. Rachelle Williams can testify to this from when she worked at Karibu Books in suburban Maryland near Washington, D.C. “I would say about 70 percent of the customers who came into the store bought these books, either for themselves or to send to a family member or friend in jail,” recalls Williams, who is now a doctoral student at the University of Maryland and has written about the genre. SOURCE:COLORLINES

 

Risking it All to Find Safety

JULIUS’S SHEER POWER is just unsettling. It starts with the 22-year-old’s evident beauty—the bright smile, the cherub-like innocence of his round face, his smooth, dark skin and baby dreads—all of which work alongside a sharp, speedy mind and a disarming charm to concoct a potent, volatile brew. His physicality is unquestionably male—he’s nearly six feet tall, with square shoulders and rounded if unsculpted musculature that he shows off in tight shirts and tank tops. But he wields his manhood in an overtly feminine way; where other guys strut, Julius swishes. And this recasting of male form in female style creates a gender play that’s more take-no-shit diva than nelly boy. Julius is cut out for big things and knows as much. But there’s no telling exactly what the nature of his large-scale acts will be on any given day—he’s equally capable of stunning achievement and devastating self-destruction. When I met Julius, he was one of a group of transient queer youth crashing in a little white house at the northern end of Crystal Street in Brooklyn’s rough-and-tumble East New York neighborhood. He was confused about many things in his emotional life at the time, but on one thing he was clear: he didn’t fit in. “I’m always dressed up like, you can tell that child’s a faggot from a mile away,” he sighs. “From the way I walk, you can just tell.” The old, two-story fixer-upper on Crystal Street has a warm hominess that mitigates the swirling chaos it often hosts. The living room and kitchen are splashed with bright, bold, defiant colors—oranges, yellows, reds—and a giant mural depicting an underwater wonderland covers a long stretch of wall connecting the two big open spaces. Beadwork designs of moons and seascapes cover the cabinets. The bedrooms upstairs are cramped, sure, but also cozy. The basement’s been converted into a comfortable but cluttered office, its walls lined with books and posters bearing the slogans of social change movements. SOURCE:COLORLINES

Tunes: Island Rhythms

St. Lucia Jazz
It may be called St. Lucia Jazz (stluciajazz.org), but this annual festival will please any music lover’s palette. Babyface and Al Green have both performed to sold-out crowds here, as has newly crowned pop star Rihanna. But the event remains true to its jazz roots. This year’s festival runs May 2-11, and jazz favorites Diane Reeves,  Jonathan Butler, and Najee will join a roster that includes Anita Baker, Angie Stone, and Wyclef Jean for performances on Pigeon Island’s main stage. But if you want to experience jazz like St. Lucians, take in the festival’s “fringe activities,” which take place throughout the island, and hear jazz performers play free of charge. Options abound when it comes to accommodations and attractions, too. The grown and sexy flock to the hillside Ladera resort and the new Jade Mountain at Anse Chastanet, where privacy is guaranteed with open-air suites looking out onto the Piton Mountains and Caribbean Sea. If you’re looking to bring a group of friends for jazz weekend, head to the Marigot Bay side of the island via yacht to Discovery at Marigot Bay. The resort features treehouse-like rooms equipped with such modern amenities as flat-screen TVs, high-speed internet access, and full kitchens. It’s also home to the Pink Snail, a great bar for pre-jazz drinks. Eager to party like a local? Shoot over to Rodney Bay Village for the nightclubs and bars.
Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival
To be one of the newest of the bunch, the Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival (musicfestival.tc), scheduled for this summer, sure has caught up to the rest of the Caribbean in attracting stars to the scene. Last year, Turks landed Alicia Keys, T.I., and John Legend to perform; celebs including Cedric The Entertainer showed up to watch the action from a yacht with the island’s first lady, actress Lisa Raye. Folks also came out for the Miss Turks & Caicos Universe Pageant. The winner, who is crowned toward the end of the festival, goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Expect more major talent to take the outdoor stage at Turtle Cove Marina in Providenciales this year. Lodging can be had at the island’s first international mega-yacht destination resort, Leeward Resort and Marina, opening in March. However, if you need more seclusion, try Parrot Cay, where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker honeymooned. Grab a cocktail at the resort’s Grace Bay Club’s Infinity Bar, purported to be the longest in the Caribbean, and dinner at the beachside Anacaona. For nightlife, Bambooz, with its pool tables and hot music, should do the trick.
Bermuda Music Festival
As for lively music festivals, it doesn’t get much better than Bermuda. The Bermuda Music Festival (bermudajazz.com), usually hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, attracts an old-school-music-loving crowd to hear legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, the O’Jays, and Lionel Richie. The fun doesn’t begin until October 1, but there are a lot of places to visit during the festival season. Head to town for a tasty meal at Greg’s Steakhouse, and afterward get your two-step on at Bootsie’s Comedy Club, which is known as much for its music as its comedy, or grab a cocktail at The Pickled Onion, a few doors down. For accommodations, everything about Mandarin Oriental’s Elbow Beach speaks luxury. Whether you stay in the main hotel or in a cottage suite, there are many things to do before and after hitting the festival. Try one of 100 rums at the Veranda Lounge & Terrace, or dine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Seahorse Grill—but first, reserve your personal Spa Suite and indulge in either the Rum Swizzle Ritual or the Soothing Aloe and Bermuda Honey Envelopment treatment. You can thank us later. SOURCE:UPTOWN.NET

Trina and the Lady Tigra: Still Better Than Tupac

When it comes to this year’s hip-hop discussion, not only do I feel somewhat out of the loop – I’m not even sure where the loop is anymore. My hunch is that 2008 hasn’t been stellar for the genre, though not for the reasons one Paul Kix recently suggested in an extraordinarily nincompoopish Salon essay: dude, if you only discovered rap in 1989, no wonder you believe dance novelties are evil, and I hereby sentence you to two weeks of learning to do the Popeye. Believe me, the impulse "get funky make money" has been there since the Sugarhill days. And if anything, what makes 2008 sub-par so far is that we didn’t get a “Chicken Noodle Soup” or “Vans” or “Lip Gloss” or “Cupid Shuffle” yet. Gotta say, though – those new albums by Trina and The Lady Tigra sure don’t sound wack. Heads have been hating on Trina’s Still the Baddest, not really sure why. It’s admittedly not as earth-shattering as her first two, but then neither was 2005’s The Glamorest Life; and people underrated that one, too. What I will say is this: “Still the Baddest” itself rocks harder than most hard rock has lately; the Missy duet “I Got a Bottle” is a laugh-riot electro-freakazoid throwback to Stacy Lattisaw’s “Attack of The Name Game." Trina’s kinetic phrasing in “Hot Commodity” cracks me up, too; “Single Again” balances back-on-the-market melancholy with euphoric whoot-whoot; and the Keyshia Cole collaboration “I Got a Thang for You” is a sweet R&B diversion. Some of the more self-consciously mean and nasty tracks would be easier to live without, but as porn-rap goes, at least Trina’s has a sense of humor. And I also like how she still brags about the size of her butt so much. SOURCE:THE RHAPSODY

2 Voter Rights Cases, One Gripping a College Town, Stir Texas

PRAIRIE VIEW, Tex. — “Vote or Die,” exhorts the faded slogan on a roadway at Prairie View A&M University, where black students once marched for the right to vote here in the town where they attend school, on a former cotton plantation about 50 miles northwest of Houston. The students won that battle in 2004, long after the United States Supreme Court supposedly decided the issue in 1979. But disputes over minority voting rights — along with accusations of election fraud — continue to rouse Prairie View, home to one of the nation’s leading historically black colleges, and other Texas locales. “The cold war’s not over — they just moved the fence from Berlin to the Texas border,” said DeWayne Charleston, Waller County justice of the peace, who maintains that local officials failed to record hundreds of students whom he registered to vote in 2006. The federal Department of Justice and the Texas attorney general’s office say investigations are under way here, but will not give details. Meanwhile, the attorney general, Greg Abbott, is a defendant in a separate voting rights case that goes to federal trial on Wednesday in the East Texas city of Marshall, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last month upholding Indiana’s tough voter identification law. Arguing that antifraud provisions enacted in 2003 were being selectively enforced to intimidate minority voters who are largely Democrats, the Texas Democratic Party filed suit against Mr. Abbott and Phil Wilson, the secretary of state, both Republicans. The suit, initially filed in 2006, contends that get-out-the-vote activists who help voters with mail ballots have been “interrogated, harassed and intimidated” by state investigators. J. Gerald Hebert, the lawyer for the Democrats, said his first witnesses would be several elderly black women prosecuted on fraud charges for what Mr. Hebert described as help given other elderly voters in the mailing of early ballots in Texarkana, Fort Worth and Dallas. Mr. Abbott and Mr. Wilson say they have a duty to prevent voter fraud. To complaints that any infractions at issue have been insignificant, they say that in pursuit of that duty, they must pursue violations of provisions like one that requires anyone mailing in a ballot to sign the envelope. They say that “there is no evidence of any voters who have been unable to vote due to enactment or enforcement” of the provisions, which, they also note, were sponsored in the Texas House by a Democrat. Further, they say, there is no evidence that enforcement has intimidated anyone into stopping voter assistance efforts. SOURCE:NYTIMES.COM