Entertainment Archive (198)
You didn’t get Grandpa’s favorite pocketknife, either, and that little knick-knack you loved - a china reminder of childhood – went to a cousin who cherished it, too.
But that’s okay. While you never inherited tangible things from your grandparents – no favored bowl or lucky coin – they left you better legacies: strength, knowledge, and a sense of who you are.
For 50 years, Selma Needham kept a farm for her great-grandson, Rayne. She knew he would care for it, just as his great-grandad had. But in the new novel “If Sons, Then Heirs” by Lorene Cary, the passing-down may never come to pass.
Clarence Clemons (left) and Bruce Springstein / Courtesy photyWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died. He was 69. Clemons was hospitalized about a week ago after suffering a stroke at his home in Singer Island, Fla. He died of complications from the stroke, spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty said Saturday.
The College Cupcake Tour participants having been promoting their treats in an effort to help with their educational expenses. (Pnoto by Jonisha M. Tyler)Four men and a busload of cupcakes just made their way to the D.C. area, en-route to New York City to continue raising money towards their college education.
Having recently arrived in Silver Spring, Md., where they set up shop for their "Cupcake Collection" at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, the group handily enjoyed an evening service and distributed their tasty treats to the crowd.
The Cupcake Collection is a home-based cupcake business which operates in the historic Germantown neighborhood in Nashville, Tenn. The founder and owner, Mignon Francois inspired by her daughter’s love of baking, began making cupcakes as a way to generate money for the family and to reach out to her neighbors.
"We do our best to welcome all of our customers like guests," said Francois, a New Orleans native. "After all, our bakery is housed right inside the family living room."
The origin of the "Cupcake Bus" is a different story all together.
THEARC students by Steven StaufferYou’ve probably heard of The Washington Ballet. Even if you didn’t see The Nutcracker during the holiday season (and if you haven’t, you should), it’s hard to miss the buzz. This dynamic company’s performances at venues throughout the city draw crowds of balletomanes, and their nationally-renowned Wisconsin Avenue school bustles on a daily basis with over 500 young dancers-in-training. But what you might not know is that the hype continues east of the Anacostia River, where The Washington Ballet’s satellite school at THEARC is gearing up for its seventh audition season.
Owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR), the Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Campus (THEARC) first opened its doors in October 2005. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of the underserved communities of Southeast DC. To this end, eleven partner agencies offer education, arts, and recreation opportunities at drastically reduced costs.
When it comes to non-stop success, not many entertainers can compare to R&B great Charlie Wilson, also known as "Uncle Charlie. He is still reveling in the success of his latest CD, "Just Charlie," and a 2010 Grammy nomination for his hit single, "There Goes My Baby."
But Wilson, who will be performing on July 23 in D.C. at Consitution Hall, also gets kudos for being perhaps one of the few remaiing true showmen of his time -- as he is usually fully decked out -- suit and all -- dressed to kill.
"I'm putting a new face on old school R&B shows," Wilson,58, said, with a chuckle.
He said that growing up, the music of Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway and Sly and The Family Stone had a major influence on him and that he cultivated his voice in church and as a member of his school choir in Tulsa, Ok. Despite his age, Wilson still takes pride in being one of the most energetic entertainers around.
The family, friends and fans of the late Michael Jackson are remembering the King of Pop on the second anniversary of his death.
Jackson, who would be celebrating his 53rd birthday in August, passed away on June 25, 2009 at his Los Angeles home after authorities determined that he died of acute propofol intoxication and cardiac arrest. His physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has been accused of involuntary manslaughter and is due to stand trial in September.
At the time of his shocking death, Jackson had been preparing to launch a tour in London where ticket sales concerts had already been sold out.
Reports state that Jackson's children – Prince,14, Paris,13, and Blanket, 9, – who are living with their grandmother Katherine Jackson, are doing well. According to the Daily Mirror, they were presented with custom-made memorial motorcycles that were driven through Los Angeles' Forrest Lawn cemetery on Saturday.
Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana, also held a tribute, with the mayor saying that the beloved King of Pop will be honored every June 25.
(Courtesy Photo)
Rapper Missy Elliott reveals in the new issue of "People" magazine article that she is battling Graves disease, an autoimmune condition that makes it difficult to perform basic everyday tasks.
Elliot, 39, attributes the ailment for her disapearance over the past three years from the limelight.
She is undergoing treatment that has included radiation, according to media reports. The disease, which affects the thyroid gland, can reporteldy cause a long litany of unpleasant symptoms. At one point, the disease had become so debilitating that Elliott could not write or drive.
"I couldn't keep the brake down and almost crashed," she said in the "People" interview.
Two Caribbean Festival attendees show off their colorful attire. (Photo by Carlos Hernandez)When it comes to cultural celebrations, theD.C. Caribbean Festival has usually been everything one could ever imagine. At the onset, things were no different for this year's event as residents from various ethnic backgrounds made their way to Georgia Avenue to partake of the cultural offerings from places like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The colorful costumes were just as breath-taking as the parade of floats that passed along, and the mood-setting mix of music kept pace with members of the lively crowd – many of whom spiritedly danced alone or with each other.
"I felt it was fun and it felt like being immersed in a world of culture," said Clark Forcey, a 21-year-old Columba Heights resident. "It was very diverse."
Although multiple fights that broke out later caused the festival to be cut short, there were still plenty of positive moments that resonated a good time.
The festival, which features a tropical arena of food and is held annually to encourage cross-cultural programs in the D.C. Metro area, also educates the community in Caribbean arts and crafts.
For many hours each week, you spend your time running to nowhere - or so it seems.
As often as possible, you do your laps on a treadmill, run-run-running in place while the status of your health does the same: your blood pressure remains sky-high. You're still pre-diabetic. And your friends, surprisingly, are saying the same thing.
According to Richard W. Walker, Jr., MD, there's a reason for your health being the way it is. In his new book "African-American Healthy", he explains.
Having grown up in Spanish Harlem, Richard Walker remembers that health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and hypertension were "accepted by my community as part of the natural aging process."
You got old, you got sick, and that's the way it was.
Walker himself noted this health quirk but never thought much about it until he compared family histories with a friend who had Irish ancestors. Stunned to see everything so fully, he decided to investigate.
Throughout the years, he says, African Americans have consistently had higher rates of heart disease, stroke, cancer deaths, kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes than have Caucasians. Part of the problem, he admits, is genetic; some of the problem is cultural; and the cost of health care can also be blamed.
The good news is that there are things you can do to get healthy, stay healthy, save money, and live longer.
As gas prices continue to soar, many are turning to bikes as an alternative mode of transportation. / Photo by Victor HoltLocal Group Helps with Bike Outreach
Recently, residents who live in Wards 7 and 8 grabbed their gear, filled up their water bottles and headed for a popular destination in the hopes of getting a free service that could make their lives considerably easier and healthier. They braved the heat to be first in line. But this time, the preferred mode of transportation wasn't a car. Most coasted over to Skyland Shopping Center in Southeast on bicycles.
More than 50 bike aficionados attended the Washington Area Bicycle Association's (WABA) Mobile Bike Shop, on Sunday, June 19. Many made it a family affair. They brought in their trusty chariots – mountain bikes, racing bikes and children's bicycles – to be nurtured back to health.
Tyra Blake, and her 10-year-old son, Wayne, biked from their Fairfax Village neighborhood to have Wayne's bike serviced.
"Biking is much healthier and I enjoy it better than driving. His dad is deceased and we're just riding in the name of his dad. His dad loved riding and encouraged him to ride," said Blake, 45, on a picture perfect Father's Day.
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