Ne-Yo Falls Ill, Bursts into Tears During Performance
Posted Jul 17th 2009 11:30AM by Tracey FordFiled under: R'n'B News
Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Ne-Yo shocked fans last night when he began to cry while on stage during a concert in Manchester, UK. Apparently, the crooner had been onstage for about an hour and just completed his rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall,' before calling it quits due to illness. The seemingly confused crowd cheered -- and some booed -- as the singer wept onstage and promised that he would make it up to them at a later date. "Trust me when I say 'I'll be back," Ne-Yo promised. "I will be back."
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
June: Black Music Month Celebration at Downing-Gross
Black Music Month was started in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter as a way to honor black musical contributions to America. African people have a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. So powerful was the culture of Africa that one of the first things that the slave traders did was to take away the drums of the captive Africans. Scholars have suggested that "Black" music is the only truly American music. If not for the influence of Black entertainers there would have never been an Elvis, Madonna, Kenny G or a Britney Spears.During this Month, Downing-Gross celebrated the culture and diversity of African-American music through an amazing lineup of artists, including: Frede Payne, PJ Morton, Nicole Henry, Queen Esther Marrow, Jean Carne, Maya Azucena and Teodross Avery. The month's celebration even spilled into July, with a performance by "Rising Icon," Chrisette Michele, as recently named by BET.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tim Reid Celebrity Scholarship Weekend
For the past nineteen years, actors Tim and Daphne Reid have worked tirelessly with the Virginia Scholarship and Youth Development Foundation to raise funds for youth scholarships. The major fundraiser for the VSYDF is The Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend. Tim and Daphne Reid invite many of their friends to come to the Tidewater Area to participate in a weekend of events, attracting over 5,000 people annually.This year Downing-Gross had the distinct pleasure of hosting the Gala, including the celebrity silent auction and banquet. Celebrities such as Kellie Williams (Laura from Family Matters); Charnelle Brown (Kim from "A Different World"); local congresswoman, Tina Vick; local playwright, Dana S. Hubbard and many more came out to show their support and take part in the weekend.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Every Dog Has His DayLocal Playwright Dana S. Hubbard brings Latest Play to Premier in Hometown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A native of Newport News and another great product of Virginia's talent, Dana Hubbard returned to his hometown from New York to premier his latest project, "Every Dog Has His Day," a stage play based on his debut novel. The play illustrates the story of a man blessed with the God-given talent to sing, but who is caught up by living a life of greed and arrogance instead of faith and understanding. Downing-Gross was proud to be a part of this "homecoming" and was able to provide the cast with a place to convene, rehearse, and be inspired.
His film credits include "Mo Better Blues," "Will A Man Rob God?," "A Woman Like That," and his work with Spike Lee on "Do the Right Thing" among many others. What is truly unique, despite all of his accomplishments, is that Hubbard has never forgotten where he came from. "Every Dog Has His Day" was showcased at his old Alma-mater, Hampton University. Keep an eye out for this rising playwright and be sure to support his upcoming projects.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Positive PR/ Westin/Lucky Star
Been longing for some Lucky?
Last night a friend and I tooled on over to The Westin at Virginia Beach’s Town Center for the grand re-opening of the Lucky Star restaurant.
The restaurant, long located on Pleasure House Road, closed several months back, leaving loyalists craving signature dishes like blackened scallops and fresh-made goat cheese ravioli and the delectable crab cakes.
Well it’s all back.
Such a tasty affair the grand re-opening was. Waitresses circulated with trays filled with martini glasses filled with a big spicy shrimp and round of fried tomato sitting on a sea of boursin cheese and corn in a roasted tomato ancho cream sauce. I was wishing for a pointy spoon so that I could get every morsel out of the bottom of the martini glass!
Others came bearing skewers of Cajun fried oysters, wonderful with an unexpected taste of dill pickle and the heat of chipotle. While I was eating a tapas of the ravioli, we got steered over to a dessert tray.
Patrick Evans-Hylton – chef, teacher, food and wine writer, keeper of all local restaurant background info – noted one in particular, Mon Amour (my love in French). He said it’s a cake made with a layer of crepe for each year that Chef Bernheisel and his wife, Julie, have been married. I didn’t write down how many years that has been, but it’s something around 16. (Sorry, I was eating and did not want to stop!) But really, how sweet is that dessert? On so many levels. (It's there in the picture.)
Anyway, the restaurant is now owned by The Westin, which has hired Chef Bernheisel as the executive chef. All those old faves are on the menu. Plus, Chef B will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Can you imagine breakfast served here? Can’t wait to try that!
The sleek dining room has glass partitions, gleaming wood paneling and stylized fresh flowers on each table. There’s plenty of room between tables, and also a private dining room and comfortable couches to chill on while waiting for tables.
Dinner appetizers range from $7 to $9; entrees from $23 to $32. Julie Bernheisel also noted that they’ll be serving a $10 lunch.
Judging from the crowd, a lot of people feel lucky that the Lucky Star is back.
Last night a friend and I tooled on over to The Westin at Virginia Beach’s Town Center for the grand re-opening of the Lucky Star restaurant.
The restaurant, long located on Pleasure House Road, closed several months back, leaving loyalists craving signature dishes like blackened scallops and fresh-made goat cheese ravioli and the delectable crab cakes.
Well it’s all back.
Such a tasty affair the grand re-opening was. Waitresses circulated with trays filled with martini glasses filled with a big spicy shrimp and round of fried tomato sitting on a sea of boursin cheese and corn in a roasted tomato ancho cream sauce. I was wishing for a pointy spoon so that I could get every morsel out of the bottom of the martini glass!
Others came bearing skewers of Cajun fried oysters, wonderful with an unexpected taste of dill pickle and the heat of chipotle. While I was eating a tapas of the ravioli, we got steered over to a dessert tray.
Patrick Evans-Hylton – chef, teacher, food and wine writer, keeper of all local restaurant background info – noted one in particular, Mon Amour (my love in French). He said it’s a cake made with a layer of crepe for each year that Chef Bernheisel and his wife, Julie, have been married. I didn’t write down how many years that has been, but it’s something around 16. (Sorry, I was eating and did not want to stop!) But really, how sweet is that dessert? On so many levels. (It's there in the picture.)
Anyway, the restaurant is now owned by The Westin, which has hired Chef Bernheisel as the executive chef. All those old faves are on the menu. Plus, Chef B will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Can you imagine breakfast served here? Can’t wait to try that!
The sleek dining room has glass partitions, gleaming wood paneling and stylized fresh flowers on each table. There’s plenty of room between tables, and also a private dining room and comfortable couches to chill on while waiting for tables.
Dinner appetizers range from $7 to $9; entrees from $23 to $32. Julie Bernheisel also noted that they’ll be serving a $10 lunch.
Judging from the crowd, a lot of people feel lucky that the Lucky Star is back.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Michael Jackson Tribute at Downing-Gross
Join us at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News, VA on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:00 pm as we celebrate the life and music of Michael Jackson. This will be a night to honor his legacy that is free and open to the public. There will be music, videos, live performances, dedications and positive dialogue. Come out for a night of celebration and fun. For more information, call the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center at 757.247.8950 or go to www.downing-gross.org.
The Tiny & Toya Show
Tiny and Toya reality show is on. Tameka Cottle “Tiny” and Antonia Carter “Toya” are set to debut in their first own reality TV show on BET starting on 30th June, 2009. Ex-Xscape group member, singer “Tiny,” who is T.I.’s fiancée, and “Toya,” the ex-wife of Lil Wayne are all set for their first reality show, based out of Atlanta, Georgia, the show will follow two hotties “Tiny and Toya” as they go through their dynamic journey through the diligent and turbulent ways of the record industry.
The show also features fascinating stories of parenting alongside two hip-hop stars.The Program will show Tiny and Toya independent according to the press realize. Every episode will give the viewers an inside view of Tiny and Toya’s lives. They take us on a thrilling rollercoaster trip in hunt of liberty and a pursuit to set the record straight. We watch them turn over the screenplay and produce new business project of their own. They will be facing actual choices that will likely modify their lives and the lives of those, who are among them forever. We find out why this attractive and compelling pair of women won the hearts of T.I. and Lil Wayne, as they win over ours.
A sneak peak was aired yesterday on 15th June, 2009; another preview is due on 28th June. The Reality show will hit TV screens, premiering on 30th June, 2009. Tune in for the next episode on Tuesday, July 7th at 10 pm.
The show also features fascinating stories of parenting alongside two hip-hop stars.The Program will show Tiny and Toya independent according to the press realize. Every episode will give the viewers an inside view of Tiny and Toya’s lives. They take us on a thrilling rollercoaster trip in hunt of liberty and a pursuit to set the record straight. We watch them turn over the screenplay and produce new business project of their own. They will be facing actual choices that will likely modify their lives and the lives of those, who are among them forever. We find out why this attractive and compelling pair of women won the hearts of T.I. and Lil Wayne, as they win over ours.
A sneak peak was aired yesterday on 15th June, 2009; another preview is due on 28th June. The Reality show will hit TV screens, premiering on 30th June, 2009. Tune in for the next episode on Tuesday, July 7th at 10 pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
