Hollywood by Choice

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Oct 18 2012

Hollywood by Choice

Every now and then so much is happening in the entertainment world that I feel compelled to report it all, or as much as I can. From an outstanding concert benefiting communities here and abroad, to film breakthroughs and inside information on an exciting Hollywood career, it’s all right here.

First up, this Friday, Oct. 19, Faithful Central Bible Church will present a benefit concert featuring the legendary artists Gladys Knight and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Oct 11 2012

Hollywood by Choice

Get ready for the Hollywood Black Film Festival, Oct. 25-28, at the W Hotel in Hollywood. The festival will feature an exciting lineup of films, panels, panelists and festivities over the four-day period.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Sep 27 2012

Hollywood by Choice

The NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch recently announced nominations for the 22nd annual NAACP Theatre Awards. The awards include 32 categories that encompass local and equity nominations.

This year’s nominations include "Twist"—an American musical acquiring seven theater nominations and directed by Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Sep 6 2012

Hollywood by Choice

It’s that time of the year again when the networks roll out what they hope will be the new hit wonders for their station affiliates. Competition for the big three (ABC, NBC and CBS) is at an all-time high, with cable networks vying for an ever-shrinking television audience.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Aug 30 2012

Hollywood by Choice

When we hear that a movie went straight to DVD we figure the movie was somehow lacking, and wasn’t good enough to be shown on the big screen. Or if a Black movie had a limited run in theaters and went to DVD we naturally think it couldn’t attract an audience. We’ve been fed this information by the media, from those fortunate few who look down on their fellow filmmakers who haven’t received the big break yet, but who, by any means necessary, get their films to the public. “Straight to DVD” is the breeding ground of Black cinema.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”