Project Angel Food’s 27th Annual Angel Awards Provide an Unforgettable Evening Under the Stars
Gala Event Raises $600K and Honored the Late George Michael, Nordstrom, Jason Ball and Gayle Anderson of KTLA
Project Angel Food hosted its 27th annual Angel Awards Gala at on Saturday, August 19, 2017, honoring the late George Michael, at the organization’s Hollywood headquarters, turning the parking lot and adjacent street into a world class wonderland for the 470 supporters, celebrities and media members in attendance. Charitable attendees, including presenting sponsor Chaz Dean, combined to raise $600,000 for Project Angel Food, during an evening that included an auction, celebrity presentations and was highlighted by a once-in-a-lifetime performance by Queen front man Adam Lambert. Lambert sang George Michael’s hits “Faith” and “One More Try” before finishing with Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” which George Michael had also covered.
Auction items included two sets of Will & Grace tickets that included a set visit, taping and a meet and greet with the cast, which sold for $10,000 each. A McLaren driving experience with a 2018 McLaren and a professional race car driver was auctioned for $12,000 and attendees also combined smaller individual donations to raise $20,000 to send 100 children of clients and their parents to “Cinderella” at the Hollywood Pantages Theater. This included a donation by actress and Angel Awards presenter Sharon Lawrence. The Angel Awards also had an anonymous donor donate $10,000 for a one-on-one reading with “Hollywood Medium” Tyler Henry.
As food is at the center of Project Angel Food’s mission, guests were treated to delicacies created by some of Los Angeles’ most famous Chefs. This included Rory Herrmann, Chef/Owner Barrel & Ashes as the evening’s Culinary Director, Jason Neroni, Chef/Owner Rose Café on starters, Neal Fraser, Chef/Owner Redbird/Vibiana for the main courses and Private Chef Stuart O’Keeffe on dessert.
This year’s event held a special significance, as it posthumously honored the legendary performer George Michael, a dedicated friend, volunteer and supporter of the organization and to date, its largest individual donor. George Michael received Project Angel Food’s Elizabeth Taylor Leadership Award, named for the iconic star, who was both a generous and loyal benefactor. One of Project Angel Food’s clients and beneficiaries of the medically tailored meals they deliver every week accepted the award on his behalf.
“George Michael was responsible for keeping our doors open and keeping critically ill members of the Los Angeles community fed when we were in dire need of help,” said Project Angel Food Executive Director Richard Ayoub. “His generosity and kindness will never be forgotten, and through the Goss/Michael Foundation’s support, every meal we provide still has some of his spirit.” Ayoub also added that, “Project Angel Food has entered a new era. It was announced Saturday night that for the first time the organization is receiving funding from the state of California for a pilot program to prove that medically tailored meals can bring down health care costs. As we have long known, food is medicine.”
George Michael’s longtime partner, Kenny Goss, spoke at the event, recalling George’s dedication to the organization and what it meant to both of them.
“When George volunteered here in 1998, I was here with him. And I’ve got to tell you he was so impressed with the staff and volunteers, the quality of the food and the compassion embedded in the meals,” said Kenny Goss. He continued, “I’m so happy that George is finally getting the recognition he deserves with Project Angel Food’s Elizabeth Taylor Leadership Award. There’s been a lot said about George since he died, but I’d love for his legacy to be his music and his generosity.”
George Michael was a special guardian presence for Project Angel Food, when the organization was going through its most trying times. In 1993 Project Angel Food persevered to feed the influx of AIDS patients who turned to them during the height of the epidemic. Struggling to make payroll while sacrificing internally for the good of the community, Project Angel Food received an unsolicited donation, placed on the organization’s doorstep. Contained in an envelope was a check and note from George Michael, for the amount of $25,000. He would donate that same amount every year until his tragic passing in 2016.
Nordstrom was also honored, as a longtime corporate partner and active participant in the Project Angel Food mission.
“Nordstrom is committed to giving back to the communities we serve, and for more than 15 years we’ve supported the outstanding work of Project Angel Food,” said Leslie Martin, Nordstrom Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for Southern California. “We’re humbled to play a part in helping Project Angel Food deliver more and more nutritious meals each year, along with encouragement and hope, to thousands of individuals in need right here in our own backyard.”
KTLA- 5’s Jason Ball, Vice President News and Gayle Anderson, KTLA 5 Morning News Reporter were also recognized for their outstanding commitment to Project Angel Food and its ongoing support of individuals and families in need.
Project Angel Food, since its inception has provided more than 10.5 million meals, free of charge and continues to prepare more than 11,000 meals a week. These lifesaving deliveries bring love and sustenance to people living with critical illness. Project Angel Food has expanded the initial mission of serving people living with HIV/AIDS to include medically tailored meals, prepared by the staff and volunteers, for men and women combatting cancer, kidney failure, congestive heart disease and diabetes. The mission has always remained intact, to feed and nourish the sick, by delivering healthy meals throughout Los Angeles County. More than 98% of the clients are living well below the poverty level, and Project Angel Food is their lifeline, filling a vital need in all communities. The client demographics are testimony to this, 40% Latino, 30% African-American, 21% Caucasian, 5% Asian and 4% other.
IT’S A FULL HOUSE ON SEASON SIX OF BRAVO MEDIA’S “DON’T BE TARDY…” PREMIERING BACK-TO-BACK EPISODES ON
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6TH AT 8PM ET/PT
The Biermanns are taking charge on Bravo Media’s “Don’t Be Tardy…,” with a double episode premiere on Friday, October 6th at 8pm ET/PT. Through marital bliss, teenage drama, a family trip and a horrifying brush with danger, the Biermann’s family bond is as solid as a rock.
Kim and Kroy are back and better than ever as nothing seems to slow down with their band of six kids, three dogs, wild humor and outrageous fun. Kroy has taken a break from football to spend more time at home, finding himself in full-on dad mode. Meanwhile, Brielle is in love with her superstar baseball boyfriend while balancing being Kim’s personal assistant. However, her plans to move in with her new beau may strike out with her parents. Ariana has come into her own and is ready to get behind the wheel of life and take off. Chef Tracey is still cooking up amusing antics and “The Littles” – KJ, Kash, Kaia and Kane – are really the ones ruling the house at every turn.
“Don’t Be Tardy…” is produced by Truly Original with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin and David St. John serving as executive producers, and Jamie Jakimo and Michael Beck serving as co-executive producers. Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kroy Biermann also serve as executive producers.
About Bravo Media:
Bravo Media is the premier lifestyle and entertainment brand that drives cultural conversation around its high-quality, interactive original content focusing on the network’s passion points of food, fashion, beauty, design, digital, and pop culture. The network’s diversified slate includes Bravo’s scripted series “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” “Imposters,” and “Odd Mom Out,” in addition to unscripted favorites such as Emmy Award-winning “Top Chef,” “Vanderpump Rules,” “Below Deck,” “Southern Charm,” and the popular “Million Dollar Listing” and “The Real Housewives” franchises, as well as the only live late-night talk show, “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.” Available in 87 million homes, Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Watch Bravo anywhere: on demand, online, or across mobile and connected TVs. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and first launched in December 1980
The festival is in 3 weeks and today we are adding more than 200 bands. We are getting ready to bring the party to THE MILE END and all adjacent neighborhoods. We are adding Ty Segall solo acoustic for an intimate concert and rapper Havoc, the co-founder of legendary hip hop group Mobb Deep. We are really excited to be bringing the Seattle-based KEXP Radio to Canada for the very first time! They will be filming 12 live sessions from Breakglass Studios, featuring performances by Samito, The Luyas, Tess Roby, The Barr Brothers, and more! We’re also honoured to be partaking in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on the opening night of POP.
Speaking of celebrations, we’re highlighting Montreal’s 375th year by putting on a day of FREE events on Saturday, September 16th, as part of Sessions 375. The daytime programming will take place at POP Quarters (3450 St-Urbain) and feature music by local favourites Orkestar Kriminal, Klô Pelgag, Aba &Preach, Bonjay, Lunice and Kid Koala’s Vinyl Vaudeville. After night falls, the action will move up to the Rialto Theatre Complex (5719-5723 Ave. du Parc), where 5 venues will open their doors for a night of more FREE shows. From RZA: Live from the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, to Aldous Harding, Lido Pimienta, Laura Sauvage and Think About Life, the public will be invited to venture through the 4-floor complex, and discover new art and sounds from 7pm to 3am!
POP Quarters will also be hosting all the FREE POP Symposium talks, with festival artists such as Yves Tumor, Moor Mother, Royal Trux, William Basinski, a cooking beats workshop with Lunice, as well as panels by Women in Music Montreal and a discussion on how cultural communities can support Indigenous resurgence. The Record Fair is also moving to POP Quarters this year and will take place on the Saturday and Sunday, featuring live music, DJs and a listening lounge with complimentary Auchentoshan scotch cocktails inspired by selected festival artists.
We’re also putting on a stellar year of film programming through our Film POP segment, with a slew of International, North American, and Canadian premieres, with films programmed from festivals as varied as Cannes, Slamdance, SXSW, and CPH: DOX. The world premiere of A (Mitchell Stafiej | Canada, 2017) will open the fest, featuring an all-star cast of Montreal-based musicians, including Alex Zhang Hungtai (Love Theme, ex-Dirty Beaches, Last Lizard), Romy Lightman (Tasseomancy), Petra Glynt, Bernardino Femminielli, Caro Diaro, and Alexis O’Hara, followed by a musical performance by the bands featured in the film later that night at the Piccolo Little Burgundy (Late Night). Watch the trailer via The Fader.
It will also be a big year for Art POP with over 15 events and 30 participating artists. Highlights include a video installation and performance by Maya Stovall, one of the selected artists of this year’s Whitney Biennial; an artist talk and performance by a New York artist Baseera Khan; and a Céline Bureau Artist Residency that will take over an entire floor of POP Quarters, featuring artists such as the internationally renowned sculptor Dominique Sirois and painter Peggy Kouroumalos.
There will also be loads to check out during Puces POP, Fashion POP and Kids POP. Read on below for more details and highlights. Don’t stress though. Just show up for the party with your Super Pass or POP Hopper and get ready to be elevated.
BBAM! Gallery – BlackDressKOde Music – DJ Solespin – Dub Ditch Picnic Records – Duplication.ca – Explosivegroove – MUCHO GUSTO/TIR GROUP – NNA Tapes – Nick Osicka – Serge Bellerose – Sonowax – Zorgal
2017 Fashion POP Programming
Design :
Theo Chauvirey, Jessy Colluci, Genia Demarco , Julie Desjardins , Gabriel Drolet-Maguire , Teia Lindfors, Constance Massicotte, Selly Niang, Matt Shelest, Remi Van Boche
Editorial :
William Arcand, Yan Bleney, Gab Bois, Sabrina Cassis, Alexandre Faulkner, Samuel Fournier, Pierre Manning, Lionel Perron, Juan Palacio & Carol Ribeiro, Kaven Tremblay
2017 Film POP Programming
A (Mitchell Stafiej | Canada, 2017 | 85 min) – A LIFE IN WAVES (Brett Whitcomb | United States, 2017 | 74 min) – DESERT HEARTS (Donna Deitch | United States, 1986 | 91 min) – HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (John Cameron Mitchell | United Kingdom/ United States, 2017 | 102 min) – KUSO (Flying Lotus | United States, 2017 | 105 min) – NEW JACK CITY (Mario Van Peebles | United States, 1991 | 100 min) – ON THE SLY: IN SEARCH OF THE FAMILY (Michael Rubenstone | United States, 2017 | 82 min) – RZA: LIVE THE 36th CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (Lau Kar-Leung | Hong Kong, 1978/2016 | 115 min) – THE ALLINS (Sami Saif | Danemark, 2017 | 74 min) – THE MAN FROM MO’WAX (Matthew Jones | United Kingdom, 2016 | 109 min)
2017 POP Symposium Participants
Aaron Lakoff – Aerin Fogel – Aliya Pabani – Amina Abodoma – Amy Fort – Amy Macdonald – Anika Mottershaw – Ari Swan – Aryanna Rousseau – Beth Martinez – Bojan Bošković – Clare Paterson – Colleen Krueger – Courtney Montour – Cyprian Buś – Danica Evering – David Lametti – David Zinman – Erin Gee – Evan Dubinsky – Jared Leon – Jesse Locke – Joe Steinhardt – John Fischer – Jonathan Shedletzky – Juana Molina – Katie Jensen – Katie Lee – Kyria Kilakos – Lady Kier – Laurel Sprengelmeyer – Lunice – Mar Sellars – Marilis Cardinal – Melody McKiver – Meyer Billurcu – Michael Venus – Mona Dehghan – Moor Mother – Nelson Arreguín – Nikita Lavrinenko – Pat Curley – Peggy Hogan – Rachel Weldon – Raymond Biesinger – Robin Wattie – Royal Trux – Ryan Dyck – Sergio Da Silva – Skawennati – Skeena Reece – Stephane Moraille – Susan Abramovitch – Sybil Bell – Tao-Ming Lau – Tina Piper – Vic Galloway – Will Straw – William Basinski – Yves Tumor
2017 Art POP Artists
ALICIA MERSY – ALIX FERRAND – AYSE GAUTHIER – BASEERA KHAN – BASEL ABBAS AND RUANNE ABOU-RAHME – BEN COMPTON – CELINE BUREAU – CK2 – DOMINIQUE SIROIS – DURGA CHEW-BOSE – ELENA AILES – EMILY PELSTRING – FIONA DUNCAN – HEA KIM – JACOB WREN – JAY “J-BERD” KEATING – JOHANNA HELDEBRO – JOHN ANCHETA – KATE LEWIS – LENA YOUKHANA – LUCAS LAROCHELLE – MAYA STOVALL – MEL ARSENAULT – MICHELE NOX – MONIQUE PALMA WHITTAKER – PAULE GILBERT – PEGGY KOUROUMALOS – SABRINA MAISONNEUVE – SKEENA REECE – STEFFANI JEMISON – SORAYA FATHA – THE SOCALLED JOSH DOLGIN – TREVOR GOULD – WONG KIT YI
2017 POP Montreal Music Artists
13 Salopards – Aba & Preach – Abigail Lapell – Absolutely Free – achrome/アクローム– Ada Lea – Aldous Harding – Alexia Avina – Algodón Egipcio – Alien Boy – Alison Wonderland –Alsarah & The Nubatones – An Albatross – Anette Zénith (Me Float) & Julien Champagne – Aquarius – Aron D’Alesio – Arthur des Jaguars – Austra – Avec pas d’casque – Bambi Lou – BARRE – Barry Paquin Roberg – Basia Bulat – BBQT – Beep Test – Beliefs – Belle Game – Bernardino Femminielli – Bernice – Best Fern – BEYRIES – BIBLICAL – BIG GRAVE – Bing & Ruth – Bitch Falcon – Black Bambi – BLACKOUT SOUND SYSTEM – Blanck Mass – Blanka – Bleach Day – blue odeur – Bodywash – Bonjay – Bossie – Buffalo Hat Singers – Cam Maclean – Camille Delean – Caravane – Carla J. Easton – Carla Sagan – Carodiaro – Casper Skulls – Catherine Leduc – Cedric Noel – Chanda M – Charm Taylor – Chloe Charles – Chocolat – Christian Sean – Clay and Friends – Colour Wheel – Common Deer – Common Holly – Cones – Consilience – Country Classics and Bluegrass Ramblings with Katie Moore and Li’l Andy – CRABE – Daily Alice – Daniel Isaiah – David Maxim Micic – Dead Obies – Deaf – Dentist – Desert Bloom – DJ Andy Williams – DJ Asma – DJ Interstellaire II – DJ Lady Kier – DJ Pachi Pachi – Doe Paoro – Doffing – Doldrums – Donzelle – Doom Tickler – Doomsquad – Double Date with Death – Dråsa – Drones Club – Duchess Says – Duotang – EBHONI – ECHO BEACH – EgyptriXxx – Ellemetue – ELOHIM – Émilie Payeur – Ensemble Sonique II – Eva Tolkin – Everett Bird – Exit Someone – Eyeballs – Fabrizio Cammarata – Faith Healer – Fake Palms – Family Band – Femme Accident – Fet.Nat – Figure Walking – Fleece – Florda Well – FOONYAP – Forever – Fouki – Fountain – Fred Woods – Freddy Gruesum – Fredy V. & The Foundation – Freelove Fenner – Gamine – Gary’s House – Gazm – Gentleman Brawlers – GG Love – ggpeach – Ghost Love – Ghost Twin – Gigi French – Gladys Lazer – Goodbye Honolulu – Graham Van Pelt – Guillaume Vallée – Guizo La Nuit – Hangover Lobsters – Havoc (of the Infamous Mobb Deep) – Heart Attack Kids – Heathers – hey! dw – Hoan – Holobody – Holy Data – Honey Beard – Hoodlem – Hua Li – Hurray for the Riff Raff – I Shot Samo – Inland Island – Isaac Vallentin – iSiPHiTHiPHiTHi – J. Ellise Barbara’s Blank Space – Jah Cutta – Jaiden Davis-Jones – James Irwin – Jason Bajada – Jay Arner – Jay Som – Jaye Bartell – Jeremy Dutcher – Jessy Lanza – Jo Marches – Joanne Pollock – Joe Grass – Joey Sherrett – John Maus – Johnny Black – Johnny Jr. – Jon Cohen Experimental – Joni Void – Juana Molina – Julie Aubé – Justin Wright – Kaie Kellough – Kali Uchis – Kee Avila – Kid Koala’s Vinyl Vaudeville – King Woman – Klô Pelgag – Know – L CON – L.A. FOSTER – La F – LAPS – Laura Sauvage – Le Havre – Le Winston Band – Lemongrab – Les Louanges – Les Passagers – L’il Andy –Lido Pimienta – Little Scream – Little You, Little Me – Loïc April – LOLAA – Lonely Boa – Look Vibrant – Loon – LOS – Lou Canon – Love Theme – Lucius P. Thundercat – Lucy Dacus – Luna Li – Lunice – Lydia Képinski – M U D I E – Maggy France – Magnolian – Manners – Mappe Of – Marrakesh – Mat Vezio – Mauno – Max Comeau – Max Henry – Max T – May Have – Maybe Greys – Maylee Todd – Melody McKiver – Men I Trust – Micah Erenberg – Mich Cota – Michele Nox – Middle Kids – Mighty Diamonds – Mike Shabb – Mitchell Bailey – MJ Farrell – MKRNI (makaroni) – Mono No Aware – Moon King – Moor Mother – Morthouse – Motherhood – Mount Eerie – MOURN – Mouth Breather – Mr. Walter – Ms.Holmes – Mundy’s Bay – MUNYA – Myriam Boucher – Nancy Pants – Naomi Punk – Napster Vertigo – Narcy – Needles//Pins – Nêhiyawak – Nennen – New Fries – Nick Johnston – Nicolet – Night Shop – Nina Segalowitz – Nnamdi Ogbonnaya – No Aloha – NOBRO – November – Ohara – Opale – Ora Cogan – Orkestar Kriminal – OURI – Pallice – Pang Attack – Papi Chulo – Paraphonique – Pascale Project – Pat Dillon Moore – Patrik – Paupière – Penny Diving – Pet Sun – Petra Glynt – PHERN – Phony Ppl – Pierre Kwenders – pillowcount – Pins & Needles – Plini – Po Lazarus – PONY – Public Service Broadcasting – Pulgas – Quay Dash – Queen of Swords – Radiant Baby – Ramon Chicharron – Rara Jazz de Montréal – Raveen – Rebelle – Renny Wilson – respectfulchild – Robbie Ivon – Royal Canoe – Royal Trux – RZA – S.H.R.I.M.P. Ring– Sage Reynolds – Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs – Samito – Sarah Pagé – Sarahmee – Saxsyndrum – Scattered Clouds – Sea Oleena – Serpentwithfeet – Shades of Culture – Sheenah Ko – Sick Things – Slight – Small Talk – Smileswithteeth – Smithers – Smokes – Soccer Mommy – Soclose – Son Little – Sorry Girls – Sportsfan – Stef Chura – Stefan Schneider – Steve Jr. – Still Kicking – Strange Froots – Strangerfamiliar – Sueños Y Raíces – Sunfields – Sunrise & Good People – SWEAT – Swet Shop Boys – Syngja – Tali Taliwah & the Ruckus – TAM – Tamara Sandor – TAMPA – Teen Daze – Teke Teke – Tess Roby – Thanya Iyer – The Acorn – The Baggios –The Besnard Lakes – The Dears – The Foreign Resort – The Fuzzy Undertones – The Going Away Present – The Hypochondriacs – The Jerry Cans – The Luyas present: After Language – The Misprints – The Painters – The Rising Few – The Seams – The Sorority – Thee Oh Sees – These Guy – Think About Life – Thrifty Kids – TiKA – Tim Arnold – TONNES – Tooth & The Fang – Traces – Trails – Trio Joubran featuring Youssef Hbeich –Twist – Ty Segall Solo Acoustic – Tyrone Wells – Umji Kelezo – Un Blonde – Vagabon – Val Thomas – Vallens – Valleys – Vanille – Venus – Vikki Gilmore – VJ Minou Lunch – Vogue Dots – Vulvets – Wake Island – Walrus – Wasiu – We Are Monroe – Weird Star – Weyes Blood – Whitney K – William Basinski – Windigo – Wine Lips – Woolworm – WROTE – Year of Glad – Young Mammals – Young Satan in Love – Yves Tumor – Zach Phillips – Zen Bamboo – Zoe Sky Jordan – Zouz
(New York, NY) Rounder Records and select Harley-Davison locations are uniting for “THE MIDNIGHT RIDER’S RALLY,” a very special event commemorating the final album from the legendary Gregg Allman. SOUTHERN BLOOD arrives everywhere on Friday, September 8th.
SOUTHERN BLOOD is available for pre-order now at digital music retailers and the Gregg Allman Official Store. A wide array of limited editions and special bundles are on offer, including digital download, Standard and Deluxe CD/DVD, and limited edition heavyweight vinyl and vinyl test presses. For complete pre-order details, please visit the Gregg Allman Official Store.
SOUTHERN BLOOD includes the new original song, “My Only True Friend,” written by Allman with Gregg Allman Band guitarist/musical director Scott Sharrard. The track – available now at all digital music retailers and streaming services – premiered earlier this summer exclusively via NPR Music, which raved, “From its stately introduction through a wrenching guitar solo at the close, the track exudes a surefooted classic-rock grandeur we don’t hear much anymore. Yet Allman keeps it on an intimate scale…Allman sings like he’s confiding to a friend, distilling hours of stock-taking and introspection. He’s plainspoken, like always, and his casual air adds disarming resonance to what is clearly a farewell statement.” “My Only True Friend” is joined by a powerfully moving official video, streaming now at Gregg Allman’s official YouTube channel after its exclusive premiere via Relix.
“THE MIDNIGHT RIDER’S RALLY” will take place Friday, September 8th at select Harley-Davidson locations across North America. Fans can register for their local rally via the Gregg Allman Official Store; a portion of the $20 registration benefits the Allman/Lehman Endowed Scholarship at Syracuse University, with all registrations also receiving a digital download of SOUTHERN BLOOD.
Well known as an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast, Allman and his groundbreaking music will be celebrated at “THE MIDNIGHT RIDER’S RALLY” events, including release day premiere plays of SOUTHERN BLOOD as well as a wide range of local artists performing songs from the Allman canon. As if that weren’t enough, every rally will feature an exclusive raffle, with giveaways including CDs, DVDs, and vinyl LPs – among them, a limited edition 10″ vinyl picture disc featuring three live performances from 2014’s “All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman” tribute concert event. Select locations will see partnerships with local breweries while others will display classic Harley-Davison motorcycles from Allman’s own fabled collection. Fans attending “THE MIDNIGHT RIDER’S RALLY” will be invited to share their photos, videos, and memories using the hashtag #MidnightRidersRally; all submissions will then be displayed on www.greggallman.com.
“THE MIDNIGHT RIDER’S RALLY”
Friday, September 8th
@ Harley-Davidson Locations Across North America Including:
TV ONE’S ORIGINAL FILM, WHEN LOVE KILLS: THE FALICIA BLAKELY STORY, SCHEDULED TO PREMIERE MONDAY AUG. 28 AT 9 P.M. ET
Directed by Tasha Smith, the project stars Niatia ‘Lil’ Mama’ Kirkland, Lance Gross, and Tami Roman in a true crime thriller ripped from the headlines WASHINGTON D.C. – TV One’s latest original film, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, will premiere Monday, August 28 at 9 pm EST. The film marks the feature-length directorial debut for Tasha Smith (For Better Or Worse, Empire) and stars Niatia “Lil’ Mama” Kirkland, Lance Gross, and Tami Roman, with special appearances from Big Freedia, Lil Zane, and Floyd Mayweather.
The project is the network’s first original movie inspired by an episode of TV One’s original true crime series, For My Man. When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story tells the tragic story of Falicia Blakely, a teen mom from Atlanta who grows up in the fast-lane. When she becomes an exotic dancer, she attracts the attention of local pimp and predator, Dino. His empty promises of a life together turn Falicia into a pawn in his dangerous games; and she’s forced to prove her love for him at the expense of innocent lives. “I totally did not see myself playing an exotic dancer, but it was so much more to the story,” says Niatia “Lil’ Mama” Kirkland of taking on the role. “I pulled from the truth of women all around the world who have been victims and not known that they were victims of society. This is what’s so amazing about acting – allowing myself to be as vulnerable as I would be in that moment, just to actually live through the character and become Falicia. I want to do her justice, and so I tapped into truth to tell her story.” In playing Dino, a modern day Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde who uses Falicia’s desire to be loved for his gain, Gross says he had to “dive all the way in.” “This is a role nobody’s ever seen me in – they’re used to me being the nice guy,” says the actor, who is known for his roles in Tyler Perry’s House of Pain and Temptation. ”I want the audience to know that you really have to be conscious of the decisions that you make, because there’s consequences that come along with it.” Tami Roman portrays Stacey, Falicia’s alcoholic mother who has jumped in and out of her daughter’s life, exposing her to too much too soon.
Roman said she had to reflect back deeply into her own relationship with her mother as a teenager in order to understand how to play the character. “At the age of 13 [my mother] sent me to live with my grandmother. By 15 she came to get me, and at that point we became best friends because she had finally gotten herself together,” she recalls. “And I think that is where I tried to become my mom [in this role].” Each actor transforms into their characters under the directorial leadership of Tasha Smith, whose goal was to challenge each actor to dig deep to relate to their character, while creating a suspenseful, high-stakes drama on screen. In addition to directing and producing, Smith is a multifaceted actress whose work brings style and intensity to the subjects she plays on the big and small screens. “I feel like it’s my calling to inspire other actors to pursue their purpose in the heart, and that’s why to have the opportunity to direct and to work with actors on that level – I love it. I’m in heaven,” says Smith on stepping behind the camera for the first time. When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story is written by industry veteran Cas Sigers-Beedles, who previously wrote and executive produced the TV One movies Welcome to the Family and Girlfriends Getaway 1 & 2.
The film is produced for TV One by Eric Tomosunas, Keith Neal and James Seppelfrick of Swirl Films. For TV One, Tia A. Smith is Sr. Director of Original Programming & Production and Executive in Charge of Production; Donyell McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting; Robyn Greene-Arrington is VP of Original Programming, and D’Angela Proctor is Head of Original Programming and Production. For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv .
TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on TwitterInstagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #REPRESENT.
In the late 1960s, deep political unrest set the stage for a revolution of the mind: the psychedelic era. During this time of unbridled experimentation, writers, artists, and musicians unleashed limits and broke down boundaries with their work.
Timothy Leary explored the limits of consciousness, Allen Ginsburg wrote revolutionary poetry, and musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane brought the era to life through timeless music, still prevalent today.
Artists also worked in the psychedelic style, creating the brightly-colored, Art Nouveau-inspired rock posters so often associated with the 60s. Psychedelia also found its way into rock photography, and leading the way was legendary photographer Karl Ferris. Manipulating color and working with various filters and lenses, Ferris created images like the world had never seen.
Photo by: Henry Diltz
On the 50th anniversary of Are You Experienced, the groundbreaking album by Jimi Hendrix, Morrison Hotel Gallery is stepping through the looking glass into the “age of psychedelia” with an exhibition and sale featuring Are You Experienced album cover photographer Karl Ferris along with the work of some of the most talented photographers of that era such as Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Herb Greene, and many others.
The photographs capture some of the most culture-defining musicians who led the way for a movement that changed how people heard and experienced music. The subjects are artists such as Hendrix, Donovan, The Hollies, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Cream and many others.
The Psychedelic Experience exhibition will be at Morrison Hotel Gallery’s West Hollywood location, in the lobby of The Sunset Marquis Hotel, beginning August 24th and running until August 31st. Concurrently, the exhibit will be at the gallery’s New York location from August 24th thru September 6th. During and after the exhibitions’ run, all photographs are available for purchase on the Morrison Hotel Gallery website. International shipping available.
About Karl Ferris An English photographer/designer who spent years photographing the British rock elite, Karl Ferris best known as one of the principle innovators of psychedelic photography. Ferris grew up in Hastings, England in the 1950s. He became interested in art at a young age, studying at Hastings College of Art. He focused on Pre-Raphaelite painting, which later influenced his photographic style of the 1960s. After serving two years with the RAF as an aerial photographer where he worked with infrared spy surveillance photography, he moved into fashion, shooting for 19, French Mode, Marie Claire, Harper‘s Bazaar and Vogue. Ferris’s most Iconic collection of photographs are those capturing Jimi Hendrix and The Jimi Hendrix Experience in what is now known as a “psychedelic style.” Hendrix invited Ferris to shoot the cover for a US version of his album Are You Experienced. It was during this shoot that Ferris began experimenting with color and lens applications. The use of the fisheye lens and his innovative infrared film photographic technique created a never-before-seen effect that landed Ferris his first exhibition with Kodak London. He went on to shoot a variety of Hendrix albums, as well as a selection for Donovan and The Hollies. Now based in Ibiza, Ferris has moved into film producing/directing, as well as record producing, while still shooting special photographic assignments. His upcoming record, entitled The Jimi Hendrix Ibiza Remix, is a mind-blowing fusion of Hendrix classics and electrifying dance beats.
About Morrison Hotel® Gallery
Morrison Hotel®Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Peter Blachley, music retail industry professional Richard Horowitz, and legendary music photographer Henry Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. The partners just launched a new location at Mick Fleetwood’s General Store in Maui, Hawaii.
MHG is the world’s leading brand in fine art music photography representing over 125 of the world’s finest music photographers and their archives. Their vast catalog of photography encompasses jazz, blues, and rock imagery spanning several generations through to today’s contemporary music artists and now includes iconic photographs in the world of sports as well. MHG has a robust online presence, featuring over 100,000 images searchable by photographer, music artist, band or concert. www.morrisonhotelgallery.com
Moniker International Art Fair is pleased to announce it will debut a New York City edition during New York Frieze week, open to the public May 3-6, 2017 at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY. In the United Kingdom, Moniker has established itself as the leading fair dedicated to Urban Art and its related subculture, bringing together these genres’ most influential galleries, well-established names, and emerging voices. Founded by in 2010, the fair has grown to its current prominence under the leadership of Fair Director Tina Ziegler.
“Moniker has dedicated its eight-year history to championing urban art in the UK. It was only fitting to present our first international edition in Brooklyn, a place revered and respected as the home of urban culture. We’re thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of the NYC art fair circuit, and to bring London’s community of artists and galleries to new audiences as part of our expansion” said Ziegler.
Known for producing thematic fairs, Moniker inaugurates its stateside edition under the theme of the carnival. Embracing the carnival’s interactive, immersive, and participatory elements, Moniker’s 2018 New York debut will offer a sensational environment for visitors to appreciate the excitement of this variety of work.
The 2018 presentation will exemplify the fair’s commitment to exhibiting the depth and breadth of street art and related movements. As the fair continues to add additional exhibitors to its roster, select highlights of participating galleries include StolenSpace Gallery, London; Curious Duke Gallery, London; as well as Station 16 Gallery, Montreal. Moniker’s U.S. edition will offer a unique opportunity for American audiences to experience the highest quality of New Contemporary and Urban Art from an international perspective, connecting a strong American collector-base with many European galleries that have never before presented in the United States. Many U.K. galleries will be exhibiting at Moniker for the first time, marking a robust expansion in the fair’s program.
Greenpoint Terminal’s industrial, warehouse aesthetic and open floor plan provides an ideal context to present the diversity of work to be displayed at Moniker. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, the surrounding Greenpoint neighborhood boasts a number of highly regarded galleries, delicious eateries, and hip retailers.
About Moniker International Art Fair
Now in its 8th year, Moniker Art Fair aims to spotlight emerging and established talent from a burgeoning and increasingly diverse contemporary art movement forged by its subversive and innovative spirit. Staged for the first time during New York’s most important art week in May, Moniker International Art Fair attracts some of the most talked about artists, galleries and collectors from the finer side of the street art movement and its related subcultures.
Moniker rallies against the familiar grind of the art fair season with a curated, experiential and immersive focus, creating unique settings for the display of artists and their work. With a proven track record of delivering a rich and varied program since its formation in 2010, the fair has grown significantly since its inception both in terms of audience and relevance.
Last August 19, Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander and Jon Rudnitsky along with writer/director Hallie Meyers-Shyer and producer Nancy Meyers celebrate the East Hampton Special Screening of HOME AGAIN in new photos.
HOME AGAIN stars Reese Witherspoon (“Big Little Lies,” Wild, Walk The Line, Sweet Home Alabama) as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.
Don’t miss the modern romantic comedy when it arrives in theaters September 8th!
Home Again
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen, and Lake Bell
After lighting up stages across North America and around the world this summer on a sold out tour and teasing eager fans about upcoming music releases, THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS released a new song today for the first time in four years. Available globally at 8am EDT on all digital retail and streaming sites, “Walk On Water” marks the first single from the multi-platinum selling band’s highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album. The song will debut on alternative radio stations at 8am EDT as well as have an ‘all day premiere’ with iHeart Radio.
Next week, “Walk On Water” will have its world television debut in a can’t-miss performance on this year’s MTV VMAs on August 27th, 2017. The song features a sweeping chorus as a call to arms that embodies the spirit of elite athletes, which made it a natural fit for the band, and in collaboration with ESPN, to use “Walk On Water” on ESPN’s college football programming for the 2017 season. The band’s latest single is slated to be used across a variety of shows, promotions and games on ESPN’s college football platforms—television and digital.
Jared Leto first hinted at new music in a dramatic teaser video unveiled on his Instagram in June. The band then confirmed the new single in August with another video. The record, set for release on Interscope Records, follows the band’s 2013 studio album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS, which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart.
“WALK ON WATER is a song for all of us. It’s a song about freedom, about persistence, about change and about fighting for what you believe in. It is a call to arms but also full of all the optimism and hope that is such an integral part of the American Dream,” said Jared Leto.
The band’s eponymous debut album, 30 Seconds to Mars, was released in 2002 and remains a cult favorite. They went on to achieve worldwide success with the release of their second album A Beautiful Lie (2005), which sold over 5 million copies. Their next release was This Is War in 2009. The recording process of the album was marked by a legal dispute with record label EMI that eventually became the subject of the award winning and acclaimed documentary film Artifact (2012). Thirty Seconds to Mars then released the fourth album, Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams (2013), to critical and commercial success. The band has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and sells out arenas and stadiums globally.
Thirty Seconds to Mars has received numerous awards and accolades throughout their career, including a dozen MTV Awards, a Billboard Music Award and a Guinness World Record for the Longest Running Tour in history. On July 4th, the band shot a documentary titled A Day In the Life of America. Including over 90 crews in all 50 states (plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico), the project captures American life in a single day. A Day in the Life of America is due for release in 2018. Thirty Seconds to Mars are currently working on their highly anticipated 5th studio album
Marvel and comiXology Present THOR VS HULK – The Next Exclusive Digital Series Coming to ComiXology Unlimited Available exclusively on comiXology and Kindle for $2.99 & free to comiXology Unlimited subscribers
Today, Marvel and comiXology announced the next series in their line of exclusive digital comics– Thor Vs Hulk: Champions Of The Universe. The perfect entry point for new readers, Thor Vs Hulk: Champions Of The Universe is written by Jeremy Whitley with art by Simone Buonfantino and Alti Firmasyah. Thor Vs Hulk focuses on two of Earth’s mightiest heroes, whose skills, endurance and friendship are put to the test when they’re pitted against each other to decide who will fight the Elder of the Universe known as the Champion.
Thor Vs Hulk is available for pre-order today for $2.99 on comiXology and Kindle or free to comiXology Unlimited subscribers as part of their subscription when released. New users to comiXology’s popular subscription service can also access Thor Vs Hulk for free on day of release as part of their 30-day free trial when the series debuts on September 6th.
“The Mighty Thor and The Incredible Hulk have long been two of the strongest, mightiest, and most sought out heroes of the Marvel Universe,” said series writer Jeremy Whitley. “Thor is a god, Hulk is a colossus. Now the Champion of the Universe is looking for an opponent and Hulk and Thor are the top contenders. So rather than fight them both, The Champion’s new promoter has set up a series of contests which Hulk and Thor must complete to decide who will face The Champion.”
“We wanted to take the things we love from stories like Contest of Champions and add a new twist that allows us to play in the ENTIRE Marvel Universe,” Whitley continued. “Every issue is a new world, a new task, and new trials for the God of Thunder and the Great Green Goliath. Readers will get to see some of their favorite elements of the Marvel Universe and a handful of new ones. We wanted to make a mini-series jam-packed with so much action that readers would come back to it again and again. It’s a love letter to two of the strongest Avengers and the wonderful universe they live in. A universe where anything can happen.”
Fans across the globe have been attracted to Marvel’s amazing characters through top-grossing movies, critically-acclaimed TV series, and ground breaking new publishing series that have driven titles like Guardians of the Galaxy, Daredevil, and Black Panther to new heights, alongside perennial favorites like Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers.
This past spring, Marvel Comics joined comiXology Unlimited, giving fans the ability to read over 10,000 titles including thousands of Marvel Comics’ single issues and collections as part of their comiXology Unlimited membership, featuring Super Heroes like The Avengers, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Black Panther, Iron Fist, Guardians of the Galaxy and more.
To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com
or simply chat with some of your favorite heroes with Marvel’s chatbot accessible through Twitter and Facebook
ComiXology, an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary, is a revolutionary, cloud-based digital comics service. With content from over 125 publishers as well as thousands of independent creators from around the world, comiXology provides an unrivaled library of comic books, graphic novels, manga and bandes dessinées. The company’s first-in-class innovations include the exclusive Guided View technology which provides an immersive and cinematic reading experience and a monthly subscription service. ComiXology is based in New York City, with operations in Seattle and Los Angeles. For more information visit comixology.com and follow the company on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.
George Michael’s longtime partner, Kenny Goss, spoke at the event, recalling George’s dedication to the organization and what it meant to both of them.
