Eurweb.com

Opening to a fashionably chic and savvy audience, this show left nothing to be desired. Hosted by the comedic Cedric the Entertainer, the show combined the elements of comedy, sophistication, style, and of course, soul.

In typical Soul Train awards show fashion, the night was filled with incredible performances, and nominee/award presentations by various presenters ranging from the genres of reality show celebs (Shaunie O’Neal, Tami Roman, NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey) to singers (Keri Hilson, The Braxtons) to actors (Omari Hardwick, Demetria McKinney, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Malcolm-Jamal Warner). From CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to Valerie Simpson, unexpected appearances abounded throughout the evening. Read more

Monday Sept. 12, 2011

Never before released photo of Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett taken from the Body and Soul recording session at Abbey Road Studios in London. (PRNewsFoto/RPM Records/Columbia Records, Kelsey)

Amy Winehouse’s final recording before her untimely passing will be released on September 14^th, on what would have been her 28^th birthday.  The song, a duet with Tony Bennett, titled “Body and Soul” was recorded on March 23, 2011.

Tony Bennett commented, “We had a beautiful time recording together in the studio and I knew that Amy was very happy with how she performed that day.  I thought she was absolutely brilliant and this recording truly captures the essence of her unique artistry. She was a rare talent.”

The video will also premier on MTV, VH1, MTV Hits and MTV U and online through Vevo and MTV.com.

All proceeds will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Body and Soul is one duet on Ton Bennett’s upcoming CD, Duets II, to be realeased o September 20, in honour of his 85^th birthday that was celebrated on Aug. 3. The roster of  artists include Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, Queen Latifah, Carrie Underwood and John Mayer.

Can I get an amen? Church Girl, the musical stage play that graced the Sony Centre this weekend was fantastic. As the audience left the theatre, the same sentiments echoed from various attendees- funny, entertaining, great, albeit it a little long in Act II.

Church Girl written and produced by playwright Angela Barrow-Dunlap is not a new story about a rebellious preachers kid crossing over into the worldly life. In fact it is based on true events, and told with the temptations of these times making the message all the more relevant and powerful.

The story is about Emily Franklin (Demetria McKinney) an innocent and naïve pastor’s daughter who rebels because her mother will not allow her to pursue her own dreams on her time. After an argument she leaves the home and is then seduced into the seedy world of drugs, stripping and prostitution by her best friend Amber Jones (Teisha Lott-Brown) and the love of a pimp/producer/drug dealer Jacob Sinclair played by Clifton Powell.

The all-star cast did not disappoint: Robin Givens, Demetria McKinney, and A’ngela Winbush. However, stand out performances were had by Clifton Powell who played the ruthless Jacob Sinclair and Teisha Lott-Brown who played the wayward friend.

The wonderful cast of characters, phenomenal voices and dance culminated into an entertaining and soulful journey. This is definitely a must see!

Check out our gallery for more pics of the play and our meet and greet with the cast.

Contributing writer

Write what you know. That’s the most common piece of advice given to first time writers. For Marcia Brown, who has appeared in countless productions as an actor and made her mark in Toronto as a producer, making her debut as a playwright was a monumental task. After countless torn pages and rewrites she reached deep inside to find the story for her first play, I Need to Know My Father.

Growing up in Stewart Town, then later Ensom City, Jamaica, Marcia Brown was an outspoken little girl who loved to fantasize about being on stage. But there was one thing she instinctively knew she could never talk about. “I never knew my father; I didn’t even know his name and I had no clue why. My parents broke up either before I was born or soon after, and my mom gave me her name and she moved on. I grew up with my grandmother and then later my mother. I never dared ask either of them about him because I felt it would hurt both their feelings, more so my mother, to talk about it.”

In her debut play, Marcia has a chance to live vicariously through the main character Lisa, who daringly asks all kinds of questions about her father, whom she was also denied from birth. “I never did that, and could not, because in those days children were seen and not heard and I just knew it would be painful for my mom to talk about. So I put myself in those shoes again and imagined what would have happened if I had had the opportunity to pose those questions. A lot of the lines in the play are things that I think my mom or grandmother would have said. My grandmother was very feisty and I know her reaction to me would have been very similar to the character in the play.

I Need to Know My Father tells the story of 16 year old Lisa who is living with great-grandparents that desperately try to hide the true identity of her father. But Lisa is determined to uncover the truth. Through a series of twists and turns we get to appreciate the importance of a father’s role, through a child’s eyes.

But unlike the character in her play, Marcia Brown never got the chance to meet her father. “When I was 15 someone pointed him out to me, I saw him from afar. He didn’t acknowledge me and I never tried to contact him. When he died, I didn’t feel a thing.”

Despite that, Marcia is passionate about the issue of absentee fathers. “I never pushed to find out about my father, but if a child asks these questions, they should not be denied the truth. The role of the father is so important and I really got to see that after having my own child. My son’s father and I separated when he was  eight, and I know he really missed out not having his father grow up with him. To quote the words of her own son, “There are certain things a father can do for a child that a mother can never do.”

I Need to Know My Father explores these issues through comedy, drama and passion from the stage. It played to a sold out audience throughout the city this summer and is now back for another show – a benefit performance for the United Achievers Community Services at the Rose Theatre in Brampton. “This issue is so pervasive in our community. The message is so strong; it will touch everyone in the audience.”

There is one show only at the Rose Theatre in Brampton on Friday Sep 2. I Need to Know My Father tickets are $35 advance, $40 at the door. Call the Box office at The Rose Theatre 905 874 2844 or order online at http://www.brampton.ca/sites/rose-theatre/en/Pages/welcome.aspx

Monday Aug. 29, 2011

lisaliving staff

Beyonce has Sasha Fierce and Lady Gaga has Joe Calderone – her greasy, leather wearing, chain-smoking alter-ego that opened the MTV Video Music Awards last night. Lady Gaga’s drag was only one surprise of the night, the other came from Beyonce with a rub of her belly. Britney Spears won the Video Vanguard Award, and Katy Perry won the moonman trophy for “Firework”.

Adele took home three awards, for “Rolling in the Deep” and mesmerized the audience with her performance of “Someone Like You”.

Tyler the Creator won for best new artist, however his acceptance speech was beeped out so much, it wasn’t clear what he said. The irony being that he wanted to send a message to young people to follow their dreams, but his cussing prevented them from hearing his words of inspiration.

Russell Brand, gave the tribute to Amy Winehouse who passed away a month ago. He also sent a message to others that may be suffering from alcoholism, to get help.

However , the biggest news to overshadow the awards came from Beyonce. After her performance of her song, “Love on Top” she stripped of her tux jacket to show the audience her baby bump with a simple rub of her belly. The audience lost it, while proud papa JZ jumped up in excitement along with Kanye.

Monday Aug. 22

lisaliving.ca staff

Honey Jam, appropriately titled, is exactly as it sounds, the sweet, sweet sounds of musicians and vocalists performing live in a jam session to show their talent.

The annual showcase, celebrated its 16^th year last week, the event provides a platform for Canada’s talented female singers to strut their stuff for record labels looking to sign new talent. This years representatives from Warner Music, EMI Music Canada, Universal Music Canada as well as managers, scouts, agents and promoters were at work hoping to discover the next big sensation.

And the ladies didn’t disappoint, the women rocked it with sounds ranging from alternative, rap, R&B, to a DJ spinning and singing.

Much Music’s Sarah Taylor hosted and presented the lineup of 18 talented artists. These 18 were selected through an audition process and are following in the footsteps of past participants such as Nelly Furtado, Jully Black, Melanie Durrant and other well-known Canadian stars.

The brainchild of founder Ebonnie Rowe of PhemPhat Entertainment Group, came from the need to offer exposure that was lacking for the many talented women in Canada.

Check out more pics in our gallery of the event and budding artists can find out more at honeyjam.com

Rise of the Planet of the Apes $27,500,000 Fox

The Help $25,525,000 Disney / DreamWorks

Final Destination 5 $18,400,000 Warner Bros. / New Line

The Smurfs $13,500,000Sony / Columbia

30 Minutes or Less $13,000,000Sony / Columbia

Cowboys & Aliens $7,613,000 Universal7

Captain America: The First Avenger $7,125,000  Paramount

Crazy, Stupid, Love $6,930,000 Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II $6,875,000Warner Bros.

The Change-Up $6,219,255 Universal1

Glee: The 3D Concert Movie $5,700,000 Fox

Horrible Bosses $2,440,000 Warner Bros. / New Line

Friends With Benefits $1,800,000 Sony / Screen Gems

Source: Box Office

By Linda Barnard. Movies Writer, Toronto Star

Viola Davis will be remembered at Oscar time for her stunning depiction of Aibileen, a maid to the white ladies of Mississippi.

As it was in real life, the domestics do the hard work in The Help, or rather supremely talented actresses Viola Davis (Oscar nominee for Doubt) and Octavia Spencer, who play maids Aibileen and Minny respectively. They unfurl their characters with elegance, heart and — in Spencer’s case — delightful snap and acerbic sass. Expect to hear their names mentioned as awards season approaches.

Based on the bestselling Kathryn Stockett novel of the same name about a feisty southern gal in 1963 Mississippi nicknamed Skeeter (Easy A’s Emma Stone) who dreams of becoming a writer, The Help reminds us how wholly different and difficult our world was just a generation ago for people of colour, especially women. Read more

It’s summer time and the ever-popular movie at dusk in the outdoors is spreading throughout the city. Old, new, PG or R rated flicks for free are shown at various venues and parks. It is a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful summer night!

So grab your chairs, blankets, popcorn, your BFF, the kids, your hubby and head to one of the spots listed below. Make sure to be prepared with sweaters just in case the night gets cool.

The following list was prepared by Sameer Vasta and Matti Ranta

Megamind

When: Fri July 22, 8:45 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 2010 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pDN

Rango

When: Sun July 24, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Riverdale Park East

Release: 2011 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7ohg

Source Code

When: Mon July 25, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Maple Leaf Square, 15 York Street

Release: 2011 | Rated: PG-13 | http://cl.ly/8dx2

Amal

When: Tues July 26, 9:00 p.m.

Where: WestJet Stage, Harbourfront Centre

Release: 2007 | Rated: 14A | http://cl.ly/7pQo

West Side Story

When: Tues July 26, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 1961 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pBP

The Lincoln Lawyer

When: Wed July 27, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Maple Leaf Square, 15 York Street

Release: 2011 | Rated: R | http://cl.ly/8dx2

The Sound of Music

When: Wed July 27, 9:00 p.m.

Where: David Pecaut Square, Metro Hall

Release: 1965 | Rated: F | hhttp://cl.ly/7puK

King Kong

When: Thurs July 28, 9:00 p.m.

Where: The Junction Train Platform Lot

Release: 1933 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/8LyQ

Space Jam

When: Fri July 29, 8:45 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 1996 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pDN

Mommie Dearest

When: Sat July 30, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Green Space On Church, 519 Church Street

Release: 1981 | Rated: R | http://cl.ly/7rAg

Hair

When: Tues Aug 2, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 1979 | Rated: AA | http://cl.ly/7pBP

Lost In Translation

When: Tues Aug 2, 9:00 p.m.

Where: WestJet Stage, Harbourfront Centre

Release: 2003 | Rated: R | http://cl.ly/7pQo

Jagte Raho

When: Wed Aug 3, 8:30 p.m.

Where: David Pecaut Square, Metro Hall

Release: 1956 | http://cl.ly/7puK

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

When: Thurs Aug 4, 9:00 p.m.

Where: The Junction Train Platform Lot

Release: 1939 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/8LyQ

Up

When: Fri Aug 5, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 2009 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pDN

Gnomeo & Juliet

When: Fri Aug 5, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Maple Leaf Square, 15 York Street

Release: 2011 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/8dx2

Saturday Night Fever

When: Tues Aug 9, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 1977 | Rated: AA | http://cl.ly/7pBP

Fiddler on the Roof

When: Wed Aug 10, 8:30 p.m.

Where: David Pecaut Square, Metro Hall

Release: 1971 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/7puK

Tangled

When: Fri Aug 12, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 2010 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pDN

Twilight: Eclipse

When: Fri Aug 12, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Maple Leaf Square, 15 York Street

Release: 2010 | Rated: PG-13 | http://cl.ly/8dx2

Return to Oz

When: Sat Aug 13, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Green Space On Church, 519 Church Street

Release: 1985 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7rAg

Best In Show

When: Sun Aug 14, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Riverdale Park East

Release: 2000 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7ohg

Mad Hot Ballroom

When: Tues Aug 16, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 2005 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pBP

Strictly Ballroom

When: Tues Aug 16, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 1992 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7pBP

Singin’ In The Rain

When: Wed Aug 17, 8:30 p.m.

Where: David Pecaut Square, Metro Hall

Release: 1952 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/7puK

Beauty and the Beast

When: Fri Aug 19, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 1991 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/7pDN

Rear Window

When: Sun Aug 21, 8:00 p.m.

Where: Riverdale Park East

Release: 1954 | Rated: PG | http://cl.ly/7ohg

Chicago

When: Tues Aug 23, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 2002 | Rated: AA | http://cl.ly/7pBP

All That Jazz

When: Tues Aug 23, 8:00 p.m.

Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

Release: 1979 | Rated: R | http://cl.ly/7pBP

The Muppet Movie

When: Wed Aug 24, 8:30 p.m.

Where: David Pecaut Square, Metro Hall

Release: 1979 | Rated: G | http://cl.ly/7puK

Justin Bieber Never Say Never

When: Fri Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downsview Park

Release: 2011|Rated: G|http://cl.ly/7puK

lisaliving Contributor

If there’s one stage production you see this summer, let it be one that inspires you to action, one that makes you laugh, cry and want to make a change. Let it be My Brother’s Keeper. It’s a gospel musical production that will have you singing and dancing in your seat, while on a journey through a powerful story that stirs your soul. We sat down for a quick Q & A with the playwright and producer Cheryl Nembhard.

LL: What is this play about?

CN: It’s about a family dealing with two brothers who are polar opposites. Calvin, a young black man was adopted into this white family. He grew up to be a role model and pastor in the local church.  Ryder, his white brother on the other hand, grew up to be a career criminal and drug addict. Calvin’s world collides with a group of young foster children who are keeping a dark secret.

LL: What inspired you to write this play?

CN: Well, you write what you know. This play deals with street kids, drug addiction and sexual abuse. I was molested from age five to 11, and then at 16 sexually assaulted. Because of my abusive past, I turned to drugs and alcohol and spiralled into a life of very violent and aggressive behaviour. I kept running away from home, my mom worked two and three shifts as a nurse. Not having a father around I had no protection. I was an only child. Today my mom is my hero, but back then she was my enemy.  Sometimes the person you think is standing in your way is really trying to push you up. This play has a lot of elements of my own life story.

LL: What was it like exposing your own painful past in order to write this play?

CN: It was hard. But when I saw how telling my story helped these kids triumph over their own pain and abuse, it was all worth it. Several of the cast members are ex gang members, drug addicts and sexual abuse survivors themselves. They’ve been rehabilitated and are using the gift of acting to help heal others going through similar struggles.

LL: How did you go from being a violent teenager in and out of the streets, to a successful playwright?

CN: It was a street evangelist who just unrelentingly shared the love of God with me and helped me realize that in the nastiest most broken state of my life, I was still a child of God and still loved. I never forgot that message and that has been at the core of all my plays. There is no judgment; you are not coming to be evangelized. God loves everyone.

LL: What do you want people to come away with after seeing the play?

CN: We all have been placed on this earth with a purpose; the most common of those purposes is to look beyond ourselves. The title of the play is really a call to action. Can you live a life that is beyond your own personal self, can you affect one life positively?  Can you care about that broken child, or your drug addicted friend, can you pause for a minute and help someone else? Can you be your brother’s keeper?

My Brother’s Keeper plays at the Music Hall Theatre from July 14 – 17 2011. Watch the trailer at www.mybrotherskeeperplay.com. Tickets are available online at www.ticketwindow.ca or call 647.955.2108. Tickets are also available at these outlets:

Faith Family Bookstore 416-291-9005, Tyndale College 416-226-6620 x2188, Michaels Bookstore 905-426-5055