*Three-time Grammy Award winning artist John Legend and 2005 “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood will headline the halftime entertainment that will perform during the 2006 NBA All-Star Game at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 19. The 2006 NBA All-Star Game will be televised live by TNT beginning at 8 p.m. ET. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Andrea Bocelli will highlight NBA Cares, the league's global community outreach initiative, before a worldwide audience with his special performance of “Because We Believe.” Destiny's Child will tip-off the 2006 NBA All-Star Game when they reunite for their “last ever” performance to sing the national anthem.
*Sarah Jones’ Broadway run of “Bridge & Tunnel” has been extended through July 9 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The production – featuring Jones as 14 different characters in stories of cultural assimilation into American society –was originally due to end its run on March 23. Some of Jones’ characters include: Mohammed, a charismatic Pakistani accountant; Mrs. Ling, the Chinese mother adjusting to her daughter's alternative lifestyle and Nereida; and a young Latina with a quick wit and an even faster tongue.
*Quincy Jones, Gayle King, Natalie Cole, Ludacris and Tracee Ellis Ross are among the honorees and guests scheduled for the 2006 Tinseltown to Gotham pre-Oscar night, to take place March 2 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. The event salutes emerging leaders of Hollywood and benefits the World Humanitarian efforts and other selected charities. Other honorees and guests include Holly Robinson Peete, Wyclef Jean, Tyrese Gibson, Common, LisaRaye McCoy, Jill Marie Jones, Armand Assante, Larry King and Bill Mayer.
*More than 65 visual artists from over 40 cities across the world will participate in the inaugural James Brown “Soul of America” Music Festival, a tribute to the Godfather of Soul to be held May 25 through May 29 in Augusta, GA. Original drawings, paintings, etchings, photography and some three dimensional works of the legendary performer will be on display under the banner Visual Soul at select exhibition sites throughout Augusta between May 1st and June 14th. The pieces are expected to travel to other U.S. cities through 2007. To find out more about Visual Soul visit www.visualsoul.org.
*DJ Kool Herc, “The Father of Hip Hop,” will show off his clothing company at the annual MAGIC International Fashion Show Feb. 21-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Herc’s line, called Sedgwick & Cedar, is named after the Sedgwick Avenue & Cedar Park intersection in New York City's Bronx Borough, where he began laying the foundations of hip hop in 1973. Foot Klan Entertainment, featuring “Mr. and Miss Soul Train” Darryl Khalid and Luciana Bell, will represent Sedgwick & Cedar as well as the Pioneers of Hip Hop at events across the country.
*ENVY magazine and Music World Entertainment (Destiny's Child's management company) will celebrate the release of the publication’s February issue and the grand opening of Houston’s House of Dereon Media Center at an event held at the location tonight (1505 Hadley - between Crawford and La Branch in Midtown). Proceeds will benefit The Survivor Foundation, which was formed by Beyonce, Mathew, Tina and Solange Knowles and Kelly Rowland to provide transitional housing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $75 at the door. For more information, go to www.envyhouston.com or visit www.myspace.com/envyhouston.