MARIAH’S ALLEGED HONG KONG DEMANDS SURFACE: Daily News says she wanted special ‘furniture, lighting and armed escorts.’
*The New York Daily News quotes a “music industry source” that claims to know the “unreasonable, last-minute” demands that led promoters in Hong Kong to cancel Mariah Carey’s scheduled concert.
According to the Daily News spy, the singer “was making demands like Streisand," calling for special spring water, furniture, lighting, and armed escorts.
In addition to the alleged demands, Hong Kong promoters Concert Asia also cited “poor response of ticket sales” as a reason for pulling the plug on her show. Carey’s manager, Benny Medina, says their statement is simply not true. He says ticket sales were fine, and that the concert was cancelled due to the promoter’s inability to meet financial commitments.
"This promoter is resorting to lies and attacks on Mariah when it's just a result of the fact that he can't pay his bills," Medina told the Associated Press.
NAOMI ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED HER DRUG COUNSELOR: Plus columnist Liz Smith says she’ll talk about her issues on Oprah next month.
*Veteran gossip columnist Liz Smith is reporting that Naomi Campbell has already booked a visit to Harpo Studios to discuss her anger issues with Oprah.
Smith says the supermodel will tape an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that will be broadcast sometime next month, which just happens to be November sweeps.
It was also reported in London’s The Sun newspaper that Campbell’s latest assault victim is her drug counselor. The paper said she made a complaint after being "scratched all over her face" by the runway terror.
“We believe there has been a misunderstanding," a rep for Campbell told the Sun. "Once police have investigated we are sure this will be resolved."
This incident marks the sixth time a woman has accused Campbell of assault. In the most recent incident, she is alleged to have thrown a jewel-encrusted cell phone at her housekeeper during an argument at her Manhattan apartment. After failing to show up at a hearing in September, the case was adjourned until Nov. 15.
NICOLE RICHIE FINALLY SEEKS HELP: Bone-thin celebutante checks into facility to address ‘inability to gain weight.’
*Nicole Richie’s publicist wants to assure everyone that it’s not an eating disorder that prompted the famous face to check into a treatment facility last week regarding her severe weight loss.
In a statement released Thursday, the socialite’s rep Nicole Perna
said: "She is working with a team of doctors and specialists whose focus is nutrition. It is important to Nicole that she achieves this goal in a healthy way as this is not a treatment for an eating disorder."
Richie, the 25-year-old daughter of singer Lionel Richie, has admitted publicly to her waifish size, telling Vanity Fair magazine: "I know I'm too thin right now. ... I'm not happy with the way I look."
Her trip to the unnamed facility has caused production to shut down on “A Simple Life,” the reality show she shares with hotel heiress Paris Hilton. The two recently reunited after a feud that lasted over a year.
"We wish her a speedy recovery and fully expect the series will resume production at some point, hopefully in the near future," said Chris Alexander, a spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television.
Alexander said the upcoming fifth installment of "A Simple Life," in which the pampered pair will be shown working as camp counselors, had been slated to begin in early November and air sometime in 2007.
TREVOR BERBICK FOUND DEAD IN JAMAICA: Two-time Canadian heavyweight champ found hacked to death.
*Former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion Trevor Berbick was found dead early yesterday in a churchyard close to his home outside of Kingston, Jamaica. Authorities say the 52-year-old Jamaican-born fighter appeared to have been chopped and stabbed to death.
"Given the nature of the wounds we can presume with some certainty that he was murdered," said Det. Sgt. Jubert Llewellyn of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to the Toronto Star newspaper. "Some of the wounds are consistent with those that could have been caused by a machete."
The body was discovered by police officers on routine patrol at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Top homicide investigators from the police service's headquarters in Kingston were dispatched to Portland parish to join the murder investigation.
Berbick, who fought for Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, became a landed Canadian immigrant in 1979, shortly after beginning his pro boxing career while living in Halifax.
In 1981, Berbick beat an aging Ali in the final fight of the boxing legend's career. Then in 1986, he won the WBC heavyweight title on a decision over Pinklon Thomas.
Eight months later, he lost the title to Mike Tyson by a knockout. Berbick later claimed he was drugged before the fight.
Legal problems filled his later years. In 1991, he was convicted of a misdemeanor assault for attacking his former business manager, who testified the boxer put a gun to her head and accused her of stealing $40,000 from him.
The following year, he was convicted in the sexual assault of a 16-year-old Florida babysitter and was sentenced to four years in prison.
He was also convicted of second-degree grand theft for forging his ex-wife's signature to get a $95,000 mortgage on his Miramar, Fla., home.
He served 15 months on those convictions and on his release from prison was ordered deported to his native Jamaica. But before he could be removed to Jamaica, Berbick fled the state and slipped into Canada, moving first to Montreal, in an unsuccessful attempt to resurrect his boxing career, and later to British Columbia.
In February 1999, while in Montreal, Berbick defeated Shane Sutcliffe to win the Canadian heavyweight title for the second time. That was later disputed, because, unknown to Canadian boxing officials, he had been stripped of his status as a landed immigrant and had been ordered deported six months earlier. But in December 1999, an immigration appeal panel granted Berbick a five-year stay, meaning he could apply for citizenship after that time if he kept out of trouble.
Berbick left B.C. and returned to Florida, where a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He was quickly deported by the U.S. to Jamaica in 2002.
WILL SMITH’S ‘HAPPYNESS’ FILLS WINDY CITY: Actor’s new film has Chicago premiere; son gets lofty praise during ‘Oprah’ taping.
*Will Smith taped a segment of “The Oprah Wifnrey Show” Thursday to promote his upcoming film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” which also had a special Chicago premiere last week at the AMC River East Theatres.
The red carpet event was also attended by Chris Gardner, the man he portrays in the film opening nationwide on Dec. 15. Gardner was a homeless, single father in San Francisco who became a multi-millionaire and owner of his own investment firm.
When Gardner first heard that Smith would play him on the big screen, he admittedly had some reservations.
"Honestly, the first thing that went through my mind was, 'I love Will -- I always have. I love his music, his movies, his TV shows,' but I thought Will had never done anything like this,” Gardner told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It was my daughter who broke it down for me. She said, 'Pop, if he can play Muhammad Ali, he can play you!' And you know what? Will Smith played Chris Gardner better than Chris Gardner!"
The younger Gardner, Christopher -- now in his mid-20s and pursuing a career on the business side of the music industry in California – is being played in the film by Smith’s own son, Jaden. Smith said he gained a different perspective on his son’s talent during his visit to Oprah, when she made a comment about Jaden that "shocked me as I was sitting there,”
Smith recalls. “She said it was the best performance by a young actor that she had seen since Tatum O'Neal in 'Paper Moon.'
"I went, 'Whoa! . . . That's my son, and I made the movie so I didn't look at it along those lines. Then I was watching the clips [at "Oprah"] and realized he really is amazing. As much as I'd like to take some credit for it, I can't. He's a natural; something he was blessed with that's beyond me."
Smith, meanwhile, is already looking forward to a dream role he’d like to play in the near future – a biopic of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. “But of course,” Smith said, “he has to [first] write the third act in a couple of years.”
Clearly meaning that "third act" would be a run for the White House, Smith added, "There's absolutely going to be a third act and I believe [Obama] is going to be the hero."
PROOF SHOOTER SENTENCED TO TIME SERVED: Mario Etheridge also fined $2,000 for firing gun in a building.
*Mario Etheridge, the man who fatally shot rapper Proof at a Detroit night club in April, was sentenced Thursday (Oct. 26) to time served and a $2,000 fine for weapons violations.
Authorities say Etheridge fired in self defense after Proof, whose real name is Deshaun Holton, had shot and killed Etheridge’s cousin, Keith Bender. Last month, a jury convicted Etheridge of carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm inside a building.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Vera Massey Jones sentenced Etheridge to time served for the concealed weapon charge and levied a $2,000 fine for firing the gun in a building. Etheridge, 28, spent several days in jail in April after he turned himself in to police and before he posted bond.
WAYNE BRADY TO PLAY ‘DOOGIE’S’ BROTHER IN SITCOM: November sweeps stunt hits CBS’ ‘How I Met Your Mother.’
*Wayne Brady will guest star on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” as the brother of Barney, a white character played by former “Doogie Houser M.D.”
star Neil Patrick Harris.
Producers of the sitcom won’t reveal if an adoption explains the difference in race, or if a genetic anomaly occurred similar to the newborn twins (one white, one black) who made headlines last week.
"I feel like the less we say about it, the funnier it will be," said "Mother" executive producer and co-creator Carter Bays, according to Variety. "We wanted to present a different kind of family. (And) we like that 'What the hell?' factor."
Brady is scheduled to shoot his episode next week. It’s tentatively slated to air Nov. 27, during November sweeps.
MIJAC TO ATTEND WORLD MUSIC AWARDS: Pop star to be honored at London event as ‘living legend and cultural icon.’
*Organizers of the World Music Awards in London have announced that Michael Jackson will actually show up and accept the show’s Diamond Award, which was created to honor artists who have sold over 100 million albums.
World Music Awards founder and executive producer Melissa Corken says:
“We are thrilled to be bringing the World Music Awards to London, the music capital of the world. The UK is the home of many of the world’s greatest selling artist of all time. The presence of Michael Jackson is very exciting for us.”
Beyonce has been announced as the show opener, and Lindsay Lohan will serve as host of the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 15.
The awards will be presented to the world’s best-selling artists and are decided by the public as opposed to an industry panel. The World Music Awards are a reflection of genuine public opinion and are achieved by record sales. Sales figures are reported to the organization by the record companies and the national member groups of the IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industries).
Past recipients of the Diamond Award in the World Music Awards 18-year history include Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
COSBY TO ENTER NAACP HALL OF FAME: Presentation to be held during Image Awards on March 2.
*The NAACP will honor veteran entertainer Bill Cosby with an induction into its Hall of Fame during the “38th Annual NAACP Image Awards,”
to be held March 2 in Los Angeles from 8 to 10 p.m. and broadcast live on Fox.
“Bill Cosby is a visionary performer whose extraordinary work has been embraced by people of all races and cultures,” says Bruce S. Gordon, president and CEO of the NAACP. “One of the most successful and well respected entertainers in the world; he is a brilliant social commentator and ardent political activist. He and his wife, Camille, are major philanthropists who continue to invest their personal time and resources for the advancement of our community. We are delighted that he will be present to accept this honor, which he richly deserves.”
The Hall of Fame Award is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in his or her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. This individual is recognized for his or her impact nationally and internationally and for a career which exemplifies high artistic achievement, professionalism and public service.
Image Awards chairperson Clayola Brown noted, “Cosby is a true humanitarian and role model in the entertainment world. His use of raceless humor became his trademark and attracted wide audience appeal. Through his outreach efforts, real life storytelling, emphasis on family values and encouragement for peace and love, he has influenced generations and we are proud to bestow this honor on him."
RICHARD PRYOR’S KIDS IN FIGHT OVER WILL: Daughter of late comedian accuses widow of forgery.
*One of Richard Pryor’s six children has filed a lawsuit against his widow, accusing her of forging his last will and testament, reports the San Francisco Chronicle’s Web site.
Daughter Elizabeth Pryor is hoping a judge will rule illegal a will signed by her father shortly before his death, when he was allegedly debilitated by multiple sclerosis. That final will left the bulk of his estate to his widow Jennifer. Elizabeth will argue to reinstate an earlier will in which he split his fortune among his kids.
A family friend tells the National Enquirer: "The kids have declared war on Jennifer to get what they believe is rightfully theirs."
Pryor died of a heart attack on Dec. 10, 2005, days after his 65th birthday. He remarried his wife, Jennifer Lee, in June 2001, 19 years after they divorced.
HENDRIX FAMILY TO SUE AUCTION BIDDER: Private party paid $15 million for song rights and bought himself instant lawsuit.
*A company owned by the family of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix is claiming ownership of his songs and plans to sue the private bidder who paid
$15 million for the rights in a recent auction.
"Whoever bought this bought themselves the right to be a litigant,"
Bob Merlis, a spokesman for Experience Hendrix told Reuters. The Seattle-based company is owned by members of Hendrix's family. "It will be contested instantly," he added.
According to Reuters, the rights, title, and interest to songs including "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," "Voodoo Child," and "Foxy Lady," were sold over the telephone in New York by the estate of Michael Frank Jeffrey, Hendrix's one-time manager.
Jeffrey was killed in a plane crash three years after Hendrix died suddenly in 1970. Fourteen charities based in the United Kingdom, including the Asthma Research Council, the British Heart Foundation and the Kings College Hospital are the beneficiaries of Jeffrey's estate.
Experience Hendrix says it owns all rights to the music, and recordings of the musician. The auctioneer, the auctions division of Chicago-based merchant bank Ocean Tomo, declined to comment on the ownership of rights to the songs.
JAY-Z SPEAKS OUT ABOUT SPLIT WITH DASH: XXL gets mogul to spill beans on bitter breakup.
*In the forthcoming December issue of XXL magazine, Jay-Z offers insight into his breakup with former Roc-A-Fella Records partner, Damon Dash. Toward the end of the business relationship, things just weren’t the same, he said.
“You know, I couldn't live," he said. "It wasn't what it once was, in my eyes. You know, maybe I contributed to it. We all contributed. ... Maybe being 34, as opposed to being 26, contributed to it. It was deteriorating.
It wasn't the same thing."
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1995. Ten years later, he would become president of Def Jam Records – the company that bought out Dash’s remaining interest in Roc-A-Fella following Jay-Z’s split. The rapper, whose new album “Kingdom Come” drops Nov. 21, says there was no underhanded dealings going on toward the end of their Roc-A-Fella reign, as Dash has suggested.
Jay says: "People rewrite history. If they realized that, two years before, (Def Jam) offered me f**king $20 million to cut them out, and I didn't do it. You're friends. You ain't supposed to do that. I said no.”
In other Jigga news, columnist Cindy Adams is reporting that he spent “a couple of mil” on a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting for his girlfriend, Beyonce.
ALI/FRAZIER, JORDAN, STARKS UP FOR MSG GLORY: Voters asked to choose greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history.
*Voting is scheduled to end Tuesday in a poll of the greatest moment ever to take place at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden.
Competing against such landmark occasions as the late John Paul II’s rally for 20,000 young people in 1979, Elvis Presley’s four sold-out shows in 1972 and Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” serenade to President Kennedy is the “Fight of the Century,” when Muhammad Ali faced off against Joe Frazier in 1971 and "Smokin Joe" managed to deal Ali his first professional loss.
Another pivotal Garden moment came in 1993, when New York Knicks shooting guard John Starks pulled off a left-handed dunk in the last minute of play, stealing victory from the Chicago Bulls. Two years later, Bulls legend Michael Jordan returned after an 18 month retirement and went for 55.
Also, Bill Clinton accepted the presidential nomination at Madison Square Garden in 1992.
One of the arena's most emotional evenings was the Concert for New York, held just over a month after the September 11 attacks in 2001 to raise funds for the families of police officers and firefighters killed in the atrocity. The night featured a host of rock and roll hall-of-famers including Paul McCartney, Elton John, The Who, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
"The 50 Greatest Moments at Madison Square Garden," will be assembled for a 10-part television series to be broadcast on sports and entertainment network MSG Media.
BLACK FAMILY CHANNEL TARGETS AVID READERS: ‘Literary Living’ series showcases black authors, publishers, book events.
*The Black Family Channel launches the new series “Literary Living,”
hosted by best-selling author Heather Covington and targeted toward the African American book buying market.
Airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m., the half-hour program gives viewers a complete African American literary experience to include exclusive newsworthy events and interviews.
“We want to give a national platform to African American publishers and authors who have, for years, worked hard to bring us the best information and the best stories - both fiction and non-fiction,” said show co-creator Tony Rose, publisher and CEO of Amber Communications Group, Inc. ACGI). “By partnering with the Black Family Channel, along with our great cast and crew, we will be able to introduce many of our country’s book publishing professionals into every African American household within the scope of the network’s programming reach.”
During the series, viewers will be introduced to some of today’s greatest publishers, authors, writers and poets, including Haki Madhabuti; W. Paul Coates; George C. Fraser; Wade and Cheryl Hudson; Kassahun Checole; Terrie Williams; Barbara Reynolds; Jewel Parker Rhodes; Melvin Van Pebbles; Ruby Dee; Wendy Williams; Hill Harper and Tavis Smiley.
EUR DVD REVIEW: Monster House
Animated Haunted House Adventure Out on DVD
Kam Williams
*DJ (Mitchel Musso) is afraid of his neighbor, mean Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). The cranky old coot practically frightened DJ's chubby pal Chowder (Sam Lerner) to death when the basketball that they were playing with rolled onto his property accidentally.
It doesn't help that the mysterious man lives in one of those imposing Victorian mansions which is scary just to look at. Then, one day DJ notices that the house seems to have a mind and a mouth of its own, and seems to be swallowing-up anyone who comes to the door. He shares the secret with Chowder and Jenny (Spencer Locke), a tomboy, and then the three of them try to enlist the assistance of adults.
But when the cops (Kevin James and Nick Cannon), DJ's babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and the village idiot (Jon Heder) show little interest, the precocious pre-pubescents decide to investigate and crack the case on their own. For it's almost Halloween, and they know that, soon, a ton of trick-or-treaters will be unknowingly knocking on the door of an anthropomorphic home with plans to devour them all.
This is the engaging point of departure of Monster House, which is arriving on DVD right in time for the spooky season. This animated adventure employs state-of-the-art, CGI digital techniques which enable its characters to behave in a surprisingly human-looking fashion.
This super-realism translates into the likelihood that tykes under the age of six or so will be alarmed by some of the ghoulish goings-on. But otherwise, this picture's a cleverly conceived, kid-friendly horror flick with a lot going for it, mixing clever asides in a thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride on the way to a finale with a satisfying send-off.
Very good (3 stars)
Rating: PG for crude humor, mild epithets, scary images, and mature themes.
Running time: 91 minutes
Studi Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD Extras: Filmmaker commentary, photo galleries, "Evolution of a Scene"
and seven other featurettes, plus a DVD-Rom where "The Adventure Continues"
with downloads and links.
MUSIC/THEATER BITS: Prodigy arrested; Janet, Patti paint ducks; ‘Two Trains’
run longer; Sway overseas; Ne-Yo’s ‘Dance’; MiJac’s glove.
*Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy and DJ The Alchemist were arrested on gun charges early Thursday after police found a firearm in the glove compartment of a vehicle in which they were riding. According to Allhiphop.com, cops pulled them over in New York for making an illegal U-turn. Both rap stars - real names Alan “The Alchemist” Maman and Albert “Prodigy” Johnson - were charged with illegal possession of a weapon, and subsequently released on $7,500 bail.
*Janet Jackson, Patti Labelle and “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts have participated in an eBay auction of pink ducks decorated by celebrities to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which has the campaign "Don't Duck a Breast Exam." As part of its Project Pink breast cancer support campaign, Munchkin -- maker of award-winning infant and toddler products -- created a limited edition pink bath duck to be sold online and at major retailers, with proceeds benefiting the Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The auction ends tomorrow. Click here to see Janet's duck. Click here for Patti's duck. Here's Robin's duck, which sold for $445 on Oct. 24.
*New York’s Signature Theatre Company announced that it will extend its revival of August Wilson's “Two Trains Running” one additional week since the originally scheduled run is already sold out. Directed by Lou Bellamy, the production will begin previews on Nov. 7 with an official press opening on Dec. 3. Performances will now play through January 7 at Signature Theatre Company's Peter Norton Space.
Tickets for the original run had been $15, made possible by the lead sponsorship of Time Warner Inc. Tickets for the extension week will be the regular price of $55.
*MTV news correspondent Sway Callaway is taking his syndicated radio program “The Wake Up Show” around the world to highlight the universal nature of hip hop. "After visiting Paris a few months ago, I decided to continue to travel to places like Tokyo, Japan, London, the UK, Scandinavian countries and Africa because I found out that hip hop culture has created a platform for people who feel disenfranchised from the mainstream society all over the world," said Sway, according to allhiphop.com. The Paris show will feature such French rap stars as Diams, Bobba, Rohff, Kohndo, Ministere Amer, Mafia K1fry and 113.
*Ne-Yo tells Vibe.com about his experience as a co-executive producer of the soundtrack to “Save The Last Dance 2,” which was released on DVD Oct.
10 after first premiering on MTV. "It feels good and it was fun,” Ne-Yo told the Web site. “I was a little skeptical of my ability until I was explained what it entailed.” Ne-Yo also made a cameo in the film, and composed five of eleven tracks on the soundtrack, including a ballad with Joe and Ruben Studdard.
*A beaded glove worn by Michael Jackson will be among the items for auction on eBay as part of the Dick Clark Collection of Rock & Roll.
Proceeds from the sale of 900 lots on Dec. 5 and 6 will go to benefit the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research program. A catalog of the auction's offerings will go online shortly after the $55 printed catalog becomes available the first week in November. Auction details are here.
FILM/TV BITS: Jackson gets ‘Cleaner’; ‘Nine,’ ‘Trees,’ Studio’ extended; Luda visits ‘Tyra’; Marbury shopping own show.
*Samuel L. Jackson has been cast as the lead in “The Cleaner,”
reports Production Weekly. In the thriller, the actor stars as an extremely hygienic man who uses this urge in his professional life as a crime scene cleaner. When he somehow becomes involved in a job he later finds out was a covered up murder, he gets tied in to a web of deception that unearths his own family’s long buried pain and secrets. Principal photography gets underway in January around Shreveport, Louisiana.
*Good news for Chi McBride, Dana Davis, John Amos and D.L.
Hughley…their television shows each received four additional script orders from their respective networks. ABC has extended “The Nine” (McBride, Davis) and “Men in Trees” (Amos), while NBC has extended its struggling “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (Hughley).
*Ludacris will perform “Money Maker” on tomorrow’s Halloween episode of “The Tyra Banks Show.” Actor Ernie Hudson also shows up to talk about his participation in VH1’s new series, “Celebrity Paranormal,” which features famous people searching for ghosts.
New York Knicks star Stephon Marbury is reportedly shopping around his own television talk show. According to the New York Post, the athlete filmed a “handful of demo shows, including a one-hour interview with Kobe Bryant.”
EVENT CALENDAR: Super Bowl Gospel Celebration; Judge Mathis at Chicago Education Expo; Jazz Foundation honors Ruckert; Female Scratch Battle Competition.
*The 2007 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will be held on Friday, Feb.
2 at 7:30 p.m. at the James L. Knight auditorium in Miami, Florida. (Home of Super Bowl XLI). Results Inc, an Atlanta based event marketing and promotions agency was awarded the event sanction for the eighth year in a row to produce the show, which “offers an affordable and unique blend of entertainment that allows the community to experience the star-studded Super Bowl Weekend with a family-oriented event,” says Melanie Few, president of Results Inc. and event creator. For more information, including ticket purchase, event sponsorship, music artists and players, please visit the promotional Web site www.superbowlgospelcelebration.com.
*TV Court Judge Greg Mathis, of the nationally syndicated television court show “Judge Mathis,” hosted the 2006 Chicago Youth & Education Expo on Saturday, October 21 at Olive Harvey College in Chicago. Over 2,000 students, parents and educators attended the event to gather tools that they can use to succeed in today’s world. This Expo followed his highly successful Detroit Youth & Education Expo that occurred this past August.
During Judge Mathis’s keynote speech, he talked about the importance of bettering one’s self and using the tools for success that they have at their disposal. “All it takes is the proper training and hard work. Add those together and that is how you arrive at your highest level.” On Feb/ 8 2007, Philadelphia will be Judge Mathis’s next stop on his youth and education crusade.
*The Jazz Foundation of America presents a special concert in New York Sunday, Nov. 5, to honor co-founder Ann Ruckert. The performance will take place at Saint Peters Church, 54th Street and Lexington Avenue at 7 p.m., and is free to the public. Dr. Billy Taylor, who founded JFA with Ruckert, will host the ceremony. Nnenna Freelon, Eugene McDaniels, Mick Luongo and Pepper Swenson are among the performers.
*Femmixx.com and Mocha Works Marketing presents She's My DJ! 'More Tricks in 2006!' Female Hip-Hop DJ Mix & Scratch Battle Competition, to be held Nov. 7 at New York's S.O.B.'s located at 204 Varick St. Sponsored by Sam Ash Music and Verizon Wireless, DJane contenders will compete for a $500 cash prize and additional products. Ralph McDaniels hosts, while Jazzy Joyce and the Wonder Twins have been added to the judge’s panel. Tiye Phoenix will perform live. For more info, visit www.mochaworksdesign.com/shesmydj.html.
To enter the contest, visit www.mochaworksdesign.com/verizontexttowin.html.
SLAVERY RECORDS TO BE DIGITIZED: Online project to organize over 200,000 images from Richmond’s Freedmen’s Bureau.
*A new online project seeks to digitize over 200,000 slave records housed at the Freedmen’s Bureau in Richmond, which was established in 1867 to reconnect families.
Records in the Bureau, such as battered work contracts and bank forms, will be placed online as part of the new project linking modern-day blacks with their ancestors, reports Virginia’s DailyPress.com.
"This is the equivalent for African Americans of Ellis Island's records being put up," said Virginia Governor Timothy M Kaine, who was joined Thursday by former Governor L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first black governor and the grandson of slaves to announce the project.
Researchers will eventually transfer data from all of the southern states to an online database, said Wayne Metcalfe, vice president of the Genealogical Society of Utah, partners in the project. Records from Virginia, which is spearheading the effort, should be ready to go online by the middle of next year, Metcalfe said.
Established in 1865, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands — also called the Freedmen's Bureau — helped former slaves find clothes, food and jobs.
Bureaus also kept meticulous records, documenting marriages, work histories and even complexion. Those records will be scanned from microfilm and compiled into an electronic index families will eventually be able to access, Metcalfe said.
Freedmen's Bureaus disappeared by the 1870s.