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08-01-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
INDIA ARIE'S BROADWAY BOW POSTPONED: Producer backs out of 'For Colored Girls' revival.
*India Arie's Broadway debut in Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf" has been postponed until the production can find some more money.
One of the backers dropped out, leaving producers Whoopi Goldberg and DreamTeam Entertainment Group no choice but to scrap its original Sept. 8 opening at the Circle in the Square theatre. Rescheduled dates have yet to be announced.
"For Colored Girls...," a prose-poem portrait of black women in America, is to be directed by Shirley Jo Finney and choreographed by Hinton Battle. It was an off-Broadway hit for the Public Theater in 1976 before transferring to Broadway for a run of more than 700 performances.
OBAMA, MCCAIN TO GET OWN COMIC BOOKS: San Diego-based publisher to tell life stories of presidential candidates.
*A San Diego-based publisher is about to release comic books based on the life stories of presumptive presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain.
"We're not doing anything that is sensational here," IDW special projects editor Scott Dunbier told the Associated Press, adding that neither campaign had anything to do with the projects. "We're sticking to the facts."
The books, which are independently researched and illustrated by a veteran team of writers and artists, will be available online, via cell phones and in comic book shops beginning Oct. 8.
According to the Associated Press, Obama's biography is being written by novelist Jeff Mariotte (Superman, Spider-Man, Star Trek), and drawn by artist Tom Morgan. J. Scott Campbell did both covers; each features its candidate in the classic superhero pose of squared shoulders and fists on hips with an American flag in the background.
LOS ANGELES GALA SET FOR OBAMA: Celebs to attend 'Black and White' affair designed to salute America's diversity.
*The invitation only Black & White Gala for Barack Obama is scheduled to take place Aug. 21 in Los Angeles backed by an honorary board that includes Don Cheadle, Jessica Alba, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Lucy Liu and Ashley Judd.
The event is being designed to "celebrate America's landscape of diversity and its many cultures," reports Daily Variety. Tickets are $1,000 for the general reception and $2,300 for VIP.
The evening was planned by a crew of Obama supporters independent of the candidate's campaign and finance staff in Southern California. The group includes entertainment industry publicists and event planners. Proceeds will go to the Obama for America committee.
A venue has yet to be announced, but organizers said the gala will take place in Beverly Hills. It is also uncertain if Obama will make an appearance during the event, as the Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place four days later on Aug. 25 in Denver.
According to Variety, Obama is expected to return to Los Angeles for a fund-raiser some time before the general election, perhaps in the fall at an event organized by the DreamWorks trio of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.
ESSENCE DANCES WITH MARIO: Magazine interviews singer about mother's drug addiction and other issues.
*Essence magazine just put on its Web site a lengthy interview with singer Mario that delves into his personal life and includes an update on his mother, Shawnita Hardaway, whose former drug addiction was chronicled in a 2007 MTV special.
"I felt the documentary gave kids and young adults with the same issues [as me] inspiration. I feel like it has helped me to grow a lot, with the things that I have experienced and gone through with my mother," the R&B and "Dancing With the Stars" talent tells Essence.
"I also felt like it showed who I really was as a young man outside of the music, because sometimes you can get lost in that box of being just a teen star-I'm more than that.
Mario goes on to discuss his Do Right Foundation (which helps kids in drug-prevalent environments cope), fears that his mother - who has been clean for nearly a year - might relapse, and what he hopes his legacy will be. Plus, he sets the record straight on rumors about him and his "Dancing With the Stars" partner, Karina Smirnoff.
Read the entire Essence interview with Mario here:
http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1827293,00.html
SHARPTON SAYS DON'T HATE ON JESSE: Rev. Al tells SCLC: 'We have all made mistakes.'
*The Rev. Al Sharpton is trying to defend the recent actions of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who caught a firestorm of criticism for his off-air remarks regarding Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
"We have all made mistakes. We have all erred, and we ought not try to sugar coat when we err," Sharpton said during a meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Kenner, LA.
"But we should not throw away everything when we err, and to say that Rev. Jackson made a mistake is correct, but to act like Rev. Jesse Jackson is not pivotal to our movement, our history ... is wrong."
"Jesse Jackson," he added, "is somebody."
Jackson was scheduled to address the SCLC's 50th anniversary convention Tuesday morning, but his camp said he was on vacation and a rep was sent in his place.
Sharpton, meanwhile, also used his appearance at the event to applaud Obama's success and make a promise to be of service to his campaign if needed. But he also said there is room for more than one leader in the ongoing civil rights struggle. He called the Illinois senator a product of the movement - not the end to it.
"The bias in the media is they try to act like we can't have multiple strategists," Sharpton said. "We have never had a one-man movement."
HOUSE FINALLY APOLOGIZES FOR SLAVERY: H. Res. 194 says country is sorry for 'lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed.'
*African Americans were given a formal apology for slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws on Tuesday by the U.S. House of Representatives, acting on a resolution spearheaded by Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen.
"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, which has been a longtime supporter of the bill.
Although five states have issued apologies for slavery, past proposals in Congress have stalled, partly over concerns that an apology would lead to demands for reparations. Congress has issued apologies before - to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws.
The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations, but it commits the House to rectifying "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow."
It says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation.
The House "apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow."
"Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," Cohen said. Part of forming a more perfect union, he said, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."
The bill is H. Res. 194.
ALICIA KEYS BOOKS THEATERS FOR TOUR: Singer continues to support latest album 'As I Am.'
*Alicia Keys has quietly rolled out another round of dates in continued promotion of her latest album, "As I Am."
The Grammy winner just wrapped a North American arena tour last month and will be back on the road in September, but this time offering a more intimate experience - as eight shows so far have been booked in theaters across the U.S. and Canada. Details are listed below.
As previously reported, Keys and White Stripes member Jack White are teaming to record the theme song for the 22nd James Bond adventure, "Quantum of Solace." The track, titled "Another Way to Die," will be the first duet in Bond soundtrack history.
In October, Keys will appear opposite Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah in the film adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's best-selling novel "The Secret Life of Bees."
Below are upcoming tour dates for Alicia Keys:
September 2008
12 - Mashantucket, CT - The MGM Grand at Foxwoods
13 - Hammond, IN - The Venue
14 - Cincinnati, OH - Procter and Gamble Hall
17 - Denver, CO - Wells Fargo Theatre
18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Abravenel Hall 20 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
21 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Orpheum Theatre
26 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
27 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
WOMEN'S GROUP DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM LUDACRIS: WomenCount also wants Democratic Party to condemn rapper for 'Politics' song.
*A women's advocacy group is calling on Democratic Party leadership to give Ludacris a "blanket condemnation" for calling Sen. Hillary Clinton an "irrelevant b*tch" in a new song.
In an e-mail Wednesday afternoon to its membership, WomenCount stated: "It is another example of hateful, sexist language being used on the campaign trail, and now is our moment to make it clear: not on our watch! The leadership of both parties must step up to condemn such hateful speech and demand apologies. The Obama campaign has criticized the lyrics, but we call on the presumptive party nominee, who is the celebrated subject of the new song, to go even further: Publicly condemn the song. Demand an apology on behalf of the targets. Now."
"This is not an issue of being PC," states Rosemary Camposano, communications director for WomenCount, "This is about beginning the grinding and painful process of rooting out this kind of hate language and behavior whenever and wherever it exists. The Democratic leadership have pledged to unhinge our nation from gender-bias, hate-language and misogyny and we are taking them at their word."
Luda's song, titled "Politics," also disses Sen. John McCain, President Bush and the Rev. Jesse Jackson while voicing support for the candidacy of Democratic senator Barack Obama.
In its press release, WomenCount says they have embarked on a campaign called "Stop the Silence," in which they are promoting specific language against gender bias be incorporated into the National Platform now being drafted for the Democratic National Convention.
JAY-Z MAY ADD KANYE TO NEXT ALBUM: Mogul had previously announced it would be an all Timbaland affair.
*Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Jay-Z said he may consider tracks from Kanye West for his upcoming CD, which goes against his earlier statements that the project would be produced solely by Timbaland.
"I'm a person that works off music," Jay-Z explained. "If Timbaland makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album, if Kanye West makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album; if he makes three, I'll take three.
I let the music dictate the direction.
"You know I love Timbaland, he is like a brother to me, but until the music is done it's premature."
The as-yet-untitled album is a follow-up to 2007's "American Gangster," a companion album to the film starring Denzel Washington.
GEESE RUN AMOK ON MARTIN LAWRENCE FARM: Rep releases statement explaining situation - in case PETA starts tripping.
*Martin Lawrence's family farm in Virginia has apparently been overrun by packs of geese, but the actor wants everybody to know that he's dealing with the problem as "humanely" as possible.
His neighbor ran to TMZ.com and said Martin was trying to run the geese off with a gun. A rep for the actor said the property manager did apply for a hunting license, but not to shoot at the geese.
The rep said in a statement:
"The Lawrence's private family farm is populated with many different animals. It is not uncommon to secure an off season hunting license in rural areas and is quite common for the oiling of eggs.
"A hunting license has been applied for by the property manager; at the same time, Martin has actively been exploring all possible humane ways to handle the overpopulation issue, while intending to do everything possible to preserve the animal habitat in which they reside.
There are many different enterprises in rural VA that make their living assisting property owners on how to handle and manage migratory geese. It is unfortunate that a neighbor who has never met Martin or discussed the matter with him, would make this issue public without knowing all of the facts or the Lawrence family's intentions."
WOMAN WITH KKK LINK REPS SCHOOL FOR BLACKS: Ex-wife of David Duke, now married to creator of a racist Web site, is school's spokeswoman.
*A school in Florida that aims to lift underprivileged African American and Hispanic children out of poverty has as its spokesperson a woman with ties to white supremacists.
Chloe Black, the ex-wife of former Ku Klux Klan head David Duke, is now married to Don Black, the creator of the white-power hate site Stormfront, reports FoxNews.com. She is also a spokesperson for Glades, a charter school for the children of African-American and migrant workers in Pahokee, a rural town in Palm Beach County.
Fox reports that some of her salary may be funding her husband's activities on the hate site, as Don Black has had no clear source of income for "years and years," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that tracks hate groups.
When contacted by FOXNews.com, Chloe Black declined to comment on the allegations or her role in Glades Academy. She told the New York Post earlier this month that she hasn't been involved with the white supremacy movement "in 30 years."
But the SPLC, which has tracked the Blacks as principal leaders of the white supremacist movement for decades, said Black in June attended a key conference of the Council of Conservative Citizens, a group that says on its Web site that it opposes "all efforts to mix the races of mankind" and once described black people as "a retrograde species of humanity."
Chloe Black is the executive assistant at Florida Crystals, a sugar conglomerate whose owners, the Fanjul brothers, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help build a new campus for the school. Billionaire Jose "Pepe" Fanjul's wife, Emilia, is chairman of the board of Glades Academy, and she hired Black to help promote the school.
There is no indication that the Fanjuls or Florida Crystals were aware of Chloe Black's right-wing sympathies when she was appointed to speak on behalf of Glades Academy.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening August 1, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13 for adventure and action violence) Brendan Fraser returns for a third go-round as intrepid explorer Rick O'Connell who is now joined by his son (Luke Ford), wife (Maria Bello) and her brother (John Hannah) in an epic adventure to the Far East to combat a recently-resurrected, 2,000 year-old, shape-shifting entity (Jet Li) bent on world domination. With Michelle Yeoh, Isabella Leong and Russell Wong.
Midnight Meat Train (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity, eroticized graphic violence and grisly images) Gruesome horror flick about a struggling photographer (Bradley Cooper) who ends up putting his and his girlfriend's (Leslie Bibb) lives in danger after being egged on by a prominent art gallery owner (Brooke Shields) to get grittier shots for his show by following the trail of the serial killer (Vinnie Jones) who's been butchering late-night commuters on the NYC subway.
Swing Vote (PG-13 for profanity) Civic duty comedy about an apathetic, alcoholic loser (Kevin Costner) who suddenly finds himself the center of attention after his mischievous, 12 year-old daughter (Madeline Carroll) sets in motion a chain of events which means his vote will decide the outcome of the presidential election. Star-studded cast includes Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer, George Lopez, Willie Nelson, Paula Patton, Dennis Hopper and Stanley Tucci, with cameos by political pundits James Carville, Chris Matthews, Larry King, Arianna Huffington, Bill Maher, Tucker Carlson and Campbell Brown.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
America the Beautiful (R for profanity and some sexual references) Body image documentary explores America's unhealthy obsession with beauty via an examination of subjects ranging from airbrushed ads to cosmetic surgery to skin color to makeup ingredients to self-esteem. With appearances by Jessica Simpson, pre-teen supermodel Gerren Taylor and celebutante Paris Hilton.
Frozen River (R for profanity) Cross-cultural, Christmastime tale about a recently-abandoned, white housewife (Melissa Leo), struggling to support her sons on a Mohawk reservation in upstate New York, who is pressured by a Native American single-mom (Misty Upham) to start smuggling illegal immigrants across the Canadian border into the U.S. Cast includes Michael O'Keefe, Mark Boone, Jr. and Charlie McDermott.
In Search of a Midnight Kiss (Unrated) New Year's Eve adventure, shot in black and white, about a 29 year-old slacker (Scott McNairy) with no plans to celebrate the holiday until at the suggestion of his best friend (Brian McGuire) he places a personal ad online which leads to a rendezvous with a beautiful woman (Sara Simmonds) determined to find Mr. Right by midnight.
Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind (Unrated) Whistling through the graveyard documentary, inspired by leftist professor emeritus Howard Zinn, chronicling a "Peoples' History of the United States" as revealed by headstones and plaques located in American cemeteries.
Sixty Six (PG-13 for profanity, nudity and sexuality) Bio-pic, set in 1966, revisiting real-life events of almost 13 year-old Bernie Reubens (Gregg Sulkin) an asthmatic, bar mitzvah boy whose big day appears ruined when it falls on the same day as the World Cup final. Cast includes Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Rea and Eddie Marsan.
Stealing America Vote by Vote (Unrated) Post-democracy documentary questioning why exit polls are no longer able to accurately predict the results of elections in America while painting a chilling picture of a possibly tainted voting process.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it." — Marianne Williamson
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Aug. 1: Blues musician Robert Cray is 55. Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy is 48. Rapper Coolio is 45. Actress Tempestt Bledsoe ("The Cosby Show") is 35.
Aug. 2: Apollonia ("Purple Rain") is 48.
Aug. 3: Singer Beverly Lee of The Shirelles is 67. Actress JoMarie Payton ("Family Matters") is 58. Actor Isaiah Washington ("Grey's Anatomy," "Soul Food") is 45. Musician Spinderella of Salt-N-Pepa is 37.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
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Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Aug. 1, 1867: Blacks voted for the first time in a state election in the South, contributing to a Republican sweep in Tennessee.
Aug. 2, 1920: Marcus Garvey presents his "Back To Africa" program in New York City.
Aug. 3, 1928: Founded on this day by William A. Scott, III, the Atlanta Daily World was the first black daily newspaper in modern times. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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