SMDCAC to present ‘The Queen of Soul : A Tribute To Aretha Franklin’
Loving fans of singer, songwriter and pianist Aretha Franklin throughout South Florida will fall in love all over again with America’s “Queen of Soul” on Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m., at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) in Cutler Bay. Now launching its 2022 North American Tour, “The Queen of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin” is a heartfelt and wholly entertaining homage to the late icon of soul, created by accomplished musician and composer Damien Sneed. “Many of us have been touched by the works of Aretha Franklin,” said Eric Fliss, SMDCAC managing director. The Queen of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin is recommended for ages 13 and older. Tickets for The Queen of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin range from $35 to $80 and are available by calling 786-573-5300 or by visiting SMDCAC.org.
communitynewspapers.comCelebrate Valentine’s Day with evening of ‘Moonlight & Music’
The “Moonlight & Music” Valentine’s Day Concert at the Deering Estate offers couples and friends the opportunity to celebrate their love at an outdoor concert under the stars on Monday evening, Feb. 14. Please note that the following items are not permitted: pets, large coolers, open flames/candles, balloons and pop-up tents. Guests can choose General Admission or Private Balcony seating: General admission open seating is available on the Front Lawn, in front of the two Historic House Museums, in the Royal Palm Grove and on the Boat Basin Jetties. Enjoy a private seating area for your closets family and friends on one of the Historic Stone House balconies. About the artists:Bringing back a fan favorite from the 2020 “Moonlight & Music” Valentine’s Day concert, the featured artist for this year is Keba.
communitynewspapers.comMy True Story During 1968 of 911 in a Vision 33 Years Earlier
I had recently moved to New York City from Miami Florida during 1968. I preceded to walk down the steps leaving the Empire State Building. 4 or 5 years later I had moved from New York City to Boston Mass, then back to Miami. I was hearing that an airplane had just struck one of the Twin Towers buildings in New York City. I also began to have that flashback that I had during 1968 as I was leaving the Empire State Building.
thewestsidegazette.comErivo on near-EGOT status: 'I’m just going to keep working'
FILE - Actress Cynthia Erivo poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 10, 2019. Erivo portrays Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic miniseries Genius: Aretha. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – “The Color Purple” turned into Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold for Cynthia Erivo. The performer’s brilliant performance in the Broadway revival won her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. “I guess I didn’t expect to be this close this soon,” Erivo told The Associated Press of her almost-EGOT status.
Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bang
The former Trump Plaza casino was imploded after falling into such disrepair that chunks of the building began peeling off and crashing to the ground. “I got chills,” Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said. AdOpened in 1984, when Trump was a real estate developer in his pre-politics days, Trump Plaza was for a time the most successful casino in Atlantic City. AdBut things began to sour for Trump Plaza when Donald Trump opened the nearby Trump Taj Mahal in 1990, with crushing debt loads that led the company to pour most of its resources — and cash — into the shiny new hotel and casino. Trump Plaza was the last of four Atlantic City casinos to close in 2014, victims of an oversaturated casino market both in the New Jersey city and in the larger northeast.
Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal
(Random House Books for Young Readers/Roaring Brook Press/Nancy Paulsen Books via AP)NEW YORK – Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story, cited for “We Are Water Protectors," a celebration of nature and condemnation of the “black snake” Dakota Access Pipeline. "I am really honored and proud," the 30-year-old Goade told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. The Newbery medal was established in 1922, the Caldecott in 1937. Goade, whose other books include “Encounter,” is the first Native American to win in either category. The Stonewall Book Award for best LGBT literature was given to Archaa Shrivastav for “We Are Little Feminists: Families."
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden's inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. He had performed during the inaugural celebration for Obama in 2009, but turned down a chance to perform for Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
He added that Biden in many ways is ”the perfect president for the moment, because he is not hyperbolic, he’s not a bomb thrower, he’s surrounded himself with policy wonks who already have all these plans. I think what we are going to hear him talk about is ‘Here’s where we are, here’s what we have to get done.' I think that’s going to go a long way just to making people feel better." His speechwriting team is led by longtime Biden collaborator Vinay Reddy. “There really is no parallel to what Biden faces.”___Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed reporting.
Women's Hall of Fame honors Aretha Franklin, Morrison, Lacks
The National Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 in Seneca Falls, the site of the first women’s rights convention. She won 18 Grammy awards and, in 1987, became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was 75 years old when she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole, and stood on the South Pole five years later. Born during the Civil War, Terrell was a dedicated suffragist whose civil rights activism continued up until her death in 1954 at the age of 90. Terrell was the first Black woman in the United States appointed to the school board of a major city, the District of Columbia.
High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court
“He was very, very proud to have acquired the Guelph Treasure, and then was forced to sell it to the Nazis,” she told him. It's a pursuit that has now landed him at the Supreme Court, in a case to be argued Monday. Germany and the foundation asked the trial-level court to dismiss the suit, but the court declined. “Our view is that Germany is the proper jurisdiction for a case which involves a sale of a collection of medieval German art by German art dealers to a German state,” Parzinger said. The suit's claim that the Guelph Treasure was sold under Nazi pressure was also diligently investigated in Germany, he said.
Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden era
Against that backdrop, many House Democrats have for years impatiently insisted it's time for fresh leadership. To become speaker again, Pelosi will need more votes than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who’s likely to garner nearly unanimous GOP support. Though she's likely to succeed, it won’t be simple because when Pelosi was elected speaker in January 2019, 15 Democrats opposed her. Pelosi came to Congress in 1987 and has led House Democrats, both as the minority and majority party, ever since 2003. Pelosi has won wide acclaim among Democrats as a leading Trump foe in battles over impeachment, immigration and health care.
Drake bests Aretha Franklin, Wonder to set Billboard record
1 hit on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, Drake has bested a record previously held by icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Drake's “Laugh Now Cry Later," featuring rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. Wonder and Franklin, who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs top the chart. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the leading role, including “God’s Plan,” “In My Feelings,” “Hotline Bling,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home” and “Best I Ever Had,” his first major hit released in 2009. Earlier this year, 34-year-old Drake made Billboard chart history when he set a new record for most songs on the Hot 100 chart — Billboard's main songs chart that includes all music genres.
New this week: 'Cuties,' 'Unpregnant' and fresh 'Jeopardy!'
Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. The film from director Mamouna Doucour is a thoughtful and poignant coming-of-age drama about Amy, an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant living in Paris. Dont judge Cuties by its cover and give it a chance when it starts streaming Wednesday. Answer: Jeopardy! The quiz show with Alex Trebek at the helm of a COVID-19-conscious season hits screens Monday. Celebrity guest hosts are all the rage these days on late night TV but a documentary airing Thursday sheds light on one who really made history.
From police chief to VP? Inside Val Demings' unlikely path
FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2019, file photo, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., gives her opening statement during a House Judiciary Committee markup of the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington. Demings is among the women Joe Biden is considering for his vice presidential running mate. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
7 concert films you should watch if you’re really missing live music
Some experts believe it could be more than a year until live concerts return to our daily lives, which is heartbreaking for people who love seeing live music. So until then, the next best thing to do is watch a concert movie from one of your favorite artists. Look no further than Beyoncé's “Homecoming,” her live concert that was filmed in 2018 when she headlined Coachella, the Southern California music festival. From the costumes, dancing and marching band music arrangements, Beyoncé transformed Coachella into “Beychella,” and we’re lucky enough that the entire show is documented. Not only is Timberlake’s music incredible catchy, but the production value that went into this show, especially the choreography, makes it worth visiting.
Five Reasons to Attend Overtown Music & Arts Festival
To honor that acclaimed musical history while bringing new eyes to the neighborhood, the sixth annual Overtown Music & Arts Festival will be held Saturday, July 13. Over its short six-year existence, the Overtown Music & Arts Festival has hosted heavy hitters like Estelle, Ginuwine, and CeeLo Green. Overtown Music & Arts Festival has curated a wide variety of local food trucks and vendors to make certain you don't lose any weight on your Saturday sojourn. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly included bounce houses in its description of kids' attractions at Overtown Music & Arts Festival. Overtown Music & Arts Festival.
miaminewtimes.com