Martin Luther at Yoshi's Oakland - April 30, 2014

yoshis.com

"The Prodigal Son" by Kimberla Lawson Roby (On Sale Date: May 14, 2014)

The Prodigal Son

The Black Family is back.  

And this time it's not the good Reverend Curtis Black or his wife Charlotte who are causing trouble.

There's a new Black in town.  Well, sort of.  Technically, he's a Black.  But he goes by the name of Dillon Whitfield.  He's the Reverend's long-lost son.  And since Matthew Black hasn't spoken to his parents in a year (that's right, a whole year), Dillon figures that it's only fitting that the true first born son of Curtis Black should taken center stage and assume his "rightful" place in the dynasty.

And center stage he takes.  He's not alone.  He's got company.  In the form of Matthew's new wife Raquel (can you say "a piece of work?"), who isn't adjusting to marriage and motherhood quite the way Matthew had hoped.  Of course, who can totally blame her after what her monster-in-law Charlotte put her through in "A House Divided."

And, if  you're not up to date with the "Curtis Black Series," you might want to use the next month before "The Prodigal Son" goes on sale to catch up.  I can't explain it all here.  And besides that would spoil the fun.

As always, this is one family that never comes up short in the drama department.  They just can't seem to behave themselves.  You never know what or who you're going to run into when you turn the page.

Which is a great thing for us loyal fans of Kimberla Lawson Roby.  

"The Prodigal Son" by Kimberla Lawson Roby
(A Reverend Curtis Black Novel)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: "THE BRONZE REPORT" HAS MOVED TO THE COMCAST HOMETOWN NETWORK (CHN)

The EMMY®-award winning show, The Bronze Report has moved to the Comcast Hometown Network (CHN), Channel 104, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.  The show debuted Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

The Bronze Report spotlights current issues, trends, events, art, music and people in and beyond the Bay Area’s vibrant African-American community. The Bronze Report is an answer to the need for more television programs produced by African Americans, for African-Americans.  Audiences of all walks of life appreciate and enjoy The Bronze Report because of the show’s unwavering commitment to quality content, and outstanding production value. 

For more information about the show, and to view past episodes and segments, visit The Bronze Report’s website, www.thebronzereport.com.

The Bronze Report host, EMMY®-award winner Barbara Rodgers is one of the most recognizable television personalities in the Bay Area.  For over thirty years, her beautiful smile and insightful journalistic style has been a constant as anchor, reporter and host on CBS 5 Eyewitness News and Bay Sunday.  Barbara has garnered dozens of awards and honors for her achievements in journalism and her work in the community.  “I am very excited about this win,” says Rodgers about The Bronze Reports’s recent EMMY® award for Outstanding Cultural Program. “The Bronze Report gives me an opportunity to spotlight some of the fascinating people and events in the African-American community that are often ignored by mainstream media.”

The Bronze Report’s EMMY®-award winning executive producer, writer and co-host Jan Mabry brings a wealth of experience in film, television and theatre to the show. She has written, produced and edited television news and talk shows for ABC, NBC and CBS stations in Northern California, including the Emmy-award winning show, Red Carpet Bay Area.  “The Bronze Report is an opportunity to bring all of my professional experience home to my community,” says Mabry. “I am so proud and honored to have won an EMMY® for this wonderful show.  This award belongs to all of us.”

Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104 is Comcast's regional cable network covering Northern and Central California.  A hometown is not only where we live, but how we identify ourselves.  It's the neighborhoods and communities around us, the people we interact with who affect our daily lives.  Comcast Hometown Network (CHN) sees all of Northern and Central California as our hometown. CHN reflects the values and pride we feel living in our diverse and vibrant communities.

CHN is home to The Bronze Report and other exclusive, compelling programming you won't find anywhere else.

Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

The Bronze Report is a media partner of TheRegistryBayArea.com, Northern California’s new online resource for African American arts, events, culture and lifestyle.

For more information about The Bronze Report  contact: Jan Mabry at jm@janmabry.com or call 510.301.5102.

DON'T FORGET TO "LIKE" THE BRONZE REPORT ON FACEBOOK!

"THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND" (extended to March 23) at the Berkeley Rep

Marcus Gardley

I had the pleasure of seeing Marcus Gardley's "The House That Will Not Stand," last week at the Berkeley Repertory Theater.  I'm so glad that I didn't miss this.  It was originally scheduled to end this weekend but is being held over by popular demand until March 23.

Berkeley Rep commissioned the piece by Oakland native, Marcus Gardley (a very gifted and brilliant playwright).  

It centers around the story of free women of color and the New Orleans system of "pla çage," a formal arrangement between white men and free women of color.  

Not only a great lesson in history, it is engaging, funny, moving and the acting is superb.

This is one you won't want to miss.


"The House That Will Not Stand"
Written by Marcus Gardley
Directed by Patricia McGregor

Berkeley Repertory Theater

Phone: 510 647–2949

SAVE THE DATE, APRIL 5, 2014: STANFORD UNIVERSITY BSU'S 5TH ANNUAL YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

The Stanford University 15th Annual Youth Empowerment Conference is a daylong event that includes a series of workshops on ethnic identity, education/admissions, advocacy and enterprise, as well as a diverse and interactive student panel. The event serves high school students from across the nation and at all academic achievement levels. The Stanford Black Student Union and the Black Community Services Center host the event.

The conference’s theme “MAGIC: Making A Greater Individual Commitment” speaks to its mission of positive ethnic identity formation and investment in personal growth. Dynamic speakers, interactive workshops, and vibrant performances are all hallmarks of the conference. Students leave the conference inspired, hopeful, and committed to the cause of excellence. For info:  bsuhsc.webs.com

Will "12 Years" Take Home An Oscar? - UPDATE: BEST PICTURE "12 YEARS A SLAVE!"

This is the first time in recent memory that I recall being excited about the Academy Awards.

Honestly, I've always considered it to be tailored to a white audience.  Oh, sure there have been a few times in history where one of our own has taken home the Oscar, but for the most part, it's not about us.  And, no Black movie has ever taken home "Best Picture."

So, tonight, I'll be watching, hoping and praying to see history made.

I admit, I haven't seen every movie that was nominated but I've seen more than half, and I don't think there is one that deserves the Oscar more than "12 Years A Slave."

While excruciatingly painful to watch, it not only delivered a great story, it hit a home run on every cinematic level.

So to the Academy, I say, "Here's your chance.   Tonight is your chance.  Do the right thing."

LOS ANGELES INDEPENDENT MUSIC/FILM SUMMIT - SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2014

Visit the Facebook page for more information and updates:


LA-IMIS

Presented by Jadar Entertainment 310-601-3134

contact@jadarentertainment.com

468 N Camden Dr. S-200

 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Email: contact@jadarentertainment.com

Phone: (310) 601-3134

Fax: (626) 345-0020