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Mar 17, 2009 | 8:47 AM PST
Tags: m4music , festival , music contest , music award
Das Festival des Migros-Kulturprozent ist ein einzigartiger Treffpunkt für die nationale Popmusikszene. Das Clubfestival präsentiert in drei Nächten auf drei Bühnen über 30 Acts. An der Conference werden Trends in der Popmusik beleuchtet. Keynotespeaker wie die deutsche Veranstalterlegende Fritz Rau oder der Ex-The-KLF-Musiker Bill Drummond geben ihr Wissen weiter.
An der Demotape Clinic 2009 werden aus 790 eingesandten Demos die besten Musiktalente gekürt. Das ist die zweithöchste Teilnehmerzahl in der Geschichte des Wettbewerbs!
Alle Nominierten und alle Infos zum Festival auf www.m4music.ch
Feb 17, 2009 | 3:27 AM PST
Tags: akwid , "Akwid" , rap music , LA Kings , event , Festival , latino , the hip hop network , queen d , iceman music group , cd , internet , official
Akwid the multi Grammy nominated Latin Rap duo are set to perform Live on March 7, 09, here they give an exclusive interview to Queen D, for more info on the event go to www.lakings.com/festival watch the video
Aug 14, 2008 | 6:44 AM PST
Tags: music , festival , innerleithen , scotlight , high , street , weekend , village , hall , community
Records broken for Innerleithen festival
Innerleithen's three-day get-together features a host of performers, including folksinger/ songwriter Jake Cogan, a rising star of the Edinburgh music scene, who plays on Sunday Published Date: 13 August 2008 By Mark Inchley A record number of performers will be appearing at this weekend's Innerleithen Music Festival and despite some of the headline acts selling out months in advance, organisers say there are still plenty of tickets left for many of the other shows.
Now in its sixth year, the annual get-together features some of the top names in Scottish folk music, and this year includes Aly Bain, Phil Cunningham and Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson.
But in its short history, it has also become known for promoting some of the best up-and-coming and established local acts on the traditional music scene.
Committee member Pam Fraser said: "While a lot of attention has rightly been on the two 'big-name' events, we're convinced each of the concerts will be quite special with their own distinct appeal.
"There are more than 35 different acts appearing with at least 100 performers, which is a record for us. The atmosphere will be informal and tickets are excellent value."
On Saturday afternoon, Galashiels' Big Sky Studios will host a four-hour concert showcasing some of the top local artists to have recorded there, such as Hilary Bell, Kenny Speirs, Craig Jeffrey and Ian Lowthian. Seating is cafe style and a bar is available throughout.
Sunday sees the festival head outdoors in the beautiful surroundings of the walled garden at Traquair House. Again, there will be a series of popular acts, including Riddell Fiddles, Frequent Flyers and rising star from the Edinburgh music scene, Jake Cogan.
Later on Sunday afternoon, the acclaimed String Jam Club takes over the Union Club, showcasing 11 young acts who have made their name at the Gala venue, including the Iain Petrie Band, Dave Cass, Naomi Chapman and Holly Bryson.
Finally, the festival finishes on Sunday with what promises to be an evening to savour – a concert of traditional singing run in conjunction with the Borders branch of the Traditional Music and Song Association.
It will bring together some of the best singers from the Borders and further afield, including Dave Francis and Mairi Campbell, whose haunting rendition of Auld Lang Syne featured in the recent hit movie Sex and the City.
"If you've not heard traditional singing before, come along – you'll be in for a treat," Ms Fraser added.
As well as the concerts, festival-goers will also be able to enjoy workshops, a late-night club, music sessions in the hotels and a historical walk.
Innerleithen Music Festival runs from tomorrow to Sunday.
For more information go to www.innerleithenmusicfestival .org or telephone 01721 729949.
Concert tickets are available at the door, in advance via the website, from the Eastgate Box Office on 01721 725777 or at Scotlight in Innerleithen.
Workshop tickets are available at the door, from PMC in Peebles Northgate, from Scotlight, or by calling 01721 729949.
Innerleithen's three-day get-together features a host of performers, including folksinger/ songwriter Jake Cogan, a rising star of the Edinburgh music scene, who plays on Sunday.
Aug 11, 2008 | 9:47 AM PST
Tags: nataureone , pics , lol.de , techno , festival , germany , atb
Nature One - the biggest festival for Electronic Music in Germany , some nice Pics
powered by www.lol.de your entertainment network
Jul 21, 2008 | 5:02 PM PST
Tags: Al Gharbia , Liwa , Festival
AL GHARBIA — Hand-woven and embroidered abayas, garments, handbags and decorative items highlighting the traditional crafts are on display for the first time at the fourth Liwa Festival.
Various stalls of traditional handicrafts are spreading awareness about the old techniques of weaving garments which could also conform to the modern styles of attires. These stalls are besides a number of stalls of date farm companies imparting latest techniques of breeding and nurturing of quality dates to the visiting palm developers at the festival.
The handicrafts exhibition has been gaining popularity among residents of Al Gharbia who are flocking to the venue in groups with their children and elders.
This is the first time the handicrafts competition is being held in Liwa along with the dates exhibition that will continue till August 2. The festival also has many art and traditional craft workshops and training sessions.
Among the events that will be held during the festival are poetry evenings, group weddings, games, lectures on date palm breeding, religious lectures and special sessions to educate children on how to take care of palm trees.
The group wedding will be held on July 25.
The deadline for submitting the entries for the handicrafts competition is July 20. Families are also welcome to participate in the competition, the organisers have said.
Mohammed Khalifa Al Al Qubaisi, member of the organising committee for the dates festival, said 50,000 visitors from the UAE and other GCC countries are expected to visit the exhibition.
The festival opened on Thursday evening at Liwa, 260km from the capital.
Farmers and specialists would exchange technical expertise and knowledge about producing quality dates and ways to breed different varieties of dates in the country.
"At present, there are more than 16 million palm trees in the UAE of which 10 million are in Abu Dhabi emirate alone," said Al Qubaisi.
"We are continuously striving to increase the number of palm trees in the emirate and utilising the modern technologies for breeding and increasing the number of date varieties," said Al Qubaisi.
The Liwa Festival has been organised under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Jun 11, 2008 | 7:34 AM PST
Tags: cannes , 2008 , festival , portal , news , lions
Foi publicado na quarta-feira passada (04/06) o novo portal do Promark para o Festival.
Por motivos de força menor, estarei mais perto de Cannes este ano.
Trabalhera de fazer um portal em uma agência start-up. um caos dentro do outro.
May 23, 2008 | 10:31 AM PST
Tags: Dining With The President , Documentary , Film , Festival
ABU DHABI - Minister of Higher Education
and Scientific Research Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan attended on
Thursday, the award ceremony held to honour the winners of the first
documentary awards organised by Anasy Media Production in association
with SAMA Dubai Television.
Several
prominent film industry officials, television personalities and media
professionals were present at the ceremony held at the Emirates Palace
in Abu Dhabi.
Five documentary films won awards in various
categories in the competition held under the title 'Document your
Talent'. Entries came from UAE, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco,
Brazil, France, Palestine, Kosovo, Iran, KSA, Iraq, Kuwait, Sudan,
Belgium and Australia.
The grand jury committee was composed
of Dr. Khalid Shawkat, the CEO of the Arab Film Festival in Rotterdam;
Abu Sulaiman, TV presenter and UN Good Well Ambassador; Hollywood star
Daniel (Danny) Glover,Toufik Founi, General Manager Al Jazeera
Documentary, Actress Madhuri Dixit, and Journalist Riz Khan.
The First standing Grand prize of AED 500,000 was won by the documentary 'Dining with the President'.
The
AEDE 100,000 prize in the Sheikh Zayed category was shared by two
Emirati documentaries, both made by girl students. The films were 'The
Lost leader of hearts' made by Isra Al Sabiri, and 'Dar Zayed's Hidden
Treasures' made by a group of five girl students at Zayed University.
May 20, 2008 | 11:03 AM PST
Tags: Scarlett , Johansson , Music , Debut , Festival , Album
SCARLETT JOHANSSON would love to display her vocal talents at a music festival - if only she could combat her stage fright.
The actress released her debut album Anywhere I Lay My Head this week (begs19May08) - and is so pleased with the disc of Tom Waits covers, she wants the chance to play them live.
But she'd have to conquer her stage fear first. She says, "It would be sad to not get everybody (band members) together. Whether it's at a festival or somewhere that's kind of fun.
"(But) I have horrible stage fright, so it would have to be overcome. People approach me (about playing live) and my usual answer is, 'Ah, I'll think about that'.
"When I do think about it, I start to get really sweaty and uncomfortable and itchy around the neck.
May 19, 2008 | 3:15 PM PST
Tags: Middle East , Film , Festival , Prizes
Aspiring screenwriters, start your engines.
CANNES -- Filmmakers picked for the Middle East International Film
Festival could hit the jackpot. Festival reps in Cannes on Friday
announced several new prizes including the Black Pearl Awards which
have combined prize money of over $1 million.
The festival, set for Oct. 10-19, has also added three new student
film awards of $25,000 each, and an International Competition for
Advertising carrying three prizes of $25,000.
To be held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the festival will
this year also revise its programming structure to include a focus
on environmental films. Other sections include a "Festival of
Festivals" section and the Emirates Film Competition, previously a
standalone event which is being wrapped into the festival for the
first time this year.
Mohamed Al Mazrouei, director general of the Abu Dhabi Authority
for Culture and Heritage said, "We are honored to be here at the
61st Cannes Film Festival. We wanted to ensure our position at this
prestigious event in order to highlight to the world our
seriousness in becoming an international player within the
international film industry."
The festival also announced a call for entries, and was set to host
an exclusive party Friday night at the Century Club in Cannes.
May 10, 2008 | 3:08 AM PST
Tags: rhythm , devils , vibes , la , dubai , grateful dead , hollywood , tv , video , music , drums , mickey hart , bill kreutzman , california , new york , concert , concerts , festival , festivals , outdoors
Mar 26, 2008 | 9:54 PM PST
Tags: Dubai , Festival , Centre , Dragon , Boat
Festival Centre, the heart of Dubai
Festival City and one of the region’s most exciting retail, dining and
leisure destinations, will play host to Dubai’s first ever Annual
Dragon Boat Festival on April 4, a Press release said.
The
event is expected to engage a broad spectrum of the UAE community
including corporate and competitive teams as well as community groups
and universities.
Tom
Miles, Senior General Manager Retail, Dubai Festival City, said: “We
are thrilled that Festival Centre will be the first to introduce the
Dragon Boat Festival in the region. Our goal is to create a waterfront
event that will get the entire community involved. People of all ages
and abilities are invited to experience the festival, either watching
or participating will be a thrill in itself.”
The
highlight of the festival will be the fierce dragon boats racing in a
vibrant spectacle. These races will undoubtedly become one of Dubai’s
most popular events, drawing thousands of spectators. It will boast
more than 50 participating teams. Each boat, which measures
approximately 10 metres, will have ornately carved and painted “dragon”
heads and tails, carrying 18-22 paddlers.
Tom
Meyer, Area General Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group, Dubai
Festival City, said: “The Chinese Dragon Boat races have existed for
the past 2500 years and will always be a symbol of Chinese culture and
spirit. As one of the three largest Chinese festivals of the year, I’m
extremely pleased that we will be hosting this legendary celebration at
Dubai Festival City."
Mar 19, 2008 | 2:13 PM PST
Tags: Coachella , Prince , Festival , Tent
The organisers of next month's (Apr08) Coachella Festival have slammed reports PRINCE will be performing in a tent.
The Los Angeles Times newspaper reported the news that Prince would be part of Coachella overnight (18/19Mar08), but festival bosses insist that's not the case.
Brandon K. Phillips, the CEO of Coachella co-producers AEG Live, says, "This is absolutely not true. Regardless of what the Times was told, there is no commitment from Prince to play Coachella."
Meanwhile, Goldfrapp, Kate Nash, Aphex Twin, Redd Kross and Serj Tankian have been added to the line-up for the three-day event, and indie band New Young Pony Club have pulled out of the festival.
In a post on their website, the band writes, "We're very sad to have to announce that we won't be playing Coachella this year. It was a really hard decision to make but essentially we felt it's impossible for us to come this year."
Mar 13, 2008 | 8:04 PM PST
Tags: Dubai , Kite , Flying , Festival , Fly
Thousands of colourful kites dotted the sky
as the popular kite-flying festival kick-started yesterday evening
(13.3) at Sonapur area in Dubai.
People
from all walks of life gathered together to celebrate the onset of
spring (Basant), which traditionally in Pakistan, is celebrated through
hues of yellows and greens.
On
this particular occasion that the community looks forward to each year,
kites of all colours and sizes are imported from Pakistan, along with
dor (thread) specially treated with crushed glass. And in the UAE, the
Kite Club has organised this festival, gathering together hundreds of
people.
"Like
each year, this year too, two days have been allocated for the
celebrations. We fly kites all night long and the next day," explained
Mohammed Amin, head of the Kite Club.
"Kites
and dor (strings) have already been brought in from Pakistan. And the
range is from Dh2 (small kite) to over Dh100 for decorated and bigger
kites," he pointed outexplained.
Visitors
can buy and try their hand at kite-flying at the venue. “I look forward
to this day every year because it reminds me of home in Lahore which is
famous for its fun and festive spirit, especially during Basant and
other similar festivals,” said Mustafa Khan, who was at the spot with
his family.
He
said that at this time of the year, he and his friends make it a point
to meet at the ground to have fun. “Sometimes we order kites and dor
from Pakistan, but we often also buy it from here,” he said.
According
to the traditional game, kite lovers and fliers turning their sights
skywards to applaud an ongoing ‘kite-cutting’ competition. After an
opponent’s kite has been ‘cut’ by letting the dor down upon the
opponent’s dor and tugging at it, bhangra dance, screams of joy and
blasting of horns announces the victory of the kite-cutter.
With
lilting Punjabi numbers blaring from the nearby parked cars, Ammara
Suhail, while thoroughly enjoying herself said, “Though I do not fly
kites myself, I enjoy watching the game and the sight of colourful
kites dotting the sky. I love dressing up in yellow and orange, which
are basant colours, and watching people compete with each other,” she
added.
Maher
Ali enjoying with his friends informed that the wind has to be just
right for kite flying. “If the wind is strong, then the string breaks
quickly and the kite breaks off and if there is no wind, a lot of
effort is needed to keep it in air,” he explained the technique.
Making
the place lively are kite ‘looters’ who do not actually fly a kite but
are seen scanning the skies for any kite floating freely which they can
capture and keep as a treasure. “This is another kind of victory,”
explains Rashid, jumping over obstacles and dashing over to a floating
kite in a bid to beat others at the game.
Mar 11, 2008 | 3:38 PM PST
Tags: Lethal Weapon , Danny Glover , Lifetime , Achievement , Award , ONFILM , Festival , Eng , England , Norfolk
LETHAL WEAPON star DANNY GLOVER will accept a Lifetime Achievement award at the second annual ONFilm Festival in Norfolk, England.
The 60-year-old actor will receive his award on 5 April (08) in celebration of his film career and dedication to social rights
Mar 1, 2008 | 1:16 AM PST
Tags: French , Art , Festival , Abu Dhabi , Dubai
And that is precisely one of the reasons why the first French Art Festival is being hosted in these cities, points out Francoise Malafose
ABU
DHABI is all set to chalk up another first in its art calendar with the
inauguration of what is said to be the first ever art fair dedicated to
the best of contemporary art produced in France.
Ranging from paintings and sculptures, to design artwork, tapestries and photographs, the exhibition, entitled, the French Art Festival, represents some 350 modern artwork pieces by thirty renowned French artists that reflect the diversity of contemporary French art.
Most of these highly celebrated artist like Christine Barres, Robert DiCredico, Pascal Magis, Brigitte Martinet, Giovanni Carosi, and Jean Louis Toutain have already earned handsome acclaim at home and abroad, and could well be the leading lights of tomorrow.
The paintings, sculptures and compositions of the participating artists are full of style, beauty and power.
Patrice Paoli, French Ambassador to the UAE, and Dominique Baudis, President of the Arab World Institute in Paris, will be present at the opening ceremony of the first French Art Festival on March 12th. The festival is held under the patronage of Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.
During the opening ceremony, an artwork painted on the spot by famed artist Robert DiCredico will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Emirates Foundation. The Dubai Autism Centre is the chosen benefactor for the auction that will take place during the Dubai opening ceremony.
Christine Barres, the famed French painter, will be holding a workshop for those who are interested in widening their artistic horizons.
Local guest artists Mohamed Kanoo, Wasel Safwan and Mohammed Mandi will also participate in the exhibition.
Manal Bin Amro and Nuha Hassan Asad are among the guest artists from Dubai who will be involved in the event.
City Times caught up with Francoise Malafose, the artistic director of Comevents (organisers of the event) to have some more insight on the event.
How do you read the significance of this event as a cultural bridge between UAE and France?
The exchange between cultures is the main objective behind the French Art Festival.
Contemporary art is an expression of the thousand and one beauties of the world. By exhibiting the contemporary creativity of the best living artists to a cosmopolitan and international audience in the Emirates, France is hoping to shares their culture creativity with the local artists here. After all, cultural awareness and multinational acceptance is present in budding cosmopolitan hubs.
How did the idea of conducting a French art festival in Abu Dhabi and Dubai come about?
It would be very hard to pick a more fitting venue than the most dynamic and cosmopolitan countries in the world dedicated to cultural expression and exchanges.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are works of art. The dizzying skyscrapers and light-steeped glass halls magnify the paintings and sculptures they house. Artistically speaking, the architecture here has reached heights of perfection that no other city in the world can match. So it is fair to talk about open art sharing and cross-fertilisation.
Emirates is in constant development; what is happening in the Emirates is unique in the world. It seems natural to me that the artistic dimension should also be present here. The vision of the emirate of Abu Dhabi seems to have been manifested. We include ourselves in this trend, or I would even say momentum, since I have the feeling that I am participating in something truly dynamic.
The spin-offs of such an event are innumerable and not all of them are quantifiable. There will of course be economic spin-offs, for the artists who open up to new markets, and for the companies taking part in this festival in different ways. But there will also be spin-offs in terms of knowledge and recognition. It boosts the discovery of new forms of expression and respect for cultures.
We are talking about art beyond borders, about a universal language… so it would be terrible to create boundaries where there are none!
Will the French Art Festival be an annual event?
Yes! The festival’s noble ambition is to bring individuals together through their shared interest in contemporary art. We have every intention of renewing and amplifying it every year.
EVENT DETAILS
EVENT: French Art Festival
PLACE & DATE: Abu Dhabi, March 12 at ADNEC
Dubai, March 2- 5, Mina A' Salam Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah
Feb 29, 2008 | 5:58 PM PST
Tags: David Gray , Dubai , Jazz , Festival
A snippet of the great music performed by David Gray at the Dubai Jazz Festival 2008.
Feb 28, 2008 | 9:40 AM PST
Tags: festival , urban , movie , films , indie , show business , Ghetto Eyez Publishing , Filmmakers , Actors , producers , Brooklyn Academy of music
MARCH MOVIES FESTIVAL
Ghetto Eyez Publishing LLC, and Quiet Elegance have come together with the support of Def Beat Entertainment to create the Black and Latino Urban Filmmaker's Foundation (B.L.U.F.F.).
B.L.U.F.F. was created to give young urban filmmakers of color a voice and a platform to present their films to an audience of their peers. We have developed a support structure for directors, actors, writers and much more. It is our goal to become a viable source of reference in all aspect of filmmaking. B.L.U.F.F. will kick off its second film festival (March Movies) on Wednesday, March 26th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The first night we will host a symposium on the various jobs on a film set, "Know your Role." Following the discussion we will present 3 short films from local filmmakers with a Question and Answer forum directly following each film.
The next evening we will host a second symposium on the business side of filmmaking, "The Business of Show." Following the discussion we will present a documentary made by a local filmmaker.
The final evening we will host a symposium on directing and acting, "Lights, Cameras, Action." Following the discussion we will show a full-length feature narrative from an independent filmmaker. There will also be a closing celebration.
The doors will open at 7:00pm for all three evenings and the films will start at 8:30pm.
For more info: Contact www.bluffonline.org
Feb 25, 2008 | 4:40 AM PST
Tags: Black , gay , film , movie , urban , hollywood , Festival
By Jasmyne A. Cannick posted on Feb 20, 2008
As the 16th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) comes to its conclusion, I thought I'd take a few moments to offer further commentary on Hollywood's Black Gay Conundrum.This year, like in years past, PAFF offered a diverse selection of quality films from and about the African Diaspora to enthusiastic audiences at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters in Los Angeles, otherwise known as the Black theater. From documentaries to narratives, there was no shortage of independent Black cinema to go around.
One of this year's most popular films was Bill Duke's "Cover," a film about the downlow---surprise surprise. "Cover" was so popular that one encore wouldn't accommodate the hundreds of people that showed up to see it, so a third screening was added. Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Gant, Mya, Louis Gossett, Jr., Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Roger Guenveur Smith, Patti LaBelle and Obba Babatunde, "Cover" tells the story of Ryan Chambers (Leon) who is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is Valerie Maas (Aunjanue Ellis), a church-going homemaker whose life unravels when she discovers that her husband (Razaaq Adoti) of 15 years has been leading a double life. Her strength of character and faith keeps the family alive as a deadly disease threatens to destroy all that they have known.
"Cover" screened three times in the heart of what is left of Black Los Angeles in front of hundreds. In fact, the festival could have sold out another screening had they added one.
And yes, this is the same AMC Magic Johnson Theater that I argued "Dirty Laundry" should have opened up in last year instead of West Hollywood simply because of its gay content.
"Dirty Laundry" starred Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn, Joey Costello, with a cameo appearance from Dr. Bobby Jones and followed the life of an African-American gay magazine writer with a near perfect life after turning his back on his southern roots by escaping to New York City--until an 11-year-old boy changes everything for him and his partner.
Like with "Dirty Laundry," "Cover" shares a stellar cast, a stellar Black cast.
"Cover" is set to open in limited theatrical release this week on February 22. Limited as in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Newark, and Baltimore. Limited as in this Black movie will have the benefit of opening up in traditional Black neighborhoods, a luxury that "Dirty Laundry" was never afforded which might have---no make that directly resulted in its being pulled from theaters about a week into its very limited engagement.
Film festivals, in particular Black film festivals, give prospective distributors as well as the filmmakers a direct link to their audience. If it does well at a festival, it's likely to do well in a limited or national release. Many films, including those that went on to win Academy Awards, got their start at film festivals, and the buzz went from there.
That's why film festivals continue to play a critical role for independent cinema.
One stark difference between "Cover" and "Dirty Laundry" is the way in which its gay albeit downlow or bisexual characters are portrayed.
"Dirty Laundry" is a film that features a Black openly gay character that's not on drugs, a prostitute, on the downlow, a hair dresser, choir director, or sashaying all over the screen. You know, those stereotypical representations of the gay community that seem to envelope most roles that call for a Black gay characters. Which is not to say that I'm hating on those types of brothas, but just like all lesbians aren't Cleo (Queen Latifah in "Set It Off"), all gay men aren't fabulous finger snapping hair dressers. Add to that, "Dirty Laundry" is rated PG-13. There's no sex or violence in the film.
"Cover" on the other hand deals directly with Black America's infatuation with all things on the downlow. Since J.L. King and Oprah opened up the subject nationally for mainstream America, there has been a never-ending stream of books and films on the downlow. Why? Because it's a popular, yet taboo subject for Blacks.
However, "Cover" tells the typical and for me tired story of the brotha who did the sista wrong. We've been there and seen that before. It doesn't necessarily portray gay men, bisexual men, or men on the downlow in the most positive light, not that you need too to discuss the downlow. But the plot that always includes the sista done wrong is a bit overplayed and does nothing to address the reason why the downlow exists in the first place. Instead, it continues to point the finger of blame while using an all-star cast to keep its audience enthralled.
Like filmmaker Tyler Perry, the filmmakers behind "Cover" have already begun signing up HIV/AIDS organizations and Black churches nationwide to go out and support the film on its opening weekend. Because this film speaks more to the good Christian sista done wrong, it's finding strong support amongst the Black Christian community. However, I am not sure how much "Cover" is really going to do to continue the conversation on why the downlow exists in the first place. I am more concerned with further ostracizing Black gay and bisexual men. In fact, one might argue that this film given its gaining popularity might set back the advancements that Black gay groups have been making within Black America on this very subject. However, only time will tell on that one.
What I do know for sure is that Black films thrive when they are made available to Black audiences, which means screening in urban theaters. It doesn't hurt if that subject matter happens to be about the downlow and is cloaked in a script that allows good Black Christian folks to flock to their local theater without fear of being labeled as gay.
I guess the proof will be in the numbers for "Cover." After looking at the film's major success in Los Angeles during the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, this despite a less than complimentary review in Los Angeles' mainstream alternative newspaper the L.A. Weekly. With strong grassroots support from the Black church community, HIV/AIDS groups, and good old word of mouth, the filmmakers might just see decent enough numbers to keep them in theaters for more than a week. The flipside? If that happens, you can bet that the suject of how to spot a man on the downlow, or my favorite, ten things to look for in your man to tell if he's gay will find new life in Black America via nail salons, beauty shops, pulpits, and on urban radio stations nationwide. Been there done that. What we need to be discussing is how our phobias created the downlow and continues to force people into living lies as opposed to pointing the finger of blame which does nothing in the long run to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our communities or to bring us closer together as a people.
At 30, Jasmyne A. Cannick is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who writes about the worlds of pop culture, race, class, sexuality, and politics as it relates to the African-American community. She can be reached at jasmynecannick.com or myspace.com/jasmynecannick.
Jan 27, 2008 | 4:34 PM PST
Tags: Frozen River , Sundance , Film , Festival , Immigration , Courtney Hunt , Best Drama
Controversial immigration movie FROZEN RIVER has won the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
The movie, which was written and directed by first-time filmmaker Courtney Hunt and is about smuggling immigrants into the U.S., took home the Utah event's grand jury award for Best Dramatic Film on Saturday (26Jan08).
Jury member Quentin Tarantino described Frozen River as "one of the most exciting thrillers I am going to see this year." Elsewhere, the Hurricane Katrina-themed Trouble The Water won the grand jury prize for Best U.S. Documentary, while the audience award for Best Drama went to Jonathan Levine's The Wackness.
The audience prize for Best U.S. Documentary was awarded to environmental movie Fields Of Fuel, and Best Director was picked up by Lance Hammer for Ballast. (GES/WNWCCB&WNWA&WNWR/LJ)
Jul 26, 2007 | 9:06 AM PST
Tags: Acapella , Puge Sound , festival
www.acappellafestival.org< /a>
Get ready for one of the puget sounds most exciting acapella events coming to our area. Acappella Festival is an event running in conjunction with the evergreen district convention. The cool thing about this event is that its not just barbershop there is also a contest for contemporary acapella groups.
Check out their website to find out more. This is going to be an even you have to see.
