Jadakiss "The Last Kiss" In Stores 04.07.09

Stevie Wonder, Steel Pulse & Stokely of Mint Condition

This was the best Weds. nite ever! After a busy day at work I had the pleasure of going to the Stevie Wonder's Live at Last screening. The turnout was great and the Stevie fans had a blast. There was singing, dancing and clapping so I give it 5 stars. The visuals and the music were top notch. The lucky audience at the 02 Arena in in London where it was filmed gave Stevie and his band all kinds of love and it translated back to the viewing audience. This is a must have of the concert DVDs this year.

After the screening my husband and I turned into the Bonnie & Clyde of music junkies and hurried over to the House of Blues to catch Steel Pulse. They had a groovy, vibe going when we arrived and their fans transported me to another place. They energy in the room was beautiful and Steel Pulse not only gave the fans what they wanted, they were raising funds for the restoration of New Orleans. A signed guitar was being raffled off to raise the funds and awareness that New Orleans stills needs help.

Next stop the Prophet Bar. Wednesday nights are becoming an addiction for me. I love the open mic artists. They get up there with a captive audience and go for it. American Idol ain't got nothing on the Jam Sessions. This week's stand outs for me were Versus who performed a Dave Hollister tune and Lola who showed out with her cover of "Prototype" (Andre 3000). I'm a R&B chick so anytime you can carry the weight of another person's song like it was yours I'm good. The crowd was there to see Stokely but appreciated all the performers. After giving the up and comers their shine R.C. finally brings out Stokely and man was I not prepared for him. Stokely, R.C., Sean, Braylon and one of the baddest drummers in the country Chris Daddy Dave came out and smoked the stage with the illiest improvisation set I've seen in a while. This was not a mini Mint Condition set, this was all about Stokely using his voice as a instrument in tune with band. We all stood in awe during this musical journey. I'm posting their performance of "Blackbird" as I don't have the words to decribe what his performane was all about. He ended the set with "What Kind of Man" but this was after he and Chris Daddy Dave had a battle of the drum sticks that was violent! Don't sleep on Weds. nights in Dallas, if you come out you might just reconnect to your love of live music. Attendees included Lina, King Ashoka and the Dallas Conventions & Visitors Bureau who where filming a segment for www.visitblackdallas.com. The site will be designed to be an online magazine for the African American community locally and abroad, showcasing the wide variety of events, attractions, hotels, restaurants and night life interviewing Stokely on what he loves about Dallas. Nanette Lee is doing a monthly article on nitelife, Chris Arnold will cover sports, their first feature story is on Erykah and the new baby. They will also feature a variety of short video blogs of their team going to different events and interviewing artist and asking them why they love Dallas. Their first interview was with Stokley last night at the Jam Session.

Next up Atlanta's DJ Jamad @ the Zubar for Brown Sugar 1st Fridays, Frank McCombs on Sat. at the Loft and Estelle and Solonge on Monday @ the House of Blues. I know ya'll jealous because off all this good music fun I'm having.

Erykah Badu's Born Day @ Prophet Bar

Last night was another great night of music a the Prophet Bar. This Wednesday night just keeps getting hotter. R.C. the promoter and musical director for the Jam Sessions that held their weekly posted on Facebook that Erykah would be coming by last night. So me being the pessimist that I am acted like I didn't care. Well, after a couple of phone calls from friends headed down to Deep Ellum I shook off the funky disposition and went in search of the funk. I arrived and the place was packed. The singers and poets that participated in the open mic segment of the night were pretty darn good. The band was CRAZY! Those guys can play the hell out of anything and Claudia, girl you know you are a star. The best part of the night was seeing all my Facebook and twitter homies, it was like a reunion. I talked to Brook who is getting ready to launch a new hip hop site and my girl Eboni who is a stylist who has just had an amazing shoot with ANTM alumni Jade. I saw the pictures and Eboni gave Jade the bizness. DMoe who sings background for soulstar Eric Roberson was in the house looking all Detroit fly. He's in town writing and recording his new project. Back to EB

R.C. is such a gentleman, to bring out Erykah he had all the women get a free glass of champagn to toast her birthday. Erykah hit the stage and we sang the "happy birthday" song to her. She looked amazing in a red jacket and her down to her butt braids are back. She launched into the song "Me" and a 15 min. set that was priceless. It was such a blessing to see her out like that, she is definitely Dallas' own because she owned us last night. Thanks Erykah for sharing the start of your birthday with us, we appreciate ya. Houston where ya at, she's performing and hosting a after party in H-town next Friday. Visit www.713black.com for more details.

Soul Unplugged "Blue Light Edition feat. Frank McComb

My friends over at The Foundation a unique marketing and community oriented company will launch a live music series the 1st week in March with the phenomenal Frank McComb. This series is titled the "The Blue Light" Vol. 1 as a ode to the basement parties from back in the day when soul music really reached your soul. I love that they are kicking it off with Frank McComb because is a muscians muscian and with a voice and piano skills that rival Stevie Wonder. I'm not saying this lightly Frank McComb takes you off on a musical journey at his show that you will not forget. As you can tell I'm a fan. Here's more about the show, a couple of videos of Frank performing and the event details. I hope to see you there.




Event details:
The Foundation is proud to present “SOUL UNPLUGGED”… a Blue Light Special Edition…Vol. 1 featuring soul icon FRANK McCOMB, Saturday, March 7, 2009 at THE LOFT.
Remember the days when music was music… your parents had a party in the basement… “Blue Light”… you wondered what they were doing… you couldn’t go… BUT NOW YOU CAN!
Come see one of today’s most dynamic artists, Frank McComb, as the Foundation presents “SOUL UNPLUGGED… the Blue Light Special Edition…Vol. 1” at The Loft, Saturday, March 7, 2009. Frank’s resume includes a who’s who of R&B greats, including Teddy Pendergrass, Teena Marie, Kenny Lattimore, Chaka Khan, Gerald LeVert, Ledisi and yes Prince, just to name a few. His sound has been mentioned in the same breath as R&B legends Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. Come and allow Frank McComb to take you on a musical journey with songs satisfying the earful palette such as “Left Alone” to wishing for a “Future Love” and “Flying High” in just a “Few More Days”, Saturday March 7. This promises to be a night you will not forget. One that you’ve been asking for and one that only The Foundation can provide.

Tickets are $20 at the door. Doors open at 9 pm. Show will start promptly at 10:30 pm. Then stay late as special guest DJ, 2009 Dallas Quick DJ of the Year Nominee, DJ Viz, continues the grooves making this “blue light special” event a night to truly remember.

The Loft
1135 S. Lamar
Dallas, TX 75215

DCJD presents CNN political analyst Roland Martin

Dallas County Juvenile Department presents their 16th Annual Black History Program.The feature keynote speaker shall be BET Nighlty News contributor and CNN Political Analyst Roland Martin. The show will be highlighted by a special performance from Spoken Word artist "The Poet Drama". "The Poet Drama" shall perform "What Happened part1","What Happened part 2" and "This Happened": which have been gaining regional and national exposure very fast in this new year. No charge for admission but if you would like to enjoy a meal, there will be a $8.00 dollar lunch special.

Roland Martin's Texas connection: Texas A&M grad and former editor of the Dallas Weekly, with cameo radio gigs on K104 & KRLD.

Friday, 02.27.09
11:30am-2:00pm
Brooklyn Jazz Cafe
1701 South Lamar Street (between Cadiz & Corinth)
Dallas, TX 75215

"Stevie Wonder Live At Last" to screen at the Studio Movie Grill

Stevie Wonder Live At Last:
with nearly 200 #1 songs worldwide, no other record label has influenced music and culture more than Motown. To kick-off Motown's 50th Anniversary celebration, Stevie Wonder put on a show at the 02 Arena in London in October 2008 during the "A Wonder Summer Night" tour-His first European tour in over a decade. This is the first EVER official live DVD release from one of the most cherished singer's of all time, Motown legend, Stevie Wonder. Stevie at his very finest, backed by an incredible 14 piece band (including daughter Aisha on backing vocals), captured in pristine high definition and presented in digital 5.1 surround sound. Available every where March 10th!!

Dallas screening
March 4th 7:30pm
Studio Movie Grill
11170 Central Expressway
Dallas, TX
Click here to purchase tickets

For national screenings click here.

Fahamu Pecou "Fahamenon" book signing

Get your copy of the acclaimed art-book FAHAMENON personally signed by the man, the myth the legend himself Fahamu Pecou is the Shit! while getting your party on to the sounds of your favorite DJ JAY CLIPP...

“FAHAMU PECOU IS THE SHIT” is a painting, video and performance series that parallels the marketing campaign and identity design strategy of hip-hop artists and the conceptual framework of mass media and consumer products conceived in pop art.
My recent body of paintings in this series, NEOPOP, explores the phenomenon of contemporary propaganda, the cultural context and significance of media and marketing and how they are both disconnected and relevant to fine art. This project was a response to the grassroots and often times, aggressive marketing campaigns that surround artists in the music industry.

Thinking through the process of media propaganda brought me to my current work with magazine covers. Magazines are the embodiment of the psychology behind marketing and advertising. Playing on the public's psychological reaction to magazines, and preconceived ideas about who should be in them, I began projecting my image and ideals on the covers of magazines. I further abstracted the concept by juxtaposing my character's in-your-face, hip hop bravado on fine art magazines. The work begins with professional photo shoots and graphic design to create sketches for the over-sized canvases. A combination of ideas are then examined in the final pieces that play with notions of fame, image and black masculinity as well as fine art insider politics.

Monday, March 16
Conduit Gallery
1626C Hi Line Dr
Dallas, TX
Click here for directions