THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS March ft-March 12,2008 27 Go With The Ho signs with a new record label "" star Vanessa career to even newer heights "Found A Cure," "Stay Free tual commitment to the Mar- portrays Andre Benjamin's Williams has signed an exclu- and has further established her Over and Over," and "Don't Cost vel Enterprises/Paramount mother in "Semi-Pro," the sive recording contract with as a pop culttire icon. You Nothing" included Roberta Pictures release of "Iron number one movie in the coim- independent record label Con- Flack, Lynn Whitfield, Edgar Man," in which he stars. Ter- try, starring Will Ferrell, cord Records, Grammy HUSBAND and wife team Bronfman, Jr., socialite Susan rence will rejoin the produc- Woody Harrelson and Andre. Award-winning producer Keith Ashford and Simpson celebrated Hess and Freddie Jackson. tion on May 23. Next up for Ellia is "The Hus- Thomas will be producing the release of "Cat On A Hot Tin RooP tle," starring Charlie Murphy. Vanessa's Concord Records their new CD at began previews on February 12 It is scheduled for a June debut, which is slated to be their restau- and is set to open at the Broad- release. released in September 2008. rant. The Sugar hurst Theatre on New York on "Vanessa is an extraordinari- Bar, on New March 6. This production of LIL Jon isn't just into creat- ly talented artist and we're York City's "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" is ing ljTics. Hollyscoop reports thrilled that she has chosen Upi>er West THE NEW revival of Ten- being presented by Front Row the music mogul is expanding Concord for the next phase of Side. Distributed by Wamer nessee Williams' Pulitzer Productions and produced by his empire into the wine busi- her recording career," said John Bros./Rhino and entitled "Hits, Prize—winning play "Cat On A Stephen C. Byrd. ness. The Little Jonathan Win- Burk, executive vice president of Remixes and Rarities," it's a com- Hot Tin Roor directed by Deb- ery has just released a collec- A&R at Concord Music Group. pilation a classic and new remix- bie Allen will get a new Brick SINGER/actress Ellia Eng- tion of wine, including a mer- Vanessa's role as delectably es of their signature tracks. when Boris Kodjoe joins the lish continues to pad her act- lot, chardonnay, and cabernet fierce Wilhelmina Slater on Guests dancing and enjoying cast on April 15th. Boris will ing resume with memorable sauvignon. The wine is already "Ugly Betty," has taken her the festivities to such hits as temporarily take over this comedy roles with some of being distributed for use in pivotal role for Terrence today's greatest comic talents. your crunk cup in California Howard, who must leave the Best known as Aunt Helen on and will hit shelves elsewhere Black History Month production for a prior contrac- "The Jamie Foxx Show," Ellia in the next two months. concludes with Harlem is...Music, ^Same Train'musical I In an effort to bring the rich realizes they are actively vignettes together with his musical tributes musical history of Harlem to learning through the arts. deep baritone voice and strum- Gregory Hopkins, the artis- aria "Vadore pupilli" from "Julio the commimity and the city at They are the future and spir- ming guitar tic director of the Harlem Caesare" and Morgana's aria large and also educate the its of the Harlem community, "My music grew out of the Opera Theater, came up with an "Tornami a vagheggiar" from younger generation. Communi- the anointed flame-keepers of text," noted Bruckner. "Lee's imaginative program for its "Alcina," both by Handel. It ty Works, a non-profit arts-edu- Harlem's valuable culture. words inspired me to move in a sixth annual concert last Friday should be noted that Cleopatra cation oi^anization, established An expansion of this multi- jazzy direction with an infusion evening at the Schomburg Cen- was a Black queen from antiqui- its series harlem...is layered exhibition will of blues and gospel. ter A combination of words and ty and the characters in Alcina Music. Debuting in be on display "Same Train." which was music were offered in tribute to were Saracens, "not bom of 2006, it engages atu- By Ron starting March 26 seven years in the making, are Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Dr. Sarah, but of Hager." dents frxim 10 partner for a two-month persona] stories that were Martin Luther King, Jr. and public schools in Harlem period at the Cathe- shared with Lee Simon by his Supreme Court Justice Thur- The tenor Aubry Brian has research and documen- dral of St. John the family. "Some of these stories good Marshall. done considerable research on tation. Their work con- Divine before making a relate directly to my family," Courtroom scenes from tributes to the signature citywide tour. stated Simon. "But these are Verdi's "Aida" and Gilbert & Sul- public art exhibition that the fibers that unite us as livan's "Trial by Jiuy" were per- commemorates the history, "Same Train" is a himian beings. We have all fect musical selections to honor culture and individuals that splendid musical journey of experienced fear, joy and pain, Powell and Marshall. The spiri- have made and continue to pre- the Black experience, romping and though we may be tual "If I Can Help Somebody" serve Harlem as the Black cul- rides of seven spirited vignettes atrangera, these shared experi- was the excellent choice for the tural capital of the worïd. filled with blues, gospel, jazz ences place us all on the same By RAOUL ABDUL King tribute. The audience, Last week, students from and spoken word, flowing from train." which filled the Langston Hugh- the music of the Black composer Harlem's Frederick Douglass slavery to the 1960s and finally Unfortunately, Simon could- es Auditorium to capacity, Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Academy 11 and The High stopping in the present. nt complet« the second act due rewarded the performers with Saint-George, who was the dar- School for Math, Science and This dramatic musical col- to health reasons, but he did great enthusiasm. ling of the French aristocracy in Engineering participated in laboration written by Levy Lee manage to make a memorable The singers were Carolyn the 18th centtary. On Sunday the harlem...is Music series Simon, with music and lyriœ by appearance in the short story Sebron, Charles Carter, Marvin afternoon, he shared his find- entitled "The Spirit of Com- Mark Bruckner and directed by "Into the Night " ; Lowe, Karla Simmons, Jason ings at a concert in Christ munity." This latest display Mary Beth Easley, runs Simon, a Harlem native, is Brown, Lawrence Craig, Tyrone Chapel at the Riverside Church. at the Schomburg Center for through March 8 (the final the 2007 recipient of the Aiken, Jean Howard and Fred Included were arias and Research in Black Culture weekend) at the Algonquin The- AUDELCO Best Playwright Meyers. The spoken tributes duets from the opera "Ernes- honors the late master drum- ater {123 East 24th Street). Award for his play "The Guest were delivered by Dr. Thelma tine," based on a libretto by mer Max Roach; multi- Each cast member offers at Central Park West" (now Adair, director. Community Life Chandelos de Laclos, the French instrumentalist, composer, shining star performances, running at the WorkShop The- Head Start, and Derrick A Bell, revolutionary and author of "Les vocalist Olu Dara; and the including Ayeje Feamster, ater Company, 312 West 38th Jr., visiting professor. New York Liaisons Dangereuses." There noted Harlem nightclub sta- Eddie Goines, Harrison Lee, Street). His play "The Bow Univerisity Law School. were also rarely performed ples The Cotton Club, Lenox Kami Percinthe, Levy Lee Wow Club" is the winner of songs and ariettes and the Ada- Lounge, Minton's Playhouse, Simon, Cedric H. Turner and the Lorraine Hansberry On Wednesday, a few days gio in F minor for piano as edit- St, Nick's Pub and Show- musicians pianist Mark Bruck- Award for Best Full-Length earlier, the Department of City- ed by the musicologist man's. ner and bassist Tara Thierry. Play awarded by the Kennedy wide Administrative Services Dominique-Rene de Lerma. This gala debut exhibition Kami Percinthe and Ayeje Center A.C.T.F offered its ninth annual Black The singers Aubry Brian and featured perfoi*mances by Olu Feamster are feisty singers in "Same Train" is a wonderful History Month celebration at the soprano Diana Solomon- Dara and his band, the Jitter- the gospel tradition who add a entertainment vehicle that Banking Hall on Chambers Glover sang very well indeed. bug Kids, the Cotton Club soulful sincerity to this rousing swings with an impacting mes- Street, The guest speaker was Both prepared the material Dancers and IMPACT Reper- play. sage that may cause you to tap Earl Graves, Sr of Black Enter- meticulously, showing a real tory Theater (2008 Best Song "This is a play that should be your foot while seating on the prise magazine and the musical understanding of French per- Oscar nominee). Watching celebrated," stated Feamster. edge of your seat. "Same portion of the program featured formance style. Whether accom- these young people perform, Turner brings humor and Train" follows that saying Met Opera soprano Osceola panying the vocalists or execut- as well as the students drama to his role as "Old "Always leave your audience Davis. ing his solo piece, Christopher involved in the research of Henry," the play's storytelling wanting more." For tickets, call With Jonathan Kelley at the Johnson displayed highly this wonderful exhibit, one sage, who keeps the quilted (212) 730-4664. piano, Davis offered Cleopatra's refined musicianship.