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EVENT: "Daryl Wilson's Black Party" (Washington DC)

EVENT: "Lipstick & Lyrics: Bring It On" (Chicago, IL)

CHICAGO GAY MEN’S CHORUS AND HYDRATE CHICAGO PRESENTS

“LIPSTICK & LYRICS:  BRING IT ON!”

6^TH ANNUAL ALL-LIVE, ALL-DRAG REVUE HOSTED BY MADAME X 

Chicago, October 15, 2009—Members of The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) will BRING IT ON and haul out their highest drag to take to the stage at Hydrate Chicago on Friday, November 6, 2009 to perform in CGMC’s 6^th Annual LIPSTICK & LYRICS:  BRING IT ON! Live Singing Drag Revue.  This year the performance will be hosted by Chicago drag star Madame X.  

Over the past five years, LIPSTICK & LYRICS has grown to become a must-see, sell-out event, and is proud to be one of the few non-lip-sync drag revues in the city, showing off the vocal talents of members of CGMC in a different way than usually seen in the chorus’ regular concert schedule.  Since its inception, LIPSTICK & LYRICS has been generously sponsored by Mark Lieberson and Hydrate Chicago. 

The evening will be filled with fierce fun and excitement as over 15 drag performers “bring it on” and give you all they’ve got and will include audience favorites Ethel Bourbon, Evian Waters, and Foxy Brown, among others.  The event will also be highlighted with a door prize contest featuring a Grand Prize Travel Package with airline tickets provided by Orbitz.  In addition to the presenting sponsorship of Hydrate Chicago, additional production assistance and sponsorship has been provided by G. Thomas Ward Photography, Maxey MediaWorks, Orbitz, Beatnix, Christine DePaepe of A&N Mortgage and BOB Technology Consultation.

Critically acclaimed Chicago entertainer Madame X serves as special guest host for the 2009 edition of LIPSTICK & LYRICS.  She is a regular cast member of the world famous Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club and has graced numerous entertainment venues showcasing her live vocal styling’s of past and present female icons with her own special twist.  Madame X achieved iconic status when a line of table furniture named the Madame X/Y collection, designed by Douglas Levine for The Bright Chair Company, debuted in 2007.  She is an artistic ensemble member of Mid-Tangent-Productions in Chicago, and will be seen in Hydrate/Mid Tangent's upcoming production of 'Snow White and the Drag Queen Who Stole Christmas', opening November 13. 

The one-night-only performance of LIPSTICK & LYRICS:  BRING IT ON!  is at Hydrate Chicago, 3458 N Halsted Street, Chicago, on Friday, November 6, 2009.  The hosted bar opens at 8PM and the show begins at 9:30PM.  Tickets are $15 in advance via online at www.cgmc.org; or $20 at the door the night of the event.  All proceeds from the event will benefit Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. 

For further information about LIPSTICK & LYRICS:  BRING IT ON! and for general information about Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, please visit www.cgmc.org or phone 773-296-0541.    

EVENT: "Delta Sigma Theta's Poet's Playground" (Kansas City)

MUSIC VIDEO: "Bulletproof" by Raheem Devaughn

Soul crooner Raheem Devaughn channels his inner-Marvin Gaye with his brand new single "Bulletproof."  By singing the troubles of today's state of the world, the song's music video paints a vivid portrait of every social disparity the singer preachers.  The song features a soul wrenching verse from rapper Ludacris.  The videos' ending will stir a little controversy.  You will have to see it yourself.

The song will appear on the upcoming The Love & War MasterPeace album.

Enjoy!

MUSIC VIDEO: "Crime Wave" by 50 Cent

While veteran New York rapper 50 Cent preps his highly anticipated album Before I Self Destruct, he drops a new video for the underground street single "Crime Wave."  Though the video is very straight-to-the-point, the cinematography was executed very well as a mini-movie, beginning with the opening credits.

Self Destruct will hit stores on November 23.

Enjoy!

Chris Brown Schedules "Fan Appreciation" Tou

Last month, New York radio station Power 105.1 (WWPR) announced singer Chris Brown would be headlining its Powerhouse concert this year, marking his first major promotional event since his February 8 altercation with ex-girlfriend Rihanna. Now, Jive Records -- the label Brown is signed to -- has revealed that he will also be going on a 19-city, small venue tour.

Dubbed the Fan Appreciation tour and aimed at acknowledging and thanking Brown's fans for their support, the trek begins at the House of Blues in Houston, TX, on November 14 and makes stops in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Brown's hometown of Virginia, before ending on December 13 in Philadelphia.

A portion of the proceeds from the tour will be donated to Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization devoted to providing jobs and leadership opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. The Jenesse Center, a non-profit that provides culturally sensitive services to strengthen families and is based in Los Angeles, will also receive a portion of the proceeds.
As previously reported, Brown recently released his first official track, the Swizz Beatz-produced "I Can Transform Ya," featuring Lil' Wayne. The song is said to be the lead single from his upcoming album, Graffiti.

The Fan Appreciation tour dates are as follows:

November 14: Houston, TX (House of Blues)
November 15: Dallas, TX (Palladium)
November 18: Los Angeles, CA (Avalon)
November 19: San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)
November 22: Richmond, VA (Landmark)
November 25: Detroit, MI (Royal Oak)
November 26: Chicago, IL (House of Blues)
November 29: Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Revolution)
December 1: Orlando, FL (House of Blues)
December 2: Atlanta, GA (CenterStage)
December 4: Washington, D.C (Warner Theater)
December 5: Providence, RI (Lupo's)
December 6: Boston, MA (House of Blues)
December 11: Baltimore, MD (Sonar)
December 12: Wallingford, CT (Chevrolet Theater)
December 13: Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)

Preside Obama Declares H1N1 Flu Emergency

President Obama has declared a national emergency to deal with the "rapid increase in illness" from the H1N1 influenza virus.

"The 2009 H1N1 pandemic continues to evolve. The rates of illness continue to rise rapidly within many communities across the nation, and the potential exists for the pandemic to overburden health care resources in some localities," Obama said in a statement.

"Thus, in recognition of the continuing progression of the pandemic, and in further preparation as a nation, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response."

The president signed the declaration late Friday and announced it Saturday.

Calling the emergency declaration "an important tool in our kit going forward," one administration official called Obama's action a "proactive measure that's not in response to any new development."

Another administration official said the move is "not tied to the current case count" and "gives the federal government more power to help states" by lifting bureaucratic requirements -- both in treating patients and moving equipment to where it's most needed.

The officials didn't want their names used because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

Obama's action allows Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius "to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements" to help health care facilities enact emergency plans to deal with the "pandemic."

Reviewing The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Season 2

I could not wait to share my opinions about the reality TV divas of the second season of Bravo's "Real Housewives of Atlanta."  Though the second season was less interesting than the first, thanks to the annoying antics of NeNe Leakes, Lisa Wu Hartwell and Kim Zolciak, I still wanted to add my analysis of each other show's stars.

In a nutshell, this is what I observed from the stars of the second season of "Real Housewives."

NeNe Leakes = annoying, over-the-top, full of drama for the camera, insecure, VERY jealous of independent women of confidence (especially Kandi & Sheree)

Kim Zolciak = funny, ignorant, delusional, cigarette fiend

Sheree Whitfield = sarcastically funny, arrogant, comically arrogant, fashion forward (on clothes), diva, 'bout it

Lisa Wu Hartwell = hyper, child-like, two-faced towards Kandi & Kim, bratty, insecure, intimidated by NeNe and Sheree

Kandi Burruss = the realist, the calmest, most confident

Watch the entire video about my analysis.  Do you agree with me?

What were your thoughts about the Real Housewives of Atlanta?

PREVIEW SONGS: Ciara | Johnta Austin | Ryan Leslie | Juvenile | Kevin Lyttle

Check out these recently leaked songs by your favorite music artists.  You can listen to them by clicking on the titles below.

"Turn It Up" by Ciara

"I Am" by Johnta Austin (featuring Mary J. Blige)

"Zodiac" by Ryan Leslie

"We Be Gettin' Money" by Juvenile (featuring Dorrough & Shawty Lo)

"Feels So Good" by Kevin Lyttle (featuring Shaggy)

EVENT: "Halloween Haunting Underground Bash" (Chicago)

NeNe Leakes & Kim Zolciak Make Joint Appearance On "Kimmel"

Love them or hate them, the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" divas are the "it girls" of the week.  At least, they are more interesting to become acquainted with rather than the overexposed Kardashian family.  Since their finale of the second season aired on Thursday, hundreds of thousands of people are sharing their comments about NeNe Leaks, Kim Zolciak, Kandi Burruss, Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell and even frequent visitor Dwight Eubanks. 

Only NeNe and Kim were invited to the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show last night to address their relatonship and talk about their entrepreneurial endeavors.  NeNe promoted her new book titled Never Make The Same Mistake Twice while Kim promoted her new wig line.  While the two seemed very phony with their pleasant interactions with each other, it was the funny questions of sarcasm that Kimmel darted at the twosome about the question his mother wanted answers.  His mother is an avid fan and watcher of "Housewives."

You can see the entire interview below:

Annie Leibovitz Shoots The Obama Family Presidential Portrait

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha, second from left, and Malia, sat for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House on September 1. The portrait was unveiled to the public recently.

God bless this family.  I love this photo.

SONG PREVIEWS: Toni Braxton | Timbaland | Jamie Foxx | Diamond | Wynter Gordon

Check out these recently leaked songs by your favorite artists.  You can listen to them by clicking onto the titles below.  Enjoy!

"Woman" by Toni Braxton

"Rumors" by Timbaland (featuring Keri Hilson & Jay-Z)

"Girl U Know" by Jamie Foxx

"Living At The Mall" by Diamond

"Should Have Known" by Wynter Gordon

Soul Train Music Awards Returns With Beyonce, Keri Hilson And Maxwell As Multiple Nominees

With four nominations each, Beyoncé, Keri Hilson and Maxwell head the list of nominees for the return of the "Soul Train Awards." The awards ceremony, hosted by actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, will be the first special aired on BET's recently launched CENTRIC Network. Taping November 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on November 29 at 9 p.m.
 
In addition to awards presented in various categories, the show will salute the careers of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The Soul Train Awards will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records and honor the late Michael Jackson with the Entertainer of the Year award. Scheduled performers include Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi and Melanie Fiona.
 
Here's the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" complete list of nominees and categories:
My picks are highlighted in pink.

Best New Artist
· Drake
· Jazmine Sullivan
· Keri Hilson
· Ryan Leslie
· Solange (WTF? She has been a working artist since 2002.  Matthew Knowles must have concocted this.)
 
Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
· Beyoncé
· Chrisette Michele
· Jennifer Hudson
· Ledisi
· Whitney Houston
   
Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
· Charlie Wilson
· Maxwell
· Musiq Soulchild
· Raphael Saadiq
· Robin Thicke
 
Song of the Year
· "God in Me" - Mary Mary
· "Pretty Wings" - Maxwell
· "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé
· "Spotlight" - Jennifer Hudson
· "Turnin Me On" - Keri  Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne
 
Album of the Year
· Beyoncé - "I Am...Sasha Fierce" (Sony Music)
· Jamie Foxx - "Intuition" (J Records)
· Kanye West - "808s & Heartbreak" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
· Maxwell - "Blacksummer's Night" (Sony Music)
· Ne-Yo - "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam)

Kanye West Gets Community Service For Airport Scuffle

Kanye West's karma is beleaguered by all kinds of bad luck these days.  Since his violence acts towards photographers in late 2008, West has kept himself in the media more for his bad deeds than his amazing music.  After an industry-wide upset towards the rapper over his upstaging of country music darling Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, he has been shunned from nominations at recent music awards announcements in addition to a boycott on radio stations.

Now, West finds himself punished for a minor crime he committed in Los Angeles last year.  Read the story below.

Rapper Kanye West and his business manager must complete 50 hours of community service in exchange for the dismissal of charges stemming from a Los Angeles airport scuffle with paparazzi last year.

Kanye West must complete 50 hours of community service by December 23.

West has already attended 12 hours of anger management classes and paid for the camera that was broken during the incident, his lawyer told the judge during a hearing Friday morning.

Police arrested West and Don Crawley on September 11, 2008, after an altercation with a photographer and a cameraman who were taking their photos, airport police said.

West and Crawley were later charged with three misdemeanors counts: vandalism, battery and grand theft.

"There was not a situation where there was a lot of time for either defendant to reflect on what they were doing," said Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Mark Zuckman.

Zuckman, who presided over Friday's hearing, said he could take the position that "a brief impulsive response" by West and Crawley "doesn't necessarily demonstrate a severe character flaw that needs to be addressed in a criminal case."

Still, he said, he did not want "to send a message that ripping the camera from someone's hand and destroying it [in] an act of vandalism is acceptable, no matter what kind of provocation caused them to be angry. There are other remedies."

West and Crawley have until December 23 to complete 50 hours of community service, Zuckman said. If they do, he will dismissed the charges.

If convicted, West could have faced up to two years and six months in jail, while Crawley could have faced up to five years, according to Frank Mateljan, the spokesman for the city attorney.

Source: CNN