World class American stand-up comic Darryl Lenox

‘BLIND AMBITION TOUR’ AT VANCOUVER’S VOGUE THEATRE

8 p.m .on OCTOBER 2ND, 2010  Lenox to film comedy special in the city that inspired him and helped him see the way.

World class American stand-up comic Darryl Lenox is set to rock the house at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on Saturday October 2nd at 8 p.m. where six HD cameras will be on hand to film the entire show. Using his honest and real insights as well as his key sense of observation into how we live our lives; Darryl’s followers and newcomers to his show will leave feeling satiated and energized by his comic genius. Audiences will be brought to tears of joy and to their feet by the end of the show.

Blind ambition is a fitting title for Darryl’s show. His eyesight deteriorating since his youth to the point of legal blindness, rendering him legally blind, the well spoken, deep voiced comedian says he has grown since having an operation in Vancouver to restore some of his vision and further deepened his human insight. He can now see the audience instead of trying to sense the energy level in the room while not having to worry about stumbling off the stage. But with the loss of vision has come brilliantly funny insight.

Vancouver, the Vogue, and Canada all hold a special place in Darryl’s heart and performing this show at the Vogue is a dream come true for the funnyman. For more than half of his 20-plus years traveling the world with his stand-up act, he operated out of Vancouver. Whenever he would walk down Granville he would imagine seeing his name up in lights under the 62-foot marquee of the Vogue Theatre. He feels that he owes the city that has given him sight which is why Darryl has chosen this location and is eager to share his vision with his audience. Now with a new record deal and the entertainment world taking notice, the show will be recorded for Darryl’s debut comedy record on Stand Up! Records, the label-home to comics as Lewis Black, Doug Stanhope,and Marc Maron. Six HD cameras will be on-hand to record Darryl’s comedy special.

“I can’t see two feet in front of me,” Darryl is quick to quip, “but I can see tomorrow.” For this stand-up truth teller, tomorrow looks awfully bright, and audiences indeed are richer for it. No one knows that better than his sold-out audiences throughout the USA and Canada. Tickets on sale now www.voguetheatre.com   Supported by TAN- The Afro News

 By Lesley Diana   

Dr Valerie Mason-John Aka Queenie Author of Detox Your Heart (working with anger/fear/hatred)

VANCOUVER, BC: Queenie Productions is pleased to present Brown Girl In The Ring as part of the 26th Annual Vancouver

Fringe Festival. Directed by Linette Smith, Brown Girl In the Ring is a BYOV production at the Havana Theatre on

Commercial Drive. A tragicomic monologue, it tells the story of a black woman who claims to be Queen of the British

Empire: HRH Regina II. Could the Queen’s story be plausible, or is she simply stark, raving mad? It runs September 10th to

14th and September 17th to 18th..

In Brown Girl In The Ring, Regina holds a press conference to tell the world her story: she has one hour to prove to the

world that she is the Queen. During this hour, we meet the adult Regina, Regina’s eight‐year‐old self, and Micheal,

Regina’s imaginary friend. All three characters are played by Valerie Mason‐John, aka “Queenie.” “Brown Girl is a satirical

production, mixing fact, fiction and experiences from my own life to tell the story of the Black woman who was Queen,“

says Mason‐John.

This play is inspired by Sophia Charlotte who is of African and German descent, and was married to the British King George

the III. It is also influenced by the story of Queen Marie Theresa, consort of Louis XIV King of France, who had a black

child. The child was locked away and the public was told that the queen had a miscarriage.

“The possibility that black people could be biologically connected to the European Royal Families has never been so

outrageously explored and exploded.”

‐The Voice UK

Brown Girl In The Ring stars Valerie Mason‐John, and is directed by Linette Smith. Linette has directed several plays at the

Edmonton Fringe and is taking a troupe to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. Valerie has performed

throughout the UK, in Europe, New York, Upstate‐ San Francisco, Chicago, Calgary, and Michigan.

“Indeed royalty meets rashness in this amazing incarnation of a blue blood with a black hide.” ‐‐Weekly Journal UK

Brown Girl In The Ring runs September 10th‐18th, at the Havana Theatre at 1212 Commercial Drive. Tickets are online

beginning August 4th, available at www.vancouverfringe.com, or from the Granville Island box office, or at the door, an

hour before the show time.

Show Times are as follows:

September 10 6:30 PM

September 11 7:45 PM

September 12 5:45 PM

September 13 9:00 PM

September 14 7:15 PM

September 17 6:30 PM

September 18 4:00PM

http://www.valeriemason‐john.co.uk/plays_by_valerie_mason‐john.html

‐end

Actrice Yaya DaCoasta

By Robert Waldman The Afro News Vancouver : Big talent gets recognized in show business and by the masses. Lucky filmgoers get to chance to meet a dynamic New Yorker in the form ofs Yaya DaCosta. Don’t let the unusual name fool you. If you get a chance to watch the new Hollywood drama The Kids Are All Right you’ll see how one fresh face can make a quality film even more memorable.

It’s one thing to share screen time with acting greats like Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. Cast as a waitress and part time love interest to Mark Ruffalo will spark much interest in Ms. DaCosta who flawlessly wrestles with this tricky part. Those that have seen her in other films or onan t tv will know this lady can tackle any project. Besides being good on camera she’s also smart as a whip.

Born back on Nov. 15, 1982 in Harlem New York our lass has gone on to great things. An accomplished martial artist Yaya seems naturally fit. Staying in shape through dance is also one of her attributes. Wall flowers take note: this actor can do salsa, modern, ballet, swing and flamenco,to name just a few routines. Besides dancing she sings and had earned cudos too as a dancer.

Educationally speaking Yaya graduated from Brown University with a major in international relations and African studies. Being multi-lingual has also aided her work as she speaks French and Spanish too. Perhaps all this life experience can be useful too doing voice-overs, another aspect of the arts this woman relishes.

Look to see this woman in classy like The Messenger,Shanghai Hotel and Tron: Legacy. T.V. audiences know YaYa with a starring role on All My Children and more recently Nurse Betty and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Expect to see a lot more from model turned actor YaYa DaCosta, something we all can look forward to with eager anticipation.

John Witherspoon - Ageless Wonder

By Robert Waldman ,The Afro News Vancouver

Certain actors age like a fine wine. That comparison suits dapper funnyman John Witherspoon. While Detroit fades this Michigan native continues to resonate with audiences looking for that little extra quality and good time when taking in a flick or for that matter turning on the television set as this dynamo made considerable inroads on the boob tube way back when.

Tall at 5’10” this strapping lad once had a career as a fashion model. Lucky for us he got inspired by the acting bug and has been entertaining audiences ever since. Diverse is John’s nature as his talents have seen him play pimps, lawmen and just about everything in between. And talk about a roster of vintage hits. Why on television alone he appeared in such classic series as Barnaby Jones, The Richard Pryor Show, Good Times, The Incredible Hulk, WKRP in Cincinnati and Hill Street Blues. Why he was even considered for a prime role on NYPD Blue namely Lt. Arthur Fancy This diversity shows John’s ability to easily shift from comedy to drama with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Guest appearances have abounded for this talented heavyweight and a nice rapport with no less than David Letterman earned him a godfather designation for his son. Deep roots of John’s family into the music world see a connection with famed songwriter William Witherspoon, a Motown hit maker with such tunes as What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.

Modern Hollywood filmmakers have also latched onto John Witherspoon. Adam Sandler cast the big guy in Littly Nicky while those crazy Wayans Brothers brought him more laughs in the Vancouver shot Little Man. Music has played a big role in our magical man’s life as evidenced by appearances opposite Neil Diamond in the Sir Lawrence Olivier driven The Jazz Singer and in Clint Eastwood’s highly acclaimed Bird. Modern film fans best know this fountain of youth through a three picture gig in the uproarious Friday movies with Ice Cube.

So whether you are into laughs, romance or high voltage drama John Witherspoon always makes his presence felt. And we’re all better off from that little treat.

Read reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

Lone Star dynamo Mehcad Brooks

By Robert Waldman The Afro News Vancouver

Never let a name fool you. Lone Star dynamo Mehcad Brooks seems to have all the right moves to take audiences by storm in 2010. Hot on the heels of the uppity Just Wright our native Texan looks poised to add to his already growing legion of fans.

Television audiences may already know this strapping gent from appearance on numerous pop shows. Right after a stint on the classic Malcolm in the Middle Brooks easily settled in to an already flourishing small screen career. Among the shows to have been graced by this Austin Texas native are The Game, True Blood, The Deep End and Ghost Whisperer. Keen observers know full well that our 6’3” strapping lad drew even more converts to his presence through recurring roles on Boston Public and the sassy Desperate Housewives where this one time model set female fans temperatures soaring. Perhaps this L.C. Anderson High school grad can credit a good upbringing and fine genes for that comfortable screen presence.

Born to top flight editorialist Alberta Philipps back on Oct. 25, 1980, the appropriately named Mehcad Jason McKinley Brooks proves a quick study at school and in the athletic arena with an all state in basketball to his credit. School never stopped early for Mechad who successfully competed a course in the School of Cinema-Television at the acclaimed University of Southern California. Prior to this he began modeling at the ripe old age of 15 and has never looked back. Nowadays Mehcad relaxes by playing the acoustic guitar or adding to his vintage collection of Playboy Magazines. Oh, and let’s not forget this recent appearances in trailblazer stories like the big screen’s Glory Road and In The Valley Of Elah.

By all accounts this tall Texan turns in solid work whenever he’s called upon. Now you can add film director to his burgeoning credits. Be ready to hear more from our Mr. Brooks in the years to come.

Janet Jackson & Malik Yoba Bronx Bomber!

By Robert Waldman : They call the Big Apple the centre of the universe. Born and raised in the big apple, Bronx native Malik Yoba has clearly cut his teeth and looks poised to blossom on the big screen. Not bad for a young 6’2” strapping lad whose made quite an impact to audiences already.

Countless fans know this man from his work on the small screen. Television evidently took a liking to Yoba as ratings have increased over his long tenure on a number of shows. Favourites like Law & Order, CSI: Miami and New York Undercover proved good jumping off points to work on such big features as Cop Land, Cool Running and The Twilight Zone.

On the personal side, Yoba made the right choice fining and marrying Cat Wilson and enjoyed an earlier stint at college where he became a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma frat.. Today lucky fans get to see him do his thing in Tyler Perry’s latest showstopper: Why Did I Get Married Too? Keep your eyes out on this up and comer who was born Sept. 17, 1967 and looks headed for more success as the new year progresses. Ready and willing to give something back, this talented professional recently opened a restaurant in Manhattan called Soul Café providing employment to those less fortunate. A class act indeed. Recognized by others numerous awards have befallen this talented young man including an NAACP Image Award and National Conference of Black Mayors. Parents Mahmoudah Young Lanier and Erutan Abdullah Yoba would be rightfully proud.

Read film reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

A celebration of the musical diversity of South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir

FEATURED ARTISTS Miriam Makeba • Soul Brothers • Soweto Gospel Choir • Phinda • Mahube • Bholoja Blk Sonshine • Steve Dyer • Johannes Kerkorrel • Kaya • Nibs van der Spuy • Zoro

On May 18th, Putumayo will release South Africa, a CD collection that celebrates the rich musical diversity of this unique country at the southern tip of Africa. With the soccer World Cup taking place for the first time on African soil from June 11 to July 11, international attention will be focused on South Africa and its postapartheid status as a democracy and economic powerhouse.

Over the course of its history, this “Rainbow Nation” with 11 official languages has nurtured many musical styles, including mbaqanga, kwel a and township jive, among others. While South Africans have endured many struggles, they have often used music as a tool to protest and to express their hopes for a better future.

Putumayo’s South Africa CD is a fusion of the traditional and contemporary, with legends like the late singer and political activist Miriam Makeba, who mixed kwel a and township jive on “Orlando,” a tribute to the Soweto township of the same name. The Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir and mbaqanga pioneers Soul Brothers are just two of the internationally renowned groups featured on this collection.

On “Oxam,” Mahube epitomizes the growing pan-African music movement as they effortlessly combine the sounds of artists from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and other African countries. The group features vocalist Phinda, who recently completed a stint in the The Lion King and who also performs solo on “Tiki Tiki.” Acclaimed local producer and musician Steve Dyer, one of the founders of Mahube, provides his unique blend of southern African jazz on “Mananga.”

The exciting new wave of South African music is represented here by hip and soulful Blk Sonshine, urban reggae and R&B singer Zoro and the popular kwai to-infused grooves of Kaya. Durban-based singer-songwriter Nibs van der Spuy delivers a stirring ballad from his acclaimed 2007 release. Newcomer Bholoja, who hails from the adjoining nation of Swaziland and sings in Swati (one of South Africa’s official languages), has a growing following for his brand of “Swazi soul.” The album also features late folk hero and renowned antiapartheid activist Johannes Kerkorrel, who pays tribute to his beloved land in both Afrikaans and Zulu on “Halala Afrika.”

As with many of Putumayo’s previous collections, South Africa features a recipe by chef Amos Dlamini, of the acclaimed Moyo group of restaurants. He serves up a dish representing the cultural melting pot that is South Africa. A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), a non-profit organization working in South Africa to combat HIV/AIDS and advance human rights.

“A three weeks long contest starting May 18^th to send 2 people to South Africa  for 13 days (trip include round-trip airfares, 13-day, 12-night accommodations) the contest is open to Canadians”.http://www.putumayo.com/southafricatour/

For more information, please visit www.putumayo.com.

By Yann P.

Putumayo New Release South Africa CD

Malian Superstar Salif Keita

Wallace Mawire , Harare  Malian superstar Salif Keita, popularly known as the Mansa of Mali is set to perform for the first time in Zimbabwe at a show to be held in Harare at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) which began here today and ends on Sunday May 2, 2010.

According to his biography, Salif Keïta was born on August 25, 1949 and is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita. This royal heritage meant that under the Malian caste system, he should never have become a singer, which was deemed to be a griot’s role.

Keita was born in the city of Djoliba. He was cast out by his family and ostracized by the community because of his albinism, a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. He left Djoliba for Bamako in 1967, where he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. In 1973 Keita joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs. Keita and Les Ambassadeurs fled political unrest in Mali during the mid-1970s for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and subsequently changed the group’s name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux rose to the international level in the 1970s and in 1977 Keita received a National Order award from the president of Guinea, Sékou Touré.

Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita’s work include balafons, djembes, guitars, koras, organs, saxophones, and synthesizers.

Keita found success in Europe as one of the African stars of world music, but his work was sometimes criticised for the gloss of its production and for the occasional haphazard quality. However, shortly after the turn of the Millennium he returned to Bamako in Mali to live and record. His first work after going home, 2002’s Moffou, was hailed as his best album in many years, and Keita was inspired to build a recording studio in Bamako, which he used for his album, M’Bemba, released in October 2005.

Keita’s latest album, La Différence, was produced around the year end of 2009. The work is dedicated to the struggle of the world albino community (victims of human sacrifice), for which Keita has been crusading all his life. In one of the album’s tracks, the singer calls others to understand that “difference” does not mean “bad” and to show love and compassion towards albinos like everyone else:”I am black/ my skin is white/ so I am white and my blood is black [albino]/… I love that because it is a difference that’s beautiful..”, “some of us are beautiful some are not/some are black some are white/all that difference was on purpose.. for us to complete each other/let everyone gets his love and dignity/the world will be beautiful.”

La Différence is unique in that for the first time Keita has clearly and boldly combined different melodic influences to produce a highly original musical feel, with a wide range of appeal. The album was recorded between Bamako, Beirut, Paris, and Los Angeles. This unique musical feel is reinforced by soulful pitches in the track “Samigna” emanating from the trumpet of the Libanese great jazzman, Ibrahim Maaluf.

La Difference won Keita one of the biggest musical awards of his career: the Best World Music 2010 at the Victoires de la musique.

Manuel Bagorro, HIFA Founder and Artistic Director confirmed to journalists in Harare that Keita will be one of the most outstanding performers at this year’s festival.

His tour and performance in Zimbabwe is being facilitated by Culturesfrance and the Embassy of France in Zimbabwe in association with Aon Zimbabwe.

Tafadzwa Simba, HIFA Media Consultant said that Keita is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe on Saturday.Simba also added that Keita will perform at HIFA’s Telecel Main Stage on Sunday evening.

According to Maria Wilson, HIFA Executive Director the festival is the largest international arts festival in sub-saharan Africa.

Actor Raven Dauda

By michelle-lee: Dora-winning actor Raven Dauda is starring in Lynn Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel” – a component of the Canadian Stage Company’s new season. Dauda, the offspring of a Jamaican mother and a father (now deceased) from Sierra Leone, was born in Ottawa in 1973. Her Mom, says Dauda, always pushed her to explore her artistic talent, often reminding her of cousins who worked in Caribbean Theatre and telling her that theatre “was in her blood”.

Dauda performed the role of Esther the shy seamstress in “Intimate Apparel” for the first time in 2008 at the intimate Berkeley Street Upstairs Theatre. At the time she was unknown to Toronto audiences but her performance drew raves from critics and theatergoers alike. Between then and now Dauda has made lasting impressions in three other plays (“Wild Dogs, “Miss Julie: Freedom Summer” and “Doubt”) and earned two Dora nominations and one Dora award for her work. She also attended Vancouver’s Studio 58 for a short time (she says she regrets not completing that program). She returned to Toronto, toured with Children’s Theatre until TV and Film entered her life. She was cast in nearly three dozen projects beginning with “Murder at 1600” and including recurring roles in series such as “Paradise Falls” and “Across the River to Motor City”.

She starred in trey anthony’s “da Kink in my Hair” when the play was remounted for Theatre Passe Muraille. She says of “da Kink…” – “I was so honored to be a part of that journey with trey and it helped me redefine my devotion to the theatre”. Her acclaimed performances have all been in roles specifically written for Black women but Dauda has no problem with that. She said, “Yes It has been Black specific, but it’s allowed me to delve into myself and into my race and I am grateful for those opportunities.” She added that she takes pride in “telling these stories”.

Ron Westray has settled in as the Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performances

By michelle-lee The Afro News Ontario

Ron Westray has settled in as the Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performances at York University. The 31-year-old South Carolina native brings impressive credentials to the position.

Westray has a B.A. from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University. Prior to his appointment he was an Assistant Professor in the Jazz Studies Department at the University of Texas at Austin. He spent more than 12 years as the lead trombonist in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Wynton Marsalis Septet. He is also an acclaimed composer with 14 years of touring, three CDs and many recordings as a sideman. His 2005 Jazz opera “Chivalrous Misdemeanors: Select Tales from Don Quixote” received a Pulitzer nomination. Westray also co-directs the York University Jazz Orchestra and teaches performance, composition, theory and history courses including Contemporary Black Urban Music – “basically hip hop history” he says.

A lover of various musical genres, he says he’s “passionate about rap, hip-hop, urban and soul music but equally accomplished in jazz”. He has just launched “Jazz Hop” at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. The program fuses jazz with hip-hop and will run on April 9th, June 11th and July 9th.

The Oscar Peterson Chair is a full time tenure-track position funded by a $4 million provincial endowment plus $1 million to establish scholarships for talented musicians from underprivileged backgrounds. It will provide one first year music student $40,000 over four years and up to four $10,000 scholarships to undergraduate music students.