ARTS & LEISURE Tri-State Defender, Thursday, September 23 - 29, 2010, Page 12


HAPPENING MYRON?


Film festival in my future


ever heard of a guy named Will Packer? The


MyronMays


I will be in Nashville later this month for the International Black Film Fes- tival. The festival is annual Septem- ber trek for me.And this year Packer will be facilitating a seminar on get- ting your films picked up by the ma- jor production companies. I’m out to interview Packer on his past slate of films as well as his upcoming pro- jects. There are a few other films I’d like


p r o b a b l y doesn’t ring a bell, but his movies will. How bout these films: “This Christ- mas”, “Tak- ers”, “Stomp the Yard”? I thought so. Packer and


Raven-Symone’Christina Pearman (Courtesy photo)


to catch while I’m I’m at this year’s festival. For instance, “Soul Kittens Cabaret” starring Fantasia, Kelly Price BS Faith Evans. It’s directed by Nicci Gilbert who was a member of the 90’s R&B group Brownstone. I’d also like to see “35 and Tick-


ing”, directed by syndicated radio personality Russ Parr. This one stars Nicole Ari Parker, Tamela Jones, Kevin Hart,Mike Epps, KimWhitley and Clifton Powell. If you got a few days to spare, the


International Black Film Festival is well worth the trip to Middle Ten- nessee. For more information, visit www.ibffnashville.com. And for those who can’t make it,


no worries. I’ll be sure to give you the 411 upon my return!


Memphis is almost getting to small to contain D’Monet. She rocked the house – as usual – at the Basement Soul Lounge last Sunday. If you really want to see a great


show, be sure to drop in on October 3 as we welcome Keia Johnson who participated in season nine of “Amer- ican Idol! “ Are you surprised at the number of


Basement Soul Lounge I’m beginning to believe that


by Kam Williams Special to the Tri-State Defender


The “Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue” interview KW: How’d you enjoy playing Iridessa


She’s so Raven!


Raven-Symone’ Christina Pearman – known professionally as Raven-Symone’ or Raven – got an early start in showbiz when she was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency while still in diapers. After appearing in TV ads for everything from Cool Whip to Jello, Raven joined the cast of “TheCosby Show”.Raven is best known for the Disney Channel’s Emmy- nominated comedy series “That’s So Raven” where she played the title character Raven Baxter, a teenager with psychic abilities. Raven has also graced the big screen, star-


“American Idol” participants who have came right out ofMemphis?Me either.We are a hotbed for talent and have been many years. So mark your calendars and I’ll


meet you at the Rumba Room locat- ed at 303 SouthMain St. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7!


Myron atMidnite Just so you know, I’mstill up in the


wee hours of the morning on Soul Classics 103.5 with the “Myron at Midnite Radio Show”. I’m coming up on three years of sleep deprivation and coffee running through my arter- ies.


ing” because I love what I do. Before my midnite run began I didn’t realize how many people are actually up at that time of the night. I guess the world has to keep on moving, huh? I do wanna say hello to the listen-


ers out at the FedEx Hub, as well as to the folks at companies such as Ashley Furniture in Pontotoc, Miss. Thanks for helping make my sleep- less nights worthwhile. Checkme out from midnight ’til 5 a.m., every night except Saturdays,when I’mon at 4 in the afternoon.


Ask Myron: Q: “Do you think that Oprah


seems to be giving away more stuff this season?”


Britney B.,Memphis


anthropist this season. I think she is trying to go out with a bang. She started her last season with a bigAus- tralian trip giveaway to her audience members. She has even agreed to pay the taxes on those trips as well. She gave $1 million to six charter schools during her broadcast last Monday. I guess if you got it, you give it away. Meanwhile, Oprah is lending her voice to “Sesame Street” as the letter “O” on the 41st season opener. It’s the first time she has ever done so.


it www.whatshappeningmyron.com. Got an entertainment question? Send me an email at myron@whats hap- peningmyron.com. If your question is printed in the column, I’ll send you a couple of free tickets to the Stax Mu- seum of American Soul Music.”)


(Check me out on Facebook or vis- A: Oh yes, Oprah is quite the phil- Holsey Steve Mymantra? “Keep the coffee com-


“Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue,” where she reprises her recurring role as the voice of the fairy Iridessa.


Reflections: Fantasia, Mary J., Wyclef & more!


by Steve Holsey Real Times News Service


number on “Back To Me”—some- thing that could become a signature song for ’Tasia—but it is a pleasant listening experience. I give it an 8 out of a possible 10.


MARY J. BLIGE says that it is just a matter of time before she


On Me,” “Man of the House,” “Who’s Been Lovin’ You?” and “I’m Doin’ Me.” And then there’s the whimsical, somewhat doo-wop flavored “Collard Greens & Corn- bread,” featuring a familiar hook from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Ter- rell’s great hit “Your Precious Love,” a Nick Ashford-Valerie Simpson composition. (Seems Val and Nick are always “gettin’ paid.”) There is no blockbuster, breakout


joying herself, the season three “American Idol” winner, fortunate- ly, has mostly above average mater- ial to work with. And the album sounds better during a second full listen, especially when the lyrics are paid close attention. Among the best songs are “Move


strongest singers on the contem- porary music scene, and on her new album, “Back To Me,” she sings with a new level of ma- turity and self- assurance. Obviously en-


doubt that Fan- tasia Barrino is one


of There is no the At a glance


entertainment editor for the Michigan Chronicle, a sister publication to the Tri-State De- fender. His Reflections column is now a periodic feature in Arts & Leisure.


makes a gospel album, noting that it will be “probably sooner than later.” Blige believes she owes her stardom to remaining humble. “I give all the credit to God,” she said. All that is well and good, but I


have much apprehension regarding Blige portraying Nina Simone in the upcoming movie. Sounding nothing like Simone would be a big prob- lem, unless she did lip-syncs like Jamie Foxx did in “Ray.” But Si- mone’s strange voice (supposedly) coming from Blige would be just too weird.


FEUDS going on right now is be- tween recording star Wyclef Jean and actor Sean Penn. TheAcademy Award-winning actor was very criti- cal of Jean wanting to be president of his native Haiti and said he had disappeared when the people needed him most. But then Jean hit below the belt,


ONE OF THE UGLIEST Steve Holsey is the longtime


yoncé in the studio. Their last col- laboration resulted in one of Beyon- cé’s biggest hits, “Irreplaceable.”


veyWalden and she wanted to take the next step, but apparently the “Celebrity Fit Club” trainer didn’t, so she ended the relationship. Kim- berley said, “If he really wanted to marry me, he would have done it by now.”


berley Locke, who placed third — behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken — in season two of “Ameri- can Idol,” can relate to what Knowles was saying in her recent superhit, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” Locke had been going with Har-


SPEAKING of Beyoncé, Kim- NE-YOis again working with Be-


thing,” said Burdon, who has a soul- ful style, most effectively evidenced on “House of the Rising Sun,” recorded with the Animals.


HONORS ceremony takes place Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., hosted by President BarackObama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It will air on Dec. 28. Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney are among the honorees.


that the Sylvers, hitmaking family group from the ’70s, hailed from Memphis. Somehow it seemed that they would have been from Chicago, New York or somewhere in Pennsyl- vania.


star in the world of authors, brought chuckles recently when she said, “A lot of problems in the lives of women start with men. There are a lot of scoundrels out there.” Howev- er, she then added, “But I think I still want one!” McMillan, who was born in Port


TERRY MCMILLAN, a major


saying, “Maybe he hasn’t seenme in Haiti because he was too busy sniff- ing cocaine.” A spokesperson for Penn fired


party!


Huron, Michigan, has a new book —as always, targeted to women— titled “Getting to Happy,” which is the sequel to the massive hit “Wait- ing to Exhale.” It, of course, was made into movie, as was another McMillan smash, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”


back, “That Mr. Jean would make such a false accusation is reckless and saddening, but not surprising.” Don’t invite those two to the same


who has a deep love for blues and other black rootmusic, recalls track- ing down black music in the early and mid-1960s. “It’s just within the black commu- nity that you could hear the real


BRITISHrock star Eric Burdon,


“Cold Sweat,” “Out of Sight,” “Pa- pa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “Get On the Good Foot,” “I Can’t Stand Myself (WhenYou TouchMe),” “I’ll Go Crazy,” “Hot Pants,” “The Pay- back,” “Sex Machine,” “I Got the Feelin’,” “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “Money Won’t Change You,” “Prisoner of Love,” “Mother Popcorn,” “Ain’t That a Groove” and Fred Wesley & the J.B.’s “Doing It To Death,” which is thought of as a James Brown record.


WORDS OF THE WEEK:


“There’s room at the top. It’s the bottom that’s crowded.” Let the music play!


tertainment editor for the Michigan Chronicle, sister publication to the Tri-State Defender. He can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)


(Steve Holsey is the longtime en- MEMORIES (James Brown): BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW… THE KENNEDY CENTER


novative entrepreneur. In 2007, she ap- peared on the cover of EbonyMagazine next to the title $400 Million-Dollar Woman, a reference to the amount of money her pro- duction company That’s So Productions had earned. Here, Raven talks about her new DVD,


ring in the popular “College Road Trip” se- ries opposite on-screen dad Martin Lawrence and in “Dr. Dolittle” and “Dr. Dolitte 2”, playing daughter to another pop- ular comedienne-turned-actor, Eddie Mur- phy. Raven’s other film credits include “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement”, the direct-to-DVD “Tinker Bell” series, and one of Disney Channel’s most-watched movies, “The Cheetah Girls”. Raven is also a successful singer and in-


Born in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 10, 1985,


again in “Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue?” RS: I love playing Iridessa. I’ve been


playing her since I was 18 years old, and it just gets better each time.


like mine, but while I’m very adventurous, I’mmostly the type of girl who doesn’t want to get into trouble. I think of myself as very nice and very loyal when it comes to my friends, so those are qualities Iridessa and I have in common.


of this installment of “Tinkerbell?” RS: It’s loyalty, friendship, caring and un-


KW: How much of Iridessa is so Raven? RS: (Laughs) She has a couple of traits


“black girl” in any of the roles you’ve played. How have you avoided being nar- rowly typecast? RS:Well, I try not to pick roles that sepa-


rate my color from the story itself. I don’t think it’s necessary to over-exaggerate the fact that I’m an African-American. … I know I’mAfrican-American, and I’m proud of that. And I think it’s very important that more of us be cast to tell normal stories.


KW: What would you say is the message


derstanding . . . In the story, Tinkerbell meets a human for the first time, and the lit- tle girl’s father doesn’t believe his daughter when she tells him that fairies exist. In real life, we tend to doubt a child who says something like that, and part of the message here is that imagination is something we shouldn’t kill in kids at such a young age.


singing, acting, producing, etcetera, which part of the business do you enjoy most? RS: I enjoy the outcome of each project .


. . and I love learning how itmight have con- nected with (fans) lives. I love when my work resonates with someone in a meaning- ful way, because that’s what I do it for.


KW: You have never been typecast as the KW: With so many career options,


girl trying to follow in your footsteps, what would be your most important piece of ad- vice for her? RS: To understand that this is the enter-


KW: If you were to mentor a 13-year old


tainment business. It’s a business, not real life. I would mentor her to be smart and business-minded, if she wanted to be in the industry. But I probably would be happier if she didn’t want to enter show business at all, because there are somany other fields where smart females are urgently needed where they can make a critical, socially-significant impact (more) than by doing anything enter- tainment has to offer.


KW: How did you avoid all of the “child- star” craziness and stay so grounded? RS: I grew up in Atlanta, Ga. I went to


public school. I had a normal life my entire childhood. I only moved to Los Angeles at 15. My Mom evaluated me psychologically at 21, declared me semi-sane, and let me start handling my own business.


KW: Got a message for your fans? RS: If youwant things to change, speak out.


name Have you WHAT’S


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