Actress/Producer/Director Angela took a break from her latest project “United States” (an adaptation of “Erasure” by Percival Everett) to join Holly Robinson-Peete, Tasha Smith and the diva herself, Miss Patti Labelle, at the opening of Anqi in South Coast Plaza on the Left Coast.
On Saturday evening while the heavens were threatening to dump buckets of rain on those who were out and about I was among hundreds who had gathered in their finest attire to celebrate a tremendous feat, a $143 million school dedicated exclusively to performing and fines arts in the heart of the hood. But Cicely L. Tyson, the star of “Sounder”, initially turned down Principal Laura Trimmings request to use her name. “I said no. I don’t know her… I don’t live there and I don’t know any of their people,” Tyson said. “And for one solid year she pursued me.” When a cousin told her that East Orange was the first place her father lived after arriving in the United States from the island of Nevis—and that he lived in a house six blocks away from the school—Tyson changed her mind. “I knew it was my mission to complete the cycle.” Of course there was a condition: “I didn’t want my name to dress a building, I wanted to be involved the students,” she said. ” It is my only desire that at the end of their 12th year that they step outside of these doors and move mountains…that they don’t wait for the opportunities, they make the opportunities.” Okay so that’s when I had to pull out my Kleenex. Read the full story
This is for the die-hard Biggie Smalls fans (or those who didn’t want to pay to see the movie in theaters): the biopic “Notorious” ($21.99) comes out today on DVD and Blu-Ray. Even if rap is not your thing, check it out to see Derek Luke channeling Puffy (Diddy or whatever he is called at the moment) and Angela Bassett playing B.I.G.’s mom, Voletta Wallace. Then tune in to “Dancing With The Stars” to see what Lil’ Kim is really like.
So actress extraordinaire, Ms. Angela Bassett, has been holding down the fort on the final season of “ER” as a sister of substance. But the series is set to call it a day sometime next month. (I don’t think Gloria Reuben or Yvette Freeman are going to show up but Eriq La Salle might make an appearance.) But Bassett is already contemplating her next move—her first foray into directing. Read the full story
You’re probably wondering why I would write a post about Mama Mia on a site dedicated to sisters. Well, as I sat in the movie theater the other day watching the delightful Meryl Streep sing and dance her way through this story I thought to myself. “This could never be a black story.” Why? Well, its the plot. Young girl is getting married and finds out that her father could be one of three men. And that in itself is the cause for nearly two hours of singing and dancing. As Steve Harvey says, “Stop right there!” Read the full story
When I heard the news that Angela Bassett would be joining ER this fall I had mixed emotions. First, I am glad that this sister has a steady gig. There aren’t a lot of movie or television roles for a black woman about to turn fifty. Yeah, I know that Meet the Browns has made over 40 million at box office to date but that role as well as some of her other recent turns are a long way from What’s Love Got to Do With It, Waiting to Exhale or even How Stella Got Her Groove Back. But part of me is sad because of the timing. ER is going into its last year. Truthfully, I thought the show was already off the air. I know I stopped watching it at least four or five years ago. Do you know anyone who watches it? Is there even an original cast member left? Read the full story
