Category: entertainment

After a much-deserved break spending time with family and friends, it is now time to return to the grind of another workweek and that also means another Indie Soul Review:

Photo: Courtesy Center Stage

Jessica Frances Dukes as Beneatha.

Indie Theater: As Centerstage celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah continues to masterfully bring outstanding plays for all generations, classes and ethnic backgrounds to enjoy, reflect, challenge and discuss. Two such plays, “Clybourne Park” and “Beneatha’s Place” were inspired by Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Each play explores the identity of blacks in America throughout history and in the present day. If you are someone who wants to avoid racism, then this is not for you. Both plays are very powerful and meant to make you uncomfortable. This is something for the entire family to see and discuss.

Indie Event: The 11th Annual Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival takes place Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, 2013 from noon to 6 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park in Hunt Valley, Maryland. What started as a way to introduce wines to residents of Baltimore City and Baltimore County has grown to include a day of fun for the entire family with food and music. The event will be host to over 200 wines, gourmet cooking, and of course Indie Soul favorite: LIVE LOCAL MUSIC! There is no reason to drink and drive as there is FREE Shuttle service to the event. Take the MTA Light Rail service to Hunt Valley and from there the shuttle will transport you to the event.

Indie Business: In need of a FRESH haircut or style? Then checkout Faded Barbershop LLC owned and operated by Christian Tillery aka CT. “There are plenty of barbershops, but what makes mine special is that I cater to everyone. I went to barber school. I purposely opened in the Charles Village area so that I can get a mix of customers. Men, women, kids, all are welcome,” said CT, who plans to reach out to the community by giving back through fundraisers and supporting other locally owned and operated businesses. Faded Barbershop LLC is located at 2116 N. Charles Street in the Charles Village neighborhood. For more information or to make an appointment, call 443-799-5457.

That’s it for the Indie Soul Review for this week! Make sure you check back next week as we discuss the Indie Soul Music Events for Summer 2013.

Indie Soul welcomes your questions and comments. To contact Phinesse Demps, email: indiesoul.lfp@gmail.com or call 410-941-9202.

Greyhound announced it is giving one lucky person and three guests a chance to win a weekend getaway to any Six Flags theme park with its “Capture the Moment Sweepstakes” in partnership with Six Flags Entertainment, the world’s largest regional theme park company. From May 25 to July 31, participants can enter to win by submitting a photo and caption that completes the sentence, “We need an adventurous trip to Six Flags because…” to social.dog@greyhound.com.

The winner and their three guests will receive a grand prize worth up to $4,000, which includes admission for four to a Six Flags theme park of their choice, free roundtrip tickets on Greyhound, a VIP Tour of Six Flags for four people, a two-night hotel stay, food, beverages and more.

“There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than with travel and a weekend of excitement, whether you’re looking for an adventure on Greyhound Express, our premium non-stop service, or a thrilling ride on a rollercoaster,” said Dave Leach, president and CEO, Greyhound Lines, Inc. “Greyhound and Six Flags share the same vision for accommodating those who are adventurous and spontaneous, so it was natural to partner together and offer this ultimate thrill package.”

The grand prizewinner will be selected by random drawing and notified by telephone and mail by August 16, 2013. To review restrictions, official rules and details for the “Capture the Moment Sweepstakes,” visit: www.greyhound.com/sixflags.

BALTIMORE — Capitalizing on American Idol’s appeal among local tweens and teens, the BSO announces its sixth annual singing competition, “O, Say Can You Sing?”

Contestants will vie for the chance to sing the National Anthem alongside the BSO in front of thousands at the BSO’s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular concerts held at Baltimore County’s Oregon Ridge Park, July 3-4, 2013. The competition is open to singers age eight to 18.

Auditions will take place by appointment only on Thursday, June 20, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

To register, visit BSOmusic.org/sing to fill in the online registration form and download a waiver form, which is required to audition. The registration deadline is Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

CNN — It sounds like “American Idol” is far more interested in sticking with old friends than making new ones.

After rumors that the show wants Jennifer Lopez to return to the judges’ table – which is now missing Randy Jackson and potentially might lose more – come new reports that the production team also has its eye on Jennifer Hudson.

The former “Idol” contestant didn’t win during her season but she has gone on to become a pretty big deal, so she’s certainly qualified – and The Wrap reports that she’s in negotiations to join the series.

In addition to Hudson, reports suggest that the Fox show is hoping to bring back more than one former “Idol” star, with names like Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken being mentioned.

Fox isn’t giving specifics about what’s to come, and thus it also isn’t clear what’s going to happen to Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj or Keith Urban, who just joined the show last year. After all, the network’s entertainment chairman, Kevin Reilly, told press on a recent conference call that “everything’s on the table.”

Jackson, the last original “Idol” judge attached to the program, announced his departure in early May.

The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta/+1-404-827-WIRE(9473)

™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

CNN — Paris Hilton is the newest member of one of hip-hop’s hottest labels.

The heiress and reality star has signed with Cash Money Records, which is home to hitmakers Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Drake. Cash Money’s co-founder Bryan “Birdman” Williams tweeted a welcome to Hilton on Wednesday, causing Hilton’s name to cruise at the top of the social media’s trending topics for hours. (Said Hilton in response, “Thanks BO$$! Happy to be apart of the family.”

Hilton, who’s been hanging out in Cannes, France, which is currently boasting its film festival, said as much earlier this week to Showbiz411. She brought up her second album, which she’s previously said would involve Afrojack as an executive producer, and revealed that the record will be released by Cash Money and will feature hip-hop acts.

Many were (and continue to be) skeptical of Hilton’s confirmed new deal with the label, but Williams told the Los Angeles Times that the decision to sign the 32-year-old was pretty simple.

“She’s always supported us, and we’ve supported her,” he said. “She played us music, and I was taken aback. I was impressed by her music, and I didn’t know she could sing so well.”

Hilton’s been working on her follow-up to 2006’s “Paris” for more than a year, and hopes to release it this summer.

The collaboration overall sounds like a win-win: Hilton gets to release her EDM-leaning new record, and Cash Money benefits from being attached to more star power.

“[Her deal] being so talked about shows the strength of her popularity,” Birdman told the LA Times. “I’m very excited. I’m very appreciative that she’s part of the team. She’s very talented, and a beautiful young woman.”

The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta/+1-404-827-WIRE(9473)

™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

BALTIMORE — The Globe Poster legacy lives on. The panel for the Globe Poster event was held at the Creative Alliance on Eastern Avenue. Answering questions and talking about the legacy of Globe Poster were John Lewis, Bob Cicero, Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor and Frank Cicero.

Hello everyone! Oops, I know if you were looking for my column last week, and it was missing, don’t worry, it was a slight oversight and it won’t happen again. I really hoped that the Pasha Grand Temple (A.A.O.N.M.S.) F & A.A.Y.M PHO NC Oasis of Baltimore Desert of Maryland Annual Potentate Ball was a success. Just know that this Masonic organization gave a ball and it was one hell-la-VA party.

The Annie S. Banks Chapter No. 42 hosted a Country Western Dance cabaret style last week. This event was held at the Masonic Temple, 1307 Eutaw Place. I heard it was YA—–HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Larry Washington, lifetime member of the Arch Social Club hosted a dinner dance with live entertainment featuring Phill Butt & the Sunset Band last week. Donna T. Hollie reported back to me saying it was a sellout and the event was very, very nice.

Now, if you have some quick cash in the bank you can join Winky and Peaches Camphor for their Coppin State Alumni Cruise that is leaving from Baltimore on May 24-31, 2013 on the Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. I believe they have a few cabins left. Give them a call at 410-521-3439 or email them at peawin5@aol.com or call 410-363-3111 ext. 2405.

Last week I was honored to be able to take part in a panel discussion and screening of a John Lewis documentary about the Globe Poster Printing Corp. called “Say it Loud!” The panel consisted of John Lewis, Bob and Frank Cicero, former owners of Globe Poster, and yours truly, Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor, entertainment columnist. It was so much fun! It was held at the Creative Alliance located at 3134 Eastern Avenue. The guests had a chance to hear the Globe story straight from the source. Afterwards, Globe had an opening exhibit reception. Following that, it was a “Globe Tribute Dance Party.” Mannnnnnnnn, I tell you, this was the BOMB! I felt very proud to have been a part of this historic event.

Let me tell you just a little about Globe Poster. First of all, do you remember all the colorful posters that were placed on trees, lampposts and vacant buildings in and around Baltimore, Washington, DC and the Metropolitan area announcing the upcoming shows and concerts at local venues? Do you remember the bright and unique posters that were stuck to buildings up and down Pennsylvania Avenue back in the days of the Royal Theatre? Well, it was the one and only Globe Poster Printing Corp. that designed those posters. Globe Poster was founded in Baltimore in 1929 and was a family owned and operated company. Globe printed posters for a wide range of clients, from political campaigns to traveling circuses, but their most iconic posters were for popular music. When Globe closed its doors in 2010 the company’s collection of posters and printing tools was purchased by the Maryland Institute College of Art where it lives on as a working collection, accessible and used by students, artists, educators and historians. Yes, it was an honor for me to be invited to participate in such an event; due to the fact that the owners, Bob, Frank and their father, Frank Sr. Cicero are friends of mine and I spent a lot of time in their printing shop back in the early 1970’s to the 1980’s getting posters made up for my groups when I was a promoter and booking agent.

Oops! I almost forgot. My dear friends James & Brenda Hamlin, the owners of “The Avenue Bakery” are hosting a music series at “The Avenue Bakery” located 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue. The first event will be “A Taste of Jazz @ The Avenue Bakery” featuring the Dunbar Jazz Ensemble, on Saturday May 4th from 2-6 p.m. It is free! Ladies and gentlemen, please take my word for it; you cannot leave this place until you take home a dozen of their home made rolls made by James the baker right on the premises. I’ll see you there.

Before I go, I want you to promise to get your subscription for the Baltimore Times, by calling 410-366-3900 if you don’t have a computer. If you have a computer, you can read me on line at www.baltimoretimes.com. And leave a comment. I would love to know what you think. Joy Bramble, my boss, would love it too.

Well, my dear friends, I am out of space. So in the mean time, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.