Krump Kings Perform at the 78th Annual Academy Awards

The latest evolution in “urban” dance will be seen across America at the 78th Annual Academy Awards on March 5, 2006. Krump Kings dancers, Tight Eyez, Young and General were chosen to be among some of the performers for Three 6 Mafia’s presentation of their Oscar nominated song, “Hard Out Here … ” from the feature film “Hustle & Flow.”

The Krump Kings, along with additional dancers will be including a positive and uplifting message to highlight their performance.

This is the second time in Oscar history that a hip-hop artist has performed during the award ceremony. With the participation of the Krump Kings, this will be a performance more original and exhilarating then ever before.

The Krump Kings’ first national appearance was featured in the film “Rize” directed by David LaChapelle. Since their debut, the group has performed throughout the country and Europe; giving seminars and workshops on the “Krump” style of dance. The Krump Kings have also released several instructional videos through their distribution deal with Ardustry Home Entertainment. The latest DVD releases are “KRUMP 1.0,” “KRUMP 2.0″ and “BREAKIN VS. KRUMPIN.” In addition to the video releases the Krump Kings have also recently released two new CD’s titled, “Krumpology” and “Rude Awakening.”

The Krump Kings represent an uplifting movement and set an example of what can be accomplished when young adults and youth collectively gather together to make a difference for their generation and the generations to follow. To get more information regarding Krump Kings, upcoming events, booking or retail enter the world of the “Krump” by visiting http://www.krumpkings.com.

The 78th Annual Academy Awards will be held on March 5, 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA. with a live telecast on ABC at 5PM PT/ 8PM ET.

Via PRNewswire

Queen Latifah Announces Winner of National Women’s Confidence Awards

Shown above: In this handout photo from VF Intimates, Yvonne Pointer, left, of Cleveland, Oh., the recipient of the first annual Curvation Project Confidence Awards is all smiles as Queen Latifah, right, comforts Angelique Seals, Pointer’s nominator, who was overcome by emotion, New York, Tuesday, Feb 21, 2006. Pointer received a grant towards her non-profit, Positive Plus, a woman’s self-help group, which was inspired by the abduction, rape and homicide of her fourteen year old daughter Gloria over 20 years ago.

The Curvation(R) Project Confidence Awards are part of Curvation(R) Project Confidence, which includes Curvatio (R) Nation, an online community where women who have embraced the power of confidence can inspire and share their ideas with an ever-widening community. For more information, women can log onto Curvation(R) Nation at http://www.curvation.com.

(PRNewsFoto/VF Intimates,STUART RAMSON)

Fats Domino Gives Back to New Orleans

The Tipitina’s Foundation announced today that legendary R&B and rock ‘n’ roll singer, songwriter and pianist, Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino Jr., is donating proceeds from his new album “Alive and Kickin” to the Tipitina’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to music education, music business development, and preserving Louisiana’s unique musical cultures.

“Alive and Kickin” is Fats Domino’s first new release since “Christmas Gumbo” in 1993. “Fats was looking for a meaningful way to give back to his hometown after Hurricane Katrina,” said Tipitina’s Foundation co-founder Roland von Kurnatowski. “He made it very clear that he was making this donation to us because he felt it was important to support the Foundation in its efforts to rebuild the New Orleans music community.”

In a scene that played out on television screens around the world, on September 1, 2005, the 77-year-old Domino was rescued from the roof of his flooded home in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward by a Coast Guard helicopter. After spending time in a shelter and apartments in Baton Rouge, the Domino family returned to New Orleans in October to begin rebuilding their home.

“This album is a soulful musical message from Fats to his millions of fans around the world that he, the people of his beloved city of New Orleans, and its vibrant musical community are ‘Alive and Kickin’” said Bill Taylor, Director of the Tipitina’s Foundation. Eleven of the album’s 13 tracks were recorded over the decade prior to Hurricane Katrina, but the effort took on a renewed sense of urgency for Fats as his hometown has pulled together to rebuild.

Fats Domino’s “Alive and Kickin” is only available online at http://www.tipitinasfoundation.org. A CD can be obtained by making a donation to the Tipitina’s Foundation. Proceeds will go toward helping save and rebuild the New Orleans music community. By supporting musicians who have suffered devastating losses from displacement, homelessness, and a lack of jobs and instruments, Fats Domino and the Tipitina’s Foundation are ensuring that New Orleans’ unique musical heritage will be preserved.

Via PRNewswire

More Celebrities Added To The 2006 Essence Music Festival Lineup

Essence Festivals, LLC., announced today that gospel icon Yolanda Adams, hip-hop soul songstress Keyshia Cole and comedian Steve Harvey will perform at the 2006 Essence Music Festival.

Yolanda Adams, a Houston native has been wowing gospel audiences around the world since her 1988 debut. Adams is a Grammy Award-winner and the recipient of several Stellar Awards, gospel’s highest accolade. Her style of music blends gospel with influences from jazz, hip-hop and R&B. Adams’ lists of hits include Open My Heart, Victory, Yeah and Already Alright.

Hip-hop soul songstress Keyshia Cole fulfilled her childhood dreams with her debut album The Way It Is. The album is comprised of songs like I Should’ve Cheated, I Changed My Mind, and I Just Want It To Be Over and Never.

Comedic star Steve Harvey, is known for both his comedy performances as well as his impeccable sense of style. He is one of the original “Kings of Comedy;” starred in The Steve Harvey Show, a successful sitcom; is the former host of Showtime at the Apollo; created The Steve Harvey Collection a line of men suits; and is currently the host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, a nationally-syndicated radio show.

Yolanda Adams, Keyshia Cole and Steve Harvey are joining previously announced artists Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Cedric “The Entertainer,” Earth Wind & Fire, LL Cool J, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Mo’Nique and Charlie Wilson. Additional stellar artists will be announced in coming weeks.

The theme for this year’s Essence Empowerment Seminars is “Reclaiming the Dream: The ESSENCE Commitment to our Youth.” The Empowerment Seminars will feature an amazing lineup of Hollywood celebrities, music and hip-hop moguls, business executives, spiritual leaders and politicians.

Additionally, the Essence Marketplace will showcase artists from throughout the country who offer an array of quality arts and crafts that reflect Black culture. The marketplace will also include sponsor activities, celebrity meet-and-greets, festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings.

The Essence Music Festival, known as “the party with a purpose,” is the nation’s largest annual African-American event and gathering of musical talent in the world. The Festival has become a destination of choice for families and friends as they schedule their reunions. This multigenerational Festival offers free Empowerment Seminars during the day and exciting performances at night, where Festivalgoers can dance and sing along with the biggest names in entertainment — R&B, classic soul, hip-hop, neo-soul and jazz.

The Festival, set for July 1, 2 and 3, will take place in its new interim home, state-of-the-art Reliant Park in Houston, Texas — a city with a dynamic melting pot of cultures and a venue for world-class shopping, restaurants and nightlife. ESSENCE will continue to work closely with city and state officials to help rebuild the city of New Orleans and its educational system.

For more information, see the April 2006 issue of ESSENCE or log on to essence.com.

Via PRNewswire

Classical/Gospel Harpist Jeff Majors Invited To Perform On Oprah

The internationally-acclaimed contemporary gospel musician and classical harpist Jeff Majors has been invited to perform on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Tuesday, February 28.

A longtime admirer of Majors’ music, Oprah asked Majors to appear on her show after hearing him perform at the Coretta Scott King Memorial Service in Atlanta.

“Having Oprah as a fan is truly a blessing,” said Jeff Majors. “The magnitude of being asked to perform on ‘Oprah’ by Oprah herself did not hit me until days later.”

For Majors, an artist who’s been involved in writing and performing inspirational music for most of his life, the opportunity to share his God-given talent with one of the world’s largest television viewing audiences is an honor beyond words.

Jeff Majors’ latest album, Sacred Chapter 6, on Music One/Sony Urban Music/Epic Records, is in stores now. The album’s first single, “God’s Gift,” pairs him with R&B singing sensation Kelly Price. “God’s Gift” climbed to number 3 on the Billboard Gospel Radio chart, and is currently making its way up the Urban AC Radio and Record charts. Sacred Chapter 6 is the latest volume in a 12 part “Sacred” series. (Oprah has, reportedly, been known to begin her day listening to Majors’ 1998 release, Sacred, and its soulful version of “Psalm 23,” arranged by Jeff Majors).

In addition to bringing the sounds of the classical harp to contemporary gospel music, Majors’ gospel mission has called him to become the Vice President of Gospel Programming for 12 of Radio One’s radio stations nationwide in 7 markets. He is host of both the top-rated show “Sunday Morning Joy,” which features the best contemporary and classic gospel music, and his own gospel variety show, “The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors,” which airs on the TV-One cable network.

Via PRNewswire

Prince’s Universal Records Debut, 3121 In-Stores March 21st

In what is sure to be one of the seminal music events of the year, Prince will release his Universal Records album debut, 3121, on March 21st. The much anticipated disc is being hailed as ‘classic’ Prince, the multi-talented superstar’s first studio album since 2004′s acclaimed album Musicology, and features the songs “Te Amo Corazon” (I Love You Sweetheart), “Beautiful, Loved & Blessed”, featuring rising R&B ingenue Tamar, and Prince’s newly released single, “Black Sweat,” the video of which has been embraced by MTV, VH1, and BET, among other outlets. The sultry black and white clip recently premiered on both MTV’s signature daily countdown show TRL and BET’s highly rated music program 106 and Park. “This is a return to vintage Prince,” stated BET’s Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President for Music and Entertainment programming for the innovative network. “BET viewers, both longtime fans of Prince new admirers are primed for this video, the perfect showcase for a true national treasure once again delivering like no other artist can.”

The video for “Black Sweat,” helmed by groundbreaking Moroccan director Sanaa Hamri (Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Seal) scores as a strutting, minimalist counter-punch to the lush exoticism of Prince’s first single, the ballad “Te Amo Corazon,” (also greeted with open arms this past December, simultaneously premiering across all of VH1′s platforms; TV, broadband and wireless), and directed by award winning actress Selma Hayek. Prince recently previewed another gem from his new repertoire of songs, the guitar-tinged “Fury,” the first major promotional appearance in support of the album which he performed on NBC’s Saturday Night Live on February 4th. It was the first time Prince appeared on the long running comedy show in 25 years, garnering the highest ratings for SNL since 2004.

As anticipation for 3121 builds throughout the entertainment industry, Prince is providing a bonus surprise for fans that purchase the album beginning March 21st. Billed as the ‘Purple Ticket Campaign,’ a limited number of purple tickets will be included in specially selected albums, entitling the lucky purchaser to attend what is being hailed as An Evening With Prince – A Private Performance At Prince’s House. Digital tickets can also be won through Apple’s iTunes online music store.

Prince’s ascension to the top of the pop world has been both meteoric and enduring, inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, his most recent release, Musicology, rose to the Top 5 of the album charts, netting the singer/songwriter two Grammy nominations, capping a three-decade reign in which he is generally regarded as one of the most acclaimed and influential musical artists of the 20th century. The Minnesota native’s career literally exploded in 1984 with the world-changing dual phenomenon of Purple Rain (the movie broke box office records, the Grammy nominated album sole more than 11 million copies an spent 24 weeks at #1) making Prince one of the few triple threats in history to simultaneously land the #1 single, album, and movie. A series of genre defying albums – from 1985′s Around The World In A Day, to 1987′s prophetic A Sign Of The Times, to 1989′s Batman soundtrack to 1991′s Diamond And Pearls indelibly cemented his reputation as a fearless pursuer of the musical stratosphere.

With more than 60 million records sold, Prince launched his web-centric NPG Music Club in the early ’90s, pioneering direct sales and value-added content that would become the artist-driven online entrepreneurial model artists and internet gurus would be flocking to by the end of the decade. More groundbreaking albums followed, with Prince himself stewarding their marketing and promotion, with major imprints such as EMI, Arista and Columbia forming temporary but fruitful relationships with the visionary artist.

Prince also launched one of the most successful tours in music history in 2004 (Pollstar Magazine crowned him top concert draw for the year), as well as winning a NAACP Image Award, and being honored by Rolling Stone magazine in a special issue which named Prince #5 on the Top Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years. Most recently, the tireless singer/songwriter was inspired to write two songs to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims, “S.S.T.”, and “Brand New Orleans,” both of which are available on www.NPGMusicClub.com.

Via BUSINESS WIRE

Tavis Smiley to be a Key Player in America’s 400th Anniversary

Jamestown 2007, Inc., the organizers of America’s 400th Anniversary, has announced that one of the country’s most prominent African-American leaders will play a key role in this historic commemoration. Television and radio host Tavis Smiley, dubbed one of the nation’s “captains of the airwaves” by Newsweek, will bring his annual “State of the Black Union” symposium to Virginia in February 2007 as part of the 18-month commemoration. The 2006 symposium was held this past weekend in Houston.

The symposium, which addresses issues of importance to the African-American community, takes on added poignancy in 2007 as America commemorates the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, Va., the settlement where Africans were first introduced to America.

Since its inception in 1999, the “State of the Black Union” symposium has convened many of today’s greatest African-American thought leaders and influencers to discuss key issues. Participants in the 2006 symposium include Cornel West, Harry Belafonte, Walter Mosley, Michelle Singletary and Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery.

“Jamestown changed the world in many ways, but perhaps it shaped our nation most profoundly the day Africans arrived,” Smiley said. “I can’t think of a more relevant place to talk about the issues facing our community today than the place where African culture became American culture.”

Daphne Maxwell Reid, a member of Jamestown 2007′s African American Advisory Council and a member of the federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission, led early discussions with Smiley’s producer. “Mr. Smiley’s participation brings together two events of national significance and emphasizes the importance of each. The commemoration is being staged in part to ensure Americans understand that one of Jamestown’s most important legacies was the creation of a multi-cultural society. We’re using this opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions of Africans to that society.”

Belinda Anderson, president of Virginia Union University, serves as co-chair of the African-American Advisory Council. “America’s 400th Anniversary will focus the world’s attention on the Jamestown story, and Mr. Smiley’s participation ensures the African component will receive the emphasis it deserves. This symposium is the perfect vehicle for addressing today’s issues while we contemplate the past.”

Other commemorative events spotlighting African-American contributions include a Preview Gala showcasing African American artifacts, an African-American Commerce and Cultural Expo, a DVD Legacy Project highlighting Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a Trailblazer’s Awards Gala, which will recognize the contributions of key African-Americans to today’s society. The Trailblazer’s Gala is sponsored by Richmond Region 2007, one of Jamestown 2007′s many partners.

Via PRNewswire

Pro Football Player Randy Moss Announces New Team

Inta Juice, a Fort Collins-based national juice bar franchise, is pleased to announce its partnership with Randy Moss Enterprises, Inc., the corporation owned by NFL star Randy Moss. Moss has made a significant investment in Inta Juice and is now a shareholder in the privately held company. He joins the company as an executive, board member and key decision maker as the fast-growing franchise moves forward.

With Moss’s support, the company has launched aggressive growth goals that include targeting nearly 100 total stores nationwide, either open or with franchise agreements in place, by the end of 2006. The company also plans to double in size by the end of 2008.

“Once Randy tasted our products and researched the franchise, he saw a great opportunity for a personal investment. His notoriety and resources will assist us in being a major contender in the national smoothie and juice bar industry, aid in our cause of offering healthier fast food alternatives and help us accelerate our growth,” explained Richard Pickett, President and CEO of Inta Juice.

As a key player in the $1.5 billion smoothie industry, Moss will leverage his status as a prominent athlete to become a healthy role model, starting in his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, where his first franchise opens in May 2006.

“I love both the taste and the healthy choices available with Inta Juice, and I’m really looking forward to contributing something positive to my community,” said Moss.

Moss first became acquainted with Inta Juice real fruit smoothies at the Inta Juice store in Eden Prairie, Minnesota when he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Moss found Inta Juice real fruit smoothies to be the best tasting smoothies on the market.

Moss plans to open additional stores in West Virginia, along with new locations in North Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana.

For more information about Inta Juice, please visit http://www.intajuice.com

Via PRNewswire

R&B/Soul Legend Teena Marie Back On Top With ‘Ooh Wee’

The legendary ‘blue-eyed’ soulful songstress Teena Marie has the #1 most added song at Urban AC Radio this week. Her sizzling new single “Ooh Wee,” is the first release from her forthcoming sophomore album Sapphire, on Cash Money Classics a division of Cash Money Records. The album is a follow-up to Teena’s critically acclaimed 2004 album, La Dona, which heralded Ms. Marie’s return to the music industry after a 13-year absence.

Sapphire, produced by Ms. Marie, is the fifteenth album from the effusive vocalist, who is regarded as one of the most influential R&B female singers of all times. Known for her ability to effortlessly navigate soul/R&B/funk and hip-hop, Teena Marie has also forged many chart-topping collaborations with superstars such as the late Rick James, Common, Gerald Levert and MC Lyte, among others.

A multi-instrumentalist herself, Teena Marie has maintained a production-hand in every one of her albums except her debut Wild And Peaceful (1979). The popular songstress and 3-time Grammy nominee has delivered an arsenal of genre defying albums along the way, including Lady T (1980), Starchild (1984), Naked To The World (1988), which featured the #1 classic “Ooh La La,” and 1994′s independently released Passion Play. Ms. Marie has released 10 compilation albums as well since her stunning national debut on Motown Records in 1979.

Known for her tireless and universally acclaimed live performances, Ms. Marie is currently making plans to showcase selected songs on her upcoming album Sapphire, due in stores Spring 2006.

Via PRNewswire

310 Inks Deal With Actor Terrence Howard To Endorse 310 Footwear

310 Global Brands, Inc., the marketing and merchandising company of the high-end automotive specialists 310 Motoring, announced that it has signed a worldwide celebrity endorsement agreement with Best Actor Oscar-nominated film star Terrence Howard for its 310 footwear line.

Under the agreement, 310 will have exclusive worldwide rights to the Terrence Howard 310 print media, including advertisements and point-of-purchase displays, through July 2007. The Terrence Howard campaign will appear in men’s urban, fashion and lifestyle magazines in the United States and in countries around the world where 310 Footwear is available.
“Terrence has had a stellar year – two incredible movies, Crash and Hustle & Flow – for which he’s earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations,” said Marc Laidler, founder of 310 Motoring. “He’s a powerful actor, and has a presence that draws people in – on screen, on camera – and now with 310, in print.”

Terrence Howard said: “I’m thrilled to take on my role as a spokesperson with 310. This brand has always been known as a symbol of luxury in Los Angeles, and I’m proud to help take it to the next level as the 310 code goes global.”

Laidler added: “Terrence is the perfect symbol for 310. He is one of Hollywood’s most respected rising stars with a deep history in the industry, and his impeccable taste is evident in everything he does – including selecting roles of quality and substance. With Terrence front and center in our 310 ads, I’m looking forward to what I believe will be an incredible year for the brand.”

Terrence Howard exploded onto the Hollywood scene this year after delivering strong performances in a number of critically acclaimed films such as Hustle & Flow (2005), Crash (2005) and Ray (2004). Crowned as the new “Indie Film King” by Entertainment Weekly, Howard’s performances have garnered him numerous nominations, including an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Independent Spirit Award, NAACP Image Award, and Chicago Film Critics Award, among others. He will next be seen in the feature films Idlewild and Awake.

310 Footwear reflects the quality, integrity and design of the high-end customized automobiles bearing the same moniker. The fabrication, design and details reflect the quality, uniqueness and exclusivity of these special automobiles. It is designed to capture a feeling, a culture, a lifestyle. It is the quintessential luxury brand.

Via BUSINESS WIRE

Increasingly Affluent African American Market Set to Reach $981 Billion by 2010

Buoyed by advances in education and employment, the African American market now commands a buying power of $762 billion, an economic pocketbook that is expected to reach $981 billion by 2010, according to The U.S. African American Market, a new report from Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, a leading provider of industry-specific market research reports.

According to the report, which for the first time examined the black population from a regional perspective, African Americans in the West and Northeast have higher average incomes than those in the Midwest and the South, and consequently account for a disproportionate share of the aggregate income of African Americans.

Blacks living in the Northeast are much more likely to want to get to the very top in their career- viewing their work as a career, not just a job. For this reason, African Americans in the Northeast are far more likely than African Americans as a whole to feel secure financially and to be happy with their standard of living.

However, while the market potential is steadily increasing, industry-wide lack of targeted marketing and advertising remain obstacles to growth in several sectors that are largely untapped.

“Having roughly the same purchasing power as Hispanics, African Americans tend to be left behind when it comes to marketing and advertising because Hispanics are expected to have more rapid population growth,” said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “Marketers would be wise, however, to tap into the African American segments that outpace their Hispanic counterparts, such as those with incomes greater than $50,000; owner-occupied households; married-couple families; and African American women-all sectors which offer huge potential in the consumer goods markets.”

Now in its 6th edition, The U.S. African American Market provides a comprehensive profile of consumer expenditure patterns, shopping behavior, and attitudes towards food, health, entertainment, leisure, and technology. Strategies and opportunities for marketing to the African American community are also covered. Priced at $3,500, this report can be purchased from Packaged Facts by clicking: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1090871.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

Via PRNewswire

U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Daily Features Gordon Parks

Following is the daily Black History Month “Profile America” feature for Feb. 24 from the U.S. Census Bureau:

FRIDAY, FEB. 24: GORDON PARKS

Profile America for this 24th day of Black History Month. A magazine left behind on a train triggered the career of one of the most talented American photographers. A portfolio of pictures in the magazine prompted Gordon Parks to buy his first camera. His career since has included author, poet, pianist, composer and film director. For 20 years he was a photojournalist for “Life” magazine, producing 300 articles. He directed a number of movies, including “Shaft,” for which he wrote the script and the musical score. Among numerous other honors, he is a member of the International Photography Hall of Fame. There are 158,000 professional photographers in the U.S., about eight percent of them African-American. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Via U.S. Newswire

Soul-Stirring Performances Raise the Roof at BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL VI

Be prepared to catch the holy spirit as BET brings together some of the brightest stars in gospel and R&B to raise the roof during the network’s sixth annual praise fest, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL. This inspirational affair is hosted by comedian Steve Harvey and premieres on BET Thursday, February 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL VI is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping two-hour revival, filled with rousing performances by Stevie Wonder, Anthony Hamilton, Tyrese, Mary Mary, CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Dr. Bobby Jones, Hezekiah Walker, Juanita Bynum, Kelly Price, Fred Hammond, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Micah Stampley, Martha Munizzi and others who hit the stage in front of the standing-room only crowd. Celebrities such as Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue), Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris), Richard Roundtree (Shaft) and Terri J. Vaughn (All of Us) joined the “congregation,” which transformed L.A.’s historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre into a rollicking church sanctuary as soon as the 24-piece orchestra struck up the opening number led by world renowned musical director Ray Chew.

“Even if you’re a complete heathen, you’ll enjoy CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL,” said Reginald Hudlin, BET President of Entertainment. “Even in rehearsals, I saw performances so powerful that grown men were crying. It’s one of the best music shows of the year — period.”

Kirk Franklin got things rolling on a high note with his spirited rendition of “Looking For You,” and CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL continued its tradition of pairing gospel legends with R&B royalty to rock the house. Viewers can ‘get lifted’ with high-energy collaborations between Stevie Wonder and Kirk Franklin, Sheila E. and Martha Munizzi, then witness Kelly Price shake the rafters with Bishop Morton in a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace.” There’s also a surprise performance by Tyrese, cajoled onto the stage by Harvey; a star-studded tribute to BET gospel legend Dr. Bobby Jones; and Bishop Morton is honored for his tremendous work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL has always been about bringing the best of the gospel world and the secular world together,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s Executive Vice President of Music Programming. “From Kirk Franklin’s wondrous circus of an opening, to Tyrese’s impromptu offering and the Stevie Wonder led finale, this show highlights what’s truly special and unique about gospel music. This show will truly make Thursday feel like Sunday.”

Other stellar performances include a duet from Pastor Shirley Caesar and Tye Tribbett breaking it down across generational lines with “I Know the Truth”; Shekinah Glory Ministry performing their latest hit, “Say Yes”; Mary Mary rocking “Yesterday”; and Stevie Wonder’s Hurricane Katrina salute with “Shelter in the Rain.” Wonder, McClurkin and a surprise guest close out the show by performing one of Wonder’s classic hits.

“CELEBRATION Of GOSPEL, it’s always incredible to be a part of,” says Erica Campbell of award-winning contemporary gospel duo Mary Mary. “Even the year we weren’t involved, I came and sat in the audience just to experience it. You get the full gamut of what gospel music is today — the energy, the old school, the new school…”

“I think gospel music is food for your soul,” adds Tina Campbell, the other half of Mary Mary. “And you get fed well when you watch the CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL.”

You can bet that no one left the theater hungry. BET viewers can get extra helpings of this uplifting celebration by tuning in to encore presentations on Sunday, February 26 at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET/PT, as well as a special two-and-a-half hour encore on Sunday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Via PRNewswire

Whoopi Goldberg Hosts Universal’s Studio Tour

Shown Above: Whoopi Goldberg hosts Universal’s Studio Tour. Oscar(R) and Emmy(R)-winning superstar Whoopi Goldberg adds a lively new narration to the famed Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. Whoopi’s observations will be seen on the monitors placed in each Tram car and will augment the “live” narration provided by Universal’s famed Studio Tour Guides. Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour takes guests behind the scenes at the world’s largest and busiest motion picture and TV studio.

Whoopi Goldberg is accredited as a truly unique and visible talent in Hollywood. Perhaps she will always be remembered as well for Comic Relief, playing an integral part in almost every benefit concert they had.

(PRNewsFoto/UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD)

Star Raven-Symone Issues Call For Marrow Donors At San Diego Heritage Day Festival

Actress-singer RAVEN-SYMONE is lending her star power to raise awareness for the need for bone marrow donors at the 15th Annual San Diego Annual Heritage Day Festival and Parade, taking place on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2006.

Event organizers have selected five-year old KAYLA SMITH, a patient desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant, as the 2006 parade Grand Marshal. Immediately following the parade, the San Diego Blood Bank Stem Cell Donor Center, in partnership with the Emilio Nares Foundation, will hold a drive in Kayla’s honor. The drive will be held at Market Creek Plaza-(SD 92113, Market & Euclid just south of the Trolley Station).

“Kayla’s a fighter,” says Raven. “She and her family have been searching for a donor for a long time yet it hasn’t crushed her spirit. She’s a bright, bubbly little girl who is filled with hopes and dreams, and I’m happy to work with her and her family to spread the word about her need so that she gets the chance to make her dreams come true.”

Kayla was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2001 but with treatments her Leukemia went into remission. After suffered a relapse, she and her family are working closely with the National Marrow Donor Program to find an unrelated marrow or stem cell donor because no one in her family has been identified as a viable match.

“While there have been millions of potential donors who have registered, there remains a critical need for Black and African-American donors,” said Dr. Jeffrey Chell, CEO of the National Marrow Donor Program. “Black and African- American patients have a greater chance of finding a donor from within the Black and African-American community. It is amazing that the city of San Diego and event organizers have chosen Kayla as this year’s Grand Marshal, publicizing the need for more donors while honoring the courage she and her family displays as they wait for a donor to provide a life saving transplant. And with Raven Symone’s help, we may be able to find a donor for Kayla that much sooner.”

For more information about The Heritage Day Festival and Parade, visit: http://www.heritagedayparade.org .

For more information about the NMDP, call 1-800-MARROW-2 or visit on-line at http://www.marrow.org .

Via PRNewswire

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