Friday, August 29, 2014

Berry Gordy - The Man Behind the MOTOWN Sound

It’s August 18, 2014, 11:30 a.m. and Oakland’s Civic Plaza is packed with people waiting anxiously to see Mr. Berry Gordy emerge on stage to greet everyone.  Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson has proclaimed BERRY GORDY DAY in Oakland, California and the community could not be more excited and thrilled.  If that was not enough, the town is on fire about MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, adding yet another epic endeavor by the genius himself, Mr. Berry Gordy.

Mr. Gordy graced our presence looking ‘dapper’, as usual, wearing one of the most stylist pin-stripped baby blue suits one has seen a 84-year young man rock.  He is all smiles, in great health and happy to be in Oakland for the celebration.  Just about every elected official in Oakland from Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed were in attendance in recognition of a man who gave the nation evergreen music that has yet to be compared.  Recognitions and acknowledgements from the Senate House to local government agencies were given to Mr. Gordy and he even received a ‘key’ to the City of Oakland, presented by Mayor Jean Quan.


The crowd then enjoyed several live performances from the casts members from Motown The Musical singing hits from Diana Ross, The Temptations and more.  The musical is currently playing at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco, August 15th – September 28th.  Don’t miss it!




Monday, August 18, 2014

Diverse & Dynamic - An Emmy Nomination Celebration

When TV stars and industry executives arrived to the Dynamic & Diverse 66th Emmy Awards on August 12th, they were not only celebrating the year’s biggest small screen accomplishments but said they were welcoming the “new golden age of television.” The event, held at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, highlighted every form of diversity.  Jason George, who serves as chair of SAG-AFTRA’s diversity advisory committee said that the differences should be enjoyed rather than seen as something that keeps us apart.

The celebration not only highlighted actors, but also showrunners and executives who make their appearances on the show possible. Many pointed to “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes for expanding the opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds.  For many of the night’s attendees, more diversity could be achieved on both TV and film. “Scandal’s” Jose Morton said there have been strides but there needs to be greater diversity in the storylines.
The Dynamic & Diverse event is in its second year, sparked last year by Kerry Washington’s nomination for lead actress in a drama series. Organizers said they wanted to once again set aside an evening to take note of diversity on television.  George closed the night’s speeches by excitedly announcing that Dynamic & Diverse celebration would now become an annual event during Emmy season.
And go!







Wednesday, August 6, 2014

10th Annual Fashion On The Square WEEK - A Huge Success!

The 10th Annual Fashion On The Square (FOTS) WEEK ended on July 27, 2014 with a finale runway show at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco that did not disappoint.  The goal of FOTS Week was not only to showcase the best in fashion here in the Bay Area and honor trailblazers in the fashion and art industries, but it was a fundraising effort for FOTS+The Arts, a non-profit organization that gives grants and scholarships to students in the fashion industry who blend fashion and art in their work, whether it’s on the runway or in a visual representation. 

On Saturday, July 19th FOTS Week kicked-off with a surprise FashMob in the middle of Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.  A Sacramento dance troupe was a pleasant surprise to people standing around waiting for the ‘free summer music series’ to begin and the crowd really began to gather when they saw more than 15 models create an outdoor runway on the pavement in the middle of the gardens.  Even children who were not part of the fashion show found their way to the runway to take part in the festivities.  We were in, out and done all under 10 minutes. It was epic. 


On Saturday, July 20th at Imagine Affairs in Oakland, the FOTS+The Arts Awards and Fashion Show was a phenomenal event and the awardees and attendees certainly made their red carpet attire appearances in style. From the vintage look in fashion by La Belle Moi (Ronita Wheatfall) to enjoying classical pianist and honoree Marcus McCauley, the evening was one that the Bay Area has never experience and it left everyone wanting more and more.  Other honorees who received FOTS+TheArts awards were Brownie Sims, Teresa Washington, Tevia Gray and Nana Kofi Nti.

On Wednesday, July 23rd a VIP and Sponsor Appreciation Reception took place at the Jenkins Johnson Gallery in San Francisco and it was no stopping the designers that evening as they did not hold back on what they wanted everyone to see.  Guests, including FOTS Fashion Icon Awardee Wilkes Bashford and media mogul Dexter Davis, enjoyed sneak peeks from each designer of one of their signature looks that was going to be shown on the runway.  To add more enjoyment to the festivities, it was an entertainment surprise when ballerina Amanda Whipple tip toed her way down the staircase to the lower level of the gallery performing a very energetic routine while guests were nibbling on delicious miniature cupcakes and sipping Apple Pie wine by SF MEAD.

W San Francisco partnered with FOTS for their Inspire Series Luncheon on Thursday, July 24th and the guest speaker Caity Shreve, Fashion, Fun and Fitness Blogger.  Caity shared amazing tips on ‘Work-Wear’ and it was enlightening to hear the tips and tricks of the best dress when transitioning careers and fitting into a new environment in the workplace.  It warmed my heart when W’s General Manager presented me with the W Inspire Award.  So excited!

The weekend of fashion, fashion and more fashion took place July 25th at W San Francsico with Fresh Faces of FOTS, July 26th on Maiden Lane with the children and teen show which included two adult wear designers and then the finale show on July 27th at the InterContinental Hotel.  Throughout the entire weekend, more than 5,000 people enjoyed FOTS fashion and it was amazing how the FOTS+TheArts t-shirts sold like crazy the entire weekend.  Designers included Cindy Quach, Rachel Riot, Christina Morgan Cree, Lauren Barisic, Ricky Lee, Jake Wall, Sebastian Threadz, Jordan Epstein, Soazig Kaam, Wesley Yu, Wenting Tina Yu, Kanyarat Tapeneeyakorn and others.

There is always very little time between ending a FOTS year and preparing for the next year.  The 10-year journey has been a solid stepping stone for what is ‘to come’ and the only common denominator that you will find in FOTS 2015 is ‘it will happen’.  Rest assured what is to come for FOTS and FOTS+TheArts next year is nothing that has been seen or done before.  And go!