Tag: Harlem

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Entertainment

‘Showtime At The Apollo’ being picked up by FOX as a weekly series

The Apollo Theater and FOX today announced that SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO has been picked up as a one-hour weekly series featuring Emmy Award-winning personality Steve Harvey as host. Set to debut during the 2017-2018 season, SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO is a reimagining of the classic talent showcase series.

“We all had such a blast on the two specials that aired earlier this season, that we thought it really deserved being a weekly event,” said Harvey. “But our mission is a little different this time around. Instead of just putting on a great show, we’re going to do that and find the next great comic and the next big music star. That’s what the Apollo is all about. My roots are on that stage and I can’t wait to be there every week, looking for great talent. Who said you can’t go back home again?”

Featured in the series are elements from the Apollo’s legendary Amateur Night – the long-running, live talent competition, now in its 82nd year – which provides a platform for up-and-coming artists to perform in front of the toughest audience in the world. The Apollo audience is famed as one of entertainment’s most boisterous and brutally honest, and those amateurs who don’t win them over must endure the wrath of this notorious crowd.

The Apollo Theater launched the careers of many iconic artists, including James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, D’Angelo and countless others. Its venerable stage show, Amateur Night at the Apollo, has long been revered by artists as a transformative experience during which up-and-coming talent feel the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, while audience response can help make or break a career.

In each episode, Harvey will be joined by some of the biggest stars in comedy and music. Artists featured in the two SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO specials that aired earlier this season on FOX include John Legend, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes, Doug E. Fresh, Chaka Khan, Anderson.Paak & The Free Nationals, Flo Rida, Rakim, T.I. featuring Meek Mill, Quavo and RaRa, Bell Biv Devoe, En Vogue and Jodeci; and comedians Anthony Anderson, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Jay Pharoah, Mike Epps and Gabriel Iglesias.

Open auditions for SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO will be held at the legendary Theater on Sunday, April 23rd. Additional auditions will be held in select cities across the country.

This audition is open to singers, dancers, comedians and musicians of all ages and musical styles. Artists are encouraged to arrive early as auditions are on a first come first seen basis and only the first 300 acts per venue will be seen. More complete details are outlined below and available on www.apollotheater.org.

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Music

SFPL Premiere: Flyy Guy Fresh – “Dough Out” (Prod. by Ghxst)

Harlem’s own, Flyy Guy Fresh, delivers a new single produced by Ghxst, “Dough Out.” While the Uptown native got a lot of his early influences from the Golden Era of Hip Hop, Flyy Guyy – real name Tyshaun Antonio – has also learned to incorporate today’s hard-hitting, melody-driven, sounds and made it his own.

After recently celebrating his birthday in true Rapper fashion – toasting it up in the Big Apple – while sharing previews of new music, Flyy Guy Fresh delivers new single, “Dough Out,” produced by Ghxst.

Fresh says, “Dough Out is a bass-knocking, fun record that infuses a lot of word play.”

Check it out above.

Twitter: @FlyyGuyIsMe

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Entertainment

Omari Hardwick, Loretta Devine and more Star In ‘Chapter & Verse’, Out Now!

After serving eight years in prison, reformed gang leader “S. Lance Ingram” (Daniel Beaty) re-enters society and struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem. Living under the tough supervision of a parole officer in a halfway house, he is unable to find a job that will let him use the technological skills he gained in prison. Lance is forced to take a job delivering for a food pantry where he befriends “Ms. Maddy” (Loretta Devine), a strong and spirited grandmother, and assumes responsibility for her 15-year- old grandson “Ty,” a promising student who is pulled into a dangerous street gang. When gang members decide to punish him for disobeying the “law of the streets,” Lance risks sacrificing his “second chance” at freedom so that Ty can have a “first chance” at a better life.

With Chapter & Verse, director Jamal Joseph, a filmmaker, acclaimed author, film professor, community leader, activist and a Black Panther who spent time in prison as a result of his involvement in the organization, reflects upon what it means to forge your own destiny in an outwardly harsh society.

Starring: Daniel Beaty, Loretta Devine (NBC’s The Carmichael Show), Omari Hardwick (STARZ POWER), Selenis Levya (NETFLIX Orange Is The New Black).

Directed by: Jamal Joseph

Written by: Jamal Joseph and Daniel Beaty

The film has opened in New York today. Opens in LA and additional cities on February 10, 2017.

Check out the trailer below:

[ione_embed src=https://player.vimeo.com/video/168403413 service=vimeo width=640 height=272 type=iframe]

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Music

Jay Pres Releases “MAC,” A Followup To “Sephora” [New Music]

https://soundcloud.com/jay_pres/sets/mac

As the year comes to a close, it’s safe to say that Jay Pres had a productive year. The Harlem native has released three projects and 4 singles, alone, in 2016. He also performed at the legendary SOB’s 3 times – once for Hot 97‘s “Who’s Next” Showcase series. One of the projects Pres released was a surprised mixtape comprised of covers and remixes of popular records titled, “Sephora.” And it’s followup arrives just in time for the holidays.
And interestingly enough, it’s titled, “MAC.” This time around, we find Jay Pres covering classic Hip Hop records such as Wutang Clan’s, “C.R.E.A.M.” and Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents.” This tape truly showcases Jay Pres’ versatility as a rapper. It validates his skills while showing (and proving) that he is more than capable of delivering, no matter the beat. Whether you’re a Millennial fan, or a lover of the Golden Era, you can appreciate what Jay Pres has to offer as a Hip Hop artist.
About Jay Pres:
The young, rising talent from one of Manhattan’s notorious neighborhoods, has been consistent with his music; since transitioning into Hip Hop from playing college basketball. He’s a familiar name and face who has been associated with the likes of fellow Harlem native, Teyana Taylor, Dave East and Tray Pizzy (producer credits), and more. Jay Pres is undeniably on his way to leaving his own mark in Hip Hop. And like his uncle, Roy Ayers, is paving the way on his own musical journey.
Twitter: @JayPrezi
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Entertainment

Steve Harvey To Host 2-Hour SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO Special On FOX

Emmy Award-winning personality Steve Harvey will host SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO, a two-hour event and re-imagining of the classic talent showcase series, in which Harvey will celebrate his return to the famed theater, where he launched his own career, and where he’ll be joined by some of the biggest stars in comedy and music. The star-studded special will air Monday, Dec. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. An additional one-hour special, also hosted by Harvey, will air in early 2017.

Also to be featured in the special are elements from the Apollo’s legendary Amateur Night – the long-running, live talent competition, now in its 82nd year – which provides a platform for up-and-coming artists to perform in front of the toughest audience in the world. The Apollo audience is famed as one of entertainment’s most boisterous and brutally honest and those amateurs who don’t win over the crowd risk being booed off the stage. Amateur Night at the Apollo launched the careers of many iconic artists, including James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, D’Angelo and countless others, and the show continues to present new talent on the legendary Apollo stage every Wednesday night. The Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night has long been revered by artists as a transformative experience during which up-and-coming talent feel the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, while audience response can help make or break a career.

 “I’m excited to be going back home to the Apollo to celebrate the history of this great theater,” said Harvey. “I have great memories from my time there, and this is going to be a homecoming party that you won’t want to miss.”

Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater and an executive producer of the special said:

“Since its inception in 1934, the world’s original talent competition – Amateur Night at the Apollo – was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists. That tradition was extended with the successful 21-year run of the ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ television program. We’re proud to continue to produce our live, weekly show, and are equally excited to be partnering with FOX to produce this SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO special and to bring the Apollo experience back to television!”

David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company says:

“The Apollo Theater played a crucial role in so many of this nation’s most talented artists, including Steve, and we couldn’t be happier to have him lead us back to this legendary venue. We’re sure this will be a fantastic night of entertainment.”

Photo Credit: Foc Kan/WireImage

Categories
Music

Dave East Drops New Single “All Summer”

Dave East has been hard at work “All Summer.”

Faithfully supplying the streets with music through his EASTMIX series and collaborations, today the Harlem emcee delivers a new single off his upcoming project Kairi Chanel. 

Produced by Mahogany Beatz it sample’s the Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump on It),” creating the perfect backdrop for East as he raps about how he spends summer’s in the city that never sleeps.

Listen to Dave East’s “All Summer” below. You can purchase and stream it via Apple Music.

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FLY Events

We Like: Ronald McDonald House Charities Awards The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation

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(L-R) Chris Perry, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri State Area, Wendy Hilliard, Founder of Wendy Hillliard Gymnastics Foundation, Linda Dunham McDonald’s Owner Operator and Former RMHC Global Chairman

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Ronald McDonald House Charities® New York Tri-State Area (RMHC NYTSA) awarded a $7,500 community grant to the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF), a not-for-profit organization that provides free and low-cost quality gymnastics for inner-city youth based in Harlem, New York.

“In keeping with our organization’s mission of supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children, we have historically supported the Wendy Hilliard Foundation for its groundbreaking program for young women, which incorporates not only gymnastics, but also general education and proper nutrition programming,” said Christopher Perry, Executive Director of RMHC NYTSA.

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The WHGF is celebrating their 20th anniversary of successful programming this year.  In the past two decades, the WHGF has served more than 17,000 local youth, developing elite athletes and international gymnastic performers in the process.  Founder Wendy Hilliard, Hall of Fame rhythmic gymnast and the first African-American to represent the U.S. in international competition, also recently announced that the WHGF will be expanding and providing gymnastics programs in Hilliard’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan in fall 2016.   

“As a local charity, we are so grateful for this award. It is through partnerships and grants like these that we are able to create opportunities for our local youth to excel in nontraditional sports like gymnastics.” said WHGF Founder, Wendy Hilliard.  “With this extra funding, we have the power to support over 250 youth with gymnastics and workshops to provide youth with the tools to become healthy, active and well rounded adults.”

This year, RMHC NYTSA has now awarded over $200,000 in community grants to nonprofit organizations that serve children. To be considered for a community grant, grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a specific program that directly benefits children aged 0-21 years, consistent and effective management, clear goals and objectives, and a demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of children in a manner that yields measurable results. For more information on the organization’s grants program, please visit www.rmhcnytristate.org.

Photo Credit: Don Sherrill

Check out more photos below:

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About Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area

For over 20 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area has been creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Their signature programs include scholarships to help provide access to a college education for students who need and earn it, and community grants to support a variety of local children’s charities. The organization also provides needed support to five Ronald McDonald Houses, which are “homes away from home” allowing families to be with their hospitalized children for extended periods of time. To learn more about the organization, please visit www.rmhcnytristate.org.

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Music

Dave East Takes Us To The Streets Of Tokyo For “It’s Time” [New Video]

Dave East drops the visual for “Its Time” off of his Hate Me Now project. The video takes us through the streets of Tokyo where East spent some time earlier this year. Keeping things simple, the Harlem rapper uses the Japanese city as his backdrop while he spits about his biggest motivator, money and doing whatever it takes to get it.

East recently kicked off the second leg of his Hate Me Now tour. You can check out the tour dates below and watch East explore Tokyo above.

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Entertainment Music SFPL's New Music

SFPL Music: Dave East Reflects On Coming Up From The Trenches On “Dead Man Walking”

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Dave East continues supplying the streets with music worth bumping this summer. Yesterday the Harlem spitter dropped “Dead Man Walking” produced by Rico Suave.

An instant head nodder, we find East focused with an insatiable hunger as he masterfully paints the picture of his journey from the trenches with a controlled and effortless cadence. The Bajan and Dominican emcee is no stranger to struggle speaking on his, and younger brother Errol’s time behind bars; but it’s clear these days life’s a lot brighter just like his diamonds. The mass appeal signee also touches on his love for high-grade weed, designer clothes, and his soon to be three-month-old daughter.

East has no plans of slowing down anytime soon dropping a steady stream of tracks over the past few weeks, most recently jumping on cuts “Uber Everywhere” and “All The Way Up.” Listen to the latest from Dave East below and you can catch him June 5th performing at Hot 97‘s Summer Jam on the festival stage.

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Music

Jim Jones feat. A$AP Ferg – “Harlem”

Jim Jones is back with yet another collaboration since his last release of “Finesse.” Today, the veteran rapper debuts “Harlem” with New York cohort, A$AP Ferg.

Jim is currently working on his next album entitled The Kitchen.