Ludacris Foundation Ralph Lauren Event

Hello Urbanites:

It has been warm weather here in Atlanta and summer time is near. With that being said the events are in full spring. So let's gear up and find the hottest things happening around town.
My calender is full of charity events this week. Which I love. It is so nice to actually site what entertainers and higher ups do with wealth knowledge.

This charity train kicked off with Ludacris and his shopping event at the The Ralph Lauren Event in Lennox Mall. The was classy and beautiful. It was a pleasure to attend this charity benefit. The event gave invitees the chance to shop at Ralph Lauren and have a portion of the proceeds towards the Ludacris Foundation.

The mission of the foundation is " To show young people they are the architects of their future and instill our "Principles of Success" - a roadmap for achieving dreams. To connect with our youth to build stronger families and communities.

Luda is always giving back, even before he joined us at Ralph Lauren store he was holding a separate event over at his new midtown eatery Straits Restaurant, which benefited AIDAtlanta.

Find out more about the foundation and how to get involved log on to

(http://www.theludacrisfoundation.org/).

Check some wonderful video of the event courtesy of our favorite controversial blogger Gyant over SOHH.

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DRIFT CITY RECORDS
Q. Parker (112) Hosting Open Call Dance Auditions Solo project "Real Talk" Coming Fall' 08

Q. Parker (112) Open Call Dance Auditions
This Event Will Be Televised
http://www.talkingwithtami.com/
Quick Links http://www.officialdriftcity.com/www.myspace.com/kitparkerwww.myspace.com/officialdriftcity

Q Parker from the Grammy award-winning group 112 is set to release his solo project, "Real Talk".He is currently looking for the hottest and best dancers to complete his team. Q Parker accompanied by world renowned choreographer, Al Jamal will hold dance auditions this Monday, April 28th. Please see below for complete details, this dance audition is for women only! Details: Q is seeking passionate dancers to accompany him on tour and performances around the release of his solo project "Real Talk." We are looking for women dancers 18 years and older.

Please bring a high heel shoe/boot with appropriate dance attire and be prepared to learn a short routine. Bring a head shot or snap shot and dance biography if applicable.

Location:"Marvelous" Marvin McIntyre Studios1345 Boyd Avenue Suite AAtlanta, GA30318

When:Monday April 28th from 5-8pmCheck in is from 5-530pm**Please arrive promptly at 5pm**

Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival

Last week was the 6th Annual Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival. Now you maybe asking yourself, what exactly is the Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival? Like most Atlantans we simply have not ever heard of this event or often get it mixed up with other film events.

The Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival is one of the fastest growing film festivals in the southeast, and, has positioned itself as the preeminent launching pad for independent films and to discover new talent worldwide. While attending the festival you are able to view Independent film premieres, check out some of the panel dissuasions with the film makers and cast or just network.

The 2008 film screenings shown in were African Underground: Democracy in Dakur All Nighter, African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal.To view clips of this film please visit (http://nomadicwax.com/film/democracy-in-dakar), JADA The Movie, Jada Davis' life is thrown into a spin when her husband is killed in a questionable car accident. Her once prosperous middle-class lifestyle comes crashing down when the insurance company calls the accident a suicide and doesn't pay on the policy. Directed by Clifton Powell. Tupac: Assassination Conspiracy or Revenge?, (http://www.craveonline.com/articles/music/04648921/tupac_assassination__conspiracy_or_revenge.html.
Panel discussions included, Independent Film Distribution & Pitch Session, which allowed filmmakers to gain an insider’s knowledge to face the challenge of having only a few minutes to convince agents, producers, and financiers to look at their projects.

This annual event was started by Founders and Executive Producers, Kiyomi & Mark Eschoe, to provide an outlet here in the metro-Atlanta area to provide a platform for urban filmmakers. I caught up with Kiymomi while attending the festival as she gives a brief description of the film review.







“The Festival exists to provide an opportunity for independent filmmakers of color in which to have their works showcased before the community, as well as, serve as an avenue of discovery for industry professionals seeking new talent.”

For information about the Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival and how you can submit your film or documentary log on to www.sjuff.com

Baileys host John Legend and Estelle concert at SugarHIll.
Afterparty with Estelle in VIP…

I heard the concert was awesome. I did not get to attend but I have heard nothing but lovely things about it. I did however get to catch with Estelle at the concert after party at Sabor Lounge. Although she did not grant me my personal one on interview I did manage to sneak in a few questions. You know in a casual kind of way, while we party with her and her crew in the VIP section. I must admit the London born star is very outgoing. She greeted me with warmth as though I had been a one of her homegirls from London. She told she is excited to be dong the tour and wanted to hit as many cities as she could. I had to keep it brief because at this point she wanted to hang out and chill, but she did be so kind as to stop and take a few more photographs with the girls. I hopefully we can gain a more detailed interview in the future. I am denying to ask are you really searching for that “American Boy”. Her album Shine will be dropping in the US on April 29th so be sure to go and pick that up, I guarantee you want be disappointed. Until then check out her tour schedule on her myspace page. www.myspace.com/estelleonline

One to One with Vanessa and Angela Simmons

So I sat down with these beautiful ladies yesterday while they are in Atlanta promoting their new spring line for Pastry Shoes, we also got a chance to speak on their involvement with The Girl Scouts of America, careers outside of Pastry’s and the new season of Run’s House with the newest edition to baby Miley.

Although the ladies wouldn’t crack on detail about who’s dating who. We do know that Angela is currently dating Terry Kennedy (TK) the skate boarder from the MTV show Viva La Bam and Pharrell’s skate team. I caught a cutesy pic of them from of all places myspace.

Go Ang...they make a cute couple.

I must admit these ladies are absolutely gorgeous; their personalities were sweet as pie. They spoke with such articulation and grace. They made sitting down and having conversation feel like we have been old friends.

I apologize for the choppy video, I am learning. Just another day in the life of a writer trying to make it happen.






If you would like to hear the entire video click link http://www.zshare.net/audio/10042345114df37d/
Thanks M. White at FindEntertainmentNow.com for recording.

You can check out the new line of Pastry at www.pastrykicks.com/ . The girls have expanded the line to sandals, gym bags, clothes and other tasty treats. You can now get Pastry Shoes at other various online retailers that include www.solestruck.com, http://www.finishline.com/, www.zappos.com.

CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAHPHER D. BLANKS SHOWCASES “ALTER EGO”

Monday night hosted a red carpet list of artsy, trendy, Atantans for celebrity photographer D. Blanks and his “Alter Ego” pictorial exhibit. Alter Ego introduces us to breath taking photos of celebrities that dared to face themselves through an alter ego.

For those of you who are not familiar with the photography of D. Blanks let’s take a walk through some of his work and clients. Derek’s work has been featured in many high profile magazines, and at several national galleries, all while working with A-list of celebrity clients from Usher, Brandy, Mary Mary, Tracy Edmonds, and Ludacris, to name a few.

The event gave way to support from many fellow Atlanta superstars, Mychal Knight from Project Runway and the K$D Suite, who is featured in a pictorial came thru to show love.

Along side Janelle Monae, Cee-Lo Greene, newbie’s on the scene Dorian (College Hill- ATL), Shavon (College Hill- ATL), and Nicole Garner, The Garner Circle PR. And lastly, my personal fav. T.I. Yeap that’s right straight off house arrest for six months he and cutesy Tiny came out to share this night with Derek.
And this is just a short list.

Other celebrity guest included Bree (ANTM – Cycle 5) and Camille McDonald (ANTM –Cyclye 2 ), you guys remember her. She gained fame from Cycle by refusing to change her walk from her signature pose, you know the one that was going to make her famous. I have to say guys don’t believe everything on T.V. she is the nicest chic ever. She is working on a lingerie line check it out at http://www.lingerwear.com/, not much to it yet but soon very soon. Cristal Steverson, Flava of Love and Charm School was also in attendance. She has worked a lot with Derek. Check out her myspace for some shots. (www.myspace.com/seriouslycristalfanpage)

When asked about his alter ego project, Derek states,
"The people that we see everyday have so many sides to their personalities besides what we see at that moment. This collection allows them to show these sides unapologetically. If it wasn't my own work, I'd still think it was amazing!"

“Alter Ego” is a follow up to his previous project “Daughters of Men", a photo essay book featuring Sanaa Lathan, Beyonce Knowles and Yolanda Adams.

Besure to check out Derek Blanks and his beautiful work at www.dblanks.com www.myspace.com/dblanksphotos.

Thanks April Love for the personal invite.