Director Bill Duke’s new movie, “Cover” premieres in Philadelphia

Famed actor and director, Bill Duke attended the world premiere of his new movie, “Cover” in Philadelphia. The movie has an all star cast that features Vivica Fox, Mya, Clifton Davis, Aunjanue Ellis, and Leon making his debut as a gay man. The film, which is bound to spark controversy, is a murder mystery the explores the down low phenomenon in the Black Community. Duke describes the film as a murder mystery yet it is so much more. The film is a masterful blend faith, tolerance and intolerance. It demonstrates the ripple effect of lies, and cautions for safe sex if one knows they are going to cheat. The film seeks to save lives with its message. When asked at the press conference that took place before the screening, Bill was asked to elaborate on the main message that he hopes to send with his film. He replied emphatically with reference to percentages of Black women contracting AIDS, “For 80% of the women that are infected to be infected by men that know they have the disease something is wrong!” “With black people and the growing numbers of AIDS in our community, we have to take responsibility for our behavior,” he said. “We have to become aware of the fact that no one is going to come and save us. You look at the numbers of AIDS cases these days and the federal government is not doing that much, unfortunately. We have to take responsibility for our own community. I don’t know any other culture of men, other than black men, that if you say to them a disease is wiping out 70 percent of their women in terms of new cases, would stand by and watch that. We’re talking about our sisters. We’re talking about our daughters, our nieces and our young men. When you go to the black community, it’s amazing. People still think it’s still a white homosexual disease. It’s insane. It’s killing us. I don’t get it. Something has to be done and that’s what we’re attempting to do.”

Aunjanue Ellis, who plays the lead in the movie, added that he hopes the movie starts a conversation in the Black Community. “ It would be wonderful if this movie helps to just save one life from this deadly disease.” He praised Bill Duke for having the courage to make this movie and to bring it to the big screen. Mya, who also stars in the film praised Duke for his courage and stated that she was proud to be apart of such a meaningful endeavor. The movie which was originally slated to be shot in Los Angles, was shot entirely in the city of Philadelphia. The movie will open on Friday, February 22, 2008 in seven major cities nationwide; Philadelphia, Los Angles, New York, Washington, D.C. Detroit, Baltimore, and Atlanta. Other cast members include, Lou Gossett Jr. and Paula Jai Parker. Photos by Ricky Fitchett Sr.

Clean sweep for Sen. Obama!

Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential candidate, had a big weekend. Not only did he shut out his opponent Hillary Clinton in the last eight primaries, he also shut out her husband, former President, Bill Clinton at the Grammys. Obama and Clinton were both nominated for a Grammy in the spoken word category. Obama won the Grammy to go along with his political wins in the states of Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington State. He also won Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. The Illinois senator, a day after sweeping three more Democratic presidential contests, unveiled an initiative to produce 5 million new jobs in the green energy sector and promised to create a development bank that would invest $60 billion to rebuild the nation's infrastructure.

"We are not standing on the brink of recession due to forces beyond our control," Obama said in Wisconsin, which holds the next Democratic nominating contest on Tuesday.

"It was a failure of leadership and imagination in Washington -- the culmination of decades of decisions that were made or put off without regard to the realities of a global economy."

Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president if he wins the November election, made his remarks in Janesville, Wisconsin.  File Photo by Ricky Fitchett Sr.

Pastor Adelekan Hosts the Credit Evolution Workshop

Pastor Adelekan, Brother Mario Henry and Pastor Irving Fryar pose for photo during Credit Evolution Workshop at Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church on Saturday, February,  9th 2008. The workshop educated attendees on restoring credit rating with credit bureau and home buying. Photo by H. Michael Hammie

Public Enemy, Stanley Clarke, and The Roots  Headline Artist for Heat Concert

Flava Flav was in Philly with Chuck D and Prof. McGriff to give a benefit concert to provide aid for low income households who may be without heat this winter. Artist for Heat is the brainchild of Dan Levin and Mikal Kamil of 3Kingdoms Entertainment. The concert brings together some of the hottest artist in Hip Hop, Jazz and Rock to perform while raising monies and social awareness of the need to assist people may be living without heat. Peco, one of the sponsors, is in their second year of participating in the benefit concert. All of the proceeds from the concert  goes towards Peco's Matching Energy Assistance Program. Peco matches  the funds dollar-for-dollar and helps those most vulnerable.  

Photos by Ricky Fitchett Sr.

Public Enemy one of the most controversial bands in Hip Hop came out and did a monster set of their hits which included, Welcome to the Terrordome,  Bring the Noise, Shut' Em Down, and the of course, Fight The Power (with Clarke on stage.) Showing that they were still activist, Flav and Chuck D talked about the murder rate in Philly and how it needed to stop. Chuck D said, "it broke his heart" when he had heard about it. (more in Entertainment )

The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates 151st Anniversary Of Academy of Music with a Concert and Ball.

Philadelphia Pa.

There was a Red Carpet affair in downtown Philly at the Academy of Music that featured a concert by Billy Joel and the Philadelphia Orchestra, but the main attraction on the red carpet was three Blue Guys. Yes, there were other notables walking the Red Carpet such as Chris Matthew, Mr. and Mrs. Chaka Fattah , Mayor Nutter and wife Lisa, and the Honorable and Mrs. Edward Rendell. But it was the Blue Man group that attracted the most attention. Best known for their wild theatrical shows and concerts, they literally turned the tables on the on the Red Carpet media photographers by slowly walking up to them and taking their pictures with disposable cameras.

Also, gracing the Red Carpet with her presence was Billy Joel’s beautiful wife, Katie Lee Joel. Katie Lee walked in solo because her husband was already inside preparing for his concert. Although it was freezing, ( the red carpet was outside of the theater) Mrs. Joel took off her coat for the media photographers and modeled a very lovely and fashionable green gown. The former Top Chef hostess has a new cookbook coming out soon that is sure to be a best seller.

The affair for the evening was billed as the Academy of music 151st Anniversary Concert and Ball, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Grammy Legend Billy Joel were the main attractions. One would wonder how a 70’s pop icon and a classical orchestra could exist on the same stage but it worked and it worked well. Joel wowed the crowed that mainly consisted of corporate sponsors , with his vast catalog of music. The Orchestra and Joel performed a “World Premier” of Joel’s Waltz No.2 (Steinway Hall) in a new orchestration. Photos by Ricky Fitchett Sr.

Drexel’s Jhalak is the best at PhillyFest!!!!

Philadelphia Pa.

PhillyFest , the Tri-State’s premier South Asian Dance Competition crowned a new Champion and it is the Drexel University Jhalak dance team. Not only did they when for best Female Fusion Dance Team, They also took home the trophy for best dance team and that was not any easy task. Competing against eleven other teams that were separated into three categories, Female Fusion Dance team, Dance Fusion Teams, and Hindi Film Dance Teams, they really had their work cut out for them. Dancing to a Jungle theme that reminded one of the Broadway production of the “Lion King”, Jhalak’s costumes, stage background and props were really outstanding. Their choreography was tight and the music was upbeat. At one point during their routine, a three piece drum line joined them on stage to add to the beat of the jungle.

Penn States Dishoom Dance Team won first place in the Dance Fusion Team competition to the cheers of “We are, Penn State.” Other Teams competing were, Carnegie Mellon Tanah, Emory Sitara, Johns Hopkins Josh, TCNJ Saathiya, Rutgers S.A.P.A and UIUC Ghungroo Dance Co. Also competing were UC Berkley Ishaara, Ucla Naasha, UC Irvine Sitaare and UC San Diego K.Y.A.

The night was hosted by two very funny comedians, Pari and Harvin. In between acts these guys kept the sold out audience at the Merriam Theater rolling in the aisles. They also showed their new music video that is a great parody of Soulja Boys’ “Crank That.” You can find out more about Pari and Harvin by visiting their website at PariandHarvin.com. Learn about PhillyFest 2008 by visiting their website at www.phillyfest.com    Photos by Ricky Fitchett Sr.

Paris Hilton, A Real Hottie!!!  

Philadelphia, Pa.

Hundreds of Paris Hilton fans crowded the Franklin Mills Mall to get an autograph from one of the most famous women in the world. Paris was in town to promote her new movie, "The Hottie and the Nottie" Looking chic as always, Paris walked in to rousing applause and screams of, "We love you Paris." She returned the love by saying how much she loved Philly. And to prove that she did, she took out her cell phone and took a picture of her many fans. Paris Hilton's "The Hottie and the Nottie" opens nationwide on February 8th... MCWS Staff    Photo by Ricky Fitchett Sr.