TRENDS, TRAVEL, FILM, HISTORY and BOOKS

Trends, Travel, Film, History and Books provide readers with information that might be off the beaten path of their traditional news sources.   Whether its innovation, unique travel, classic or new age films and documentaries, looking at history from a different perspective or discovering new and established authors, it brings a fresh look to things that are either old or new again.

SOURCE:  OWN / OPRAH.COM

Captivating Novels You Can Finish in a Weekend
Grab your coziest blanket and settle in with one of these fast-paced books that will keep you reading until the wee hours of the morning.

• 3 books for a long winter weekend
• Instant classics for the modern reader
• Page-turners you’ll tear through
• Mysteries with brilliant, believable female detectives

SOURCE:  YOSHI’S OAKLAND

Chante Moore is a critically acclaimed R&B, Jazz & Gospel singer born February 17, in San Francisco, California. The daughter of a minister, she was influenced early on by her father’s piano playing and the gospel music that could be heard throughout the house. It wasn’t until the age of 16 that Chante (whose name appropriately means “sing” in French) felt the pull to pursue a musical career after appearing in a high-school production of The Wiz.

With contacts from her musician brother, she recorded demos at home and marketed them to major labels. Her hard work paid off and in the late ’80s, Moore was signed to Warner Brothers Records. For reasons unknown, she was let go by Warner Bros. after recording songs for a debut album that was never officially released.

But MCA recognized Moore’s talent and quickly offered her a deal. In 1996, Chante Moore married actor Kadeem Hardison, with whom she had a daughter named Sophia. Although it would be three years until her next release, she appeared on soundtracks for Waiting To Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Two Can Play That Game.

Singers like Toni Braxton and “Prince” even came knocking on her door in search of her input and musical prowess. Moore then became a whirlwind of creativity, releasing two albums in two years: This Moment Is Mine in 1999 (“Chante”s Got A Man”), which got her a Grammy nomination, and then she recorded Exposed, the following year.

Moore amicably divorced Hardison in 2000. On January 1st, 2002, Moore married fellow famous singer Kenny Lattimore in Jamaica. She then proceeded to create an album of love songs with Lattimore, which received many accolades and spawned the hit single, “Loveable.” Chante and Kenny Divorced in January 2013.

In 1991 Chante was signed to MCA records under the Silas label imprint. In 1992 her first album “Precious” (Loves Taken Over & It’s Alright) went gold. Her second albums came out in 1994 “A Love Supreme” (Old School Lovin) and 1999 “This Moment Is Mine” (Chante’s Got A Man) which was nominated for a Grammy.

Chante has recorded with several platinum and Grammy Award winning artist including; Kenny G, Bony James, Prince, R.Kelly, Isley Brothers, George Duke, Norman Brown, Fourplay, Keith Washington, Will Downing, El Debarge and many others. In addition, she’s done over 40 soundtracks and collaborations.

1992 NAACP nomination for Outstanding New Artist and won the award in 1996 for the “Waiting to Exhale” Soundtrack. In 1996 Chante was nominate and won an American Music Award for the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack (Wey U). Chante was nominate and won several Soul Train Awards including: In 2000 her hit song Chante’s Got A Man was nominated for a Single Of The Year- Female.

That single was certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies in USA. In 2002, Chante won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single for “Contagious” featuring The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly.

In 2004, a “20th Century Masters” greatest hits collection was released with some of Chante’s most memorable songs, demonstrating Chante’s 8-octave vocal range. In 2004 Chante signed to Arista Records and released covers of duets entitled “Things That Lovers do”.

And in 2006 a 2nd album entitled Covered/Uncovered of duets was released, a double-CD of gospel and R&B love songs. In 2007, Chante starred in the stage play “By Any Means Necessary,” along with Tisha Campbell, D. Hollister and Shar Jackson.

In 2008, Moore released a solo album entitled “Love The Woman”. In the summer of 2009 Chante appeared in Jim & Gina Pickens live stage production of Otis Sallid’s Gospel! Gospel! Gospel!

TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY’S “CHOIR BOY” NOW PLAYING AT STUDIO THEATRE IN WASHINGTON, DC

SOURCE:  Blacknews.com

“History and secret histories, the things that free us and the things that tie us to the past are all examined in this exhilarating, multi-layered new play.” — The Guardian

(left to right) Jaysen Wright, Jonathan Burke, Eric Lockley, and Jelani Alladin in ‘Choir Boy’ at Studio Theatre. The hit stage play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by Kent Gash, continues through February 22, 2014. Photo Courtesy: Igor Dmitry / Blacknews.com

Washington, DC — Studio Theatre is beginning the new year with Choir Boy, the play by MacArthur Genius Fellow Tarell Alvin McCraney. “It is a pleasure to welcome Tarell back to Studio with this play,” says Artistic Director David Muse. Choir Boy is a powerful story about tradition and coming of age played against the backdrop of a gospel choirs five-part harmony. Kent is a director I’ve wanted to work with for some time, and he brings an authentic and deep appreciation for Tarells writing and this story in all its facets.”

McCraneys unique voice and sharp writing has long been celebrated at Studio. Choir Boy marks the fourth McCraney play produced by Studio Theatre, having produced the full trilogy of The Brother/Sister Plays: The Brothers Size (2008), In the Red and Brown Water (2010), and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet (2011).

About the Play

For 50 years, the elite boarding school Charles R. Drew Prep has stood by its traditions and prepared young black men to lead. But times and finances have changed, and the pressure on Drews legendary gospel choir is high. So when Pharus, an ambitious and talented student, is told to ignore a gay slur to take his place as the choirs leader, he has to decide who he is and what he’s willing to fight for. A music-filled story of masculinity and tradition, coming of age and speaking your truth.