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:  YOSHI’S OAKLAND

Judy Collins, Photo Courtesy: Yoshi’s Oakland

Wed 11.4

Groundbreaking singer-songwriter

JUDY COLLINS

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:00 pm

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folk songs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 50 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy’s love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar.

Judy has continued an impressive musical career with an extensive catalog from every decade throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and up to the present. She has also authored several books, including the inspirational memoir entitled Sanity & Grace. She is co-director, with Jill Godmillow, of an Academy Award nominated film about Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world—and Judy’s classical piano teacher when she was young. In 1999, Judy founded her own record label, Wildflower Records, a grass-roots artist driven label committed to nurturing fresh talent.  READ MORE.

SOURCE:  Cal Vid

Bobby Caldwell, Photo Courtesy: Yoshi’s Oakland

Fri 11.20

R&B and smooth jazz stylings

BOBBY CALDWELL

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:00 pm

SOURCE:  BLACKNEWS.COM

INTERNATIONAL R&B/SOUL ARTIST DEVON HOWARD RELEASES NEW CD ‘RETURN TO LOVE’

Nationwide — Its been seven years since International R&B/Soul Recording Artist Devon Howard officially released music. He returns with his new CD entitled Return To Love. Independently released through 313 Music Group, this radio ready, smooth suite of love songs pays homage to the era of classic R&B music

Devon Howard, Photo Courtesy: Blacknews.com

where such songs of love were common. The first official single Could This Be Love, is a surefire hit with its smooth melody and catchy groove.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Devon got his start in the music industry writing and performing with local R&B group Me 2 U, who recorded their debut CD on the RCA label. He then went on to perform with the group Diversiti and eventually ventured out as a soloist, releasing music in the US, Europe and Japan. Soon thereafter, he won the Heineken/ASCAP Initiative for songwriting.

Famed video/movie director Chris Robinson shot the video for Devons breakout hit single Other Side of the Bed, which has played on VH1 Soul, BET and other video outlets around the world. The single played in over 16 markets in the US and gave way to opportunities for Devon to perform around the country, sharing the stage with artists like Dionne Warwick, Ginuwine, Joe and Eric Benet.

With all of his accomplishments, Devon finds time to give back. He has been an advocate for foster children in Baltimore for well over ten years. He recently produced compilation CD featuring local recording artists to help raise money to open a day shelter for homeless youth and young adults. He has performed for and given donations to various charitable organizations including the Red Cross and Americas Harvest.

Return To Love is really just Devon returning to the music he loved growing up. He loves creating music that inspires relationships, heal broken hearts or could just simply play in the background as the soundtrack to your life. This CD is a classic from start to finish.

SOURCE:  Devon Howard

Photo Courtesy: Oprah’s Book Club 2.0

8 Thoughtful Sayings to Steal from Your Favorite Books
Sometimes characters in novels say so perfectly what we need to hear from or say to our spouses and friends in real life. Here are a few lines to try out on the people you most care about (Though don’t be surprised if they get passed back to you).

• Delightful compliments (from literature) you can give anyone
• 6 books to read with your best friend
• The 3 most dangerous stories we tell ourselves
• Need a new pick for your book club? We’ve got 6 captivating suggestions

SOURCE:  BLACKNEWS.COM

“THE URBAN BOYS: DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES” BY K.N. SMITH HOOKS DAZZLES TEENS AND ADULTS ALIKE WITH EMOTION, CINEMATIC-LEVEL ACTION-ADVENTURE

Sacramento, CA — Author K.N. Smith recently announced the anticipated release of her debut fiction novel, The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses, (ISBN-9780989474757, 292 pages, $12.95). Established in the Young Adult and Adult Action-Adventure categories alike, The Urban Boys is an action-

Gripping fictional drama casts good and evil, love and loyalty, and fate in a riveting, new light. Photo Courtesy: Blacknews.com

adventure story about five teen boys who are mysteriously exposed to a foreign energy source that gives them extremely heightened senses. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become hypersensitive gifts that forever change the world. The story chronicles their effortless interrelations and later exposes the testing of their deep bonds, and introduces the reader to an array of supporting characters who alter the boys lives forever.

An established non-fiction writer, Smith chose the teen fiction genre as a way to enhance her daughters (then) high school literary experience, and to engage other youth in literacy development. The Urban Boys offers young and mature readers central themes of loyalty, responsibility, honesty, fear, and triumph, which become artfully integrated with cinematic-level action and high drama. The story twists, turns, and grinds through elements of science-fiction and action-adventure in a diverse, exciting, edge-of-your-seat narrative.