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:  SOURCE:  YOSHI’S OAKLAND

FRI 12.11

Five-time Grammy®-winning bassist/composer

Victor Wooten feat. JD Blair

DOORS: 7:30 PM / SHOW: 8:00 PM

Regaled as the most influential bassist since Jaco Pastorius, Five-time Grammy®-winning musician Victor Wooten is known for his solo recordings and tours, and as a member of the Grammy-winning supergroup, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. An innovator on the bass guitar, as well as a talented composer, arranger, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Victor has recently toured with Stanley Clarke and on a co-bill with guitar master Jimmy Herring. Continuing the tradition of virtuosity forged by James Brown, Funkadelic and Prince. Victor has won almost every major award given to a bass guitarist. He was voted Bassist of the year by Bass Player Magazine three times and is the only person to have won the award more than once.  READ MORE..

SOURCE:  SgentNation

 

SUN 12.13

One of gospel music’s first families

THE HAWKINS FAMILY

DOORS: 5:30 PM / SHOW: 6:00 PM

The Hawkins Family is one of gospel music’s first families. Their success in the music industry is unparalleled. Together, they have garnered and are the recipients of gospel music’s most coveted awards.  READ MORE…

SOURCE:  Darius Henson

SOURCE:  OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB 2.0

This Year’s Best of the Best
If there is a greater pleasure than reading, it is recommending to others works by writers one loves. During the holiday season, O magazine is extra festive, figuring out which of the hundreds of books we’ve read since January we liked best.

• The best books of 2015
• Award-winning books you should read next
• What’s your reading personality?
• O‘s new little book to inspire and renew

 

SOURCE;  BLACKNEWS.COM

NEW BOOK SHEDS LIGHT ON TEMPTATIONS, HYPOCRISY AND SCANDALS IN TODAY’S BLACK CHURCH

New York, NY — According to ABC News, 83% of Americans say they are Christians.But Faye Thompson, author of Slippin Sippin Saints says, “What happens before we return home? Who’s sitting next to you on that pew? Whose icy stares are stabbing you in the back on the prayer line? Who’s competing with whom, and they don’t even know it? Who’s hooking up right after the benediction? Who are you about to jack up in the parking lot?”

She adds, “Let’s face it: The church is simply not what it used to be; on any given day a mega church can rival the best reality show showcasing the Seven Deadly Sins.”

Faye, who is a retired federal government employee, puts pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth on full display in her new fourth novel, Slippin Sippin Saints (Ultra Pearl Power). The book takes a salacious peek inside the flawed flock of New Yorks Church of the One Way, where image is everything and nothing is what it seems. It is available on Amazon and multiple platforms in both paperback ($12.95) and e-Book ($4.99).

Slippin Sippin Saints channels eateries, local celebrities and trendy spots in Queens, New York as the backdrop for this steamy novel which tells the story of six main characters: Price and Sable Alexandra, Bubbles Dupree, Chunkie White, Missionary Lilly White and Pastor David Dante – spiraling out of control in their quest for importance, lust and deception. Illuminating lascivious temptations in a fictitious mega church, Slippin Sippin Saints spotlights desperate souls wrestling with desire and vice as they seek salvation. From its jaw-dropping opener to its stunning climax, and unforgettable ending, this novel, scratches the guiltiest itch, leaving readers breathlessly craving more.

Faye Thompson is already a best-selling author. Her first novel, In Her Mothers Shadow was critically acclaimed and a Barnes & Noble chart-topper. Subsequent books include: Cheesecake and Teardrops and Red-Hot Pepper.

SOURCE:  JossStoneOfficial

RECORDING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – JOSS STONE – THIS AIN’T LOVE

SOURCE:  Ascot Media Group, Inc.

Use the Force: Finding Your Inner Yoda to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness

 Asheville, NC – Tapping into your own “Jedi Force” may be easier than you think.  Just ask Joshua P. Warren, author of Use the Force: A Jedi’s Guide to the Law of Attraction.  Warren has done extensive research on the law of attraction and his insights provide a unique perspective on how to get what you want.  Whether your desires and dreams are made of piles of money, good health, exotic vacations, or simply for the guy in front of you in line at Starbucks to pay-it-forward, Warren claims his secrets to finding your “Jedi Force” may very well work for you.     

In Use the Force, Warren acts as Yoda to your Luke, guiding and navigating your way to reveal how-to draw on the universe’s energy.  He provides thought-provoking exercises on how you can command this power to attract the life you want.  A key segment of his instruction is learning how to train your mind to hone in on your intention, enhance your connection to the universe, and ensure that your actions, words and thoughts are in harmony with accomplishing your goals.  

“Ever since Star Wars was introduced to the masses, we’ve all had that wistful daydream of using ‘the Force’ in our own lives,” says Warren.  “Actually, we don’t have to settle for daydreaming about the things we want.  All that’s needed is the special know-how to channel your inner power.”   

Joshua P. Warren is a world traveler and has extensive experience investigating metaphysical phenomena.  Author of more than 20 books, he has appeared on The History Channel, Discovery, and the Travel Channel imparting his research and findings.  He is the director of the Wishing Machine project. 

SOURCE:  BLACKNEWS.COM

REMARKABLE 19-YEAR-OLD JAZZ VOCALIST IMPRESSES SEASONED PROFESSIONALS WITH DEBUT ALBUM

Phoenix, AZ — Even as the title of Tomorrow the debut album from Phoenix’s Ira Hill hints at a bright future for the sensational 19-year-old jazz vocalist, it pays its dues to the past by means of an attentive and eclectic set list. In spite, if not also because of Hill’s gloriously extroverted vocalese, the album comes across as a vividly personal journey. Hill’s tender delivery is much more mature than his years, ensuring that Tomorrow is certain to invite a new generation of enthusiasts to appreciate the genre, while impressing scores of seasoned musicians and jazz aficionados.. “Ira Hill possesses all the ingredients that precede a rise to stardom as a jazz vocalist,” said internationally acclaimed jazz, blues and symphony pops vocal luminary, Dr. Dee Daniels. “The fact that he is only 19-years-old could lead one to believe in reincarnation. The composer, educator and mentor continued excitedly, “I suggest you keep your eyes and ears on Ira to witness his journey to global recognition!”

The albums core trio – pianist John Proulx, bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Dave Tullgives young Hill all the space both he and his listeners need to luxuriate in the breadth of his sound. With the trio alone, he turns evergreens like My Funny Valentine and Tomorrow’s Another Day even greener. The hallmark of any jazz singer is not only the way in which he lays out the melodies, but also the way in which he infuses the lyrics with soul. At a tender 19, Hill navigates a familiar songbook as if it were his own, singing as one who means every word. Balancing sophistication and fun, he brings his all to every tune with panache, gratitude and always with a smile.

But it’s really in Afro Blue, the albums slick opener, that one gets the immediacy of his feel for groove and atmosphere. Integrated seamlessly into the trio, along with vibraphonist Craig Fundyga, percussionist Alex Acuna and reedman Doug Webb, Hill buffs every edge until it fits flush with the next.

At every turn of Tomorrow, one can count on a rich, emotional directness in Hills singing. He incorporates several timeless favorites into the album’s repertoire, including an uplifting Billies Bounce; the scintillating staccato of Cloudburst in which he duets with The Manhattan Transfers Cheryl Bentyne; a swinging Ill Remember April and bright Youve Proven Your Point, which ends the album on a Latin vibe, paying tribute to Iras childhood, spent partly south of the border. In all of these, one encounters Iras gifts for rhythm and tonal color in spades. Tomorrow is certain to be a much-appreciated holiday gift-giving favorite!

“Ira Hill is coming out of the gate strong. Just in his first week at radio, his CD has hit the Most Added Charts at CMJ and Jazzweek, including the Biggest Gainer Chart,” hailed music promoter Kari Gaffney. “Tomorrow is showing significant promise among the crowded field of jazz releases primed for the end of year push at radio.”

SOURCE:  Ira Hill Music