Philly’s own Daryl Hall and John Oates Present the Annual Hoagienation music festival on Saturday, May 23rd. Along with Hall & Oates there’s Kool & The Gang, The Hooters, Melanie Fiona and The Soul Survivors, just to name a few. Hoagie Nation will take place at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd & Parkside. For tickets and information log onto hoagienation.com.
The Roots Picnic will take place at the Mann Center, 52nd & Parkside, Saturday, May 30th featuring Meek Mill, Snoh Aalegra, DJ Diamond Kuts, Summer Walker and DaBaby, to name a few. Plus, there’s the Roots Present Soul with Musiq Soulchild, SWV and Brandy. For tickets and information, log onto rootspicnic.com/philly
Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre, have a podcast. It’s all part of the launch of their new lifestyle brand Sable Labs. The podcast will be a chance to explain the creation and goal of Sable Labs, and answer some relationship questions from the fans. By the way, Sable is Elba’s spelled backwards. Elba and Dhowre say they want to create a Coupledom community to share their experiences and help others communicate better. The Coupledom podcastlaunched on earlier this month on Valentine’s Day.
Tyler Perry has a new show and a reboot coming to BET. First up, House Of Payne is coming to BET with new episodes. Cast members Allen Payne, LaVan Davis, Cassi Davis Patton, Lance Gross, Demetria McKinney, China Anne McClain, Larramie “Doc” Shaw and Keshia Knight Pulliam will all reprise their original roles. No word yet on how the short lived spinoff The Paynes, that was on OWN, will wrap up its storylines. The second show is called Assisted Living and will star David and Tamala Mann reprising their roles of Mr. Brown and Cora from Meet The Browns. The show finds the two investing in a run-down home for the elderly with their partner Vinny, played by J. Anthony Brown (The Steve Harvey Morning Show). Both House Of Payne and Assisted Living are slated to debut this summer on BET.
Actress Lark Voorhies is going public with her struggles with a mental disorder and being left out of the reboot of the show that launched her career. Back in the early 1990’s, Voorhies was part of NBC’s transition out of Saturday morning cartoons into teen targeted programming. She was on the hit Saved By The Bell with Mario Lopez (Access Hollywood), Dustin Diamond, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (90210), Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Mixed-ish; NYPD Blue) and Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls) playing high schoolers in the Saturday morning sitcom as part of NBC’s TNBC line up. Voorhies, an original cast member, played Lisa Turtle and stayed with the show four years. Voorhies went on the Dr. Oz show this week. She, her doctor (Dr. Modir) and her mom (Tricia) talked about Voorhies’ battle with mental illness and it causing her to be snubbed by her Saved By The Bell co-stars. There’s also a reboot of the show coming. While Diamond and Thiessen won’t be participating, Voorhies confirmed she was not asked back. The 45-year old actress told Dr. Oz she did feel slighted and hurt being left out of the reboot and other cast events. Voorhies says she also realizes her disorder is part of the equation for that. She told Dr. Oz she does hear multiple voices in her head, but the specific disorder wasn’t identified. Voorhies’ mother Tricia, though by her side now, reportedly confirmed to the media her daughter suffered from mental illness years ago. At the time, Voorhies denied it calling it fictional. Today, the two are doing better as Voorhies treatment continues. Tricia confirmed as Voorhies’ mom, she’s struggled a lot, but Voorhies’ doctor has helped her accept the situation and its challenges for her and her daughter.
NBA Star Dwyane Wade is feeling the heat after going public about his 12-year old becoming transgender, but so are his critics. Rappers Boosie and Young Thug went on social media with their reaction to Zaya Wade, who was born a boy named Zion, transitioning and identifying as female. Boosie issued a profanity laced reaction and told Dwyane Wade he was tripping and that he’s gone too far. Social media went in on Boosie and the 37-year old’s felony conviction and the 8 children he has as a single dad. Then there was Young Thug who tweeted toward the 12 year old God Don’t Make Mistakes But Hey Live Your True Self. Young Thug was promptly called out for being a grown man worrying about a 12-year old’s status and for wearing dresses himself. At press time no reaction from Dwyane Wade or stepmother/wifeGabrielle Union.
We remember the iconic Singer/Songwriter/Dancer/Actress and everyone’s favorite next door neighbor Ja’Net DuBois. DuBois’ signature role was as Willona Woods who had a heart of gold and gossip to match in the CBS sitcom Good Times. DuBois got her start on the stage in the 60’s, most notably appearing with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Louis Gossett, Jr. in Golden Boy in 1964. Television and film work followed including Five On The Black Hand Side. An appearance on the Richard Pryor and Paul Mooney written episode of Sanford & Son began her long association with Norman Lear and his company. Lear cast her as Willona in Good Times from 1974-79. A year later when Good Times sister show and All In The Family spinoff The Jeffersons premiered, Lear tapped DuBois to co-write and sing the theme song, which was used all 11 seasons of The Jeffersons’ run. DuBois other notable work included A Piece Of The Action with Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka with Keenen Ivory Wayans and she was cast as Grandma Ellington on The Wayans Bros TV show. DuBois won an Emmy for her voice work on the Eddie Murphy animated sitcom The PJ’s. Tributes poured in from Norman Lear and the surviving members of the Good Times cast including her TV daughter Superstar Singer Janet Jackson, who did a very touching tribute since they stayed in touch all these years. At press time no cause of death has been released. Ja’net DuBois was 74 years old.
Actress Esther Scott has died. She’s the woman whose face you know from the films The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith, Dreamgirls with Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson, and the TV shows E.R., Beverly Hills 90210, Full House, Heart Of Dixie and The Steve Harvey Show. Her highest profile appearance was probably in Boyz In The Hood. Scott played Grandma who ran up the steps with a cleaver to chase Cuba Gooding (Tre) out her granddaughter’s room. Published reports say Scott suffered a heart attack at age 66.
Actor Shemar Moore (S.W.A.T.; Criminal Minds; The Young & The Restless) confirmed the loss of his mother Marylin Joan Wilson-Moore. Shemar Moore went on social media with pictures of the two of them and called his mom his best friend and partner in crime. Moore says he’s stunned and heartbroken but will have to figure out life without her because that’s what she’d want. Over the years, Moore organized and participated in several charitable events to raise awareness and funds to fight Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which his mother suffered from over 20 years. Moore didn’t confirm her cause of death, but noted her heart issues and the MS. Marylin Joan Wilson-Moore passed on February 8th at the age of 76.
Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant’s funeral services have been held and the public memorial services have been finalized. The Bryant family held the funeral for the NBA legend and his rising basketball star daughter last Friday in a small private ceremony. The family has announced the public memorial will take place this Monday the 24th. The service will take place at the Staple Center with special invited guests and the other seating will be first come first serve as a ticketed event. Word is security will be shutting down the streets leading up to the event as was done with the Michael Jackson memorial. At press time, the networks haven’t yet announced coverage, but definitely expect the service to be streamed. The memorial date 2-24-20 is significant because 2 was Gianna’s number, 24 was Kobe’s number and 20 is the number of years Bryant played in the NBA.
The Essence Festival has been announced. The legendary magazine is celebrating 50 years in publication. It’s annual New Orleans celebration, which is now Essence’s signature, returns for the Fourth Of July.Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, Raphael Saadiq, Summer Walker, Jidenna and Tamia will all take to the main stage with more acts to come. The Essence Festival will take place July 1-5th.
Congratulations to our WDAS-FM Women Of Excellence: Bumi Fernandez West, CEO of the Odunde Festival; NBC 10 Anchor Tracy Davidson, weekday mornings 4am to 7am; Anita T. Conner, Managing Partner of Anita T. Conner & Associates; Tiffany Tavarez, VP of Community Relations, Wells Fargo; and Catherine Hicks, Publisher of The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Logonto wdasfm.com for all the details and the announcements for our WDAS-FM 2020 Women Of Excellence festivities.
The NAACP Image Awards 2020 will honor Rihanna with the President’s Award. The NAACP released a statement that the singer/songwriter/entrepreneur is being honored for her special achievement and distinguished public service. The heritage civil rights organization is also honoring Rihanna’s philanthropy and commitment to justice. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett, Anthony Anderson, Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross are among those with multiple nominations. The Neighborhood and Black-ish have multiple TV comedy nominations and Queen Sugar and Godfather Of Harlem have multiple TV drama nominations. Multiple film nods went to Us, Queen & Slim, Harriet and Dolemite Is My Name including one for our hometown Philly Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name). Beyonce, Lizzo and H.E.R. lead the music nominations. The 51st Annual NAACP Image Awards airs this Saturday, February 22nd on BET.
My favorite documentary show UnSung is returning February 23rd to TV One. UnSung follows some of our favorite performers who don’t get the credit they deserve for their work and how impactful it’s been. The show takes us behind the scenes to show us what happened with those artists and both sides of their journey. This season features Al Jarreau, Roxanne Shante, Goodie Mob, Christopher Williams, Betty Wright and our own Billy Paul. UnSung premieres with Dru Hill at 10pm this Sunday, February 23rd on TV One.
The Clark Sisters TV bio pic will premiere Easter weekend. The made for TV movie will focus on the rise of the sisters from their beginnings in Detroit to gospel royalty. The Clark Sisters mother, Mattie Moss Clark, is played by Aunjanue Ellis (Undercover Brother) and the sisters will be played by Christina Bell (Twinkie), Kierra Sheard (Karen), Shelea Frazier (Dorinda), Raven Goodwin (Denise) and Angela Birchett (Jacky). And yes, Gospel Singer Kierra Sheard is playing her mom Karen Clark Sheard in the movie. The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel is produced by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and May J. Blige and premieres Saturday, April 11th at 8pm on Lifetime.
Kevin Hart is on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine.
Essence magazine undergoes its new bi-monthly format. Instead of 12 times a year, it’s now six. The debut is the January/February issue with the incredible story of Kenyan-born refugee turned Supermodel Halima Aden.
Tyler Perry is on the cover of Ebony magazine’s Power 100 List for the March 2020 issue.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Friday, February 28th – Tiffany Haddish comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, March 7th– The Millennium Tour starring Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Soulja Boy, Lloyd, Ying Yang Twins and Sammie at The Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Broad Street between Montgomery and Cecil B. Moore Avenues. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, March 28th – Charlie Wilson in concert at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, April 4th –Martin Lawrence hosts The Lit AF 2020 Comedy Tour starring Michael Blackson, Donnell Rawlings, Benji Brownand more at The Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Broad Street between Montgomery and Cecil B. Moore Avenues. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, April 18th – Marlon Wayans comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Friday, May 1st – Patti LaBelle in concert at Caesars in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, May 16th – Sinbad comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Thursday, July 9th – Janet Jackson’s Black Diamond World Tour 2020 with new music and a special performance of Rhythm Nation at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com
Sunday, August 9th – Alicia Keys in ALICIA: The World Tour concert at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto themetphilly.com
Thursday, August 27th – John Legend in concert at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto themetphilly.com
If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day.