The Wiz Is Coming To NY's City Center!!!

The Broadway musical that gave us “Ease On Down the Road” and may have inspired a vintage-1980s electronics retail chain is coming back: New York City Center announced that it would stage a revival of “The Wiz” as its Encores! Summer Stars production.

The original musical, a modern-day retelling of L. Frank Baum’s “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” with an African-American cast, won seven Tony Awards, including best musical, in 1975. The Encores! revival will be directed by and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler (who collaborated on “In the Heights”), and is scheduled to run from June 12 through July 3.

No casting has been announced. (hmmm...wonder when the auditions are for THIS show.)

OMIGOD!!! This is my most FAVORITE Broadway Show Ever!!! (Dreamgirls runs a close second). My Aunt Jessie gave me my first ticket in 1975 and I saw this production FOUR TIMES when it was on Broadway with Stephanie Mills...I still have the red hair ribbon that she wore in the show and her autograph in my scrapbook. One of my dreams came true when I got to play the role of Evillene in a production produced by The New York Youth Theater. It was one of the best times of my life...for real.

Check it out!



You KNOW i'mma check this one out....Alex! Look for your phone to ring shortly!

Jennifer Hudson Set to Perform on The Oprah Winfrey Show This Friday! 2/27

Morning fam....

Tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, February 27th to see Jennifer Hudson perform "If This Isn't Love"!

No details were available on whether Hudson will also sit down for an interview with Oprah on Friday’s show.

The Oprah Winfrey Show airs weekdays on ABC at 4pm EST.

"All I can tell you really is if you get to the point where someone is telling you that you are not great or not good enough, just follow your heart and don't let anybody crush your dream."
- Patti Labelle

Paula Deen Moons Miami at Food Festival

The Lady loses her baggy pants before a crowd of foodies at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival as company sues chef over kitchen gadgets
by Sara Bonisteel/Photo by John Parra, WireImage


Hey y'all! It was moon over Miami as a crowd full of foodies got a heaping portion of Paula Deen when her pants fell down during a cooking demonstration.

The faux pas came just days after Deen was sued for reneging on a contract to sell her kitchen gadgets.

The original Bag Lady was attending the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival on Feb. 22 when her baggy pants slipped down. And it was all caught on tape by a blogger for the Miami New Times.

"Wait! My britches are falling down," the silver-haired chef exclaims in the video. "Look at them!"

Deen pulled up her white pants, which were weighted down with microphone equipment, and strutted around the stage. But as she turned to get started in the Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen, her pants slipped down and Deen mooned the crowd with her beige underpants.

"Oh my god," she said. "Did y'all see much?"



It was a lighthearted moment that came just two days after Deen's company was sued by Nitches, Inc., for unspecified damages over a deal to sell a line of kitchen products bearing her name, TMZ.com reported.

The suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, alleges Deen signed the deal allowing Nitches exclusive rights to sell items bearing the Georgia chef's name. TMZ.com said the items include pancake molds, egg molds, barbecue materials, potpourri, baking timers and aprons.

Deen hosts several cooking shows on the Food Network.

source: aolfood.com

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

- Virginia Woolf

Meet David & Tamela Mann

David and Tamela Mann have been at the forefront of the contemporary gospel movement long before spirituality became cool in Hollywood.

The happily married couple – 20 years and counting – began their musical journey as members of Kirk Franklin & The Family.

It was their voices on songs like 'The Reason Why I Sing,' 'Now Behold The Lamb,' 'Lean on Me' and 'He's Able' that helped make Franklin into a household name.

After record company politics and other extenuating circumstances – read: lawsuit – caused the tumultuous end to The Family as a recording entity, The Mann's hit the road with an upstart playwright named Tyler Perry.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Though the Fort Worth, Texas-bred twosome have likely toured every city in the United States in Perry productions like 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself,' 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman,' 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman,' 'What's Done In The Dark;' the two are now enjoying delivering their message of inspiration, encouragement and humor both on the big screen in 'Madea Goes To Jail' and on television with 'Meet The Browns.'

Read the rest of the story here

Source: AOL BV Buzz

I feel so silly - I am just finding all of this info about this talented duo just now.

Ruben Studdard Gets New Record Deal

Season two 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard has landed a new deal with Sony/ATV's Hickory Records in partnership with 19 Entertainment.


'American Idol' contestant Elliott Yamin is also signed to the label.


Currently on the road touring in the revival of the Broadway musical, 'Ain't Misbehavin'' alongside fellow 'American Idol' contestants Frenchie Davis and Trenyce, Studdard unveiled his new single 'Together' on AOL Music last week. The song will be available in retail outlets come March 17.


The 31-year-old crooner will release his fourth CD, 'Love Is,' on May 17.

To read the rest of this story: click here

Source: BVBuzz

Happy Birthday Tamitha Denton!!!

This is a special birthday shoutout to my baby sis, Tammi; who is currently over in Iraq serving in the US Army and trying to keep the peace in the Middle East....

Special thanks to my brother-in-law, Johnny Denton for the pics! Can't wait to meet you Boo!

Happy Birthday Sis, Come Home Soon!!!

Muah!!

Love You!

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

LAWYER QUITS HUDSON MURDER CASE

By Associated Press
7:05 PM CST, February 23, 2009

CHICAGO (AP) — The lawyer for a man accused of killing the mother, brother and nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson has withdrawn from the case.

Joshua Kutnick will no longer represent William Balfour, who is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia. Kutnick says he believes Balfour is innocent, but the high-profile case involves intense hours and requires resources that he can't support financially.

Kutnick, a solo practitioner, says a solid defense requires expenses like expert witnesses, clerical staff and psychiatrists. The 27-year-old Balfour will be assigned a public defender.

The bodies of Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson were discovered Oct. 24 at their South Side home. Julian King's body was found days later. Balfour, who has pleaded not guilty, is next due in court April 1.

Public defender eh? No money? Innocent or Guilty, it doesn't matter now....the likelihood of him being convicted just increased tenfold......uptown we already KNOW how this is gonna go down.....

"No one with a serious charge can put up a proper defense in the limited time I have received from the public defender's office."

- Asa Meek

Red Carpet Arrivals: The 81st Annual Academy Awards

Hmmm...my plus sized Divas were largely missing from the Red Carpet and the Academy Awards broadcast....but Queen Latifah held it down nicely for the curvy girl nation both on stage and on the Red Carpet....

and here's her red carpet interview with Ryan Seacrest:




Also looking FABU on the Red Carpet were:

Viola Davis & Taraji P Henson

Alicia Keys looked beautiful in purple

Good Morning America's Robin Roberts

And of course....Beyonce

"This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from and those who will benefit. The humility I feel is staggering, and I know it will stay with me for the rest of my life."

— Jerry Lewis, while accepting an Oscar for humanitarian work.

Clay Aiken Dropped From Record Label?

(Feb. 20) - Will the Claymates be left without a new album from their favorite 'American Idol' runner-up anytime soon?

According to Radar, Clay Aiken has been dumped from his record label -- RCA -- following in the tradition of other 'Idol' alums, including Blake Lewis, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard.

The Online magazine claims Aiken's information is missing from RCA's Web site.

Radar speculates that the record company might have dropped the 'Invisible' singer because of recent revelations in his personal life -- including having a child out of wedlock by his much older friend and revealing that he is gay.

Source: Popeater.com

“I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant.”

- Paul Newman

Rip The Runway 2009 - Size Sexy at Hammerstein Ballroom NYC

My curvy Divas DID THE DAMN THING last night on stage at The Hammerstein Ballroom last night. They most certainly RIPPED The Runway last night!!! Of course the "Size Sexy" Segment was the most talked about segment of the show. Showcasing the designs of Douglas Says and Monif C. The line up included Toccara Jones (although, technically she WASN'T in the "Size Sexy" segment) and Keyshia Cole's sister Neffie opened up Monif C's segment.

Enjoy the photos, I am on deadline and I can't write a whole lot at the moment....lol...but there's no need....the pics say it all!

Congrats to my homies! And thank you so much for making me proud!

Catch up with me later for my "Behind The Scenes" Report complete with exclusive pictures...Eye candy was EVERYWHERE!!!!


The fabulous Toccara Jones!










































































Lady Caramella from the Glamazons,






















Keyshia Cole's Big Sis Neffie























Mia Amber












Ivana Fields























Jeannie Ferguson
















































And Tricia Campbell all in designs by Monif C.



































The Hammerstein Ballroom erupted into cheers when the plus gals took to the runway!









Andi Moore,










Adrienne Washington






















Wendy McKenzie














& Theresa Randolph all shine in designs by Douglas Says

“I do believe that when we face challenges in life that are far beyond our own power, it's an opportunity to build on our faith, inner strength, and courage. I've learned that how we face challenges plays a big role in the outcome of them.” - Sasha Azevedo

**TIVO Alert!!!** Labelle to appear on The View Feb 25th, 2009

Make sure you all tune into ABC TV's The View on Wednesday, February 25th at 11:00 am (est) to catch a glimpse of the newly reunited LABELLE!!! (I Love me some NONA HENDRYX Y'ALL!!!).....Thanks for the heads up Miss Sarah!

Support your local curvy girls!!!!

'When a singer truly feels and experiences what the music is all about, the words will automatically ring true." - Monserrat Caballe

Plus Size Supermodel Emme to be keynote speaker at 2009 WISE Conference

The world’s first full-figured supermodel, Emme, will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) conference April 8 at the Oncenter. The annual event marks its seventh year for motivating aspiring entrepreneurs in Central New York.

A ’85 graduate of SU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, Emme is a vocal advocate for staying fit and healthy, while also staying true to yourself. She was selected twice as one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” and was honored as a Glamour magazine “Woman of the Year.” Recently, Emme has created, me by emme™, a line of comfortable, trendy sportswear in sizes 2-26 available on QVC.

The New York City native also received recognition as host of E! Entertainment Television’s “Fashion Emergency,” and has continued educating women on important issues such as body image, surviving cancer, mothering, and adopting a greener lifestyle.

Emme was awarded a full athletic scholarship from Syracuse University as a member of the crew team, and was invited to both US Olympic and US National Team trials. She was later inducted into the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame and the Letterman of Distinction for her contribution to women’s athletics and the sport of rowing.

The one-day symposium is expected to draw nearly 1,000 women for events ranging from seminars and panel discussions offering advice, to motivational speeches from successful women business owners, and networking opportunities.

Registration for WISE is now open and costs $65 until March 31. Starting April 1, registration is $100. Full-time students may register for $10. The symposium includes a networking lunch with guest entrepreneurs, as well as the presentation of the Ann Michel WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Award.

For more information or to register, visit www.wiseconference.com, or contact Lindsay Wickham, events coordinator at the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management at (315) 443-3550, or lwickham@syr.edu. Media queries can be directed to Amy Mehringer, director of communications at the Whitman School of Management, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.

Source: SUAthletics.com

"The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We're born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel & experience. It is developed, nurtured and given space to flourish or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and dies."

- Michael Gerber

Red Carpet Arrivals: The 2nd Annual Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon and more.....

My curvy divas sure know how to rock a red carpet.....Check out the pics from Essence Magazine's 2nd Annual Women In Hollywood Luncheon and photos from Fall Fashion Week 09 in NYC:


Niecy Nash Sparkles in Red
Star Trek Alumnus Nichelle Nichols
Mo'Nique Rocks the Bronze....
Mary Mary
Loretta Divine
Actress/Comedienne Kim Coles

Lorraine Toussaint & CCH Pounder at the Brandaid Foundation Launch


Curvy Vocalist Chrisette Michele hit NYC Fall Fashion Week HARD!!!!

In Pink at the Cynthia Steffe Show

In blue at the Armani Fifth Avenue Store Opening NYC
In Denim & Leather at the Alice & Olivia show

Andre Leon Talley makes an appearance at the Marc Jacobs Show

"All fashions are charming, or rather relatively charming, each one being a new striving, more or less well conceived, after beauty, an approximate statement of an ideal, the desire for which constantly teases the unsatisfied human mind." - Charles Baudelaire