Listen Live
Listen Live Graphics (Indy)

Donna’s Weekend Entertainment Wrap- Up- March 12, 2017

 

BET's 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors Awards - Arrivals

Source: Paul Archuleta / Getty

Movie about the Essence Festival hits the big screen. I think I‘ve lived this movie! Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish are four best friends who take a girls trip to New Orleans and the Essence Festival. Their trip alone is full of adventures and plenty of laughs similar to “Bridesmaids” or “Hangover”. Larenz Tate (Love Jones) and Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar) is also a part of the cast. Girls Trip hits theaters July 21st.

2015 Toronto International Film Festival - AMBI Gala

Source: George Pimentel / Getty

Speaking of Essence Fest …This Year’s 23rd Annual Essence Fest will be legendary! Mary J. Blige, and Motown Legend Miss Diana Ross will headline the festival.  Also on deck Solange, Chaka Khan, Indy’s own Ro James, Jazmine Sullivan, India.Arie,  Tweet, Shaggy, Michel’le, Yuna and (my fav) Lalah Hathaway will also be performing with more acts to come. The 2017 Essence Fest will be June 29th through July 2nd in New Orleans.

 

2015 Holiday Jam Concert Series - Detroit, Michigan

Source: Scott Legato / Getty

New Edition (old and new) on Tour?  Don’t call it a comeback… but after scoring such high ratings for BET with their mini-series and New Edition is just as popular with a whole new generation! Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill are close to finalizing a tour deal with their mini-series cast members Yazz the Greatest (Bryshere Y. Gray), Luke James, Elijah Kelly, Keith Powers, Algee Smith and Woody McClain. A date hasn’t been set as of yet, but who wouldn’t buy a ticket to see that!!??

2016 Triumph Awards

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Fantasia is on the mend.The former American Idol winner was injured while on her tour bus. Apparently, she was sleeping next to the aromatherapyvaporizer she uses for her vocal chords. The extremely hot water spilled over her arm and Fantasia suffered second degree burns. After being briefly hospitalized, the 32-year old R&B singer/actress announced she’ll be rejoining the tour after being forced to sit out a Memphis date. I happened to check it out when they were in Chicago! Great show!

 

48th NAACP Image Awards - Arrivals

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Gabourey Sidibe can add author to her resume. Sidibe has written the new book “This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare.” Sidibe talks about her very personal decision to have lap band surgery, her type 2 diabetes diagnosis and her teenage battle with bulimia and self-esteem issues. Sidibe says she likes her body now, and hopes to God she doesn’t get skinny! She says she always wants to be a little chubby. She is still on Empire which returns to FOX on Wednesday, March 22nd at 9pm, and her new book, “This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare” is  available in May.

 

2016 March Of Dimes Celebration Of Babies - Arrivals

Source: Jason LaVeris / Getty

Nick Cannon out and Marlon Wayans in? Actually Wayans turned the gig down, to be the new host of America’s Got Talent.  TV Actor Brandon Mychal Smith (Dirty Grandpa, Get On Up as Little Richard) is in the running as well and seems to be the top contender.

 

2016 Democratic National Convention

Source: Bill Clark / Getty

Michelle Obama is on the cover of Ebony Magazine. Ebony has a collectors’ edition…  100 + Of The Most Powerful Women Of All Time is now available and was designed for Women’s History Month.