This week I visited the Northside Elks in the Hill District, the cast party of “Jitney” in the Hill District, CJ’s in the Strip District, Babylon in the Strip District, Tim’s Lounge in the Hill District and Club 21 in the Strip District. My first stop was at Tim’s Lounge in the Hill District where Booda aka Lil Ike celebrated his birthday with family and friends. He is the son of the legendary Sean “Ike” Harris of the Hill District. All the ladies came out to Babylon in the Strip District at Red Carpet Fridays.
This week I visited the Oceans at the River Casino on the North Shore, the William Pitt Student Union in Oakland, Calvary Baptist Church in the Hill District, Club 21 in the Strip District and YaMomz House Recording Studio in East Liberty. My first stop was Club 21 in the Strip District. Hip-hop recording artist Mista Scrap and the crew held it down by presenting an event called “Proud To Be Local” featuring local artists from around the Pittsburgh area. B-Flames and other artists performed for the crowd and ripped up the stage. The party was hot at Jai Legacy’s event at the River’s Casino at Ocean’s Drum Bar.
This week I visited the new hot spot in Downtown Pittsburgh called the Melange Bistro Bar, The Whim in Station Square, The Red Onion in the Hill District, Station Square Amphitheatre in Station Square, The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty and Heat Night Club in the Strip District. My first stop was the Station Square Amphitheatre where B. Marshall Productions held Pittsburgh’s first Spring Bling Concert featuring national recording artist Lil’ Kim, Busta Rhymes, Hurricane Chris and Roscoe Dash. The event was hosted by Rocsi of BET’s 106 and Park and co-hosted by J-Kruz of 101theBlaze.com and Vanessa of SteelCityLive.com. K. Chase Patterson with all the ladies at the “Return of the Kings” event held at Melange.
With the absence of WAMO 106.7FM, B. Marshall Productions was able to pull off what most promoters could not. His company presented Pittsburgh’s first Spring Bling Celebration, May 28 at the Station Square Amphitheatre by promoting the event heavily on his Facebook page, BET television, Brotha Ash Productions, SteelCityLive.com and 101theBlaze.com. SOLID PROMOTION—From left: Promoter B. Marshall, Margo Doss, with Marlo, a representative of Lil’ Kim, and Lil’ Kim at Club Heat in the Strip District. This event featured national recording hip-hop artist Lil’ Kim aka Queen Bee, Busta Rhymes, Hurricane Chris, Yo Gotti and Roscoe Dash. Straight Money Entertainment and Rovalike records started the show. The concert at Station Square’s Amphitheatre was a major success and so was the after-party at Club Heat in the Strip District.
This week I visited Club Heat in the Strip District, CJ’s in the Strip District, Billy’s Gold Door in Homewood, the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, Earl the Pearl’s in Homewood and Phase III in Homewood, Red Onion in the Hill District, and the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville. My first stop was the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville where Rayco War Promotions and Fever Stimulation Beverage presented “War in the East.” This event featured DJ Biz Markie, DJ Boogie of Boogstown.com and Cool V. It was off the chain and look out for more events to come from Rayco War Promotions. The dance floor was hot at CJ’s in the Strip District.
Billed as “the biggest show of the year,” the “Rip the Runway Fashion Show” and the “T.I. Welcome Home Party” ended up being more of a rip-off, according to attendees. The May 22 show held at the Monroeville Convention Center was to feature clothing from T.I.’s new clothing line, Akoo, in addition to other urban wear by Argyle Culture, Coogi, Apple Bottom, Pastries and Rocawear. VIP?—Those with VIP tickets got to see the rapper T.I. at a distance and fans tried to get photos and talk to him. Local artists, including the dance group, District 78; Mano y Mano; Black and Gold Boys; Undalords; Lady Homi; Boaz; Streetz; Clark Kent: Kid Klash; Quizzle the Cannon; Waan Santiago and Danielle Yvonne, performed as models strutted across the cat walk. However, T.I. never performed and didn’t show up until after midnight. The show was billed to be from 9-11 p.m.
This week I visited the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh and The August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Downtown Pittsburgh, The Improv in Homestead, Glenn Campbell’s Celebration Cookout in the Hill District and the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty. My first stop was at the Benedum Center where Groove Productions presented the Classic Soul Music Festival starring Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band, Con Funk Shun, Artistree and comedian Cool-Aide. This event was sold out and everyone was dressed to impress as they enjoyed the soulful sounds of Charlie Wilson. He sang all his old hits and some of the new ones and he shared how God has rescued him and turned his life around. It was a great time for everyone. The Charlie Wilson dancers representin’ at the Benedum Center.
This week I visited the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh, Peabody High School in East Liberty, Kenny’s Place in the Hill District, The New Amsterdam in Lawrenceville, Ava Lounge in East Liberty and the Red Onion in the Hill District. My first stop was at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh where August Wilson’s play “Jitney” was presented featuring Sala Udin and an all-star cast. If you missed this play, you have to check it out. It is playing until May 30. More ladies representin’ at First Friday’s in East Liberty at Ava Lounge.
This week I visited Schenley High School in East Liberty, Tim’s Lounge in the Hill District, The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh, Babylon and CJ’s in the Strip District, The Wyndam Hotel in Oakland and Ava Lounge in East Liberty. My first stop was at Schenley High School where Pittsburgh Steeler Rashard Mendenhall pitched in to help out an organization called “The Early Childhood Male Fatherhood Involvement.” This event was also called the “2nd Annual March Badness Basketball Event.” I have to shout out Melvin El, Henry, Rick Rock and Rashard Mendenhall for doing something positive in the community. The ladies come out for a night on the town at CJ’s in the Strip District.
This week I visited the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, Kenny’s Place in the Hill District, CJ’s in the Strip District and the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty. My first stop was at CJ’s in the Strip District where actors Clifton Powell and Carl Payne, along with national recording artist Christopher Williams, came to greet their fans before they performed at the Benedum Center in a play called “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You.” Justin and Thomas Anthony of S.A.V.V.Y. Marketing with national hip-hop icon KRS-ONE at YaMomzhouse Recording Studios in East Liberty.
