For those wondering what ever happened to Jada Pinkett, now Jada Pinkett Smith, well, she’s alive and well, but not on the big screen. She’s on TNT. She’s the star and executive producer of “HawthoRNe” a hospital series, in its second season, which focuses on the nurses. If you can’t get producers to cast you, then produce your own. That is what she’s doing. HAWTHORNE CAST OF NURSES—From left: David Julian Hirsh, Christina Moore, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Vartan, Hannah Hodson, and Suleka Mathew. TNT is making a strong bid for Black viewers with programs like Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns” along with several programs featuring Blacks as stars and co-stars. Blacks who are hungry to see Black faces on the tube helped make “HawthoRNe” a solid success in its first season which has led to the premier of the second season June 22.
The Fair Housing Partnership presented its fourth annual Poetry Slam entitled “From Words to Actions: Remaking Communities for Everyone” at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. Local...
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.
Dear Gwendolyn: After 10 years of marriage, my husband left. Before leaving he went to the bank and withdrew $6,000 from our savings account leaving me with only $6. I was devastated. It had taken me three years to save that money. It was to be for hard times. Well, hard times hit. The company I had worked for since coming out of high school closed. I needed the savings to pay the mortgage and other bills. I know this is strange Gwendolyn, but I want him back. I miss my husband. There were no warning signs he was going to leave.—Sarah
Every Monday, your mother wakes you up early for breakfast, tells you to hurry up and get dressed, and takes you to school when she goes to work. That happens on Tuesday and Wednesday, too, as well as on Thursday and Friday. You might know what day Mom goes to the grocery store. You undoubtedly know what day your favorite TV show is on. And you always know what day it is when you have lessons or practice. Saturday is a day to play outside, but if your house is like a lot of others, “Sunday is for God,” as you’ll see in the new book by Michael McGowan, pictures by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
Thursday 17 Jazz jam CJ’s Restaurant & Lounge presents “The Roger Humphries & RH Factor Jazz Jam Session” at 8 p.m. at 2901-2911 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be live jazz and fun every Thursday night. Must be 30 or older and there is a dress code that will be enforced. No tennis shoes, sweats or athletic gear. For more information, call 412-642-2377. Friday 18 Music series Sweetwater Center for the Arts presents the Summer Music Series from 6-8 p.m. at the Wolcott Park Gazebo, Broad and Beaver St., Sewickley. Enjoy a night of impressive music performed by some of the area’s brightest musicians. The featured entertainer will be Verna’s Caribbean Vibes Steelband. They feature a combination of calypso, reggae and American pop music for dancing. The event is free and if there is rain, the event will be moved inside. For more information, visit www.sweetwatercenter.org. MillerDANCE MillerDANCE presents “I Look at You and I See Myself” at 8:30 p.m. at SPACE Gallery, 812 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. This show is a collaboration between the Mary Miller Dance Company, fiber Artist Tina Brewer and musician Charles Hall. The artists have come together in the creation of a multi-dimensional work of modern dance, exploring the framework of Brewer’s quilts. Following the show there will be a question-answer session with the artists. There will also be a performances June 25-26. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 412-525-7723 or www.marymillerdanceco.org. Saturday 19 Beyond illusion African for Africans presents their Beyond Illusion Forum from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 7101 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. This is a day of celebrating unity to claim the African legacy and history. Guest speakers will include John Ford, Chris Moore, Jasiri X and Ayeshah Bulls. Admission is free. For more information, call 412-731-3080 or Majidah at 412-27-2726. Sunday 20 Sunday night jazz The Pittsburgh Jazz Society presents The Sunday Night Jazz Concerts from 6-9 p.m. at The GrandView Buffet Restaurant at The Rivers Casino, 777 Casino Dr., North Shore. The featured entertainer will be the Trombone Forum Big Band along with DUQ’s Tony Mowod as the host. For more information, call 412-343-9555 or visit www.pittsburghjazz.org. Monday 21 Jam session AVA Lounge presents a Weekly Live Jazz/Jam Session with The Interval Trio & Friends at 9 p.m. at 126 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty. Every Monday jazz fans can enjoy great music from some of the best musicians. DJ J. Malls will be spinning the vinyl. Must be 21 years or older. There is no cover. For more information, visit www.shadowlounge.net.
The former Temptations front man Ali-Ollie Woodson has died following a battle with leukemia. The singer, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, passed away in California May 30, according to Motown Alumni Association President Billy Wilson. He was 58. Born Ollie Cregget in Detroit, Woodson began his career as a member of Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters in the early 1970s, but he rose to fame as a member of the Motown quintet in the 1980s, joining the group as a replacement for Dennis Edwards after he was fired in 1984. ALI-OLLIE WOODSON—At 58, Woodson had previously contributed in the single “Treat Her Like a Lady” and went on tour with Aretha Franklin. He co-wrote, co-produced and sang lead vocals for the hit single “Treat Her Like a Lady” but left the band in 1986. However, Woodson returned in 1988 for an eight-year tenure before quitting again after the release of the group’s 1995 album “For Lovers Only.” He reunited with the band in 2002 for a Japanese tour, stepping in for Barrington ‘Bo’ Henderson after he was forced to skip the trek due to visa problems.
Marvin Isley, the youngest of the Isley Brothers died Monday June 7 in Chicago at the age of 56. The cause of death has not yet been announced, though Isley suffered from diabetes severe enough to have caused him to leave the group in 1997. Later, his condition led to the amputation of both legs. MARVIN ISLEY He will be remembered for the resilience and power of his bass work, which, for one thing, formed a crucial hook in the undulating ’70s hit “Fight The Power.” The bassist also played on the smash “Who’s That Lady?,” as well as on prominent songs like “For The Love Of You” and “Harvest For The World.”
Comedian DeRay Davis discussed such heavy subjects as male and female relationships, family relationships and drug abuse during his DeRay Way Tour, which made a stop at the Pittsburgh Improv last month. “I don’t want to bore the audience or myself. Pittsburgh is a cool city and I want to come back,” Davis said. DERAY DAVIS From the way the audience responded to the comedian’s performance, Davis will get his wish. Davis realized he was funny after watching comics who played at a club where his uncle worked as a bartender.
Funeral services for actor Gary Coleman, who died from a brain injury, May 28 will be held this weekend in Salt Lake City. Details of the memorial were not set, and the service will be held either Friday or Saturday, according to Coleman’s agent, Shielia Erickson. It also had not been determined whether the memorial would be private or open to the public. The family hopes to have all memorial plans set by Thursday. GARY COLEMAN, left, when he starred in “Diff’rent Strokes” and right, current.
