Sweet Repeat: Just Like Candy!

In a time where "playing a game", to most kids, means plugging something into the television and exercising some serious finger routines, classic board games are almost non-existent in children's entertainment repertoire. So, for those of us that do still get a nostalgic feeling from assembling in the living room and opening the board game box, prepare for a new twist on an old classic!

Remember Candy Land? Hasbro has launched a new, redesigned Candy Land for an even sweeter gaming experience! What’s new? In addition to an eye-popping 3D board design, Candy Land now has new worlds, including Cupcake Commons, Ice Cream Slopes, Gummy Hills and Chocolate Mountain. Gamers can create delicious treats at the Cupcake Commons, compete in a snowboard race down the Ice Cream Slopes and climb to the top of Chocolate Mountain. And of course, King Kandy and the gang are still around to guide players through their adventure.

Gather the crew for a game night and add this to the list. Hey, don't be ashamed! They'll forever be a little bit of "kid" in all of us!

You're Invited . . .

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Critics have gone back and forth about Tyler Perry's bringing his version of Ntozake Shange's seminal work For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf to the big screen. Perry, whose films have broad appeal but are often critiqued for having flat characters and story lines and low production values, is taking a stab at a play that is considered high art. Executive produced by Perry and Nzingha Stewart, For Colored Girls will be out in theaters on November 5. The movie features Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise and Phylicia Rashad. Janet Jackson and Macy Gray round out the cast.

Perry released a letter to his fans and critics alike yesterday.

We are only a little more than 3 weeks out from FOR COLORED GIRLS, which
opens on November 5th. Wow, time is flying! I wanted to talk to you for
just a second about this film. There has been a lot of Internet chatter
about me doing this film. I've heard everything from, "I'm glad he's doing
it!", to "How dare he touch this!". Believe me, I know that this is
sensitive material and I handled it that way. If you don't believe me see
for yourself on November 5th.

If you know anything about the book or play, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE
CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, which is what my film is
based on, then you know that it is one of the most powerful literary works
of this century. But, if you know it, you are also thinking like I was,
"How can I make this into a movie?"

After reading the play a thousand times and listening to these poems a
million times, it hit me. There was only one way to approach it. So what
I did was, I put these characters in the situations around the poems, so
that they could speak the dialogue of the book without it sounding like a
poem. And I have to tell you, I wasn't sure that it could be done. But,
after listening to Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington, Macy
Gray, Kimberly Elise, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg, Loretta Devine,
Anika Noni Rose and Janet Jackson say these words it was awesomely
seemless.

The stories are about eight women who live in NYC and we follow them
through their lives; follow them through loving, losing, giving too much
of themselves, being hurt and betrayed, but most of all, we follow each of
these women as they find love for themselves.

This movie is powerful. It is incredible. The performances in it are
astonishing, but most of all this film will leave you lifted.

I don't know if you know this either, but never in the history of a
feature film has there been an ensemble of this many black women. That
alone is worth celebrating. I hope you are planning to see it on November
5th.

By the way, you don't have to be a colored girl to be able to relate to
and enjoy this movie.

"For Colored Girls . . ." happens to be one of the most amazing literary pieces that i've ever read and seen performed live. As many times as I can catch it on stage, I see it. I am beyond excited about the movie and I have faith that Tyler and his team have produced a phenomenal project.

Check back for news on a moderated discussion, led by me, on FCG and tickets to the Atlanta sneak peek.

Ciao!

Cover to Cover, The Celebration Continues!

Five new tribute covers of EBONY Magazine's 65th Anniversary Issue have been released. The covers feature singer Mary J. Blige as Diana Ross, actress Taraji P. Henson as Diahann Carroll, musician John Legend as Duke Ellington, actor Blair Underwood as Sidney Poitier and actor Lamman Rucker as Richard Roundtree.

From the covers alone, I know the issue, on stands in two weeks, will be phenomenal and indeed a keepsake.

Enjoy!

Black is Beautiful!

I'm so excited about this EBONY Magazine Cover. They cover stars all look amazing and are dressed impeccably! Happy Birthday EBONY!

"Rock Style", cont.

944 Atlanta presents "ROCK STYLE"

On Saturday night amid college homecomings, concerts and the highly anticipated BET Hip Hop Awards, 944 Magazine stormed on Peachtree Street and presented "Rock Style". The event was a collision of fashion, music and all things fabulous.

Sponsored by Lexus, the evening featured the WilliamRast F/W2010 collection, a live performance by Lords & Lady and a live soundtrack by Brent Bolthouse and Samantha Ronson. The event was gorgeous, glamorous and glittery, simultaneously.

Special shout outs to Isoul Harris and Jeremy Brown from 944, Bill Kaelin, Cherecka Donaldson of Elixir, Victor Jackson of GlamRockSoul, The Green Room Agency, DragonFly Salon, The Atrium on Peachtree and me, The Social Scientist, for a killer evening!

Check the pics!