Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →MANN & WIFE SEASON THREE PREMIERES TUES. MARCH 28 AT 9:00 PM (ET) WITH TWO ALL-NEW EPISODES BACK-TO-BACK ON BOUNCE
March 20, 2017David & Tamela Mann Star in Popular Comedy Series David Mann, Tamela Mann and company bring a new assortment of hysterical family situations and laughs in the third season of their hit Bounce comedy series Mann & Wife. Bounce will double the fun by kicking off season three with two new original episodes back-to-back 9:00-10:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, March 28. All-new Mann & Wife episodes will continue to premiere Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm (ET) through the spring on Bounce. Real-life husband and wife team David and Tamela Mann star and serve as executive producers of Mann & Wife. The half-hour situation comedy follows their characters – newlyweds and second-chance sweethearts Daniel and Toni Mann – as they laugh and love their way through the ups and downs of life as a blended family, each with two children from previous marriages. In addition to the show’s popular stars, Tony Rock is back as Daniel’s partner on the police force with Steven Wash (Daniel, Jr.), Amir O’Neil(Darren), Lauryn Kennedy Hardy (Terri) and Jadah Marie (Tosha) playing the Mann children. Terri J. Vaughn joins the cast as Daniel’s new Lieutenant and also directs an episode this season. This season sees hilarious takes on visiting family, mistaken identity, school pressure, phony health scares, an embarrassing email leak and even a 1970’s cop show spoof. Guest stars include George Wallace, Antonio Fargas, Carl Payne, Victoria Rowell, Rod “Rod Man” Thompson, DC Youngfly, Blue Kimble, Vanessa Fraction and Brely Evans. Mann & Wife co-creator Roger Bobb (House of Payne The Rickey Smiley Show) serves as executive producer and director of the series. Mann & Wife has been a smash success, setting network records for viewership in both seasons. Bounce is the only emerging broadcast network producing original scripted series, which in addition to Mann & Wife includes the current mega-hit drama Saints & Sinners and the popular comedies In The Cut and Family Time. Bounce (@BounceTV) airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage and features a programming mix of original and off-network …
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentPresident Obama’s NCAA Tournament Bracket Is For The Culture
March 16, 2017Boasting a Final 4 Mens bracket which includes Duke defeating the 2016 Champions Villanova, and ACC powerhouse North Carolina winning it all, this sure does shape up to be a nice one. Now we can’t confirm if his picks were based off of strength of schedule, mascots, or if the teams sport some of his favorite colors, but…what we can tell you is that President Obama is riding with the ACC on the mens side and on the women’s side of the ball he has….. Read More: https://loudgenius.com/musiccomedysports/president-obamas-ncaa-tournament-bracket-culture/
Posted in TV News | Leave a commentLOGAN In theaters March 3
March 4, 2017LOGAN Synopsis: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces. LOGAN is directed by James Mangold who wrote the screenplay alongside Michael Green and Scott Frank. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Dafne Keen. The film is produced by Hutch Parker, Simon Kinberg, Lauren Shuler Donner. Make sure to check out the last installment of the Wolverine series!! Logan Official Channels Hashtag: #Logan Facebook: /TheWolverineMovie Twitter: @WolverineMovie Instagram: @wponx
Posted in Cinema, Movie News | Leave a commentOscars: ‘Moonlight’ Wins Best Picture in Stunning Upset After Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway Flub Winner
March 3, 2017by Ashley Lee Photo – David Bornfriend The ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ actors had already announced that ‘La La Land’ had taken the top honor. Moonlight ultimately shined the brightest at the Oscars on Sunday, taking home the award for best picture. Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age drama beat out the category’s frontrunner La La Land, as well as Hidden Figures, Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion and Manchester by the Sea. The award was given to Moonlight after presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway initially announced that La La Land had won best picture. As the film’s producers were making their acceptance speeches, producer Jordan Horowitz informed viewers that the category’s winner was actually Moonlight, and showed the card announcing the winner to the camera. Beatty then informed the stunned audience of the mix-up, as he and Dunaway had mistakenly been given — and read — the card for best actress, which was presented to La La Land’s Emma Stone just minutes before. READ MORE Oscars Shocker: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway Read Wrong Best Picture Winner “I hope that it’s inspiring to people, little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalized,” said producer Adele Romanski onstage, alongside fellow producers Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner. “Take some inspiration from seeing this beautiful group of artists helmed by this amazing talent [Jenkins].” “There was a time when I thought this movie was impossible because I couldn’t bring it fruition, I couldn’t bring myself to tell another’s story. Everybody behind me on the stage said, ‘No, that’s not acceptable,’ ” added Jenkins, thanking the cast. (Watch the cast and crew of Moonlight accept the award here.) READ MORE Oscars 2017: The Complete Winners List The A24 release earned eight Oscar nominations, tying it with …
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentThe Shack in theaters March 3rd
March 3, 2017The Shack takes us on a father’s uplifting spiritual journey. After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression causing him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever. #TheShack
Posted in Movie News, On the Scene | Leave a comment25TH ANNUAL TRUMPET AWARDS
January 23, 2017Black-ish, Angie Tribeca star and two-time EMMY® nominated writer and actor Deon Cole and Rosewood, The Real Husbands of Hollywood and seven-time NAACP Image Award nominated actress Nicole Ari Parker host an exciting night of inspiration, history and crowd-rousing performances at the 25th Annual Trumpet Awards, the prestigious annual event celebrating African-American achievements and contributions, set to world premiere on Sunday, January 29 at 9:00pm ET on Bounce. Bounce recently acquired all assets of The Trumpet Awards and now owns, produces and exclusively premieres the star-studded ceremony, this year held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Highlights from the show include: Lifetime Achievement Trumpet Award-winning New Edition being saluted by R&B bands Jagged Edge, Silk and The Transitions with a medley of the iconic group’s hits including “Candy Girl,” Mr. Telephone Man” and “Cool It Now” that had the audience dancing in the aisles. Regina Belle, BJ The Chicago Kid and Kenny Lattimoreperforming “A Whole New World,” “Feel the Fire” and “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” to honor Trumpet Legend Award recipient Peabo Bryson. A show-stopping all-star Gospel Music Tribute featuring Shirley Caesar, Erica Campbell, Jekalyn Carr, Le’Andria Johnson, Travis Greene and Canton Jones. Tamela Mann,Lalah Hathaway and Keke Wyatt bringing the house down in individual performances. A memorable spoken-word presentation by Iman Cezanne and Javon Johnson which elicited thunderous applause and brought the audience to their feet. Honorees at this year’s ceremony also included: Daytime EMMY® nominee Wendy Williams, who was presented with the Trumpet Award for Entertainment; former NBA great Dikembe Mutombo, recognized with the Humanitarian Trumpet Award; Martin Luther King III, presented with the Impact Trumpet Award and fashion blogger Gabi Gregg who was given the Trailblazer Trumpet Award. Among the presenters and special guests: Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lou Gossett, Jr., David Mann, Bill Withers, Ed Lover, Ed Gordon, Gary Owen, Erica Ash and Willie Moore, Jr. In a very special tribute, civil rights icon and founder of the Trumpet Awards Xernona Clayton was presented with the distinguished Golden Trumpet Award in recognition of her unparalleled leadership, ability to affect change and steadfast …
Posted in COWBOY CARTER TOUR- ATLANTA - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment‘Atlanta’ Wins Golden Globe for Best TV Series Comedy
January 9, 2017January 8, 2017 | 05:28PM PT FX’s critically acclaimed “Atlanta” has won the Golden Globe for best television series comedy in its first year of eligibility.The win continues a five-year streak of first-time nominees taking the prize, following Amazon’s “Mozart In the Jungle” (a first-time nominee in its second season) and “Transparent,” Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and HBO’s “Girls.” “Atlanta,” created by and starring “Community” veteran Donald Glover, is the first FX series to ever land a nomination in the category. It triumphed over a formidable slate of nominees including “Mozart,” “Transparent,” ABC’s “Black-ish,” and HBO’s “Veep.” “This is incredible,” Glover said in disbelief. “I want to thank Atlanta and all the black folks in Atlanta, for real. For being alive and being amazing people.” Since its Sept. 6 bow, “Atlanta” has emerged as one of the strongest new contenders on the small screen awards scene, landing key nominations from the Producers Guild and Writers Guild in recent weeks and was the only half-hour series besides “Veep” to crack AFI’s top 10 TV list. The series also ranked as the best reviewed new show of the year on Metacritic, and topped Variety critic Sonia Saraiya’s picks for the best TV of 2016. Source: http://variety.com/2017/tv/awards/atlanta-wins-golden-globe-for-best-tv-series-comedy-1201953614/
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentHIDDEN FIGURES in theaters Now
January 9, 2017Synopsis: HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big. Sonya’s Spotlight Covers HIDDEN FIGURES VIP SCREENING & SOUNDTRACK LISTENING PARTY W/PHARRELL & JANELLE MONAE: http://sonyasspotlight.com/hidden-figures-vip-screening-soundtrack-listening-party-wpharrell-janelle-monae/ SITE: HiddenFiguresMovie.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/HiddenFigures TWITTER: www.twitter.com/HiddenFigures INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/hiddenfiguresmovie/ #HiddenFigures
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentTaraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe Radiate on Essence¹s February 2017 Cover
January 6, 2017The leading ladies of Hidden Figures — Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe — chat with Essence about the significance of the film, their character’s impact on American history and the importance of sisterhood. Essence’s February 2017 issue hits newsstands Friday, January 13th. Please link back to Essence.com. Additional quotes from the story are below. Hidden Figures is in theaters everywhere Friday, January 6. (Photo credit: Warwick Saint/Essence) QUOTES: Taraji P. Henson on the significance of sharing this story: “When I was growing up, people told me out of their mouths math and science are for boys. I was told that over and over. Like, no one showed me how to fall in love with numbers. If I had a teacher like Mrs. Johnson, who knows, I might be on the moon…” Janelle Monáe on sisterhood in the film: “They knew that they were stronger together…I think they would not have achieved the level of success they did had they not had one another…” Octavia Spencer on the impact of her character: “This woman is the mother of all girls who code – Black, White, Latin, Asian, Indian. It all began with Dorothy Vaughn.”
Posted in Music | Leave a commentUNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball 2016
December 27, 2016The 33rd Annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball , UNCF’s signature fundraising gala and premier social event of the holiday season, was held Saturday, December 17, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. Founded 33 years ago by Mrs. Billye S. Aaron and hosted by former Mayor Andrew Young during his first administration, the Mayor’s Masked Ball is supported by major corporate partners and friends of UNCF. Hosted annually by the sitting mayor, each year, more than 1,200 guests from the greater metro Atlanta community, along with nationally- acclaimed celebrities including, recording artists, entertainers and public officials attend. This year’s UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball was hosted by The Honorable Kasim Reed, Mayor, City of Atlanta Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., Executive Vice President, National Development, UNCF Justine Norman Boyd – Regional Development Director. Celebrity Host for the event was Comedian J. Anthony Brown, and singer, drummer, and percussionist, Sheila E. brought attendees out of their seats and on to the dance floor with her electrifying performance, which included a Prince Tribute. Even singing sensation Usher Raymond was out of his seat during Shelia E.’s performance, videoing Sheila E. and himself and posting for his Instagram fans “Live.” Other celebrity guests who attended the UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball included Angie Stone (who joined Sheila E. on stage and sang) Tyrese, Future,Young Jeezy, Ambassador Andrew Young, Hank Aaron, Roger Bobb, Jermaine Dupri, and Phaedra Parks, just to name a few. Although it was my sixth year attending the UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball, where I’m usually interviewing attendees and taking celeb shots for my web magazine (blog), Sonya’s Spotlight, this year I decided to take the journalist/blogger hat off and mingle and party more. I even got the courage to dance on stage with …
Posted in R&B Pop Culture, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
