Category: Entertainment Stories


Miss Lou, Olive Lewin honoured

By craig,

Two Jamaican cultural icons, the Hon Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley and Dr the Hon Olive Lewin, were honoured at concerts last weekend.

Two Miss Lou concerts were mounted on September 7, the 98th anniversary of her birth. One was at the Norman Manley International Airport, the other at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Hope Road. I attended the latter and two days later, the 50th Anniversary concert of the Jamaican Folk Singers, which Lewin founded. The current leader of the Folk Singers, Christine MacDonald Nevers, told me that the true anniversary date had been March 15 and that the two-day concert season was “part of the celebrations.”

Selena Gomez reveals she had kidney transplant

By craig,

Selena Gomez has revealed that she had a kidney transplant operation this summer linked to her lupus.
In an Instagram post, the singer said her friend Francia Raisa donated an organ to her and she wanted to explain why fans hadn’t heard much from her despite the fact she had put out new music.
Selena Gomez released the first single from her new untitled album, It Ain’t Me featuring Kygo, in March.
Since then, Bad Liar and Fetish have come out but she has not been out promoting the tracks because of her operation.
Her first public appearance after recovering from the surgery was in New York with boyfriend The Weeknd last Friday night.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty gets high praise

By craig,

When it comes to product endorsements, it seems Rihanna can do no wrong as Fenty Beauty, which launched on Friday, is receiving rave reviews for both its quality and range of colour.
The line boasts 40 foundation shades.
As of Wednesday evening, eight of the 10 deep foundations are sold out on Sephora’s website, illustrating the demand for makeup that caters to women of color.
Many are touting Rihanna’s makeup line, sold exclusively at Sephora, as a game-changer.

IED Awards set for September 30

By craig,

On September 30, the fifth annual Image Entertainment and Distinction (IED) Awards show will take place in Brooklyn, New York.
Over the years, the IED Awards show has honoured and highlighted influential celebrities, philanthropists, businessmen and women who proudly serve their communities.
Hosts for the evening are Grammy Award-winning reggae artiste Shaggy and Tara Wallace of the VH1’s show, Love and Hip-Hop New York.
The evening will commence with a red-carpet event from 7-8 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony from 8-11 p.m.
Iconic reggae singer Marcia Griffiths and calypso king The Mighty Sparrow will receive the Lifetime Achievement in Music Awards.
Additionally, Maxi Priest will receive the IED Lifetime Image Award.

Movie producer John Andrews looks to Jamaica

By craig,

Writer producer John A. Andrews of ALI Pictures LLC based in New York, and his team, recently made the trek to Jamaica to meet with Film Commissioner Renee Robinson about shooting movies in Jamaica.

Andrews is now singing her praises as he said she is “total professionalism”.

“It was a great relationship. They (JAMPRO) brought us in. I was shocked, I couldn’t believe the kind of treatment we were offered,” he told The Gleaner.

During the three days he was in the island, Andrews visited several locations in Portland, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Kingston, among other places, for ideal spots to film his two upcoming movies – Who Shot The Sheriff and Rude Buay: The Unstoppable.

 

Commitment

 

“I made a commitment to JAMPRO to produce one movie for the next five years in Jamaica, as well as other incentives,” said Andrews.

Still singing Robinson’s praises, he described Jamaica Promotions (JAMPRO) as a “first-class operation”, recommending that the rest of the government function the way they do. “That would be great, I was really impressed,” he said.

Andrews who is at present finishing up the rewrite for, Who Shot The Sheriff, said he is almost done, after which he will be getting ready to talk with directors, and when that is in place, the next step will be seeking the cast for the projects.

The producer also shared some impressive plans he has for the island and includes the possibility of constructing a film studio in Jamaica.

“We are looking at a 100- acre land so that we can make that happen. The intention would be to make Jamaica a mighty draw. Right now, there is strong competition from the Dominican Republic. Jamaica has no studio and no tax incentives. That is one of the strong things Jamaica don’t have going,” he said.

 

Summer 2017 shooting

 

Regarding the films, Andrews shared that he is looking at a spring or summer 2017 shoot, and already he is in negotiations with a top hotelier to host the film crew in exchange for promotional consideration.

The cast is still a work in progress, but the producer says he has a wish list and has engaged the services of one of top agencies to source them.

“As soon as we are ready to go, they are ready to package.

They have most of the talent that we had on our wish list,” he said adding that the two films Who Shot The Sheriff and Rude Buay: The Unstoppable will be shot back to back.

“Where we wrap the first one, we will be starting the second,” he quipped.

Andrews pointed out that additional funding is still being sought to complete the two projects but he is anticipating that everything should be in place before the end of the year.

Steven Istock, CEO of California Pictures, will be co-producing with Andrews. California Pictures has also produced and distributed A Warrior’s Heart and Scavengers plus distributed, and sold many motion pictures worldwide, including, The Harder They Come.