Charlie Murphy headlines grand opening of The Comedy Zone
Entertainment - Original 05-21-2013 
AJ Williams, Chronicle Web Editor Hits:65
Love to laugh? Well you are in luck! Southfield will soon be home to the comedic stars both on stage and off. The Comedy Zone, a national, live-comedy theatre chain, will soon be opening next door to Southfield’s AMC Star Movie Theatre. It is the first and only of the chain’s 65 U.S. venues to be located in Michigan. The Comedy Zone’s grand opening show, June 6-8, will kick off with a three-night engagement by world renowned comedian, writer and actor Charlie Murphy, and his show “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip.” Comedian Freez Luv will open the show. For budget friendly entertainment, all seats at The Comedy Zone are equally and modestly priced. The comfortable and intimate design of the 300-seat showroom ensures that each patron gets a good seat. The Comedy Zone will feature celebrity comics from all over the country. With weekly shows that include nationally touring acts, it promises to establish the city of Southfield as Metro Detroit’s premier venue on the live comedy circuit. The club’s debut show, “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip,” is expected to set the stage for a continuing line-up of star acts to follow in coming months. Murphy has headlined sold-out shows around the world. He spent several years performing as part of various critically acclaimed tours with fellow comics Joe Rogan, John Heffron, Mike Epps and former fellow Chappelle show cast members Bill Burr and Donnell Rawlings. His headlining tour “I Will Not Apologize” was released on DVD and premiered on Comedy Central in the No. 1 slot. Murphy’s writing career spans more than two decades. His autobiography, “The Making of a Stand Up Guy,” was published by Simon and Schuster, and he has written several screenplays, including “Norbit,” starring Charlie’s brother, Eddie Murphy, which opened No. 1 at the box office. His current tour, “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip,” will...
Read moreWill.i.am: One of the most creative forces in music today
Entertainment - Original 05-21-2013 
Steve Holsey Hits:70
If you watched “American Idol” on Thursday, May 2, you witnessed one of the most remarkable performances ever seen on television. The artist was the amazing, always inventive will.i.am — with a lot of well-choreographed accompaniment — performing “Bang Bang” from the motion picture “The Great Gatsby.” It was a feast for the eyes and the ears as will.i.am and company, snazzily dressed from head to toe, brilliantly created a 1920s scenario. No one who saw it will ever forget it. (You might still be able to watch it on YouTube.) But that is the sort of thing we have come to expect from will.i.am (and yes, he lowercases the “w”). Think for a minute about those wildly imaginative Black Eyed Peas TV performances and videos. There seems to be no limits to this man’s talents — producer, rapper, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, voice actor and on it goes. He has been richly rewarded for his efforts, including seven Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, three World Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award and a Teen Choice Award. Those were all Black Eyed Peas projects, produced by will.i.am, but he has also produced an array of other acts, including Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Earth, Wind & Fire, Usher, Britney Spears and U2. The Black Eyed Peas reached their highest peak with the 2009 release of the mega-selling album “The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)” which was loaded with exciting hits such as “Boom Boom Pow,” “Rock That Body,” “I Gotta Feeling” and “Meet Me Halfway.” The group even performed at the Super Bowl. BORN William James Adams Jr. in predominantly Hispanic East Los Angeles, will.i.am had a mother who was a staunch believer in her son cultivating his musical skills and making a point of being unlike anyone else. She also instilled a sense of independence. “Most singers in...
Read moreReflections: The unexpected
Entertainment - Original 05-21-2013 Steve Holsey Hits:41
One of the strangest news items to surface recently is Tina Campbell, one half of the gospel music superduo Mary Mary, telling a national publication that she was at one time considering “killing” her husband, Teddy, because he was cheating. Let’s hope she didn’t really mean that. Sometimes you expect more (not a lot more) from people who are always singing and/or talking about “the Lord,” but I guess being a human being supersedes anything else in many respects. “Once I became aware, I initially wanted to kill my husband,” said Campbell. “I did physically try to stab him. Several times.” Wow! But then again, such things can happen anywhere. Back in 2007, Prophetess Juanita Bynum was physically attacked on an Atlanta hotel parking lot by her husband — Bishop Thomas Weeks. If Bynum is truly a prophetess, as I said at the time, seems she would have been able to “prophesize” that her husband, the good bishop, was likely to jump on her — and then stay away from him or have the police on stand by if she did decide to meet with him. I guess the bottom line is that people are people, with all of our shortcomings and periodic unexpected behavior, but with some people it goes to extremes. KEITH SWEAT has been a successful recording artist since 1987 but, surprisingly, has only received one major award, a Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist award at the 1997 American Music Awards. You’d think he would surely have one or more Soul Train Awards. By the way, time sure flies. Keith Sweat will be 52 in July. If you’re in the market for an apartment in Los Angeles, you might want to get in touch with famed record company executive, producer and songwriter Antonio “L.A.” Reid. He is selling his six-bedroom apartment and the asking price is only...
Read morePalmer Woods Afro Cuban Jazz Event, May 25
Entertainment 05-20-2013 
Cathy Nedd Hits:246
The paradisal spring gardens behind a stately Palmer Woods Mansion will be swaying with the hot rhythms of Orquesta La Inspiracion's horns, percussion and vocals for the upcomingPalmer Woods Music in Homes concert on Saturday, May 25 at 8 pm. A delicious Mexican feast will be served during intermission, and the main floor of the home will be open for a tour prior to the concert. Orquesta La Inspiracion is led by award-winning jazz pianist and music director Bill Meyer. Bringing together veterans of Detroit’s Latin and jazz scenes, his ear respects and his hand reveals these distinct traditions to produce authentic music derived from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Meyer’s new musical structures also include elements of Yoruban, Congolese, and Dahomean traditions. This is a concert where the audience is encouraged to not keep still. Propelled by the rhythms and tones of Afro-Cuban pop and salsa, those within earshot instantly become part of the unique Latin pulse and are often up on their feet dancing. The Palmer Woods Music in Homes series presents outstanding live music set in the magnificent homes of one of the City of Detroit’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods. The 2012-2013 season launched in December, followed by a jazz, classical or world music concert each month in a different magnificent home. The spring-summer concerts are held in beautiful gardens, shelter by a spacious tent. Tickets, $40 or $35 each for groups of 10 or more, are sold in advance only and can be purchased online at palmerwoods.org or by calling 313-891-2514. The location of the home is provided to ticket holders. The concerts are special opportunities to hear world-class musicians who have Detroit-area roots. Included is a reception with delicious food, beverages and desserts (often related to the musical style). The June concert will be held under the sunshine and stars beneath a large tent in the magnificent garden behind a meticulously restored 4,700 sq. ft. Italian...
Read moreWas Kid Rock's "Lip Syncing" Comment Toward Chris Brown
Entertainment 05-20-2013 AJ Williams, Chronicle Web Editor Hits:123
When Kid Rock took the stage to present the award for Top Rap Song of the year at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, he immediately attracted attention for the random mug (with unknown contents) he was clutching.However, the multi-genre artist managed to neatly steal the spotlight from his mystery drink with a single neatly barbed statement. For Full Story Click Here.
Read moreUpdate: The X Factor Signs Kelly Rowland
Entertainment 05-20-2013 AJ Williams, Chronicle Web Editor Hits:117
Update: Kelly Rowland is coming to a television near you. The Grammy-winning singer has officially signed on as a judge for the U.S. edition of “The X Factor.” Fox announced today that Kelly will join the singing competition when it returns for its third season this fall. She will grab a seat alongside returning judges Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato, along with Latina pop star Paulina Rubio. “I am very excited to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and ‘The X Factor’ family,” said the Destiny’s Child diva, who was previously a judge on the show’s U.K. edition. “It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the States!
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