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Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem

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The Apollo Theater in Harlem continued to have a good time Black history and its ninetieth anniversary with the grand opening of the Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater – marking the first-ever physical expansion of the monument, intended to supply a variety of recent opportunities for Black artists and creators.

As a mainstay of the famous one hundred and twenty fifth Street – the very heart and soul of Harlem – the Apollo Theater has often been at the epicenter of significant moments in black culture. With the addition of two theaters just doors away from the iconic venue, The Apollo is poised to usher in a “new era,” said President and CEO Michelle Ebanks during a March 7 event.

Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem

“We are excited to strengthen our support of artists and organizations in Harlem and across New York City while expanding our mission to amplify Black voices and create opportunities for the next generation of creators of color,” Ebanks added, with many noting that this major undertaking took almost twenty years to finish.

Part of the celebration included a special sign lighting ceremony, which included an appearance by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who signaled his support for Apollo, which has grow to be a mecca for Black AI.

Nia Drummond – an acclaimed singer who gained immense popularity after a rendition of “Happy Birthday” that brought Busta Rhymes to tears – opened the ceremony with a strong performance that shook the entire theater to its core. Four-time Grammy-nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris followed suit and brought the party to life along with his own performance.

Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem
Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem

Outside on one hundred and twenty fifth Street, the Marching Cobras provided a performance for tourists and locals as they made their way down the busy street.

Designed by renowned architect Thomas W. Lamb in 1917, Lowe’s Victoria Theater opened in 1918 as a vaudeville house before closing in the early twentieth century. Visitors walking inside can still see many of the theater’s historic features: the original terracotta façade, which showcases the vibrant lights of the Victoria Theatre; the intricate grand staircase in the lobby shared by the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and the recent Apollo site; and detailed tile floors and a marquee were still incorporated into the site design.

Laura and Frank Baker Apollo’s Gallery greeted guests before they made their technique to the third and fourth floors, where most of the facilities are situated.

Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem

Theater One seats 199 guests in 4,125 square feet. The black box theater features retractable seating and versatile staging, making it a perfect setting for programs and performances.

The Janelle Procope Theater – named for a former Apollo president who served in the role for twenty years – is barely smaller (only 99 seats) and serves the needs of educational programs, offering features akin to mesh safety nets for networking.

In addition to the two theaters, the facilities also include recent office space that could be utilized by Apollo employees, collaborating artists and visiting artists.

“The Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater was a major undertaking that spanned two generations of leadership,” said Charles E. Phillips, chairman of the board of directors of The Apollo.

Apollo presents expansion of the Victoria Theater in Harlem

“Planned by former Apollo President Jonelle Procope and brought to life by Michelle Ebanks, this new space empowers and re-introduces Apollo as a paradigm of Black creativity to a new generation.”

Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater is scheduled to open in summer 2024. You can check the Apollo schedule Here.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Coco Austin sparks outrage over ‘weird’ holiday photos as fan notices someone ‘puts hand on her butt’

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Ice-T

The latest photos of Ice T’s wife, Coco Austin Marrow, capture the previous reality star within the holiday spirit, but she could also be on Santa’s naughty list.

On Thursday, December 5, Coco posted cinema featuring her daughter Chanel and clan visiting Santa on the Polar Express within the small town of Williams in central Arizona. In her caption, Coco stated that the holiday was what her daughter “wanted to spend on her birthday.”

A big group celebrated Chanel’s birthday by the Christmas tree and took photos with Santa Claus, wearing matching gingerbread men. However, as the family was decorating the halls, fans noticed that Ice-T was not around for the holiday cheer.

Ice-T's wife, Coco, gets sucked into the web
Ice-T’s wife Coco is thrown into the highlight when fans notice her husband missing in latest family photos. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Several followers asked, “Where’s the ice?” while some insisted they’d “love” to see the previous gangster rapper in matching family pajamas.

One fan replied convincingly that he was probably busy “filming our favorite TV show.” Ice has played Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” since 2000. This might be his twenty sixth season within the cop series.

While some focused on the indisputable fact that Coco’s husband of 23 years didn’t make it to the North Pole together with his family, most questioned her being photographed in an intimate photo with a mystery man.

One picture showed the previous video vixen and her sister sitting with a person placed between them. Coco wrapped her legs across the man while his hand appeared to rest freely on his back.

One person asked: “It doesn’t matter if you happen to’re all over it. So that is your latest man? Another observer quickly cleared up the mystery and revealed that the person was Coco’s father.
Finding out that this man was her father made their pose even stranger to some.

“MF, there’s nothing, I’m weird, MF. “Last time I checked you were sitting on your dad’s lap as a grown woman and you sure as hell aren’t taking pictures with his hands comfortably resting on your ass and the other on your sister’s back,” one follower said in response someone tells them to “stop being weird” and “analyze” things.

Coco Austin, Ice-T’s wife, shares photos from a recent holiday party with her family. (Photos: @coco/Instagram)

This Instagram user also had a laundry list of questions. “Who is that guy you took a picture with? And why is his hand on your butt and why is he holding your back tightly in the second photo?”

And this follower shared his perspective on the family photo. “So, as an adult, you sit on your dad’s lap. We’ll hang the whole lot on his legs, and we’ll place our entire hands comfortably on your ass. It’s clear as day because his other hands are directly on your sister’s back. So why would not he respectfully place his hand on your back as a substitute of all over your ass. Weird as hell.

This is not the primary time Coco’s photos have raised eyebrows and mixed feelings amongst fans. She continually posts photos with her daughter on social media, which are sometimes criticized for Coco’s dangerous clothing decisions and poses during “mommy and me” photo shoots.

In October, the family went on a getaway to the Bahamas when Coco posted photos of herself and Chanel in matching swimsuits.

The duo took a couple of photos together, and Coco’s decision to adopt one in every of them in her signature “butt model” pose turned what might have been a cute mother-daughter post into complete chaos.

One Instagram user commented: “Why isn’t any one surprised that she takes a butt picture with her daughter within the photo? That’s fucking weird.

And one other chimed in: “If a black woman had done this, she would have been called all sorts of names.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Ina Garten denies Martha Stewart’s claims about their downfall after fans accuse the Food Network chef of abandoning her friend

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Celebrity chef Ina Garten explains how her friendship with Martha Stewart ended.

On December 5, the TV chef and writer had a private interview with People magazine, during which she was asked to speak about why she and Stewart are not any longer friends.

Stewart initially claimed that Garten abandoned their friendship when Stewart went to prison, but Garten claims this will not be true.

Ina Garten (left) responds to Martha Stewart’s (right) claims about why the two drifted apart. (Photos: @inagarten/Instagram, @marthastewart48/Instagram)

In front of a live audience, the former Food Network chef responded to Stewart’s claims, stating: “Well, let’s just say her story isn’t entirely accurate. And you know that was 25 years ago. I think it’s time to let go.”

The friendship between Garten and Stewart blossomed in the Nineteen Nineties. In fact, Stewart was largely answerable for making “The Barefoot Contessa” as successful because it was. In 1990, after purchasing a house just south of Garten’s, Stewart published her first issue of Martha Stewart Living, which included an article about Garten.

Stewart was also friends with the head of Crown Publishing, which proved useful when Garten sought to publish “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.”

In 2000, Stewart’s production company gave Garten a show for the Food Network called “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Ina.” Unfortunately, because of a rift with the TV crew during filming, the series was discontinued. Garten returned to her roots and published 13 more cookbooks with Crown.

As for her relationship with Stewart, Garten says it’s just distance. Stewart spent more time at her estate in Bedford, New York, which led to them losing contact with one another.

But Stewart believes their relationship became strained when she was sentenced to 5 months in prison in 2004 for lying about selling shares.

She he said The New Yorker: “When I was sent to Alderson Prison, she stopped contacting me. I found it extremely disturbing and extremely unfriendly.” Stewart’s publicist called back to offer an announcement on her behalf, insisting that she was “not bitter at all and there was no dispute between them.”

Now that Garten has given her answer, it’s as much as fans to come to a decision which TV personality they think is true.

Some believed that Stewart was telling the truth. One person wrote on People’s website“I believe Marta. Martha started her, and when Martha went to prison, she abandoned her. Moving to a neighboring country does not prevent the continuation of a valuable friendship.”

A Stewart supporter on E! Facebook News page he said“Ina was a trader. Better not be friends with her.

On Instagram, several people commented on Stewart’s alleged malicious writing: “Marta can hold a grudge” and “Marta doesn’t let go.”

Others supported Garten’s answer in a People Instagram clip. One fan said: “Marta told the truth! But Ina behaved well and showed respect.” Another added: “Not everyone likes everyone. Ina is true, move on.

Calling her bluff, a 3rd added: “Come on, you just don’t want to hang out with prison birds. I fixed it there. I love the documentary about Marta.”

After her 2004 conviction, Stewart served five months in prison, as detailed in her Netflix documentary, which hit streaming platforms last month. “Martha” charts the lifestyle impresario’s rise to fame, her money-making friendship with Snoop Dogg, and the painful personal details surrounding her marriage to ex-husband Andrew Stewart.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Master P’s son Hercy can escape punishment when arrested for theft amid family drama between dad and older siblings

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Master P’s second youngest son and Romeo Miller’s younger brother may soon be free from charges despite the criminal charges against him.

According to ABC 4Hercy Miller, 24, was arrested last month together with Brock Felder, 20, and Peter Dadson Jr. (25) on charges of stealing two fridges from the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah.

The arrest of three Thunderbirds basketball teammates occurred the day before Thanksgiving, and each student was charged with theft.

Arrest documents say that on Nov. 11, surveillance video captured Miller, Felder and Dadson Jr. taking two fridges from the loading dock of a campus bookstore and putting them into two vehicles. Each refrigerator was valued at $1,500.

Master P’s son, Hercy Miller, is charged with theft after stealing a refrigerator from campus. (Photo: @hercymiller/Instagram)

Upon arrival at their residence, police observed one refrigerator in Dadson Jr.’s apartment. and Felder. Miller had a second refrigerator in his garage.

TO the TV reported that Felder told police that one other suspect had the thought to steal the fridges. He also claimed that he had just helped load it into the automobile. Dadson Jr. is reported to have and Miller assumed the fridges can be thrown away.

One statement says Dadson Jr. “he believed they were thrown away and could be taken away.” He claimed the fridges had been sitting on the loading dock for “almost a month.”

Neither of them asked permission before taking the coolers.

The three men were booked into the Iron County Jail and released on Thanksgiving Day. All three were cleared to proceed playing college basketball.

SUU head coach Rob Jeter, he said TMZ calls the December 4 incident a “big misunderstanding.”

Fans reacted to Hollywood Unlocked’s coverage of Miller’s shock and disappointment.

One one that had speculation about Miller’s older brother and his apparent absence from the family wrote, “So Romeo has distanced himself from this family and is now focused on his own family.”

Someone else couldn’t help but mention his father, born Percy Robert Miller.

“Dad’s worth millions and you’re stealing refrigerators! these star kids really need to study.”

Another fan defended Miller, saying: “It’s crazy because it might have gone within the trash anyway. This is so petty, lmao.

Although neither his father nor his brother said anything concerning the incident, Hercy himself sent a message of thanks on Thanksgiving – the identical day he was released from prison.

Reposting the meme that he said“When life seems troubled, as a substitute of resisting, ask God what he’s attempting to teach you or where he’s leading you. Trust that His plans are at all times for your good, even when the trail seems uncertain.

Additionally, Hercy also posted a series of photos together with his family members on the court, including one together with his father, mother Sonya C, older brother Vercy Miller and others.

In the caption, he wrote: “I’m grateful for all of this. Ups. Short. Blessings. Lessons. Failures. Returns. All.”

Hercy Miller is a senior transferring from the University of Louisville. The 6’3 guard has an estimated net price of $2 million due to NIL deals and brand partnerships with Steve Madden, Amazon and more.

TMZ reported that prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss Miller’s case in court on Dec. 6, a spokesman for the Iron County Attorney’s Office said.

This could allow Miller to be free from any charges, even though it’s unclear what’s at stake for his teammates. “Life is good,” Hercy wrote on her Instagram Story later that day.

After hearing the newest update, one social media user he said“master p sent this check” and one other added: “Baby Master P is a businessman. He definitely sent that check.

Hercy Miller, son of rap mogul Master P, shares a post titled “Life is good” after being arrested for stealing from his college. (Photo: @hercymiller/Instagram)

In addition to Romeo and Hercy, Master P and Sonya have a complete of seven children, including 33-year-old son Vercy, 31-year-old daughter Inty, 25-year-old daughter Itali and 19-year-old son Mercy. Their daughter Tytyana Miller died at age 30 from a fentanyl overdose in May 2022.

Tytyana’s struggles with addiction and depression were documented on We TV’s reality show “Growing Up Hip Hop” and put her eldest brother and dad at the middle of the drama.

In a June 2022 interview with Atlanta Black Star, Romeo revealed that “recently,” he told his father that he was expecting his first child.

“Honestly, me and my dad, our relationship shouldn’t be what people think. We are so close, but it surely relies on respect. It’s based on the indisputable fact that he’s a fantastic father,” he said.

Later that 12 months, Romeo accused Master P of drawing attention to the suicide of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who had gained fame as a dancer and former DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. The former child star blamed her father for failing to acknowledge his own daughter, who was affected by depression or suicide.

Romeo and Master P also exchanged words in a series of now-deleted Instagram posts, including the No Limit Records founder sharing a post about breaking generational curses that omitted to say his firstborn.

Master P was also accused of “trying to gaslight and break” Romeo, in addition to “not taking responsibility for his mistakes/greed.”

“I promoted the company for free for over 15 years, based on my daddies’ word, without being allowed to see any contracts or even meet the team, and I remained loyal… but now I’m entitled to it and I’m ungrateful?” Romeo said in a post after revealing he received his first check from Master P’s Rap Snacks brand.

Hours before the jump to 2023, Romeo reassured fans by revealing that they were on a journey to “start healing” after Some “very difficult conversations.”

It’s unclear where exactly Romeo and his dad are actually. However, Master P responded to questions on their dispute during a separate interview last summer, insisting that “every family goes through this.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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