> ★ ★ * ★★★ it
Page 4 Portland Observer May 4, 1989
ENTERTAINMENT
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indian gun-fighters,” has a “ long line
of two books! But wait, she’s a best­
selling “ authoress” (“ Metropolitan
Spike’s W ords Spark Bitter Feud: Eddie Murphy was both nutted * NORTHW EST AFRICAN A M ERI­
*
Life” ), as she “ backhand slams” the
CAN W RITERS GUILD R EC EIV ­
and dismayed about recent comments made by fellow f i Immaker Spike Lee,
poor male questioner, who used that
* ES 1ST GRANT
who while stating that he was 100% behind Murphy. said’Tf I ever get one
sexist term, while asking from “ the
The
newly
formed
Northwest
African
iota of the power he has, I’m gonna raise holy hell. 1 have miniscule juice
*
trapped audience non-smoking section”
American Writers Guild has received
compared to Eddie...Eddie has economic clout...Eddie needs to flex his
*
(she declared the stage as ‘ ‘ the smoking
muscles in ways that can help black people get into this indust^ With
its first support grant, according to llseni
* E. Perkins, Executive Director of the
section” ) about her “ favorite feminist
that, the angry superstar retorted, “ it’s real easy to be on the outside looking
* Portland Urban League and the founder
authoress?” With “ Lenny Bruce-type
in telling people what they should be doing. I’ve done a lot tor my
retorts (the late “ sick comic of the
* o f the pilot group o f poets,
people .I’ve opened the door for Spike and now he’s throwing rocks at
playwrights/iction
writers
and
novelists.
sixties” ), she asked: “ you mean, like
me.Clout comes and goes around here. I’m just the brother of the moment
*
“ jewess or negress?” She said she had
The new grant has been approved by
•• Meanwhile, Murphy earlier this month began work on his latest film,
*
the Metropolitan Arts Commission for
none.
Harlem Nights which will also star Richard Pryor and Arsemo Hall, and
* an starter recognition award to assist in
Like Jean Genet’s Black Black
while Paramount is being hush-hush about releasing the names of the female
* the publication o f the Writers Guild’s
comedy farce, “ The Black,” Portland
leads, word is that Berlinda Tolbert (formerly of ‘ ‘The Jeffersons will play
Arts & Lectures, in good fate, probably
* first anthology of new works by the
Pryor’s love interest.
should have declared, at least one person
founding
members
of
the
organization.
Jasmine Guv Inks Recording Contract: A Different World s *
in the all-curopean (as far as 1 could
The
proposal
was
written
by
Mr.
Jasmine Guy is singing a new tune these days, now that she’s signed with
*
see) audience of 500 or so giggling
Perkins,
a
published
and
produced
Warner Brothers Records and will concentrate on here debut LP dunng her *
persons
in the Intermediate Theatre (of
playwright,
originally
from
Chicago,
hiatus. The actress had been shopping a record deal for quite awhile But
* whose extensive background in the arts
the
Portland
Center for the Performing
don’t get the idea that Guy is abandoning her acting career or the role ol
and
management
has
given
him
ample
Arts),
as
“
the designated person of
*
“ W hitney” on the top-rated series. She plans to do both, and is hoping to
knowledge
to
create
a
soundly
written
color!”
1
guess
that is probably what I
break into film, as well. And while, she’s been doing alot of auditioning (for *
request proposal application to the City
was. Yes, thanks to producer, Phil Ottum,
*
film), nothing has materialized thus far.
who invited me to this bizarre evening
Grace Jones-Fram ed? 37-year old singer-actress Grace Jones say the * of Portland’s leading literary agency,the
Literature Panel of the Metropolitan
of an hour and a half of “ standup
cocaine police found stuffed inside her purse while at her Jamaica retreat *
tragedy.” This poor “ yuppie-darling”
Arts Commission.
was planted. Stating that the truth is sure to come out in court, the singer,
of the “ New York Market,” with its
* AFRICAN AMERICAN W RITERS
who was in Jamaica to scout video locations, plans to return to the jail in
NEED TO DEVELOP AND PUBLISH
“ chief cash crop,” besides crime, being
which she was held to film videos for two tunes on her next album. 1 he LP, *
The new MAC support grant will
books was quite naturally or arcadely,
tentatively titled “ on My W ay” is due to be released in June. Jones said she *
assist in the first direct funding support
sponsored by Portland’s famed Powell’s
was able to write about six tunes during her short incarceration , and is *
in history for writers of African American
Books, whose people must have cringed
quoted in an LA Times interview as saying “ something strange always *
with her line about being “ surprised
descent in the State of Oregon, to gain
happens to me when I come to Jamaica.” Ironically, enough, Jones is a
* the first step in the extremely difficult
that Portland had arts!”
native of Jamaica, who says she doesn’t even smoke pot. Ironically, a song
Indeed, Lcbowitz, “ the literary lip-
field
of
literary
publication
and
on her upcoming LP is titled “ Crack Attack” and warns of the perils of *
with”
), like a female Don Rickies
documentation
of
their
written
work.
It
drugs She blames ‘ ‘definite third party involvement’ ’ for her recent run-in *
(remember
his funny “ grenade humor” ),
is always a “ Catch-22” situation for
with the law, claiming the identity of the third party will come to light at her *
“
trashed”
nearly
every tiling from, pets,
new writers of any color to gain
trial, which is scheduled for June 6 in Kingston.
* publication of their first work and “ a
outdoors, camping (even though she’s
Faith Pays Off For Francesca: Former Frank’s Place regular * must” for them to qualify for any
pretty “ campy,” herself), airlines (write
Francesca Roberts (who portrayed waitress Anna Mae) hopes to have found
on!D), New York’s uptown (I guess
* fellowship grant funding from numerous
a new home on ABC’s “ Have Faith.” Roberts is excited about the series
Harlem), outside of New York, inside
* other fund sources, such as the National
centering around life in a contemporary Catholic church on Chicago s Soul
of New York, New York landlords (I
Endowment for the Arts, Rockefeller,
Side, but is still disappointed about the cancellation of Prank s Place. * Jerome Foundation, etc. Like the saying
agree), the french ( j c nc sais Pas)>
However, said Roberts, ‘ ‘it gave me a lot of heart to see that people who are * goes: “ you got to be to it to win it!”
Minneapolis, Ed Koch (mayor of New
watching are not just writing in about what’s wrong with a show but what s * A PUBLICATION OF NEW BLACK
York and I agree on that one also), rich
right, and what they want to sec. So, If nothing else 1 think that CBS got the
actor Robert Redford, stewardesses, non-
* W ORKS IN FICTIO N , POETRY &
chance to see that the audience is not as parochial in its view as they think.
smokeis( when smoke gets in your eyes,
* PLAYS
So I think it was ground-breaking in that sense.
she suggests closing them),children,
In speaking to Perkins, his concept is
Short Takes: Paula Abdul is talking with director Oliver Stone about * to publish a new anthology of new
m otherhood (she prefers “ god-
choreographing the new film version of the long-running Broadway hit * works in fiction, poetry, excerpts of
m otherhood” perhaps like “ the
“ Evita...Lou Gossett is excited about getting the rights to a property based * plays and essays by Portland’s African
godfather” ), the lonely (they should
on the life of Harlem band leader Cab Calloway for a possible mini­ * American writers who arc members of
lead the blind, not dags, which she hates
series Al B.Sure is not talking about the alleged rape incident that
also,
as she pointed out in her “ Pointer
* the newly formed Writers Guild. For
recently capped national headlines, commenting “ let’s talk about the
for pets” ), and of course, Exxon (she
many in the group, this will be the first
*
, time their work will have a public
got my vote too).
positive things” , while in Los Angeles for the Soul Train Awards...Stephanie
As I left the theatre to go home and
exposure or debut of any kind. The next
Mills shows her versatility with some hip-hep tunes on her latest LP,
hug my dog, I heard somebody say to a
step is to raise matching funds to develop
“ Home” , which is slated for a May release...Next week: A look a t Virgin
the additional monies needed to complete
young woman, “ I see you came anyway
recording artists’ ,- E u , a super band th at seems to have caught the
Ar the graphic and printing expense cost of
, and she replied, “ someone gave her
record industry off-guard.
«1.
..
r i n i i f r v r t H iK p
the ____
anthology
project ♦/-»
to k bring
forth the
the ticket,” as I was wondering why
*
copies to the public’s eye and reading
anyone would pay to see the author read
* taste. W e’ 11 be watching for this Oregon
un-interestly, the two passages from
* literary premiere in Black works with
her books, as oppose to saving “ the
showfare,” to just buy her books, and
* great interest. Write on, Uscni and the
Guild
members.
stay home, out of the stormy weather
BET CELEBRATES OPEN HOUSE: Black Entertainment *
PORTLAND ARTS & LECTURES
director
read her in the quiet of one’s
Televison(BET) recently celebrated the opening of a brand-new $ 10 million *
P R E SE N T S T H E “ SLU T OF
home,
like
Lcbowitz, said she does, and
studio complex in the northeast section of Washington, D.C. The studio is *
LITERA TU RE”
smoke
what
every you want?
one of the largest in the metropolitan Washington area, and will be used tor
*
Portland Arts & Lectures’ Executive
It
was
a
queer
evening and queerer
in-house productions. Among those on hand for the celebration,.(which
Director, Julie Mancini, and engaging,
still was “ the non-reception” afterward,
*
centered around a live taping of its “ Video Soul” TV program featuring
sad, dark-eyed person of regal beauty,
that I “ crashed” as “ the only person of
host Donnie Simpson), were Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson, and recording *
with some natural style, Tuesday night,
color” at the Portland Arts Museum. I
newcomer. Tone Loc. The network has also just released a lineup of seven *
April 25th, 1989, took the fateful risk of
followed her umbrella carrier and
new shows for the upcoming fall season. Among those programs scheduled *
introducing, “ the Slut ol Literature
entourage at a distance. Oh, well..., as
for release are “ Personal Diary” -featuring interviews with the likes of
* (as she called herself), Fran Lebowita,
she said onstage, she refers “ her kind of
Stevie Wonder and Bill Cosby .’’Night- T alk” - a late night talk show (five
the Jersey “ chain-saw smoking’ drop
people, or her class. That’s the kind of
*
days a week), “ Budweiser Sports R eport” - a live sports program, and
out,
who’s
“
hidingout”
in
New
York’s
girl I am !” “ I can dig it!” I did over
“ Teen Sum m itt” - a portion of which would showcase music videos pro­ *
"hard under belly” (somewhere mid-
hear someone say, “ she offended
duced by teens. The company is presently generating enthusiasm with its *
town, of course), searching for, no
everyone, but nicely! ” 1 enjoyed a native
reissue of the Jackson Five cartoon series...Mean while BET ow ner, Robert *
doubt,” intclligcnt life” in “ the
Oregon strawberry or two and since the
Johnson, has Filed a $2 million lawsuit against the New York G rand
*
universalis! non-church” of “ Mad-
rain had stopped, I rendered myself
H yatt. Johnson took the action when he failed to receive an apology from
hattan” (New York City).
invisible, like the shadow and left. Write
top hotel brass after a mishap where hotel personnel forcibly detained *
T H E “ LENNY B R U C E ’’ OF
*
on.
Johnson upon a reporter that a black man had mugged a hotel patron
LIT E R A R Y
LAZY
LO U N G E
Black Radio Responds To FCC Ruling On Distress Sales To * LIZARDS
Minorities: in a recent decision, the us Court of Appeals ruled that the *
Leobowitz, who confesses, “ I’m
Commission’s s “ distress
rules (created
in *
Federal Communications commission
u i . i u v m sales
m . v j
...»»>
----------
lazy!” Indeed, she, like lists ol “ j e w i s h -----------------
1978), which allow quick sales at reduced rates of defunct or disenfran-
chised stations to minorities, violated the equal protection provisions of the *
Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. What impact could such a ruling have
on the growth of black radio: Jim Winston, executive director and general
Business Briefs: On thcheclsofR & B singerG ladysK night sentry into
counsel of the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters (NA­
the cosmetics industry comes news of yet ano th er cosmetics venture. I his
BOB), says very little.’’The distress sales policy had been fairly inactive in
one called Egyptian Goddess, is being launched out of Los Angeles, and is
the last few years because of other policy changes made at the FCC during
billing itself as a skin-care system.Initial plans arc that the line will be
the Reagan administration years. The clause had reduced the asking price ol
marketed within the next couple of months, over syndicated cable and 1 V
a station by 25%.WDAS-FM in Philadelphia, one of the nation’s top black
net works and initially sold through an 8(X) number.... In other business
radio stations, was purchased through the distress sales process. However,
news, representatives of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federa­
according to Winston, “ the typical black radio station is not purchased
tion of of Television and Radio Artists recently began meetings with
through the distress sales process” . Black radio is, in fact, big business. The
industry executives with the mandate of increasing employment for minor­
largest black-owned station in the US would be WBLS in New York, which
Winston estimated could command between $60-70 million. Just last
ity performers. Next week: A look at fash io n F air ( osmeties,--the fastest
December, one of Washington’s top stations, W YKS, was sold to a black-
growing arm of the em pire built by John H. Johnson.
owned radio stations. But Winston says this is mostly due to another FCC
policy allowing a huge cut in capital gains tax to those broadcasters selling
by Garland Lee Thom pson
TRANE, recorded live in Japan in
,
? . ™ .
ru
honor of the 20th anniversary o f the
saxophonist s death and starring
Wayne Shorter and Dave Liebman, is
r
n u .T c .
I L
set for May 9th US release on Columbia
u Records.
.
Originally presented in front of
20,000 fans as part of the 10th annual
* Select “Live Under the Sky” summer
jazz concert series (sponsored by Japan
Tobacco Inc.), the all-star tribute was
^ L CuCOrdedc a l t h e i Y1° n^iUr‘
Open
* Theater East on July 26, 1987. In add.-
Jtio n to S h o rteran d L ieb m an o n so p ra n o
£ saxophones, the rhythm section con-
£ I T , °n P‘aniSt
J"
' ”7 * ?
■< Eddie Gomez, and drummer Jack
. .
..
phomsts is well known, wrote
[ , cbman jn bjs no(es lQ lhc ongina, Lp
R
Rccords. Padd,e
.... . . , , . .
Wheel label in Japan,
“John William Coltrane, bom in
Hamlet, North Carolina on September
23,1926, died in New York City on July
, 1967. He is represented on this album
with “Mr. P. C.,” “ After the Rain/
Naima,” and “India/Impressions.”
“John Coltrane Live!” affirm
fa Bums. unef noles ,
Khcphra Bums’ liner notes for the
Amcrican LP releasc. .<In lhe music,
stm rcsonali
wilh his sound. In lhe
( for harmonies as
unheard
except perhaps in the heart.
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ON THE MONEY
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* ‘TRIBUTE TO JOHN COLTRANE'
* LP RECORDED LIVE IN JAPAN
T T R IB U T E . TO . , JO H N , C O L- Dc^ John
h!'Cl1^ . . .
,
* T D , VI?
Coltrane s legacy for saxo-
IBCHJME)
EEIPCOT
*
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jflRRf
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to minorities.
Government Steps in: Black-operated Founders Savings & Loan in
PORTLAND OBSERVER
Los Angeles was among 38 ailing savings and loan institutions the federal
government took control of earlier this month under its program to stabilize
288-0033
"The E yes and Ears of th e C om m unity
the thrift industry...
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DOUGLAS TURNER VIA RD
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L L A IN E JACKSON
KATHLEEN C O L L IN S
^ | ’ . . l . G IB S O N
^ K J T O / . A K I . SU ANGE
^ A N ü i UENUE KENNEDY
4 ( roh h i e n i . R
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DODSON
p i l l i l i C A LD W LL I.
MARCUS IIE M I’ II l L L
f ^ J . E . F R A N K L IN
B IL L Y
GRAHAM
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^ M A X W E L L G L A N V IL L E
l . I F IO R D MATON
^ O L I V E R P IT C IIE R
À j l ’ I l I L L I P HAYES DEAN
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WALKER
AUGUST WI LSON
EORGE C . WOLFE
*
*
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
“ the only salon”
<
Dare to be different Portland’s most unique, innovative Hair Salon will
spotlight their creative staff in “ THE L (X )K " A Hair & Fashion Presentation
- - A celebration of Hair & Fashion’s Perpetual state of transformation. Salon
owner & Design Group Brenda Sammodurov - inspired by their recent
advanced training in San Francisco arc gearing up for excitement options -
“ THE L(X)K & M (X)D" featuring, classic contemporary and the renaissance
trends.
This is not another pretentious overrated style show.“ TH E LOOK OF
HAIR EXTENSIONS” Hairpieces, color, & hair design will dominate.
The atmosphere “ TH E L O O K ” will present, clothes, entertainment,
cocktails, food - plus an exciting evening.
PLACE; The Starry Night
DATE: May 6, 1989
TIME: 8:00 pm - Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvrcs
9:00 pm - Showtime
COST: S10. per ticket
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT:
“ DARE TO BE DIFFERENT:
1123 SW WASHINGTON
CALL - 227-1660