By Bill Vaughan, Entertainment Writer
An impressive slate of feature films starring well-known actors Jimmy Jean-Louis and Djimon Hounsou, stunning shorts and panels will be on display at the fifth annual Haiti International Virtual Film Festival to be held on Xerb.TV, Aug. 15 and 16, from noon to 6 p.m.
With this year’s theme being an exploration of what it means to be Haitian in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Boston and Haiti, the festival promises to offer unique insights into the nation’s people and culture.
Hosted by actor Bechir Sylvain, the 2019 HIFF emerging leader honoree and community activist from Moun Lakay, this year’s festivities will also present award-winning entrepreneur and startup ecosystem expert Christine Ntim as the 2020 Haitian Diaspora Award Honoree.
A seminar on “Thriving in the Film Industry: A Business Perspective,” will be led by Soleil Films’ Florence Regina with panelists Dominique Telson of Astute Films and Janae Desire of Creative Artists Agency.
In addition, the Haitian Creative Panel, “Finding Your Voice Through the Power of Authentic Storytelling,” will be moderated by entrepreneur/author/philanthropist Karen Civil with contributions by Jean Elie, an Emmy nominee for the series, “Insecure;” and Michele Stephenson, also an Emmy nominee for the documentary, “American Promise.”
“It is critical that we continue to showcase our Haitian filmmakers, especially at this moment in our history when the Black community voice is rising up,” said Executive Director Jacquil Constant. “[HIFF] serves as a platform to connect the Haitian Diaspora film community to Hollywood. We look forward to this virtual film festival platform that will allow us to reach a wider audience this year, both nationally and internationally.”
Tickets start at $10 to watch one film, $20 for the Festival Day Pass, and $40 for a two-day VIP Pass.
For more information, visit: www.xerb.tv/channel/haitiinternationalfilmfestivalorg/virtual-events.
MUSIC AT HOME: Brittany Howard, Black Pumas, Durand Jones, Yola, Tank and the Bangas, Nathaniel Rateliff and Cold War Kids form the eclectic line-up of Jack Daniel’s Crash The Couch virtual music festival streaming free on their YouTube channel Aug. 14 and 15 at 4 p.m. Along with musical performances, the livestream event raising funds for the Sweet Relief COVID-19 Musicians Fund, will also include cocktail demonstrations.
Ringo Starr, Slash, Macy Gray, John Oates, Darryl McDaniels (a.k.a. DMC), Vintage Trouble and more are set for (DE)TOUR, a daylong charity music festival benefiting out of work touring artists and crew members on Aug 15. Experience the free livestream and learn more at www.RollingLiveStudios.com.
Also that day, L.A.-based DJ Shacia Päyne, daughter of Stephen Marley and the only professional deejay among the Marley musical offspring, spins Sounds of Jamaica from 2 to 4 p.m. on Instagram @clubhouse_global.
Closing the afternoon, award-winning jazz vocalist Nicole Henry opens the new concert series Music At Home: Live From Arts Garage at 4 p.m. Get tickets at www.artsgarage.org.
Aug. 16 brings Virtually Yours: Sarah Dash‘s 75th Birthday Bash with her many friends including Jean Carne, Will Downing, Nona Hendryx, Melba Moore, Patti LaBelle, Ann Nesby, Keith Richards and Mary Wilson beginning at 5 p.m. at www.levitt.org.
TASTY QUIP: “Attention is also a drug and competition is around. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, they are all more or less doing similar salacious gesturing to kinda get into position. I get it, the independent woman and being in control, the divine femininity and sexual expression. I get it all but it comes at what cost?” – CEE-LO GREEN to Far Out
CLIPPETTES: Ava DuVernay is bringing movies to the people Aug. 14 and 15 via Array Drive-In, a free pop-up launching with screenings of “Selena” and “Purple Rain.” Advance registration at www.arraynow.com/drivein is required for the event following safety guidelines being held at 1055 W. 6th St. Parking from 8:30 to 11 p.m. …
“Please, Baby, Please,” the “black-ish” episode pulled by ABC in its fourth season due to “creative differences,” has premiered on Hulu this week …
Mel Brooks’ classic comedy “Blazing Saddles” will be adapted as an animated film to be called “Blazing Samurai” with dogs and cats voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh and Brooks …
BronzeLens Film Festival – The Virtual Experience is in full swing through Aug. 16 with a packed schedule of virtual programs including film screenings, industry panels, virtual mixers, nightly after parties and mainstay events such as Sunday Brunch with the Brothers, The BronzeLens Awards Show and its distinctive Cinema and Social Justice Sunday. Visit: www.bronzelens.com for details …
“Bel-Air,” young filmmaker Morgan Cooper’s viral dramatic short take on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” is being shopped as an hour-long series to be overseen by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s production companies …
New streaming service Peacock announced they are giving weekly after-hour shows to Amber Ruffin, currently a writer and performer on NBC’s “Late Night,” and Emmy Award-winning producer, actor and comedian Larry Wilmore …
RIP to character actor Raymond G. Allen Sr. who brought many a smile to television audiences through his portrayals of Ned the Wino on “Good Times” and Uncle Woodrow “Woody” Anderson, husband of Aunt Esther on “Sanford and Son.” He was 91.
TASTY QUIP: “It’s like I have a target on my back, but it’s not because of my music. Because I haven’t done music for eight months, and people still try to attack me. I feel like people are attacking me because they want me to feel the pressure of bullying, and they want me to give up, and they want me to say, ‘Oh, I quit music’ or ‘I’ll delete my Instagram, delete my Twitter,’ and I’m not willing to do that. No one will ever have that much power [over] me.” – CARDI B to ELLE
TC ON TV: Aug. 14 – “Project Power” (Netflix): Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback storm the streets of New Orleans hunting for the source behind a dangerous new pill that grants users temporary superpowers. “The One and Only Ivan” (Disney+): Bryan Cranston and the voices of Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Ron Funches and Chaka Khan are featured in this live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla. “Fe@rless” (Netflix): This animated kid-friendly sci-fi comedy film stars the voices of Gabrielle Union, Yara Shahidi, Dwyane Wade, Fat Joe, Miguel, Jadakiss and Angie Martinez.
Aug. 15 – “Tom Jones” (AXS): The Welsh pop legend sings in a concert taped at Chicago’s landmark Grainger Studio in 2016. “Girlfriends Check In” (OWN): Letoya Luckett
Aug. 16 – “Close Up With the Hollywood Reporter” (Sundance): Ramy Youssef, Kenan Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Dan Levy and Ricky Gervais participate in the “Comedy Actors” roundtable. “Autopsy: The Last Hours Of …” (Reelz): Burt Reynolds “Lovecraft Country” (HBO): “Underground” creator Misha Green’s new series premieres with horror fantasy tales set in the 1950s Jim Crow South with a remarkable cast of Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B. Vance, Aunjanue Ellis, Jamie Chung, Erica Tazel, Tony Goldwyn and Michael Kenneth Williams, who a year ago told Tasty Clips exclusively that “This show is going to blow folks’ minds!” “United Shades of America” (CNN): New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones (“1619 Project”) and jazz musician Branford Marsalis chime in on “The Time For Reparations.” “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Phoebe Robinson (“2 Dope Queens”) and Karen Huger (“The Real Housewives of Potomac”)
Aug. 18 – “I Quit” (DSC): Follows six sets of hopeful entrepreneurs as they leave their steady incomes and retirement plans behind, going all in on their dreams of launching their own businesses. “Real Sports with Bryant Gumble” (HBO): A sit-down with Nnamdi Asomugha, once the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, who has now made a name for himself as an actor and producer in both theater and film following the model set by his Hollywood megastar wife, Kerry Washington.
Aug. 19 – “Final 24” (AXS): On his last day alive, soul superstar Marvin Gaye is depressed and paranoid. He’s abandoned his latest tour and is holed up at his parents’ L.A. home where drug use and tensions escalate. “Cari & Jemele: Stick To Sports” (Vice): Ex-ESPN hosts/BFFs Jemele Hill and Cari Champion chat with guests and offer their perspectives on political, pop culture and sports issues.
TASTY QUIP: “I love going to the show any excuse I can get. I just didn’t really anticipate traveling during this pandemic, but if there’s anyone who can work it out, I’m sure Lorne (Michaels) has some kind of invisible helicopter that can get me there. – MAYA RUDOLPH to EW on reprising her Emmy-nominated “SNL” role as Sen. Kamala Harris after her announcement as Democratic vice presidential candidate
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
