By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
In one of those magnificent signs that the pandemic may be behind us, Bruno Mars is coming back to the Park MGM Theatre Las Vegas to continue his 24K Magic residency.
Tickets for the sure to sell out shows beginning July 3 and 4, with four additional dates concluding on July 24, are on sale April 30 at 10 a.m. PDT via Ticketmaster.
The 11-time Grammy Award-winner who has sold more than 180 million singles worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists of all time, is currently riding the top of the charts as part of Silk Sonic, a collaboration with Anderson .Paak with the sultry “Leave The Door Open.”
A NIGHT OF HONORS: The spring 2021 gala, A Night With Crossroads, will honor the great Cicely Tyson with a celebration hosted by Anika Noni Rose with Blair Underwood, Al Roker and bluesman Guy Davis May 20. Get your tickets at anightwithcrossroads.org/.
On April 30, legendary keyboardist/composer Herbie Hancock will be honored by the Friends of Jazz at UCLA for a virtual concert with Freda Payne, Barbara Morrison and more in celebration of the 10th anniversary of International Jazz Day. For more info, visit schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/.
PARTY LIKE IT MATTERS: Register now for OZY Fest 2021 (May 15-16) in partnership with HBCU’s and Clubhouse with headliners including musicians Chance the Rapper, Sevyn Streeter and Big Freedia; comedians Tig Notaro and Aida Rodriguez; chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Tom Colicchio and Ming Tsai; thought leaders Rep. Maxine Waters, Condoleezza Rice, Malcolm Gladwell, Rev. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Sunny Hostin, Alicia Garza, Marcus Scribner, DeRay Mckesson, Valerie Jarrett, and Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr.; and sports figures Michael Vick, Stephen A Smith and CC Sabathia.
Ozy.com/ozyfesttickets/ has free streaming, VIP and HBCU passes available for the festival to be livestreamed to the Carlos Watson Show YouTube Channel.
CLIPPETTES: On the heels of award-winning recognition for her starring role in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” Andra Day has unveiled a telling docu-style video for her fresh new single “Phone Dies” on Warner Records. The camera sure does love her! …
Jamie Chung from HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” curated an exclusive playlist of her favorite films and series for the streamer’s “See Us: AAPI And Our Global Community” spotlight page launching May 1. Among the hours of curated programming, her recommendations include titles such as “The High Note” (directed by Nisha Ganatra), “Made for Love,” “Unscripted,” “How to Make it in America,” and “Lovecraft Country” as well …
Also that evening, the Kennedy Center presents An Evening of Jazz and Dance with visionary choreographer Alonzo King, Jason Moran, NYC Ballet’s award–winning Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, and Grammy Award–winning jazz artist Gregory Porter. It is free for one night at kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/ …
Badass & Beautiful: Ms. Lisa Fischer (“20 Feet From Stardom”) features the acclaimed vocalist accompanied by Taylor Eigsti on piano on May 2. Ridgefieldplayhouse.org has the details …
Sanaa Lathan, Dawnn Lewis, Audra McDonald, Anika Noni Rose, Gabourey Sidibe, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Wanda Sykes, Pauletta Washington, Vanessa Williams, and many more are set for The Billie’s special virtual fifth-anniversary edition of their monologue show, “50in50: Shattering the Glass Ceiling!” Free RSVP is required for the May 6 show on Facebook Live …
Choreographer Jamar Roberts’ “Members Don’t Get Weary,” set to music by jazz legend John Coltrane, is now available to watch on the Alvin Ailey website and YouTube through May 11 …
Departure by Charly Palmer, a solo exhibition featuring this incredible artist’s work from the last 30 years, including pieces never been seen by the public, as well as new artwork created for this show is open virtually through Aug. 1. Register at hammondshouse.org.
TC ON TV: April 30 – “Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse” (Amazon): The Michael B. Jordan actioner is getting lots of buzz. “22 vs. Earth” (Disney+): A new short prequel of sorts to Oscar-winning Best Animated Feature “Soul.” “Marvel Studios Assembled” (Disney+): “The Making of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” (Netflix): Maya Rudolph and Eric André add voices to this futuristic animated comedy film. “Drew Barrymore” (Syn): Oprah Winfrey, Roy Choi, Dionne Warwick “Tamron Hall” (Syn): John Legend, Tamika Mallory “International Jazz Day 10th Anniversary Celebration” (PBS): Morgan Freeman, Will Smith and Helen Mirren introduce legendary clips showcasing Stevie Wonder, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela, Tony Bennett, Annie Lennox and Sting. “Behind Every Man” (OWN): Heather Packer, wife of producer Will Packer, is profiled in the season finale. “Doing The Most With Phoebe Robinson” (Comedy): Hasan Minhaj and Ashley Graham are guests.
May 1 – “CBS This Morning/Saturday” (CBS): Bluesman Robert Finley “Inspiring America: The 2021 Inspiration List” (NBC/Telemundo): Lester Holt, (just named managing editor of NBC Nightly News in addition to anchor), Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie host this new event honoring difference makers Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bubba Wallace, Becky Hammon, José Andrés and more. “Revenge Delivered” (Lifetime): Olunike Adeliyi, Mary Antonini and Samantha Brown star in this suspenseful movie about a renowned obstetrician who suspects that one of her student residents is secretly the vengeful daughter of someone from her past.
May 2 – “Autopsy: The Last Hours of …” (Reelz): Aretha Franklin “Unsung” (TV1): Bobby Valentino “Pose” (FX): A third and final season of the series spotlighting New York’s underground ball culture begins with back-to-back episodes featuring Billy Porter, Charlayne Woodard and Dominique Jackson. “Uncensored” (TV1): Lisa Leslie “United Shades of America” (CNN): W. Kamau Bell returns to explore “Policing The Police.”
May 3 – “Best Baker in America” (Food): Carla Hall hosts 10 world-class bakers battling it out on over eight episodes for a chance to walk away with $25,000 and the coveted title. “AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange” (World): Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi’s “Bakosó: Afrobeats of Cuba” “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (NGC): “Danny Trejo in the Moab Desert”
May 4 – “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” (Disney+): A spin-off of “The Clone Wars” following the escapades of an unique squad of clones each with a singular exceptional skill set. “Survivalists” (BYUtv): The Serratos Family from Lake Forest, CA compete with no technology in the premiere episode of the adventure reality series. “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (VH1): Peter & Cory Gunz, Queen Najia, Donnell Rawlings
May 5 – “Kids Say The Darndest Things” (CBS): The reboot led by Tiffany Haddish gets a second season on a new network. Tonight, the kids make a special visit to “The Price Is Right” to play fun pricing games with the show’s host Drew Carey. “Crank Yankers” (Comedy): The Emmy-nominated series is back bringing the classic art of the prank phone call to life with voice talent this season including, but not limited to Desus & Mero, Tracy Morgan, Bobby Brown, JB Smoove, Jimmy Kimmel, Punkie Johnson and more.
May 6 – “Favorite Son” (BET+): Robin Givens directs this gospel group drama starring Rotimi, Jonathan McReynolds, E Roger Mitchell, Keke Wyatt, Sereyah and Lisa Arrindell. “Stuck With You” (ALLBLK): Timon Kyle Durrett (“Queen Sugar”) and Tammy Townsend portray a couple whose model marriage falls apart. AJ Johnson, D. Woods and Shanice round out the cast. “Legendary” (HBO Max): Season two of the competition focused on ballroom culture will feature guest judges Taraji P. Henson, Amiyah Scott, Nicco Annan, Normani, Adam Lambert and Demi Lovato. “That Damn Michael Che” (HBO Max): A new sketch and vignette comedy series centered on the point of view of the “Saturday Night Live” news desk anchor. Fellow SNL cast members Cecily Strong, Ellen Cleghorne and Colin Jost lend their talents along with guest stars Omari Hardwick, Geoffrey Owens, Godfrey and Method Man.
TASTY QUIP: “It’s time to come back together. To laugh. To cheer. We’re ready to make you believe again. Because nobody does a comeback like the movies. We’ll see you soon.” – VIN DIESEL to fans in a special video promoting “F9: The Fast Saga” opening in theatres June 25
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.
