By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Marking the anniversary of Black Independence Day in America, Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom will take place at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl June 19, featuring a diverse lineup of thoughtful, impactful and essential Black artists.
The once-in-a-lifetime bill includes Anthony Hamilton, Billy Porter, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Earth Wind & Fire, Jhené Aiko, Killer Mike, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Questlove, Robert Glasper, The Roots and The Re-Collective Orchestra (a 68-piece all-Black symphony orchestra).
Notably, the event makes history as it will be the first time an all-Black orchestra has performed on stage in the bowl’s 100-year history.
Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge will conduct, while Adam Blackstone and The Roots co-founder and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Questlove will serve as the evening’s musical directors. It promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Black culture and excellence brought to life and powered by Black creators.
Additional artists are to be announced with tickets currently available online at www.hollywoodbowl.com or via phone at (323) 850-2000.
DESTINATION (NASHVILLE): Tasty Clips paid a visit to “Music City,” Tennessee to tour the impressive National Museum of African American Music in advance of June’s Black Music Month.
The interior design is quite remarkable in the presentation marking corridors devoted to African influences in the blues, gospel, big band, jazz, soul, R&B, funk, hip hop and so much more.
This is brought home in a number of interactive stations allowing visitors to sing, dance, mix their own recordings and discover their personal style. Plan a trip at www.nmaam.org.
Across the street at the historic Ryman Auditorium, celebrating 130 years, a press conference was held announcing its selection as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark with a new plaque to be placed in the hallowed courtyard and touring exhibit.
“She’s a beacon and a bucket list experience for us all — creators and fans alike,” said Old Dominion lead singer Matthew Ramsey of the venue renowned as the “Mother Church of Country Music.”
Kierra Sheard, Randy Weston, Darius Rucker, Marty Stuart, Chelsea Handler, Amos Lee and the Fisk Jubilee Singers are among the upcoming acts at www.ryman.com.
FOR THE PEOPLE: The third annual Arts, Culture And Entertainment Festival, a free two-day hybrid event featuring conversations and presentations from entertainment industry professionals, is being powered by the NAACP June 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. online and live at the Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. For info and schedule of the sessions, panels and workshops, visit www.naacpacefestival.org.
TASTY QUIP: “Oprah was the problem, Tyler Perry was the problem, Charlamagne was the problem, Steve Harvey was the problem, Lee Daniels was the problem, Netflix was the problem. … Now it’s MY turn. At some point it can’t be everyone else, IT’S YOU!! Lesson learned.” – D.L. HUGHLEY responding to Mo’Nique’s blasting him on stage and off for headlining their bill at Detroit’s Fox Theatre.
CLIPPETTES: Three days of world-class jazz, R&B and soul music will be in effect at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival (June 3-5) at the Hyatt Regency. Headliners include CeeLo Green (tributing James Brown and all the hits), Brian Culbertson (in his first SoCal performance in over two years), Brian McKnight, Marcus Miller, Eric Benet, Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon, and more …
Also on June 3, the Hollywood Bowl kicks off its centennial season with Gwen Stefani and the LA Phil, and the weeklong Power To The People; David Ryan Harris plays the Troubadour; South African DJ, singer/songwriter Muzi lands at The Virgil; and Prince tribute band Princess with Maya Rudolph & Gretchen Lieberum holds court at The Belasco …
Stephen Marley’s Babylon By Bus Tour stops at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre on June 4; while Tears For Fears rock the Forum. In addition, hip hop is represented by Pusha T at The Novo, Lil Tracy at The Belasco and Samm Henshaw at The Roxy …
Kraftwerk 3-D Tour arrives at the Shrine Auditorium on June 5; as Snoh Aalegra sings at the YouTube Theater and Boz Scaggs plays his rocking blues at the Fox Performing Arts Center …
June 6 finds Fivio Foreign at The Observatory and Umi beginning three nights at The Fonda …
Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, Uzo Aduba, Isiah Whitlock Jr., James Brolin and others are expected to walk the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of the Walt Disney/Pixar animated feature “Lightyear” on June 8 around 5 p.m. at the El Capitan Theatre. It opens in theaters June 17 …
Jazz Is Dead presents bassist Christian McBride on June 9 at Lodge Room …
The first professional production of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” in L.A. is currently running through July 17 at Santa Monica’s Ruskin Group Theatre. For more info, call (310) 397-3244 or visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
TASTY QUIP: “There’s nothing anybody can do to stop this hate. But I think the thing that bothers me is this feeling that I’ve had inside of myself, which no one has told me, but this feeling of I just have to shut up and take it; I just have to grin and bear it and I’m not built like that.” – “Obi-Wan Kenobi” star MOSES INGRAM on receiving hundreds of racist comments for being cast in the “Star Wars” universe
TC ON TV: June 3 – “P-Valley” (Starz): Are you ready for more of Nicco Annan’s Uncle Clifford? The critically acclaimed drama series from creator, executive producer and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall returns for its highly anticipated sophomore season. “The View” (ABC): Mike Colter (“Luke Cage” and the upcoming “I’m Charlie Walker”) “Wendy Williams” (Fox): Guest hosts Vivica A. Fox and Carson Kressley welcome Judge Greg Mathis and his wife Linda (“Mathis Family Matters”). “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Godfrey, Compton Cowboys and Dr. Moogega Cooper joins Tiffany Haddish and Deon Cole for a double feature of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2” and “Wild Wild West.” “Pause with Sam Jay” (HBO): “I Know Why The Caged Homie Sings”
June 4 – “Party At The Palace” (ABC): A star-studded tribute to Her Majesty’s unprecedented anniversary from Buckingham Palace with Queen + Adam Lambert, Diana Ross, Alicia Keys, Craig David, Stefflon Don, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Nile Rodgers, Mica Paris and more. The show also will feature appearances live and on film by David Beckham, Dame Julie Andrews, Sir Elton John, Lin-Manuel Miranda plus performances featuring casts and special guests from “Hamilton,” “The Lion King“ and “The Phantom Of The Opera.”
June 5 – “2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards” (MTV/VH1/CW/BET/POP/NICK): Vanessa Hudgens hosts. Top nominees include “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (seven nominations), “Euphoria” (six) and “The Batman” (four). First-time nominees include “Inventing Anna,” “Moon Knight,” “Pam & Tommy,” “The Adam Project,” “The Dropout” and “The Lost City.”
June 6 – “Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill” (Netflix): An outrageous set filmed at L.A.’s Netflix Is A Joke Festival. “Celebrity IOU” (HGTV) “Halle Berry’s Beautiful Gift For Cherished Teacher”
June 7 – “Yo! MTV Raps” (Para+): Saba “All Rise” (OWN): The riveting courtroom drama series starring Simone Missick returns for a third season. “Bobby Brown: Every Little Step” (A&E): Moves to its regular time slot with two episodes. “Origins of Hip-Hop” (A&E): Busta Rhymes
June 8 – “Hungry For Answers” (Disc+): Scholar, award-winning writer, restaurateur and cookbook author Caroline Randall Williams travels the country uncovering the fascinating, essential and often untold Black stories behind some of America’s classic and emblematic food and spirits like Nashville Hot Chicken and Tennessee Whiskey. From Julius Tennon and Viola Davis’ JuVee Productions. “Ms. Marvel” (Disney+): Introducing Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City who gets superpowers like the heroes like Captain Marvel she’s always looked up to. “Hustle” (Netflix): Exec producer Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangomez, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster and Anthony Edwards are featured in this inspiring story of NBA hoop dreams from Spain. “Let’s Make A Deal Primetime” (CBS): Wayne Brady after dark.
June 9 – “B-Boy Blues” (BET+): Debut director Jussie Smollett’s adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel makes its streaming premiere with a cast including Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B (“The Real World”) and Marquise Vilson (“Tom Swift”). “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration” (Netflix): Wanda Sykes, Lena Waithe, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Marsha Warfield, Gina Yashere, Eddie Izzard, Billy Eichner, Sarah Paulsen, Lily Tomlin and more. “Brat Loves Judy” (WE): It’s another season of the reality show spotlighting the relationship between legendary rapper turned radio host Da Brat and her multi-millionaire CEO girlfriend, Jesseca “Judy” Dupart.
END QUOTE: “Wild how many people have asked for a school shooting episode of the show I write. People are that deeply removed from demanding more from the politicians they’ve elected and are instead demanding ‘entertainment.’ I can’t ask ‘are yall ok’ anymore because the answer is ‘no.’” Please use that energy to ask your elected official to get on Beto [O’Roarke] time and nothing less. I’m begging you.” – QUINTA BRUNSON of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary”
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.