By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
For two seasons, a record number of viewers have been captivated in the binging of Shonda Rhimes’ hit Netflix period series “Bridgerton.”
Now, through the partnership of Shondaland, Netflix and Fever, the Regency era comes to life with The Queen’s Ball: The Bridgerton Experience, an immersive event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel from April 8 through May 29.
Travel to Mayfair, London in the year 1813. Interact with actors dressed in exquisite period costumes for an evening consisting of music and dance featuring acrobatic performances, a stunning dance show, delicious cocktails and much more, all accompanied by the iconic “Bridgerton” soundtrack.
The ball will be held in the two most exquisite halls that the Biltmore has to offer: The Crystal Ballroom (known as “the birthplace of the Oscar”) and the Tiffany Room.
Esteemed members of the “Ton” will experience the true meaning of sophistication and style under a hand-painted 30-foot ceiling, majestic balconies and magnificent Austrian crystal chandeliers; they will also find beautiful, vaulted wood ceilings, graceful colonnades and a hand-carved frieze in the reception area.
Visit www.bridgertonexperience.com/los-angeles/ to reserve your space and for more information including additional presentations in Chicago, Montreal and Washington, D.C.
FEST FILE: Kicking off April 8 is the 2022 Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Film Festival with movies, workshops and panels. The 10-day festival will be held in-person thru April 13 and online April 13-17. Visit OutfestFusion.com to purchase tickets.
TASTY QUIP: “Besties don’t cry we’ve come along way. Remember I came from homeless to this day so I’m really still very humbled and grateful. I see all your support and disappointments, but you know we never give up. We back at it again tomorrow. I love you all so much, watch little Gracie pan Grammy red Carpet.” – SPICE (nee Grace Hamilton) to her 3.9 million disappointed Instagram followers after being one of four Black artists to lose best reggae album to predominantly white Virginia band Soldier of Jah Army
CLIPPETTES: Country rock sensation Valerie June plays the Fonda Theatre on April 8; as Armand Hammer and Kenny Segal perform at The Roxy …
The same evening finds Billie Eilish beginning two nights of her Happier Than Ever, The World Tour at The Forum; and the start of three nights of ballet at the Holden Performing Arts Center courtesy of the Garth Fagan Dance company …
After a 13-year feud, filmmaker Lee Daniels reunited with his “Precious” star Mo’Nique on stage to announce they will work together again. She will replace Octavia Spencer in the horror film “Demon House” with Andra Day, Aunjanue Ellis, Glenn Close, Rob Morgan and Caleb McLaughlin (“Stranger Things”) …
The Regency Westwood Village Theatre presents a screening of “New Jack City” to be followed by a question and answer session with its director Mario Van Peebles on April 9 …
Also that night, Eric Bellinger and Sammie are at the Vermont Hollywood; Lil Durk’s 7220 Tour hits the YouTube Theater; Latin Grammy Award winner Buika plays the Luckman Fine Arts Complex; and the Martha Redbone Roots Project, spotlighting the melodic Black Native American singer/songwriter’s songs and storytelling occupies the Broad Stage …
Perhaps doing a solid for the over 50,000 signatures calling for his ouster from Coachella, Kanye West has decided not to perform at the famed music festival joining the previously cancelled Travis Scott on the sidelines …
Popular Afrobeat band Antibalas are at the Lodge Room for two nights beginning April 12 …
Apple TV+ is staying in business with their “See” lead Jason Momoa by greenlighting “Chief of War,” a limited series about the unification and colonization of Hawaii, for which the “Aquaman” actor will write, produce and star …
April 13 finds rapper Denzel Curry with Jean Dawson and Kenny Mason at The Novo; as four-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier arrives from Europe for two nights at The Wiltern with his Djesse World Tour …
Due to popular demand, Lionel Richie’s residency at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas has been expanded with additional shows in July, August and October of this year …
Four-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo conjures a world of magical realism for “Yemandja,” incorporating the story of the Yoruban deity into a musical theatre work inspired by her ancestors, her family and Africa’s resilience. It runs April 14-16 at the Broad Stage …
Jazz Is Dead presents progressive British jazz combo Sons Of Kemet at the Lodge Room on April 14; while L.A. singer/songwriter Mark Joseph holds court at the Hotel Café.
TASTY QUIP: “When you listen to me, I want you to feel like you’ve taken an emotional shower. That’s what I’m trying to accomplish for myself. To me, music is a vehicle of catharsis. I write a lot of sad songs, but I always push for a sliver of a silver lining or glimmer of hope it could be better. That’s why I’m writing in the first place. I want you to be changed when you hear me, and not because I’m special, but because I make music with the intention to change myself.” – Nigerian-American LGBTQ singer, songwriter JOY OLADOKUN who performs at The Troubadour April 11
TC ON TV: April 8 – “All The Old Knives” (Prime Video): Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton and Laurence Fishburne (who just signed to portray NBA coach Doc Rivers in a FX limited series about deposed L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling) star in this movie about formerly entangled CIA agents reuniting for one last mission. “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” (Apple TV+): You still have time to binge one of the year’s best shows before the finale. “Woke” (Hulu): A second season of the sitcom inspired by the life and work of artist Keith Knight with Lamorne Morris. “Green Eggs and Ham” (Netflix): More of the animated series based on the beloved Dr. Seuss children’s book featuring the voices of Daveed Diggs, Jeffrey Wright, Tracy Morgan, Keegan-Michael Key and more. “Magnum P.I.” (CBS): Series star Jay Hernandez makes his directorial debut with this episode. “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO): The narrative sketch comedy series returns for a third season.
April 9 – “2022 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards” (Nick): Kid Cudi and Jack Harlow are set to perform in this 90-minute special. “Fallen Angels Murder Club: Heroes and Felons” (Lifetime): Here is the second installment of the murder mystery movies with Toni Braxton, Eddie Cibrian and Kelly Hu. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Jake Gyllenhaal hosts with musical guest Camila Cabello.
April 10 – “61st Street” (AMC): Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis star in this two-season thriller from Michael B. Jordan‘s Outlier Society. The series courses through the dark heart of the infamous Chicago criminal justice system as police and prosecutors investigate a deadly drug bust that threatens to unravel the police department’s code of silence. “Unsung” (TV1): Das EFX “Uncensored” (TV1): Cee Lo Green
April 11 – “Live with Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Idris Elba “2022 CMT Music Awards” (CBS): Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini host live from Nashville with performers to include Mickey Guyton with Black Pumas.
April 12 – “Finding Your Roots” (PBS): Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. guides Regina King and Damon Lindelof, the creative forces behind HBO’s “Watchmen,” to their family truths. “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild “N Out” (VH1): Tommy Davidson, Sleepy Hallow “Name That Tune” (Fox): Shaggy vs. Kim Fields “To Tell The Truth” (ABC): Amanda Seales, Jaleel White
April 13 – “High Design” (Disc+): HGTV alum, interior designer and self-proclaimed cannabis connoisseur Kim Myles transforms marijuana dispensaries from California to Maine while taking field trips to learn how to make cannabis soaps, lotions, sodas, food items and much more.
April 14 – “Due Season” (BET+): Vivica A. Fox, BeBe Winans, Rolanda Watts, Dorien Wilson (“The Parkers”) and Barry Shabaka Henley (“Bob Hearts Abishola”) are featured in this church-based drama. “Killing It” (Peacock): A sitcom with Craig Robinson (“The Office”) as a security guard who finds fame and fortune as a snake hunter. “Atlanta” (FX): Gotta love the descriptions for these episodes. Here’s one they posted for this week: “Sometimes shows just be over my head acting fake deep. Where’s the poop jokes?”
END QUOTE: “I think it’s a very honest season. I think all of the characters are sort of out of their element, which allows things to rise to the surface that you would otherwise be able to, in [both] habits and in comfort, suppress. Here, you can’t because you have nothing to catch you. I think it’s a lot of truth, and I think reflections of where we’re all at as ourselves and as people.” – ZAZIE BEETZ (FX’s “Atlanta”) at SXSW
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.
