By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
She is a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author (“Feeding The Soul”), social media juggernaut, TV personality, actress (“The Chi”), creator of furnishing and clothing lines on display at Target, and perhaps the world’s most popular arbiter of a clean and healthy lifestyle.
Now, Tabitha Brown is on the road talking about the release of her first compilation of family-friendly vegan recipes called “Cooking From The Spirit.” The tour hits Los Angeles, Oct. 16 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Theatre at Ace Hotel.
Tasty Clips entered the universe of Brown in Charlotte, North Carolina where a rapt audience hung on her every word, many already familiar with the story of the woman who was living with a terrible undiagnosed illness for more than a year and a half before trying the cleanse that changed her life.
“No, those diseases don’t run in the family, but those plates do,” she preaches. Sometimes people say, “I’ve never eaten vegan before.” As Brown replies, “Have you ever eaten an apple?”
The joyful book features personal stories, inspirational “Tabisms,” and more than 80 recipes broken up in chapters: breakfast & brunch; pizza & good stuff; burgers, sandwiches & tacos; appetizers & sides; main dishes; soups & salads; and sweet treats & fresh juices.
“Cooking From The Spirit” is for anyone interested in plant-based eating and all lovers of food, plus anyone who wants a little warm inspiration in their lives. As she says, “Honey, now let’s go on and get to cooking from the spirit. Yes? Very good!”
LAUGH LINES: Jennifer Lee Pryor will give a special introduction at the 40th anniversary screening of her late husband’s 1982 film “Richard Pryor: Live On The Sunset Strip” at The Million Dollar Theater on Oct. 14. Following the movie, several noted stand-up comedians are expected on stage for a roundtable Q&A on Pryor’s legacy to comedy.
Also that evening, Chelsea Handler performs at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater; Bill Bellamy begins a three-night stand at the Ontario Improv; and Shang commences his Southern California comedy tour through Oct. 16 with stops at The Roosevelt Hotel, Comedy Chateau, Laugh Factory and Crow Comedy Club. Visit IAmShang.com/Tour for tickets.
Arab American comedy pioneer Mo Amer, star of Netflix’ “Mo,” a regular on Hulu’s “Ramy” and featured player in the upcoming “Black Adam,” brings his stand-up show to The Coach House on Oct. 20.
RED CARPET WALK: George Clooney and Julia Roberts are the draws for the Hollywood premiere of their new movie “Ticket To Paradise” at the Regency Village Theatre on Oct. 17.
The following day at the same location, Netflix’ “The School For Good & Evil” bows with Kerry Washington, Lawrence Fishburne, Charlize Theron, Michelle Yeoh, Cate Blanchett and more. It debuts Oct. 19 on the streaming service.
CLIPPETTES: Seems like every four years or so there’s a rumor that Sade is recording new music. The latest one has arrived with Billboard reporting that she’s been hunkered down at Brad Pitt’s renovated Miraval Studios in France …
Meanwhile, the enduring Patti LaBelle announced her new 20-song project will have guest appearances by fellow vocalists Mariah Carey, Jazmine Sullivan and Ledisi. Somehow, she is fitting this in between touring and a recurring role on ABC’s “The Wonder Years” …
Jazz Is Dead sets up shop Oct. 14 with Milton Nascimento at The Mayan; as Julian Lage and The Bad Plus headline at Walt Disney Concert Hall; and Florence + The Machine hit the Hollywood Bowl. Hip hop is represented with Action Bronson at The Observatory, Dave East at The Vermont, Cochise at The Roxy and Pi’erre Bourne at The Wiltern …
Cory Henry and The Funk Apostles deliver the goods to the Fonda Theatre on Oct. 15; as young bluesman Jontavious Willis hits the stage of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center …
CBS has given the green light to a new father/son sitcom to star Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. …
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band consisting of Steve Lukather (Toto), Colin Hay (Men At Work), Warren Ham (Kansas), Gregg Bissonette (ELO), Hamish Stuart (AWB) and Edgar Winter is at The Greek on Oct. 16 …
Lil Nas X’s Oct. 18 show at the YouTube Theater is sold out, but if there’s a will …
Oct. 20 finds a live and virtual event bringing poet and filmmaker Fatimah Asghar and actor, director and producer Jay Ellis (“Insecure” “Top Gun: Maverick”) to the Reparations Club to discuss her new book “When We Were Sisters.” Later that night, poet Harryette Mullen is at the Hammer Museum.
TASTY QUIP: “You know, what happened at the beginning of my career, my characters died in the movies and apparently, I died my ass off. I was like, ‘Wait a minute, if I keep dying in these movies, I can’t do a sequel.’ Henceforth, we kind of threw [a clause] in there, a little off-the-cuff funniness. I was like, ‘No more dying. No more getting shot up by 300 bullets in this car’.” – QUEEN LATIFAH on “The Drew Barrymore Show”
TC ON TV: Oct. 14 – “The Curse of Bridge Hollow” (Netflix): Halloween celebrations begin with this comedy starring Marlon Wayans and Priah Ferguson (“Stranger Things”). “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (Amazon): Blink on this fine show and you’ll miss seven years! “Halloween Ends” (Peacock): Didn’t they say that about the last one? “See” (Apple TV+): Jason Momoa wraps up this series’ storyline. “Shantaram” (Apple TV+): A new drama series starring Charlie Hunnam (“Sons of Anarchy”) in a period love story coupled with a thrilling epic adventure that follows one man’s journey to redemption through a country that changes his life. “Martha’s Gardens” (Roku): Martha Stewart teaches America how to garden like she does from her Bedford Farm in monthly episodes. “Next At The Kennedy Center” (PBS): The debut episode celebrates the legacy of composer, bassist, and bandleader Charles Mingus (1922-1979), a seminal figure in American culture who spent his life pushing against musical norms and social injustice.
Oct. 15 – “Under The Influence” (TV1): Denyce Lawton (“House of Payne”) and BJ Britt (“Being Mary Jane”) lead the cast of this film about a woman whose life is thrown into a dangerous tailspin after ending an affair with the dangerous lover she met in Alcoholics Anonymous. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Megan Thee Stallion
Oct. 16 – “The Equalizer” (CBS): Gloria Reuben (“E.R.”) guest stars as Trish, a recently widowed gallerist who rekindles a romantic relationship with Aunt Vi (Lorraine Toussaint). “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (ABC): A battle of food stars between Carla Hall, Jet Tila and Phil Rosenthal. “Perfect Harmony” (Hallmark Movie Channel): Sherri Saum (“Power Book II: Ghost”) and James Denton (“Desperate Housewives”) star in this romantic movie about a couple of people drawing closer through music. “Unsung” (TV1): Jean Carn “Uncensored” (TV1): Garcelle Beauvais shares how Rosie Perez kicked her under the table at “The View” and more.
Oct. 17 – “Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant” (Netflix): A continuation of the adventures of the traveling taste-buddies in this children’s series produced by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama (who also appears). “POV” (PBS): “An Act of Worship” explores the past 30 years of American history through the perspective of Muslims across the U.S. who have lived it.
Oct. 18 – “Gabriel Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy” (Netflix): The comic talks about growing up in L.A., an attempt at extortion towards him, and where he holds the record for receiving the highest fine on stage. “By Design: The Joe Caroff Story” (HBO Max): A look into the life and career of the famed Hollywood graphic designer. “Somebody Feed Phil” (Netflix): The sixth season features culinary visits to Bangkok, Lisbon, Mexico City and more. “Making Black America: Through The Grapevine” (PBS): Hour three shows how the Great Depression devastated America’s economy and brought Black America to its knees. To survive, the Black community used social networks to navigate the oppressive realities of Jim Crow.
Oct. 19 – “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” (Peacock): LisaGay Hamilton gives voice to the activist in this new documentary executive produced by Soledad O’Brien with the participation of Patrisse Cullors and Bryan Stevenson. “Snack On This!” (Cooking): Hosted by social media sensation Kalen Allen, this immersive series goes inside factories producing American’s favorite treats, revealing origin stories and amazing manufacturing feats about brands from Jelly Bellies to Coca Cola. “After Happily Ever After” (BET): Bow Wow hosts this Kentucky-filmed one-of-a-kind dating series that asks the question: can your ex help you find true love?
Oct. 20 – “The Best of All The Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson” (SHO): Ice Cube
END QUOTE: “The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate.” – bell hooks
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.
