By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
The Netflix adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” will have its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 5–15). Stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Stephen James, Erykah Badu, Gail Bean (“Snowfall”), Olivia Washington, Pauletta Washington and director/co-writer Malcom Washington are expected to walk the red carpet.
Hmmm. Will patriarchal producer Denzel Washington show or will he be busy promoting “Gladiator II” and/or Spike Lee’s “High and Low?”
FESTIVAL FILE: RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys,” an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, has been announced as the opening selection of the 2024 New York Film Festival (Sept. 27–Oct. 14). It stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Daveed Diggs and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
Park City, Utah’s Sundance Film Festival has narrowed down its 2027 move to Atlanta, Boulder, Cincinnati, Louisville, Salt Lake City and Santa Fe.
AT THE MOVIES: In conjunction with its 35th anniversary, Oliver Schmitz’ “Mapantsulu,” the landmark anti-apartheid film widely considered one of the most influential African motion pictures of all time, has been newly restored in 4K and is opening in theatres including L.A.’s American Cinemateque on July 28.
Its captivating township jive and that it was shot on the fly in Soweto proves the dedication of the talents involved. In particular, the banned movie’s co-writer and star, the late Thomas Mogotlane, who as the outspoken hood Panic gives a performance reminiscent of some of Wood Harris’s best work. This is the real deal and timely still.
TASTY QUIP: “Being a Black woman, I’m used to carrying negativity on my back, fighting, being a fish swimming upstream by myself. I’m used to defying stereotypes and making a way out of no way. I didn’t want to be casual about it, but I went and collected that Razzie, laughed at myself, and kept it moving. It didn’t derail me because I’ve fought as a Black woman my whole life. A little bad publicity about a movie? I didn’t love it, but it wasn’t going to stop my world or derail me from doing what I love to do.” – HALLE BERRY to Entertainment Weekly on the failure of her 2004 “Catwoman” movie now enjoying more success on Prime Video.
CLIPPETTES: With U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris having Tina Knowles’ endorsement and Beyonce’s permission to use “Freedom” for her presidential run, a popular meme has sprung imagining Taylor Swift bringing her “Swifties” to the campaign …
In the meantime, one of Michelle Obama’s faves, the jazzy Nashville based singer/songwriter and musician Jarrod Lawson, is back with “Next Move.” The duet single comes with buzz with L.A. Mexican-American R&B/soul singer and songwriter Raquel Rodriguez getting in the studio after coming off the road with Anderson .Paak …
Chaka Khan sings at the Hollywood Bowl with the Orchestra on July 26 while Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Keith Washington and Michel’le are at The Wiltern, Michael Franti & Spearhead at The Greek and Melissa Etheridge & Jewel at YouTube Theater …
Free July 27 music events include Musiq Soulchild at Marina de Rey’s Burton Chace Park, Nigerian Highlife musician Okwy Osadebe at Grand Performances and the tributing [Stevie] Wonder-Full In The Park w/ DJ Spinna, Monalisa and host Cognito at Echoplex …
Also that date, Lake Street Dive’s Good Together Tour comes to The Greek, Omarion is at Morongo Casino, Niall Horan is at The Forum, Lady Blackbird at The Sun Rose, Michael Feinstein’s tribute to Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra is at the L.A. County Arboretum in Arcadia, and “A Hilarious Live Conversation with Mel Brooks” plus a 50th anniversary screening of “Blazing Saddles” is at the Peacock Theater …
L.A. native Kenyon Dixon (who has penned songs for Tyrese and Faith Evans while singing back-up for Usher, John Legend and others) headlines at the El Rey on July 28 with special guest Joseph Solomon. In addition, Afroman celebrates his 50th birthday at Whisky A Go Go …
Deon Cole opens the Hollywood Improv on July 29 followed by Monderays with DeRay Davis. Meanwhile, rappers Smif-N-Wessun are at the Lodge Room …
Jhené Aiko: The Magic Hour Tour co-starring Coi Leray, Tink, Umi and Kiana Ledé comes July 31 to Crypto.com Arena as Kool & The Gang and Morris Day & The Time co-headline at Costa Mesa’s Pacific Amphitheatre …
We also have Kid Cudi, Pusha T and Jaden at Crypto.com Arena; UB40’s Red Red Wine Tour with Inner Circle and The English Beat at The Greek; Outlaw Fest with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp at the Hollywood Bowl; HR of Bad Brains at Whisky A Go Go; and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers kicking off two nights at the Troubadour …
Aug. 1 brings jazz artists Esperanza Spalding to the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, the Steve Gadd Band to Catalina Bar & Grill, and Jamael Dean & The Afronauts to the Hammer Museum …
Meanwhile over at The Broad Museum, The Un-Private Collection series brings together Mickalene Thomas, Dream Hampton and Darnell L. Moore to discuss the words of feminist icon bell hooks.
TASTY QUIP: “I love that Tyler [Perry] is paying Black actors. Now I wish he would hire Black writers and directors that have experience to help him with his movies. … He could improve the movies and make them award worthy if he would stop trying to save money by doing the writing and directing himself.” – LONI LOVE on X
TC ON TV: July 26 – “Playground” (Hulu): Goes inside Playground LA, the premier studio for pro dancers with classes taught by highly sought choreographers and auditions held by the likes of Megan Thee Stallion. “Knox Goes Away” (MAX): Michael Keaton directs and stars as a hit man with dementia in this movie with James Marsden and Al Pacino. “House of Ga’a” (Netflix): African cinema about a ruthless prime minister’s rise to power. “The Tonight Show” (NBC): Ice Spice & Central Cee
July 28 – “Uncensored” (TV1): Dapper Dan “Raising Fame” (TV1): Billy Porter
July 29 – “Great Escapes with Morgan Freeman” (History): “Vietnam POW Escape”
July 30 – “The View” (ABC): Jay Ellis “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Earth, Wind & Fire vs. The War & Treaty
July 31 – “In The Arena: Serena Williams” (ESPN+): In “The Deep End,” Team Serena must rally around her, after life-threatening health problems, to prepare her for the 2011 US Open.
Aug. 1 – “The Match” (AllBlk): Brittney S. Hall (“Rap Sh!t”) and Lane Idewu (“South Side”) are a couple whose first date from an app turns into a nightmare. “Batman: Caped Crusader” (Prime): This new animated take mirrors the moody retro style of the most popular version overseen by Bruce Timm who returns with J.J. Abrams, and “The Batman” director Matt Reeves by his side. “Deadly Estate” (LMN): Samantha Walkes (“Kings of Napa”) leads as an outspoken elite hotel manager who uncovers a secret crime ring.
END QUOTE: “Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: “I’m with you kid. Let’s go.” – MAYA ANGELOU
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.
