By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
In a first, global music phenomenon and multi award-winning artist, The Weeknd has collaborated with Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights to create all-new haunted houses inspired by his record-breaking “After Hours” album.
“The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare” is set to terrify guests in an unprecedented experience at Universal Studios Hollywood beginning Sept. 8.
Visitors, challenged to survive the night, will be stalked by slashers, bandaged maniacs, gruesome toad-like creatures and other unfathomable horrors from the mind of the artist.
“I always wanted my own Halloween Horror Nights haunted house as Halloween has always been significant to my music, so this is a total dream come to life,” said Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye. “I feel like my music videos have served as a launching pad for a collaboration like this, and I cannot wait for people to experience this madness!”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
Perhaps fans can consider this a partial consolation for his shortened show Sept. 3 at SoFi Stadium due to vocal deficiencies.
“I don’t know what just happened when I screamed, but I just lost my voice,” he said from the stage. “I can’t give you the concert I want to give you. I’m going to make sure everyone’s good, gets your money back, and I’ll do a show real soon for you guys, but I wanted to come out and personally apologize and not tweet it or Instagram it. I wanted you guys to know that I can’t give you what I want to give you. I apologize. I’m so sorry.”
DESTINATION (PITTSBURGH): The Steel City is the place to be for music and culture as the Highmark Music and Heritage Festival (produced by the August Wilson African American Culture Center) takes place Sept. 14 and 15 at Highmark Stadium.
Young blues sensation Christone “Kingfish” Ingram leads a diverse lineup including multiple Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, Steel Pulse, Ranky Tanky, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Ruthie Foster & Shemikia Copeland, New Breed Brass Band and more. Visit: blues.awaacc.org for details.
It serves as a fitting prelude to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival being held Sept. 16-18.
Bass legends Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke and Buster Williams will be front and center with the lineup featuring Ledisi, Incognito w/ Maysa Leak, Average White Band, Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), rising star Samara Joy and a tribute to Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds. For more, visit: pittsburghjazzfest.org.
TASTY QUIP: “Will [Smith] did the impression of a perfect person for 30 years, and he ripped his mask off and showed us he was as ugly as the rest of us. Whatever the consequences are … I hope he doesn’t put his mask back on again and lets his real face breathe.” – DAVE CHAPPELLE
CLIPPETTES: Visions and Voices, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and the USC African American Cinema Society, present a free screening Sept. 9 of “Boyz N the Hood” as part of a series honoring the life and career of trailblazing director, iconic Angeleno and USC alumnus, John Singleton. Afterwards, filmmaker Robert Townsend will moderate a panel discussion with Shelia Ward (John’s mother); Frank Price, chairman of Columbia who greenlit the movie; and location manager Kojo Lewis. RSVP for the event at the Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre at https://cinema.usc.edu/events/ …
Also that evening, Duran Duran opens a three-night stand with fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl …
On Sept. 10, Mack 10, Tha Dogg Pound, Outlawz and Jayo Felony unite to perform at The Observatory; while Keith Urban is at The Forum; Sergio Mendes is at the Saban Theatre. In addition, The Kid Laroi kicks off two nights at The Novo; and Sa-Roc & Sol Messiah hit The Constellation Room at The Observatory, with a set the following evening at the Lodge Room …
Nine Inch Nails rock the Santa Barbara Bowl Sept. 13; as violinist Itzhak Perlman plays Tchaikovsky at the Hollywood Bowl; and comic/actor Finesse Mitchell tapes his fourth one-hour comedy special titled “RATED: Offensive” live from The Bourbon Room …
Kendrick Lamar’s The Big Steppers Tour with Baby Keem & Tanna Leone is set for Sept. 14 and 15 at Crypto.Com Arena …
Imagine Dragons, Macklemore & Kings Elliot are at Banc of California Stadium Sept. 15; while pianist Lang Lang plays some of the most beloved music from the world of animation at the Hollywood Bowl …
Meanwhile, sisters Lisa-Kaindé & Naomi Diaz aka Ibeyi sing at The Ford with Madison McFerrin; Giveon with Jenevieve and Rimon performs outdoors on the Fairbanks Lawn of Hollywood Forever Cemetery; Lady Wray is at the El Rey Theatre; and Kansas celebrates the 40th anniversary of their hit album “Point of Know Return” by performing it in its entirety (along with their hits) at the Kavli Theatre …
TASTY QUIP: “The advice that she gave me to do a talk show, I took 15 pages of notes until my fingers cramped up. I took a potassium pill because my fingers were cramped, and I couldn’t write anymore. I said, hold on, I have to commit this to memory, because nobody will believe that I’m talking to and laughing with Oprah.” – SHERRI SHEPHERD on prepping for her new talk show premiering Sept. 12 in syndication.
TC ON TV: Sept. 9 – “End of the Road” (Netflix): In this high-octane action thriller directed by Millicent Shelton (“P-Valley”), Queen Latifah and Ludacris star as a family whose cross-country road trip becomes a highway to hell. “Gutsy” (AppleTV+): Based on the New York Times bestselling book, “The Book of Gutsy Women,” the eight-part series features Hillary and Chelsea Clinton in intimate conversations with trailblazing women including Megan Thee Stallion, Kim Kardashian, Gloria Steinem, Wanda Sykes and many more. “Cobra Kai” (Netflix): Time to binge season five of the hit series set in the universe of “The Karate Kid.” “Secret Celebrity Renovation (CBS): Shaquille O’Neal returns to Orlando, the place where his NBA career began, to give his selfless Uncle Roy a supersized home makeover.
Sept. 10 – “2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards” (FXX): With presenters to include Colman Domingo, W. Kamau Bell, Nicole Byer, Edward James Olmos, Karamo Brown and RuPaul Charles. Chadwick Boseman won a posthumous award for his voice performance in the animated episode of “Marvel’s What If ..” entitled “What If T’Challa Became a Star-Lord.
Sept. 11 – “Serena Williams: On Her Terms” (CNN): This documentary, boasting an all-female interview roster, chronicles her early beginnings in Compton to her epic ascent to international prominence, exploring the key moments on and off the court that shaped the athlete, woman and mother. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo): Let the fireworks begin with “The Reunion, Part 1.” “To Her, With Love” (HMC): Skye P. Marshall (“Black Lightning”), Tobias Truvillion (“Sistas”) and Maria Howell (“Saints & Sinners“) are featured in this romantic film about teachers bonding over service and Sidney Poitier movies.
Sept. 12 – “Ada Twist, Scientist” (Netflix): A third season of the pint-sized genius voiced by Amanda Christine with Susan Kelechi Watson (“This is Us”) and Taye Diggs (“All American”) as Mom and Dad Twist. “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syn): A new challenge for the singer/actress who’s talk show happens to premiere on her birthday. “74th Emmy Awards” (NBC): Hosted by Kenan Thompson of “Saturday Night Live.” “Halloween Baking Championship” (Food): Carla Hall hosts.
Sept. 13 – “Jo Koy: Live from the Los Angeles Forum” (Netflix): A rousing stand-up set about public sneezing, perseverance, the indignities of sleep apnea and getting lost in the Philippines. “It’s Compliplated” (Food): If you are mad at the network moving Tabitha Brown’s primetime show to this afternoon slot, please tune in and up the ratings. “Dark Side of Comedy” (Vice): “Richard Pryor”
Sept. 14 – “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu): A two-episode fifth season premiere has June (Elisabeth Moss) facing consequences for her actions while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. “Reservation Dogs” (FX on Hulu): Sheriff Big (Zahn McClarnon) takes a trip down memory lane in this episode directed by Blackhorse Lowe. “El Rey, Vicente Fernández” (Netflix): From his humble upbringing to stardom, the Mexican music icon’s whirlwind of a life and career is recounted over seven decades. “MasterChef” (Fox): “Finale Part 2” with special guest Christina Tosi. “ABC Fall Preview Special” (ABC): An early look at the network’s upcoming offerings including “Rookie: Feds” starring Niecy Nash-Betts. “Soul of a Nation” (ABC): “Trailblazers and Changemakers: A Hispanic Heritage Celebration”
Sept. 15 – “Atlanta” (FX): The fourth and final season of the acclaimed quirky series starring Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Lee Stanfield and Zazie Beetz (who have all become movie stars since) begins.
END QUOTE: “We have to get back to the idea of the village, figure out how to mend our struggling families in the community. Give them culture, respect, connection, the experience of dreaming and hoping. The permission to dream is so important. The permission to love yourself is so important.” – MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS from his memoir “Scenes From My Life”
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.
