Instant 'Replay' Red hot singer
Rihanna (
nee Robyn Rihanna Fenty) embarks on her first headlining tour next week. The multi-city trek will kick-off June 30 in San Francisco, hitting spots in Canada and Jamaica.
The gold-selling Def Jam Diva-in-the-making will be joined by Hollywood Records singer
Jeannie Ortega and hip-hop duo
Field Mob on selected dates.
Other cities confirmed for the tour include Los Angeles (July 2). Allentown, PA (July 13), Winter Haven, FL (July 23), Atlantic City, NJ (Aug 1), Boston (Aug 3) and Jackson, MI (Aug. 8). For more dates and cities, please visit AOL Tickets (click
here ).
"We're going to dance, we’re going to sing and we are going to have a party," Rihanna told Black Voices.
"I get excited to meet people face to face. I love it when I see everyone singing dancing and having a good time to my music. That’s what music is all about to me -- when you feel it."
Since making a splash on the U.S. music scene last summer with her debut single "Pon De Replay" (from her debut 'Music of the Sun'), the Barbadian beauty (who was signed on the spot by Def Jam President
Jay-Z) has become a global phenomenon with gold and platinum certifications, chart-topping singles and a treasure trove of major endorsement opportunities.
Upon the release of her latest work, 'A Girl Like Me,' the 18-year-old's likeness was featured in campaigns for Secret deodorant, Bisou jeans, and the Barbados Tourism Authority. Rihanna was the first non-athlete to endorse Nike -- with a female fitness/dance collection called Rockstar.
The infectious "SOS (Rescue Me)" single has become a worldwide phenomenon, topping numerous charts around the globe, including the 'Billboard' charts, holding the # 1 spot for three weeks this past spring. The song, which samples the
Soft Cell club classic "Tainted Love" is currently being heard in commercials for the new
Adam Sandler movie 'Click.'
Rihanna, who appeared on FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance,' last night has also been confirmed to appear on the BET Awards (June 27), 'The Today Show' (July 21), 'All My Children' (July 25), '2006 Teen Choice Awards' (Aug. 20) and 'Fashion Rocks' (Sep. 8).
Her spokesperson has also confirmed to Black Voices that skin care and make-up giant Clinique (who is sponsoring the tour) will commission Rihanna's "Just Be Happy" (composed by label-mate
Ne-Yo) for the launch of their Clinique Happy fragrance line.
How fitting; Rihanna is ecstatic about it all.
"I am so grateful for the people that believe in me and helped this dream of mine come true," she added. "The support from my record label, radio and television has been amazing. This is a crazy, but fun ride.”
See Rihanna get live via AOL Sessions by clicking
here'Single Black Female' In New YorkNew York City's New Professional Theatre is currently presenting the premiere of Lisa B. Thompson's 'Single Black Female,' a comedy about single black women and their search for love, dignity and clothes.
Directed by
Colman Domingo, 'Single Black Female' stars Soara-Joye Ross and Riddick Marie. The play takes on topics such as Internet dating, gynecology, family gatherings, shopping, and racial bias. Domingo, recently cast in Broadway's 'Well,' has previously directed productions at Geva Theatre and the Berkeley Repertory.
Thompson, an English professor at the State University of New York at Albany where she teaches courses on African American literature and culture, is currently finishing her latest play titled 'Underground.'
Founded by
Sheila K. Davis, the New Professional Theater is home to minority playwrights and theatre artists. 'Single Black Female,' is scheduled to run through June 25 at the Peter Jay Sharpe Theater.
More Than Just 'Talk'On June 25, BET will air
'Let's Talk,' a film which follows the eye-opening journey of a couple forced to confront the topic of HIV/AIDS testing in the midst of a burgeoning relationship.
Directed by
Michelle Lynne Coons and produced in conjunction with BET, The Black AIDS Institute, Kaiser Family Foundation and Coons’ own production house, Jahsheli Productions, the film, starring
Jillian Reeves de Ortiz and
Lahman Rucker, won BET’s Rap-It-Up Black AIDS Short Subject Film Competition last August.
"I was blessed to have this project come together the way it has," Coons said. "It is a true manifestation of the collective spirit. Everybody cast and crew, recognized the importance of getting this issue out there for people to discuss. They gave it their all and it shows in the finished product."
Coons, a UCLA Film School graduate and teacher, is currently finishing up her Masters in Education. She said she had a specific goal in mind with the movie: "Creating an awareness and educating people while giving them something fun, intelligent and sexy at the same time."
Good timing as a reminder of National HIV Testing Day, which is June 27.
"HIV/AIDS is affecting our communities in epidemic proportions," Coons added. "I wanted to make sure I kept the audience’s attention, while giving them enough constructive information and tools to walk away with a better awareness of what they can do protect themselves and their partners."
No 'Pride' For PattiNo reasons were given, but the June 23 "Healing In Harlem" concert at the world's famous Apollo Theater featuring Patti LaBelle was abruptly cancelled the day before.
The show was presented by the Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD). The organization's executive director, Tokes Osubu, apologized for “any and all inconveniences that have been caused to the general public.
"It was our intention and effort to create what would be 'A Healing in Harlem' as we celebrate our 20th anniversary of GMAD’s gay pride," Osubu issued in a statement. "We will continue to march forward in our plight to educate and stimulate young people to the awareness of HIV/ AIDS within our Harlem community."
