BV Entertainment Newswire June 7

Not Blowing Any Smoke

Yesterday, nine-time Grammy Award winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis held a press conference at New York City's Chelsea Market to announce plans for a live television special to take place in New Orleans on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

"Millions of Americans, and, indeed, millions more around the world watched with horror as events unfolded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina," Marsalis said. "A year later on August 29, we are convinced that as people see the stories of those who have reclaimed their lives they will watch with pride and resolve to help get the job finished."

Titled 'New Orleans: Rebuilding the Soul of America…One Year Later,' the special will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and will be helmed by top TV special producers John Cossette (Grammy Awards) and Don Mischer (Olympics Opening/Closing Ceremonies). As the platinum sponsor for the special, Harrah’s New Orleans Casino earmarked $1.5 million to provide financial and logistical support.

"[We are] proud to join Wynton and so many others who are working together to focus national attention on the city’s continuing need for assistance," said Anthony Sanfilippo, Harrah’s Entertainment’s Central Division president. "This effort will help the national audience understand that the city is still on the road to recovery."

The television special is the centerpiece of a three-day New Orleans Cultural Tribute (Celebrate Jazz Trio), running from August 27-29. Festivities will include a talent competition, featuring performances by Marsalis, jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson and some of the hottest local talent in Louisiana and Mississippi, and Cooking with Music, an event featuring celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and Marsalis, welcoming back New Orleans school children.

"This project is a tremendous effort by Wynton who is a great ambassador for the city of New Orleans," said Lagasse, a fellow New Orleanian, who was on hand at the press conference, along with Wilson. "I am very pleased to be a part of it … What better way to instill pride and hope for the future than to showcase how cooking and music, two things that New Orleans is known for, go hand in hand?"

An episode of 'Emeril Live,' featuring appearances by Marsalis and Wilson, will premiere on the Food Network July 9, to herald the upcoming events. Harrah’s will offer a "Big Gift Giveaway" surprising one lucky 'Emeril Live' audience member and seven of their friends with a free round trip on Harrah’s private jet, hotel and food in New Orleans.

"And in New Orleans style, much as a jazz funeral, we are going to mark the anniversary of the tragedy with a celebration of the resiliency of the human spirit and of the rebirth manifesting itself in our beloved city," Marsalis stated.

Proceeds of the events will benefit the Rebuild the Soul of America (R.S.O.A.) Charitable Trust, which will issue grants for real estate development and projects to bring back music and culture to the area.

Urbanworld Underway

The slate for this year's Urbanworld Vibe Film Festival, taking place in New York City June 21 through June 25, was announced yesterday. Highlights include the world premiere of 'Last Days of Left Eye,' --a documentary recounting the life of TLC front woman Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who died in 2002-- as well as a screening of 'Waist Deep,' directed by original 'Dreamgirls' star Vondie Curtis Hall and starring Tyrese Gibson, Larenz Tate, Meagan Good, and The Game.

Screening 70 films this year, Urbanworld is touting itself as the largest internationally competitive festival dedicated to the exhibition of independent cinema by and about people of color. Other highlights will include a special screening of official sponsor Wal-Mart’s 'The Will To Survive – The Story of the Gullah/Geechee Nation,' exploring the past, present, and future Georgia’s Sapelo Island, as well as a special screening of 'Shaft,' in honor of the groundbreaking film’s late director Gordon Parks.

'Dirty Laundry,' directed by Maurice Jamal, starring Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Divine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn, and Sommore will officially premiere; and Ryan Fleck's 'Half Nelson,' starring Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, and Shareeka Epps will also be screened.

"The [festival] is not only celebrating its 10th anniversary, but is presenting some of the most dynamic creative work from across the globe in honor of this important milestone," said Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld. "From our independent films to the big studio premieres, this year’s slate represents the best of urban filmmaking featuring untold stories from a unique perspective."

Taking Things Literal

Marc Ecko, founder of the urban clothing line *ecko unltd is taking a literal approach to humanitarianism with The 2nd Annual Save The Rhinos Benefit Concert, which takes place in New York City's Central Park June 8. With an esteemed crop of hip-hop talent including Common, Rakim, Lupe Fiasco, DJ Z-Trip, Rhymefest, and DJ Kid Capri, proceeds from the event will go directly to the International Rhino Foundation as part of Ecko's multi-year financial commitment and overall partnership effort to double the populations of the Indian, Black, and Sumatran rhinos, three of the planet’s most endangered species.

The rhino is a trademarked insignia of his world famous rhino brand apparel. As a symbol of this unique initiative, a baby Indian rhino born at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park in January 2005, was named "Ecko."

'Higher' Ground

Cedric The Entertainer's very first HBO stand-up comedy special, titled 'Taking You Higher,' will debut July 15 at 10:00 p.m. Filmed at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theatre, the hour-long special highlights Cedric's hilarious takes on fame, TV, rap music, sports, diets, plastic surgery, gay marriage, church socials, meeting the President, $5,000-a-plate dinners, Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, gas prices, Halloween, and Latin music. The show is spiced with several song-and-dance numbers featuring a band and the "Cedibles," a group of eye-catching dancers.