Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 2004 — Page 20
PAGE C4
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
*
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004
JJOXS OATlifl-
The Indianapolis Recorder
INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING
Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Castleton Square Cinemas 6135 East 86th Street 7:30pm Stop by The Indionapolr, Recorder 2901 N Tacoma Ave • Indianapolis January 6 between 9 00am and 10 00am to receive a pair of complimentary screening passes to the film — — * I » This -film' it rated "P" hy strdmj seniirjtily, /loler re ianq'XKje 'ind some dfut) use A limited number of passes are available on a first come, first served basis While supplies last Limit one (admit two) pass per person Seating is available on a first come, first served basis No purchase necessary
OPENING IN INDIANAPOLIS JANUARY 16!
Tavis Smiley gets back into TV game on PBS
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A sign that Tavis Smiley’s new PBS talk show is not standard-issue for public television: The set was created by tennis star and aspiring designer Venus Williams. That’s just the start. Smiley, returning to T\ r less than two years after he was canned by BET, says his daily late-night series debuting this month will be more than visually striking. “Tavis S.miley,” PBS’ first West Coast-based talk show, will be fast-paced and aimed at drawing a younger, more ethnically diverse audience than typically watches public TV, its host said. Smiley, a native of Indiana, whose punchy, baritone delivery and pointed questions are familiar to his growing National Public Radio audience, is ready to get back on the tube. (His radio program will continue.) Bill Cosby, Democratic presidential contender Wesley Clark, Newt Gingrich and Magic Johnson are among the first week’s scheduled guests. The series begins Jan. 5. It will be paired in many markets with Charlie Rose’s talk show but audiences will quickly see the difference, Smiley said. While Rose tends to devote his hourlong show to one or two guests,, “Tavis Smiley’’ will offer th ree segments in half the time. Smiley said he intends his program to be the same kind of forum he’s created on NPR’s “The Tavis Smiley Show,’’one that challenges its audience to consider issues from new viewpoints and addresses overlooked issues.
“I want to use this show, as 1 try to do on my NPR show, to introduce Americans to each other. I n many ways, we still live in a very segregated country,” he said. Recently, Smiley examined heavy opposition by Black Americans to the war in Iraq. “The reason is that Black people, disproportionately, make up the armed forces... so folks are concerned about those lives, ” he said. “It’s not just what many people describe as dislike or disdain of George Bush. It’s deeper." The sharply different reception given former prisoners of war Jessica Lynch, who is white, and Shoshana Johnson, who is Black, on their return from Iraq vvasdiscussed by Smiley and his guests. • But race-related matters are not the radio show’s sole province and won’t he on his PBS program, Smiley said, adding, “Most of the issues that matter to white Americans matter to Black Americans.” For example, he recently took on what he contends has been a slighted story: the work of the federal commission investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“So many families of victims are concerned about the secrecy shrouding the investigations, documents labeled top secret not being released," Smiley said. His TV show also will have a lighter side. Tapingat a later hour willallow him to book more ofthe celebrities who balk.at getting up for the early morning taping of his radio show, he said. His eclectic radio guest roster includes prominent figures such as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and othervoices that are less frequently given regular air time, including scholar Cornel West and former Congressman J.C. Watts. “Left and right. And I’ve got my own opinions, obviously, but I believe each of us needs to have our assumptions reexamined," Smiley said. Not everyone is impressed by his ecumenical efforts. Last year, National Review managing editor Jay Nordlinger referred unadmiringly to Smiley as "the Black leftist radio personality.” His reach is increasing. His NPR show, w hich started with 16
stations in January 2002, has enjoyed one of the fastest NPR expansions ever to major markets and now is carried on more than 80 stations and reaches an audience of more than 1 million. He has brought in a somewhat younger crowd and definitely attracted more Black listeners - 30 percent ofhis audience, compared to about 5 percent for most other NPR shows. Not bad for a man dumped from his previous gig. BET founder Robert L. Johnson, slammed by criticism after the popular Smiley was dismissed, said he acted because Smiley offered an exclusive interview with former fugitive Sara Jane Olson to ABC instead of BET. Viewers were suspicious that executives at new BET owner Viacom Inc. ordered Smiley fired because they were angry the Olson interview aired on ABC instead of Viacom-owned CBS. Smiley came close to landing a late-night talk show deal at ABC but, caught up in network machinations, was passed over in favor of Jimmy Kimmel’s fluffier program. He was disappointed, Smiley acknowledges, but ended up with the advantage of owning his PBS show, which is produced by KCET Los Angeles. When he looks back on his BET experience, he savors the outcome. “It’s a good feeling because it’s rare in this business that you have a network that tries to bury you and you resurrect, as it were, and resurrect in asituation better than the one you came out of.”
KELIS ► Continued from Page C3 ■to use their gifts-I’m not going to tiring. ! look this good in 30 years, so I Where would you like to be in may as well w’ork with what I got five years? while I still got it. But there is a Having babies. Writing movfine line between being raunchy ies. Directing, doing some great and being sexy. tour. I’m not really sure. WherYou had huge success overseas, ever the road takes me. are you hoping this CD will bring You have some big names on you the same kind of success in your album, how do you know the states? people like The Neptunes and I don’t think about it, hon- Andre 3000? estly. I just do the work. I sing the It’s like high school. Everyone songs and hope people like it but knows everyone in music, people I don’t worry too much if I’m go- gossip all the time and everyone is ing to be crazy popular or any- in your business. It’s like high
school - with better outfits and ents a lot and ended up leaving longer days. home. Has your relationship imHow did you meet Nas? proved? At a party. But really by the Absolutely. My mom is great, grace of God. I don’t really want She’s very supportive, to get into any more than that. What do you want listeners to Do you worry about Nas and take away from the CD? groupies? Does he worry about An intimate moment. Boundyou? ariesshiftingand that reality is all I’m not worried about him at relative. I wanted it to be palatal!. And he thinks it’s great, he's able, too. That’s why I called it not worried either. Those people “Tasty” -1 want it to be something don’t really knowyou. You’re just they can enjoy. ^ a fantasy to them. You rebelled against your par-
MANHATTANS ► Continued from Page C3 It Go Round In Circles” fame) musicians from the crossover pop band Chicago, and singer Peggi Blu , who duets with Alston on “Let’s Try Love”. “Even Now’' hits the ground running with “Just Love Me Right,” which features the Manhattans’ trademark harmony along with an introduction by longtime members Gerald Alston and Winfred “Blue” Lovett. The song is very infectious with a memorable hook that stays inyour ■mind and starts the album off strong. “Can You Take It" rates extremely high on the Richter scale of sensuality with its steady percussion and sexy shades of guitar. The powerful, soaring baritone vocals of 52-year-old lead singer Alston has definitely not diminished with age. As with most of the Manhattans’ classics, bass vocalist Lovett launches the song with his bedroom, Barn White-
style voice by asking his woman, “I wanna shower you with love and give you more than anything a man can possibly give. I only have one question; can vou take it?" Another prized cut is the album’s first single, “Turn Out the Stars," which is unmistakably heartfelt and beautifully written. You can actually feel Alston’s pain as a man who is resigned to the fate ofhis doomed relationship as he sings, "If it’s over for sure. I'll just loveyour memory. So pull the moon down from the sky, I won’t need no moonlight. If you’re through w ith these arms lock the door to my heart and walk away with the key, and turn out the stars w hen you leave." “Even Now" does have just a few flaw’s, however, and I hesitate to say anything about them because the Manhattans are such nice gentlemen. But with weak drum programming and produc-
tion, two ofthe cuts on this 11track CD sound as though they should have been released in 1993 instead of 2003. And the Manhattans sing an unnecessary version of Sly and the Family Stone's “Everyday People," which despite its important social message, is jpAit of place and sounds like a rushed effort to put at least one uptempo song on an album full of ballads. But with these very minor imperfections notwithstanding, “Even Now's" strengths are more than worth the effort you might have to undergo to purchase this CD, w hich is being distributed on Lovett's small Lovelee recording label. Frustrated women who would like their significant other to approach them like a man instead of a little hoy should buy a copy of “Even Now ” and play it over and over again until the message of propertreatment isclear. Usguys ntan if \V(» w miM likptn
set the mood by using a veteran group who has a proven track record of helping us create environments that are conducive for a couple to celebrate their admiration for each other. This album is not suitable for superficial individuals who enjoy one night stands and fly-by-night encounters. On the contrary, it is designed for grown men and women or mature young adults who have an idea of what true, lasting love is really all about. “Even Now" will make a great Valentine’s Day gift, but buy it now so that it will available on that sped il day for that special someone. “Even Now" am be purchased at Wherehouse Music, with locations in Indianapolis at 4120 E. H2nd St. (578-8226), and 4.935 W. 38th St. (297-8550). Fans can also buy it directly from the Manhattans' Web page at vuu v. kissandsa) goodbye, com. POET \ ► Continued from Page C3 from?” Mijiza also addresses social issues such as apathy, an affliction that plagues many Americans. She offers advice to those who would write poetry, either for themselves or for an audience. “First you have to heal yourself. Write about your immediate situations, it teaches you honesty.” Mijiza goes on to explain that a writer should always edit their work. Everything isn’t supposed to be read to the world, some poetry should be kept. In addition to writing poetry, Mijiza is also directing a show at the Indianapolis Artsgarden Feb. 24 at noon; and Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. She has a DVDdocumentary called “ I nspiratum: An Art ist’s Story."She is also the founder of “Moetry,” a poetry experience with invited guests that houses a cappella, choreography, music and everything required to take poetry to the next level.
i
\
\