Entertainment
Mary J. Blige Shines at Unofficial SXSW Show
MESFIN FEKADU, AP Music Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Mary J. Blige performed for a feverish crowd Tuesday night at the Samsung Supper Club in an event not sponsored by South by Southwest, another sign of unofficial concerts rivaling the festival when it comes to pulling big-name acts.
Blige is no dancer, but the performer moved energetically at the show, even imitating Michael Jackson’s dance moves during her funky hit, “Just Fine.”
She kicked off her set with “Enough Cryin'” — which features her rapping as her alter ego Brook-Lynn — and she continued with the up-tempo anthem, “The One.”
She moved like a pro, though there was water dripping from the covered ceiling on the venue’s rooftop. She managed to maneuver in heels and an ab-revealing crop top.
“Go Mary. Go Mary,” the crowd, who attended a seated dinner prior to the performance, yelled loudly. Blige’s husband, Kendu Isaacs, filmed her performance with his phone while “Orange Is the New Black” actress Danielle Brooks, music manager Kevin Liles and track and field Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross — along with her NFL husband Aaron Ross — sang and danced along.
“Where the ‘My Life’ fans at?” the 44-year-old Blige asked, referring to her classic 1994 sophomore album. She followed with songs from that album, including “Be Happy” and “You Bring Me Joy.”
She also performed other hits from the past, including “Real Love” and “You Remind Me” from her debut album, 1992’s “What’s the 411?”
Before singing her latest song, “Doubt,” Blige offered her usual words of encouragement.
“Where are all those amazingly strong, good women that nobody can’t keep down out there? … I mean, make some noise!” she said. “The voice of doubt is going to be conquered by you all the time.”
Blige asked the audience to stand up for her rendition of U2’s “One,” which she covered a decade ago, and they danced happily when she closed with her pop hit, “Family Affair.”
Iggy Azalea, D’Angelo and Nick Jonas are some of the other top acts at events unrelated to the festival.
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024
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Bay Area
Love Life Organization Shows Love
As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.
City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team
By Donald Lacy
Special to The Post
As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.
It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.
The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.
The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.
Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.
The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..
There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of October 23 – 29, 2024
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