Black Meetings and Tourism

HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL The 10th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) takes place June 2-7, in Beverly Hills. The HBFF, dubbed "The Black Sundance," is an annual 6-day celebration of Black cinema drawing together established and rising filmmakers, popu- lar film and television stars, writers, industry executives, emerging artists and diverse audiences from Southern California and around the world. The festival was founded in 1999 by its executive director, Tanya Kersey, in order to enhance the careers of emerging and established Black filmmakers through a public exhibition and competition program. The festival's goal is to play an integral role in discovering and launching independent films and filmmakers by bringing them to the attention of the indus- try, media and public. For information: www.hbff.org. NEELYS AT HOME Pat and Gina Neely, better known as the Neelys, have written, DOWN HOME WITH THE NEELYS: A Southern Family Cookbook (KNOPF). Millions of viewers watch their daily Food Network show and tour buses line up in front of their Memphis restaurant. The Cookbook encompasses all the great menu items that have made NEELY'S BBQ a destination for BBQ aficionados around the world, as well as signature recipes from their show. Each week, more than four million viewers tune in to watch the Neelys cook recipes that have made them so admired and loved, including: Get Yo' Man Chicken, Barbecue Spaghetti, Sock-It-to-Me Cake, and their famous Cheesy Corkscrews with Crunchy Bacon Topping. The Neelys are cur- rently touring coast-to coast through June. GETTING YOUR MASTERS The Pageant of the Masters, a California fine art exhibition, runs July 5-Aug. 31. The art event is staged in a six-acre canyon park near the ocean in Laguna Beach, CA. More than 140 artists will show their wares. The artworks represent a complete spec- trum of art media: paintings, sculpture, pastels, drawings, seri- graphs, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, etched and stained glass, fiber arts, handcrafted furniture and even scrimshaw. For infor- mation: (800) 487-3378 PUT A CORK IN IT The City of Kirkland, WA, uncorks its signature summer fes- tival of art, style and taste July 17-19, in picturesque Marina Park. The event is in its third year. Kirkland Uncorked cele- brates the best of Washington wine, art, food, music and lifestyle elements, with activities and exhibits throughout Kirkland's picturesque waterfront and downtown. The Tasting and Lifestyle Garden will offer visitors an opportunity to sample more than 60 vintages from over 20 Washington wineries, including the Kirkland Uncorked Salmon Safe Signature Wine created by Terra Blanca. Winemakers and winery liaisons will be on hand to answer guest questions, and assist with tasting tips to best guide guests through the collection of regional wines. For informa- tion: www.kirklanduncorked.com. REDRUM Ruby Slipper Events presents Murder On American Idle at the Fairfax Marriott Fair Oaks Mall, in Virginia through June 27. Murder on American Idle is an interactive, dining adventure. Select audience members are cast as contestants and judges. The fun starts with the Idle audition which leads to the audience competition. The cast deliv- ers a different performance each night based on guest interaction. The actors perform among the crowd, not on a stage. The three courses of the dinner alternate between the scenes of the play. The real action takes place during the dinner breaks. The actors entertain on a one-to-one basis dropping clues and raising suspicion. For information: http://murderonamericanidle.com. Black Meetings & Tourism June/July 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15

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