Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN – Jamie Foxx is a prosecutor in this intense thriller about a man (Gerard Butler) who wit- nesses the murder of his wife and daughter. The movie, directed by F. Gary Gray, opens Oct. 16. THIS IS IT – This film/documentary has behind-the-scenes footage from Michael Jackson's last rehearsals in prepa- ration for the series of 50 concerts planned at the O2 Arena in London. (Sony Pictures Entertainment) It opens Oct. 28. PRECIOUS – This gripping story about Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), an overweight, illiterate African- American teen in Harlem, is already getting Oscar® buzz. The movie, based on a novel by Sapphire, stars Monique, Paula Patton and Mariah Carey. Lee Daniels directs. It opens in limit- ed release Nov. 6 A 'PRETTY' GOOD BOOK The book, Pretty for a Black Girl! Compliment or Insult? by Aisha Curry, is currently in stores. In the tome, Curry not only explains the ugly truth behind being "pretty," she asks the questions, Who sets the standard for beauty? Why is it that Black women feel inferior to White women, and darker-skinned Black women feel inferior to lighter-skinned Black women? For information: www.authorhouse.com. CATALINA JAZZ The 23rd Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival is set to take place over the first three weekends in October. The line- up includes Earl Klugh, Norman Brown, George Duke, Eric Darius, Tim Bowman, Nick Colionne, Paul Brown & Marc Antoine, Peter White, Mindi Abair, Keiko Matsui, Pieces of a Dream, Bernie Williams, Jesse Cook, Najee, Kim Waters, Michael Lington, Paul Taylor and Jessy J. For information: (866) Trax-Tix (866) 872-9849 or www.jazztrax.com. BLACK ART A "Black" exhibit, hosted by Black Artists of DC, will feature the winning submissions from a "Black" exhibit prospectus given by the group. The works will be on display at the District of Columbia Arts Center, Nov. 20-Jan 10, 2010. The exhibit description was to: Reach deep into the emotional, theoretical, spiritual, cultural intellectual or physical aspects of blackness. The objective is not the absence of colors; it's the predominance and use of the color Black in your creations. For informa- tion: www.dcartscenter.org. WHAT'S ON TV The fall 2009 television season has started and there are a number of new shows featuring African-Americans. BROTHERS – Michael Strahan and Daryl Chill Mitchell play siblings in this FOX comedy. Strahan plays an ex-football star. There are plenty of jokes about Strahan's gap in his teeth and, surprisingly, Mitchell being in a wheelchair. Also stars CCH Pounder and Carl Weathers. The shows airs 8 p.m. Fridays. THE WANDA SYKES SHOW – Sykes, the host and executive producer, puts on her interviewing skills for an irreverent new late night series. The show airs at 11 p.m. Saturdays on FOX. MONICA – The R&B singer stars in her own reality eight-episode series on BET, starting at 10 p.m. Oct. 27. THE MONIQUE SHOW – Comedienne Monique brings her own brand of humor to this new late night show. The show airs weeknights on BET. FIRST IN – Narrated by singer, model and actor Tyrese Gibson, First In takes view- ers inside the lives of Compton, Los Angeles' firefighters and paramedics. The show is seen Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on BET. SHERRI – This Lifetime Television multi-camera comedy stars Sherri Shepherd The View as a newly single mom, paralegal and part-time comedian/actress who tries to get back into the dating scene. The show will air at 10 p.m., Tuesdays on Lifetime. Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 Precious Tyrese Gibson