Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! DISNEY'S FIRST BLACK PRINCESS For the first time in its 75-year animation history, Walt Disney Pictures has released a film starring a Black princess. The highly-anticipated musical, The Princess And The Frog, set in New Orleans, opens nationwide Dec. 11. The film is a twist on a classic fairytale about a girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that sends them both on a journey through the magical bayous of Louisiana. The comedy is voiced by a star-studded cast that includes Tony Award-winner Rose as Princess Tiana, Terrence Howard as James, the princess' father; Oprah Winfrey as the princess' mother, Jennifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Keith David as Dr. Facilier, Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen and John Goodman as Big Daddy La Bouff. The releasing of the film, fea- turing the first Black princess in Disney's history, is not only looked upon as historic, but welcomed and long-awaited in the African-American community. In the past, Disney has rolled out princesses from various cultures including Pocahontas, who is Native American; Mulan, from China and Jasmine, who is from the Middle East. ORLANDO HOLIDAYS New holiday concert series at Universal Orlando Resort combines with Grinchmas, Macy's holiday parade to create holi- day entertainment. The series features Natalie Cole (Dec. 19), Mannheim Steamroller (Dec. 5) and Chris Isaak (Dec. 12). It all begins Dec. 5 and runs through Jan. 1, 2010. The concerts are an entirely new way to experience the holidays at Universal – and add to the already beloved Grinchmas celebration at Universal's Islands of Adventure and the Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios. Each concert begins after that night's Macy's Holiday Parade. The Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios features the world-renowned balloons and floats from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. ARETHA IS "FALLING" The Queen of Soul releases Aretha, A Woman Falling Out Of Love on Aretha's Records in January 2010. Aretha, A Woman Falling Out of Love is the second release on Aretha's Records followed by the digital single release of the preferred version of My Country Tis of Thee the song she performed in front of a national and international audience of billions at the historic swear- ing In ceremony of President Barack Obama. Aretha, A Woman Falling Out of Love(, is produced by Aretha Franklin, BeBe Winans and Gordon Chambers and features 11 tracks, including a duet with gospel artist Karen Clark-Sheard. This season, Franklin will make the national television rounds to perform songs from her first-ever holiday CD, This Christmas ARETHA. Next sum- mer, she will begin her series of private vocal sessions in Detroit and then on to New York City. Franklin is currently accepting applications from students; check your local newspapers for fur- ther details. The Detroit sessions will be held at the Westin Hotel in Southfield, MI and the New York City site under consideration for the Master Classes is Carnegie Hall. DREAMGIRLS TO HIT L.A. Straight from a successful run at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Dreamgirls, will invade the Ahmanson Theater when it hits Los Angeles in February. Dreamgirls tells the rags-to-riches story of an up and coming, 1960s girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy® Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony® and Grammy®-Award winner Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls features the unforgettable hits: And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, One Night Only and Listen. The show is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom. HOLLEY'S "LAST DANCE" "His last day on earth was his best day on stage just because we could see how happy he was," said Dorian Holley, Michael B Y D A R L E N E C . D O N L O E – A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T E D I T O R Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 8