The Trip to Bountiful

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Gigi in entertainment Comments Off

Trip to Bountiful

First and foremost Cicely Tyson is fabulous! I’m not sure of her age, the NY Times peg her as 88 and some other sources state that she is 80, all I know is that she carries the production for the entire 2 hours whatever her age is. Cicely Tyson sings, dances, and her silent expressions are priceless. Her Tony award winning performance is flawless. Pulitzer Prize winner, Horton Foote’s american masterpiece The Trip to Bountiful, is still a timely piece, the message of home and family and what is really important never goes out of style.

The Trip to Bountiful takes place in 1950’s Texas, Mother Watts (Cicely Tyson) living in a small apartment with her bossy daughter-in-law Jessie Mae (Vanessa Williams) and son Ludie (Blair Underwood), Mother Watts is determined to go back to Bountiful, her hometown. Ludie is constantly balancing his mother and wife trying to keep peace. Jessie Mae is the nagging daughter-n-law who is frustrated with Mother Watts and is not afraid to express how annoyed she is with her.

Mother Watts, runs away with her pension check in hand to return to Bountiful. Her journey is delightful and nothing and everything happens on her bus ride to Bountiful.

trip to bountiful

We got very good tickets at the last minute, I was surprised at the amount of empty seats for a world class production like this, even on a Wednesday evening.

Trip to Bountiful at the Ahmanson Theater September 17 – November 2

Go see this one- don’t miss out-

Happy Friday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Hollywood Glamour

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Gigi in entertainment, Uncategorized 2 Comments

golden globes 2013

I love all the award shows, the red carpet, gowns, jewels, hair, and make-up, all of it excites me. I attend a few formal events, so I always keep a look out for gowns on clearance. Here are some of my favs from the Golden Globes.

Halle Berry

Halle never disappoints, and I love florals.

Jessica Alba

Love the color of this gown.

Strapless dresses, great motivation for pushups…

Kerry Washington

Love this nude dress and of course her hair! Makes me want to go straight for a minute.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer’s gown is interesting, I would love to see it in person.

Can’t wait until the Academy Awards.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Golden Globe Awards: Who Wore What

Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment, Holiday 2 Comments

Muse Costume Ball

Happy Halloween!

This evening Reggie and I are going to the Muse Costume Ball at LACMA, thanks to my friend Denise. I am scrabbling today to put a costume together for the party. I don’t think I will know anybody there so perhaps I will go all out fantasy mode. I promise to post pics. Halloween in the past consisted of giving out candy and trick or treating with the kids. This will be our first “adult” Halloween party. While meandering around the web looking for inspiration for a costume, I came across these interesting items.

Pumpkin

This hallowed out pumpkin can be used for icing drinks, fall floral arrangement or for serving a nice colorful fall salad, which is what I am going to do for an event this Friday.

Mini Pies

Love these little pumpkin pies, I am going to make mini sweet potato pies with my mom’s recipe.

Fall Flowers

Have a happy safe Halloween!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Daedelus At LACMA Muse Costume Ball 2012

My Husband Loves Sanaa Lathan…

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment, theater 2 Comments

By the Way, Meet Vera Starks

: Sanaa

Sanaa

: Sanaa

Ever since “Love and Basketball” Reggie has been fond of Sanaa Lathan. So when I received the Geffen Playhouse notice for “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”, I purchased tickets right away. Playwright Lynn Nottage (one of my favorite playwrights) does not disappoint. It is the story of Vera Stark, an African-American maid who works for Gloria Mitchell, a soon to be expired actress who is known as “America’s Little Sweetie Pie”. The play takes place in the 30’s, the sets are very old Hollywood glamour. The story follows the two women as they land parts in a film where Vera is now an on screen domestic helper to her boss Gloria. The play creatively combines film footage of the movie “The Belle of New Orleans” in which the women are featured in an over the top finale. The second act is set in 2003 with a panel that is having a lively discussion about what ever happened to Vera Starks. Sanaa in the second act portrays Vera, as a sassy Las Vegas lounge singer. The play deals with the blatant racism that was throughout Hollywood, and shows the limitations that African-American actors faced in the 30’s. The cast was fabulous, I highly recommend taking the time to see this production. We had a delightful afternoon and my hubby was all smiles after seeing Ms. Lathan.

Gigi & Reggie

“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”

Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, LA

When: 8PM

Tuesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8PM Saturdays, 2 and 7PM Sundays. ends October 28

Tickets $47-$77 Rush tickets are avail call the theater for details

Contace (310) 208-5454 or www.geffenplayhouse.com

Running time 2 hours, 15 minutes

Beautiful Weekend

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment, My Style 3 Comments

My Casbah

This past weekend was magical. I hosted a moroccan themed soiree for my J&J group. We had a tiny budget to work with, so I had to come up with some creative decorations to transform my home into a “casbah”. My husband Reggie being a true renaissance man, made panels for the porch, and a large slipcover for an outdoor cushion I scored at Coast Plus for pennies. Orange, Pink, red with a touch of blue were the colors of the night. I was thrilled when we found this sheer gauzy orange fabric at Home Fabrics & Rugs in Cerritos, I knew it would be perfect for the porch. Target had loads of Halloween decorations, so when I spotted these orange sparkly light balls I snatched them up not sure what I was going to do with them. Reggie figured out a way to hang them, so we put three of them together to make a nice chandelier, combined with the blue holiday lights I put on the railing it was really pretty. This was my favorite spot.

Love the Light

The Pillow Lounge

Outdoor View

I organized a detailed potluck sign up list, (yes-potlucks can work) that consisted of bite sized hors d’s oeuvres, mini desserts and libations. We had everything samosas, meatballs, crab cakes, veggies, mini cupcakes, cookies, strawberries, sangria, cosmo station, champagne, and a variety of good wines. I went to the LA Flower Mart Saturday morning and realized that I should go a regular basis. It took less than 30 minutes to fill my car with fresh blooms. I love walking around and seeing the assortment of flowers that are available, and the prices are really good. The sunflowers were $2.00 a bunch.

Flower Mart

Flowers

Gigi’s meanderings around the web #2

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment Comments Off

A little of this and that around the web…

Gigi’s friend Juliana turned her on to this brazilian singer a few years ago, and she has been listening to him ever since. She loves his deep sexy voice. This is one of her favorite summer songs.

Gigi wants you to see this movie right away.

Gigi is going to make her version of this.

Gigi will be watching this 17 year-old girl at the summer olympics in London.

Gigi loves Chaka Khan, she looks fabulous, and she knows her dear friend Raw T’s delicious raw gourmet cuisine is contributing to all that gorgeousness.

Gigi wants to have an arm party.

Gigi wants you to check out this diy activity, and share it with your teens.

Gigi is going to do this.

Gigi knows why there are so many eating disorders, because of stuff like this.

Gigi recommends this for all your travel needs.

Gigi walks away in these. They look Valentino-isque and Gigi loves Valentino.

Enjoy,

Gigi

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web…

Get your Sparkle on, Fireworks

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment Comments Off

fireworks

Fireworks

Growing up, Fourth of July, takes me back to cookouts on the beach, riding the waves, making sand castles and ending the afternoon watching fireworks on the beach. The explosions of colors streaking across the sky was the bang that sealed another Fourth of July. Here are some spots to get your “sparkle” on in the city, at the beach or in the valley.

Seaside Lagoon

This is where I watched many a Fourth of July fireworks show. Arrive early to get your space. There will be live music, dancing and entertainment. 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, fireworks start at 9:00.

Spoken Word

California African American Museum CAAM opens at 1 pm, spoken word performance begins at 6, on the outdoor plaza followed by firework display at dusk. 600 State Drive, LA 213 744 7432

Hollywood Bowl

L.A. Philharmonic and Barry Manilow perform patriotic numbers at the beautiful Hollywood bowl, one of my favorite summer spots. The concert starts at 7:30 and the fireworks after sundown. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood Admission $15-$200 Read more

King of Pop 1958-2009

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment Comments Off

Three years ago today, June 25th, we lost the “King Of Pop”. I was on a caribbean cruise with my brother who was slowly losing his battle with colon cancer. My brother found out before me and shared the news, I remember being shocked and hit with the reality of the impending death of my brother that I would soon face. It would be the last vacation my extended family and I would take. My brother Howard, transitioned from his life on earth October 13, 2009. Michael Jackson’s untimely death was a reminder of how short our lives really are. Michael we miss you so much.

Michael Jackson

xoxo,

Gigi

Michael Jackson Remembered on Death Anniversary

A Sly Tribute

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment 2 Comments

Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sly and The Family Stone ‘s “Dance to the Music” always brings back great memories for me. One of the benefits of having an older brother and sister was the exposure to “hip” popular music when I was just an itty-bitty. My sister was in love with Sly and would spin her 45’s and I would jump up and down sometimes making the record skip. There is something about music and how a favorite song can spark a memory.

Tonight was a first for me, I attended the red carpet premiere of “UnSung” Sly and the Family Stone. My friend Michael Ajakwe Jr. produced this phenomenal episode that revealed so many interesting details of Sly’s life and what he has been doing for the past forty years. The episode could have easily been a two hour feature or a least a part one, Sly’s story is so complex. Click Here for a sneak peek of the episode, the footage is incredible.

Unsung Sly and the Family Stone

Michael also brought “UnSung” Deniece Williams and Ray Parker Jr. to TVone. Executives, cast members, musicians, actors and regular peeps like me walked the red carpet to celebrate the premiere of “UnSung” Sly and the Family Stone.

Gigi & Michael Ajakwe

Novena Carmel “Baby Stone” & Host Karla Gordy Bristol

Novena Carmel, Sly’s youngest child was in attendance, she is also following in the family’s music legacy. Karla Gordy Bristol was our beautiful host for the evening conducting interviews on the red carpet, she even interviewed me!

Gigi & Blaine

Mingling

Gigi, Michael & Blaine

UnSung is TVone’s music series that focuses on the stories of talented forgotten R&B, Soul and Gospel artists. Season 6 opens tonight with Sly and the Family Stone at 6:00 PM Pacific time on TVone. Tune in for a history lesson in psychedelic funk.

Whoever we are, we all enjoy listening to music…Do you have a favorite “funk” artist or song?

xoxo,

Gigi

I think it is timely that I leave you with THIS.

Unsung Launches New Season with Sly & The Family Stone

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