It is #Oscar night. The 95th Academy Awards are tonight at 8 p.m.. Here is my interview with Kerry Condon, nominated tonight for "The Banshees of Inisherin." I have Miles Teller for the Oscar nominated film "Top Gun: Maverick" and some of the cast from the Oscar nominated film "Women Talking." I also have Jenna Ortega talking about the horror genre as "Scream 6" is now out. Checkout my Oscar preview from some of the interviews of nominated films that screened at the SCAD SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL. with Kareem McMichael
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1/24/2023 Kareem is Nominated for 'Best Actor' Connect Savannah 2023 Best Of Savannah Reader's PollRead NowWelcome to the Connect Savannah 2023 Best Of Savannah Reader's Poll!
It's almost time to award our readers’ Savannah favorites for 2023! Nominations are now underway for Connect Savannah’s annual Best of Savannah awards. The nomination period will run online from Jan. 1 - Jan. 31, so there isn’t much time to let your voice be heard. Visit connectsavannah.com to nominate your favorites in each category. Final voting will then be Feb. 6 - March. 6, 2023 and winners will be published on May 18. Want to promote your own business or organization? Go ahead and nominate yourself! It counts. NOMINATION PERIOD: JAN. 1 TO JAN 31 VOTING PERIOD: FEB. 6 TO MAR. 6 Click the link below and scroll down under 'Art & City Life' and find ' Best Local Actor' https://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/BestofSavannah2023/Page#// ‘Our Legacy Thrives’ through the 34th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival
By Kareem McMichael The Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF) lives on now through its 34th year with the theme “The Festival Lives So Our Legacy Thrives.” Savannah State University is pleased to announce the festival that will take place February 1-28, 2023, in person. “This festival is very important and after covid it was more evident. This is a cultural and historical opportunity for our culture that we (the committee) fought for. It gives our youth background, culture, and legacy to be proud of,” said Teresa-Michelle Walker Jackson, Executive Director of SBHF. The festival experience will be sure to bring cultural education, economic growth for local Black owned businesses and exposure to the performing and visual arts, as well as historical gems and entertainment for all demographics and interests throughout the celebration. This is a special year for our festival after a three-year virtual hiatus and since we are honoring W.W. Law's 100th Birthday (01/01/1923). The 1st SBHF was held August 20, 1988 and originated under the guidance and leadership of the late Westley W. Law and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH), with moral support and general funding from the City of Savannah. “W.W. Law was also very instrumental in starting this festival and the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. He has done so much for this community, and he is a part of our legacy thriving,” said Walker Jackson. There will be a ‘free admission’ museum day at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum on Sunday, Feb. 19 in celebration of Law’s 100th birthday that is open to the public. All of this going with the theme of making sure the next generation knows the legacy and history of Savannah. The traditional and powerful Gospel Explosion Concert will be Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship. Opening performances by Savannah State University’s Wesleyan Gospel Choir members and American Idol contestant Gazzie White and MC E. Larry Mcduffie. Headlining the Gospel Explosion is G. Allen Battle and Family Worship. “We are so excited to be a part of the festival! It's an honor and a privilege to celebrate our rich and diverse culture through the art of music, especially gospel music - A genre that has been used as a guide, a support, and a provider of hope for so many,” said G. Allen Battle, Family Worship. This year’s festival will also feature the acclaimed Step Afrika. dance company which dedicates its performance style to the African American tradition of “stepping.” Returning as well is the festive family fun experience “Grand Festival Day” on Saturday, February 18 at the Student Union on the campus of Savannah State University from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. “We are so happy that we have this day back. There are activities for the whole family of all ages. From the health fair to a variety of performances from local talent, Magic Marc, storytelling, local vendors, and more,” said Walker Jackson. A new addition this year is a presentation from Vice President of Education and Understanding at ARRAY productions, Tammy Garnes, will screen the film, “Black Hollywood: They’ve Gotta Have Us” and present a corresponding interactive curriculum with students on the evolution of Blacks on film. Also new among other things is the “Savannah Cultural Arts Center Presents: The Savannah Black Art Expo” highlighting various local black artists and art organizations. The expo will feature art on display and for sale with performances by local talent and is free and open to the public. The schedule will include national and regional musicians, educational presentations, local youth talent, historic tours, and visual art exhibitions by internationally acclaimed and local artists. The festival will also include the W.W. Law Lecture series, dramatic productions, and a courageous conversation with focus on youth and the community. For up-to-date details and access to the virtual offerings, visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival.org or call 912-358-4309. AudPop’s 5th annual Race to Justice Film Challenge, pioneered by April Reign (creator of #OscarsSoWhite), celebrates Black life. AudPop invites filmmakers to submit a short film (narrative or documentary) no longer than 40 minutes telling stories on one or more of these topics from Black perspectives, Race and Religions and Race, Gender, and Sexuality.
"MLK JR. BLVD," directed by Kareem McMichael and written and produced by Chad Penchion was a featured short picture nominee in AudPop’s 5th annual Race to Justice Film Challenge. "Thank you to everyone who has watched the film and supported it over the years. We hope the story of DeAndre continue to shine a light on the injustices of the world," said McMichael. The film debuted in 2019 at the SCAD student film showcase and has been in over 10 film festivals since then. 11/10/2022 'best Friends' accepted into the Equity Library Theater of New York 2023 Play FestRead Now'Best Friends' a short 10 minute play by Kareem McMichael has been accepted into the Equity Library Theater of New York 2023 Play Festival.
Since 2013, ELT has been presenting a festival of short plays (comedy, drama and musicals) by writers from around the globe, in association with the NYPL. Equity Library Theater began its life in 1943 as a sort of New York City road-show, with performances rotating among many theaters built during the Depression in branches of the New York Public Library. George Wojtasik was Producing Director of ELT from 1966-1989. ELT won the Off-Broadway Theatre Tony Award twice, in 1953 and in 1977. Despite valiant fund-raising efforts, ELT was forced to close, due to financial concerns, in the 1989-1990 season. Today they present their works for all to enjoy in person and in a virtual setting. 'Best Friends' has been accepted into numerous festivals over the years since McMichael created the work back in 2011. She is “one funny momma” and she is coming to Savannah.
Actress, comedian and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Cocoa Brown is coming to “Big Comedy Network at District Live” for a set of shows Nov. 10 - 12. Brown is looking forward to bringing her style of comedy to Savannah. “Savannah is a beautiful city to me and I remember it being that way. I’m going to bring my kid with me. He’s never been and I get to share the excitement in his eyes with him. I’m looking forward to it all the way around,” said Brown. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. The Savannah Regional Film Commission (SRFC), an AFCI certified Film Commission, announced today they are seeking applications for the position of Executive Director. Current Executive Director Beth Nelson will be stepping down at the end of the year.
The Savannah Regional Film Commission Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the marketing and selling of the Savannah region to the film and television industry. In 2021, the entertainment production industry had a direct spend of $114 million with 88 professional production and 39 student productions including The Girl from Plainville, The Menu and the soon to be released Devotion. A part of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the SRFC was the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Film Commission by the Location Mangers Guild International for their work on The Underground Railroad, an Amazon television series based on the book by Colson Whitehead. Additionally, Savannah was named the number two “Best Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in MovieMaker magazine’s annual ranking. Savannah has consistently been ranked in the top four since 2015, taking the #1 spot in 2020, 2019, 2017, and 2016. Nelson, who has served as Executive Director for the past seven years and spearheaded the phenomenal growth of the entertainment production industry in the Savannah region, is ready for the next challenge in her career. “I am very proud to have served as the founding executive director of the Savannah Regional Film Commission,” said Nelson. “It has been a privilege to do my part to move the Savannah film and television industry to the next level and experience the huge success of the last few years. I am very appreciative of SEDA’s vision and support as I took on the challenge of creating the film commission from the ground up. We have achieved the goals I set out to accomplish and I feel the SRFC can continue with new leadership as I embark on another challenge. Growing the film and television production industry in Savannah has been my passion for many years, and that will continue as I serve the industry in a different capacity. I will continue to work closely with the SRFC office in a supportive way as I move on to other opportunities in the industry.” Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO Trip Tollison praised Beth’s work in growing the industry. “Beth Nelson is a great advocate for the entertainment production industry in the Savannah region. She has worked tirelessly to sell and market our region to the world, grow our local crew base, establish strong relationships with our local community and most importantly made entertainment production a sustainable industry for our region, said Tollison. “We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors and thank her for her service.” Those interested in applying for the Executive Director position should email their resume to [email protected]. 9/15/2022 Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts presents “Vessels" & Small Works ExhibitRead NowTelfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts (FAAA) presents “Vessels,” a group exhibition that pays tribute to the things we hold and the things that carry us. The exhibition is up at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center Gallery from Sept. 2 - Oct. 8.
The exhibit “The Art of William O. Golding: Hard Knocks, Hardships and Lots of Experience” was the inspiration and basis for the exhibit “Vessels.” William O. Golding (1874-1943), was an African American seaman and artist who recorded a half-century of maritime experience in more than one hundred vibrant drawings. “I'm the curator. Antonia B. Larkin is the exhibition designer. We decided to proceed with vessels thinking about the theme of William O. Golding artwork. Him being a seaman and then also figuratively thinking about what are the things that we carry,” said artist and FAAA 2nd vice chair Sharonna “Ronnie” Ray. The idea for “Vessels” deeply formed out of the trip that FAAA took to Dorchester Academy back in April. The academy was the first school for African Americans in Liberty county, founded by Golding’s father, William A. Golding (Golden). “When you think of his history and FAAA history and how it advocates for artists of color and putting out the work of African American artists we wanted to build on our legacy. We are a diverse group and this exhibition explores that through the perspective of our 31 participating artists,” said Ray. This is one of FAAA's first shows anchored to a theme. Usually various artists can submit a variety of work to a general exhibition but this FAAA wanted to challenge artists to focus on a theme and they hope to do more shows like this in the future. “The selection process was slightly difficult just because of the amount of submissions that we got and their relevance to the theme. Also, we only have so much space and availability, and so I was very pleased with the submissions that we received and even the different disciplines,” said Ray. The works range from paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more. FAAA hopes to continue to display shows at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center and expand to other places as their membership is growing. A membership that is open to artists and art lovers. There was an opening reception and artist talkback for “Vessels” on Friday, Sept. 9. There will be two ‘Artist Show & Tells’ one with Nancey B. Price on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. and one with Olivia Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.. There will be an artist roundtable on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. “Nancy Price and Olivia Johnson are both FAAA artists. Nancy Price is a self taught collage artist. She's educated, but she's also self taught in the field of collage and Olivia Johnson, she recently finished her artist residency at Penland in June, and that is where she created her piece for Vessels,” said Ray. See ”Vessels” during the gallery hours and all events are free though pre-registration is required for the ‘Artist Show & Tells’. Find out more about “Vessels” at savannahga.gov/arts. Telfair presents the annual Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Lecture as a panel discussion with three noted contemporary artists featured in the exhibition, Brittney Leeanne Williams, David Antonio Cruz, and Elizabeth Colomba, in conversation with Monique Long, the show’s curator. Colomba was born in France of Martinican heritage and is best known for her paintings portraying Black women in the elegant historical settings that often excluded them. Williams is a Los Angeles-based artist whose work has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, London, Hong Kong, and in the Venice Biennale. Cruz is an interdisciplinary artist best known for his psychological paintings. REGISTER NOW Join the cast of "The Play and Eat Dinner Theater" Beaufort, South Carolina's first Black-owned immersive dinner theater show located in the heart of downtown.
Solve a murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just to let you know, the murderer is hiding somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as one of the suspects if you don't watch it. This is a prize-winning competition and everyone is a participant. This event will be held at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce located at 711 Bladen Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902. Show times are 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm. Their very first show and ribbon cut will be held on Saturday, September 3 at 3:30 pm. The 2022 show dates are: September 3, 10, 17, 24 October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November 12, 19 December 10, 17 Each ticket comes with a complimentary glass of wine, hors d'oeuvres, salad, entrée, and dessert. Social Media Links Website- www.playandeatdinnertheater.com Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/playandeatdinnertheater Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/playandeatdinnertheater/ Michael DiJuan McNeil was born in Lancaster, PA, and raised in Beaufort, SC. He graduated from Battery Creek High School and the Academy of Career Excellence where he received his state cosmetology license. Michael worked as a hairstylist for 3 years and a nail technician for 15 years. In 2010 Michael opened a residential and commercial cleaning business. In 2017 Michael began studying the craft and business of acting in Atlanta, GA, and New York, NY. He traveled from Beaufort to Atlanta and New York once a month for an entire year and attended classes, workshops, and auditions. Michael signed with his first agent in Atlanta and with another in New York shortly thereafter. His most notable film roles include a sarcastic college kid in "Dungeons and Kraken", a very confrontational brother in "Separated At Birth", and a scared janitor in "The Quonset" as well as starring in "High Maintenance" which he wrote and produced. In 2020, Michael took interest in organic hair products. While still in New York, he started researching the natural skin and hair industry. Returning home, due to COVID 19, Michael found it the perfect opportunity to focus on that. Shortly after the national shut down, Insentials by DiJano was born. Michael now provides organic skin products such as soaps, candles, and sea moss. These products are sold in his hometown of Beaufort at Historic Penn Center's Visitor Center and The Beaufort Visitor Center. They are also available at Brighter Day Natural Foods in Savannah, GA. During this time, Michael also managed to produce "SAY YES" a virtual improv show, and performed in "Life Insurance", a New York Off-Broadway musical. Michael also starred in leading roles in "Stolen Promise", a Savannah, GA short film production, "Savannah Underground" and "Dinner Detective", two immersive theater projects. Taking his career to the next level and seeing the need for more entertainment in Beaufort, sparked "The Play and Eat Dinner Theater". For media inquiries contact — Michael McNeil at 843-592-6209 or via email at [email protected] The winners and finalists were announced for the The Connect Savannah 2022 Best of Savannah.
Kareem McMichael was a finalist in the categories 'Best Local Actor' and 'Best Local Theater Director'. The play 'Ida B. N' The Lynching Tree', which McMichael performed in was a finalist as well. "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for me but more importantly for being encouraging and a supporter of my work. That is truly a blessing," said McMichael. People cast their votes on the best places, people, and things they love in Savannah. From music and the arts, to restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and the people that make our city a better place to live and work, it’s your votes that determine The Connect Savannah 2022 Best of Savannah winners! List of winners at connectsavannah.com |
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