By Cheryl Brown –

For years local groups have boarded buses, car pooled or drove into Los Angeles or Orange County to see the best live theater shows. Color Purple is one of those top named shows and it will play next week October 29, 2010 at the newly refurbished Fox Theatre in Riverside.

Two of the lead actors for the show based on the novel written by Alice Walker in 1982, and the 1985 Steven Spielberg movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.

In speaking with cast members about the upcoming show they say it is the same story with a different presentation.

They state it is a fresh new take on the story.

“This is a fresh look at the story Color Purple,” said Dayna Jarae Dantzler who plays Celie in the upcoming production. Dantzler said that this is a great experience and fulfills what she has wanted to do all of her life. “I’ve been acting since I was seven years old and I have a BA in Theatre Arts,” she said.

Dantzler said that her inspiration came from her high school drama coach. He inspired her with his concepts.

But it is her mother’s unconditional love that keeps her grounded and helps her succeed today. “My mother believes in me and supports me with words of encouragement.

I need her more now that I am older,” she said. Dantzier is from Warren, MI and now lives in New York. Of her character Celie who is given to widower “Mister” when she was just a teenager to marry and raise his children, Dantzler said she loves Celie, because she is curious, has spirit and an inner beauty, she is also smarter than anyone gives her credit for, the care she gives others and she is not afraid to ask questions.

Pam Trotter, (Sofia) said she identifies with her character.

“Sofia was not going to let anyone walk over her. Her character is so strong and she is a big woman,” said Trotter.

“She is loud and speaks her mind,” she continued. For Trotter playing Sophia is a dream come true. “My friends and I used to meet and watch the Color Purple movie and we would quote lines from the movie. When I saw it on Broadway, I said, I can totally do this. We actually would sit down and write the lines,” said Trotter. When asked who her inspiration was she said with out a doubt her sister Rita. She is 12 years older and I watched her on television all the time.” The closest her sister comes to acting now is the drama ministry at her church.

The reason she loves her role is because of her misunderstood character. “Sofia was abused by men in her family and said she will not be misused again.

She even stood up to Harpo’s dad when he tried to keep the pattern (of abuse) going,” she said. Trotter said she has never been abused but she was quiet and shy and as she got older she began speaking her peace. “I feel liberated with this character,” she said.

Dantzler’s recent credits include, Barter Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Frankenstein (Servant), Theatreworks/Two Beans Productions’ James and the Giant Peach (national tour), and the Negro Ensemble Company’s Chronicles of Color (NYC tour). Trotter is originally from St. Louis MO, now residing in Los Angeles. Her credits include Hawthorne, Chuck, Dollhouse, Everybody Hates Chris, My Name is Earl, Dreamgirls (the movie, Effie) Ain’t Misbehavin, Smokey Joe Café’, Big River, Blues, In The Night and numerous others.

Both the women say Color Purple is a great story.

More than 75,000 people are expected to descend upon Pechanga Resort & Casino on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2011, possibly breaking last year’s record of 74,000 people, to take part in seven different celebrations across property. It is the biggest NYE party under one roof and is expected to once again bring in nearly ¼ the total number of visitors as the entire city of Las Vegas over the same holiday period. Tickets for all events will be on sale this Friday, October 22 at 3PM at the Pechanga Box Office.

SoCal’s greatest party will feature Country Superstar Miranda Lambert in the Theater; legendary rapper Too $hort and Dirt Nasty performing in Silk; a New Yorkthemed Gala in the Ballroom; a flashback NYE party in Eagle’s Nest; a Rachel Tran Asian variety show in the Comedy Club; not to mention free live bands in The Cabaret and the big countdown to 2011 at the world famous Round Bar. Pechanga will be the place to celebrate and guests will have plenty of chances to win on one of the world’s largest casino floors, as $30,000 will be given out in casino promotions.

Tickets for all events will be available this Friday, Oct. 22 at 3PM at the Pechanga Theater Box Office, or call 877-711-2946, or visit www.pechanga.com.

Song stylist and humanitarian, Nancy Wilson, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2010 Pioneer of African American Achievement Award by the Brotherhood Crusade. The fete will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills at 7:00pm.

Ms. Wilson’s self proclaimed title of “song stylist” aptly fits as her diverse musical repertoire includes pop style ballads, jazz and blues, show tunes and classic standards.

Critics have described her as everything from a jazz singer, to a storyteller and complete entertainer. After years at Capitol Records, her sales were second only to the Beatles, and have even surpassed Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and the Beach Boys.

Ms. Wilson knew she wanted to sing at age four, but her professional singing career began at the age of 15, when she had her own television show and began performing in clubs in the Columbus, Ohio area. She left college in 1956 and met saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley. Impressed with her talent and determination, Adderley took an immediate interest in her career and the two kept in touch. When she moved to New York City in 1959, she gave herself six months to attain her goals.

She wanted Adderley’s manager, John Levy, to represent her, and she chose Capitol Records as her desired label.

She called Levy to see a show that she’d landed within four weeks of arriving in New York. Levy was so impressed with her performance; he called her the next day to set up a demo. Nancy recalls, “Ray Bryant and I went in and recorded “Guess Who I Saw Today,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” and two other songs. We sent them to Capitol and within five days the phone rang. Within six weeks I had all the things I wanted.”

The debut single, “Guess Who I Saw Today,” was so successful that between April of 1960 and July of 1962 Capitol Records released five Nancy Wilson albums. In 1963 “Tell Me The Truth” became her first truly major hit, leading up to her performance at the Coconut Grove in 1964 – the turning pointing of her career. From there she performed on television as well as hosted her own television show which won an Emmy in 1975. She also took on acting roles on popular TV shows throughout the years and hosted NPR’s Jazz Profiles series in 1995.

Among her many awards and honors are three Grammys, two NAACP Image Awards, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, streets and days dedicated in her name, honorary doctorate degrees, the UNCF Trumpet Award celebrating African- American Achievement, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP in Chicago, and Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Award.

Says Charisse Bremond Weaver, president and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, “We are so excited and honored that Nancy Wilson has been selected the recipient of the Pioneer of African American Achievement Award this year. In my mind, her association with the Brotherhood Crusade has come full circle. In 1971, she chaired our fundraising campaign and concert which laid the foundation for this organization becoming one of the most influential philanthropic organizations today. Her legacy of music combined with her humanitarian efforts from the Civil Rights Movement through her work to assist inner city youth through the Nancy Wilson Foundation raises consciousness and awareness to empower and enhance the lives of those in underserved communities. This makes her the fitting honoree for this year’s award.”

Some of the past recipients of the Pioneer of African American Achievement Award include Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Soledad O’Brien, Berry Gordy, Cathy Hughes, Sandra Evers-Manley, Spike Lee, Rosa Parks, Don King, Tavis Smiley, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Muhammad Ali.

For more information on the Brotherhood Crusade or to purchase tickets, please call 323.846.1649 or visit www.brotherhoodcrusade.org

Sponsorships are available and the event is open to the public.

More than 300 attend the grand opening reception in the UC Riverside ARTSblock in downtown Riverside

Amid the sweet sound of jazz, fiery flamenco music and dance, and hip-hop theater, more than 300 guests celebrated the grand opening of the UC Riverside Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts and reopening of the Sweeney Art Gallery in downtown Riverside on Saturday evening.

The center, located in the 115- year-old Rouse department store building, joins the UCR/California Museum of Photography in UCR ARTSblock on the downtown pedestrian mall.

More than 1,500 people attended two days of free community events that led up to Saturday’s gala reception.

“This has been 10 years in the making,” observed Frances Culver, who with her late husband, Tony, donated $5 million to launch the project. The center is named for Tony Culver’s parents.

“This is everything Tony wanted. I wish he were here to see it. Jonathan Green (ARTSblock executive director) was meticulous in following his dream. Good job!”

Stephen Cullenberg, dean of the UCR College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, emceed the event and said the partnership between the city and university – exemplified by the use of public money and private gifts – made possible the restoration effort that now is a key element of Riverside’s evolution as a center of the arts.

Green said the Rouse building, throughout its history, has stood at the intersection of past and present, a role it will continue to play as a center of the arts. “The Culver Center will have a lasting effect on UC Riverside and the city of Riverside, and the American art scene,” a center that will “incubate, innovate and initiate,” he said. “Tony and Frances Culver dreamed a dream. Tonight their dream is a reality.”

Recalling the high-end clientele the Rouse department store served in its heyday, UCR Chancellor Timothy P. White told the crowd that today, “the Culver Center will feed the hearts and minds and souls of all Riverside citizens.”

Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge said the gala was an opportunity to celebrate completion of the center, the close partnership between the university and the city, and the center’s place in a renaissance of the arts downtown. “Downtown will be a happening place of the arts,” he predicted.

Entertainment during the evening was provided by the Blue Wave West jazz band, whose vocalist is Karen Wilson, assistant director of the Gluck Fellows Program of the Arts at UCR; Riverside Lyric Opera performing a flash opera; modern dancers coordinated by Susan Rose, UCR professor of dance and director of the Gluck program; hip-hop theater directed by Rickerby Hinds, UCR associate professor of theater; flamenco guitarist Walter Clark, a UCR professor of music; and Forever Flamenco dancers and musicians.

Among the Culver Center’s features are: first floor – a 72- seat film and video screening room, atrium gallery for installation, music and performance, and the Sweeney Art Gallery; second floor – two dance studios, and the Culver Arts Research Lab (CARL) for university- based projects that advance artistic, cultural and performative research and study at UCR; and basement – facilities devoted to exhibition and performance support and collections, including seismically stable facilities to store the worldrenown Keystone-Mast collection of stereoscopic glass negatives.