EVENTS AND MORE

The Nicholas Payton Trio LIVE at The Gallery at RAVINE

3/3/2020

News Source: Atlanta Jazz Festival

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Inc. presents the sensational sounds of the Nicholas Payton Trio, featuring GRAMMY Award-winner Nicholas Payton, drummer Kenny Washington, and bassist Peter Washington on Wednesday, April 1, at the Gallery at RAVINE.
A dynamic multi-instrumentalist known for his rich and poetic sounds, Nicholas Payton imbues traditional rhythms with a modern, urban energy.

Whether collaborating with the rapper Common, touring with artists like Elvin Jones, or paying tribute to Louis Armstrong, Payton strives to pay homage to the past while pushing music forward.

In his latest release, “Relaxin’ With Nick”, recorded live at SMOKE in Harlem in collaboration with Kenny Washington and Peter Washington, the trio curates a set from previously recorded works that intentionally showcase facets of legendary rhythm sections.

PUrchase tickets

To learn more about Nicholas Payton and listen to his music, visit his website at www.nicholaspayton.com.

All sales are final. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.

PURCHASE TICKETS

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America’s Marathon Weekend Wraps with 13,000 on the Run at Publix Atlanta Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

3/2/2020

A day after Atlanta hosted the finest marathoners in the country at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon, runners filled the streets of this city once again as more than 13,000 participated in the Publix Atlanta Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K. Wrapping up a celebration billed as America’s Marathon Weekend, the race attracted runners from across the country on a running tour of Atlanta on a picture-perfect day.

Five of the six men and women who finished on the Trials podium – the first six runners on Team USA – acted as official starters for the race on Sunday morning, with women’s champion Aliphine Tuliamuk, Molly Seidel, Sally Kipyego, Abdi Abdirahman, and Jake Riley shouting words of encouragement to the runners on Marietta Street as the sun rose over Atlanta.

From there, the races wound through Atlanta, with participants ultimately crossing the same finish line that saw Olympians crowned just one day before.
Benjamin Kopecky, of St. Louis, Missouri, won the men’s marathon in a time of 2:29:49. Kopecky opened up a sizable gap and won the race by nearly five minutes on the course that traveled through Edgewood, Martin Luther King National Historic Park, Piedmont Park, Grant Park, the Atlanta University Center, and underneath the Olympic Rings and Cauldron structure from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

“It’s a notoriously difficult course and I love running hills,” Kopecky said. “I’m actually trying to complete marathons in 50 states and so today was state number 33. It was a fantastic weekend overall, and I don’t think we could have asked for anything better.”

In the women’s race, Abigail Cember from Philadelphia, PA, ran 3:00 on the dot to take the victory. She led from start to finish, hanging on over the hills at the end of the course to keep the win in hand.

“The atmosphere was awesome,” Cember, in town to support her Philadelphia Runner Track Club teammates in the Trials, said after her race. “Atlanta has had so many friendly vibes. I was leading for most of the race so I heard a lot of people screaming out ‘girl power!’”

In keeping with the Olympic theme of the weekend, 2016 Zimbabwean Olympian Pardon Ndhlovu won the half marathon in a blistering time of 1:07:17 – more than five minutes faster than last year’s winning time on the same course.
On the women’s side, Nina Zarina of Arlington, Virginia and originally from Moscow, blazed her own speedy time, running a 1:16:14 to take the victory.
“I was worried that Atlanta would be very hilly,” Zarina said. “But it was like a running party here. It was wonderful because I had inspiration from before from watching the Trials and then I had a chance to run in the same city and put into action your inspiration.”
The half marathon featured three other notable Olympic legends crossing the finish line as well.

Four-time Olympian Meb Keflezighi was the first of those, as he spent the morning pacing the 1:40 half marathon group to a time of 1:39:37. The former Olympic marathoner noted that in previous years he would have found himself running the tangents at the Trials the day before, but this year was excited to “give high fives and keep them going to their goal.”
The next Olympian across the line was three-time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, who raced her first-ever half marathon and ran a 1:53:54. Known previously for her sprinting and hurdling prowess, Devers trained with the Club’s In-Training program and pushed herself to an 8:41 average mile this morning. She had company from another 1996 Olympian – shot putter John Godina, who finished in 2:02:03. The two-time Olympic medalist ran his first half marathon in his return to the city that saw him win silver in 1996.

The first race of the morning was won by Craig Lutz, a two-time NCAA All-American in the 10K for the University of Texas who was in Atlanta to watch the Trials. The 27-year-old blazed a 15:09 to take the win over Nicholas Turco from Boulder, CO. On the women’s side, Ellyn Atkinson ran a 17:52 to take the victory in a tight race over Jacquelyn Abanses, who was six seconds behind.
As the day came to a close, so too did America’s Marathon Weekend, which began on Thursday with the America’s Marathon Weekend Experience, saw more than 600 children cross the Trials finish line at the Publix Atlanta Kids Marathon, crowned six Olympians, and then celebrated distance running in all of Atlanta. The weekend, which allowed Atlanta Track Club to intertwine elite racing and citizen distance running, brought tens of thousands to downtown Atlanta over the course of three days.

“America’s Marathon Weekend was created to bring together every member of the running community in a way that has never been done before, said Atlanta Track Club Executive Director Rich Kenah. “As the final finisher of the Publix Atlanta Marathon crosses the finish line, we’re excited to see the impact of this weekend on Running City USA and on this city’s Olympic future.”

Registration is already open for next year’s Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend, which will take place on February 27 and 28, 2021.

VOTE for 2020 AJC Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt Contest

3/2/2020

News Source: Atlanta Track Club

Voting is now open at ajc.com/peachtree.

Voting opens today for the annual AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt Contest in which five Atlanta-area graphic designers are vying to have their artwork featured on the coveted AJC Peachtree Road Race Finisher’s Shirt.
Throughout March, everyone is invited to AJC.com/peachtree and vote for their favorite design. The winner will be revealed at the 51st Running of the world’s largest 10K on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
Artists were encouraged to incorporate the theme of this year’s race: Move Forward with Atlanta.

“We are excited to kick off the next 50 years of the AJC Peachtree Road Race,” said Rich Kenah, Race Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. “But a new chapter for this race can’t begin without its most sacred tradition, the AJC Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt Contest.”

“The AJC Peachtree Road Race is so much more than just a 10k – it represents an important moment of community pride and one of the things that truly define Atlanta,” said AJC Marketing Vice President Amy Chown. “The t-shirt is something all wear with pride since the only way to get one is to cross the finish line”.

Nearly 200 designs were entered into this year’s contest. The finalists were chosen by staff members from Atlanta Track Club and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, as well as select participants of the Peachtree. The winning design is a closely guarded secret until the moment the first finisher crosses the line on the Fourth of July. The surprised winning designer receives $1,000 from the AJC and has their name forever written in the Peachtree history books.

Voting is open through March 31 and anyone may vote once per day. Registration to participate in the AJC Peachtree Road Race opens March 15 and closes on March 31. Atlanta Track Club members receive guaranteed entry into the race. All others must enter into a lottery.

Voting is now open at ajc.com/peachtree.

ABOUT THE AJC PEACHTREE ROAD RACE

The AJC Peachtree Road Race is a 10K event that takes place every Fourth of July in Atlanta, Georgia. The first Peachtree was held in 1970 and featured 110 finishers. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is now the largest 10K running event in the world with 60,000 participants. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is perhaps most famous for the coveted AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt, which is handed out to all the event finishers. For more information on the AJC Peachtree Road Race visit peachtreeroadrace.org or AJC.com/peachtree.

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Being A Musician: Guitarist Rod Harris Jr.

3/2/2020

Grammy nominated guitarist, Rod Harris Jr shares with When We Speak TV the joy of being a musician.

FROM: www.rodharrisjr.com

Over his time as a guitarist, Rod has performed and recorded with countless artists spanning multiple genres and the list continues to grow. Artists such as J. Holiday, Miki Howard, jazz trumpeter Russell Gunn, Eightball and MJG, Musiq Soulchild, Jagged Edge, Donell Jones, Lloyd, saxophonist Warren Hill and Paul Taylor, bassist Brian Bromberg, the legendary Fred Wesley, jazz organist Doug Carn, Red Holloway (deceased), Ernie Andrews, Howard Hewitt of Shalamar , pianist Keiko Matsui, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Maysa from Incognito, jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, Joi, R&B Diva Syleena Johnson, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Grammy Award Winning singers Monica, Regina Belle, Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Farris, and many others.

(L to R) Chester Lawrence, Rod Harris Jr, & Jermaine Sain hanging out at Castle Hill Studio in Atlanta, GA.

Rod can also be seen performing in the hit film biopics “Cadillac Records” (starring Beyonce and Adrian Brody) and “Bessie” (starring Queen Latifah).

In addition to performing and touring, Rod released his debut jazz-funk album (2016) "The Counsel Of Elders", which pays homage to RHJ’s guitar influences. In March 2018, Rod released his well anticipated hip-hop/jazz EP entitled “Exits & Options”. The “X/O” Ep features renditions of classic songs as well as original material. RHJ’s music is available on all internet music stores (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) Rod's most successful single release to date, "How It Feels", features Neo-Soul legend Musiq Soulchild and has garnered acclaim amongst Underground DJs in the U.K., Japan, and the U.S.

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2/20/2020

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click below to read the feature

VoyageATL: Meet Jermaine Sain

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Mushiya Tshikuka formerly of We TV's Cutting It In the ATL wins the BB Icon Award.

2/13/2020

At the Bronner Bros International Beauty Show, you will experience the latest innovations and top trends in the beauty and barber industry. Featuring exciting entertainment, celebrity appearances, creative competitions, and educational classes, the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show brings out the biggest names in the industry.

While exploring the exhibit floor, you can network with industry peers, learn a new skill, refine your technique, and stock up on all salon and professional needs.
Join over 30,000 beauty professionals at the nation's largest multicultural beauty event, The Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show.

Following a seven year hiatus, the BB Icon Awards has returned. The legendary awards show pays homage to professional stylists, barbers, educators, influencers, and entrepreneurs with notable impact on the world of beauty and style.

"What sets you apart is to be different..." says Mushiya

Bringing home win for Creative Hairstylist of the Year was Mushiya Tshikuka and When We Speak TV was in the building!!!
Check out Mushiya's powerful acceptance speech!

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BET NETWORKS ANNOUNCES AUDITION PROCESS FOR UPCOMING SEASON 10 RETURN OF HIT SERIES “SUNDAY BEST”

2/7/2020

News Source: CR8

KIRK FRANKLIN RETURNS AS HOST & MENTOR, ALONG WITH JUDGES
ERICA CAMPBELL, JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS AND KELLY PRICE

Kelly Price, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell and Kelly Price during a season 9 episode of "Sunday Best" on BET

Returning to BET Network’s for season 10 is America’s most inspirational singing competition, “Sunday Best.” The well-established gospel show welcomes back Grammy Award®-winning music legend Kirk Franklin as host. Returning for the second consecutive year as judges are gospel songstress and host of "Get Up Mornings," Erica Campbell, and Grammy-Award® nominated artists Kelly Price and Jonathan McReynolds.

Season 10 open call auditions will be held Saturday, February 15th in Atlanta, GA at The House of Hope (4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034; registration 6am-11am). Atlanta auditions will be filmed for television. Aspiring contestants should be age 18+ and should prepare to sing a song from the list below:

1. Amazing Grace
2. Blessed Assurance
3. Have Thine Own Way, Lord
4. His Eye is On The Sparrow
5. I Need Thee Every Hour
6. I Surrender All
7. It Is Well With My Soul
8. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
9. Love Lifted Me
10. Mary, Don’t You Weep
11. Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
12. O Come, All Ye Faithful (O Come Let Us Adore Him)
13. Oh, How I Love Jesus
14. Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
15. Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
16. What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Aspiring contestants from around the country are encouraged to submit their audition online and get additional audition information at BET.com/SundayBest. The final day for online submissions is February 10, 2020, at 5:00 pm EST.

Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment (BET Awards, The New Edition Story), and Dionne Harmon (The Bobby Brown Story, Hip Hop Squares) serve as executive producers of season ten of Sunday Best along with executive producer and showrunner Jeannae Rouzan-Clay (Dear Mama, Black Girls Rock!), and Torrence Glenn (Celebration Of Gospel, Trumpet Awards) is co-executive producer.

For updates and more information about “Sunday Best”, please visit BET.com/SundayBest. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms using the hashtag: #BETSundayBest.

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NEW MUSIC ALERT: SYLEENA JOHNSON CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HER 10TH STUDIO ALBUM!!!

2/3/2020

PURCHASE WOMAN BY SYLEENA JOHNSON

In recent years, Syleena Johnson has enjoyed mainstream exposure appearing on such television shows as TV One’s “R&B Divas: Atlanta” and WE TV’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” and, since 2017, Syleena co-hosts the live TV One daytime daily talk show “Sister Circle,” alongside Rashan Ali, Quad Webb-Lunceford and Trina Braxton.

As an established singer/ songwriter, Syleena Johnson has nine albums to her name, including the critically acclaimed debut album, “Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness,” and her most recent album “Rebirth of Soul” which features covers of classic Motown records. In 2004, Kanye West tapped Syleena to handle the vocals on the top-10 Billboard hit “All Falls Down,” which also garnered her and West a GRAMMY nomination and four MTV VMA nominations for the accompanying video.

On Jan 31, 2020, Syleena celebrated the release of her 10th studio album "Woman" and When We Speak TV was in the building to help celebrate!!!

CONNECT WITH SYLEENA JOHNSON
IG: @SyleenaJohnson
TW: @Syleena_Johnson
FB: Facebook.com/Syleena.Johnson.Official

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Calling All Atlanta Artists! Want To Receive $1,000?

1/29/2020

Pictured Above: Singer/Actress Chandra Currelley Performing At The Atlanta Jazz Festival

The Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is seeking an artist to design the official 2020 Atlanta Jazz Festival poster!!!

The selected artist will receive $1,000 for their work and a complimentary vendor's booth.

LEARN MORE HERE:
CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the largest FREE jazz festivals in the country. An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend in May, with an outdoor festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and is free and open to the public. The mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival is to expose and entertain a diverse audience of Jazz aficionados, young Jazz enthusiasts and aspiring musicians to the rich heritage and variety of Jazz as an authentic form of American music

ATLANTAFESTIVALS.COM

LEARN MORE HERE:
CALL FOR ARTISTS

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The Lord Taught Me How To Cook says Celebrity Chef Elliott Farmer

1/27/2020

Over the years, When We Speak TV, has definitely spoken with inspiring people. Among that list of great people is, Celebrity Chef Elliott Farmer.

Food Network multiple Cutthroat Kitchen star, Author, Speaker, Personality and Radio Host, Chef Elliott, an Atlanta native, is honored to share his passion for cooking and his childhood collection of signature recipe tips with the community.

Check out this snippet from our What Do YOU Speak? segment about Chef Elliott Farmer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHEF ELLIOTT FARMER:

WEBSITE: chefelliott.com
INSTAGRAM: ChefElliottFarmer

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