​Jazz in the Alley is a free jazz concert series sponsored by the City of Norcross, Georgia. The series aims to showcase various jazz artists with diverse genre backgrounds. For more information about Jazz In The Alley go here.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival
Big annual outdoor arts and crafts festival in Piedmont Park, with up to 250 artists working in a variety of media, art demonstrations, live music, food and more. More details

​– Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival, July 31 - August 1 2021
Annual festival celebrating the music, art and culture of the African continent. More details

– Phish, July 31 - August 1 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details

– Maks & Val: Stripped Down Tour, August 1 2021
Dance performance at the Buckhead Theatre. More details

– Rise Against – Nowhere Generation Tour, August 6 2021
Concert at The Tabernacle. More details
​
– Miranda Lambert: Wildcard Tour 2021, August 6 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details

– Atlanta Dogwood Festival, August 6-8 2021
Very popular annual arts, music and food festival in Piedmont Park, with artists market, children’s activities, international village, rides and more. Free admission. More details

– ATL Comic Convention, August 6-8 2021
Comic book and popular culture convention at the Georgia World Congress Center. Advance purchase 3-day admission from $60. More details

– FroRibbean Fest, August 7 2021
Annual festival of Afro-Caribbean music, with food, games, and dancing. More details

– Kings of Leon: When You See Yourself Tour, August 7 2021
Concert at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. More details

– Georgia Bridal Show, August 8 2021
Bridal trade show at the Cobb Galleria Center. Tickets $10. More details

– Rock 100.5’s BAND CAMP Presents Korn & Staind, August 8 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details
​
– PeachFest, August 8 2021
Annual food festival centered around the Georgia peach, with peach-based foods and drinks from local farms, restaurants, breweries and distilleries. Event is in association with the Dogwood Festival for 2021. More details

– TRAP Karaoke, August 13 2021
Participatory concert at the Buckhead Theatre. More details

– Lynyrd Skynyrd – Big Wheels Keep On Turnin’ Tour, August 13 2021
Concert at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. More details

– BeREGGAE, August 13-15 2021
Annual festival of Afro-Caribbean music and culture in Piedmont Park, with live performances, DJs, food vendors, arts, and more. Free admission. More details

– Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival, August 14 2021
Annual food and music festival in Legacy Park, Decatur. Ticket purchase required. More details

– Sweet Auburn Springfest, August 14-15 2021
The biggest free outdoor festival in the southeastern states, held in the historic Sweet Auburn district, with live music, vendors, food and more. Free admission. More details
​
– Festival of India, August 15 2021
Annual festival of Indian culture in celebration of India’s Independence Day. More details

​– James Taylor with Jackson Browne, August 17 2021
Concert at the Gas South Arena. More details

– VIRTUAL EVENT BronzeLens Film Festival, August 17-22 2021
Annual film festival highlighting film-making by people of color. More details

– Alanis Morissette with Garbage and Liz Phair, August 20 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details

– Atlanta ShortsFest, August 20-21 2021
Annual festival of independent short film making in a variety of genres. More details

– Southern-Fried Gaming Expo, August 20-22 2021
Gaming expo at the Marriott Renaissance Waverly, with new and retro console and arcade games, RPGs, tournaments, vendors, guest speakers and more. More details

– Wilco + Sleater-Kinney – It’s Time, August 21 2021
Concert at the Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park. More details

– COLORS Worldwide Presents: R&B ONLY LIVE with Tiara Monique and Jabari, August 21 2021
Concert at The Tabernacle. More details

– Jason Aldean: Back in the Saddle Tour, August 21 2021
Concert at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. More details

– Blackberry Smoke – Spirit of the South Tour, August 21 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details

– POSTPONED TO MARCH Iliza Shlesinger: The Forever Tour, August 21 2021
Comedy show at the Fox Theatre. Tickets from $39.50. More details

​– African American Golf Expo and Forum, August 21-24 2021
Golf expo at the Marietta Hilton and Convention Center, with golfing activities, exhibits, workshops, and other events. More details

– African American Golf Expo and Forum, August 21-24 2021
Golf expo at the Marietta Hilton and Convention Center, with golfing activities, exhibits, workshops, and other events. More details

– Hamilton, August 24 - September 26 2021
US tour of the popular Broadway musical, at the Fox Theatre. More details

– Harry Connick, Jr and his Band – Time to Play!, August 26 2021
Concert at the Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park. More details

– Jazz on the Lawn, August 27 2021
Outdoor concert series at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. More details

– Chris Stapleton’s All-American Roadshow, August 27 2021
Concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta. More details

– Days of the Dead, August 27-29 2021
Horror convention at the Atlanta Sheraton. Daily tickets from $30. More details

– Rumours, August 28 2021
Concert at the Buckhead Theatre. More details

– Yacht Rock Revival, August 28 2021
Concert at the Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park. More details

– Chris Stapleton’s All-American Roadshow, August 28 2021
Concert at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. More details

– Festival Peachtree Latino, August 29 2021
Big annual festival of Latino cultures in Piedmont Park, with international food, concert and other live music, exhibitors, arts and crafts, family-friendly activities and more. Free admission. More details
​
– KISS: End of the Road World Tour, August 29 2021
Concert at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. More details

​I was passing by my television a few days ago and saw that they were talking about Tyler Perry and TD Jakes but before I could get to the remote to turn up the volume, the story was over.  I went to the internet and found out that Tyler Perry is planning a big expansion in Atlanta.

Most of you already know that Tyler Perry Studios sits on what was once land of Fort McPherson, (a former US Army base in Atlanta).  Well, according to deadline.com, ​Tyler Perry and T.D. Jakes got the go-ahead from local authorities to purchase over 130 acres in Atlanta including a proposed expansion of Tyler Perry Studios for an entertainment district with theaters, retail shops, and restaurants.

THAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR NOT ONLY TYLER PERRY AND TD JAKES BUT ALSO THE BOOMING INDUSTRY IN ATLANTA!!!

KEYWORDS
Tyler Perry - TD Jakes - Tyler Perry Studios - Tyler perry expanding in altanta - tyler perry 2021 - tyler perry studios expansion - how much did tyler perry pay for fort mcpherson - film studios in atlanta - tyler perry and td jakes - production studios in atlanta - Mayor Bottoms - film industry in Atlanta - actors in atlanta - Jermaine Sain - When We Speak TV

Is it possible that Tyler Perry is bringing back his Why Did I Get Married films?

This time it about singer/actor Quan Howell.  For those that don't know, Quan has been a guest on When We Speak TV, years ago....and someone that we definitely consider as family.
Most of you may know the song that he lead with Sounds of Blackness......."Hold On, Change is Coming".  He was also in some of Tyler Perry's early plays like, Madea's Family Reunion.

Anyway, we recently saw on Quan's social media that he is in the new movie, For The Love Of Money, directed by Melvin Childs.  For The Love of Money is based in Atlanta but being filmed in Oklahoma City.  

We don't know much about the movie right now but we know that it stars some big names. It features Katt Williams and Keri Hilson as the leads, as well as, D.C. Young Fly, LisaRaye McCoy, Keith Sweat, Rotimi, Lyfe Jennings, and Jason Mitchell.

​The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, announced today the partnership with iN-Hale Entertainment and All Tea No, Shade Productions in support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2021 with the theme of “Stigma Gotta Go.”
​“Stigma and shame are 2 parallel social ills that continue to fester in communities of color all across this country and play a role in the increasing number of new HIV diagnosis among Black Americans” stated Imara Canady, Chair, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC). “It is our hope that through sharing this powerful production that we continue the critical work that BLACC has been doing for close to a decade in breaking down the mis-conceptions, lack of awareness and ignorance around a myriad of issues that feed into stigma, and further divide us as a community. We truly build community by each of us showing up fully as who we are, and each of us respecting the diversity that exists within our community.” According to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), African Americans make up close to 14% of the U.S. population, but close to 50% of new HIV diagnosis.
 
The partnership presents the filmed dramatic reading and special virtual event on Monday, February 8 AT 5:00PM PST / 8:00PM EST of George Matthew Johnson’s Amazon Best-Book of the Year 2020 and critically-acclaimed novel, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto, recently optioned by Gabrielle Union and Sony TV for television. The short film, which is directed, adapted and produced by Nathan Hale Williams is a filmed dramatic reading of three chapters of the book performed by Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”), Dyllón Burnside (“Pose”), Bernard David Jones (“The Mayor”) and Thomas Hobson (“Sherman’s Showcase”). The three-part virtual event will feature live performances, a virtual art installation curated by African American contemporary art dealer/curator, Rodney LoveJones and music featuring Black artists. The evening will conclude with a roundtable discussion moderated by Tai Beauchamp with the goal of moving out the fear that creates stigma and replace it with love through the event while also having a sobering discussion that needs to be had.  
 
For more information on the virtual event, please CLICK HERE .

​All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto is the bestselling and award-winning debut book by George Matthew Johnson - an award winning non-binary writer, author and activist living in New York City. Johnson's memoir-manifesto, explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, “Nanny” (played by Lewis), to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing appeals directly to young adults. The book was selected as one of 2020’s best by Kirkus, Amazon and Goodreads. Johnson identified as he/him when the book was written.  

BET pays tribute to those that continue to stand up, speak out, create, and lead the culture through sports, politics, music, film, TV, social media, business, advocacy, and activism....and they call it The BET 100 of 2020.

Some of the top innovators on the list include:

Click Below To View Each List:

Jermel Howard is a passionate major network Actor, Author, and writer. His guest-star/co-star appearances have been on award-winning Television shows and films to include:

• Law & Order
• NYC 22
• Golden Boy
• Major Crimes
• Netflix hit series Orange Is The New Black
• Person of Interest
• Marvel's Luke Cage
• Starz Power Season 4
• Trap Queen
• All Eyez On Me
• Roxanne, Roxanne
• The First Purge
• Lifetime's Salt N Pepa biopic

Singer/Actor Terrell Carter is hitting us with a triple announcement!!!!
First, he announced the release of Kiss Me For Christmas on BET+, then he hit us up with the news that he is in the UMC Original series A House Divided: Season 3, and now he has new single that will be available on December 28th called HERO

Not only was Terrell Carter in the hit show, Empire and the Christmas movie, Kiss Me For Christmas, but Terrell is also on A House Divided Season 3.

Its being reported that actor/producer, Tyler Perry, has donated $100,000 to the legal defense fund of Kenneth Walker (the boyfriend of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead in her apartment in March by Louisville police).

A GoFundMe page was created on Nov. 10 to raise money for the upcoming legal battle, with a goal set at $100,000. Perry helped Walker to surpass it with his donations on Sunday, which came in waves – first $10,000, then another $10,000, followed by $50,000 and $30,000, according to Variety.

2020 has definitely brought with it some financial stresses that we did not anticipate.  Many people are struggling financially, particularly some of our friends in the arts.   

Americans for the Arts
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center 
​
Arts Education Partnership
COVID-19 Resources  
Status of Arts Education Provisions in State Reopening Plans
​
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Coronavirus Resources
State Arts Agencies & Regional Arts Organizations Contacts
​
For Freelance Artists
COVID-19 & Freelance Artists
​
AIGA
Community Resource Hub

Alliance of Artists Communities
Blog post on COVID-19 Preparedness for Residencies

Alternate ROOTS
COVID-19 Resource Page

American Alliance of Museums
Information for the Museum Field

American Association of Community Theatre
COVID-19 Response
Resource Roster

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
Survey on Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Country Tourism

Art House Convergence
list of resources for art house cinemas and theaters

Artist Relief
Funds for Artists

A.R.T./New York
Resources for Responding to COVID-19 in New York City

Arts Extension Service - UMass Amherst
AES Resource list during COVID-19

ArtsReady
Information During the Impact of the Coronavirus

Artwork Archive
Financial Relief Resources for Artists During COVID-19

Association of Art Museum Directors
Museums and COVID-19

Association of Performing Arts Professionals
Emergency Reposnse Page

Backstage
COVID-19 Resources for Actors, Creators + Performing Artists

Billboard
Coronavirus Resources

Chamber of Commerce
Coronavirus Small Business Issues and Solutions Guide

Center for Cultural Innovation
COVID-19 Resources

CERF+
The Artist’s Safety Net

Chamber Music America
COVID-19 Resources for the Chamber Music Community

Chorus America
Blog Post
On June Conference & Other Registrations

Common Field
COVID-19 Resources for the Artist Organization Field

Creative Capital
Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

CultureSource
COVID-19 Response Resources

Dance/USA
Resources for Preparing for the Potential Impact of the Coronavirus
Coronavirus and Your Insurance Program
Dance/NYC Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund

Documentary Producers Alliance
COVID-19 Resources

Drama League
COVID-19 Resource List

Dramatists Guild
COVID-19 Resources

Early Music America
COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

Film Festival Alliance
COVID-19 Pivoting & Planning Calls for Festivals

Grantmakers in the Arts
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Arts Funding

International Association of Blacks in Dance
IABD Emergency Fund

International Documentary Association
Applying for Federal Coronavirus Relief as a Filmmaker

Kickstarter
COVID Artist Resources and Funds

Lawyers for Good Government
Nationwide Small Business Legal Clinic Project

League of American Orchestras
Coroavirus resource page
Webinar: Your Orchestra and COVID-19 Federal Relief (4/1: 1:00pm to 2:30pm EST)

Lifetime Arts
Supporting Creative Aging Programming during COVID-19 Crisis

Mayors’ Institute on City Design
Resources for cities responding to the COVID-19 crisis

MusicCares®
MusicCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

MusicCovidRelief.com
Benefits made available by the CARES Act

NALAC | National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
Arts Resources & Field Survey

National Alliance for Musical Theatre
COVID-19 Resources

National Art Education Association (NAEA)
Tools for distance learning/preparing for the 2020-21 school year

National Association for Music Education
NAfME COVID-19 Resources & News

National Black Arts
Donate to the Artist Fund
Apply to Artist Project Fund

National Performance Network
Statement and Resources

NDN Collective
COVID-19 grant opportunities for Indigenous organizations and artists

New York Foundation for the Arts
Emergency Resources - includes national level resources

OPERA America
COVID-19 Resource Hub

Poets & Writers
Resources for Writers in the Time of Coronavirus

State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education
Arts Instructional Resources

Sundance Institute
Curated COVID Resources & Emergency Funds

Theater Communications Group
COVID-19: Prepare, Mitigate, Recover

The Recovery Village
Resources for Substance Abuse Treatment During Coronavirus

TYA/USA
TYA Response to COVID-19

University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine
Arts & COVID-19 Response

Western Governors’ Association
Coping with the Realities of COVID-19

WomenArts
Emergency Funds - All Art Forms ​

KEYWORDS
covid-19 resources - resources for artists - film festival alliance - covid 19 resources for arts organizations  - cares act - resources for musicians - filmmakers - resource hub for artists - resource hub for creators - Jermaine Sain - When We Speak TV - covid support for artists - artist relief grants -  help for artists - covid grants for artists​

Tyler Perry Studios hosted its #TPSGiving food giveaway drive-up event where volunteers in protective equipment were handing out the non-perishable food items and gift cards to people in need. ​