Carlos Santana is ready to celebrate America’s birthday…
CNN will host a Fourth of July primetime musical special, with the 72-year-old Mexican Grammy-winning guitarist and his wife Cindy Santana set to perform.
The special will honor the US military, frontline workers battling the coronavirus pandemic and citizens across the country demanding equality, according to the cable network.
“The Fourth in America” special will be hosted by CNN’s Don Lemon in New York and CNN’s Dana Bash in Washington, DC.
In addition to Santana and his wife, the event will feature musical performances from Jewel, Barry Manilow, Martina McBride, Kenny Loggins, Andy Grammer, CeCe Winans, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, The O’Jays, Don McLean, Jesse Colin Young and Little Kids Rock, Burt Bacharach & Musicians from the Berklee College of Music, Harlem Gospel Choir, the original Broadway cast of Girl From the North Country, inspired by the legendary songs of Bob Dylan and the cast of Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations.
The special will air from 8:00 pm-12:00 am ET on CNN.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s preparing to talk American history this week…
TheUndefeated.com will shine a spotlight on the 40-year-old Puerto Rican Broadway star’s Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton with a roundtable discussion.
TitledThe UndefeatedPresents: Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter, the special will be held on the Friday, July 3, the same day the filmed version of the ground-breaking musical will begin streaming on Disney+.
The roundtable discussion will feature Hamilton director Thomas Kail as well as the musical’s stars Miranda, who created the musical, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Okieriete Onaodowan.
“The story and subject matter that ‘Hamilton’ covers, and the creative vision of its architects and actors, are more timely than ever,” said Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. “The Undefeated, and Kelley L. Carter, are uniquely positioned to help connect audiences – whether they have never seen the show, or have seen it 10 times – to the creative process, people and significance of ‘Hamilton’ as it debuts on Disney+.”
During the virtual roundtable, Carter will talk to the original Broadwaycast, who all reprise their roles for the filmed version, about the cultural impact of the musical and how the story parallels the current landscape where those in the margins are fighting for change when it comes to systemic racism and social injustice.
“The cast of Hamilton didn’t come to play, said Carter. “They are accomplished performers who created genre-shifting art, but they also understand this unprecedented time in history and why their voices matter. This special isn’t just about one of the most important pieces of work to ever play on Broadway. This is about how art inspires activation. And, well, how activation inspires great art.”
During the NALIP Media Summit, members of NALIP, The Black List and The Untitled Latinx Project to announced the 10 original television pilots selected as part of the inaugural Latinx TV List, with the Latina filmmaker’s The Edge aka El Borde earning a spot.
Martinez’s pilot centers on a teenage girl US/Mexico border who must prove there’s an unnerving new life form evolving and threatening human existence after a destructive storm triggers the largest sewage spill in the history of North America.
The Black List teamed with the Latin Tracking Board, NALIP, Remezcla and The Untitled Latinx Project for the list. Here were the requirements:
Writers should be Latinos residing currently in the US – any country of origin or other status is fine
Any kind of story is eligible and will be considered
All scripts must have one Latinx character in a prominent, lead role
Scripts can be bilingual as long as they are written primarily in English
Half-hours and one-hours considered. No webseries.
All levels of experience considered for submitting writers
Scripts submitted should be as free from attachments as possible
Writers must be at least 18 years of age upon submission
The writers on the Latinx TV List will have their pilots shared with Hulu, which plans to offer a WGAminimum blind pilot script deal to two of the writers or writing teams, in addition to meeting with all 10 writers selected. Writers selected by Hulu may decide whether or not to accept any deal offered by Hulu — the final decision remains entirely in the hands of the writer.
“NALIP is thrilled to have partnered once again with the Black List for the Latinx TV List,” said Ben Lopez. “We have always aimed to be a platform for underrepresented communities and the winners now have a chance to tell their incredible stories. We also applaud Hulu in their commitment to the Latinx community. In collaboration with our partners, The Black List, Untitled Latinx Project, Latin Tracking Board, and Remezcla, we would like to sincerely congratulate this year’s Latinx TV List!”
Here are the 10 selected scripts for the Latinx TV List in alphabetical order:
CUBA LIBRE by Niko Gutierrez-Kovner CUBA LIBRE tells the story of Fidel Castro’s revolution through the eyes of a couple who become crucial to its success, risking their marriage, their livelihoods, and their lives for a movement that ultimately loses sight of the people in one man’s blind pursuit of power.
THE EDGE/EL BORDE by Paloma Martinez After a destructive storm triggers the largest sewage spill in the history of North America at the US/Mexico border, a local teenage girl must prove there is an unnerving new life form evolving and threatening human existence.
HOME by AJ Mendez A dark comedy about a young Latina who struggles to re-enter the world after surviving a suicide attempt, but uses her comatose Mormon roommate’s seemingly perfect identity to start fresh.
INSIDE CUNT by Anna Salinas A brash 28-year-old Nuyorican is pulled into a dangerous world of international espionage when her vagina suddenly starts intercepting Russian spy signals.
KOOKY, THE POST-APOCALYPTIC COCKROACH by Dax de la Monta Miggy, a perpetually upbeat and slightly naive loser, must survive a road trip across a nuclear wasteland with the help of his misfit coworker, old school abuelo, and a wisecracking chatterbox who happens to be a giant, mutated cockroach.
MACHO LIBRE by Marcelina Chavira After his fathers pass away, a mature and woke AF 11 year-old boy is forced to move in with his estranged, old school, super macho, ex-luchador grandfather above the aging man’s eccentric wrestling academy.
NOVIA by Giovanni J. Maldonado Chinea & Myles Clifford Hawthorne In 1929, a young girl escapes her abusive life in Mexico City for Los Angeles and the promise of stardom in a Spanish-language version of the Universal classic, DRACULA — only to find that the monsters of one’s past don’t simply vanish, but follow. Based on the true story of Lupita Tovar.
PAPI by Dominic Colón PAPI, is a half hour dramedy that explores the life of Kilo Rodriguez, a closeted bisexual barber from the Bronx, who on his 21st birthday, unexpectedly gets custody of his foul-mouthed six-year old daughter. As Kilo tries to navigate becoming an adult, while avoiding the temptations of the streets, and understanding his fluid sexuality, he embarks on a transformative journey discovering what it takes to be a good “Papi.”
SUNPATCH ALLEY by Juan Carlos Fernandez The times, they are a-changin’ in this dark, comedic drama set in 1970’s New York. GRACIE FUENTES, the creative director of a popular kids’ show, finds her noble pursuits of inclusion continually steamrolled by the show’s sexist and alcoholic star, LOUIE BARNETT. But when the station is taken over by the crime family Louie is indebted to, Gracie seizes the opportunity to take matters into her own hands. “Sesame’s mean streets.”
USERNAME by Barbara Soares After joining an A.I. talent agency where she impersonates a CGI Instagram celebrity, a hacker finds herself at the center of a high-stakes conspiracy when that same celebrity begins enlisting her followers to commit suicide.
Amazon Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society are hosting a nationwide summer screening series “A Night at the Drive-In” with a line-up of features celebrating diverse voices in cinemas, including the 55-year-old Puerto Rican actress and activist’s Do The Right Thing.
The series kicks off on July 1 and runs through August 26. Attendance will be at no cost to local communities for the double feature-program. As part of the concessions for the screenings, all attendees will receive refreshments provided by Black and Brown owned businesses, which are Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies.
The line-up was curated by Jordan’s newly formed marketing arm 8788 and Outlier Society, every other week through the end of August.
“When Michael and our friends at Outlier proposed this idea, we instantly agreed there was no better time to celebrate these inspired films featuring diverse stories while bringing communities together to share in the experience” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Drive-in theaters offer a unique experience in that they provide an inspiring and joyful communal experience while still maintaining safe social distance. A special thanks to our friends and colleagues at Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney, Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures.”
“With this drive-in summer series, I hope that friends and families are able to not only enjoy, but to learn and grow,” said Michael B. Jordan, Principal of Outlier Society. “Now more than ever, amplifying Black and Brown stories means engaging culture to speak to hearts and minds about the world we live in. As we use this opportunity to reimagine community and proximity, I am excited that these films will be shared and celebrated all across the country.”
Do The Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee, featured Perez in her breakthrough film performance as Tina. It will hit the drive-in on August 12 in the “Movies to Open Your Eyes” category.
Here’s a look at the featured titles and special themes:
Movies to make you fall in love: Love & Basketball (Warner Bros. / New Line) Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros.)
Movies that make you proud: Black Panther (Disney) Creed (Warner Bros.)
Movies to inspire your inner child: Hook (Sony Pictures) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Sony Pictures)
Movies to make you open your eyes: Do The Right Thing (Universal) Get Out (Universal)
Movies to make you laugh: Coming to America (Paramount Pictures) Girls Trip (Universal)
Participating theaters include: Vineland Drive-In – Los Angeles, CA Overlook Drive-In – New York, NY Solano Twin Drive-In – San Francisco, CA Sacramento Drive-In 6 – Sacramento, CA Las Vegas 6 Drive-In – Las Vegas, NV Shankweiler’s Drive-In – Philadelphia, PA Galaxy Drive-In – Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Showboat Drive-In – Houston, TX Ford Wyoming Drive-In – Detroit, MI Springmill Drive-In – Cleveland, OH South Drive-In Twin – Columbus, OH Jesup Drive-In Twin – Savannah, GA| Bengies Drive-In – Baltimore, MD Ocala Drive-In – Orlando, FL Parkway Drive-In – Knoxville, TN Midway Twin Drive-In – Cleveland, OH Glendale Drive-in – Phoenix, AZTransit Drive-In – Buffalo, NY Badin Drive-In – Charlotte, NC Monetta Drive-In – Augusta-Aiken, SC
Sebastian Yatra is at the top of his singing game…
The 25-year-old Colombian singer’s “TBT” single with Rauw Alejandro and Manuel Turizo has reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart dated June 27.
The track rises to the top spot after spending three weeks in the top 10.
“TBT” ascends 3-1 thanks to a lofty 62% in audience impressions (to 12 million) earned in the week ending June 21, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data, and pushes up the overall Latin Airplay chart, jumping 5-2.
“TBT” dethrones the Black Eyed Peas’ one-week reign with “Mamacita,” with Ozuna and J.Rey Soul on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart.
The 37-year-old Chilean producer, director, documentarianand screenwriter has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation in all areas.
Alberdi runs the production company Micromundo Productions and is known for making documentaries that paint intimate portraits of characters in small-scale worlds.
Most recently, Alberdi directed and wrote the documentary The Mole Agent, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for “World Cinema – Documentary” at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The Mole Agent was also nominated for awards at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Miami Film Festival, among others.
Ahead of the film’s Sundance screening, Alberdi won the prestigious 2020 Chicken & Egg Award, which annually recognizes six experienced documentarians.
Previously, Alberdi directed, produced, and wrote the 2016 feature documentary The Grown-Ups. Her additional credits include the documentary short I’m Not From Hereand the feature documentaries Tea Time and The Lifeguard.
Alberdi also co-authored the book Teorías de cine documental en Chile 1957-1973.
Starting Monday, Quibi will stream an all-star remake of The Princess Bride filmed by actors at home while in quarantine, including the 17-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress.
In addition to Ortega, the re-creation will feature an A-list cast that includes couples Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner,Common and Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka and Chris Pine and Annabelle Wallis, along with Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Garner, Elijah Wood, Jon Hamm, Beanie Feldstein, Lucas Hedges, Jack Black, David Oyelowo, Keegan-Michael Key, Patton Oswalt, Josh Gad, Andy Serkis, Diego Luna, Taika Waititi and Zazie Beetz and more.
Directed by Jason Reitman, the project will see Common playing the heroic Westley (originated by Cary Elwes), Haddish as Princess Buttercup (first played by Robin Wright), and Jackman as the villainous Humperdinck, to name a few.
The Princess Bride’s director, Rob Reiner, will also appear in the remake, along with Fred Savage, who reprises his role as the grandson in the film.
Beginning June 29, Quibi will release chapters of the made-at-home movie daily for two weeks.
The remake also is aiding a good cause. As part of the project, Quibi has donated $1 million to chef José Andrés’ charity World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those who have been most affected by the coronaviruspandemic.
The remake of The Princess Bridewas first reported by Vanity Fair.
The project comes nearly two years after the digital platform and the This Is Me singer were set to do a follow-up doc to Demi Lovato: Simply Confidential.
That film, which was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, was released in 2017 and has been viewed more than 32 million times. It chronicled the recording of her Tell Me You Love Me record and her life and career including her stint on the Disney Channel and her struggles with bipolar disorder and addition.
The Google-owned service had been in talks to make a follow-up film in 2018 before Lovato overdosed and that project was put on hold.
She reportedly recently watched Justin Bieber’s docuseries and reached out to YouTube to say she’s ready to make another doc.
The Colombian audio engineer and vocal tuning specialist has won a spot on the Recording Academy’s 40-member Board of Trustees.
Ramirez, who has worked on records by some of the biggest names in Latin music including Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthonyand Aleja ndro Sanz, beat out Sarah Hudson for a seat on the board in the recent trustees elections.
In all, the number of women on the Recording Academy’s 40-member board of trustees jumped from 14 to 17 following the elections, which included, for the first time in academy history, four “at large” trustee seats. In three of those four two-person contests, two women faced off, ensuring that a female would fill that seat.
Trustees are primarily selected by the governors of each of the academy’s 12 chapters. This year, for the first time, voting members selected the winners in four “at large” trustee seats.
In those elections, Chelsey Green defeated Maimouna Youssef; Ramirez bested Hudson; Carolyn Malachi outpolled Kelly Price; and, in the one all-male face-off, PJ Morton beat Camilo Landau.
In addition to Green, Ramirez and Malachi, three other female trustees were newly elected this year: Yolanda Adams, Lisa Kaplan and Carol Riddick. Three other female trustees were re-elected: Claudia Brant, Terri Lyne Carrington and Leslie Ann Jones.
Eight others are mid-term: Samantha Cox, Sue Ennis,Trey Fanjoy, Tracy Hamlin, Terry Jones, Emily Lazar, Julia Michels and Piper Payne.
In addition to Morton, six other male trustees were newly elected this year: Doug Emery, Andrew Joslyn, Thom “TK” Kidd, John Legend, Von Vargas and Gebre Waddell.
Two other male trustees were re-elected: George Flanigen and Fletcher Foster. Fourteen others are mid-term: Darrell Brown, John Burk, Jimmy Douglass, John Driskell Hopkins, Om’Mas Keith, Rico Love, Jonathan McReynolds, Riggs Morales, Tim Palmer, Justin Roberts, Michael Romanowski, Shannon Sanders, Ken Shepherd and Paul Wall.
While the four “at large” trustees were elected by voters nationwide, Green and Malachi are from the Washington, D.C., chapter, Ramirez is from the Florida chapter, and Morton is from the Memphis chapter.
The Los Angeles chapter accounts for six trustees on the new board, more than any other chapter. Florida, Nashville, New York and Washington D.C. are next in line, with four trustees each. Chicago, Memphis, San Francisco and Texas are next, with three trustees each. The Atlanta, Pacific Northwest and Philadelphia chapters each account for two trustees.
The four officers are all midterm. Harvey Mason Jr., continues as national chair (and also as interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy). Tammy Hurt continues as vice chair, Terry Hemmings as secretary/treasurer and Christine Albert as chair emeritus.
The 57-year-old Salvadorian and Nicaraguan American actor and General Hospital star is set to appear on the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards this Friday on CBS.
Benard, who has portrayed Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital since 1993, is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, including a win last year in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
Bernard joins a presenters and performers roster that includes Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, Kelsey Grammer, Gayle King, Melody Scott Thomas, Kathie Lee Gifford, Cookie Monster, Scott Evans, Patrika Darbo, Kevin Frazier, Wayne Brady, Michael Strahan, James Reynolds, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Nate Burleson, Sunny Hostin and Eric Braeden.
The event’s hosts will be Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond.
This year, awards in the leading categories will be presented virtually, with recipients and other guests appearing from home. Additional categories will be announced on the Daytime Emmys’ social media accounts simultaneously with the CBS broadcast, with some immediately following the broadcast and others streamed in separate virtual ceremonies on July 19 and July 26.
The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast Friday, June 26, 8:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT) on CBS.
Categories scheduled for the CBS broadcast include:
Outstanding Drama Series Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series Outstanding Entertainment News Show Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series Outstanding Digital Drama Series Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Outstanding Game Show Host Outstanding Game Show Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Outstanding Informative Talk Show Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program Outstanding Special Class Special Outstanding Culinary Series Outstanding Morning Show Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
