Halle Berry, Kelly Rowland and La La Anthony at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
The following is an excerpt from a VH1 press release:
VH1 has released highlights from the second annual Mother’s Day special “Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms” which premieres May 8, 2017, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time/Pacific Time. Co-hosted by Anthony Anderson and La La Anthony, the event as recorded at at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. “Dear Mama” recognizes mothers with celebrity guests paying tribute to the women who have shaped their success. Celebrity participants include Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, DJ Khaled, Gladys Knight, Ludacris, Maxwell, Chris Paul, Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke.
Highlights include:
Co-hosts Anthony Anderson and La La Anthony welcoming guests to the show by sharing anecdotes about their own mothers and sparking some good-natured ribbing.
DJ Khaled providing a rare glimpse into his home via a tribute to his fiancée Nicole Tuck and their six month-old son Ashad. He then introduced Mr. Dalvin and K-Ci of the R&B group Jodeci, who serenaded the mothers in the house with their classic hit “Forever My Lady.”
Ludacris commemorating the lasting impact of his mother Roberta Shields, and her unconditional love and support.
Robin Thicke honoring his motherGloria Loring with a heartfelt selection of beloved jingles written by his father Alan Thicke and originally sung by his mother including “It Takes Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life” culminating in a joint performance of her #1 80s hit ballad “Friends and Lovers,” with charmingly reworked lyrics replacing “lover” with “mother.”
Kelly Rowland applauding her best friend La La for her friendship, great parenting advice and exemplary skills as a mother and role model to her son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony followed by a surprise performance by Anthony Anderson of his own rendition of Bruno Mars’ hit “That’s What I Like,” in honor of his co-host.
Academy Award winner Halle Berry paying tribute to the crucial work of the Jenesse Center, a non-profit organization which aims to prevent domestic violence against women and children by introducing survivor Yesica Mendoza who took the stage to express her gratitude for the center and Berry’s commitment to the organization.
Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige giving a moving speech about her mother Cora Blige and then surprising her with a jaw dropping performance by Gladys Knight who sang her classic “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Mrs. Blige’s favorite song.
NBA superstar Chris Paul and his brother CJ recounting their childhood with their mother, Robin Paul, praising her selfless sacrifice and relentless drive to give them opportunities to better their lives.
Taraji P. Henson and Pitbull recognizing the great work of the #SeeHer initiative of which Viacom is a partner. #SeeHer’s mission is to lead the movement to accurately portray women and girls in media, so that by 2020, they see themselves reflected as they truly are.
Maxwell ending the night by bringing the house down with his hit song “Fortunate,” which he dedicated to his late grandmother.
Official sponsors of “Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms” include America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, DOVE® I Chocolate, Honey Bunches of Oats, Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders, Tide PODS, T.J.Maxx and Unilever.
“Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms” was produced by Flavor Unit and Jesse Collins Entertainment. Shakim Compere, Queen Latifah, Jesse Collins, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay are Executive Producers. For VH1, Amy Doyle, Ryan Kroft, and Elena Diaz are Executive Producers, Paige Milleris Coordinating Producer, and Joe Buoye is Executive in Charge of Production.
Artist Awol Erizku created an Instagram installation at the event and took portraits of talent and their mothers. Portraits can be found on the @VH1 Instagram account.
Roberta Shields and her son Ludacris at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
A general view of the atmosphere at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Jasmine Sanders and Terrence J at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Julissa Bermudez and Maxwell at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Halle Berry at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Mary J. Blige and her mother Cora Blige at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Anthony Anderson at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Halle Berry, Kelly Rowland and La La Anthony at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Latina Webb at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Chris Paul, Robin Paul and C.J. Paul at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Maxwell at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Robin Thicke at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Dalvin DeGrate at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Rocsi Diaz at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Gloria Loring and her son Robin Thickeat VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Nathan Anderson, Doris Hancox, Anthony Anderson, Alvina Stewart, and Kyra Andersonat VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
La La Anthony, her son Kiyan Anthony, and her mother Carmen Surillo at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Nicole Tuck, Asahd Tuck Khaled and DJ Khaled at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
La La Anthony and Anthony Anderson at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Ludacris at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Mary J. Blige at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
A view of the atmosphere at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
A view of the atmosphere at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
A general view of the atmosphere at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Robin Thicke and his mother Gloria Loring at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Halle Berry at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Jessica Mendoza, Halle Berry and Jenesse Center, Inc. CEO Karen Earl at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
K-Ci from Jodeci at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
Gladys Knight at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for VH1)
Maxwell at VH1’s “Dear Mama” event at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for VH1)
(Rendering courtesy of Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown)
Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown has opened at Francisco Street in the new 6.3 acre mixed-use Metropolis development. According to a Hotel Indigo press release, the 350-room, 18-story flagship hotel’s design concept was created by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), which was inspired by the 1920s Prohibition era, infusing elements from the underground speakeasies and tunnels, the Fiesta de las Flores parade, the budding Hollywood movie industry, as well as historic Chinatown. The property is walking distance to the city’s major attractions including the L.A. Live entertainment district, Staples Center and Los Angeles Convention Center.
The Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown hotel features dining with the lobby-level Metropole Bar+Kitchen, inspired by the tunnels beneath downtown Los Angeles. The top-floor cocktail lounge, 18 Social, offers inspired décor that brings to life what it was like to slip underground into the world of speakeasies during prohibition America. The 9,100-square-foot outdoor pool terrace located on the fourth-floor highlights sweeping views of Los Angeles and is outfitted with a bar and a variety of seating options.
The guestrooms feature murals depicting the elements of old Hollywood with plush bedding, hard-surface flooring with area rugs and spa-inspired bathrooms with Jonathan Adler amenities. The hotel includes three luxury suites, including the Presidential suite inspired by hotel muse Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star.
Guests have access to a 24-hour fitness center and nearly 22,000 square feet of meeting space across 11 rooms. The Los Angeles hotel features the brand’s Neighborhood Guide, an innovative touchscreen display that connects guests to each other, the local neighborhood and to Hotel Indigo locations around the world. Hotel team members, many of whom are locals themselves, will share their favorite hidden gems with guests looking to explore and discover the neighborhood.
The Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown hotel is owned by Greenland USA and is managed by IHG. Greenland USA is a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Greenland Group.
Radio Hill—a new collective of Los Angeles-based concert producers, festival planners and talent curators— is debuting the new festival Skyline: Art, Music, Food, which will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on May 20, 2017. Acts scheduled to perform include Miike Snow, Duke Dumont, Lido, Eden, Michl, Elohim and Jason Bentley. Tickets will go on sale March 31, 2017, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time at RadioHillEvents.com.
Radio Hill is producing the event with local partners KCRW, The Well, Space Yacht and DoLA. It will be the first major music gathering to take place at the recently remodeled Los Angeles State Historic Park since 2014.
According to a press release, Skyline will host a lineup of craft food vendors from all over Los Angeles, in addition to a selection of L.A.-based artists who will display interactive installations throughout the park. The festival is open to people ages 21 and over.
MTV has changed its annual movie award show by adding TV categories. The inaugural MTV Movie & TV Awards will be televised live on MTV from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on May 7, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET. The show’s host, nominations, performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.
According to a press release from MTV, in the lead-up to the live show on May 7, fans will be treated to the inaugural Movie & Television Festival. Live musical acts, special guests and food will transform the area outside of the Shrine Auditorium into a massive, daylong party. The afternoon will culminate with attendees getting a front-row spot for viewing celebrity red-carpet arrivals for the evening’s main event. Ticketing details and a full list of performers will be announced at a later date.
Casey Patterson will serve as executive producer, with MTV’s Garrett English for the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Melanie Block is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut serves as co-executive producer and executive in charge of celebrity talent. Amani Duncan is executive in charge of music talent.
The MTV Movie Awards began in 1992. The awards are voted for by fans in MTV’s primarily youth-oriented target audience. The show has tended to focus on movies that appeal to teens and people in their 20s. The event also features musical performances from current hitmaking artists.
The fourth annual All-Star Chef Classic takes place March 8 to 11, 2017, at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles’ Sports and Entertainment District. Here are some of the highlights, according to a press release from the festival.
New in 2017: a strolling event called the Italian Masters Dinner presented by Melissa’s Produce and Southern Eats.
Returning to L.A. LIVE’s custom-built Event Deck, which includes Restaurant Stadium and the Chefs’ Tasting Arena, will be the Masters Dinner series dedicated to French, Italian, American, and Asian talent and preparations
Little Masters presented by Le Creuset and Grill & Chill presented by DCS and Stella Artois.
Restaurant Stadium’s 300-plus seats bring fans “kitchen-side,” allowing them an intimate and memorable culinary venture.
The 2017 edition of All-Star Chef Classic is partnering with L.A. Kitchen benefit the local non-profit that combines the potential and power of food and people, ensuring that neither goes to waste.
The 2017 All-Star Chef Classic will include more than 55 internationally-renowned chefs and personalities including:
Hugh Acheson (The National, Georgia)
Govind Armstrong (Post & Beam, Los Angeles)
Jamie Bissonnette (Coppa, Boston, New York)
Ashley Christensen (Poole’s, North Carolina)
Adam Cole (Maple Block Meat Co., Los Angeles)
Chris Cosentino (Cockscomb, San Francisco; Acacia House, St. Helena)
Francis Derby (The Cannibal, Los Angeles), Chris Oh (Hanjip, Los Angeles)
Brian Dunsmoor (Hatchet Hall, Los Angeles)
Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station, Los Angeles)
Neal Fraser (Redbird, Fritzi, Los Angeles)
Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish, Los Angeles)
Della Gossett (Spago, Los Angeles)
Duff Goldman (Cake Mix, Los Angeles)
Scott Howard (Citizen, Los Angeles)
Ravi Kapur (Liholiho Yacht Club, San Francisco
Joe Kindred (Kindred, North Carolina)
Mike Lata (Fig, Charleston)
Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Los Angeles)
David Lefevre (MB Post, Fishing With Dynamite, Manhattan Beach)
Antonia Lofaso (Scopa Italian Roots, Los Angeles)
Samuel Monsour (Preux & Proper, Los Angeles)
Dahlia Narvaez (Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles)
Jason Neroni (Rose Café, Los Angeles)
Mirko Paderno (Culina, Los Angeles)
Greg Schroeppel (Nighthawk Breakfast Bar, Los Angeles)
Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo (Son of a Gun, Los Angeles)
Art Smith (Reunion Florida Garden and Kitchen School, Florida)
Curtis Stone (Maude, Gwen, Los Angeles)
Jet Tila (Los Angeles)
Kris Tominaga (The Hart & The Hunter, Los Angeles), Brandon Boudet (Little Dom’s, Los Angeles)
Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Chicago)
Fabian von Hauske & Jeremiah Stone (Wildair, Contra, New York)
Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery, The Tuck Room, Los Angeles)
The ninth annual Kosher Food & Wine Experience (KFWE) Los Angeles, the largest public kosher food and wine event in California, is to be held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on February 15, 2017, at 6 p.m.
According to a press release, KFWE Los Angeles brings kosher wine and spirits to Southern California from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. The evening also spotlights fine kosher cuisine from restaurants such Tierra Sur, La Gondola, and Meshuga 4 Sushi.
Herzog Wine Cellars, a California-based operation, has developed a partnership with the Petersen Automotive Museum to house the Los Angeles event for the next three years. The KFWE venue is estimated to host more than 1,500 attendees at the 2017 event, including celebrities, winemakers, culinary chefs and retailers.
Before the event opens to the public, there is an exclusive, invitation-only trade portion of KFWE Los Angeles that is extended to guests of Herzog Wine Cellars and its parent company, Royal Wine Corporation. The trade portion includes a media lounge for interviews with winemakers from around the globe, such as Herzog’s head winemaker Joe Hurliman; celebrated chefs; the organizers of KFWE, including the Herzog family; and industry experts such Joshua Greenstein, an authority on Israeli wines, and Ira Norof, a certified wine educator and director of education for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.
