LogLine: Daughter and Father share their personal media archives, on a journey through the healing art of yoga, while embracing their roles as caregiver (Robin Downes / Yoga Flava) and elderly loved one with dementia (Sergeant Major William Downes / The Flashbulb Kid).
Synopsis: Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker (“Outstanding Individual Achievement In News and Documentary” ‘ABC News 20/20”) presents an urban documentary of a middle class, first generation Caribbean American family from the south Bronx and their surviving to thriving from the 30’s to 2021.
The Silver Edition: Yoga Flava Silva - Coinciding with Robin Downes’ 25th Anniversary of Yoga Flava,
What’s Up With Robin Downes - 40 years in the media industry.
Saving Sergeant Major - Also highlighted is the media archives from from Sargent Major William H. Downes, U.S. Army, Retired (aka The Flashbulb Kid) Having been raised in a loving household and a strong Father figure in the home, it was shocking to discover that Robin’s now elderly father with dementia needed her to step-up as his caregiver.
Yoga Flava and The Flashbulb Kid - My quest to be the best caregiver for my father had me draw upon my Yoga practice. His warrior spirit embraced the Yoga practice and got him on a wellness path.
"Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations" is an awesome tribute and perfect night out destination for the whole family.
FIVE GUYS. ONE DREAM.
AND A SOUND THAT WOULD MAKE MUSIC HISTORY.
AIN'TTOOPROUD is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations' extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group's treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more.
After breaking house records at both Berkeley Rep and The Kennedy Center, AIN'TTOOPROUD, written by three‑time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two‑time Tony Award® winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and featuring choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet), now brings the untold story of this legendary quintet to irresistible life on Broadway. Get ready — 'cause here they come!
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations this spring. A physical release will be available beginning March 21 exclusively at Broadway's Imperial Theatre—where the jukebox biomusical begins performances February 28—with a March 22 digital release, April 19 wide physical release, and June 7 double-LP vinyl release set to follow.
Pre-orders of the album, available here, include an immediate download of the title number "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." The preview track is also available for streaming.
On Thursday, July 20th, I was invited to attend
the NYC screening of John Singleton's FX TV series "Snowfall". I was totally entertained and educated about the history of crack cocaine from Mr. Singleton's brilliant filmmaking and story telling perspective. A must see!
ABOUT "SNOWFALL"
Los Angeles 1983. A storm is coming and its name is crack. Snowfall
is a one-hour drama set against the infancy of the crack cocaine
epidemic and its ultimate radical impact on the culture as we know it.
The story follows numerous characters on a violent collision course,
including: Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), young street entrepreneur on a
quest for power; Gustavo "El Oso" Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), a
Mexican wrestler caught up in a power struggle within a crime family;
Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), a CIA operative running from a dark past
who begins an off-book operation to fund the Nicaraguan Contras and
Lucia Villanueva (Emily Rios), the self-possessed daughter of a Mexican
crime lord.
Created by John Singleton & Eric Amadio and Dave Andron, Snowfall is executive produced by Singleton, Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Amadio, Michael London and Trevor Engelson.
Implementing my skills as a Social
Media Specialist, I keep a steady stream of information
coming from Harlem Late Night Jazz straight to you! Pictures, videos,
updates and more.
HarlemLateNightJazz.com is bringing live late night Jazz and Blues
back to Harlem by connecting the finest musicians with the finest late night
clubs providing that unique feeling you can only get in Harlem late night. #HarlemLateNightJazz I'm also delighted to feature the Harlem Late Night Jazz TV playlist on the Robin Downes Network Youtube Channel. - Please Subscribe
The evening of August 9th, ended with a screening of “Southside
With You” at 7:30 p.m. at Edgartown Cinemas, 65 Main Street, Edgartown,
MA. The film, written and directed by Richard Tanne, set in 1989
Chicago, is the charming and witty reimagining of the first date between
Barack and Michelle Obama.
I had the opportunity to meet actor, Parker Sawyers, who does an amazing job at portraying Barack Obama. Check out the movie trailer:
Southside with You is a 2016 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Tanne, who will be making his feature film directorial debut. The film stars Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter as a young Barack and Michelle Robinson Obama,
respectively. The film focuses on the couple's first date on an evening
in 1989 and their first kiss outside an ice cream parlor. Principal photography began in July 2015 in Chicago.
The film premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics.
The film is scheduled to be released on August 26, 2016, by Miramax and Roadside Attractions.
WE tv and the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) celebrated the premiere of its latest show, "Sisters In Law,”
an 8-episode one-hour series that follows a group of Houston's top
black female attorneys as they tackle some of the toughest cases in
Texas.
Cast members Jolanda Jones, Juanita Jackson, Rhonda Wills, Vivian King, Monique Sparks, and Tiye Foley shined on the red carpet as various New York tastemakers mixed and mingled in the swanky reception space at the Museum of Art & Design on Wednesday, March 23rd.
Guests previewed the season’s first episode which was
followed by a Q&A session moderated by TV and radio host, Jacque Reid. The cast discussed their behind the scenes discomfort with the reality show rules of protocol for the show. Check out the juicy details in the video clip below:
Attendees included reality star Yandy Smith (“Love & Hip Hop”), TV/Radio personality Bevy Smith, recording artist Elle Varner, JudgeLauren Lake (“Paternity Court”), actress Naturi Naughton (“POWER”), and Boogie Dash (“Growing
Up Hip Hop").
Winter Film Awards 5th annual INDIE FILM FESTIVAL
runs Feb 18-26 in NYC with a jam-packed schedule of 86 films by
emerging filmmakers from 26 countries. Free discussion Panels — $5
Animation afternoon —Bloody Thursday all horror all day — daily
screenings of fantastic films and free parties every night. Screenings
& Discussion Panels @Cinema Village (22 E12th St). Opening Reception
@The Attic (251 W48th St) Feb 18 8-11PM, Open Bar 8-9PM. Gala Red
Carpet @230Fifth (230 Fifth Ave) Feb 26 8-11PM. Hollywood might ignore
women and people of color, but Winter Film Awards celebrates everyone!
#WFA2016 #WFASoDiverse
The 2015 Urbanworld Film Festival was hosted by film ambassador, Tyrese Gibson. The festival ran Sept. 23-27.
It opened with BET biography “Muhammad Ali: The People’s Champ” and close with “A Ballerina’s Tale,” the documentary that centers on American Ballet Theater principal dancer Misty Copeland. The two films were part of a full slate of more than 80 films, including shorts, that made up the 19th annual New York festival, presented by BET Networks with HBO.
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah’s “The People’s Champ” aims to showcase Ali’s boxing skills and his activism to a millenial audience, and will feature interviews with Laila Ali, Ludacris, Sugar Ray Leonard, Billie Jean King and Common, among many others. Meanwhile, Nelson George’s “Ballerina’s Tale,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, chronicles Copeland professional triumphs as well as her recovery from a painful injury.
Spotlight films include Marc Silver’s “3 1/2 minutes, 10 Bullets,” a documentary about a 2012 shooting; Bobbito Garcia’s “Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives,” about the titular hip-hop radio show; and Trey Haley’s mystery “The Man in 3B.”
The 2015 Urbanworld Film Festival will open with BET biography “Muhammad Ali: The People’s Champ” and close with “A Ballerina’s Tale,” the documentary that centers on American Ballet Theater principal dancer Misty Copeland. The two films are part of a full slate of more than 80 films, including shorts, that make up the 19th annual New York festival, presented by BET Networks with HBO.
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah’s “The People’s Champ” aims to showcase Ali’s boxing skills and his activism to a millenial audience, and will feature interviews with Laila Ali, Ludacris, Sugar Ray Leonard, Billie Jean King and Common, among many others. Meanwhile, Nelson George’s “Ballerina’s Tale,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, chronicles Copeland professional triumphs as well as her recovery from a painful injury.
Spotlight films include Marc Silver’s “3 1/2 minutes, 10 Bullets,” a documentary about a 2012 shooting; Bobbito Garcia’s “Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives,” about the titular hip-hop radio show; and Trey Haley’s mystery “The Man in 3B.”
Wendell Haskins, Beverly Johnson, Amari "Tigress" Avery, Lee Elder and Roland Martin
On July 20, 2015, the Original Tee Golf Classic held its 16th tournament at Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J. Over 250 VIPs from various industries participated in the all-day event which honored golf legend Lee Elder for breaking the color barrier at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA forty years ago.
Check out the video highlights of the Original Tee Golf Classic 2014 from the Robin Downes Network:
Attendees included supermodel Beverly Johnson, radio/tv host Roland Martin, Wendell Haskins (founder, Original Tee Golf Classic), Iain Page (FOX29 Philadelphia anchor), Keith Clinkscales (CEO, REVOLT), Len Burnett (Publisher, UPTOWN), Sharon Harris (Microsoft), golf phenoms Amari "Tigress" Avery and Alona Avery, entertainment attorney Matt Middleton, Jeff Sanchez (NBA Senior Manager, Event Activation), designer Tony Shellman, Derrin Woodhouse (Samsung), Michael Davis (Philadelphia Eagles), Shante Bacon (founder, 135th Street Agency), Dres from Black Sheep, advertising exec Malcolm Gillian, Byron Kirkland (manager of Machine Gun Kelly), Kevin Peck (manager of Dru Hill), Lenny Singletary (BNY Mellon), Kainon Jasper (Bridge Intelligence Group), Latoya Finney (Asst. VP at Barclays Capital), Frank Fraley (Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce), Michael Vann (former owner of The Shark Bar) and Jim Kelly III.
Guests enjoyed on-site haircuts by Denny Moe's Superstar Barbershop from Harlem; an all-day open bar courtesy of Zacapa Rum and Ciroc;
a silent auction of sports memorabilia; and clinics hosted by PGA
professionals who introduced 25 novice attendees to the game of golf.
Golf coach Buddy Cooper led the Nine-Hole Youth Competition along with several PGA professionals including NFPGA Section Member Anthony G. Stepney (UMES DiversitiTee Golf & ProjectNext Tee), New Jersey Section Members Jim Famula (Raritan Golf Center),
Bill Nightingale (Life Member) and Hal Myers (Life Member).
Later
that evening at the Awards Dinner hosted by Iain Page, Beverly Johnson -
last year's True Original honoree - presented Elder with this year's
True Original Award. Tournament winners included golfers Henry Lopez and Greg Lewisfor the adult competition, and Khalid Page, Diana McCready and Alona Avery for the youth competition.
Special thanks to our sponsors Chico's, Mercedes-Benz, National Basketball Association (NBA), Zacapa Rum, Delta Airlines, Times Square Communications, Ciroc, Bai Water and GIII by Carl Banks.
For more information on the Original Tee Golf Classic, visit www.originaltee.com.
With many attendees to the 19th Annual American Black Film Festival (#ABFF2015) taking content creation into their own hands, it was helpful to check out How to Monetize a Successful Web Series, where Andrea Lewis (Black Actress), Numa Perrier, Dennis Dortch (Blackandsexy.tv) and Smokey Fontaine (Interactive One), shared tips on how to take your web series to the next level.
Check out the video highlights from the ABFF playlist on the Robin Downes Network:
Make sure you download the BE Events app, available via iOS and Android. Use the app to register for ABFF events and enter to win a trip for two to ABFF’s 20th anniversary in 2016.
For complete coverage of the 2015 American Black Film Festival, visit www.blackenterprise.com/tag/abff/
or follow along on social media using #ABFF2015. For more information
on the films, schedules, and activities, download the BE Events app on iTunes or Google Play.
Film director Rick Famuyiwa's critically acclaimed film, Dope, sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of American, will open the 19th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on Thursday, June 11, at the SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, NYC. With its New York City premiere, Dope is one of the buzziest and most talked about film releases of the 2015 summer season.
Dope is a coming of age comedy/drama for the post hip hop generation. High-school senior Malcolm (Shameik Moore) and his friends Jib
(Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) bond over '90s hip-hop
culture, their studies and playing music in their own punk band. A
chance encounter with a drug dealer named Dom lands Malcolm and company
at the dealer's nightclub birthday
party; when the scene turns violent, they flee -- with the Ecstasy that
Dom secretly hid in Malcolm's backpack. A wild adventure ensues as the
youths try to evade armed thugs who want the stash.
Recently, I had the opportunity to have a sneak peek VIP screening
hosted by Open Road Films, Mack Wilds, Angela Yee and the 135th Street Agency. I found the film to be a fresh 2015 voice for a new generation that is often misunderstood. The film evoked full belly laughs and thought provoking reflection on the state of affairs for this coming of age generation. I can see why it is being hailed as a classic in the same status as Boys In The Hood. The film opens in theaters June 19th. For tickets to the American Black Film Festival (June 11 - 14, 2015) go to www.abff.com. #DOPEMOVIE Check out this video clip of the 'Dope' trailer in the 'ABFF Playlist' on the Robin Downes Network:
In addition to providing updates on my blog here, I will be reporting about the filmmaking process from a socially conscious (mind, body spirit / Yoga Flava) perspective for my new TV Series "Focus Friday's With Yoga Flava" Subscribe to the show for free on the Focus Broadcasting Network.
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced their highly
anticipated roster of films that will screen at this year’s festival.
More than 30 documentaries, web originals, short films and narrative
features will showcase at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square to a
devoted, movie-going audience. (READ MORE HERE)
Check out this video clip of 2015 ABFF Ambassador Welcome - Taraji P. Henson:
For Festival passes and ticket information, visit www.ABFF.com.
Starring Academy Award® Winning actress Mo’Nique and Isaiah Washington, BLACKBIRD
tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout
Christian, who, as strong as he seems on the outside, is hiding a secret
inner struggle - a denial of being gay. It is not until he opens
himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting
who you really are. The movie opens in theaters April 24, 2015. You will also be able to stream the film on UrbanMovieChannel.com
I was able to get more insight into the creative process that went into the making of BLACKBIRD provided by director, Patrik-Ian Polk (The Skinny, Noah’s Ark), at a NYC press screening hosted by Traci Blunt from RLJ Entertainment / Urban Movie Channel. After the screening, the Q & A was hosted and moderated by TheGrio.com Entertainment Editor, Christopher Witherspoon. Patrick-Ian Polk revealed that the overall theme of the film is that "God Is Love".
Additionally, in the audience was Tatyana Ali (Actress, Fresh Prince of Bel Air), who gave her passionate feedback to the director about how she related to the characters experience of awakening sexuality.
Check out the highlights from the press Q & A and hear Tatyana Ali's validation for Patrick-Ian Polk's storytelling in this video below:
Freedom Williams is best known as an American hip hop and dance music performer, who gained fame as the lead vocalist on C+C Music Factory's biggest hits. Recently, I learned that he is also a human rights activist and philanthropist through his support for NY Youth At Risk / Unlocking Futures.
I was able to interview Freedom backstage at Santos Party House
during his fundraiser, Aquarius Gives Back, on February 13, 2015.
Watch This exclusive video interview from the Robin Downes Network on Youtube: Freedom Williams Gives Back | What's Up With Robin Downes?
Donate today to the non-profit organization New York Youth at Risk / Unlocking Futures http://www.nyunlockthefutures.org
