Skip to main content

Aretha Franklin Turns 70; Re-signs Deal with Clive Davis

buzzz worthy. . .

Aretha Fanklin has been with us now for seven decades and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, she has re-sigend with Clive Davis for a new record deal.  Last weekend Franklin had a bash in royal style to celebrate.


Aretha Franklin Celebrates Her 70th Birthday in Royal Style


(New York, NY – March 27, 2012) -- Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, celebrated her 70th birthday in royal style on Saturday, March 24, in New York City. About 80 friends and colleagues gathered at The Helmsley Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan for the celebration, which included a four course meal and outstanding entertainment.

The guest list spanned the worlds of entertainment, publishing, media, business, and academia, and included: music mogul Clive Davis, Diane  Sawyer, Rev. Al Sharpton, opera mega star Kathleen Battle, author and professor of sociology Michael Eric Dyson, BET President and CEO Debra Lee, ESSENCE Communications President Michelle Ebanks, entertainment attorney L. Londell McMillan, Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison, Harlem musical theater great Vy Higginsen, music great Nona Hendryx, and numerous others.

 The guests dined on selections from a menu that  included: smoked salmon and caviar, chilled snow crab claws, lobster bisque, French onion soup, lobster ravioli, jumbo lump crab cakes, crabmeat stuffed fillet of sole, sautéed Dover sole, filet mignon, grilled vegetable napoleon, pear almond cake, lemon cake, triple chocolate mousse, and New York cheese cake.  

The evening’s entertainment included a phenomenal jazz performance by the Kris Bowers Trio, featuring Jose James. The group is led by 22-year-old Kris Bowers, the winner of the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Then there were two superb dance numbers directed by George Faison, which were performed to songs that embodied the theme of the celebration – “The Summer of 42” and “Somewhere Lost in Time.” 

After an evening of celebrating, Franklin spent her actual birthday, March 25, relaxing. The ageless music icon has a busy year ahead of her, including a special performance at the ESSENCE Music Festival on July 8th in New Orleans.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Record-Breaking U.S.-Africa Business Summit Yields $2.5 Billion in Deals and Commitments

The U.S. Delegation, led by  Ambassador Troy Fitrell , Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, included the senior-most officials advancing U.S. commercial engagement across Africa: Massad Boulos , Senior Advisor for Africa  Thomas Hardy , Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Constance Hamilton , Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Connor Coleman , Head of Investments and Chief of Staff, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Tamara Maxwell , Senior Vice President for Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States    The record turnout made clear that both U.S. and African leaders share a strong commitment to significantly expanding trade and investment.  The U.S. objective at the Summit was to secure key deals and commitments for U.S. companies and establish the conditions to boost U.S. exports and investment in Africa — advancing mutual prosperity in line with the Trump Administration’s  Commercial Diploma...
Read more

NEWLYWEDS: Bishop Marvin Winans weds after 30 years

  By Mona Austin One of the most eligible bacherlors in Christianity has tied the knot - Marvin Winans remarries After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995. Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed. If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of th...
Read more

Christian Rapper and Wife Reconcile, Renew Vows

Da' T.R.U.T.H. Celebrates Eighth Wedding Anniversary With Vow Renewal & Issues Public Statement Acclaimed Christian Hip Hop Artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. renewed his wedding vows with beautiful wife Nicole Lambert earlier this week on Tuesday, June 15th—their eighth wedding anniversary. This special event punctuated the completion of their official restoration plan—marking the page of a new beginning and giving testimony to the redeeming power of reconciliation. Additionally, today, he has released a public letter to his family and supporters on his website www.datruth.net. The private ceremony, held in their backyard and attended by family and close friends, was officiated by Bishop Gilbert and Mrs. Debi Coleman—the marriage counseling team leading the Lambert’s restoration process. Also in attendance were Alvin Love & CeCe Winans (pictured in the insert), who have been walking intimately with the couple as supporting counselors and mentors. Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s long-time frie...
Read more