POLITICAL | URBAN | ENTERTAINMENT | GOSPEL | HISTORY & CULTURE

Last week Aretha Franklin underwent a surgery, but the type of surgery was not disclosed.  Various reports are now saying the Queen of Soul had an operation for pancreatic cancer.  The Detroit Free Press reports a cousin has stated the singer will be released this weekend.  Debra Corbett said Franklin “has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer.” Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/cousin_aretha_franklin_expects_weekend_qu0QkKDC4fFemELm17W8sK#ixzz17eLYHd2r

SUNDAY BEST WINNERS LEANDRIA JOHNSON AND Y’ANNA CRAWLEY ADDED TO THE STELLAR LIST OF PERFORMERS ON BET’S CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL , PREMIERING SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 AT 8:00 P.M .* LOS ANGELES — December 6, 2010 —Due to popular demand, LeAndria Johnson and Y’Anna Crawley , the winners of season two and three of BET’s hit gospel singing competition SUNDAY BEST , have been added to all-star lineup of performers on the number one gospel show on television CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL . The anointed songstresses will perform alongside season two runner-up Jessica Reedy and 2011 Grammy®-nominated artist (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ) Kelly Price . This highly acclaimed two-hour special, premiering on Sunday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.* ,   pays tribute to the rich history of  gospel music in a unique format that combines today’s leading gospel and secular artists!   In addition, BET would like to congratulate the following CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL perf...

KIRK FRANKLIN , MARY MARY , CHAKA KHAN , EL DEBARGE , SMOKIE NORFUL , FAITH EVANS, KELLY PRICE AND VASHAWN MITCHELL TO PERFORM ON BET’S CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL   PREMIERING SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 AT 8:00 P.M .* Hosted by Comedian, Radio and Television Personality Steve Harvey , BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL  will Feature Performances and Appearances by Kim Burrell , the Rance Allen Group , Israel Houghton , Beverly Crawford , James Fortune and FIYA and Many More. LOS ANGELES — December 1, 2010 — Having just celebrated its 10 th anniversary as the number one gospel show on television, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL moves into the new decade with inspiring and uplifting music. This highly acclaimed two-hour special, premiering on Sunday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.* ,  pays tribute to the rich history of  gospel music in a unique format that combines today's leading gospel and secular artists! “ Keeping the Faith ” is this year’s show theme, setting the stage for a world...

Eminem received 10 nominations for the 53rd Grammy Awards The nominees in the top five categories for the 2011 Grammy Awards were announced on Dec. 1 in a live telecast on CBS.  LL Cool J hosted the show at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles with announcements being made by celebrity presenters. The full list of nominess in all other categories can be viewed at http://www.grammys.com/ .  Eminem tops the list with 10 Grammy nominations for the come back album, "Recovery,"  including a nod for Album of theYear. I'm hoping to see Marshall (his real name) and Rihanna rock "Love the Way You Lie" at the Grammys, which was nominated for Song of the Year. R&B's soulfully sleek El Debarge also made a valiant comeback this year, earning two Grammy nominations for " Second Chance" ( Best Male R & B Vocal Performance and Best R & B Song.) If last night's performances were any indication, it's going the be a great show.  (2010...

One-Hour CBS Entertainment Special — Hosted by LL Cool J — Will Announce Nominations for the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards® Live from Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Dec. 1 SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2010) — Singer/actor Selena Gomez, seven-time GRAMMY® winner Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), singer/songwriter Hayley Williams (Paramore), and 25-time GRAMMY winner Stevie Wonder have been added as presenters for "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®," which takes place live on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. GRAMMY-winning band Train will also perform on the one-hour special, joining previously announced performances by pop star Justin Bieber , rapper B.o.B, country artist Miranda Lambert, singer/songwriter/producer Bruno Mars , and singer/songwriter Katy Perry . Two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J is once again set to host. The show will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 10 – ...

2010‐2011 NEW YORK CITY CENTER SEASON COMMEMORATES ALVIN AILEY’S TIMELESS CLASSIC WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS Guest Appearances Featuring Grammy Award‐Winning Vocal Ensemble Sweet Honey In the Rock Artistic Director Judith Jamison Conducts Live Music with Full Choir Cast of 50 Dancers for First Time with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School Documentary Short Film with Exclusive Footage Introduces All Revelations Performances Target 1960 Night Offers All Seats at Special Price for Target Sponsored Performance DECEMBER 1, 2010 – JANUARY 2, 2011 (New York)  – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will begin a celebration of 50 years of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, an American classic called a must‐see for all people, with special performances, singular events and guest appearances at New York City Center from December 1, 2010 – January 2, 2010. Other related initiatives throughout the year will offer new perspectives on this masterpiece that has b...

(Atlanta, GA - November 29, 2010 ) -- Accomplished actor, best-selling author, and comedic icon Steve Harvey is teaming up with multiple GRAMMY ® award winner, Kirk Franklin , to bring hope, inspiration and laughter to fans during these tough economic times.  On March 19, 2011 , Harvey and Franklin will kick off their first-ever Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Comedy Gospel Tour at Phillips Arena Theater in Atlanta, GA providing an up-close and special dose of laughs and gospel music for each city.  The tour will crisscross the United States hitting major cities including Memphis, Tampa and Jacksonville.  There's nothing quite like sharing laughs and making personal connections with fans through stand-up comedy, and as one of the original Kings of Comedy , Steve Harvey returns to the foundation of his success to deliver his brand of cutthroat and straight-talking humor to communities across the country.  Adding Gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin adds anothe...