Internet Radio Network BlakeRadio.com Now on App

Listen to internet radio with Rainbow Soul on Blog Talk Radio

       

By Deardra Shuler  

BlakeRadio entrepreneur, Neil Blake, has worked in television and radio for most of his career.  A member of the Director’s Guild, Neil got his start in the late 1980’s on NBC as part of their Vacation Relief Program.  He then moved on to WNEW which later became WNYW Fox Five.  At one time, he plied his trade as an Associate Director (AD) working on television programming ranging from weekend news, sports, and syndicated shows.   This he did at CBS and various networks.         Blake has worked on “Positively Black,” with Gus Heninburg; “A Current Affair,” first hosted by Maury Povich and then later with Maureen O’Boyle serving as host, on the Fox Five Network.  The busy AD has worked on “Good Day New York,”  “The Ten O’clock News,” and various other local programming in Manhattan.  Currently, he works as a freelancer on news programs and other local shows at WNBC in New York.      Neil first became interested in the media arts as a youngster when his dad bought him a reel-to-reel tape recorder.  Enamored by the process of filmmaking, Neil, began covering high school sports events and plays while attending Edward R, Murrow High School.  “By that time, I had discovered what I wanted to do in life.  So, when Don Pitkoff, who headed the Television at Edward R Murrow H.S. Division (TERM), steered me toward a scholarship to Long Island University, I jumped at the chance,” recalled Neil.  “I also had a love for radio. While attending LIU, I was a DJ for a while and then became station manager of the college’s radio station, WLIU.  I handled the day-to-day operations which consisted of managing a staff of DJs and administration personnel.  Later, when I started producing my own Quiet Storm radio show at WHBI in NYC, I gained fundraising experience which came in handy when I created my own network,” remarked the radio entrepreneur.      In 2000, Neil recognized the potential of Internet radio and struck upon the idea of creating what became the BlakeRadio Network.  His network boasted close to 25 hosts from across the country, hosting shows on a variety of subject matter pertinent to the Diaspora and African American experience.       The BlakeRadio Network is a culmination of all Neil’s interests and talents.  He has experience as an engineer, editor, programmer, photographer, cameraman, producer and director.  “I felt that with all the experience I have, it was time for me to put my efforts toward benefiting my own people.  I wanted to do shows that highlighted the positive aspects of people of color, the African Diaspora and the African American culture in particular.  Though of course, I am open to all people, my primary emphasis is on showcasing optimistic hosts, guests and programming that represent the enlightened side of black and brown culture throughout the world and all that it entails,” said Blake.       Mr. Blake talked about why there is a paucity of African Americans behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.  “Some of the challenges African Americans face is in getting the training and on-the-job experience with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.  As a result, many folks from the African Diaspora are not given the opportunity to work on high tech and high budget productions.  It’s not that African Americans cannot excel, we just need the training opportunities and support.   In all areas of entertainment, we need conscious African Americans in positions of authority who can green light productions while at the same time, get advertiser and investor support,” explained Blake who has recently moved BlakeRadio.com to the next level.       “I have two divisions within BlakeRadio.com: the music portion, Music Massage, and the talk portion, Rainbow Soul,” explained the conscientious broadcaster.   “Presently on Itunes and Stitcher, BlakeRadio will now be accessible to listeners worldwide via an App on their phones Smart phones and Androids.  The Apps are available in the iPhone App store or Android Market by searching Music Massage or Rainbow Soul or can be accessed from BlakeRadio.com. The Apps will allow listeners access to the Music Massage and Rainbow Soul broadcasts with the touch of a button.  Music Massage offers 24 hours of R&B, Jazz, Soul, Reggae and Slow Jams.  The talk portion, Rainbow Soul will allow listeners to lock in to the Rainbow Soul broadcast which features an eclectic mix of primarily, but not exclusively, African American hosts from around the United States. Programming includes everything from Africana studies, music, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, gossip, children programming and current events.  Keep your App locked to BlakeRadio.com for the best of Talk Radio and “Music for Your Mind, Body & Soul,” remarked the proud webcaster as he quoted his station’s catch phrase.      A progressive man, Neil Blake features programming that benefits and elevates people of color.  Since the BlakeRadio Network is the catalyst for that goal, it seems Mr. Blake is well on his way.

ELZA: The Tale of A Woman In Search of her Father

 
                                                     

By Deardra Shuler

Filmmaker Mariette Monpierre will be showcasing her feature film ELZA at the Walter Reade Theatre in Lincoln Center in Manhattan for two days. 

A French Guadeloupean filmmaker, producer and director, Monpierre was born in Guadeloupe but raised in Paris.  Educated at the Sorbonne at the University of Paris, Smith College in Massachusetts and NYU in NY; she later worked at the renowned ad agency BBD&O, before venturing into the world of filmmaking. 

Mariette is premiering her film, ELZA, at the Walter Reade Theatre within Lincoln Center as part of the African Film Festival screening on Thursday, April 12th at 4:00 pm and on Sunday, April 15th at 6:15 pm.  

ELZA is the first narrative by a Guadeloupean female director and thus its noteworthy that Ms. Monpierre's film won three awards at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angles.  Ms. Monpierre won The Best Director First Feature: Special Jury Recognition - Feature Narrative at PAFF/LA; The Festival Choice Award at the Pan African Film Festival-British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA/LA); and The Festival Programmers' Award - Narrative PAFFA/LA. 

"I was so surprised when I heard my name called during the Awards Ceremony.  I went up, accepted the award and returned to my seat.  Then I heard my name called again. I started to cry.  I couldn't believe it!  Once again, I accepted my award and went back to my seat and then unbelievably, I heard my name called for yet a third time.  I was so happy.  I couldn't thank everyone enough for their involvement in the making of ELZA.  It really was a labor of love and I am so delighted that my films won awards and were nominated in various movie categories," said the ebullient filmmaker.

Set in the lush tropics, Mariette filmed her movie in her homeland of Guadeloupe, where the waters are clear and tropical climes so fair, the movie serves to draw tourism to the beautiful, friendly isle.

Through her film, ELZA, the story of a young Caribbean woman in search of her father, filmmaker Mariette Monpierre speaks out on behalf of young children whose fathers, for whatever reason, are absent from their families. Ms. Monpierre reveals through her character ELZA, the impact not having a father in the home has on children.  A semi-autobiography, Mariette's film speaks on behalf of the many fatherless children and the fantasies they conjure about the fathers they never knew.  Elza seeks to make her deep desires, fantasies and dreams about the shadowy figure who occupies much of her thoughts a reality. Thus, she journeys to the lush island of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies to find the most important man in her life. 

"I was very anxious to meet my absentee father," explained the producer of her own experience. "Guadeloupe is a small island where everyone knows one another, so I was able to find him.  I was very excited and young, so perhaps I didn't handle it in the right way.  I called my father.  His wife answered the phone.  I blurted out that I thought her husband was my father.  She was very nice and said she understood.  She invited me to meet her children and my father.  I guess I had many expectations. However, when I finally met my father, he told me he did not think he could be my father, because he would not have fathered a daughter who had kinky hair like mine," recalled the petite artist of her only in-person encounter with her father. "Our relationship never got as close as I would have liked.  My father never recanted his initial comment to me and continued to behave in an authoritative manner toward me.  He died a year later," recalled Mariette with a haunted tone in her voice.  

"I wanted to give Elza a more positive outcome.  I hope the film will prompt fathers to be in their children's lives," continued Mariette. "I think its especially important, especially with girls.  I think I had a lot of low esteem issues.  I never had a father to tell me I was beautiful so I never felt beautiful.  Oftentimes when women do not have a positive relationship with the first man in her life (their father), women may not know how to interact with men and therefore can end up choosing the wrong men in their lives."

ELZA is Ms. Monpierre's first feature film.  She produced several documentaries, educational and musical videos as well as award winning shorts, like "Rendez-Vous" and "Sweet Mickey for President." Her films have been screened at the Marrakech Film Festival, the African Diaspora Film Festival and featured at festivals in Toronto and in Cannes.

The driving force behind the film, Mariette desires to tell interesting and provocative stories and tales about women from an inventive and unique viewpoint as only she can tell them. Her goal is to acquire the distribution and the funds that will allow her to expose ELZA and her other films to a world-wide audience.

Interested parties can call the Walter Reade Box Office for tickets to see ELZA at (212) 875-5601.  For further info see:

Trailer:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGJl9djjAEA
Website: http://www.elzathemovie.com/
IMDB:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1852001/
Tickets on line @  http://www.filmlinc.com/films/on-sale/elza           

Gloria Gaynor and the Hit Men to Appear in the Bronx

By Deardra Shuler

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts will be experiencing the ultimate dance party on Saturday, April 21^st at 8:00p.m., when singer Gloria Gaynor performs at the venue before a full orchestra.  She will also be sharing the stage with The Hit Men and Colonel Abrams.

Part of the disco dance era, Gloria was born in Newark, NJ, and only 19 when she was signed to Columbia Records by Clive Davis.  She recorded the single “Honey Bee” for Columbia Records in 1975.  Later she recorded her hit song, “I Will Survive” in 1978.  Gloria has proven she has the stuff to survive in an industry that can be pretty tough sometimes.  Little did she realize when she initially recorded “I Will Survive,” she would garner a Grammy, the song would become the greatest disco anthem of all time and be inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame.  “I Will Survive” has sold over 14 million copies and has been translated into over 20 languages.  Then she recorded the first disco record to be played on AM radio, her hit “Never Can Say Good-bye” for MGM.  The album went gold.  Hit albums Experience Gloria Gaynor, and I've Got You (Under My Skin) followed. 

I recorded “I Will Survive,” while wearing a back brace.  While performing at the Beacon Theatre I fell backwards over a monitor while doing a skit with my background singers.  I jumped up, finished the show, went out to breakfast, went home and went to bed and when I woke up, I was paralyzed from the waist down.  I ended up getting surgery on my back.  That was scary.  The surgery was in March and I came out of the hospital in July.  I then recorded “I Will Survive” in October, but I was wearing a back brace when I did” said the enduring singer. “When I first read the lyrics to “I Will Survive,” I saw it as timeless lyrics. The song is now over 35 years old. It contains the type of lyrics that everyone can relate to.  The song was about unrequited love.  However, I saw it as something related to survival.  I thought I would never survive my mother’s death, being in a back brace and getting surgery on my spine. Yet, I survived,” said Gloria. 

She toured to Italy and Croatia as part of a Christmas symphony tour, returning to ring in the New Year with a concert in Las Vegas. Her upcoming gospel CD is entitled “He Gave Me Life (I Will Survive).” Later this year, Gloria plans to release a single entitled “All The Man That I Need.”

Gloria appeared in Smokey Joe’s Café on Broadway.  She appeared on “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” “Donnie and Marie,” “The Wayan Brothers,”  “The 70s Show” and “Ally McBeal” on television.  “I am looking forward to going on “Who Do You Think You Are?”  This show searches out your ancestry. I am trying to arrange my schedule around it so I can go on.  I know I have Native American Blackfoot Indian and Jamaican ancestry, so I am really looking forward to the show to see what else may be in my origins,” said the singer who also wrote a book called “I Will Survive.”

Gloria holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and plans to eventually open a nurturing recreation center for teenage parents in her hometown of Newark, NJ. “I wanted to open up a nurturing recreation center to work with teenage parents and their families here in America.  I want to partner with other learning organizations to help the children continue their education.  I want them to learn to follow their passions so they can earn money while supporting themselves while being happy doing it,” explained Gaynor.

 “I used to love to dance when younger and wore these 3” heels while doing deep bends as part of a dance.  Now I have knee problems and back problems and other things I have had to overcome.  The song “I Will Survive” has been important as I have overcome challenges.  I have survived the death of my four brothers, my mother’s death, a divorce, and illness, so I have survived and “I will survive,” claims the enduring performer who is quite the humanitarian.

Gaynor lends her support to numerous charities including the Susan G. Comen Breast Cancer Foundation (North Jersey Affiliate), the Hellenic Times Foundation, The Revlon Walk For Women and the Christian Broadcasting Network.  Ms. Gaynor is a member of the United Cerebral Palsy Hudson County Board of Directors.  She financially supports Save the Children, sponsors four children through the Christian Children's Fund, is a Chair holder for the New Jersey Crime Victims' Law Center, was 2008 Honorary Chair for the New York Diabetes Association and supports Denise Rich's Angel Ball, a foundation for Melanoma research. In addition to these charities, Gloria also supports Bailey House New York Restoration Project, WomensLaw.org, Miami Children’s Hospital and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.  

 “God has been good to me and I believe I should share my blessings. Therefore, I sponsor 4 Ethiopian children, children who have lived in poverty due to the drought there. Americans could not survive some of the conditions others experience around the world. We are so lucky,” remarked the generous performer.

For tickets to Gloria Gaynor’s show at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, in the Bronx, fans can call the Lehman Center Box Office at 718.960.8833 and online at www.LehmanCenter.org

Listen to internet radio with Rainbow Soul on Blog Talk Radio