The Soul Train stops in Atlanta

Ginuine
Natori Naughton of "Fame" & "Notorious" (Currently filming "Lottery Ticket in ATL Herdon Homes)
Kiara Akita (Filming "Between Love & a Hard Place" next month) Look for our interview next week!
Tyler Perry's "House of Payne"
This is some SERIOUS all natural skin care. Wonderful scents! (Skincare by Feleciai)
The Odelia wine, i got one for myself...tastes like grapes fresh off the vine. INCREDIBLE! (South African company, 7 Sisters)

Soul Train Tuesday popped off with Prominence PR's premiere gifting suite. Incredible vendors and some celebrity eye candy walked through the building at Room Servic Lounge, to get a load of the goodies like: Wine, cigars, clothing and skin products. I got some cool schwag myself. Woohoo! Thanks to Keisha McCotry.

Debra Lee (BET), Ludacris & the beautiful Toni Braxton
Kandi, Trey, Rashida, Toya

Estelle. I hear she likes "America Boys"...

Straits, midtown ATL location. Great food, drinks & it's HUGE.

Uptown had a party, Joia (i drove by for a minute, Lyfe Jennings & Tameka Foster-Raymond were there) had a party but aint no party like a Ludacris party obviously, because many of the Soul Train celebrity participants headed over to his restaurant Straits to end the night right into the next day. I arrived late because my company (http://www.nuanceworldmedia/) is involved in a movie casting (check the website for more details!) But even by the time i got there it was still packed from wall to wall. People with SOUL sure know how to party! Do you got soul?

I must say that this year Soul Train awards TRUMPED BET's. Hmmm. Well, let the games begin...

Miesha

Social Addiction (Quite the addicting night)

http://twitter.com/socialaddiction and http://www.nuanceworldmedia.com/

Music to get ADDICTED to: "Addicted to Money" Lil Scrappy, featuring Ludacris

Lil Scrappy feat. Ludacris- "Addicted to Money" movie music video

Follow-up to the teaser trailer last week here is the official video, "Addicted to Money" or "ATM" by DTP rap super star Lil Scrappy featuring Ludacris. Both play crooked cops in this mini movie. I must say it's hot. Tight production. Plus anythin with "Addicted" in the title is a winner with me! Watch the video above & if you dig it, download it. Look for Scrappy's software album The Grustle slated for a December 2009 release.

But if want Scrappy NOW you get his mixtape "The Shape Up" hosted by Don Cannon, DJ Infamous & Tee the Barber, available online.

Thanks to the always hard working Tahira Wright of Branded PR for the update links.

Miesha

Social Addiction

www.SocialAddiction.net (online social addict)

http://Twitter.com/SocialAddiction

This is why Ludacris is a young business mogul in the making...

Grammy winning Luda with gifting suite sponsor, Peroni (Italy).Actresses Jazsmine Lewis and Terry Vaughn came for Luda's private dinner in the upper level of Stratis
DTP artist Rudy (the kindest & most humble cat)
Designer Mykael Knight enjoying getting his hands right, one of the offered services at the gifting suite
Mz. Shyneka (Hot 107.9) and Celebrity attorney Phaedra Parks
Chaka of DTP & Gyant (GyantUnplugged.com) with Conjure (Cognac)
The fabulous Kenny Burns
Celebrity guest getting fitted for a custom suit, another premiere service offered
Athlete and guest
Drink up!

I love Cognac. Did i ever tell you that? No? Oops guess i failed to mention. Don't want to come off as the writing lush. But since we are going to talk about drinks, let's go there. I LOVE cognac! I can mix it with coke, juice, oooh and don't let it be vanilla cognac...boooy stop. It's a wrap. I'm good for the night. Well in a world where vodka often rules, it looks like i'm not the only one with an appreciation for that fine "brown liquor". Popular rapper, movie star, philanthropist and business owner, Ludacris is growing in his celebrity and continuing to expand into more intellectual pursuits. One of the artists latest business moves is as the face of a new Cognac, Conjure. He even went to France to test the waters and assure the product he was attaching his name to was the best of the best. And what a great time to begin to unveil Conjure but at his annual LudaDay Weekend. LudaDay Weekend starting on a Thursday (if you are in entertainment you know all weekends start on Thursday anyway) opened up to an exclusive and PRIVATE luxory gifting suite in his famed ATL restaurant, Straits. Straits is a wonderful development in midtown offering a casual or even a more fine dining experience boasting multi-levels and private rooms.

The gifting suite held in the basement of Straits, offered manicures, massages, tailoring, tasting sponsor Peroni Italian beer (very light), video gaming, gifts and more! Great experience. Luda was joined by several friends and celebrity guests who also joined him upstairs for an exclusive (closed off) dinner. I was upstairs for a while to capture some of the dinner. It was all quite lovely. Afterwards Luda and DTP took it to club Opera to host their party. And you know it was jumping right?!

I really respect how Ludacris is setting himself up to be quite the all around entertainer. He is a young mogul in the making, branding himself but only in the wisest of directions (wonder who his lawyer and business manager is?). Love that. But i expect nothing less from a Virgo...they sure know how to keep that paper coming!

Ludaday Weekend is set aside every year for parties and events centering Luda Chris Bridges. This year he even gave away 20 Nissan cars to people in need, having them write an essay on why they should win a new vehicle. Follow Ludacris & LudaDayWeekend on Twitter to find out more about the other events going on this weekend such as: DJ Appreciation party & hosting a party at club Primal (today), tomorrow's party at Uptown Lounge w' blogger Necole Bitchie (also part of her 3 city birthday party series) & more. I'll be out of town for Labor Day so the other LudaDay Weekend events will miss me, due to my own pre-planned fun on the sun trip. I'm going to the beach babbbby! Wherever you are going to be this weekend, enjoy your holiday darlings. Be safe!

Special thanks to The Garner Circle PR & Branded PR for the event set up & invite.

Miesha
Social Addict
www.Twitter.com/SocialAddiction ("Follow (vote for) me and all your wildest dreams will come true." Pedro, Napoleon Dynamite)

Vibe VSessions presents

Rock City, Ray (manager), Denise & friend
Yung LA and Jason Geter
Yung LA and Young Joc with guests
Jay Carter (right)
Slim
DJ Don Cannon keeping it movin'
Yung LA performing, "Aint I"
Julie Dexter rocking
Rudy Clarence (very friendly)

Kalene, Mz.Smith (sweet girls/group) and the host with the most, Kenny Burns

People that know me know that EVEN though i'm a social addict i at times struggle between going to events and being a complete homebody nerd. It's comical really...the battlefield of the mind, the imposing display of the two powers that go on in my brain. Anyway not to bore you with the inner workings of my mental, the moral of the story is that the social addict always over powers the homebody. I guess she is stronger. And that's a GOOD thing.

I'm glad i went to participate in Vibe's VSessions, a concert series featuring several up and coming artists that perform live in front of a sometimes non cooperative audience. It just depends. The popular urban magazine teamed up with Heineken deciding to bring their party to Atlanta's Loft in midtown providing beer for all who were thirsty. Kenny Burns made an impressive host and the fabulous DJ Don Cannon kept everyone on the floor entertained in between sets.

Performing artists to look for: DTP's Rudy Clarence, Julie Dexter, Warner Records’ Teairra Mari, and Grand Hustle’s Yung LA. They all did an impressive job! Rudy and Julie were very soulful, while Yung LA drew the most positive feedback and attention from the crowd. I definitely think he is the break out artist that Grand Hustle NEEDS right now. He's got...IT.

Popular artists like Ludacris, Young Joc, Slim (formerly of 112), and one half of the multi talented duo Rock City came to show support along with label execs and other personalities like, Jason Geter, Chaka Zulu and Jay Carter of Soul Fusion. New artists Mz. Smith and Kalene, teaming up with Diddy & Dawn Richard (formerly of Danity Kane) making the group Dirty Money dropping their 1st album this fall, greeted media and guests in the VIP suite taking pictures and generating the excitement that comes with new talent.

Thank you to 135th Street Agency's Saptosa Foster for the access and of course to Vibe for hosting a great event. I didn't just come to cover the event and take pictures but i had fun. Woohooo!!

Miesha
Social Addict
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

p.s. Yall who know Luda know that your man is in and out. I wouldn't call him a social butterfly by any means...and that's okay. That being said there are some pictures here that are missing however if you look up this event you will be able to see more pictures!

Take a shower with Luda!

Ludacris is using his celebrity to change the world. His foundation is doing great, he has involved himself in aids research and now he's focused on conserving water for the environment.

From Sandra Rose:
Tommy Lee and Ludacris (uhmmm maybe they are best buds now since they've been in several pics together over the last week!) invited fellow minded environmentalists to explore water conservation in Las Vegas by staging a communal shower. As part of the new Planet Green series, BATTLEGROUND EARTH, Tommy Lee and Ludacris travel across the country to raise awareness about the essentials of being eco-friendly. They are trying to set the Guinness World Record for the ‘Worlds Largest Group Shower’ in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Tommy Lee, Ludacris and their “eco-rages”, invited hundreds to shower with a friend and save water. END

Okay so as for me and my household...no. This is not the business. I am not taking showers wit a chick or a random dude for some group orgy type of dirty deal. And I want to be able to get water contact on my skin too or else i won't be clean and we'll end up being in the shower longer which defeats the purpose. BUT i can agree to shorter showers AND think that Luda is doing a great job at using his talents for the betterment of the planet and mankind.

p.s. doesn't tommy lee look like a geeked up lil kid in this pic (he's probably flippin' out about his shower wit a bunch of random chicks...dang tommy chill out son). LOL!
p.p.s. and who all thinks that these people in this picture actually care more about taking a shower with a celeb (luda and tommy) then the damn planet? i'm just sayin' shawt...

http://www.findentertainmentnow.com/

Ludacris Foundation Celebrity Charity Event at Ralph Lauren

Luda, Rahan Ali (radio's Hot 107.9 has been stepping out all over the A lately!), Ciara and Chaka
Fergie (in Atlanta recording with producer, Polow Da Don) , Luda, and Ciara (doesn't she look incredible?!!)
Chingy (niiiiiiiice), ?, Rich Boy (where you been boi?!), Richy Rich (WTH?!)

Ludacris who just opened up his new swanky restaurant, Straits in Midtown Atlanta earlier this week, held a classy wine and mingle charity event at the beautiful Lenox location of Ralph Lauren for his charity, The Ludacris Foundation. The charity's motto is, "Helping kids help themselves". It's so awesome to see Chris give his time and money to children. The festivity encouraged guests to buy items from the popular top of the line store thus giving 15% of the proceeds to the foundation.


If you receive this post via email or feed log onto www.FindEntertainmentNow.blogspot.com to view the video of Ludacris and others at the Ludacris Foundation event last night. Thanks!

I snooped out the Ralph Lauren location hours before the mini gala was held and it was quite lovely. Everyone was in the store fixing things, dusting and smiling. Once it was time for the actual event I could not stay long. I am still in school and had a dang mid-term exam! Woooh hooo for education!

Anyway enjoy the pics and video above from SOHH blogger, Gyant. Your man is always on the scene! Check out that link for more.

I'm going to have a review on Luda's new restaurant, Straits next month so watch out for that. I'm proud of ya man. He's doing me proud. :)

Thank you Katena Keno for the info and invite!

Miesha
The Juice Report
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

Juice on the street is that Luda is opening up a new restaurant in Atlanta!

Luda on the red carpet at the 2008 Trumpet Awards

Where else would Ludacris open up a new restaurant but home sweet home, Atlanta, GA! The Juice on the Street is that the new digs, Straits Restaurant will be located at 793 Juniper Street in the Midtown area of city and will seat 215 guests. This will be the 4th location of the fancy yet reasonably priced restaurant in the states. Straits has 3 locations already in California where Luda was first impressed by the food while dining in the San Francisco location. Chris Yeo, the owner and Chef of Straits is partnering with the rapping actor to bring this modern Singapore dining location to Atlanta. Look out for this guaranteed new hot spot in April 2008. You know the opening is gonna be fabulous! Check out the tantalizing menu at http://www.straitsrestaurants.com/.

It's smart/great that Chris is investing and staying out of trouble. Luda is confident, outspoken and not a pushover so I know this investment was well thought about. His mother, who helps run some of his businesses probably also gave the thumbs up. I look forward to this place to eat owned by a rapper, like Cafe Dupri and Justin's.

Miesha
The Juice ReportER
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com
info@FindEntertainmentNow.com

The 2008 Trumpet Awards

Luda with his mother. He's been honored for a few awards in less than 6 months!
Marcus Johnson, an incredible Jazz keyboardist (with a JD and MBA!)
My FAVE female singer

"Hey Pebo....!" Chris ran down the red carpet after the legendary singer
The hilarious "Miss Sophia" came through repping popular V-103 Atlanta Radio


Ms. April getting interviews with all the stars and wearing the best dress in the house while doing it!


A surly looking Rev. Jessie Jackson with his lovely daughter


Dekalb County- Vernon Jones...great guy.
The remarkable Angie Stone and her fabulous "boy toy"
Frank and Tanya Ski...Atlanta radio royalty

Keith Sweat still looking mighty fine
Ernie doesn't seem to age either...

G. Garvin and Kym Whitley...flirtin'. She called him..."LL Cool Jay!"...yeah I can see that.


This woman has a message!
At first I was nervous that like the cancelled Golden Globes ,even the 2008 Trumpet Awards would be a bust due to the ongoing writers strike (and i am aware that this particular awards show should not be affected by the strike.) that has forced television loving Americans to watch re-runs of their favorite prime-times or to dig into reality tv a little more. I hope Hollyweird comes to an agreement in all this quickly!

I prepared to cover this event not expecting a whole bunch of star power to bring down the house because it was set for the same weekend/day as the Golden Globes. Well it happened on Sunday, for the 1st time in my life (well uhhmm maybe the second) I was wrong. This year's prestigious Trumpet sounded loudly enough to bring in some of Entertainments and business' elite heavy hitter. For those of you dullards that don't know what the Trumpet Awards are, do your homework!! But for now, I will tell you that it is an annual award show est. 1993 formed by Xernona Clayton. The Trumpet Awards honors African Americans for excellence and accomplishments in categories such as: entertainment, medicine, business, politics and law! There are several smaller events, a large beautiful banquet, a press junket and the red carpet awards show, this year hosted by Samuel L. Jackson. This year's entertainment nominees were: Halle Berry, Danny Glover, Ludacris, and Brian Jordan. All attended except Halle Berry due to doctors orders regarding travel. To name a few other honorees: Sheila Johnson, Dr. T.B. Boyd III and the Moss twins (Doctors) and there there were several more. The elegant awards show, airing on TV One on March 3rd 2008 (check you local listing for times) was a huge success!! In fact we might be able to thank the cancellation of the "bigger" awards show for that...thanks to the non activity of the Golden Globes! Saturday a press junket was held and the actual ceremony took place at the Atlanta Civic Center on Sunday, January 13th. Favorites by the likes of: Samuel L. Jackson (one of my favorite actors!!), Danny Glover, Ludacris (YES!!), Judge Hatchet (very kind and lovely), India Arie (she's SO amazing!!), Chris Tucker (who brought his mother and was singing to Pebo Brison down the red carpet), Jesse Jackson (rather stiff), Tom Joyner (old but fabulous), Kym Whitley (she's funnier in person! plus she's lost weight...HOT!), Sheryl Lee Ralph (powerful and passionate speaker), James Avery (broke his foot), Pebo Brison (got serenaded), Brian Jordan, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (this woman is elegant!), Angie Stone (arriving with her "boy toy" and looking fierce!), Lalah Hathaway (Donny Hathaway's singing daughter!), Hill Harper (writer, actor, philanthropy) , Emmanuel Lewis (short and sweet), Bernice king (The King family will always live), Pastor Bobby Jones (can i get a witness?!), Vernon Jones (Dekalb County comm.), Frank Ski and Tanya and Miss Sophia (top Atlanta radio host, philanthropy and radio co-host), Keith Sweat ("nobody baby!"), Lou Gosset Jr. (looking gooooooooowd!), G. Garvin (now i'm hungry!), Miss Black Georgia USA, Victoria Rowell, Dawn Lewis (it IS "A Different World" but girlfriend still looks great!), Ronald S. Martin (a tv one show host), Shereef Abdur-Rahim, Marcus Johnson, Ernie Hudson, and etc. came to support the important event.

The Trumpet Awards didn't get trumped! And nor should they have. They are honorable awards given to recipients who have dedicated their time to making a difference. I'm so blessed that I was amongst so many powerful, positive black faces that weekend. I want to thank Lachelle Morris of HoneyMag.com ATL for giving me the heads up and Bunnie Jackson-Ransom & Zachery Slaton of First Class, Inc. for allowing me admittance into this memorable event.

Miesha

The Juice ReportER (i'm thirsty)

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