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!

The Frank Ski Kids Foundation takes 10 winners of art contest to Florence Italy!!

Tanya and Frank Ski
Viewing the kids' art
Guest, Jenika, and Tanya
Two of the Italy winners
Another winner, focused, drawing during the contest
The contest in session

Here it is Charles. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://socialaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/Frank%20Ski%20Kids%20Foundation (that is the actual article link i wrote, below is just a copy of paste of the article part without the pictures.) Thanks!

In May's end this year 20 chosen art students from different middle schools participated in a drawing contest in the grand vaulted area of Atlanta's historical High Museum of Art during the hour challenge. As a result, 10 kids were blessed for their artistic talents with an all expenses paid trip to Florence Italy during the summer!It was a happy environment but slightly tense during the judging process because naturally every child wanted to win. The judges meticulously went over each participants art piece fairly looking at that child's view of the pre chosen piece of flowers on a table to be re-created in their own vision. I love the creativity aspect!At the end all the kids were rewarded because every child got a gift certificate for their family for dinner at the always supportive sponsor for the foundation, Carrabbas Italian Grill as well as a book detailing a past Frank Ski Kids Foundation trip to the beautiful Galapagos Islands.

As many know, The Frank Ski Kids Foundation focuses on educating children and giving them opportunities in the arts, sports and science. Where many art programs are not looked upon as important in certain schools and even taken away, this foundation has a special place for those kids who excel and allows them to dream! An annual fundraiser is held every year in the form of a famed wine tasting as well as a kickoff hyped youth bowl allowing boys and girls to play and cheer their way into money and awards! I had the pleasure to speak with The Ski's about their upcoming trip to Italy with the kids (It's Frank's first time!) , why art is so important to our children and a little about what's coming up with the foundation.

Don't you wish you were a kid again? And if any chaperones are needed to help out during this magnificent Florence education art excursion...i'm just saying! Truly it was just a pleasure to be there. It'll be exciting to follow up with the kids upon their return from their amazing overseas excursion in August. Give it up for the kids in heart and prayer!Thanks to Michelle Marron from 360 Media for the invite and to Frank and Tanya Ski for their time and tireless efforts in encouraging children by educating them and providing incredible opportunities. for more information on the foundation, please visit: http://www.frankskikids.org/

Miesha

Social Addict
http://Twitter.com/SocialAddiction

www.SocialAddiction.net

Leron Rogers gives us the truth on the H.R. 848 bill. Is it fair to radio stations to pay performers when their music is played??

Leron Rogers, partner of Hewitt & Rogers at his Atlata office, gives us the business of this business

When I first heard about the H.R. 848 bill being passed I was perplexed. I didn't understand why an artist should get paid to have their song played on public radio when really the radio did them a favor in a sense by giving artists, some otherwise unknown, free publicity. But for over 50 years the H.R. 848 has been in and out of discussion in the music industry. Should performers get paid? Why and why not? What does that mean money wise and etc. Well finally the pioneers for the financial benefit of the artists such as Q Parker (formerly of 112 & client of Leron Rogers) lobbied enough and H.R. 848 came to pass. I took my questions to 9 year attorney of Atlanta's Hewitt & Rogers, Leron Rogers to better understand what this bill passing would mean for radio stations, performers and the general public...US! Looks like i was very uneducated on the matter from the knowledge i received from Mr.Rogers. I invite you to take a listen to the audio attached here to fully understand how this benefits the artists who up until this act were not getting a dime off of public radio play meaning no royalties. Satellite radio play does pay the artists. But first some facts:

It pays to be a writer: Writers already get paid for songs played on the radio (no wonder if pays to not only perform but write your own music!)

Money talks: If a smaller radio station makes less than $100k a year, the flat fee the station has to pay out to artist for their music is $500/yr which is little more than $40 a month!

So is V103, Star 94 and other radio stations we love going to start charging us to listen: NO! This affects the listener not a bit. The only radio that remains to be paid for is satellite via separate subscription and choice.

Why is this still a battle: Some black radio stations are complaining that that this is going to shut them down however what about the black artists that are not currently getting paid for providing content that keeps most stations alive? In a day and age where music sales have dramatically changed, I say these artists could use this extra money which will not break the bank if you look at the figure example above.

Educate yourself: For more information and to get involved beyond this appreciated information from Counselor Leron Rogers, who is part of People you Need to Know, Who's Who, and frequently is called upon to speak on entertainment and legal related panels, you can attend Atlanta's first town hall meeting regarding the performers royalties on June 25th this summer. Check out: www.MusicFirstCoalition.com

Thank you for your time. Feel free to share your thoughts, no matter what side you're on regarding this hot topic! I'd also like to thank Leron Rogers again for his time & knowledge as well as the wonderful Cherry Banez (PR) for the great opportunity.

Miesha
Social Addict
http://www.findentertainmentnow.com/

"She" did it!

Guest and Belle of this ball, Sheree Whitfield!

Being a Hartwell is just so damn sexy! I wanna be like Ed & Lisa when i get married!
Lovin Nene in my fave summer time color
Just CUTE!
MMMHMM...Angie likes them young boys! It's cool... :)
Jazze Pha, Sheree Whitfield, Vawn (acting a lil rude that evening...hmmm, and Jamal King of Steps)
An enseble that i favored
RAWWWL!!
So what's wrong with being slightly naked in blue? LOVED IT!!
Crowd FAVORITE! Not only is the dress out of this world but the model WORKED IT.

Sheree Whitfield hasn't always gotten love from audiences or the media. I think her slightly icy, and my house is bigger than your house facade that she can tend to project tends to rub most sensible people the wrong way. But after the 1st season of the highly rated and entertaining, Real Housewives of Atlanta that made the single mother a Bravo TV superstar I don't think the glamazon much cares. Instead it fueled her to climb higher on the social ladder and create a fashion line that while not innovative, would turn heads and keep people talking...at least for a week. Hell...anything is better than her fashion "viewing" (as she calls that 1st attempt during our talk back stage after the show) that we all saw the 1st season of the show.

Anyway i was there this time around to catch EVERYTHING. All the celebs like the truest diva Angie Stone, and the tiny yet handsome Bobby Valentino, the groupies, the ups, downs, lovers, haters, decadent desserts and oh yeah...the FASHIONS! Except one thing...there really were no downs. Only ups. The show went off without a hitch and the the pieces were delightful! You go Sheree. She by Sheree...I'd totally rock her stuff that falls in the lines of glamorous, eccentric, simple and chic.

As i said before i had a window to talk to the very engaging and successful designer about the show, her inspiration and what to expect on the newest season of Atlanta's favorite gossip fest which Bravo was also taping during the event. She told me to expect, "DRAMA!!". Well Duh! Isn't that what we live for in "reality tv". Anyway audio interview attached. Warning...it was loud as HECK back there...so listen closely.

Here is to Sheree Whitfield's, "She By Sheree" clothing line. There is something for every fashionista on this line. Lets hope after all that work that comes straight from the designers brain as she told me, she will sell some clothes!

Thanks to Cherry Banez of Cherry Publicity PR for the invite and interview spot, also thanks to Michelle from Straight from the A website, I got the great fashion pics from her blog. I was not in a spot to take great runways shots and hers were great!!

Ciao!

The Social Addict (who's been a lil less black hollywood social lately & more involved with her friends...but i'll be back soon!)