July 27, 2017

Aries March 21 - April 19 

If the week starts on an awkward note, don’t let it stop you. Someone may refuse to listen to your suggestions, but they may come around to your way of thinking if you can be patient. Even so, creative ideas can flow, and you may find the coming days helpful for kick-starting a new project or business enterprise. Cultural activities could also inspire you. If you visit an exhibition or concert, you might get ideas you can apply to your own art or craft.

 

Taurus April 20 - May 20 

You could experience delays with financial matters at the start of the week, but this phase is temporary. Things should be back to normal within a few days. Care with spending might be helpful, though, to enable you to stay on track. A focus on domestic matters could inspire you to get your place looking fabulous. This is a good time to reorganize your home so that it becomes a place of tranquillity as well as a place in which you enjoy entertaining.

  

Gemini May 21 - June 20 

The focus on your sector of communication could inspire you to share your message with the world. The coming week is a great chance to make new connections that might help you accomplish your goal. Early on, though, a disagreement could lead to feelings of reticence unless you’re willing to reach out and resolve this quickly. In the main, you have a way with words and should have no difficulty in sorting out any issues that might arise.

  

Cancer June 21 - July 22 

Your financial picture looks fairly dynamic this week and going forward. You might be inspired to follow a plan that helps you increase your income, whether that means finding a new job, starting a business, or asking for a raise. The more creative you can be about your financial picture, the more satisfying it will become. The only point to watch out for is a tendency toward extravagance. The cosmic picture suggests that the most expensive items aren’t necessarily the best.

  

Leo July 23 - August 22 

You’ll be in your element this week with both the Sun and Mars inspiring you to great things. This and coming weeks could see you taking dynamic action in the direction of your dreams and enjoying the process immensely. Later this week, Mercury enters your financial zone, which can be an opportunity to get organized, especially if you’ve lost track of your money. The presence of Venus in your social sector can be excellent for making new friends and enjoying lighthearted encounters.

  

Virgo August 23 - September 22 

You are in that phase of the year when the cosmos encourages you to step back and take time out to reflect on your life. Although you continue to be busy, making time for yourself could be the key to success over the weeks and months ahead. Seeing things in perspective and considering your priorities can be very helpful in planning future goals. This is also a good time to clear out any emotional baggage that might be holding you back.

  

Libra September 23 - October 22 

Your social scene looks particularly lively this week and in coming weeks, with plenty to keep you busy. You’ll very much enjoy mixing and mingling with friends and meeting new people. However, early in the week you might find it difficult to take on board someone’s suggestion if it seems unrealistic. Talking things through can encourage a compromise. As Mercury eases into a quieter section of your chart, the cosmos suggests that reflection on a personal issue can be helpful.

  

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 

You could find yourself in the spotlight this week and in coming weeks. The Sun and Mars in your sector of ambitions are encouraging you to showcase your skills and abilities and let others know what you can do. But you’ll also be in a dynamic frame of mind and willing to push for what you want. If there have been obstacles to your success over recent weeks, you’ll feel confident enough to brush them aside and forge ahead to your goal.

  

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 

With a focus on your sector of far horizons, you may enjoy this and coming weeks very much. The stellar backdrop encourages you to indulge to the max your love of travel and new experiences. If you haven’t been away in a while, the coming days could see you booking a vacation, heading out for a trip, or perhaps enjoying a walk on a hiking trail. This is the time to embrace fresh opportunities and new adventures, as you’ll benefit greatly by doing so.

  

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 

If you’re viewing life more intensely, this might be because the Sun and Mars have just entered a more emotional sector of your chart. Your attention may be drawn to financial matters and how you can make your money work harder for you. You could also be aware of deeper currents that encourage you to work through issues that have been on the back burner for some time. Discussing these with the right person could help you make a dramatic shift in your life.

  

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 

Relationships of all kinds could rise to the top of your list of priorities as a powerful focus in your sector of relating encourages greater interaction. You may be busy with meetings, a collaboration, or sorting out personal matters with those closest to you. At the same time, you’ll be ready to compromise and create a plan that works for everyone. This is also an opportunity to clear the air, as doing so can help a key bond move forward.

  

Pisces February 19 - March 20 

You may be ready to implement certain lifestyle changes as the Sun and Mars enter your wellness sector. These stirring energies can inspire you to commit to a diet or exercise routine that leaves you looking and feeling much better. The key to feeling good may lie in taking a closer look at your everyday routines and doing away with those that no longer work for you. Introducing activities that you love to do can make a positive difference.

Category: Arts & Culture

July 27, 2017 

Associated Press 

 

Taraji P. Henson will host BET’s 2017 Black Girls Rock Awards honoring “Insecure” creator and star Issa Rae and others.

 

BET said the Oscar nominee and “Empire” actress will host the Aug. 5 event at the New Jersey Per­forming Arts Center in Newark.

 

Rae, who is the also the writer behind “Insecure,” will receive the Star Power Award. The HBO show launched its second season this week.

 

Other honorees include singer Roberta Flack (Living Legend Award); “black-ish” actress YaraShahidi (Young Gifted and Black Award); financier Suzanne Shank (Shot Caller Award); and community organizers Derrica Wilson and Natalie Wilson of The Black & Missing Foundation (Community Change Agent Award).

 

The event will air on BET on Aug. 20.

Category: Arts & Culture

July 20, 2017 

By Associated Press 

 

Beyonce has finally debuted her twins a month after they were born.

 

The singer posted a picture of herself holding the babies on Instagram late last Thursday night and wrote in the caption, “Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today.” She didn’t mention the babies’ genders, but Beyonce’s mother wrote on Instagram that the pop star had given birth to a boy and a girl.

 

Beyonce is wearing a flowing garment with a long veil in the photo and standing in front a flowered arch with the sea behind her.

 

It gained millions of likes in a matter of hours and already is among the most-liked Instagram photos of all time. Beyonce already holds that crown with her In­stagram pregnancy announcement in Feb­ruary.

 

Rumors have swirled about the twins' birth in recent weeks, but her representatives had declined comment. Sir Carter and Rumi join 5-year-old big sister Blue Ivy.

 

Celebrities congratulated Beyonce on social media Friday, including Nicki Minaj, who posted happy emoji’s under Beyonce’s post.

 

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Tamar Braxton wrote to Beyonce that she is “happy and so honored that God would choose you sis for these type of blessings! Let him continue to guide you.”

 

Category: Arts & Culture

July 20, 2017 

Lapacazo Sandoval 

Contributing Writer 

 

Chris Redd (Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping, Netflix’s Disjointed) and Anabelle Acosta (Quantico, Ballers) do not have enough body fat between them to justify participating in any fat camp but they are bringing the laughs in the indie comedy “Fat Camp”, which was snapped up by BET and aired July 17.

 

Originally screened in the LA Muse section of this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, the outrageous comedy also stars Vivica A. Fox (Empire, “Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2”) newcomers Michael Cienfuegos and Mel Rodriguez (Last Man On Earth, Getting On).

 

“Fat Camp” is written by Chuck Hayward's (Netflix’s series Dear White People) and marks Emmy-nominated Jennifer Arnold’s (A Small Act) directorial debut.  A production of Fluency, a division of NBC Universal Telemundo Enterprises, is aimed at the emerging majority and is committed to celebrating new heroes and amplifying bold voices.

 

“Fat Camp” is a coming of age comedy that follows the life of twenty-something Hutch (Redd) who thinks image is everything. He fronts like a baller and is too spoiled to get a job. But when his mom kicks him out of the house, and he’s forced to work at his uncle’s fat camp and he finds himself supervising an offbeat group of husky boys, who ultimately help him grow up.

 

Chris Redd is a stand-up comedian/writer/actor who hails from Chicago. He’s a busy man, currently shooting two series “Dank” and the new Netflix comedy “Disjointed” starring opposite Kathy Bates.  On the feature film side he is in production for “Deep Murder.”

 

Anabelle Acosta’s career is moving swiftly with two breakout roles in high profile shows, HBO’s “Ballers,” and ABC’s “Quantico.” Born in Havana Cuba and raised in New York City, Acosta is a Julliard School alumnus.

 

Here is what Chris Redd and Anabelle Acosta had to share about being a part of the “Fat Camp.”

 

L.A. Watts Times (LAWT): Did you have fun?

 

Chris Redd: Did I have fun?  Are you kidding?  It was so much fun.  Those kids [in Fat Camp] are hilarious. The funny is on the page.  The screenplay [Chuck Hayward] that Chris wrote was laugh out funny and then the director [Jennifer Arnold] allowed us to improvise, and the kids just elevated. So yes. I had fun!

 

LAWT: Anabelle — you are known for drama.  How did you feel in a comedy?

 

Anabelle Acosta: I’ve never imagined myself in a comedy but working on this has changed my mind—completely.  Working with Jennifer [Jennifer Arnold] was amazing.  She really allowed us all to improvise and it was such a safe feeling.

 

LAWT: Chris comedy is hard.  Any comic will tell you that?  What inspired you to continue on your journey?

 

CR: Judd Apatow— the Judd Apatow.  I had that moment when I was thinking ‘how can I make this happen’ and I met Judd and I knew, the sign was clear.  The universe made the choice crystal. Clear … and I appeared in “Popstar:  Never Stop Never Stopping,” which Judd Apatow produced.

 

LAWT: Did you have anyone in the industry inspire you when you were just starting?

 

AA: OMG yes! It was JessyTerrero, he’s a major music video director and he gave me my first big break and he gave me the right advice. He told me to lose weight, get in the gym and to get my head into the game.  I will always love him for that.

 

BET and will air “Fat Camp” on July 17th.

Category: Arts & Culture

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