Author: Colette GreensteinBrian Roberts and WHDH’s Janet Wu were attendees at the 4theBenefit fundraiser for Horizons for Homeless Children at the House of Blues on Friday, Nov.19.
The “M” Awards presents the Battle of the Sexes: Stylist and Barber Hair Show and Competition — Marriott Copley Place Hotel
I finally attended my first hair show and competition and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Boy, what an experience! I felt like I was Alice and had dropped through the rabbit hole. It was crazy and intense with all the salons competing and trying to outshine one another in the sparkling ballroom of the Marriott Copley Place Hotel.
Celebrity co-host Dana Sky partnered with Glynn Jackson in keeping the flow of the show running smoothly and there was a special appearance by actor/dancer/choreographer Darrin Henson from the TV show “Soul Food” and the movie “Stomp the Yard.”
The themes and costumes ran the gamut from Princess Lolly in Candyland to a ringmaster from Britney Spears’ Circus tour. Models were both dressed (and not dressed) in everything from red, black and silver bodysuits to poom-poom shorts (do people still use that description?) complemented by the most colorful hair creations ranging in hues from pink and purple to burgundy, blonde and blue.
My favorite presentation of the night was Roberta from New Expression in Washington, D.C. She strutted down the runway with her ‘slip of a model’ who had a mop of yellow-white blonde hair. The model slithered and twisted on the runway (I think she intended it to be sexual in nature), as Roberta furiously sliced the air and her shaggy mane with her blade, and then came the “piece de resistance” with Roberta cutting her model’s hair blind-folded.
The crowd jumped to its feet as Roberta stole the show. It was actually quite impressive and when Roberta was done, Jackson, renowned stylist and “King of Hair” commented that the model went from “a shaggy doodle to a poodle.”
DJ Pleasure from WKYS-FM in New York kicked off the show and Chief Rocka Moe D. from HOT 97Boston warmed up the crowd with the smooth sounds of RandB and hip hop. For good measure, a little bit of gospel was thrown by The Greater Love Tabernacle.
D.L. Hughley at the Wilbur Theatre
Politically-savvy comedian D.L. Hughley has been making audiences laugh around the country for 20 years. He came to national prominence as the star of his own sitcom “The Hughleys,” but it was the mega-hit “Original Kings of Comedy” that launched D.L. into superstardom.
The film, based on the 1999 tour featuring D.L., Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, garnered close to $40 million at the box office and became one of the highest selling DVDs in 2001.
During this time D.L. has really become a renaissance man. He’s worked in film, television and radio. He recently hosted his own morning show on New York’s WYKS-FM and he is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show.” A correspondent on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Hughley is also a frequent guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
I recently had the chance to catch up with D.L. and chat for a few minutes about what he’s been up to as of late.
Can we talk about the rumors of the possibility of a new Kings of Comedy Tour?
Yes, we’ve booked some dates for 2011, Los Angeles, [being one of the dates]. The show is going to be part of the NBA All-Star game [next year] and we have some dates in Europe. Kevin Hart will be joining the tour.
So, what have you been up to lately?
I was in Europe this past August doing some dates in London along with military bases. I’m guest-starring on “Hawaii Five-O” [and now it’s come full circle]. I’ve played a convict, a coach and a cop. I’m playing a convict and the episode should air in about two weeks. I’ll also be shooting a pilot in Albuquerque, N.M. beginning Dec. 9 called “The Rabbit Factory.”
It’s written by Allan Loeb who wrote the movie “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.” Steven Weber [his co-star on NBC’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”] and I will be shooting a pilot in New Mexico. Steven is the best actor I’ve ever worked with. He’s believable, generous, very smart and talented.
You’ve done radio, TV, film and of course, stand-up comedy. Which do you prefer and why?
Stand-up is number one for me and radio is a close second because it’s all the same source … comedy is like that for me. It’s just different applications.
I’ve watched your comedy over the years and seen how it’s changed and evolved. The last couple of years you’ve discussed your son Kyle’s Asperger syndrome. Was that a natural progression for you?
Actually, I performed the material two years ago when you were at my show in New York. It’s become easier [now] that my family is OK with it.
Are there any types of film roles you’d like to do? A lot of actors have also transitioned to roles as producers to create their own projects. Is that something that interests you?
I try to do things that only matter to me. I love, love stand-up [and] will start looking into [creating my own projects]. You have to have a hand in generating your own projects. I have two projects in mind … back in radio soon, hopefully, and do a TV show based on the radio show.
If you could choose an actor to work with who would it be?
Don Cheadle is my favorite actor, in my age range … my favorite contemporary actor that I would like to work with. [I think it would be] very challenging to work with him. And, Aaron Sorkin was always someone I wanted to work with. His reputation is clearly earned.
How do you define success?
Ultimately, you do something you love and you do it over and over again.
Coming Up
World Music/CRASHarts presents The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show Go Tell It on the Mountain on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center.
If you would like me to cover or write about your event, e-mail me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.
