Desire2006 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Always so enlightening! What would we ever do without you?

So, wait. Is this going to be on TV or not?

Desire2006 said:

Sit down somwhere and be quiet.

You Cali people are fortunate.
prince doesn't seem to want to perform anywhere else.

1sexymf said:

Dont start this. He lives in Cali now is all. And afterall it IS the entertainment capital of the world ya know. Nobody bitched when he was cooped up in Mn (gawd!) all those years. Dudes been missin' out and now he is shinin'.

And when he tours, which he will, he will come to your town. Easy tiger.

I try to watch this every year, since I am black.

They always have a gospel concert at night, usually. Obviously C-Span doesn't show music concerts..lol

Look for it online is all I can say.

The actual event is free--don't know about the gig.

If you are white, expect to be offended at some of the speakers..lol

The concert is a benefit concert, SEPARATE AND APART from the 8 hour talk fest that's broadcast on CSPAN.

The gabbery is held during the day Saturday at the LA Convention Center, and the concert will be at night at The Forum. Not scheduled for television.
[Edited 2/25/09 7:14am]

LondonStyle said:

Tavis Smiley had a news show back in the late 90s on BET (when BET had more than booty shaking videos and horrible MTV-in-blackface reality shows). I believe it's during that time that Prince appeared on one of Tavis's shows.

After leaving BET, Tavis bounced around and ended up with a radio show on NPR and an accompanying show on PBS (which Prince has appeared on), along with a gig on Tom Joyner's radio show. In the interim, Tavis has been packaging himself (with the help of corporate sponsors) as one of the next leaders of Black America through his annual "State of Black America" -- an 8+ hour talkathon of Black leaders in economics, politics, religion, education, etc.

He seemed prime for the leadership position too, until he threw a hissyfit when Barack Obama declined his invite to announce his candidacy at one of the SOBU events. After months of criticism, Smiley left Joyner's show... but has appeared on tv news shows with very lukewarm and dampened enthusiasm for Obama.

So maybe he and Prince can share their not-a-fan-of-Obama-ism together?

As for Prince, Tavis assembled Cornel West & Michael Eric Dyson (his frequent intellectual running buddies) and they all appeared jointly on a panel discussion at the 2002 Celebration at Paisley Park--a definite highlight. All three have been spotted off and on at Prince concerts & house parties.

It's cool if Prince is at least open to hearing what some of these folks have to say--they (especially West & Dyson) offer a different perspective on being Christian that is more inclusive, critical, and politically engaged.

I knew my goal for this year was to get to CA. I do think Prince works too hard though. I am seriously worried about his health. Maybe these are the right venues for him at this point.

Cool. Thanks for the news.

ToraToraDreams said:

I believe Cornell West is usually at that function, along with Michael Eric Dyson.

LondonStyle said:

Tavis Smiley was a huge Prince supporter on BET (Black Entertainment Television) way back in the day. Smiley had a video show and often showcased blocks of rarely seen Prince and protege videos, including Vanity 6, Madhouse, Sheila E, The Time, etc. It was the place to go for your video Prince fix.

Prince has also been interviewed by Smiley in the past.

Prince should be on one of the panels. He can sit next to Farrakhan...lol

As soon as Prince mentions he doesn't vote, he will be booed like a bitch..lol

NuPwrSoul said:

Thank You NuPwrSoul.....now that's real info kid's..

Prince does not do these things lightly so their had to be a reason behind this move...this is great info...thanks again...

squirrelgrease said:

Thanks for the info!

i've gone to these events. always very inspirational on a personal level. i give props to Tavis for using his platform to pull together some of Black America's best thinkers for ongoing critical dialogue. despite his JW beliefs i do think Prince is intelligent and well intentioned. He'll probably observe quietly in the back somewhere. What songs do yall think he'll play at the benefit? Some sober and political choices like....

Money Don't Matter 2Night
Dear Mr. Man (revamp some lyrics perhaps to not sound so pessimistic?)
Live 4 Love
Resolution
Planet Earth
Cinnamon Girl
Free
Family Name
Colonized Mind

ToraToraDreams said:

Cool. What I like about that station is that you don't have to worry about the talking heads like at CNN/MSNBC interrupting the program.

xlr8r said:

This is wonderful news and for a good cause too. I can't wait to see it and I hope the L.A. orgers have a blast!

NuPwrSoul said:

True

is this going to be on PBS and what time will it air?

punkofthemonth said:

yeah a new redition of something old no doubt

didn't Prince play reflection with wendy on Tavis' show in 2004?

PEJ said:

YES!!!

it was GREAT!!!!

the best if feel of any of his most recent appearances

Cuddles said:

I love that performance!

I like the list of Tavis' participants. Besides Cornell and Dyson, are Nikki Giovanni, Les Brown, Iyanla Vanzandt. Wondering if Kevin Powell will also be there this year.
[Edited 2/25/09 10:21am]

I updated the news to include the fact that Prince will be performing a BENEFIT *for* Tavis Smiley's event, not *at*, so this will probably effect whether or not it will be televised.

All I know is that Prince's benefit gig will be Saturday, presumably in LA, after the event is over. Don't know exactly where or when yet, but when we do, I will post it ASAP.

Anxiety said:

Well thanks anyway for posting about the SOBU seminar. I didn't realize it was this weekend and the fact that the discussions will be aired on CSPAN (hopefully). It will be interesting to hear what Cornell West, Michael Eric Dyson, Nikki Giovanni and others have to say. The discussions should be quite interesting.
[Edited 2/25/09 10:20am]

2freaky4church1 said:

Now that would be classic if Farrakhan and Prince were on the panel and Farrakhan(dressed like Steve Urkel) broke into his "How Real Men Dress! Prince and Rick James dress like homos rant!" bawhawhawawwwww