This Weekes’ Best: Grammys, who’s nominated?

By Aixa Weekes Feb 2, 2009

GRAMMYS!!! Who’s Taking One Home?, 50 Has a Message For Ricky Ross, Holmes’ Super Bowl Catch! PLUS, Guess Who’s Turning 30?, Celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Congratulations to the Steelers, and Santonio Holmes for the winning catch!

Although some of us claim to be celebrating throughout the year (as we should), February marks BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Here’s a little BHM trivia for you… I’m sure most of you wonder ‘Why February (it’s the shortest month of the year)’ and ’Who made that decision?’

A: Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a son of former slaves was studying at Harvard when he noticed the the lack of black-american contributions mentioned in his text books. Woodson aggravated by this founded the Journal of Negro History and in 1926 launched “Negro History Week” during the 2nd week in February, which aimed to bring national attention to the contribution of blacks.

“The father of Black History”

He chose February because of the birth of two great men who demonstrated a strong role in the advancement of black American poplation, Frederick Douglass (Feb 14) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12).

Since then, America gave black history recognition as “Negro History Week” and later as “Black History Month.” It was a natural transition considering all the events of African-Americans that also occurred in this month.

Feb 23, 1868 – W.E.B DuBois, founder of NAACP was born

Feb 3, 1870 – The 15th Amendment passed, granting blacks the right to vote

Feb 12, 1909 – NAACP was founded

Feb 21, 1965 – Malcom X was assassinated

Feb 4, 2007 – Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts becomes first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Lovie Smith, his counterpart coaching the Chicago Bears was also an African-American. As the first African-Americans to coach the big game they made history.

EXHIBITS to check out in honor of this month

Barkley Hendricks at the Studio Museum Harlem (ends March 15, 2009), 144 W.125th St. NY, NY

Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956 – 1968 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center at the Smithsonian in DC (ends March 9, 2009), 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC

America I AM: The African America Imprint, a touring exhibition to celebrate 400 yrs of African American contributions to this country (ends May 3, 2009) at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.

***51st GRAMMY AWARDS***

When: Sunday, Feb 8th @ 8pm EST

Where: Staples Center in LA (broadcasted on CBS)

And the nominees are…

SCENE: Just about any and every artist who had something to do with music in ‘08 will be there.

LOOK: Ok, if you are attending the show or just going for the evening festivities keep in mind, unlike the Oscars and Inauguration, you will not need a gown or tux. This is a dressy occasion, but think cocktail attire with your own personal edge.

For her…

Whether pants or dress, bring a bit of edge to your look. Geometric shapes are in many collections this Spring and a perfect way to bring a bigger and bolder mode to simplicity. Making such a strong statement, your hair should be pulled back ie. up-do or low ponytail, but off your face. Make-up, worn heavier on the eyes (even try a cat-eye), and a nude lip. Minimal (1 piece) to no jewelry and a fabulous heel, yet the focus is on your ensemble. Everything else are just the trimmings.

Lanvin, Moschino, Kai Kuhne, Stella McCartney

For him…

A suit isn’t a requirement, but probably the easiest to put together. However, you can do a great pant or dark denim jean with a button down shirt and an intricate jacket as the focal point. A fresh cut or shape up is always a must… Oh, and a special scent is definitely a plus (as long as you don’t layer on too much.) It certainly leaves a lasting impression, trust me when I say that. Hard bottoms shoes or even a rugged boot makes an interesting contrast. Btw, please try to lose the sunglasses for evening events. It’s more inviting without and less ‘trying too hard to be the cool kid’.

Dior Homme, DSquared, Dior Homme

WEEKES’ THROWBACK: Public Enemy ‘Harder Than You Think’

NBA GAMES:

Thur, Feb 5th

***** LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics in Boston @ 8 (TNT)

Top teams in their respectful conferences(east vs. west). All-stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol lead the Lakers vs. All Stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, of the defending championship Celtics.

Garnett

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz in Utah @ 10:30 (TNT)

Two teams trying to stay in the mix as elite teams in the West and have had many bumps in the road. Dirk Nowitzki the best shooting big man vs. Darrin Williams a Premier point guard in the league.

Friday, Feb 6th

Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards in Washington @ 8 (ESPN)

This game has nothing really going for it. While the Wizards are still without injured Agent Zero (Gilbert Arenas) they aren’t playing for much. The Nuggets are becoming a western contender with the addition of all star guard Chauncey Billups.

Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns in Phoenix @ 10:30 (ESPN)

Another worthless game. Steve Nash and the Big Cactus Shaq trying to remain mentioned with the elite western conference teams. Golden State one of the youngest and the shortest team in the NBA is just trying to compete in the stacked Western Conference. Steven Jackson is playing well and Monte Ellis back in the line up.

Sunday, Feb 8th:

*****San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics in Boston @ 1pm (ABC)

These two games are pretty much the best of the east vs. the best of the west. The #2 team in the west vs. the #1 team in the east. A possible look at a preview of what you may see at the Championship game this year. Two of the best power fowards in the game, head to head. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

*****(*)Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland @ 3:30 (ABC)

The #1 team in the west vs. the #2 team in the east. Another look at what we may see at the end of the season. Two of possibly the best players of all time, well at least can sound some what respectable because we all know MJ holds that. Yet, maybe Kobe and Lebron can be mentioned in the same breath as him. An extra (*) because this is a classic dual and a rematch that Lebron lost just last week. So vengence is his, says the…King?

Bryant

Bryant and James