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Triple Charm: The Pop Trio Taking the World by Storm

Triple Charm: The Pop Trio Taking the World by Storm

By Valerie Milano The Hollywood Times & Cynthia Hudson – Aspiring Magazine

Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/3/25 – Triple Charm isn’t just making music—they’re creating a movement. This powerhouse pop trio, made up of three dynamic sisters of Puerto Rican descent, is capturing hearts worldwide with their infectious sound, stunning visuals, and jaw-dropping dance moves. With a skyrocketing social media presence boasting over 25 million followers, they’re redefining what it means to blend culture, creativity, and charisma into a full-fledged pop sensation.

What sets Triple Charm apart is their deep-rooted journey of cultural rediscovery. Through their songwriting and collaborations with Puerto Rican producers, they’re embracing their heritage, learning Spanish, and seamlessly weaving it into their music. Every beat, every lyric, and every performance tells a story—one of identity, passion, and artistic evolution.

Their debut EP, Undercover in Love, has been nothing short of a game-changer. Standout tracks like “224,” “Me Extrañas,” and their latest hit, “Time After Time,” have taken fans on a sonic adventure. The latter, an electrifying EDM-inspired anthem, has set the music video world ablaze. Shot in Los Angeles with over 30 extras, the video is a visual spectacle, packed with high-energy choreography, dazzling costumes, and eye-popping cinematography. It’s a statement piece—one that cements their status as one of the most exciting acts in pop music today.

Riding this unstoppable wave of success, Triple Charm is gearing up for their biggest venture yet: a 2025 world tour. TRIPLE CHARM LIVE – WORLD TOUR 2025 kicks off in London this April before sweeping through major cities across Europe, Australia, and the U.S. From Paris and Berlin to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sydney, fans can expect an unforgettable experience—think electrifying performances, show-stopping visuals, and a deep celebration of their Latin roots.

But this is just the beginning. As they continue pushing boundaries, creating genre-blending hits, and lighting up stages around the world, one thing is clear: Triple Charm is on a meteoric rise. Their journey is unfolding in real time, and the world is watching. Get ready—because this trio is just getting started.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Hosts New PBS Series for Black History Month

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Hosts New PBS Series for Black History Month
Host of GREAT MIGRATIONS Henry Louis Gates, Jr., with Jeanette Bolden-Pickens, third-generation owner of 27th Street Bakery in South Central Los Angeles. (Image courtesy of McGee Media).

Black History Month Programming for PBS SoCal Kicks Off with GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE, A New Series from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Four-Part Documentary Series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Premieres January 28, Featuring Local History on Los Angeles’ South Central and Black-Owned Businesses; 19 All-New Specials from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, AMERICA MASTERS, a New PBS Special Exploring Denzel Washington’s Iconic Career and More!

Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org  and the free PBS App.

Members of PBS SoCal get extended access through PBS Passport.

Los Angeles, Calif. – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, announced a specially curated programming lineup of 25 documentaries and specials in February highlighting Black History Month. Headlining this year’s lineup of 19 all-new programs is GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE, a new four-hour docuseries from Emmy® nominated executive producer, host and writer Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The series traces the African American migration throughout the 20th and 21st centuries exploring how these movements have influenced and shaped the nation’s history and identity. From waves of Black Americans and immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean migrating North—and back South— then to the West, including Los Angeles, movement remains a defining aspect of the Black experience. The new series features interviews with journalists, scholars, professors and notable figures including political leader Stacey Abrams, artist George F. Baker III, journalist Charles Blow and more. GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE premieres on Tues., Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

In GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVEDr. Gates traces the journeys of the Black diaspora across generations and cultures. The series begins with “Exodus,” exploring the first wave of the Great Migration when over a million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South to settle in Northern cities. Musical revolutionaries emerged like trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong to the powerful gospel voice of Mahalia Jackson. The next episode “Streets Paved in Gold” highlights the second wave showcasing vibrant neighborhoods like Los Angeles’ South Central and its thriving Black-owned businesses like 27th Street Bakery which is still in operation today. It also explores Black stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood including Hattie McDaniel who used her platform to advocate for progress in the entertainment industry. Episode three “One Way Ticket Back” examines the reverse migration to the South, driven by economic change and an ongoing fight for freedom. The series concludes with “Coming to America,” celebrating African and Caribbean immigrants like influential political icon Marcus Mosiah Garvey and second-generation Americans like artists Harry Belafonte along with authors of the Harlem Renaissance, Nella Larsen and James Weldon Johnson.

The public is invited to a screening of “Streets Paved in Gold” from the GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE series hosted by 2nd Baptist Church LA on Sunday, February 23 at 1:30p. The screening will be followed by a conversation with historians and cultural experts Lorn FosterAlison Rose Jefferson and Charmaine Jefferson. The screening and conversation will focus on the second wave of Black American migration that occurred in Southern California between the 1940s and 1970s. To learn more about this event, visit http://www.secondbaptistchurchla.org/home.html.

Later in the month, acclaimed PBS documentary series AMERICAN EXPERIENCE commemorates Black History Month with the broadcast of “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP.” The film highlights the pivotal work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the activists who shaped the fight for Black civil rights. While familiar figures like celebrated leaders W.E.B. Du Bois and Thurgood Marshall are featured, the special also shines a light on lesser-known heroes like Walter White, whose profound efforts greatly impacted the future of social justice in the country. AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP” premieres on Tues., Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

A new documentary special from AMERICAN MASTERS tells the story of beloved jazz virtuoso and screenstar Hazel Scott, one of the most revered TV stars of the early 20th century in “The Disappearance of Miss Scott.” As the first Black American to have her own television show, she was an early civil rights pioneer who faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. Excerpts of Scott’s unpublished autobiography are voiced by Emmy® award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and features archival footage, stills, performance clips, animation and interviews with country star Mickey Guyton, actresses Amanda Seales and Tracie Thoms, jazz musicians Camille Thurman, Jason Moran and Adam Clayton Powell III, Scott’s only son. AMERICAN MASTERS “The Disappearance of Miss Scott” premieres on Fri., Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

A new PBS program celebrating Black STEM trailblazers called JOURNEYS OF BLACK MATHEMATICIANS shines a spotlight on prominent Black scholars, scientists and educators while exploring the rich histories and compelling narratives of contemporary Black American mathematicians. The film features 60 remarkable achievers, starting with Edward Bouchet, who became the first African American to earn a graduate degree when he received his doctorate in physics from Yale University in 1876. Interweaving historical stories with the experiences of students in various institutional settings, the special delves into their journeys, challenges and aspirations within the field. JOURNEYS OF BLACK MATHEMATICIANS premieres on Sun., Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Tues., Feb. 11 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

Over a 30-year career encompassing more than 50 roles, Denzel Washington, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor, director and producer, has placed the multifaceted figure of the Black man at the center of America’s paradoxes. From Black activist and rebel soldier to gangster torn between violence and charity, his performances have explored the complexities of identity and power. Recently named the greatest actor of the 21st century by the New York Times, he has risen to the top of American cinema. This documentary examines not only his extraordinary career but also the profound cultural impact, redefining how Black stories and identities are represented in Hollywood and beyond. DENZEL WASHINGTON: AMERICAN PARADOX premieres on Thurs., Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

Viewers can also expect relevant encore airings of PBS SoCal’s original, locally produced content authentic to Southern California. This month’s lineup features documentaries from arts and culture series ARTBOUND highlighting influential Black art visionaries in “Black Art: A Brockman Gallery Legacy,” exploring the city’s jazz roots in “The New West Coast Sound: An L.A. Jazz Legacy” and student filmmakers turned activists in “L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement.”

Reinforcing PBS SoCal’s commitment to sharing diverse and inclusive stories, additional digital content will roll out at pbssocal.org/BlackHistoryMonth exploring the impact of Black History Month and the Black experience in America.

GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE “Exodus” – Tues., Jan. 28 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Explore the first wave of the Great Migration, when more than a million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South for the promised lands of the North.

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR: BEYOND THE MASK – Sun., Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Born to former slaves, writer Paul Laurence Dunbar becomes the first black poet to achieve national recognition.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: “Celebrating Black Americana” – Mon., Feb. 3 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Celebrating Black Americana, new appraisal highlights include an 1821 U.S. citizenship certificate for George Barker, a free man of color and an African American beauty book written by Madam C.J. Walker, the first American female millionaire.

FRESH GLASS – Tues., Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Hosted by Cassandra Schaeg, the program is a deep dive into the wine and beer industry with entrepreneurs whose backgrounds and journeys symbolize empowerment, grit and perseverance.

GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE “Streets Paved in Gold” – Tues., Feb. 4 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 8 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Learn about the second wave of the Great Migration when Northern and Western Black communities matured through migration and transformed the cultural and political power of Black America.

ARTBOUND: “Black Art: A Brockman Gallery Legacy” – Wed., Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus

The Brockman Gallery in Leimert Park was the center of a community of Black artists from 1967-1990. Founded during the heyday of the Black Arts movement and two years after the Watts uprising, it would go on to feature artists that included Betye Saar, Noah Purifoy and John Outterbridge. The Brockman Gallery ushered in a new era of Black artists, helping them penetrate the mainstream art world.

FIRE ON THE HILL: THE COWBOYS OF SOUTH CENTRAL LA – Wed., Feb. 5 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus

The journey of three Black cowboys from the streets of South Central Los Angeles to the professional rodeo circuit explores both physical and mental aspects of what it means to be a “cowboy” in the modern world.

HOPE IN THE STRUGGLE: THE JOSIE JOHNSON STORY – Sun., Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

A reflection on the life of freedom fighter and civic leader Dr. Josie Johnson, who fought for fair housing, education and civil rights. Hear in her own words how her experiences turned her to activism, what action looks like and how the next generation is taking up the mantle.

JOURNEYS OF BLACK MATHEMATICIANS – Sun., Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Tues., Feb. 11 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

The documentary series explores the contributions of pioneering African Americans in mathematics. Featuring interviews with contemporary Black American researchers and educators who discuss their experiences, struggles and accomplishments.

ARTBOUND: “L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement” – Wed., Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus

Following the Watts Uprising, UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television enacted affirmative action policies to increase the enrollment of students of color in the film program—a group that had historically been underrepresented in the student population. The “ethno-communications” initiative to recruit students from Black, Asian, Chicano and Native American communities took on a movement of its own, when a critical mass of Black student filmmakers emerged known as the “L.A. Rebellion.”

GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE “One Way Ticket Back” – Tues., Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 15 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Explore how the reverse migration of Black Americans to the South—driven by mass movements, economic change and an ongoing struggle for freedom—continued to reshape the country.

FUZZ – Sat., Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

A courageous leader in the historically Black community of North Nashville, Pastor Enoch Fuzz is fighting for his life as he fights for his community.

TALKING BLACK AMERICA: “Social Justice” – Sun., Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

The Emmy® Award-winning film follows the unique circumstances of the descendants of American slaves and speech varieties from the African American community which reflect the imprint of African language systems and the creativity and resilience of people living through oppression, segregation and the fight for equality. Featuring Reverend Jeremiah Wright, DJ Nabs, Professor Griff, Quest M.C.O.D.Y., Dahlia the Poet, Nicky Sunshine and many others.

GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE “Coming to America” – Tues., Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Hear the story of African and Caribbean immigrants in the United States and examine their profound impact on American culture and what it means to be Black in America.

ARTBOUND: “The New West Coast Sound: An L.A. Jazz Legacy” – Wed., Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus

Growing up amongst jazz legends within the deep musical traditions of Leimert Park, drummer Mekala Session and his peers grapple with how to preserve this rich legacy—striving to carry forward the tenets that took root in the work of Horace Tapscott and his Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. This is the story of Los Angeles’ emerging generation of community-focused Black musicians.

FINDING EDNA LEWIS – Wed., Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Editor Deb Freeman uncovers the life and legacy of Edna Lewis while cooking with different guests who reveal important aspects of her life and legacy

AMERICAN MASTERS: “Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands” – Thurs., Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal

The life and legacy of Marian Anderson, an African American soprano whose international success in the twentieth century overcame racial prejudice.

DENZEL WASHINGTON: AMERICAN PARADOX – Thurs., Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

Throughout a 30-year-career spanning more than 50 film roles, two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington placed the figure of the Black man in all its complexity at the heart of American paradoxes in drama: from a Black activist and rebel soldier to a gangster torn between violence and charity. Featured clips include his Oscar®-winning roles in “Glory” and “Training Day” along with scenes from “Fences,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Malcolm X” among others.

AMERICAN MASTERS: “The Disappearance of Miss Scott” – Fri., Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Jazz virtuoso Hazel Scott champions racial equality before getting caught up in the Red Scare of the 1950s.

RELIGION, RACISM & RECONCILIATION: “Part One” – Sun., Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Part one of the two-part series tells the stories of individuals and communities of faith who are engaged in addressing the issues of systemic racism, such as voting rights, income inequality and mass incarceration.

RELIGION, RACISM & RECONCILIATION: “Part Two” – Sun., Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!

Part two of the series features academic and religious luminaries who provide historical and sociological perspectives where religion can be intertwined and serve as a meaningful force in healing and reconciliation.

“Iron Riders: The Ride Continues” – Mon., Feb. 24 on the PBS SoCal YouTube Channel – New!

Documentary covering the 2022 Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders Gathering and historical recreation of The U.S. Army Great Cycling Experiment of 1987.

INDEPENDENT LENS: “Bike Vessel” – Mon., Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

After several health crises, a 70-year-old man embarks on a transformative long-distance cycling trip with his son.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP” – Tues., Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

The documentary tells the story of the oldest civil rights organization in the country founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and its founders.

AMERICAN JUSTICE ON TRIAL: PEOPLE V. NEWTON – Tues., Feb. 25 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!

Black Panthers co-founder Huey Newton is accused of murdering a white policeman after a car stop in 1967 Oakland. A landmark trial ensues and Newton’s defense team calls out racism in the judicial system.

AMERICAN MASTERS: “Roberta Flack” – Thurs., Feb. 27 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Follow music icon Roberta Flack from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly,” Flack’s virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights. Detailing her story in her own words, the film features exclusive access to Flack’s archives and features interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Peabo Bryson and more.

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About PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches nearly 19M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free

2025 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners Announced

2025 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners Announced
Top L–R: Zodiac Killer Project. Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), Mr. Nobody Against Putin, Coexistence, My Ass!, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) Second Row L-R: DJ Ahmet, Two Women, The Things You Kill, Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), Plainclothes, Twinless Third Row L-R: Sorry, Baby, Ricky, Atropia, Selena y Los Dinos, Life After, André is an Idiot Bottom L–R: The Perfect Neighbor, Seeds, East of Wall, Prime Minister

Atropia (U.S. Dramatic Competition), Seeds (U.S. Documentary Competition), Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) (World Cinema Dramatic Competition), and Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) (World Cinema Documentary Competition) Awarded Grand Jury Prizes; NEXT Innovator Award Presented by Adobe Goes to Zodiac Killer Project

Twinless (U.S. Dramatic Competition) and André is an Idiot (U.S. Documentary Competition) Receive Audience Awards Presented by Acura

Audience Awards Presented by United Airlines Go to DJ Ahmet (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) and Prime Minister (World Cinema Documentary Competition); East of Wall wins NEXT Audience Award Presented by Adobe

PARK CITY, UTAH, January 31, 2025 — The 2025 Sundance Film Festival awards were presented at a ceremony for the jury and audience award–winning films at The Ray Theatre in Park City, where independent storytelling was celebrated ahead of the Festival’s conclusion. The 2025 Festival, taking place now through February 2, has featured premieres, screenings, talks, events, and more in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. All feature award-winning films are available online nationwide now through February 2. Select award-winning films will screen in person for ticketholders and passholders. Tickets can be purchased at festival.sundance.org/tickets

Grand Jury Prizes went to Atropia (U.S. Dramatic Competition), Seeds (U.S. Documentary Competition), Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) (World Cinema Dramatic Competition), and Cutting Through Rocks (World Cinema Documentary Competition). The NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe was given to Zodiac Killer Project.

Audience awards for films in competition were presented by Acura to Twinless (U.S. Dramatic Competition) and  André is an Idiot (U.S. Documentary Competition) and presented by United Airlines to DJ Ahmet (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) and Prime Minister (World Cinema Documentary Competition). East of Wall won the audience award for NEXT presented by Adobe. Awards for the Short Film Program Presented by Vimeo were announced at a ceremony on January 28 at The Park in Park City, Utah.

This year, the Festival jury included: Reinaldo Marcus Green, Arian Moayed, and Celine Song for the U.S. Dramatic Competition; Steven BognarVinnie Malhotra, and Marcia Smith for the U.S. Documentary Competition; Ava Cahen, Wanuri Kahiu, and Daniel Kaluuya for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition; Daniela AlatorreLaura Kim, and Kevin Macdonald for the World Cinema Documentary Competition; Kaniehtiio HornMaggie Mackay, and Kibwe Tavares for the Short Film Program Competition; and Elijah Wood for the NEXT section.

“We congratulate all of our filmmakers and award winners on a successful 2025 Sundance Film Festival and thank them for the stories they shared with our audiences,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO, Sundance Institute. “These works spoke to our commitment to fostering empathy, understanding, and a more vibrant, inclusive society through storytelling, and it was an honor to celebrate them together as a community.”

“Arriving at our Awards Ceremony after seven days of connection and discovery is especially rewarding this year. We are thrilled to honor these filmmakers for their inventiveness, generosity, and for the valuable conversations, moments of levity, and deep insights their work has offered,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “We share our gratitude with the State of Utah, audiences, staff, volunteers, and everyone who makes the Sundance Film Festival possible.”

“We have such admiration and respect for all of the films in this year’s program, and we want to congratulate everyone who had a hand in creating the works being honored at our Awards Ceremony today,” added Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming. “Our programming team is so thrilled to have introduced these moving and impactful works to our audiences this Festival, and we look forward to following the journeys of each of these talented artists and their projects.”

The awards ceremony honored the winning projects two days before the conclusion of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where 94 feature-length and episodic works and 57 short films — curated from a total 15,775 submissions — have screened to audiences in Park City, Salt Lake City, and online.

Feature film award winners in previous years include: A Real PainDìdi (弟弟)Porcelain WarSujoDaughtersKneecapA Thousand and One20 Days in MariupolThe Eternal Memory, NannyCODASummer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)FleeMinariBoys StateClemencyOne Child NationHoneylandThe SouvenirThe Miseducation of Cameron PostWhiplashFruitvale StationBeasts of the Southern Wild, Twenty Feet from StardomSearching for SugarmanThe SquareMe and Earl and the Dying GirlCartel LandThe Wolf PackThe Diary of a Teenage GirlDopeDear White PeopleThe Cove, and Man on Wire.

The Festival Favorite Award was presented to Come See Me in the Good Light 

The top five runners-up for the 2025 Festival Favorite are:

Deaf President Now! 

The Alabama Solution 

The Ballad of Wallis Island 

Andre is an Idiot

Prime Minister

GRAND JURY PRIZES

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Atropia

Jury citation: For its singular directing, writing, and vision, this timely and timeless first feature was both hilarious and damning in its portrayal of the theater of war. Its biting criticism of American imperialism and boundary-pushing storytelling led all three of the jurors to unanimously award the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic to Atropia by Hailey Gates.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Seeds

Jury citation: It is our great honor to award the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary to a truly special film that evokes and illustrates all that we come to Sundance to discover — a new voice with something powerful, rich, and poignant to say. From its directing, cinematography, and dreamlike immersion, this film takes us deep inside an essentially overlooked pocket of our country, whose residents struggle to hold onto their heritage as their way of life has come under threat. The fact that this is the filmmaker’s feature debut speaks to the arrival of an exciting new talent in documentary. The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary goes to Seeds.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears)

Jury citation: This is the great modern love story. To say it’s an honor to award this tender film is an understatement. We cried, we laughed, and we wished to be loved in the same way. It is exactly what the world needs right now. This authentic point of view opens the door to an intimate language we all understand. We feel the humming heartbeat of the main character’s inner life, and when it bursts, it wraps us with its sweetness. We award the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic to Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears).

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) 

Jury citation: This beautiful and nuanced portrait shows us a fearless eccentric who confronts male-dominated society when she runs for office in a remote Iranian village. Her determination, warmth, and humor and the way her story is told left us in awe. We are proud to present the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary to Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار).

The NEXT Innovator Award Presented by Adobe was awarded to Zodiac Killer Project 

Jury citation: I really loved each of these totally original films, but one truly stood out in its innovation, its structure, its wild pivot from its original inspiration, the brilliant and hilarious 16mm panning and zooming location shots, and its funny and insightful commentary on the very kind of film it was originally meant to be. There is no film like it, and with that, I am thrilled to present the NEXT Innovator Award to Zodiac Killer Project.

AUDIENCE AWARDS

The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, Presented by Acura was awarded to Twinless

The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary, Presented by Acura was awarded to André is an Idiot 

The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to DJ Ahmet 

The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to Prime Minister

The Audience Award: NEXT, Presented by Adobe was awarded to East of Wall 

JURY AWARDS FOR DIRECTING, SCREENWRITING, and EDITING

The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Geeta Gandbhir for The Perfect Neighbor

Jury citation: The Directing award goes to a filmmaker of remarkably disciplined vision who turns creative constraints into cinematic power, creating a searing indictment of “stand your ground laws.” The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary goes to Geeta Gandbhir for The Perfect Neighbor.

The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Rashad Frett for Ricky

Jury citation: For holding the audience’s hand through each of the intimate and compelling moments of a young man navigating the first days out of the byzantine U.S. prison system, we award the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic to Rashad Frett for Ricky.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented to Mstyslav Chernov for 2000 Meters to Andriivka

Jury citation: For his extraordinarily brave and sensitive film about a single battle in the Russia-Ukraine war, a film with images of shocking and unforgettable beauty and delicate character portraits, the Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary goes to Mstyslav Chernov for 2000 Meters to Andriivka.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented to Alireza Khatami for The Things You Kill 

Jury citation: We could not stop talking about this film. It made us curious and deeply invested in the characters and their rich journey. This effortless, streamlined film does not sacrifice its depth of subject even while dealing with toxic masculinity and the everyday darkness of the soul. This director was masterful in their precision, they were profound yet restrained, and their robust vision pushes us to want more, think more, and do more to be better humans. For this reason we award the Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic to Alireza Khatami for The Things You Kill.

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby

Jury citation: For its stunning honesty, moving sense of humor, and an authentic portrait of a young woman living in the aftermath of her sexual assault, we award the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award to Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby.

The Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Parker Laramie for André is an Idiot 

Jury citation: The nuanced edit of this film allows the audience to see the beauty and humor of our final years. With its larger-than-life protagonist, André is an Idiot allows you to laugh, breathe, and travel through a long and emotional journey with melody, rhythm, and grace. The Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: U.S. Documentary goes to Parker Laramie for André is an Idiot.

SPECIAL JURY AWARDS

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting was presented to Dylan O’Brien for Twinless

Jury citation: For portraying two roles in one fearless performance, coupled with an immersive and seamless character study of a set of twins, we award Dylan O’Brien the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting in Twinless.

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast was presented to Plainclothes

Jury citation: For their complex performances that stayed with us until the riveting final frames and for painting the delicate tale of a police officer hiding his sexuality in the ’90s, we award the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast to Plainclothes.

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling was presented to Selena y Los Dinos

Jury citation: This award goes to a film that transported us to a specific time and place, evoking themes of family, heritage, love, and adolescence. The power of the story speaks to the essential nature of the archive — employed in this film to chart the emergence of a once-in-a-generation talent. The winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling goes to Selena y Los Dinos.

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award was presented to Life After

Jury citation: This Special Jury Award goes to a film that asks profound, unsettling questions about life and death, individual autonomy vs public policy, and what defines — and who determines — the quality of an individual life. The filmmaker’s unflinching approach forces us to examine our assumptions about a person’s right to die… and live. The U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award goes to Life After.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision was presented to Georgi M. Unkovski for DJ Ahmet

Jury citation: World cinema gives us access to a depth of emotion, diversity of characters, and meaningful journeys that are not limited by borders. Our guiding principle was hope and light, and the films in this section have a strong sense of courage and vulnerability. We found all this and more in this film’s progressive characters and distinct tone. For this reason we have chosen to award the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision to Georgi M. Unkovski for DJ Ahmet.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Writing was presented to Two Women

Jury citation: For its courageous exploration of female desire, its joyful and comedic tone, and its fearless, complex characters with awakened sexuality — this film exudes freshness, rhythmic editing, and impossible wit. We award the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Writing to Chloé Robichaud and Catherine Léger for Two Women.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award was presented to Mr. Nobody Against Putin 

Jury citation: For the courageous act of documenting the insidious origins of propaganda in Russian schools and for showing us how easy it is to use misinformation to manipulate, the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award goes to Mr. Nobody Against Putin.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression was presented to Coexistence, My Ass!

Jury citation: For showing us how to have a challenging conversation with humor and humanity and for having the courage to say things others cannot, the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression goes to Coexistence, My Ass!. 

NEXT Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast was presented to Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) 

Jury citation: I’d like to acknowledge a film with characters that really drew me in, who are filled with heart and fire: a hopeless central character who can’t seem to get his shit together, a young teen who embraces an unexpected pregnancy, a sister who can’t deal with her brother’s idiocy, and a mother who fiercely loves her family. These actors brought the reality, comedy, and love of these characters to delightful, vibrant life, so it’s my pleasure to bestow the NEXT Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast to Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo).

The Short Film Grand Jury Prize was awarded to: Theo Panagopoulos for The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing 

Jury citation: For a timely, urgent, and beautiful examination of colonialism and a moving reclaiming of history through the use of archival footage, the Short Film Grand Jury Prize goes to The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing, directed by Theo Panagopoulos.

The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction was awarded to: Jazmin Garcia for Trokas Duras

Jury citation: For a visionary perspective and a stunning visual narrative approach that creates an unequivocally empowering and intimate portrait, the Short Film Jury Award for U.S. Fiction goes to Trokas Duras, directed by Jazmin Garcia.

The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction was awarded to: Chheangkea for Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites

Jury citation: For the perfect execution of a truly hilarious and relatable exploration of self- and family acceptance within a fantastical framework, we give the Short Film Jury Award for International Fiction to Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites, directed by Chheangkea.

The Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction was awarded to: Christopher Radcliff for We Were The Scenery 

Jury citation: For a wholly unique, witty, joyful perspective on art-making, the impact of film, and how they intersect with real lives, the Short Film Jury Award for Nonfiction goes to We Were The Scenery, directed by Christopher Radcliff.

The Short Film Jury Award: Animation was awarded to: Natalia León for Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado

Jury citation: For an immersive and deeply intimate approach to a tragic epidemic, using the craft of animation in surprising and poignant ways, the Short Film Jury Award for Animation goes to Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado, directed by Natalia León.

The Short Film Special Jury Award for Animation Directing was awarded to: May Kindred-Boothby for The Eating of an Orange 

Jury citation: For the intricate crafting of a deeply emotional tale told without dialogue and traditional narrative structure, and for a fresh take on female empowerment, the Short Film Special Jury Award for Animation Directing goes to The Eating of an Orange, directed by May Kindred-Boothby.

The Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing was awarded to: Loren Waters for Tiger

Jury citation: For the inspired direction and innovative vision that tells the moving story of a family’s cultural and artistic legacy, the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing goes to Tiger, directed by Loren Waters.

The 2025 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize for an outstanding feature film about science or technology was awarded to SALLY

The Sundance Institute | Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Nonfiction went to Danielle Varga for Seeds

The Sundance Institute | Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Fiction went to Joe Pirro for The Wedding Banquet 

The Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Nonfiction went to Vivien Hillgrove, and the Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Fiction went to Brian A. Kates.

The Sundance Institute | NHK Award went to Lloyd Lee Choi for Yakult Ajumma

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival story

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival story

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival Holds Mirror up to Nature… and Documentaries.

By Gordon Durich

Picture this:  a festival of films screened in a beautiful mountain setting.  Take One- announcement of the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival (LMFF).  It’s lights, camera, shots, and action a plenty when the LMFF “holds a mirror up to nature” in amazing Agoura Hills this month.

The five-day film festival Feb. 6-8 aims to focus on documentaries short and long, and features.

Founder of the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival Joseph Litzinger shared “I first pitched the idea to my producing partner Ally Siegel and together we shared our vision with the City of Agoura Hills. We were fortunate to have it championed by Amy Brink, whose support and enthusiasm helped bring it to life.”

A documentary filmmaker, Litzinger said he had attended film festivals of all kinds and “have seen the impact they can have on filmmakers and audiences alike.  I wanted to take everything I’ve learned and create the type of festival that I would personally want to attend right here in my own backyard.”

The five-day event kicks off February 5, with a kid’s community engagement program, and appropriately wraps with a hike to the top of Ladyface Mountain.

As a disclaimer, I was honored to be granted an Honorable Mention for “Thou Art That: The Sayed Sabrina Story” by Ladyface Mountain Film Festival judges.  And I was excited to attend the launch during an event at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, which was a combination of visual art and community action.

LMFF venues range from the Agoura Hills Library to the recreation center and the Regency Agoura.

Expect an opening-night premiere party, networking and more.

Tickets and more information on the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival: visit

LADYFACE FILM FESTIVAL.COM

www.agourahillscity.org

SPORTS ROUNDUP: DODGER FAN FESTS AND BIG TRADES

SPORTS ROUNDUP: DODGER FAN FESTS AND BIG TRADES

By Lucas Camacho

This has been a very interesting weekend for LA sports fans. The Dodgers held their first annual Dodgers Fan Fest as reigning World Series Champions. As the day drew to a close, a big move came from the other decorated LA sports team: the Lakers. Let’s go over some of the highlights of the weekend…because I think we all need to grasp what just happened.

DODGERS FAN FEST

It’s that time of year again; Dodger Fan Fest (or just Dodgerfest), the unofficial beginning of the season for the Dodgers. This year was definitely different for two reasons: the festivities was held in the parking lot as the stadium goes through a $100 to $300 million dollar renovations happening inside Dodger Stadium, and the fact that the Dodgers are the reigning champions. The Dodgers have not only inspired other LA teams to step up (from the Sparks and Angel FC making moves to the blockbuster trade involving the Lakers), but they’ve also put a target on their backs. The Dodgers were the winners of the big Roki Sasaki sweepstakes but that’s not the only reason teams and analysts are mad at the Dodgers. Besides bringing back Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez, they also added the following: Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, Korean star Hyeseong Kim, Sasaki of course, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates (and I’m probably forgetting some moves, but there was just a lot of them). Here are some highlights:

Ohtani making progress

Shohei Ohtani is coming off a successful first season with the Dodgers. He was the unanimous NL MVP for all of his major accomplishments, but he didn’t pitch this last year. After sustaining a shoulder injury in the World Series, his pitching debut has understandably been pushed back to May. Despite that, the team expects him to be able to hit when the team opens the season in Japan against the Cubs on March 18. When he pitches, he hopes to join a rotation alongside his countrymen: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Roberts ready to build on Dodgers’ momentum

Dodger manager Dave Roberts described how excited he was about his team going into the season. He also expressed how much it meant to him that the Dodgers were able to give their fans a parade this time around. The last time they won in 2020, there was no parade due to the pandemic. Obviously, there was a parade this time around. Roberts also talked Ohtani, his upcoming return to the mound, and how the team is preparing for the reaction to the Japanese fans for the Dodgers’ impending arrival (and how you see Ohtani’s face everywhere when you go to Tokyo, Japan). Roberts called the Dodgers the epicenter of the baseball world because of their diversity and the amount of star power the Dodgers have at their disposal.

Teoscar and Tommy are back

Dodgers fans chanted for both Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman to come back during the parade. Fortunately, wish granted for the fans as the Dodgers resigned both of them, and why wouldn’t they? Hernandez is the reigning Home Run Derby Champion (the first in Dodgers history) and Edman was the MVP of the NLCS. Both men were the new kids on the block last year, but they had big contributions to the Dodgers’ success and the Dodger faithful rewarded them with undying admiration. It could be because of that love-love relationship and the idea of having another championship that brought them both back. They certainly sounded like they were glad to be back, and they want another parade.

Big Reunion and returns this year

The Dodgers are hoping to have Tyler Glasnow back as he went down in August last year and was unable to return the rest of the 2024 campaign. But he says that he has been throwing normal and everything feels good. If he’s ready to roll, he will pitch alongside his old teammate, Blake Snell. With talks breaking down with World Series hero Walker Buehler (who went to the Boston Red Sox), the Dodgers pivoted to Snell. The reunion brings up memories, as both Glasnow and Snell were on the Tampa Bay Rays together (most importantly in 2020 when they lost to the Dodgers in the World Series last year). Snell said he was excited and both he and Glasnow were ready to win with the Dodgers. Besides getting Glasnow back, the Dodgers expect to get back both Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May. Both men missed out on contributing to the 2024 campaign, but both sound ready to rejoin a stacked Dodgers rotation.

Bullpen ready to get back to work

It’s no secret that the Dodgers’ bullpen were a big factor in the 2024 championship run. Hearing the relievers from last year and the new additions talk, it sounds like the bullpen is ready for more. Newcomer Tanner Scott said it best when he talked about how, at a young age, he was told that home plate is like your home, so you either defend it or let the other team take it (and he said point blank that he’s ready to defend it). This is a definitely an intimidating bullpen, and they seem hungry to prove they’re the best unit in baseball (while Ohtani is secretly glad that he won’t have to face Tanner Scott again, who has emerged as his only Kryptonite).

New guys ready to jump in

As seen from both Tanner Scott and Blake Snell’s comments, the new additions to the Dodgers are ready to help the team run it back. Several of the new guys commented in their introductory press conferences how excited they were to join the Dodgers given their storied history and what the Dodgers already built. Many of them have already faced the Dodgers before and that they were excited to join a team that was already favored to win it all again. It’s good to see that they already want to contribute, and Dodgers fans cheered how new man Michael Conforto was wearing a Dodger jersey now (as opposed to the jersey of the Dodgers’ most hated rivals, the Giants). Dodgers fans will be watching with great anticipation.

Mookie and Freddie reflect and look ahead

Toward the end of the festivities, fans got to hear from two of the faces of the Dodgers’ franchise: Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. There isn’t an official team captain for the team, but if they had to have one: Mookie and Freddie would probably be co-captains. Freddie reflected on how it was still a whirlwind looking back on his grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series (and we can’t blame him). Both him and Mookie were ready to get back to work, especially since Mookie commented that he wanted to fill up his hand with rings at the parade. Freddie is reportedly making progress recovering from his injuries and is expected to be ready for opening day. To be honest, both Mookie and Freddie are really embracing the culture of LA and the patented Mamba Mentality passed onto the city by the late great Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant.

Kike and Kershaw loom large

The big question for Baseball Operations President Andrew Friedman and General Manager Brandon Gomes didn’t come from the Sportsnet LA commentators, but from the fans: what was the status of fan favorites Kike Hernandez and Clayton Kershaw. Both Friedman and Gomes have said that they haven’t closed the door on Kike’s return (remember he didn’t sign to return to the Dodgers until February 27 last year). As for future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, he has started to throw again and remains in contact with the Dodgers to hammer out a deal. Bringing back Kershaw, who has been a face and leader of the franchise for over a decade, is probably the last item on Friedman and Gomes’ to-do list for this offseason (since they already accomplished nearly everything else).

LAKERS’ BLOCKBUSTER TRADE

Moving on from the Dodgers, big news out of the NBA this weekend, as the Lakers made a trade of shocking proportions. They said goodbye to one of the mainstays of the team, Anthony Davis, and got in return star Luka Doncic. Here’s how the three team trade breaks down. The Utah Jazz got Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two second round draft picks for the 2025 NBA Draft (one from Dallas and one from the Clippers…and no that is not a misprint). The Dallas Mavericks get Davis, Max Christie, and a first round pick in the 2029 NBA Draft. Finally, the Lakers get Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

What does this mean for the Lakers? Well, personally, I will miss Anthony Davis, who was a big part of the Lakers’ championship run in 2020. However, there is no denying that Luka Doncic is one of the rising stars of the NBA. The word is that Dallas was worried that Doncic had a lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning. From the sound of it…he may not have wanted to stay in Dallas from the sound of it (but that’s a total guess on my part). The Lakers are still getting a great player without exhausting a lot of draft picks, so that is an incredible coup on their part. Now, the Lakers are going to have to look for a new defender with Davis gone, but at least their offense might start showing signs of life.

REMEMBERENCE: CARL WEATHERS ONE YEAR LATER

It’s hard to believe, but it has been a year now since the news broke of the death of beloved actor Carl Weathers. It was a loss that still resonates today considering Weathers’ memorable roles from Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies to Greef Karga in the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. The reports say that he died the day before, but the news broke the next day on Groundhog’s Day. As I wrote in my tribute to him last year, Weathers was thought to have a promising career in football, considering his role with the successful San Diego State Aztecs team that won the 1969 Pasadena Bowl (finishing the season a perfect 11-0). But if it had worked out, would we have gotten Apollo Creed or Greef Karga, or even Combat Carl in the Toy Story movies? So, I thought it was important to remind us that Carl Weathers still looms large even a year after his passing, because I doubt he’ll ever be forgotten.

Robert Crais Signs his Latest, The Big Empty, at Diesel Bookstore Brentwood

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Robert Crais Signs his Latest, The Big Empty, at Diesel Bookstore Brentwood
Version 1.0.0

by Ethlie Ann Vare
BRENTWOOD, CA (The Hollywood Times, 1-30-25)

“It was always a dream of mine to have a bookstore,” says Richard Turner, former marketing executive and now owner of the venerable Diesel Bookstore in the famed Brentwood Country Mart. “I’m a part of this community, so it means a lot.

Robert Crais' The Big Empty – The Poisoned Pen Bookstore

“I made the mistake of thinking, ‘How hard can it be selling books?’” Never mind that it is 2025 and “content wants to be free.” On top of that,  he discovered that “there are a thousand moving parts, and a lot more hours than I imagined it would be. But I’ve been greeted by people who are just grateful that the store is still standing.”

They’re grateful that an independent bookstore can survive the digital competition, and grateful that this particular store was able to survive at all. Because Brentwood was right in the path of the cataclysmic Palisades Fire. This evening’s event, in fact, had been postponed from January 12, and much of the next few weeks will be devoted to book drives for schools and families who lost their libraries.

Luckily, Robert Crais, like Turner, is a local boy, so he could reschedule. In fact, Crais has kicked off most of his book tours with signings at Diesel, and his novels’ heroes Elvis Cole and Joe Pike live in recognizable LA neighborhoods. This is their 20th mystery to solve (you can binge them sequentially during a pandemic, like I did, or just enjoy them whenever) and 24 Crais novels in all. He also has a significant body of TV work, including classics like Cagney & Lacey, Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice.

“I didn’t even realize how much of his work I knew,” smiles Turner before introducing the guest of honor to a patio filled with fans clutching copies of The Big Empty… and a few earlier titles for a personalized signature. The Monkey’s Raincoat, Elvis Cole’s debut, came out in 1987; since then, the detective with the Mickey Mouse phone and the Pinocchio clock and his stoic partner with the red arrows tattooed on his delts are intimate friends to millions of readers.

Although obviously a prolific writer, Crais insists he is not one of those whose ideas appear to him full-blown. “I hear writers say, ‘The characters just took over and I sat back and watched.’ That has never happened to me. And I don’t believe it when I hear writers say that, not one damn second. I just think either they’re lying, or they take too many meds. It’s work. It’s hard work.”

Trained in television, Crais says he outlines everything, works out all the beats in advance, and then sits down to write. But even then, sometimes the characters can surprise you.

“Joe Pike was supposed to die in the first book. I had all the scenes and chapters figured out. There was a big shootout at the end, the penultimate scene, and when I got there… I couldn’t do it. I intended to do it, but I had just fallen in love with him so much I just could not do it.”

So Joe Pike has stuck around for 19 more books. I asked Crais how he manages to keep introducing the same characters book after book without repeating himself. “That’s actually one of the big problems with writing a series. Each book is going to have two distinct readers that I have to write for, the reader who’s coming to my book for whatever reason right now and the person who’s read all 19 books before this. You don’t know who is reading when Elvis calls the cat. It can’t be exactly the same way that it’s been introduced 19 times before.”

In The Big Empty, Elvis Cole is hired by “The Baker Next Door,” a sweet-natured social media influencer (they must exist…) to find her years-missing father. From there, it gets dark and twisty. Crais says he wanted to put Elvis Cole in an “untenable position,” where his sense of loyalty and his sense of mission come into stark conflict.

“I wanted to create a situation where there is no good choice for Elvis,” says Crais. He’s gratified by the good reviews it has gotten; the series has always been well-received.

Which brings up another problem with writing a popular book series: Someone is going to want to turn it into a television series. Crais, despite having been a TV screenwriter, has famously turned down every offer to dramatize Elvis and Joe.  “I’m very protective of the guys. I’ve gotten scores of offers and my agents all know it’s an automatic ‘no.’” He came close, once, when he got deep interest from director Jonathan (Silence of the Lambs) Demme. They talked, they talked some more, but before The Watchman could become A Film By, Demme passed away.

Robert Crais

“It’s not really a regret, but I thought, you know, if I was going to do this, I really would have liked to see what Jonathan has done with Joe Pike. I’ve been watching some really good stuff on TV lately — and some really not so good stuff on TV, let’s let’s be clear — but there were some things that were impressive. So maybe we’re getting close.”

No, he wouldn’t write the script, he says. He has more novels he wants to write. He’s working on a new Elvis Cole/Joe Pike volume, and assures me he plans to do another one featuring Maggie, my favorite K-9. (Check out Suspect and The Promise. Thank me later.) With luck, Diesel Bookstore will be alive and kicking for him to sign copies.

Protest Held at Local Brentwood Bookstore Over Book After Viral Video  Controversy - SM Mirror

In the meantime, veteran film critic Kenneth Turan will be at Diesel at 3pm on February 9 to discuss and sign copies of Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. On Saturday, February 8th, Diesel is collecting donations in the courtyard; they’re giving books to local schools and libraries that have been decimated by fire. Check their website for more info.

Diesel Bookstore
Brentwood Country Mart

225 26th Street, Suite #33
Santa Monica CA 90402

www.dieselbookstore.com

(310) 576-9960
[email protected]

 

FireAid Benefit Concert: A Night of Healing and Unity for Los Angeles

FireAid Benefit Concert: A Night of Healing and Unity for Los Angeles

By: Viviana Manzo
Photo Credit: Getty Images/ FireAid


Inglewood, CA (The Hollywood Times) January 30, 2025 – Los Angeles came together for an unforgettable evening at the FireAid Benefits Concert, a powerful event that took place across two iconic venues—the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. This concert was not just about music; it was about healing, unity, and supporting those who have endured unimaginable loss in the wake of the January 2025 fires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles County. From heroic first responders to residents who’ve lost homes and businesses, the night celebrated the spirit of resilience while raising vital funds for those affected by the fires.

In a groundbreaking move, the concert was live-streamed, allowing music fans and supporters from around the world to join in on the mission to support the city’s recovery efforts and show solidarity with those still affected by the fires. Through live music, compelling personal stories, and community-driven action, the FireAid Benefits Concert was a night of hope and healing for all.

The Fires of January 2025: A City in Crisis

The fires that began in early January 2025 ravaged several key areas of Los Angeles, including the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Castaic Lake areas, and other smaller wildfires that spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions. These fires burned through thousands of acres, forcing residents to evacuate, leaving a trail of destruction that continues to affect the city even as recovery efforts unfold.

As of now, many of the neighborhoods that were hit hardest are in the long process of rebuilding. Community centers are working overtime to support displaced families, and local businesses have stepped up in remarkable ways to provide food, shelter, and emotional support for those who lost everything. However, there is still so much to be done. The FireAid Benefits Concert offers a chance to accelerate the recovery efforts and provide much-needed resources for those in need.

The event will not only raise funds but also spotlight the incredible efforts of first responders who put their lives on the line day after day to contain the fires and save as many lives as possible.

A City’s Resilience: Stories of Loss and Recovery

While the music provided the entertainment and energy for the evening, the concert also included poignant, heartfelt moments where survivors and first responders shared their stories. These first-hand accounts of the fires showcased the incredible strength of Los Angeles’ residents and the unwavering commitment of the city’s first responders.

The concert featured short films that documented the devastation caused by the fires, highlighting the destruction of homes, businesses, and communities. But these films won’t just focus on the pain and loss—equally important will be the stories of hope and recovery, showing how Angelenos came together to support one another in the aftermath of the disaster. These moving stories will include:

  • Survivor Testimonials: Families who lost everything in the fires but found hope in the compassion and kindness of their neighbors and local organizations.
  • First Responder Reflections: Firefighters and emergency personnel who risked their lives to protect their city, sharing the emotional toll of fighting fires while dealing with the realities of trauma and loss.
  • Community Rebuilding Efforts: Stories of how volunteers, local businesses, and the greater Los Angeles community have banded together to assist in the recovery process—offering everything from shelter to supplies and mental health support.

Through these narratives, the Concert showed the world how Los Angeles has endured and continues to rebuild with unwavering resilience and unity. These moments will serve as a reminder that even in the face of disaster, the power of community and the determination to rebuild is stronger than ever.

Live Performances for a Cause

The lineup was a powerhouse of talent, featuring Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, No Doubt, and John Fogerty, among others. Katy Perry performed with the Pasadena Chorale, whose members had lost their homes and their church, the Altadena Community Church, to the flames. The concert also saw unforgettable appearances from Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Peso Pluma, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The event was streamed across multiple platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Twitch, and was produced by a team led by music-industry veteran Irving Azoff and his family.

the future of LA’s entertainment landscape and the Kia Forum bringing its legendary history to the stage, the concert offered an unforgettable experience. For those watching via live stream, the event was equally immersive, with seamless transitions between the two venues, creating a sense of connection between the performances and the stories being shared.

 

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong opened the night at the Kia Forum, sending a powerful message: “We are in this together.” This was a sentiment that resonated throughout the evening, as musicians, actors, and first responders came together to support those who had lost so much. Notably, Clippers owners Steve and Connie Ballmer pledged to match all donations raised during the event, with U2 setting the tone by contributing $1 million.

Billy Crystal, who had been personally affected by the Palisades fire, took the stage after Green Day’s performance to share his own story of evacuation. His emotional recounting of grabbing his clothes and fleeing his home resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the personal toll of the tragedy. Crystal’s speech was a precursor to several emotional moments throughout the evening, including the surprise appearance of Dr. Dre, who took the stage with Anderson .Paak to perform “California Love,” a powerful anthem that echoed through the crowd.

Other performances included the rare appearance of Joni Mitchell, who serenaded the crowd with her timeless music, and Billie Eilish who brought out her brother Finneas to perform the songs “Wildflower”, “The Greatest”, and “Birds of a Feather”. Dawes’ set included a surprise reunion between Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, who performed the iconic “Teach Your Children Well”. In a poignant moment, Nash, a longtime Los Angeles resident, expressed his deep connection to the city with renditions of “Forever Young” and “People Get Ready.”

The evening continued with stellar performances, including John Mayer’s rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s unforgettable “September” at the Intuit Dome. Introduced by Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, the legendary group brought an energy to the night that lifted the crowd to their feet. The Black Crowes, joined by John Fogerty, honored his legacy with a stirring version of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” before inviting Slash onstage for an electrifying cover of “Going to California.”

How You Can Get Involved

Even if you could not attend in person, donations can be made through the concert’s official website at FIREAIDLA.org. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a tangible impact on the lives of those still struggling to rebuild.

A Night to Remember

FireAid wasn’t just a concert—it was a testament to the resilience of a community brought together in the face of unimaginable loss. Through music, the event not only raised funds for those impacted by the fires but also served as a collective outpouring of love, hope, and support for the future. The night underscored a truth that resonates deeply in times of crisis: in the face of adversity, we are stronger together.

Wildfires and Your Wallet: Should You Withdraw Cash in an Emergency?

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Wildfires and Your Wallet: Should You Withdraw Cash in an Emergency?

By Tequila Mockingbird

Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/1/25 – When disaster strikes, panic can make us do strange things—like stuffing our pockets with cash and running for the hills. But is that really the best financial move during a wildfire emergency? Let’s break it down.

🔥 Assess the Situation 🔥
First, how close is the fire? If you’re under an evacuation order, your priority is getting out safely, not hitting up an ATM. But having some cash on hand can be helpful for essentials like gas, food, and a place to stay. If the fire is miles away and unlikely to affect banking services, withdrawing large sums may be unnecessary (and risky).

🏦 Is Your Bank in the Danger Zone? 🏦
If your local branch is affected or closing temporarily, online banking is your best friend. Mobile apps, direct deposits, and digital payments can keep your financial life running smoothly—even if your physical bank is out of commission.

💰 Emergency Funds Are Key 💰
In an ideal world, you already have an emergency fund—separate from your main account—that can cover a few months of expenses. If not, now’s a good time to start thinking about financial preparedness.

🛡️ Insurance: The Safety Net You Need 🛡️
Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy ASAP. Does it cover wildfire damage? What about temporary housing costs? The time to check is before disaster hits, not after.

A Smart, Measured Approach

  • Take stock of your situation: How close is the fire? Are you under evacuation orders?
  • Check your funds: Do you have emergency cash or a backup plan if the bank is inaccessible?
  • Call your bank: Find out what disaster protocols they have in place.
  • Withdraw wisely: Take only what you need—walking around with large amounts of cash is risky.

🚨 Most Importantly—Stay Safe! 🚨
For real-time updates, check with:

  • Local emergency management agencies
  • The Red Cross
  • Your bank’s website or customer service

In the face of disaster, financial stability is just as important as physical safety. Plan ahead, stay informed, and don’t let panic drain your wallet!

Allie Colleen Introduces Sincerely, Rolling Stone A Bold Start to the New Year

Allie Colleen Introduces Sincerely, Rolling Stone A Bold Start to the New Year
Artwork Design Allie Colleen (Photography: Moments By Moser Photography)

Five-Song EP Showcases Personal Reflection Limited Edition Vinyl Available for Pre-Sale Now

NASHVILLE, TN – (January 31, 2025) – Allie Colleen, celebrated for her iconic voice and remarkable songwriting talent, kicks off the new year with the release of her five-song EP,  “Sincerely, Rolling Stone”. “In a town filled with extraordinary talent, as a songwriter, I find it rare to work with a true artist who knows exactly who she is and what she wants to say. Allie Colleen is fearless in her artistry and is breaking molds inside of the country genre that will impact not only her career but the careers of artists to come after. She will be an influence beyond her generation giving future artists the courage to express themselves in new and inventive ways sonically, lyrically, and in performance,” expressed co-writer Stephen Hunley.

Allie’s first-ever release of a vinyl music project is available now as a limited edition for pre-sale HERE.

The new music project is available for pre-save on all digital platforms HERE.

Allie Colleen conveys, “I wanted to return to my roots of creating—creating something that reflects how I feel. In the world of commercial music, everyone wants something they can relate to, something that feels like it was written specifically for them. Growing up, I didn’t have the luxury of relating to the people around me. I felt very isolated in my world, shaped by my childhood experiences.

This year, I’ve experienced heartbreak in a way I never have before. I’ve faced loss and isolation so profound that I don’t know how to make you relate to it. These songs, however, are for me. I don’t know if anyone on this planet will connect with them, but they saved my life in one way or another and played a pivotal role in my recent season of growth.

With that, I sincerely hope you enjoy this project. I hope it can find a place in your life experiences. I pray it brings you as much comfort as it brought me during a time when I was deeply uncomfortable. As always, thank you for listening.

I want to thank my songwriters, who sat with me in rooms this past year, letting me cry, be honest, and, most importantly, vent about a life others might give everything to have. Thank you for seeing me and allowing me to show up exactly as I am.”

Sincerely, Rolling Stone Track List
Rolling Stone (Allie Colleen, Stephen Hunley, Eric Dodd, Connor Sweet)
Grass On The Grave (Alyssa Trahan, Krystal Polychronis, Craig Wilson, Allie Colleen)
Oklahoma Mountains (Allie Colleen, Matt Wynn, John Kraft)
Household Name (Allie Colleen, Eric Dodd, Stephen Hunley)
Nicotine (Allie Colleen, Megan Barker, Lockwood Bar)

“Rolling Stone is the burden we feel as artists, writers, and performers to be that glimmer of hope to the ones who draw inspiration from the art we create, knowing that we are passing like ships in the night with each and every fan we meet. We want to stay longer! We want to connect with every listener on a personal level. The nature of the industry makes that deeper connection almost impossible because it’s on to the next show and the next town. Hopefully, the music is enough for us to feel truly connected and for the fans to feel truly loved by the artists who create for them,” explained co-writer Stephen Hunley.

Co-writer Alyssa Trahan added, “Grass on the Grave is a tribute to loss and the growth that emerges from it. Sonically, it embodies the resilience found in healing while lyrically capturing the frustration of letting go. Ultimately, I hope it provides a safe space for recovery and inspires listeners to move forward in their pursuit of ‘more.’

“Allie is one of my favorite voices and people in this town. It is truly an honor to write such a deeply personal song like “Oklahoma Mountains” with her, mainly because we have been friends for so many years and have traveled many miles playing shows together around the country.” shared co-writer Matt Wynn. “It has been a privilege to watch her grow so much, not only as an artist and songwriter but as a person. I have said it before, but Allie Colleen is one of the kindest and most authentic souls you will ever meet. Trust me; she’s just getting started.” 

“Household Name to me, is both a tip of the hat to the enormous boots she is trying to fill in, following in her father’s footsteps, but also the burden of the vast shadow he casts being the superstar he is. Regardless of the level of stardom she reaches, Allie will blaze a trail of her own, and having the courage to authentically be who she is, without using the family name, is inspiring, to say the least,” reflects co-writer Stephen Hunley.

You’re my nicotine in the nick of time.” That line came to me one day after seeing the word “nicotine” and instantly knowing there was something special about it. Allie, Lockwood, and I spent two sessions diving into it at my house. We were all deeply moved by the raw emotion of the moment this character is experiencing,” shared co-writer Megan Barker. “Allie’s voice captures such vulnerability—something you can’t teach. She’s a star, and I’m truly honored to be on this journey with her.”

2025 Tour Dates 
More dates coming soon…
01-18-25 – Leather & Lace – NC 
03-06-25 – Sincerely Release Party – Cannery Hall – Nashville, TN
02-27-25 – Appalachian Theatre of the High Country- Boone, NC
02-28-25 – The Palace Theatre – Stamford, CT
03-01-25 – Chelsea Table & Stage  – New York, NY
03-02-25 – New Hope Winery – New Hope, PA
03-15-25 – KEMBA LIVE! -Columbus, OH Full band 
04-30 – 05-04-25 Key West Songwriter Festival – BMI 
07-12-25 – Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes – Ft Laramie, OH
07-22-25 – Sac County Fair – Sac City, IA 
08-01-25 – Rib Fest – Mankato, MN w/ Chris Jansen
08-13-25 – Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, IA 
10-27-25 to 11-1-25 – Country Cruising Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, and Nassau, Bahamas

Stay current with everything Allie Colleen at SET.LIVE and her website, alliecolleenmusic.com. Follow her on  Facebook, TikTok, TwitterInstagram and subscribe to her YouTube Channel for the latest videos.

Music is available on all digital platforms Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.

Allie Colleen (Photo Credit Moments By Moser Photography)

About Allie Colleen:

Allie Colleen Photo (Photo Credit Victoria Roth)

Allie Colleen is a Country music artist, singer, and songwriter who recently toured and performed in 2024 with Jelly Roll on the final leg of his Beautifully Broken Tour and also toured and performed with Lee Brice on his Me and My Guitar tour as well as headlined many shows of her own. Her music style defines how life shaped her, alongside her personal lyrics and transparency in her vocals and performance. Her passion for singing and songwriting since a young age has garnered her a reputation for being a notable songwriter with an iconic-sounding voice. Her impeccably strong voice with hints of timeless tradition falls between classic and emerging country sounds. The room never fails to silence as Allie Colleen begins to sing about the layers of love and heartbreak that have shaped her. Unlike most of today’s songs, some of her newest songs have witty lyrics and a connection to the song. With more than 351,000 followers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok combined and organically won over nearly 300K Spotify listeners an accumulated streaming total of four million streams, she is one of the most powerful and popular female independent label acts on a trajectory to stardom.

Liz Kennedy Releases “Coyote” Embracing New Music That Speaks to the Hear

Liz Kennedy Releases “Coyote” Embracing New Music That Speaks to the Hear

NASHVILLE, TN – (January 31, 2024) – Crafting relatable lyrics comes naturally to Liz Kennedy, who has announced her latest release, “Coyote,” After experiencing a whirlwind of personal changes, the San Francisco-based singer-songwriter has come to see songwriting not as a choice but as something she must do. She recognizes that music is what sustains her and provides a way forward. A decade of critical success as a recording artist has allowed her to grow more confident in her ever-evolving persona—quirky, humorous, and deeply insightful—dedicated to truth and always striving to find something original to say. The single is the third from her upcoming album and is available for pre-save on streaming platforms HERE.

In support of the new music, Liz will release an official video produced by Eric Peltier to accompany her new song, which will be available on her official artist YouTube Channel HERE on February 14.

Adding her thoughts to the song’s meaning, Liz shared, “It was the beginning of the Covid shutdown. The city was quiet. San Francisco. And at the top of my hill, Telegraph, I saw a coyote walking calmly across the intersection for the first time in 30 years.  My boyfriend asked me to move to the country with him a few days later. I lived in Sonoma County for 7 months. The pandemic was a different reality for each different person. Being older, I was scared … but safe. Covid changed almost everything. Everything after that is, to me, the afterlife I refer to in the song. “Right here, in this afterlife…”  It still feels like an afterlife. The “world spinning crazy.”  But living in the country for the first time since childhood brought me hope. I hoped that if I made it through, I’d return and “try to set things right”. Or at least, bake a blackberry pie.”

“Kennedy’s writing makes excellent use of long-standing formulas and consistently finds ways to pour old wine into new bottles. It further aids her efforts that she’s a unique singer with supreme interpretative powers whose performances take already fine lyrics and transform them into mini-epics of the heart.”-Gashouse Radio.

Liz Kennedy (Photo Credit Eric Peltier)
“Right here in this afterlife
Here’s to new friends in the countryside
But it’s time; time does come
When you need to find home 
You saved me, I saved you from being alone
The garden came in nice
Tomatoes red and ripe
When you visit, bring me a good one

Right here in this afterlife
You have my heart, yeah, I’ll come back anytime

And the world’s still spinning crazy
And just as wild as the world has always known it could be
Now the hawks, they’re winging
On this hill where I’m back living
In the city, by the bay

Right here in this afterlife
Well, we haven’t died, we’re still alive
Not too old to hold a light
And help to set things right
Right here in this afterlife
I can bake a blackberry pie
Right here in this afterlife…” 

Produced by Joel Jaffe and Liz Kennedy and engineered and mixed by J. Jaffe, “Coyote” was recorded at Studio on the Hill with Liz Kennedy (vocals/acoustic guitar), Jeff Campitelli (hand-drums/bodhran/djembe), Marc Levine (bass), J Jaffe (BGV/acoustic guitar), Hardy Hemphill (BGV/harmonica/ keyboard), Eamonn Flynn (keyboard) and Pete Contino (accordion).

Stay current with everything Liz Kennedy on her website  lizkennedymusic.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube Channel for the latest videos.

Music is available on all digital platforms Apple Music, iTunesSpotifyPandoraYouTube Music and Amazon Music.

About Liz Kennedy:
After going through a whirlwind of life changes, the San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Liz Kennedy has come to see songwriting not as a choice but as something she has to do. She says music sustains her and offers a way forward. Her decade-plus as a critically acclaimed recording artist has brought her confidence in her ever-unfolding identity as a quirky, often humorous, and ever-insightful storyteller committed to honesty and finding something unique to say.

Jaffe, whose credits include Maria Muldaur, Lenny Williams and Magic Christian, is the renowned engineer and producer of Studio D in Sausalito, where legendary artists like Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr and Carlos Santana have recorded. One of the greatest influences on Kennedy’s development since she took the plunge into recording, he has helmed all her previous recordings, Clean White Shirt, A Good Peach, Nothing Like an Angel, Speed Bump, and Hike Up Your Socks. Jaffe adds numerous string textures to Kennedy’s songs, including acoustic and electric guitar, dobro, mandolin, lap steel and ebow.

Kennedy describes herself as honest and observant and adds, “I sure hope I can easily laugh at myself.” Her songcraft – where the lyrics always follow the music – perfectly reflects that thoughtful self-assessment. The fascinating part of the process is not knowing just where the inspiration will come from. “It’s strange how emotional pain and joy can equally send you racing to the piano to capture something … whether it’s a butterfly or a heavy brick.

After graduating from Stanford University, where she studied anthropology and journalism, she settled in the Bay Area and worked for film companies that made TV commercials.  Before reality TV became a mainstream part of our culture, Kennedy specialized in casting real people (instead of professional actors) for commercials. She also married and raised two children. In her later 40s, when she realized she had “songs in my head” that had never been recorded, she met Jaffe, who liked what he heard and encouraged her to take her work as a singer/songwriter more seriously. In addition to her growing catalog of recordings, she has performed at renowned Bay Area hotspots such as Sweetwater Music Hall, the Throckmorton Theatre and Club Fox. Kennedy enjoys performing live in an intimate setting and finding a connection people make to her songs. I love to hear what someone gets from a song, in their way.  A good song should translate into another person’s language. Yet before performing, there is recording. “I’ve had inexpressibly sublime moments in the studio, listening to what these great musicians bring to my songs,” she says. “I have fallen to my knees with the joy of an unexpectedly beautiful touch. There’s no greater moment for me than when we are all listening to the finished product and loving what we hear, experiencing our collective ownership.”