Lincoln partners with Essence for music event

(NDG Wire) – The 2011 Lincoln MKX crossover will hit the red carpet Wednesday as part of Lincoln’s sponsorship of the second annual Essence Black Women in Music event. The event marks the second year that Lincoln has partnered with Essence on this invite-only affair.

“We are thrilled to be back as the automotive exclusive sponsor of the Essence Black Women in Music event,” said Shawn Lollie, Lincoln’s manager of multicultural marketing. “We began our partnership with Essence back in 2009 and since then our relationship has continued to grow. After a stellar event last year, we thought it made perfect sense for us to come back for another year as Lincoln has always looked to associate its brand with lifestyle events that attract a modern luxury consumer.”

As part of the partnership Lincoln will not only have its newest crossover, the 2011 Lincoln MKX on the red carpet, but it will also be used to shuttle the evening’s honoree Grammy-nominated Janelle Monae as well as special guest Grammy nominate Big Boi of OutKast to the event. In addition, Lincoln will be included in an in-book event recap story both inside Essence magazine and online at www.ESSENCE.com.

Essence and Sean “Diddy” Combs will salute Grammy-nominated artist and mega-talent Janelle Monae at the event. Hosted by ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin, Joy Bryant and Taraji P. Henson, Hollywood and the music industry will celebrate Monae.

Awareness of the Lincoln brand continues to grow within the African American market, particularly as it relates to African American women. The Lincoln MKX was recently received favorably by African American women as part of qualitative research conducted during the 2009 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Reactions to the vehicle were extremely positive with overall appeal of the vehicle being described as stylish, luxurious, elegant and classy. Late last year, Lincoln launched a new ad campaign called Touch Me All Over that was designed to highlight the technology, luxury and style found on the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

“Partnering with Essence for this event is just one way that we are able to expose the brand to a group of luxury consumers in an environment that makes sense to them,” said Lollie. “We are providing an opportunity for attendees to engage with the product in a way that is unobtrusive and natural. We hope that by giving attendees an opportunity to take a closer look at the brand they will then be encouraged to learn more about our newest vehicle lineup.”

Lincoln’s partnership of the Essence Black Women in Music event comes on the heels of the brand’s sponsorship of the 2010 Essence Music Festival and 2010 Essence Black Women in Hollywood events.

‘Round about DFW: Super Bowl edition

Through Feb. 10
Super Bowl XLV stadium tours are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Cost $40.

Through Feb. 27
The Dallas Children’s Theatre presents The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman St. in Dallas. Friday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday shows at 1:30 and 4:40 p.m. Tickets start at $14. www.dct.org

Through March 8
The Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Center in Richardson, will host a painting collection of Lisa M. Cardenas Metaphoric Landscapes: Then and Now exhibition at in the Green Mezzanine-Gallery. www.eisemanncenter.com

Through March 26
The PDNB Gallery, 1202 Dragon St. in Dallas, will host Neil Leifer: For the Love of the Game, every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery. Leifer, a longtime Sports Illustrated photographer, showcases the greatest moments of professional sports since he began shooting pro football at the NFL Championship Game in 1978. The exhibit is free.

Feb. 2 and Feb. 3
Super Bowl kick-off party hosted by Cowboys Andre Gurode and DeMarcus Ware at the Grey Goose Lounge, 1500 Dragon St. in Dallas, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Adults 21 and older admitted. Call 972-365-1364 or 972-998-3879 for information.

Feb.2 – Feb. 6
The NFL Experience coincides with Super Bowl XLV at the Dallas Convention Center, 650 Griffin St. in Dallas. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 years and younger. www.superbowl.com

Feb. 3 – Feb. 6
Art of Football with Steve Sabol comes to the Milan Gallery, 505 Houston St. in Fort Worth. Cost is free.

Feb. 3-Feb. 6
Superbeamers presents Super Bowl XLV celebrity weekend at the Beamers Club, 2443 Walnut Hill Drive, and Escapade 2000, 10707 Finnell St., both in Dallas. Performers include Performers include singer Melanie Fiona on Wednesday at Beamers; Chef Umberto with sounds from DJ Kayotik on Thursday at Beamers; Drake with Play-N-Skillz at Escapade and Ludacris at Beamers on Friday; Chris Brown at Beamers and Lil Wayne with Play-N-Skillz at Escapade on Saturday; and Sunday’s finale with Nelly, Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri at Beamers and Lil Wayne and Drake at Escapade. www.superbeamers.com

Feb. 3 – Feb. 5
Comedians Shawn and Marlon Wayans will perform at the Arlington Improv at 8 p.m. on Thursday and 8 and 10:30 p.m on Friday and Saturday. Cost is $35.

Feb. 3 – Feb. 6
Big Tex Entertainment presents Dallas First Down Weekend. P. Diddy’s official Super Bowl bash with special guests Jermaine Dupri and D.J. Prostyle from BET’s 106th and Park from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Main Street Event Center (Purgatory), 2208 Main St. in Dallas. Dress to impress. Arrive early as lines begin as early as 8 p.m. On Saturday and on into Sunday, rappers Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj invade the Main Event Center from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Call 214-264-1887 or visit http://dallasfirstdown.eventbrite.com/ to purchase tickets.

Feb. 3
Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam concert will broadcast live on VH1 at 8 p.m. from the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie. Lineup includes Kid Rock, Duran Duran and Jason Derulo. Tickets start at $95.

Feb. 4
All-Star Comedy Jam presented by Shaquille O’Neal will take place at the Majestic Theatre at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 and Feb. 5
Black Academy of Arts and Letters presents Jazz at the Muse with Oscar Williams at the Clarence Muse Café at 9 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex, at the corner of Canton and Akard streets in Dallas. Admission is $15. Call 214-743-2400 for tickets.

Feb. 4 — Feb. 7
Cincinnati Bengal wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco will celebrate Super Bowl XLV with the T.O. and Ocho Weekend Affair. At 9 p.m. on Friday, NFL and entertainers will join T.O. at Skye Bar Dallas, 1217 Main St. in downtown Dallas. Entertainment provided by D.J. G.T. Tickets start at $60. Ochocinco plans the most happenin’ after Super Bowl celebrity party to the House of Blues, 2200 Lamar St. in Dallas, starting at 9 p.m. Dallas’ D.J. Phil and D.J. Big Daddy and rapper Biz Markie is the slated entertainment. Tickets start at $40 and ticket sales for the Ochocinco gathering ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday. www.tochoweekend.com

Feb. 4
The 20th annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is slated for Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 First Ave. in Dallas at 7:30 p.m. www.superbowlgospel.com

Feb. 4 and Feb. 5
Super First Friday for Super Bowl XLV weekend in downtown Dallas to take place at the Magnolia Hotel, 1401 Commerce, starts at 8 p.m. Ladies 23 and older and men 25 older will be admitted. www.superfirstfriday.com

Feb. 5
If you missed Biz Markie’s gathering during last year’s NBA All-Star game in Dallas, join Markie, D.J. Hi-Ci and D.J. Phil for the Damn That DJ Made My Day Part II party Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Wish Ultra Lounge, 3001 Knox in Dallas. Half-price admission before 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30. www.groovetickets.com.

Feb. 5-Feb. 6
New Orleans Saint Darren Sharper and 106 and Park’s Terrence J Pre-Game Super Bowl Party is scheduled for 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Skye Bar Dallas, 1217 Main St. www.skyebardallas.com

Feb. 5
Super Teen Saturday hosted by Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will take place at Cirque, 1930 Pacific Ave. in Dallas. The party, co-hosted by actress and model Melyssa Ford and former Dallas Cowboy Kevin Smith, is an alcohol-free event for teens 14 to 17. Tickets are $20. www.threeringsweekend.com

Feb. 5
ESPN Magazine NEXT Big Tailgate comes to Sundance Square in Fort Worth. Event is free. Participate in interactive games and check out the giant belt buckle of steel, as well as the steel Texas made from recycled steel from Texas Stadium and area high schools.

Feb. 5
The Professional Football Players Mothers Association to sponsor Dancing With the NFL Players from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Atrium at the Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St. in Garland. Tickets are $100 and benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Slated to attend are Donovan McNabb, Andre Gurode, Thurman Thomas, Larry Johnson and Vince Young. www.pfpma.org

Feb. 5 and Feb. 6
30Something Dallas will host Super Ball XXX: An eXtraordinary eXample of eXceptionalism Super Bowl Saturday event from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Magnolia Hotel, 1401 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas. www.30somethingdallas.com

Feb. 6 and Feb. 7
P. Diddy Live Grand Finale Tour at the Palladium Ballroom is scheduled. DJs include Go DJ HI C and MC Qua on the Serato and Mic. The show is for ages 21 and older. Buy tickets at www.aeglive.com.

Feb. 10
Award-winning romance writer Francis Ray and harpist Geoffrey Ricketts will appear at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive, at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 10. Their presentation is free.

Feb. 11-Feb. 27
The Dallas Opera presents Romeo & Juliet at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2403 Flora St. in Dallas. Sunday matinee performances (Feb. 13 and Feb. 27) start at 2 p.m. Single tickets start at $25. www.dallasopera.org

Feb. 12
Jazz meets gospel when Take 6 and Yolanda Adams perform at the Winspear Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at 25. www.attpac.org

Feb. 14
The I’m Back Comedy Tour featuring Chris Tucker makes stop in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park, 901 1st Ave. Tickets go on sale Jan. 12. For VIP seats, call 817-680-1553 or 817-451-3000. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com

Feb. 18
Kem, El DeBarge and Ledisi to perform at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8. www.verizontheatre.com

Feb. 19
The city of Carrollton Parks and Recreation Department and the Carrollton Police Officers Association will host the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance: Daddy’s Little Angel from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Creekview High School, 3201 Old Denton Road. All proceeds from the event benefit the Carrollton Police Officers Association, which assists police officers and their families in times of need and also supports community programs. Dinner will not be served. Visit carrolltondance.eventbrite.com or call 972-968-5438.

Feb. 19
The Canadian Brass will perform at the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson at 8 p.m. www.eisemanncenter.com
Feb. 20
The Plano Symphony Orchestra presents the final concert of Family Fun Sundays series with Brass-a-Palooza. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. at the Courtyard Theatre, 1509 Avenue H, in historic downtown Plano. Tickets for the event range from $7 to $11. To make a reservation, call the Plano Symphony Ticket Office at 972-473-7262. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.planosymphony.org.

Feb. 23-Feb. 27
Want some Marvin Gaye? How about a little Ray Charles? The Dallas Black Dance Theatre will host a Cultural Awareness Series to include … And Now Marvin, Smoke and the spiritual suite Beams from Heaven at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St., in Dallas. Tickets are available at www.dbdt.com or by calling 214-880-0202.

Feb. 25
The hit stage play She’s Your Sister will take place at 8 p.m. at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road in Dallas. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show features Fred Hammond and Tony Grant (Why Did I Get Married?)

Feb. 26
Royal Comedy Tour with Sommore, Bruce Bruce and D.L. Hughley and more is coming to Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $75. www.verizontheatre.com

Have You Heard?

By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer

I Got Da Hookup

The oh-so-generous P. Diddy is spreading holiday cheer. Brandon Crump, a Howard University student, jokingly tweeted the rap mogul for tickets to his New Year’s Eve fare in Las Vegas. Diddy, who took classes at the university, was urged to fulfill the task by fellow Twitter fans. An hour later, Crump’s dream became a reality when Diddy told the Crump, “what up – u trying to party on new years even in vegas? holla back.” According to the Young, Black and Fabulous (YBL.com), Diddy called Crump later that evening to confirm his attendance. I wonder if Roger Goodell has a Twitter account? According to TMZ, Diddy has agreed to pay a for Miyoki Jones’ wig that went up in flames during his album release party for Last Train to Paris. The party was held earlier this month.

A Wealth Full of Lies

Last week, Jermaine Jackson was a poor man who could not pay $3,000 a month in child support arrears because he earned approximately $1,400 a month. If he is so broke, why did recently report $150,000 in furs, jewelry and clothes stolen from his home?

Now That’s Better

I was not saddened when Paula Abdul departed American Idol. Admit it y’all, she ain’t the greatest singer. When I used to watch Idol, I would cringe when Abdul commented on contestants being “off tone.” Now, dancing is one thing Abdul can do. Abdul’s upcoming judging gig on CBS’ Live to Dance is more appropriate for her.

Happy New Year everyone!

P. Diddy has a stalker

P. Diddy

While P. Diddy aka Sean Combs aka Puffy aka whatever we don’t have that much room to type was flipping coins to choose which one of his All-Star line-up of dummies (we mean his girlfriends, jump-offs ah whatever) would go with him to Paris, his real wife was breaking in his East Hampton home.  Yes we said real wife because that is what the 35 year old Camelia Green from Florida told authorities when they promptly arrested her last week for criminal trespassing. 

Diddy already has enough on his hands with trying to take Kim Porter and all those kids they have together shopping; denying the Atlanta chick and that baby and; making Cassie shave half of her head just to be with him because we all know her career was shorter than Green’s arrest time.  By the way the ‘wifey’ or craz-o Green was released earlier this week because her bail was only $5,000.    

Stay tuned for more Adventures in Krazyland featuring Diddy’s Angels or Dummies whichever title suits you best.