Originally slated for two shows, the Jubilee Theatre stage debut of “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” has been increased to four shows across its debut weekend
Acting With Mrs. Davis & Jubilee Theatre have announced a collaboration presenting “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” written by “Culture Queen” Jessica Smith Hebron and directed by ShaVonne Davis. Show performances coincide with the 2023 Kwanzaa celebration and conclude this year’s impressive lineup of shows presented at Jubilee under the artistic direction of D. Wambui Richardson. This unique opportunity affords a crop of high school-aged aspiring thespians the chance to use their creativity to educate and inform the community about Kwanzaa through acting, singing, dancing and other artistic expressions. This presentation of “Bone Soup” is the culmination of a free after-school musical theatre program for underserved youth in Fort Worth. Mrs. ShaVonne Davis, a locally known theatre educator and recipient of a 2021 BeyGood Grant from Beyonce Carter and the NAACP serves as Director. ShaVonne Davis is a Fort Worth native and proud graduate of HBCU Clark Atlanta University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts. Davis provides daytime and after-school theatre arts enrichment for various Fort Worth ISD campuses and local theatres. This youth production of “Bone Soup” furthers the goal of providing underserved youth equity in access to high-quality, free arts enrichment programs and opportunities.
Acting With Mrs. Davis teaches the transformative power of creative expression as a means of juvenile crime abatement. Many of the students experience unprecedented opportunities to explore the arts and discover a world beyond their imagination under Davis’ guidance. By the close of each program, students, learners, and artists are steps closer to destiny than they were when they began. At the bedrock of this historic collaboration is a desire to develop an interest in the arts, create performing artists to fill imminent opportunities, and ultimately, deepen the pool of local talent from which the Jubilee Theatre seeks to draw. In “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story,” the citizens of Culture Kingdom use the seven principles of Kwanzaa to uplift their community with the celebration and implementation. Though not a traditional holiday, Kwanzaa was first observed in 1966 and is the original idea of Maulana Ron Karenga, activist, author, and professor of Africana. The tenets of personal and community advancement woven into “Bone Soup” teach both participants and partakers. Experience the enchantment of “Bone Soup” on Friday, December 29th, or Saturday, December 30th at the matinee or night performance.
Watch ShaVonne Davis on WFAA Midday with Tashara Parker
“Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” is a magical play about the citizens of Culture Kingdom who use the seven principles of Kwanzaa to uplift their community.
Known for its iconic founder and ongoing productions, Jubilee Theatre is increasing its investment in the community with the advent of youth programming. This production powered by a youth-led ensemble is made possible in part due to the magic of Mrs. ShaVonne Davis, Acting With Mrs. Davis and Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization. Mrs. Davis extends her gratitude to The City of Fort Worth, North Texas Community Foundation, Arts Fort Worth, and United Way Tarrant County for their generosity and support of her work. These proponents of the Arts help make programs like hers a perennial success.
Ticket sales for “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” are underway and can be purchased at Eventbrite.
Grammy-Award Winning Artist to Preside Over Ship’s Official Naming Ceremony in New York Featuring ‘Lip Sync Battle: Horizon’ and Honoring St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
(PRNewsfoto/Carnival Cruise Line)
Queen Latifah – Grammy award-winning musical artist, acclaimed television and film actress, label president, author and entrepreneur – has been named the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon.
Latifah will participate in the ship’s official naming ceremony as well as a special “Lip Sync Battle: Horizon” showcase that is part of the line’s authentic shipboard reproduction of the hit Paramount Network series. The event will be held during an invitation-only overnight gala onboard Carnival Horizon in New York City on May 23, 2018.
Currently starring in the FOX series “STAR,” Latifah is an incredible talent earning an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award nomination for her portrayal as Mama Morton in Chicago. She also received an Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe win and a SAG Award win for performances in both “Life Support” and “Bessie,” an HBO biopic on the legendary jazz artist Bessie Smith as well as accolades for her performance as the title character in NBC’s The Wiz Live!
The first hip-hop artist to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Latifah has earned six Grammy nominations and a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance. Her production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, has quickly grown to prominence, producing award-winning television shows, blockbuster hits and independent films for a variety of Hollywood studios.
“With her fun-loving spirit and positive, can-do attitude, Queen Latifah embodies our brand and knows how to ‘Choose Fun’ in everything she does,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Knowing that she is a long-time supporter of St. Jude and has performed and won ‘Lip Sync Battle’ made her the ideal candidate to serve as godmother to our newest ship,” she added.
“Carnival is an iconic American brand and it’s an honor to be named godmother of Carnival Horizon and take part in the event on May 23, honoring the special children of St. Jude – a cause that is very near and dear to my heart,” said Latifah.
The May 23 gala will recognize long-time Carnival partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with a check presentation from funds raised via various activities and events, both on board and ashore, leading up to the event. Additionally, Carnival will unveil special custom-designed artwork created by more than 30 St. Jude patients that will appear on the Carnival Horizon’s “Dreamscape,” a stunning three-deck-high LED sculpture that takes center stage in the ship’s atrium.
Following the event, Carnival Horizon begins her summer schedule from New York that runs through September followed by the launch year-round Caribbean cruises from Miami later that month.
As the line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon will introduce a number of one-of-a-kind innovations, including Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse with BBQ favorites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri in addition to the first Dr. Seuss-themed water park, part of the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the groundbreakiDng bike-ride-in-the-sky attraction called SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, and more.
A wide range of accommodations will also be offered, including spa cabins with exclusive privileges at the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, extra-roomy staterooms in Family Harbor, and tropics-inspired Havanastaterooms and suites with exclusive daytime access to a Cuban-themed bar and pool.
About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®” with 25 ships operating three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Two 133,500-ton Vista-class ships are currently scheduled for delivery – Carnival Horizon in 2018 and Carnival Panorama in 2019. Additionally, two new 180,000-ton ships are scheduled to enter service in 2020 and 2022.
