Thursday 19

Lunch on Liberty

The August Wilson Center for African American Culture presents Lunch on Liberty from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 980 Liberty Ave., Culture District. Every Thursday individuals can enjoy lunch and then steppin’ with Pittsburgh’s Dancing DJ Roland Ford. Food is available for purchase and the event will run through Sept. 2. For more information, call 412-258-2700 or visit www.AugustWilsonCenter.org.

LOS ANGELES—Chris Brown has signed with Creative Artists Agency, the leading entertainment and sports agency, for representation in all areas.

Brown, a five-time Grammy nominee and three-time American Music Award winner, has sold more than six million albums worldwide.

CHRIS BROWN

by Jocelyn Noveck
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—It’s hard to forget the haunting photo that leaked out early last year: Pop star Rihanna, her elegant face bruised and battered after a violent assault by her then-boyfriend, R&B singer Chris Brown.

Now, she’s appearing in something else shocking, though thankfully fictional: Rapper Eminem’s chart-topping “Love the Way You Lie,” a song (and now video) that graphically depicts a physically abusive relationship. And the debate has begun: Is the song a treatise against (or apology for) domestic violence or an irresponsible glorification of it? Or is it something uncomfortable in between? And how exactly to explain the role of Rihanna, who has said she aims to help young people learn the lessons of her ordeal?

RIHANNA, EMINEM

This week I visited the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, the Montage in Wilkinsburg, the Wyndham Hotel Ballroom in Oakland, the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, Kelly’s Place in East Liberty, CJ’s in the Strip District, Melange’s Bristol Bar in Downtown Pittsburgh, and Ujamaa Collective’s Market Place in the Hill District.

My first stop was the Montage in Wilkinsburg where Schenley High School held their reunion for the class of 1970. It was a great turnout and everyone was glad to reunite and have a great time.

Here are some of the members from the Ujamaa Collective Market Place in the Hill District. The grand opening was a major success.