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Time Warner Cable presents the 23rd annual Long Beach Jazz Festival August 13, 14 and 15. The Festival again takes place at the seaside setting of Rainbow Lagoon Park on Shoreline Drive in Long Beach. As with previous Long Beach Jazz Festivals, the 3-day music extravaganza has a special theme and focus—“Jazz Up Your Summer”—as the exciting and evolving genre of Smooth and Straight Ahead Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Music takes center stage with a lineup that is clearly the cream of the crop. Featured are some very special performances this year, The Original Jazz Crusaders will make their first Southern California reunion appearance, an All Star Tribute to Grover Washington Jr, Al Jarreau & The George Duke Trio, Boney James, Melanie Fiona, to name just a few.

It was every man’s paradise as the Sports Dream Foundation hosted the 4th annual Celebrity Poker and Pool Party at The Playboy Mansion on Monday, July 12th.  The Power Player Lifestyle Magazine was in full effect for the exclusive GBK ESPYs Kick-Off event which attracted a few of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment.  Guests such as Marcellus Wiley, Russell Westbrook, Hill Harper, Alex Thomas, Jamie Foxx, Kim Kardashian, Nick Barnett and many more enjoyed the festivities.

Beautiful people, party bus, great food, open premium bar, latest music blasting through the speakers and poker what more can one ask for?  Perhaps, Playboy bunnies and women in nothing except body paint…done!  In the midst of celebrating several celebrities participated in the poker tournament for a charitable cause as DJ Samantha Ronson and other guest DJs kept the party rocking. Others networked and mingled poolside amongst the grounds of the beautiful manicured historic playboy mansion while indulging in the never-ending gourmet food options of lamb chops, shrimp skewers, sushi and more.

The Grammy-nominated electro-hop duo, LMFAO which consist of Redfoo (Stefan Gordy) and Sky Blu (Skyler Gordy) whom are both related to Motown music producer legend, Berry Gordy, was the special musical guest of the night.  LMFAO gave a great hard-hitting entertaining performance and had everyone up on their feet dancing. LMFAO is signed to Interscope Records and recently opened for The Black Eye Peas.  The 4th annual Celebrity Poker event overall was a fantastic party in true Playboy Fashion!

On Saturday, August 14, a special tribute to Grover Washington Jr. featuring Ronnie Laws, Tom Scott, Chante Moore, Paul Jackson Jr., dynamite duo Dave Koz & Jonathan Butler with special guest Sheila E., Kanye West protégé, soul singer Melanie Fiona, and Saxophonist Shilts, front-man for the urban, funky jazz band “Down To The Bone” round out what promises to be a day of electrifying music. And on Sunday, August 15, vocalist extraordinaire Al Jarreau & the legendary George Duke with his Trio headlines an incredible 3rd day lineup that includes bassist Marcus Miller & trumpeter Christian Scott, the Al Williams Jazz Society and conguerro Poncho Sanchez with his seven-piece Latin jazz ensemble. Power-Up online at www.longbeachjazzfestival.com

As one of the longest-running annual jazz festivals in Southern California, the Jazz Festival offers something for everyone, from soulful party-vibe, smooth jazz grooves to more traditional jazz improvisation. Veteran concert promoter and musician Al Williams, head of Rainbow Promotions, will also perform on the 15th with his Al Williams Jazz Society. Williams says, “I’m excited this year to have a great variety of artists. It is a collection of all the elements that have sustained jazz’s popularity for decades; a touch of rhythm, soul, international flavor, innovation and future jazz stars. It’s all great music.”On Friday, August 13, the Original Jazz Crusaders, featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder, headlines the first day and the exciting saxophonist Boney James.

Comedian and show business veteran Howie Mandel will delivered the keynote address at the National Association of Television Program Executives' ( NATPE ) fourth annual LATV Fest on Tuesday, July 13, announced NATPE President & CEO Rick Feldman. "Howie's talent, energy and relevancy across multiple platforms after more than three decades in entertainment made him our natural choice to launch this year's LATV Fest," Feldman said. "His incredible wit and insights will certainly spark a collaborative discussion on the evolution of the multiplatform content industry and we are honored to have him on board."

Mandel's career has spanned more than 30 years in multiple entertainment arenas, including television, film, stage and literature. He is currently a judge alongside Sharon Osborne and Piers Morgan on NBC's " America 's Got Talent." He recently received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality/Competition Host for "Deal or No Deal" and a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host for the syndicated version of the show. Previously, he created, executive produced and voiced the Emmy Award-nominated animated children series, "Bobby's World," which ran for eight seasons on FOX. In 2009, Mandel released his frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me, which made the New York Times Bestseller list on its first week and remained on the list for several consecutive weeks. 

He started his career on a dare during a trip to Los Angeles in 1979. He was at the legendary Comedy Store on amateur night and was coaxed by friends to get up and try his luck. As fate would have it, there was a producer in the crowd who immediately hired him to appear on the comedy game-show "Make Me Laugh." His appearance on the show led to talk show appearances, a stint as Diana Ross' opening act and eventually to the television series, " St. Elsewhere," where he spent six seasons as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the award-winning NBC medical drama. As a mainstay on the national comedy and talk-show circuit, Mandel frequently makes stand-up and hosting appearances on shows, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Live: With Regis and Kelly." 

NATPE delivers real tools, real access, real pitches... for real producers with its fourth annual LATV Fest. The four-day conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles from July 12 to 15. High level TV and digital content producers, development executives, agents, advertising and brand executives, software solutions and technology and equipment providers will be key participants. Previously announced speakers and panelists include Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate Television; Stephen J. Davis, Hasbro Studios; Jason Goldberg, Katalyst Films; Chris Harrison, TV Guide Network; Mark Horowitz, executive producer, "NCIS"; Michelle King and Robert King, "The Good Wife"; JD Roth, 3 Ball Productions, "The Biggest Loser"; and SallyAnn Salsano, 495 Productions, among many others. Endemol USA 's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC is the recipient of this year's Innovator Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in unscripted programming. Learn more about them at www.latvfest.net.

The Editor of our magazine was truly amazed at the solo performance of Dael Orlandersmith who performed in the hit play “Stoop Stories” which premiered in Culver City, Calfiornia at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in July. In “Stoop Stories,” Orlandersmith transforms herself into characters from the New York neighborhoods of her youth, capturing the diverse voices and rhythms of urban street life. Her characters include, among others, a rocker-turned-junkie, an impressionable young poetess and an elderly Jewish immigrant who recalls the night many years before when he was sitting at a favorite neighbor bar and a down-on-her-luck Billie Holiday sat down next to him.

More About The Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City

Opened in September 2004, the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California, provides the renowned Center Theatre Group with something it’s desperately needed for years: a mid-size theater space dedicated to experimental plays and actor training. The new venue, located in a 1940s movie theater in the heart of downtown Culver City, houses CTG’s play development program and complements the group’s other two performance spaces: The 750-seat Mark Taper Forum and the renovated 2,000-seat Ahmanson Theatre. The new theater is also home to the Taper’s youth program P.L.A.Y. (Performing for Los Angeles Youth).

Dedicated to assisting rookie stage actors, legendary film actor Kirk Douglas donated $2.5 million to help fund the $12 million renovation of CTG’s new theater. In transforming the venue into an intimate theater space, CTG has provided the entire Los Angeles community with a sanctuary for experimental art and a place for young people to hone and prove their skills as actors, writers, directors and producers. Power-Up and learn more about whats happening at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/douglas

Comedian and show business veteran Howie Mandel will delivered the keynote address at the National Association of Television Program Executives' ( NATPE ) fourth annual LATV Fest on Tuesday, July 13, announced NATPE President & CEO Rick Feldman. "Howie's talent, energy and relevancy across multiple platforms after more than three decades in entertainment made him our natural choice to launch this year's LATV Fest," Feldman said. "His incredible wit and insights will certainly spark a collaborative discussion on the evolution of the multiplatform content industry and we are honored to have him on board."

Mandel's career has spanned more than 30 years in multiple entertainment arenas, including television, film, stage and literature. He is currently a judge alongside Sharon Osborne and Piers Morgan on NBC's " America 's Got Talent." He recently received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality/Competition Host for "Deal or No Deal" and a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host for the syndicated version of the show. Previously, he created, executive produced and voiced the Emmy Award-nominated animated children series, "Bobby's World," which ran for eight seasons on FOX. In 2009, Mandel released his frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me, which made the New York Times Bestseller list on its first week and remained on the list for several consecutive weeks. 

He started his career on a dare during a trip to Los Angeles in 1979. He was at the legendary Comedy Store on amateur night and was coaxed by friends to get up and try his luck. As fate would have it, there was a producer in the crowd who immediately hired him to appear on the comedy game-show "Make Me Laugh." His appearance on the show led to talk show appearances, a stint as Diana Ross' opening act and eventually to the television series, " St. Elsewhere," where he spent six seasons as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the award-winning NBC medical drama. As a mainstay on the national comedy and talk-show circuit, Mandel frequently makes stand-up and hosting appearances on shows, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Live: With Regis and Kelly." 

NATPE delivers real tools, real access, real pitches... for real producers with its fourth annual LATV Fest. The four-day conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles from July 12 to 15. High level TV and digital content producers, development executives, agents, advertising and brand executives, software solutions and technology and equipment providers will be key participants. Previously announced speakers and panelists include Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate Television; Stephen J. Davis, Hasbro Studios; Jason Goldberg, Katalyst Films; Chris Harrison, TV Guide Network; Mark Horowitz, executive producer, "NCIS"; Michelle King and Robert King, "The Good Wife"; JD Roth, 3 Ball Productions, "The Biggest Loser"; and SallyAnn Salsano, 495 Productions, among many others. Endemol USA 's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC is the recipient of this year's Innovator Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in unscripted programming. Learn more about them at www.latvfest.net.