Congratulations to my brotha JD Vishus, whose first single will be released today (December 1.) For those who don¹t know JD, he's one of the T-Dot¹s most legendary spoken-word artists and he is finally putting the finishing touches on his independently-produced debut album. His song, Pay Attention, will be debuted on CKLN's Droppin Dimez radio show tonight, starting at 11:00 p.m. Stay tuned..



Still Running...


Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God. Playwright and director Djanet Sears serves up Negro Creek, a 200-year old Ontario Village settled by blacks. Adventures departs from the Upper Canadian Gothic tradition, eschewing a cramped, detail-oriented presentation of small-town life. Ebullience of acting and ingenious choreography. Continues to March 21. $35-$60. Harbourfront Centre, 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com.

Cookin' at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter. This musical recounts the life and times of a jazz legend Alberta Hunter. Hunter sang the blues but she didn't let it take her life like many of her contemporaries. And when the stage no longer wanted her, she studied nursing, working for two decades on a New York hospital ward. The Cookery, a jazz mecca in Greenwich Village, persuaded her too come out of "retirement" in 1997, and a star was reborn. Canadian jazz diva and accomplished actress Jackie Richardson channels Hunter, with guidance from the show¹s writer-director, Marion J. Caffey and musical director Joe Sealy. Nov. 13 to Dec. 6. $20-$75. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., 416-368-3110, http://www.canstage.com.
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A Joyful Night is an annual benefit for the Obsidian Theatre. It features Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Kenny Robinson, Divine Earth Essence and more, with music ranging from soul and jazz to pop. It's tonight, Dec. 1, 7pm at Harbourfront's du Maurier Theatre Centre.
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The Isley Brothers with JS and Lenny Williams
Fresh off of their 2003 American Music Award for Favorite Band, Duo or Group for Hip Hop/Rhythm and Blues, The Isley Brothers are ready to groove. They have remained active on the contemporary scene through collaborations with various artists, including Quincy Jones, Nas, Lil' Kim, Kelly Price and R. Kelly, to name a few. Their current CD Body Kiss made history when it debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Lenny Williams is highly regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 1970s. He was the lead singer of the funk band Tower of Power and also sang lead vocals on Kenny G's "Don't Make Me Wait For Love." His mega hit "Because I Love You" made him a soul icon and a household name. JS, aka the "Johnson Sisters" (Kim & Kandy) are protégés of R. Kelly and managed by Ronald Isley. Their recent debut CD entitled JS has achieved instant success with the hit singles "Ice Cream" and "Love Angel." Exhibition Place, 100 Princes Blvd. Fri. Dec. 5, 8pm. $55. Ticketmaster.
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DJ Maseo of Del la Soul. Sat. Dec 6 at Two Rosehill, 2 Rosehill Ave. 10pm. $10 at the door or call ticketmaster 416-870-8000. The entire group plays on Dec. 18 at Chocolate, 220 Richmond St. W. 416-591-0009, 10pm. $15 at the door or $10+s.c. through ticketmaster. http://www.definiti.ca/interface/?lang=en
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The Riff Salon takes a select group of artists from varied disciplines, give them a DJ groove, a theme and 30 minutes in which to create and a smattering of art-inspired public participants. Anything might happen! Artists participating in the inaugural Riff Salon include Rebecca Northan actor/director; Larry Smith actor/creator; John Sobol musician/poet; Bruce Horak actor/playwright/musician; Imali Perera actor/opera singer; DJ Jai Johnson and Yvonne Ng dancer/extreme artist. Harbourfront, Brigantine Room. Sat. Dec. 6, Doors open at 7:30 pm, showtime

The Riff Salon will be held three more times: February 14 (in participation with Kuumba: African Heritage Month); March 20 and April 17 ­ watch for details at www.harbourfront.on.ca
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On the second Friday of every month, The Roots Lounge brings you open mic, and $100 poetry slam competition. Starting Friday December 12th, the Roots Lounge will move to it's new home, The Trane Studios (964 Bathurst St. N of Bloor). The Roots Lounge now features live musicians. Singers and rappers are free to come out and share the spotlight. The December 12th edition will also be a year end celebration. Fri. Dec. 12, admission is free if you donate at least three non perishable food items, a new toy, or a Black book.Otherwise $10.
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Bump N' Hustle with DJ JAM and featuring the Bump N' Hustle DJ crew of Paul E. Lopes and Mike Tull. Sat. Dec. 13, at tangerine, 647 King St. W. (just east of Bathurst). $10 at the door
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Inspired by bass, rhythm and soul, the Trane Studio presents Sexy Soul vol.3. Vocal, Jeff Bournes, sax, David Williams, keys, Waleed Abdulhamid, bass/guitar, Robelcy Martinez, drums/percussion and DJ Solgroove. Fri. Dec. 19, The Trane Studio 964 Bathurst street (North of Bloor). Doors 9pm, $10 at door. For more info. call: 647-439-8502/647-439-8503 http://www.calibanartstheatre.com/. The Trane Studios is fully licensed and now serves food.
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Yuletide Parties


The Croft Christmas Mansion Party, Sat. Dec. 6. "The Mansion" provides the perfect backdrop for this elegant and sparkling event. Enjoy... the baby grand piano, 8 fire places, romantic booths, the Jazz Lounge and free parking. Free H'or deuvres and Champagne will be available between 9pm and 11:00pm in the Jazz Lounge. Limited $25. advance tickets are available. There will be no tickets available at the door.The Mansion is located at 424 Wellington St. W. For more info: 416 804 5143, email; aco@canusay.com or http://www.canusay.com/aco.
A portion of this event's proceeds will go towards the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children

The Black Alliance Holiday Groove Thurs. Dec. 18, 9pm. at La Rouge, 257 Adelaide W. Toronto. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Fri. Dec. 19, Ricochet, 124 Avenue Rd at Davenport Free as in no cover, and no line ups. Dress code: sexy. Brought to you by BratPak.ca

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Free Saturday Matinee Flicks at Rainbow Cinema in December. Take your niece, nephew or Godchild to these movies: Sinbad Dec 6 & 7, 10am. Daddy Day Care, Sat. Dec 13 & 14, 10am and SpyKidz 3D Sat. Dec. 20 & 21, 10am. Arrive early to assure being seated together! http://www.rainbowcinemas.ca/home.php
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Recommended Holiday Reading...


Non-Fiction
The Ghost of Leopold by Adam Hochschild
At the turn of the century as the European powers were carving up Africa, King Leopold ll of Belgium carried out a brutal plundering of the territory surrounding the Congo River. Ultimately slashing the area's population by ten million, he still managed to shrewdly cultivate his reputation as a great humanitarian. A tale far richer than any novelist could invent, King Leopold's Ghost is the horrifying account of a megamaniac of monstrous proportions. It is also the deeply moving portrait of those who defied Leopold: African rebel leaders who fought against hopeless odds and a brave handful of missionaries, travelers, and young idealist who went to Africa for work or adventure but unexpectedly found themselves witness to a holocaust and participant in the twentieth century's first great human right movement.

Fiction
Notes from the Hyena's Belly: An Ethiopian Boyhood by Nega Mezlekia
In a narrative sparkling with wit, Nega Mezlekia recalls his boyhood in Jijiga, Ethiopia, during the fall of Emperor Selassie, and his bold journey to manhood during the rise of power of the communist Junta, whose merciless Red Terror slaughtered 100, 000 Ethiopian youths. Out of this sun-drenched land where modern corruption rides ancient custom like a predator, Mezlekia crafts a world elegant in its aridity, extreme in its absurdity, and vast in its ironies.

The Portable Promised Land by Toure
Welcome to Soul City, the fictional American metropolis where magic is as natural as sunshine and where an array of flamboyant, wise, and joyful characters celebrate life's simple pleasures and draws strength from one another in hard times. With this inspired collection‹in which irreverent humour and sharp-eyed social satire memorably collide, Toure emerges as one of the most talented and inventive young writers at work today.
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Coming in January:


When Sisters Speak, Sat. Jan 17 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Ticket for the show are $23 for the upper level and $28 for the lower level of the auditorium. Save $3 off of each ticket if you buy your tickets before December 12th. To take advantage of this special, call the box office at 416.366.7723 and let them know that you are calling for the When Sisters Speak Early Bird Discount. There¹s a limit of four tickets per person.

Season Greetings Everyone.