Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.
It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
Each year, PAFF presents:
Over One Hundred Thirty (130) quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada, all showcasing the diversity and complexity of people of African descent.
One of America’s largest fine art shows featuring prominent and emerging Black artists and fine crafts people, including local, national and international poets, musicians and storytellers.
ALICIA KEYS, SANTANA, JILL SCOTT, INDIA ARIE, MARCUS MILLER, JOE SAMPLE, RANDY CRAWFORD, JOSHUA REDMOND, JAMES FARM BAND, BUIKA, ALLEN TOUSSAINT, DIZZY GILLESPIE BAND,  PAQUITO d’RIVERA, REUBEN BLADES,          SERGIO GEORGE SALSA BAND & OTHERS
*4 Nights package & 5 Night packages available Call Today 310-512-6007 for more info
Limited Rooms Available @ HILTON CURACAO RESORT All Rooms / Double Occupancy
Born in 1972 in North Philadelphia, Jill Scott grew up in the ghetto with her mom and grandmother. A deeply loved and gifted child, she learned to talk at only eight months and was reading by age four. Always the center of attention, her principal in elementary school described her as a little butterfly.
After running from Jill’s abusive stepfather, mother and child moved in with Jill’s grandmother, with whom she had a very close bond. After a rough but memorable childhood, Scott attended Temple University, studying secondary education. She was planning on becoming a high-school English teacher.
When she was placed at a school as a student-teacher, her fellow professors disapproved of her unique method of teaching the kids: she often incorporated singing and melody in order to help with memorization. Due to the negative comments she was receiving, she quit.
Shortly thereafter, a friend helped her in joining a local theater troop. After some hard work, she earned a spot on the Canadian cast of Rent, began to do poetry readings and befriended some big names in the Philly artistic community, included Jeffrey A. Townes (DJ Jazzy Jeff). It was here that Scott’s musical career took off.
Encouraged by Jazzy Jeff and Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (Ahmir “Questolove” Thompson) of the hip-hop group The Roots, Scott wrote several songs in only three days during the summer of 1999. One of them, entitled “You Got Me,” was performed by Erykah Badu and The Roots, and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance (Duo or Group). A few months later, after Jeff burned 100 demo CDs and marketed the soul singer, Jill Scott signed with the new label Hidden Beach. During this whole process and since then, she collaborated with Will Smith and Common, and worked on soundtracks for Down to Earth (2001), Wild Wild West (1999) and In Too Deep (1999)
Amazingly, she made 50 songs for her debut album and had a lot of trouble trimming it down. Finally, after much deliberation, “Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds, Vol. I” was released in July 2000. It featured music that was youthful enough for the younger generation and soulful enough for those above 40.
Accolades came pouring in for her unique contribution to hip-hop: “Who Is Jill Scott?” was certified platinum, and she received three Grammy nominations (including one for Best New Artist), three NAACP Image rewards and one Soul Train Award for Best Female R&B Album. Her fame carried her on stage as she performed on VH1′s Divas Live with Aretha Franklin; speaking of Aretha, Jill Scott was the 2001 recipient of the Aretha Franklin Award as “Entertainer of the Year” at the Lady of Soul Awards.
CICADA RESTAURANT Friday June 1, 2012 6:00pm – 12 Midnight RSVP @ (310) 535-9479Â for $10 B4 8pm list jazz-at-sea.com or onyxworldclassevents.com General Admission: $20.00
RSVP: $10 before 8:00pm
Live Entertainment / Special Guest Party ’til midnight with DJ Sidney Thompson Admission $20 or call (310) 535-9479
for RSVP $10 VIP Guest List.
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Elegant Upscale Atmosphere
LA’s Best Party – With a Purpose
A few reserved tables of 10 available for $200
