NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville Ballet announced last week that Artistic Director Paul Vasterling will retire at the end of the 2022–2023 season, concluding 33 years with the organization. As he is the longest-serving artistic director in Nashville Ballet history, the board of directors has voted to name him artistic director emeritus upon his retirement in recognition of his contributions. Current Associate Artistic Director Nick Mullikin has been named CEO and associate artistic director beginning Aug. 26, and will succeed Vasterling as artistic director and CEO in June 2023. For more than 30 years, Vasterling has been foundational to Nashville Ballet…
Author: Ron Wynn
Though they were not a part of it, the new television deal signed last Thursday by the Big 10 conference had major meaning for HBCUs. It also offered a warning to such conferences as the Ivy and Patriot Leagues, as well as smaller non-Power 5 conferences like the Ohio Valley. It was another indicator of the rich getting richer, and looking out for absolutely no one but themselves in the process. The newly expanded Big 10 Conference announced they had reached a massive media rights agreement with CBS, FOX, NBC and NBCUniversal’s Peacock for a deal reportedly worth an average…
NASHVILLE, TN — As the Titans prepare for their third and final preseason game, one big question remains unanswered. The issue of who will be the backup QB to Ryan Tannehill has yet to be decided. Neither veteran Logan Woodside or rookie Malik Willis has established themselves, but Willis has started both games. The results of Saturday’s second outing were far more positive, as the Titans posted a 13-3 victory. But there are still many unanswered questions regarding the number two QB spot. Willis had his first touchdown pass of the preseason and also had a 24-yard scramble. The excitement…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the greatest actors in American history, as well as a trailblazer, will be the subject of a forthcoming documentary. The first trailer has been released for “Sidney,” which will be released on Apple TV+. The trailer is now available online at multiple locations including the Shadow and Act website. Poitier who passed in January at 94, was the first Black actor to win an Oscar as Best Actor in 1964. Poitier also won two Golden Globes, a BAFTA (British academy of Film and Television Arts) and a Grammy. The documentary is produced…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The fifth year is often a make or break season for television shows, whether on traditional broadcast, cable or streaming outlets. That’s the usual yardstick needed for syndication, and it’s also an indicator whether stars are still very much interested in the project or growing weary of it. Evidently the cast and crew of Showtime’s “The Chi” remain heavily invested in it, and Showtime has rewarded it with a renewal for a sixth sseason. The announcement was made over last weekend, as the show is now preparing for the fifth season finale. It’s become…
One of the greatest athletes in any sport is about to call it quits, though she shies away from the word “retirement.” But for Serena Williams, soon to turn 41 (September), the end of her time in professional tennis represents the conclusion of arguably the greatest career in that sport. She announced this week that the U.S. Open, which begins later this month, would be her final professional tournament. “I have never liked the word ‘retirement,‘” Williams wrote in a statement first published in Vogue. “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is ‘evolution.’ I’m here to…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — As they prepare for their home preseason opener Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Titans are looking for improvement in a number of areas. No one is really taking their opening 23-10 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens that seriously other than Baltimore, which has now won 21 straight preseason games and obviously approaches them a lot differently than anyone else. In a game where the Titans didn’t play most of their starters and none of their key offensive members, it was a night where the focus was on key backups and…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — There is lots of anticipation and interest in the upcoming Netflix film “Rustin.” A key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Bayard Rustin was often kept in the background simply due to his being Gay. But his importance as a strategist and advisor was paramount, and in recent years there’s been the realization that his role had not been properly presented. That should change judging by the buzz being stirred by Colman Domingo. He has the featured role in “Rustin.”’ Though it won’t be released until next year, there’s still plenty of discussion about…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Rap star Kendrick Lamar has already won a Pulitzer in addition to being a hugely successful and influential recording artist. Now he’s among a handful of celebrities who’ve qualified for Oscar consideration in a very special category. There are three Oscar categories that recognize films which run 40 minutes or shorter — best live action short, best documentary short and best animated short. The Hollywood Reporter was first to announce that Lamar was among nominees in these categories. Lamar’s “We Cry Together,” a six-minute film starring himself and Zola’s Taylour Paige as a quarreling…
College football season is right around the corner, but for HBCU schools they face a decision that reflects their unique position. They are being totally ignored in all the talk about superconferences and mergers by the predominantly white institutions. When you read columns in various publications or see shows on sports networks, the conversation is exclusively about the power 5 schools. While the Ivy League, Patriot League and other small conferences are also left out of the discussion, it’s a very different situation for HBCUs. With many major conferences either going to or considering 10-game in-conference schedules, the days of…