Editor’s Choice

8

A Private View: Prince through the lens of his personal photographer Afshin Shahidi

Iranian born photographer and filmmaker Afshin Shahidi first met Prince in 1993. After working as his cinematographer on numerous video projects he was invited to document his 2002 One Night Alone Tour, and would become Prince’s personal photographer for a decade. This unexpected journey led to a close friendship, sleepless nights, frantic last-minute flights, and the distinction of being the only photographer granted access to Prince’s private 3121 parties.

Prince: A Private View takes you behind the lens on an intimate trip through the extraordinary life of the legendary musician through never-before-seen photos and personal recollections.

Photographer Emmanuel Whajah captures the heart and pain of the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests

Protests erupted around the world after the death of George Floyd on May 25th, and the threat of a global pandemic calmly took a backseat. A rush of justifiable rage flowed against ongoing racial injustice. There’s so much pain and anger. Regardless of face masks, the agony spilled from peoples’ eyes, unable to remain hidden.

Essential films & series about the Black experience

Film can be a powerful tool for education. From MLK to BLM, these films will teach you something the history books don’t. They celebrate black excellence and prove black film is no longer a genre, but a vital part of film across all genres. In the spirit of creating a dialogue, we created a list designed as a resource guide to connect movie watchers with more relevant than ever classics like Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and George Tillman Jr.’s The Hate U Give, both tackling the epidemic of police brutality.

The Making of a Phenomenal Woman by Marsha James empowers female readers to reach their full potential

Marsha James provides women the motivation to change the game plan of their lives in her debut book, The Making of a Phenomenal Woman: The Ultimate Belief to Move Ahead: Chess or Checkers. Just like planning out the next move in a game of chess or a checkers match, the book is a tactical course of action in effective strategies for the future. Marsha provides actionable steps for self-improvement, triumph and victory. The self-help guide book also gathers anecdotes, excerpts and stories of life-changing experience by women who have become successful in their respective fields.

Behind the scenes of James Barker Band’s music video starring Luka & Jenalyn

Luka & Jenalyn’s emotionally powerful style of dance is captured in the official music video for James Barker Band’s country cover of “Never Be the Same.” Filmed in one day at ProdStudio in Toronto, the video was directed by Ben Knechtel with video work by Lee Zavitz. Luka & Jenalyn hold nothing back as they use stunts and strong movement to capture the intimate lyrics of the song. They tell the story of someone who has fallen so deeply in love that their life is transformed.

Les Twins perform a powerful street dance to My Mind

Larry Bourgeois, one half of the legendary French dance duo Les Twins, performed a poignant dance to “My Mind” by YEBBA that will move you to tears. The raw, yet controlled riffs and runs of the Grammy-nominated singer’s soulful vocals are equally matched by Larry’s precise movements. He feels, interprets and communicates every aspect of the music including the emotional weight of the lyrics YEBBA’s breathtaking voice sings. Watch the moving freestyle above, it will touch your soul.  

Les Twins (Larry & Laurent Bourgeois) are continually proving they are more then just amazing dancers, they are amazing performers.

Behind the scenes as Luka & Jenalyn bring Lukas Graham’s “Love Someone” to life

Lukas Graham takes listeners on emotional journeys through the medium of music. Luka & Jenalyn seek to do the same thing through the medium of dance. When they combine it makes a perfect pairing, showcasing the beauty of love that persists through all of life’s struggles. Luka & Jenalyn bring songs to life with their dynamic choreography and expressive motion. Their latest piece is no exception, set to “Love Someone” by the equally dynamic and expressive pop-soul band from Denmark, Lukas Graham.

The Grammy-nominated band consists of frontman Lukas Graham Forchhammer, drummer Mark Falgren, bassist Magnus Larsson, and keyboardist Will Herrington.

Luka, Jenalyn and Laurent

Behind the scenes of Luka & Jenalyn’s historical collaboration with World of Dance friends Les Twins & Aidan Carberry in Toronto (exclusive)

Blackpool Dance Festival was the place for Canadian duo Luka & Jenalyn to compete against the biggest names in the world in ballroom dance. After nearly one hundred years, it is still the most prestigious and longest-running ballroom dance competition in the world. The historic Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens Theatre in Blackpool, England on June 1st was standing room only with bow ties and gala gowns surrounding the ballroom floor. It was obvious from the start that Luka & Jenalyn were going to bring something new and fresh; breaking away from tradition.

World of Dance Canadian duo Luka & Jenalyn breakaway from cabaret ballroom

Luka Milacic-Perusina and Jenalyn Saraza-Pacheco, popularly known as Luka & Jenalyn, are cabaret ballroom dancers from Toronto, Canada. The dynamic duo have mesmerized audiences with their unique and innovative spin on cabaret; a combination of ballroom dancing, cabaret, cirque and theatre arts.

“Being dancers is our passion and our dream,” says the duo. “We are so happy to be able to live it out. We cannot imagine doing anything other than dancing as our profession. We live and breathe dance.”

Luka & Jenalyn are currently Vice Champions and the youngest ever three time professional cabaret ballroom finalists in the history of the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival in England, the first & oldest ballroom dance competition in the world.