Events
Charlie Wilson’s “In It to Win It” at the Paramount Theatre, April 13
With a long list of number one singles, sold out tours and a best-selling memoir, Charlie Wilson has more than proven that he’s “In It to Win It,” the title of his latest album. Prior to having his twelfth number one single, Charlie Wilson gave fans “Burn Rubber on Me,” “Outstanding” and “Early in the Morning,” as the founder of the Gap Band. Nowadays as a solo artist, the hits keep on coming with “There Goes My Baby,” “I’m Blessed” and “Chills”.
Having survived addiction, homelessness and prostate cancer, Wilson says, “You can do anything in life; just keep it simple, believe in God and make God your first love,” he said.
In his darkest moments Wilson said he simply asked God to preserve his life and give him a chance to make music. “God is amazing—ask, trust and believe,” he said
Often referred to as Uncle Charlie, the solo star has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, T.I. and says he hopes to work with John Legend one day.
“I was actually with John one day and mentioned working with him. All of a sudden he pulled up an entire file labeled Charlie Wilson,” Charlie added.
“In It to Win It” was nominated for three 2018 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration and Outstanding Album. The set boasts the Billboard number one lead single “I’m Blessed” featuring T.I., which was one of the fastest rising top ten singles on the Urban Adult Contemporary chart and was Wilson’s first number one on the Gospel Singles chart.
Wilson was recently honored at the 2018 NAACP Image Awards with the first ever Music Makes A Difference Award, a tribute to his 22 years of sobriety, assisting the homeless and educating the African-American community about prostate cancer. “It was truly an overwhelming experience to receive this award,” stated Wilson.
“Early detection is key in the fight against cancer and I urge men to be your brother’s keeper and encourage one another to see a doctor regularly,” he said.
“’I’m Blessed’ says exactly where I am in my life, blessed to still be making music that people want to hear,” says Wilson. “2017 was a tough year for so many people around the world, so I was proud to release a song to remind us that we can all find some blessings in our lives.
As far as 2018 and the future, Wilson says he’s going to continue making great music. “I love performing for people – it keeps the little boy inside of me alive.”
“In It to Win It” features songs with Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Robin Thicke, Lalah Hathaway and Snoop Dogg. True to his faith and life testimony, Wilson unleashes his powerful tenor on the uplifting track, “Amazing God” and romance songs “Precious Love” and “New Addiction.”
Before launching his solo career in 2000, Wilson racked up a string of hits in the late ‘70s and ‘80s as front man with the Gap Band. He chronicled his odds-defying life and career in his 2015 best-selling autobiography, “I Am Charlie Wilson.” On April 13, Wilson performs at the Paramount Theater in Oakland.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024
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Arts and Culture
Richmond Preps for Full Weekend of Cinco de Mayo Festivities
Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival. The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard
Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival.
The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
The parade’s Grand Marshall this year will be community organizer Diego Garcia, owner of Leftside Printing.
The festivities continue Sunday with the Cinco de Mayo Festival along 23rd Street, which last year drew over 100,000 people, according to the 23rd Street Merchants Association. This year’s festival will again run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between the intersections of Rheem Avenue and Clinton Avenue. It will feature two entertainment stages, one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM at 23rd and Rheem, and another sponsored by Radio Lazer FM at 23rd and Clinton.
Both events are important for the city and the region’s Latino community.
San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Calloway, who co-chairs the parade alongside John Marquez, president of the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, says Saturday’s festivities are about bringing the Richmond and San Pablo communities together in unity.
“This truly connects the spectators and people in the parade as one,” Calloway said. “The parade showcases the real communities of Richmond and San Pablo – our nonprofits, schools, horse riders, classic cars and trucks, our local businesses. All of these people represent the heartbeat of our community.”
Rigo Mendoza, vice president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said that at its heart, Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates the date the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
But John Marquez started up the popular festival to bring the community together and also to exhibit the community’s businesses and culture to visitors, Mendoza said. The gathering was also a way to promote peace in the community.
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