4 minute read
Out & About
Soul Train 2021 at the Apollo
El Debarge and Fat Joe
The 2021 BET Soul Train Awards taped their “star-studded evening celebrating 50 years of the iconic Soul Train legacy,” recorded at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo, for Nov. 28, 2021 broadcast. There singer El DeBarge and rapper Fat Joe gave the Amsterdam News an exclusive quote when asked that indeed, “He’s so incredible. He’s done so much for us. That’s what the whole summary of the Apollo and the Soul Train Awards is— you get El Debarge.”
Will there be a collaboration perhaps with the two of them?
“Yes we will. Very shortly too. It’s in the works. That’s news for the Amsterdam News!”
(Nayaba Arinde photo)
No turkeys were hurt during the proceedings as Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosted the fifth annual bird-free “Plantsgiving” distribution at Brooklyn Borough Hall, on the eve of the final Thanksgiving of his tenure as borough president. At the event, which was sponsored by Wegmans, UA3, Kate Farms, The Campaign Against Hunger, Men Elevating Leadership, and National Grid, volunteers helped to distribute more than 5,000 pounds of produce to Brooklynites in need for the upcoming holiday. Lines and lines of pallets of veggies were lined up for churches to collect from dawn till early evening.
The event highlighted Adams’ ongoing commitment to ending food insecurity while promoting a healthy lifestyle for all Brooklynites, which stems from his health journey of overcoming Type 2 diabetes with a whole-food, plant-based diet. Through Brooklyn Borough Hall’s programs, capital allocations, land use recommendations and policy proposals, Adams has sought to create a healthier borough and reduce rates of chronic disease, which disproportionately impacts low-income residents and communities of color.
“Our annual Plantsgiving distribution is all about giving back: to our neighbors, our communities, and our borough. Even amid the challenges of the past year, the fact that we get to gather with friends and loved ones to share a holiday meal should inspire gratitude. Borough Hall has been so fortunate to work with some amazing partners on these annual distributions, and I want to personally extend my thanks to all of them for making this event possible, and for serving the entire borough in various ways. I wish a happy, restful, and safe Thanksgiving to all,” said Adams.
(Nayaba Arinde photo)
Nightlife
Written by David Goodson
BET’s 2021 Soul Train Awards a magnificent Harlem world affair
The 2021 Soul Train Awards culminated its whirlwind week in New York with one more local stop before the hippest trip in America departure. On Sunday, Nov. 21, the locomotive pulled up to Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park with a purpose in mind: to usurp the world record of World’s Larg-
est Soul Train Line. DJ Scratch and DJ Enuf staffed the wheels and steel with eclectic selections from Slave, James Brown, TS Monk, Queen, Freedom, Beyonce, Michael Jackson and of course a steady dose of hip hop to get the lines moving to the targeted number to beat, 426 people. The community at large, passersby, dance organizations, HBCU alum chapters and even the boys in blue (the NYPD) pooled their efforts and were rewarded at roughly 3 p.m. with the announcement from Guinness World Records official Christine Fernandez; she witnessed that the criteria was met and that a new world record had been set. The new standard is 536, enough to break the record from Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona, which called a soul train line of 426 dancers in 2014.
Going into the first-ever 2021 “Soul Train Awards” weekend, a multiplatform experience celebrating the best in culture, commerce, entertainment and music, the three-day event looked to impact the community at large as well as celebrate the 50th anniversary of Soul Train and the premiere of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards,” taping for the first time ever at the World Famous Apollo in New York City.
“BET is proud to support the communities we serve and looks forward to providing
grass-roots experiences beyond the screen that highlight the best in Black culture,” said BET President Scott Mills.
“We look forward to embracing our audience with a warm ‘hug’ after more than a year of elevated health, financial and mental disparities,” added Staci Hallmon, general manager, BET L!VE. “We can’t wait to kick off our first-ever ‘Soul Train Awards’ Weekend experience with on-the-ground events specially designed to celebrate the annual tentpole event and the resiliency of NYC.”
Mission accomplished and objective completed. The 2021 Soul Train Awards presented by BET premieres Sunday, Nov. 28, at 8 p.m. ET on BET and BET Her. The show will simulcast internationally on BET Africa at 2 a.m. CAT on Nov. 29 and air on BET France Dec. 1 at 10:30 p.m. CET. The show will also be available to watch on My5 and Sky On-Demand, in the U.K., beginning Dec. 3
Over and out. Holla next week. Til then enjoy your turkey day and then the nightlife.
Soul Train line
