Atlanta-Jan 17,2010: For the first time ever, the critically acclaimed West brothers will speak candidly about their inspiring bond as supportive siblings in a historic dialogue with award winning writer, counselor, and producer Edward M. Garnes, Jr., founder of F.A.T.S and an Atlanta Tribune Man of Distinction. Mixing the reasoning sessions of the local barbershop and fervor of street corner theologians, the inter-generational talk will cover a wide range of topics including manhood, black love, bridging generation gaps, and the cross cultural appeal of hip hop.

Sadly, poetry events have become trite try outs for a one way ticket to fame. But when an event features modern day griot Jon Goode, a blue collar poet whose corner store stories would make Amiri Baraka smile, you know there will be some truth tellin’ going on. And with cultural warriors Theresa Davis (a fiery revolutionary poet) and her mother legend/activist Alice Lovelace (the godmother of From Afros To Shelltoes) riding shot gun, history is sho nuff in the making. Catch them Jan 9 7 Stages Theater in ATL.

Get ready to break out the mistletoe, snuggle with your boo, and two-step with loved ones as smooth jazz statesmen Will Downing remixes the traditional Christmas album by pouring his silky baritone over lush productions.

From Afros To Shelltoes always has luv for the sistas. Soul Sista’s Juke Joint gets our red kool aid stamp of approval. Expect soul-stirring performances by Miss Soli’s Blues, Twin Spirit, Dezaray Dawn, Princess La Tremenda, Shanti Om, NuKola, Gianna, and DJ Ghost. Visual artist, GraceKisa will join the production, along with special guest, HBO DEF poet, Jon Goode. Music will be provided by The Soul Sista’s Juke Joint Band.

Shannon McCollum (The Gordon Parks of Hip Hop) talks John Legend in his new weekly blog “SAME CAMERA DIFFERENT EYE,” exclusively on From Afros To Shelltoes.

It’s sometimes hard to give credit when it’s past due. I could easily use every ounce of my two degrees to prove Bobby Brown is far more R&B legend and less Eddie Kane Jr. has been, but the sweet nostalgia of “Girfriend,” which will have you hittin’ up Keisha from 9th grade on facebook, speaks for itself.