Straits Restaurant in Atlanta played host to a press luncheon on Friday August 12th with rising British actor John Boyega, star of the hit cult-film ATTACK THE BLOCK (http://www.facebook.com/AttackTheBlockMovie). Fresh off a national press tour for the critically-acclaimed monster movie, the 19-year-old Boyega dished on the making of ATTACK THE BLOCK (“It was my first feature film and one of the best experiences of my life”), comparisons to Denzel Washington (“I never know what to say to that other than ‘thanks!’), his crush on Meagan Good (“The secret’s out!” he laughed) and the London riots (“The riots have impacted the neighborhood my family lives in, but what the media doesn’t show is all the young people who have banded together and are cleaning up the area; not everyone is rioting and looting”).

Ikan Tilapia

Garlic Noodles

Chicken Lolipops,Straits Spring Rolls

Recently signed by Creative Artists Agency, Boyega has relocated to Hollywood, where he says the industry has embraced him. ATTACK THE BLOCK opens in six more cities (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, D.C., Orlando and Phoenix) on August 19. Visit www.facebook.com/attacktheblockmovie.

some pics by James Pray

Ok this was some pinkassness! I was out at Ginuwine’s private listening party at Straits and I think everybody in town for the Soul Train Awards was there! I couldn’t breathe, move, bend over to tie my shoe or nothing last night smh!

All the movers and shakers,groupies has beens, z- listers, a-listers and in between came out to get a glimpse of Ginuwine and hear a few of his tracks from his latest album, Elgin. Ludacris had complimentary Conjure pouring for the first 2 hours and I had one drink mixed with a bit of fruit juice and DAYUM I was lit up! That’s some strong a** conjac! My chest was burning, so it’s not for wimps like me lol.

Let’s see who was in the house hmm? I spied, rappers Princess & Khia, sexy singer Tank, heard it all before singer Sunshine Anderson, Ray Lavender,Rodney Perry, and a host of others.

My girl Tracy Steele was on the ones and two’s,while editor and chief of Sister 2 Sister magazine Jamie Foster got on the mic to welcome everyone and introduce Ginuwine. He came through the door looking suave as ever and hasn’t aged a bit. He said, “hey yall, dayum I came out in the 90′s can you believe its 2011? I’ve been around for a minute!”

He started to play some of his tracks and I liked what I heard. I met Ginuwine at the Compound in 2005, when I first started doing media and he was very sweet. I thought he was going to be a mess since he’s so fine but nope he was just as genuine as his name! Congrats on your new venture Ginuwine and I hope the album does well! xoxo

www.ginuwine.com

Happy Birthday Craig!

Last night I was invited out to a surprise party for Craig Stewart.I’ve had Craig on my blog lots of times and he is a playwriter here in Atlanta. His friend Isoul Harris threw him a champagne toast and suprise party last night held at Straits restaurant located in downtown Atlanta. I almost gave the surprise away by tweeting…yikes! I didn’t mean any harm but I forgot that Craig follows me on twitter and he was on there at the time…oops! I tweeted that I had just arrived at Straits. Isoul quickly texted me and said, stop tweeting!!!

That was funny as heck but once they arrived at the restaurant, we all yelled suprised! He really had no clue what was going on! It was nice to hang out with friends and wish Craig a happy 34th birthday! I asked him what he wanted for his special day and he said, “Tami I just want my blog to prosper!”

He has a great blog that talks about his life as a gay man and trying to get his stage plays off the ground. He really writes some phenomenal plays and Tyler Perry even has been to them. His debut stage production, A Day in the Life was a huge success! Well Happy Birthday bookie, many more to come! Your such a sweetie! Enjoy the pics from last night!

www.adayinthelife.blogspot.com

Chilli looking like sunshine

Pop singer and reality tv star, Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas had a viewing party last night at Ludacris spot Straits. Her publicist Christal Nims said that Chilli wanted to have an intimate affair with close friends and wanted to keep it simple. We reviewed the show,Chilli Project and I must say ,I loved it!  Maybe I loved it even more because you can see me chatting away several times in the background in a raspberry colored dress ha!

Chilli’s publicist Christal Nims and Celeb Photographer Calvin Evans

Radio Personalities Miss Sophia & Wanda Smith from V103

Tisha, Me, Monica and Jayda Boo

Keisha McCotry and I

The Chilli Project is a new reality  show that I would like to say is quite different than what you would normally see on Vh1. Chilli said she fought to keep african american people in a good light. The show was funny and her relationship coach, really brings the heat with her sassiness and bluntness.

I loved her slingback wedge shoes she was wearing and she said they were Guiseppe Zanoitti’s. Wow thats 3 times, I’ve mentioned their shoes on my blog in this last week lol. Chilli’s outfit was very cute.

Chilli’s Guiseppes Zanoitti wedges

There is also a some scenes with her ex beau Dallas Austin, plus her friend Floyd Mayweather. Floyd and Chilli have great chemistry on camera and the photo shoot scene (shot my Calvin Evans) makes you wonder if there is really a relationship brewing off set… hmm? Well the show premiers on Sunday April 11th on Vh1, tune in to watch! I would like to thank Christal Nims of Enchanted Pr for the personal invite! I would also like to thank Paras Griffin of G Paras Photography for taking these fab pics!