The 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywoodยฎ Awards, held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the prestigious Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, was nothing short of a spectacular celebration of Black excellence.
Events
South Asians Shine Bright at Pre-Oscar Party – “South Asians at the Oscars”
Leading up to the Academy Awards on March 10th, South Asian leaders from film gathered for the annual “South Asians at the Oscars” Pre-Oscar Party. Co-hosted by icons in the South Asian scene such as Kal Penn, Lilly Singh, Hannah Simone, Tan France, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Rupi Kaur, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Shruti Ganguly, Anita Chatterjee, and Archana Jain.
It was a Hollywood night with a lot of great vibes and starry sightings this week of the Oscars. J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrathโs Bad Robot production company was again the site of the US- Ireland Allianceโs Oscar Wilde Awards, an annual event created 18 years ago by Alliance founder Trina Vargo.
ON THE SCENE: “Girls5Eva” Creator Meredith Scardino Discusses Writing for Four Talented Women
Prime Videoโs โRicky Stanickyโ Successfully Revives โBro-Comedyโ Culture
โSorry, my mom said I canโt go,โ I used to say to avoid hanging out with someone I didnโt want to.
Thrilling Premiere: Fox’s ‘The Cleaning Lady’ Season 3 Unveiled with Star-Studded Cast Additions
Grab your mops and detective hats, everyone โ it’s cleanup on Stage 15 because The Cleaning Lady is back, and this time, the mess is more thrilling than ever!
JX’24 Celebration Honors Groundbreaking Leaders in U.S.-Japan Entertainment
A week before the Oscars, JX held its JX’24 celebration at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, honoring trailblazers in the U.S.-Japan entertainment industry.
On The Scene: Inside of the โDune: Part Twoโ Iconic Premiere After Party
On Sunday, at its highly anticipated US premiere, Dolby Atmos technology transported viewers directly onto Arrakis, the desert planet of Dennis Villeneuveโs โDune: Part Two.โ The latest installment in the iconic trilogy was an alluring experience from start to finish, and with Dolby and its beyond surround-sound and immersive visuals, it was very easy to feel like you had drifted right into the film. But for many premiere guests, the experience doesnโt end in the theater, and โDune: Part Twoโ was no exception.ย
On The Scene: Experiencing the Dune: Part Two NYC Premiere with Dolby Atmos
When it comes to Denisย Villeneuveโs films, and especially his takes on Frank Herbertโs cult-classic โDuneโย series, one thing is for certain: they must be experienced in theaters. His 2021 film โDune: Part One,โ and itโs following continuation, โDune: Part Twoโ (which will make itโs highly anticipated theatrical release on March 1st) are visual and audial masterpieces that transport viewers onto the desert planet of Arrakis, and thereโs no better way to experience that than on the big screen.
When viewing a film like โDune: Part Two,โ where viewers are taken on a journey of such epic proportions, how to view it is key. Last night, the highly-anticipated (and star-studded) US Premiere of the film was presented in Dolby Atmos, a stunning technology that ensures sound can be precisely placed anywhere in a room, even overhead, creating an immersive soundscape that sounds more like real life. Itโs a leap forward from surround sound that allows viewers to experience multi-dimensional audio with incredible clarity that brings them deeper into the story. For a film like this, Dolby Atmos creates a revolutionary new experience that makes it feel as if you are standing right beside Timothรฉe Chalametโs Paul Atradies, or Zendayaโs Chani.ย
So what does this mean for viewers come March 1st? โDuneโ fans can experience the film with the stunning visuals of Dolby Vision and the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos when the film releases. One of the best ways to experience a film with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is by watching a film at your local Dolby Cinema, which offers guests the best movie-going experience. It unlocks the emotional impact of every film, allowing you to see subtle details and ultra-vivid colors (courtesy of Dolby Vision) and hear sounds come alive all around you (thanks to Dolby Atmos). On top of that, Dolby Cinema also features spacious recliners with clear sight lines. Once you experience films in Dolby Cinema, you wonโt want to experience movies any other way afterwards.

NYC, NY – 1/1/00 – Dune Part Two U.S. Premiere
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– PICTURED: Rebecca Ferguson, Denis Villeneuve and Tanya Lapointe
– PHOTO by: Dave Allocca / StarPix
– Location: Lincoln Center Plaza
Herbertโs iconic novel was split into two parts forย Villeneuveโs film saga. Where we left off in the first installment, Paul has just joined Chani and the Fremen on their journey in hopes of bringing peace to Arrakis. The latest installment follows his journey of embracing his fate as the Muad’Dib and avenging the enemies that destroyed his family. Plagued by visions of a detrimental reality, he must choose between fate and love, a near impossible choice. Itโs an epic tale of wonder, hope and revenge that must be seen to be believed.ย
The film, which is currently the number one rated movie of all time on IMDB,ย is jam packed with new and returning stars, including Oscar nominee Timothรฉe Chalamet (โWonka,โ โCall Me by Your Nameโ), Zendaya (โSpider-Man: No Way Home,โ โMalcolm & Marie,โ โEuphoriaโ), Rebecca Ferguson (โMission: Impossible โ Dead Reckoningโ), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (โAvengers: End Game,โ โMilkโ), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (โElvis,โ โOnce Upon A TimeโฆIn Hollywoodโ), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (โBlack Widow,โ โLittle Womenโ), Dave Bautista (the โGuardians of the Galaxyโ films, โThor: Love and Thunderโ), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (โThe Deer Hunter,โ โHairsprayโ), Lรฉa Seydoux (the โJames Bondโ franchise and โCrimes of the Futureโ), Souheila Yacoub (โThe Braves,โ โClimaxโ), with Stellan Skarsgรฅrd (the โMamma Mia!โ films, โAvengers: Age of Ultronโ), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (โ45 Years,โ โAssassinโs Creedโ), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (โNo Country for Old Men,โ โBeing the Ricardosโ).
The orange carpet, reminiscent of the stunning hues of Arrakis (best-seen in a Dolby Theater!) was graced with appearances by Chalamet, Zendaya, Ferguson, Brolin, Butler, Pugh, Bautista, Walken, Seydoux, Yacoub, Skarsgรฅrd, Rampling, and Bardem, along with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, producers Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Tanya Lapointe, and composer Hans Zimmer.
So what can you look forward to with Dolby on release day? Premium, immersive sound like youโve never experienced before. With Dolby Atmos, youโll feel transported into the world of Arrakis, as youโll be placed right in the middle of the action and ultimately connect more deeply to the characters and emotions on screen. So be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat during high-stakes action sequences, as you may notice the sound of an Ornithopter flying overhead or hear the movements of a nearby sandworm.
Find your nearest Dolby theater here!
Itโs always a good time to celebrateโฆespecially when youโre celebrating with El Cristiano Tequila.ย

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
A few days before National Margarita Day, El Cristiano Tequila hosted its inaugural mixology workshop at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. Co-founder Karan Khanna was on hand to help guide us through the class, where all guests learned how to create three cocktails: a โMighty Pepperโ margarita, the โAloe There!,โ and the โEl Negroni.โ

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
Great tequila, like great wine, or really anything in life, is a balancing act. Andย itโs this balancing act that sets El Cristiano Tequilas apart from others youโve likely had. While a night out drinking tequila is likely to reward you with a not-so-fun hangover (along with any other regrettable moments, such as dialing an ex), El Cristiano is additive-free and uses only the finest blue agave from Jaliscoโs Highlands.ย

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
So you can say adios to that burning sensation that typically comes with a shot of tequila. If you want to get all science-y, itโs said that the burn comes from ethanol in the alcohol, which lowers the activation threshold of VR1 receptors. Do away with the lime chaser by just upgrading to good tequila. (Youโre welcome.)

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
And for those who may not be as familiar with Jalisco, true tequila can only be crafted in this legendary region of Mexico, much like true champagne can only be cultivated in the Champagne region of France.ย

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
The mixology class is an ideal way to learn how to make some great drinks, whether you could be Tom Cruiseโs double in a reboot of the Cocktail movie franchise or whether youโve never mixed a drink before in your life.ย

Photo courtesy: El Cristiano Tequila
Guests also enjoyed yummy bites paired throughout the night with the drinks, including spiced chicken samosas with cilantro-lime yogurt, black truffle cheese fritters, and french fries. Yum!
About the drinks:
Both the โMighty Pepperโ margarita and the โAloe There!โ cocktail featured El Cristiano Silver, earthy and sweet with notes of mature fruit, cooked and fresh agave.ย
The Negroni is a classic cocktail, always made with Campari โ but the mixologists added a nice twist by adding El Cristiano Reposado, smooth with light spice notes.ย
About the brand:
El Cristiano Tequila was born from a close-knit group of friendsโ shared passion for tequila and Mexico โ as well as over four decades of experience.ย
โYou can find El Cristiano Tequilas in stores across the country or check out the online store locator for a shop near you.




