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Lotte New York Palace Hosts Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony!

by Jaylin De Guzman
written by Jaylin De Guzman

All Photography taken by Brian Schutza Photography.

Amid basketball, marathons, and baseball lies one sport New York remains incomparable of: Christmas Tree Lightings. This past Tuesday, November 27, Lotte New York Palace Hotel lights up its iconic courtyard. Known widely as Gossip Girl’s “The Palace,” Lotte secures their spot in this season’s must-see spectaculars. 

While scarves blew awry and the colorful garden of wool mittens filled the courtyard, Lotte had the crowd covered! While the bar was stocked with apple cider, hot toddies, and champagne, trays of hot cocoa came circling around. Chef Bill Leonard, Lotte’s Head Pastry Chef, warms the crowd with his grandmother’s hot chocolate recipe. It was the perfect remedy for a night cold enough to see your breath!

Joined by the New York Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe, David Shenman dedicated the Palace’s hard work and magic to the staff and partnership with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. The Lotte New York Palace Hotel has been a generous supporter of the foundation, aimed at aiding pediatric cancer patients and their families. For years now, Lotte has offered their beautiful rooms for families to experience the wonder that is New York at Christmas time. Following a touching speech, Volpe and Shenman counted down the seconds revealing the glimmering tree.

After a long-awaited hold since 2018, the Lotte New York Palace returns with its classic tree lighting. Right in the heart of the city, the Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas tree is ready for all its holiday visitors! 

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EventsUncategorized

UJC & Roc Nation’s 2nd Annual Social Justice Summit

by JaMir Robert
written by JaMir Robert

The Knockturnal attended Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition hosted the 2nd annual social justice, at the Javits Center.  Additionally, the summit featured over 60 national and local non-profit organizations 1including REFORM Alliance, Last Prisoner Project, Innocence Project, Gathering for Justice, etc provided programs and resources to all attendees to advocate for change in their respective communities.   Not only did they create a space to have these conversations to be had together they also provided access to vendors and resources and services from mental health to prison reform. In these times we need community, events like these are actively applying healing to the many scars we need to unload and heal in our society.

It is refreshing to know some people do care and are on the front lines doing this work.

Showing up sharing their stories the atmosphere was brimming with like-minded individuals who also wanted to active positive change.

The summit also included an art gallery that leveraged artwork that told the stories of activism. In New York City that included speaking appearances from New York Attorney General Letitia James, Fat Joe, Charlamagne Tha God, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Angela Rye, Until Freedom co-founder Tamika Mallory, Soledad O’Brien, CNN chief legal analyst Laura Coates, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice Kristen Clarke, and many more that drew over 3,000 attendees.

Additionally, the summit featured over 60 national and local non-profit organizations including REFORM Alliance, Last Prisoner Project, Innocence Project, Gathering for Justice, etc that provided programs and resources to all attendees to advocate for change in their respective communities. The summit also included an art gallery that leveraged artwork that told the stories of activism.

A few highlights from the day included

Letitia James, Kristen Clarke, and Michelle Miller participated in a fireside chat to discuss the ongoing fight against hate crimes, especially in this political climate.

Fat Joe introduced a panel that featured the families of Sean Bell and DJ Henry both of whom were shot and killed by police officers.

Charlamagne Tha God moderated a panel about mental health treatment within the criminal justice system with The Solution Focused Universe founder Elliott Connie, family therapist Dr. Jay Barnett, Vibrant Emotional Health national director LaraEvans, and Deputy Director at the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justin Derek Hamilton.

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EntertainmentEventsFilmUncategorized

LA Premiere: Adam Sandler’s Animated Comedy Leo

by Katherine Wright
written by Katherine Wright

The Knockturnal attended the Los Angeles premiere of Adam Sandler’s animated comedy “Leo,” held at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood Village on Sunday, November 19th.

The star-studded carpet included producer, writer, and titular character Adam Sandler, comedian and actor Bill Burr, along with directors Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim, and many more.

 

 

“Leo” is a heartwarming story about an elementary school’s 74-year-old pet lizard, weary from the exhausting repetition of substitute teachers, overbearing students, and general childhood tomfoolery. With only one year left in his life, he decides to escape the classroom and embark on a chaotic journey in the outside world, launching a hilarious and absurd musical adventure riddled with Adam Sandler’s beloved humor.

Watch “Leo” now on Netflix!

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph talk ‘The Holdovers’

by Jess Lucero
written by Jess Lucero

A familial bond goes far beyond bloodline. In acclaimed director Alexander Payne’s 1970’s based film, The Holdovers, an unconventional trio builds a bond in time for the holiday season.

The film is set at a New England prep school where Paul Giamatti’s character, takes on the role as the teacher, Paul Hunham. Hunham is forced to watch student’s with nowhere else to go during Christmas break. One of those students is Angus Tully, played by Dominic Sessa. Tully’s mom decides she’d rather spend the holiday season celebrating her new marriage. The trio is complete with school cook, Mary Lamb, who recently lost her son in the Vietnam War. Lamb is portrayed by Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

I had the opportunity to speak with Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph to discuss their time working on the film. Dominic, a high school senior drama kid, made his on-camera debut as a lead in The Holdovers. Sessa shares that he originally auditioned for a background character. Casting directors, on the other hand, had something else in mind for him. Like a true high school senior his first call to share the good news was to his mom.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph has had an eventful couple of years in the industry, but explained that this character in particular, required a ton of studying. From the war that took place, to her Boston accent, learning how to properly hold and smoke a cigarette. Mary lamb was an intricate character.

While Paul Giamatti is a veteran in the industry, he praised Sessa’s debut performance. Saying he learned more from Dominic than Dominic learned from him. Taking note of his, “openness,” as well as how much Sessa, “fought for his character,” in comparison to Giamatti’s typical adaptable response.

Experience the The Holdovers in theaters now.

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EntertainmentEventsUncategorized

ESSENCE Girls United Summit 2023: Atlanta’s Celebration of the Black Experience in the Era of Disruption

by Chantell Hayden
written by Chantell Hayden

On Saturday, Nov. 11. the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit returned to Atlanta, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse facets of the black experience. With the support of Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, attendees of all ages gathered for a day filled with panels, beauty, and music.

Throughout the lively event, trays of complimentary McDonald’s French Fries circulated the venue while guests engaged in various activities including photo-booths, crafting flower crowns, and more.

Essence Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga kicked off the event with her ‘Disrupt or Be Disrupted’ panel. A thought-provoking episode of the podcast ‘If Not for My Girls’ featured comedian and actress Pretty Vee, rapper BIA, and singer-songwriter Muni Long discussing walking in one’s purpose and aspiring for more.

Girls United Co-Founders Rechelle and Sophia Dennis joined sisters Jordyn and Jodie Wood for a heartfelt conversation on the joys of sisterhood and how they’ve learned eachother. Despite their age gaps, the sisters displayed a genuine closeness that made the panel feel more like a relaxed chat between life-long friends.

Jordyn and Jodie Woods, despite their undeniable impact across social media, have solidified themselves as more than just influencers. Jodie has emerged as an inspiration for the new Gen Z, while Jordyn has continued to establish her brand with her newly launched clothing line, Woods by Jordyn.

Notable personalities such as Aliyah’s Interlude, Yung BBQ, TM Twins, Karma Bridges, Anisa Brenee, and DJ Tootz were also in attendance.

The summit offered diverse interactive experiences, from speed mentorship sessions to a beauty makeover station. In front of a massive photo wall featuring the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls’—BIA, Muni Long, and Pretty Vee—attendees enjoyed Coca-Cola mocktails at a mocktail bar and explored a Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar photo activation.

Guests personalized airbrushed tote bags and pouches and indulged in some light shopping at the Soko Marketplace, featuring a range of products from jewelry to haircare.

The day concluded with an electrifying performance by Mariah The Scientist, singing her hit songs, including the fan-favorite “Spread Thin.”

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