It’s safe to describe Ronald Bronstein as the Safdie Brothers’ secret weapon.
RoleCall Theater is a non-profit independent theater company that provides a safe space for creatives to display their talents. From short plays and films to workshops and improv shows, RoleCall Theater introduces a new wave of talent bringing a fresh perspective to the theater community.
The quaint space is located in Downtown Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, an eclectic historical building that was remodeled in 2014 and houses various cuisine-focused restaurants, trendy retail stores, comfortable outdoor spaces and a rooftop with a view that is to die for.
Right between a parking garage and Pancake Social, a trendy brunch spot, is RoleCall Theater. It’s tucked in to a small corner, and if you’re not paying attention it’s easy to miss. Their outdoor theater space, when not in use, is a typical 3-tiered seating area for patrons.
But what it lacks in space it makes up for in culture.
This summer, RoleCall Theater is the home of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
You can catch the Shakespearean tragedy live from Thursday to Saturday until August 20th.
Only evening shows are available, which is perfect if you’re trying to avoid Atlanta’s almost unbearable summer temperatures. But even the sweltering heat isn’t enough to ruin this quirky yet entertaining depiction of one of the playwright’s most popular works.
Given the feel of this play and the many times it’s been done by other theatre companies, it’s expected of the cast to convey a comedic and zany approach but in an exciting, energy-packed plot of confused romance as well as pleasurable, weird schemes.
Trevor Poli as Demetrius, Nicolette Acosta as Helena, Molly McInturff as Hermia and Sully Brown as Lysander.
Directed by RoleCall’s in-house director and producer Lyssa Hoganson and Evan Fields, the famous play was brought to life with a talented 7 person cast and just a few props.
The last time I read A Midsummer Night’s Dream was in High School, and I hadn’t thought about it since. The old Elizabethan English left me confused and 17-year-old me didn’t quite have the appropriate attention span to absorb all five acts. But it all started to come back to me once I took my seat inside the RoleCall Theater.
This time, despite the frequent switches between the fairy world and the human world, following along was pretty easy – which is a testament to the memorable performances of each cast member.
Most people already know the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a play within a play, and it follows four lovers, an upcoming marriage and a group of amateur actors. A few fairies are sprinkled in there, too.
The cast features The Knockturnal’s very own Nicolette Acosta as Helena/Flute/Cobweb, Madeline Brashier as Puck/Philostrate/Egeus, Sully Brown as Lysander/Nick Bottom, Evan Fields as Oberon/Theseus/Snout, Molly McInturff as Hermia/Starveling/Peaseblossom, Kaley Pharr as Titania/Hippolyta/Snug and Trevor Poli as Demetrius/Quince
Every group eventually ends up in the same place at the same time. Mischief takes place at every turn and themes of love and heartbreak come up often, thanks to the inevitable side effects of overdosing on love potions. There are romantic and physical chases due to mistaken identities and an obnoxiously dramatic wedding all delivered in to a wonderfully bold performance.
You may not remember how this adventure plays out. I know I didn’t, initially. But it doesn’t matter because the performance, while enigmatic, was as magical as a fairy-enchanted forest.
Above all, the whole production organically flows together with Nicolette giving a magnetic portrayal of scorned lover Helena, and Molly conveying the opposite side of the spectrum of adolescent love in her character Hermia. Sully and Trevor do a great job of commanding the room during their heated love-ridden arguments as Lysander and Demetrius. Evan and Kaley accomplished the difficult task of presenting the beautiful yet dangerous realities of marriage between Oberon and Titania.
And no one could have played the role of Puck better than Madeline, with her adorable charisma and playful demeanor.
With a sense of baffling foolishness and wonder, the play concluded.
I caught a Thursday night show, so it wasn’t too packed. The box-sized room with long, black curtains adorning each side was tight. I remembered thinking “Surely, this cast of seven can’t give us, the audience, a compelling performance in such a tiny space?” There was a sturdy, black step ladder situated on top of a few vintage rugs in the middle of the room. The set up was almost too simple. I wasn’t sure what I had walked in to, but I left feeling happy that I did.
You can purchase tickets to RoleCall Theater’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream here.
Courtesy of @indiashawn
With the wind effortlessly blowing, the beautiful songbird, India Shawn, took to the BMI’s Lollapalooza stage to pour out her soul with her R&B songs that are a collection of honesty, trials, and triumphs. Clad in pink with feathers, the LA base songwriter and songstress, belted out the ethereal, “Floating away.” She followed it with her honest and retro vibe song, “Don’t Play With My Heart,” before diving into her laid-back song, “Cali Love.” Then Shawn took a second to chat with fans. She expressed her frustration about living in LA and the lack of finding honest love despite trying.
After taking a beat, she dove into her song “Too Sweet.” With sensual moves, she reminded the audience that she cannot only tempt but also reward those who love her. Accompanied on stage by her guitarist and drummer, India Shawn ruled the stage captivating those in the audience who love to sing along with her, especially for “Too Sweet.”
Shawn changes things up for her next song, “Not Too Deep.” Slowing the tempo down, she made every word in the lyrics not only heard but felt with deep emotion and honesty. With sensuality on full display, Shawn then got brutally honest for her next song, “Exchange.” Hitting high notes, she made the audience feel the moment, in which she put pen to paper to craft the song.
Shawn then reminded her fans that not only is she sensual, but she is also strong. Belting out the song, “Superfine,” she championed her happiness over heartbreak all while noting to everyone that she is one fine-ass individual. She then gave the crowd her rendition of Brandy’s “Almost Doesn’t Count,” before singing “Movin on.” She rounded out her performance with her final song “Caught In The Middle,” which she released only days before Lollapalooza.
Check out India Shawn’s new music video for “Caught In The Middle.”
@buffalonicholsmusic
Life can teach you many lessons, even ones that you don’t want to learn, but for rhythm and blues singer/ songwriter, Buffalo Nichols has taken those life challenges and channeled them into a brutally honest and authentic hard-working music career. Better or for worse, married to the music as well as his guitar, Nichols has traveled the globe from Milwaukee to West Africa to Texas and Europe with the mission to turn an artist’s dream into reality and bring blues music into the future by putting stories of black Americans back into folk music.
His latest stop on his journey has brought him to the iconic Lollapalooza BMI stage. In front of a packed audience of young and old and every color, Nichols sang his heart out. A company just by his guitar and a drummer, he held the audience’s soul in the palm of his hand. With the audience hanging on his every word, he admits his captivating stage presence is not one that he developed overnight. “It’s definitely learned and not natural,” he said. It’s evident that his undeniable stage presence has been one that has been earned through years of setbacks, challenges, and strife culminating in an excruciating pressure that only develops the world’s rarest gems.
As for his music, it seems to have hit a cord with the masses given the pain brought on by the pandemic. He acknowledges with songs like “Living In Hell,” his music has been resonating with more and more people, “I think… a lot of people were trying to escape from the darkness of the last two years, but I think a lot of people are giving into it…not in a negative way but just accepting it. I think that’s why people come to my music.”
Accepting one’s fake can be a love and hate relationship, which is something he can identify with when it comes to his guitar. “It means everything and nothing,” he says about his six strings. “I tried so hard not to play guitar and do something else with my life, but it just [keeps] calling me back,” he admits. “I love it; it’s ruined my life and saved my life,” he said.
As for the next chapter on Nichols’s Journey, well he’s back on the road. His next stop will be AMERICANAFEST before heading to New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Texas, and Little Rock Arkansas.
On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Skybar’s Summer Nights Night Market made its return at Mondrian Los Angeles. Guests were treated to a market featuring all the summertime essentials: sunglasses, hats, jewelry, swimwear, and more. Additional installments included a beauty bar and tarot readings. Bites by Chickies Hot Chicken were available, along with cocktail specials poolside. The musical vibes for the night featured live DJ sets. Besides Chickies Hot Chicken, participating vendors also included The Good Witch, LA Tarot Readings, York and Angel Jewelry, Leo West Ear Piercing, JDS Swim, Bitty Love, Eco Pop Marketplace, Crop Top Chuy, _Droppin Jewels_, L. A. G. Vintage, Body Sculpting by Shapetress, BEAUTY BAR + CHAIR MASSAGE, and Kin Amora Moroccan Made Clothing.
Skybar’s next night market will be “In Dust We Trust,” a Burning Man-themed night market taking place on Thursday, August 18.
There’s a dead white girl in middle of nowhere Texas.
That’s a trendy podcast tagline if there ever was one. Imagine who would narrate it — a soft-voiced, Ivy-educated, high brow comedic actor sounds about right. Like a BJ Novak.
Well, “Vengeance” satirizes exactly that. Novak stars in, writes and directs (in his feature debut) the film, which is about a New Yorker staff writer leaving the effete cocktail parties of Brooklyn intelligentsia for a conspiracy theory-laden, country music-crooning small town in Texas after he learns about the suspected murder of an ex fling. The excursion turns into a podcast project for the writer, which turns into a reflection on himself, the cultural differences between blue cities and red towns and how the former writes about the latter, and other examinations about media.
Novak stars alongside Boyd Holbrook, best known for playing the no nonsense DEA agent who took down Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s “Narcos.” In “Vengeance,” Holbrook plays the goofy, high-energy brother of the “dead white girl.”
Novak and Holbrook spoke to the Knockturnal about the film. Novak shares some of the Coen brothers films that informed his directorial debut, what it was like having NPR’s Terry Gross cameo, and how he handled the satire sensitively. Holbrook, having grown up in a small town, comments on the authenticity of the film’s depiction of rural life, talks about playing against type and working under a first time director.
“Vengeance” hit theaters July 29.
Singer, songwriter, actress, and Gospel legend, Tamela Mann has just released the follow-up to her 2021 album, “Overcomer.” To the surprise of many fans, it’s a deluxe version with several renditions and live arrangements of many of her fan favorite records from the album.
The new album not only includes fresh, new takes on many of the album’s most popular singles, but throughout the project, other artists such as Wyclef Jean, Kirk Franklin, Tim Rogers & The Fellas, and Todd Dulaney, also contributed verses. Tamela has been recording since 2005, and 2022 marks her 17th year in the industry. Alongside her phenomenal singing career, she also has made waves with her husband, David Mann, in the acting world with her extensive work with Tyler Perry.
Tamela Mann was named both the Contemporary Female Artist of the Year and the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the year at the 37th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 15 years in the industry, she’s still getting her flowers.
The Knockturnal’s correspondent, Payton Wilson, sat down exclusively with Tamela Mann to discuss her partnership with Tyler Perry, new music on ‘Overcomer,’ her long career, her husband David Mann, what’s been moving her lately, her recording process, and so much more.
07-14-2022- SoHo’s NoMo was host to the one of a kind art exhibit by Gazoo To The Moon. The newest art collection was entitled “Open The Gates” and was inspired by Gazoo’s previous series known as “Gateway to the Moon”.
“Open The Gates”- consisted of live art where the artist Gazoo made a piece in front of those in attendance. Along with the live performance there were a series of pieces that were for sale and on display that showcased the true versatility of Gazoo’s artistic expression.
Within the previous series “Gateway to the Moon” – Gazoo explored his one-of-a-kind geometric tape art installations. The meaning behind this year’s live art show is powerful as Gazoo opens the gates to his new realm of life and creativity by expressing his art in a way he has never done before.
When asking Gazoo to further what he means when he’s exploring new realms he further elaborated
“I am at a point in my life where I believe in what I am doing for myself. I have been doing art my entire life and I can really see every detail of my life reflecting within my art.”
In regards to the geometric art, Gazoo explained that he started this artistic journey 10 years ago and made it clear he has intentions to keep progressing.
“Down to the tape that I use to create the art itself- has significant meaning. One of my role models, early in my life, pushed me towards my passions and it was him that inspired me to use the tape in such an intricate and precise fashion.”
While speaking to Gazoo, it is evident that he has no intentions to stop evolving as an artist. He will continue to keep pushing the border with his live art and one-of-a-kind geometric tape art installations.
In 2017, La Detresse became the product of a mutual obsession between the former stylists and friends for the perfect denim jacket. The duo, Alana Hadid and Emily Perlstein founded this brand and produced a line of denim and knitwear in Los Angeles. “Our intent is to fuse our love of vintage and androgyny with wearability and innovation to deliver you a closet staple on which you can build your wardrobe”.
Curated in DTLA but accessible anywhere, the clothing brand La Detresse celebrated the launch of their Summer Trip collection in New York City. With the best view of the Brooklyn Bridge and a captivating skyline, Alana and Emily hosted a happy hour for guests to enjoy Belvedere Vodka speciality cocktails, Martini & Rossi spritz cocktails and ROSALUNA mezcal signature drink along with light bites at the Dante Seaport in the South Street Seaport area.
As the night went on, there was an appearance from sister, Bella Hadid, in support of her sister’s achievements. The Hadid’s were then joined by Euphoria star Chloe Cherry, Cassandra Grey, Samantha Ronson, Maria Alia, Meredith Fineman, Dakota Lohan, Jonboy, Mike Tommasiello, Harry Hill, Timo Weiland and Olivia Perez. The evening provided opportunities for more special moments to enjoy conversation and fun music provided by DJ Martial. Guests were later gifted a special recycable tote bag filled with KORRES beauty items and Uncommon Goods’ special “THANK YOU” satchel by artist Lauren DCioccio for iOPEN EDITION filled with items from Necessaire, Grande Cosmetics and Tom’s Perfect 10 granola (of Eva Chen husband fame).
With treats and a good time to remember the night, La Detresse continues to make moments as they create visions through their collections!
Looking for an amazing new place to take friends, dates, or yourself? I found just the place! Mama Shelter is the freshest rooftop lounge and bar to hit downtown Hollywood. The venue hosts world-class comics from Can’t Even Comedy every Tuesday and Thursday night on their luxurious rooftop bar. For how much? FREE.
Come and unwind on the rooftop, lined with fun, bright colors and stunning tropical plants that scream excitement everywhere you look. Every moment turns into an instant IG-worthy snapshot, thanks to the incredible 360-degree views overlooking everything from downtown to the iconic Hollywood sign.
The rooftop really does have it all. Come down and try one of the insane cocktail libations from their full bar and highly skilled bartenders. Not only for nightlife, Mama Shelter knows how important maintaining a healthy, organic diet is. Their menu is home to plenty of green options and classic favorites, from house-made burgers to intoxicatingly refreshing guacamole.
But much more than a rooftop lounge, Mama’s got it all going on. It’s also a living and meeting space, providing an urban refuge that is beautiful and modern for all. There are 70 rooms available, designed by Thierry Gagain, each a cozy haven with a king-size bed decked out in five-star linen.
Can’t Even Comedy is an LA-based stand up comedy company created by husband and wife team Maxwell and Caitlin Benson. Mama Shelter currently hosts them for a biweekly residence. The company’s overarching mission is to provide accessible pathways to new up-and-coming talent and break the mold of traditional comedy venues, bringing guests an elevated luxury experience with food, beverages, and an environment to match.
Also, fun fact, Can’t Even Comedy brings along three pets to the rooftop, all of which are up for adoption from Annenberg Pet Space. The adoption center adopts all pets out at a flat $100, and the shelter pays for all health care needs of the pets.
Come on down and catch some of the latest and greatest comedy sets at Mama Shelter. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so plan to arrive no later than 6:30 PM for the best seats in the house. And remember, Mama takes care of everything. Peep the deets below.
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Where: Mama Shelter Hotel at 6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Parking: Street parking available but Uber recommended
6 PM: Doors open and DJ set
7 PM: Comedy show
8 PM: DJ set until close