ME AND MRS. JONES SINGER BILLY PAUL DIES

Billy Paul, jazz and soul singer known for “Me and Mrs. Jones” and "Philadelphia Soul," died Sunday at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey. He was 81.

He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, The Associated Press reported.  

THEWANNA expresses our sincere condolences to Billy Paul's family and friends.

 RIP BP! 

Read the full story HERE! 

THE BOSS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CANCELS HIS NORTH CAROLINA CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY!

MUSIC YOU WON'T HEAR...

Bruce Springsteen cancels North Carolina concert over 'bathroom law'

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the news that Bruce Springsteen is cancelling a concert this weekend in North Carolina due to the state’s radical and extreme new anti-LGBT law – HB 2 – that was rammed through the legislature on March 23rd.

“Bruce Springsteen is a hero and an icon because he gives voice, both through his music and his advocacy, to those who struggle against injustice and equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “It means so much that he has spoken out against this hateful bill on behalf of thousands of citizens whose rights and fundamental dignity are being trampled by the leadership of North Carolina.”

In announcing the decision, Springsteen said: “As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law.  HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.”

H.B. 2 has eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. The legislation also forces transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity, putting 4.5 billion dollars in federal funding under Title IX at risk. It also compels the same type of discrimination against transgender people to take place in state buildings, including in public universities. Lawmakers passed the legislation in a hurried, single-day session, and Governor McCrory quickly signed it into law in the dead of night.

North Carolina is the first state in the country to enact a law attacking transgender students, even after similar proposals were rejected across the country this year -- including a high-profile veto by the Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota.

North Carolina school districts that comply with the law will now be in direct violation of Title IX, subjecting the school districts to massive liability and putting an estimated $4.5 billion of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as funding received by schools from other federal agencies, at risk.

This section of House Bill 2 offers costly supposed solutions to non-existent problems, and it forces schools to choose between complying with federal law -- plus doing the right thing for their students -- or complying with a state law that violates students’ civil rights. Read more about how this bill puts federal funding at risk here.

As a result of North Carolina’s HB2 law, which puts thousands of youth, citizens, employees, and visitors to the state at risk, more than 130 business leaders are calling for a repeal effort during the upcoming legislative session and a number of businesses have begun to remove investments from the state.

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BOWIE'S BLOOD AND DIEHARD FANS DISAPPOINTED BY GAGA'S FAILED GRAMMY TRIBUTE...

BOWIE'S BLOOD AND DIEHARD FANS DISAPPOINTED BY GAGA'S FAILED GRAMMY TRIBUTE...

By @Lancesirlot

See the innovative collaboration from music's biggest night. Subscribe NOW to GRAMMYs on YouTube: http://grm.my/1dTBF8H About GRAMMYs: The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY, is presented annually by The Recording Academy. A GRAMMY is awarded by The Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences.

Let's get this straight, we are fans of Lady Gaga.  

There is no debating that she is an incredibly talented musician and actress.  

In fact, Ms. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta's recent "Best Actress" Golden Globe for her performance in "American Horror Story," was well deserved.

But, Gaga's tribute performance at the 73rd Grammy Awards show, in honor of the legendary David Bowie, is getting some serious criticism by Bowie fans and even Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, who tweeted his disdain after the tribute, "overexcited or irrational, typically as a result of infatuation or excessive enthusiasm; mentally confused." Damn it! What IS that word!?

Gaga's tribute kicked off with an extreme close up on her face, with an image of Ziggy Stardust's famous make-up, superimposed over her.  When Gaga started singing that's when the performance took a turn for the worse.  Dressed in a high waisted jump suit that looked more Elvis (circa late 70's) then Ziggy, she rushed through a disjointed medley of Bowie's legendary hits, including Space Oddity, Changes, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Rebel Rebel, Fashion, Fame, Under Pressure, Let's Dance and Heroes.

Unfortunately, Gaga's tribute seriously missed the mark.  

Gaga's performance left fans wondering, was this a showcase for Gaga or a Bowie centric tribute? 

Gaga's performance was more about a Gaga resurrection or comeback into the current music scene, then about honoring Bowies contributions and legacy to Rock music.  

The tribute was chaotic and more about Gaga transforming into Bowie (at one point she even distorted her voice to emulate his signature sound) versus Gaga just simply being Gaga and singing (in her signature voice) a tribute to Bowie.   We would have preferred Gaga chose one song and put her unique spin on it.  

We must admit, the entire production of the awards ceremony also displayed an unformatted, chaotic, disjointed collection of visuals.  The Director was off in the pacing and the sound quality confused viewers. 

Now, lets not shoot the messenger.  Clearly, Gaga stepped up to the massive challenge.  She is an obvious fan and where were the other artists to pay tribute to Bowie this year?  Not one other well known musician felt compelled to honor Bowie? 

There is no question Gaga is a super fan of Bowie and in the end she did ultimately honor his legacy just by taking a risk.  Sometimes the risk reward doesn't payoff but, taking a risk is essentially honoring the essence of what Bowie was all about.

Speaking of the music scene or shall we say, lack of music and more about an abundance of narcissistic self aggrandizement, the current music scene is entrenched in a formulaic machine that generates at best, mediocre music.  Overall, the music generated today seriously lacks elements of what Bowie's music symbolized:  real substance, originality, authenticity and a sense of sacrifice and struggle.  

Bottom line, if Bowie represents the passing of a musical era and Gaga is the Millennial representative expected to carry on the spirit of Ziggy Stardust, then what will be the future of Rock and Roll?  

Will any new artist truly carry on the substantial cultural impact that Bowie and several artists of that era contributed to society?

Only time will tell...

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2016 WEEKEND PREVIEW STARRING: STING!

This weekend, thousands of party goers will attend the last weekend of the 2016 Sundance film festival in Park City. Utah.  Hundreds of insiders will claw their way into the ASCAP music cafe to catch a glimpse of STING performing live in honor of the World Premiere of the HBO Doc Film, "JIM:  THE JAMES FOLEY STORY."  Premiering on HBO February 6, 2016.  JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY, the personal, intimate story of American journalist James Foley who was murdered by ISIS in 2014, made by his close childhood friend Brian Oakes. On Thanksgiving Day 2012, American photojournalist James "Jim" Foley was kidnapped in Syria and went missing for two years before the infamous video of his public execution sent shockwaves and introduced much of the world to ISIS. JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY tells the story of his life through intimate interviews with his family, friends and fellow journalists - while fellow hostages reveal never-before-heard details of his captivity with a chilling intimacy that reveals their courageous untold story of perseverance. Made with unparalleled access (including footage Foley shot himself), and using carefully rendered, sensitive recreations, Oakes takes viewers deep into the darkness and valor of Jim's captivity. What emerges is a powerful chronicle of bravery, compassion and pain at the dawn of America's war with ISIS.

Yet, it's the real indie film fanatics that will be standing in line, in the freezing cold to screen these upcoming films...

"THE FREE WORLD"   

Directed & Written by Jason Lew

Starring:  Boyd Holbrook, Elisabeth Moss and Octavia Spencer.  

Mo Lundy (Boyd Holbrook) is an innocent man who went to prison for murders he did not commit.  His time in lock-up changed him, forced him to resort to violence in order to survive, and vilified him as a monster even beyond the prison’s walls.  Now freed, Mo is looking to put the past behind him. He works at a shelter caring for abandoned animals, finds peace in the encouragement from his boss, Linda (Octavia Spencer), and faith in the practice of Islam. But Mo's tenuous stability is again upended when a desperate and blood-soaked woman, Doris (Elisabeth Moss) turns up unexpectedly at his work one night. With the intention of helping her, Mo takes Doris to his apartment. As the truth of Doris’ situation is revealed, Mo realizes that by sheltering her, his newfound freedom is in jeopardy.  Both outsiders, both victims of brutality, the two share a supportive and intimate connection. As that bond deepens and events escalate, Mo and Doris must determine a way towards freedom together or face an unforgiving world alone.

"THE EYES OF MY MOTHER"

Written and directed by NICOLAS PESCE

Starring:  Kika Magalhaes, Will Brill, Clara Wong, Flora Diaz and Olivia Bond 

Francisca has been unfazed by death from an early age—her mother, formerly a surgeon in Portugal, imbued her with a thorough understanding of the human anatomy. When tragedy shatters her family’s idyllic life in the countryside, her deep trauma gradually awakens some unique curiosities. As she grows up, her desire to connect with the world around her takes a distinctly dark form.  Shot in crisp black and white, the haunting visual compositions of THE EYES OF MY MOTHER evoke its protagonist’s isolation and illuminate her deeply unbalanced worldview. Genre-inflected but so strikingly unique as to defy categorization, writer/director Nicolas Pesce’s stunning feature debut allows us only an elliptical presence in Francisca’s world, guiding our imaginations to follow her into peculiar, secret places.

"BRAHMAN NAMAN"

Directed by "Q"

Written by Naman Ramachandran

Starring:  Shashank Arora, Tanmay Dhanania, Sid Mallya, Vaiswath Shankar, Chaitanya Varad, Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy

It’s the 1980s and Naman (Shashank Arora, star of Cannes hit TITLI) is a know-it-all nerd driven by the whims of his raging hormones. Heading up Bangalore University’s team of bespectacled misfits (best friends Ajay and Ramu), the trio of lusty intellectuals spend the majority of their time on the quizzing circuit, using their winnings to buy nudie magazines, whiskey, and beer, fantasizing about the buxom neighborhood beauty all the while. When the boys qualify for the National Quiz Championships, they make a booze-fuelled train trip across the country determined to defeat their rivals in Calcutta and desperate to lose their virginities along the way.  Unfolding to the tune of the iconic anthem, “Whiskey Bar,” as Naman and his friends run amok against the colorful backdrop of the Indian landscape, his quest for sex and glory is complicated when he finds his intellectual superior in a stunning female quizzer. Directed by Indian filmmaker Q. (known for his controversial cult hit GANDU) BRAHMAN NAMAN is a smart, raucous sex comedy that’s raunchy and endearing in equal measure— replete with innovative masturbation methods that put even Philip Roth’s Alexander Portnoy to shame.

"LOVE SONG" 

Co-Writer and Directed by So Yong Kim

Starring:  Jena Malone (The Hunger Games), Riley Keough (The Girlfriend Experience, Mad Max), Brooklyn Decker (Grace and  Frankie), Amy Seimetz (Upstream Color) and Rosanna Arquette.  

Using the poetics of naturalism and minimalism in lieu of explicit dialogue and predictable labels, in LOVESONG, Sundance Film Festival alumna So Yong Kim (IN BETWEEN DAYS, TREELESS MOUNTAIN, FOR ELLEN) strips down the central relationship between two familiar but very distant friends, telling a complete story with sometimes no more than a gaze. Neglected by her husband, Sarah (Riley Keough) embarks on an impromptu road trip with her young daughter and her best friend, Mindy (Jena Malone). Along the way, the dynamic between the two friends intensifies before circumstances force them apart. Years later, Sarah attempts to rebuild their intimate connection in the days before Mindy's wedding to Leif (Ryan Eggold). Quietly cinematic and picturesque, and peppered with unexpected supporting turns from the likes of Rosanna Arquette, Brooklyn Decker and Amy Seimetz, LOVESONG is a bittersweet, beautifully modulated love story about muted desire and the grey areas that define every friendship, romance and marriage. 85m.

"KIKI"

Directed by Sara Jordenö    Written by SaraJordenö and Twiggy Pucci Garçon

**2016 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION**

**Official Selection - 2016 Berlinale Panorama**

A dynamic coming of age story about agency, resilience and the transformative artform that is voguing, KIKI offers riveting and complex insight into the daily lives of a group of LGBTQ youth-of-color who comprise the "Kiki" scene, a vibrant, safe space for performance created and governed by these activists. Following members of the scene as they prepare for and perform at exuberant Kiki balls in New York City, KIKI highlights the infectious joy of these performances, while also foregrounding the scene's urgent social function as an alternative family structure.   In this film collaboration between Kiki gatekeeper, Twiggy Pucci Garçon, and Swedish filmmaker Sara Jordenö, viewers are granted exclusive access into this high-stakes world, where fierce Ballroom competitions serve as a gateway into conversations surrounding Black- and Trans- Lives Matter movements.  This new generation of Ballroom youth use the motto, "Not About Us Without Us," and KIKI in kind has been made with extensive support and trust from the community, including an exhilarating score by renowned Ballroom and Voguing Producer Collective Qween Beat. Twiggy and Sara's insider-outsider approach to their stories breathes fresh life into the representation of a marginalized community who demand visibility and real political power. 94m.

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON SUNDANCE Film Fest 2016, Be sure to tune into MOVIES YOU WANNA WATCH every Saturday on WVVH-TV 11am and 11pm.  Don't get Fios?  Then Watch THE WANNA Streaming live 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Saturdays on Apple TV HERE!  

YA KNOW YOU WANNA! 

The Wanna Talks to Super Producer Butch Walker

The Wanna Team goes one on on with the singer/songwriter, producer, and CMA winner behind some of the greatest hits by Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, and Pink!