It’s Friday night and at this point in my week, my anticipation for another listening party was about as low as another hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.  I have always been a fan of Fantasia even after all her business hit the streets about her alleged infidelity with a married man.  I really just came to support my friend who invited me, Publicist Latonya Story, and the guy who put it on, Photographer Derek Blanks.

Located at Justin’s, 2200 Peachtree Road, the media were treated very well.  I met Fantasia and her brother Rico who was there with them moments before she got on stage to perform 4 songs and her latest single “Bittersweet” off her latest album. 

Taking off her shoes, Fantasia engaged the crowd with her infectious down south attitude and her transparent attitude about everything going on around her.  She is a true performer and we wish her much success in the future.

Photos by: Jazmyne Simmons

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I arrived at MF Sushi in Buckhead in good spirits and a great attitude.  All that changed in less than 5 minutes.  Honestly, the best thing about this event was the cheap valet parking.

I have covered thousands of events in Atlanta since we started Indakno.com and I have never been insulted as much as I was with this event.  I have been on these event planners/promoters/publicists for a minute. Some of them jump on any opportunity rather it is a good one or a bad one thinking more about the quantity of events than the quality of events. Then blame the client for all the mistakes involved. I got a Direct Message (DM) on Twitter asking why I think it was wack because of some comments I made on Twitter that night about the event. I did not respond then but I will now.

IT WAS WACK BECAUSE: I have covered about 90% of their events. I have NEVER been treated like that in all the time I have been covering events. The first thing I was approached with was my outfit. But there were people going in with jeans, sneakers, and the such. I guess because I am not a “celebrity” I don’t get that special treatment.

IT WAS WACK BECAUSE: I was given an email with the WRONG MF Sushi address. And the time had changed.

IT WAS WACK BECAUSE: How in the HELL are you going to have a listening party, invite media, and we can’t go in until NEYO gets in. We were coming to HEAR AND JUDGE THE MUSIC. And then you attach a reputable brand like MOET and think that makes a great event.  I heard that they stop serving the free Moet and they started charging $15 a glass.  Honestly, I can go to Trader Joes and get a nice Riesling for $4.99.

IT WAS WACK BECAUSE: I have YET to receive an apology for how the media was treated at the event. I will be writing a letter to MOET about the event. I heard that MF was losing business so a letter to them won’t matter. But MOET would not be happy to hear from me. I PROMISE I will make a VIDEO expressing my anger. I will NOT post the pics of the event!  I decided to post the event pictures because of an over abundance of requests.

My disappointment is a direct reflection of the disrespect and arrogance that saturates this business.  If we were a negative gossip blog, I would have a lot more to say and I would make it personal.  And at the end of the day, I never even got a chance to hear the music.  Thank you to M-Bar and Slice for making my night a little lighter.

And….scene.

Photos by: Jazmyne Simmons

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“Managed money in the building”, was what I was thinking as Donald Williams, owner of Williams Accounting and Consulting, showed his appreciation to his clients for using his services on Sunday. The location, a familiar one, GB International (95 Bennett St. Atlanta, GA 30309), was perfect for as the DJ spent a perfect mixture of old and new school music and the bartender did the same.

I had an opportunity to sit down and talk to Donald about his business, his goals, and how to retain his services.

How did you start in the business and what made you go into accounting? 

Its funny how I started, I was working at a stressful Government job and I decided that if I wanted to do stressful work I could do it for myself. I went into accounting because I thought it was all about math and numbers game. Growing up math was always my STRONGEST subject. In college I decided to major in accounting and that is when I found out that accounting was much more then math and numbers. It’s actually a lot about analytical thinking.

What are some easy steps to maintaining your finances and good credit?

There are number of ways to maintain your finances and good credit. The best advice I can give is not to incur so much debt and live within your means. I recommend that all your debt should be below 75 percent of your income and 50 percent if you can.

How soon when starting a new business do you need to have an accountant?

I recommend that you retain an accountant when you have the thought of opening a business. That way you can have the guidance on how to set up the entity for your benefit and sound financial advice going forward.

What would a person need to do to get started with your services?

They simply need to set up an appointment with myself. I can be reached at 770-964-4100 or donald@williamsacct.com.  Feel free to check us out on the web at www.williamsacct.com.

Photos by Jazmyne Simmons

For more photos, click here.

The Georgia Entertainment Association held its monthly Professionals network Soiree this past Friday August 27^th at the Artmore Hotel. This beautiful hotel and its vintage scenery was the back drop to an enchanting evening in the Artmore Courtyard as industry professionals from the music and film industries networked, mixed and mingled. Founder, President and CEO, Freddy Cameron and Terry Gresham, Director of Membership and Student Services greeted guest and members of GEA.

In attendance was entertainment attorneys Kendall Minter and Bernard Coleman, Moses Davis of Warner Music Group, Autumn Bailey of Autumn Bailey Entertainment, Screenwriter Brandon Meyers, Actresses Jasmine Burke, Roman James and Kaira Akita and music producers Teddy Bishop and Bishop City among others.

For more information visit: Georgiaea.org

Photo Credit: Jazmyne Simmons

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Female rapper, Princess , hosted a special viewing party for BET’s new documentary “My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth about Women and Hip-Hop” on Monday, August 30, 2010. The event, sponsored by Kore Magazine, Seraphin Cognac, and Ella Bee PR, was held at Tongue & Groove 2420 Piedmont Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA. The event also included a panel discussion to shine a light on the history and current status of female MCs and rappers in the hip-hop industry. Panelists include: Music industry executive, Shanti Das; rapper, Rasheeda, V-103 DJ Traci Steele; model, Dawn Motgomery; hip-hop publicist, Dee Dee Cocheta; pop-culture expert Ronda Racha Penrice; and rapper, Eshe from Arrested Development.

Photos by: Jazmyne Simmons

For more photos, click here.