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https://www.blackenterprise.com/fourth-july-party-southern-belle-perry/

Originally Published Jun. 29, 2016.

Are you still trying to figure out your holiday weekend plans? Plan a Fourth of July party to remember by throwing the doors open and hosting a big night out at home.

That’s the advice of Michiel Perry, the woman behind Black Southern Belle, a digital lifestyle brand that covers food, home decor, weddings, and fashion.

“Black Southern Belle kind of fell into my lap,” Perry said. “I was planning my wedding and decorating my home, and I was trying to get lifestyle inspiration that was uniquely Southern and uniquely black at the same time. But I was having the most difficult time finding it.”

Over the course of one year, Perry, a former political event planner and relationship manager for Google in Washington, D.C., moved back home to Charleston, South Carolina, got married, bought a historic home, and started the site.

Here she shares her tips for this holiday weekend and other summer entertaining at home:

Take the Fourth of July party outside

“I live in South Carolina, and it’s all about having a big front porch. We really wanted to show outdoor entertaining in an informal way but still very stylish, Perry says. That kind of effortless entertaining is a recurring theme. “One thing that I really want to hone in on [with] Black Southern Belle, is that not everything has to happen at a restaurant or at a formal event. You can still entertain in a relaxed way.

Simple can be chic

“You don’t have to have a 10-course meal just to have people over,” Perry said. In fact, one of her most memorable party setups was a biscuit bar, which simplifies things for host and guest alike: “You don’t have to rent all the table settings, which can be a hassle if you’re not a day-by-day hostess. But also, it’s an easy thing for people to pick up and eat and walk around with. It’s a mingling sort of food.”

Be an authentic host

Entertaining colleagues and clients at home provides “a chance for them to see that who you are professionally matches up with who you are personally, that your values match up at home and at work,” Perry said. But make sure you’re working the room, making connections, and that the people you’re bringing together will have things in common; not just professionally, but also socially.

Good manners are always in style

“Go that extra mile and write a thank you card. Even though you’re the one that hosted, it’s nice to write a thank you card for people who took the time to come to your home,” Perry said. And make it easy on yourself by getting it done before your Fourth of July party. “After the event, you’re so tired. Write it beforehand and just put it in a little favor or a gift bag.”

RELATED CONTENT:  New Documentary ‘The Debutants’ Celebrates Black Girlhood Through The Cotillion Experience

https://www.essence.com/festival/2024-essence-festival-of-culture/essence-festival-of-culture-night-3/

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images By Okla Jones ·Updated July 8, 2024

On Sunday night of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, audiences were able to experience 30 years of this iconic event, a star studded lineup of artists, and Frankie Beverly’s farewell to the live stage. 

Hosted by Keke Palmer and Big Tigger, the evening kicked off with a set from New Orleans natives Tank and The Bangas, followed by a set from DJ Beverly Bond and the first They Have The Range segment featuring Josh Levi. Right before 9pm, the legendary R&B group SWV delivered an unforgettable performance in front of a packed crowd at the Caesar’s Superdome. Coko, Taj and Leelee sang tracks such as “Week,” “Rain,” “I’m So Into You,” and “Right Here,” among others.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: SWV performs during 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

After a few songs from Durand Bernarr, the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Victoria Monét proved to be fan-favorite on the festival’s third night, where the audience saw her run through several of her records, along with a surprise appearance from Lucky Daye for their collaboration, “Smoke.” While showcasing her immense talent as an entertainer, Monét did a quick reggae set, before ending with “On My Mama.”

Dj Jubilee, the iconic Bounce artist, warmed the crowd up with some of his tracks before Janet Jackson came out to “No Sleep,” then went into “That’s The Way Love Goes.” The legendary musician then ran through four decades of her discography, concluding with 1989’s Rhythm Nation.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Victoria Monet and Lucky Daye perform during 2024 Essence Music Festival of Culture at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/WireImage)

With the theme of the evening paying homage to the artists that made the ESSENCE Festival special since its inception in 1995, Bryan-Michael Cox helmed a set highlighting artists of the past, present, and future. Artists such as Serayah, Lil Moe, Bilal, and Jagged Edge all sang renditions of classic records from Anita Baker, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boys II Men, and Aretha Franklin. Festival veteran Doug E. Fresh showed love for the genre of hip-hop before Cox ended the segment.

Amidst all of the amazing performances, the focus of the evening was geared towards Frankie Beverly’s final farewell. Luke James and Anthony Hamilton performed in his honor, before the band’s new lead singer Tony Lindsay sang several of Maze’s hits. Frankie then appeared front center to accept a plaque from former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, which was met by an uproarious ovation from the crowd mostly dressed in all-white.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Frankie Beverly receives a tribute on stage during 2024 Essence Festival of Culture at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/WireImage)

For years, Frankie Beverly has been synonymous with the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, so it was only right that he was given his flowers during the final farewell. With sets from Janet, Victoria Monét, and SWV, along with the powerful tribute the last night of ESSENCE was one for the books.

TOPICS:  2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture frankie beverly

The post Night Three Of The ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Featured Janet Jackson, Victoria Monét And An Unforgettable Tribute appeared first on Essence.

https://www.themarysue.com/is-there-a-rwby-manga-answered/

Is there any way to re-experience RWBY one more time? There are at least nine seasons of the show. Even if you wanted to go through all the flashy fight scenes one more time, there must be another way to experience this fun 3D anime one more time.

Luckily, a manga series for RWBY is now available for us through Viz Media. You might not be able to experience the anime’s music by reading the series, but we’re bound to be stunned by the panels that the manga has to offer.

The post Missing ‘RWBY’? Here’s Where You Can Read the Manga appeared first on The Mary Sue.

https://www.thenerdelement.com/2024/07/07/some-new-disney-updates/

Hello everyone! Today I want to discuss of couple of news that I want to talk about that stuck out to me lately. So, let’s get started, shall we?! Disney has announced that they are changing the lightning lane system from Genie + to multi-pass and single pass lightning lanes. This will go into effect on July 24^th. When the day of your visit arrives, you can make more Lightning Lane reservations based on what’s still available on the My Disney Experience app. You’ll be able to have three reservations at a time, so once you use up one of the three that you made ahead of your trip, you can book another one, and then continue to do that throughout the day. Lightning Lane Single Pass will essentially work the same way as Individual Lightning Lanes do now, but starting on the 24th, you’ll be able to purchase these Lightning Lanes in advance. You can get either Multi Pass or Single Pass or choose to use both. Along with these changes, Disney has brought back the ride tier systems. Rides in each park are divided into one of two tiers. When you make Lightning Lane reservations as part of the Multi Pass service, you get to pick up to one ride from the first tier and two rides from the second tier. You can choose to pick three rides from the second tier instead if you don’t want to go on any of the first-tier rides. The only park that does not have ride tiers is Animal Kingdom, which means you can choose any of the Lightning Lanes in that park as part of your three selections. Avatar: Flight of Passage is still considered an Individual Lightning Lane, A.K.A. Lightning Lane Single Pass.

But there’s one thing missing

Disney shared a list of Lightning Lanes that are part of the Multi Pass Experience and which tier each falls into. But when we looked through the lists for each park, we noticed that character meet-and-greets are NOT included. Right now, there are a few character meet-and-greet attractions that have Lightning Lanes and are currently part of Genie+, but they’re not listed as being part of Disney’s new Multi Pass service. This may also go into effect at Disneyland Resort as well.

In other news… The new DAS system has gone into effect at the Disneyland resort. Many disabilities are not visible to others. The DAS pass at Disneyland is a way to meet the needs of guests with special circumstances (such as autism or developmental disabilities) that make it difficult or impossible to wait in a standard queue. The DAS is also ideal for froglets who wander or elope to other locations because of autism or related developmental disabilities since it allows you more control over your wait time and location — and the ability to keep a child in a stroller beyond the usual stroller parking area. (Get your stroller tagged by guest relations for this.) A guest whose disability is based on needing to use a wheelchair or scooter does not need DAS. If a guest in a wheelchair has additional needs, then that person might benefit from the DAS and qualify. If you have a mobility issue that prevents you from standing in line but are not using a wheelchair, it’s possible the accommodation could be to ask you to rent a wheelchair or use a different ride entrance without steps where necessary. You may have a discussion about how Disneyland can address your needs. But the DAS may not be it. It is really designed for guests who do not have mobility issues and for guests who have “invisible” disabilities. Disneyland already complies with the ADA when it comes to disability ride access and offers a wide suite of accessibility options besides DAS. So, if you have mobility issues or need to transfer from an ECV or wheelchair to ride, you do not need DAS. Other options that Disney might suggest for you (based on your needs and health issues) may include Rider Switch passes, Location Return Time passes for older non–ADA compliant queues, wheelchair transfer options, sign language interpreters and handheld devices for the visually impaired. No, you do not need proof of your disability at Disney parks in the United States. (But the rules can be different at international Disney parks.) Disneyland takes guests at their word and doesn’t ask for it. Keep in mind that the more details you can share with cast members, though, the better they are able to assist and accommodate you! If it is difficult to talk about your issues, write them down so you have something to refer to when discussing them or bring a companion who can help communicate. When talking to the cast member, it’s better to focus on your needs and what is challenging or impossible about waiting in a standard queue, so they can let you know what kind of accommodation they can offer based on your situation. There is a lot of information, but I just want to point out some details.

So, what do you guy’s think about the information? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments down below!

Stay tuned for Disney updates.

The post Some new Disney updates appeared first on The Nerd Element.