Latest news with #Oakland-born
San Francisco Chronicle
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mark Hamill trolls Trump for AI-generated ‘Star Wars' portrait
President Donald Trump used artificial intelligence to transform into a Jedi in honor of Star Wars Day, and Mark Hamill's snide reaction says it all. The Oakland-born actor, who originated Luke Skywalker in the franchise, took to Bluesky to criticize the AI-generated image of Trump, in which he is gripping a red lightsaber in front of two American flags and eagles, wearing a sleeveless Jedi robe that reveals bulging muscles. 'Proof this guy is full of SITH,' Hamill wrote on Sunday, May 4, responding to a post from Mrs. Betty Bowers, Canadian comedian Deven Green's satirical character, about the image. Bowers pointed out in her Bluesky post that as part of 'Star Wars' lore, 'those who have embraced the Dark Side of the Force wield red lightsabers.' The White House shared the controversial image on Sunday morning to celebrate the day that many fans regard as a 'Star Wars' holiday due to the way in which the date sounds like its most iconic phrase: 'May the Force be with you.' For the first time ever, BART also recognized the fan holiday by offering a special 'Star Wars'-themed 'starship' ride on Sunday. The sold-out experience featured trivia, costume contests and other activities to help commuters form new friendships over the course of the 90-minute ride. Other May the Fourth activities in the Bay Area over the weekend included film screenings, craft parties and even a burlesque show. Hamill, one of the science-fiction franchise's most recognizable stars, has been a vocal opponent of Trump's for years. He even banded together with 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' director J.J. Abrams, 'Pixels' star Josh Gad and a handful of other notable white men to support former Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential bid during last year's election season. The group, which operated under the name White Dudes for Harris, raised $4 million during a viral rally in July.
San Francisco Chronicle
28-04-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
As others exit Union Square, Bulgari opens new flagship in historic S.F. building
Bulgari, the Italian luxury jeweler and accessory house, has opened its new San Francisco flagship in the historic 1908 Hastings Building at the corner of Grant Avenue and Post Street, deepening its commitment to Union Square even as other high-end retailers exit the city's once-bustling shopping district. The 3,500-square-foot boutique at 206 Grant Avenue replaces Bulgari's previous location on Stockton Street and showcases the brand's signature blend of Roman-inspired architecture and contemporary luxury. The space includes two salons for private client experiences, a custom chandelier featuring 300 crystal wands by Italian glassmaker Venini, and a decorative panel by Milan-based studio Pictalab that merges the skylines of Rome and San Francisco. 'We're proud to bring a unique blend of artistry, tradition and modern energy to the heart of this iconic city,' said Hervé Perrot, Bulgari's North America president, in a statement to Women's Wear Daily. 'San Francisco, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and global spirit, is the perfect place for us.' Founded in Rome in 1884 and now part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton portfolio, Bulgari will offer its signature collections of fine jewelry, watches and handbags at the new location. Oakland-born actress Zendaya is an ambassador for the brand. Originally expected to open in fall 2025, the boutique now anchors a luxury corridor that includes Dior, Cartier and Harry Winston. The space was formerly occupied by The North Face, which vacated in early 2024 at the landlord's request. Grosvenor, the property's owner, revealed at the time that it had been in negotiations with Bulgari for over a year before the lease was finalized. It invested millions to reconfigure the space ahead of Bulgari's move, to cater to the brand's 'unique needs' 'Grosvenor was intentional in their selection of an iconic, long-term partner for one of the most productive and elevated retail intersections on the West Coast,' said CBRE's Laura Barr, who brokered the deal, in a statement. 'This will serve as a capstone not only for Grant Avenue but another win for the Post Street corridor which continues to strengthen.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kehlani's Cornell show canceled over ‘antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments'
Cornell University has pulled the plug on R&B singer Kehlani performing at its annual campus concert over her antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments. The five-time Grammy Award-nominated artist, who has been outspoken about Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, was dropped from the upstate New York Ivy League school's 2025 Slope Day festivities, taking place May 7. Newly appointed school president Michael I. Kotlikoff wrote that 'the selection of Kehlani as this year's headliner has injected division and discord' into the event in an email Wednesday. 'In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media,' he wrote. Earlier this month, the Trump administration halted $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell amid the President's ongoing anti-DEI campaign targeting prestigious universities and colleges. Kotlikoff explained that his decision followed a meeting with members of the student board that planned the concert. According to the university leader, the students agreed that their choice had 'compromised what is meant to be an inclusive event.' Kehlani, real name Kehlani Ashley Parrish, is an Oakland-born singer-songwriter who is signed to Atlantic Records. Signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation management firm last year, she has collaborated with artists such as Cardi B, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth and Chance the Rapper. An unapologetic pro-Palestinian supporter, the artist wore a jacket adorned with keffiyehs as dancers waved Palestinian flags in her 2024 music video 'Next 2 U,' which included the phrase 'Long live the intifada' in its introduction. The word 'intifada' translates into rebellion or uprising, which the ADL said is a slogan for 'indiscriminate violence against Israel.' But others consider it a cry for liberation and freedom. The 30-year-old 'Gangsta' star is scheduled to perform at the Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage concert on June 26 in Central Park. ______
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Tony! Toni! Toné! singer D'Wayne Wiggins dies at 64 after bladder cancer battle
Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the seminal R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died, the group announced Friday on social media. He was 64. "With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D'Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones" Wiggins' family wrote in a statement shared on the group's social media channels Friday. "Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer," the statement said. "Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community." The announcement came two days after the Wiggins family shared the singer was experiencing "medical complications." Friday's statement continued: "D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many." Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2025 A representative for Wiggins confirmed the musician's death to USA TODAY with a news release that shared a memorial services are in the works. "We will share more details as they are available. For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support," the announcement states. The group — comprising Wiggins, brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Timonthy Christian Riley — had a performance in Northern California later this month that was canceled "due to illness." The Tonyies were working on new music amid their 2023 reunion tour In 2023, the Oakland-born group which formed in the late 1980s and released hits 'Little Walter," "Feels Good" and "Anniversary," embarked on their first headlining tour in more than two decades with the original founding members. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, the three family members who call themselves the Tonyies credited Saadiq with getting the band back together. "I didn't tell any of the managers or team or anybody because I just wanted it to be us," Saadiq said. "I wanted to be in a room where the only power structure was one, two and three. ... We have to be us first before we could talk to anybody because that's what happened the last time." He also teased new music the trio was working on at the time, declaring, "There's going to be another album." But he wanted to ensure they were in the right headspace for creating their first record since 1996's "House of Music." "I thought we need to really hone in on what we're doing for touring and then go home and then take like two days off, and then start on the album,' Saadiq said. "We got a lot of material and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music," Wiggins added. Aside from Tony! Toni! Toné! and his solo career, which resulted in the 2000 album 'Eyes Never Lie," Wiggins also worked as a producer for the likes of Destiny's Child, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole early in their careers.
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Tony! Toni! Toné! singer D'Wayne Wiggins dies at 64 after bladder cancer battle
Tony! Toni! Toné! singer D'Wayne Wiggins dies at 64 after bladder cancer battle Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the seminal R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died, the group announced Friday on social media. He was 64. "With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D'Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones" Wiggins' family wrote in a statement shared on the group's social media channels Friday. "Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer," the statement said. "Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community." The announcement came two days after the Wiggins family shared the singer was experiencing "medical complications." Friday's statement continued: "D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many." A representative for Wiggins confirmed the musician's death to USA TODAY with a news release that shared a memorial services are in the works. "We will share more details as they are available. For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support," the announcement states. The group — comprising Wiggins, brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Timonthy Christian Riley — had a performance in Northern California later this month that was canceled "due to illness." The Tonyies were working on new music amid their 2023 reunion tour In 2023, the Oakland-born group which formed in the late 1980s and released hits 'Little Walter," "Feels Good" and "Anniversary," embarked on their first headlining tour in more than two decades with the original founding members. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, the three family members who call themselves the Tonyies credited Saadiq with getting the band back together. "I didn't tell any of the managers or team or anybody because I just wanted it to be us," Saadiq said. "I wanted to be in a room where the only power structure was one, two and three. ... We have to be us first before we could talk to anybody because that's what happened the last time." He also teased new music the trio was working on at the time, declaring, "There's going to be another album." But he wanted to ensure they were in the right headspace for creating their first record since 1996's "House of Music." "I thought we need to really hone in on what we're doing for touring and then go home and then take like two days off, and then start on the album,' Saadiq said. "We got a lot of material and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music," Wiggins added. Aside from Tony! Toni! Toné! and his solo career, which resulted in the 2000 album 'Eyes Never Lie," Wiggins also worked as a producer for the likes of Destiny's Child, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole early in their careers.
