Latest news with #LadiesFirst
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Queen Latifah reveals her first paycheque was just 87 bucks
Queen Latifah's first paycheque was "87 bucks" from Burger King. The 55-year-old Hollywood actress and rapper - who was born Dana Owens - had humble beginnings flipping burgers at the fast food chain long before she became a global star. She told First for Women magazine of her first job: "Burger King, at 15 years old: my first check was for 87 bucks." Now she's in her 50s, the Girls Trip star star feels women should support each other more. She told the publication: "In our 50s, we have to support each other as women. We don't compliment each other enough, and we should. "We are more confident in our skin now-more comfortable than we were in our 20s, 30s and 40s. No one should think life is 'over' after a certain age. I still have so many things I want to do! This is the greatest time for women to lock in on their own health-and finally put themselves first." Meanwhile, the Ladies First hitmaker is set to be the subject of an upcoming biopic and she's excited to be able to tell her own story. She told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024: 'We've been talking about it for a while. "We've seen a lot of people tell our stories who weren't there and really have no idea how much more involved these stories are. It's important to see how it all happened from people who were actively in the room."
Refinery29
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
There Are 5 Kinds Of Las Vegas Travelers — Which One Fits Your Vibe?
Viva Las Vegas — just like the celebrity who popularized the phrase, Las Vegas is an iconic destination, one that's buzzing with energy the moment you arrive. But what's lesser known: the city is incredibly multifaceted, with an endless variety of experiences to be had — and without the $$$ price tag. Are you an eccentric dreamer craving for something that's unique, artsy, and immersive? Or do you prefer to be pampered? Or perhaps you're a party-seeker looking for the city to live up to its reputation. The ultimate question now is this: How do you want to spend your time? We pinpointed five traveler profiles and planned budget-friendly things to do for each one. (Also, did you know: Vegas has free transportation options, including the ARIA Express Tram and the Mandalay Bay Tram to take you to different stops along the Las Vegas Strip, and the Downtown Loop shuttle, which goes off the Strip and stops at destinations, like the Arts District and Fremont Street.) Keep reading to find the Vegas vibe you want; your perfect getaway awaits. The Life Of The Party You see vacation as an opportunity to let loose (although, let's be honest, that's your vibe every weekend). You're familiar with Vegas' reputation, and that's part of the draw. You're here for the late nights, loud music, new friends, and next-morning brunch recaps. To you, rules are meant to be broken — or at least bent — and if you were a TV character, 'YOLO' would be your catchphrase. Feel sand in your toes at Kassi Beach Club A free beach club in Vegas sounds like an oxymoron, but it does exist. Kassi Beach Club at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas brings Mediterranean vibes to the desert with a sandy setup, live DJs, and an all-day pool party. General admission is free for all guests (but seating and cabanas must be reserved in advance). Drink cocktails while suspended in mid-air at LIFTOFF Grab your girlies and strap in for a bar experience like no other. At LIFTOFF at AREA15, you'll sip specialty cocktails before being strapped into a floating bar that lifts 100 feet into the air. Beautiful views and booze, what could be bad? Tickets are $20, but to get the best value for your money, purchase a Level 1 Access Pass — AREA15 is filled with experiences and attractions you'll enjoy and this pass gives you access to nine of them. Take a booze cruise (on land) There's no boat, but rather, a souped-up party bus cruising along the Strip. This two-hour tour by Pregame Excursions is $50 and includes free-flowing drinks (BYOB is also welcome). Pickup and drop off are at Palms Casino Resort. Dance all night at Ghostbar Ladies first is just good manners, but on Friday nights, it's also the place to be. There's no cover charge at Ladies First, which takes place at Ghostbar, the rooftop bar at Palms Casino Resort. It's as if they curated a playlist just for you: Resident DJ Jenna Palmer combines the best of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, so hands will be thrown in the air. Ladies receive a complimentary glass of champagne before 11 p.m., and doors open at 9 p.m. The Serenity Seeker Vacation is meant to be relaxing and you aim to come home refreshed. A perfect day starts with a yoga class, includes a hike, and ends in a steam room. You work hard in your career and know that self-care is essential to your mental health. From hot yoga to cryotherapy, to everything in between, you're abreast of the latest trends in wellness. You love to be alfresco as soon as the weather allows it. You have lots of friends, but also value your alone time, which you need in order to recharge your battery. Hike the Red Rock Canyon Yes, you can experience nature in Vegas. The stunning Red Rock Canyon is a National Conservation Area that's only a 20-30 minute drive from the Strip. You can drive the 13-mile scenic loop and take your time on one of the many hikes that begin within the park. It costs $20 per car and during the busy season, October through May, there's a $2 timed entry fee for reservations between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or hike from the Visitor Center — popular ones include the at-times strenuous Calico Hills trail or the milder 2-mile Moenkopi Loop. Do it this way, and entry is only $5 per person. Detox in a salt cave at the LINQ Spa Escape the intensity of the Strip while relaxing in a Himalayan salt cave. The Spa at The LINQ Hotel + Experience offers its ' Crave the Cave Experience,' which gives guests a day pass to its spa facilities. The co-ed space also has an eucalyptus steam room and whirlpool. Robes and slippers are included all for $60. Spend the day at a wellness resort A stay at Canyon Ranch can be a splurge, but there's a way to visit its location inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a little over $100. A day pass for non-hotel guests is $125, but if you book a service for over $100, you can enjoy its massive wellness space for the entire day. We found a gel manicure or spa pedicure that costs $109 each, and while, yes, this is expensive for a nail treatment, it's actually not when it also includes use of the fitness center and all its spa amenities. An experiential rain room with multi-sensory showers and an igloo experience filled with cool air and arctic mist are just some of the unique offerings. SWAP Challenge your strength on a rock climbing wall Not ready to splurge on a spa day? Visit Canyon Ranch to climb its 40-foot tall Rock Climbing Wall. Shoes and helmets are provided and all you need is some muscle (and courage). Choose from either 25 minutes for $39 or 50 minutes for $69. The Spectacular Showgoer Your prized possession is your scrapbook of playbills from every Broadway musical you've ever seen. You're a bit of a romantic and if you're secretly hoping for a meet-cute on your flight over. You can belt out every word from every musical, and you can go on and on when you're passionate about something…like the differences between a show and its film adaptation. Vegas has been on your bucket list — the show options are plentiful, and you'd be happy to see a performance morning, noon, and night. Take in the fountains of Bellagio This magical water show is mesmerizing; even better, it's free. The 1,000-plus fountains in front of Bellagio perform a hypnotic dance, set to music and a choreographed light show. The show is either every 30 minutes or every 15 depending on the time and day. It's the perfect backdrop for a kiss, proposal, or grand gesture. Question reality at Limitless You're already a member of Shin Lim's fan club from his AGT days, and now you can see him in person. Shin Lim's Limitless at the Palazzo Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is more than magic — it's mind-boggling. No rabbits in hats, but rather, mentalism and illusions, all with impeccable sleight of hand, interwoven with his engaging storytelling and vibe-setting music. Even in a large theater, audience members seated all over can get involved. Tickets start at $65.49. See a Broadway show Hit after hit, straight from Broadway, is making an appearance on the stage at The Smith Center. Each show has a very limited run, so check what will be there during your trip. Upcoming shows include & Juliet, Suffs, and Some Like It Hot. Even if you've already seen it, we know you love nothing more than hearing your beloved showtunes. Matinee tickets start at just $34.50 for select shows. Get weird (and loud) with Blue Man Group The Blue Man Group at Luxor Hotel and Casino is a Vegas staple, performing there since 2000. Loud music, banging drums, visual storytelling, and lots of lights are all part of this show where the Blue Men delight, all without words. Tickets are available starting at $32.25 plus fees. Rowdy it up at Absinthe Bawdy burlesque, crazy contortionist, titillating theatrics — all in one place: Absinthe. Enter the Green Fairy Garden and give in to the dark side as this madcap crew of exhibitionists are unapologetically raunchy, so be prepared to get rowdy. Avoid online ticket fees by visiting the box office directly at Caesars Palace. Tickets start at $135. The office opens at noon Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The Gamer Girly You're an admitted Type-A personality. As the group planner, this entire Vegas trip came together because of you. You might be a lawyer or on your way up the corporate ladder. You're extremely competitive in that when you're confronted with a challenge, you love to face it head-on. You have a tight group of friends for whom you'd do anything, and they love you for your fearlessness. But they also slightly fear you when things don't go your way. Hit a hole-in-one at Rock N' Roll Themed Mini Golf The Strip has a handful of mini golf options, but for only $11.95 per person, KISS: By Monster Mini Golf at Rio Las Vegas is the best deal out there. You can rock and roll all night, and party every day, and take a shot into Gene Simmons' outstretched pink tongue aka the band's most iconic symbol. Think neon and laser lights, imagery inspired by KISS, and of course, their music, for 18 holes as you lead the way to victory. Feed your need for speed at Grand Prix Plaza Race go-karts at the brand new Grand Prix Plaza and let your competitive side take the wheel. After your qualifying session, the race is on for a winner. Beyond the track, you can learn about the history of F1, build your dream team to construct your own virtual F1 car, and then have a 4-D experience racing it down the Strip. Regular adult tickets are $79, but if you visit the day of and purchase onsite, you can buy tickets as low as $37 for a self-timed, 15-minute on-track experience. Live out your game show contestant fantasy You love shouting out trivia answers at your TV and now you can show off your skills outside the confines of your living room. Inside the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace is The Great Big Game Show. There are three studios that look just like the sets of real game shows and you can grab up to 14 friends to compete. Choose to play the Original game, which is a mix of fan-favorite mini-games, or go with Trivia Showdown. There's an actual host and a declared winner at the end — as there should be. Games are $41.99 per person. The Eccentric Dreamer Your crystals are packed, and you're ready to immerse yourself in Vegas' lesser-known side. You enjoy the transformative power of travel and plan to journal about your time there. You are a right-brained creative thinker who doesn't set limits. You know your way around a vintage store and can spend hours at an art museum. Expressing gratitude is a daily habit. Linger and enjoy massive floral wonders Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a free must-see in Vegas. Wander amongst the 14,000 square foot gardens where each season brings a new theme. The current summer exhibit, Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer, is surrealism at its finest, as you explore this European garden party where whimsy and opulence collide. Step into the desert and behold Seven Magic Mountains Ten minutes south of the Strip is Seven Magic Mountains, an art installation by famed Swiss artist, Ugo Rondinone. These seven colorful towers stack more than 30 feet high and are awe-inspiring when set against the backdrop of the Nevada desert. The site is free to visit and has ample free parking. Mural hop in the Downtown Arts District Head downtown and at every turn you'll find a vibrant mural upon a wall. Stroll down alleys, question the artist's intention, and take some Insta-worthy pictures. Explore this area and admire the murals created by artists from around the world. Connect with nature at the Arte Museum Are technology and nature at odds? Eternal Nature at the Arte Museum sets out to show their fundamental similarity: eternity. Let that sink in as you explore this multisensory museum with hyper-realistic exhibits. There are even natural scents, tailored to each artwork. You'll have moments for reflection, deep thoughts, and awakening of the senses. It's a stunning visual journey for all. Visit on a weekday to get the lower priced tickets for $50 (Friday to Sunday tickets are $60). While it's designed as a 90-minute experience, you can spend the entire day here. See Earth like never before at the Sphere Sphere is Vegas' newest landmark and this entertainment venue has been the talk of the town. Seeing a concert here can be pricey, but ' The Sphere Experience ' starts at $99 and includes famed director Darren Aronofsky's Postcards from Earth, a visually mind-blowing 4D film about our planet. Prior to the show you'll meet Aura the robot and explore cutting-edge tech installations. Remember: Vegas is many things, but it doesn't have to be expensive. No matter your vibe or budget, the city has experiences that suit your personality — so pick your archetype, pack your bags, and let Vegas show you a good time.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood satire meets small-town chaos in Radio Ghaint
Kolkata audiences can anticipate a unique cinematic experience with Radio Ghaint, a comedy directed by Indrajit Nattoji. Saumya Tandon stars as a Bollywood diva whose improvisations lead to comic chaos during a live radio drama. The film, part of the Ladies First anthology, blends slapstick with themes of self-discovery. Kolkata audiences are in for a quirky cinematic treat in Radio Ghaint , a riotous new comedy directed by Indrajit Nattoji . Set in the fictional town of Luvdhiana, Radio Ghaint follows the chaotic revival attempt of a floundering local radio station. When a live drama broadcast spirals out of control—thanks to an off-script takeover by a flamboyant romance novelist, a beatboxing guard, and a self-proclaimed Bollywood diva named Amrita—the result is comic bedlam. Tandon, best known for Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! and Jab We Met , shines as Amrita, whose wild improvisations send the show veering into hilarious territory with aliens, spies, and jaw-dropping plot twists. Beyond the laughter, the film explores deeper themes of self-discovery and empowerment. 'While the film parodies our obsession with fame and drama, it's ultimately about a woman reclaiming her narrative,' says Nattoji. Part of the Ladies First anthology series, Radio Ghaint is a 50-minute rollercoaster that blends classic Bollywood-style slapstick with modern storytelling. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
New York Times
03-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
A Black Studies Curriculum Is (Defiantly) Rolling Out in New York City
Late last fall at the Hugo Newman School in Harlem, two social studies teachers handed out pages of hip-hop lyrics to their seventh graders, and then flicked off the lights. The students appeared surprised. They had been studying ancient matriarchal societies, including Iroquois communities that had women leaders. Now, their teachers were about to play the song 'Ladies First' by Queen Latifah and Monie Love. The teachers instructed their students to highlight any lyrics that reminded them of the Iroquois women, who were known as the Haudenosaunee Clan Mothers. Although they did not know it, the middle schoolers were in the midst of their first lesson of 'Black Studies as the Study of the World,' a curriculum that rolled out in September and is now available to every New York City public school. Tristan Vanderhorst, 12, took notes and bobbed to the music. 'I had never seen a woman rap like that,' he said afterward. The curriculum, which spans from pre-K to 12th grade, covers early African civilizations, Black American history and the achievements and contributions of the African diaspora. The curriculum emphasizes what is known as 'culturally relevant' teaching, an approach meant to help students connect their own lives with what they are learning. It has been used by dozens of schools across the city since the last school year, to little fanfare. But the Trump administration has moved aggressively in its first weeks to ban programs related to diversity and equity across government, including in schools. Local school districts have traditionally been insulated from interference from the federal government. New York's curriculum — and similar efforts to bring discussions about race and history into schools — could test those lines, and how far the Trump administration might go to enforce its edicts. Already, many K-12 educators, including the architects of New York City's new Black studies curriculum, appear defiant. 'In New York, we are trying our best to be Trump-proof,' Adrienne Adams, the speaker of the New York City Council, said in a recent interview. 'We are doing everything we can to protect the curriculum.' In his second week in office, President Trump signed an executive order to withhold funding from schools that teach that the United States is 'fundamentally racist, sexist or otherwise discriminatory.' The order bans what it called 'discriminatory equity ideology,' which 'treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups, rather than as individuals, and minimizes agency, merit and capability in favor of immoral generalizations.' Whether New York's curriculum — or other Black history efforts — violate those terms is open to interpretation. That executive order, and others like it, enter an ongoing debate about how schools should handle race and ethnicity. Some states, like California, have embraced ethnic studies education, a discipline born on the left that connects the experiences of people of color throughout history. Others have sought to limit or ban it. Since 2021, more than 44 states have restricted how race is discussed in public schools. Last week, the Trump administration issued guidance to schools detailing how it might pursue its orders. Officials might examine elementary school with programs that 'shame students of a particular race or ethnicity' or that 'accuse them of being oppressors in a racial hierarchy.' In its guidance, the administration also suggested it would look at schools that it argued 'have sought to veil discriminatory policies with terms like 'social-emotional learning' or 'culturally responsive' teaching.' Ms. Adams, who helped allocate $27 million to develop the Black studies lessons, has called New York's curriculum a 'model of fearlessness.' The curriculum offers students an 'African-centered perspective that predates slavery' and is optional for schools. But about 200 have adopted it, and in early February, nearly 2,000 students gathered at the Channel View School for Research in Rockaway, Queens, for a Black studies student fair connected with the curriculum. Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the city's schools chancellor, said the curriculum was essential in a diverse school district. 'When students connect with the material, they are more engaged, develop critical thinking skills and build a deeper sense of belonging,' she said in a statement. 'I am proud to lead a school system that values inclusion and the powerful truth that our diversity is our strength.' In the curriculum's pre-K and elementary school lessons, students contemplate their identity through name study and ancestry exercises. In middle school, they are introduced to the concept of agency while studying local Black communities. They also learn about the Black media and the Black Panthers. In high school, students explore Black liberation, slavery, disenfranchisement, policing and other hot-button political issues like reparations while reading Ta-Nehisi Coates's article 'The Case for Reparations.' Peta-Gaye McLean, one of the seventh grade social studies teachers who began a lesson with a hip-hop music video, said she appreciates the new material, even though she has been teaching about Black history for years. 'Not only does it legitimize it, it gives the teachers a responsibility,' she said. Some of her students took personally the lesson comparing the roles of women in pre-colonial America and Africa. Tristan said his takeaways were 'don't take women for granted. Respect them highly.' His classmate, Amelia Sierra, 12, said the class taught 'all these good things about women and the ladies — how helpful they were and how important they were,' she said. 'So I think that shows me how important I am.' That is part of the goal. Some education experts say that making connections to students' own lives and culture helps them master the material. One study found that students who take ethnic studies classes are more likely to graduate and go to college. 'The ability to really dig into problems that kids care about is one of the things that I think sets culturally relevant pedagogy apart,' Gloria Ladson-Billings, an education scholar who coined that term in the mid-1990s, said in an interview. Not all educators agree with that approach. Ian Rowe, the founder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a charter school in the Bronx that embraces the classics, urges students to 'reject victimhood.' He said his school would never adopt the 'Black Studies as the Study of the World' curriculum. His students, who are predominantly Black and Latino, are still exposed to Black history, Mr. Rowe said. But, he added, 'We're going at it from the human condition, a universality. So we don't want our kids to only see themselves through the prism of race only or gender only.' Conservative and liberal educators may have more in common than they realize when it comes to teaching about Black history, said Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank. In both right- and left-leaning parts of the country, new standards and lessons related to African American history often emphasize teaching about the strengths of the Black community. He said that heated political rhetoric prevents both sides from appreciating some of their shared values. 'Instead of trying to find common ground on antiracism or inclusive history or ways in which we can broaden the canon,' he said, partisans 'have instead found it more politically beneficial to plant an extremist flag.' Alesha Smith, an English Language Arts teacher at Eagle Academy in Harlem, an all-boys school that is using the New York City curriculum, said she loved teaching about empowerment in difficult lessons about slavery, for example. 'The strengths of this curriculum are in identifying the strengths of the individuals and the flaws in the system,' she said. Nevertheless, conservatives who have taken issue with ethnic studies might make similar criticisms of New York's curriculum, which was informed by some of the issues the Trump orders condemn, like 'equity.' It also does not discuss many Black conservatives. Still, in some lessons, race never comes up. Professor Sonya Douglass, who oversaw the development of the curriculum as the director of the Black Education Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, said the intention was to have students think more about 'concepts like identity and empowerment, self-knowledge, culture.' In December, Ms. Smith led a lesson on how enslaved people subverted the institution of slavery. An illustration at the front of the room showed a rose climbing out of concrete, a reminder of the class's previous discussion of Tupac Shakur's poem that reflects on the same imagery. Students chose from several writing prompts, including one asking how they had overcome adversity in their own lives and another about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. TriNahum Jones, 18, described how Dr. King used his platform as a minister to inspire legions of supporters. And Muhamed Toure, 17, wrote his essay about being stopped and frisked while walking home from the gym. 'It kind of just showed me racism hasn't gone away,' he said. 'It has just evolved and changed throughout time.' After they put their pencils down, the class talked about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. They also spoke about quieter acts of rebellion, like learning how to read and write. 'I come out of class more impressed with the resilience of my race,' TriNahum said.
