Serena Williams has announced the start of production on her new ESPN series, In the Arena: Serena Williams.

Williams ruled tennis for over 20 years, winning 23 Grand Slams (singles). Like the Emmy-winning Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, the Serena Williams installment of the franchise reportedly will be a multi-part series that features first-person perspective from Serena and key figures throughout her life to “provide the most complete, intimate, and compelling account of her legendary career.”

The series examines Williams’s most memorable Grand Slam tournaments and formative life moments.

It contrasts Williams’s triumphant professional career and cultural significance with her private struggles, including her battle to keep her tennis career on top while adjusting to the life-altering event of having a baby.

The Walt Disney Company said a new generation of competitors, eager to emulate Williams’ success and ultimately defeat her, marks a full circle in her career.

The series revisits the superstar’s defining matches, formative moments, heartbreak, and glory to trace her personal and generational journey from phenom to icon across her whole career and into her legacy.

ESPN, Religion of Sports, 199 Productions (under the direction of Tom Brady), and Nine Two Six Productions (under the direction of Williams and Caroline Currier) will all produce the series, which Gotham Chopra will direct.

The Walt Disney Company said it would provide more information later.

The post Serena Williams Documentary in the Works at ESPN appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

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Harlem Bespoke: It has been a decade of covering everything old and new in greater Harlem! Join our growing community of over 14,655 followers on the Harlem Bespoke Facebook site and receive daily to your account by liking our page: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2023

* This article was originally published here

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy springtime from your friend and selector, Marlon!

Here’s a freewheeling playlist, and a seemingly random collection of tunes. Though what they all have in common is famous folks, sometimes uncredited, singing backup.

In some cases it is an established artist leading a hand, like Stevie Wonder contributing to Jermaine Jackson’s “Let’s Get Serious,” or a then-unknown protege like Lou Rawls singing behind his childhood pal Sam Cooke on “Bring It On Home To Me.”

In some tracks, you won’t be able to pick them out. Though in others you will never be able to hear the same again without recognizing them. Here is a breakdown of each song and who’s helping out in the background. Enjoy!

Open in Spotify

1. “Bring It On Home to Me” by Sam Cooke with Lou Rawls
2. “Let’s Get Serious” by Jermaine Jackson was produced by Stevie Wonder (who also provided vocals)
3. “Part-Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder with Luther Vandross and Philip Bailey
4. “Don’t Lose Your Head” by Queen with Joan Armatrading
5. “Step by Step” by Whitney Houston with original writer and vocalist Annie Lennox
6. “Every Time I Close My Eyes” by Babyface with Kenny G, Mariah Carey, and Shelia E.
7. “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell with Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson
8. “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean with Beyoncé
9. “State of Shock” by the Jacksons, with Mick Jagger
10. “Young Americans” by David Bowie with Luther Vandross
11. “Why Should I Love You?” by Kate Bush with Prince singing and playing guitar
12. “There Must Be More to Life Than This” by Queen with Michael Jackson
13. “This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris and Rihanna with uncredited vocals by the song’s author, Taylor Swift
14. “Partition” by Beyoncé with Justin Timberlake
15. “Chain Reaction” by Diana Ross with Barry Gibb

There are certainly others, but I’ll stop here. Though if there are glaring omissions, lemme me know, and I’ll make additions.

See ya next month, and as always: stay safe, sane, and kind.

* This article was originally published here

Harlem Bespoke:  The very popular Baylander Steel Beach lounge on the former naval ship at the West Harlem Piers on far West 125th Street wrapped up a second successful season last November when the weather got cold but now things will be warming up since Spring 2023 has finally arrived.  So when will everyone be on deck this season?It is still a little too cold so far and the official website has now confirmed that everything is up and running already. This new uptown business opened during the pandemic but thrived thanks to overwhelming local support and more fun days are sure to come at the this historic Harlem site.  More on the Baylander Steel Beach can be found in our past post: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2023

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Harlem Bespoke:  Another clean up day with Friends of St. Nicholas Park and local volunteers to help out for a monthly cleanup.  Mark those calendars and pitch in to help beautify one of uptown’s beloved parks.

* This article was originally published here