Entertainment
Webber Marketing Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the National Battle of the Bands with Exclusive Film Releases on YouTube
Last Updated on June 7, 2024 by Daily News Staff
CHARLOTTE, N.C /PRNewswire/ — To salute ten years of showcasing the dynamism of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands, Webber Marketing (WM), creators of the National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB), is set to release the first three films from the NBOTB series on YouTube, presented by Pepsi. This move is designed to provide fans with open access to these pivotal documentaries, reflecting on the influence and legacy of HBCU marching bands.
The inaugural film, “A Salute to HBCU Marching Bands,” which first aired in 2021, will be made available on YouTube on Friday, April 26, at 8:00 p.m. EST. The subsequent releases— “A Salute to the Battle,” first shown in 2022, and “The Road to Houston: Preparing to Battle,” from 2023—will follow suit on May 3 and May 10, respectively, each premiering at 8:00 p.m. EST. Moreover, the most recent installment, “The Legacy of HBCU Marching Bands,” aired this past February and will be celebrated again in June during Black Music Month, syndicated across over 50 markets. Dates and locations for this re-airing will be forthcoming on NationalBattleoftheBands.com/salute.
The annual musical showcase was created to amplify the visibility of HBCU marching bands, highlight the band members’ talent, and the significance of the band culture at HBCUs and across the country. The NBOTB aids in scholarships for those participating colleges and universities in support of its mission to showcase the role bands play in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders.
Reflecting on the film series, Derek Webber, CEO of Webber Marketing and Founder of the National Battle of the Bands, states, “These films are more than just retrospectives; they’re a celebration of the enduring spirit and evolving journey of HBCU marching bands. From their storied past to their dynamic present and into their bright future, we’re honoring the cultural bedrock these bands represent. Making these films accessible on YouTube allows us to extend their reach, ensuring that the beat goes on for anyone who has yet to experience their power.”
The documentary series offers an inside look at the storied traditions, preparation, and influence of HBCU marching bands and their representation of the African American community. Band members, directors, and other notable figures share their unique stories and experiences in the band, as they have been a long-standing tradition and a staple at HBCUs.
To discover more about the National Battle of the Bands, its film series, and related events, visit www.nationalbattleofthebands.com. Stay in rhythm with updates and announcements on social media by following @NationalBattleOfTheBands (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok/YouTube) and @NationalBOTB (Twitter).
About National Battle of the Bands:
The National Battle of the Bands’ (NBOTB) mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and their roles in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. The musical showcase, hosted in collaboration between Webber Marketing and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, occurs annually in Houston, TX, at NRG stadium. Event organizers have generated over $1.3 million in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities. www.nationalbattleofthebands.com
About Webber Marketing and Consulting
Webber Marketing & Consulting (WMC), LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the largest marketing agency of record for HBCUs specializing in strategic outreach program development, on-site event execution, experiential marketing, and media. WMC provides its clients with focused programs that deliver measurable results, improve market position, and build for future successes. www.webbermarketing.net
SOURCE Webber Marketing
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actors & performers
Harkins Theatres Announces Rob Reiner Tribute Screening on December 17
Rob Reiner Tribute: Harkins Theatres will host a special $5 screening of The American President on December 17 to honor filmmaker Rob Reiner, with all proceeds benefiting the Human Rights Campaign.
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Harkins Theatres Announces Rob Reiner Tribute Screening of The American President
Harkins Theatres has announced a special one-day tribute screening honoring acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner, celebrating his life’s work and cinematic legacy.
On December 17, select Harkins locations will screen Reiner’s 1995 political romance The American President, with all proceeds benefiting the Human Rights Campaign. Tickets are priced at $5, making the event both an accessible film experience and a charitable fundraiser.
The tribute was announced via Harkins’ official, verified social media accounts and is positioned as a legacy celebration, not a memorial.
🎥 Why The American President?
Released in 1995 and written by Aaron Sorkin, The American President stars Michael Douglas and Annette Bening and remains one of Rob Reiner’s most politically resonant films. The movie blends romance, idealism, and civic responsibility — themes that have consistently appeared throughout Reiner’s career.
The film later served as a creative blueprint for The West Wing, cementing its place in modern political storytelling.
📌 Event Details at a Glance
Event: Rob Reiner Tribute Screening
Film: The American President (1995)
Date: December 17
Price: $5
Where: Select Harkins Theatres
Beneficiary: Human Rights Campaign
Host: Harkins Theatres
🔗 Official Event Page:
https://www.harkins.com/movies/the-american-president-a-rob-reiner-tribute
🎞️ Rob Reiner’s Lasting Impact
Rob Reiner’s career spans more than five decades, including landmark films such as:
This Is Spinal Tap
Stand By Me
The Princess Bride
When Harry Met Sally…
Misery
A Few Good Men
His work is often praised for balancing entertainment, empathy, and social conscience, making tribute events like this especially meaningful to longtime audiences.
Hollywood vs. Reality: How LA’s Wilshire Subway Was Really Built
https://stmdailynews.com/wilshire-subway-tunneling-hollywood-vs-reality/
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actors & performers
Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead; Son in Custody
Renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home in a reported homicide. Police have arrested their son in connection with the case, and tributes are pouring in.
Last Updated on December 16, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Director Rob Reiner participates in a discussion following a screening of the film LBJ at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas on Saturday October 22, 2016
On Saturday evening October 22, 2016, the LBJ Presidential Library held a sneak peek of Rob Reiner’s new filmÊLBJ, starring Woody Harrelson as the 36th president. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, chronicles the life and times of Lyndon Johnson who would inherit the presidency at one of the most fraught moments in American history.
Following the screening, director Rob Reiner, actor Woody Harrelson, and writer Joey Hartstone joined LBJ Library Director Mark Updegrove on stage for a conversation about the film.
LBJ Library photo by Jay Godwin
10/22/2016
Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead; Son in Custody
December 15, 2025
Renowned filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday, authorities say. Emergency responders were called to the residence Sunday afternoon, where both were discovered with fatal wounds consistent with a stabbing. Police are treating the case as a double homicide.
Los Angeles police arrested the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, in connection with the deaths. He is being held in custody as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
2016 SAMHSA Voice Awards
Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, known for his work as a director, producer and actor. His career spanned decades, from early television fame to directing beloved films that shaped American cinema.
Friends, colleagues and public figures have begun sharing tributes and reactions to the news as the investigation is ongoing.
More details will be updated as they become available.
The Inspiring Legacy of Raymond E. Fowler: A Journey into the UnknownLink: https://stmdailynews.com/the-inspiring-legacy-of-raymond-e-fowler-a-journey-into-the-unknown/
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Entertainment
Hollywood vs. Reality: How LA’s Wilshire Subway Was Really Built
Wilshire Subway: Did LA blast subway tunnels under Wilshire Boulevard? Hollywood says yes — engineers say no. Here’s how Metro safely tunneled beneath Miracle Mile.
When the 1997 disaster film Volcano depicted lava erupting along Wilshire Boulevard and referenced blasting during Red Line subway construction, it delivered gripping cinema — but not accurate engineering.
In reality, Los Angeles Metro did not rely on large-scale blasting to construct subway tunnels beneath Wilshire Boulevard and the Miracle Mile. Instead, engineers used tunnel boring machines (TBMs) specifically to avoid the very risks Hollywood dramatized.
Why Blasting Was Avoided
The Wilshire Corridor sits atop historic oil fields, making methane gas pockets a known and serious concern. A deadly methane explosion near Fairfax Avenue in 1985 led to heightened scrutiny of underground construction in the area. Blasting in such conditions could have caused unpredictable gas releases, ground instability, or damage to surface structures.
As a result, Metro engineers chose pressurized, closed-face tunnel boring machines, which allow for:
Controlled excavation in dense urban environments
Continuous ground support to prevent settlement
Integrated gas detection and ventilation systems
These machines grind slowly through soil and rock while installing precast concrete tunnel linings, creating a sealed, gas-resistant structure as they advance. 
The Real Engineering Feat
Although Volcano took creative liberties for dramatic effect, the true story of tunneling under Wilshire is no less impressive. Advances in TBM technology and methane mitigation ultimately allowed the Metro D Line (formerly the Red Line/Purple Line) to safely pass through one of Los Angeles’ most geologically complex corridors — without explosions, collapsing streets, or cinematic chaos.
Bottom Line
Volcano remains a memorable piece of 1990s disaster cinema, but its portrayal of subway construction is fiction. The real achievement lies in decades of careful planning, modern tunneling technology, and engineering solutions that quietly reshaped Los Angeles beneath its busiest boulevard.
Related Links:
- LA Metro – D Line (Purple Line) Extension Project
- Engineering News-Record: Tunneling Through Gas and Tar in LA
- Los Angeles Times Archive: Methane Risk and Subway Construction
Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story — A Closer Look at the Documentary and Its Uncredited VoiceLink: https://stmdailynews.com/dreambreaker-a-pickleball-story-a-closer-look-at-the-documentary-and-its-uncredited-voice/
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