Let’s get ready to rumble! OK, maybe wrong sport, but the Olympic Games kick off this weekend from London, England. Team USA is traditionally strong in sports like basketball, swimming and track and field, so those sports are generally the most watched. Men’s basketball is expected to win gold, but the shocker will be if the women fall short as they’ve gone gold in every Olympic Games since 1996. Black athletes to watch include two with the nickname “The Flying Squirrel” gymnastic’s Gabby Douglass and wrestling’s Ellis Coleman. This is also the first year women’s boxing is included as a Olympic sport. Go Team USA! Here’s what else is going on this weekend.
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Click here to listen to Nikki Woods' "What in the Weekend Segment."
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ON TV
All Times Eastern
Friday, July 27
“The Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony” at 7:30 p.m. on NBC
Live from London, the kickoff of the 2012 Games starts with the Opening Ceremony and the walk of athletes from all the participating nations
Saturday, July 28
“The Summer Olympics” at 8 p.m on NBC
Swimming and beach volleyball are up first in primetime coverage that will pit Michael Phelps and surging American rival Ryan Lochte against each other
Sunday, July 29
“The Summer Olympics” at 7 p.m. on NBC
Primetime coverage of swimming and women’s gymnastics with 16-year-old Gabby Douglas among the top medal hopefuls
Sunday, July 29
TLC’s "Strange Sex" we meet Marcus who is able to …shall we say reach glory seven times in just 15 minutes.
Sunday, July 29
"Keeping up with the Kardashians: Khloe decides that Lamar needs to go to the dentist
ONSCREEN
“Step Up Revolution”
Peter Gallagher, Kathryn McCormack
The fourth in the “Step Up” series that launched Channing Tatum into superstardom, though he only appeared in the first one
PG-13
“The Watch”
Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller hope for comic magic in one of the worst-timed movies in recent history about a group of neighborhood watchmen who find out that some of their neighbors are actually…aliens.
R
"Runaway Slave"
Controversy is already brewing around the film. It opens in select theatres today and explores the controversial theory that American blacks were never truly released from the shackles of slavery, but instead offered the illusion of freedom by a government. Hosted by one-time NAACP local chapter president, Rev. C.L. Bryant .
Click here to hear to Nikki Wood's interview with Rev. C.L. Bryant
ON SHELVES
Philadelphia-based author Lorene Cary’s book deals with a family under pressure. When businessman Alonzo Rayne finds out that the great-grandmother doesn’t own the land she lives on and his mother comes back into his life, all hell breaks loose.
Friday, July 27
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Frankie Beverly and Maze with Patti Labelle, The O’Jays, Babyface and Tank
6 p.m.
Mann Music Center
WASHINGTON, DC
Howard Theater
8 p.m.
Cincinatti, Ohio
Macy's Music Festival
Dallas, Tx
DFW Diva Awards and 90’s Mixtape Tour with Shai, Dru Hill, Silk and Next.
Fair Park
Philadelphia, Pa
Grab a seat Saturday in this hands-on art-making session for children and adults, taking Charlotta Janssen's portraits of Freedom Riders and Bus Boycotters as your inspiration at the African American Museum.
Saturday, July 28
NEW YORK, N.Y.
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
8 p.m.
DETROIT, MI
Chene Park
8 p.m.
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, IL
Mint Condition, K’Jon, and Avant
Country Club Hills Theater
7:30 p.m.
LOS ANGELES
Gladys Knight and Natalie Cole
Greek Theater
7:30 p.m.
Houston, TX
J, Anthony Brown at the Rockaberry
1:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Dallas, TX
"The Voice" auditions, go to www.nbcthevoice.com for details & you have to be 15 years or older to enter.
Osceola, Florida
Culturama 2012 celebrates Jamaica's 50th year of independence. Independence day is August 1st.
Sunday, July 29
DALLAS, TX
DFW Diva Awards and 90’s Mixtape Tour with Shai, Dru Hill, Silk and Next
7 p.m.
Music Hall at Fair Park
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Frankie Beverly and Maze, Patti Labelle, Babyface and the O’Jays
6 p.m.
Verizon Center
Dallas, TX
"The Voice" auditions, go to http://www.nbcthevoice.com for details & you have to be 15 years or older to enter.
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Click here to find out more about TJMS Senior Producer Nikki Woods. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nikkiwoods.