by Courtney Connley
Last night D.C. readers of celebrity gossip site, The YBF, showed up and out for the advanced screening of the highly anticipated film “The Great Gatsby” at the AMC Loews Georgetown Theater.
Before the screening, VIP guests enjoyed an intimate cocktail reception at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown where “ Great Gatsby” shirts and posters were passed out as guests enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres and drinks while mixing and mingling over a playlist that included some of the film’s soundtrack hits.
Fab Award nominee DJ Heat with Fab Award winner Yodit Gebreyes
Some notables spotted at both the reception and screening included WPGC’s DJ Heat who was on the ones and two, author Helena Andrews, Bar 7 co-owner Taz Wube with wife Arlene, Yodit Grebreyes of Favored By Yodit, and of course the fabulous YBF ladies, Jamishia Smith and creator Natasha Eubanks.
On bringing “The Great Gatsby” experience to young black professionals in D.C., Natasha exclusively tells DC Fab that because the film’s soundtrack was executive produced by Jay-Z and included many urban/hip-hop artists, it was a no brainer when Warner Brothers’ promotional company pitched her the idea.
Natasha Eubanks (right) with a D.C. blogger
“It’s almost like a broadening because there’s no black actors in the movie,” said Natasha. “I know some people were like ‘Why are you promoting it?’ but people don’t realize the whole gangster theme and everything that we look at and love originated in that 1920s era and the soundtrack is nothing but YBF artists and that’s fabulous.”
Speaking on the soundtrack that included Beyoncé and Andre 3000’s controversial cover of Amy Winehouse’s song “Back to Black,” Natasha expressed that she doesn’t hate the song. “Nobody can sound like Amy and I don’t think [Beyoncé] was trying to,” Natasha dishes. “It was a cover. It was nice. It goes with the theme.”
To see the much anticipated film, which is screening additionally in 3D, check it out in theaters on May 10.
