We are delighted that Ukrainian musician Sergei Babkin (Сергей Бабкин) cancelled his performance in Tel Aviv, Israel without any commitment to reschedule.
His booked performance at the Barby for 26 April was cancelled without a plausible explanation. We hope once he is made fully informed of the boycott he would continue refraining from rescheduling.
Increasingly, musicians of conscience from all over the world are choosing to respect the cultural boycott of Israel. Rolling Stones magazine published an article last month citing Roger Waters of Pink Floyd's decision to advocate vocally for the boycott. Since 2005, Palestinian civil society has called for a boycott. The BDS movement has made incredible advancements in just eight years.


E.J, (Elizabeth Johnson) is a British Nigeria singer, songwriter and published author. Her song writing is often inspired by her personal life. Born in Nigeria, Lagos, E.J moved to London UK in her early twenties to study and pursue creative arts. She is known for her creative penmanship as a novelist, a superb storyteller. Her debut album Reminiscence, features her debut single, Crazy Love, and some other titles not yet released such as, in my dreams, I’ll pretend, and get stepping to it. She is currently in the studio working on more songs for the album.
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A journey that is musical, one which has many symphonies yet to come. For the times music fills your life with mirth and love, a voice of the nation rises up. Harshit Singh Baid, Surat’s very own star is going places with his talent. A contestant of India’s top musical reality show- The Voice, he has taken it upon himself to represent the city, the state and its culture on national television.
An emerging gem of the city, he is giving all the Surtis a reason to be proud of. A student of Hindustani Classical Music, Harshit wants to push the musical envelope further to give the audience a more diverse and soul connecting performance. He is also the lead singer of the band Paranoid Fusion which you will further read about in his story. His story is just like his voice, simply music to the ears.
Taking you back to the start
An alumnus of Shri. C Shah Sarvajanik English High school, Surat and a BBA from SD Jain College, Harshit has held his love for music all along. His sound check moments started right from the school assemblies in 5th standard, where his music teacher recognized his talent. He trained under him for a few years and he knew that he had found his calling. Back in 2007, he also bagged a position in the top 10 in the interschool competition held by Zee Tv Sa Re Ga Ma Pa li’l champs for the wild card entry. Acknowledging his knack for the art, he started singing professionally in orchestras.
His strong musical sense and talent were backed by music as a hobby in his family. A family of diamond traders economically, all of them had a penchant for music. In fact, he started playing the harmonium after taking inspiration from his father. He added more feathers in his hat when he finished Visharad, the formal seven training in music. It is safe to say that he started young.
‘The Voice’ moments!
Taking you behind the scenes into his journey of the reality show, here is how it all unfolded. Harshit was all scared and jittery on the backstage during his audition, but as soon as he got on the stage, he had his game face on. It was now or never for him as he was going to perform in front of his one and only idol. His performance had gotten him praises from the star AR Rahman himself and a position in the ace Armaan Malik’s team. He was on cloud nine as he was mobbed by the cameras as soon as he got out.
He describes his experience with the reality show as surreal. For him, it was just not his dreams that he was working towards but also shouldering the responsibility of his city and his state. His magical voice and confident personality did it for him, he moved forward in the show, winning hearts and support of many. Getting an opportunity on such a huge platform, he really wants to make Surat shine in the field of music too. He wants the city to be known much more than just for diamonds, textile and food. He wants to give people in Surat a chance to explore music in its truest sense and make it easier for people in the city to pursue it and make a career out of it.
Jamming with the band
After his musical training, he came together a few of his friends who graduated from SCOPA and formed the band- Paranoid Fusion Band in 2014. Coming together with the band as the lead singer, he knew that performing live was what he wanted to do. All of the members are inspired by western music, specially the guitarists and the vocalists are classically trained, so they jam together to bring out the best of both western and Hindustani classical music to come up with new music. This gave him a feeling of freedom to create whatever he wanted.
With his band, he also wants to fuel the band culture in Surat that will give way to new genres like Rock, for people to experience.
He has already won the support of many around the nation and now it’s time to extend our support to the rising star amidst us. Watch his rocking performance on The Voice, here. and help Harshit outshine Surat in music.


Eve Plumb started her acting career at age 6 performing in many
television and commercials.
She is well remembered for her portrayal of “Jan”
on “The Brady Bunch”, as well as, TV movies such as “Dawn: Portrait of a
Teenage Runaway” and “Little Women”.
Recent television credits include "Law and Order: SVU", "Blue Bloods", and a reoccurring role on Hulu's "The Path".
Eve also starred in the film Blue Ruin and completed filming of the feature Monsoon set or release in 2018.
Eve studied improv comedy at The
Groundlings School in Los Angeles. Stage credits include the off-Broadway Nora
Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore, Miss
Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage, Unbroken
Circle and regional theatre work throughout the United States. Eve
has proudly been part of two “Broadway Backwards” performances for Broadway
Cares Equity Fights Aids.
Her compositions are oils, on canvas or linen, and ink on metal and range in size from 5" x 8" to 30" x 40"
Eve works out of her home and studio in New York City, and is represented by galleries in Chattanooga TN, Scottsdale AZ, Fort Lauderdale FL, & Richmond VA.


For all you fans of The Greatest Showman, we found a link between Selly Manor and The Greatest Showman this week!
Jenny Lind, played by Rebecca Ferguson, in the movie The Greatest Showman, once lived in a house owned by the Cadbury family! The house, in the Malvern Hills, was bought by George and Richard Cadbury as a family holiday home and country retreat in 1897.
Jenny Lind was a real life Swedish Opera singer; nicknamed the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, she was one of the most famous singers of 19th century. Jenny was born into a life of poverty but by nine years old she had already started her singing career and was accepted as a student at the Royal Theatre of Stockholm. By the time she was a teenager, she was a renowned opera singer. Jenny was connected to and touched lots of famous people with her music: Felix Mendelssohn, a great friend of Jenny’s, said she was the greatest artist he had ever known. Hans Christian Andersen, following some performances in Copenhagen, fell in love with her and it is thought that she inspired some of his stories, including The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor's Nightingale. The American showman P T Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman) invited Jenny to be the star in his new show. They had an incredibly successful tour together that travelled around the USA, Canada and Cuba from 1850-1852; this made Jenny a very wealthy women and allowed her to further her reputation as a great philanthropist.
Jenny spent the last five years of her life with her husband Otto Goldschmidt in the Malvern Hills. Although when they moved Jenny was largely retired, they enlarged the cottage and made an octagonal ‘nook’ in their house where she practiced. Jenny’s final public performance was on 23rd July 1883 at the Royal Malvern Spa Hall to raise money for the Railway Servants’ Widows and Orphans’ Fund. Jenny lived out her last days in the Malvern Hills, dying of cancer in 1887. She was buried in the Great Malvern Cemetery. It was not too long after Jenny’s death that the Cadbury brothers acquired the house. The family made many memories in that house over the years and it remained a well-loved retreat.
We hope you have enjoyed the Cadbury family and The Greatest Showman link as much as we did and check back soon for more Cadbury family history and historical blog posts!


Syd Barrett dies after 30 years as a recluse
News has broken that the founder member of the Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, died on Friday last. More and tributes at the link above. He left the Floyd over 30 years ago, but his legacy has always lived on. His influence on other artistes cannot be understated. Watch out for some video archives to be posted here soon.


When news broke yesterday that plus size trailblazer, Mia Amber passed away; I was completely floored to say the least. Mia was an educated and sophisticated woman that never let her curves stop her from pursuing her dreams. From producing television shows, to acting, to modeling, Mia accomplished a lot in her short time here with us. With everything she did, Mia consistently shinned a light on the plus size community, helping in its validations within main stream media today. Mia's beauty is unmatched and her confidence, talent, ambition, and perseverance are just some of her attributes that young women look up to her for... Mia Amber will truly be missed.


International performer Naweh is a singer–songwriter with an uncanny ability to connect cultures through her music. Born in Washington D.C. to Liberian parents, her musical style fuses her African-American roots perfectly with a contemporary R&B, hip-hop and afro-pop flavor. The singer’s artistic reach is impressive; appealing to fans that relate to her messages of activism as well as followers that simply love a hypnotic beat. Her hit songs “Visions”, “Not There Yet”, “Last Time” and “You and I” demonstrate the singer’s ability to shift from reflective songwriter to outspoken reformist.
Naweh’s impressive portfolio includes a performance at the Winter Wonderland Fashion Show in College Park, MD, and the I Heart Health Expo at Morgan State University. Naweh continues to pay homage to her African influences, and has performed at the prestigious Alpha Phi Alpha ball in Paynesville, Liberia, The World Bank at Howard University and The Liberian Awards, in Delaware.


Kim Kardashian has a ton to be grateful during the current year. Her application has made millions and a huge number of dollars, she got hitched to Kanye West in a lavish wedding and she effectively broke the Internet with her Paper magazine bare photoshoot.
However when Kim imparted a photograph on Instagram to show what she was genuinely grateful for, it just had one individual in it: her lovable young lady North West.
“I’m so grateful for my closest companion,” she composed beside a photograph of minimal North meandering far from her.
She likewise imparted a photograph of North exiting of the house to her, looking incredibly sweet in a hairy layer, dark tights and pads that looked like feline appearances. Where would we be able to get a couple of feline shoes? Furthermore out of sight of the photograph stood Georgia the canine, who just about takes the spotlight from North.
A week ago, the 34-year-old said in a meeting with Australian radio station 92.9 that she would help her girl taking pics that were like her Paper magazine photoshoot.
“I would help anything she needs to do,” she uncovered. “I don’t do anything with the plan to advance any other person doing it—that is not in any case what I’m attempting to do. I do it in light of the fact that I’m pleased with it. Furthermore it engaged me to like myself after I had picked up 500 pounds and resembled an immense lazy pig for so long


JAKE MESTRE (EKAJ)
Is of Puerto Rican descent raised in both Brooklyn and Queens, New York city. Jake was discovered by Fashion Photographer Cati Gonzalez when he was 16 years old and got him into Fashion modeling. he's modeled for V magazine, (Dutch) Marie Claire, Chromats and others. The Film "Ekaj" is his performing debut as a first time actor. Jake is currently studying and planning to go to college for a degree.
BADD IDEA (MECCA)
Is of Puerto Rican descent born in NYC. His life began as a street kid during the Club scene in 90's where was considered one of the best vogue dancers. As a young man he was discovered as a model in Paris and was in numerous magazine covers all over the world. He's also known for his fierce runway walk and his beautiful tattoos. Today he is an amazing conceptual artist who Paints beautiful artwork, writes his own music, and has expanded his new work to 3D. There is not much that Badd Idea can’t create. He is always full of surprises, and his art has no limits in mediums nor his sense of humor. "Ekaj" is his debut as a first time supporting Actor.
SCOOTER LAFORGE (Johnny)
Scooter received a painting degree at the University of Arizona, He packed his bags and headed to New York, where he won a fellowship to Cooper Union School of Art. Scooter's work can be characterized as Pop Art, His projects have been showcased at numerous galleries around the Big Apple, such as Exit Art, Wooster Projects White Columns, Feature Inc. and Bucheon to name a few. Scooter's self- entitled t-shirt collection has been collected by Iggy Pop, Sandra Bernhard, Perez Hilton, Debbie Harris. Scooter has been selected to feature his work in the London Biennale opening at the Christopher Henry Gallery. Currently, Scooter LaForge resides in the East Village and works from his painting studio on the Lower East Side. Recently in 2015 Scooter’s work has exploded, doing Art pieces worn by Beyonce, and Madonna’s dancer’s in her performance on the Jimmy Fallon’s show among other celebrities. You can see his clothing designs at Patricia Fields in NYC


Start Date: Mon Jun 6, 2016
End Date: Sun Jul 10, 2016
Join us at the 56th Annual CF Chinook Centre Stampede Breakfast on Saturday, July 9 from 7am-11am rain or shine. Live performances by Beverley Mahood, Trevor Panczak, Domino and Lindsay Butler!
It is impossible to simply define the multifarious talents of Beverley Mahood. A performer, songwriter, recording artist, model, actress and host, Beverley does it all! Since her debut song, “Girl Out of The Ordinary”, Beverley has forged a career of success, including songwriting for Celine Dion; multiple awards as both a solo artist and as a member of her female trio, (created with David Foster), Lace; worldwide success with her TV-Show ”Pick a Puppy”; time as the celebrity model for Bootlegger; a starring role in the Lifetime Movie, ”Changing Seasons” and a commitment to community that saw her receive the “Slaight Music Humanitarian Award” at the 2014 CCMA Awards. Beverley’s live show is high energy, entertaining and her performance resume is unique with history of both hosting and performing at Canada’s largest Country Festivals.
Trevor Panczak (pan-zak) has worked passionately to become the entertainer he is today. He is a talented writer & vocalist but what brings it all together under his cowboy hat and out of his 6’4” frame is his natural ability to connect with an audience. His laid back humor, smooth voice and charming stage presence will leave a lasting impression. True to his farm roots, Trevor believes he is here to sing and to serve. Trevor is focusing on writing, recording, touring community involvement and his career in the Canadian Country Music scene. He has worked passionately to become the entertainer he is today. Trevor has talent as a writer and vocalist but what brings it all together under his cowboy hat and out of his 6’4” frame is his natural ability to connect with an audience. He will lure you in with his endearing sense of humor, make you laugh, then without warning he can make you cry. He has supported countless charities and fundraising organizations in and beyond Alberta’s borders. Since the release of his 2 prior EP recordings "Roll On" and "Another Day Another Dollar" Trevor gives $1 from each EP sold to The Ronald McDonald House.
Rarely does one find four individuals, all coming from various backgrounds able to gel together creating a harmonious group. Together; Domino has mastered this by honing their harmonies to near perfection, which explains the melded cohesive sound projected on their new EP “Ghost”. Having redefined their brand and sound so unique; one might say it could be comparable to a Fleetwood Mac embellished with country music. Domino has numerous ACMA (Association of Country Music in Alberta) nominations in their belt. All garnering top 5 placements in all categories: Group, Album, Song, and Fan’s Choice by their peers. For the 2015 ACMA awards this group was named Group of the Year and garnered the prestige title of Fan’s Choice. “We are extremely humbled and honoured to have been chosen to receive Group of the Year and the Fans Choice awards at the ACMAs this year!
Lyndsay Butler hails from the High River area of Southern Alberta. You may have heard her singing in the Foothills region for local charity and fundraising events as well as the occasional national anthem. She has had recent success at the 2013 Nashville North Star competition at the Calgary Stampede. Earlier in 2013 she traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with Global Country Star Search and earned top honors in Adult Traditional Country Artist categories. In 2012 she was the winner of the Ranchman’s Rising Star competition, sponsors included Country 105, Lammles & Music Centre Canada. Lyndsay is now busy pursuing her creative side as a songwriter. Her unique style has been described as traditional country, mixed with a little rock plus a dash of outlaw sound.


Michael Jordan spent $48,000 preparing for Kobe Bryant’s HoF induction
Michael Jordan is one of the richest athletes in the world. As evidenced by his impressive watch collection, which includes a $48,000 Rolex!
There are very few athletes who can be successful both on and off the field. A former athlete who is a shining example of one who has is Michael Jordan.
MJ amassed enormous wealth both during his time as a gambler, as well as as a businessman after his retirement.
His endorsements, ventures, and investments have helped him accumulate a net worth of nearly $1.7 billion. A figure that places the legend of the Bulls among the richest men in the world.
Michael Jordan is 59 years old today.
➖Net worth: $1.6 billion
➖highest paid athlete of all time
➖first billionaire athlete in the world
➖Brand Jordan: $4.7 billion in revenue in 2021
➖offers: @Nike @Coca Cola @McDonalds @chevrolet @Gatorade @Hanes + more
➖owner: @hornets @23XIRacing
Changed the game. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/0rinKIrD4L
— Boardroom (@boardroom) February 17, 2022
Read also : Michael Jordan’s $15 million golf course was just the start of a new $25.75 billion golf industry entry
A question on everyone’s mind is how Michael spends his money. Besides his many businesses, Jordan loves the finer things in life, including a number of luxury watches.
Michael Jordan wore $48,000 Rolex Sky-Dweller at Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame induction
There are a number of things in this world that only the richest of the rich can afford. This includes a collection of luxury watches.
One man who loves his watches is none other than Michael Jordan. The six-time NBA champion has an incredible collection that costs over $1.5 million.
One particularly beautiful watch in his collection is a $48,000 Rolex Sky-Dweller. The same watch he wore when he inducted Kobe Bryant into the Hall of Fame.
Vanessa Bryant and Michael Jordan inducting Kobe into the Hall of Fame tonight was amazing ❤🙏
Vanessa to MJ: “Kobe looked up to you. It means so much to us.
MJ got choked ❤🐐 pic.twitter.com/3JZQZfWP3r
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) May 16, 2021
His Airness is certainly one who knows where to spend his money, especially when it comes to watches, which turn out to be very good investments.
Read also : 6’6″ Michael Jordan hilariously called himself ‘Magic Jordan’ during his $5,000 Pontiac Grand Prix, out of incredible love for Magic Johnson


Wow! Anne Rice just announced that she will be doing two live streams tomorrow, Jan. 4, 2017, to answer your questions.
The first live stream will be on her original fan page at 2 p.m, Pacific time. Presumably, this is for general questions related to herself and her work.
The second live stream will be at 2:30 p.m., Pacific time, on the official Vampire Chronicles page. It’s safe to assume that this one will be to answer questions related to the future TV show which she and her son, Christopher Rice, are in the process of developing. It’s not exactly clear if Christopher will be joining her for the live stream but in her announcement she does say that “we” will be doing the stream so it’s quite likely he’ll be there too since he’s Anne’s partner in this project.
What exciting news – we can’t wait! We’re certainly going to be there and we hope you’ll join us!


Executive Producers: Michael Blakey and Ron White
Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is best known as the cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” phenomenon. All three of White’s previous comedy DVDs have charted #1 on Billboard and received Platinum status. Now his fourth DVD, “A Little Unprofessional”, has already been certified Platinum by RIAA after only two months.
“A Little Unprofessional” delivers 80 minutes of new material and is destined to become a classic in the comedy archives. Jokes include references to TSA security checks, Dr. Phil and Tiger Woods. Ron White is famous for classic storytelling; his humorous anecdotes are taken from real life, from growing up in a small town in Texas, to his daily life, to his joining the ranks of some of the most successful comedians in America.
In March 2013 “A Little Unprofessional” achieved platinum status certification.


“I will be back and I will be lonely on your mountains!” said Norwegian singer-songwriter, Aurora, at her first Glasgow gig and trip to Scotland.
Newcomer, Aurora Aksnes, performed at The Art School on the cold night of October 3rd last year, and she said that the gig was, “The first show of many on this UK tour”.
Aurora said: “I’m super happy to be here. I find Glasgow so much more – sorry – interesting than the rest of this island.
“It’s very beautiful here. And, I love the way it feels so much more alive, doesn’t it? Because the roads go up and down and you have mountains – like in Norway!
“I was talking to a photographer here earlier today and he told me that the mountains here, I should try them out because they’re lonelier and you should go there to feel more solitude. In Norway, the mountains are very crowded by trees and bugs.”
She said: “This is the first show in quite a long time, well, first club show in quite a long time.
“And, it’s a very nice place to be in, and with very nice people. It’s so nice to sing for you. It’s nice the way you want to tell me that it’s fine, everything will be fine. And, I’m saying yes!
“You’re all very good at knowing when to be quiet and when to be ‘loudy’.”
The opening songs included ‘Black Water Lilies’, ‘Winter Bird’, and ‘In Boxes’.
Aurora also performed a collection of songs from her debut album, ‘All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend’, and a few older singles like ‘Under Stars’ and ‘Nature Boy’.
She then revealed a new song from a new album that she’s currently working on.
Aurora said: “This is a song called Animal Soul and it’s not been released … but it will be one day!”
There’s no release date yet for a second album. However, in her facebook-live Q&A the day after the gig, she told fans: “There are 15 new songs … so far.”
Aurora first charted in the UK last year with her cover of Oasis’s ‘Half the World Away’ for the John Lewis Christmas advert.
Since then, she’s had a few American TV performances, most notably ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’. In the UK, she’s performed a cover of The Weeknds’ ‘In the Night’ on BBC Radio 2, and has hosted the ‘Bedtime Mix’ on BBC Radio 1 in a late-night interview with Phil Taggart


Forensic Accountants Ahoy
Actress Amber Heard, Johnny Depp’s wife of 15 months, who is filing for divorce, has apparently asked him to cover her forensic accountant’s fees to the tune of $25,000, as well as $50,000 a month in temporary ‘spousal support’. She has engaged a forensic accountant, as she wants to be certain just how much the actor is worth and even if the divorce were not turning into one of the “most venomous Hollywood has seen”, it is always a good idea to take on one of these experts if there is any suggestion that a spouse might try to hide their assets
Ms Heard appears to be portraying herself as the downtrodden wife but according to one source in the US, she is using claims of violence to make sure she obtains a “premature financial resolution”. She has already filed a financial report with the court and if the Pirates of the Caribbean actor also engages a forensic investigator, which he would be wise to do, his expert will soon discover whether her report is accurate or not.
It's alleged that Ms Heard earns around $10,000 a month but spends almost $44,000 on “basic expenses”, such as entertainment, gifts and dry cleaning. Without signing a pre-nuptial agreement, it is thought that the actress could get a minimum of $15m in a settlement, or at least $1m for every month of the marriage. Mr Depp would therefore be wise to make his own investigations as soon as possible or he could see a good chunk of his $270m fortune disappear along with his soon-to-be ex-wife.
Author: Roger Isaacs, 6 June 2016
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From through she was a leading figure with the Hamburg Opera. In , Kalter was removed from the Hamburg Opera roster by the Nazis, and she quickly left Germany to settle in London. She became a noted figure at Covent Garden from until her retirement from the operatic stage in In addition to her operatic work, Kalter was also a successful concert and lieder singer. After her retirement, she taught in London into the s. Her recordings were made for Odeon beginning in , and several of her Covent Garden appearances in the late s have been preserved. She made her debut in Strasbourg in in the role of the priestess in Aida.
She continued singing roles at local theaters and by she was employed at the Berlin Hofoper. She interpreted the role of Senta at the Bayreuth Festival in and performed at the Vienna State Opera from Her sister, Josefine Kemp, also had a successful operatic career.
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Kemp married opera composer and Berlin State Opera director Max von Shillings in , but continued her performing career. The first run of Mona Lisa included five performances, which were repeated the next year. Kemp also interpreted the roles of Kundry and Isolde at the Met. Kemp retired from the stage in , and afterward worked as a singing teacher and director at the Berlin State Opera, producing the operas Mona Lisa and Ingwelde.
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In addition to her Paris performances, Lafargue sang in many of the major French provincial houses as well as in Brussels, Buenos Aires, and Cairo. She died at the height of her career, leaving an important, though not tremendously large, discography. As Mme Landouzy-Besville, she first taught singing at the music school of Roubaix and was active as a concert singer in the French and Belgian provinces, most notably at the casino of Blankenberge, near Oostende, and the Vauxhall in Brussels.
She was signed by La Monnaie for the season, making her debut as Rosine. She was also very active during the summer seasons, singing in Dieppe, Vichy, and Aix-les-Bains until World War One, after which she settled as a teacher in Lyon.
Her recording legacy is particularly important, comprising over sides recorded for Odeon between and She also made a few rare Phrynis two-minute cylinders. In , she married composer Georges Brun. Laute-Brun had a huge repertoire, including a number of creations, primarily of smaller roles, although she occasionally sang principal parts as well in both the soprano and mezzo ranges.
Laute-Brun made a number of records for the French Gramophone Company, as well as Odeon and several other smaller French labels. She also recorded a group of cylinders for Edison around She remained there for three seasons, appearing in Linda di Chamounix and Samson et Dalila. She apparently suffered tremendously from stage fright, which may be the reason for her operatic career being so truncated. Subsequently, she had a studio in the Metropolitan Opera House where she taught. She died 17 October Her only records were a few sides for Edison, who claimed to have discovered her in and recorded her prior to her debut in opera.
During the following decade, Lequien sang in Lyon, Bordeaux, and Nice. He made ensemble recordings for French Odeon. Lestelly senior returned to his native Bordeaux from to , and then sang in Nice in and During this period, he found time for a few engagements at Covent Garden in , where he appeared as Valentin, Nevers, and Sharpless. During the war years, he continued to sing in Paris, as well as in Bordeaux. There, the grand theater was closed for renovation, and so Lestelly sang at a number of minor theaters and outdoor venues including Escamillo in an actual bull ring.
His Paris career continued until his unexpected death in In fact, he was billed to sing Valentin on the day before his death, the cause of which is not disclosed in his obituary. Possessed of a beautiful and admirably trained voice, Lestelly could be considered a worthy heir to the great Jean Lassalle.
Numéros en texte intégral
His only recordings are twenty sides for French Gramophone. In the late s, she returned to her native Russia, becoming a favorite in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and eventually being made official soloist to the Czar. In , marriage to a Dr. Emmanuel Depoux brought a temporary halt to her career. But happily for her admirers, the marriage did not last, and she was back before the public at Marseille in It was around this time that Litvinne began to focus particularly on Wagnerian roles. Her first complete Ring cycle at Covent Garden was in , with additional appearances there until Litvinne retired from the stage in , but re-emerged after the War as a recitalist during the s.
The remainder of his career was spent singing primarily in the smaller Italian houses, with occasional appearances in Rome, Florence, and Naples. His only appearance in the U. Her career was somewhat disrupted as a result of an unhappy marriage contracted in The young singer had at first agreed to retire from the stage altogether, but of course the combined allure of art and success was too strong, and she accepted and fulfilled a number of engagements. Her husband sued the directors until a divorce was at last announced, but this did not appease the spurned spouse.
He waited for his ex-wife near the Monnaie opera house, where she had been signed again for a series of guest performances in the fall of , and shot at her, the bullet going through her hand. As early as she was teaching in Paris. She was a principal at the house until and was on stage with Gabriel Soulacroix when the famous fire started.
She returned for the season and gave a last series of performances at the house in In she joined Devoyod and Scaramberg for a short season of French opera at the Korsh theater in Moscow. By then she was spending the summer seasons in Vichy, where she seems to have given her last stage performances in In she recorded twenty-four Edison two-minute cylinders. He attended the Paris Conservatory from to He had great success there as well as in the French provinces and Monte Carlo, where he took part in the creation of Le jongleur de Notre Dame in as the painter monk.
In Nivette traveled to Boston for the inaugural season with that opera company, making his debut on opening night as Alvise in La Gioconda , a role that he had sung the previous year at Monte Carlo. His stint there ended with a Sunday night concert on 6 March All of his records display a sonorous voice, with a rich timbre and even scale. He appeared first in Rio de Janeiro, then joined the Chicago Opera Association for the season, including their New York tour.
He was back in Europe in the early months of , enjoying a busy schedule of winter seasons in the main French provincial towns Toulouse, Lille, and Nice and numerous guest appearances from Bordeaux to Lausanne. By the late twenties he had settled at his villa at Antibes, where he taught while occasionally appearing on stage at least until His birth certificate states that he died on 1 November His extensive discography includes recordings for French HMV, Aerophone, acoustic and electric Odeon, and ten four-minute Edison cylinders, mirroring a huge repertoire encompassing basse noble roles such as Brogni in La Juive , basse chantante ones such as Saint-Bris in Les Huguenots , and rather lighter fare like Figaro in Les noces de Figaro.
Gaetano was the younger brother of the famous buffo baritone Antonio Pini-Corsi. During the following decade he continued to sing both major and minor roles, but as time went on, he became renowned for his portrayal of comprimario parts, such as David in Meistersinger La Scala, and Mime in Siegfried La Scala, His two rare recordings from this opera are both presented here.
Throughout his forty-year career, Pini-Corsi sang mainly in Italian houses, but also made occasional appearances outside of Italy: Montevideo, ; Warsaw, ; Buenos Aires and Montevideo, ; Buenos Aires, ; Boston, ; and Madrid, For a more extensive overview of his career, see The Record Collector, Vol. His voice, though a true bass, had an exceptionally high range and unprecedented agility. His records all confirm his stellar reputation among his contemporaries. Then you may begin. She had a gift for music and began playing the piano at an early age. But it was her natural talent for singing that made her one of the greatest sopranos of the last one hundred years.
Influenced by her older sister Carmela, a cabaret singer, Rosa began her career as a silent-movie accompanist and then joined Carmella for a successful stint in vaudeville. She became the first American-born artist to sing a major role at the Met without the benefit of prior European training or experience, and is credited with opening the doors of the Met to the American-trained singer.
She also debuted two unsuccessful premieres at the Met. Her last operatic performance was as Carmen, 22 April , in a Met tour performance in Cleveland. Differences with the Met management regarding repertoire led her not to renew her contract with the company for the season. Like many other opera singers of that time, she made a brief trip to Hollywood and made screen tests for M-G-M and Paramount, but nothing came of them. Her M-G-M screen test of two Carmen arias survives. Ponselle also had a very lucrative concert career and appeared often on the radio during the s.
Her first records were made for Columbia , and acoustic and electric recordings for Victor, Ponselle lived out her life at Villa Pace, an estate she had built outside of Baltimore in nurturing and launching the careers of aspiring young operatic talent, and singing at home for friends, who reported that her voice was as magnificent as ever. He remained there until , appearing primarily in minor roles. He sang until the early thirties. Several reference sources give his first name in error as Georges. Not much is known about basso Cesare Preve, who was active between and in the main Italian provincial towns, particularly in Modena, Padova, Parma, Torino, Venezia, Cagliari, among many others, as well as in Milan Filodrammatici, and Rome Teatro Nazionale, He returned to Marseille before sailing to New Orleans for the season.
London heard him in as Almaviva at the Hammerstein Opera House. He recorded a substantial number of sides for French Gramophone and a few unpublished Edison discs. After studying with Ciaffei in Warsaw and in Milan with Antonio Cotogni, he made his debut as a baritone in Venice in as Alphonse in La favorite , which he also sang in London. Having retrained as a tenor under Giovanni Sbriglia, he sang Robert le diable in Madrid in , with limited success. After his retirement, he taught at his villa in Nice.
His only extant recordings are primitive Mapleson cylinders recorded during Metropolitan Opera performances. He apparently recorded for Fonotipia, but none of the recordings were published, and there has been no trace of any unpublished test pressings. He was married to operetta singer Jeanne Petit. Rigaux recorded for Odeon, primarily in ensemble selections. Later that year, she was engaged by the Dresden Hofoper as the successor to Irene Abendroth. Siems was on the roster there until She returned to Dresden and continued to teach there and in Warsaw until Outstanding among these are her duets with tenor Desider Aranyi, which are certainly her rarest records.
Soulacroix was also a regular at Monte Carlo, where among many roles he was the first Prieur in Le jongleur de Notre Dame He died at Chalet Rip, the home he had built with his fees from the operetta run, in Soturac, a small village near his native Fumel. An abundant discography of over sides preserves his vividness as performer. He possessed a powerful voice and outstanding technique, coupled with tremendous stage presence and fine musical taste. He began singing in the chorus of a local operetta company in Bologna, and studied at the Bologna Conservatory.
During the next five years he appeared at theaters throughout Italy as well as Lisbon, Alexandria, and cities in Chile and Uruguay. It should be noted that the New York critics were less than kind to Stracciari during his run at the Met and after two seasons his only subsequent New York performances were at the Lexington Theatre between and , as a member of the visiting Chicago company. Stracciari first sang at the Teatro Real Madrid in the season, with the more established Titta Ruffo also in the company that year.
From Stracciari was touring the Americas; in he sang in Paris and returned to La Scala; and in , at the age of fifty-five, he was singing in Barcelona and Rome. In the early s, Stracciari and his wife settled in San Remo, as his career began to wind down. The performances became fewer and the houses smaller. Stracciari retired from the stage in with his last stage performance as Germont at the Teatro Sociale in Como.
He settled in Rome after the war, and money was scarce. He taught privately at his home in Rome and at the conservatories of Rome and Naples. He died in Rome at the age of eighty. His recorded legacy is large, consisting of substantial groups of acoustic discs for Fonotipia as well as acoustic and electric Columbia recordings made in America, England, and Italy. He is featured in complete recordings of Rigoletto and Il barbiere di Siviglia , made by Italian Columbia in She then went to Nice where she met her future husband Henri Berriel, and spent the season in Nantes.
She then sang with the French Opera in New Orleans in where Berriel was the director and first baritone of the company. Between these engagements, she guested in Bordeaux where she sang both Eudoxie and Rachel in La Juive in the spring of She also made appearances in Toulouse and Le Havre. By she was back in French territory singing in Algiers. As evidenced by her recordings, all of which were made for Fonotipia and Odeon, her voice was powerful with a wide range and a secure technique, equally comfortable in French and Italian.
Her breathtaking coloratura ability and vivacious personality are immediately evident on her many landmark recordings. Tetrazzini received her earliest vocal training from her elder sister, Eva Tetrazzini, , also a successful singer who became the wife of the famous conductor, Cleofonte Campanini, Her first U. She became an overnight success both on the operatic stage and the concert platform.
She appeared with the Manhattan Opera Company in and remained loyal to the company until its demise. She only sang during one season at the Metropolitan, , as Lucia, Gilda, and Violetta. She was a member of the Boston Opera company from through , and also sang with the Chicago Company, where her brother in law was the chief conductor and artistic director. After the War, she appeared primarily at concert venues still attracting large audiences and garnering commensurate fees.
Apparently, her third husband quickly went through her fortune, compelling her to sing into the early s, even appearing in variety and vaudeville shows such as the Boston Cinema in and the New York Paramount that same year. She died in ill health and relative poverty in Milan. Her fresh voice, which she used with some agility, was generally appreciated.
After she returned to America where she appears to have sung mostly in concert, returning to Brussels as a guest artist during the season. His talent for singing was noticed and he took his first singing lessons briefly at the conservatory of Toulon. In , he and his mother moved to Paris where he eventually gained entrance into the Conservatory. They each recorded one aria from the opera, which can be heard on this compilation. For the next three seasons, Vezzani continued to add roles from French and Italian operas, with generally favorable reviews, but with some commenting that he was still not a finished tenor.
He therefore had to look for engagements elsewhere. After World War I, Vezzani appeared during only one Parisian season, again at the Comique, in , and rarely again did he sing in the capital. He sang several seasons in Belgium, quite a number in French North Africa, but for the remainder of his career, he sang in French provincial houses, notably Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Toulon, and Rouen. He spent the next three years in miserable poverty, living off the charity of friends. He died in a Marseille hospital in He also made a very extensive group of acoustic and electric recordings for HMV, committing to wax excerpts from roles he sang on stage and several that he never sang.
Though by the late thirties he was mainly doing concert work, the new war brought him a last flurry of engagements and as late as he was singing Tosca in Bordeaux. Wishing to appeal to a discriminating public, she went to Paris and studied with Mathilde Marchesi. Appearing in Rome, she changed her name for a time to Elena Elvanna. She was, however, replaced by Isabel Jay as a result of her shaky performances. In Yaw sang one Lucia at the Metropolitan. She claimed that the Met had offered her a contract but that she had turned it down as she was expecting an engagement at the Vienna Hofoper which apparently never materialized.
Little mention was made of her voice.
- The Myth of May in bandes dessinées.?
- More titles to consider!
- Bear (Animal)!
- Legacy Libraries.
- Chronological Bibliography: Jules Verne.
She married a former cowboy in and he joined her, at least for a period, in West Covina, California, at her Lark Ellen Ranch. She constructed there the Lark Ellen Bowl as a performance venue for the town. Lark Ellen Avenue, one of the main West Covina thoroughfares, was likewise named for her. She also established the Lark Ellen League to bring concerts to hospitals and jails. Yaw retired from active concert touring in but continued to sing sporadically up to the year of her death, spending much of her time teaching and in charitable pursuits.
Her few records were for Berliner , Victor , Edison , Rex ca. The action takes place in Karelia and Russia in the early eighteenth century, during the Great Northern War Act 1. Catherine recalls that her mother, on the night she died, predicted that a glorious future lay in store for her. Act 2. She calls out to Peter on being led away, and now jolted into reality, he recovers when faced with a mutiny, reveals his identity, and galvanizes his troops before the impending battle against the Swedes.
Act 3. Act 1: Evening.
Jules Verne Virtual Library
On the eve of the annual pilgrimage to the Blessed Virgin, the demented peasant girl Dinorah soprano sings a lullaby to her pet goat Berceuse: Bellah! Act 2: Night. Dinorah searches for her goat in the haunted valley Romance: Le vieux sorcier de la montagne. The gathering storm breaks. Dinorah, pursuing the goat across a flimsy bridge, falls into a raging torrent. Act 3: Morning. As the procession approaches, he realizes that love is the greatest treasure of all. Dinorah, blessed by the Virgin, is restored to health and united with him.
Adamastor, roi des vagues profondes. Act 4: Outside a Hindu temple in India. The Portuguese have been massacred, save for Vasco. He pleads with the natives who surround him to be spared and returned to Portugal Cabalette: Conduisez-moi vers ce navire. Meyerbeer On Record, Vol. Overview Track Listing Liner Notes Giacomo Meyerbeer was one of the greatest composers of his time, though his operas have virtually disappeared from the repertory. There are several possible explanations.
With the rise of verismo , there was a move away from the heroic tradition and a decline in the art of bel canto singing required for the proper rendition of his roles. Negative attitudes toward Meyerbeer are an aspect of this negativity toward bel canto in general, which emerged in the third part of the 19th century.
This pro-German movement, focused on Richard Wagner, became entrenched in academic circles, with enduring effects. It has also been less convincingly observed that there are nearly insurmountable obstacles needed to produce a Meyerbeer opera today, and this leaves his works languishing. A non-genre award "to French authors of works most useful to morals, and commendable by a character of moral elevation and utility.
Showing all translations. Never display translations Registered users can choose which translations are shown. Piec tygodni w balonie. Spre centrul pamantului. O calatorie spre centrul Pamintului. De la Pamint la Luna. Un oras plutitor. Insula misterioasa. Insula misterioasa, Vol.
CD 1 (78:29)
Hector Servadac: calatorii si aventuri in lumea solara Hector Servadac: calatorii shi aventuri in lumea solara. Casa cu aburi: calatorie prin India Septentrionala. Intimplari neobisnuite. Castelul din Carpati. In fata steagului. Sfinxul ghetarilor. Sarpele de mare Sharpele de mare.


I had an overriding need to post something smutty….it happens very rarely but it had to be done.
HOLY FUCK THE NOTES.
reblog EVERY TIME THIS IS ON YOUR DASH .
If you follow me and you don’t reblog this, we’re gonna have a little issue.
I will 500% judge you if you don’t Reblog
More people reblogged this than there are in my state??
More people reblogged this than there are in my COUNTRY??
Omg let’s make this to 9 million ++ !!
She should have found some other dress cause she looks like a whale.
I hope karma is instant for you blogger. She’s pregnant with twins. Get a life and possibly a soul.
She looks amazing.
Elsa Pataky is married to Chris Hemsworth, pregnant with his second and third child, dressed in a designer dress and present at the oscars while you’re at home behind a computer screen typing rude comments about her? Yeah, I think we know whose more successful in this picture. You’re body shaming isn’t going to keep her up at night. Banging her hot husband is.
Reblogging for those amazing comments.
Someone needs to take away Leos Oscar in the above gif…..
Well done Lupita Nyong’o on winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress 2014
Leo NOT winning Oscars…
Well done Frozen and Jared Leto on your Oscar wins!!!!


So two of my favorite things are merging and I could DIE. Donald ‘Childish Gambino’ Glover is bringing a cartoon version of Deadpool to FXX! How friggin dope is this guy! While no casting announcements have been made as of yet we DO know that Mr. Glover will be executive producing the show. How on earth does he have time to do all this?! Let’s not forget that he is also working on Atlanta Season 2, said to be released in 2018 *tears*, also he is appearing in Spiderman Homecoming, AND voicing Miles Morales in Ultimate Spiderman.
~Much respect for his hustles.~
And now lets have a look at some of the reasons why I love me some Donald Glover (Besides His Amazing Voice)


Alternative rockers Flyleaf have dominated the charts since they made their debut in 2005 with their self titled album, which went platinum. They recently announced the release of their new album “Between the Stars,” which will be the group’s first album since the departure of their lead vocalist Lacey Strum, in 2012.
When Strum’s decision to step down as the lead vocalist of the band was announced, the band also announced that Kristen May would be taking over as lead vocalist, and she has been with them since, touring with the band, she was also the lead vocalist on “Something Better,” the single the band released in 2013.
The new album is produced by Don Gilmore, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, like Pearl Jam and Linkin Park, and it has 12 tracks.
Guitarist Jared Hartmann, recently sat down and discussed the band’s newest album, he acknowledged that the new album is a little different from the band’s three previous albums, because they have a new vocalist. He also said that the album is different musically because they used a lot of keyboards, which adds an interesting element to some of the songs on the album. The album is still going to be similar to what their fans are used to, but it will also be going in a different direction.
When asked about how the band connected with new singer Kristen May, he said that aster Strum decided to leave the band, someone suggested that they check May out. Luckily for the band, May’s former band Vedera had recently broken up, when she came in for the audition, she knew all their songs, and was cool to hand out with, which made her perfect for the job.
According to Hartmann, the writing process for the new album was very simple, the group got together for a week for writing sessions, which were very successful, because all the songs on the album came from the writing sessions. The band also enjoyed working with Don Gilmore on the album, because Gilmore is a very laid back person, who is hands on, and really into the music.
Growing up, Hartmann was around music, but didn’t really have a passion for it, because he was more into video games, when he got to middle school, his parents wanted him to learn how to play an instrument, so he tried his hands at drums, the saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet, but non of those instruments really fit him. Later on, his mother suggested he try the guitar, which he tried and took some lessons. By the time he got to high school, he started going to see bands, and get into music more, which was around the time he and band mate Sameer became friends, seeing the bands inspired him, and he started playing more, and playing the guitar quickly became his passion.
When it comes to how the band got together, Hartmann said he and Sameer had their own band, while Lacey was playing acoustic in coffee shops, and James was playing the keyboard in another band. When their bands broke up, Lacey and James got together and started writing their own songs, then Lacy invited him to come play guitar for them, and he brought Sameer along with him. After that, they hooked up with pat, and went on the road to perform.
Hartmann says he is very excited about the new album, but is more excited to hit the road and interact with their fans once again.


I need a hero. I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night. He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast, and he’s gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I’m holding out for a hero ’til the morning light. He’s gotta be sure, and it’s gotta be soon, and he’s gotta be larger than life. Gravely-voiced Irish singer Bonnie Tyler belted out these lyrics to the Jim Steinman/Dean Pitchford song back in 1985. Last night, another gravely-voiced celebrity passed away. And she WAS a true hero.
I first saw Joan Rivers perform at a small club in New York City about 5-years ago. In a world where our language has been distorted so far as to call someone with a disability differently-abled, a blind person visually impaired, and a dwarf a little person, it was wonderful to hear somebody – well calling a spade a spade.
Joan Rivers never pulled punches and told plenty of hilarious off-color jokes. The Millennial and Generation X audience, who grew up with the nonsense now known as political correctness was shocked and uncomfortable. I laughed my butt off. Joan Rivers had the balls to stand up to censorship and simply be funny. Who else could tell a joke – a series of jokes – about Auschwitz and have an entire audience in stitches.
In today’s environment, where freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and freedom of ideas are under constant threat, Joan Rivers was a true hero but for this alone.
I saw Ms. Rivers a number of times since then. She played often at small venues in New York City, testing new jokes and always honing her routine. She did this not to make money, for ticket prices were always low, and the revenues always went to her favorite charities like Guide Dogs for the Blind (http://welcome.guidedogs.com/) and Gods Love We Deliver (https://www.glwd.org/) an AIDS charity. This too made her a hero in my book.
Unlike many celebrities, Ms. Rivers never isolated herself from others. My wife remembers fondly hearing Joan speak for an hour about entrepreneurship (she was a very smart woman). After the event, she stuck around for another hour talking to attendees, signing autographs, and even letting people take pictures wearing her mink.
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to talk to another comedian who left us too early, Robin Williams, back-stage after one of his performances of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. I thanked him for all of the laughter that he gave me.
I wish I had taken the opportunity to thank Joan Rivers not only for laughter, but for being a true American Hero.
She will be missed.


Boogie and Capella Gray unveil new track “Bestie”
Kawhi Leonard recently announced the official release date for the first installment of his rap project, Culture Jam Vol. 1. The album is a partnership between the powerhouse of the music industry and executive producer, Eesean Bolden of Virgin Music Label.
To celebrate the launch, Leonard and Bolden released a new song from the album titled “Bestie” featuring A Boogie and Capella Gray. The song is accompanied by the accompanying video, a visual that continues the tale of the transition from hip hop to basketball. The clip follows a New York love story where Naya Rose, a college basketball player, explores a love triangle between her best friends, A Boogie and Capella Gray.
The Culture Jam Vol. 1 The track list includes many renowned collaborators including YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Rod Wave, Gunna, Polo G, Lil Uzi Vert, Ty Dolla $ ign, Yung Blue, NLE Chopp, to name a few. The first part consists of seven tracks and is scheduled to debut on October 22. Further celebrations will be held for the release of Culture Jam with its first Culture Jam Sports and Music festival, which will take place at the Shrine in Los Angeles on November 21. 2021.
Check out the new track from A Boogie and Capella Gray above.
Elsewhere in music, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin could be working on a new collaboration.


I asked the best reporter I know, actually the best all round writer and editor I know, my long time BFF, Barbara Varro, to write a post or two or more…on her reflections of celebrities she interviewed while fashion editor of the Chicago Sun-Times. Her wit, wisdom and total honesty make her a perfect person to do my first nenasnotes guest post. She sent along some tear sheets of her interviews with many of the icons of the 20th and thinking of Streisand, Tomlin, Twiggy and Shrimpton into the 21st Centuries. I have added some head shots of her interviewees. I know you are going to enjoy her reminiscences….perhaps I can convince her to do more in the future. Here we go on a trip down memory lane…
Nena has prompted (pushed) me to reminisce about my life as a newspaper writer and editor. We go way back when I was the fashion editor of the Chicago Sun-Times and she was the fashion maven at Saks Fifth Avenue.
In reflecting on my newspaper activities I remember interviews with designers, but some of my fondest memories are those with celebrities. Colleagues at the paper used to say, “follow the stars with Barbara.”
Of the models I interviewed one of the standouts was the British Twiggy who came to Chicago for a promotion for Gamble/Aldens catalog. The narrow-as-an-arrow model with huge eyes enhanced with multiple pairs of false lashes was only 17. She giggled and seemed vacuous. But she was very popular at the time. She was sweet to a group of teenagers crowding around her when she arrived at the Ambassador East Hotel, saying in her cockney accent, “Oy love Chicago. Never been here before.”
Jean Shrimpton, another wildly popular British model of that era, was classier than Twiggy. She retired from modeling after a few years and ran a bed and breakfast in Penzance with her husband. On a vacation there one year I ran into her and she was friendly but did not want to talk about her modeling days and the adulation she experienced. She said she was happy just being a normal woman living in Cornwall.
Whenever I went to California to cover fashion I had opportunities to talk to celebrities. Once we fashion editors were invited to a clambake on the set of the TV series, Peyton Place, and we hobnobbed with such stars as Ryan O’Neal, Mia Farrow, Dorothy Malone and George Peppard.
Another time we hit a jackpot of stars at the discotheque The Factory, set in an old furniture factory in Hollywood. We were guests of actress Polly Bergen, who was hawking her Turtle Oil cosmetics at the time. We were gaga whenever the elevator stopped and out came stars such as Rock Hudson, Sonny and Cher, Liza Minnelli, Rosalind Russell, Fred Astaire, Tony Curtis, Joan Collins, etc. Polly had asked the editors not to bother the stars, but one of the women had the nerve to ask Astaire to dance, and he did. The rest of us were too chicken to do such a thing but what a story she had to tell.
Debbie Reynolds was a delight, brash and witty. We fashion editors were invited to her home (when she was married to shoe magnate Harry Karl) for dinner and a showing of the Helen Rose collection. Standing next to Helen by her pool, Debbie said, “Years ago Helen told me that I looked terrible. I had been wearing $11 Lerner dresses at that point. Today, whatever I know about dressing this lady taught me.” Later, Helen said, “Over the years I have designed for a lot of stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, oops…I forgot.” Debbie shot back, “I didn’t.”
Debbie Reynolds and Helen Rose
I interviewed singer/actress Doris Day twice. She was lovely and talked a lot about animals. She was weepy when she told a story about Strongheart the German Shepherd. She said that friends referred to her Beverly Hills home as “the canine country club.” She also said that whenever she was on a movie set people would say, “here comes that animal nut whenever I went around looking to see if the animals were properly cared for and fed.”
I spoke to Barbra Streisand by telephone just before she gave her first concert in Chicago at Soldier Field in 1966. She mentioned that her sleek, short hair was styled by Chicago’s Fred Glaser and she had bought three gowns by Sarmi at Saks Fifth Avenue. She said that she had attended the fashion openings in Paris and had bought several Diors but had to had them altered because she was pregnant. At the time she was married to actor Elliot Gould. The Sarmis she would wear for the concert were all tent shapes to accommodate her growing mid section.
Zsa Zsa Gabor was a stitch. She was holding forth at lunch in Booth One at the Pump Room and was flattering a male friend, telling him that she loves a man who knows how to order, when she actually did most of the ordering. She was her usual bubbly self and was wearing a lot of jewelry including a humongous diamond ring that I said was big enough to give her hand a hernia. She told me that she had always been impulsive. “I even get married and divorced on impulse,” she said.
Ginger Rogers came to Chicago to do the play “Forty Carats” at Drury Lane. She was very particular about how she was to be photographed. When the photographer and I entered her suite at the hotel she was seated on a sofa surrounded by four big lights on poles. She said we could not take candid photos. She looked fine but her hair was long and platinum, billowing on her shoulders like cotton candy. She told me that she did not relish talking about the chiffon and feathered gowns she wore when she danced with Fred Astaire. “That is over,” she said. But she did mention the old saw about how she danced as well as he did but she did so backwards and in high heels.
Singer Rosemary Clooney was a great interview subject, so warm and self deprecating. She talked freely about her disturbing marriage to Jose Ferrer, who was abusive. She spoke about her former addictions to Percodan and about the rehab treatment that saved her. She also spoke fondly of Bing Crosby, who appeared with her in the movie “White Christmas.” And he wrote the forward to her book, “This for Remembrance.”
Lily Tomlin, who was performing on the TV hit “Laugh In” at the time, was a witty interview. She said, “I have no taste. I like comfortable, raggedy clothes.” And she said she hated to shop. Her idea of heaven would be opening her closet and finding “all new clothes that someone put in it and all in my size.” Asked about her character Ernestine, the telephone operator who wears 1940s clothes, she said, “Ernestine likes the 40s look. It was the look she had when she was young and she never changed.”
It was fun to walk down memory lane with the stars, some who have passed and some still present.”
A nenasnotes…Yes, Barbara it was fun to walk down memory lane with you and here we are friends for more years than we care to admit, still sharing a giggle or two, good food and always…always a bit of nostalgia! I’m going to work on her to share some of her incredible travel stories, fingers crossed. Good times….to be continued.
All Chicago Sun Times tearsheets courtesy of Barbara Varro. All other photos from Pinterest no photo credits available Barbara and Nena photo taken with Barbara’s camera several years ago at one of my visits to her home.


Singer/songwriter, Tori Tullier, moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Miami in 2011 with a degree in Commercial Music Composition and a minor in Music Business. Her focus was voice and piano. At Miami, she took first place in the Bruce Hornsby Songwriting Competition and was honored to open for hit songwriter Lamont Dozier (“Baby Love” – The Supremes, “Baby I Need Your Loving” – The Four Tops).
Tori is actively involved with ASCAP and was selected to be a member of the GPS Project for 2014. She has also performed for their We Create Music Series. She has several independent cuts with local artists and is working on getting signed to her first publishing deal. Tori is dedicated to honing her songwriting craft and can be found performing at the Bluebird Café, The Listening Room, and Belcourt Taps & Tapas. Visit www.toritullier.com for more information and upcoming rounds.


A diss song from Dalahdawa a northern Nigeria dou spitting out deep pain towards Morell Aquilla, a veteran in the Nigerian music scene who hails from Borno.
Few years ago the duo were supposed to be signed under NordanOrty a music label owned by Morell by unfortunately the deal was inconclusive due to reasons unknown to the public.
Only for the duo to release a diss song calling their initial boss all soughts of names with heavy abusive words. Meanwhile, we contacted Morell on his take about the whole thing, but instead he just laughed and said ‘yes, I’ve heard the song and I even liked it on their fan page.
What’s really happening between both party, come forward with anything you know about this story please.


When did Reggie Jackson first wear glasses? Reggie Jackson first wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses in April. The new look seemed to work, with Jackson scoring 26 points in the 126-109 victory over the Rockets. Why does Reggie Jackson wear glasses? In the previous game before the Rockets, Reggie Jackson was poked in the eye.
More Reggie Jackson Basketball Glasses images
Jackson on His Protective Eyewear | Clippers vs Rockets (4.9.21) April 9, 2021 - Reggie Jackson postgame on his new protective eyewear, "I think they're here to stay for a while." Tweet.
Jackson had played so well, and felt so embraced by the organization and fans after a career-reviving season, that he removed the glasses after a season-ending loss in the conference finals and ...
Reggie Jackson has been tearing it up for the Clippers for 9 games now. They've given him some awesome new nicknames in tune with this. “Glasses Reggie Jackson diced up Rudy Gobert’s Utah Jazz while wearing Oakley M frames”: NBA fans cheer Clippers star up with nicknames like Bobby Shmurda and Action Jackson
31 votes, 13 comments. What brand is Reggie Jackson Glasses 📷 Plz help me find the brand of reggie jackson glasses, model as well if possible. thx
Friday night, Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, sporting a pair of black-rimmed rec specs after getting poked in the eye one game prior, lit up the Houston Rockets for 26 points, seven ...
And finally, though he played baseball, it would be remiss not to mention the most famous Reggie Jackson of all to don eyewear. The slugger (who also appeared in a Zucker Brothers’ movie, “The Naked Gun”) wore an array of glasses over his 20-year career, belting 563 home runs, including three as a Yankee in the decisive Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.
Most of those have to do with the glasses that he’s been wearing during games. Jackson wears what seem to be Oakley M frames, and he’s been on a tear ever since he donned them. Glasses Reggie Jackson, Action Jackson and Mr. June are probably the 3 top nicknames that he’s been given.
Jackson exited late in Thursday's 113-103 win over the Suns after experiencing swelling in his eye, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports. He finished the night with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-4 ...
Reggie Jackson of the Clippers puts on his glasses during the second half of Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves in Minneapolis. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)


- LeAnn Rimes confirmed off her mega-defined abs in a cut-out, inexperienced bikini and crop high whereas celebrating her birthday in an Instagram video.
- The 40-year-old singer enjoys leaping rope and trampolining to maintain her lively and wholesome.
- LeAnn prioritizes stability in her food regimen and likes to pair her morning smoothie with a glass of wine on the finish of the day.
LeAnn Rimes simply had the final word birthday celebration, stuffed with every week of cheery family members, thrilling adventures, and scrumptious candy treats. All the journey seems like so. a lot. enjoyable. and I am unable to consider a greater strategy to have fun the singer’s fortieth 12 months.
LeAnn put her toned abs to the take a look at in a cut-out bikini from her days on the water and through an intense soar rope exercise in her latest Instagram video. Her scorching core is simply as radiant as her contagious smile. She simply seems so genuinely pleased!
“birthday spherical up 🎂 #itsmybirthday #birthdayweek#trip #hello40,” the celeb captioned the submit.
Followers jumped on the alternative to hitch within the bday festivities. “Completely happy Birthday You Shining Mild!!!” one commented. “I like how a lot you’re dwelling it up!!! Sure!!!!!” one other added. A 3rd follower stated, “💥40 seems good on ya!💥 🎉🎂🥳.” Past true.
To maintain her pleased and wholesome, LeAnn does quite a lot of exercises and incorporates stability into her food regimen.
First off, she will get lively anytime, wherever, so long as she has her soar rope useful. “I take a soar rope with me in all places I’m going, so it’s straightforward to do and simple to do body weight exercises in my dressing room,” she advised Us Weekly in 2017.
This celeb appears to get pleasure from beginning her bday with a bouncy exercise. The God’s Work singer beforehand shared a trampoline birthday exercise together with her Instagram followers final 12 months.
Relating to her food regimen, LeAnn is devoted to fueling her physique whereas incorporating stability into her meals.
“Nourishment normally seems like high-quality, wholesome, complete meals, however generally nourishment is the cake, the chips, the pizza, and the mac and cheese,” she advised Ladies’s Well being. The proper concord.
Usually, LeAnn begins her day with Kimberly Snyder’s Glowing Inexperienced Smoothie which incorporates spinach, celery, apples, pears, parsley, and different fruits and veggies.
For lunch, she’s a giant fan of the earlier night time’s leftovers.
“Our leftovers vary from mushroom and poblano tacos in almond flour tortillas, to smoky white bean and greens soup, to a scrumptious hen and veggie stir fry,” she advised WH.
She additionally added, “My hubby and I normally get pleasure from a glass of wine with dinner too,” when talking to WH. What an ideal finish to the day.
Completely happy birthday, LeAnn!


This Is It: Michael Jackson and music
Tonight I went to see This Is It, the tour titled documentary of Michael Jackson's last months. He had announced his 50 stop 'This Is It' curtain call to his career, but sadly to many, including myself, and after much preparation, he passed on and the show was canceled.
There is no consolation to seeing him live, in person, however fans were lucky that filming took place during the rehearsals and preparation for the big finale, which would have begun July 2009 in London. What was captured to be parts of concert promos, videos and extras ended up being a 112 minute intimate concert made up of rehearsals, intertwined intermittently with comments from dancers, musicians and the crew of the tour (Extremely talented each and every one. Pay special attention to the female guitar player, Orianthi - AMAZING and so young!)
The quality and variety of his music and moves still gives me goosebumps and the film was put across in a way to help people (those who need reminding) what an amazing artist and pop icon he truely was. Even at 50 and working towards his goodbye, he was meticulous in detail and wanted the best for his fans.
Walking home I was thinking about how MJ has been a part of my life since birth. From seeing his 3D Thriller show at Disney World, his iconic American Pepsi commercials, adolescent romances and infamous videos in-between.
This also got me thinking about music in my life, how I always felt so passionate about it and over the past several years, it's slowly died away, which is something I plan to rectify. Lastly, discussing first records, my dad raised me on music: Oldies, blues, The Stones, The Doors... so I grew up listening to his records and my first 'own' lp was an 7" 2 sided with Kokomo by the Beach Boys on one side and Tutti Frutti by Little Richard on the other. I also learned tonight I still know the words to both.
In honour of MJ and music in general. Go pull out your old records, throw them on and let them take you back.
One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain (Bob Marley).


This is an original oil painting of Charlie Chaplin. Charlie was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who became famous during the silent film era in the movie industry. This is a man who grew up in awful conditions in his childhood, but was encouraged to carry on in the entertainment world from an early age. He was recognized and taken to the US, where he built the look and personality of Charlie Chaplin as we all remember him. I wasn’t aware of how involved he was in his films until I researched him, and was amazed to find out that he was an international pop icon. The world had gone crazy with “Chaplinitis”, buying merchandise etc. At age of 26 was one of the highest paid people in the world!
I knew he was known to be quite active in the female world, but I did not know of his taste in the younger ages, which often brought him trouble. It seems that he got it right in the end, marrying the love of his wife (again, much younger than him) with whom he had eight (!!) children. Unfortunately, although he saw great success in his famous film “The Great Dictator”, in which he ridiculed Hitler, his audience was divided. His popularity diminished when he started expressing his political views, and he ended up living in Switzerland. 20 years later, the States made amends and he visited to receive the Honorary Academy Award.
This painting has been produced using artist grade oil paint on gallery wrapped, linen canvas. A coat of professional grade art varnish has been applied to optimize the color pigment, accentuate brush strokes and ensure the painting will last a lifetime. The painting has been signed and is ready to hang. If you wish to reduce the cost and have it delivered in a roll, please request it in a private message.
Copyright © 2016 by Vivian Zotali. No reproduction rights are transferred with purchase.


AVS is a member of the Comedy brigade that dominates the Telugu Film Industry today. Besides being a successful actor, he is a Director too. Before entering the tinsel world he was a Journalist. Recently, he started a blog - "AVS Post.....". In his latest post, he urged the film lovers to discourage piracy and save the film industry. With the sort of the comments that it has received so far, it looks AVS is in for a typical, bloggish treatment, first time in his blog.
There is a point in what the commenters wrote. What say..?
A Tribute to YSR
In its latest post, 24 Gantalu paid glowing tributes to YSR on the occasion of the late leader's birthday.


It seems to me I have a thing going on for Maknae’s. Not just any Maknae though. Not only do I love Suju‘s Kyuhyun, or SS501‘s Hyung Joon, because they have put out some great music, but because they’re either funny or talented. And this time it’s all about Dae Guk Nam Ah/The Boss‘ Maknae Jeon Jihwan, or Jay for short. And he’s a little bit of both to be honest.
Jeon Jihwan (전지환) was born on March 31, 1994 in Seoul as the youngest son in a family of two. He went under the stage name Kiparang before changing it to Jay when joining The Boss.
He figured out for himself that he wanted to be a dancer after seeing H.O.T‘s Jang Woo Hyuk dance on a Korean TV-show. A little while later, the kid started dancing so good, that even Poppin’ Hyunjoon (One of the best ‘poppers’ in South Korea) had to admit it. Soon he was called Poppin’ Hyunjoon’s Prodigy.
He appeared in Star King in 2008. In the program he eventually won the big prize for his astounding capabilities. Jihwan became an active member of Xing in the same year and took part in the 3rd and 4th generation of Xing before eventually trading this rotation band (Kevin and Kibum from U-kiss, and Junhyung from Beast are also previous members) for a new one called Dae Guk Nam Ah, or The Boss in English.
He has experience in acting, and is the rapper and dancer of the band.
It’s not really that weird I like him, but after becoming interested in SHINee’s Maknae Taemin, I swore to myself I wouldn’t follow anyone younger than him. Well, it only took me a few months after SHINee’s debut, to come up with Xing videos and discover Jihwan’s dancing. Although the kid was only 14 when he entered Xing, he was really talented. And ever since I’ve been kind of addicted to dancing vids.
Can you believe he was only 12 or so when he danced the first Youtube thingy, and 14 when he did the second?


Jimmy Fallon turns to the camera after getting comfortable behind his desk. “The last time I saw my first guest she came to promote her film Spring Breakers and then sang a romantic duet with me called, “Mario Kart Love Song”. But tonight she’s here to promote her latest film “Rudderless”; everyone please give a warm welcome to Selena Gomez!”
”When I was younger and running around all the time on tour, I don’t think I took the time to notice how being a woman in my position is really a gift. I want to make sure I utilize all that power.”
Yood is number seven on the downloaded apps list! I’m pretty freaking ecstatic about it, I mean that’s pretty damn good, right?
That Paul guy must be special.
Well, someone just lost their morning cup of coffee. Because of me, as I was too busy.
I’m sure that person actually hates you. Losing coffee is not something anyone wants to happen!
I’ve spent enough time in London, it’s time to fly home and see my little lady waiting at the gate for me.
I would like to see that little lady.


Acclaimed blues singer Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga and lived in a section of the city called Blue Goose Hollow at the foot of Cameron Hill. Her father, William Smith, a part-time Baptist minister, died when Smith was very young, and her mother died when she was nine. That same year, Smith began her career on Ninth Street in Chattanooga, singing and dancing for change to the accompaniment of her brother’s guitar.
In 1912 she joined the touring Rabbit Foot Minstrels, where Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, the mother of all female blues singers, began to tutor her greatest pupil. Smith soon began touring on her own. In 1923 she signed a contract with Columbia Records and recorded “Down Hearted Blues,” which sold 800,000 copies at 75 cents each. It was Columbia’s first big hit and inspired the company to start its “Race Series,” aimed at the African American market.
Billed as “The Empress of the Blues,” Smith soon earned an annual income of $20,000 from her Columbia sales and performed for $1,500 to $2,500 per week on the African American circuit in the northeast and South. She sang with the best musicians of the day, including Louis Armstrong, who played trumpet on nine of her records. Smith wrote many of the songs she recorded, using the themes of poverty, love, and the temptation of alcohol. Her 156 known recordings include such classics as “Pig Foot and Bottle of Beer,” “Beale Street Blues,” “Beale Street Mama,” “Baby Doll,” “Standin’ in the Rain Blues,” “Midnight Steppers,” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.”
Smith cut an imposing figure at 5’9″ and 200 pounds, and her performance attire of satin gowns, headdresses, long strands of pearls, and feather boas became a well-known trademark. In the days before electronic microphones, her booming voice could be heard outside the largest theaters. Her only performance in Chattanooga after achieving stardom produced a memorable story. After her performance at the Liberty Theatre, Smith attended a party given by a friend, where she knocked down a drunken admirer who was pestering her. The would-be admirer then stabbed Smith, who chased him for several blocks before collapsing. She was taken to the hospital but returned to the stage the next night.
Smith’s career declined in the 1930s due to a combination of the Great Depression, alcoholism, and the lack of radio exposure resulting from her suggestive song lyrics. In 1937 Smith was killed in a highway accident outside Clarksdale, Mississippi, while making a comeback tour of the South. Contemporary accounts that she died after being turned away from a “Whites-Only” hospital have proven unfounded, although she did have to wait for a “Blacks-Only” ambulance.
Smith was buried in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. In 1970 Janis Joplin, who credited her own success to her imitation of Smith’s style, contributed funds to the erection of a gravestone at the burial site. Inscribed on the headstone are the following words: “The greatest blues singer in the world will never stop singing.”
Chris Albertson, Bessie (1972)


On May 17th, London born artist Katy Vernon released her new single entitled In Your Shoes (For Daisy). What stands out the most about this single is the quality of all the musicians on this project. Vernon delivers beautiful vocal lines throughout the duration of the single in an extremely enjoyable and catchy manner. One of my personal favorite parts of the song are the absolutely impeccable solos from both the trumpet and guitar players. All aspects of this tune work together to make this single special and a true work of art. Katy Vernon without a doubt is an extraordinary musical talent whose future looks to be extremely bright.
CHECK OUT KATY VERNON ONLINE:
Facebook – facebook.com/katyvernonmusic
Twitter – @katyvernonmusic
Instagram – @katyvernonmusic
Spotify – Katy Vernon


Dusty Slay is not only one of the funniest, but also most self aware comedians working today. This powerful virtue has granted him access into many festivals and even an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. We go into detail about how he prepared for his television debut and the pitfalls of transitioning from a feature act to national headliner. Enjoy!
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Halloween Oldies and Moldies
Take a listen to Mark Simone's oldies show on WABC Radio.
Lots of great interviews of old radio/TV personalities from yesteryear.
LIVE message board
UPDATE: WABC Host Mark Simone mentioned my comments about Sammy Davis jr. singing The Candy Man being on Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, and Johnny Carson.


In the thick of this gift Sunday’s Super Bowl fifty-three suspension Show with displays from melodic cluster Maroon five, Astroworld rapper Travis Scott and Outkast rapper huge Boi, craftsman Adam Levine got attention by clearing his superior layer by layer and ending up shirtless before the completion of his set.
Levine, UN agency drives the melodic team-best better-known for his or her prisonbreak 2002 gathering Songs regarding Jane and progressing chart hits as well as “Young girls Like You” with Cardi B and “What Lovers Do” with SZA, passed on a cleaner execution. Levine and his band started with their underlying hits, initiating with “Harder to Breathe” before bobbing into “This Love.” There was a short move a catch of the movement SpongeBob SquarePants tune “Sweet finish,” following Associate in Nursing clear intrigue to urge the tune performed at the Super Bowl.
SpongeBob merely had an outline of onscreen significance, in any case, before rapper Travis Scott looked as if it would sing joined by Levine; Scott finished off his tune with some crowd-surfing. Levine in like manner Panax quinquefolius an essentially a cappella form of “Young girls such as you,” maintained up by a gospel choir and a drum line. mammoth Boi created a sprinkle clothed during a beast hide article of the article of clothing, singing Outkast hit “The manner you progress.”
In any case, it had been the suspension finale, with Levine singing Christina Aguilera composed effort “Moves Like Mick Jagger,” that got gatherings of spectators raising their eyebrows. Levine had recently discarded Associate in Nursing outer boring coat and a splendid plane coat, hurling a layer into the gathering. He finished things off by what is more evacuation his shirt, revealing Associate in Nursing sky-high inked center. Moreover, watchers had the abundance to state regarding his structure decisions — and outrageous shortage in this workplace. above all, some got wind twofold normal between the reactions to Levine and Janet Jackson. Jackson’s cluster poor down within the thick of her Super Bowl suspension Show execution with Justin Timberlake in 2004, golf shot the story at the purpose of convergence of a drawn-out nice and battle in court.


Legendary musician Billy Joel will make his first Notre Dame Stadium concert appearance at 8 p.m. June 20 (Saturday). Joel has appeared on campus twice previously, but never at Notre Dame Stadium.
“As we continue to work to bring world-class events to Notre Dame and the greater South Bend/Elkhart region, we are excited to have Billy Joel play for his first time at Notre Dame Stadium on June 20, 2020,” said Micki Kidder, vice president for University enterprises and events.
Returning to South Bend for the first time in 24 years, Joel has made previous appearances at Notre Dame, once at the Joyce Center in 1984 and at the Stepan Center in 1996.
Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 (Friday) via livenation.com.
Having sold 150 million records over the past quarter century, scoring 33 consecutive Top 40 hits, Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist of all time and the third best-selling solo artist. In December 2013, Joel became Madison Square Garden’s first-ever music franchise, playing one show per month there since January 2014. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected “Piano Man” for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its “cultural, historic, and artistic significance.”
Originally published at events.nd.edu.


Rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint Saturday morning in Sierra Blanca, after agents found marijuana in his tour bus. Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia by the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office. He is ordered to appear in court before or on Jan. 20.
In total, the marijuana weighted .13 pounds. Broadus Jr. admitted that the marijuana belonged to him and was placed under arrest by border patrol agents, the press release said. Around 4 a.m. sheriff deputies were called to the scene. They issued Broadus Jr. a citation and he was released, the press release said. According to Snoop's twitter, he was in San Antonio on Sunday.
The El Paso region has a history of musicians dancing with the law. Rappers Paul Wall and Baby Bash were arrested in El Paso in September by El Paso County constables on suspicion of possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in a drug-free zone.
Back in 2010, country singer Willie Nelson was arrested at the same Border Patrol checkpoint in Sierra Blanca for allegedly having about 6 ounces of marijuana.


In the most cataclysmic news event so far this year (well, at least it is if your only source of news is JustJared… and if so, I can’t blame you given the shitshow of everything else going on), Taylor Swift wiped out all her social media accounts and seemingly deleted her webpage, leaving behind nothing but her music on streaming services and YouTube. Conspiracy theories began: Was this a further withdrawal from the public eye for the secretive star, who even canceled her customary July 4th rager this year? Is this a statement about online bullying? Was she hacked? Or have the prayers of 20-something white girls everywhere finally been answered, and this is all a publicity stunt for a new album? (The latter is what’s going on, of course, but still, gotta have some fun!)
So, time for a bit of digging around on a lazy Sunday — and, as it turns out, not everything on the singer’s website has become a blank space.


Let’s Give It Up for Ourselves
The 67th Annual Golden Globes, the official kickoff of the awards season chow chow, took place last night despite a drizzly start. The govenator was present in case he needed to declare a state of emergency if the hair and dress wrecks brought about by the weather were overwhelming.
In actuality, he was there to mispronounce Avatar – Abbatar – and make the room uncomfortable with his late-to-the-party dig at NBC.
The night’s host – an ill suited Ricky Gervais – whose only real zinger came at the expense of Mel “Sugar Tits” Gibson. Gervais was painfully unfunny, prompting Shapely Prose live blog commenter to ask, “Did the funny not clear customs?”
The awards themselves held few real surprises, which also contributed to the rather self-congratulatory and generally bloated feeling of the broadcast. I’m pretty certain you don’t need three hours to give out like six awards, especially when you play all the minor award recipients off the stage before they can navigate the minefield of egos and tables to actually accept their globes. Why are those tables so close together anyway?
Mo’Nique gave a truly amazing speech and managed to ignore the collection of stink eyes given to her by actresses who hadn’t eaten since the nominations came out as she took her glorious frocked aunty shape to the stage.
RDJ hilariously admonished the producers not to play him off the stage. Good for him. Besides Mo’Nique’s golden aunty shape and Mariah’s personal golden globes, he was one of the few diamonds in an otherwise Cubic Zar-phonia broadcast.
And then we have The Dude.
Jeff Bridges’s win for Crazy Heart was truly the highlight of the night. His speech – long and very dudelike – was worth the nearly two decade wait. I’m hoping this makes him a top runner for the Oscar and ushers in a big 2010 for him. More importantly, I hope this shushes some of the Tron 2: Electric Bugaloo haters.
Martin Scorsese’s Cecil B. Demille acceptance speech seemed more like one of Grampa Simpson’s stories or a film school lecture and less like an acceptance speech with each passing moment.
And it was not your imagination. Deniro did in fact kiss every black woman in the room, including the coat check girl and Miss Golden Girl herself, Mavis Spencer, whom Kate termed “Lil Alfre” giving mad props to her awesome mama Alfre Woodard.
But it James “I had to pee” Cameron’s night – though his in mind it’s always his night – but he wasn’t above allowing the rest of us sharing his world to “give it up for yourselves” which we did, early and often.
The best unintentionally hilarious moments came from the camera seeking out Harrison Ford’s reactions after award winners were announced. It seemed each winner needed Ford’s approval before taking the stage and then quickly found themselves played off with a grimace from George Lucas.
The Golden Globes like to think of themselves as the Oscar’s cheekier cousin and in some ways they are, but last night’s broadcast was more high school sports program award banquet and a far cry from the days when stars going to the bathroom while their named was called for an award was fresh and actually funny. Hopefully, they should scrap the host idea, and of course, serve drinks to the audience, rather than the guests, as we are the ones who actually have to watch this damn thing.