A NIGHT OF COOL COMEDY, HOT CUISINE, AND FUNDRAISING FOR SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION

By Ed Magik

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Bob Saget, Bill Bellamy, Dana Delany, Alan Thicke, Scott Bakula were just some of the many celebrities that came out to support a fun night of fundraising for Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) held on May 25, 2010 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, California.

A flavorful Mexican-style dinner of ceviche, sweet corn tamales, and baked chicken was served to active auction participants who bid tens of thousands of dollars on travel packages to Wimbledon 2011, a week in Napa Valley, and a variety of other wonderful adventures during a live auction using fancy electronic hand-held devices located at each table.

Comedians Bill Bellamy and Sarah Silverman kept the crowd in a cheerful, laughing mood.

Scleroderma is a very unpredictable and debilitating disease that disproportionately affects women between the ages of 20 and 50, but can affect men and children also of all ages and across all ethnic boundaries.  The disease has no cure and cannot currently be prevented.   It is a chronic life-threatening disease known for damaging the blood vessels and internal organs as well as the skin.

SRF seeks to raise funds for research into prevention, cure, or at least slowing the progress of the disease in patients diagnosed with it.  To date, SRF has raised more than $28,000,000 in order to fund research at respected medical institutions including Dartmouth, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

Dr. Fredrick Wigley, Director of  Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center in Baltimore, Maryland gave a speech on the challenges Scleroderma patients face as well as the vital role medical research plays in discovering new treatments for the disease.

For more information, call (800) 441-CURE or visit www.sclerodermaRESEARCH.org.

Video interviews of some of the celebrities in attendance of the event appear on www.edmagiktv.com.    Each year, ED MAGIK TV covers numerous fundraisers for various children’s and homeless charities, disease research, and anti-gang, anti-violence, and drug rehabilitation programs.

DIAMOND SHINES as a POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT for SIMON COWELL on AMERICAN IDOL

THE BATTLE HEATS UP TWO TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED JOEL DIAMOND IS IN THE RUNNING

Los Angeles - As the tension and suspense keeps building every day, American Idol producers are wisely saying nothing at this point as to who will replace Simon Cowell. One name that just keeps coming up and will not go away is wild card, music producer, Joel Diamond http://joeldiamond.com/. Cindy Adams of the NY Post broke the news on May 20 “...Joel Diamond is muttered by the “American Idol” staff as a maybe Simon Cowell replacement.”

Although Joel Diamond is not a household name, neither was Simon Cowell or Randy Jackson nine years ago and according to Randy, he would, “love to see a real music person on the panel with him.” Joel Diamond comes with a pedigree resume making him the perfect choice even over some of the big names now thrown into the mix such as Elton John, Jamie Foxx, and Tommy Mottola (whose first job in the music business was working for Joel Diamond).

Joel Diamond has both street credibility and executive background as well. He is a 2x Grammy nominated producer having produced and/or written 36 gold and platinum records, 54 Billboard charted records, and has written and produced TV and film themes. Joel has run his own record label, been a personal manager, songwriter, amassed a very impressive star-studded boutique music publishing company, has been a recording artist himself for Sony, Motown and Casablanca Records. He has held senior positions at major music companies including CBS/Sony Music Publishing. He has been involved in the careers of Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Engelbert Humperdinck, David Bowie, Laura Nyro, Katie Cassidy, Phoebe Cates, Tommy James, Harry Nilsson, Gloria Gaynor, Tony Orlando, Helen Reddy, Andrew Dice Clay, Howard Hewett, Benny Mardones, Ray J, Laura Branigan, Dr. Hook, the Bee Gees, and David Hasselhoff (producing his first recording), amongst many others.

Says NY Publicist David Salidor, “he’s the producer of Engelbert Humperidnck’s “After The Lovin" and really a force of nature. I’ve been aware of Joel for years, much of it when he was living in his New York City Penthouse on Central Park South. He produced and had the definitive hits with “One Night In Bangkok”, the signature song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s play “Chess” and “I Am What I Am” from Jerry Herman’s “La Cage Aux Folles.”

Most recently Joel created, produced and managed one of the biggest Classical music sensations in the last 10 years, the 5 sibling Juilliard's geniuses, The 5 Browns, who perform on 5 Steinways all at the same time. Not only was he responsible for 3 consecutive #1 CD’s on Sony, he arranged a major book deal, major TV appearances including Oprah, Leno, The View, etc., secured them an agent and publicist, etc. All this resulted in The 5 Browns becoming a major international attraction with sold out performances around the world.

In 2010 Joel has re-negotiated and concluded his new deal with Universal Music and is heading to the top of the charts once again with two new artists: Athene Noelle http://www.athenenoelle.com/, breaking new ground by combining opera with Dance/Rave and 15 year old singing sensation Charlie Williams http://charliewilliamsmusic.com/, soon to be a household name. And if that’s not enough, Joel is also in pre-production with a Broadway Show he conceived and a new TV reality show. This week is the release Joel’s mega-project for world peace and official tribute for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 coming up next year, “United We Stand (2010)” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sil-Hdlipo

As one major Hollywood casting agent so aptly put it, “Joel is enthusiastic, charming, witty, funny, camera friendly, knowledgeable, and loves people; he knows the music business inside and out, knows how to pick songs, and can spot a great artist. He certainly has a different demeanor and appearance than anybody who has served on American Idol’s panel of judges before and is exactly what American Idol needs! ”

Joel Diamond has already gotten the nod and endorsements from these entertainment industry people: Mike Stoller, Engelbert Humperdinck, Maurice Starr, Steve Rifkind, Joe Pesci, Max Gousse, David Hasselhoff, Harold Wheeler (Musical Director of Dancing with the Stars), John Fanning, David Dein (International President of UK World Cup & Former Vice Chairman of Arsenal), Rudy Perez, David Brenner, Rod McKuen, Jeff Wald, David Kershenbaum, Rus Regan, Gloria Gaynor, Norby Walters, and see hundreds of others on this blog: http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/whos-going-to-replace-simon-cowell-ron-fair-or-joel-diamond/#comment-27806

Joel understands the importance American Idol has on the hearts and minds of the American people, and would love the opportunity to present the producers with one of his many new ideas, such as having an “American Idol Song Bus” traveling to schools and children’s hospitals. This will allow kids the opportunity to interact with their heroes and people who create the music. The kids will spend an afternoon hanging out with and in some cases being mentored by the likes of Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Usher, Miley Cyrus, etc.

During a recent interview with a major news outlet, Joel was asked “what makes you think you could be a good judge?"   His reply, “because I understand all the components that go into making a star and have proven it many times over in my career and I’m very excited to have the opportunity of doing it on national TV.”

FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES JONATHAN GOLD, QUINCY JONES AND PAUL REUBENS AS ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE FOR 2010 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2010) – Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and year-round artist development programs and exhibition events, announced additional official film selections and programming for the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times. The Festival will run from Thursday, June 17 to Sunday, June 27 in downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE.

LA Weekly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, legendary music artist Quincy Jones, and comedian, actor and writer Paul Reubens, will serve as this year’s Artists in Residence, with each introducing a film that has inspired their work, followed by a conversation after the screening. Paul Reubens has selected Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It With You (1938). In addition, a 25th anniversary screening of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure will be held on June 26th at the Orpheum Theatre. Jonathan Gold has selected Katsuyuki Motohiro’s Udon (2006), and Quincy Jones has selected Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple (1985).

“All of our incredible guest artists have evolved career paths rooted in an intense and fearless passion for their art. It’s such a gift to the Festival to have them come and share their stories, influences, and inspirations with our audiences,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.

“The Los Angeles Film Festival is continually dedicated to supporting filmmakers, so we’ve created a new signature event to help them navigate the changing marketing and distribution landscape. In collaboration with filmmaker Jon Reiss, we’ve developed a two-day boot-camp for our Festival filmmakers, as well as a public event, so artists can take charge and better understand how to harness new distribution options and their social networking community,” said Film Independent’s Director of Education Maria Bozzi.

Passes to attend the Festival are currently available for Film Independent members and the general public. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning June 1. Contact the Festival Ticketing Center for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Festival Passes and tickets can also be purchased in person beginning on Monday, June 14 at the Festival Ticketing Center located at L.A. LIVE (800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015).

ADDITIONAL FILMS & PROGRAMMING

Artists in Residence Screenings (3):

· The Color Purple (1985), Steven Spielberg

· Udon (2006), Motohiro Katsuyuki - Japan

· You Can’t Take It With You (1938), Frank Capra


Retro (2):

· Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Susan Seidelman – 25th Anniversary – Free Outdoor Screening at 7+Fig Plaza at Ernst & Young Plaza

· Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Tim Burton – 25th Anniversary Family Screening

Summer Showcase (2)

· Freakonomics, Heidi Ewing, Alex Gibney, Seth Gordon, Rachel Grady, Eugene Jarecki, Morgan Spurlock (Magnolia Pictures)

· The Two Escobars, Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist (ESPN Films) – Colombia/USA

Festival Conversations (4):

· A Conversation with Ben Affleck – In the upcoming Boston crime drama The Town, Ben Affleck does triple duty: he co-wrote it, starred in it, and directed it. How do you wear three hats on set, and how do you make the transition from in front of the camera to behind it? Join Affleck in a freewheeling conversation with Jeremy Renner, his co-star in The Town, about the challenges, triumphs, and sometimes curveballs, of his career.

· An Evening with Sylvester Stallone – The multi-talented actor, director, screenwriter, and visual artist will reminisce on pivotal moments of his prolific artistic career and give us a sneak peek of his anticipated film The Expendables. Moderated by film critic Elvis Mitchell (KCRW’s “The Treatment”).

· Over the Top: An Evening with John Lithgow – John Lithgow’s riotous performance as the mad Italian scientist Dr. Emilio Lizardo in W.D. Richter’s wild 1984 sci-fi send up The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai puts the lie to the old truism that in screen acting, less is more. In George Miller’s unforgettable episode “Terror at 20,000 Feet” from the 1983 Twilight Zone: The Movie, Lithgow lets out all the stops playing a terrified flyer convinced there’s a monster on the wing of the airplane. After the screening of each movie, the star will be on hand to explain the art of Acting Big. Moderated by Los Angeles Film Festival Artistic Director David Ansen.

· The School of Corman – Hollywood legend Roger Corman was responsible for making some classic genre movies and also gave many of today’s great directors their first gig. In addition to his hundreds of credits as a writer, director, producer, and actor, his career includes a stint as a successful distributor of independent and foreign films. We will reunite him with some of his early protégés to celebrate his legacy and influence on modern American cinema. Moderated by director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential).

Seize the Power: A Marketing and (DIY)stribution Symposium: Seize the power. Engage your audience. Learn how to monetize your art. The bottom line is, that in order to sustain your career as an artist, you need to be able to make a living out of your work. The Los Angeles Film Festival’s new signature event is produced in collaboration with filmmaker and author Jon Reiss (Think Outside the Box Office, Bomb It). You will hear from key players in the new marketing and distribution landscape, including: Scilla Andreen (Indieflix), Caitlin Boyle (Film Sprout), Ted Hope (This Is That Corporation), Peter Broderick (Paradigm Consulting), John Chang (Neoflix), Zak Forsman (Sabi Pictures), Nolan Gallagher (Gravitas Ventures), David Geertz (Biracy), Mynette Louie (Producer, Children of Invention), Bob Moczydlowsky (Topspin), Colleen Nystedt (MovieSet), Orly Ravid (The Film Collaborative), Lance Weiler (The Workbook Project), and many more. They’ll tackle various topics such as: mastering the social media universe and connecting with your audience; enriching your stories and expanding creative options via transmedia content; creating your brand as an artist; crowd sourcing and crowd funding; and utilizing different platforms to effectively market and distribute your films.

Poolside Chats (3): The Poolside Chats at the JW Marriot Pool at L.A. LIVE bring together some of Los Angeles’ most interesting people to discuss their passion for cinema, the city, and everything in between. Join us at our spectacular new location overlooking the downtown skyline, grab a cocktail, and listen to some great conversation.

· Waiting for Superman: A Conversation on Education – In his documentary Waiting for Superman, director Davis Guggenheim offers a provocative and cogent examination of the crisis of public education in the United States told through multiple interlocking stories from students, families, educators and reformers. Join Davis for this town hall meeting where he discusses with education reformer Geoffrey Canada (President & CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone) and award winning musician John Legend how educators, artists, and ordinary citizens can translate their passion for social change into actual education reform.

· The Power of the Tweet – In this age of Twitter, the line between private and public life is fast dissolving, bringing filmmakers closer to their fans as they tweet from the set and the road. Many use the platform to build a fan base, market their films in non-traditional ways, promote a cause or affect social change. We bring together some of Hollywood’s Twitter-savvy personalities to discuss life in one hundred and forty characters or less. Moderated by Ari Karpel (contributing writer, Los Angeles Times, New York Times).

· Capturing L.A. – In spite of its elusive personality, L.A. has ignited imagination of many artists who have chronicled it through various genres and across different media. Join us as we explore L.A.’s persona with visual artists, writers, and filmmakers who have captured it in their work. Moderated by Laurie Ochoa (co-founder, Slake Media; former editor-in-chief, LA Weekly).

Spotlight on the Image (3):

· Confessions of a Shoot – Come and listen to filmmakers talk about how they achieved their distinctive look, as they show clips from their films, shot on a Canon camera. Sponsored by Canon.

· Technicolor: One Vision From Set to Screen – Technicolor’s head of theatrical post-production, Marco Bario, will lead a discussion with two stalwarts of the Los Angeles filmmaking community: editor Nancy Richardson, ACE (The Kids Are All Right, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) and post-production supervisor Nancy Kirhoffer (The Prestige, Appaloosa). Sponsored by Technicolor.

· Kodak Focus: Rodrigo Prieto – With over 20 years experience, Oscar-nominated Rodrigo Prieto is one of the premiere cinematographers of our time, having worked all over the world, and collaborated with directors Spike Lee, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Oliver Stone, Julie Taymor, Pedro Almodovar, and Ang Lee. Prieto will discuss and show film clips of his unconventional and innovative techniques with Kodak’s Chris Russo. Sponsored by Kodak.

Coffee Talks: Join some of today’s most fascinating film figures for entertaining and unpredictable conversation…and, of course, coffee for everyone. The Festival’s signature Coffee Talks will include discussions with directors, actors, composers, and screenwriters, with names to be announced.

Filmmaker Lunch Talks: Los Angeles Times staff writer John Horn hosts conversations at the Zone Perfect live.create. lounge with some of the Festival’s leading directors and producers. Bring your lunch!

PLEASE REFERENCE LAFILMFEST.COM FOR ALL FILM TITLES, SYNOPSES, CAST, AND CREDITS FOR ALL FEATURE FILMS.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its sixteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best of new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos from more than 40 countries make up the main body of the Festival.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by L.A. LIVE and Premier Sponsor ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak and Subaru. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Standard, Downtown LA is the official Host Hotel, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency, and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

More information can be found at LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents are comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

ABOUT L.A. LIVE

Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is a 5.9 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring the recently opened Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination (featuring The Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower) , the state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatres, “broadcast” facilities for ESPN, a 100,000 square foot special events deck, the one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum®, saluting the history of music and the genre’s best know awards show all centered around Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, a 40,000 square foot outdoor event space, twelve signature restaurants along with entertainment, residential and office space.

Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 2 million and 3 million on Sunday, and a combined print and interactive local weekly audience of 4.5 million. The fast-growing latimes.com draws over 10 million unique visitors monthly. The Los Angeles Times Media Group businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community Newspapers, LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Brand X, Hoy, and California Community News and - combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times - reach approximately 5.9 million or 44% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for over 128 years and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus.

JAZZREGGAE FESTIVAL at UCLA Presented by SCION

JAZZREGGAE FESTIVAL at UCLA Presented by SCION

Memorial Day Weekend: May 30 – 31, 2010, 12-7PM

Take advantage of the beautiful Southern California sunshine this Memorial Day weekend for the nation’s largest student-organized music festival, the 24th Annual JazzReggae Festival at UCLA. Music lovers can enjoy the incredible sounds of Nas and Damian Marley as Distant Relatives, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, The Foreign Exchange, Barrington Levy plus a stacked lineup of even more amazing talent. In addition to the audible euphoria, festival goers can experience LA's eclectic cuisine and original crafts. Enliven all your senses and feel the positive vibrations at this year's JazzReggae Festival. Pre-Sale tickets to the festival are $26 a day ($35 day of) and $45 for a two day pass ($50 day of). They can be purchased at multiple locations such as ticketmaster and UCLA's Central Ticket Office (310.825.2101).

JazzReggae Festival Ticket Giveaway: This year's JazzReggae Festival will be holding a Facebook contest and will be giving fans a chance to win a pair of tickets to the festival. The contest involves using Facebook and asks fans to show their love for the festival by changing their profile picture to our JazzReggae flyer and mentioning our fanpage, JazzReggae Festival at UCLA, and linking our website in their status update. Details of our ticket giveaway rules and facts can be found below. Email your completed entry and any further questions to ticketgiveaway@jazzreggaefest.com. 5 pairs of general admission tickets (Jam Day + Reggae Day) will be given out in addition to 2 Deluxe tickets for a total of 7 winners. Contest starts Wednesday, May 12 and ends Wednesday, May 19 11:59PM (PST). Winners will be notified May 20th by email. Prizes are non-transferrable and there may be no cash or other substitutions of prizes by the winner. Steps to enter: 1.    Become a fan of JazzReggae Festival at UCLA. 2.    Mention the group JazzReggae Festival at UCLA in your Facebook status by typing "@" followed by "JazzReggae Festival at UCLA," and link our website under status attachments. 3.    Change your profile picture to our flyer. 4.    Take a screenshot with both the status update and your changed profile picture. 5.    Email your screenshot image to ticketgiveaway@jazzreggaefest.com along with your name, Facebook status link, email, and phone number. To get the Facebook link, click on the time stamp of your posted status and copy the URL for this page. (You must have all of these components to be qualified to win.) 6.    Keep our flyer up as your profile picture throughout the entire span of the contest until May 19th or longer to show your love for JazzReggae Festival. (Make sure your profile picture is visible to all and that you allow us to view your Facebook status so we can check! Please note that privacy settings on Facebook may affect the ability to judge your entry.) 7.    Selected winners will be notified May 20th by email. Please email questions regarding JazzReggae Festival ticket giveaway to  ticketgiveaway@jazzreggaefest.com . JazzReggae Festival 2010 presented by SCION Cultural Affairs Commission 311 Kerckhoff Hall, 308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA, 90024 http://jazzreggaefest.com

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions apply. See below for details.  The sweepstakes: From 5/12/2010 through 5/19/2010, JazzReggae Festival will promote, by means of Facebook, the opportunity to submit entries to win prizes as detailed below. In addition to Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and E-Mail blast advertising may also be used to promote the sweepstakes beginning 5/12/2010 through 5/19/2010. Eligibility: There are no age restrictions in order to submit entries, but only one entry may be submitted per person. Any individuals (including but not limited to employees, consultants, independent contractors, and interns) who have, within the past six months, performed services for JazzReggae Festival or Cultural Affairs Commission at UCLA or any organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the contest or supplying the prize are not eligible to enter or play. How to enter: Submit your completed Facebook entry to ticketgiveaway@jazzreggaefest.com. Entries are completed when the applicant has changed their Facebook profile picture and status to mention the JazzReggae Festival at UCLA fanpage in addition to linking our website under attachments. A screenshot photo must be taken to include the two Facebook requirements aforementioned and submitted with your name, Facebook status link, email, and phone number. Profile pictures must be kept as the JazzReggae flyer throughout the entire duration of the contest. Judges will be ensuring this is met but checking contestants' Facebook pages during the giveaway time span. Please note that privacy settings on Facebook may affect the ability to judge your entry.  How to win: The winners will be selected in a random drawing conducted from all qualified entries on or about 5/20/2010. In the event that the original winner does not meet Official Rules or eligibility requirements, or he/she or parent or legal guardian forfeits the prize, JazzReggae Festival will award the prize to the next alternate. Process will continue until all prize are awarded. All entries must be received on or before 5/19/2010 by 11:59PM. The selection will be held on 5/20/2010. Decision of the judges and JazzReggae Festival is final. The winners will be notified by phone and/or email and must meet all eligibility requirements. By entering, each contestant agrees to be bound by the rules. JazzReggae Festival, is not responsible for illegible, lost, delayed or misdirected emails, busy phone signals, or incomplete entries. Prizes: Two (2) winner will each receive a Deluxe ticket to either Jam Day 5/30/10 or Reggae Day 5/31/10. Approximate total value of these prizes are [$55]. Five (5) winners will each receive a pair of general admission tickets to both Jam Day 5/30/10 and Reggae Day 5/31/10. Approximate total value of these prizes are [$45] Prizes are non-transferable. There may be no cash or other substitutions of prizes by winner. However, JazzReggae Festival reserves the right to substitute similar prizes of equal or greater value in the event the above prize is unavailable for any reason. Individual, parent or legal guardian of winner is solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes with respect to entire prize. Unforeseen Events: JazzReggae Festival reserves the right to change this sweepstakes at itssole discretion at any time that JazzReggae Festival become aware of any circumstances or occurrence which would materially affect the sweepstakes security or fairness. JazzReggae Festival reserves the right to announce any sweepstakes rules changes over the air, in print or posters. JazzReggae Festival is not responsible for the inability of the winner to accept the prize for any reason. Newsletter paid for by USAC

Tony Curtis Autograph Book Signing at Turner Classic Movie Festival

By Pete Allman
Edited by Ed Magik

Turner Classic Movies had their first classic film festival at  Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  It was, in a sense, "Old-Hollywood" being brought to "Present-Day-Hollywood" at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where the first Academy Awards were held.  Tony Curtis, who is known for Some Like It Hot and a slew of other films such as, Spartacus, The Sweet Smell Success, and Persuaders was present for a his book signing.   "Art is the life-force for me.  It’s a passion in my spirit that keeps my thoughts elevated”, stated Curtis. Curtis, who lives in Seven Hills, overlooking Las Vegas, Nevada, has his own studio on his estate where he creates his art.

Other celebrities who attended the festival included, Esther Williams and Ernest Borgnine.

Turner Classic Movies is owned by Time Warner.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas and Los Angeles commentator, broadcast personality, and producer of television commercials and half hour entertainment programs. He has interviewed over 30,000 movie and sports personalities.  Mr. Allman's interviews are distributed through Ed Magik TV (www.edmagiktv.com),  Pete on the Scene (www.youtube.com/peteonthescene), and other print and Internet outlets.

Contact Pete Allman at allman@celebrityscene.com or call (702) 265-9099 or (323) 937-7600.

Jay King Launches Music Workshop Series, "Making Dollars and Sense Out of the New Music Business"

  First event to be held in Beverly Hills, Saturday, June 19

photo by Craig Cooper

Beverly Hills, CA - On Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, musical master mind Jay King will present industry newbies with a roadmap for success with a new workshop entitled, "Making Dollars and Sense out of the New Music Business."  The recording legend and creative force behind such ground breaking groups as the Timex Social Club and Club Nouveau, King has steadily redefined himself as the author of reinvention when it comes to the music game. "Making Dollars and Sense Out of the New Music Business" will be held at the Tanzore Restaurant and Lounge located at 50 N. LaCienega Blvd. in Beverly Hills.    "Making Dollars and Sense out of the New Music Business" is King's personal take on the new state of the music industry in today's digital age.  The one day seminar, slated to tour several cities, will tackle issues pertinent to newcomers in the music business, including finding out new, inexpensive and free techniques for marketing, promoting and selling your music; learning  how to build an effective team to help navigate a new music business model; and learning to maximize your budget and utilize online community sites for exposure and sales. King has long been credited with creating a new chapter in music history by independently producing, pressing, marketing and promoting the biggest selling 12-inch single in history, "Rumors" by the Timex Social Club.   He paved the path for independent record companies and was actually a forerunner to the current state of the music business, initially demonstrating the true power of the committed artist operating outside of the confines of the major label. He then went on to achieve multi-platinum status with the creation of the popular R&B group Club Nouveau. His "Making Dollars and Sense Out of the New Music Business" is a natural extension of his passion to support, expose and provide new avenues for upcoming talent. With a debut solo release, "Open Book,"  his own Blogtalk radio show at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Jay-King, and a live online concert and interview series at  http://www.KulaksWoodshed.com,  King is not one to rest on his multi-platinum laurels.  While many older artists lament 'the good old days," King is busy forging new inroads by conquering the opportunites provided by today's social networking sites.  The music business is undergoing a growth spurt, cites Jay, and complaining about it will not make it go away. "Today's musical landscape is just a logical outgrowth of where the business has been going during the last decade or so.  Artists, young and old, must know how to successfully navigate these changes as expansive opportunities.  Today's artist has the means to create his own sound, cultivate his own fan base, and sell his music, all from his computer in many instances. There are no rules etched in stone, but there are valuable tips and advice which everyone can benefit from," express King. Highlighting the many opportunities available in today's music marketplace, King, not unlike Public Enemy's Chuck D, has announced his liaison with SellaBand.com for his next musical venture at www.sellaband.com/jayking.  With SellaBand.com, artists retain complete ownership of the works created and can offer fans an investment opportunity in the projects.  By contributing as little as $10.00, fans can help King  market, promote and advertise his next CD, with an incentive of reimbursement and also a 25% share of the profits earned from this project. 

 

Upcoming tour dates for "Making Dollars and Sense Out of the New Music Business" include:

 

June 5, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sacramento, CA- Club Tre 1212 Howe Avenue Contact: Jeff Mouer (Designated Hitters) 818-915-7701

 

June 12, Noon to 5:30 pm, Indianapolis, IN - Club 520,  3730 W. 16th 

Contact Lucky ( The Promo Team)  317-635-9820 / 317-538-4411

  Keep up with Jay King at www.jayking.ning.com , www.tagged.com/jking3  and www.myspace.com/jayking3music.  Listen to Jay King on BlogTalkRadio every Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. PST on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jay-King. For more information regarding "Making Dollars and Sense out of the New Music Business" email Latonya@lwspecialevents.com .  

Dizzy D Flashy Releases New Video for "Tha Truth" on Youtube

Dizzy D Flashy Press Release - May 11, 2010 - Las Vegas, NV

 

 

Las Vegas very own hip-hop artist,  Dizzy D Flashy is once again headed back to New York City to appear on 106 & Park for the Wild Out Wednesday All Stars on August 18, 2010.  Although, before he makes his next appearance on stage at BET he has been invited to perform on the biggest independent showcase the industry will see this year.  It is confirmed that Dizzy D Flashy will be in the line-up and perform at the "Blaze The Stage" 2010 Invitational Showcase on August 7, 2010 at the Symphony Space Theater in New York City.  This is a remarkable accomplishment for a 100% unsigned independent artist!

 

Since his debut performance on BET's 106 & Park earlier this year in January which he won with record breaking votes, Dizzy D Flashy has been working diligently in the studio.  He has recorded dozens of new songs as he prepares to move forward with plans to release an independent record later this year.  (That is unless a major that is serious comes forward before then) For now, the young artist explains that he is only interested in continuing to build his fan base and internet presence as he prepares for his upcoming performances in New York City.  While staying focused on his upcoming performances, he has also been working on his second mix-tape which is currently untitled and due for release in early July.  Available on the internet now is his first mixtape "The Takeover".     

 

Adding to his list of recent accomplishments, Dizzy D Flashy just released his first ever independent video for his song "Tha Truth" on Youtube.  He explains "this is just another way for me to continue to build my fan base, by showing fans that I can do it all.  I want my fans to get to know me, follow me on twitter and reach out for me. I'm simply out here just grinding and doing me."  You can see the video at http://www.you tube.com/watch? v= GX8Bzc58p7Y.

 

Stay tuned for more information on Dizzy D Flashy.... trust me it's coming!

 

Peace & Blessings

Katrenia "Baby Girl" Wright

Consultant for Dizzy D Flashy

See him perform live on BET's 106 & Park 08/08/10!

Certified "Hottest Artist in Las Vegas" by Jump Off Magazine (June 09')

New Video "Tha' Truth" http://www.you tube.com/watch? v= GX8Bzc58p7Y

www.myspace.com/dizzywright

www.twitter.com/Dizzydflashy

www.twitter.com/TheWrightRoad

“Oscar® Noir” Has “Shadow of a Doubt”

Beverly Hills, CA — Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite among his dozens of films, “Shadow of a Doubt” will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Noir: 1940s Writing Nominees from Hollywood’s Dark Side” on Monday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The film will be introduced by screenwriter Dick Clement (“The Bank Job,” “Across the Universe”).
Based on the Oscar-nominated story by Gordon McDonell, “Shadow of a Doubt” is the tale of a young girl who discovers her namesake “Uncle Charlie” may not be the man he claims to be.
At 7 p.m. the noir cartoon short “Showdown” (1942), starring Superman, and the first installment in the 1941 serial “Adventures of Captain Marvel” will be screened as part of the evening’s pre-feature program.
“Oscar Noir” is a summer-long series featuring 15 film noir classics from the 1940s, all of which were nominated by the Academy in writing categories. A complete list of films in the series can be found at http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2010/noir.html.
Tickets to individual evenings in the series, if still available, are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. They may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

Actor/Business Entrepreneur Isa Hall adds "The Lottery Ticket" to His Growing List of Voice Over Credits

 The Urban drama stars Bow Wow
 
 

Photo Credit:  Donald Carraway donaldcimages@gmail.com

ISA Hall 

Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 07th, 2010 -  Twenty-Five year old actor and business entreprenuer Isa Hall continues to follow in his dad's (voice over king pin
 J.D. Hall) footsteps as a voice over expert. His recent film project "The Lottery Ticket" stars Bow Wow. The urban comedy-drama also stars an impressive cast that includes:
 Ice Cube, Loretta Devine, Naturi Naughton, Terry Crews and Mike Epps (partial list).

During Isa's off time, Isa maintains his management position at Car Pros Kia in Carson, California and co-CEO's ISA Public Relations, a highly respected PR boutique located in Glendale, California specializing in entertainment personalities publicity and events. 

Isa's passions are basketball, cars, music and films.

Isa Hall's partial list of voice over credits include, The Incredible Hulk, Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, Tyler Perry's The Family That Prays, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, Seventeen Again (Disney), I Love You Phillip Morris and Glory Road to name a few.

New Biography of Kingpin Ike Atkinson Disputes Claims of Frank Lucas and "American Gangster" Movie

Crime Author Ron Chepesiuk Pens

"Sergeant Smack:

The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin,

and His Band of Brothers"

84-Year Old Ike Atkinson Challenges

So-Called "American Gangster" Frank Lucas

to a Dialogue About the Truth

Behind the Asian Heroin Connection

 

 

Raleigh, North Carolina - In April of 2007, 84-year old Ike Atkinson was released from federal prison after serving a 32-year prison term.  There were no cameras and little fanfare as the man deemed the biggest American drug kingpin ever to operate out of Asia was set free.  Atkinson, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra.   As a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, he utilized his intellect and charm to, by conservative estimates, smuggle over 1000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, through U.S. military bases into the United States.  Atkinson's legendary enterprise was so complex  and profitable, it easily  rivaled that of  modern day hoodlums, the Black Mafia Family.    And no dead cadavers were involved in the process.   A few years after his release from prison however, Hollywood released a blockbuster film entitled "American Gangster."  The film not only distorted Atkinson's historical role in the international drug trade, but falsely depicted a snitch by the name of Frank Lucas as the pioneer of the Asian heroin connection.   Will the real American Gangster please stand up!   With the release of an explosive literary documentary, "Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers" award-winning author and investigative journalist Ron Chepesiuk, unravels and unveils the inner mechanics of the "true" story of the international chess game between the Ike Atkinson's organization and the DEA agents who took it down.  In addition, he lays bare the history behind one of the biggest urban myths ever, that of the cadaver-heroin smuggling connection conspiracy, pimped by Lucas to achieve Hollywood fame, wealth and notoriety!   Author Ron Chepesuik Chepesiuk is no newcomer to uncovering crime.  Having penned some 25 books including titles, "Gangsters of Miami," "Drug Lords, the Rise and Fall of the Cali Cartel," "Gangsters of Harlem" and "Gangsters of Chicago" and over 4000 articles and features, who better to lay it on the line about what really went down during one of the most tumultuous time periods in the urban community.    "Frank Lucas is the gang bangers version of Walt Disney's Pinocchio," Chepesiuk states. "The more Lucas has lied about his story, the taller his tale has become."  There is no loyalty among thieves and Chepesiuk exposes Lucas as the culprit the late Mayme Johnson, widow of the legendary Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson, originally called him out to be, in her book, "Harlem Godfather:  The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson."    Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Leslie "Ike" Atkinson was a charismatic former U.S. Army Master Sergeant, career drug smuggler, scam artist, card shark and doting family man whom law enforcement nick-named Sergeant Smack. An engaging non-fiction read, "Sergeant Smack" chronicles the story of one of U.S. history's most original American gangsters.   Ike Atkinson Under the cover of the Vietnam War and through the use of the U.S. military infrastructure, Atkinson masterminded an enterprising group of family members and former African American GIs that the DEA identified as one of history's ten top drug trafficking rings. Ike's organization moved heroin from Thailand to North Carolina and beyond during its period of operation from 1968 to 1975. It is believed the gang trafficked about $400 million worth of illegal drug sales during that period.  Unlike most drug tales, "Sergeant Smack" does not glorify violence and murder.  It's not a grimy street tale of drug hustling but an insider's view into an enterprise that flourished right under Uncle Sam's nose on military bases from coast to coast.    "Drug kingpin Ike Atkinson is the real deal, and not the stuff of Hollywood legend," said Steve Morris, the publisher of the New Criminologist, who has reviewed the book. "The author delivers an eminently readable book about a genuine Mr. Big who knows that no fictional makeover is required for his compelling story - the truth is more than enough."   To date, Atkinson is best described as a man who exuded southern hospitality, with family sensibilities.  A true mastermind, his operational base extended across borders and was run like a smooth running business.  A dedicated military man, even today many of the now retired law enforcement officials, who originally operated to put him behind bars, still remember and refer to him as a "gentleman."   Notorious for the span, scope and inner workings of his operation none-the-less, Sergeant Smack's criminal activities sparked the creation of a special DEA unit code named CENTAC 9, which conducted an intensive three-year investigation across three continents. Atkinson proved so elusive; it took the unlikely discovery of his palm print on a kilo of heroin to finally take him down.   With the release of non-fiction read, "Sergeant Smack," both Atkinson and Chepesiuk hope to finally set the record straight about the Asian heroin connection in the '70's.  Atkinson, who feels slighted by Lucas' distortion about that turbulent period during the prime of their lives is publicly challenging Lucas to a sit-down discussion to reminisce and compare notes.    The recent movie, "American Gangster," which depicted the criminal career of Frank Lucas, greatly distorted Atkinson's historical role in the international drug trade. "Sergeant Smack" exposes the lies about the Ike Atkinson-Frank Lucas relationship and documents how Ike, not Lucas, pioneered the Asian heroin connection, with intelligence and not violence.   "I, along with Lucas, played a crucial role in a significant part of American, be it, gangster history," Ike explained. "What's done is done.  But for Lucas to twist and distort the truth in an effort to manipulate history for his own personal gain is just as despicable as the drug dealing we were both engaged in.  We are both just old men now.  But I am anxious to sit down with him and a third party reporter and chat about old times.  I seriously doubt if he will want to do it. I'm here though and my book, thanks to Ron Chepesiuk, is a vivid documentation of the truth, not the big screen fairytale he has sold to Hollywood and the world at large."   "Sergeant Smack:  The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers" is available  as an e-book now at  http://www.ikeatkinsonkingpin.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, with the hard copy version to follow in late June.     Will the real American Gangster please stand up?  Read "Sergeant Smack" and determine the answer for yourself who that really is.   See and hear from Ike Atkinson himself at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xuic5LtoUI   and read about him at http://www.IkeAtkinsonKingpin. com.  For more  information about Ron Chepesiuk, go to http://www.ronchepesiuk.com/ . You can also 'friend' both Ron Chepesiuk and Ike Atkinson on Facebook.com.