Thursday, January 28, 2010

NYC Oscar® Party to Shine at GILT at the New York Palace Hotel

Beverly Hills, CA — On Oscar Sunday, March 7, 2010, New York-area members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will celebrate the 82nd Academy Awards® at GILT at The New York Palace hotel. Since 1990, the Academy has hosted a New York Oscar celebration for its East Coast members, many of whom are previous Academy Award® winners and nominees.
“We’re delighted to be holding this year’s Oscar Night® party at this historic venue,” noted Bud Rosenthal, chairman of the Academy’s New York Events Committee. “The blending of old and new is a perfect expression of the tradition and innovation that we celebrate with the year’s films. And our celebration will only be enhanced by the artistry of GILT’s culinary team.”
The evening’s festivities will begin with a reception in the GILT Bar, renowned for its selection of signature cocktails. Following the reception, the invited guests will adjourn to the restaurant for a multi-course Oscar-themed dinner and live viewing of the 82nd Academy Awards telecast. Executive Chef Justin Bogle and Executive Pastry Chef David Carmichael will create a special menu for the occasion.
The New York Palace hotel incorporates the landmark Villard Mansion, which features elegant cathedral ceilings, gilded walls, carved moldings, and mosaic tile floors. GILT opened in 2006 and has since earned international acclaim. In 2009 the restaurant received two Michelin stars under Executive Chef Bogle, who at 28 was the youngest New York City chef to ever earn this distinction.
New York’s Oscar party is open to all Academy members who reside on the East Coast or who might be visiting at that time.
GILT at The New York Palace hotel is located on Madison Avenue between 50th and 51st streets. For more information about the event, Academy members may call (212) 821-9255.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m./8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

MoodTyme Corp Launches "The Biggest Networking Night Of The Year" Dot Com

Atlanta, GA  January 28, 2010
It has been said, "If you can't beat them, join them", these words may be hard to swallow but a sure reality for other networking event organizers around the world today, as the MoodTyme Corporation officially launches www.thebiggestnetworkingnightoftheyear.com, the online domain name and website, lead by MoodTyme Events, representing the largest networking event for business professionals, once a year, in a variety of major cities across the globe. Cities such as Miami, Philadelphia, London, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Toronto, and Chicago are all on the schedule for 2010. This announcement coming from MoodTyme Events just hours before its huge Los Angeles VIP Networking Pre-Grammy Power Night Event this weekend, which has already taken the #1 spot in pre-Grammy event and Los Angeles history, where over 400 business and entertainment professionals are coming together to network and create opportunities the night before the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

Monday, January 25, 2010

QUINCY JONES, JOHN MAYER AND BILL WITHERS LEAD SPEAKER LINEUP FOR ASCAP "I CREATE MUSIC" EXPO




Los Angeles / New York , January 25, 2010:  Music legends Quincy Jones and Bill Withers and music superstar John Mayer will lead the list of speakers at the 5th annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, it was announced today by ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).  The three-day EXPO will take place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 22-24, 2010 in Los Angeles , CA .
 
Quincy Jones will be interviewed about his prolific career as a musician, composer, producer, arranger and conductor, who has worked with such entertainment giants as Count Basie, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin and many others.  As one of music’s true renaissance men, he has done it all.  He has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performance, movies and television, leaving his indelible mark on American popular music.
 
John Mayer will discuss his craft, career and current projects, including the worldwide tour in support of his latest album, Battle Studies.  Universally recognized for his guitar playing skills as well as his writing skills, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter and performer expertly mixes pop, blues, soul and jazz into his ever-evolving music, which includes such hits as "Your Body Is a Wonderland," "Waiting on the World to Change," "Gravity" and "Say."  He has collaborated with artists from several genres, including blues guitar greats Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Eric Clapton, jazz icon Herbie Hancock, hip-hop visionaries Common and Kayne West, as well as legendary studio musicians Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino as part of the John Mayer Trio.
 
Bill Withers will share valuable insights into a remarkable career that includes writing and performing such classic hits as "Ain't No Sunshine," "Grandma's Hands," "I Want To Spend the Night," "In The Name Of Love," "Just The Two Of Us," "Lean On Me," "Lovely Day" and "Use Me," to name a few.  His music and unique voice have been used in countless television and radio commercials, motion pictures and television programs, and his songs have been recorded by hundreds of artists from a variety of genres including Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Sting, Will Smith, Lionel Hampton, The Temptations, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger and Crystal Gayle, among others.
 
Also confirmed to participate in the EXPO are Louis Biancaniello, Kenny Burrell, Desmond Child, Dre & Vidal, Steve Diamond, John Forté, Ashley Gorley, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Ron Jones, Just Blaze, Bear McCreary, Bob Mintzer, Robert Ellis Orrall, Don Schlitz, Brian Tyler, Sam Watters, Greg Wells, Wendy & Lisa, Phil Vassar, and Paul Williams.  Additional panelists and performers will be announced in the coming weeks. 
 


"The diversity of music creators and music industry representatives who so generously share their expertise at our EXPO is unprecedented, and I sincerely thank each of them for their participation," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, who will be appearing at the EXPO.  "The energy and inspiration generated by our community coming together in this way is truly remarkable, and is one of the reasons why the EXPO continues to be so successful."
 
The ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO is the premier conference for songwriters, composers and producers.  It covers all genres of music and includes panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, One-on-One sessions, song critiquing, networking events, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and more.  All music creators, producers, publishers and executives – regardless of their performing rights organization affiliation – will benefit from this unique creative event, which is designed around personal interaction, education and networking.  For more information, and to register, please visit www.ascap.com/expo.
 
Members of the press may apply for credentials at www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/expo/.
 
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 370,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members.  ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists.  ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances.  ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members.  www.ascap.com

Monday, January 18, 2010

80 Best Picture Posters to Premiere at the Academy

Beverly Hills, CA —“The Wizard of Oz,” “Citizen Kane” and “Casablanca” will be among the 80 Best Picture nominees represented in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new exhibition “The More the Merrier: Posters from the Ten Best Picture Nominees, 1936 – 1943,” opening on Saturday, January 23, in the Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery in Beverly Hills. Admission is free.

Focusing on the eight consecutive years during which there were annually ten Best Picture nominees, the exhibition will showcase what are arguably some of the most striking movie posters ever created, including artwork for “Romeo and Juliet” (1936), “A Star Is Born” (1937), “Jezebel” (1938), “Stagecoach” (1939), “The Philadelphia Story” (1940), “The Maltese Falcon” (1941), “The Pride of the Yankees” (1942) and “Heaven Can Wait” (1943). Key artists and illustrators whose work will be featured include Norman Rockwell, Al Hirschfeld, Jacques Kapralik, France’s Boris Grinsson and Pierre Pigeot, and Italy’s Ercole Brini.

The exhibition also will present the only known three-sheet posters for “The Great Ziegfeld” (1936), the special British cinema display for “Lost Horizon” (1937), and an original painting for “Gone with the Wind” (1939) by the prolific artist Sergio Gargiulo.

“The More the Merrier” is drawn from the collection of Academy member and poster art director Mike Kaplan, and augmented by materials from the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library. The posters include foreign versions from South American and Europe.

The specific number of Best Picture nominees ranged from 3 to 12 in the Awards years from 1927/28 through 1943; in 1944 the number was set at 5, as it remained until 2009. The 82nd Academy Awards®, which will be televised on Sunday, March 7, will return to the Academy’s past practice of nominating 10 films for the Best Picture award.

Kaplan will lead a public gallery talk at the Academy on Sunday, January 24, at 3 p.m. No reservations are required.

“The More the Merrier: Posters from the Ten Best Picture Nominees, 1936 – 1943” will be on display through Sunday, April 18. The Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

Terry Fator - A Man of His Own Virtue



by Pete Allman, Celebrity Scene News

Although Terry Fator captured the hearts (and funny bones) of America when he was selected as the top act on season two of America’s Got Talent, he's remained humble and kind to everyone he meets.
His sold out shows at The Mirage, which have brought the gift of laughter to thousands, have set a new trend in entertainment for Las Vegas - a city that has long been considered the live entertainment capital of the world. Fator performs new impressions, new celebrity voices and has a wonderful array of puppets each night in the Terry Fator Theatre.

Fator was bitten by the entertainment bug when he was no bigger than his puppets, right around the age of 10.

Terry refers to those early years: “When I was little I would go to church with my parents and see a ventriloquist perform. I found it so fascinating that I went to the library to pick up a book and learn about it. From that moment I was hooked and always visualized myself as a ventriloquist.”
Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car.

“One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car,” Fator says. “I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips.”
Fator worked on his craft to perfect his delivery and also added a little touch of comedy to his routine, making him one of the most dynamic entertainers in his field. An expert in mimicking celebrity voices, he brings to life his puppet co-stars, including the adorable Emma Taylor and the newest member of his puppet family, Vikki the Cougar. His show also includes performances by musical stars Cher, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and The Pussycat Dolls.

So, how does Terry Fator keep his life on an even keel with being the hottest show on the Las Vegas Strip?
“It goes back to my parents,” he says, “and the values they instilled in me. They taught me that hard work pays off and that belief in yourself and dedication to what you envision are necessary to achieve your goals.”

Recently, Terry attended the Iraq Star Fundraiser at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. Fator paid tribute to American troops and co-hosted with Dr. Phil McGraw, who led the night away with a silent auction for all those in attendance.

Terry is the kind of individual who exemplifies character. He displays that during each one of his shows, being sure to give a special shout out to all US service men and women stationed at home or overseas.
What’s more heartwarming is Terry's profound respect for the handicapped and the elderly. After every show, he invites them to the front of the meet-and-greet line and signs their autographs first and doesn’t quit until he’s shaken hands with everyone. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see him sign autographs for nearly an hour.

Terry Fator performs center stage with a live seventeen-piece band nightly at 7:30pm in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage (dark Sunday and Monday). There’s nothing quite like Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands. It's the next generation of entertainment.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Noel Coward’s Star Quality to Light Up Academy Gallery

Beverly Hills, CA — The life and career of playwright, composer, director and actor Noel Coward will be celebrated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a new touring exhibition, “Star Quality: The World of Noel Coward,” opening on Saturday, January 23, in the Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery in Beverly Hills. Admission is free.


Coward is well known as the creator of such stage classics as Hay Fever, Private Lives, Cavalcade, Design for Living and Blithe Spirit, many of which were adapted for film, and as the composer of such timeless songs as “I’ll See You Again,” “Mad About the Boy” and “Mad Dogs and Englishmen.” “Star Quality” will be the first exhibition to show the full extent of Coward’s talents as a director of plays and movies, a stage and film actor, songwriter, cabaret artist, wartime patriot, painter and patron of charitable causes.

With unparalleled access to the Coward Archives, and drawing on public and private collections in Europe and the U.S. as well as the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, the exhibition brings together dozens of rare photographs, drawings, paintings, original manuscripts, letters, sheet music, posters, playbills, set and costume designs, personal memorabilia, audio and video clips, and original costumes, including several of the silk dressing gowns that became Coward’s trademark.
Coward’s friendships with many of the 20th century’s leading artists and film personalities also are documented throughout the exhibition, as are his contributions to the film world through his on-screen appearances and the numerous film adaptations of his stage work.

“Star Quality: The World of Noel Coward,” is presented in association with the Noël Coward Foundation and the Museum of Performance & Design in San Francisco. The Academy’s installation has been guest curated by Brad Rosenstein and Rosy Runciman; the original exhibition was conceived and developed at Ten Chimneys by Erika Kent.

Rosenstein will lead a public gallery talk at the Academy on Saturday, January 23, at 3 p.m. No reservations are required.

“Star Quality: The World of Noel Coward” will be on display through Sunday, April 18. The Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

DANCERS WANTED FOR 2009 OSCAR® SHOW

Beverly Hills, CA — Open dance auditions for the 82nd Academy Awards® telecast will be held on Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23, at CenterStaging in Burbank, California, telecast producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic announced today. Cast dancers will perform live during the Academy Awards show on Sunday, March 7, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®.

The auditions are open to professional-level male and female dancers in the contemporary and hip-hop styles who are between the ages of 18 and 30. Shankman, who began his career as a dancer and once performed on the Oscar show, will be choreographing the audition numbers with associate choreographers Anne Fletcher and Jamal Sims.

CenterStaging is located at 3407 Winona Avenue in Burbank. Interested dancers should note that parking is not available at CenterStaging. Individuals will need to find parking in the vicinity and pay any associated costs. Only qualified dancers will be admitted; there is no access for watching the auditions.

Following is the audition schedule:

Friday, January 22, 2010

Contemporary
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Union, Male
10 a.m. – noon - Union, Female
Noon – 2 p.m. - Non-union, Male
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Non-union, Female
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Trickers and Tumblers

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Hip Hop
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Union, Male
10 a.m. – noon - Union, Female
Noon – 2 p.m. - Non-union, Male
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Non-union, Female
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Callback

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be televised live by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 5 p.m. PT. It also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

DANETTE HERMAN NAMED COORDINATING PRODUCER FOR OSCAR® TELECAST

Beverly Hills, CA — Danette Herman will serve as coordinating producer for the 82nd Academy Awards®, telecast producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic announced today.
“Danette is a key ally for Adam and me as we plan out the talent aspects of the show,” said Mechanic. ”She’s a wealth of knowledge and will be a great creative resource for us.”
“I don’t think it’s possible to underestimate the challenges a show the size and scale of the Oscars®,” said Shankman. “Danette is a warrior.”
A specialist in live and taped television specials and events, Herman has served in various capacities on the Academy Awards telecast for more than 30 years.  She served as co-producer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Governors Awards, held in November 2009, and subsequently completed her duties as coordinating producer for “The 32nd Kennedy Center Honors.”  Also in 2009, Herman served as co-producer for “The 61st Primetime Emmy® Awards” and recently wrapped work on “CNN Heroes.”
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Frankee Razor “ur local Hip Hop Jimi Hendrix”, American Idol’s Urban Rocker, to sign Endorsement Deal with ShowOff It Matters Clothing & Apparel


 
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 6th, 2010 – Frankee Razor “ur local Hip Hop Jimi Hendrix”, formerly known as Justinn Waddell of American Idol fame, has been tapped as the Face of ShowOff It Matters Clothing & Apparel.  This explosive new endorsement deal with Young Urban Rocker, Frankee Razor will commemorate the Grand Opening of “ShowOff It Matters” Clothing Store in the Glendale Galleria (Glendale, CA), as well as the unveiling of ShowOff It Matters new men’s line simply called, “ShowOff”!!

This endorsement is the perfect union of Artist/Sponsor because everyone who’s anyone knows Frankee Razor sets any Red Carpet a blaze, leaving a lasting visual impression on all who lay eyes upon his Edgy, Trendsetting style; As publicly noted by jaded, American Idol judge, Simon Cowell, who raved about Kid Razor’s “Great Image”.  All of the fashion for Frankee Razor’s upcoming Performances and Appearances will be provided and designed by ShowOff It Matters Clothing & Apparel !!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

PALETTE NARROWS TO 7 IN OSCAR® MAKEUP RACE

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films remain in competition in the Makeup category for the 82nd Academy Awards®. The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
“District 9”
“Il Divo”
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”
“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian”
“The Road”
“Star Trek”
“The Young Victoria”
On Saturday, January 23, all members of the Academy’s Makeup Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

GOODIE MOB REUNION









GUERILLA UNION PRESENTS THE
GOODIE MOB REUNION

PART II OF  THE NATIONWIDE TOUR KICKS OFF JANUARY 14, 2010

Pomona, CA (January 13, 2010) – Hip-Hop Legends and internationally acclaimed group, Goodie Mob hit the road on the second half of their reunion tour.  Original members: Cee-Lo (from Gnarls Barkley), Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo are ready and set to kick off the tour in Houston, TX January 14, 2010 at the House of Blues.  Part I of the tour featured artists Scarface, Devin The Dude and Cypress Hill. Tour highlights included the group’s nationally televised performance on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show
and a stop at The Cypress Hill SmokeOut.  Part II will provide fans a healthy portion of musical soul food.  Goodie Mob reunion tour dates are scheduled as follows:
Thursday
01/14/10
Houston
TX
House of Blues
Friday
01/15/10
New Orleans
LA
House of Blues
Saturday
01/16/10
Austin
TX
Emos
Sunday
01/17/10
Dallas
TX
House of Blues
Tuesday
01/19/10
Aspen
CO
The Belly Up
Wednesday
01/20/10
Denver
CO
Gothic Theatre
Thursday
02/04/10
Orlando
FL
Firestone
Friday
02/05/10
Miami
FL
Performing Arts Center
Thursday
02/11/10
Washington
DC
930 Club
Friday
02/12/10
Atlanta
GA
The Tabernacle
Saturday
02/13/10
Asheville
NC
Orange Peel
Sunday
02/14/10
Charlotte
NC
Amos' Southend
Wednesday
02/24/10
Seattle
WA
Nuemos
Thursday
02/25/10
Portland
OR
The Roseland
Saturday
02/27/10
Los Angeles
CA
Club Nokia
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