Tag Archives: Entertainment

Ever Wanted Your Own Talk Show? Enter BlogTalkRadio.

18 Jun

BlogTalkRadio

As I’ve already confessed, I tend not to be the earliest adopter of new technology.  Hence, you may very well have already heard about BlogTalkRadio, but I just discovered it while listening to author interviews at mediabistro.com.  In case you too are slightly behind the curve, “BlogTalkRadio allows anyone, anywhere the ability to host a live, Internet Talk Radio show, simply by using a telephone.”  And, in the mode of all “freemium” internet-based services (think Skype and Animoto), the basic package does not cost a dime.

Intimidated?  Think you’d like to but you just don’t have the nerve?  Check out the “All Girl Talk Radio” program.  As a recent Time Magazine piece notes:

[T]his foursome of Detroit-raised businesswomen, wives and moms has steadily gathered steam in recent months as their hot topics and smart, sassy on-air personalities have reeled in thousands of listeners a week, some as nearby as W. 7 Mile Road and some as far away as the United Kingdom.

The All Girl Talk team is made up of Tamika Montgomery, 40, known to listeners as “The Conservative Ms. Tika”; Irresha Byrd, 35, a.k.a. “Ms. Muse”; 30-year-old Jessica Hence, dubbed “Ms. Jai”; and Angela Smith, 38, self-dubbed “Rambunctious Angie.” Taken together, they’re the masterminds behind a year-old show that sounds at times like a raucous, take-no-prisoners cross between “The View,” the sitcom “Girlfriends” and the casual chatter of four homies under the hairdryers at a west-side salon.

If they can do, surely you can too!

Not ready to start your own show?  Then, tune into any one of the hundreds available, 24/7, on BlogTalkRadio.com.  Check out “The Cosmetics Cop,” home organization guru, “FlyLady and Friends,” “Movie Geeks United,”  and one of my personal favorites, “Authors on the Air.”  There are programs covering music, art, politics, sports, education, science … you name it.

Without a doubt, it’s the voice of things to come.

The Best “Glee” Musical Numbers? The Daily Beast Weighs In

7 Jun

If you’re a Glee fan, which I unabashedly am, then this week’s season finale will be a cause for celebration and mourning … how many months until it’s back on the air?

Photo: FreeFoto.com

The Daily Beast must have thought of this, because they’ve just posted their list of the 15 Best Glee Musical Numbers.  Included are some of my personal favorites: Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab,” performed by rivals, Vocal Adrenaline; Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” with which I have a serious romance; Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” performed by Matthew Morrison and Neil Patrick Harris.  (Is there anything this guy cannot do?); John Lennon’s “Imagine,” showcasing the New Directions partnered with a deaf glee club, certainly a tear-jerker; “Like a Virgin” in the Madonna episode; the Rogers and Hart show-tune, “The Lady is a Tramp,” performed in a pleasantly swinging turn by Mark Salling (Puck) and Amber Riley (Mercedes); and “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, sung by Idina Menzel and Lea Michele, yet another tear-jerker.   Okay, I pretty much like them all.

So, when the TV summer doldrums hit, you can click on this link and be reminded of what’s to come when the weather turns colder, and then you really need something to look forward to.  (If you’re really in a funk, you can always watch full episodes.)

Sometimes a girl needs a guilty pleasure.

“1000 Awesome Things” … Well, It’s Simply Awesome

7 Jun

Snow days.   Dancing when you’re home alone.  Finding money in your pocket.  Long comfortable silences between really close friends.  The moment on vacation when you forget what day it is.  When you should have got a parking ticket, but didn’t.  Picking the fastest moving line at the grocery store check out.  Dropping your cell phone on the sidewalk and then realizing it’s totally fine.  These are just some of the 1000 Awesome Things on Neil Pasricha’s fabulous blog and, now, in his new book.

Who is Neil Pasricha and why did he decide to look for and chronicle 1,000 awesome things?  In his own words:

I’m a no-name 30-year-old guy who started 1000 Awesome Things back in June, 2008 with the goal of writing about one awesome thing every weekday.

I did this as my life was falling apart. My best friend took his own life and my wife and I went different ways. We sold our house, I moved to a tiny apartment, and I tried to get things back on track by talking about one simple, universal little joy every single day — like snow days, bakery air, or popping bubble wrap.

He began counting backward from 1,000.  As of this posting, he’s at #490, which happens to be “Driving around with the windows down on late summer nights.”  I say “amen” to that.  Actually I say “amen” to almost everything on his list, and, at this point, that’s over 500 simple, everyday things.  That’s a heck of a lot of things to get happy about.

And there are another 489 to come.  “Amen” to that too.

The Lazarus Effect – A Miracle for 40 Cents a Day

26 May


On Monday, May 24th, HBO Documentary Films and (RED), in association with Anonymous Content, presented their new documentary, The Lazarus Effect.

Airing on HBO, Channel 4 (UK), and YouTube, the “30-minute documentary follows the story of HIV positive people in Africa who were at death’s door and in as little as 40 days undergo a remarkable transformation to health, when they gain access to the 2 lifesaving pills that cost around 40 cents a day.”

Antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment, that can cost upwards of $10,000 per year for a patient in the United States, now costs roughly $140 per year in Africa.  Given that many Africans live below the poverty threshold of $2 per day, these drugs are provided for free, mostly by the Global Fund and the U.S. AIDS initiative, PEPFAR, as they have been since 2003.

Before 2003, there was no “Lazarus effect.”  HIV/AIDS was a death sentence.  As Constance Mudenda, supervisor of the Kanyama clinic (and 2 others) in Lusaka, Zambia, says in the film, “All I know is that I’d go for the test, and sit back and wait for death.”  While all three of her children had succumbed to the disease, she and her husband had never been tested (both now know they are HIV-positive and receive free ARVs).   From the viewpoint of the doctors, the situation was wrenching.  Dr. Mannasseh Phiri, who works with Constance, explains that the drugs were “so expensive, and we watched people die because they couldn’t afford the mediation.  Can you imagine how desperate that is for the provider of the medication?”

Really.  40 cents per day.   And 3 months.  That’s all it takes for 11-year-old Bwalya Liteta to go from weighing 24 pounds and looking like she’s 6 and missing school, to playing with her friends and ranking at the top of her class, to go from lethargy to life.  Today, there are 3 billion more just like her, alive and thriving because of 2 pills a day.  But this is a lifelong commitment, on behalf of the patients receiving the drugs and organizations funding them.

Take 30 minutes of your time to watch and hear the good news about just what $0.40 per day can do.  Or, if you have only a minute, check out Bono and Penelope Cruz and Orlando Bloom, to name a few, tell you what you get for $0.40, in the (RED) The Lazarus Effect Campaign: 40 cents = 2 lifesaving pills.

We need more of this kind of thing, more of what’s working.

Bravo.

Rodrigo y Gabriela – Mexico’s Dueling Rhythmic Guitarists

20 May

Photo: Rodrigo y Gabriela website (www.rodgab.com)

Last night, the White House hosted it’s second State Dinner, this time for President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and his wife, first lady Margarita Zavalos.  Unlike the President’s first State Dinner, this one appears to have  gone off without incident (though I did read that the Salahis scheduled a drive-by, just as the invited guests were arriving, supposedly on their way to dinner at a nearby restaurant).

First lady Michelle Obama and her staff thoughtfully arranged all aspects of the dinner, including the entertainment, which featured the duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, rhythmic guitarists from Mexico City.  If you’ve never heard them play their acoustic guitars (although the word “play” does not quite live up to what they do with their instruments), then you need to have a listen.  Here are two of their songs that I particularly like:

Hanuman (from their 2009 album, 11:11 – scroll down to see them performing this song on The Tonight Show)

Tamacun (from their 2006 self-title album – sample the song on Pandora.com)

The pair is touring in the United States through May, then heading to Europe, before returning to the States for additional dates in August.  Visit their website for tour dates.   Quite simply, if you like acoustic guitar, then you’ll agree, this pair is fantastic.

And, I can’t help myself, I’ve got to mention this week’s Glee.  There were so many “moments.”  Neil Patrick Harris, guest-starring as Will Schuster’s high school nemesis, Bryan Ryan, belting out Aerosmith’s “Dream On” alongside Matthew Morrison.  A mall flash-mob version of Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance,” headlined by Artie (Kevin McHale).  Then there was “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, sung by Idina Menzel (rival glee club leader, Shelby Cororan) and Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) – this week we learned that Shelby is Rachel’s mother.   I’ve yet to manage to get through Les Mis without crying, and, I have to admit, I didn’t make it through this performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” either.  If you missed the episode, you can catch it online.

So much entertainment, so little time…

Animoto – Seriously Simple Videos

6 May

I think I have just become a raving fan of a fantastic online tool … Animoto.  Many of you may already be aware of it.  As is the case with far too many technology-related products and services, I am not an early adopter.  When I do finally get on to something I think is terrific, my friends generally smile somewhat kindly, then roll their eyes.  But I may not be too terribly late to this one.  Yes, it  has been written about in just about every major publication in America (which I learned when I checked out their press coverage in “the buzz”).  But still, I thought a few of you might be like me.  So …

What is Animoto?  In their own words, they help you to:

Photo: Animoto Imagery

Turn your photos and videos into pure amazing.

Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy.

And, yes, their basic service really is free.  You can upload your own photos, video, and music, or use their stock collections, and add text, to produce a 30-second video clip.  If you don’t like the end result, you can easily edit your selections, and Animoto will create a new video.  You can email the video, post it to your blog or Facebook page, and send it out via Twitter.

To show you just how easy it is, here’s a link to a video clip titled Travel I that I created in only a few minutes using their stock Travel photographs and a lovely song from their Music Lounge, “To Show You My Love” by Mike Schmid.

As with Skype, you can pay a subscription fee to upgrade your account, allowing you to create longer videos or to access their professional package (if you’re a real estate broker or photographer, for example).  They also offer a free pro package for not-for-profits and a program for education.

Sign-up is a breeze.  And they send you an email as soon as your video is ready to be viewed, generally less than 5 minutes after you’ve completed the creation process.

Now, really.  Seriously … simple.

Don’t Miss These Two Off-Broadway Gems

14 Apr

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Photo: publictheater.org

Time Out New York gave it 5-out-of-5 stars and had this to say:

“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a new breed of rock musical, the dementedly sassy love child of South Park and Spring Awakening. From socialist rabble-rousers to Hutaree inbreds, this fist-pumping historical travesty has something for every disenfranchised groupie.

But there’s more. To wit: acknowledging the downside of being all things to all people. The creators of this whip-smart entertainment gleefully tickle the creepy, racist underbelly of populism, where ignorance meets insularity. By fusing rural America’s perennial paranoia of being invaded to the teen-angst idiom of emo rock, songwriter Michael Friedman and book writer/director Alex Timbers build a perfect pomo, transhistorical frame to lampoon the life and political career of our seventh President (played with towering charisma by Benjamin Walker). The supporting cast is equally on fire, including Colleen Werthmann’s chipper Storyteller, who perseveres despite a bullet in the neck.”

And my dear theater-going friend said it was fantastic and funny (and I trust him more than the critics).  That and the fact that the run has been extended until May 9th.  So, get thee downtown to the Public Theater.  You don’t want to miss this one.  Tickets are available online and by phone (212-967-7555).

North Atlantic

North Atlantic, The Wooster Group, Photo:bacnyc.org

Time Out New York gave this production 5-out-of-5 stars as well.  In their words:

“Some historians of the modern American surveillance state identify 1983 as the year it all started, with the terrorist bombing in Beirut that killed 241 Marines. Then-national security advisor John Poindexter instituted a process of exhaustive data-mining to anticipate future attacks. By a strange coincidence, 1983 is also the year the Wooster Group started developing James Strahs’s metanoir Cold War satire, North Atlantic. Like Poindexter (but infinitely cooler), director Elizabeth LeCompte and her merry band of avant-garde troupers are happiest wallowing in reams of assorted data. …

LeCompte’s typically stunning mise en scène looks amazing in the sleek Jerome Robbins Theater. Jim Clayburgh’s cantilevered-platform set tilts up and down as troops slide down the deck and scuttle under the hydraulics, conveying both a ship at sea and an elaborate simulator. Only LeCompte can orchestrate so many layers of choreographic and sonic complexity. There’s lots of fuzz and static in the air, but one piece of chatter comes through clear: North Atlantic is a dirty, clever, exhilarating thrill ride as only the Wooster Group could devise.”

The play is currently running at the Baryshnivkov Arts Center (37th Street between 9th and 10th avenues).  My theater-going friend gave this one a “thumbs-up” as well.  North Atlantic runs until April 25th.  Order tickets online.

A London Spring Fling

12 Apr

London Bridge, Photo: FreeFoto.com

London in springtime?  Absolutely lovely.  So here’ s the plan:

Stay:

I have a preference for smaller, boutique hotels which, in London, tend to be in converted townhouses.  That the hotel has comfortable beds, high thread count sheets, flat-screen televisions, luxurious toiletries, a mean breakfast, a nice little cocktail bar, and excellent service go without saying.

Dean Street Townhouse – Located in Soho.  Hip, busy, reasonably-priced, popular restaurant and bar.

myhotel Bloomsbury – Centrally located, near Covent Garden, Oxford Circus, and Soho.  “Stylish interior design from Conran & Partners.”  mysnug.  PINCHITOtapas.

myhotel Chelsea – Near Brompton Cross, one of the best Chelsea locations.  Comfortable, eclectic rooms.  mybar.

One Aldwych – This one breaks my “boutique” rule, but with good reason.  A fantastic location – in the heart of Covent Garden, between the West End and the City – a fabulous lobby bar, two great restaurants, exceptional service, Frette linens and down duvets, health club … need I go on?  It’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s worth it.

Portobello Hotel - “On a quiet street in Notting Hill, stands this converted neo-classical mansion. It hardly looks like a hotel, yet it enjoys a worldwide reputation as the most exclusive hideaway hotel in London.”

Sydney House Chelsea – Owned and operated by ABode Hotels, this Chelsea property is a find.  Boutique townhouse hotel.  Located near the King’s Road.   Great breakfast.

The Zetter – Located in Clerkenwell, a hip, fashionable London neighborhood on the edge of the City.   Loft-like, high tech rooms.  Bistrot Bruno Loubet and the  Atrium Bar.

Eat:

Amaya - If you like Indian food, you need to make a night of it in London.  Located in Knightsbridge, “Amaya focuses uniquely on sophisticated Indian grills, seasoned with subtle complex marinades using time honoured Indian grilling methods.”

E & O – “Set in the buzzing area of Notting Hill, a stone’s throw from Portobello market, its pan-Asian cuisine and vibrant bar are sure never to disappoint.”  The menu includes dim sum, salads, sushi and sashimi, a couple of curries, and some great sides (like green beans with xo sauce).  Add a happening bar.  Yes, it’s a hot spot.

Electric Brasserie – “Open daily with indoor and outdoor seating all year round. It is a place to meet your friends for a snack, a long lunch, a cozy dinner or just for a drink at the bar.”  This is another Notting Hill mainstay.  Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Hix and Hix Oyster & Chop House – Both are from restauranteur Mark Hix.  Located in Soho, “The ground floor restaurant called HIX seats around 80 diners and serves Mark’s signature British food with a wide selection of meat and fish dishes. The basement bar, Mark’s, which has a clubby-type feel, has a more informal feel, serving small British dishes and cocktails by Nick Strangeway.”  Hix Oyster & Chop House is situated on Green Hill  Rents, near London’s Smithfield Meat Market.  “At the Oyster and Chop House we’ll always have an assortment of oysters on the menu and a range of chops, cutlets and steaks on the bone such as Porterhouse and Hanger steak with baked bone marrow. Fish dishes also feature, including whole grilled fish, and all the ingredients will be carefully sourced in the UK.”  Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan of both.

Locanda Locatelli – Giorgio Locatelli has been wowing diners with his superb Italian food and outstanding service.  Time Out gives the restaurant 5-out-of-5 stars, and says  of the experience, “The decadent, almost louche 1970s atmosphere, the softly lit dining room and the almost pampering service may be a draw. But it’s the spectacular cooking and astounding attention to detail that keep the booking lines busy here, and the dining room packed every day.”  It’s a splurge, but absolutely worth it.

Nobu – No matter the city, if you’re in the mood for Japanese food(sushi or a fabulous steak, for that matter) Nobu is the spot.  In London the restaurant is  located in tony Mayfair.  Like Locanda Locatelli, it’s a splurge, but consider it a “bucket list” item.  You won’t be disappointed.

Notting Hill Brasserie – “…you’d never find us by accident – a neighbourhood Restaurant nestling in the heart of Notting Hill.”  So true.  But now you know.  There’s live jazz each night in the cocktail bar (and during their Sunday lunch).  Their ingredients are seasonal and sourced locally, and are prepared in “Modern Mediterranean” cooking style.

Tate Modern Restaurant – If you’re visiting Tate Modern, which I highly recommend (see below), plan on having lunch or a drink.  Located on the 7th floor of the museum, it boasts one of the best views in London.  The “menu [is] based on fresh, seasonal produce together with an exciting wine list focusing on innovative producers.”  Book ahead.

The Anchor & Hope – One of the best gastropubs in London.  Located on The Cut, near the Southwark tube and not far from Waterloo station, it’s a great option if you’ve got tickets for the Old Vic Theatre.  Creative pub food served in a bustling atmosphere.  Note, they do not accept reservation Monday through Saturday, but do (and are advisable) on Sunday.

The Ivy – This is a West End institution.  Pre- or post-theater, book well in advance to secure a table.  Time Out gives it 4-out-of-5 stars and says, “For all its enduring popularity with celebrities and the music industry – and there are often paparazzi hovering outside – the Ivy isn’t the sort of place to go and be seen; it’s the kind of restaurant folk visit to enjoy their time off. The long menu is curiously old-school British, with globe-trotting recipes picked up along the way.”

A quick update … Daily Candy London announced the opening of The Summerhouse by The Waterway pop-up restaurant.  I’d heard of pop-up shops before and thought this looked interesting.  It’s open for six months – from April to October.  “Since 2002 The Waterway has established itself as one of Maida Vale’s best local restaurants and one of London’s greatest outdoor terraces with spectacular views overlooking the beautiful Grand Union Canal. Voted as the best terrace in London, this is the closest to Venice London has.”  They serve fresh seafood and even fresher cocktails.  Definitely part of the plan.

See:

Love Never Dies – Here it is at last … the long-awaited sequel to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.  Here’s the story: “Ten years after the mysterious disappearance of The Phantom from the Paris Opera House, Christine Daae accepts an offer to come to America and perform at New York’s fabulous new playground of the world – Coney Island.   Christine arrives in New York with her husband Raoul and their son Gustave.  She soon discovers the identity of the anonymous impresario who has lured her from France to sing.”  Currently running and booking through October 23.   Book tickets with Albemarle of London online or by phone at +44 207 3791357.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession – This latest production of a George Bernard Shaw classic has garnered rave reviews: ‘Felicity Kendal…superb, Lucy Briggs-Owen…brilliant. A witty and gripping production of one of Shaw’s greatest plays’ Daily Telegraph  The Ambassador Ticket webiste says that “Shaw’s ultimate test of a mother-daughter relationship is one of his most witty and provocative plays. Written in 1894 but banned from performance until the racy 1920s, Mrs Warren’s Profession lays bare the rampant hypocrisy of Victorian society and its constrained morals.”  The play is running from April 10 – June 19.  Order tickets online or call +44 844 871 7644.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical – “tells the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus (Priscilla) to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.” Albemarle-London  The Daily Telegraph hails the musical as “insanely euphoric – wildly contagious,” and The Times as “energy, fun … wisecracks galore.”  To book tickets online, visit Albemarle-London.com or call +44 207 3791357.  Booking though February 2011 at the Palace Theatre.

The Real Thing – A new drama by Tom Stoppard is pretty much always a reason to celebrate.  This time he’s written about love.  The play is produced by The Old Vic Theatre, who had this to say: “Deeply moving and startlingly funny, Tom Stoppard’s razor sharp drama brilliantly examines the complex nature of love, art and reality. Anna Mackmin directs an outstanding cast including Barnaby Kay, Hattie Morahan, Toby Stephens and Fenella Woolgar in this multi-award winning modern classic.”  The run is scheduled for April 10 – June 5.   Opening night is April 20.  Book online or by calling +44 844 8717628.

War Horse - This is one of the tougher tickets in town.  Produced by London’s National Theatre, this award-winning play has been wowing audiences for months.  “War Horse is a thrilling and spectacular production based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo.  The First World War is the backdrop for this tale of bravery, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse.  Actors, working with astonishing life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company, take audiences on an unforgettable journey through history.”  One friend who saw it recently said she was awestruck and unbelievably moved.  The play is running indefinitely at the Drury Lane Theatre in London’s West End.  Buy tickets online or by telephone at +44 844 7550017.

Visit:

It’s easy to overlook, but entry into all of the national museums is free.  However, even a couple of pounds donated at the collection box when you arrive makes a difference.

Borough Market – A short walk from the London Bridge train/tube station, the market is undoubtedly worth a visit, even if you’re staying at a hotel and won’t be able to cook.  The market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Check with website for times and plan accordingly.  In other words, go hungry.

Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park - Go for a walk, a long walk … the gardens and park are a world unto their own.  And visit Kensington Palace while you’re there.  A new temporary exhibit, “The Enchanted Palace,” has just opened.  According to WWD, “the show combines art, fashion, performance and sound, and is based on the lives of princesses including Mary, Anne, Caroline, Charlotte, Victoria, Margaret, and Diana, all of whom lived within the estate from 1689 until today.”  British designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Norman Hartnell, and Bruce Oldfield are featured.  Much of the rest of the property is undergoing an extensive renovation.

National Portrait Gallery -   Located in Trafalgar Square, this is a favorite.  The Gallery Collection represents works from every major era and portrait artist.  The current exhibition is the Irving Penn Portraits, running through June 6.  If your spring fling happens to turn into a summer sojourn then make sure to visit during the BP Portrait Award exhibition (June 24 – September 19).  This annual event showcases up-and-coming artists, and I’ve never been disappointed by the variety and talent on display.

Tate Britain – The original Tate, it housed the entire collection until Tate Modern opened across the Thames.  Tate Britain houses the collection of international painting pre-1900 and includes works by Hogarth, Gainsborough, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, and Barbara Hepworth.  The Tate operates a boat between Tate Modern and Tate Britain (tickets can be purchased online or at either museum).  The current exhibition is of Henry Moore sculptures.  The museum hosts the annual Turner Prize competition.  A visit to Tate Britain is a must.  The Tate operates a boat between Tate Modern and Tate Britain (tickets can be purchased online or at either museum).

Tate Modern – “Created in the year 2000 from a disused power station in the heart of London, Tate Modern displays the national collection of international modern art. This is defined as art since 1900.”  The space itself is a work of art.  Their collection includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Giacometti, Magritte, Rothko, and Warhol, to name a few.  Check the website for current exhibitions.  The Tate operates a boat between Tate Modern and Tate Britain (tickets can be purchased online or at either museum).

Victoria & Albert Museum – Located in South Kensington, “the V&A is the greatest museum of art and design, a world treasure house with collections of fabulous scope and diversity. The Museum holds over 3000 years worth of artefacts from many of the world’s richest cultures … including ceramics, fashion, furniture, glass, metalwork, paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture and textiles.”  Beginning April 17, the featured exhibition is “Grace Kelly: Style Icon.”

Shop:

Eco Age – “The Green Hub” … and happening.  “Eco is an exciting new retail concept and the first of its kind – a store, showroom, consultancy and green hub that offers inspiration, ideas and specific domestic solutions for all those who want to lead a greener and more energy efficient life.”  Add some star power to the ownership, Colin Firth, his wife Livia Giuggioli, and her brothers, Nicola and Alessandro, and some unique finds, and you’ve got an original shopping experience.

Harvey Nichols -  A Knightsbridge staple: the best designer clothing, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, not to mention the 5th Floor where you’ll find the Foodmarket, Restaurant, Bar, and Cafe and Roof Terrace.  Shop, eat, drink, be merry.

Liberty of London – Another London hip shopping experience.  The best labels, and central location near Oxford Circus.  If you’re in the buying mood, this is a must.

Portobello Market & Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill – Portobello Market is one of the world’s most famous street markets made famous by the movie of the same name.  Stretching roughly two miles from the Notting Hill Gate tube, you’ll find antiques, second-hand and new merchandise, and fruit and vegetable markets.  On or near Westbourne Grove, look for The Cross, Virginia, Dinny Hall, Emma Hope Shoes, Paul & Joe, Brora Cashmere, and Smythson.  Both are a great for a day’s walking and shopping.

Upper Street & Camden Passage, Islington – A bit off the beaten path, Islington’s Upper Street is lined with boutiques selling the cutting edge and the quaint.  Check out Neal’s Yard Remedies, Spice, Dinny Hall, SpaceNK, Diverse, Ghost, and Toast.  And don’t miss Camden Passage’s famed antique shops and market.   (Angel Tube Station)

Do:

Afternoon Tea at Claridges

Drinks at the Connaught or Claridges

Go for a walk along The River Thames

Take in some jazz at Ronny Scott’s

Check out ForbiddenLondon.com, if clubbing is your thing, and Time Out London for everything else that’s on.

Enjoy!!

“The Ghost Writer” – The Intelligent Person’s Thriller

16 Mar

If it’s open in your city, get yourself to the theater … today.  If it’s not yet made it to know your neck-of-the-woods, keep an eye open for its arrival.  The Ghost Writer is a smart and suspenseful thriller, with a political bent.

Roman Polanski directed this adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel The Ghost (prior to his incarceration in a Swiss jail). The screenplay was adapted by Polanski and Harris.   Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, and Jim Belushi star.  McGregor is “The Ghost” of the title.  Hired by the publisher of the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Brosnan) after the previous ghost writer is found dead, purportedly a suicide, The Ghost is whisked away to Martha’s Vineyard to access the memoir-in-progress, interview the Prime Minister, and complete the project.  He’s given thirty days to complete the task.  However, from the moment he arrives at the modern home on the gray, windswept beach (this movie is nothing if not visually stunning) it’s clear that things are not as they appear (actually there’s one clue prior to his departure, but I’ll leave that for you to discover).  The Prime Minister’s assistant (Cattrall) is controlling, intense, sexy.  His wife (Williams) is highly intelligent, opinionated, and put-upon.  And the Prime  Minister (Brosan) is … interesting.  McGregor is excellent at The Ghost, pulled along almost as though he can’t help himself (part of him wanting to dig deeper, part of him wanting to flee).

The result is a tight, twisting, brooding film.  You’re never really sure who is telling the truth (or any part of it) and, thus, what’s really going on.  The clues are revealed slowly, as Polanski ratchets up the tension right through to the last minutes.  You won’t want to leave your seat.

Pay attention.  This is a thinking person’s thriller.

Trust me.

Broadway’s Spring Awakening…

11 Mar

There’s much to look  forward to this spring on Broadway … things are getting ready to bloom.

American Idiot – Yes, that American Idiot, based on the Grammy Award-winning Green Day album.   This edgy musical tells the story of disaffected youth “as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world. ” Read Charles Isherwood’s October 2009 review of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s production in which he lauds American Idiot as “that rare and tricky creature, a true rock opera.”   Previews begin March 24th.  The musical opens April 20th.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  This is a high demand show, so check out BroadwayBox.com if tickets are not available on Telecharge.com.

Update: American Idiot opened on Tuesday, April 20th to outstanding reviews, including one by Charles Isherwood of The New York Times.

Come Fly Away – A new Broadway musical conceived, choreographed, and directed by Twyla Tharp, with vocals by Frank Sinatra.  “This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ with the sizzling sound of a live 19-piece big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As fifteen of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love at a swinging nightclub on a star-lit evening, you will be transported to a world of sparkling romance and astonishing beauty.”  On now at the Marquis Theatre.  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets available at Ticketmaster.com for performances through June 20, 2010.  Use code: EBBOX10.  Tickets $79.50/$89.50 (regular $126.50, save up to 35%).  Read Charles Isherwood’s rave review in The New York Times.

Enron, a true story of false profits – “Based on real-life events and using music, dance and video, Lucy Prebble’s Enron explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself.”  The initial London run at the Royal Court Theatre sold out and the production has moved to the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre.  The reviews were nothing less than effusive: “Not to be missed. The political Theatre of the 21st century has arrived, in some style.” The Times; “An exhilarating mix of political satire, modern morality and multi media spectacle.  A fantastic theatrical event.” Guardian.  Previews being April 8th and the production is scheduled to run through July 18th.  Tickets are currently available through Telecharge.com Prices are $66.50 to $121.50.

Fences – Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in this revival of August Wilson’s smash Broadway play first staged in 1987 with James Earl Jones (the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner that year).  “Both a monumental drama and an intimate family portrait, Fences tells the story of Troy Maxson, a man torn between the glory of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Emboldened by pride and embittered by sacrifice, Troy is determined to make life better for future generations, even as he struggles to embrace the dreams of his own son.” Telecharge.com This is a strictly 13-week limited run with previews beginning on April 14th and opening night on April 26th.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  Ticket prices range from $61.50 to $121.50.  Premium seats available.

Lend Me a Tenor – Film and theater actor Stanley Tucci directs his first Broadway play, a revival of Ken Ludwig’s farce Lend Me a Tenor starring Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub, and Justin Bartha.  “It’s September 8th, 1934, and Cleveland’s premiere opera producer is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The tickets are sold, the stage is set, and the thirty-piece orchestra is ready. But, it’s about to become un disastro gigantesco, because it’s three minutes to curtain, and the leading man – the greatest tenor in the world – has gone missing!”  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets are available online at BroadwayOffers.com or by telephone at 212-947-8844.  Use code: LTBBX21.  Tickets just $69.50/$74.50, regularly $121.50/$126.50.  Offer good through April 25th.  Previews began on March 12.  Opening night is April 2nd.

Next Fall – Written by Geoffrey Nauffts, this off-Broadway transplant has garnered rave reviews.  Ben Brantley wrote that “ ‘Next Fall,’ which opened Thursday night at the Helen Hayes Theater, is that genuine rara avis, a smart, sensitive and utterly contemporary New York comedy. The question now is whether theatergoers will recognize that ‘Next Fall’ embodies something they’ve been sorely missing, perhaps without knowing it, for years.”  The play tells the story of the five-year relationship between Adam and Luke, the former an agnostic and the latter a devout Christian.  “Next Fall takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love.”  Opening night was March 11th.  BroadwayBox is advertising the following discount available at BroadwayOffers.com or by telephone at 212-947-8844, using code: NFBBX27: Select tickets $59.50 – $69.50 (regularly $81.50 – $116.50).  The offer expires  May 2, 2010.

Promises, Promises – Based on Billy Wilder’s classic film The Apartment, starring Jack Lemmon/Shirley MacLain, the first revival of this musical boasts Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes performing songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David (book by Neil Simon).  Promises, Promises begins previews begin March 27th and opens April 25th.  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets are available on BroadwayOffers.com or by calling 212-947-8844.  Use code PPDMX212.  Tickets $79.50/$84.50, regular $126.50/$136.50 (save over 35%).  Discount expires May 16th.

Red – Direct from a sold-out run at London’s Donmar Warehouse (Frost/Nixon, Mary Stuart, Hamlet) comes Red, a play written by John Logan, directed by Michael Grandage, and starring Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne.  “Master American expressionist Mark Rothko has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art. But when his young assistant gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. Raw and provocative, with groundbreaking performances, RED is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability as he tries to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.”  Performances begin March 11th; opening night is April 1st.  According to TicketWatch, tickets for all performances though April 18th are $79 (Orchestra and Front Mezzanine) and $59 (Rear Mezzanine, A-F).  Go to BroadwayOffers.com or call 212-947-8844 and use code RDNYT23.

When the Rain Stops Falling -  This Lincoln Center Theater production of author Andrew Bovell’s acclaimed play  arrives in New York after sold-outruns in Melbourne and Sydney, and at the Almeida Theatre in London.  “It’s raining.  Gabriel York is awaiting the revival of his grown son whom he hasn’t seen since he was seven.  ‘I know what he wants.  He wants what all young men want from their fathers.  He wants to know who he is.  Where he comes from.  Where he belongs.  And for the life of me I don’t know what to tell him.’”  At the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  Price $85.00, plus $5.50 service charge and a handling fee.  Opened March 8th.

Enjoy!

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