Go Commando!

Turned Towards The Sun The astonishing true life story of British Commando Michael Burn M.C. To be released on DVD and digital formats on December 15th

"An extraordinary 20th-century life recalled in age" - The Arts Desk "A fascinating watch for any lover of film and documentary" (5 stars) - The Upcoming

Poetry in motion. Turned Towards The Sun, a documentary about the extraordinary life of British writer and poet Michael 'Micky' Burn MC, is to be released on December 15th through MVD Entertainment Group.   Had Micky's life story been written as a novel, readers would readily accept it as invented. Born in Mayfair in 1912, his father worked for the Royal family. He became the lover of the communist spy Guy Burgess, and would initially be taken in by Nazism, expressing an admiration for Hitler. In 1942, he took part in a daring commando assault on the fortified French port of St Nazaire, where he was captured, and he ended the war a POW in Colditz. He would latterly become a committed Marxist and be credited with saving the life of Audrey Hepburn. American director Greg Olliver, who has previously documented the life of rock star Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, and blues legend Johnny Winter, started making this film in 2008, revisiting significant events and places in Burn's life. Burn is presented here as a candid and witty raconteur, with a sharp mind and vivid recollections. He died in 2010, which leaves Turned Towards the Sun as a fitting eulogy to a remarkable figure. "This film is about having one last chance to look back on a long, fulfilling life and Micky Burn has a story like no other", says Olliver.  "I met him through a chance encounter and was soon taken by the charm, intelligence and humour vividly on display in his storytelling and the resilience and compassion of his spirit evident in his tales. He was an old man living life quietly on the coast of Wales, but one with a personal history that wove and wound itself around the defining moments of the twentieth century. With surprising candor and zeal, he opened himself to the camera and its imagined audience; allowing us, now, a glimpse of his life remembered from what would become its twilight. Turned Towards the Sun is a portrait of an extraordinary man who lived through extraordinary times. In his story, we see our history and ourselves." Turned Towards The Sun had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in 2012 where it was nominated for The Grierson - Best Documentary Award. Pre-Order: http://bit.ly/1OQfXnZ Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O2scwx

Dolly Parton: Guess How Many Colors My Coat Is?

SNEAK PEEK OF "DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS" REVEALS HEART-RENDING STORY BEHIND ICON'S CHILDHOOD

"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" Airs December 10 at 8 p.m. CST / 9 p.m. ET on NBC

Tis' the season for Dolly Parton, you have a new coat  and you have a new coat, you all have new coats! There won't be a dry eye around the television when "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" airs December 10 on NBC. Parton and NBC released a three-minute preview of the upcoming TV-movie based on the Country Music Hall of Famer's 1971 hit "Coat of Many Colors."   CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRAILER “My favorite song that I’ve ever written tells a true story from my childhood about a little coat that my mama made for me,” Parton said while introducing the clip. Parton’s mother initially sewed the the jacket as a blanket for her unborn baby, but she reworked the piece for her youngest daughter. The upcoming primetime special, which showcases Jennifer Nettles in the role of Parton's mother, Avie, was inspired by a series of events Parton endured when she was 9 years old growing up in East Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. The family-oriented, faith-based movie profiles the loss of Parton’s unborn sibling, the family struggles to keep it together while grieving and the bullying the 9-year-old endured when other children criticized the quilted coated. As one of the executive producers, Parton herself was very hands on in the making of the film – especially when it came to casting her family members. "She told me, 'I loved your little eyes," says Lind of auditioning in front of Parton. Jennifer Nettles plays Parton's mom, Avie Lee Parton, and Ricky Schroder plays her dad, Robert Lee Parton. “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” is the first in a series of television movies developed by Parton that are expected to be released through 2016. “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” airs Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. CST / 9 p.m. ET on NBC. # # # For more information on Dolly Parton please visit: www.dollypartonentertainment.com Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton

It's Rapist Season With Margaret Cho

Getting Jizzy With It!
l-r: Rhonda Bernstein, Margaret & Me
Photo: Ken Phillips

Did the caption above sound somewhat irreverent? Well good! I caught all around awesome person and spirit animal Margaret Cho this past weekend, November 14th at The Wiltern to be exact, on her psyCHO tour. Refer to the photo above of me and my fellow Sagittarius engaging. 

One of Margaret's hot topics in her show is rape & sexual abuse. She has been a victim of it and is speaking out, loud, and irreverent, of course.

If you have been the victim of any sexual violation, it can affect you in ways you never expected. Sometimes it isn't so much the act as it is the reaction to it from others in your life that can alter your being. 

Moran, Margaret's Korean name, recently tackled this with a new song and video: I Want To Kill My Rapist.

Now this is not a literal thing, it's about killing the rapist, or sexual violator inside of you. 

Yes, the "killing" part is a metaphor...or is it? Check out the video after the jump!

"Kill It" with Margaret at: 
margaretcho.com
https://twitter.com/margaretcho
https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho/

Taylor Hicks Is An Infinite Hero

Taylor Hicks is ALWAYS on the move, check it!

Taylor Hicks, one of America’s most beloved musical artists, is wrapping up 2015 on a high note with several performances that are reminding fans across the world of his deep and varied musical talent.

On November 11, the singer took part in a special Veterans Day event held in Foothill Ranch, CA. Hicks performed the National Anthem and an intimate acoustic performance of his song "Nineteen" for Infinite Hero Foundation’s Racing to Reimagine Recovery Race. In addition to sharing his musical gifts, Hicks also took part in various events which included a motorcycle tribute ride, hosted by John Paul DeJoria’s Peace*Love*Happiness Charity co-founder Gary Spellman, Medal of Honor recipient and former Army Sgt. Kyle Jerome White and former Navy SEAL Jason "Jay" Redman, and aRacing to Reimagine gala event. Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues – mental and physical – facing military heroes and their families.

Just a few days prior, Hicks brought his music to the Grand-Reopening of Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The singer wowed the crowd with his blue-eyed soul stylings by joining forces with cover band Liquid Blue. The collaboration took place to celebrate the rebuilding of the hotel, which had been tragically demolished by a hurricane. The Hilton resort underwent a multimillion-dollar fixup after being extensively damaged by Hurricane Odile in September 2014. The musical chemistry between Hicks and Liquid Blue was so tight and harmonious that the staff and management at the Hilton are making plans to have them return soon.

The next few weeks are going to be exciting ones for Hicks’ fans. While Taylor puts the finishing touches on his new album to be released in early 2016, two of his albums – 1997’s In Your Time and 2005’s Under The Radar will be released November 19th in their limited editions digitally for the first time. In Your Time features a brand new recording of "Somehow,” while the latter album will give fans the opportunity to hear an unreleased track, “No Place I’d Rather Be.”

Hicks is in the midst of an extensive tour including holiday-themed stops in California for the Hollywood Christmas Parade on November 29, as well as the annual lighting of the official State of Alabama Christmas Tree in Montgomery on December 4. He will then lend skiing talents to the Deer Valley Celebrity Skifest  (#DVSKIFEST) live on the CBS Television Network on December 13. He will pick back up his touring schedule January 16 in Bartlett, TN, and is in the midst of adding dates to his 2016 itinerary.

TAYLOR HICKS ON TOUR:
Nov. 29 Hollywood Christmas Parade / Hollywood, CA
Dec. 04 Annual State Christmas Tree Lighting / Montgomery, AL
Dec. 13 Celebrity Skifest Competition / CBS Network
Jan. 16 Bartlett Performing Arts Center / Barlett, TN (SOLD OUT)
Feb. 13 Pastime Theatre / Winfield, AL

For more information, visit www.TaylorHicks.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Art, It's Always In Season

Sarah Horwitz

Rimon (Pomegranate)

34” x 24” • oil on wood • 2015

Contemporary Los Angeles Painter Sarah Horwitz

Featured in

7,567mi, Los Angeles to Jerusalem

Part of the 2nd Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art

At Platt and Borstein Galleries

In Bel Air, CA

Through Sunday, December 20, 2015

Happy Monday, time to get yourself some culture!

Contemporary Los Angeles painter Sarah Horwitz is featured in 7,567mi, Los Angeles to Jerusalem, part of the international 2nd Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art. Horwitz’s work is on display through Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Platt and Borstein Galleriesin Bel Air, CA, one of three venues in LA that make up the 7,567mi exhibit, which is presented by the Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) of Southern California. As part of Jerusalem Biennale 2015, the 7,567mi exhibition examines the Jewish connection between Los Angeles and Israel from diverse vantage points by posing the question: “What does it mean to be Jewish in Los Angeles in the 21st century?” This year, the international Biennale is hosting exhibitions in Jerusa lem, New York, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, and Los Angeles. Platt and Borstein Galleries, located at American Jewish University (15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air, CA 90077; 310-476-9777 ext. 201), across from the Skirball Cultural Center, is open Sundays though Thursdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm and on Fridays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Free parking is available. For additional information, please visit the artist's site at http://www.sdhorwitz.com.

Sarah Horwitz’s work explores universal themes of matter and spirit related to compelling social, political, and environmental challenges within the world today. Her lush oil on wood paintings depict earth, air, fire, and water as liminal sites of perception. Abstraction combined with representation creates an impossible place between physical and spiritual planes, navigating between dream and consciousness, physicality, and spirituality.

Horwitz’s paintings present a dichotomy between optimism and danger – within the individual and society as a whole. “Rimon” (Pomegranate) simultaneously portrays violence and unrest while embracing hope, as the seeds of redemption are spread throughout the world. Exploding in mid-air like a grenade against turbulent water and sky is a blood red pomegranate, which can be sweet or sour and is widely cultivated in the Middle East for its nutritional and healing properties. Across many cultures, the pomegranate symbolizes fertility and prosperity. The fruit is also said to have 613 seeds corresponding to the 613 mitzvot (or commandments) of the Torah. These commandments are known in the Jewish faith as the tools for ushering in the era of enduring world peace.

While rooted in Jewish mysticism, Horwitz’s art is open to a multiplicity of meaning, offering viewers the autonomy to explore and interpret the works within their own belief systems and frames of reference.

Her art exists in the margins between binaries – where struggle and peace coexist, where destruction, creation, and transformation are all possible. Ultimately, Horwitz’s work is hopeful, offering up the potential for transcendent moments as an inspiration for embracing the challenges of the human condition.

Sarah Horwitz –

Sarah Horwitz* is a contemporary painter who has exhibited her work locally and nationally. Solo shows include Perimeter Gallery in Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center (sponsored by a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs), and Gramercy Fine Art in New York. Her work has also been repeatedly included in the International Art Expo in Chicago, where she lived before moving to Los Angeles. Horwitz’s works are in the collection of Fidelity Investments in Boston as well as in private collections in the US and Europe. Where Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun Times, and New Art Examiner have written about her work. Horwitz taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the BFA program at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago for ten years. She received a BS in film from Boston University and an MFA in painting and drawing from The University of Iowa. She was raised in Northern New Jersey, where she first experienced profound transcendent moments in nature. Horwitz currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

Are You Ready? Here She Comes! E.G. Daily!!!

E.G. Is Ready!

I did a really juicy interview with one Ms. E.G. Daily a month ago about her upcoming gig at the  legendary Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. Yes, fresh off her splash on The Voice E.G. is back where she started, on the Sunset Strip! Yay! 

Well here is an alert! The show is one week, yes, one week from today, November 22nd at 9 pm!

Be there or be a square peg! It's a rare one of a kind show!

Want to be a fly on the wall? Check out my revealing chat with E.G. here: 

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2015/10/eg-daily-back-on-track.html

Got ticket info? Well here it is:

.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=6106655

Say It, Say It!

Jaco & His Electric Bass

It's documentary time boys & girls!

JACO, A full-length documentary film chronicling the life, music and ongoing influence of the mythic electric bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius, is being released on DVD/BluRay on Nov. 27, 2015. Produced by Robert Trujillo (bassist, Metallica) JACO incorporates interviews with musical visionaries including Sting, Joni Mitchell, Flea, Jerry Jemmott, Bootsy Collins, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana and many others with never-before-seen photos and films from the Pastorius family archive. This extraordinary film reveals the story behind Jaco's life and music, both as a solo artist and member of Weather Report, the tragic arc of his demise and early death and the enduring influence and inspiration of his artistry and genius.

The DVD / BluRay release is a two-disc set. Disc 1 is the film and Disc 2 Features bonus material: 30 never before seen interviews with Joni Mitchell, Carlos Santana, Bootsy Collins and many more. They talk about Jaco's incredible contributions to music, how he changed the instrument as well as musical boundaries, and also Jaco the person.

JACO had its world premiere earlier this year at Austin's SxSW Film Conference & Festival, and has appeared in many film festivals around the world winning awards at the inaugural Asbury Park Music Film Festival as well as the Athens Film Festival.

The film "(captures) the essence of what made Jaco Pastorius such an influential artist," declared the Montreal Gazette, praising "the glowing words of interviewees and the many recorded and live musical excerpts that he lets speak for themselves" and hailing JACO as "an enlightening introduction to a groundbreaking musician."

"A brilliant film about a brilliant musician. I love every minute of it." - Michael Kurtz, co-founder, Record Store Day.

The DVD / Blu-ray / etc will be distributed in the U.S. by MVD Entertainment Group. In Europe, contact Proper Records and Music Sales Ltd. In Canada, contact Conveyor / Universal

For more information and updates: www.JacoTheFilm.com

The red-carpet, world premier screening of JACO will take place at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown LA on November 22nd followed by a concert featuring Robert Trujillo and Mass Mental, Felix Pastorius and Hipster Assassins, special guest performers including Billy Idol, Flea, and more surprise guests to come. Tickets are now available, VIP tickets include a meet and greet with the artists: http://j.mp/1FVqOtJ

Pre-Order from MVD: http://bit.ly/1NfEnkP

Amazon Preorder: http://amzn.to/1XSJZJh