Sh!t Helen Mirren Says

Paint It Black
Helen Mirren

Let's face it at 72 Helen Mirren is da bomb! Look it's Helen looking stunning in black at a screening of her current movie Winchester. 

Based on the real life of Winchester rifle heiress Sarah Winchester here is the synopsis for it: The most haunted house in the world sits on an isolated stretch of land that's 50 miles outside of San Francisco. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester fortune, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms. To an outsider, it looks like a monstrous monument to a disturbed woman's madness. But Sarah's actually building a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts -- and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters.

But that's not the point of today's post, today is Helen Mirren Day here on Entertain Me! I could extrapolate on why I adore her, but why don't we let this dame speak for herself. From the mouth of a broad here is some sh!t Helen Mirren says!

There's no good way to waste your time. Wasting time is just wasting time.

All you have to do is to look like crap on film and everyone thinks you're a brilliant actress. Actually, all you've done is look like crap.

I am so happy that I didn't have children. Well, you know, because I've had freedom. And I've so loved my freedom.

It's great to be queen!

The trick in life is learning how to deal with it.

Flesh sells. People don't want to see pictures of churches. They want to see naked bodies.

Girls go out together to see a chick flick or something. I loathe, I hate, chick flicks.

You write your life story by the choices you make. You never know if they have been a mistake. Those moments of decision are so difficult.

Want more Helen? Of course you do...! 

http://www.helenmirren.com/

Happy Birthday Margaret Cho!

Look, It's The Doublemint Twins!
Me & Margaret Cho
Voyeurs:
Jackie Kilmer & Rhonda Bernstein

Today is my fellow Sagittarius Margaret Cho's Birthday! As you may or may not have read she recently spent a stint in rehab and is now in recovery. Thus I wanted to give her a shout out on her special day.

Margaret and I have known each other for years now, not only is she one of the funniest damned people on the face of the planet, she also gives back to the world around her through her political activism via her comedy and action. As well as her charitable work, especially on behalf of the homeless in San Francisco with the Be Robin campaign honoring her friend the late brilliant Robin Williams.

So join the rank of Cho Ho and wish this wonderful lady a Happy, Happy at one of the links below, it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. OK, more like, it will make you remember the fight is real and to take action rather than reaction. Happy now???

Bend it like Margaret.

Happy Birthday Margaret! 
xoxo
Michael

Margaret's Birthday Links:
https://twitter.com/margaretcho
margaretcho.com/
https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho/  

Can We Talk? Ian Harvie Part II

Ian Harvie
Photo: Austin Young

"I don't understand it, but I accept it is societies go to phrase. It stops us from really putting ourselves in someone else's place. It keeps us from really going there. But we could go there, and if we allowed ourselves to do that we would really understand it." - Ian Harvie

The above quote is a little paraphrased but it stuck with me after I turned off the recorder and Ian and Myself were chatting off record. This is one of the most eye opening, honest things I have heard in a long time.

For those of you not in the loop Ian is a transgender comedian/actor and friend. Post Bruce Jenner's recent interview let's keep the dialogue flowing...

Note: This is part II of my interview with Ian, here is the link to part I:

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2015/05/can-we-talk-ian-harvie-part-i.html

MS: I get feeling comfortable in your own skin. Now that I am almost fifty twenty somethings are hitting on me all the time. When I was in my twenties I could never get guys my own age interested. 

IH: Their attraction is now, that you posses something inside that they wished they had. Let's take our exteriors out of this. I think people today, as we get to this place, we still deem exteriors important on some level, but...I'm in recovery, and I remember when I first got sober, the person that you ask to sponsor you, they have something that you want. There is something about them that reflects how you want to live your life. Someone might be pretty on the outside, but when you are really attracted to someone it's that they posses something that you wish you had, that you know you have, and you want to crack it open in some way. Sometimes for me it's on the surface, but usually it's what someone says, and I'm like: "Oh shit that was good!"

MS: I was headed there with this.

IH: Well, I just cut you off, sorry (laughs)

MS: Hey, this is an open forum. (laughs) You are really fearless with your comedy shows. 

IH: I won't be exhausted with it until everybody fucking gets it. People ask me "are you tired?" I'm like: "No, no I want everybody to hear this." I will say it to whoever and as many times as I need to. Maybe I will say it differently with new material, but it's a really important part of what I want to do in this art medium. 

MS: Awesome!

IH: Let's jump back to The Nightly Show for a second. 

MS: Go for it.

IH: What I thought was really awesome about it was, that this is the Comedy Central demographic watching this show. Hearing these words and these perspectives, maybe for the first time. Maybe, maybe not, there was a live audience there and there were eruptions of applause. When I said there should be etiquette on behalf of Cisgender people to Transgender people everyone applauded. But that's a live New York audience, the average viewer of that show, who gets their information from what used to be The Colbert Report and what is now this show, most likely hasn't heard this before. What a great gain to have that dialogue on Comedy Central and their demographic. 

MS: Absolutely.

IH: I was like Fuck Yeah! Fuck Yeah! Fuck Yeah, good!

MS: You did discuss Bruce Jenner on the show, I loved your Kardashian joke about all of them having plastic surgery by the way,

IH: Seriously with all the work that entire family has had done this should not be a shock. (laughs)  Yes, it's someone who was male at birth, an iconic athlete who has been in  the homes of all of America for years. Yes, so this is a new story, someone officially coming out like this is going to save lives. It's funny I use to tell a similar joke about Chaz Bono and Cher with all the work she has had done. (laughs) I like thinking of things that flip the narrative and to say the opposite of what everybody is thinking. This is not just a Trans peoples issue to figure out it is also other people's work to do as well. So I like thinking about things in reverse terms, thinking about them in other ways. 

MS: Well in West Hollywood, CA they now have all access bathrooms and I love that because I know when I want to pee, I don't care where I go, I just want to go!

IH: How many times is there a line in one bathroom or the other? I mean, we all use the same bathroom when we are at home. But when we cross the threshold into the public: WE CAN NOT USE THE SAME BATHROOM! (laughs)

MS: One last thing. What the fuck are incinerating boobs?

IH: I just did a podcast where I discussed my chest surgery and was asked what happened to my boobs afterward. I said I didn't know they were probably in a incinerator somewhere in San Francisco. (laughs) 

Keep it real with Ian at:
http://ianharvie.com/
https://twitter.com/ianharvie

Margaret Cho Is psyCHO

MARGARET CHO ANNOUNCES U.S. FALL DATES FOR

THE “psyCHO” TOUR

PRE-SALE TICKETS ON SALE MAY 13 & 14

PUBLIC ON-SALE BEGINS FRIDAY, MAY 15

Margaret Cho is finally copping to something that we Cho Ho's have known for years, that she is psyCHO. Just the way we like her!

Three time Grammy and Emmy nominee, comedian Margaret Cho has announced she will embark on a national U.S. run  in support of The psyCHO Tour this fall. Margaret will hit various cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and her hometown of San Francisco before embarking on a string of European dates this winter.

Margaret has been developing brand new material over the last several months and said: “I'm so thrilled to announce that I will be back out on the road. This show is about insanity, and about the anger I feel about everything happening in the world right now, from police brutality to racism to the rising tide of violence against women. It makes me all so crazy - hence the title: “The psyCHO Tour” - there is no “I” in team but there is a “CHO” in psycho". When men go off on something - they are "passionate" and "driven" and when women go off on something we are "hysterical" and "crazy". I'm trying to bring some joy to the hysteria and insanity. ”

From singlehood to Boko Haram to Bruce Jenner’s transition to female empowerment, Margaret tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity and razor sharp insight. A pioneer amongst women in comedy, Margaret doesn’t take anything for granted. “It’s a wonderful thing to be known as a ‘safe haven’ for people who feel disenfranchised. The audience at my shows don’t necessarily consider themselves traditional comedy fans. I seem to be a secure alternative for people who don’t think they’re being represented in society. They come because my point of view satisfies a lot of what needs to be said out there, and that makes me really proud.”

A big part of Margaret’s show are tributes to her “father in comedy,” Robin Williams and her “mother in comedy,” Joan Rivers, who passed away within a month of one another. Margaret was very close to both of them; her friendship with Robin encouraged her to start the #BeRobin campaign to raise awareness and funds for the homeless community. Her friendship with Joan reinforced Margaret’s desire to remain fearless.

Read more about #BeRobin - New York Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/ 12/25/us/with-memories-of-a- comic-comrade-margaret-cho- helps-the-homeless.html?hp& action=click&pgtype=Homepage& module=second-column-region& region=top-news&WT.nav=top- news&_r=1

Pre-sale tickets for October 1 thru November 14 dates will be available startingWednesday, May 13 at 10:00 A.M. EST until Thursday, May 14 at 10:00 P.M. EST and the password is “psycho.”   The general public on-sale will begin Friday, May 15 at 12:00 noon EST.

June, July & August dates are currently on sale. All show info is posted at http://www.margaretcho.com/

Margaret Cho Official Website http://www.margaretcho.com/

Margaret Cho Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho

Margaret Cho Twitter: https://twitter.com/margaretcho/

Margaret Cho YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/margaretcho

2015 Tour dates

Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21 -  Orlando, FL - Orlando Improv

Friday, June 26 – Boulder, CO – Chautauqua Auditorium

Saturday, July 18 – Atlantic City, NJ – The Borgata

Friday, July 24 – Montreal Canada – Just For Laughs Festival

Saturday, August 8 – Fire Island, NJ

Thursday, August 13 – Provincetown – Town Hall

Friday, October 2- Minneapolis, MN – Pantages

Saturday, October 3- Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

Sunday, October 4- Cleveland, OH - Hard Rock Live

Thursday, October 8- Westbury, NY – Theatre at Westbury

Friday, October 9- Washington DC - Warner Theatre

Saturday, October 10 – Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre

Thursday, October 15- San Fran, CA- Castro Theatre

Friday, October 16- Las Vegas, NV -  Treasure Island

https://ti.eventshopper.com/eventShopper.html?wr=0533ccdf-c796-49e0-a069-5486f036486f

Saturday, October 17- Scottsdale, AZ  - Scottsdale Center for the Arts

 http://www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/margaret-cho/

Sunday, October 18- Tucson, AZ -  Rialto Theatre

  https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/851593?utm_medium=bks

 Thursday, October 22- San Diego - Balboa Theatre

  http://sandiegotheatres.org/margaret-cho/

Friday, October 23- Riverside, CA - Fox Theatre

Saturday, October 24- Seattle, WA -  Moore Theatre

Sunday, October 25- Portland, OR -  Revolution Hall

https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/852389?utm_source=os

Thursday, October 29- Atlanta, GA -  Tabernacle

Friday, October 30- Miami, FL - Fillmore Jackie Gleason

Friday, November 13- Denver, CO -  Paramount Theatre

Saturday, November 14- Los Angeles, CA -  Wiltern Theatre

Margaret Cho, Fashion Plate

Cho: The Solitaire 

Hey Cho Ho's, yeah there is something else Margaret is up to beside dominating the world on the Golden Globes.

Ms. Margaret has designed "The Solitaire" jumpsuit for women (and Drag Queens, I assume) - 

The “All About Sex” host has teamed up with San Francisco-based clothing line and crowdfunder Betabrand to launch the hooded onesie. The outfit has plenty of storage to hold your daily essentials. It’s described on the site as having two front pockets, two back pockets, a zippered chest pocket and one hidden chest pocket. The current retail price is $160.

“I created The Solitaire because I wanted the perfect outfit. I wanted something that could carry all my essentials: my credit card, cash, ID, lipstick, keys, and smartphone. I want to walk the earth freely without a handbag or anything else to hold me back from my journey, my destiny"

Margaret also comments: “Enter The Solitaire: a gorgeous, figure-flattering jumpsuit that you can wear anywhere, for any occasion.You can dress it up, with heels and jewelry, or you can get really sporty with it via combat boots and a matte lipstick. Anyway you dress it, you look amazing. All your stuff sits neatly in the zippered pockets. You can take on the world with both hands. Rock The Solitaire. It’s all about you.”

Zip It! at: http://margaretcho.com/tag/fashion/

Margaret Cho "Busks A Move"

Margaret Hitting The Streets
Photo: Todd V Wolfson

Margaret Cho is walking the streets to raise awareness for one of her hometown, San Francisco's more pressing problems: homelessness.

Margaret stepped out on Monday to begin what she says will be a daily, two-month commitment to busk on the streets of San Francisco to raise money for the city's vast homeless population

Armed with her guitar case, Cho hit the road and busked a move with a handwritten sign that says, "If you have, give; if you need, take (please remember your fellow man)."

"We have a small amplification system and big hearts," Cho said on Facebook over the weekend. "We will make videos and I have some secret amazing legit superstars who will come and sit in with us. The homeless problem in SF is out of control and this is the least we can do."

What street corner will Margaret work next? Find out with her daily updates on Twitter.

Busk with Margaret in San Fran on Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/margaretcho

Margaret Cho Remembers Robin Williams

Robin Williams

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world" - Robin Williams

I love this quote and it best sums up who Robin Williams was to me. I will never forget the impact of the laughter, joy and ideas he brought into my life. 

Words can not begin to describe how seeing The World According to Garp influenced and changed me when I was young.

I thought it best to let his life be discussed by someone who knew him well, friend and Entertain Me favorite Ms. Margaret Cho said this to Time Magazine about the passing of our Captain:

"He was the first celebrity I ever met. My parents owned a bookstore in San Francisco in the ’70s and ’80s. My father made Robin autograph a copy of The World According to Garp for me. When I started comedy in San Francisco in the ’80s, Robin would hang around the clubs I started doing shows at and grew up next to. He would always come in, and then later, of course, we would always see him in clubs here. He was the patriarch of our little clan of comedians in San Francisco. All of us looked at him, in a way, as a father figure. That’s why this is so upsetting.

He was just very supportive. He was very shy, and possibly a little embarrassed by his fame. Inside, he really was a comic. Naturally, all comics just wanna hang around other comics, so he would come to these little clubs and open mics, and you’d get bumped, and he would go on and you’d have to follow him, which was always really terrifying because he’s so great, and people were so excited to just be in his presence. Also, we were all excited to be around him. He’s the kind of guy, I remember, he would help out comics who needed money. When I was a teenager, my first boyfriend needed money to live, and he loved this guy’s comedy, so he would give people money to survive. It’s a beautiful thing. He was a great guy."

R.I.P. Oh, Captain! My Captain!

Robin Williams on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000245/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_2

Small Is Beautiful With Trevor Hall

Trevor Hall, Om Shanti
Photo: Emory Hall



King Of  Mellow, Trevor Hall goes with the flow and embraces the vibe of the road to let you know, small is beautiful.

TREVOR HALL ANNOUNCES “SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL” HEADLINE TOUR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10th IN SAN FRANCISCO NORTH AMERICAN TOUR FOLLOWS RELEASE OF LATEST ALBUM CHAPTER OF THE FOREST  Singer songwriter Trevor Hall will be heading back on the road this fall on a North American headline tour beginning on September 10th at Slim's in San Francisco, CA. The “Small is Beautiful” tour will include stops in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and New York City. See the full list of dates below. The announcement comes on the heels of Trevor having wrapped up a 30+ city amphitheater tour with Michael Franti’s Soulshine Summer shows. For tour updates visit: www.smarturl.it/thtour  Trevor recently surprised his fans with the sudden release of his new 12-track album Chapter of the Forest, a collection of songs born during a yearlong sabbatical where Trevor returned to his beloved India, Nepal, Vermont, and Maine, and spent that time in deep reflection and spiritual connection.

 “This album is inspired by simplicity, by the roots of life, and by the beauty that one finds in solitude and in nature,” says Trevor.


Chapter of the Forest was released on June 17th and debuted at #3 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart and #17 on the iTunes Overall Albums chart.  

Commenting on his “Small Is Beautiful” tour Trevor states, "The 'Small Is Beautiful' tour goes along with the same message as "Chapter of the Forest." It’s about coming back to the roots and approaching music in a simple and conscious way.”

WATCH A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF THE FIRST SINGLE “WISH MAN” HERE:http://youtu.be/QIzF-8CM3g8

LISTEN TO “WISH MAN” here: https://soundcloud.com/vanguard-records/trevor-hall-wish-man

 Small is Beautiful Tour Dates:

 
September

10                  San Francisco, CA        Slim’s
12                  Portland, OR                 Aladdin Theatre
13                  Seattle, WA                   Nectar Lounge
14                  Vancouver, BC              Media Club
16                  Missoula, MT                Top Hat
18                  Salt Lake City, UT         The State Room
20                  Ft. Collins, CO               Aggie Theatre
21                  Aspen, CO                     Belly Up Aspen
24                  Lake Tahoe, CA            Crystal Bay
27                  San Juan Capistrano    The Coach House
28                  Los Angeles, CA            The Troubadour

October

7                     Charleston, SC              Music Farm
10                   Tampa, FL                      The Ringside Café
11                   Orlando, FL                   The Social
12                   Jacksonville, FL             Freebird Live
14                   Asheville, NC                Grey Eagle
15                 Atlanta, GA                      Eddie’s Attic
17                 Ozark, AR                         Harvest Festival
18                 St. Louis, MO                   Off Broadway
19                 Evanston, IL                     Space
21                 Cleveland, OH                 Music Box
23                 Burlington, VT                 Higher Ground
24                  Boston, MA                     Middle East
25                  New York, NY                  Gramercy Theatre
26                  Vienna, VA                      Jammin’ Java
28                  Philadelphia, PA             World Café Live
29                  Fairfield, CT                     Stage One

Hang Loose With Trevor at: http://www.trevorhallmusic.com/