Resident "Entertain Me" Chanteuse, Sandy Zacky recently spoke out about the ravages of Parkinson's when the news about Linda Ronstadt broke out. Linda was one of Sandy's favorite artists - That being said Sandy also has a lot of first hand experience with Parkinson's, her husband, Ron has it as well. She speaks so eloquently about Linda losing her the gift of her singing voice as well as about her husband Ron losing his speaking voice to his horrible disease that I found it worth re-posting. Our voice, whether it be singing or speaking is the most important thing we have as human beings while we are alive. Either of them is a terrible thing to lose. Here is a re-print of Ms. Zacky's statement:
"Just heard about Linda Ronstadt, one of the finest singers in my estimation,ever. She can sing all genres so well. I just heard her the other day on Sirrius radio singing some songs from The American Songbook. It was beautifully done, I was totally impressed with her interpretation and vocals.
Linda Ronstadt "Blue Bayou"
My husband has suffered from Parkinson's disease for several years now. It is a terrible disease that robs an individual of so much but most of all the essence of who they have always been. My husbands voice has weakened greatly over the years. Just his ability to converse can be difficult for him at times. I can only imagine as a singer how awful it must be to not be able to share the extraordinary gift that she had so long shared with those of us who so enjoyed her music. My best to her and I pray she finds some joy in the love that is sent her way from her devoted fans"
Burlesque Biotch and "Entertain Me" favorite, Clea Cutthroat is everywhere, performing with the Rock/Art Band Bonaparte, Writing her online column "Cocktails With Clea" for appropriately enough Burlesque Bitch Magazine to tantalizing people on stage in her own shows, Clea is: Up In Your Grill!
There is something that perhaps you did not know about Ms. Cutthroat she is also a charitable diva.
Recently she took place in a YouTube campaign to supply diapers to The Sage Hospital in Senegal...let's get an update about all that and more, time to "Put A Diaper On It" Clea!
MS: How did you get involved with the bringing diapers to the Sage Hospital in Senegal?
CC: The SAGE taxi actually just picked me up off the street late one night. I had a fight with a magician, stole his dove....and was trudging along a dark road with my suitcase, body guard and bird cage, when the taxi pulled up. They asked me if I wanted a ride, and then they asked me if I would do something good for there hospital in Senegal. It was a very easy, YES!
It's such a great cause, and if literally 20 minutes of my day can help bring something positive to the children and families there, it is truly an honor. I am so flattered that they asked me.
MS: How did the task go?
CC: GREAT! I don't have the final count yet of the number of diapers that will be donated, but needless to say we got A LOT!
MS: I'm jealous, I want a disco alarm clock! Where did you ever find such a groovy item?
CC: Believe it or not, I actually gifted it to someone, and they gave it back to me. (crazy, I know). One man's trash....is another diva's disco ball extrvaganza!!!!
Clea's Charity Video
MS:Did you stuff your bra with pampers in high school too?
CC: I was actually more a roll-your-skirt-up-to-your-crotch kinda gal Catholic all girls school...I was nothing but class lol!
MS: Since you always ask yourself "What would Madonna do"? If she were aware of your Diapers for Senegal campaign do you think she would buy them for Sage Hospital or her boyfriend first?
CC: Michael...don't make fun of Madge! Her boyfriends are perfect baby angels that have six-packs and brooding eyebrows instead of angel wings. Aaaaaaaaand, I think that Queen M would be the first one showing up with trucks full of diapers...but they would probably have "Truth or Dare" written across the back!
MS: Enough of the "Diaper Talk" what else have you been up to chica?
CC: I have just gotten back from festival season with Bonaparte...we had a crazy ass show at the Kazantip Republic in the Ukraine. I don't even know how to describe that one- Bladerunner meets Showgirls meets Wild Things?! It was amazing!
I'm currently getting ready to launch Black Boulevard! My lingerie label I do together with Fraulein Kink. It will be up and online in about a month. It's been my baby for over a year, so I wasn't launching a damn thing until it is completely perfect ....and it just about is! I am REALLY excited!
I also will be performing at the 1st International Berlin Burlesque Festival in September, and also in Rome for the Caput Mundi International Burlesque Award in November. I caaaan't wait! Gladiators here I come!
Perhaps Platinum....
MS: I'm bummed you are not making the trek from Berlin to Los Angeles next month.
CC: ME TOO!!! Unfortunately, it was just a matter of timing...too many tours going all in opposite directions from Los Angeles. But, I gotta make it back there so soon! I'm California dreaming already! Pass me the suntan lotion and a fish taco immediately!
MS: Yeah, I was looking forward to having margaritas and spitting blood on people with you.
CC: Awww, that would be amazing!!!!! Well, I got a pint of fake artery blood with your name on it! I also have some neon, glow in the dark, margarita salt..so we can get real fancy!
MS: Awesome! Tell me what your ultimate kitsch dream item to own would be and if it needs batteries.
CC: I'm sorry, but the only thing that I got from that question was "batteries" and all I can think of is a vibrator.
Vibrator. Vibraaator...Viiiiiiiiibrator!
OH! WAIT! I got something! A GIANT light up deco-aquarium! I LOVE THOSE THINGS!!!
It's been a couple of years since Ms. Avril Lavigne has put out any new music, well she's back with a new album due out this fall and she allegedly has wrote and recorded enough new songs to put out another album shortly after, when the grrrrrrrrl werks, she werks!
Up first and now is her single "Rock N Roll" - with a video that is so out there and self indulgent it can only belong to Avril, and I mean that as a compliment, hey isn't that one of the reasons the people who like her, like her?
Actually there is a source for the madness this video draws on, a movie called 'Tank Girl" starring a then known Lorie Petty as "Tank Girl" and a then unknown Naomi Watts as "Jet Girl", yes, time to cue the lesbian subtext. They battled strange/off the wall other worldly creatures in a Mad Max like desert type universe.
The video starts with Lavigne declaring she is a MotherF#cking Princess and proceeds to see her battling bear sharks, knife wielding lobsters and a villain with a head like fly, check. Everything takes place in a Mad Max desert like setting, check. Also the MotherF#cking Princess locks lips with actress Danica McKellar, what would Winnie Cooper think?! Lesbian subtext, check.
Avril Battles the Bear Shark!
Oh and Billy Zane is thrown in for good measure. T.G.I.F! Check out this loopy video that I can't get enough of and enjoy your weekend!
Lisa Robin Kelly passed away from problems having to do with addiction today, although she had only copped to alcohol addiction in the past, judging by the recent photo I have seen of her, I suspect drugs might have been involved.
She will always be known best for her role as Laurie Forman - Eric Forman's older sister on "That 70's Show".
Creative people in general tend to be predisposed to alcohol and drug abuse and Lisa was no exception. The lucky ones are able to beat their demons, unfortunately her demons got hold of her before she tamed them.
Let's remember Lisa as the vibrant human being she was, someone who entertained us all as one of the best "Mean Girls" on TV.
The "That 70's Show" Gang
Thank You, Lisa Kelly for bringing Laurie Forman to life, the character and the show will live on in syndication and our memories forever.
With the monetary and critical success of "The Artist" it looks like Silent Movies are making a comeback.
Director/Writer/Actor Alex Monty Canawati's "Return to Babylon" proves this point quite nicely, a homage to a gone by era and it's Gods and Goddesses that graced the silver screen. Starring some really great actors, like Jennifer Tilly as a perfectly cast Clara Bow, Debi Mazar as Gloria Swanson and Maria Conchita Alonso as Lupe Velez, "Return to Babylon" is a lovely piece of work.
Thanks to Mr. Canawati who, by the way plays Rudolph Valentino in the picture, for inviting me to the World Premiere at Maxwell DeMille's Cicada Club, held where else, at Cicada Restaurant located in Downtown Los Angeles.
On hand was special guest of honor Giovanni Guglielmi - Rudolph Valentino's Great Nephew - so rather than me continue writing about this special event, that had a dress to impress mandate in the invite, check out the images I snapped while there...Enjoy!
Karen Black was one of my favorite and Best Actresses that ever graced the silver screen. She starred in many high profile films: "Easy Rider", "Airport 75", "Nashville", "Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot" & one of the best horror movies ever "Trilogy of Terror" - "Yes" I am a horror fan! However my personal favorite film Ms. Black was in was John Schlesinger's ode to Hollywood reality and it's desperate losers. "The Day of the Locust" is anything but a cheerful, light look at Hollywood in the '30s. It recreates both the town as well as the filmmaking world around which much of the town revolved with devastating accuracy. The movie tells the twin tales of talentless wannabe actress Faye Greener (Karen Black) and Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland), a lovelorn accountant who couldn't care less about movies. Around this framework, a huge and intricate social network is tellingly revealed, until the film'sgruesome and tragic ending. Not for those who prefer to hang onto their illusions about the glory days of Hollywood, "The Day of the Locust", is based on the novel by Nathanael West" Karen Black was great in all of her films, this movie however to me was the best performance of her career, it was that rare moment where every element of a project gels and is total perfection, I have seen "The Day of the Locust" five times and love it every single viewing.
Ms. Black passed away today from pancreatic cancer, so sad she had to die in such an awful manner. R.I.P. Sweet lady, you had an amazing life and career, thanks for the memories.
