Weekends Were Made For Dame Judi

Judi Dench's Exits & Entrances: A Celebration Of Shakespeare A Shakespearean celebration, with readings by Dame Judi Dench, David Suchet, Emilia Fox and the late Jeffery Dench Available on April 8th Come up and see Dame Judi do Shakespeare tricks sometime...

Exits and Entrances commemorates the 400th anniversary on April 23rd 2017 of the death of the world's most celebrated playwright William Shakespeare. The recording comprises readings of many of the most well known and best-loved verse and sonnets from the world's finest playwright, with specially scored original light classical music accompanying nine of the twenty four tracks on the album, written by British composer Jackie Williams. It features the renowned stage and screen actress, the iconic Dame Judi Dench, with some of her favourite selections from the Bard's works, alongside television and theatre actor David Suchet , best-known for his unique TV portrayal of Agatha Christie's Poirot, the hugely popular successful TV series syndicated to many countries. Also featured is Emilia Fox from the famous Fox family dynasty, well-known for her lead character in crime drama 'Silent Witness', along with two other celebrated members of the Dench family.  The project was originated by producer Mike Ritson and his musician partner Jackie. Ritson went to art college in Liverpool at the same time as John Lennon and had a successful career working in advertising in the 1980s before becoming a TV producer for ITN. On the 24 tracks, the stars each perform well-known snippets from Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry V, The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice,  "We happened to know Jeff Dench, Judi's brother, and we really owe a lot of the album's success tohim," said Ritson. "Our friendship grew and he connected us with Judi.  He loved the idea of doing a CD of  Dame Judi Dench Werk! Composer Jackie added: "The idea of the CD is to combine Shakespeare's best loved words - sonnets and  Dame Judi Dench recently appeared on the popular British radio show Desert Island Discs (the longest-running programme on the BBC) selecting her eight favourite records. Among them she chose her brother Jeffery Dench's recital of Sonnet 18 - 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' - from "Exits And Entrances", with the familiar line, 'thy eternal summer shall not fade',  lent extra poignancy by the fact that Stratford resident Jeffery passed away last year. Dame Judi's commitment to the project is underlined by the fact that she has made herself available for phone interviews with US media to support the release. Pre-order now at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon.

Hillary Clinton's Latest "Scandal"

I'm With Her
Kerry Washington & Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton recently visited the imaginary Oval Office on the set of Scandal. Too bad we did not get any indication of how she thought it compared to the real deal.

As the story goes, Clinton, knew the cast was trying to make a fundraiser for her, but was aware they would not finish work in time. So, what's a Presidential candidate to do? Why make a detour to the set on the way to her event, naturally. 

The episode was being Directed by show star, Scott Foley when the former Secretary of State paid a visit.

Cast member Katie Lowes has this to say about Hillary's visit on set: "Mind blown! It was amazing"

The Women of Scandal recently made headlines for endorsing Clinton in a television commercial.

Now that's putting your money where your mouth is! You can make anything a Scandal in this day and age.

It's always a Scandal on TGIT: 
https://www.facebook.com/ScandalABC   

Do You Remember "Trio?" You Are Old.

One Awesome Menage 

DOLLY PARTON, LINDA RONSTADT, AND EMMYLOU HARRIS:

THE COMPLETE TRIO COLLECTION

Both Legendary Albums Recorded By The Female Country Holy Trinity
Newly Remastered For Three-Disc Set Packed With Rare And Unreleased Music

Three Different Versions Will Be Released On September 9 From Rhino
 

"Yes" I remember them too, can I join the AARP now? Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris have three careers unparalleled in music history. Together they have sold over 200 million albums worldwide and performed for decades in front of countless fans around the globe. It’s no surprise that when their three voices united to release their debut collaboration, the results were remarkable. The threesome released two albums together, Trio (1987) and Trio II(1999), which have combined to sell more than five million copies worldwide and win three Grammy® Awards. Both of these classic albums have been newly remastered for a three-CD collection packed with rare and unreleased music. Produced by Harris, THE COMPLETE TRIO COLLECTION will be available on September 9 for a list price of $29.98. On the same date, a single-disc set will also be available entitled MY DEAR COMPANION: SELECTIONS FROM THE TRIO COLLECTION, featuring a mix of songs taken from the three-disc set, as will FARTHER ALONG, a double-LP set of all the bonus material from THE COMPLETE TRIO COLLECTION. Trio II will also be released on vinyl for the first time. Even though Parton, Ronstadt, and Harris began recording together in the 1970s, a full album proved elusive. When the stars aligned and the friends were finally able to record a full album, a powerhouse sound of country and Americana was born. The results were remarkable. Trio arrived in 1987; sold more than four million copies; won two Grammy Awards; and topped the country album chart for five consecutive weeks. Among the standout tracks are “To Know Him Is to Love Him,” “Wildflowers,” and “Farther Along.” It would be more than a decade before the group released a follow-up, but when Trio II arrived in 1999 it did not disappoint. The album won a Grammy Award and peaked in the Top Five of the country album chart. It sold more than one million copies worldwide on the strength of tracks like “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” the Carter family’s “Lover’s Return” and a cover of Neil Young’s “After The Gold Rush.” The bonus disc is loaded with 20 songs, including alternate takes of album tracks like “I’ve Had Enough,” “Making Plans” and “My Dear Companion.” Also featured are 11 completely unreleased recordings from the trio spanning both album sessions including “Waltz Across Texas Tonight,” “Pleasant As May,” “Are You Tired of Me,” and the gospel standard “Softly And Tenderly.” Among the unreleased material is also an alternate version of “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” featuring Parton on lead vocals and a stunning acapella version of “Calling All My Children Home.” # # # FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DOLLY PARTON, VISIT: www.dollypartonentertainment.com   Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton Instagram: Instagram.com/DollyParton Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton

Son Of A Preacher Man

Preaching: Just Say No
Tom Goss

Remember the classic tune, Son of a Preacher Man by the legendary Dusty Springfield? Well the song has just been turned on it's ass by singer/songwriter/actor/activist and all around cool guy Tom Goss.

The out, bear loving artist has given the familiar staple a powerful gay twist. 

"A lot of gay men and women have been condemned by religious institutions. Our goal was to speak to that experience and show how destructive it can be. 

We hope that this video reaches people, helps heal people, educates people and provides an outlet to help promote those who are doing so much to curb the pain. 

Notably organizations like The Trevor Project and PFLAG."  States Goss. 

So without further fanfare stop, look and listen to his awesome take on an old hit!

Bend It Like Tom at:
https://twitter.com/tomgossmusic
https://www.instagram.com/tomgossmusic/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/tomgossmusic  

Justin Bieber "Crotch Pancake"

A Crotch Pancake Please...
Justin Bieber Style!

Remember when Lindsay Lohan was dubbed a "Fire Crotch" in the press? Well you are now free to call Justin Bieber a "Crotch Pancake" I am guessing, based on one of the more odd items to have been reported of late.

This piece by artist Dan Lacey was purchased by none other than rapper, Macklemore. Yep, Macklemore got himself some Justin Bieber peen on his wall! 

The creative mind behind the art was unaware that the Thrift Shop hitmaker had bought it. Here is what Mr. Lacey told Vulture:

“To me, pancakes happen at a spiritual level, sometimes expressing themselves as eroticism. My only problem with this is that the pancake keeps being described as “resting on Bieber’s erect penis," when it obviously has replaced the penis entirely. The pancake is the penis. I’d actually let Bieber put it in me."

There you have it, oh and for the record I would not let Justin put it in me, but I would bridle him in and...fluff up your pillow and dream, people.
Happy Monday and have a terrific week!  

Jack your flap with Dan at:

http://www.thepainterofpancakes.com/index.html    

"I Feel Pretty" Joshua Silverstein

Beyond the Usual and Bootleg Theater Proudly Present

The World Premiere of Joshua Silverstein’s

Tell Me I’m Pretty

A Hilarious and Raw New Solo Show

Tackling Race, Gender and Poverty in America

Bootleg Theater

April 8 – May 7, 2016

Directed by Diana Wyenn

Award-winning Actor, Comedic Writer & Beatboxer Silverstein is Joined By

Musicians Damian Curry, Gerry Doot and Erik Hallsey

“Joshua is a beautiful and incredibly talented young man.” – Anjelica Huston

“That boy is FRESH!” – Queen Latifah

My Pretty, Pretty...

Beyond the Usual and Bootleg Theater proudly present the World Premiere of Tell Me I’m Pretty, a hilarious and riveting new solo show – written and performed by Joshua Silverstein and directed by Diana Wyenn. Tackling race, gender, and poverty in America through storytelling, spoken word, vocal percussion, and hip hop, Tell Me I’m Pretty opens its five-week run at Bootleg Theater on Friday, April 8, 2016. Performances run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm through Saturday, May 7, 2016. Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213-389-3856). General admission tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 day-of online and at the box office. Student and senior admission tickets are $15 in advance online and $20 day-of online and at the box office. For more information please visit http://www.joshuasilverbat.com/tell-me-im-pretty.

With side-splitting humor and raw power, award-winning actor, comedic writer, spoken word artist, and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein delivers an explosive mix of storytelling, spoken word, vocal percussion, and hip hop. Backed live by a three-piece band, Silverstein layers playful and riveting narratives grounded in personal experience, and nuanced by the complexities and contradictions surrounding race, gender and, poverty in America. Plus, he reveals what it would have been like if Buster Keaton could beatbox!

Of a recent work-in-progress showing at REDCAT’s Studio Series featuring fifteen minutes of the production’s seventy minutes of material, Culture Spot LA proclaimed, “Silverstein set the bar high by opening the show with this high-octane one-man-show... He quickly builds upon the gimmick of entertainment by transfusing an emotionally charged narrative with captivating confessionals and spot-on cultural commentary.” Read the full review here.

Tell Me I’m Pretty is written and performed by Joshua Silverstein, and directed by Diana Wyenn. Live music is performed by musicians Damian Curry (guitar), Gerry Doot (drums), and Erik Hallsey (bass). The production team includes: Diana Wyenn (scenic design), Matt Hill (video design), Joey Guthman (lighting design), Mark Holden (sound design), and Joshua Silverstein (costume design). Additional credits include: Aaron Saldaña (stage manager), Diana Wyenn (choreography and dramaturgy) and Jamais Vu (graphic design).

LINKS:

• Joshua Silverstein - http://www.joshuasilverbat.com

• Tell Me I’m Pretty (TMIP) - http://www.joshuasilverbat.com/tell-me-im-pretty

• Joshua Silverstein Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/joshuasilversteinproductions

• TMIP Facebook Event Page - https://www.facebook.com/events/436202663252486

Keeping Up With Kesha

Kesha on "Nashville"

Despite her legal woes that keep her from making new music, Kesha Rose is keeping plenty busy with, drum roll please....acting gigs!

Earlier in the TV season she annoyed Jane on Jane The Virgin as her not so quiet musical neighbor. She will also be making a cameo on Nashville as who else? Herself, the latter half of it's current season.

While I do no purport to know anything about the sexual abuse allegations Kesha has fired at Dr. Luke. I do know that obviously the situation is not a workable one. Kesha is a grown ass woman and should be able to decide what is best for her and her musical output. 

Kesha should be allowed to create in an environment free from fear and intimidation, whatever the details of that might be.

See you on Nashville grrrrrrrrrrl!

Free Kesha! at:
ttps://twitter.com/kesharose
https://www.instagram.com/iiswhoiis/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/kesha/