Saturday, October 14, 2017

Do You Believe In Magic? See/Saw

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
See/Saw
Tis' the Season of the Witch

Atlas Obscura presents See/Saw, an evening with performer and award-winning magician Siegfried Tieber. Opening on Thursday, September 14, 2017 and running for seven weeks, Tieber will play host, historian, and illusionist as he guides intimate audiences on an unconventional journey. An immersion into a magician’s mind, See/Saw is an invitation to take a closer look at the art of conjuring with playing cards: a contemporary take on an ancient art form, where the important question isn’t how, but why. This limited engagement will take place at Civic Center Studios in Downtown Los Angeles. Our host’s ambition is to share (and infect us with) his passion for a beautiful but often misunderstood art form.

Directed by Magic Castle/Academy of Magical Arts magician Jon ArmstrongSee/Saw will run from September 14 through October 29, 2017; six shows per week, over four days each week. Various showtimes (please refer to the ticketing link). Civic Center Studios – located at 207 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012 – is a secret hideaway nestled inside the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles. Formerly the office of criminal defense attorney Max Solomon (Bugsy Siegel and Mickey Cohen's lawyer), today this brick and steel den is a production studio and cultural center for artists and musicians. Find the hidden entrance in the parking lot next to the subterranean speakeasy, Birds & Bees. Tickets cost $74 per person. Recommended ages for audience members is 16+. Since opening night, audience members have been greeted by the enchanting duo of Dahlia and Dia Taquali. For more information, please visit http://www.atlasobscura.com/seesaw.
Dahlia & Dia Taquali
“In our culture, we are often exposed to film and theatre and music and dance—all these glorious, beautiful, inspiring means of expression,” Ecuadorian-born, Los Angeles-based Tieber explains. “However, most people don’t often encounter magic performed live. In order to appreciate the enormous potential of this fascinating, deep, complex art form, it has to be experienced up close.”

THE EXPERIENCE –
Card Magic has been lauded as “the poetry of magic.” Due to its versatility and range, the deck of cards is paralleled with the piano. More than mere printed pieces of paper, this instrument embodies chance, chaos and luck. See/Saw is an invitation to take a closer look at the art of conjuring with playing cards: an immersive experience, an intimate audience – sleeves rolled up.

Much more than a traditional entertainment, this is an interactive experience. Our host takes us by the hand – metaphorically, that is – through an evening that integrates an exploration of the environment, a private performance and a candid conversation about the art of magic.
Siegfried Tieber

Here's a video peek of what's in store.

"We believe there is something new to discover, every day, all over the world—and around the corner." 
– Atlas Obscura – http://www.atlasobscura.com

LINKS – 
• See/Saw event site & tickets - http://www.atlasobscura.com/seesaw
• See/Saw Facebook event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/864972423653104 
• Siegfried Tieber official site - http://www.siegfriedtieber.com  

Friday, October 13, 2017

Friday The 13th Part: Dolly Parton

Believe!
Dolly Parton
This Friday the 13th is your lucky day!

Dolly Parton has joined forces with PledgeMusic to launch a pre-order campaign in support of her first-ever children's album, I Believe In You. Comprised of original tunes penned by Dolly, including a reading of her famed “Coat Of Many Colors”, the album is available digitally now, with a physical release slated for Friday, October 13.

Fans can pre-order the album in digital and CD form now on Parton's campaign page. The leaders in direct-to-fan platforms, PledgeMusic allows artists to get more personal with their fans, offering pledgers behind-the-scenes content and items not available anywhere else.

Inspired by her passion for fostering a love of reading amongst children and their families, as well as her beloved organization Imagination Library, I Believe In You is the star's first album written specifically for kids and those young at heart. This year marks 50 years since Dolly released her first album, and 20 years since Imagination Library was established; making the forthcoming album a special contribution to the singer/songwriter's legendary career and the cause so close to her heart.

Since its inception in 1996, the Imagination Library has expanded into four countries serving more than one-million children by providing a brand new, age-appropriate book each month.

With her PledgeMusic campaign, Dolly is inviting fans to join her in her dedication to promoting literacy and joy through music throughout America's promising youth.

Fans who pre-order the album via PledgeMusic will get the AccessPass, which will give them special access to exclusive items straight from Dolly. These include: an early digital download of the album; a custom outgoing voicemail recorded by Dolly herself, plus a CD and digital download; a Recording King RD-T16 guitar autographed by Dolly, and specially crafted to produce a vintage tone, deluxe hard case included; a signed tour laminate; and much more.

To pre-order I Believe In You, please visit:www.pledgemusic.com/projects/dollyparton
 
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Thursday, October 12, 2017

Michael's Musings

"Life ain't so bad at all If you live it off the wall" -
Off The Wall, Michael Jackson
Michael Shinafelt

This week Harvey Weinstein is the new blue, as in blue balled. My smart phone both disturbs and fascinates me. Angelina Jolie is still, what else? Winning!

Shall we play games?

"The Weinstein story should be less about him, and more about the hundreds of men who knew, and did nothing" - Tony Tripoli, Comedian


Just when you thought your smart phone couldn't get any creepier and omniscient, upgrades happen

My favorite quote from Margaret Cho's Fresh Off The Bloat tour that I attended last week: "Jesus was a rape baby!" Think about it, but not too much

Night calling, wine wankers

Just use your safe word and make him go away

Take a stand for LGBTQ youth next Thursday October 19th and go purple.

Reading is fundamental, seriously people

Now for something entirely different? A homeless man panhandled me for a pair of shorts yesterday rather than money



Angelina Jolie on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, winning!

When I was a kid I used to crush on witches. While waiting in line for a haunted house with my Dad I even told the one who was entertaining everyone while they were waiting she was pretty and asked to kiss her. "Yes" she had warts and green skin, she was beautiful.

Coming next year another installment of, well the infamous Halloween series with original star Jamie Lee Curtis returning. I can't wait! 

Why the F#ck would you even desire a virgin cocktail?! If you want that you might as well have H20

Every time you touch yourself an angel dies. This should make it perfectly clear there are no such beings.

Dear White People...never mind

You know how to follow, just click on the links below....

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Handsome Devil, John Stamos

The Devil & Miss Jones?
John Stamos & Date
While getting my WWW on, I happened upon this image of John Stamos looking deliciously tempting as the Devil. With an equally hot date at his side.

John is like a fine wine, he only gets better with age. Truth be told I never thought much of him when he was younger. It has only been recently that Mr. Stamos has been turning my head.

It's like he's Benjamin Button, the older he gets the younger he looks.

The next time I yield to temptation I am going to use the phrase "John Stamos made me do it!"

Happy Hump Day & Viva Satan!

John on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/johnstamos/?hl=en   

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

You Didn't Give Them A Chance


Entertain Me favorite and friend Tom Connan is back with a decidedly different tone. He has done a dance mix of his cool as ice song  "You Didn't Give Them A Chance."

Turning it on it's head and making it into a terrific political anthem. I could extrapolate on this, but wouldn't you rather hear it from Tom?! I thought so, moving on...

MS: What made you decide to do the dance mix with a political bent?

TC: I live in France and, as you know, several terror attacks happened here the last few years. And over time, this is spreading all over the world. I'm creating music but I can't get this shit out of my head. When we decided to make a new video, I wanted to do something special, something more personal. Then I thought about those great moving videos Michael Jackson made quite a long time ago, especially They Don't Care About Us. I said to myself: "that's exactly what I need to do now". 

MS: I like the use of Anonymous. How did you land on him as a central figure?

TC: I'm not sure I'll keep using the Anonymous mask, but this was clearly inspiring. It represents some kind of progressive hidden resistance, which is really important nowadays -social media are awesome but this is also the place where you can find a lot of hateful comments, a lot of anti-Semitic or homophobic people for instance. It can be really tough. Therefore you must have some kind of online counter power. A journalist recently said in the Huffington Post that I was trying to "bring entertainment and politics together". I think she understood exactly my intention. 

MS: There are so many images of people who were dictators and failed, I think I am sensing the overall message, correct?

TC: I tried to analyze coldly the phenomenon of barbarism. Some people, including some close friends of mine, were afraid to see the face of Hitler in the video, especially because he's laughing. Obviously I can understand that. And believe me, we thought long and hard about it. But we decided to keep the footage, because we don't have the right to forget it. A lot of Jews are still being murdered simply because they are Jews, that's why it's still a hot topic. Our world is bleeding, and history is sometimes repeating itself. We must be aware of that. We must be united as citizens to protect the free world. It's more fragile than we think.

!
Look, He's Naked!
Tom Connan
MS: What are you wearing right now? 

TC: I have to admit I'm only wearing my own clothes from now on -we launched a clothing brand this summer (www.tomconnan.com/store). This is Karl Lagerfeld's fault: as you know he's always wearing the same outfit... I do the same! More seriously, I'd say I feel more comfortable with my own clothes. Fashion is a new world for me but this is so exciting, especially when you live in Paris. 

MS: Leave us the foremost thing on your mind regarding this project.

TC: This new single and music video is closing what I would call the first chapter of my musical career. We released four singles and four music videos in ten months, it required a tremendous amount of work. A lot of things happened, I met some incredible people in the industry and new stuff will be coming soon. What is really exciting is that you never know what will be next. Six months ago I never thought I would create some clothes, or make such a "political" music video. I chose to be an artist and I always try to do my best. But I don't want to forget the main reason why I chose this path: to be free.

Be Free with Tom, check out You Didn't Give Them A Chance after the jump!


Tom on Social Media at:

Monday, October 9, 2017

Horror Is Universal

Boo!
Shay Mitchell & Ashley Benson
Tis the season to be scary, Fa la la la la...

Look what I spy with my detached eye. Why it's Pretty Little Liars alumni and BFF's Ashley Benson & Shay Mitchell attending Universal Studios Hollywood, Halloween Horror Nights. Put that in your cauldron and boil it!

Yes, these two attended the place known for it's horror movies and now it's horror nights, Universal Studios in Hollywood

Did they get scared, scream or merely get their entertainment on? There is no word as to what went down with the fearless twosome -whatever happened it is nice to see them hang out post the end game of PLL, nostalgia is in after all.

No better way to kick off Monday October 9th if I say so, and I just did. 

22 more days until Halloween, Silver Shamrock!

Ashley on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ashleybenson/?hl=en

Shay on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shaymitchell/?hl=en