Zarkana...curtain goes up on Cirque du Soleil's spectacular acrobatic musical extravganza!

For die-hard fans who loyally follow the spectacular Cirque du Soleil stage performances the magic surely continues!

The curtain has just run up on the troupe's latest offering - Zarkana - a $50 million production that wowed all in attendance on opening night Wednesday of this past week at NYC's prestigious Radio City Music Hall.

A staggering 75 talented performers parades across the stage during the course of the evening as the main character - Zark - struggles to regain his powers in an intriguing surreal plane of existence inhabited by a gang of multi-dimensional bizarre creatures.

TICKETS

www.radiocity.com

DISCOUNTED TICKETS

www.nycgo.com/getmorenyc.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET...DESMOND RICHARDSON HONORED WITH CAPEZIO DANCE AWARD!

 


Desmond Richardson - a celebrated dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet company- will be honored with the 60th Annual Capezio Dance Award at the Joyce Theatre on Tuesday May 24th in the Big Apple.

In a recent press notice, Mr. Richardson took the opportunity to welcome fans of the dance troupe to the opening season which starts up this week in the heart of New York City.

"I'm so looking forward to sharing our first spring Joyce season of performances with all of you, and can't wait for you to witness the beauty of our phenomenal dancers."

"This season is indeed special in so many ways. I'm thrilled to be dancing in the New York premiere of Dwight Rhoden's Testament - set to an array of classic spirituals - that will really touch your soul, and move your spirit."

"This week will also include works that exemplify the diverse body of work that has become the hallmark of Complexions - with Moon Over Jupiter (Rachmaninov) Rise (U2), Moody Booty Blues (Muddy Waters/Stevie Ray Vaughn)."

Mr. Richardson was quite touched by the deserving dance honor bestowed upon him.

"Dancing has been my life for so many wonderful years, and I believe in its power to move and transport audiences, taking them on a journey. That passion for dance, is so real to me - and to be recognized in this way for doing something that I've loved, and love every since I can remember - will truly be a great moment for me."

Congratulations Desmond!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Tribeca Film Festival...Brian Williams to interview Robert De Niro! Elton John documentary to screen! April 20th - May 1st in NYC!

To celebrate ten years of screening cutting-edge films, officials at the Tribeca Film Festival have announced they are introducing a thrilling thought-provoking "Talk" series to feature high-profile personalities in the industry.

Brian Williams, Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorsese are slated to conduct one-on-one interviews with the likes of - Robert DeNiro, Doug Liman and Souleymann Cissee respectively - at the much-anticipated Director series to be held in New York City.

The upcoming annual fest - which normally boasts packed houses - runs April 20th through May 1st in lower Manhattan.

In recent days, the organizers have also leaked out details about a handful of dazzling special events, causing a big buzz in show-biz circles.

For instance, Cameron Crowe's documentary on singer - Elton John - premieres at a free outdoor screening on April 20th at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza.

Attendees will need TFF wristbands to be seated at the event which will be distributed to the public on a first-come first-served basis at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on April 20 at 4 pm..

"The Union" is a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the "out" Diva - who recently recorded his latest album - as a collaborative musical effort alongside legendary rock 'n roller (and good friend) multi-talented Leon Russell.

Producers are hailing the flick as an extraordinary journey of the heart which captures a "candid portrait" of one of the world's most-treasured enduring artists.

“Cameron Crowe gives audiences unprecedented access to Elton John and Leon Russell’s artistic process in an emotional and realistic way," one festival biggie enthused at a recent press junket.

Award-winning T-Bone Burnett took on the role of studio producer and nurtured the eclectic recording project to completion in recent days.

Lyricist Bernie Taupin, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, legendary R & B organist Booker T. Jones, and steel guitarist Robert Randolph (in addition to a 10-piece gospel choir) are also showcased on the much-touted album.

At press time, it was announced that Elton will take the stage after the screening of the insightful documentary and perform a tune or two with celebrated friends in tow.

"It’s a special opportunity to open our 10th Festival in a distinct and unique way. Not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film - "The Union" - but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an extraordinary gift to our Festival and more specifically the downtown community,” gushed Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Crowe sang Elton John's praises, too.

"As a longtime fan of both artists, it was a pleasure to spend a year filming their collaboration,” said Cameron Crowe.

“We can't wait to show it to one of the greatest audiences in the world at the Tribeca Film Festival," Cameron crowed to all within earshot.

In addition, the "Tribeca Talks" showcase five new documentary titles, which feature lively discussion panels with a spotlight on the likes of actor/director Sean Penn and top vocalist Harry Belafonte, for example.

Five of the documentary titles are - "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks", "Love Hate Love", "Off the Rez", "Grandma, A Thousand Times", and "Sing Your Song "- all of which receive exclusive screenings as part of the Tribeca Talks "After the Movie” series.

Another one-of-a-kind world premiere event will be the screening (and in-depth examination) of the feature L.A. Noire  - which is a new interactive crime thriller being released in the spring by Rockstar Games.

A Q & A will follow a "L.A. Noire" live demonstration of the detective game (where players solve complex, historically-inspired crimes in a beautifully recreated and fully interactive rendition of 1947 Los Angeles).

Tribeca’s special events are rounded out by a handful of Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival screenings which include Alex Gibney’s "Catching Hell" (about notorious Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman), free “Tribeca Talks: Industry” panels (designed for industry professionals to explore the ways they can use new digital platforms to advance their film projects) and “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper” (which are insightful panels hosted by Barnes & Noble that focus on the artistic process of screenwriting.

“We wanted to celebrate our Tenth Festival by inviting some of the finest filmmakers, media artists and actors of our time to share their insights and experiences through the Tribeca Talks series," underscored Nancy Schafer, the Executive Director of TFF.

“We have over the years established a tradition of conversations that both engage audiences in the details and revelations of contemporary film making as well as offer a perspective as to the direction and the future of storytelling and the industry. This is so much a part of what festivals can do to enrich the viewing experience for their audiences and we are proud to present this special series."

There will be quite a few world premieres to keep film buffs clucking around the circuit, too.

The world premiere of "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks" is a documentary which demonstrates how a successful businesswoman and mother’s life changed when - after being diagnosed with breast cancer - she set out to make life easier for less fortunate cancer patients.

The stirring film is followed by a conversation with Dee Dee Ricks, producer Lisa Cohen, Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention founder Harold P. Freeman MD, and public health advocates.

The event is to be moderated by director Perri Peltz.

"The Beautiful Mind" screening examines the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. and will be followed by a panel discussion puts the glare of the spotlight on director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, the film’s math consultant, Dave Bayer, author Sylvia Nasar (whose book inspired the film) and theoretical physicist and mathematician Brian Greene.

The event is slated to be moderated by NPR’s Ira Flatow.

The North American documentary premiere of - "Grandma, A Thousand Times" - examines a family matriarch as she struggles to cope with the silence of her once-buzzing house and imagines what waits her beyond death.

Hosted by the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, it should be noted for the record, that the film won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Film (2010).

The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Mahmoud Kaabour on the experience of making films in the Middle East.

The world premiere of - "Love Hate Love" - is all about the difficult journeys of three families torn apart by three separate acts of terrorism - the attacks on the World Trade Center, the London bus bombing, and the Sari Club bombing in Bali - and is followed by a conversation with executive producer Sean Penn, directors Dana Nachman and Don Hardy (as well family members featured in the film which includes Liz Alderman, Steve Alderman, Esther Hyman, and Ben Tullipan).

The New York premiere of - "The Loving Story" - recounts the unknown love story of Mildred and Richard Loving (the couple behind the 1967 Supreme Court ruling overturning anti-miscegenation laws in the United States).

The stirring legal foray is followed by the appearances of director Nancy Buirski, attorney Phil Hirschkop (who represented the Lovings), Anthony Romero, and the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (who discuss the landmark case and current issues surrounding race and marriage equality).

"Off the Rez" - a world premiere event - tracks Shoni Schimmel (a Umatilla Indian and one of the best high school basketball players in the country) whose hoop dreams of being the first from her tribe to get a college scholarship are threatened after her family leaves the Umatillia Indian Reservation.

The screening is followed by a Q & A with executive producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, director Jonathan Hock, Discovery and TLC Networks president Eileen O’Neill.

The special event is moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist - and author of Friday Night Lights - Buzz Bissinger.

The world premiere of - "Revenge of the Electric Car" - is an up-close peak behind the closed doors of - Nissan, General Motors and Tesla Motors - at a time when the major auto makers race to develop the world’s first and most economically accessible electric car.

The screeners are promoting a panel discussion to be headed up by guest speakers director Chris Paine (President and Chief Executive Officer) Nissan Motor Co. Carlos Ghosn, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Neil.

The much-anticipated event is moderated by actor, writer, and director David Duchovny.

"Sing Your Song" - a New York premiere offering - is a stirring documentary that examines legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte’s continued humanitarian contributions to the arts, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the fight against Apartheid, combating starvation in Ethiopia, and so much more.

Harry Belafonte is scheduled to appear for a Q & A with the filmgoers who attend.

Moderated by Tavis Smiley.

To fill out the program, there will also be scintillating screenings of 11 short films which explore the contributions of women filmmakers in the canon of the American experimental avant-garde.

This program also celebrates 15 years of direct financial support for preservation of historically under-recognized films by women through the Women’s Film Preservation Fund of New York Women in Film & Television.

A discussion follows with an eclectic group of women filmmakers who helped shape avant-garde cinema.

"Digital by Design", meanwhile, focuses on a conversation with producers, filmmakers, SAP and industry executives about the emergence of online digital platforms and applications that provoke filmmakers to confront technology head-on including funding models, intellectual property management and distribution channels.

Sponsored by SAP.

Panelists that night include Richard Whittington, Senior Vice President of media and entertainment at SAP, and writer/director Edward Burns.

"Shooting Film on a Budget" is an interesting presentation on the subject of filmmaking which is understandably sponsored by Kodak.

One of the most important aspects of realizing your independent feature is determining the right look.

How will you capture your images and bring the script to the screen in a meaningful, visual way?

Filmmakers and cinematographers must consider many variables such as mood of the story, production restrictions, post work flow, etc.

Too often these important decisions are determined by the bottom line.

However, many filmmakers are able to get the most out of their budgets while still shooting film.

Kodak invites budding filmmakers to attend this event which features celebrity guests - Michael Cuesta (writer/director of Roadie) and producer Karen Chieto - to learn how they created beautiful and cost-effective cinematic narratives on film.

Also -the "Business of Entertainment" - is expected to draw large crowds.

The program will explore the trends that affect the economics of the film business and the broader entertainment industry.

This year's panel have invited leading CEOs, producers, financiers, media - and other industry leaders - who will focus on how to finance films in the 21st century.

"Are Documentary Films Changing the World?" focuses on - filmmakers, distributors and community groups - and the new trends in documentary filmmaking (such as collaborations between filmmakers and NGOs to increase distribution and influence public perception and policy).

Panelists include filmmaker Abigail Disney - and the Co-Founder of Impact Partners - Dan Cogan.

For the Internet crowd - "Amplify the Message: Social Media" - may be of particular interest.

The panel discussion focuses on how film producers and directors engage new interactive audiences through such networks as Twitter, Facebook, Tumbles, GetGlue and Foursquare (and how much of an impact social networking has on a movie’s success or failure on multiple platforms).

Moderated by Marc Schiller (the CEO and Founder of Electric Artists).

Panelists include Rider Strong, director/screenwriter of The Dungeon Master, Howard Tullman, President & CEO of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, and others.

The conversation will be streamed live on the Tribeca Online Film Festival website.

http://www.tribecaonline.com

Finally - "Meet the Documentary Broadcasters" - is expected to be a spirited conversation with industry broadcasters about the type of nonfiction films they’re drawn to and their thoughts on where this genre is headed.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Los Angeles...skyscrapers to compete with Times Square! LA LA LAND destination city!



Tourists and locals alike are quite keen to the fact that if they saunter downtown after hours in Los Angeles, that they'll pretty much encounter a ghost town with little late-night entertainment to offer.

It is not surprising to hear that the hip with-it set interested in partying-hearty often jet to Las Vegas or Manhattan - especially if they're pining for trendy watering holes to hang out in 'til the wee hours of dawn.

But, the developers behind the billion-dollar Wilshire Grand project have their sights on transforming that boring image to ensure LA LA LAND is a destination city in the future.

For example, along the upper floors of the planned 45-story hotel and 65-floor office tower, architects have hatched up a novel idea to etch a myriad of fanciful images of butterflies, waterfalls, and galaxies of stars by embedding thousands of lights in the building's surface.

The lower floors would feature a dazzling array of commercial ads to enliven the normally-dark canyons of the downtown city core.

Think the Chanel building in Tokyo or the Cira Centre in Pennsylvania.

And, in the end scenario, the landowners expect to transform and revitalize the heart of Los Angeles

Korean Air, the main financial backer, has teamed up with a host of - business entities, high-profile glad-handing politicians (and even unions) - to rustle up the clout necessary to green-light the project with officials and city planners in the corridors of power.

Needless to say, a nasty debate has reared its ugly head over the issue.

Critics argue that the proposed plan will radically alter the city's skyline, for starters.

And, because of it, developers may end up butting heads with established factions in Los Angeles who have their own visionary ideas about what kind of evolution should take place in the future.

Opponents prefer the trend away from excessive signage in the cityscape to one that follows a green policy that is environmental-friendly.

One critic has cautioned that the city shouldn't allow light emitting diodes (LEDS) on dozens of stories of any skyscraper until there is a blueprint in place for regulating the technology.

True!

What do you think?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Transformation of downtown Los Angeles

Blank City...documentary on NO WAVE directors provokes thought! Circa 1970's NYC!

On occasion, a film-goer saunters into a theatre - the lights go down - and they find themselves swept up into a thoroughly thought-provoking celluloid experience.

Such is the case with Blank City - a documentary on the "NO WAVE" film directors who roamed the artsy-fartsy climbs of the lower East-side of New York City - with 8mm cameras in greasy hand in the mid-to-late seventies at the height of the Big Apple's undisputed decline into total debauchery.

The motley crew of visionary artists (lured by cheap rents and squatter's rights) - featured in the well-crafted enlightening documentary - are only now being exalted (in part due to the deliberate efforts of the producers of Blank City who totally believed in this off-beat - but very real - gritty project).

Known to many as the "trangressives", these madcap filmmakers shook the sensibilities at a time when NYC was the hub of a hip culture where music, art, and fashion crossed-over in the lower East side of Manhattan.

This is how the producers describe their film:

"Uncovering New York’s underexposed filmmaking movements circa 1977 to 1987, this provocative documentary begins when New York City was ripe with cheap rent, cheap drugs, a summer hit by “Son of Sam,” and a 25-hour blackout. Captivated by the newly emerging downtown music scene, and inspired by Amos Poe’s 1977 punk documentary “Blank Generation,” two distinct groups of novice filmmakers emerged, hell-bent on capturing the volatile world around them."

And, at any cost!

"We had no money. So we stole our film stock and materials," one director joked in a candid interview.

One week, the young dynamic directors were in the mean streets shooting video - the next - screening their raw images at the St. Mark's Theatre for $2 a pop.

"Everyone had to pay. Especially, when wealthy patrons from uptown started to slip down into the bowery to catch our work when it became all the rage!"

The filmmakers recalled that it was a scary time in New York, too.

"You would be afraid to walk down the street at night for fear of being killed. There were so many empty lots, gutted-out lofts, and run-down tenement buildings."

At a time when the city was on the edge of bankruptcy, landlords had either abandoned their properties, or were inclined to offer up the premises for pittance to the struggling artists who dug in joyously in their inspiring haunts.

"We were itinerant Kings in broken-down castles," one auteur laughingly recalled.

In the scintillating documentary, a number of familiar faces parade across the screen - Deborah Harry - for instance.

The pop singer was a mainstay in the neighborhood during that time frame and often appeared in an experimental film or two.

Steve Buscemi (Fargo) also recalled that he starred in his first low-budget feature in these humble environs.

John Waters felt the movement was so important that he grabbed the opportunity to be interviewed onscreen to offer up commentary on the first wave of true Indie directors in the United States.

I used to reside on 2nd Street on the East Side in 1974 - and believe me - the filmmakers captured the essence of that remarkable era to a "t".

Readers may recall, that I once performed with a show-biz troupe known as the "Hot Peaches" - in an off-off-off Broadway production titled "The Magic Hype" - which was a spoof on the Andy Warhol superstars.

Post: 10/26/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/10/blogginginternet-opens-door-to-past.html

During my visit to NYC in those heady days, I struck up a friendship with an infamous Andy Warhol underground film icon by the name of Jackie Curtis.

Post:  11/24/2007

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/11/jackie-curtiswarhol-star-on-edge.html

Jackie and I both played (and pursued our respective careers) in the same neighborhood where these early pioneers of independent film emerged.

"The key word in No Wave was "No"," noted film director Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan).

"Anything that was anti-establishment," she recalled gleefully.

"The cultural scene was so bland at that time. That is why the movement sprang up. It was the start of punk, really," chimed in another.

The director for Blank City (Céline Danhier) stumbled on the treasure trove of film footage when she was doing research on a band that was featured in one of the legendary films crafted at the time (featuring the Ramones, I believe).

The documentary weaves an intriguing tale of the times by way of film clips, on-camera interviews, and old newsreels.

And, the plot is intriguing, to say the least.

For example, it is alleged that shortly after the city went bankrupt - real estate developers, city officials, and landlords - engaged in a conspiracy to "toss out" the artists so they could gentrify the lower east side.

In addition to chat about their creative endeavours, the filmmakers tend to wag their tongues on screen incessantly - too - about the illegal evictions and gross rights violations which took place in the aftermath of the 70's free-for-all.

Curiously, the documentary hints that the Reagan administration's failure to address the A.I.D.S. crisis was a deliberate one - designed to kill off all the artists (and revolutionaries) - rising up against the establishment and the status quo during that illustrious ground-breaking era.

The images are gritty, hard-hitting, and thought-provoking.

There are a handful of amusing moments, too.

Film Director Nick Zedd - for instance - noted that he starred in both the male and female lead roles in one scandalous titillating project.

"Vandals defaced the poster. But, I was glad. It got the reaction that I wanted," he laughed wickedly.

At a Q & A after the screening, the director noted that an archive of the films are currently being compiled at NYU.

"There is a definite need to preserve these important documents because they represent the emergence of independent film in this country," she concluded.

The filmmaker is currently seeking distribution for Blank City.

If it plays at a local revival house near you, do catch it!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Vancouver Art Scene...circa 1970's! Talented Jack Shadbolt, Bau-Xi Gallery, & moi!

Jack Shadbolt & Butterfly

In my youth, I toiled away in my studio in Vancouver, determined to become the next Pablo Picasso.

Like the master of the canvas, I was also an abstract expressionist, keen on texture, heavily built-up surfaces, and prone to utilize unusual materials to effect the visuals I was attempting to bring to life on the canvasses.

A scrap of corrugated cardboard discarded in the trash might catch my eye and end up as the focal point in one of my passionate creations.

In the early days, the major gallery scene was in Gastown before it shifted up to the lower Granville Street area.

Back in 1972, I was part of a successful group show which featured a handful of promising of artists, which was installed at the Galerie Allen.

On that occasion, I received my first professional art review by local critic Joan Lowndes.

Ytte Allen - the director &  owner of the boutique-style gallery - was a tall pretty woman determined to single-handed turn the sleepy little seaside town into a major International art scene.

But, it was a tough row to hoe.

With a potent glass or two of vintage wine coursing her over-sexed veins - without warning - she would transform into a dragon lady who often cornered locals and business owners with a bit of arm-twisting if necessary to push sales.

Her approach - even if the rendering was a mere lithograph - was that the coveted purchase was an investment for the future.

The well-heeled Vancouver crowd turned out for the openings to see and be seen, sip on a sherry and snack on crackers and imported cheese - even chat up other art-lovers - while the paintings remained a pretty backdrop that were often glanced over but rarely taken too seriously as cultural must-haves.

Yes, in those heady days of the burgeoning art scene on the West Coast, the sales were slow-going.

If Ms. Allen landed a sale of a Dali print or two, that was considered a coup.

The elite on the West Coast admitted they didn’t know much about Art, but knew what they liked!

Where have I heard that one before?

At that time, it infuriated me that buyers would spring for a Robert Davidson canvas, but pass on an important American painter like Jim Dine or Rothko.

Davidson’s paintings - which consisted of a labyrinth of trippy images which favored a dark palette - reminded me of what a stoned hippie might dredge up when wiped out on a potent joint or pungent rock of hashish.

Hideous.

There’s nothing worse than an art collector with a lot of  moolah and no taste!

Shortly after I unveiled a one-man exhibition at Galerie Allen (1974) - and local Arts Patron Rosemary Poll (a lovely woman) signed on as a silent partner more-or-less - I ended up parting ways with the emotional Dane after she urged me to “paint on the right side of the paper.”

At the time, I was experimenting with the idea of “transparency”, and created a couple of unique pieces that were to be framed in such a way as to allow the art work to viewed from both sides.

The notion was wild and un-artist-like to Allen.

She was in for a rude awakening - and forced to eat crow - when I pointed out that a couple of her darlings in the art world experimented with major works along the same lines, too.

About that time, I submitted a couple of paintings to a City Commission set up to hire a handful of artists to create pieces to be housed in Government buildings around the lower mainland.

Jack Shadbolt - who was married to Doris (the well-respected director of the Vancouver Art Gallery at the time) was one of the established artists selected to judge the works.

Shadbolt, who was a mainstay at the Bau-xi Gallery (a prestigious outlet for artists I pined to be part of), was also a teacher for many years in the Vancouver area.

Over the decades, Mr. Shadbolt experimented with various styles of painting - but it was not until he developed the metamorphosis series - that I came to appreciate his creative efforts.

Mr. Shadbolt was clever (as my artist pal Les might grumble in passing), prone to be influenced by other popular artists (he often copied or borrowed bits and pieces from their styles), and often took the safe road which ended up stifling his creative potential.

In spite of that, Shadbolt became one of Vancouver’s top celebrated artists.

Needless to say, I expected a little professional jealousy when he surveyed my own work for a potential commission, and was pleasantly surprised - when he elected instead - to give my original painterly style a nod.

On the heels of that decision, I delivered up four major art works, that were summarily installed in the corridors of power in City buildings around the lower mainland.

Doris Shadbolt, was a generous woman, who often included me in multi-media shows at the gallery (which I was thankful for since I was just starting out).when the opportunity arose.

For a brief stint after that period, I resided in NYC (yes, the Big Apple), and returned home quite inspired.

In 1974, I crossed paths with Art Collectors - Audrey & Nelson Skalbania - who generously funded a one-man exhibition for me at the Contemporary Royale Gallery.

The series of paintings were coined from the subways of the underground in Manhattan.

Post:  03/03/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/nelson-skalbaniawheeler-dealer-with.html

A profile appeared in the Vancouver Sun.

Unfortunately, I hung up my brushes - and packed away my paints - when I moved to California to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.

To this day, I often toy with the idea of setting up shop once again, and turning out a series of new paintings.

About two years ago, I framed a dozen or so small pieces with that in mind, but before they saw the light of day the whole lot was stolen by employees at Kitsilano storage facility.

I expect years from now, if they turn up in private or public collections, I shall have to make a legal bid to recover the pieces which were some of my finest creations to date at that time.

Over the past couple of years, my “canvasses” tend to be those mixed-media posts that I daily design and publish on my Tattler and Pop Culture web sites.

The medium, after all, allows me to express myself in a myriad of ways that I could never hope to accomplish on a lone canvas.

Indeed, the rich media - and multi-faceted software - has allowed me to project dynamic visual lay-outs that have delighted and entertained the teaming masses cruising to my web pages for the past three years or so.

For a short while, I maintained an online gallery, and may be inspired to take up the task once again once I get cracking in the studio again.

What will materialize on the canvas at that time remains a total mystery to me.

But, when the moment of inspiration arises - watch out - I’ll be painting up a storm that Picasso would be envious of.

Vancouver Art Gallery

(reference to Georgia St. location)

http://www.thetattler.biz

David Duchovny...lands stint in Off-Broadway play!

Twist of lemon with that?

Fans of David Duchovny will be delighted to hear that the "Californication" star has been slated for a stint in an Off-Broadway production of the "The Break of Noon".

But, there is plenty of time to snap up tickets.

The curtain does not go up on the "Neil LaBute" play until playful multi-colored leaves start to flutter to the earth in the fall (October).

Duchovny will tread the boards at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in the "Big apple".

In "Noon", playwright Neil LaBute has woven an intriguing tale about a man named John Smith (Duchovny) who survives an office shooting and undergoes a dramatic spiritual and religious transformation.

At press time, there was no mention of any other actors associated with the project.

http://www.julianayrs.com/

The Task...rivetting first-ever all-Black cast performance @ Castillo Theatre! Heiner Muller play...

In NYC, "The Task" is packing stage-show buffs in @ the Castillo Theatre.

The thought-provoking production unveils the promise of revolution in Jamaica in 1799, according to the producers, which has been buoyed up by a talented theatrical troupe garnering rave reviews since day one.

The well-received piece was written by acclaimed German writer Heiner Muller.

The timeless themes of love, loss and betrayal collide in this rivetting drama.

The production runs through most of February at the Casillo Theatre in downtown Manhattan.

Director Gabrielle L. Kurlander continues to stretch the boundaries of political theatre with this first-ever all-Black-American cast.

Fred Newman's avant-garde songs are a plus, as are Billy Taylor's gospel, R & B classics and rap tunes.

For those interested in thought-provoking, investigative and inspirational theater - "The Task "- is the night of theatre many have been pining for.

Respected  Dancer/choreographer - Desmond Richardson - hailed the extraordinary cast and excitedly gushed about":

 "The Task weaves an interesting tale that pulls the audience into a fantastic web of discovery."

A handful of notables in the show-biz arena have responded with similar accolades.

"The adaption and lyrics by Fred Newman are excellent and accomplished. The music complements Newman's lyric like the best of Weill & Brecht." 
(Woodie King, Jr.)

"Powerful performance! The cast was so talented and message was timely."
(Joan Walrond)

"The acting was energetic and creative interpretation of the play makes me want to read it. Made me think about liberation on many levels.
(Carol Greenland)

"I will highly recommend this play to all my friends."
(Lonza Bufford, Jr.)

THE CASTILLO THEATRE
543 WEST 42ND STREET
(10th & 11th Avenues)
NEW YORK, NY

Box Office: 212-941-1234

TICKETS:  www.castillo.org

Author Heiner Muller

http://www.julianayrs.com

Children of Invention...award-winning film premieres in Manhattan! Screening @ School of Visual Arts Theatre (July 25th).

Talented charismatic film director - Tze Chun - excitedly informed me this morning that his award-winning film (featuring two adorable young Asian children in the two lead roles) is slated to screen in NYC this weekend.

Just this past spring - "Children of Invention" - kicked-off the annual Asian Pacific Film Festival at the Director's Guild of America here on the West Coast in West Hollywood.

By the end of the eclectic festival, the well-crafted entertaining Independent film - garnered down-to-earth Tze Chun (a friend on Facebook now) with top film honors by the Jury Committee (Grand Jury Prize).

Deservedly so!

To scan a review I posted a few weeks ago follow the link:

Post: 05/10/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/05/asian-pacific-film-festivalentertaining_10.html

The preview in Manhattan is under the auspices of the 32nd Annual Asian American International Film Festival and has been singled out as a Centerpiece Presentation.

Tickets are going fast so snap 'em up early!

Date:
July 25th (Saturday)

Time:
7:45 pm

Tickets:
$15.00
(After-party privileges)

www.facebook.com/l/;https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/7417645

Theatre:

School of Visual Arts Theater
333 West 23rd Street (b/t 8th & 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10011

Enjoy!

Director Tze Chun in a creative moment

http://www.julianayrs.com

Tribeca Film Festival...kicks off April 22nd in NYC! Woody Allen premieres...

Wednesday (April 22nd) amid a lot of fanfare, the Tribeca Film Festival kicks off with the glitzy world premiere of Woody Allen's "Whatever Works".



The highly-anticipated comedy is the first film the quirky film director has shot in Manhattan since 2004.



"Whatever Works" was written & directed by Allen and stars character actor Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler), Patricia Clarkson (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), and Ed Begley Jr.(Pineapple Express).



Recently, festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal gushed about how excited she was to launch Allen's new pic at Tribeca.



"I fell in love with New York through Woody Allen’s movies and I am excited we are opening this year’s Festival with Whatever Works."



According to Rosenthal, the stand-out feature is a uniquely funny addition to the celebrated director's body of work.



Allen, the die-hard New Yorker, enthused that it was a lovely idea to show his film in al festival in his own hometown.



"Very exciting," he beamed.



Sony Pictures classics is planning a June 19th release date if you miss the opening.



Tribeca promises to be the entertaining, thought-provoking fest, it has proven to be over the past few years since it first started up.



The roster of projects is far-reaching, too, and includes:

Art Themed Films

Asian Themed Films

ESPN/Tribeca Sports Film Festival Films

Hispanic/Latino Themed Films

Middle Eastern Themed Films

Jewish Themed Films

Music Themed Films

Politically Themed Films

Women Themed Films

Tribeca will close out the festival with "My Life in Ruins" which was directed by Donald Petrie and written by Mike Reiss.



The Fox Searchlight release stars Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, María Ádanez, Sheila Bernette, María Botto, Rachel Dratch, Alexis Georgoulis, Ralph Nossek, Bernice Stegers, and Harland Williams.



Nia Vardalos, the writer and star of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", has turned out a hilarious uplifting comedy about her character's lost kefi (Greek for "mojo"), according to Festival organizers.



Discouraged by her lack of direction in life, she works as a travel guide, leading a rag-tag group of tourists as she tries to show them the beauty of her native Greece while waiting to land her dream job.



Opening their eyes to an exotic foreign land, she too begins to see things in new ways - finding her kefi - and possibly love in the process.



Several of the cast members will attend the special screening to be held at the BMCC TPAC in lower Manhattan on Saturday May 2nd.



The new release is slated for unveiling in Theatres nationwide on June 5, 2009.



Another festival treat will be the screening of an actual work-in-progress which focuses on the high-profile Pop Singer Bon Jovi.



Directed by filmmaker and photographer Phil Griffin and produced by Academy-Award and Emmy-winning producers @radical.media, the documentary was filmed on the road backstage with the band during their 2008 Lost Highway World Tour.



The behind-the-scenes doc also features an up-close and personal glimpse at two sold-out frenzied concerts at Madison Square Gardens which wowed fans at the end of the celebrated tour.



"Throughout the process of working with Bon Jovi, I was amazed at the candor and humility Jon and his band showed me,” said director Phil Griffin.



"The result is not a neatly wrapped up bundle of staged interviews and musical interludes, but rather a series of open and sometimes difficult conversations, explored against a backdrop of music spanning 25 years. It is a film about the peace of Tico, the complexity of Richie, the drive of Jon and the brutal honesty of Dave. It is their willingness to share their stories that gives us what I hope is a very human story - that humanity is what I believe has seen this band stand the test of time."



Festival organizers are wildly enthusiastic about the upcoming screening, too.



"This compelling documentary gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the great rock bands and unveils how they have stayed on top for the past 25 years. Jon has been a stalwart supporter and remarkable friend to our Festival, making it incredibly exciting to premiere the Bon Jovi story at Tribeca," according to a press release.



In addition to movie debuts (and red carpet extravaganzas) there will be a number of panel discussions, including conversations with Spike Lee, Barry Levinson, Steven Soderbergh, Kirby Dick, and Alex Gibney.



Tribeca will also present a much-anticipated line-up of short films.



This year’s Festival shorts are a culmination of works from across the globe, including Cuba, Brazil, Norway, Italy, South Korea and Australia.



The Festival received 2463 short film submissions this year - of which - 46 were selected to be presented in six thematic programs.



The voices behind these works range from first-time to veteran filmmakers that include animators, graphic artists and actors taking the helm behind the camera. Collectively, through captivating narratives and gripping documentaries, they tell stories about life’s lessons drawn from dreams, desires and the coming-of-age experience.



"The films in this year’s program represent a strong showcase in the craft of short filmmaking. It's exciting that as digital content platforms continue to emerge, short films are accessible to, and being watched by an increasingly larger audience.” said Maggie Kim, Tribeca Film Festival shorts programmer.



Among the highlights is a short narrative written and directed by Tom Everett Scott, as well as a documentary narrated by Richard Gere.

Directors making return visits to the Festival include Jason DaSilva, Brian Durnin, PaulaGaitan, Ken Jacobs, and Mark Street.



Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan through an annual celebration of film, music and culture.



The Festival’s mission is to assist filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, while enabling the international film community and the general public, the opportunity to experience the power of cinema (and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center).



The popular annual festival works under the auspices of Tribeca Enterprises, a diversified multi-platform media company, located in downtown New York City.



The company currently operates a network of branded entertainment businesses including the Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca Cinemas.



The Company's mission is to provide artists with unique platforms to expand the audience for their works and to broaden the access point for consumers to experience independent film and media.



Since its founding, the Festival has attracted over two million attendees from the US and abroad and has generated more than $425 million in economic activity for New York City.

Info: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org

Info: 1-212-941-2400

http://www.julianayrs.com

ASPEN SANTE FE BALLET...triumphantly returns to The Joyce Theatre! NYC performances slated Feb. 17th - 22nd...

The Nationally-acclaimed Aspen Sante Fe Ballet returns to The Joyce with three New York City premieres.

For the past ten years or so, the Ballet company has wowed audiences with their impressive signature style - and I might add - garnered glowing reviews from tough critics near and far.

This eclectic and innovative dance troupe will return to the NYC and perform what is being touted by the company as a sophisticated program featuring some of the world's foremost choreographers in the exciting arena of Ballet today.

The likes of William Forsythe, Jorma Elo, Itzik Galili, and Helen Pickett are sure to delight, in fact!

Sid Smith of the Chicago Tribune raved:

"The Aspen Sante Fe Ballet is small in size and young in years, but its lustrous Chicago debut proved its big and deserves everlasting life."

"It's a class act, a classic act, and an extraordinary engaging act; it's the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet," exalted Clive Barnes at the New York Post.


Tickets: http://www.joyce.org

http://www.julianayrs.com

Lou Reed...orange leather in dead of winter!

This past week when I happened across a couple of clips on Lou Reed (who has been in concert lately on the cirucit) I recalled an off-beat encounter many years ago in New York City

A friend of mine - Roberta - used to reside at Sutton Place with her husband (an ad agency man) back in the seventies - and was an acquaintance of Lou in some capacity.

If I recall correctly, Roberta and I met at Max's Kansas City, a hot little "in" spot in the Village where the celebrity clientele used to throw chick peas at each other.

I was on an apartment search, and the party girl of the hour, gracously invited me to stay with her family for a few days until I got situated.

Roberta was pretty and petite and a former model.

I think her hubbie was pleased that we became friends because he felt I was a good influence on her.

While he was busy at work hours on end, Roberta - social butterfly extraordaire - was out mixing and mingling with the trendy jet-set.

She loved to shop at Bloomies (Bloomingdales).

In fact, if I am not mistaken, Roberta was the one who first introduced me to the rarefied air of the prestigious department store all the rage in NYC.

Her eclectic circle of friends consisted of fashion models, musicians, and groupies.

One evening, we were all lolling around the spacious living-room chatting each other up, when Roberta announced that Lou Reed was stopping in to - as a friend in Canada would charmingly put it - say boo.

Being the star-struck kid that I was in those days, my jaw dropped!

If you lived in the "Big Apple", chances are you caught a glimpse of wild man Reed, dashing about the dynamic city core.

But now, he was going to be a party guest in the same tony enclave as me!

After what seemed to be an agonizing wait, the buzzer rang at the door.

When Roberta strolled over to answer, the well-heeled doorman below simply uttered up two words.

"It's him."

In a few tantalizing moments, Lou Reed was striding through the beautifully-crafted door - with guitar in hand - dressed head-to-toe in an eye-popping orange leather outfit.

It was a startling knock-out image to drink in - especially when you consider that in the dead of winter without a month or two of sun - Lou's face was pale with a slight green tinge to it.

Just like the rest of us, uh huh.

Surprisingly, he was quite the down-to-earth dude!

At one point in the conversation, he whipped out his guitar and strummed it a bit.

When I noted I was pursuing a singing career - within minutes - Lou dragged me into a rock n' roll version of "Some Where Over the Rainbow".

Shortly after, he departed to meet a couple of social obligations 'round town.

Sadly, that was the last I saw of him.



"Walk on the Wild Side" (penned a short while later) included a lyric about a friend of mine - Andy Warhol star - Jackie Curtis.

In that tune, if you recall, Lou sang:

"Jackie was just speeding away."

Yes, Jackie thought she was James Dean for a day.

And, Little Joe?

Nope. Never once gave it away.

I wondered if our little encounter ever inspired him to write a line or two about me?

Naw!

Favorite Lou Reed tune?

Satellite of Love!

Perfect Day (which I hope to record one day) is a close second!

Lou, if you catch this little tribute, howdy!


3 Stooges - David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed...

Jobriath...Glam Rock star! Memories of paths that mysteriously crossed!

After a tough day of blogging, I slipped into Starbucks for a short Misto.

"Lots of foam," please I teased the cute young staffer, as I flopped into a big easy chair.

A screenwriter - just an acquaintance - sat with his head buried in his Mac as he struggled over turns-of-phrases and plotlines that obviously zig-zagged this way 'n that.

No fun, at all!

I snatched up the latest copy of Frontiers and came across an interesting newsbite.

In the music section, a reviewer was reporting on a Jobriath release.

"Creatures of the Street"

Ah, my head was flooded with foggy memories from the yesteryear.

The glam rocker was signed with Electra Records in the early seventies.

Through a contact (a roadie with a top band) - I was invited to Provincetown to meet with Jobriath (Boone) who was in search of a couple of singers and dancers to round out his upcoming stage show.

Of course, everyone in the "Big Apple" was familiar with the curious pop star, who was being promoted to the hilt.

There were huge billboards screaming from the rooftops - featuring him in an eerie pose with closely-cropped hair (unusual for the era) - and attired head-to-toe in what appeared to be a form-fitting stretch body stocking.

Was this the androgynous male of the future?

The reviewer at the little gay rag referred to Jobriath as the first "openly-gay" musical act signed on a major label.

Well, in retrospect, that may have been true.

When I crossed paths with Jobriath - his private gay life was firmly entrenched in the closet - except for his stage persona which was flamboyant and somewhat reminiscent of that being projected at the time by scintillating David Bowie.

I vaguely recall one television appearance where Jobriath strode out on stage in an other-worldly outfit - which smacked of a space suit - with shades of Ziggy Stardust written all over it.

In one bizarre unexpected moment - as all eyes stared his way in total disbelief - a helmet-style contraption crowning his head popped open - and petal-like leaves fell in unison to the lower reaches of his strangely beautiful neck.

At the Provincetown cottage he was renting for the summer, I sat in on a couple of the music rehearsals, to get an ear for the futuristic sound.

But, truly, Jobriath and I were worlds apart.

He sat there poised and aloof in a far-off world of his own.

In my long shaggy locks - a-la-Peter Frampton - I was an echo from the past.

We eyed each other suspicously as we staked out our territory for the night ahead.

Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable experience.

Jobriath appeared to be attracted to me - but for some inexplicable reason - the performer found it difficult to reach out and communicate on any significant level.

On the one Saturday Night I was a guest of Jobriath - the band and the singer and I - all trekked off to a local bar in town for a cocktail or two.

When Jobriath stepped into the down-to-earth unassuming watering hole, the patrons reacted like an alien had just alighted in the breezy little piano bar.

He offered to buy me a cocktail, but I declined.

It went downhill from there!

I came away from the experience - a bit envious of the fact that his mentor was tossing oodles of money his way - to promote his career.

In spite of it, his new release couldn't get off the ground.

Unfortunately, his "timing" was off.

The reviewer labeled the album an "adventurous experiment".

And, thought it sad that Jobriath's fantastic potential was never realized.

If anything, Jobriath thought of himself - in my estimation - as a genius who would rock the music world.

Unfortunately, life didn't pan out that way.

Intriguing tale, isn't it?

Studio 54...Fame! Debauchery! Drugs!

Years ago, I packed up a small suitcase and headed off to New York, to pursue the elusive dream of becoming a stage actor.



As I jetted my way to NYC, a couple of passengers - aware that it was my first trip to the Big Apple - gave me the low-down on the ins-and-outs of the mean streets there.



Of course, they raved, I must saunter over to Studio 54!



The chic, bitchy couple excitedly gushed that it was the "in" place to be, provided passage was granted into the exalted confines of the trendy disco within.



Apparently, the stumbling block was a uneasily-bought doorman - with a keen eye - who gave potential party-goers a once over before making a snap decision as to whether to lift the red-tassled rope at the entrance to the club to admit.



How do I wangle my way in, then, I queried them?



"Just use a little psychology," they instructed. And, "you'll be in like Flynn", they mused.



For instance, they cautioned that I should not mince up to the line with a questioning look on my face, wondering if I'd get in.



"Act like you belong, there. That's the key," they noted, matter-of-fact.



So, after I was settled into my Hotel digs in a less-than ritzy part of town, I donned my most expensive knock-out ensemble - white linen slacks, silk shirt, and creme-colored sport jacket topped off with a white fedora slightly cocked to one side of my head - and headed off to meet my destiny.



I took the subway uptown - yeah, until I got situated - a budget was key.



But, at Times Square, I pulled a switcheroo.



Desperate times called for desperate measures, after all.



I hailed a cab, then gave instructions to the driver to cruise to a stop at the entrance to exclusive, Studio 54.



"Yes, sir," he responded curtly.



The chic watering hole ceremoniously opened at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan in the early seventies.



As the hired car cruised up in front of the old theatre, which housed the popular night spot, I couldn't help but wince at the long line snaking on down the street.



From behind frosted glass, I spied about thirty lookie-looks - amid elegant faces of the trendy set - chomping at the bit to catch the doorman's discerning eye.



As I alighted from the cab, and steered my way toward the fray, I heard a strong masculine voice call out - "let that man through".



The bystanders parted like the great sea, as I strolled up to the gated area, with a swagger theretofore unbeknownst to me!



The doorman gave a little bow, released the gold-tipped cord, and let me pass.



"Tabernacle", a French-Canadian part-of-me uttered, as my heart leapt out of my chest.



On the exterior Club 54 was pretty serene and cool.



Inside, however, a frenetic beat stirred up an emotional storm; after all, a nightly primal ritual was underway.



Suddenly - I was thrust amid a host of effervescent gyrating fashionistas, half-naked men, and elegant sophisticated ladies (all tarted up) thriving on an adrenalin rush.



Was that Halston in the corner sipping on cocktail?









At the bar, I spied Grace Jones - all in black - eyeing me mysteriously from behind a thin black veil that sheathed her face and dipped down below her elegant chin.







Studio 54 was operated by the flamboyant - publicly visible Rubell - and a retiring silent partner. During the club's heyday, Rubell became widely known for hand selecting guests from the madding crowds outside and was prone to mix the delicious beautiful "nobodies" with glamorous celebrities in the same venue.



The illustrious manager was nowhere in sight on this occasion, but bound to put in a perfunctory appearance, yet.



As celebrated Jester of the day, he was inclined to hold court, wasn't he?



The theatre, itself, had quite a history.



Studio 54 originated as the Gallo Opera House in 1927, then later became known as the New Yorker Theatre in 1930, the Casino de Paris in 1933, the Palladium Theatre in 1936 and the Federal Music Theatre in 1937.



In 1937, the name was changed back to the New Yorker Theatre - until CBS purchased the facility in the 1950s - when the hot spot was summarily renamed Studio 52.



From the 1950s to the mid-1970s, CBS used the location as a radio and TV stage that aired the shows "Password", "To Tell the Truth", and "The Jack Benny Show" respectively.



The soap opera - "Love of Life" - was produced there until 1975.



In 1976, CBS concentrated most of its New York TV Broadcasts at the Ed Sullivan Theater (Studio 50) further west at the CBS Broadcast Center; so, Studio 52 was sold.



The Ed Sullivan Theater once had a pathway to Studio 54 through an access door which was summarily cinder-blocked during the Theater's David Letterman renovation days.



The building was purchased and renamed for its street address at 254 West 54th Street situated between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. The prominent location was highly visible due to other tenants in the building - two famed disco record labels - West End Records and Scepter.



Carmen D'Alessio, a former PR Agent, was initially retained by model - Uva Harden - to promote the club.



Later, D'Allessio nabbed nightclub owners Rubell & Schrager to head up the disco. Their own club - The Enchanted Garden - had met with considerable success, so they were sure-fire candidates to head up Studio 54.



D'Allessio was uniquely connected in the fashion, music and film scenes, and often hobnobbed with "A" list jet setters, movers and shakers, and celebrities throughout the free-world.



So, Rubell & Shrager gave D'Alessio much of the control for the design and promotion of the club.



For the opening, D'Alessio sent out 5,000 invitations to her very "closest friends", luring each one to the much-anticipated opening with the promise of enticing surprise gifts for those who attended.



Liz Smith, Cindy Adams and other New York gossip columnists reported on the much-ballyhooed opening - at which point, Studio 54 (the most notorious nightclub in history) was born.



At the glitzy, star-studded premier - Bianca Jagger, Brooke Shields, Cher, Margaux Hemingway, and Donald Trump - put in high-profile appearances.



Excited hordes outside scrambled to gain entry but only the lucky ones with connections, a dazzling outfit, or gorgeous face, made the cut.



Imagine that - Mick Jagger and Frank Sinatra - were turned away at the door!



I guess Mick was on-the-outs with Bianca on that occasion!





Shortly after the opening, D'Alessio hosted a birthday party for Bianca Jagger.



Jagger entered on a white horse and the resulting publicity firmly established Studio 54 as the preferred nightclub for New York celebrities including the likes of Halston, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Truman Capote, Elizabeth Taylor, and Andy Warhol.



Unfortunately, the merry-making would not last forever; after all, there was a scandal brewing in the wings over rumors that scads of cash was allegedly stashed away at the club, complicated by gossip that door receipts were going unreported, illicit drugs were on the premises, and that the owners were bona fide tax evaders.



At the height of the hysteria, Federal agents grabbed Ian Schrager at the disco one morning, and found almost a million dollars hidden in the walls of the premises.



When Steve Rubell was stopped in his Mercedes, another hundred thousand dollars was found stashed in the trunk.



The raid was the story of the decade.



Although the FBI telephoned Andy Warhol as a potential witness (his staff slyly alleged he was out of the office) he escaped the long arm of the law.



Even still, he was unscathed.



In response to the drama, Warhol was alleged to have said,



"All scandals help business because there's no publicity like bad publicity."



In fact, his first reaction was to put Steve on the cover of Interview Magazine!



Indeed, Mr. Rubell was rushed into an elegant tux, photographed, and plastered on the February 1979 cover.



As the Studio 54 scandal hit the front pages of major dailies across the world, Steve Rubell was already cleverly conjuring up a defense.



For instance, he blabbed to everyone within earshot that the White House's "Chief of staff" - Hamilton Jordan - pestered him for cocaine on more than one occasion at Studio 54.



Warhol's response?



"I don't think Steve is a nice person."



Well, to Law Enforcement, he was a criminal - that's for sure.



He was charged, and booked, and served time over the whole fiasco.



Ah, but the memories!