Castillo Theatre...Coming of Age in Korea! Mingle with dancer Desmond Richardson at pre-show receptions...

The producers of "Coming of Age in Korea" invite theatre-goers to two pre-show receptions over the upcoming weekend.

The first party mixer is slated for Friday January 30th (6:30 p.m.) one hour prior to curtain.

The second soiree will be tossed on Sunday Feb. 1st @ 1:00 p.m.

The play - in a nutshell - focuses on three young GIs from New York City (one Latino, one Black and one Jewish) who confront the harassment of brass, racism in the military, and the brutality of the United States occupation of South Korea at the tale end of the War.

"Coming of Age" features music by Fred Newman and celebrated Grammy-nominated composer Annie Roboff.

According to the director, the score takes the audience on a journey through the "coming of age" of American popular music — the blues, swing, doo-wop, rock - and country.

This production is directed by Garbrielle L. Kurlander (CEO of All Stars Project) and partnered with renowned dancer and choreographer Desmond Richardson (co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet).

Tickets: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/79512

Castillo Performs the World

Since 1983, Castillo has staged over 130 productions - from multi-cultural and avant-garde plays - to musicals and performance projects.

Located at the All Stars Project's performing arts and learning center on West 42nd Street, the Castillo Theatre brings challenging, thought-provoking entertainment to the heart of New York's theatre district which deal with contemporary and historical social issues.

A showplace for the plays of Fred Newman and Heiner Müller, a multicultural home for Black theatre, and a hotbed of theatrical improvisation.

Castillo includes people of all ages and backgrounds in the creative process - from raising and contributing money - to being a part of the house staff or performing on stage.

Castillo works and plays side-by-side with the developmental youth programs of the All Stars Project, which bring theatre to the whole city.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Jerry Lewis...Oscars honor comic with prestigious Jean Hersholt Award!

The Academy of Motions Arts & Sciences has announced that Jerry Lewis will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Board of Governors to be presented at the Oscar celebration on February 22nd (2009).

In France, Jerry Lewis is hailed as a great comic, much like "The Little Tramp" - Charlie Chaplin - has been on these shores.

You know what they say.

A man is never recognized as a prophet in his own country!

Film buffs may recall that Jerry Lewis was a comic genius who teamed up with "straight" man Dean Martin back in the fifties.

The odd bedfellows became the hottest act in show business by virtue of a handful of screwball comedies that entertained an American public hungry for their brand of whimsical low-brow slapstick humor.

At the commencement of their respective careers, Abby Greshler - a high-powered Hollywood agent - negotiated one of Hollywood's best deals during that time frame in the burgeoning show business marketplace.

Although the duo managed to pull in $75,000 between them for films slated for production with Hal Wallis, Jerry and Dean were free to do one outside film a year, which they would co-produce through their own production company.

The Lewis/Martin business entity had complete control of club, record, and radio and television appearances which racked in millions of dollars during their successful union.

To the delight of television audiences, the comics also made regular appearances on the highly-rated Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC).

Unfortunately, artistic differences (and a grab for power) caused a split.

The ugly scenario was not unlike a nasty no-holds-barred divorce proceeding - which played out in the media at great cost - particularly in respect to the names and reputations of the two artists involved.

On the heels of the break-up, Dean later experienced success as an actor in such noteworthy films as Rio Bravo, The Rat Pack, and The Young Lions.

In recent years, Mr. Lewis was loudly applauded for a serious role he played opposite actors Robert DeNiro and Sandra Bernhardt in Scorsese's "The King of Comedy".

For a couple of decades now, Jerry has been the host of a weekend telethon each September for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which raises funds for a project that is close to his heart.

The Jean Hersholt Award is given periodically to an individual in the film business whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.

"Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world, but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy," President Sid Ganis noted proudly.

Previous honorees have been Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Quincy Jones, and Danny Kaye.

The prestigious award is named after Jean Hersholt who served as President of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.

Jerry Lewis quote:

"I've had great success being a total idiot."

http://www.julianayrs.com

George Bush...Ken Salazar to review 11th hour purge on environment!

Gray Wolf needs protection

When the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Republican Administration's request to open up a wild-life preserve for oil and gas exploration, George Bush jumped into the frey and began an 11th hour purge on the environment.

I reported on Bush's last ditch attempt to shore up leases for his cronies in the energy industry - and essentially - stick it to the American people.

Post: 11/21/08

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3458481441884861780&postID=6299630567232075


The Interior Agency Secretary - Ken Salazar - announced on Tuesday the new administration will be reviewing a number of the 11th hour decisions approved by George W. Bush in the final hours of his Presidency.

In particular, the focus will be on a move to open Federal land near National Parks to oil and natural gas drilling.

In addition to the oil and gas issues raised in respect to arid areas where water is required to extract oil from rock - Salazar promised to take a second look at the process for resumption of oil exploration in coastal areas and several directives Bush approved in respect to the Endangered Species Act.

"I'm very concerned about a number of the midnight actions that were taken by the Bush Administration. We barely have moved in, but we already know enough to know that there are many issues we need to revisit," Salazar lamented to the press.

Mr. Salazar has expressed his desire to reinstate a rule that requires Federal Agencies to consult with scientists in specialized fields before approving projects that could adversely affect or endanger threatened plants and animals.

Environmentalists have urged swift action, but there are many considerations which hinder the process of restoring much-needed protection of the environment.

Lobbyists, for example, have warned that tossing out some of the changes made by the Bush administration may slow down domestic energy development - and likewise - put a hold on energy independence goals already promised by Mr. Obama.

Scandals that have ripped apart the agency in recent days haven't helped matters.

Government investigators determined in their probe that Interior Staff manipulated endangered species decisions to advance political agendas, for instance.

In addition, tawdry accounts of cocaine use and the unsavory practice of sex and graft for favors, surfaced.

Salazar noted that he planned to fly to Denver to have commence meaningful talks with the Minerals Management Staff to instill in the government employees there the need for the "highest expectations for integrity and ethics from the secretary down to each of the agencies".

http://www.julianayrs.com

Kirsten E. Gillibrand...photo of chat with Hillary curious! Oh, to be a fly on wall!

Ha!

That photograph of Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Hillary Clinton - the newly-crowned Secretary of State - on the front section of yesterday's New York Times was a titillating sight!

Those photogs were right on the ball, weren't they?

Now there was a moment captured on film worth a thousand words.

The expression on both their faces, well, very intriguing.

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall when that little bit of chit-chat went down.

Were they comparing notes, do 'ya think?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

The View...Blagojevich wearing a rug?

When embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich appeared on a gab fest (The View) yesterday - to plead his case on the heels of a call for his impeachment - one of the ball*y dames jockeying for the limelight couldn't resist mussing up the politician's lustrous locks.

Contrary to what most viewers thought, though, Joy Behar was not hot-to-trot.

On the contrary!

Spies report that after she ran her fingers through Blagojevich's "do", she made a flippant quip behind his back.

"It's not a rug!"

Blagojevich is riding high in a swirl of controversy since his arrest last month on Federal corruption charges which allege that the colorful public figure tried to sell Obama's former Senate seat to the highest bidder.

In spite of the seriousness of impeachment hearings currently underway, the Governor chose not to appear before the Senate to defend his actions in a legal proceeding he has essentially labelled a "Kangaroo Court."

Notwithstanding, Blagojevich appears to have seen the writing on the wall, though.

When asked about his future in the wake of the scandal, he was inclined to wax politically.

"Well, I think it's not very promising right now."

Do 'ya think?

David Brin once said:

"It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Panera Bread...free coffee & samples Wednesday January 28th!

To celebrate the introduction of a couple of spanking new coffee blends, Panera Bread is inviting customers to sample a free cup of coffee throughout business hours at one of their many locations on Wednesday (January 28th).

Those who saunter in for a cup of java, may also snack - for free - on miniature samples of three new grilled breakfast sandwiches and mouth-watering strawberry parfaits.

Panera has outlets in Northridge, Studio City, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Westwood...sculpture imprisoned! Art-lovers kept at bay...

Pablo Picasso sculpture

In a small park in Westwood - just next to the Federal Building - an enticing piece of sculpture beckoned me from afar.

Being a great fan of art in-the-round outdoors, blended in with the natural environment, I strolled over to explore the artist's rendering up-close and personal.

As I drew closer, I was taken aback when I spied a chain-link fence haphazardly erected around the circumference of it.

Odd, that!

A plaque bore an inscription, so I inched closer to peruse it, in the event there was a clue or two as to why the work of art appeared to be out-of-bounds to the art-loving public.

The message was somewhat ironic!

It read:

"Touch and Experience"

Was this some wacko's idea of a sick joke?

Or, just maybe, this was one of Yoko Ono's mind-fu** conceptual art pieces?

In the alternative - just maybe - I was a surprise guest on candid camera and my reactions were being filmed for a side-splitting episode on the subject of modern art!

In that event, I expect I was supposed to play along, climb over the barrier, and touch away.

Get all orgasmic over the enlightening cultural "experience"?

I waited a beat or two, but no camera crew scrambled out from behind the trees or from within any of the roomy SUV's parked on the street nearby.

All in all, it ended up being a rather hollow experience.

Kind of like viewing a Takashi Murakami flat painting!

Henry Moore sculpture

http://www.julianayrs.com