E-mail
Print
France fetes Eastwood
President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded U.S. actor and director Clint Eastwood one of France's top honors on Friday, hailing him as a cinema legend and a symbol of the type of America that the French adored.
It is unusual for a foreigner to be elevated to the rank of commander of the French Legion of Honor but Eastwood, who went from playing tough-guy roles like Dirty Harry to directing highly praised films, said he saw France as his second home.
"My wife chastised me, saying if that was true why don't I speak French," he told friends and officials gathered at the Elysee Palace for the ceremony, promising to take lessons.
"As a commander of the arts and letters, I think I will go out on the streets of France today and throw my weight around," said Eastwood, 79, who recently finished making the thriller "Hereafter" in France.
-- reuters Mullen memorial at the Echoplex
A memorial service and wake for Masque founder Brendan Mullen, who died at age 60 on Oct. 12 after suffering a stroke, will be held Sunday at the Echoplex in Echo Park.
Mullen was one of Los Angeles' early champions of punk rock, and when he opened the Masque in Hollywood in 1977, the disjointed punk community found a focal point. It provided a forum for bands such as the Nerves, the Germs and X, and also was the flash point for countless fans who went on to form their own bands. After the Masque closed, Mullen continued with adventurous bookings of music, theater and other events at Club Lingerie and other venues.
The site for the memorial and wake was chosen because "the Echoplex is where Brendan booked his last show, a reunion of Masque bands to celebrate the publication of his book 'Live at the Masque: Nightmare in Punk Alley,' " said his longtime partner Kateri Butler, who was celebrating Mullen's 60th birthday with him on a trip through Ventura County when he had the stroke that took his life.
Doors will open at 4 p.m., the memorial begins at 5 p.m. and the wake will follow. The Echoplex is at 1154 Glendale Blvd. in Echo Park.
"The memorial is open to everyone who would like to pay his or her respects to Brendan," Butler said. "I hope I have reached all of Brendan's friends, but it's certainly possible I may have missed some folks . . . Also, musicians: Anyone who wants to jam unplugged during the wake is welcome to do so. We will have Brendan's drum kit there."
-- Randy Lewis It's really just all about them
A public feud between Broadway stars Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein turns out to have been a publicity hoax surrounding their costarring roles in a new production of "All About Me," Variety reports.
The trade reports that it will be produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Robert G. Bartner and Ambassador Theatre Group, with previews slated to start March 6 before opening March 23.
The pair had been issuing combative press releases about each another ostensibly over the coincidence of their plans to put on shows with similar titles: Dame Edna's "It's All About Me" and Feinstein's "All About Me." The joint production will be directed by Jerry Zaks with a script by Christopher Durang.
Claremont gives local arts a boost
The Claremont City Council has given the financially troubled Claremont Museum of Art a grant of $18,879 to keep its doors open through the end of the year. The museum recently laid off its full-time staff after three expected donations failed to materialize, but the galleries have remained open.
A plan to raise funds and operate the institution at a reduced cost is in the works.
-- Suzanne Muchnic Another go for Alan Cumming
Forget sexy. Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming is bringing cabaret back.
Following its initial sold-out run a couple of months ago, "Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today" returns to the Geffen Playhouse for eight shows Dec. 13-18. Tickets are on sale now through the Geffen box office.
In the one-man show, the Scottish actor-singer unveils a naughty evening. Backed by a five-piece band, Cumming unleashes his comical spiel on just about everything, from gay marriage to ex-lovers. His visceral banter is balanced by his performance of kooky and mainstream songs.
In The Times' review of the show at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where it played in late September before coming to the Geffen, Charlotte Stoudt wrote: " 'Blue Car' affirms that Cumming is a born performer, delighted by his showbiz life and eager to share its juicy details."
The show's title comes from a sentence the performer had to write for his naturalization test to become a U.S. citizen.
-- Yvonne Villarreal Finally
Book signing: Rock music photographer Neil Zlozower will sign his new book, "Six-String Heroes," on Dec. 5 at Mr. Musichead Gallery in Hollywood.
President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded U.S. actor and director Clint Eastwood one of France's top honors on Friday, hailing him as a cinema legend and a symbol of the type of America that the French adored.
It is unusual for a foreigner to be elevated to the rank of commander of the French Legion of Honor but Eastwood, who went from playing tough-guy roles like Dirty Harry to directing highly praised films, said he saw France as his second home.
"My wife chastised me, saying if that was true why don't I speak French," he told friends and officials gathered at the Elysee Palace for the ceremony, promising to take lessons.
"As a commander of the arts and letters, I think I will go out on the streets of France today and throw my weight around," said Eastwood, 79, who recently finished making the thriller "Hereafter" in France.
-- reuters Mullen memorial at the Echoplex
A memorial service and wake for Masque founder Brendan Mullen, who died at age 60 on Oct. 12 after suffering a stroke, will be held Sunday at the Echoplex in Echo Park.
Mullen was one of Los Angeles' early champions of punk rock, and when he opened the Masque in Hollywood in 1977, the disjointed punk community found a focal point. It provided a forum for bands such as the Nerves, the Germs and X, and also was the flash point for countless fans who went on to form their own bands. After the Masque closed, Mullen continued with adventurous bookings of music, theater and other events at Club Lingerie and other venues.
The site for the memorial and wake was chosen because "the Echoplex is where Brendan booked his last show, a reunion of Masque bands to celebrate the publication of his book 'Live at the Masque: Nightmare in Punk Alley,' " said his longtime partner Kateri Butler, who was celebrating Mullen's 60th birthday with him on a trip through Ventura County when he had the stroke that took his life.
Doors will open at 4 p.m., the memorial begins at 5 p.m. and the wake will follow. The Echoplex is at 1154 Glendale Blvd. in Echo Park.
"The memorial is open to everyone who would like to pay his or her respects to Brendan," Butler said. "I hope I have reached all of Brendan's friends, but it's certainly possible I may have missed some folks . . . Also, musicians: Anyone who wants to jam unplugged during the wake is welcome to do so. We will have Brendan's drum kit there."
-- Randy Lewis It's really just all about them
A public feud between Broadway stars Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein turns out to have been a publicity hoax surrounding their costarring roles in a new production of "All About Me," Variety reports.
The trade reports that it will be produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Robert G. Bartner and Ambassador Theatre Group, with previews slated to start March 6 before opening March 23.
The pair had been issuing combative press releases about each another ostensibly over the coincidence of their plans to put on shows with similar titles: Dame Edna's "It's All About Me" and Feinstein's "All About Me." The joint production will be directed by Jerry Zaks with a script by Christopher Durang.
Claremont gives local arts a boost
The Claremont City Council has given the financially troubled Claremont Museum of Art a grant of $18,879 to keep its doors open through the end of the year. The museum recently laid off its full-time staff after three expected donations failed to materialize, but the galleries have remained open.
A plan to raise funds and operate the institution at a reduced cost is in the works.
-- Suzanne Muchnic Another go for Alan Cumming
Forget sexy. Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming is bringing cabaret back.
Following its initial sold-out run a couple of months ago, "Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today" returns to the Geffen Playhouse for eight shows Dec. 13-18. Tickets are on sale now through the Geffen box office.
In the one-man show, the Scottish actor-singer unveils a naughty evening. Backed by a five-piece band, Cumming unleashes his comical spiel on just about everything, from gay marriage to ex-lovers. His visceral banter is balanced by his performance of kooky and mainstream songs.
In The Times' review of the show at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where it played in late September before coming to the Geffen, Charlotte Stoudt wrote: " 'Blue Car' affirms that Cumming is a born performer, delighted by his showbiz life and eager to share its juicy details."
The show's title comes from a sentence the performer had to write for his naturalization test to become a U.S. citizen.
-- Yvonne Villarreal Finally
Book signing: Rock music photographer Neil Zlozower will sign his new book, "Six-String Heroes," on Dec. 5 at Mr. Musichead Gallery in Hollywood.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
