NYC: T Oliver Reid opens tonight at Feinsteins
My fab friend, T. Oliver Reid, who has appeared in more Broadway shows than I can count, a 2012 MAC award recipient for Best Debut-male and the 2011 Julie Wilson award, will open tonight at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue in NYC. Additional performances will be on Sunday December 2, Monday December 3 and Sunday December 9, 2012. All performances will be at 10:30 PM.
Reid’s new show, “Drop Me Off In Harlem”is an evening of club-hopping to the music of Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington and Andy Raza through the elegant nightclubs and working class speakeasies that made uptown gay and delightful, however dull and depressing downtown Manhattan could be.
Stephen Holden of The New York Times (THE NEW YORK TIMES people!) said of Reid, “the wistfulness of his tone and the smoothness of his delivery are all his own… a soulful crooner with resemblances to the young Bobby Short”
T. Oliver’s Broadway shows include some of the Great White Way’s biggest, splashiest hit musicals: “Kiss Me Kate”, “Chicago”, “Follies,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Never Gonna Dance”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “The Wedding Singer”, “Damn Yankees”, “Mary Poppins”, “Sister Act” and the upcoming “Cotton Club Parade”.
The music charge for the show is $20 with a one drink minimum.
For reservations, please call 212-339-4095.
For more information or the order online, visit www.feinsteinsattheregency.com. Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue @ 61st Street, New York, NY 10021
Novak Djokovic strips down for female fans at exhibition match
Accidental Bear points up this one minute video where world class tennis player Novak Djokovic goes shirtless to give some female fans a treat in Brazil.
College student pranks class with semester-long hispanic accent
In his public-speaking class at Los Angeles City College, Jose Barrientos has spoken in front of his classmates in a Mexican accent about his idol, actor David Hasselhoff, and the history of Cinco de Mayo.
But in the final speech of the semester last week, Barrientos, 26, an aspiring comedian, ditched the intonation he had been using since August to reveal that he had pulled a prank on all of them.
The Army veteran switched to his normal accent-less English during his persuasive speech. His classmates and his professor were stunned.
His professor seemed to think that was just fine. Barrientos said he got his final grade back in the class Tuesday, and earned a 700 out of 700 for the course.
“My professor pulled me aside, looked me in the eye, and said, ‘Well done,’ and sort of walked away,” he said.
After the big reveal, Barrientos posted a video on YouTube that documented his speeches throughout the semester, as well as his classmates’ reactions after his final speech. The video has garnered more than 1.5 million hits since it was posted a week ago.
Follow Jose at www.facebook.com/JoseIsFunny
Alabama: Mallory Owens says her beating was not a hate crime
Mallory Owens, the Mobile, Alabama woman beaten on Thanksgiving by her girlfriend’s brother, is speaking out about the attack and says that it was not a hate crime, allegations her own family has been making since the assault, WKRG reports:
Mallory’s family told News 5 on Monday that she was beaten by her girlfriend’s brother for being gay. Mallory doesn’t remember much from that night, but says being gay is not the reason she was attacked.
“A lot of things have happened between us, but it doesn’t make me hate her brother,” said Owens. “I don’t hate her family at all, or anybody for that matter.”
Her girlfriend Ally Hawkins is by her side. She says her brother’s actions are not justified, but he had his own reasons for the attack. They are reasons that will be released when the time is right.
“It’s not a hate crime at all,” said Ally Hawkins. “We both know the reason why this happened, and it doesn’t make any excuses for him, I’m not defending him at all. I know why he was angry, and that will come out.”
Mallory is now staying at the house where the attack happened.
Student strips in front of fundamentalist preacher to shut him down
Apparently this video has been around for a while but is just now getting attention.
Let’s just say – I’m hitting the “Like” button.
At the University of Central Florida free speech lawn, a Baptist preacher (Micah Armstrong) talks about the sins of sexuality.
In response, one student (Austin Cooper) strips in front of him.
Austin for the win.
St. Louis County Council passes LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance
The St. Louis County Council has passed LGBT non-discrimination protections:
An overflow crowd of more than 250 people spilled out of the council chambers in Clayton; 92 of them signed up to address the council, and most took advantage of that opportunity in a public comments segment that lasted more than two hours.
And as could be expected on an issue that involved religion and civil rights, most of them spoke fervently.
The ordinance adds protections for people in employment, housing and public accommodations in unincorporated areas, regardless of their sexual orientation. It also expands protections on the basis of gender and disability.
The bill passed 4-3 and includes exemptions for religious organizations.
From the passage of marriage equality in three more states (Maryland, Maine, Washington) by popular vote in the recent election, to the re-election of the most gay-friendly President we’ve ever had, to the election of the first openly lesbian US Senator (Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin) to the possible repeal of Prop 8 after tomorrow’s news from SCOTUS, this has the potential to be the best month ever for LGBT rights and people.
Angus T. Jones of TWO AND A HALF MEN apologizes for slamming the hand that feeds him
Angus T. Jones, of the TV show TWO AND A HALF MEN, issued an apology a day after slamming the show that pays him handsomely. Here’s the text of the apology:
“I have been the subject of much discussion, speculation and commentary over the past 24 hours. While I cannot address everything that has been said or right every misstatement or misunderstanding, there is one thing I want to make clear.
“Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and Half Men with whom I have worked and over the past 10 years who have become an extension of my family.
“Chuck Lorre, Peter Roth and many others at Warner Bros. and CBS are responsible for what has been one of the most significant experiences in my life to date. I thank them for the opportunity they have given and continue to give me and the help and guidance I have and expect to continue to receive from them.
“I also want all of the crew and cast on our show to know how much I personally care for them and appreciate their support, guidance and love over the years. I grew up around them and know that the time they spent with me was in many instances more than with their own families. I learned life lessons from so many of them and will never forget how much positive impact they have had on my life.
“I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed. I never intended that.”
Take that for what it’s worth.
Mr. Jones makes $350,000 an episode and his original statement slamming the show was eye-raising at the very least. Here is the original statement:
“A lot of people don’t like to think about how deceptive the enemy is,” said Jones. “There’s no playing around when it comes to eternity … People will see us and be like, ‘I can be a Christian and be on a show like Two and a Half Men.’ You can’t. You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can’t.”
In his speech, Jones also said: “If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching Two and a Half Men. I’m on Two and a Half Men and I don’t want to be on it.
Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. People say it’s just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you, you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch.”
Consumer confidence at four year high
A new report released Tuesday shows consumer confidence is at its highest level in four years.
“Experts predict that sales rising around 4 percent for the holidays. Consumer confidence is the result of how confident people feel about the income determines their spending and ultimately the overall shape of the economy.”
The Conference Board’s monthly confidence index rose for the third straight month with November’s peak being 73.7 percent — the highest its been since the 2008 recession began.
The Global Economic Intersection breaks down the numbers, showing consumer confidence was at an all-time low during the recent 18 month recession, averaging just 54 percent.
“If people don’t feel certain at least a little bit about their future, they’re not as likely to go out and buy that washing machine, that refrigerator, that small appliance and certainly not a car or even a home.”
A writer for The Hill’s Finance and Economy blog isn’t so confident the number will stand.
He writes, “If the fiscal cliff’s $600 billion in tax hikes and sudden spending austerity hits, consumer sentiment could rapidly evaporate.”
But BusinessWeek argues that sustained gains in consumer spending may help overcome concern about the fiscal cliff.
The report also shows Americans planning to buy a home rose to a record high.
Costco vs Sam’s Club – Where you shop matters
Now, if Costco can provide their employees with this much compensation AND still be profitable, why can’t Walmart employees get the same kind of treatment?
Check out the stats below – Costco gets more out of their employees by treating them better. Is there a lesson to be learned here?
