July 2008 Archives

Local rock group Head Case was selected to play at the 105th Harley-Davidson Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee, Wis. on Labor Day weekend. Other acts playing the event include Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Daughtry.

I've been hooked on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" for the past few weeks, but sadly, the finale is near and the competition is causing me to bite my nails nonstop. My favorite dancers are Katee and Joshua. They are just so versatile and exciting to watch. Not surprisingly, "Dance" is up for several Emmys. See what it's nominated for.

Last night, I watched "The Last Lecture: A Celebration of Life" on ABC's on "Primetime." Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch died on Friday. The 48-year-old died of pancreatic cancer. He left a wife and three young children.

His story touched me to the point of tears and sobs.

His "Last Lecture" video has been seen by millions on YouTube. It's more than an hour long, but if you have time to watch, your life will be touched.

I don't typically frequent the Yahoo Music blogs, but a columnist there has created a listing of the "true top 20 albums" based on "science." Take a looksee.

He tried to base the list not on his personal taste but set certain parameters, which I'll list on the jump.

MGMT and motion sickness in Philly.

Your weekend rounduper hit the road this weekend. Friday night I headed to the Starlight Ballroom in Philadelphia to catch indie act MGMT with a fellow fan. The Brooklyn-based duo added a drummer, bassist and second guitarist for their live show, which was an electronic explosion of sound. As seen in the video above, the crowd went crazy during "Kids" as well as "Electric Feel" and "Time to Pretend." For me, it was time to pretend I wasn't claustrophobic.

There's nothing more satiating to your eyes and mind than a good, hearty piece of art. Stop-motion animator Adam Pesapane recreates the making of a simple pasta dish by using everyday objects, such as Post-it notes, a Rubik's cube, a crisp dollar bill and bubble-wrap. Check out this video - it's gastronomically and artistically pleasing.

Genre-blending for Barack

Check out this YouTube clip of York-native Live rocker Ed Kowalczyk and Will.i.am rocking out at rally for Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama in Philadelphia.
It's that time of the week. Click here, here or here for ideas on how to spend the weekend. Be sure to check back Monday for the Weekend Roundup. Ciao for now.

YLT hits a high note with 'Dreamgirls.'

I went to see York Little Theatre's production of "Dreamgirls" Thursday night.
The show wrapped up YLT's 75th season.

You know Spencer Elden. In fact, you've probably seen him naked.

Read (or listen) about what this '90s icon is doing at age 17 and how he got on the cover of the 1991 Nirvana album cover, "Nevermind."

So apparantly, some people out there are taking the death of "Golden Girl" Estelle Getty rather hard:

I can't even imagine what sorts of videos we see when Betty White dies.

Model mayhem

The designers spent another night in Safeville. Their challenge (if you want to call it that) was to make cocktail dresses for their models. Yawn.
The producers tried to throw in a few curveballs by forcing the models to shop for the fabric, which had to be environmentally friendly. More yawning.
What's with "Project Runway" trying to make it look like the models have substance? I thought they were just supposed to be silent mannequins who stand on the runway in the same black dress before each challenge so the designers can pick them out like they're boxes of Raisin Bran in the cereal isle.

No name = bank

Despite or maybe because of the controversy over its name, Nas' now untitled album hit No. 1. It's the rapper's fourth album to go to the top of the charts.
Check back tomorrow for another "Project Runway" recap.

Thank you for being a friend.
Estelle Getty, who played Sophia on TV's "The Golden Girls," died Tuesday morning at the age of 84. Here's a look back at the show's theme song.

It's not often I leave the theater after watching an action movie and launch into philosphical discussions with my fellow moviegoer about morality.

But then, "The Dark Knight" just isn't your typical action movie.

I agree with everything that Erin said in her post about the movie: Christian Bale is spot-on as Bruce Wayne, Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar for his sinister portrayal of the Joker, and the supporting cast was excellent.

And yea, the action sequences were awesome. Batman flying into a Hong Kong high rise and kidnap (or extradite ... you decide) a criminal, then float into a moving plane was one of the coolest stunts I've seen in any of the "Batman" movies.

But what makes the movie transcend your typical Comic-based blockbuster are The Joker's persistant attempts to make Gotham turn to its baser instincts.

Say it isn't so. Actor Christian Bale, aka Batman, might be in the doghouse. According to Reuters, a 34-year-old man attended a central London police station and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault.

Bale, 34, is rumored to have assaulted his mother and sister. Isn't it a little strange that Bale's family came forward with these charges just days after "The Dark Knight" raked in millions? Now, I ain't saying they're gold diggers, but...I don't think anyone should jump to conclusions until the whole story comes out.

Glow-in-the-dark swimwear = underrated

Another weekend. Another art festival.
After being blown away by "The Dark Knight" Friday night, me and a fellow art enthusiast headed to Baltimore's Artscape, America's largest free public arts festival.

Catchphrase of the moment:

Even though there were problems at the midnight opening of "The Dark Knight" at Regal 13 Cinemas in West Manchester Township, all was well on Friday night when I went to see the Batman blockbuster.
It nabbed $158.3 million this weekend -- obliterating "Spider-Man 3's" record.
Luckily, I ordered my tickets for the 9:50 p.m. show online a day in advance. When my friend and I arrived at the theater, there was already a long line for the 10:20 p.m. showing.

Although most movie lovers would say this movie is oozing with cheese, I am not afraid to admit that I loved every break-dancing, back-flipping, chest-popping moment. It just makes you want to get up and dance. And it's set in Baltimore. Take a look at the trailer.

Foo rocks for Who.

Lather on the sunscreen and check out Artscape in Baltimore this weekend -- hyped as the nation's "largest, free public arts festival."

It rocks. Think art exhibits, fashion designers, craftspeople, live demos and concerts, "art cars," public sculpture on Mount Royal Avenue, freshly squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes and a pink ferris wheel.

The hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Vicious not girlicious

Nothing brings out my inner mean girl like Bravo's "Project Runway."
I find myself criticizing every outfit that comes down the runway a la Michael Kors, laughing when the designers fail and siding with characters who rock the 'tude like last season's Christian Siriano. And I enjoy every minute of it.
Wednesday's season five premiere was no different. I gathered with a few friends to dissect the newest crop of designers and judged like it was my job. Click here to read a fellow "P. Runway" fan's thoughts and read the rest of the entry for my own spin on the show.

"Mad Men" = Happy men with 16 Emmy noms

Primetime Emmy nominations came out Thursday.
The seven-part HBO miniseries "John Adams" led the race with 23 nominations.
AMC's "Mad Men" and FX's "Damages," snagged nods for outstanding drama -- the first for basic cable shows. "Mad Men's" grabbed 16 noms, the most among drama series.
"30 Rock," was the most-recognized series overall, with 17 nods. "Grey's Anatomy," "The Wire" and "Friday Night Lights" topped the snubbed category.
Read the rest of the post for a quick breakdown of the top comedy and drama categories.

Here are some assorted thoughts on the first episode of season five

1. Let's just talk about Blayne for a second. Anybody else find his tanning obsession just a little creepy? And enough of the Girl-licious. What does that even mean? I wasn't a huge Christian fan, but at least he sold us fierceness without making it seem like a cheap marketing ploy ... OK maybe it was a little cheap. I'm not alone on this either.

The trailer for "High School Musical 3" hit the Internet. Looks like the Wildcats' senior year was filled with singing, dancing and major dramz. This is our generation's "Grease."

I am a sucker for "America's Got Talent." I could do without the terrible auditions and annoying judges, but the entertaining acts are really worth it. Check out this unsuspecting act.

I was probably raised on baby bottles filled with Turkey Hill iced tea....no joke. Growing up in Lancaster County you drink nothing else. Especially when your uncle works there.

Anyway, I drink diet now (not like that's any better for you) but sometimes Giant is out of it. So, I picked up Turkey Hill Diet Chai Spiced Tea in the Nature's Accents line. Sounded exotic and pure.

MTV finds another odd couple.

My whirlwind weekend included finger wiggling.

This weekend was like stepping back in time to my undergrad days at Penn State. I headed up to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, aka Arts Fest. I braved the humidity and crowds to look at crafts I couldn't afford and consume alcoholic beverages from my past.

My friend Erin and I can talk about anything and nothing for hours. This weekend over drinks she told me she saw "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" at a makeshift drive-in movie theater.

And we got to talking about how much I hate that movie and although I liked "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" a lot better it still wasn't the same as the book.

The book? Who knew there was a book? Well, read on.....

After a grueling, yet gorgeous 35-mile bike ride through York County, I met a friend for lunch in York.

The plan was to meet at 1:30 p.m. at Bull on Beaver (the cafe in White Rose Bar & Grill).

Who doesn't love a deal?

At Restaurant.com you can purchase $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10.

One of my favorites Bogey Macaws in York Township is on the list. So is York Blue Moon, Fuddruckers and Harrigan's.

Has anyone ever used this service? I noticed that you have to spend $35 to even use the $25 and some places add 18 percent gratuity before the discount. Are the restrictions worth it? I might have to find out.

That's right. People are giving vinyl another spin.
It isn't a holiday weekend, but there's still plenty to do. Click here, here or here for ideas. Wondering what the deal is with local concert tickets? Click here. Click here to find out why vinyl is so hot right now.

I haven't cut ties with Netflix, yet. Read here to see what I'm talking about.

The last arrival was "Definitely, Maybe" starring Abigail Breslin (whose grandparents live in Lancaster by the way) and Ryan Reynolds.

On my day off, I popped it into the DVD player and started watching. I didn't even invite Nate, my husband, to watch it with me. It's a chic flick, and he despises those.

But a few minutes in, he sat on the couch. And never got up.

Dave and drugs don't mix.

Local police arrested 133 people at the June 27 Dave Matthews Band concert at Hersheypark Stadium. The arrests included 94 for underage drinking, 27 for simple possession of drugs, 19 for possession of drug paraphernalia, 12 for disorderly conduct and 12 for public drunkenness. Were you there? Did you see what went down? It just goes to show that trying to recreate Bonnaroo isn't a good idea.

Real World Hollywood + The Mint = Sweet

Lancaster band The Mint's song "The People We Meet" will be featured on the season finale of MTV's "The Real World XX: Hollywood." The episode airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday. This will mark the second time this season that the band's music was used on "The Real World." Their song "Pen to Paper" was featured on the May 14 episode.

Danity Kane makes "Damaged" look good.

All-female groups Danity Kane and Jada will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 on the York Fair's Toyota Grandstand. Danity Kane were the stars of MTV's "Making the Band." Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the York Fair Box Office, 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 848-2033 and online at www.yorkfair.org. Cost is $25 for track, plaza and center grandstand seats and $20 for side track, plaza and grandstand seats.

An exhibit at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore fascinates me.

It's a collection of pieces that reveal what belief can mean for each of us, and it's stunning how the artists on display captured everything from prayer (in paint) to the Great Mother to the Ten Commandments.

I like dirt more than the Red Hot Chili Peppers do.

Summer wouldn't be complete without my aunt's annual 4th of July party, which I headed to on Friday. The weather left something to be desired, but I made the best of it by playing washers, eating watermelon and drinking wine coolers. But the highlight by far was the bucket of dirt dessert.

After a visit to My Three Sons in Stewartstown to learn how to make rice pudding, owner Evan Krause told me about their breakfast buffet. I was thinking it was kind of unique for an Italian/Greek fusion restaurant to have an all-you-can-eat bonanza from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings, but they do.

I also bet a lot of people don't know about it.

All the women (and men) who are independent, throw your hands up at me.

Start the long weekend off with a bang. Find out where to see July 4 fireworks here. Find out about other weekend fun here, here or here.

If you haven't heard, local singer DaNica Shirey won Total Pop Star an online contest. Click here for Erin's story.

I can remember the first time I called DaNica's house after she was chosen as a finalist for "Showtime at the Apollo" when it came to The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York in 2004.

Smith's still hot, but his new movie is not.
I'm a sucker for cheesecake, kittens, guitarists and Will Smith. After his success with previous July 4 weekend releases like "Independence Day," "Men in Black" and "Men in Black II," I was amped for some more bigscreen Willie style. But as I walked out of the movie theater Wednesday night, I felt I like had been conned by my celebrity crush.

I'm a sucker for Pixar movies.
The animation amazes me and the characters - whether they're a car, a rat or a robot - are always so well developed that by the end of the movie, I'm always left wanting more.

"WALL-E" is no exception. I went in with high expectations and wasn't let down.

The wonderful new expansion to Hersheypark comes at the sacrifice of the Canyon River Rapids.

De Rose + Drama = Awesome

Here's the latest buzz from the music scene.
Local singer/songwriter Mark De Rose was contacted by people from the CBS soap "Guiding Light." It seems like they want to possibly use his music for the show.

Two new water attractions, The Shore and Intercoastal Waterway, will cool down crowds in 2009 at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. The boardwalk is expanding to include a waterfront cabana area and wave pool. A Restaurant, two food kiosks, a changing area with full showers and restrooms and 1,000 lockers are also part of the plan. The expansion will take up about 5 acres with an overall capacity of 4,000 guests. The estimated cost is $16.1 million. For details, visit www.hersheypark.com.

While I could never live up to Erin's action-packed weekends full of dancing, dining and pink nail polish, my weekend was full of summer traditions that included Amish auctioneers.