"Legally Blonde the Musical"

Finally! It has just been announced that tickets for "Legally Blonde the Musical" will go on sale November 13 for the Broadway Across America showing right here in Austin.

A full listing of all their stops can be seen on the calendar, but "Legally Blonde" will be coming to Austin's Bass Concert Hall at UTPAC from February 3-8.

What TIME Magazine calls an "ELLE of a show," "Legally Blonde the Musical" essentially follows the same plot as the movie, "only funner!"

Unless you are simply 100% against musicals, I recommend everyone sees this at least once. I saw the original Broadway performance, which was broadcast live on MTV, and it was so funny, so enjoyable, and a great way to relive the Elle Woods story.

Other Entertainment Bloggers...

My blog began as an ongoing assignment for my Entertainment Journalism class, and each of my classmates have been keeping up with blogs of their own. They are definitely worth checking out. Some of them have a primary focus, like music or movies, and some cover a wide range of entertainment topics...take a look:

Danielle Bauman
Christian Cabazos
Claire Cella
Tommy Collins
Celeste Diaz
Victoria Estrada
Ian Gillespie
Mackenzie Jenkins
Marloes Lemsom
Jennifer Obenhaus
Mandy Odgers
Bethbiriah Sanchez
Marc Sherman
Caroline Wallace
Geoffrey West
Alison Willis

What's Worth Watching: Fall Television, Part 2

Mondays and Tuesdays move slightly slower, but all of the shows definitely cater to our guilty pleasures:

• Gossip Girl (7:00 on The CW) is probably my guiltiest pleasure on this guide. It follows around prep school students that are growing up in Manhattan and are too rich for their own good. Unless you have been watching from the beginning (or you are a 16-year-old girl), this may not be your cup of tea. But I love it!


• Dancing with the Stars (Mon. at 7:00 and Tues. at 8:00 on ABC) is yet another reality show competition, but after you watch one episode, you can't stay away. I wasn't sold on this show until they announced Kim Kardashian would be a contestant this season, so I decided to give it a chance. Well, she was surprisingly eliminated this week, but I am thankful I gave DWTS a chance.


• The Hills (9:00 on MTV) is simple: The Hills is drama! If you don't have drama in your life but need something exciting, watch The Hills. If you have too much drama in your life and need a distraction, watch The Hills. If you just enjoy watching rich people live in drama, then watch The Hills! Girls, don't be embarrassed to say you love this show; no one can resist.


• 90210 (7:00 on The CW) is juicy and entertaining. But only if you are young enough to never have watched the original Beverly Hills 90210. Yes, it's predictable and exaggerated, but sometimes you need these types of shows in your life.


• The Rachel Zoe Project (9:00 on Bravo) tears my heart in half. On one hand, it is exciting to get an inside look at the styling side of the fashion world. But watching Rachel Zoe is somewhat disheartening (she could be the poster-child for "YIKES! Stars Without Make-up"), and one of her assistants, Taylor, acts like she hates her life. But if you love fashion like I do, Rachel and Taylor are tolerable and easily ignored.

What's Worth Watching: Fall Television, Part 1

It's that time of year again: the premiers of fall television are blowing up all over the place. This is what I look forward to all year, but if you aren't as addicted to television as I am, here is a guide of what is truly worth watching this fall.


If you are trying to get away from football on Sunday, then here are three great picks:

• The Amazing Race (7:00 on CBS) started this past Sunday, which means there is still plenty of time to catch up with all of the contestants on their race around the world.


• Desperate Housewives (8:00 on ABC) is back and funnier than ever! This season took a five year jump down the road from where the Housewives left off; so, if you hadn't been keeping up, the brand new storyline is great to start watching now.


• Brothers and Sisters (9:00 on ABC) is also well worth a try. If you had been watching before, then I'm sure you are just as glad the Walkers are back for a third season. If not, this is a dramatic, witty show that everyone should check out and give it a try.

Outside the Typical First Thursday Events...

If you are looking for something specific to do on first Thursday, an actual event and not just the usual hanging out on South Congress, then check out Austin360.com. They offer an easy way to search their calendar of events for anything from art, music, entertainment, community events, and many more categories.

And if you are looking for something really out of the ordinary, check out what's good on television, go buy a bottle of wine, and curl up with your remote.

Sale at Strut: Austin's First Thursday

There are always those stores where you have to dig and dig through all of their racks to find a few good pieces, but sometimes the hunt isn't worth the prices. But thankfully, one of those stores is having a great sale.

All the Strut locations in Austin will be have another first Thursday sale October 2. Everything in their stores is 40% off.

Also, Hush Hush by Strut, which is their clearance store on South Lamar will be continuing their $10 sale. This sale is actually going on both Wednesday and Thursday; you can get any piece of clothing in the store for just $10 and any 2 pairs of shoes for $10.

In addition to Hush Hush by Strut, there are three other locations: South Congress, South Lamar, and Guadalupe.

Do you have $480 million for YSL's art?

The late Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most influential designers of our time, so to get a glimpse of his inspiration is such a privilege.

But if you have millions to spend, then you could own a piece of his art collection. His entire collection is worth $480 million, but a small price to pay for works from Picasso, Goya, Matisse, ancient Roman sculptures, and many more.

Well, it's not a small price for me or anyone I could ever dream of knowing, but it is awe inspiring nonetheless.

So if I could never dream of knowing who you are, the sale will be February 23 to 25 in Paris.

Favorites from Fashion Week, Spring 2009: London

Jenny Packham's Ready-to-Wear Spring 2009 collection has everything the little girl inside every woman truly wants.

The light, delicate fabrics don't create the same shape on each woman; instead, the flowing fabric lets the models fly away with the breeze and the average woman show off her curves.

The tiny, yet intricate details blend seamlessly, and Jenny Packham incorporates them into each dress.

Lastly, the delicious candy colors are pretty enough to make women of all ages jump up and down. And with the variety of color she offers, there is something for everyone.

The entire collection reminds me of playing dress-up. The colors are playful, the fabrics are feminine, and the details are sexy. What else could you ask for?

Her entire Ready-to-Wear Collection can be seen on Elle Magazine's Website.

Breaking News, Sorta.

If you still believe in Santa, you probably weren't ready to hear this shocking reveal: CLAY AIKEN IS GAY!

Like Simon Cowell, I was shocked! But really, Simon did put it best in an interview with MTV.com when he said, "I don't think anyone cares. Let's face it: It's 2008. You know. Who cares?" So unless Brad Pitt suddenly comes out of the closet, let's please keep the confessions to a minimum...It ties up the gossip magazine covers when all we really want to know is how much food some celebrity didn't eat to get back into her double-zero jeans.

Sorry, Clay. If you felt like you needed to officially set the record straight for your son's sake, then good for you for doing what you thought was best. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to say a little something.

Favorites from Fashion Week, Spring 2009: New York

I have looked through all of the Ready-to-Wear Collections shown at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York to find my favorite Spring 2009 line.
As with any spring collection, color is always key. But of course, no garment works unless it could be taken off the runway and look good on a healthy women.

So, with that said, my favorite collection is Jonathan Saunders'. He took ocean-inspired colors and mixed them with simple, classic black and white touches. His emphasis for the silhouette definitely put emphasis on the waist. The collection also lent itself well to the weather in spring by bringing in lighter fabrics and the appearance of layering.

The only thing I would ask Jonathan Saunders to change about his collection? Could you please make this available at Target?

His entire collection can be seen at Style.com, Vogue's website.


I'll be posting my favorite from London Fashion Week very soon.

Underwhelming Red Carpet: 2008 Emmys

In my opinion, the best part of any award show is the red carpet. And next to that, I anticipate seeing which of my favorite television shows and stars will go home winners.

This year, each Emmy winner was far from disappointing (congrats to my favorite winners, Jeff Probst and 30 Rock), but the fashion had me talking to the television in frustration saying, "You were so close!"


The three standout women I chose were simply the best of an underwhelming bunch. I would describe each of these looks as so close to being drop dead gorgeous but certain details made them miss the mark.

To begin, Eva Longoria Parker wore a Marchesa dress that dazzled the red carpet with flashy details in a subtle color palette. The dress alone made a chic and risky statement, so why do over-the-top shoes, make-up, and hair. She should have opted for a less harsh peep-toe heel, wiped off all of her black eyeliner, and lightened up on the hairspray.

Lauren Conrad has a ways to go before becoming a fashion icon, but the dress she wore on the red carpet last night was on point, simple, and sophisticated. This is definitely in line with what trends are popular this season. She designed this dress in an understated navy blue and added diamond detailing without being overdone. So although Lauren created a pretty and classic look, her inexperience in the fashion world doesn't quite give her enough edge to win best dressed.

Lastly, Mariska Hargitay stood out as one of the most feminine and soft stars of the night in a Carolina Herrera dress, sans the marigold color. In fall 2006, this mustard color set the trend along with bordeaux shades of red and periwinkle blues. Since then, color trends have shifted away from these primary colors, but I will definitely forgive Mariska for wearing this somewhat outdated color. She is my choice for the best dressed of the night.

DJ AM and Travis Barker survive fatal plane crash...

Travis Barker and DJ AM are in critical condition after their jet crashed in South Carolina last night. Four others in the crash did not survive. Chris Baker, Travis Barker's assistant, was one of those passengers.

Both DJ AM and Travis Barker are now in the burn unit of an Augusta, Ga hospital. A witness saw the two of them running around and stripping their clothes to try and extinguish the flames.

Right now, those investigating the crash are unsure of the cause, but whatever it is, this is still devastating.

Initially, the plane was on its way to Van Nuys, Ca from South Carolina where the two musicians had just finished playing a free T-Mobile concert.

Hopefully, Travis Barker and DJ AM make a quick recovery. Unfortunately, the families of each of the four deceased have a long road ahead of them.

Along with Chris Baker, the other victims were pilot, Sarah Lemmon, co-pilot, James Bland, and passenger, Charles Still.

Pop the champagne: Tracy Chapman is back!

November 11th will mark the release of Tracy Chapman's first album in three years. The album, "One Bright Future," can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

"Sing for You" is the first single off the album and it's classic Tracy Chapman. Earlier today, Perez Hilton previewed the single on his website; as of right now, the song is no longer available, but many websites have posted the lyrics.

Also, if you happen to be in Europe in November, get extra excited! Tracy will be kicking off her album's release with her first solo tour in a decade. It will begin November 12 and go through December 18.

Project Runway exes and quoting Forrest Gump, Part 2

Unfortunately, the other reason why this week's Top Design was surprisingly entertaining got eliminated. Kerry, or "Big Daddy," gave any Forrest Gump-lover a great laugh when he quoted young Jenny. In his deep Southern accent, Big Daddy unexpectedly pleaded, "Dear God, make me a bird, so I can fly far. Far, far away from here."

Well I don't know about you, but that just makes me want shrimp..."pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich."

Weeds Season Finale: Little Boxes on a Tijuana Hillside

Ever since the weekend I spent locked up in my dorm room, sick and watching every single episode of the first two seasons of Weeds, I have been addicted. This Showtime series is always witty and has the perfect level of mystery so that you could never stop watching.

The Season 4 finale was nothing short of this. SPOILER ALERT. Truly, the most important part of the episode was the last few minutes.

• Ex-cocaine addict, Celia went to visit her estranged daughter in Mexico and is now being held hostage by her daughter, but will Celia's ex-husband even dream of forfeiting the $200k? I would venture to say NO, but then again, it wouldn't be the same without Celia getting herself into one sticky situation after another.


• How does Doug manage to make pretending to hang himself funny? Well, lets just say he makes it sexual, of course. Honestly, I don't care what he has to do, as long as he lives. Between Doug and Andy, the show is always entertaining.


• So the second biggest reason Weeds has us coming back is that Andy is in love with Nancy. He has never been a big charmer, but suddenly he seems completely lovable. But will this work with Nancy's secret?


• Nancy has been found out by her boyfriend, the Tijuana mayor, as an informant. She is the sole reason that part of his operation was shut down by the DEA. The entire episode leads up to Nancy meeting up with the mayor, where she is surely about to be killed, but what do you know? She whips out a ultrasound photo.

FIN.

How could the creator of Weeds, Jenji Kohan, leave us hanging like that? Well, in an interview with E!, she had this to say about the finale and what's coming up.

"When we conclude a season we don't necessarily know where we're headed next season. We figure, if we know where we're going, then the audience will know too, and that's not what we want. So we write ourselves into a corner, take some time off, and then come back and say, 'What the hell do we do now? How do we get out of this mess?''"

Well, that doesn't say much, or actually anything at all, about where the series is going, but Jenji Kohan has the right attitude. If the writers or the audience knew where each of the characters would end up, Weeds would not be the greatness that it is.

PETA has Hormel and Iowa farm squealing...

This is a piece I wrote for my Broadcast Journalism class; it isn't on my traditional list of topics, but I definitely thought it was important to share. I'm a vegetarian and a member of PETA, so the video didn't make me run to the fridge and throw out all my bacon...but for the carnivores out there, the video (on peta.org) is very graphic and might make you rethink that Spam sandwich.

AUSTIN--Hidden-camera footage obtained by undercover investigators with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, has one of Hormel Foods’ suppliers under investigation by Iowa law enforcement as well as the federal government.

From June to September, the animal rights group recorded numerous employees repeatedly striking, kicking, and throwing pigs at an Iowa farm owned by Mowmar LLP. PETA believes the video depicts clear violations of state livestock abuse and neglect laws and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The shocking footage shows workers repeatedly using metal rods to beat pregnant pigs and kicking the animals in order to get them to move. Piglets thought to be too small for consumption were thrown forcefully against the ground in order to kill them.

A spokesman for Mowmar LLP has called the actions “intolerable and reprehensible.”

According to PETA, this type of animal abuse is widespread, and with the release of this footage, the animal rights organization urges Hormel Foods to become more aware of the abuse. The video evidence has been turned over to Iowa law enforcement for further investigation and potential prosecution.

Hormel Foods, which produces pork products like Spam, has responded to the abuse by issuing a statement ensuring the public that they are, in fact, working with the supplier to ensure this treatment does not continue.

The video footage can be seen at PETA.org, which also offers additional information about their mission.

Apple discovers marketing secret

Who doesn't want an melting iPod? Well, I guess no one really wants their $150 iPod to actually melt, but they do want it to be pretty.

Apple has uncovered the secret to marketing. People will buy a product they already own as long as it's shiny and colorful. We're like cats; dangle something shiny in front of us, and we pounce.

Apple has recently started advertising the new line of iPod Nanos. If you aren't excited, you must be a dog person.

Well, I'm definitely a cat person, because I cannot decide between the pink and the purple.

Project Runway exes and quoting Forrest Gump, Part 1

If you haven't seen Top Design, which is one of Bravo's many reality shows, you aren't missing too much. But if you are a sucker for ex-Project Runway designers like Santino Rice and Sweet Pea, tonight's episode was for you.

The contestants on Top Design are all interior designers competing each week in a series of challenges; this week, their task was to create store-fronts centered around a garment by a Project Runway designer. Now, I have no idea who won, but it was refreshing to get a glimpse of the old designers. It was especially shocking, however, to see Season 3 winner, Jeffrey Sebelia, with his drastic make-under.

"She needed it."

Leave it to Perez Hilton to hit the entertainment nail on the head. During the VMA Postshow, Perez Hilton was asked what he thought of Britney Spear's winning her first, second, and third Moon Man all in one night. He went on to answer that he was in fact part of the VMA voting committee and had voted for Britney because "she needed it." So true! You deserved it Britney. It was great to see MTV letting Britney Spears know that her transformation has not gone unnoticed and she will always be a great entertainer.

As for the rest of the Awards? Boring. The return to LA meant a noticeable downsize from the Radio City Music Hall, which is where the Awards are usually held. The small crowd led to low energy and except for the host, Russell Brand, there was no humor, no surprises, no excitement.

The highlight moment for me happened within the first 10 minutes: Russel Brand went on a great rant about virginity. He took a stab at Sarah Palin's daughter, the Jonas Brothers, and even Michael Jackson. I'm currently searching for the clip, but MTV is constantly taking their videos off YouTube. I guarantee you can turn on MTV anytime over the next week and the VMAs will be on, just try not to fall asleep after minute 11.

props, Bill Gates...who knew?

For anyone who hasn't seen the new Microsoft commercial featuring comic legend Jerry Seinfeld, shame on you. You have been missing out on the new comedian in the making, Bill Gates.

Yes, Bill Gates! He compliments Seinfeld's wit very well with his, let's say, nerdy personality. The two run into run another at Shoe Circus, where Jerry Seinfeld offers Bill Gates a churro: already off to a great start.

And if you ever thought watching a billionaire adjust his underwear would be one of the funniest things you could ever see, you were right...

Stop digging, Sarah Palin.

Can someone put a note on Sarah Palin's desk telling her, "just stop; you are just digging yourself deeper and deeper!"

I don't agree with the media attacking any politician for their personal past, but if the media is already doing it, why feed the fire?

After the Republican National Convention this past week, I came away with only one memory. Sarah Palin made herself sound like an insensitive, naive Republican, going on and on about how John McCain's time in Vietnam was more of a hardship than the adversities Barack Obama or Joe Biden have faced.

John McCain's selfless sacrifice and service to this country is an honorable feat that many of us will never comprehend, but in a country with so much diversity, how can one person's struggle be easier or more difficult than another individual's?

Joe Biden suffered through the sudden loss of his wife, death of his son, and suffered from multiple brain aneurysms. Barack Obama grew up watching his mother and grandparents do everything they could to raise him, and then lost his mother to cancer.

In this country, no one person's problems are worse or less significant than the other. Everyone should have an understanding and openness to not put down or diminish another's struggle.

So, think before you speak Sarah. Especially if what you are saying is being heard by millions.

vegoutaustin.com

I love looking at different newspaper's entertainment sections for restaurant reviews. But more often than not, I end up not getting a realistic judgement. Why? Well, most critics review restaurants for signature entrees, which are centered around meat 99% of the time. So, as a vegetarian that does not even eat fish, I feel lost.

I cannot count how many times I have Google-d "vegetarian austin" over and over again! Well thankfully, those days are over. VegOutAustin.com is a great blog that not only offers their own reviews of vegetarian restaurants and dishes, but they also have done all their research to find all the reviews I can't find on my own.

One of their latests entries listed "Ben's Top 5 Plates of Nachos." Yum! Even if you aren't vegetarian and are simply curious about a new perspective on Austin's dining scene, check it out.

Free Improv Classes...

While I'm searching for events to cover for my first journalism story, I am coming across new and exciting things to do in Austin that I would have never taken advantage of. My latest discovery?

ColdTowne Theatre in North Austin is ending their free weekend on Monday, 9/8/08, with free improv classes! ColdTowne is offering their Improv 101 class, which starts at 7pm, completely free of charge! So, unless you are going to be in a 3-hour class Monday night, why not try something new? The Onion has called ColdTowne's classes "some of the city's most intense improv classes."

If you want more information (including directions), visit ColdTowne's website at http://coldtownetheater.com/. It's filled with descriptions about the different classes they offer and a schedule of upcoming performances.

All of you...one of you...someone go! Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Is Britney back? I hope so.

If you don't remember Britney Spears' horrible opener at last year's Video Music Awards, you must have been in a coma. And if you don't know about the train wreck of a year she's had, then you were in a coma in a cave in Bora Bora.

With that said, in about 10 minutes, the three hours of waiting through one award after another to see if Britney will once again reign as the "Princess of Pop" will begin.

Everyone cross your fingers, because we definitely need our Britney back--inappropriately dressed and singing an awful, but always catchy single.