Taylor Swift Thanksgiving Special Tapings

HTS went to the two-day taping for Taylor Swift's Thanksgiving Special "Speak Now" which will air on Thanksgiving (November 25) on NBC.

On Monday, Taylor Swift was surprised to see fans surrounding her piano and strings section in the middle of central park. She came out jumping up and down, saying "Wow," a countless amount of times. She sat down on the piano and told the audience of about 250, "I'm sorta losing my mind right now." She had no idea anyone would be there to celebrate the release of her album.

'Happy Days' are Here Again

Cast of "Happy Days"

By Frances Vega

What better way to spend a Friday night than bobbing your head to the musical adaptation of a classic television show?

There is no better way. Friday marked the premiere of "Happy Days," a new musical at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The production is based on the hit television series featuring one of America’s most beloved families, the Cunninghams. The whole gang makes an appearance in the show — Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie, Chachi and, of course, “The Fonz."

Meeting the President's Supporters

Catching some Zzz's before the rally

By Frances Vega    

People from all walks of life came to the University of Southern California on Friday for the chance to see President Barack Obama in the flesh.

     The commander in chief made a special visit to the campus to try to energize the Democratic Party. He was rallying supporters to get out to vote for the midterm elections. School officials originally estimated a turn out of 30,000 people, but by the looks of it there were many more than expected. The center of the campus was completely closed off to the public and security was preventing students from going where they needed to be. Even when there wasn’t a police officer waiting to tell a student he or she could not pass, a make shift fence and caution tape was able to do the trick.

Fun. at the Brooklyn Bell House

by Rosemary Vega

Fun. played a secret show at the Brooklyn Bell House on September 30 for fan club members. Band members Nate Reuss (formerly of the Format), Jack Antonoff (also part of Steel Train, who opened the show) and Andrew Dost (formerly of Anathallo), released their first album Aim and Ignite in August 2009, with music varying from folk, to pop, to emo, to rock. The mix of genres lead to a show filled of fun. (Pun intended.)

After opening from Jarrod Gorbel and Steel Train, Fun. opened with their latest single "Walking the Dog" (video here).  Next, they played one of my personal favorites "I Wanna Be the One," followed by "Light a Roman Candle with Me." The crowd then went crazy for the band's previous single "All the Pretty Girls" (video). As the set continued, the bands energy, as well as the crowd's continued to elevate with songs "Stitch Me Up," and "Barlights."

HBO Explores The L.A. Speakeasy

by Frances Vega 

  HBO kicked off the first night of its Boardwalk Empire promotion on Tuesday with free drinks and goodies for customers.

Boardwalk Empire promotion (Frances Vega)

    From 7-9 P.M. every person who walked into the Varnish in downtown Los Angeles received a free drink, salt-water taffy, and the really lucky ones also got a flask. The promotional staff only had five flasks to give out so they were eyeing customers to see who was really enthusiastic about the experience. The flask itself was a plain tin flask with “Boardwalk Empire” engraved on the front.

McCoy Tyner: Jazz Legend Plays At The Catalina Bar And Grill

by Frances Vega 

  Jazz legend McCoy Tyner played five shows from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 at the Catalina Bar and Grill.

  Audiences could not get enough of Tyner’s upbeat melodies. Some were so moved by the music they joined in on the songs.

McCoy Tyner at the Catalina

    The 71-year-old NEA Jazz Master shared the stage with veteran saxophonist Gary Bartz, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt.

    Tyner has a reputation for allowing younger musicians the opportunity to show off their skills—this show was no different.