MTV Movie Awards GBK Gifting Suite

By Frances Vega
 

AnnaLynne Mccord being interviewed (photo by Frances Vega)

The GBK MTV Movie Awards Gifting Lounge was held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly this weekend.

This invitation only lounge was open to various celebrities on Friday and Saturday. Nominees and presenters gathered for afternoons filled with unique gifts and entertainment.  This year’s suite had a vintage cinema theme. Guest entered through a garden decorated with black and white cabanas, mirrored tables, and comfy couches.

GBK Productions, one of the top gifting suite production companies and the recipient of multiple  BizBash Awards for “Best Gift Bag,” offered its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs and media the opportunity to enjoy the fabulous L.A. weather with custom ice cream and free bar drinks.

Celebrities Unite For Diabetes Awareness And Prevention

By Frances Vega

Celebrities gathered at the K1 Speed Indoor Racing facility Saturday for a day full of snacks, racing, and awareness.  

Dorian Gregory, Steve-O, Verne Troyer, and Kyle Massey were just a few of the big names that attended the Celebrity Go Kart Tournament benefiting the American Diabetes Association.

The event, hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and Gary Sturgis from Tyler Perry’s Diary of A Mad Black Woman, was a celebration of family fitness and fun. Celebrities, nonprofit organizations, and everyday folks joined forces to give back to their communities. The race consisted of 16 celebrity led teams competing against each other for cash prizes. Each team consisted of a celebrity team captain and a handful of children, teens, and volunteers.  The winners used the cash prize to donate to the charity of their choice. 

Other activities at the event included a silent auction, catered food and beverages, personal accounts about diabetes, and a musical performance by R&B duo Mona Lisa. 

The personal accounts were the most touching parts of the day. People came up to the stage and talked about loved ones who have suffered from diabetes. Miss California International, Brittany Wagner, was especially open about her father who lost his sight and eventually died from complications with diabetes. 

Stars Gather At Satine For Drug Awareness Benefit

Danica Stewart and Ben Hogestyn at Artists Against Drugs Art Show (Photo by Rosemary Vega)

By Frances Vega

 Various up and coming celebrities and artists gathered at Satine Boutique Saturday to show support for the Say No To Drugs campaign.

The Artist Against Drugs Art Show is part of an annual "Say No To Drugs Race," put on by the nonprofit Say No To Drugs organization. The group tries to bring awareness to the harmful effects of drug abuse through education programs for the local community. Guests at the show had the opportunity to view and buy exclusive art pieces donated to the charity. Proceeds from the event went to local nonprofit, youth-oriented drug education and prevention organizations such as The Boys & Girls Club of East Valley, Drug Free World and Narconon.

Whitney Port Talks "True Whit" At USC

Whitney Port (Photo: Frances Vega)

Reality star and fashion designer, Whitney Port, appeared at USC Tuesday to talk with students about her new book, “True Whit.”

Port, who appeared on "The Hills" and starred on her own spinoff, "The City," has kept herself busy over the last few months. She’s working hard on her clothing line, doing charity work for an organization called FACE Africa, has a new book out, and for one night she added motivational speaker to the list.

"Night Of 100 Stars" Oscar Viewing Party

Dalai Lama (Photo by Frances Vega)

By Frances Vega

The 83rd Academy Awards was the biggest event of the night on Sunday, but some celebrities chose a cozier event to attend.

The Beverly Hills Hotel hosted the 21st Annual Night of 100 Stars. This black-tie private dinner featured former Oscar winners, nominees, and other television and film actors. Celebrities had a chance to get together and watch the awards live from the hotel's Crystal Ballroom.

Nearly 200 stars arrived on the red carpet to show off their most formal attire. Even the Dalai Lama made and appearance. This years guests included Ed Asner, Fred Willard, Keith David, Alan Thicke, Chris McDonald, Antonio Sabato Jr., Lea Thompson, Bai line and many others.

GBK Oscars Gifting Lounge

Mike O'Malley

By Frances Vega

The GBK Oscars Gifting Lounge was held at the W Hotel in Hollywood this weekend.

This invitation only lounge was open to various celebrities from Thursday through Saturday. GBK Productions, one of the leading gifting suite production companies, welcomed guests with cake from Hansen's Cakes and large black duffel bags for them to put their presents in.  Various sponsors bombarded Academy Award nominees, comedians and television stars with extravagant merchandise. Guests received trips to Tanzania, designer clothing, jewelry, wine, makeup and much more.

Celebrities to make an appearance throughout the weekend included: Jacki Weaver, Tom Hooper, Beau Bridges, Cloris Leachman, Denise Richards, William Shatner, Justin Long, Tristan Wilds, Camille Grammer, Jaime Pressly, Cheech Marin, Malin Akerman, Lisa Vanderpump, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eddie Hassell, Taylor Armstrong, Kelly Rutherford, Lauren Velez, Nia Peeples, Tim Daly, Fred Willard, Natasha Henstridge, Nelson Ellis and Raven-Symone, to name a few.

The President of GBK Productions, Gavin B. Keilly, will donated proceeds to A New Way of Life, the American Red Cross, City of Hope and other charities.

Bedroom Talk at the L.A. Zoo

Gerenuks (Photo courtesy of Tad Motoyama)

By Frances Vega

For those that were looking for a unique way to spend their Valentine’s Day weekend, a trip to the L.A. Zoo might have been the perfect choice.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association hosted “Sex and the City Zoo 2” on Sunday, a fundraiser intended to help fund the zoo. The lighthearted lecture taught people about the mating, dating and cohabiting behaviors of animals in the wild. Sponsors of the event also provided couples with free champagne, wine and dessert to enjoy prior to the lecture.

Cee Lo And Big Boi Bring The Grammy Pre-Party To Club Nokia

By Frances Vega

Cee Lo Green livens up the crowd at Club Nokia on Friday night before his colorful Grammy performance on Sunday (Photo by Frances Vega)

 Friday night’s Cee Lo Green concert at Club Nokia was an all age event, welcoming a diverse crowd to listen to their favorite rappers, Big Boi and Cee Lo, with Grammy-nominated Melanie Fiona as the evening's MC.

The night began with Big Boi rapping classics like “Bombs Over Baghdad,” “Rosa Parks,” and Outkast's “ATLiens.” Where most rappers expect their rhymes to carry the entire show, Big Boi brought in a few dancers to liven up his set and busted out some moves of his own.

The Rite Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater

By Frances Vega

[A video I made for USC's digital news site]
  
Neon Tommy was on the black carpet for the premiere of "The Rite" at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Watch what the stars of the movie had to say about exorcism and what it was like working with sir Anthony Hopkins.

The horror thriller was released in theaters on Jan. 28.

Honor Society XTHETXT

Interview with The Maine 11/18/10

by Rosemary Vega


We sat down with The Maine's John O'Callaghan and Garrett Nickelsen for a short interview before their performance at Best Buy Theater in New York City for the Harmony tour. Check out the video under the cut to find out about their guilty pleasures, covering songs, and more.

Movie Junkies Galore at the Globe Theater

DeLorean Time Machine replica (Photo by Makena Hudson)

By Frances Vega

Willy Wonka’s last Golden Ticket was handed out nearly 40 years ago, yet somehow the ticket ended up in new hands.

On Nov. 6, Profiles in History made the original Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory available to the public for the first time in years.

The ticket was part of an auction the company threw at the Globe Theater at Universal Studios to benefit Variety--The Children’s Charity of Southern California.

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."

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."

How about some Boobs and Blood

 By Frances Vega

Outside the New Beverly Cinema at the first Boobs and Blood International Film Festival

   
        If you have ever wondered where you can find a place that provides both nudity and gore, then look no further than the Boobs and Blood International Film Festival.
   
        For the first time ever admirers of grindhouse cinema, lesbian vampire flicks and Japanese pink films had a place to celebrate all things weird and outrageous. Fans gathered at the New Beverly Cinema in Hollywood over the weekend to watch special screenings of their favorite B-movie.
   

Selena Gomez on MTV's The Seven

by Rosemary Vega

I was invited to attend a special acoustic performance by Selena Gomez for MTV's The Seven today (09/24) in New York City. Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed, so you guys will have to wait until the air date to see it. But, Selena definitely surprised me. I had heard her singles from her new cd "A Year Without Rain," and although I think they're catchy, I wasn't expecting much from her. But I was very impressed.

Selena only sang two songs; "A Year Without Rain" and "Round and Round," but she sounded great. The stripped, acoustic versions of the songs sounded just as good as the originals, if not better. In between the takes, she sang Pixie Lott's "Mama Do," and told everyone how big of a fan she is. (Not sure if they'll use that for the show!) Four fans got to ask questions, where she revealed she's a huge Cheryl Cole fan. She also said "Rock God," was her favorite song off her new album. Selena was extremely sweet to the fans there, thanked everyone for showing up so early, and made sure to take pictures with everyone who waited to meet her.

Wicked on Broadway

by Rosemary Vega

For those unfamiliar with the story of Wicked, it answers the question "Are people born wicked?" Through the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz, and her relationship with Galinda, Glinda as we know her now, we learn that in this case Elphaba was not born wicked. Their surprising friendship tells the backstory of their "rivalry" in Wizard of Oz.

Iron crosses, God and Guns... Lynyrd Skynyrd is in town

By Benjamin Gottlieb
Photos by Benjamin Gottlieb

 
  
    Towering red, iron crosses peering over a sea of Confederate flags can only mean one thing in Los Angeles – Lynyrd Skynyrd is in town.

       Overwhelming the near-capacity crowd with a heavy dosage of dueling guitar solos and patriotic decrees, the gatekeepers of Southern Rock reminded everyone Thursday night that they still have what it takes to rock a concert hall. Showcasing their latest studio album, “God & Guns”, the two-hour-long performance featured renditions of the Skynyrd staples, including a six and a half-minute version of “Sweet Home Alabama” and a crowd-encouraged cry for “Freebird."

The Maine gives feel good performance at H.O.B.

By Frances Vega
Photo by Rosemary Vega

     The Maine's most recent California concert at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip was quite electrifying.
      I am by no means an avid listener of their music, yet somehow this was my second time seeing the Maine live. Their last show at the Echoplex in Los Angeles was very forgettable, despite the lead singer's quirky sense of humor. At the time I had no plans of running out to buy their CD, but as of this week I am a changed woman.

      Maybe it was the nicer venue, maybe it was John O's attempt at crowd-surfing, or maybe my younger sister has just played her iPod around me one too many times? I can't pinpoint the exact element that changed things for me, but I do know I will be probably have "Fuel to the Fire" stuck in my head for the next week or so.