Punk Globe Interview

Shameless Self promotion!!! I was interviewed by Ginger Coyote.

http://punkglobe.com/timmcarneyinterview0612.php

National Doughnut Day is a'Comin'

Did you know that the first Friday in June is National Doughnut (or Donut) day? Well it is! I just found out today and well no one I know will be getting a card. I may run out for a dozen. I won't be able to eat even half that many in a 24 hour stint but I will give it the old college stoner try.
National Doughnut Day started as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army in the 1930's. The great depression was on and the Salvation Army needed all the money they could muster. Doughnuts came into popularity during World War I when Doughnut Lasses made Doughnuts for the troops. After the Armistice Doughboys came back to the US with a real Hankering for a good Doughnut.
40 years later a little upstart doughnut shop opened in Massachusetts it was called Dunkin Donuts. They changed the spelling and the tastes of the good ole USA. They have become the McDonald's of Doughnuts. New England has a doughnut shop tradition. Any Sunday at any home a dozen box or two is not at all surprising. Krispy Kreme another chain of shops with a spelling anomaly seems to have the south by the Kustard. California has the mysterious and multi-cultural Dounts and Chinese food shops. We are a doughnut culture so go out and celebrate have a doughnut on the First Friday in June!

Plastic People of the Universe

There was a strong underground in what is now the Czech Republic in the 1970's. The sound of that underground was the band "Plastic People of the Universe. Founded in 1968 PPU as they are known was not a political activism band they were just a group of musicians who loved rock and roll and wanted to play. The band takes it's name from the Frank Zappa song Plastic People a favorite musician of founder and bassist Milan Hlavsa. Their sound was influenced by the Velvet Underground and Captain Beefheart with a eastern European flair. During the time of the "Prague Spring" PPU became extremely popular in Czechoslovakia. This popularity came to a head when they were scheduled for a concert in a suburban town outside of Prague and the Soviets shut it down arresting concert goers around the time of their crack down on the people of Czechoslovakia.
The band then went underground truly underground. In 1974 members of PPU along with other artists were arrested for organized disturbance of the peace. It was during this period that playwright Vaclav Havel and others formed together to write Charter 77 a document critical to the current government and its crackdowns.
PPU never considered themselves political even though their music was the soundtrack of the underground politcal movement. The band eventuallu broke up in 1988 and members went off to form other bands. In 1997 at the suggestion of then President and fan Vaclav Havel the band was reunited playing throughout the Czech Rebublic and eastern European countries. The founder of PPU Milan Hlavsa died in 2001.
Their recordings are available today and are as enjoyable as any of the music of that and this era.

Jim Parsons America's Favorite Nerd

Sheldon Cooper has made Jim Parsons a star. Who is Sheldon Cooper? Sheldon is a character on The Big Bang Theory a sitcom on CBS television. Jim Parsons is the actor who portrays Sheldon but he is so much more than just the nerd from TV. Classically trained at University of San Diego Jim Parsons has been on stage in New York and in several movies. He isn't just a one trick pony.
Growing up in Houston Texas his first role was the Kola-Kola Bird when he was six. He went on to perform in High school and then to the University of Houston before attending school in San Diego. Chuck Lorrey the creator of The Big Bang Theory and a host of other shows was impressed with Parsons' characterization but made him read a second time to make sure it wasn't a fluke. The character of Sheldon has a quirky rhythm that Parsons' classical training was able to make believable. So believable in fact he has one an Emmy award for best actor.
During the hiatus of the show Parsons has made a return to New York theater and is performing in the revival of Harvey playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd. Mr Parsons was reportedly planning to marry his male partner of 10 years but it has been called off as he doesn't want children.
The Big Bang Theory has been signed for another season so there will be at least one more year to catch Parsons as Sheldon.

Bieber goes Bananas

Apparently a tsunami of testosterone has hit Justin Bieber. The moppet is said to have gone nuts and beaten up a member paparazzi on the mean streets of Malibu. First off how embarrassing is it to get a beat down from Justin Bieber; so it has got to be true. What sane person would claim that they were beaten up by the boy toy if it weren't true. Could it be that Justin is the next Sean Penn? Do teenage girls like a guy who can kick some ass? He was with his girlfriend Selena Gomez perhaps it was her who went postal on the paparazzi and this is all a cover up. She does look a bit tougher than Justin. Selena could be the real villain. Justin is just a gentleman and taking the wrap?
Will Malibu soon be taken over by gangs of marauding pop stars roughing up old starlets? Will it no longer be safe for Cher to do her marketing? This could become a dangerous situation. There is more to this story! Justin Bieber beating up paparazzi could be just the tip of the ice berg. Bieber is a true gangsta!

Break Out the White Shoes

Memorial Day is the official start of the summer season. That means is one respects old social mores it is the time to break out your white shoes, belts and if one is a lady hand bags. It is the time for white suits and if you are fair skinned a wide brimmed white hat. Why is this the case. Etiquette experts claim that it is done because it is done. Historians say that in the day before air conditioning white was the one way to stay cool in the summer heat. White linen works best.
There are other sociologists that claim that it was a way for the elite to show their superiority and prove they did not need to work and therefore could wear white. This seems to be the clearest answer to the question. Social mores and dictates often come from the elite and then are repeated by those who strive to be considered the elite. In the years after World War II the rising middle class and flight to the suburbs drove the developement of middle class elitism. Rules became steadfast keeping this new society in line.
The swinging 60's and the desire to break rules by baby boomers was the first chink in societies armor. Then there was the fashion world's decree of winter white. All the rules had then gone to hell. White was acceptable after labour day. Don Johnson may have been the last nail in the coffin of the white after Memorial day rule when he wore his Miami Vice suits all year round accentuating his whiter tan. Now there seems to be no rules. Wear white when you want, wear black in the summer. Only Beverly Sutphin from Serial Mom now knows the old rules and inforces them.

Dark Shadows at Grauman's Chinese

Its Memorial Day weekend and Hollywood is packed. Sidewalks are filled to the curb with wandering tourists. This seemed like a good day to go to the movies. It was a great day for the Chinese Theater. The movie playing was Tim Burton's Dark Shadows; perfect movie for the Grauman's Chinese. Parking was going to be abominable but we had a trick up ours sleeve. There are little side streets tucked away off of Hollywood Blvd. your run of the mill tourist would never know. Score! Eureka a free spot and its a free spot! Off we go into the fray. The two and a half blocks to the theater from the car were an adventure. On a sunny Saturday in the summer season all humanity stops by for some fun. We wove our way over Charlie Sheen, Dolores Hope and Marin Sheen's sidewalk stars until we met Spiderman. He was right outside of the forecourt being photographed by people no longer interested in footprints. Naturally, we greeted him and passed on to the box office. $26 later we had our tickets in hand and charged head first into the fray of the forecourt towards the doors. The nice ticket guy tore our tickets and welcomed us into the lobby of Grauman's. Ornate is a mild word to describe the lobby of the theater. Over the top is a more apt phrasing. There is a lot of red and gold and oriental je ne sais quoi to take in. On either side of the candy counter are alcoves that lead to double doors. In the alcoves displayed in cases are costumes and jewelry from classic films. Bette Davis' dress and Elizabeth Taylor's jewels from Cleopatra. We entered and went down the stairs into the main theater selecting aisle "C".  The interior is even more elaborate and ornate. Lush one might say is a good description. A high, no a very high ceiling painted to the teeth covers the auditorium. The screen is covered by a lotus and bamboo drapery that parts when the previews start. The room went dark and "Dark Shadows" started. A fun Hollywood movie in the palace of Hollywood what better way to start the summer.

H.E.A.R.

In 1988 Kathy Peck the former bass player and singer for the San Francisco band The Contractions noticed after a very loud concert she was experiencing ringing in her ears. This is a condition known as tinnitus. Kathy along with a local physician Flash Gordon started H.E.A.R. a non-profit organization dedicated to combat and bring about awareness of tinnitus. H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers) has been making rockers, sound engineers and music fans aware of the dangers of excessive noise and the damage it can cause. Ear plugs distributed free at concerts and festivals through the hard work of Kathy Peck. H.E.A.R. also conducts hearing awareness clinics as well as school programs educating concert goers about the dangers of tinnitus which can lead to hearing loss.

H.E.A.R. is dependent upon donations and receives no government funding in their mission. In the 20 plus years that Kathy Peck has been working with H.E.A.R. they have received support form industry professionals and the music media. The website for H.E.A.R. is www.hearnet.com and has loads of information and links to resources dealing with hearing loss.

"Running in Bed" by Jeffrey Sharlach

Weho Bistro in West Hollywood hosted a book signing for the new novel by Jeffery Sharlach. "Running in Bed", the first novel by Mr. Sharlach, is the story of a gay man living in New York in the 70's and 80's. Josh Silver's story is told in first person bringing the reader into his new found world and worries about living life as a gay man. I got a copy of the book, that was released this week, and I am about half way through. "Running in Bed" is a quick and so far enjoyable read with a sense of truth to it. Jeffrey Sharlach a charming and personable guy greeted the attendees of his book signing personally with a warm smile and handshake. The event at Weho Bistro was his second stop on his tour of bookstores to promote his new book. The cover photo of Pablo Hernandez is a draw in itself. Pablo Hernandez was also in attendance at Weho Bistro and charmed the crowd of book buyers posing for photos. If the cover doesn't make a splash the contents will engage you as a reader. I look forward to sitting down and finishing the book. In Los Angeles "Running in Bed" is available at Sky Light Books on Vermont in Los Feliz; also in attendance at the Weho Bistor event. "Running in Bed" is an excellent summer read.

007 Shakes a Heineken?

In the latest James Bond movie 007 will be reaching for a Heineken rather than a martini! What! The world as we know it is now over. Cubby Broccoli must be rolling in his grave. Ian Fleming would be shaken and stirred. In an advertising coup Heineken is now getting product placement and Daniel Craig as 007 will be pitching dutch beer. Will he be driving a Fiat? Wearing Men's Warehouse suits? Dating a tranny? Product placement may have just gone to far.

101 Year Old Man Struck and Killed by 91 Year Old Woman

Today in Burbank, California a photographer named Otto Jensen was stuck and killed while crossing a street. The driver of the car that struck him was a 91 year old woman named Mary Beaumont. The victim was reprtedly jaywalking. Mr. Jensen was a well know photographer and had one time been a boxer known as the "Bone Crusher".  He was killed while crossing the street in Burbank where he ran his photography studio. He opened the studio in 1952. Mr. Jensen was a well known celebrity photographer. A sad but ironic story.

Good Bye Inventor of the Remote Eugene Polley

Do you love to lie on your sofa channel surfing? Well if you are are you need to tip your hat today to Eugene Polley the inventor of the remote control. Mr Polley an engineer for Zenith died today at the age 96. It was his invention that made channel surfing and couch potato phrases that have meaning to our 21st century world. His big clunky device changed the world. Humans being basically lazy have always yearned to have tasks done for them and Mr Polley's invention eliminated one of these tasks; getting up to change the channel of the TV. When it was first released as the "flash tuner" by Zenith in the 1950's the device was a hit with the naturally lazy. The flash tuner turned the TV on and off, changed channels and lowered the volume so you didn't have to listen to commercials. What would life be like today if it weren't for Mr Polley. Imagine have to use a dial to go through the 100 channels we have today! When you turn your TV on today thank Eugene Polley!

Ogunquit, Maine a Destination

On the cold Atlantic coast of Maine about an hour and a half north of Boston is a little town called Ogunquit.  The town is small in area and in population but filled with character. The main street of Ogunquit is aptly enough called Main St and is US Rt. 1. The only other major street in the town is called Coast Rd and runs along the coast. What these streets lack in imaginative names they make up for in charm and beauty. Ogunquit was once a village in the larger town of Wells but separated in the 1970's becoming a town in it's one right. Wells is a dry town and this was not working for Ogunquit and one of the first things they did upon establishing independence was grant liquor licences. The little center of town is now filled with restaurants and bars catering to a very diverse clientel.

In the late 1800's Ogunquit was "discovered" by artists and became a destination during the summer for many renowned artists of the day. One of the early residents was Charles Woodbury who open a studio and painting school on the coast road looking over the little inlet called Perkins Cove. He attracted both artists and wealthy summer residents to his school. Not far from his home on Woodbury Lane is the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. The museum is on a beautiful bit of land overlooking the sea and a stony cove surrounded by cliffs. The arts community is very very active and thriving. In 1933 Ogunquit Playhouse opened its door for the summer seasons. The playhouse brings in summer stock shows with Broadway and Hollywood performers. Actors like Montgomery Cliff, Totie Fields, Bette Davis, and Sally Struthers have performed summers in Ogunquit.

During the 1970's the gay community also "found" Ogunquit and it became a gay summer mecca on the scale of Fire Island and Provencetown. Today many of the bars, restaurants and resorts are gay owned and themed establishments.

Ogunquit is an Abenaki word meaning coast lagoon or beautiful place by the sea, depending on whom you ask. The summer days are usually warm and the water is cold but the beaches where the Ogunquit river enters the Atlantic are wide and sandy. Starting at the big beach and running along the cliffs above the water is a walk path called Marginal Way. This runs along the coast of most of the town and out to Perkins Cove. The cove was once a little fisherman's cove and is now filled with shops, galleries and restaurants catering to tourists. The side streets and lanes of Ogunquit are also filled with beautiful summer homes and some estates of the very rich which once made Ogunquit their summer residence.

The one problem with Ogunquit in the summer is tourists. The town has a love hate relationship with tourists. If it were not for the tourists there really would be no Oqunquit. It would be just another little Maine town with lovely views and a sagging economy. Fall is one of the best times to visit Ogunquit if you don't want to be shoulder to shoulder with tourists. The autumn is a beautiful season and well worth the wait. Winter is not the time for a visit. Almost all of the stops and restaurants are closed down for the season and the town itself is a ghost town.

Take the trip and make the visit!

Happy Birthday Grace Jones

I can think of few scarier people than Grace Jones. If Grace Jones tells you to do something you had better well do it! Grace Jones is now 64 years old and don't mess with her. From her rise in popularity in the 70's she has conquered. Ask Schwarzenegger.

I first heard her Warm Leatherette album at a party in high school and stopped dead in my tracks. Her version of Private Life made Chrissy Hynde sound like an Akron housewife.  By the time I heard Bullshit I was hooked. At that tender age I bought all of her previous releases en mass. Boy was there one surprised punk rock boy when I found she was a disco queen of sorts. They were interesting records to say the least but not at all what I was expecting. Then Nightclubbing came out. She was able to make a Police song sound cool! Around this time Ms Jones was touring, doing the nightclub circuit and I knew I had too go and see her. The show was almost 2 hours late starting and Grace came onto stage sang two numbers. She started a third and stopped to yell at the sound man. The song started again and yet another fight break with the sound man arose. At the fourth attempt Grace stopped once a again. picked up a wooden cube from the stage and threw it. "Get your money back! Demand your money back the sound man is an asshole!" Screamed into her mic before storming off stage. About a half an hour and one terrified sound man later she resumed performing and proceeded to kill.

She may be 64 but she is still a force to be reckoned with. A few years ago she was involved in a scuffle on the Eruostar with a conductor. He is either a very brave of a very stupid man. Grace Jones is the new face of Sixty-Four!

A Low Life in High Heels Holly Woodlawn

I was going through my library the other day looking for a little something to re-read. I came across a book that screamed re-read me. "A Low Life in High Heels" is the story of Holly Woodlawn. This is a must read if you have any interest in the "Warhol Superstars". Holly's story is a fascinating read giving a great insight to New York and the underground of the late 60's and early 70's. The book follows her through her ups and downs and uppers and downers.
She starts her story off in Puerto Rico when she was Haroldo living with his grandmother eventually moving to Miami where the seeds of the future Holly were sown. Just like in the Lou Reed song Holly hitch hiked to New York. He became a she and became a housewife. Too young and too wild to settle down Holly found the village and like minded compatriots on the streets. In her book Holly is honest about her dishonesty and her drug use. She and her friends through a series of adventures find themselves at the Factory. Warhol and Paul Morrissey in time cast her in "Trash" along side of Joe Dallesandro. She became a star. Not just a star but a superstar. Hollywood director George Cukor was so taken by her performance he lobbied for her to be nominated for an academy award. The irony of all this is Ms Woodlawn while the toast of the town was locked up in the Tombs. Her crime itself is a story worth making into a movie involves a French diplomat's wife and a stolen check book.
Holly, Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis were a triumvirate of gender bending actresses making a scene in the downtown scene. Sadly, Candy and Jackie didn't survive but Holly did. She went on to perform in cabarets and a score of films.
Why "A Low Life in High Heels" has not yet been made into a film is beyond me. The book is an amazing laugh out loud read and the story of a life well lived. Holly Woodlawn has been living in West Hollywood for the past several years and still makes appearances in films like "Billy's Hollywood Kiss" and documentaries.
Run out and get a copy of "Alow Life in High Heels" you'll be sure to love her story and the read.

Hate to Love You Baby

Donna Smmer has died after a battle with cancer. She was the face of disco music. I have to admit there was a time when I was in junior high school I listened to pop radio and disco music. She was the bad girl who felt love in MacArthur Park. Donna Summer made a lot of people dance. If I had to name a disco singer off the top of my head it would be Donna Summer.
Donna Summer was raised in Boston in a devout Christian family. Her early influnce was Mahlia Jackson. When the 70's came around she became a disco sensation releaseing some of the most widely known disco songs. Try as she may she was always asscoiated with disco no matter how many other styles of music she tried to release. In the 90's she was involved in an anti-gay, anti-AIDS scandel. She eventually sued New York magazine for a piece written about her supposed opinions. Ms Summer's fan base seemed to disappear but in reality gay discos play her music to this day.
Her Last Dance: RIP Donna Summer.

Danny Bonaduce vs. Barry Williams = Genius Casting

Once every now and then a casting agent needs to be given an award! The casting agent for Syfy's upcoming telecast of "Bigfoot" deserves the highest of honors. Bigfoot is apparently discovered in South Dakota and two rivals (here comes the genius part) played by Barry Williams and Danny Bonaduce battle it out to capture the creature. One wants to save it and the other wants to exploit it. Guess who is the villian and who the good guy is. Greg Brady vs. Danny Partridge now there is a grudge match! I don't care how bad this made for Syfy movie is I am watching it. Just when you think the casting couldn't get better; two members of the supporting cast are Howard (Dr Johnny Fever from WKRP) Hesseman and wait for it... Alice Cooper!Casting genis! Who cares what the script is like!

Angelina Jolie Why?

Movie Star? Angelina Jolie is always the face that appears when in the media the term "movie star" comes up. Yes, she has starred in movies but hardly any of them have been good movies. Frankly most of them are rather lack luster. I personally don't get it or her. She is attractive but not exactly a beauty. There are lots of women who are beautiful, many more than her. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as the cliche goes. Celebrity yes, movies star I don't think so. Her body of work is less than remarkable. She did win an academy award I will give her that but otherwise her roles are unimpressive. Ms Jolie is more noted for her marriage and being sired by Jon Voight. Her appearances seem to always cause a stir; again it mystifies me. Can someone explain it to me. I have tried to watch her movies and I have hated them. I will admit I have seen "Kung Fu Panda" maybe this is why she is a "star". Perhaps I am misjudging her. Then I ask myself why do I care. Could it be her face and thigh appears so much on television and magazine covers? She is an enigma!

Banga a New Release From Patti Smith

June 4th is the stated release date for "Banga" Patti Smith's tenth studio album. This is her first release since 2007's "Twelve" a compilation of cover songs and her first original material since her 2004 release of "Trampin". The first single is available for download now. It is titled "April Fool". I love Patti Smith and have since I first heard her many many years ago. I listened to "April Foll" and I was sadly disappointed. I was expecting something musically better. It reminds me of a "Motels" recording form the 80's. It sounds like either "Only the Lonely" or "Take the L out of Lover" only with better lyrics. As a writer of poetry and lyrics she can not be topped.
The information on "Banga" sent out by the record company has a list of tracks. One of the songs on the new release is "This is the Girl" a tribute to Amy Winehouse. The other noted track is a birthday song for Johnny Depp titled "Nine"? I am not sure what to make of either of these but I have high hopes for both. I know she is a fan of Johnny Depp and her tribute to Kurt Cobain "About a Boy" was very moving and rocking. There is another track that was written for the people of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami titled "Fuji-san". This too should be an interesting listen especially as she has written songs of this nature before specifically "Radio Baghdad" and "Gung Ho".
Perhaps as time goes on "April Fool" will grow on me but as of this listen I was hoping for more rock and less middle of the road. I have never thought of her work as being middle of the road so I may be wrong. I will pickup "Banga" when it is released next month with hope.

Selene Luna Interview from Punk Globe

3 and half feet tall and a ball of fun. Who else could I be talking about other than Selene Luna? She may smaller than most stand-up comics but she stand against them all. Selene has brought her brand of lunacy to a club in Silver Lake on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles and kicked some ass. Akbar is her venue and her show is called Selene Luna’s Dog and Pony Show. A dog and pony show is an old showbiz tradition. It is an amalgamation of acts it is vaudeville at its most primal level. It’s DIY, its punk rock and so is Selene.Selene’s dog and pony show has its up and downs, when it is down man is it down but when it is up and it usually is it is hysterically funny as is Selene herself. She is one of the best parts of the show.
Selene is busy; she is working her ass off frankly. She and I chatted a couple of times and she agreed to take some time away from her whirlwind life to talk to me and Punk Globe.

Punk Globe: For our readers who don’t know about you, can you give us a bit of your background?

Selene Luna: I’m a 3’10″ actress, comic and burlesque artist, born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles. I’m an original member of the Velvet Hammer Burlesque, tour internationally and perform regularly with burlesque icon Dita Von Teese. I’m probably best known for my role in Lionsgate’s feature, My Bloody Valentine 3D, and playing Margaret Cho’s assistant in Vh1′s The Cho Show. My stand-up comedy has led me to work alongside Roseanne Barr and Robin Williams, as well.

PG: How did you come up with the idea of The Dog and Pony Show?

Selene: The Dog & Pony Show was my best friend Jackie Beat, drag superstar’s idea. During the Holiday season the entertainment industry tends to shut down, which is torture for someone like me because nothing bums me out more than idle time. Jackie suggested I put on a regular show during this downtime and it snowballed from there.

PG: Do you have someone coming to perform that you are really excited about?

Selene: Yes, I was especially excited about having Alec Mapa, Coco Peru and Calpernia Addams at my last Dog & Pony Show. I’m a tremendous fan of their work and we’re all great friends so it felt like family night. Jackie Beat will be doing my April 29th show so I’m super excited about that too! Jackie’s my vaudeville sister!

PG: How did you get involved with Margaret Cho?

Selene: Margaret and I have been friends for a long time; we met at her birthday party years ago. Margaret’s a beautiful dancer and she too is a fan of burlesque, so I began performing with her in the Sensuous Woman Show, Margaret’s burlesque and variety show. After touring with the Sensuous Woman Show, we continued to work together in various capacities. Margaret’s not only a dear friend but also my standup comedy mentor. I love that woman!

PG: Was the Cho show a lot of fun to do?

Selene: Absolutely! The best part about being on the "The Cho Show" was waking up in the morning to go work with friends that cracked me up all day.

PG: Where has you best show been?

Selene: This is a tough question. I’ve been lucky and old enough to have done more shows than I can remember. Reaching back to recent memory and I’d have to say it was last summer’s southern tour with Dita Von Teese. We did a show at the Dallas House of Blues, and the electricity that came out from that audience was unbelievable. The audience made me feel like we were doing Madison Square Garden.

PG: Have you had any really bad shows?

Selene: Ha! Yes, of course! Bad shows are learning moments for performers. I did a comedy festival in Maine last summer where I completely bombed. I simply wasn’t connecting with the audience, and that happens sometimes. I was tortured about the experience for months. I had the opportunity to return to Maine this January where it was much of the same audience. This time, my set went great and felt thoroughly redeemed. My work was simply better because I learned from previously bombing.

PG: Who would you have in your “Dream” Dog and Pony Show? Living or Dead.

Selene: How much time you got? Liberace , Don Rickles, Burns & Allen, Jack Benny, Joan Rivers, RuPaul, Divine, Katt Williams, David Sedaris, Amy Sedaris, Madeline Kahn, Richard Pryor, Murray Hill, Chavela Vargas, Penn & Teller, Dirty Martini, Dina Martina…my list is endless!

PG: Do you have any upcoming projects that you are really excited about?

Selene: I’m most excited to announce that I’m returning to NYC to perform my solo show “Special Needs” at the Laurie Beechman Theater on March 31^st http://seleneluna.com/site/?p=2033. Also, I’ll be doing a west coast tour with Dita Von Teese and opening for Margaret Cho in 2012. Please visit my calendar for dates and information.

PG: You are travelling a lot, where will you be so our readers who don’t live in Hollywood can see you?

Selene: The best thing to do is to visit my online calendar which is frequently updated http://seleneluna.com/site/?page_id=2

PG:  Do you have any show business advice you would like to pass along?

Selene: If you’re thinking of pursuing a showbiz career, just remember, your agent collects 10% because you do 90% of the work.

Selene Luna’s Dog and Pony Show plays on most Sunday nights at the Akbar throughout the summer. If you are in Los Angeles on a Sunday night around 8pm and have five bucks the show is well worth every single one of those five dollars and more!

Thriftshopper's Dream: Picasso

A man walks into a thriftshop... Sounds like the start of a bad joke right? This is a true story and not a joke though. A man walks into a thriftshop in Ohio and roots around looking for mid-century housewares and kitschy art and what does he find; a Picasso linocut worth thousands of dollars. Seven thousand dollars to be exact. This is every thrift shopper's dream. Who doesn't want to find that lost Vermeer or even Noguchi coffee table for pennies on the dollar? This thrift shopper, Zachary Bodish, succeded where so many of us have failed. He hit pay dirt and he hit it big. Mr. Bodish  paid the only in a thriftshop price of $14.14 for the Picasso linocut. He is living the story every participant on "Anitques Roadshow" dreams about. I say to you Zachary Bodish RIGHT ON! Keep on shopping and so shall we, if you can do so can someone else. I know that Vermeer is out there waiting for me or perhaps you but I hope me!

I Think RuPaul Said It Best

Poor John Travolta

Once again John Travolta's sexuality is being questioned. Two different masseurs have made complaints against him. Both of the claims by men identified only as "John Doe" have similar stories. John Travolta and his representatives have denied the claims. Rumours of Travolta's alleged urges have circulated for many years. The latest claims have been reported by the always accurate and believable TMZ as well as The Huffington Post. This time the claims have rather salacious details attached to them. Details about his behavior, genitals, and past. John Travolta is now being sued for 2 million dollars. Travolta's camp have dismissed the charges and called them fabrications by the masseurs who are looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Is this a case of two different men in cahoots to embarrass a successful actor or a case of "the lady doth protest too much. I guess only time and TMZ will tell.

lost and found by Jacki

I was sent an link to a site called blurb.com. The link is for a book titled "lost and found" by a New York photographer and archivist named Jacki. "lost and found" is a book of photos that are a collection of found and lost family photos. The photos are black and white and of a time that is lost. Jacki's photo collection harks back to a time that was in America. Urban and rural mix with the quaint and charming.
These are photos that were once a staple of American households and often lost to time. It is a piece of Americana.

No Animals Were Killed for this Work

Friday, May 4th was the opening night for La Luz de Jesus Gallery's latest show "The Rogue Taxidermy Biennial!" show on Hollywood Blvd. The Gallery if you haven't been there or heard of it is in the back of Wacko a store that is hard to qualify. The show in the gallery is a group show and the theme that connects the work is taxidermy. Animal bodies or bits of them are incorporated into all of the pieces.

The gallery's website and literature about the show insist that any animal bits or obtained from either road kill, discarded livestock or creatures that have died from natural causes. It make one fell a little less guilty about looking at the work and thoroughly enjoying them. A sense of whimsy and humor is yet another link. The works that could easily be nauseating are engaging and fun to look at.  The show compliments the kookiness that is Wacko and it's wares. Need a funny card, a voodoo candle or a book about mass murders Wacko is your first stop in Los Angeles.

Many of the pieces in the show were macabre and fun at the same time. Doll houses ensconsed in the neck of a deer, chic ladies hats made of chicken feather and their bedazzled heads make up just a fraction of the work and the fun. Some of the work is disturbing but if placed next to work that defies a laugh it's shock is made palatable to even the most gentele of attendees.
The show closes on May 27th so if you are in town run down to Los Feliz and check it out!

Rats! I missed Arbor Day!

Damnit! I am a fool! I wasn't paying attention and I missed Arbor Day! I love arbor day. I love trees. Not all all of them mind you but I love most trees. That's not to say I have actual tree enemies. Althought there are a few shrubs that in the past I have had issues with. Trees are a-okay in my book. I live in a house with a yard. It has some trees. Its more of a cliff really with a couple of unmaintained palm trees. Because its a cliff, and I am talking real ass steep cliff I have never been into the back yard. So those poor palms someone else planted are on their own. I bought a couple of citrus trees to atone for my guilt over the palms. We tend to overcompensate with the citrus. We named them. We have a lemon named John and a lime named Rose's. John has a few lemons. Roses is thus far barren. John recently went into bloom. I was so proud! We actually serenaded John. We sang "Lemon Tree" as we didn't know any other lemon songs. So Rose's didn't feel jealous I sang the only lime song I could think of; Harry Nilsson's "Lime and the Coconut". To no avail; Rose's is still barren. I've not given up hope yet. I try not to bring it up during watering time. I do encourage John as his flowers are now turning into little itty bitty lemons. I am hoping that Rose's will see all the praise being heaped onto John and pick up the ball and run with it. I never knew being a tree owner would be so time consuming and worrying. Seeing I have missed Arbor Day I do have a secret treat in store for them. I was at a tree store and picked up some citrus tree fertilizer. Some tree treats. I hope even though I am a few days, well weeks really, late I'll be forgiven! Happy Belated Arbor Day to all!

MCA RIP

I was watching the news this morning when I heard that Adam Yauch died. I stopped what I was doing and just sat for a second. "Damn", I thought "He was young". MCA and the Beastie Boys changed hip hop and the music scene. Never before had 3 Jewish boys from Brooklyn been recognized as rappers never mind hits. I loved them the minute I heard "Cooky Puss". The humor and wit they exuded was amazing. When "License to Ill" came out I was hooked. Their music became the anthem of so many peoples lives.
I was reading a news report later during the day and the tributes from other musicians and comments left by readers and fans made it really hit home how much he was loved. People who hadn't thought about it realized that they loved him and his music. I hope that he understood that.

Patricia Krentcil a Tanorexic or "Toast of the Town"?

Patricia Kentcil of Nutley (apt?) New Jersey is derided by many for her tanned skin. Perhaps she is right she is beautiful. Her skin is reminiscent of a fine Chanel handbag or the interior of a Chrysler Cordoba. Aren't both of those considered beautiful? Or do I mean luxurious?  Patricia Kentcil may be right when she says her detractors are "jealous, fat and ugly'. What is wrong with the color of her sKin? It is the color of a delicious cup of French Roast coffee with just a touch of steamed milk. She is an Americana in barrista terms.

Patricia Kentcil says she didn't bring her daughter tanning. I believe her. Would anyone tan that want to be caught in public with that ginger child. The shame she must feel; pink skin! Even if she did bring the kid with her cut her some slack. It was hours from her last tanning. She's a modern mother on the move who was getting paler by the second.
Snooky may disavow herself from Patricia Kentcil's tanning but in Patricia Kentcil's own words she is just "jealous, fat and ugly". Who really takes Snooky seriously anyway? If you are using Snooky as your level head you are grasping at straws anyway.
Free Patricia Kentcil! Exororate her! George Hamilton should be coming to her aide asap! Melaninamaniacs must all come out of their closets! Your day has come! Arise sun worshipers arise!

Karma Story Zsa Zsa Gabor

Every one's lives have high and low spots. Very few of us have had the highs and the lows like Zsa Zsa Gabor. An international celebrity Zsa Zsa has lead a fascinating life but now she is in physical and perhaps mental decline. Gone are the days and nights of glamour Zsa Zsa is now bed ridden and a figure of litigation. Frederic Prinz von Anhalt her current husband and Francesca Hilton her only child are engaged in a nasty fight over the control of Zsa Zsa's healtcare and ultimately money. It looks as it will be a sad end for a woman who lived so broadly.
Karma is defined as a law in Hinduism which maintains that every act done, no matter how insignificant, will eventually return to the doer with equal impact. Has Karma come to get Zsa Zsa? It could be looked at that way. Zsa Zsa is infamous for marrying and divorcing and always coming out ahead. She is quoted as saying "I'm a very good housekeeper. Every time I get divorced I keep the house." Granted she was joking and that was part of her professional and public personae but in every joke there is a grain of truth.

The Gabors Magda, Zsa Zsa and Eva along with their mother Jolie are a story unto themselves. If they had been born later and lived in this era they most definitely would have a reality show. They are the original Kardashians. Originally from Budapest Hungary the Gabors have vague pasts and even vaguer society connections. Zsa Zsa was Miss Hungary of 1936 and the rest of the family were able to escape the nazi occuaption of World War II. The family ended up in the US and seemingly dropped into the society pages of the 1950's. In their hey day they were all considered stars just for being Gabors. They are prime subjects for a film. They were all over the top and very glamourus.

Zsa Zsa was perhaps the best known of the family altough sister Eva did have a very successful television career in the 1960's. It was Zsa Zsa though who got the headlines. She is famous mainly for having married 9 times. Her second husband and father of her only child was Conrad Hilton the heir of the Hilton hotel chain. Her third husband was actor George Sands who was later married to her older sister Magda. Zsa Zsa's eighth arriage was very short lived. She was married to Felipe de Alba for one day until there was an annullment as her previous marriage was not quite over. Her last, longest and perhaps most controversial marriage was to Frederic Prinz von Anhalt.

The prince is really not a true prince. He is the son of a Frankfurt Chief of Police and a massuse who was adopted by the wife of a Prussian Prince when he was an adult. The house of von Anhalt do not recognise his title. This is where Zsa Zsa current problems start. Prinz von Anhalt is a loose cannon to say the least. He at one time claimed he was the biological father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter as well as claiming he was running for mayor of Los Angeles.

Zsa Zsa in the twilight of her life has been plagued with health and financial issues. This has brought about the animosity between her daughter and current husband. It is a very sad ending to a larger than life life. Zsa Zsa if she can may want to think about karma and what it all means. "For a smart girl men are no problem - they are the answer" Zsa Zsa is now bed ridden in a mortaged mansion and the figure of a nasty series of law motions. This is surely not how she wanted this life to end. No Dahling!

Mrs. Brown's Boys

I was sent a link to a you-tube video this week and I am now obsessed with a new TV show. Mrs. Brown's Boys. Created by Irish writer and performer Brenden O'Carroll Mrs. Brown's Boys is a co-production between Ireland's RTE and BBC Scotland. Sitcoms on the BBC have more of an edge than most American sitcoms and Mrs. Brown's Boys has a sharper edge than most BBC sitcoms.
Mrs. Brown's Boys is adapted from a series of books written by Brenden O'Carroll the cast of the show is mainly made up of members of his family. Brenden O'Carroll himself plays the lead character Agnes Brown. Mrs. Brown is a tart nasty mouthed matriarch with 4 sons and a daughter living in Dublin. There is also Grandad Agnes' father-in-law her senile nemesis living in her home. Winnie McGoogan is Agnes's best friend and slow witted next door neighbor. Relationships with her children and Winnie are the basises of the plot. Agnes loves them but tortures them with her insanity. If you don't like bad language you won't care for Mrs. Brown. She is filthy mouthed but hysterically funny. Unfortunately Mrs. Brown's Boys isn't available in the US on anything other than DVD or short you-tube clips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U430rpfjIIQ&feature=BFa&list=SPB45CC9BA4B4A72BC

Click the link to see Mrs. Brown in action!