Media City Groove
Media City/Burbank l news l entertainment l features l opinion l and whatever sparks interest
A couple of talented saxmen greeted shoppers at the Pavilions supermarket, 1110 West Alameda Avenue in Burbank, with their rendition of some classic holiday songs, last Tuesday. Prompting some to drop a little extra in a nearby Salvation Army red kettle. The music drifted out into the parking lot and lingered. Sounds of the season.
The forecast is for sunny skies and warmer temperatures in Burbank today and tomorrow. That’s going to make the folks headed over to the Rock-a-Hula very happy. Yup, there will be some serious rocking and partying at the Verdugo Aquatic Facility 3201 West Verdugo Avenue on Thursday, September 15 . The event is designed for active seniors, 55 or older. There will be swimming, aqua fitness demonstrations, food, dancing, and a tribute to the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis. The pool party is free and runs from... Read More →
Thousands turned out for Beyonce’s #WorldFormationTour at the Rose Bowl last night. In the sold-out crowd, celebrities Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson Peete, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Ashley Tisdale, Kerry Washington, Octavia Spencer, along with mega-producer Shonda Rhimes and retired NBA star Kobe Bryant. I was not lucky enough to get a ticket. Pasadena Now reports that at one point tickets soared to $1,500 for some of the best seats. No matter the price, the Internet chatter is saying Queen Bey slayed it! “Love On Top” tonight in Pasadena. #FormationWorldTour... Read More →
Disney’s animation “Zootopia” beat back the competition to stay number one at the box office for the third straight week. Over the weekend, “Zootopia” pulled in an estimated $38 million at the domestic box office — kicking its total to over $200 million. Worldwide, “Zootopia” is more than half way to the $1 billion dollar mark. ABC News, Box Office Mojo Apple is whipping up a lot of chatter on the Internet with the unveiling today of its new smart phone, a... Read More →
Music that inspired the civil rights movement will be the topic of an event in Burbank tonight. Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, will lead the discussion. Santelli is a well-known blues and rock historian. He will “talk about the music that was the key element in the success of the civil rights movement, used to rally the nation and energize the fight for freedom” according to Burbanklibrary.com The event runs from 7-8 p.m. at the Buena Vista Library at 300 North... Read More →
A group of talented young musicians are putting on a special event for the community tomorrow night. “Summer Music Soiree” features classical music performed by Burroughs High School sophomore, Maya Paredes and freshman, Ella Jennings, Jordan Middle schooler, Eyen Paredes, and a few of their friends. The concert is free, but organizers are hoping to raise funds to benefit music education in Burbank via the nonprofit group Education Through Music – LA, with a raffle and suggested donation. The concert will be at the First Presbyterian Church at 521 East Olive... Read More →
Another demonstration of the power of social media. Long time Dodger Stadium organist, Nancy Bea Hefley, was apparently being phased out and replaced with “pre-recorded pop and hip hop music” at the ballpark. Hefley has been playing for the Dodgers for more than 20 years. However, lately the Dodger front office had been giving her hints she was no longer wanted on its team. Well, after she reportedly vented on Facebook about being shown the door the fans came to her rescue. The result: Dodger management was “shamed”... Read More →
Every Saturday, Simply Coffee in Magnolia Park will be featuring live music. Today, the duo “Jesse’s Pride” entertained guests on the coffee shop’s patio with acoustic Latin, folk, blues, and jazz. Simply Coffee began offering live music for the first time last Saturday. They plan to continue providing this musical treat for patrons every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Inside, Simply Coffee has that great smell of freshly brewed java and tasty treats. The owner’s wife, Heidy Otarola, works behind the counter on the weekends. She says... Read More →
Joe Cocker had some strange moves when he sang on stage, but that was okay. It’s his gritty voice and passionate singing that will be remembered most. The pop and blues singer passed away yesterday reportedly after a battle with lung cancer. He was 70. Cocker shot to fame during the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. During his performance at that festival, Cocker put his own spin on the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” and turned it into one of his signature songs.
A spectacular evening of music and fashion is planned for the opening night gala of the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra’s 24th concert season. Several Burbank Philharmonic musicians will be wearing gowns created for this special evening by the talented fashion designers at Woodbury University. Soloist, Heidi Hatch, will be performing Glazunov’s “Violin Concerto” and wearing one of the designer creations. This is the second year of the partnership between the university and the orchestra.
The free concert will be held at the Ambassador Auditorium. The Burbank Philharmonic music director, Steven Kerstein, conducts the program. Street parking is limited. Parking in the structure is $10. More information at http://burbankphilharmonic.com/bpo/2014/09/21/fall-concert
Beer, food, and music at the OktoBURfest in Downtown Burbank. You’ll get to sample 60 different beer varieties from 25 plus craft breweries. KCRW DJ Gary Calamar will be providing the electric sounds. OktoBURfest will be held in a specially constructed Biergarten outdoors on San Fernando Boulevard between Olive Avenue and Angeleno Avenue in Downtown Burbank.
Tickets are $45 for general admission (2:00 to 7:00 PM), and $55 for the VIP reception (12 noon to 2:00 PM). VIP tickets include access to rare and high quality drafts. More ticket information, including discounts for seniors and groups http://downtownburbankoktoburfest.eventbrite.com
Attendees who book their room at a Burbank hotel via www.visitburbank.com will receive two complimentary OktoBURfest tickets. Also, for those who want to leave the driving to someone else on-demand ridesharing company Lyft is offering a $25 credit for first-time users.
For more information on the event, contact@downtown-burbank.org or call 818-238-5180.
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon Rock legend October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980
Barbra Streisand has a new album of duets coming out this month called “Partners.” On it, the legendary singer teams up with a number of talented male vocalists including Lionel Richie for the classic “The Way We Were.” Here’s a behind the scenes look at that recording session. (click on headline)
A delightful surprise in Burbank this morning. I was out for that morning power walk at around 8:30 a.m. on South Griffith Park Drive. Suddenly, the silence was pierced by the lovely sound of a lone violin. So much into his music and the peace of the morning, the man stopped playing only long enough to tell me he was not a violinist, but “an actor” who apparently has a love and talent for that string instrument. A wonderful, but all too brief encounter.
People Magazine’s most beautiful woman of 2014 and Oscar-winner, Lupita Nyong’o, has received a new honor. Nyong’o made the list of 271 achievers invited to become new members of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. “This year’s class of invitees represents some of the most talented, creative and passionate filmmakers working in our industry today,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs in a statement posted on the organization’s website. “Their contributions to film have entertained audiences around the world, and... Read More →
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50. His memory and his music live on. I want to give a shout- out to the music genius with one of my favorite MJ tunes and videos, “Remember the Time” (released January 14, 1992). The cast includes entertainer, Eddie Murphy, supermodel, Iman, Laker legend, Magic Johnson, and stars, the King of Pop.
“I approach everything in my life the same way; if it feels right, I know it.” — Kenny G Saxophonist Born June 5, 1956
Reality star, Nicole Richie, and hubby are selling a Glendale estate, according to the Zillow blog. The asking price, $1, 875, 000. Before the couple married, Joel Madden bought the property for $75,000 less than the asking price in 2004. Madden is the lead vocalist for the pop-punk group Good Charlotte. The 1930s Spanish Colonial at 1516 Hillcrest Avenue has been restored and upgraded. The mansion has 4-bedrooms, 4-baths, huge kitchen, oversized formal dining room, thick crown moldings, beamed ceilings, and French doors throughout. The lush... Read More →
Prince rocked the “Arsenio Hall Show” on Wednesday, March 6, and now he’s apparently planning to do the same for the Hollywood Palladium for the next couple of nights. The Wrap says tickets for tonight’s show went on sale Wednesday and tickets for Saturday’s performance today. It’s not unusual for Prince to pop in and play unannounced at venues in the Southland. The shows are sellouts. Tickets reportedly are already being scalped on Craigslist for the upcoming Prince shows. More here.
What do bananas have to do with Valentine’s Day? They are on a short list of little known aphrodisiacs along with honey, almonds, watermelon and sushi, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Daily Dish. Instead of telling your guy to eat his Wheaties, this article suggests asparagus. Interesting. Actor Ralph Waite, best known for playing the father on TV series “The Waltons,” has died. Waite appeared in a number of other TV series and daytime soaps including most recently “Days of Our Lives.” Also,... Read More →
The French helmet-wearing duo, Daft Punk, are probably feeling pretty lucky today and for good reason. They walked away with some the biggest awards at the Grammys last night, including, Record of the Year for “Get Lucky,” Album of the Year for “Random Access Memories,” and for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. I have not heard their entire album, but the song “Get Lucky” has been playing on local radio stations for months. The electronic pop beat of “Get Lucky” is catchy, but the lyrics are so... Read More →
A member of the renown rock duo, Everly Brothers, has died in Burbank, according to the Los Angeles Times website. Phil Everly passed away at Providence Saint Joseph’s Medical Center yesterday, following a battle with lung disease. He was 74. His wife. Patti Everly, reportedly told the Times that he “fought long and hard” with the illness, which she blamed on a lifetime of cigarette smoking. Phil and his older brother Don had several hits in the late 50s and early 60s showcasing their distinctive harmony. Some of their... Read More →
