There’s a book signing tonight for  “Morris Lapidus: The Architecture of Joy,” by Deborah Desilets. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at SwitchModern, 1193 Howell Mill Rd.

From the book description:

“Known for inventing the postwar resort hotel with the Fontainebleau and the Eden Roc in Miami Beach, Morris Lapidus (1902–2001) is revered for his joyful interpretation of modernist tenets through an American vernacular of spectacle and whimsy.

Lapidus enthusiastically embraced modernism’s formal freedom and sensuality while rejecting its more rigid principles, producing a unique style that seamlessly blends baroque fantasia with modernism’s clean lines and flowing spaces.”

If you’d like to go RSVP to Liz Lapidus, granddaughter of the book’s subject! E-mail her at RSVP@LizLapiduspr.com.

Continue reading Book on famous Miami architect has local connection »

A reality show personality who bills herself as a “trendsetter, entrepreneur, and shoe consultant to the stars” is facing some legal drama following a fracas at a New York nightclub.

Rashidah Ali, who has appeared on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” has been accused of assaulting bouncer Joseph Wright. The New York Daily News has posted a gruesome photo of the damage to Wright’s face.

His lawyer was quick with a camera-ready quote, telling the Daily News, “We think Ali should be on “The Real Housewives of Rikers Island.”

The lawyer, Paul Edelstein, said his client is suing Ali for $10 million. Here is a link to the story that details the allegations against Ali.

The Daily News said Ali did not respond to their calls seeking comment. The AJC has also contacted Ali seeking comment; we will post her response if we hear back. She hasn’t made any mention of the allegations on her Twitter account, instead posting lighthearted comments like, “Good Morning Tweeties!”

Ali appeared on …

Continue reading “Real Housewives” guest star in real trouble »

Maybe the Georgia Tech dance team would like to try out for this new reality show. AJC staff photo by Elissa Eubanks

So you think you can dance, and want to be a star? Well, here you go.

A new reality show seeks dance teams in the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

We don’t have a lot of details, just that a major network is looking for dance team members.

Morningstar Entertainment, which creates and produces television programs for A&E, History Channel, Lifetime, Discovery, and TLC, is working on this. They’re looking for strong personalities as well as proficient dancers.

A casting event will be held here soon. They’re looking for people ages 16 to 28, with at least three dancers in each crew. (Ideally, more like four or five). All-female, all-male, or male-female dance teams are fine. When we know where and the audition will be held we’ll post details.

For now, if you and your dance-team buddies want more information, email ealexander@morningstarentertainment.com. Include your …

Continue reading New reality show seeks dance teams »

CNN

Nancy Grace and Joan Gaeta never met, but the prosecutor turned television host and author just knows they would have loved each other.

“She was one of the best mothers in the world,” Grace told us during a phone interview. “I only hope I can be as good a mother.”

As she has for several years, Grace will emcee the annual Dancing For Joan fundraiser, benefiting the Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund. It’s planned for 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Pavilion of East Cobb, 736 Johnson Ferry Road, and tickets start at $150 each.

For tickets or more information see www.dancingforjoan.org.

A lifelong nonsmoker, Gaeta was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 and died in 2007. Her husband and children started the annual event to honor her memory and support research efforts.

“She’s a real and vital part of her family even now,” Grace said. “I feel like she’s with us.”

Her own children, twins John David and Lucy, are active 3-year-olds who love to dance and keep their mom busy. “I know all mothers …

Continue reading Nancy Grace to host a charity night of dancing »

Big Idea Entertainment

Readers of this blog know we are all about celebrities, and sometimes that means singing cucumbers.

Veggie Tales’ “Happy Together” is the latest video starring melodic salad ingredients from Big Idea, Inc., and we have our hands on a few copies, just in time for a pre-Valentine’s Day giveaway. Here’s the description:

“Join Bob, Larry and all your VeggieTales pals for ‘Happy Together!’ Featuring three classic stories about friendship, faith, and family. Plus…funny and touching thoughts from the ‘Veggie Kids’ (as voiced by real children) sharing their perspective on true happiness as only kids can!”

So, who wants one? We’ll do a random drawing of all the responses and will notify the winners via e-mail.

UPDATE! Congrats Carrie, Mandi and Jen, our randomly selected winners. Note: when I do giveaways I get someone else to do the drawing so it’s completely impartial.  Stay tuned for more fun giveaways and thanks everyone for …

Continue reading Valentine’s Veggie Tales giveaway »

Photo from http://www.bobatl.com

Passengers on a Sunday morning Delta flight bound from Atlanta to Los Angeles got a little something extra along with the instructions about fastening seat belts and stowing tray tables.

Local rapper B.o.B. entertained the folks over the plane’s intercom system with a unique rendition of his Grammy-nominated song “Airplanes.”

“He got a kick out of it,” said Delta’s Heather Faulkner. “He’s near and dear to our hearts because he’s an Atlanta guy,  and we’re an Atlanta-based airline.”

Delta posted this video of the young artist yesterday. The Grammy nominee did a great job, and it looks like he enjoyed himself!

Continue reading B.o.B. serves as Delta’s in-flight entertainment »

AP Photo/Charlie Krupa

Oh say can you sing?

The game was pretty good but the entertainment? Uh, maybe not so much.

Twitter exploded pre-game yesterday after Christina Aguilera botched the lyrics to the National Anthem.

Here’s a link to the unfortunate performance.

She quickly apologized, saying she was “lost in the moment.”

“I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through,” she said in a statement.

Former Falcons player Deion Sanders, a new Hall of Famer, came to her defense, tweeting, Y’all leave Christina alone. I was just informed that was the remix. The NFL was running behind so she was sweet enough to help us out.”

Then there was the half-time show. The Black Eyed Peas, in their blingy light-up costumes, accompanied by a legion of choreographed dancers lining up in formation on the field, certainly looked cool. They sounded sort of off, though, like they couldn’t hear themselves well enough to …

Continue reading Monday morning quarterback: Super Bowl entertainment »

Chrysler

I say Eminem is this year’s Super Bowl MVP.

Most valuable pitchman.

Both the ads he appeared in, for Brisk and Chrysler, were super. The Chrysler ad made me want to buy a Chrysler and drive it to Detroit.

VW

The VW “Darth Vader” ad is getting lots of buzz. In fact it started getting attention before the game, as VW posted it on social media networks in advance. So it felt familiar by the time it aired. It was understated and sweet.

Best Buy

Justin Bieber showed some self-effacing humor in the ad for Best Buy he filmed with Ozzy Osbourne. Tag line: “What’s a Bieber?”

“All I’m gonna say is if you can laugh at yourself life is more fun,” the teen superstar tweeted.

I thought the Android ad, with the thumbs sticking out of the robot, was sort of creepy. Did you like the Dorito’s ads? Pepsi Max? Bud? Coca-Cola? What was your favorite?

Here’s a link to all of the commercials, posted on YouTube.

Continue reading Favorite Super Bowl commercial? »

“Joyful Noise,” the film starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, is cranking in Newnan, the Coweta County seat about 45 minutes south of Atlanta.

If you live down that way, expect to see activity on and around the town square.

The movie is about two women who team up to save a gospel choir that has hit a rough patch. As is often the case the film needs extras to pack the pews or otherwise fill out the backgrounds of scenes.

Want in? The company that’s casting for extras has posted full details at this link.

Continue reading Ready to make a “Joyful Noise?” »

Jennifer Garner performing with Allen O'Reilly in the summer of 1994. Photos courtesy of Georgia Shakespeare

Jennifer Garner is in town shooting a film called “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” but it’s not the first time she’s worked here.

In 1994, she was an acting intern during Georgia Shakespeare’s Summer Festival. During that summer, she appeared in the chorus of “Shrew: The Musical” and played Jessica in “The Merchant of Venice” and the fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Jennifer Garner, left, with Megan McFarland.

Her duties included entertaining, with the other interns, during the pre-show picnic crowd by going from table to table singing songs and reciting Shakespeare sonnets to guests. She even helped a man propose to his girlfriend!

Thanks to Georgia Shakespeare for sending us these photos!

Continue reading Photos of Jennifer Garner in Atlanta…back in the day »