Chicago Sun-Times :: Entertainment ::

Expanding horizons: The diverse, family-friendly Folk & Roots fest

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Jim DeRogatis: Though it garners less attention than some of the summer's hipper or more-hyped music celebrations, the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music, always has some of the most diverse and surprising bookings, as well as by far the most family-friendly vibe.

Excess, 'Entourage' style

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Paige Wiser: Over the last five seasons, fictional box-office heartthrob Vincent Chase has seen his career gain cred with the indie "Queens Boulevard," go blockbuster with James Cameron's "Aquaman" and then flop with the self-indulgent "Medellin."

William Petersen tackles dark and disturbing 'Blackbird'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Hedy Weiss: At 56, William L. Petersen is still a ruggedly handsome actor continually in search of big artistic challenges. Considered one of the "elder statesman" of Chicago theater (though he might cringe at the description), he forged his career here, went on to fame and fortune in Hollywood (including a nine-year stint as Dr. Gil Grissom in the CBS drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"), and recently returned "home" to work on the stages he knows and loves best.

Michael Jackson's songs elusive in video games

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

With an impressive collection of pop hits as both a solo artist and with the Jackson 5, you would expect the late Michael Jackson to be well-represented in music and rhythm video games. But music by the Gloved One has been elusive. Can a �Karaoke Revolution presents Michael Jackson� or �Rock Band: Michael Jackson� be far behind?

No Doubt about Stefani's motivation for touring

BY CORTNEY HARDING Billboard — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

In between bites of a Cobb salad, Gwen Stefani is explaining why No Doubt is on tour for the first time in five years and has no new album to promote.

Waiting for Michael's brain

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

This gives new meaning to the phrase "a no-brainer.'' It sounds creepy -- and almost like something out of a horror film -- but Michael Jackson's brain was not in that casket during the service at Staples Center Tuesday.

New album, tour promote Sparks' musical evolution

BY MONICA HERRERA Billboard — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Even Jordin Sparks knows how giddy she sounds. As the 19-year-old singer rattles off a list of favorite tracks from her new album, "Battlefield" -- out July 21 -- her excitement is contagious.

Hit-making Soulja Boy battles on for respect

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Even though Soulja Boy had the world doing his eponymous dance two years ago thanks to the No. 1 sensation "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," the teenage rap star still was dismissed as a lightweight and even a joke in some rap circles, and some wondered if he would be able to match the success of his smash hit.

Hilton stiffed film's PR push, investors say

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Paris Hilton hated her 2006 movie "Pledge This!" and refused for months to make promotional appearances for it despite a contract requiring her to do so, lawyers for the film's investors said in court Thursday. "During the six-month period, at no time would she take 10 minutes to do a phone interview," attorney Bryan West said in opening statements of the $8 million lawsuit. With Hilton nodding from her defense table seat, her lawyer insisted she did numerous appearances for the movie but was unavailable to meet many requests by the film's producers. Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno, who is hearing the lawsuit, asked West whether the contract allowed Hilton to refuse even the most outrageous promotion requests. "If you said, 'She has to parade nude down the Champs-Elysees with a 'Pledge This!' banner' ... and she said no, would that be breach of contract?" Moreno asked. Then, answering his own question, he added, "No, of course not." Hilton is expected to testify today.

The Mix: Really cool things to do

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

PARTY TIME

Jackson tribute a huge draw in world of comics

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Tributes to Michael Jackson will keep coming in the days and months ahead as the King of Pop is memorialized in myriad ways.

Japanese screen art on display at Art Institute

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

A major exhibition that showcases the rarely seen masterpieces of Japanese screens is open at the Art Institute of Chicago in the Loop.

'Chicago Gardens' exhibit see artists' visions in full bloom

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

An art exhibit focusing on plants and gardens in the Windy City is on display at the Chicago Tourism Center in the Loop.

'In Search of Beethoven' gives genius his due

BY ANDREW PATNER — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Three years ago, British filmmaker Phil Grabsky upended the creaky models of movies -- documentaries or features -- about great composers with "In Search of Mozart." With portable and hand-held cameras and without actors or re-enactments, Grabsky followed the steps and carriage rides of the boy and then adult genius using only actual musical performances and interviews with players, conductors and musicologists to tell his story.

'Peyton Place' still worth visiting -- 45 years later

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

"This is the continuing story of Peyton Place ..."

New on DVD

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

'EL CAMINO'

Arthouse films

BY BILL STAMETS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Opening this week on the local film society circuit:

Watson's school days to follow new 'Potter'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

NEW YORK -- She's Hogwarts' most-likely-to-succeed.

Expanding horizons: The diverse, family-friendly Folk & Roots fest

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

No Doubt about Stefani's motivation for touring

BY CORTNEY HARDING Billboard — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

In between bites of a Cobb salad, Gwen Stefani is explaining why No Doubt is on tour for the first time in five years and has no new album to promote.

Lara continues to drive Mexitronica movement

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Camilo Lara, the man behind the Mexican Institute of Sound, knows both sides of the business. By day, he's an exec at EMI Mexico, and by night, he fronts MIS, one of the leading groups in the "Mexitronica" movement, which fuses electronica, hip-hop and Latin sounds.

Michael Jackson's songs elusive in video games

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

New album, tour promote Sparks' musical evolution

BY MONICA HERRERA Billboard — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Even Jordin Sparks knows how giddy she sounds. As the 19-year-old singer rattles off a list of favorite tracks from her new album, "Battlefield" -- out July 21 -- her excitement is contagious.

Hit-making Soulja Boy battles on for respect

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Club hopping

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

RYAN BINGHAM & THE DEAD HORSES

The Mix: Really cool things to do

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

PARTY TIME

Ticketline

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

TODAY

MJ game is a thriller for those selling rare title

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

The sudden passing of Michael Jackson has led people to stampede into their local record shops or troll eBay to snap up anything and everything related to the King of Pop, including video games.

Graf, Grant Park Orchestra bring out best in Bruckner

BY ANDREW PATNER — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Despite his Viennese heritage and training, Grant Park Music Festival principal conductor Carlos Kalmar has never been keen on the grand orchestral works of Austria's Anton Bruckner. One hopes that this gifted musician will, in time, give the pious visionary a second look. Under guest conductor Hans Graf, the Grant Park Orchestra demonstrated Wednesday night at the Pritzker Pavilion that it has the chops to take on these giant and mystical works.

Waiting for Michael's brain

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Comic Artie Lange charged with DUI in NJ

FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

TOMS RIVER, N.J. -- Comedian and radio personality Artie Lange has been charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant and careless driving after a minor traffic accident in central New Jersey.

Michael Jackson's dad to be at Gary memorial

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

GARY, Ind. � The mayor of Gary, Ind. says Michael Jackson�s father will attend a memorial service for the pop icon in the family�s hometown.

Watson's school days to follow new 'Potter'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

NEW YORK -- She's Hogwarts' most-likely-to-succeed.

Ryan Seacrest expands 'American Idol' contract'

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

This is ... a rich new deal for �American Idol� host Ryan Seacrest.

Jones making plays, waves

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Lewis Lazare: Earl Jones controls a lot of what Chicago radio listeners hear each day. As president and market manager of Clear Channel Radio/Chicago since 2005, Jones sits atop the second-largest cluster of radio stations -- six altogether -- in the local market. The stations Jones, 51, manages are some of the city's most popular and high profile -- ranging from urban contemporary WGCI-FM (107.5) to adult contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9) and the recently launched hot Spanish adult contemporary station Mega 95.5, formerly smooth jazz WNUA-FM (95.5).

Excess, 'Entourage' style

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

Ryan Seacrest expands 'American Idol' contract'

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

This is ... a rich new deal for �American Idol� host Ryan Seacrest.

Michael Jackson's songs elusive in video games

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

MJ game is a thriller for those selling rare title

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

The sudden passing of Michael Jackson has led people to stampede into their local record shops or troll eBay to snap up anything and everything related to the King of Pop, including video games.

Gamezone: 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is a half-baked game.

Gamezone: 'Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00 CST

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