Category: Entertainment

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Astrology: Reminder – Mercury Still Retrograde Until 9/12/10

Reminder: Mercury went retrograde on 8/20/10 in the Earth sign of Virgo. Even though this might not be the best time to initiate action, it could be a great moment to review and revive discarded ideas. Sometimes a little distance can bring new insight into something that you thought was a no deal. It might be a keeper after all.

So, as per my earlier post, my “RE” mantra for Mercury Retrograde time is always:  review, rethink, rework, revisit, rewind

We have until 9/12/10 (in the U.S.) for this planet of communication/techie stuff/transportation to stop and turn “Direct”. It will go forward, still in Virgo, and you might notice a freeing up of those little snafus that have been plaguing your plans for the last few weeks.

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Astrology: Aries Moon for the Weekend 8/27

Moon vibrates in energetic Fire sign Aries for Friday and Saturday.  The mood will change on Sunday morning as the Moon shifts into the steady Earth sign Taurus.

As always with Aries, make sure you have something physical to do. Reign in any aggressive urges, think before you act (rash impulses can lead to embarrassment?). But, all that energy can make it a fun time had by all.

Sunday morning Taurus moon – have a lovely, romantic day if you can. Be obstinate only when it really matters. (Being stubborn, just because you know you can, may be a bit limiting for opportunities. Think about it.)


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Astrology: Pisces Full Moon, 8/24/10

The “Full” stage of the Moon intensifies the characteristics/energy of the Astrology sign it is in. So, Full Moon in Pisces, think: emotion, creativity, hazy reality, imagination.

If you have something important to do, stay focused. Be discerning. If things seem a little vague, you may want to delay any decisions. Keep grounded, things may not be as bad/good as they seem.  (The sky is NOT falling today and the Brooklyn Bridge has already been sold too many times.)

Make music, art, stories. Use any heightened sensitivity for beautiful things. Spread some Pisces kindness among family and friends. Smile at nice looking strangers. (This is where that “discerning” thing comes in handy)

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Astrology: Sun into Virgo – Bi Coastal Split

Earth sign Virgo gets a chance at the Sun on 2 different dates, depending on where you are – Sunday 8/22 10:27PM PDT and Monday 8/23 1:27AM EDT. Whether it is your birth sign or not, we will feel the effects of this practical, hardworking, Mercury ruled 6th sign of the Zodiac until 9/22/10.

But, (there is always one of those) remember that Mercury, planet of communication – speaking/writing, etc – will be retrograde in Virgo from 8/20 to 9/12 and some of those natural Virgo traits like, attention to detail, glorification of service, may be blunted. Don’t get frustrated and grab on to the other traits of this sign – super critical, worrying for the sake of… If you can stay away from the classic “analyze/paralyze” thing, you can make strides in organization, focusing on job advances (if that’s what you want), financial plans, etc.

Smile, it will be okay. Just do what Virgos are always good at regardless – lending aid and assistance. Making schedules, making plans, improving things, finding a good health/exercise regimen. Contribute!

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Astrology: Weekend Moon – Mixed Energy, But It’s All Good

Moon in Capricorn on Friday, 8/20 – Moon in Aquarius on Saturday evening 8/21 thru Sunday,  8/22 – hmmmm.

Work hard, be in charge on Friday and attend a community fund raiser, coral volunteers for a neighborhood project on Saturday/Sunday?

Whichever you decide to do, use the energy of the particular sign the Moon is visiting on that day.

Earthy Capricorn: Authority, ambition, organized

Airy Aquarius: Friendly, innovative, comfortable in groups with a cause

In any case, use your best stuff as always, have fun.

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Astrology: Moving Planets – Mercury Retrograde 8/20/10

Okay. All those “re” words work best at times like these – review, rethink, rework, revisit, reduce (not really).  Mercury, the communications planet, appearing to go  backwards in the sky, from 8/20 to 9/12, is not necessarily an event of horrific proportions.  It can be dealt with.

The possibility of communication snafus are intensified this time because Mercury is in one of the signs it rules, Virgo (the other is Gemini). When going direct, all the Virgo/Mercury traits are pumped – analyze, write, speak, teach, work, service. With the sluggishness of a Retrograde, energy may be blunted and slips of the tongue or pen, Freudian or otherwise, can occur. Project initiation/creation would be best delayed if possible – if not, be meticulous, be careful. (Jump all over the details.)

(Next Mercury Retrograde will be 12/10/10 in Capricorn.)

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Brian Stokes Mitchell – Like Him!

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific”  is running on PBS again during their pledge weeks. Its not the Mary Martin film of 1950’s, but a musical done “in concert”, (all in character and full voice w/o sets), at Carnegie Hall. He starred as Emile the estate owner – the entire cast was great, but as always, Brian Stokes Mitchell stood out.

As he sings “This Nearly Was Mine”, he uses his voice to paint a picture of a man lamenting about a “paradise” he has always wanted and dreamt about, and just missed reaching. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (He got a standing “O” for that one.)

Mr. Mitchell elevates all that he graces with his presence. From his non singing comedy turn as Trevor the weatherman on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, to performing with the Boston Pops. Always intense, always present, he is always excellent.

Known best for Broadway musical theater – I was fortunate to see him twice as the dapper & tragic “Coalhouse Walker ” in “Ragtime”, (1998). His other credits include Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), a revival of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” (1999), for which he won a Tony, and August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” (2001)

He also has a CD – “Brian Stokes Mitchell” – Jazz, show tunes and pop standards with his own special style. He is a baritone with great feeling.

Brian Stokes Mitchell – I like him.

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Astrology: About That Leo New Moon

“New Moon” in Leo happened on Monday August 9 – both the Sun and the Moon are in the generous, royal sign of Leo. With the Sun as ruler, this Fire sign is all about joyous, confidence (like our President Obama!).

New Moons are best for creativity, fun and beginnings. If you have a project to start, someone that you need to enroll in your life, a presentation to make – charm and fortune are amped up. Depending on where Leo falls in your chart and due to other current planet happenings, it may take some effort, but the “possibilities are endless” as they say. Prepare, plot, plan – go for it. You will feel the effects for several days.

Next up – a Tuesday afternoon Virgo Moon, which brings a focus on health and work.

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LA Black Book Expo * August 21, 2010

Reminder: Los Angeles will host its popular Black Book Expo again this year on Saturday 8/21 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. This one day event will offer “authors, storytellers, spoken word and poetry performances, musicians, exhibitors, children’s book authors, emerging writers, publishers, booksellers, panel discussions, editors, book reviewers…”

The Los Angeles Black Book Expo (LABBX)* August 21st * 11:00-5:00


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DVD: Director Roberto Rossellini

Italian Neorealist director Roberto Rossellini, (1906-1977), made a series of films just after World War II labeled the “War Trilogy”. They have been issued in a DVD box set :
“Rome Open City, (1945)” “Paisan” (1946) and “Germany Year Zero” (1948)

Acclaimed by French directors François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, their articles appeared in the film magazine “Cahiers du Cinema”,  declaring Rosselini “the father of the French New Wave”. His use of non-actors, his focus on little human interest stories and his use of the Italian street as back drop gave Rossellini ‘s films a grittiness and realism rarely seen in Europe before the war.

Roberto Rossellini’s “War Trilogy”