SavvySugar

Vanity Fair's "New Hollywood" issue completely lacks diversity!

PinkNC — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:55:07 -0800

By Joanna Douglas (Shine from Yahoo)

One thing magazines love to do is call dibs on who will be the new "It" celebrities in the year to come. Sometimes they pick stars whose careers are destined to take off, occasionally they make incredible calls with near-nobodies who later become A-listers, and usually the majority of their picks fade into oblivion.

While we'd like to think celeb bible Vanity Fair puts a great deal of thought and planning into its annual "New Hollywood" issue, this year the editors really limited their scope when it came to choosing the next big stars. (Or perhaps they overemphasized the "Fair"? )

Every woman on its new cover is extremely thin and very, very white. Unless Vanity Fair considers one redhead to be diversity, we feel the need to cry foul

The cover of the March issue features Abbie Cornish, Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan, Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Hall, Mia Wasikowska, Emma Stone, Evan Rachel Wood, and Anna Kendrick. Many, if not all of these women have good reason to grace the Vanity Fair cover, and to be a part of what they have dubbed "the fresh faces of 2010."

Evan Rachel Wood has garnered critical acclaim since her Golden Globe-nominated performance in 2003's "Thirteen" as well as loads of media attention from her highly publicized romance with rocker Marilyn Manson. Kristen Stewart was catapulted to fame by the mega-successful "Twilight" franchise and will star as Joan Jett in the upcoming film, "The Runaways," while Amanda Seyfried's career was put in motion after her role in 2008's "Mamma Mia!"

But WAIT: Vanity Fair already had both Stewart and Seyfried on an August 2008 cover touting "Hollywood's New Wave." And this was also a white-girl-only cover. Were there no promising young actors of color who could have been featured in either issue?

Though it's true, Young Hollywood is predominantly Caucasian, we can think of a slew of non-white, non-rail thin actors who made a splash this year (Gabourey Sidibe from "Precious" anyone?). In the accompanying article, Vanity Fair writer Evgenia Peretz calls out the young cover stars by their best attributes: "downy-soft cheeks," "button nose," "patrician looks and celebrated pedigree," "dewy, wide-eyed loveliness," "Ivory-soap-girl features" -which sounds like an uppity white-girl stereotype, someone we've all become very familiar with seeing on the big screen, nothing new about it.

Roles for black, Asian, and Latin actors are scarce in Hollywood, but surely Sidibe, Zoe Saldana of "Avatar" and "Star Trek," and Freida Pinto of "Slumdog Millionaire" are having their moment. Vanity Fair may have been looking for the most promising batch of talent for their issue, but they should have been looking for a diverse group of women as well.

We reached out to Vanity Fair for comment, but as of publishing time they did not respond.
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Raising taxes doesn't raise revenue?

mymellowman — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:44:16 -0700

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124329282377252471.html

Millionaires Go Missing - Maryland's fleeced taxpayers fight back.

Here's a two-minute drill in soak-the-rich economics:

Maryland couldn't balance its budget last year, so the state tried to close the shortfall by fleecing the wealthy. Politicians in Annapolis created a millionaire tax bracket, raising the top marginal income-tax rate to 6.25%. And because cities such as Baltimore and Bethesda also impose income taxes, the state-local tax rate can go as high as 9.45%. Governor Martin O'Malley, a dedicated class warrior, declared that these richest 0.3% of filers were "willing and able to pay their fair share." The Baltimore Sun predicted the rich would "grin and bear it."

One year later, nobody's grinning. One-third of the millionaires have disappeared from Maryland tax rolls. In 2008 roughly 3,000 million-dollar income tax returns were filed by the end of April. This year there were 2,000, which the state comptroller's office concedes is a "substantial decline." On those missing returns, the government collects 6.25% of nothing. Instead of the state coffers gaining the extra $106 million the politicians predicted, millionaires paid $100 million less in taxes than they did last year -- even at higher rates.

No doubt the majority of that loss in millionaire filings results from the recession. However, this is one reason that depending on the rich to finance government is so ill-advised: Progressive tax rates create mountains of cash during good times that vanish during recessions. For evidence, consult California, New York and New Jersey (see here).

The Maryland state revenue office says it's "way too early" to tell how many millionaires moved out of the state when the tax rates rose. But no one disputes that some rich filers did leave. It's easier than the redistributionists think. Christopher Summers, president of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, notes: "Marylanders with high incomes typically own second homes in tax friendlier states like Florida, Delaware, South Carolina and Virginia. So it's easy for them to change their residency."

All of this means that the burden of paying for bloated government in Annapolis will fall on the middle class. Thanks to the futility of soaking the rich, these working families will now pay Mr. O'Malley's "fair share."

Signature Theatre Open House

iHeartU83 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:20:26 -0700

I absolutely love this place. I've been going here since i was in high school, before it upgraded to the wonderful place house that it is now. It used to be a little spot off of four mile run in Arlington, now it is an amazing play house in the Shirlington area of Arlington VA, so come check out this amazing event...and did i mention its FREE!

Scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2008, Signature Theatre's 3rd Annual Open House gives you the opportunity to experience Signature through performances, master classes, and the ever popular Broadway on the Plaza concert.
This year's events will include performances by Tony® Nominee Emily Skinner, Broadway Dreamgirl and R&B recording Artist Julia Nixon, as well as some of Signature's favorite performers.

All events are free and open to the public.
SEE YOU THERE!

Schedule of Events:*

11:30am
DOORS OPEN

12:00pm
Signature Season Highlights Concert
In The MAX
Highlights from this Season's Musicals Ace, Anyone Can Whistle, See What I Wanna See, and Giant, featuring Erin Driscoll, Eleasha Gamble, James Gardiner, Will Gartshore, and Tracy Lynn Olivera

12:15pm
Overtures Graduates in Concert
In The ARK
Students from Overtures, Signature's summer musical theater institute, perform their favorite songs. This is a chance to see future musical theater stars in the making.

12:15pm
Signature Theatre Documentary Screening
In the Shirlington Library
A documentary about the growth, success, and spirit of Signature Theatre. The film takes us on a lively journey of the Theatre’s development, featuring interviews with Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, footage and photos of the Theatre’s previous home, its outreach programs, and its new location anchoring Shirlington Village.
12:30pm
Lobby Performance: Little River Turnpike
Mead Lobby
Amy McWilliams, Steve McWilliams, and Stephen Gregory Smith join together to sing some of their favorite pop songs.

12:45pm
Brad Waller Children's Stage Combat Workshop
In the Shirlington Library
Fight choreographer Brad Waller teaches a workshop in stage combat for kids ages 6 through 12. Locally, he has served as a fight choreographer for many of Shakespeare Theatre's productions.

1:00pm
Will Gartshore: Acting with Music Master Class
In the Shen Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Helen Hayes Award Winner Will Gartshore (Urinetown, Assassins, Merrily We Roll Along) leads a master class in acting a song for pre-selected students from local universities. The class is open to the public to watch and learn followed by a question and answer period.

1:15pm
Game Show: Who Wants to Be A Millionaire
In The ARK
Well, no one is actually going to win a million dollars, but we do have some pretty cool prizes. How much do you know about musical theater and Signature? Test your knowledge for a chance to win such prizes as a season subscription for two, dinner with Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, and much more. Get your Lifelines ready and join Matt Conner, Eric Schaeffer, and the infamous Leopard Ladies as they host "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (Only 30 minutes)
1:30pm
Emily Skinner: Broadway, My Way
In The MAX
Tony® Award nominee and Virginia native Emily Skinner brings her acclaimed Feinstein's cabaret act to Signature Theatre. Emily Skinner appeared in Signature Theatre's The Witches of Eastwick and will appear in this season's new musical adventure Ace. Her Broadway credits include Side Show, Jekyll & Hyde, James Joyce's The Dead, Full Monty, and Dinner at Eight.

1:45pm
A Conversation with Signature's Costume Shop Manager, Guy Bailey
Costume Shop, 4th Floor
Learn all about what it takes to bring the works of costume designers like Susan Hilferty, Robert Perdziola, Anne Kennedy, and others to life. Costume Shop Manager Guy Bailey will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in Signature Theatre's costume shop.

2:00pm
A Conversation with Signature's Production Team
Sondheim Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Join Signature Theatre’s Production Manager and Master Electrician as they give you the inside scoop on what it takes to mount a Signature Theatre production.

2:15pm
Stephen Gregory Smith: Insomnieoke Cabaret
In The ARK
Helen Hayes Award Winner Stephen Gregory Smith (110 In the Shade, Into the Woods, Kiss of the Spider Woman) shares selections from his latest cabaret act Insomnieoke.

2:30pm
Eric Schaeffer: Performance Master Class
Shen Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer leads a master class for pre-selected students from local universities. The class is open to the public to watch and learn followed by a question and answer period.

2:30pm
Lobby Performance: My Audition Book
Mead Lobby
Join Overtures Graduates and recent Kander & Ebb Overtures Cabaret performers Florrie Bagel (Into The Woods, Broadway in Ballston), Priscilla Cuellar (My Fair Lady, Into The Woods, Saving Aimee), and Weslie Woodley as they share with you their favorite songs from their audition books.

2:45pm
Brad Waller Stage Combat Workshop
In the Shirlington Library
Fight choreographer Brad Waller teaches a workshop in stage combat. Locally he has served as a fight choreographer for many of Shakespeare Theatre's productions.

3:00pm
Musical Mayhem: Signature's Improv Show (Where Anyone Can See The Lieutenant's Giant Dog Whistle)
In The MAX
A hilarious comedy improv show featuring some of your favorite Signature performers. Watch as these seasoned actors let there hair down in a show of improv, music, sketches, games, and much more. It's certain to be a blast!
3:15pm
Plaza Concert: Temika Moore
On the Plaza
Philadelphia native and DC area resident Temika Moore is jazzy, soulful, and simply organic. Imagine: the folk-style of Tracy Chapman meets the refined soul of Anita Baker.

3:30pm
Sondheim Sing-Along
In The ARK
Come sing-along to the music of the composer that Signature knows best, Stephen Sondheim. Join local performers as they teach you to sing songs from some of your favorite Sondheim musicals.

3:45pm
Matthew Gardiner: Dancin' Broadway Master Class
Shen Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor

Bring along your dance shoes for a master class led by Helen Hayes Award Winner Matthew Gardiner (Studio Theatre's Reefer Madness and Jerry Springer The Opera). Open for the public to view or participate.

4:00pm
A Conversation with Signature's Costume Shop Manager, Guy Bailey
Costume Shop, 4th Floor
Learn all about what it takes to bring the works of costume designers like Susan Hilferty, Robert Perdziola, Anne Kennedy, and others to life. Costume Shop Manager Guy Bailey will give you a behind the scenes look at what goes on in Signature Theatre's costume shop.

4:00pm
Lobby Performance: Peter Lerman
Mead Lobby
Join singer/songwriter Peter Lerman in the lobby as he shares his unique blend of musical theater and folk music. Lerman writes in a style called "New Americana" - folk songs fused with dramatic storytelling, influenced by such songwriters as Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie, Randy Newman, and Shel SIlverstein.

4:15pm
Signature Theatre Documentary Screening
In the Shirlington Library
A documentary about the growth, success, and spirit of Signature Theatre. The film takes us on a lively journey of the Theatre’s development, featuring interviews with Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, footage and photos of the Theatre’s previous home, its outreach programs, and its new location anchoring Shirlington Village.
4:30pm
Julia Nixon in Concert
In The MAX
Award winning artist and former Broadway Dreamgirl Julia Nixon shares her favorites songs from her debut album, Keepin’ On Track.

4:30pm
Pet Fashion Show
On the Plaza
Dress your dog to impress in a one-of-a-kind pet fashion show.

4:45pm
Game Show: Name That Signature Tune
In The ARK
Does that song sound familiar? Do you know what Signature musical it's from? Join composer and actor Matt Conner and Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer as they take us on a nostalgic trip through Signature's past shows. Who knows, you might even pick up prize. (Only 30 minutes)

5:00pm
Plaza Concert: Temika Moore
On the Plaza
Philadelphia native and DC area resident Temika Moore is jazzy, soulful, and simply organic. Imagine: the folk-style of Tracy Chapman meets the refined soul of Anita Baker.

5:15pm
Michael Baron: Auditioning Master Class
In the Shen Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Watch as local university students get behind-the-scenes instruction on the art of auditioning from Signature Theatre's own casting director, Michael Baron. Open for the public to view.

5:30pm
Lobby Performance: Matt Conner
Mead Lobby
Matt Conner’s piano stylings have become a pre-show staple here at Signature Theatre. Enjoy a cool beverage in the lobby while you wait for the next performance to begin, as local composer and actor Matt Conner sits down at the piano to entertain you in true Signature fashion.

5:45pm
Signature Season Highlights Concert
In The ARK
Highlights from this Season's Musicals Ace, Anyone Can Whistle, See What I Wanna See, and Giant, featuring Erin Driscoll, Eleasha Gamble, James Gardiner, Will Gartshore, and Tracy Lynn Olivera

6:00pm
Emily Skinner: Broadway, My Way
In The MAX
Tony® Award nominee and Virginia native Emily Skinner brings her acclaimed Feinstein's cabaret act to Signature Theatre. Emily Skinner appeared in Signature Theatre's The Witches of Eastwick and will appear in this season's new musical adventure Ace. Her Broadway credits include Side Show, Jekyll & Hyde, James Joyce's The Dead, Full Monty, and Dinner at Eight.

6:15pm
Plaza Concert: Nothing Unexpected
On the Plaza
From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Nothing Unexpected is a four piece rock band. The band has graced the stage with the likes of Bob Dylan, Gnarls Barkley, Matchbook Romance, Punchline, Fall Out Boy, and many more.

6:30pm
Ask Maggie & Eric: A Conversation with Signature's Leadership Team
In the Shen Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Do you have a question about our upcoming season? Join Siganture's new Managing Director, Maggie Boland, and Artistic Director, Eric Schaeffer for a special one time conversation.

6:45pm
Game Show: Who Wants to Be A Millionaire
In The ARK
Well, no one is actually going to win a million dollars, but we do have some pretty cool prizes. How much do you know about musical theater and Signature? Test your knowledge for a chance to win such prizes as a season subscription for two, dinner with Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, and much more. Get your Lifelines ready and join Matt Conner, Eric Schaeffer, and the infamous Leopard Ladies as they host "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (Only 30 minutes)

7:00pm
A Conversation with Signature's Production Team
In the Sondheim Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Join Signature Theatre’s Production Manager and Master Electrician as they give you the inside scoop on what it takes to mount a Signature Theatre production.

7:15pm
Lobby Performance: Matt Conner & Friends
Mead Lobby
Join Matt Conner, Eleasha Gamble, Stephen Gregory Smith, and Kara-Tameika Watkins for a lively concert. Enjoy a cool beverage in the lobby while you wait for the next performance to begin, as these local talents entertain you in true Signature fashion.

7:15pm
Plaza Concert: SSUUNA
On the Plaza
Through an exotic fusion of traditional and contemporary East African music, dance, and storytelling accompanied by traditional instruments, SSUUNA will take the audience on a crucial but delightful cultural extravaganza with a promise to experience our cultural similarities and to walk away respecting the differences. SSUUNA; The Spirit of Africa is here to keep love in action.

7:30pm
Julia Nixon in Concert
In The MAX
Award winning artist and former Broadway Dreamgirl Julia Nixon shares her favorites songs from her debut album, Keepin’ On Track.

7:45pm
Revenge of the Understudies Cabaret
In The ARK
A cabaret featuring the understudies from Signature's 2007-2008 Season, these are some very talented young performers that are not to be missed.
8:30pm
Signature Sings Broadway in Shirlington
On the Plaza
Welcome back the day's performers and additional special guests for an exciting closer to the Open House. Featuring some of your favorite Broadway tunes, this a concert that you just can't miss.

ONGOING OPEN HOUSE EVENTS

Signature Street
On the Plaza
Enjoy our family activities throughout the day including a moonbounce, snow cones, popcorn, and balloons.

Kids Activities: Story-Time and Crafts
In the Shirlington Library
Bring the kids and get creative from 12:00-4:30pm.

Signature Design Showcase
In the Sondheim Rehearsal Room, 4th Floor
Feast your eyes on some of the memorable set models, costume sketches, and more from Signature's past productions from 12:00-8:00pm

Signature Costume Showcase
In the Signature Costume Shop, 4th Floor
Take a look at actual costume pieces from previous as well as upcoming Signature productions from 12:00-8:00pm

Refreshments & Information
In the Mead Lobby

Ali's Bar will be open to purchase snacks and sodas, and you'll find staff on hand to answer any questions about the Theatre and the upcoming season.

PRESENTED IN CONNECTION WITH SIGNATURE’S OPEN HOUSE

The Village at Shirlington’s
Dog Days of Summer
3pm – 7pm

Celebrate summer with your four-legged friends.
• Pet portraits- go home with a complimentary photo!
• Pet fashion show at 4:30pm – Dress your dog to impress!
• Best trick contest
• Pet bakery and groomer
• Store promotions and giveaways
• Adopt a dog or puppy from AFH Rescue Foundation or Precious Paws Rescue

Rules and Regulations: please keep dogs on a leash (6 ft or less) at all times, pets must wear ID tags, pet handlers must clean up after their pets, pet handlers must be 12 or older and remain with pet at all times, pets must be 4 months of age or older, small children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, no female dogs in heat, pets not allowed in Theatre.

For more information please call (301)998-8153

All Open House events are subject to change.

http://www.signature-theatre.org/index.htm

Jay-Z’s generous prenup with Beyonce

justingirl1989 — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:31:15 -0700

Beyonce and Jay-Z got married in a moderately top secret small wedding and reception at Jay-Z’s Tribeca penthouse apartment in early April. The paparazzi were crowded outside, surrounding guests limos like zombies hungry for brains, but apart from some subdued photos of people coming and leaving there were no pictures of the event. For a female performer known for multiple elaborate costume changes and extravagant wigs, Beyonce kept her special day surprisingly private. It wasn’t without its luxuries of course. The venue was decorated all in white, guests were instructed to wear white, and 50 to 60 thousand white orchids were imported from Thailand.

Rumor has it that Beyonce is expecting a child with Jay-Z, and that may have prompted the longterm couple to get married quickly, but the date of their wedding had special significance for them and suggests it was planned well in advance. Their birthdays both fall on the fourth of separate months, they have roman numeral IV tattoos on their ring fingers, and their wedding was held on 4/4/08.

If Beyonce is pregnant, a potential child with Jay-Z is worth $5 million under her prenuptial agreement. She has her own empire and is a multi-millionaire in her own right. Jay-Z is worth at least $300 million, though, and his financial advisers are said to have encouraged him to draw up a prenup to protect his assets. He supposedly made it generous in order to be fair:

“The prenup calls for Jay-Z to pay Beyonce $10 million if the marriage ends after two years, and $1 million dollars a year for each further year she remains in the marriage, up to 15 years,” revealed a source familiar with the deal.

“If they do split, he’s promised to pony up $10 million to buy her a home..

“He’s promised to pay her an additional $5 million for each child she bears him - for her ‘loss of income’ during the pregnancy and child-rearing years.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, May 12, 2008]

Other provisions in the rumored prenup include “access to their private jet and a fleet of cars,” and all expenses paid college educations for their future children.

Doesn’t it seem like the prenup should pay out more the longer you stay with the person, like the amount increases per year so that spouses aren’t encouraged to cash out early? Maybe they assume that if you’re with someone for financial reasons it’s better not to include incentives to stick it out under false pretenses.

It seems like a necessity for celebrities and people with money to get prenuptial agreements since everyone’s chances at a lasting marriage are about 50/50. You also never know if you’ll have a successful career and eclipse your spouse’s earnings, and how your circumstances may change. I remember reading Suze Orman and being impressed by her reasons to always get a prenup.

Beyonce and Jay-Z have been together for a while, and there have been faint rumblings that they’re fighting or having trouble, but they’ve stuck it out and kept their relationship private. I bet they’ll last, and that they’re aiming for 4 kids.

Beyonce made a brief appearance at Jay-Z’s concert at Madison Square Garden on Friday. The first few bars of “Crazy in Love” came on and Beyonce did a dance on stage briefly. Jay-Z said “that’s some good sh*t right there,” which may have been a reference to the rumor that he got mad andmade the DJ stop playing “Crazy in Love” at an earlier show.

Beyonce sure can move, but it’s hard to tell if she’s pregnant or not. The camera stays on her upper body on the big screen on stage and never moves down.

http://www.celeb*tchy.com/11415/jay-zs_generous_prenup_with_beyonce/