The Encore Magazine Blog

Indie Summer: Catch a film at the IFC Center

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:41:35 -0400

There is nothing better than seeing a good movie during the summer! It is the perfect way to escape the heat or start the night before you go out. Most people go for the big summer blockbusters but often times big budgets to not mean the movie will be good. This summer you should try something different. Try having an Indie summer and catch a movie at the IFC Center.

The IFC is the ultimate entertainment space for New Yorkers seeking out the best in independent film. The IFC center opened in June 2005 in the historic Waverly theater. It has five state-of-the-art cinemas with High-Def digital and 35mm projection and serves organic popcorn with real, natural butter at the concession stand.

Another fun thing about the IFC Center is that they have themed nights and specialty films that you may not be able to see anywhere else. Along with showing independent, foreign and documentary features, the IFC has Short Attention Span Cinema featuring short films before every feature. The IFC also has weekend classics Fridays through Sundays at 11 am. A perfect way to start you weekend.

The Posteritati Gallery at IFC Center is an exhibition of vintage movie posters from around the globe. I love a good vintage movie poster!

So if you are looking for something fun and new with film, the IFC Center is the way to go!

For movie and event listings and for more information about the IFC Center click here.

Eddie Izzard To Join New Cast Of Broadway's Race

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:52:35 -0400

Starting on June 21, 2010 British comedian and two-time Emmy award-winning actor Eddie Izzard will join the new cast of David Mamet’s Race on Broadway. Joining Izzard will be Golden Globe and SAG award nominee, Dennis Haysbert who will be making his Broadway debut, Afton C. Williamson and original cast member Richard Thomas. The cast will perform Race for an exclusive nine week limited engagement at the The Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

The original and current cast for Race includes James Spader, David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas. I was fortunate enough to see Race with this cast a while back and I thought that Grier gave a spectacular performance!

Race has received huge buzz during it’s run for it’s thought provoking and provocative subject matter. For more information about Race click here.

Brooklyn Arts Council Kicks Off Summer Season Of Black Brooklyn Renaissance With Black Brooklyn Drum Call

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:22:37 -0400

Brooklyn Arts Council will open the summer season of the yearlong initiative, Black Brooklyn Renaissance, with the Black Brooklyn Drum Call, a FREE event on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 2 to 5:30pm. The drum call will be a gathering of Brooklyn musicians practicing the art of drumming from many African, Afro-Caribbean, African American and Hispanic diasporic communities including Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The artists will take over Grand Army Plaza, performing and uniting ten distinct styles of drumming, demonstrating the role drums have played in the history of various cultures as well as the complexity of African drumming practiced in the borough.

The drum call will have drumming demos and drum-making workshops followed by a symposium on the history of African drumming in Brooklyn moderated by Neil Clarke who has played with the likes of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Mekeba.

Typically a means of announcement or a call to action in many African cultures, this Drum Call signifies the commencement of a summer series of Brooklyn festivals celebrating African diaspora, such as the West Indian American Labor Day Carnival.

This free event is intended to be an interactive community event so they are encouraging the public to bring their drums and have a good time!

For more information on the Brooklyn Arts council, the Black Brooklyn Drum Call or to see the full summer calendar for Black Brooklyn Renaissance, please click here.

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: More Fun In The Park!

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:39:38 -0400

What could be more fun than enjoying a movie in the park with hundreds of your closest friends? Summer is BACK and so is the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. After you kick off the summer with Memorial Day in the Hamptons you can look forward to Movies in Bryant Park every Monday night starting June 21st. Here is the full calendar:

Monday June 21, 2010

-Goldfinger at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday June 28, 2010

-Carousel at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday July 5, 2010

-The French Connection at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday July 12, 2010

-My Man Godfrey at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday July 19, 2010

-The China Syndrome at 5 pm on The Lawn

Monday July 26, 2010

-Monty Python and The Holy Grail at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday August 2, 2010

-Rosemary’s Baby at 5pm o The Lawn

Monday August 9, 2010

-The Goodbye Girl at 5pm on the Lawn

Monday August 16, 2010

-12 Angry Men at 5pm on The Lawn

Monday August 23, 2010

-Bonnie and Clyde

For more information on the films and and the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival click here.

The Bryant Park Reading Room

Wed, 19 May 2010 11:15:27 -0400

The great thing about New York City is that it offers its people and visitors a ton free and fun things to do. I recently discovered that Bryant Park has a reading room where people can go and just relax and read a book or magazine for free! What a lovely way to relax after work or during your lunch break. What is even better than being able to escape the city in such a pretty place is the history of the Bryant Park reading room. It dates back to 1935!

The original Reading Room began in August of 1935 as a public response to the Depression Era job losses in New York. So many people had no place to go during the day so the New York Public Library opened the “Open Air Library” to give out-of-work businessmen and intellectuals a place to go to enjoy reading materials without money or a library card. Patrons were simply asked to sign in and out. Eventually the Reading Room was closed in 1944 due to an increase in jobs and World War II.

The Bryant Park Corporation has recreated history by recreating the Bryant Park Reading Room. It is modeled after the original with the additions of custom-designed carts for an extensive and eclectic selection of books, periodicals and newspapers, kid-sized carts and furniture for children to use. There are even reading programs and events at the reading room where authors come to read and talk about their books. The one I am most excited about is on Wednesday, June 16th from12:30 pm - 1:45 pm when Kelly Cutrone, PR genius and star of Bravo T.V.’s Kell On Earth, will be speaking about her latest book!

Just like the original reading room, the programming, publications, and environment are available to everyone for free, without any need of cards or identification.

WIN A NIGHT OUT WITH THE LIVING DEAD! Encore celebrates BAM’s presentation of Romero!

Tue, 11 May 2010 14:12:00 -0400

People seem to be obsessed with zombies these days. There are some that say that the zombies are going to rise up and slowly take over the world. People have actually written survival guides on how to survive a zombie attack, created social media groups about the zombies coming and even joined gyms that have zombie survival boot camp. A while back I even did a post about a Zombie Lurch in Austin, Texas. I think that we can all agree that the best way to survive a Zombie take over is by taking a look back at the history of zombie Attacks via zombie movies of the past!

BAM is celebrating the release of horror maestro George A. Romero’s newest zombie gore-fest, Survival of the Dead, with a mini-retrospective weekend of his creepiest work this Saturday. You could win a pair of tickets and dinner for 2 and a special invitation to the Q/A afterwards with George Romero!

Here are the rules:

Encore will be showing a new Romero clip every day throughout the week and posting a trivia question on our twitter and Facebook sites. By answering as many questions correctly, Encore Insiders can win a pair of tickets and dinner for 2. You must sign up to be an Encore Insider to participate. There’s no cost to signing up or participating in the contest. Sign up to be an Encore insider here.

Here is the link to the first video: http://encoremag.com/media

The first question that you must answer is: The first to die is ‘Johnny’ or his girlfriend?

Please send all answers for this contest to promo@encoremag.com

Sign up to be an Encore insider and be sure to check Encore’s Twitter and Facebook for the next video and triva question! Good luck! Hopefully the zombies won’t come before the event!

Tribeca Triva

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:25:00 -0400

The Tribeca Film Festival officially starts today and will continue until May 2. The festival has rapidly become one of the most popular and regarded film festivals in the world with many careers and films being launched there.

Many people are familiar with the name of this festival but some may not know some interesting facts about why it was started or what goes on. I took it upon myself to find some facts about The Tribeca film festival that you may or may not know. Test your knowledge!

* Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan through an annual celebration of film, music and culture.

* Since its founding, it has attracted an international audience of more than 2.3 million attendees and has generated an estimated $600 million in economic activity for New York City.

* Co-founded 1989 by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, the Tribeca Film Center was the first commercial space in Tribeca dedicated to housing film, television, and entertainment companies.

* From April 23 through April 30 the Tribeca Film Festival Virtual will allow live online screenings of 8 feature films and 18 short features, along with red-carpet events and question-and-answer sessions with film personnel; a virtual pass is $45.

* Tribeca Enterprises was established in 2003 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, the company currently operates a network of branded entertainment businesses including the Tribeca Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival International, and Tribeca Cinemas.

* The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival will include screenings of 85 features and 47 short films at various locations in Lower Manhattan.

* The Tribeca Film Festival is a great place to see the hottest celebs!

* In 2005 Felicity Huffman won the award for Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film at the festival for Transamerica.

* Chiefs, directed by Daniel Junge was the first documentary to win the festivals award for Best Documentary Feature in 2002.

*In 2009, Rosenthal, Hatkoff and De Niro were named number 14 on Barron’s list of the world’s top 25 philanthropists for their role in regenerating Tribeca’s economy after September 11th.

So how much of that info did you already know? Tell us about it!

For more information on the Tribeca Film Festival click here.

Encore Gets a Shout-out from Hayden-Harnett!

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:19:24 -0400

Encore’s March issue featured the indie rock band The Vivian Girls styled in American Appearl, Brooklyn Industries and Hayden-Harnett! The shoot was done at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, New York and fun was had by all.

The girls looked amazing in the clothes, especially in Hayden-Harnett. We are thrilled that HH feels the same! The Brooklyn-based clothng company was happy that their clothes were on The Vivian Girls and in the mag. Check out what they said!

Thanks for the shout-out Hayden-Harnett! You are our new best friend, text us every five minutes!

Show Encore Your Best Dancing Outfit For A Chance To See FELA!

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:08:58 -0400

Fela!, the off–Broadway smash hit that redefined musical theater, has been making huge waves on Broadway! Encore Magazine wants you to experience the rhythm of this amazing dance show!

Upload a picture of yourself with your friend/lover/dance partner on our Facebook fan page in your best dancing outfit and you could win two tickets to see Fela! on Broadway.

The contest will run now through April 22nd. The winners will be chosen by Encore Magazine’s staff and the winning picture will be posted on the offical Encore Magazine Blog!

We cannot wait to see your pictures! Now get to posing!

All About Me: Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein Are Ready For Broadway!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:36:00 -0500

Last week the fabulous Dame Edna Everage and the talented Michael Feinstein held a reception for bloggers and online journalists to celebrate and discuss their new Broadway show All About Me. Starring both Feinstein and Dame Edna, the show has already begun previews and will open on March 18,2010.

At the reception, Dame Edna made a grand entrance with Feinstein. She was dressed in an extravagant floor length red frock (as the Dame would say), complete with jewels and her trademark violet hair and bedazzled glasses. “There are a lot of men here,” joked Dame Edna, “I hope I have not stepped into one of those places.” Keeping the evening light and full of laughter, Dame Edna was eager to know exactly what a blogger was. The Dame asked, “Do you all sit in a dark room and write cheeky messages to each other?” Feinstein assured the Dame that we were indeed reporters.

Dame Edna told press that Feinstein had a great knowledge about songs and composers to which Feinstein replied, “except for the Great Australian Songbook.” Dame Edna then told everyone how the two differ. “The Great Australian Songbook is wonderful. It differs from The Great American Songbook in one respect: it’s thinner. In fact, it’s almost a pamphlet.” The Dame said she was excited to feature a song from the Great Australian songbook. “The song has gone platinum in Australia and it’s called ‘The Dingo Ate My Baby.’, It’s beautiful, it really is. It may be our next national anthem.”

It was also interesting to find out that many legendary Broadway roles were written for Dame Edna. “I have an initiative called HOA or Help Other Actresses. I pass roles that are offered to me to others, needy people. That’s why Sigourney Weaver is in Avatar,” Dame Edna joked. It is such a joy to be around someone like Barry Humphries who is talented enough to never break character for even a split second.

“The show is more like a conversation between two people,” said Dame Edna, “one of whom is much more interesting than the other.” Feinstein then said that it’s like two shows for the price of one, which Dame Edna said should make our “bloggies” happy to hear.

Dame Edna closed the night by saying, “Be sure darlings, that we will be giving you our all and we will be entertaining you to the best of our abilities, and quite frankly it will be the best show in town!”

Tickets for All About Me are available through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200

DNKY Fall 2010

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:05:00 -0500

DKNY’s Fall 2010 showed a mix of bauhuas grids, deco florals, equestrian plaids, and schoolgirl kilts. The color palate ranged from neutrals of black, charcoal, umber, and vicuna, to oxford brightened with accents of bluebird, sapphire, peach, and oyster. I loved the bursts of sequins sprinkled throughout the presentation. There was a wave to the 90’s with male-tailored jackets and coats and the Clueless chic skirts.

The cameras went crazy for celebs in attendance like the star of the popular television show True Jackson V.P. on Nickelodeon, Keke Palmer. Alison Brie, best known as Trudy Campbell from A&E’s Mad Men, was also in attendance along with electropop singer-song writer Little Boots and British socialite/ model Poppy Delevigne.

After the successful debut of DKNY’s Fall 2010 collection, guests were treated to hot chocolate upon exiting courtesy of DKNY.

Congratulations, DNKY on your fabulous Fall 2010 collection.

Be sure to check out the slideshow here!

Holiday Party P’s and Q’s

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:38:00 -0500

December is the time to celebrate not only the holidays, but everything that you have accomplished throughout the year. Many of you have already attended several holiday parties hosted by your friends and possibly your workplace and with this being the weekend before Christmas, I am sure there is more merriment in store. For some, these parties are a time to kick back and relax, but for others these parties are a time to kick back and laugh at the “Holiday Hot Mess.”

The Holiday Hot Mess is that one person at the party who just does not know how to act. Sure, they have been out before but judging by how they are acting you would think that they had never been out of the house. There are people who actually avoid going to holiday functions for fear they will be labeled the Holiday Hot Mess, but never fear! With my guide to holiday party P’s and Q’s you won’t have to worry about being a Holiday Hot Mess.

Now, you may be thinking that when I say Holiday Hot Mess that I am talking about someone being drunk, well we will get to that part soon enough but being a little too jolly is not always the problem. One can be completely sober and still be the hottest holiday mess. This can be achieved by bringing an attitude with you to the party.

Attitudes, like coats, should be checked at the door. In fact, think about putting your attitude in your coat when you hang it up or give it to coat check. Holiday parties provide a really great opportunity to network and you could miss out on an amazing opportunity because you are acting like the Grinch. I always say that you don’t have to like someone to be civil to them, so make sure that you greet everyone that you come in contact with. I think it is so rude when a person that you had a brief interaction with earlier in the year awkwardly stares at you and tries to avoid you like they have never met you. In fact, it’s ruder than just going up and saying “Hi, I believe we met earlier in the year, I hope you are doing well and it was so great to see you.” Not only does that make you look like a great person for acknowledging that they exist, but it makes everything feel just a little less tense and awkward for the whole party.

Let’s move on to drinks, shall we? Most parties are going to serve up cocktails. The general rule of thumb is to limit yourself to one drink and enjoy that throughout the whole party. I say that it is ok to have at least two if you are going to be there for longer than a couple of hours, but only two. Anything more than that and you could run the chance of feeling too relaxed and then becoming the Holiday Hot Mess. Now, the intoxicated Holiday Hot Mess can talk too loud, laugh way too loud, say inappropriate things, mingle with someone’s significant other, dance on tables, tell off the boss, lose clothing and so much more. My favorite is the hot mess that is not aware that they are the Holiday Hot Mess. They stumble around and knock stuff over and spill every five seconds. This may be fun to watch at first, but the next day or Monday at work or with your friends could be really bad. You should also keep in mind that these days you have to worry about more than just sad looks and snickers on Monday morning with Facebook, Twitpics, Tweets, blog posts and so much more that can instantly go up. Therefore, do not go to a party for drinking purposes. If you really need more than a couple of drinks then take it to a bar or after party. You will be so glad that you did!

I should have addressed clothing as the first thing but I wanted to leave it for last because I want you all to remember this: There is a fine line between holiday chic and Holiday Hot Mess. Unless it is stated that it is a tacky sweater party, leave them at home! This is an opportunity to wow everyone with how well you clean up. Men, a nice suit and tie will always take you places. Ladies, I know that it is fun to sparkle and shine, but you have to watch those sequins and heels. I know that the trend right now is “triple platform” shoes and sequins but there is a difference between working the room and WORKING the room. You don’t want people thinking that you were hired as “entertainment.”

I hope that these rules have helped you out as you continue to attend holiday parties. I could go on and on about faux pas but I have parties to go to and Holiday Hot Messes to help… or laugh at.

Above: The perfect example of the ultimate Holiday Hot Mess!

Exclusive Interview with Models of the Runway Winner Kalyn Hemphill

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:49:00 -0500

According to supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum, “in fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out!” Luckily for Models of the Runway contestant Kalyn Hemphill, the designer that she was teamed up with for Project Runway, Irina Shabayeva, was “in.” This made Hemphill the very first winner of Lifetime’s Models of the Runway.

Above: Kalyn Hemphill with Heidi Klum after winning Models of the Runway

Models of the Runway was the reality show that showed what the models involved in the reality competition Project Runway went though during the duration of the show. For winning Models of the Runway, Kalyn Hemphill received 25,000 thousand dollars and a fashion spread in Marie Claire Magazine that she just shot on December 1^st.

I recently had the chance to speak with Kalyn via telephone to ask her all about her win, Models of the Runway, and what’s next.

Jonathan Valdez: Have you had a chance to breathe since wining Models of the Runway?

Kalyn Hemphill: Honestly, it’s been so crazy ever since the finale aired. I like staying busy though. It’s a good busy.

Jonathan: You just did the Marie Claire shoot on December 1^st, have you ever done a magazine spread before? How did it go?

Kalyn: I have never done an actual magazine spread. Spreads are the coveted thing in the modeling world. I was very excited and it was so much fun! I got to hang out with Irena and do the shoot with her.

Jonathan: Did Nina Garcia show up?

Kalyn: Nina was in Paris. She called us and said hi over speaker phone. It was great hearing from her.

Jonathan: What can we expect in the spread?

Kalyn: The spread was based on Irena’s workspace and studio with sketchbooks and clothing in the shots. It focuses on the creative process.

Jonathan: You are the face of Irina’s Spring 2010 line. I saw the video with the butterflies all over you. How was that?

Kalyn: It was so cool! Irina’s 2010 line is so inspired. Her runway show was dark and I think she surprised everyone with the colors she chose like red and blue. The butterflies were so fun to work with. They came in individual envelopes and they had to heat the envelopes so they would fly out.

Above: Kalyn Hemphill in a creation by designer Irina Shabayeva on Project Runway

Jonathan: Let’s talk about the show. Is Heidi Klum amazing in person?

Kalyn: Heidi is a great model and a great mom. I am really inspired by her, especially with her business sense. She is just as beautiful in person as she is on T.V..

Jonathan: Did Tim Gunn ever give you advice on how to work the clothes on the runway?

Kalyn: Tim doesn’t advise the models but he has so much knowledge about fashion. He is so down to earth and nice. It was great to be able to spend time with him backstage.

Jonathan: What celeb judge was your favorite to meet?

Kalyn: Milla Jovovich was my favorite. She is so passionate about was she does and she is also a model and a mom.

Jonathan: Did they tell you who was coming before the show?

Kalyn: No they didn’t let us know on the show until the runway show.

Above: Kalyn walks the runway during the Final Round for Project Runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion week in Bryant Park

Jonathan: You are from small town Texas and I love that you have kept your southern charm and sweetness. Do you find it hard to maintain that working in the fashion industry?

Kalyn: I grew up in a really great family and I have always had lots of support. I have supportive friends that keep me grounded. No matter what happens, I know who I am.

Jonathan: You originally came to NYC to be an actress correct?

Kalyn: Yes, I got involved with modeling through singing, acting, and dancing. I did a lot of theatre in Houston and got recruited by an agency. I love theatre and want to do T.V. work as well. Acting is my passion but I am enjoying the journey that I am on.

Jonathan: So, what’s next for Kalyn Hemphill?

Kalyn: The Marie Claire spread comes out in March 2010 and I am writing a pitch for my own show. It would go behind the scenes of fashion events and parties to show how everything is put together. I don’t think many people know how much work goes into all of these events. I think the viewers would be interested in what goes on.

No matter what Kalyn decides to do, I am more than positive that she will be successful. Her kindness to others and strong work ethic make her someone that people want to have around. Thank you so much Kalyn for taking the time to speak with me. Stay fierce and friendly!

SARAR Soirée: Handbags, Cocktails, and Cufflinks

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:16:00 -0500

A few members of Encore’s staff had the opportunity to attend the celebration for the debut of handbag designers Schander, Chako, and Jess Rizzuti at SARAR on Madison Avenue. The store was buzzing about the launch of the new handbag line as partygoers sipped on drinks by Riazul Premium Tequila. Guests were shopping around the store for 50% off men’s suits, shirts, ties, etc. and women’s items for 40% off. Men were buying suits left and right and women were making up excuses to buy party dresses.

When the night ended the attendees were handed gift bags that included a bar of soap from Lux Naturals, a dress and dine certificate for a tasty treat at Pera Restaurant, a beautiful SARAR pocket square, Encore Magazine (what’s a good gift bag without Encore Mag inside?), and a few other goodies.

Cheers to SARAR and handbag designers Schander, Chako, and Jess Rizzuti on a fabulous event. May the two of you continue to make New York and the World unstoppably fashion forward!

MoMA and Tim Burton: The Perfect Pair

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:10:00 -0500

Director/Writer/Illustrator/Artist, Tim Burton has a way of making even the darkest things seem magical. From making a man with scissor hands to recreating a wonderland for Alice, Burton has bestowed upon us 27 years of awe-inspiring magic and art.

Starting on November 22^nd, you can see Tim Burton’s magic and art as MoMA presents Tim Burton, a major retrospective exploring the full scale of Tim Burton’s career, both as a director and concept artist for live-action and animated films, and as an artist, illustrator, photographer, and writer. The exhibition will be at MoMA until April 26, 2010 and will bring together over 700 examples of sketchbooks, concept art, drawings, paintings, photographs, and a selection of his amateur films. Tim Burton is the Museum’s most comprehensive monographic exhibition devoted to a filmmaker. Not only does MoMA’s exhibit have never-before-exhibited drawings, paintings, and film props, it also contains virtually unseen films including Burton’s 1983 live-action, Asian-cast adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, and early student films. An original animation of MoMA’s logo conceived by Burton and produced by Mackinnon & Saunders, is on view in the Ronald S. and Jo Carole Lauder Lobby. If you cannot make it to the exhibit or NYC, don’t worry, you can view Burton’s original animation of MoMA’s logo here.

The film retrospective Tim Burton presents Burton’s entire cinematic oeuvre of 14 feature films,eleven of which are in MoMA’s film collection. These 14 feature films—Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Ed Wood (1994), Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Big Fish (2003), Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)—will be screened over the course of the five-month exhibition in the Museum’s Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters, along with his early short films Vincent (1982) and Frankenweenie (1984).

This is the perfect exhibit for any art, film, and/or Tim Burton fan. Burton has visually stunned audiences for years and now the audience has a chance to literally dive into his world.

For more information on MoMA’s Tim Burton, please visit MoMa’s website.

Congratulations Natasha Huang! Encore’s Own NYC Marathoner

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:40:00 -0500

New York City started November off with a bang this past Sunday as over 40,000 people participated in the New York City Marathon. Over two million onlookers lined up to watch the marathon take place and witness what the human body and spirit can do. Out of the thousands of runners, we are especially proud of our Marketing Manager, Natasha Huang, who not only ran the race but finished it as well!

Above: Natasha Huang moments after completing the 40th NYC Marathon

“The hardest part of the race was mile 18 when I contemplated giving up because of the physical pain and exhaustion. But knowing I would be giving up would be the biggest failure ever, “said Huang who has participated in other marathons including the Nike Woman’s Marathon in San Francisco. I asked Natasha what it felt like to cross the finish line, and here is what she had to say:

“Crossing over the finish line is an indescribable feeling. About a mile away you can see the finish line and hear people screaming your name. That is the best part in feeling the support of hundreds of people who don’t know you. All of a sudden your legs just pick up and hurry and you don’t feel pain anymore.”

She also noted that all she thought about was the burger with bacon and cheese that she was going to scarf down after crossing over the finish. A burger well deserved, I’d say!

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to Natasha and all of the people who traveled near and far to participate in the NYC Marathon. Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to many.

By Jonathan Valdez, Marketing Coodinator/Blogger

Zombies Take Over Austin, Texas!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:51:48 -0400

For the third year in a row the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin,TX held it’s Dismember the Alamo Zombie Film Festival. The three night festival included screenings zombie films, their annual zombie shorts competition, and a zombie lurch to the Texas State Capitol.

Above: Zombies Lurch to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, TX

The ~~People~~ Zombies were ~~marching~~ lurching to the capitol in support of equal rights for the undead! Apparently Zombies have been discriminated against for too long and they felt it was time to speak out. Lurchers were encouraged to make creative signs and had a zombie happy hour after their work was done. Oh Austin! No wonder your motto is “Keep Austin Weird.” Maybe it should be ”Beware of Zombies.”

Above: Zombies protest for equal Zombie rights at the Texas State Capitol

Below: Zombies head back to wherever Zombies go.

Be Sure to Have a safe and Happy Halloween from all of us at Encore Magazine!

Photo Credits: Callie Osborne: Austin,TX

Hello my Name Is Jonathan, and I'm A Blogoholic

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:05:00 -0400

Hello everyone! My name is Jonathan Valdez, and I am the Marketing Coordinator and official Blogger for Encore Magazine. Hopefully you have enjoyed what you have read so far. When I read a blog, I often times want to know more about the writer. I realized that some people may feel the same way so I decided to write a post to let people know a bit about me.

I am a native Texan and a 2009 graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. (Eat ‘em up Cats!) While at Texas State I majored in Communication Studies and minored in Psychology and Theatre. I also started my own morning radio show called Orange Juice and Biscuits “Morning Talk Worth Waking For!” OJ&B provided me with some of the most amazing moments of my life. We were nominated for Best Regularly Scheduled Program in 2007 and 2009, as well as for Best Radio DJ 2009 by Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. I actually find out if I win the 2009 awards this Friday! I was also Press at South By Southwest Film in Austin, Texas in 2008 and 2009. One of my favorite moments from SXSW was doing interviews from the red carpet for the Paul Rudd movie, I Love You, Man. I was right next to E! News and they were so excited to be next to me… at least that is how I tell the story. Some of my favorite interviews that I have done include Rosario Dawson, David Arquette, Paul Rudd, Jaime Pressly, Rashida Jones, Jason Segel, Margaret Cho, En Vogue, and Zooey Deschanel. While doing OJ&B I had an entertainment news segment on the television show Studio B called The Squeeze with Orange Juice and Biscuits. After graduation, I turned Orange Juice and Biscuits into a blog and it seems to really be taking off. I have an affinity for entertainment slash celebrity news and just really enjoy making people laugh with my point of view and spin on life. I have also been a contributing blog writer for the fashion designers Doucette Duvall and now I am lucky enough to blog for Encore Magazine! So there you have it, me in a nutshell so to speak. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the blog please do not hesitate to email me. Also feel free to email if you have comments about any of the posts. I hope to hear from you soon!

October is for Pumpkins, Ghosts, and Galas!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:01:00 -0400

In a city that seems to always have a reason to celebrate, October is the month to get gussied up and go to a gala. Hundreds of New Yorkers look forward to attending these events every October, but with the month overflowing with events, attending them can be a bit daunting—especially if you are new to the scene. There are also those who may have never attended a gala or have even felt the desire to do so. Even still they might wonder, “What exactly is the point of having a Gala?”

Recently, I spoke with the Co-chairwoman of the Steering Committee for the Young Patrons of Lincoln Center, Jessie Betts, about all things gala. The Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) is a membership group for professional New Yorkers in their twenties through early forties dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and promoting the world’s largest performing arts center. Betts says that the purpose for having a gala for YPLC is twofold. “It’s our fundraising event of the year and we can’t exist without it.” Betts says that the YPLC gala also serves as a gathering of the patrons to meet with other people who are in the organization, have a good time, and to build a sense of community which,” Is the spirit of Lincoln Center.” And for those who may not know how to carry themselves in a situation that has such a fancy name like “gala”, Betts explains that titles can make people feel they have to act a certain way—but having fun is key. “It’s a party,” says Betts. “Go the way you always are and just be yourself.”

Now that you hopefully feel at ease about just being yourself and having fun, it is time to think about what to wear. I always say go big or go home, but of course, to each his own. I personally feel that everyone should wear something that makes them feel fun, elegant, and above all, confident. “Make sure you can sit in it, that’s key!” Betts suggests that is the one thing you must remember when picking out an ensemble. She also suggests that you should wear your shoes around your apartment to make sure you are comfortable for the night, although she did note that some people she knows go through a lot of pain for special nights like galas. I guess there are some people who will always live by the old adage that “Beauty is Pain.” I agree with Jessie in making sure that you can actually sit in your outfit. That way if your shoes hurt at least you can sit and still be the hottest person there. Let’s face it, if you can’t sit down and it hurts to stand, you are going to look like a hot mess anyway randomly making that “Oh my geeze, kill me now but it is worth it” face.

In the end it is ultimately about having a good time and helping out others. Part of what YPLC does with the money that it raises is to provide under-privileged children the opportunity to see programming at Lincoln Center. As a person who was influenced by the arts at a young age, I know the importance of letting children discover that world. What better way to raise awareness for a cause of any organization than to just have fun! Like Betts says, “It’s autumn in New York and it’s a good time for a party!” Well said!

For more information about The Young Patrons of Lincoln Center simply click here.

Forty Years of Art on the Rocks

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:29:00 -0400

The Ice Theatre of New York will be hosting their annual Benefit Gala and Performance at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink on Monday, October 26th. The festivities will launch the company’s 2009-2010 anniversary season, as well as celebrate ITNY fortieth year of bringing the beauty of ice dancing to New York City. In its forty years, ITNY has enjoyed success both big and small, including becoming the first ice dancing company to be funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The annual Benefit Gala and Performance at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, hosted by Olympic skating champion Rosalyn Sumners, will also honor choreographer Lar Lubovitch and Olympic Silver Medalist and ice dancer Paul Wylie who performed at the opening of the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. Wylie will be in good company as past honorees of ITNY include Nancy Kerrigan, Vera Wang, Scott Hamilton, two-time World champion Aja Zanova Steindler, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Dick Button. Lubovitch, is being applauded for his contributions to ice dancing choreography. He is an Emmy, Tony, and Grammy award nominee as well as an accomplished choreographer. Lubovitch’s work, Tilt-a-Whirl, is set to be featured at the Performance.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Ice Theatre’s New Works and Young Artists, an outreach program for public school children in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, as well as Ice Theatre’s 2009-2010 performance season.

Above: Performers from ITNY gracefully dance on ice.

I have always felt that ice skating/dancing is one of the most beautiful forms of art that has been given to us. I have tried in vain to attempt to skate casually and I always end up slipping, sliding, and ultimately falling while eight year old future Olympians do toe loops and triple axles around me. I have a great respect for the athletes who perform gracefully on the ice and make it look so effortless. Congratulations ITNY for forty years of performance! May your future be as solid as the ice you skate on.

For ticket and further information, please call Ice Theatre 212.929.5811, or visit http://www.icetheatre.org