BuzzSugar

Do You Go to the Opera?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:30:27 PDT

According to Variety, composer Philip Glass is creating an opera about Walt Disney. The story "imagines the last months of Disney as seen through the eyes of a fictional Austrian cartoonist who worked for him."

I seriously cannot wait to see what the heck this opera looks like.

What do you think of the opera in general? Do you ever go? Or are you not an opera person?

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Rest In Peace, Luciano Pavarotti

BuzzSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:33:33 PDT

It's a sad day for the musical world as we bid adieu to one of the finest operatic singers, Luciano Pavarotti, who died today at age 71. His accomplishments in the realm of classical music are many, and not the least of these is how he made opera music more accessible to people who might not otherwise be exposed to it.

Indeed, the most bittersweet thing about remembering the big, sweet-faced tenor is how willing he was to collaborate with all sorts of musicians, combining his warm, booming voice with those of well-known rock, soul and pop artists. Everyone from Bono and Queen to James Brown and the Spice Girls have shared the stage with the legendary singer. He clearly had a love for music in all its manifestations and his presence will be missed.

To check out just a few of Pavarotti's collaborations,

Luciano Pavarotti and Barry White, "My First, My Last, My Everything"

Luciano Pavarotti and the Spice Girls, "Viva Forever"

Luciano Pavarotti and Bryan Adams, "O Sole Mio"

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Growing Through Arts' Music Series: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kate Stahl — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:56:42 PDT

We're all about exposing kids to fine arts, but is opera asking a bit too much? Not according to Growing Through Arts, a company founded by former pro dancer and Harvard grad Aleksandra Efimova, which creates educational children's books and toys. The company just launched its second series of books (the first focused on ballet), breaking down some seriously highbrow stuff for kids ages 2 to 6. Growing Through Arts' philosophy: exposing kids to the arts early will help develop creativity and imagination, confidence, leadership, memory, abstract thinking, discipline, focus, and preacademic skills.

The three music series books - The Peter and the Wolf Symphony, The Snow Maiden Opera, and Twist, A Musical - each include beautiful illustrations, a modern take on the classic opera, symphony, and musical tales, and questions designed for parents to ask their children to teach them moral lessons. You'll also find a glossary of terms that will teach kids words that are used in music class, the opera, and the symphony.

So what do you think? Could you get your 2-year-old amped about opera? Psyched about the symphony? Weigh in below!

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Choke"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:34:07 PDT

With graduation looming for the Glee kids, a few of the characters have to do some prep for their futures this week. For Rachel and Kurt, it's their NYADA auditions, and for Puck, it's passing a test so he can graduate. While the kids get ready for their various challenges, Coach Beiste faces one of her own when we learn a revelation about her home life.

I should have known from the title that this episode would have someone failing, but I didn't expect it to have a disappointing ending for nearly every character who's highlighted. Let's go over all the bummers from "Choke" after the jump.

Tori Spelling Opens Up to Us About Her Surprise Pregnancy and Her Favorite Birthday Parties

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:37:48 PDT

You may want to call her the mother of reinvention. In the public eye since she was a teenager starring her dad's hit teenage soap opera, Beverly Hills, 90210, Tori Spelling has more recently been known as an innkeeper, a reality star, a best-selling author, a boutique owner, and a jewelry designer. But the role that's giving her the most attention these days is mom. Currently pregnant with her fourth child - who was conceived just one month after Tori gave birth to daughter Hattie in October (the family includes son Liam, 5, and daughter Stella, 3) - and due in September, the busy mama is taking all of her roles in stride.

At a party celebrating the release of her first party planning book, celebraTORI, at NYC's craft shop Make Meaning yesterday, we laughed as Tori revealed that her current pregnancy was a bit of a shock. She said, "All my friends keep asking me that: 'Was it planned?' Seriously, Hattie was 1 month old. Do you think it was planned? I was up all night with feedings. I don't know how he got that . . . to make this [pointing at her baby bump]!"

We sat down with Tori to talk about one of her favorite subjects, party planning, and how this pregnancy compares with her previous ones.

LilSugar: You are known for going all out for your kids’ birthday parties. How much input do you allow them to have?
Tori Spelling: They plan the whole party with me. I have always vowed not to be that person that was like, "Oh, you want that, oh, gosh, ugh, no, that’s not going to be very chic." We just had [Liam's] SpongeBob party. He said, "I want SpongeBob," and I was like, "OK, great" [rolling her eyes], then I was like, "Well, that's cool. I can make mini-sliders and call them krabby patties. I can make these big jellyfish and fish," and I was going on and on. I [said], "OK, hold it . . . Liam, what do you want?" He looked at me and said, "Mom, I just want a piñata." I was like, "Keep it simple, stupid. What are you doing? The kid wants a piñata." And it's true, we need some cute little things at the party, but he was all about the piñata. It’s not my call - whatever they want, they get . . . within reason! I mean, budgetary reason!

LS: So Hattie’s first birthday is going to sneak up on you right around the baby’s birth! Have you thought about her party at all?
TS: Yes, for sure! I have not thought about the theme, but I have thought about what I should do. Should I plan the party before I give birth? Because am I going to be freaking out! The baby is going to be born roughly a month before her birthday. I’m going to be walking around with a newborn at my 1-year-old’s birthday party! Crazy town! She loves to dance, so that did cross my mind. When she hears music, she goes nuts! I mean, her version of dance is like jump, jump, jump! Maybe we will have Hattie’s dance party.

LS: What was your favorite party as a child?
TS: Oh, my gosh, I think it was my 8th birthday party. That's the one I talk about in the book. That’s when I got my first opportunity to plan. It was a roller-skating party, so that was really cool. My mom let me pick out my outfit, and I totally looked like I was in the movie Grease. I had the spandex, hot pink leggings or whatever they are - they are now sold at American Apparel, but when we were younger, they were hot! I had a tube top and a little tied shirt that said "Tori" in rhinestones, white roller skates with neon pink laces, and hair out to here with little clips . . . It was awesome!

Keep reading to see how Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott told the kids they were expecting again, and her favorite baby shower idea!

January Jones Wears Backless YSL For a Star-Studded Night at the Opera

Allie Merriam — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:50:26 PDT

January Jones, Emma Roberts, and Amber Heard all donned YSL last night to attend the NYC premiere of Jules Massenet's Manon at the Metropolitan Opera. The ladies picked different styles from the design house, with January looking stunning in a backless number, Emma in a jumpsuit, and Amber in a slinky silk gown. Who's your pick for best dressed on the Met Opera red carpet? Also in YSL for the event were Chloë Moretz and Emmy Rossum.

Emma tweeted about her fun times catching up with Chloë and her brother Trevor Moretz. January, meanwhile, broke from promoting the season debut of Mad Men to attend the musical evening. January headed to the Big Apple nearly two weeks ago with her young son Xander Jones. Sunday's premiere of Mad Men set ratings records for AMC, and made an instant star of Jessica Paré, who plays Don Draper's young wife Megan. Her rendition of the '60s song "Zou Bisou Bisou" turned out to be the show's most talked-about moment.

Link Time - What Your Fave '80s Musical Says About You

TresSugar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:45:46 PDT

A personality test determined by your favorite '80s musical - The Hairpin
Why powerful men making public missteps is a good thing - Huffington Post
Best bits from Sarah Palin's emails - The Frisky
Adele has her sights set on a certain royal ginger - Betty Confidential
Watch Bill Maher and Jane Lynch perform the Weinerlogues - Flavorwire
Men bare all: new chest hair trend - Yahoo! Shine
Craigslist names 10 most romantic subway stations - YourTango
The don'ts of having "the talk" - College Candy
What do you do if even tampons hurt? Much less sex - Em & Lo
Why the reverse cowgirl isn't as sexy as it sounds - Glamour

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012

Brittney Stephens — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:34:39 PST

If we had to describe Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2012 collection in one word, it would be opulent. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have a knack for capturing the essence and unbridled spirit of the Italian woman, and for Fall they showed a luxe, Sicilian Baroque-inspired collection of lace, elaborate brocade embroidery, and sleek, sexy silhouettes. The show opened with stunning rose-covered chandeliers and sweeping floral arrangements to the music of authentic Italian opera - big names like Natasha Poly, Bianca Balti, and Joan Smalls graced the runway in delicate lace dresses with lavish gold embellishments, sweet, frothy frocks in layers of tulle, and ruffled bloomers that would make even Sophia Loren blush. The plunging necklines of Spring '12 were replaced with ladylike high ruffles and bow-ties, and although sheer lace was prevalent, most hemlines stayed well below the knee for a true sophisticated spin on la dolce vita. The bold needlepoint-style florals and cherubic mural prints will also be an editorial dream come Fall - we can already see stars like Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker getting shot in them. Get the complete breakdown below.

Trends: Lots of lace, floral motifs, cherub prints, brocade, layers of tulle.
Colors: Black, white, nude, gold.
Key Piece: The sheer lace dress with brocade cape, the gold-encrusted party dress with black veil.
Accessories: Bejeweled headbands, decadent drop earrings and statement necklaces, velvet evening bags, lace knee socks, carved wood heels.
Who Would Wear It: Risk-takers like Zoe Saldana, Anna Dello Russo, and Lana Del Rey, not to mention Dame Helen Mirren, who sat front row at the show.

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy Take a Sweet Couple's Stroll Around SoHo

Lauren Turner — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:49:00 PDT

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy stuck close together on a walk around SoHo yesterday. The cute couple keep their relationship low-key, but they've been a staple on the NYC social scene lately. Claire and her husband stepped out for the Met Ball, attended an opera premiere, and toasted Geoffrey Rush at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in recent months. They'll be back in the spotlight soon since Claire's Showtime series Homeland premieres this Fall and Hugh will be on the big screen when Our Idiot Brother hits theaters in August. The duo will have more than just their new roles to celebrate, though, since Claire and Hugh will also mark their second wedding anniversary in September.

All Our Favorite Music Is About Sex

Annie Scudder — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:20:17 PDT

Sex sells records, according to new research that set out to prove an intuitive conclusion. The study, with the fancy name Songs as a Medium for Embedded Reproductive Messages, examined the country, pop, and R & B Billboard charts and found that 92 percent of the songs that made it into the top 10 in 2009 contained at least one or more "reproductive message." The average number of mentions was 10.49.

Inspired by recent studies, including one on romance novels that discovered the five most common words in the books were love, bride, baby, man, and marriage, the researchers from the State University of New York in Albany wanted to see if reproductive issues were recurrent in music, too. They looked for themes including courtship, sex, pair-bonding, parenting, fidelity, mate guarding, and themes related to long-term and short-term mating strategies.

"Let’s have some fun/This beat is sick/I want to take a ride on your disco stick," from Lady Gaga's 2009 "Love Game" was an example of a reference to short-term mating strategies. “He knelt down and pulled out a ring/And said ‘Marry Me Juliette’” from Taylor Swift's "Love Story" was an example of "commitment and fidelity" themes. And “They say she low down/It’s just a rumor and I don’t believe ‘em/They say she needs to slow down/ Baddest thing around town” from Akon's "Sexy Chick" references "promiscuity/reputation/degradation," according to the study. While messages about sex were pervasive among all genres, they weren't the same messages. Top country songs had mentions to marriage, parenting, breakups, and fidelity, while R & B songs referenced themes like the singer's sex appeal or erotic acts.

It's not just modern music lovers with sexy music taste, though. The research also looked back at opera arias over the past 400 years and found mentions to sex. So Akon and Puccini do have something in common.