SEP 24-27: 8th Annual Italian Feast of San Gennaro Returns to Hollywood (Featured Event)

Posted by Don Rose

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8th Annual Precious® Cheese

Italian Feast of San Gennaro LA

Returns To Hollywood September 25 – 27, 2009

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Assistant Chief Sharon Papa

Los Angeles Police Department

Honored at Prima Notte 2009 on September 24

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Community festival celebrates Italian culture with three days of

music, food, wine, rides and games

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(Hollywood) – The San Gennaro Foundation kicks off October’s Italian Heritage Month, a celebration of everything it means to be Italian, with their annual street festival in honor of Italian culture. Back for its eighth year, the Precious^® Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro, Los Angeles will once again take over Hawthorn Ave. (between Highland and Orange) in Hollywood.

“The Feast of San Gennaro is something my family and I look forward to every year,” Jimmy Kimmel said. “I have no doubt that our eighth year will be a great one.”

Inspired by the 78-year old New York City tradition, the Feast celebrates Italian culture, entertainment and cuisine, and throughout the weekend will feature great food, music, genealogy research, a Kid’s Corner, bocce, bingo, carnival rides, games and more. Surprise celebrity guests will join the cooking team, as they demonstrate Italian recipes on the Precious^® Cheese La Cucina Italiana Cooking Stage with special guest, Precious^® Cheese’s very own Chef Marco.

“We have been bringing Italian culture to the heart of Hollywood for eight years running,” said Frankie Competelli, President of The San Gennaro Foundation, Los Angeles. “We are thrilled to, once again, celebrate tradition, family, and great food with the community.”

The fun-filled weekend commences Thursday, September 24^th with the opening night gala, “Prima Notte 2009,” which raises funds for The San Gennaro Foundation’s charitable programs benefiting underprivileged children, families and homeless in Los Angeles.

Continuing in their commitment to honor prominent Italian-Americans in the community, The San Gennaro Foundation will pay tribute to Sharon Papa, Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. Hosted by event co-founder Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, Prima Notte is a star-studded fund-raising gala featuring some of the city’s most prominent Italian-Americans and dignitaries joining together in support of The San Gennaro Foundation.

Sharon Papa will receive the San Gennaro Foundation "Humanitarian Award” and Master of Ceremonies Mark DeCarlo will introduce special performances during “Italian American Bandstand”, featuring Italian artist’s music from the 50’s and 60’s. The evening’s charity auction will feature: a “Kobe Bryant” (2009 NBA Champion & MVP) autographed Lakers Jersey, a “Terry Bradshaw” (4-Time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Hall of Fame) and “Ben Roethlisberger” (2006, 2008 Super Bowl Champion Quarterback) autographed Pittsburgh Steelers Pro-line Helmet, “Eagles” and “Aerosmith” autographed Guitars, various luxury vacation packages to Italy, London, Paris, Hawaii, Mexico, Chicago, and tickets to “Oprah Winfrey”, “Blue Man Group”, “Cirque de Soleil” and New York’s famous “Macy’s Day Parade”. Local auction items include Gondolier rides and a family-style dinner hosted at the “Los Angeles Fire Department” Hollywood Firehouse.

Tickets for the opening night gala are available online at http://www.feastofla.org/ and are $100 each for VIP Admission, $50 each for General Admission or $2,000 for a reserved table for ten guests.

“Precious^® Cheese is proud to be presenting sponsor again this year helping to bring authentic Italian culture, entertainment, food and fun to the Los Angeles area,” said Jessica Ruth, spokesperson for Precious^® Cheese. “The San Gennaro Foundation’s commitment to preserving Italian-American heritage resonates with the Precious^® Cheese brand and we look forward to continuing to raise funds for the organization and its programs.”

The festival venue is conveniently located across the street from the Hollywood and Highland complex, directly behind the Jimmy Kimmel Live Theater at 1651 N. Highland Ave. Hosted by co-founder Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, the Feast will be held September 25-27, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. General admission is $5 and kids under 12 are free. All proceeds benefit the San Gennaro Foundation, established to provide aid to children and families in need in Los Angeles.

For more information about the Precious^® Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro, Los Angeles, please visit http://www.feastofla.org/ or call (818) 508-0082.

About Precious^® Cheese

Precious^® is a brand of cheese brought to you by Lactalis Retail Dairy, Inc. LDRI is part of Groupe Lactalis, one of the largest dairy companies in the world. Lactalis produces a wide array of all-natural cheese products included among the leading brands of mozzarella, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, string and stick cheese sold in the United States. Our wide variety of specialty cheese is available to retail, foodservice and industrial customers. More information on Precious^® cheese may be found at http://www.preciouscheese.com/.

About The San Gennaro Foundation

The San Gennaro Foundation is a 501(3)c non-profit created by celebrity Jimmy Kimmel and producer Douglas DeLuca, along with some of Los Angeles' most prominent Italian-American citizens, to benefit underprivileged children and homeless in Los Angeles, as well as to provide entertainment and cultural enrichment to the community through its non-profit, cultural outreach program.

The Foundation’s mission is to uphold the principles established by St. Gennaro, patron saint of Naples who worked tirelessly to help people in need. In addition to fundraising, the group seeks to perpetuate cultural identity and solidarity within the Italian American community. All events are intended to embody the attributes of generosity and goodwill that define the Italian spirit. While some efforts celebrate Italian culture, the Foundation and its programs are not limited to Italian Americans and are supported by diverse individuals.

LA FILM FESTIVAL: JUN 23 LAFF HIGHLIGHTS, WHAT TO SEE & DO

Here are the LAFF highlights (LA Film Festival) for Tuesday, June 23, 2009:

1230--130pm: Lunch Talk with "Dear Lemon Lima" director Suzi Yoonessi at the ZonePerfect live.create.lounge, on Westwood Blvd. just north of Kinross.
For LAFF Passholders. Bring your lunch! Dessert provided.

International Showcase Film CARMEN MEETS BORAT- 2:00pm at The Regent
Q & A with director Mercedes Stalenhoef

Narrative Competition Screening DEAR LEMON LIMA, – 4:30pm at The Landmark
Q & A with director Suzi Yoonessi

Documentary Competition Film BRANSON– 4:30pm at The Regent
Q & A with director Brent Meeske and performance by Jackson Cash (I saw Jackson perform after the "Branson" premiere and, believe me, this man looks like Johnny Cash, talks like him, sings like him, swaggers like him! Amazing. Highly recommended.)

FILM SUMMARY: Personal demons and backstage battles cannot deter the performers captured in this heartfelt documentary from living out their dreams of stardom on the strip-mall stages of Branson, Missouri.

DIRECTOR/WRITER: Brent Meeske.

FEATURING: Jackson Cash, Amber Campbell, Geoffrey Hastings Haberer, Peggy Lee Brennan-Haberer, Terry Wayne, Nita Tate, Eric Eichenberger.

International Showcase Film CITY OF BORDERS – 5:00pm at The Landmark
Q & A with director Yun Suh

SHORTS PROGRAM 4 – 7:00pm at The Landmark
Q & A following

Summer Showcase Film 35 SHOTS OF RUM – 7:00pm at The Regent
Q & A following

Festival Conversations POOLSIDE CHAT: REELART L.A. – 7:00pm at the W Los Angeles - Westwood Hotel.

Featuring a conversation with artist Llyn Foulkes, fashion designer Kevan Hall, production designer Alex McDowell and moderated by director Catherine Hardwicke.

Festival Conversations GRAPHIC EXPLOSION – 7:00pm at The Italian Cultural Institute, 1023 Hilgard.

Featuring a conversation with Barry Levine, Josh Olson and Zak Penn.

International Spotlight REHJE – 7:30pm at The Landmark
Q & A with co-director Anais Huerta

Centerpiece Premiere PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp. 7:30pm at the Mann Village Theater & the Majestic Crest Theater.

Matt Mackelcan Musical Performance - 8:00 pm at ZonePerfect live.create. lounge

Documentary Competition BANANAS!* – 9:15pm at The Landmark
Panel Discussion following the screening

International Showcase SACRED PLACES – 9:45pm at The Landmark
Q & A with writer & director Jean-Marie Teno

International Showcase – LOS BASTARDOS – 9:45pm at The Regent
Q & A with writer & director Amat Escalante

MAR 28: MERCEDES BENZ OF CALABASAS TO HOST GLAMOROUS PREMIERE PARTY FOR METHODFEST, WITH STELLAR CELEB LINEUP EXPECTED TO ATTEND

Event Preview - posted by Don Rose

Mercedes Benz of Calabasas has signed on as the exclusive automotive sponsor (Platinum Sponsor) of The Method Fest Film Festival, and will host a glamorous Premiere Party at its newly designed facility on Saturday, March 28th, 2009 following the screening of a top premiere film, festival organizers recently announced.

“This is going to be the most spectacular and lavish extravaganza in the Festival history,” stated Don Franken, Executive Director of The Method Fest. “It's Hollywood coming to Calabasas!”

The Premiere Party is expected to be a gathering of the “who's who” of the region, with many celebrities from the film and entertainment industry invited and expected to attend. They will not have to travel far, as many live in Calabasas, Hidden Hills and the surrounding communities. Also attending will be top filmmakers and stars from the 2009 Method Fest Film Festival.

“Mercedes-Benz, always a ‘star' with the entertainment industry, is proud to support a prestigious festival like The Method Fest, whose honorees receive Oscar nominations,” said Mike Rich, General Manager of Mercedes Benz of Calabasas. “Our dealership is proud to support the community. We are under new ownership, and this event, is also a wonderful way to showcase our beautiful facility," stated Rich.

The Premiere Party will be produced by Calabasas-based Sacks Productions, which puts on parties following major entertainment industry events (Oscars, Grammy's), corporate events, and private events for major celebrities. Sacks Productions worked with Mercedes corporate on the Grammy Jam, when Mercedes released its R-Class car and sponsored the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The list of celebrities expected to attend include: Kellan Lutz (Twilight), Michael Chiklis (The Wire) Patrick Kilpatrick (Minority Report, Under Siege 2), Teresa Russell (16 To Life, Spiderman 3, Wild Things) Sean Young (Bladerunner, Reno 911, Signal Lost) Adrienne Janic (TLC’s “OverHaulin’”), Tony Todd (Dockweiller, 24, Candyman) Evan Handler (Sex And The City) Deniece Williams (Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, Producer "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "It's Gonna Take a Miracle”) John Saxon (Old Dogs, Nightmare on Elmstreet, From Dusk Til Dawn) Khloe Kardashian, Jaime Gomez (16 to Life, Training Day) Blu Cantrell (Grammy nominated R&B singer), Keyshawn Johnson (New York Jets, ESPN Announcer), Lev Gorn (The Wire) Carmen Perez, Eddie Reasoner (Award Winning Singer / Songwriter from Nashville) Chad Lindberg (Supernatural, Push), Stewart Hayden Butler (16 To Life), Shauna Sands Lamas (Playboy Playmate) Hallee Hirsh (16 To Life,You Got Mail, Grey’s Anatomy), Heather Locklear, Anya Monzikova (Deal or No Deal), Julia Kurbatova (“Face of Chopard”) Evelyn Victoria (Singer), Bobbi Sue Luther (“Curb Your Enthusiam”) Leyla Milani (Deal or No Deal), Isabella Grosso (House Bunny), Ron Jeremy (Finding Bliss) Jenilee Harrison (Three’s Company, Dallas) Guillermo Huesca, Latin TV Host (Trato Hecho), Paul BenVictor (Anytown), Frank Kramer (Heidi, Frosty & Frank), Larry Eudene (Metropolitan, Crank), Sofia Milos (CSI Miami), Zee James (Epic Movie), Jeff Riggs, and Kat Kramer.

About Methodfest

The 11th annual Method Fest independent film festival, the only major U.S. film festival focusing on acting, runs from March 26 to April 2, 2009. Named after the famous "Method" school of acting, which revolutionized the approach in acting, particularly in film, The Method Fest ( www.methodfest.com ) is a festival of discovery, showcasing breakout acting performances by emerging actors in character and story-driven films.

The Method Fest's mission is to launch the works of young, fresh filmmakers and discover breakthrough performances by bold, new actors. More than 120 films that have premiered or played at The Method Fest, including recent box office hits Waitress and The Visitor, have received theatrical, TV or video distribution.

The Method Fest has also taken great delight in sharing career-defining performances of established performers and in showcasing a few chosen well-known directors to screen at the festival. Richard Jenkins and Melissa Leo, who recently were nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role won special career awards as well as Best Actor / Best Actress Awards at the 2008 Method Fest. They are the latest names on the list of festival honorees that also includes: Christopher Plummer, Michael Madsen (2007); Julie Harris, Ruby Dee, Kevin Pollak, David Carradine, Martin Landau, Crispin Glover (2005); Dennis Hopper, Martha Coolidge, Chazz Palminteri, Ronnie Yeskell (2004); Peter Falk, Lainie Kazan, Diane Ladd, Henry Jaglom, Mark Rydell, Agnieszka Holland (2003); Rod Steiger, Mali Finn (2002); James Earl Jones, Jon Jacobs (2001); Karen Black (2000); Maximilian Schell (1999).

The Method Fest is sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Calabasas and the City of Calabasas. Presenting media sponsors include Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, LA.Com and the L.A. Daily News. Major sponsors include Sony, Christie, Modern VideoFilm, and Country Inn & Suites. Festival supporters include Final Draft, Stella Artois, Barefoot Winery, San Fernando Valley Economic Alliance / Valley of the Stars, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, MasterSource, FilmFinders, Leonis Adobe, Fleming's, Sagebrush Cantina, Arnie Morton's Famous Steakhouse, Chapter 8 Steakhouse and Lounge, Toni Koch Productions, Songs Alive, Pepsi, Creative Handbook, Withoutabox, Friends of Film, Ice Age, MoneyMailer and IZZE.

About Mercedes Benz of Calabasas

Located at 24181 Calabasas Road, the renovated and expanded Mercedes Benz of Calabasas facility is, at 155,000 square feet, one of the largest authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership across the entire United States.

MAR 26 - APR 2: METHODFEST 2009 RETURNS TO CALABASAS; 11th ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON THE ACTOR, FEATURES SCREENINGS, PARTIES AND INDIE MUSIC

Featured Event Listing - Posted by Don Rose

The 11th annual Method Fest independent film festival, the only major U.S. film festival focusing on acting, runs from March 26 to April 2, 2009. Named after the famous "Method" school of acting, which revolutionized the approach in acting, particularly in film, The Method Fest ( www.methodfest.com ) is a festival of discovery, showcasing breakout acting performances by emerging actors in character and story-driven films.

The Method Fest's mission is to launch the works of young, fresh filmmakers and discover breakthrough performances by bold, new actors. More than 120 films that have premiered or played at The Method Fest, including recent box office hits Waitress and The Visitor, have received theatrical, TV or video distribution.

The Method Fest has also taken great delight in sharing career-defining performances of established performers and in showcasing a few chosen well-known directors to screen at the festival. Richard Jenkins and Melissa Leo, who recently were nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role won special career awards as well as Best Actor / Best Actress Awards at the 2008 Method Fest. They are the latest names on the list of festival honorees that also includes: Christopher Plummer, Michael Madsen (2007); Julie Harris, Ruby Dee, Kevin Pollak, David Carradine, Martin Landau, Crispin Glover (2005); Dennis Hopper, Martha Coolidge, Chazz Palminteri, Ronnie Yeskell (2004); Peter Falk, Lainie Kazan, Diane Ladd, Henry Jaglom, Mark Rydell, Agnieszka Holland (2003); Rod Steiger, Mali Finn (2002); James Earl Jones, Jon Jacobs (2001); Karen Black (2000); Maximilian Schell (1999).

The Method Fest is sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Calabasas and the City of Calabasas. Presenting media sponsors include Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, LA.Com and the L.A. Daily News. Major sponsors include Sony, Christie, Modern VideoFilm, and Country Inn & Suites. Festival supporters include Final Draft, Stella Artois, Barefoot Winery, San Fernando Valley Economic Alliance / Valley of the Stars, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, MasterSource, FilmFinders, Leonis Adobe, Fleming's, Sagebrush Cantina, Arnie Morton's Famous Steakhouse, Chapter 8 Steakhouse and Lounge, Toni Koch Productions, Songs Alive, Pepsi, Creative Handbook, Withoutabox, Friends of Film, Ice Age, MoneyMailer and IZZE.

AUG 22: GERMS MOVIE "WHAT WE DO IS SECRET" OPENS IN LA; CAST, DIRECTOR, ORIGINAL GERMS APPEAR AT NUART AUG22-23; GERMS BOOTH AUG23-24, SUNSET JUNCTION

posted by Don Rose
based on info from Lynn Hasty (Green Galactic) and Jeff Gund (Infolist.com)

Peace Arch Entertainment & Vitagraph Films Present
WHAT WE DO IS SECRET
Opens August 22nd, 2008 in Los Angeles & Irvine
Starring SHANE WEST, BIJOU PHILLIPS, RICK GONZALEZ, NOAH SEGAN
followed by a very special LIVE Q&A with
Writer/Director: Rodger Grossman
Cast Members: Shane West, Bijou Phillips, Noah Segan &
Original Germs band members: Don Bolles, Lorna Doom and Pat Smear
at the Nuart Theatre Opening Weekend!

Friday, August 22, 2008
7:30pm Showing: Q&A following the screening.
10pm Showing: Introduction prior to the screening.

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008
5:00pm Showing: Q&A following the screening.
7:30pm showing: Introduction to the screening.

Location: The Nuart Theatre
11272 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(just west of the 405 Freeway)
(310) 281-8223

REGULAR SCREENINGS (No Q&A):

WHAT WE DO IS SECRET
will be at the Nuart Theatre from
Friday, August 22 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 for daily shows.
The showtimes are: 12pm, 2:30pm, 5pm, 7:30pm, 10pm, and 11:59pm daily.

TO PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS TO THE Q&A OR REGULAR SCREENINGS:

Please visit: www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/NuartTheatre.htm
Once you're there, you'll need to click the red "Click Here" under "Buy Advance Tickets Online" (note: Don't click the red "Features & Showtimes" - you won't be able to buy tickets there). THEN, you'll need to select the appropriate Show Date from the pulldown menu, and continue from there. OR, you may purchase tickets at the theater boxoffice.

Ticket Prices are $10.50, or $7.50 for bargain shows (see link above for details)

SHORT SYNOPSIS:

1970s Los Angeles, Nihilist Philosophy, Glam Rock, Drugs, Booze, Closeted Homosexuality, Dianetics, a Yen for Rock and Roll Immortality - a convergence of forces that shaped the short, self-destructive life of Jan Paul Beahm, a fatherless boy raised by an alcoholic mother and abandoned by an older brother who died of a drug-overdose -a kid who reinvented himself coming out of a high school program for outcasts, as the one and only DARBY CRASH, the legendary lead singer of the seminal Los Angeles Punk band, The Germs.Shane West ("ER," "ONCE AND AGAIN"), Bijou Phillips (CHOKE, BULLY), Rick Gonzalez (ILLEGAL TENDER, COACH CARTER) and Noah Segan (BRICK, CHAIN LETTER) star in WHAT WE DO IS SECRET, a biopic that chronicles the rise of The Germs and their charismatic leader Darby Crash whose image - the contorted, screaming face and death grip on the microphone, has become an icon of the U.S. punk movement and a rapt influence on bands since. Darby's cultivated punk attitude, resplendent with the hardcore, infamous onstage self-mutilation antics and volatile energy that inspired the band's mesmerized followers to riot, ultimately banned The Germs from playing every venue in the greater Los Angeles area.

But how did it start? It all started with a germ.



CREDITS

WHAT WE DO IS SECRET
stars SHANE WEST, BIJOU PHILLIPS, RICK GONZALEZ, NOAH SEGAN.
Writer/Director: Rodger Grossman.
Producers: Matt Perniciaro, Kevin Mann, Rodger Grossman, Todd Traina and Stephen Nemeth.
Line Producer: Bruce Wayne Gillies.
Executive Producers: Shane West, Michael LaFetra and King Records.
Story by: Rodger Grossman and Michelle Baer Ghaffari.
Director of Photography: Andrew Huebscher.
Production Designer: John R. Mott.
Film Editors: Ross Albert and Joel Platch.
Music Supervisor: Howard Paar.
Music Composer: Anna Waronker.
Co-Producers: Michelle Baer Ghaffari and Andy Wombwell.
Co-Executive Producers: Andre Relis and Lise Romanoff.

SUNSET JUNCTION THIS WEEKEND FEATURES GERMS

On Sat. Aug. 23 and Sun. Aug. 24, the 28th Annual Sunset Junction Street Festival returns to Los Angeles. The annual street fair and music/food festival is a fave of many Angelenos, especially those who live closeby in the Silver Lake area. If you're heading out to Sunset Junction (10am - 11pm both days), stop by The Germs / What We Do Is Secret booth for fun giveaways, contests, drawings, meet and greets, signings, limited edition items and surprises. More info at http://www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair.html.

For more information on the Germs in Concert, cast and band member appearances at the theatres, and Sunset Junction, visit www.whatwedoissecretthemovie.com.

JUN 19-29: LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WESTWOOD; DAY ONE LAFF HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE 45TH ANNIV BYE BYE BIRDIE SCREENING, YOUTUBE & TARGET ROOMS

Day One at the LA Film Fest is always fun, as Westwood Village wakes up for 10 days to double its pedestrian population (perhaps even triple it). 5 to 8 was the Diversity Expo, which took over half of Broxton Avenue with booths and free drinks to entertain festivalgoers. The other half entertained a large crowd on chairs and makeshift frontrow couches to show the classic movie "Bye Bye Birdie" on its 45th anniversary. Conrad Birdie, Elvis Presley, get it? Conrad wears gold jumpsuits, sports slicked back black hair, sings with a swagger, woos Ann Margaret, okay okay you get it already. The songs are still great, and the audience clapped after every musical number. (When will someone release a music video DVD that includes all the best musical numbers of a Hollywood classic -- or a Hollywood studio? Does The LA Report have to think of these things all the time? Steal this idea, will ya, someone?)

Another highlight of LAFF Day One was the YouTube room, located on Westwood Blvd, a couple doors south of the Target Red Room. YouTube is entertaining LAFF folks every night during the fest, with live entertainment and more. The Target Red Room is the annual funpacked food-music-drink-dance space, this year located on Westwood Blvd in the space vacated by Hollywood Video after its demise. LAFF Passholders can get in; two specially colored passes get 1 guest in too. Once inside, it is pure fun vibe time, and again this year the yummy snacks are provided by Archer Farms (great chocolate chip cookies, sea salt pita chips, rosemary garlic potato chips, fruit bars, pomegranate green tea, and much more). I am writing this from the Red Room's three Macs, set up near the door where you can blog as you bop to the DJ's cool tunes (perhaps the best string of continuous rock/pop tunes I have heard any DJ play, ever -- I liked every song but one (yep: Journey) - she even played a rare Beatle alternate version of "A Hard's Day's Night"). Wait... now it's The Monkees. Coolness! (Other Red Room sponsors include open bar helper Tommy Bahama Premium Rum, Smart Water, and Stella Artois -- and of course Target!).

One more note: we hear that the lead actress in the film BAGHEAD did a great job; her name is Elise Muller! Look for her in this movie at LAFF.