Mick Jagger...to host SNL tonight! "Stoner" or Mop-head fan?

Still sexy in middle-age, the "Rolling Stones" front man - Mick Jagger - is slated to host SNL live! tonight.

The legendary rocker has ably proven himself as an actor with great chops (in "Performance" for his portrayal of a reclusive rock star, for instance) but, how 'bout as a stand-up comic?

I recall catching a smattering of Mick's early interviews - during the "Stones" meteoric rise on the International stage decades ago - at which time he firmly established that he was (and is) an engaging quick wit with a keen sense of humor.

You betcha!

But, how will rock's darling fair in an opening monologue - or, for that matter - in an off-the-wall Lorne Michael sketch?

Guess we'll have to tune in and find out for ourselves tonight.

When I was a teen in the suburbs of Toronto, I recall the rivalry between the gutsy street-wise Rolling Stones and the mop-heads from Liverpool (the Beatles) as each band struggled for supremacy.

Bottom line?

Who a guy (or gal) rooted for in the neighborhood said a lot about his or her level of "coolness".

I played both sides of the musical fence (no pun intended)!

Hits like the Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" brought out the dark side, while the Beatles upbeat danceable tracks uplifted (were mood elevators, in fact).

Mick's strut on stage will trigger old memories (that's for sure).

Pavilions...abusive petitioners harass shoppers in WeHo! Take a hike, loser!

For a few years now, cashiers at Pavilions (Vons ownership) have been incessantly pestering shoppers for donations (for a host of untold diseases) every time they hit the check-out stand at the outlet at Robertson and Santa Monica Boulevards in beautiful downtown WeHo.

Now, the neighborhood locals are forced to face the abusive conduct of a gang of "petitioners" who hang outside the exit of the popular local grocery begging for funds, signatures, and what-have-you.

For example, whenever a patron strolls out the door with groceries in hand, they are usually accosted by - not one - but two volunteer activists (who swoop down from either side of the of surprised individual) anxious to round up support their wild and woolly (mostly grass-roots) causes.

For the most part, it has usually been a simple matter for the shoppers to just brush 'em off with a polite word or two.

"Not today, thanks," usually sufficed in keeping 'em at bay.

'Til now, that is.


In fact, earlier this afternoon, I nearly turned-on-my-heel and gave one of the classless losers a nasty tongue-lashing.

Why, pray tell?

Whenever a shopper managed to escape their clutches as they dashed out the door, a gruff rough-around-the-edges woman (with no manners to speak of) would call after them in an alarming harassing fashion.

"Thanks for stopping. We appreciate the fact that you care," she'd bark out sarcastically - at which point - the embarrassed shopper would seek  a quick escape from the unreasonable (uncalled for) abuse.

Frankly, I am surprised that Pavilions allows these low-life individuals to hover on their doorstep each-and-every day and insult their customers like that.

I say, if they can't be poliet - then - ban them from the lot!

Stay posted for updates.

George Clooney...par-tay celebrity Birthday-style @ Locanda del Lago!

If you're a fan of George Clooney (by the way, I mentioned in a post this past week, that the hunky actor shares my birthday on May 6th) - or just inclined to hanker after the kind of spoils and riches that celebs go for - then you may want to book a reservation at the Locanda del Lago on Sunday!

According to my sources, for the second year in a row, the trendy Santa Monica eatery has prepared a menu in honor of handsome Georgie-boy's birthday!

And, you can snatch up the culinary delight for a song!

Uh-huh!

For $19.61 (Clooney's birth year) locals out-on-the-prowl - and tourists alike - may sup on yummy Watercress salad, tasty filet mignon carpaccio (the stud's favorite) and  a Meyer lemon confit.

Patrons will be able to toss back a few gin and blood orange cocktails, too.

Will that be shaken or stirred?

If friends or family don't surprise me with a night out-on-the-town on the 6th, I just might saunter out to Santa Monica to treat myself to the mouth-watering dinner special, you betcha.

It sounds delicious, after all!

Do you suppose if I show them my I.D. that they will give me a discount on a pricey vintage bottle of wine?

Or, just maybe, toss a chilled white in for free?

See 'ya there, eh?

Birthday Memories

http://www.ijulian.blogspot.com/2012/05/julian-ayrshappy-birthday-to-moi-and.html

Active Arts at the Music Center...free Salsa & Merengue dance downtown event tonight!

Active Arts at the Music Center in Los Angeles is inviting locals - and tourists alike - to trot downtown tonight to join in on a totally FREE "Dance Downtown" invigorating event (the first part of a series to continue throughout the spring and summer months ahead).

Tonight the much-anticipated outdoor par-tay puts the spotlight on a Salsa and Merengue dance extravaganza featuring live bands and sizzling-hot DJS on an open air dance floor.

Venue
Music Center Plaza
135 North Grand Avenue

Time
6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

In upcoming weeks, a smattering of other special events to check out include the "Friday Night Sing-Along", a "Drum Downtown" experience, and what is being billed as the "Biggest Dance Ever"!

Get out your dancing shoes and go boogie, eh?

See 'ya there!

INFO

http://www.musiccenter.org/activearts

About the Active Arts @ the Music Center

For the past eight years "Active Arts® at the Music Center" has invited budding singers, dance enthusiasts and amateur musicians to express themselves through a series of free or low cost programs.

The ultimate aim?

To create social interaction - and likewise - bring together a multitude of diverse communities of Los Angeles by engaging them in inspiring arts experiences.

Celebrity Blogger...screws up! Vegas Journalist takes deserved potshots!

Norm! (who pens a celebrity gossip column in the Review Journal in Vegas) took potshots at a so-called "Celebrity Blogger" in the morning newspaper today (deservedly, so!).

According to the respected journalist, the ego-driven celebrity snoop - not only got a smattering of his facts incorrect - but, also - boasted about scooping a juicy news tidbit that was reported by another roving gossip a year ago!

Ouch!

"He needs to fire one of his sources or hire a fact-checker," he lamented to his readers.

"Or, learn how to google," the Vegas "confidante" underscored on the uptake.

Reporters with legit dailies - high-profile anchors on the Network News too - try to be cautious when it comes to "breaking news".

There is so much that can go wrong, after all, when a ballsy investigative journalist tries to get a jump on a delicious exclusive and beat out his envious rivals.

When things go "tits up" - well - 'ya just have to eat crow!

Or, print a hasty retraction, eh?

Of course, that has never happened to moi!

I'm just perfect, after all.

Yeah, right!

Cinco de Mayo...Mariachi Concert & celebrations at Clark County Library!

The Clark County Library on East Flamingo is hosting a live concert featuring the best and the brightest groups from the District's Mariachi Music Program to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Friday May 4th!

At press time, bands from the  - Orr, Monaco, Bailey, K.O., and Jim Bridger - Middle Schools were slated to perform live.

The event is Free and open to the public.

INFO:

702.507-3459

http://www.lvccld.org

Happy Cinco de Mayo, eh?

Whoopi Goldberg...comic slated to perform at Treasure Island! May 4th gig!

Funny-lady - Whoopi Goldberg (and sometimes movie-actress) - is slated to appear live! on stage at Treasure Island on Friday May 4th.

Old-timers - or fans following Ms. Goldberg's career - may recall that the VIEW host first landed a gig on stage (which launched her career) despite a drug addiction which sidelined her for years.

How did Whoopi end up with such an unusual name?

According to sources, "Whoopi" was derived from a "whoopie cushion".

The star allegedly once stated that "If you get a little gassy, you've got to let it go. So people used to say to me, 'You're like a whoopee cushion.' And that's where the name came from."

By the way, folks may also catch a "likeness" of Whoopi at Madame Tussuad's Museum (at the Venetian Hotel on the Vegas Strip) daily.

The curators often drag her "dummy" (usually better-dressed than the original herself) out front to lure the tourists inside.

Break a leg, Ms. Goldberg!

Liberace...Scott Thorson affair with Michael Jackson piques Internet interest!

Havey Levin smiles all the way to the bank!




Say - or think - what you will about personalities such as Liberace, Scott Thorson (even Michael Jackson).

But, the fact remains.

The general public - quite a few who frequent popular social hubs especially - are still intrigued by the larger-than-life memories of Liberace and Michael Jackson (and who they've allegedly slipped in-between-the-sheets with).

A case in point?

This past week when I penned a post on Scott Thorson (Liberace's ex-lover) - in which I reported that he claimed to have had an intimate relationship with pop star Michael Jackson - the explosive tidbit rustled up more hits than any other "hard news or gossip" item posted this week on "The Tattler"!

In the final analysis, it's easy to fathom why TMZ, the National Enquirer - even Page Six of a highly-ranked daily newspaper back east - continue to plow on full-steam ahead.

Titillating gossip is part of the mainstream "diet" in America today.

Stay posted for updates!

Liberace Posts

King of Glitters Las Vegas Museum

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/07/liberaceking-of-glitters-museum-sight.html

Liberace Birthday Celebration

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/05/liberacebirthday-celebration-vegas.html

Scott Thorson alleges affair with Michael Jackson

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2012/05/liberacescott-thorson-alleges-affair.html

Saint Therese HIV/A.I.D.S. Outreach Center...seeks hunky speedo-clad volunteers for car wash duties!

The organizers for a car-wash fundraiser to benefit the "Saint Therese" Outreach Center in Las Vegas are scouting for studly volunteers - who turn heads in sexy speedos - to scrub and polish autos this weekend on Cinco de Mayo (and for 3 Saturdays thereafter).

According to "Dominick" - who is heading-up the novel sudsy event - motorists will be charged $10 a pop to be serviced by the able-bodied dudes (!).

But, get this!

Enterprising studs - with an easy smile and who are quick on-the-uptake (tease?) - will get to pocket their tips.

What a great wait to raise funds for a charity, rustle up some beer money, and get an overall even tan in the exotic desert oasis, eh?

Contact:

Dominick at Snick's Place

702.385.9298
or

LVNIGHTBEAT@AOL.com

See 'ya there!

Sahara Hotel...to rise from ashes! SLS Las Vegas to revitalize barren end of strip!

Investors from SBE Entertainment announced yesterday that they have secured $300 million in financing to resurrect - and make-over - the now-shuttered Sahara Hotel with the ultimate aim of transforming that scary end of the strip into a jewel in the Las Vegas "crown" (which has been languishing in the blues for over a year now with no takers in sight).

The three existing Hotel towers (still standing and currently dark) will be stripped down and act as a foundation for a jazzy new development to be known as SLS Las Vegas which will rise up from the ashes like a phoenix in the near future.

The President & CEO of SBE - Sam Nazarian - envisions a "boutique resort" which will feature popular SLS brands - including, but not limited to - a 1600 room Hotel, a smattering of SBE Nightlife, Bars and Restaurant businesses, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Katsuya by Starck, and a reinvention of the company's original concept previously-known as "Shelter".

According to Governor Brian Sandoval, the SBE venture shows confidence in the strip and the state of Nevada itself.

"Today's news will make an immediate and positive impact in Las Vegas, infusing hundreds of millions of dollars into our economy and creating thousands of jobs," he enthusiastically noted for the record.

Nazarian goes one step farther in his assessment.

"We see the northern end of the Strip as the future of Las Vegas and we're pleased to be positioned at the forefront of the growth."

Now, if only some investor would step up to the plate, and breathe life into a couple of the abandoned half-constructed "ghost" hotels sitting vacant just a hop-and-a-skip away!

Stay posted for updates!

Julian Ayrs...Happy Birthday to moi! And, George Clooney!

 

As I head towards the big "60" on May 6th, I can't help but wonder.

Where did all the time go?

It seems like yesterday - I was dashing around Hollywood on acting auditions, feeding my two precious lovebirds at their perch on the front porch, and tending my quaint garden at 1236 1/2 North Harper Street in West Hollywood (an historic landmark "apartment house" where Katherine Hepburn and James Dean once resided many moons ago).

It wasn't difficult recalling one of my happiest birthday celebrations, though!

One year, I treated myself to an all-expenses-paid (!) vacation in Key West (Florida).

Curiously, the attractive stranger in the guest room next door turned out to be celebrating their birthday on May 5th, go figure.

Uh-huh!

At midnight, we threw open the doors which accessed our two suites, and passionately "made out".

It was sort-of a double whammy, I guess.

After all, I have always thought that it was lucky to have sex on a birthday.

After nookie, we headed down to the pier, where the locals serenaded us with a loud raucous round of Happy Birthday!

The following day, I savored another perk.

I toured Ernest Hemingway's summer home.

The Museum was of particular interest to me since the upstairs bedroom housed a "ceramic" (of a cat) that was personally crafted by the writer's good pal Pablo Picasso (both cat-lovers).

Later, I swear, I lost an hour (Bermuda-triangle-style) when I was snorkeling on the picturesque coral reef.

No kidding, folks!

What is one of the things I look forward to each year on my special day?

The newspaper publishes a special forecast for any individual who is celebrating the anniversary of their birth on that day.

By the way, Happy Birthday to George Clooney, who is also celebrating his birthday on Sunday.

For the record, other notables also born on the 6th include Willie Mays, Sigmund Freud, and Rudolph Valentino.

An intriguing collection of personalities, eh?

What do I want for my birthday?

For starters, I expect cake and champagne!

A couple of new "crown"s up front would be appreciated too; after all, they're such costly devils to replace without insurance coverage, dudes!

Carlos Santana...pacts two-year gig @ House of Blues in Vegas!

Ever-popular legendary performer - Carlos Santana - continues his love affair with Las Vegas!

According to his handlers, the ultra-talented musician will begin a two-year stint at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Hotel commencing May (2012).

The hot-ticket is being billed as:


An Intimate Evening with Santana

Greatest Hits Live

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

See 'ya there, eh?

Julian Ayrs...rock star video producer? Surfer?

Life is full of surprises!

For example, yesterday afternoon as I strode into a local retailer (I'm not going to mention the name of the store 'cause I'm too embarrassed to fess up that I shop there!) a young woman dashed up to me and quizzed me excitedly.

"Are you a rock star video producer?"

"No," I chuckled, as I side-stepped her advances.

"But, I take that as a compliment," I noted on the uptake, as I scurried down an aisle in search of s a couple of shelf products to snap up.

"You should go to New York. You'd fit right in," she hollered after me.

Yup!

Me and Donald Trump.

Actually, I once hunkered down in the "big apple" in the heady days of the seventies when the lower east side was overun with artists and thriving creatively.

Like so many others, I often popped in to Max's Kansas City to toss a chick pea or two at a rock star hiding in a booth, because it was the chic thing to do.

One fine day, I even sipped on a cocktail at a local neighborhood bar, as Andy Warhol and his hunky guest - Helmut Berger - eyed me up-and-down approvingly.

I was even a "hot peach" for a brief stint on "Off Off Broadway".

Post: 10/26/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/10/blogginginternet-opens-door-to-past.html

Ah!

I expect it's the "do".

At a time when close pals (business partners, too) are going bald, I'm inclined to indulge myself with a mop-top (all mine)!

Last week was the tip-off, though.

As a Nurse was taking my pulse at a local hospital (when I came down with the flu) she suddenly broke into a wide smile, and wondered aloud.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you look like a surfer?"

Uh-huh!

Maybe it's time to get a trim, if only to look a bit more presentable on the red carpet next week at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, you betcha.

If 'ya spy me there, after my ears have been lowered a tad, tell me what 'ya think, eh?





Hippie daze!

Lindsay Lohan...fashion faux pas @ Washington Correspondents chic soiree!

Just like Liz Taylor before her (the legendary Hollywood beauty once trotted around Washington on the arm of ex-husband Senator Warner, if you recall) Lindsay Lohan struggled to get her bearings on the "Hill" Saturday night when she attended a chi chi dinner in honor of top-notch correspondents around the country.

Pundits - and fashionistas alike - were already picking apart the "Mean Girl's" appearance (particularly her wardrobe) come Monday morning.

Her "look"?

"Too Hollywood," one scoffed.

"The cleavage and side boob exposure was a definite no-no," huffed another, in so many words.

Yup.

Lindsay was oozing a lot of sex appeal - when she should have gone conservative - was the general consensus among the fashion police.

I wonder what Washington housewives clucked on the sidelines?

Anyhoo, that didn't stop sweater-vest-less Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum from edging up closer for a photo opportunity, folks.

"For my two daughters," he sheepishly uttered up to all the frenzied media hounds nearby gobbling up every juicy tidbit.

Uh-huh!

Does Rick think we were all born yesterday?

News at 11!

Liberace...Scott Thorson alleges affair with Michael Jackson!

Former on-stage limo driver cum-lover Scott Thorson (fresh out of the slammer) has been making the rounds of the talk-show circuit lately - flogging his memoirs and much-publicized affair with Vegas showman Liberace.

Last night on one tabloid news outlet - after alleging that Liberace infected others with the killer A.I.D.S. virus (originally "Lee" swore up-and-down to probing media hounds at the time that he was thin because of an ill-advised watermelon diet) before he succumbed to the disease himself - the handsome toy-boy also dropped a juicy bombshell.

According to the down-to-earth publicity seeker, he also bedded - and maintained an intimate relationship with - Pop Star Michael Jackson (well, we all know from previous court proceedings that it was a pretty huge inviting bed that few pre-teen boys couldn't resist).

Which begs the question.

Scott, once you've had "black", can you ever go back?

A screen bio of the legendary pianist - starring Michael Douglas - is slated to hit the big screen in the near future.

It should be a hoot, especially when you consider that talented Matt Damon will take on the role of Thorson.

Stay posted for updates!





Make-overs due for Douglas & Damon?

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival...Films by Youth Inside screen BORN FO BANG!

Films by Youth Inside (FYI) has been officially invited to screen one of their thought-provoking projects - BORN FO BANG - at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival this year.

FYI is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering incarcerated youth.

BORN FO BANG was written, directed, and performed by teens at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility and tells the personal story of an HYCF youth who faces threats, bullying, and excommunication from his gang and family when he refuses to beat up a Haole.

A very timely piece of filmmaking in my estimation!

The short film recently premiered at the Hawaii State Capital Auditorium at a screening hosted by Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie and was well-received.

Not surprisingly, the project won Best Narrative Short Film Award at the Urban Media Filmmakers Film Festival, as well.

"I'm truly proud of the HYCF youth for both their bravery and courage to tackle such a controversial issue. I continue to be inspired by their conviction to authentic storytelling," beamed FYI Founder and Creative Director Alex Munoz.

"These are young men who  never acted before, and the energy and charisma they bring to the screen is nothing short of superb. It's pure magic. They took the opportunity to own their history very seriously and it pays off big time."

BORN FO BANG will be screened under the auspices of the Asian Pacific Film Festival on May 12th at 12:30 p.m. at the CGV Cinemas at Western and Wilshire.

Catch it if you can!

INFO

http://asianfilmfestla.org/2012/