Hollywood: Movies in the Graveyard

by Adrienne Wilson on

Long ago Erik mentioned a cool little place to stalk some of Hollywood’s A-list celebs while touring the streets of Los Angeles. Back then I remember being pretty surprised when he directed our attention away from the Star maps to point us to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, but it makes good sense now though. Known as the Resting Place of Hollywood’s Immortals the cemetery also plays hosts to some 1,200 plus guests on Saturday summer nights looking to check out a DJ spinning tunes, drink wine, be merry and watch a film after dark while lounging around the tombstones. Got goose pimples yet? So hanging with the deceased under the stars might not be the dinner date of choice for all prancing around Hollywood on their vaca, but if it sounds like the thing for you checkout Cinespia.org for details on the Saturday night screenings.

Tomorrow night I’ll be heading over with a few friends to watch Dressed to Kill starring Michael Caine and Angie Dickinson at 7:30 PM. Can’t make it this weekend? Other upcoming screenings include Manhattan on July 29th and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure on August 5th. Should you still fail to be convinced by my blurb or the one from DailyCandy featured a few weeks back, then check out Neil’s piece on Los Angeles’ plethora of free entertainment. Just keep in mind summer is almost over. What cool things will you have done with yours?

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of June 25

by Adrienne Wilson on

Looks like another Friday has snuck up on us which means it’s time to list some of our favorite posts this week on Gadling. If you missed them before, here they are now:

5. Summer Hot Spots of the Rich and Famous:
Following the every move of movie and music stars has never been a personal past time of mine and while I choose to believe that most people are in the same category of caring less, I know I’m wrong. More people than I could ever possibly count will click into People.com, including some of our very dear Gadling readers to spy on the likes of famous folk on their glittery vaca’s in the Maldives. Thank Karen for the inspiration to do something great with your own summer days.

4. Most Expensive Cities:
Those of your traveling on a super tight budget will want to check out Neil’s blurb on the most expensive cities according to the U.S. based Mercer Human Resource Consulting, who just released their updated list. Last year Moscow was fourth on that very list and this year it gets tops for most expensive city. Apparently the folks there feel just a bit differently.

3. Air Conditioned Shirt:
Alrighty – Leave it to one of our fellow human beings to think up a gear item like the air conditioned shirt. Never in all my years would I have thought to see a shirt with a built in fan, but Erik has uncovered this unique piece of cooling cloth and makes a good point of how handy it could become in the Amazon.

2. Sounds to Sail to the Islands:
My longing to go to the islands and eclectic taste in music either from the islands or by an artists with roots in the area mentioned, lead me to creating this small guide for people looking to escape to a warm locale surrounded by water. Check out my list of good summer tunes and places to go after listening to them.

1. Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Series:
Most of you know that I’m allergic to scuba diving and such now, but I can’t knock a good post when I see one and for underwater enthusiasts this is a must see. Erik directs our attention to Lonely Planet guide’s latest quest to update and publish five volumes of its Diving & Snorkeling series. Peep the post for a list of the upcoming releases.

Sounds to Sail to the Islands

by Adrienne Wilson on

Sit listening to my music collection on party shuffle  for an hour and you’ll find I’m all for jarring sound transitions. Follow me closely here. Music is about movement. It’s about the flowing, swaying, and gyrating movement of bodies rocking harmoniously on packed dancehall floors in places with little ventilation. Sometimes it’s sudden and spur of the moment while others it’s calculated. Most of us find music takes away in the comfort of our homes allowing our limbs the freedom to burst out in the most unlikely body gestures and some will set adrift to discover music exotic places. I’m for the later idea.

Here’s a few of my own top music picks to help you skip to the islands this summer including concert and festival happenings around the area:

5. Sail to: Portugal’s Azores islands, Europe
When: July & August – several music events happening throughout the islands.
Song: Island of Wonder – Nelly Furtado (album: Folklore)

4. Sail to: Barbados, West Indies
When: July & August – for the island’s popular five-week Crop Over festival with origins tracing back to the 1780’s.
Song: A Girl Like Me – Rihanna (album: A Girl Like Me)

3. Sail to: Oahu, Hawaii
When: August 4-5, 2006 – 13th Annual Hawaiian International Jazz Festival.
Song: Moana Chimes – Jon Brion (album: Punch Drunk Love sdtk)

2. Sail to: Ibiza, Spain
When: July & August – Clubs and clubs galore! Dance in the day or dance at night. If you’re a bit on the mellow side, lay out in the sun at Playa de Ses Salines where DJ is sure to be spinning a record or more.
Song: Wake Up With Me – Be Noir (album: Undiscovered Ibiza)

1. Sail to: Jamaica, West Indies
When: August 3-6, 2006 – The world’s greatest Reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, returns and the roster looks as promising as ever.  What better island to be jammin’ on than Jamaica?
Song: Sun is Shining – Bob Marley & the Wailers (album: Kaya)

Jazz in Marciac

by Adrienne Wilson on

Summer and France are almost synonymous for many Americans who can’t possibly fathom braving the country through the winter when most of the French natives are running about. Additionally, summer is probably the only time most Americans have time for travel or are allowed their one week of play during the rest of the 365 days. Whatever your reasons, if you find yourself meandering from café to park to outdoor concert in search of the next big, cool thing to do during your French summer days and nights check out the Jazz in Marciac festival.

The festival, in its 29th year, runs July 31, 2006 – August 15, 2006 and includes musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Roberto Fonseca, Herbie Hancock, Omara Portuondo, Jaime Cullum, Jeff Hamilton, Ile au Jazz, and Jean-Jacques Milteau to name only a few. Having had a small sampling of what’s in store from Richard Johnson (playing piano with Wynton Marsalis) I’d make sure to mark August 11, 2006 on your concert planner at the very least. I might have to make a last minute jaunt to France myself for this one and another during cooler temps, of course.

See the full schedule of events here.

Spa like a rock star

by Karen Walrond on

Want to holiday where the beautiful people
holiday?  Concierge.com is currently featuring a list of some of the favourite spas of your favourite celebrities
— including the vacation love nests of Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, as well as Teri Hatcher and Martha Stewart
(oh come on, as if you wouldn’t want a bit of pampering after getting out of prison). 

Personally, I’m
digging COMO Shambhala at Parrot Cay in
Turks & Caicos — especially since it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit.  Maybe one day… and I
refuse to let the fact that Whitney Houston and Britney Spears also love it deter me.