Entertainment category, Page 339
6 new paperbacks to pick up, including a biography of Fred Rogers
These paperback roundups have a tendency to be fiction-focused — in my own reading, I’m always drawn toward novels — but in honor of the new season, let’s mix things up a bit. Here are six nonfiction books, freshly out in paperback, all of which look like they’d be splendid...
Animator Ron Campbell brings 1960s-era pop culture to PittsburghVideo
Growing up in Australia, in those dark, pre-television days, Ron Campbell spent many a weekend with pals in movie theaters. He had no inkling at the time that a light was about to dawn on his future career. Campbell became known worldwide for his animation on The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,”...
Baldwin native will perform with Navy jazz ensemble in HempfieldVideo
As part of the Navy’s signature outreach program, Baldwin native Shawn Purcell will have a chance to perform in the Pittsburgh area for the second time as a member of the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble. The group will play an Oct. 23 concert at Hempfield Area High School....
Tyler Perry believes his studio rivals Hollywood’s best
Tyler Perry remembered shedding tears when he saw an Atlanta highway exit bearing the name of his television and film studio for the first time. The actor-director-writer believes he might have the same emotions during the grand opening of his massive state-of-the-art Tyler Perry Studios on Saturday night. He’s planning...
Stage Right! clinches world record for fastest production
Greensburg’s Stage Right! theater company set a new Guinness World Record for fastest theatrical production. The company, which also operates a school for the performing arts, received an email Friday confirming that it successfully set a new world record by staging a production of “Children of Eden” — from auditions...
Tiffany Haddish host of ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’ revivalVideo
It was an idea that started way back in the Dark Ages of radio, but a good idea never falters. That’s proven once again as ABC revives the comedy series “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” premiering Sunday. The format was simple: Encourage youngsters (around 4 to 8) to talk about...
Disney reveals first new ‘Frozen 2’ song — ‘Into the Unknown’Video
Parents, get your ears ready for a possible onslaught. In a new 60-second preview released Monday, Disney revealed the first new song from its upcoming “Frozen 2.” In the clip, the song “Into the Unknown” is sung by Elsa, aka Idina Menzel — the voice that parents have heard singing...
WQED reaps Emmy, documentary, community service awards
Pittsburgh PBS station WQED will have to find a little extra shelf space, following its 14 Mid-Atlantic Emmy wins during the 37th annual award ceremony, held Sept. 28 at Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. WQED was proud to receive 14 Emmy Awards at the 2019 @EmmyMidAtlantic, held last night in #Pittsburgh for...
Saint Vincent concert series guest adds storytelling to music
Pianist, composer and storyteller Jeanne Cotter will perform Oct. 19 as part of the Saint Vincent College Concert Series. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center in the Robert S. Carey Student Center on the Unity campus. Cotter, a singer-songwriter and liturgical composer, has performed...
Christian band MercyMe set for Pittsburgh stop on 25th anniversary tourVideo
MercyMe’s current tour may be billed as a 25th anniversary outing, but the popular Christian rock-pop band isn’t being all that nostalgic when it comes to the choice of songs in the set list. “We actually had that discussion early on about kind of how much looking back we wanted...
‘Abominable’ No. 1 with $20.9M; Zellweger’s ‘Judy’ sings out
NEW YORK — The DreamWorks animated adventure “Abominable” topped the box office with $20.9 million in ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, while the Renee Zellweger-led Judy Garland tale “Judy” got off to a strong start. “Abominable,” the weekend’s sole new wide release, is a co-production...
Artist Kehinde Wiley unveils bold sculpture in Times Square
NEW YORK — Perpetually crowded Times Square has a new statue for pedestrians to navigate — but it’s unlike any other. Artist Kehinde Wiley unveiled his biggest work ever Friday, a massive bronze statue of a young African American man in urban streetwear sitting astride a galloping horse. Called “Rumors...
Oprah Winfrey shocks fundraisers with $1M donation for students
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Oprah Winfrey shocked attendees at a North Carolina fundraiser by announcing a donation of more than $1 million toward the United Negro College Fund. The Charlotte Observer reports that former talk-show host and OWN television network chief made the surprise announcement Saturday while speaking at Charlotte’s 17th...
Dog the Bounty Hunter reveals pulmonary embolism diagnosis
Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, he has revealed. The 66-year-old star of “Dog’s Most Wanted” finds himself battling his own potentially fatal health problems just three months after his wife, Beth Chapman, died of cancer. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot...
Metallica’s James Hetfield returns to rehab, band postpones tour
Metallica has posponed its upcoming tour as James Hetfield addresses his addiction issues. The band announced Friday it would not play its Australia and New Zealand dates as its frontman / guitarist “had to re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again.” “As most of you probably know,...
Tyler Perry says he can’t ‘up and leave’ filming in Georgia
LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry said he cannot “just up and leave” filming in Georgia despite Hollywood’s backlash against the state’s “heartbeat” abortion law. The actor-director-writer made the remarks to The Associated Press on Friday while discussing the upcoming opening of his massive Atlanta-based studio. Some celebs have urged TV...
Sony, Marvel agree to swing together on 2 more Spider-Man films
LOS ANGELES — Spider-Man won’t be leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon. After a public fallout last month, Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Studios have found a way to work together. The studios said Friday that they would be teaming up once more to produce a third...
Review: Renée Zellweger is undeniably perfect as ‘Judy’Video
Renée Zellweger is so undeniably perfect as Judy Garland that it almost makes up for the shortcomings of the film around it. “Judy ” is itself a fine and imperfect look at some of Garland’s last years of life, but it really should have been something transcendent — Zellweger’s performance...
Jennifer Lopez, Shakira sharing Super Bowl stage
Super Bowl LVI looks to be a ladies night … at least during the halftime show. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform for the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime show, according to nfl.com. They are, understandably, excited. They weigh in with these statements on nfl.com: “Ever since I saw Diana...
You Are Here gallery plans expanded second invitational
The You Are Here art gallery in Jeannette will hold its second annual invitational next month, with twice as many participants as its first event. A 6 p.m. Oct. 12 opening reception is planned at the 406 Clay Ave. gallery, and the show will run until Nov. 23, says Mary...
More professional wrestling joining TV schedulesVideo
Television viewers had better be ready to rumble as three new professional wrestling programs are hitting the schedules like the piledriver. It starts with IMPACT Wrestling slated to launch Oct. 1 on AXS TV, followed by “All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite” launching on TNT Oct. 2. If that isn’t enough time...
Mushroom Rally brings costumed go karting to PittsburghVideo
Go karting with a twist is how organizers describe the Mushroom Rally experience, in which drivers can don their favorite costumes and race around a themed track, competing for prizes. The competition will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Sept. 28-29 and...
Jeannette gallery to host ‘recycled and reused’ art competition
Jeannette’s You Are Here art center and gallery has announced “Upcycle Challenge ‘19,” a competition in which participants will create a piece of artwork from recycled and reused materials. Much like the Food Network’s “Chopped” chefs must make culinary masterpieces from unlikely ingredients, participants in this competition will “receive a...
Diamond Theatre of Ligonier holding Christmas play auditions
Auditions will soon take place for a production Diamond Theatre of Ligonier owner Leigh Ann Rice-McCulty has written for the holiday season. “‘The Christmas Storm of the Century’ is a funny and heartwarming play about Christmas Eve shenanigans that take place when a family get-together turns out to be longer...
Frightfully fun: Attractions offer new thrills for HalloweenVideo
What appeals to people about being frightened, say, on a roller coaster or in a haunted house? Researchers posted the following: • Fear gives us a rush of adrenaline, followed by a release of endorphins and dopamine, which can result in an opioid-like feeling of euphoria. • Many people like...
