Quantcast
Channel: Culture & Arts
Viewing all 18483 articles
Browse latest View live

Cole Porter's Lost 'Ambassador Revue' To Make U.S. Debut In NYC

0
0
Eighty-six years after it was written, a Cole Porter musical revue is set to make its American debut with an all-star cast of Broadway talent.

"The Ambassador Revue," which hits New York's Town Hall June 27, features many elements that went on to become synonymous with Porter's work -- including soaring ballads, saucy showgirls and lyrics laden with double entendres. The Manhattan premiere, which features musical arrangements by Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks and is directed by theater historian Ken Bloom, will mark the first time the show has ever been performed in America.

The revue takes its name from Paris's Ambassadeurs nightclub, where it was first performed for a short run in 1928 but quickly disappeared shortly thereafter. At the time, none of the sheet music was made available in America, while Porter went on to become the prolific composer of iconic musicals like "Anything Goes" and "Kiss Me, Kate."

"For me, this is like finding a new Picasso or a new Rembrandt," Giordano said. "I wish I would've found this 20 years ago … this is just one of those things where the planets came together in a specific moment. We're just so thrilled."

The Huffington Post spoke to Giordano, as well as participating performers Tom Wopat, Anita Gillette and Amy Burton, who shared their thoughts on Porter and the show ahead of its June 27 performance.

Tom Wopat: This stuff pre-dates most of Cole Porter's big work, so it's kind of seminal. It shows the roots of what he later developed. But there are a lot of Porter-isms in this music and it's a lot of fun to perform. It'll be a revelation to people.

Vince Giordano: People ask me, 'Is this music like other Cole Porter music?' But that's the one thing about Cole Porter…he never repeated himself. He always went out on a limb and tried to come up with something new and fresh. That's an amazing accomplishment.

Amy Burton: This is just such a dream, if you're a singer, an actor or a singing actor. I couldn't believe there were so many Cole Porter songs that nobody knew, and they're charming! Some of them are charming, some of them are racy, some of them are lyrical ... sex never goes out of style! (laughs)

Anita Gillette: He writes about the human condition, whether it's love, loss, war … he writes all about these main themes. Apparently, in 1928, he was out of work, and he was really glad to get this job. Imagine Cole Porter in that [situation] today! Musically, I think you can see the beginnings of some of his real masterpieces.

Cole Porter's "The Ambassador Revue" plays New York's Town Hall on June 27. For more information, head here.


You Know, Just Brad Pitt In An '80s Pringles Commercial

0
0
When you think of Brad Pitt, you probably think of "Fight Club" or "Moneyball" or "Ocean's Eleven."

But what if we told you that long before his Oscar nominations and Golden Globe win, Brad Pitt was just some shirtless guy in a Pringles commercial?

Don't believe us?

Then just check out this clip from ComClassics. Yup.

Afghan Hero Of 'Lone Survivor' Now Fears For His Life

0
0
WASHINGTON -- An Afghan man who saved the life of a U.S. Navy Seal and was featured in a blockbuster film that grossed millions of dollars says that he now fears for his life and that the Seal's promise to help him move to America has gone unfulfilled, Vocativ is reporting.

In 2005, Mohammad Gulab found Marcus Luttrell badly wounded and alone in the woods in Afghanistan after the Seal survived an ambush from the Taliban. Gulab gave refuge to Luttrell and took him into his home because of a tribal code of honor which mandates giving help to anyone who needs it. Luttrell survived, and eventually wrote a book called Lone Survivor that chronicled his experience, which was eventually turned into a film starring Mark Wahlberg.

Gulab, who does not speak English, attended the premiere of the film in New York City last year, and appeared with Luttrell in a 60 Minutes report that highlighted how the two men had grown close since the ordeal.

"The five days that we were together, it shot us 20 to 30 years into the future after everything we've been through together, " Luttrell told 60 Minutes. "He very well could have left me lying there on the side of that waterfall and let me die. But he didn't."

"I love you," Luttrell told Gulab on 60 Minutes.

But now Gulab, who still lives in Afghanistan despite attempts to move to the United States, tells Voactiv that his life is "is in worse danger than ever."

The Taliban are still determined to kill him, Gulab says, and he and his family have been targeted in both shootings and bombings. Gulab says that he sleeps away from home because he thinks that will make it less likely that the Taliban will target his family.

Luttrell advised Gulab to seek asylum in the United States, but Gulab declined to do so, thinking that doing so would mean that he couldn't return to Afghanistan to be with his family. Gulab wanted to get a green card and says that Luttrell promised him that he would help him move to the country. In January, Gulab flew to Texas, where he wanted to meet with Luttrell and find work until he could obtain a green card. But the morning after he arrived, two members of Luttrell's family came to his hotel, took him shopping, and then took him to the airport, Voactiv reported.

A representative from the Luttrell family told Vocativ that Gulab left the country voluntarily and that there had been a misunderstanding between the two men.





What Happened When One Woman Had Her Picture Photoshopped In 25 Different Countries

0
0
"Make me look beautiful.”

That's what Esther Honig asked 40 photo editors to do -- in over 25 countries. Using the service-sharing site Fiverr, Honig, a human interest reporter, sent a picture of herself to be photoshopped around the world to see just how much cultural values are applied to standards of beauty. The results throw the idea of "the perfect woman" into sharp relief.

estherhongorig

Honig found that every country applied its own distinct perspective on beauty to her image. She was surprised by the degree to which each country's cultural values showed up as aesthetic preferences. Specifically, an image she received back from Morocco was "a bit of a shock initially." She told The Huffington Post via email, "[It] definitely highlighted my own lack of cultural awareness. Of course, someone from a country where the primary religion is Islam might elect to add a Hijab to my image as that aligns with their own cultural customs. For me it really added depth to my project by touching on the concept of religion and custom, not just aesthetics."

moroccoesther



Seeing her image manipulated in so many dimensions had a profound impact on Honig's own self-perception. "I voluntarily sought out this opportunity and was pleased with how it turned out, but it did make me more aware of certain things like the uneven tone of my skin which was touched up by nearly every editor," she said. "I’ve watched my image subtly soften with filters and cloning brushes as well as radically transform with splicing, stretching and re-angling that completely restructured my face. Seeing some jobs for the first time have made me shriek."

Honig is reluctant to draw a "moral of the story" from the project, which is ongoing. "Flipping through the collection of Before & After, one may spot trends in models of beauty that represent each designer’s culture of origin, but that is entirely based on our interpretation," she said.

Still, the project dispels the myth of a singular beauty norm. "Overall what I’ve learned from this project is this; Photoshop allows us to achieve our unobtainable standards of beauty, but when we compare those standards on a global scale, achieving the ideal remains all the more illusive. "

Check out the rest of the incredible images below.

India
estherindia

Ukraine
ukraine

Venezuela
venezuela

Argentina
estherargentina

Vietnam
vietnam

Philippines
phillipines

Romania
romania

Sri Lanka
sri lanka

United States
us

UK
uk

Israel
estherisrael

Italy
estheritaly

Australia
estheraustralia

Bangladesh
estherbangladesh

Chile
estherchile

Germany
esthergermany

Greece
esthergreece

Indonesia
estherindonesia

This Itty-Bitty Barbecue Is A Culinary Stroke Of Genius

0
0
In case you were really into the idea of using a Pringles can to cook a hot dog but still longed for the delicious taste of burning charcoal, you are now in luck.

Grant Thompson, the self-described "King of Random," is here to give you the best of both worlds. Using a Mike's Hard Lemonade can, Thompson created a mini grill that is the perfect size for grilling a hot dog in the summer.

Watch the Bitty-Q do its magic in the video above, and learn how to make one for yourself here.

Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr.

Disney Princess Posters Promote Sexual Abuse Awareness

0
0
Artist Saint Hoax recently found out that one of her closest friends was raped by her father at age 7, so she made these disturbing posters. So titled the "Princest Diaries," the purpose of the series is to encourage victims to report their attackers.

"Forty-six percent who are raped are victims of family members," the posters read. "It's never too late to report your attack."

disney

Hoax told HuffPost Entertainment that when she heard of her friend's abuse, she knew she had to take action.

"That story shocked me to my core," she wrote in an email. "As an artist/activist I decided to shed light on that topic again in a new form. I used Disney princess because it's a visual language that my targeted audience would be attracted to."

disney2

disney

Note: One of the original stories that inspired Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" actually includes incestuous rape (while she's sleeping), so that last one is pretty much just a terrifying illustration of the alternate version.

If you or someone you know is the victim of rape, you can seek help through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1 (800) 656 -HOPE.

The Truth About EDM Culture Beyond All Those Drug Use Statistics

0
0
Electronic dance music (EDM) culture is stigmatized by substance abuse and escapism. The festivals around which it is centered -- like Electric Zoo, Ultra or Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) -- are less so focused on specific DJs than the experience of the festivals themselves. While it's no secret that "experience" is often understood as "getting really high while dancing," there's an undeniable sense of collectivism amid the neon lights (and strangely prevalent wolf hoodies). That lends a sense of community to the scene, which is increasingly characterized by drug-related incidents and deaths.

Directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, "Under The Electric Sky" seeks to capture that uniting aspect of EDM as it is associated with the Las Vegas edition of EDC specifically. The documentary chronicles six stories, as its subjects find belonging beneath the watchful eyes of the main stage's animatronic owl: there is a Texas college student who suffers from chronic anxiety; a group of guys carrying on the memory of their friend, a year after his death; and -- most poignant (or cloying, depending on where you're sitting) -- a young man named Jose, who is wheelchair-bound on account of a spinal condition.

Jose equates EDC with a form of therapy. He describes the festival itself as a drug in the sense that it allows him to escape his condition. As he is seen dancing in his seat, and later crowd surfing, he notes that people at the festival help him much more than they would at home on the street. "If people could just treat each other the way they treat each other at EDC ... the world would be a much better place," he says.

electric daisy carnival

While touching, his sequence admittedly seems a little over-the-top: how can we even attempt to be critical of this scene in face of someone who has managed to transcend his physical disabilities with the help of EDM? But the message of his example does seem to extend across the board. For those who migrate to the Las Vegas edition of EDC each year, there is a sense of the event as a secret world, where everyone can come together and be themselves.

At the same time, there's a question of how the uniformity of these festivals helps form a sense of individuality. It's possible the subjects are inaccurate in identifying their experience as some inner liberation. It seems what they truly find at EDC is a place where maybe they don't figure out how to be themselves in terms of uniqueness, but at least feel comfortable in their own skin. "These are all the kids [who] ate lunch by themselves in high school," one attendee says. "Then they stumbled on this and went 'Whoa, I belong here!'"

It should be noted that there are a wide variety of EDM festivals. The term "EDM" itself is an umbrella term for dance, house and trance music, among other micro-genres. EDC itself takes on different forms as it is held across Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles. So, as with any subculture, there's a pluralism at play. When we look at it through a broader lens, however, EDM culture holds similarities to many other subcultures.

electric daisy carnival

In any documentary cataloging a subculture, you'll hear nearly identical quotes referencing family and a sense of relief in finally "being myself" amongst likeminded individuals. Perhaps "Whoop Dreams," which catalogs a Gathering of the Juggalos is the closest example. Where EDM culture is stigmatized by drug use, the Insane Clown Posse's intense fan base is associated with violence. But in the face of citations of all the negative aspects of the event (which includes instances of suspected gang rape) there is this sentiment of finding a "true family."

In much the same way that members of a subculture can be blind to plagues associated with their lifestyle, "Under The Electric Sky" plays sort of like a clueless ad for the festival (see: crowd shots of only the most beautiful, nearly naked individuals in the crowd, set to a long loop of Aviici's "Don't Wake Me Up"). It essentially omits the prevalence drug use, spending some time with the group of men who lost their friend to drug use at the 2012 festival, but mostly refusing to even say the word "molly" outside of a song that plays during one DJ's set.

To merely indicate that there is a "zero-tolerance drug policy," but "some individuals go too far" (as members of the First Aid team say at one point) is surely an misunderstanding of the festival. It would seem that Cutforth and Lipsitz's goal is to not diminish the power of community with the reality of drug use, though glossing over it seems ineffective. If you're intent to truly capture this culture, leaving out the prevalence of drug use is a willful omission. (Consider the fact that this year alone two attendees died and 800 others were treated for minor injuries.)

electric daisy carnival

One of the only real times that the problems with substance abuse are addressed is when the film encounters the rave culture from which EDM sprouted. Pasquale Rotella -- featured as both EDC's version of "P.T. Barnum" and producer of "Under The Electric Sky" -- discusses how the underground scene was destroyed by drugs, noting an end to that faction of the movement in 1993 (EDC began in 1997). Cutforth and Lipsitz frame Rotella as someone who has tried to stay close to the music through the prevalence of drug use, as though it is a problem that has long since been solved, as a fact of it's increased presence in the music industry.

"It's not just the music," he said. "The sense of community draws people." Although, the reality is that EDM is more likely shifting into macro acceptance because of the increase in production quality, rather than any move away from substances. The music sounds much better than it did during the '80s rave scene. There are computers!

Some of the attendees interviewed throughout "Under The Electric Sky" emphasized the resulting idea of turning the subculture into pop culture with a certain sense of pride. But so much of the power EDM holds resides in its niche-ness. There's something about falling below the mainstream that allows for the sense of inclusivity of which all of Cutsforth and Lipsitz's subjects seem so aware. A community feel would likely be lost, or, at least, diminished, if it continued to expand into the mainstream.

Ultimately, the film seeks to focus on that potential for in-group unity, which occurs much more organically at an event like EDC than it does under the non-electric sky. From outside of a subculture, it's hard to process its effect as anything but a giant party, and the reality is that there are fatal elements at play. Looking at it the sort of picture painted by "Under The Electric Sky," it's easier to recognize that beneath the undeniable substance-abuse statistics and impractical leg warmers, there is the overwhelming bond of community which brings people to EDC each year. While a sense of hope and belonging far from solves EDM culture's issues, "Under The Electric Sky" would have us believe it's at least one of the festival drugs worth taking.

"Under The Electric Sky" opens Friday, June 27, in select theaters.


There Is A Groupon To Hang Out With Neil Patrick Harris, Possibly The Best Bargain On The Internet

0
0
If you're anything like us, you spend too many nights dreaming of a chance to see Neil Patrick Harris all dolled up in daisy dukes and stiletto heels, belting out "Sugar Daddy" on the big stage.

Well, Groupon is actually offering a chance to see Broadway's hot item and recent Tony-winning musical, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" -- in the form of a sweepstakes. The coupon (read: entry into a contest) includes a trip to New York, a spot at his packed show and a drink with NPH himself, all for the basement price of $10.

Yup, $10. That has to be the best bargain on the internet.

groupon

All proceeds from the sweepstakes go toward Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which supports people across America living with HIV/AIDS. "I can’t think of greater motivation for giving my best performance than knowing that tickets to ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ are contributing to the cause," Harris commented. "And that we get to share a stiff cocktail after the show."

We always knew we liked him.

The endeavor runs until July 3 (the winner will be drawn on Thursday, July 10). Make a donation here and, come August 8, you may find yourself singing along to the cult rock opera with your new BFF Neil. At the very least, you'll have supported a worthy cause. See the many perks of the prize here and get your hopes up with Harris' epic Tony performance below.




Will Ferrell Tries Not To Focus Too Much On Other Comedians (AKA The Competition)

0
0
Will Ferrell is currently in Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, sipping on some ice cold beers at the Budweiser Hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

"I’m not going to lie to you, we’ve had a few and we’ve enjoyed them thoroughly," Ferrell told HuffPost Entertainment on June 27.

But Ferrell is less concerned with the party and more focused on the soccer, as he watches the world's best players take each other on in grueling matches.

"The World Cup, at the expense of sounding cliché, really brings everyone together," he told us during an interview over the phone (although we sort of wish we were in Rio, don't you?). "It’s unique to be at a game when you’re standing next to crowds from Germany and afterwards everyone just shakes hands and says, 'Hey, that was a great game.' It really puts a light on the fact that it’s a shame that the world can’t have more cooperative moments like this," he said. "Where we just are bonded by our love of sport."

The 46-year-old comedian delivered an inspirational speech to U.S. soccer fans before the match against Germany on June 26, proving he's not only a fan himself, but quite the motivator.



"I think I could lead our team into any situation," he told HuffPost. "I don’t know if I would get them to win, but I would definitely get them fired up. But I’d have no technical expertise, just a lot of emotion and a lot of screaming."

Speaking of emotion (and technical expertise, for that matter), Ferrell also opened up about his future star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, "Anchorman" memories and thoughts on fellow comedians.

Congrats on the Walk of Fame news, that’s very exciting!
Yeah! Finally, right? [laughs]

You’ve been in some amazing movies, including “Anchorman,” which was released 10 years ago. Is that hard to believe?
I guess. [laughs] If I look back and think how long I’ve been doing this, it does surprise me. But when you're in the mode of working, I don't know if that really crosses your mind.

“Anchorman 2” just happened, but will there be an “Anchorman 3”?
That really hasn’t come up. You know, It took a lot to make a sequel and we were very happy with it. We felt like making sequels is not the easiest thing to do and I think we survived in terms of making it distinct enough and worth making. So I don’t know, I never talked about making a third one.

Where do you pull inspiration from for your work?
I just kind of have a capacity to think of weird and bizarre things and then I’m given the opportunity to execute them. So, I don’t really know if there’s one source that I draw inspiration from, it’s just, I spend a lot of time daydreaming and that’s proven valuable for me.

You're a dad of three sons, is that why you’ve been taking on more animated roles like “Lego Movie” and “Megamind”? Or does being a father lead you to take on serious roles as well?
It is interesting now that I have kids. I’ll tell you, they do have opinions as to whether I should take on a project or not. But I still govern myself by the rules of just hearing the choices I’m going to make. It’s great to go back and forth between comedic stuff and family movies and then dramatic stuff. I like to kind of have a variety of projects going at the same time.

Who’s the funniest actor, currently, in your eyes?
Let’s see ... I think that there’s just a lot of people who, once again, are doing funny stuff. I’m a big fan of Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen. I think those guys are making really funny, interesting movies. And there’s always people coming up, but I don’t know if I’m really someone who studies other people’s comedies.

You’ve worked with some of the best including Paul Rudd and Kristen Wiig, and so on (and on). Who are your favorite people to work with?
The “Anchorman” cast, those guys are great. Of course, I loved working with John C. Reilly, he’s kind of a brother to me. We’re trying to figure out another project to do together. Mark Wahlberg was amazing to work with and I just finished a movie ["Get Hard"] with Kevin Hart, and he’s another really funny guy who, at the same time, works really hard and likes to enjoy himself the same way I do. He works hard, but at the same time, doesn’t take all of this too seriously, which I think is the key to success in this business.

Which celebrity, aside from your "Step Brothers" co-star [John C. Reilly], would you want to share a bunk bed with?
Ummm ... [long pause and deliberation]. How about Vladimir Putin? A real fun guy, but maybe I can get him to lighten up.

And who do you think would win in a fight, Ron Burgundy or Chazz Reinhold from "Wedding Crashers"?
I don’t think either of them would win. It would just kind of end up being a pathetic glob of two men wrestling like gorillas on the ground, probably.

Princess Superstar's 'I'm A Firecracker' Video Brings Twerking To Times Square (EXCLUSIVE)

0
0
On any given day, you are guaranteed to see some weird stuff happening in Times Square. One afternoon, you just might see Kenny G playing a "Titanic" classic on top of a toilet paper castle. On the next, you might see the pop artist Princess Superstar and her two friends twerking in the middle of the street. Because, you know, why not?

Superstar, the project of Concetta Kirschner, is preparing to release her new EP, "I'm A Firecracker," her first new batch of recordings in nearly five years. To show fans that she is as wild and irreverent as ever, Kirschner is exclusively premiering the new video of the title track with HuffPost Entertainment. Continuing Kirschner's blend of hip-hop and electronic elements, quick rhymes are paired with whacked-out visuals, the outcome too humorous and absurd not to share.

“This video was inspired by all things B: Banksy, Beyonce's 'Single Ladies,' Being a Bad Bitch," Kirschner told HuffPost Entertainment. "The process was both fun and cray. We didn't have a permit to shoot in Times Square and almost got shut down by the cops," she said. "Also, I wanted a dance sequence but one problem: I am not a dancer. In my new reality show, 'I Love Princess Superstar,' you can see me rehearsing and basically falling over many times.

"The animation and editing was done by Haterz who are out of Portugal but it was shot in New York. I love worldwide collaborations. It was styled by House of Diehl and that's where the Banksy comes in -- I wanted to comment on our over consumerism as a culture. I think this was achieved by us being covered in logos and me in a dress made of dry-cleaning hangers. Also, the universe pitched in when we were shooting in front of a McDonalds -- the billboard above it suddenly burst into a movie of flames. This is my favorite video I've made to date!”

Princess Superstar's "I'm A Firecracker" EP is out July 15 via Instant Records. You can purchase the title track single on iTunes now.

princess firecracker

Meet DJ Uh Oh, A Tiny Beat Master Who Knows How To Rage

0
0
Hey Miss DJ, won't you turn the music up?

This little girl might just be the most adorable DJ to grace the Internet. In this video, Lil' Pia aka DJ Uh Oh shows the world that she sure knows how to keep the beat going with this Kerri Chandler tune. Pia's dad Nav Sangha aka DJ Nasty Nav posted the video back in 2012, but now it's going viral again because awesomely talented toddlers never go out of style.

Maybe if you're lucky, you can book DJ Uh Oh for your next big event.

(hat tip: Buzzfeed)

The Unfortunate Way Rob Lowe Found Out He Was Cut From 'The Outsiders'

0
0
In a recent visit to HuffPost Live, Rob Lowe recalled to host Ricky Camilleri the first time he saw "The Outsiders." The film was first shot as a direct remake of the book, but when it hit theaters, much of the Lowe's part as Sodapop Curtis was cut out. It wasn't until 2005 that Francis Ford Coppola released the original movie as it was intended as "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel." Lowe said he had no idea his part would be slashed until he saw the screening. "It wasn't a great thing to do to an 18-year-old kid," he said on HuffPost Live. "As I have produced since then, whenever an actor is not going to be in the cut in a way they would have expected, I make sure to tell them." Watch the whole segment here.

Mom Goes Everywhere With Bradley Cooper Cutout, Documents The Hilarity

0
0
When your odds of scoring a date with Bradley Cooper are slim to none, don't lose heart. Get a cutout!

That's the strategy of Danielle Davies, an enterprising mom who has taken to adventuring with a life-size cardboard cutout of Bradley Cooper and documenting the entertaining adventures on her blog, "My Life With Bradley Cooper."

Here's Davies' response to the obvious question: "Why?"
Because, friends, this is America. So why not? The fact is, while most of us don't actually live our lives with movie stars, many of us wish we did. And so, being a forward thinking American, I have taken the bull by the horns, the horse by the reigns [sic], the cardboard cutout of Bradley Cooper by the shoulders, and just pretended that I do.


"Bradley Cooper was not harmed in the taking of these photos," a disclaimer at the bottom of her blog notes. "Nor was he consulted. This entire site is completely unauthorized."

In an email to The Huffington Post, Davies said she went with Cooper, instead of other male celebs like Ryan Gosling, because she attended college with him. She also said she was once in a play with the now-famous actor.

As for fending off a potentially jealous husband, she says her hubby, Ed, "is awesome ... totally supportive [and] thinks it's funny."

Davies says she's working on a book for the project and hopes -- should Cooper see this -- that the actor likes the pictures.

See some of the photos, below, or visit her Instagram page, Twitter feed, or Facebook page for more:

If You've Ever Finished A Book, You Should Watch This

0
0
Finishing a book can be like ending a relationship. So what are you supposed to do?

Well, the advice differs for everyone. But in this hilarious short from Epic Reads, you can at least be comforted by the fact you're not the only one going through a "book hangover."

Just check out how devastated these avid readers are.

These 10 Homes Know How Quality Curb Appeal Is Done (PHOTOS)

0
0
"Curb appeal" is one of those all-encompassing home decor terms that is thrown around when talking about everything from landscaping to house numbers to mailboxes. In other words, upping a home's curb appeal is often quite the multi-pronged challenge to tackle -- but our friends at Porch.com know it can be done. And these homes, simply put, are proof.





Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

**

Are you an architect, designer or blogger and would like to get your work seen on HuffPost Home? Reach out to us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com with the subject line "Project submission." (All PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

The Pose That Earned This Baby A Starring Role In 12 Movies

0
0
Lights! Camera! Photoshop?

When Grant Davis' 15-month-old daughter, Winter, posed for a photo, dad saw movie potential.

baby

The Austin, Texas-based podcaster told The Huffington Post in an email that he frequently edits funny videos of Winter, but this photo called for something special. "It seemed fitting for a movie poster, so I thought I would explore what different films I could try and work the photo in to and make it seem like she fit," he said.

Although photoshop played a large role in his daughter's movie immersion, her pose proves she can hold her own in a movie scene, or many:



Dad said people have requested more Winter-fied posters, but he's not ready for the next project. "I think I might move on to doing a new project with her now that she is getting a bit older and can be more of an active participant," he said.

She just needs to learn a few more poses, first.

(hat tip: TODAY Parents)



Like Us On Facebook |
Follow Us On Twitter |
Contact HuffPost Parents

What Original 'Dreamgirl' Sheryl Lee Ralph Did With Her Tony Nomination (VIDEO)

0
0
Twenty-five years before Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx starred in "Dreamgirls" on the silver screen, stage actress Sheryl Lee Ralph helped bring the story to life on Broadway. Night after night, Ralph charmed theater audiences with her portrayal of lead singer Deena Jones, and in 1982, she earned a Tony nomination for her performance.

Fast-forward three decades.

Even though Ralph has transitioned from the stage to the screen with parts in shows like "Designing Women" and, most recently, "Instant Mom," she has still held on to her beloved Tony nomination. Inviting cameras inside her home for her upcoming appearance on "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", the original Dreamgirl shows exactly what she did with that small but significant piece of paper.

Perched by Ralph's front door in a thick silver frame, the Tony nomination remains front and center in her home -- and heart. "I love this. I keep it right there by the door," she says in the video above. "There you have it. 'Sheryl Lee Ralph, for 'Dreamgirls.' Oh, it just looks good!"

"Dreamgirls" debuted on Broadway on Dec. 20, 1981 and dominated the 1982 Tony Awards, earning a total of 13 nominations, including Ralph's Best Actress nod.

"The musical was a hit, the likes of which nobody had seen -- nor did they expect it," Ralph says.

Having since become a prominent name in both theater and film, Ralph also opens up in the video below about the "rough, tough business" of Hollywood and what it now takes to be famous in a world with nearly no privacy.

"Oprah: Where Are They Now?" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on OWN.

Narcissister Is The Topless Feminist Superhero New York Needs (NSFW)

0
0
Women are currently persecuted for baring their breasts in public in New York. On a global level, women who bare their chests often face more severe disciplinary measures. Whether or not you've ever personally felt the urge to shop for groceries sans shirt, the very existence of the prohibition -- which, of course, does not apply to men -- illuminates how women's bodies are regarded as being inherently obscene. This is a problem.

A New York artist who goes by the pseudonym Narcissister is taking over the city streets with a performance aimed to promote self-acceptance and unadulterated freedom for women and their breasts everywhere.

narcissister


Narcissister is an anonymous performance artist who transforms obsessive self-love into a form of political activism. Masked in a slightly terrifying Barbie doll mask, she's shocked the judges on America's Got Talent and invented the "reverse striptease" -- which, in case you're unfamiliar, consists of pulling clothes out of your private parts. All in the name of feminist freedom.

Our favorite vanity vigilante has created a video installation showcasing photos of different women each wearing the iconic Narcissister mask and no shirt, performing mundane daily activities from going shopping to dropping off their kids. In every image, the body is treated as what it is -- not an eroticized commodity, but the vehicle through which over half the population enters the world.

The piece, seeking to cast a critical eye on the policing and objectification of women's bodies, recently exhibited at Petrella’s Imports, a newsstand on NYC's Bowery and Canal that has been turned into an art space.

"There’s this idea that women’s bodies are fundamentally sexual and consequently, inappropriate to be seen in the public arena," Narcissister explained to Metro. "[This project] is about women enjoying a broader experience with their bodies and in their bodies the way that men do … I want to question whether this law or other laws are built on stereotyping and discrimination have been unconsciously built into law."

free


She continued in an email to The Huffington Post: "Does the enforced covering of women's breasts reinforce a collective obsession with them, perpetuating sex-negativity and sex-related shame? What larger cultural shift could occur if women freely exercised their right to bare their breasts on their own terms, their sexuality fully embodied and belonging to them alone?"

Narcissister isn't the first woman to take issue with the national paranoia around nipples. Celebrities like Rihanna and Scout Willis have sparked an online movement to #FreeTheNipple, again targeting the idea that women's bodies are taboo, indecent, or pornographic.

"What I am arguing for is a woman’s right to choose how she represents her body -- and to make that choice based on personal desire and not a fear of how people will react to her or how society will judge her," Willis wrote in a blog on XO Jane. "No woman should be made to feel ashamed of her body."

Narcissister's movement, invoking a combination of banality and otherness that stops you in your tracks, doesn't condemn eroticism, vanity or attention. She just demands it on her own terms. As the bold artist explained to Next Magazine: "I think my work is queer in that it celebrates a totally free and self-defined sexuality and erotic sensibility."

Between her virtuous quest and masked identity, Narcissister is turning out to be the queer feminist superhero New York always needed.

See Narcissister's photography at the Rockaway! Arts Festival from June 29 to September 1, 2014 at Fort Tilden in Rockaway Beach. See a preview below, and, if it's not obvious, there will be breasts.

Artist's Portrayal Of Kim Kardashian As A Religious Idol Stirs Controversy, Obviously

0
0
No matter how hard you try, it's nearly impossible to resist becoming an enthusiastic or begrudging member of the Kardashian Kult. We don't know how it happened, nor do we understand why, but the reality TV family has become an actual topic of conversation, debate and articles -- like this one, sorry!

The reigning Queen of the Kardashian Klan is, of course, Kim, who, through a combination of selfies, marriages, divorces, civil rights activism, a video game, and a sex tape, has managed to make herself the Elizabeth Taylor of our time... or something.

kim k


A Brooklyn-based artist is calling us all out for our Kardashian-centric ways through a series of dizzying depictions of Mrs. West as a variety of religious icons. Hannah Kunkle delivers Kardashian as the Virgin Mary, Medusa, the devil and even Kleopatra. The 23-year-old artist's garish style, somewhere between net art and religious tapestry, perfectly captures the absurdity of our nation's Kardashian obsession and predilection towards celeb idolatry in general.

"Kim Kardashian is the subject of this series because she is someone I and many others are fascinated with without even sometimes knowing why," Kunkle explained to The Huffington Post. "She is everywhere we look and knowledge of the ins and outs of her life is almost unavoidable... Kim Kardashian has such a strange version of fame. We don't totally understand what makes her so fascinating."

Kunkle's work recently went on view in a Bushwick exhibition titled "The Passion of Kim Kardashian." Not too surprisingly, the religious community was unamused. "It's deplorable," Pastor Reggie Stutzman of Real Life Church told The New York Daily News. "It's sacrilegious, irrelevant, and disrespectful... It's idol worship."

The Hindu community wasn't too keen on Kunkle's artistic vision either. "I am certainly not happy about this," said Dr. Uma Mysorekar, of the Hindu Temple Society of North America. "Any religious symbol should not be used or abused."

Yet Kunkle, who thought the backlash was "pretty hilarious," wasn't about to let religious tradition get in the way of celebrity obsession. "Kim Kardashian is God," she summarized to VICE. "She’s crazy bodacious and has the nose job of an angel. I don’t know if she’s omniscient, but no one can deny she’s not omnipresent. Kim floats above us all, even the deniers and the haters. We have accepted her into our lives via television screens, memes, and Instagram feeds. If Jay Z is the father and Yeezus is the son, then she is the ever-present holy ghost of pop culture."

See Mrs. West in all her psuedo-divine glory in the artworks below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Kim Gordon And Arcade Fire Are In A Short Film Together, Commence Collective Squee

0
0
It's true, the noise rock woman of your dreams and members of that Canadian indie sextet that made disco cool again are in a short film together. It is, as one might expect, deliriously creepy and gorgeous.

With equal bits Dali and Dada, the short film by Marcel Dzama, titled "Une Danse Des Bouffons (The Jester's Dance)," premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year. Kim Gordon stars in it, while Arcade Fire's Will Butler, Jeremy Gara, and Tim Kingsbury helped score the black-and-white bit of silent cinema.

When this project came along, I thought maybe [Kim Gordon would] be interested and I asked her and she surprisingly said yes. So I was very happy,” Dzama explained to The Huffington Post last September. “There was actually a scene where I was going to have Kim sing a disco song in it. We made this whole disco song that was really great, but I got shy about asking Kim to sing. So then I didn’t put that part in the film.”

Well, we're pretty sure the men of Arcade Fire can make up for the lack of Gordon-crooned disco in their own brand of ethereal soundscapes. Check out the trailer for the Dzama masterpiece below. The music will released as a 7" via The Believer magazine. So we can all be excited about that.

h/t Consequence of Sound
Viewing all 18483 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images