TV | ADDICTIONS

Dancing with the Stars

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Bristol Palin, anyone? Who knew the former preggo teen would jump on the "Dancing with the Stars" bandwagon this season. Other notable stars of Season 11 include Brandy (where's she been?), "Jersey Shore"'s "The Situation", Michael Bolton, Jennifer Grey, David Hasselhoff (this should be interesting), Audria Patridge, and even Florence Henderson. With enough spray tan and politics dancing around, this season should be worth our viewing pleasure. 

Lost

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There enough "Lost" addicts out there to keep Season 7 going. Although there's been a decrease in audience since the debut of the series, there's still diehard fans who aren't close to breaking their addiction to the show. Is it the cliffhangers that keep them interested or the diverse cast? We're not sure. Either way, "Lost" fans will be able to dive into more drama for your mama this season. 

Grey's Anatomy

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Is it really already Season 7 for "Grey's Anatomy?" With giggly girls huddled around small TVs in dorms away at college, and even grown men sneakily recording the series, this show is here to stay. Izzie may have left, and Mandy Moore may have appeared in the season finale, but either way fans can't leave their commitment to "Grey's." This time, April Kepner and Jackson Avery will be moving in with Meredith and Derek and there's a possibility of Katherine Heighl's return. 

Huge

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"Huge" is one of the first television shows to tackle the obesity epidemic in this country, going full-throttle head on with the star of "Hairspray," Nikki Blonksy. She's not afraid to get in a swimsuit or be open with her weight in the show's fat camp. Of course, there's the skinny tennis camp across the way who taunts and teases the fat camp, but Blonksy stars as a girl who refuses to hate her body.  

Mad Men

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No other show has brought back the sassiness of the sixties as much as "Mad Men." Only in it's fourth season, the show has gained notoriety with Don Draper working the advertising business, as well as the women. AMC has reminded us that they're still on TV with their series that's based in New York City and has underlying issues of the roles of men and women in society.

The Big C

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With it's TV debut this season, "The Big C" is an interesting Showtime comedy about a woman facing cancer (hence the "C" word). Laura Linney plays a woman living in the suburbs who emotionally attempts to deal with having cancer, all while being a wife and mother. There's enough sarcasm and dry humor in the series to make you question whether you should laugh or cry. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Mag

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

HITS AND MISSES AT THE EMMYS

Dianna Agron's in there somewhere. We think should could have chosen a better color, shoes, and throw in the shape of the dress while you're at it. Her hair looks nice though.

Katrina Bowden chose a refreshing and flattering color to wear to the Emmy Awards. The layers are simple and pretty, with a strapless top to it that makes the actress look tiny.

"Glee"'s Lea Michele took center stage with this flamboyant Oscar de la Renta dress. She paired it with glitzy, chunky jewelry, but didn't overdo it. The layers were dramatic enough to make her stand out, yet still showed off her curves.

Bleh. What's going on with this black, drab number on Edie Falco? The one shoulder strap was a nice attempt, but there's not much shape to this gown for the "Nurse Jackie" star. We'll pass.

Tina Fey's gown looks like the rug that sits under my mother's coffee table. The pattern is a bit on the obnoxious side, and the color doesn't do much for us. By the look on Tina's face, it looks like she thought so, too.

Julie Bowen's sleek, navy mermaid gown was flattering and although very trendy, still beautiful. She looks comfortable, yet glamourous with just enough jewelry to accent the dress.

Kevin McHale may have looked like an uber nerd in this number, but we're giving him brownie points for going for something other than the typical tuxedo. He embraces the uniqueness of his outfit and looks confident enough to sport it.

Wait, what? We're not sure where this dress begins or ends. Lauren Graham made a nice attempt with her chunky, mismatched jewelry, but with such a great figure we're not sure why she's trying to hide behind it.

Katie Cervantes
Live OC Mag
www.LIVEOCMAG.com

To Do List of The Week: Best Events in So Cal

-Farmer's Market Thursday, Sep. 2 9 AM-1 PM

Get healthy this week! Just because summer's over doesn't mean you should start packing on the pounds. Head over to the Farmer's Market at the OC Fair & Event Center for some tasty treats, all grown organically. Farmers will be selling fruits, nuts, and veggies--and it's a certified market! Your stomach (and thighs!) will thank you for it. 

-Pacific Festival Thursday, Sep. 4 11 AM

Costa Mesa is calling your name with it's Pacific Festival's Launch Party. It's too great to last only one day with two days of over 30 best bands performing throughout Triangle Square. A lovely brunch will be served from 11 AM to 2 PM where you can toast to the event and to good company. 

-Flights and Sounds of Summer Dance and Concert Series Friday, Sep. 3 8 PM

Dance your butt off at The Great Park in Orange County with live music, dance lessons, and good eats! It's a fabulous way to spend your Friday night, and will continue playing different genres each week. So don't worry, you'll still be able to dance the flamenco and the polka. 

Saturdays will be even more relaxing with slow music you can sway your hips to. Sashay your way over to Hangar Cafe, where you can eat in a historic Hangar 244. Don't forget the Comedy Corner where local comedians will get you in a good mood before you dance the night away.

-Paper King at The Viper Room Saturday, Sep. 4 

Don't miss out on Southern California's favorite band, Paper King, LIVE at The Viper Room in West Hollywood. Nothing's better than a night out on the town seeing one of the best local bands. Other guests include Imperial Stars, ENFAMUS, Rob Michaels, Casey Cury, and Terry Charles. 

-Sutra's 7th Annual Black Party Sunday, Sep. 5 

Where else can you see Dirty South play at one of the hottest parties of the season? You can't walk in the doors without wearing your best all black attire. It'll go on the next day with the Aggrolites, the Expendables, and the best techno music in Southern California. 

HOTEL CURRENT HAS ARRIVED!

It’s time to relax in Long Beach’s newest addition, while enjoying the arts of Southern California! Long Beach Style is now scheduled to open Hotel CURRENT in a new and innovative way—with a splash of the arts throughout the hotel. Hotel CURRENT will host Southern California’s latest and greatest art with featured paintings, music, and literature. Every part featured at Hotel CURRENT is meant to ‘uplift the spirit’ by celebrating the color of exploring art.

The hotel is scheduled to have it’s grand opening on September 30, 2010 where there will be a performance of the beautiful Aqualillies!

Not only will Hotel CURRENT house exploring guests, but it will also entertain with its art. The hotel is also devoted to working to uplift all visitors and their own staff by giving back through a culture of health and wellness.

Hotel CURRENT be known as refreshing and innovative in it’s design, but it will also host high amounts of eco-friendly material! Everything from bamboo flooring and linens, to carpets made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles and hemp fabrics. Better energy efficient lighting will be offered, as well as reduced polluting materials.

Hotel CURRENT would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to hotel designer- Cachette Studios, featured artist- Steve Fawley, and fellow partners- PlainJoe Studios and Visioneering Studios for all of their hard work, amazing talents, and inspired designs.

For more information, visit www.hotelcurrent.com or contact lbrown@venquest.com. 

EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH SUCCESS!

For women, it's time to throw out your old ways of thinking and living and be empowered by becoming a professional career woman who is successful in the marketplace. Empower 180 is the hottest organization to hit the Internet and is already transforming the lives of women. If you've been looking for a chance to move up in life, now is your chance.

Empower 180 is an organization built on the purpose to serve the modern woman by helping her to be mentally fit, incredibly successful, and emotionally healthy. Empower 180 builds a network of strong and successful women who are ready to make more money and help others with their success.

Participate in Empower 180's one-day experience to learn more about becoming a well-rounded, fabulous woman at the LA Convention Center on August 31 and September 1.

You'll be able to meet passionate entrepreneurs and celebrity business owners who can help you be the innovative, successful woman you've always dreamed of. The Empower 180 tour will visit 20 cities nationwide and include celebrities and experts who are here to help you take the next step into success.

Guest speakers include the fabulous Paula Abdul, Bill Phillips, Kevin Harrington, Phil Town, Christine Comaford, Les Brown, Chris Howard, Garrett Gunderson, Jim Kwik, and of course, Dr. Barbara deAngelis. Each speaker will share their success stories as entrepreneurs and how they overcame defeat and walked into success (while wearing stilettos)!

Empower 180 participants will be geared with tools, tips, and education on how to thrive financially, relationally, and in their own health.

You also have the incredible opportunity to make your dream idea a reality with the help of the infomercial guru, Kevin Harrington. He wants to help you become a millionaire with your idea or invention, all you need to do is pitch your idea! On August 31, you can bring your prototype, sample product, or idea to the Pitch Your Product session during the Empower 180's 20 City National Tour at the LA Convention Center. After all, it's time to take a risk and believe in your idea!

If you'd like to make money, join the Affiliate Network and start telling your friends about the hottest one-day program, and you'll receive cash for every ticket sold!

To purchase or sell tickets, visit www.Empower180.com, or call 303-693-2227 to activate your coupon code for special discounts and offers.

Stay connected to Empower 180 on Facebook and Twitter with updates on fun contests, updates from the road, promo codes, business tips, and testimonials of women who have hit the road to success, and arrived!

Now is the time to step up, show up, and move up!

MAMMOTH'S BLUE SKY FEST

You can still hit up mammoth this summer and have an adventure, minus the powder and dropping temperatures. Mammoth's festival, Mammoth Blue Sky Fest, is centered around musical diversity, healthy living, creative documentaries, and other activities, all crammed into four days at Mammoth Lakes, from August 12-15.

This is the second year the festival will be held and will highlight living eco-consciously while taking place in the great outdoors, right next to the pines and extensive backdrops. It'll begin Friday, August 12, with free daytime activities that include guided mountain bike tours and hikes, yoga and fitness sessions, kayaking demos, healthy cooking and gardening demonstrations, and your ever-so-friendly ranger talks. No, Yogi Bear won't be hosting.

Blue Sky Music Fest will feature almost every genre: rock, reggae, funk, jazz, surf, and hip hop. It'll kick off with Thursday's World Beat Dance Party and a free concert provided by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. Other artists include Ozomatli, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Soulive, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Iration, The Holdup, and Top Shelf.

Tickets can be purchased at www.vallitix.com or by phone at 888-825-5485. You can also visit the Mammoth Lake Brewing Company's Tasting Room to purchase tickets. Advance 2-day music fest tickets (Friday and Saturday) are $55 a pop, and single day tickets are $35. Children under the age of 10 have free admission with a paid adult.

It's mantra is appropriate, "Live well. Move your feet. Feel the beat. Get outdoors."

To find more info, visit www.BlueSkyFest.com.

Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com

(ENJOY) A Summer of Mud

Irvine Lake Mud Run's Summer of Mud will be held Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at 9 AM where a luau will be held, along with a beer garden. Enjoy some soft summer tunes with a concert at the event, featuring The Skeletones and Meet Me At The Pub.

The mud run is the most scenic in Southern California, with a 3.8 mile range of hills and views only seen in the mud! The entry level is unlimited--the more the muddier! The course will include crazy obstacles and the foamy human car wash. Also expect mega mud pits (yes, that includes 150 foot mud pit), along with a $1,000 prize purse, plenty of showers, and post run food and action sports/eco fair.

The event is sponsered by LiveWire, KROQ, Wahoo's and Bally Total Fitness.

A raffle will also take place, tickets only $5 for a chance to win a 7 day/6 night Hawaiian Vacation for two. All proceeds go straight to the Boys & Girls Clubs Orange County Alliance.

If you want to get "lei'd" at the Irvine Lake Mud Run's Summer of Mud then come prepared with your grass skirts, Hawaiian floral prints, and any and all luau attire.

It won't end after the luau--stick around to watch the Dirty Dodgeball Tournament, BIG beer garden, Action Sports/Eco Fair, and the summer concert.

For more info, visit www.irvinelakemudrun.com.

Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com