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MDNA

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Madonna has been a pop star for most her life. She blew up the dance charts by performing in clubs in the 80s’ and has not stopped since. Like a chameleon her image has always been stronger than her music. She finally has a new album entitled MDNA being released on March 26. I have heard four tracks so far and have been underwhelmed. William Orbit is producing the record so I expected more.

Let me just start off saying I heart Madonna. I used to carry a scrapbook full of articles about her in junior high clutched to my chest. I took pictures of her music videos from my television set. I loved “Material Girl” and never got sick of it. So it is difficult for a longtime fan like me to be disappointed with the new music so far.

“Masterpiece” the lazy slow song from her self directed movie W.E. has her pipes sounding good and stretching but this is a basic acoustic guitar song that I am sure she will stand on stage and play live while the crowd goes for beer and a bathroom break. What a snooze and even the remixes are boring.

The lead off single “Give Me All Your Luvin’” sounds like an Old Navy commercial. While cute at the Super Bowl, the track has gotten zero radio play and is so self indulgent that it leaves nothing for the listener to enjoy. I can just hear Madonna discussing with little Lourdes Leon “Who should I get to feature on my track that all the kids listen to?” Well Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for sure will guarantee a radio hit. I guess not…

Her second single “Girl Gone Wild” is at least a step in the right direction. The problem is she had to change the title for legal reasons and the song sounds more like a fourth single not something hoping for commercial success. Maybe “Geriatrics Gone Wild” is more fitting ouch! Why not make this a duet with Lourdes who is actually a girl?

“Gang Bang” shows her stretching a bit with a dance sound that is more Eartha Kitt and has peaked my interest so maybe there is some hope…

People have suggested that she started selling tickets to the 2012 World Tour before the album was released because it is so bad. She has two sold out dates in Chicago on Sept. 19 and 20 but many fans were put off by her “save your money” comment with some tickets costing over $300 plus fees and up. For many it is the experience of Madonna. It is going to the concert and reliving past music that they grew up listening to. I get it. I have paid lots of dollar bills for the greatest hits tour that audiences really want. If this tour is as obnoxious as the Drowned World tour with her playing singles that no one wants to hear then I will just stay home and soak in my bathtub this time out.

Hopefully I will eat my words like Hard Candy when the new album is released. Until then I am raising my middle finger so far, Madonna!

More on Madonna visit http://www.madonna.com.

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North by Park West

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Theatre Wit has a new show entitled The North Plan running through April 1. The plot and characters really will draw audiences in. I won’t give spoilers about it but the production involves a conspiracy theory and a gay Jewish nerd locked in a country jail cell. This controversial show is getting stellar reviews already.
Visit TheatreWit.org for details about this show. Here I am with sassy cast member Lucy Sandy who plays Shonda.
TPAN’s annual extravaganza kicked off with a sports theme this past Saturday at the Park West. The night began with my friend Meghan Murphy belting out her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner with a huge flag attached to her booty!
The night continued with a cross dressing host, burlesque dancers in bikinis and enough fetish styled acts to keep coaches whistles blowing for some time.

The same night I ran over to Nora Dunn’s one woman show at Center Space. This was a work in progress with Dunn playing characters and relaying stories about her lengthy career. The touches of localness were so charming and her take on Hollywood was priceless. It will be interesting to see how the show develops as she brings it to LA then returns to her roots in Chi-town.

The North Side bar Atmosphere turned 10 years old on Sunday. A packed party complete with buffet, cocktail specials, and drag show kept the night entertained until late. Let’s give a special shout out to catty friend Angelique Monroe, co-hostess Regina Upright, and owner Charlie Brown. Here’s to another ten years, cheers!

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Common, Chocolate, and A Catered Affair

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February finishes up with a celebration for Black History Month at the Park West. I talked to rapper Common backstage and he mentioned three movies coming out this year and his book being released in paperback.
He did an excellent job of performing for the crowd and playing host.
People are in love with his good looks as well as his talents and with good reason, check him out!
The letter F was for Friday, and Frontier, as the restaurant on Milwaukee celebrated its one year anniversary. Those wings were to die for and the bartenders were friendly, another F word!
Saturday had me attending Lilly Tomlin’s show in Skokie. She was adorable with take on society and classic characters. I brought her Garret’s popcorn to the green room and we chatted for a bit. She kissed me goodbye before starting a second show.
For the Love of Chocolate took over the first floor of the Merchandise Mart Saturday evening.
I had friends constructing dresses out of chocolate to work a runway and one even sang opera for the crowds.
Celebrity chefs were everywhere signing autographs, posing for pictures, and cooking for attendees.
With action stations full of food and bar after bar, the gladiators had to finally throw me out at the end of the night!
Sunday I went to check out Porchlight’s A Catered Affair based on a Bette Davis film. Harvey Fierstein knows how to write drama and it showed in this production that steps back in time.
The Siskel Center threw the only officially sanctioned Oscar party in the city with a yummy buffet and viewing in two theaters that made Angelina’s leg seem even longer!

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Rihanna & Chris Brown

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Rihanna has a new controversial remix for her Birthday Cake single featuring Chris Brown. Everyone is talking about it. It seems to have struck a cord in people that hits close to the heart about abuse and relationships.

Many people really want to know what went on behind the scenes. Did she ask him to work on this together? Does this mean they are a couple now? Guess what? There is more controversy on the way with a new collaboration between the two for a new song on the Chris Brown side this time. The lyrics are rumored to be sexually explicit. This is personal life played out in the public eye.

Is this another Sonny & Cher show or Ike & Tina Turner?

Their personal problems have completely overshadowed the music. Let’s talk about that. Rihanna repeats “I’m gonna make you my bitch.” Seems pretty self-empowering to me. It doesn’t appear to have a lot to do with birthdays unless you have hired a lap dance for the birthday boy! Is Chris necessary for the song to be a hit? No. It doesn’t appear to be a top 40 radio friendly song but it is getting a huge amount of attention. Facebook and Twitter blew up with comments ranging from calling her “stupid” to a “good career move” for him. “She needs to eat her words not Birthday Cake!” The whole thing seems damaging to her credibility and album. She found love in a hopeless place with Calvin Harris that brought a message of positivity now seems to end her sixth studio record Talk That Talk with a dark cloud. It’s too bad. I liked at least half the album and her concert in Chicago presented a live act that wasn’t afraid to walk out into the crowd and connect with an audience. It would be such a shame if she loses that fan base over her private life. Watch your back this time, Rihanna and focus on your career!

Listen to this version here Birthday Cake (Remix)

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Idiot vs. South

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Two shows are currently running for Broadway in Chicago’s theatre series this week.
In 2010 American Idiot won two Tonys featuring the music of rock group Green Day. The story follows three friends searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world.
South Pacific is a new production of past Pulitzer Prize-winning show of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic.
This was also a Tony Award winner back in 2008 for Best Revival.
The story is set in Wold War II with a romance between two couples.
Some consider it to be the best musical ever written but was banned in parts of the South because of controversy.
Both shows feature war in their own ways and both could learn a lot from each other.
American Idiot has no intermission and runs for 90 minutes. The energy keeps it moving nonstop.
South Pacific runs almost three hours with an intermission and drags in places.
Make sure you fill up before heading to these shows with Encore being next door to South Pacific at the Cadillac featuring a drink menu based on the show.
Run over to Rockit on Hubbard before American Idiot where both casts were spotted partying together on opening night.
Both shows are located on Randolph living peacefully for a week.
As far as gay content both feature men in underwear and South Pacific has full naked boy butts and drag.
American Idiot needs a plot boost and South Pacific needs some plot cutting.
Maybe they should make American Pacific or Idiot South instead!
Idiot finishes on Feb 19 while Pacific goes until Feb 26.
Visit http://broadwayinchicago.com for details on tickets.

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Divas, Drag Queens, and Damon

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Started off the week with a visit to open mic at 3160 on Clark Street. Yes, I am thinking of working up an act and if Kathy Griffin can talk celebrities in her show then so can I!
Speaking of the D List, the big D himself Matt Damon appeared at the Metro for The People Speak Live. He was glued to his speech, didn’t seem inspired, and don’t even get me started about the preacher that spoke. If I wanted to get yelled at then I would go to church! The Latino speaker blew him out of the water right after. Aqua caliente!

I worked on a record number of ten interviews this week with everyone from Kyle Richards from Bravo’s Housewives to Lily Tomlin. I chatted about Actor’s Guild Award dresses with George from the Fashion Police to speaking Spanish to singer Edith Marquez at Circuit. Traci Lords was really intriguing to get to know and see the woman that rocked the porn world and is number one on the dance charts currently.

Speaking of new music, London singer Rumer hit town at Lincoln Hall. Her voice is a mix between Karen Carpenter and Dusty Springfield. She has made a huge splash overseas and deservedly so. I was in front of the stage getting chills then we met after her set. Watch your throat Adele this is one to watch and listen to!

Our holiday party for Windy City Media Group at Hamburger Marys was a treat and guess who won the grand prize? Too bad it wasn’t a new car but I will take the concert tickets…

It turned February and love was in the air at Estelle’s show. The space was the place to see her perform in. The last show I had seen her play was House of Blues years ago.

My friend Young Sun Han from Bravo’s Work of Art opened his gallery show at Las Manos in Andersonville. I love how he combines personal perspective with politics.

On Saturday I hit Varla Jean Merman’s show at Hydrate. She is such a sweetie and the southern sense of humor I really dig.

I strutted into Kit Kat to meet friends and chat with drag queens, which was very lively.

Then the group headed to Circuit where new stripper friend Viktor dropped his drawers and posed with me. Isn’t it rude to point? Well, I guess that’s better than poking!

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