(Long Island, NY) I attend the Jingles Benefit at Christmas time every year which is hosted annually by the glamorous Linda Simpson at the home of Richard Bahl and David Raleigh. I had a chance to chat and interview several noteworthy celebrities that had a chance to come and show their support like Mimi Valdez, Trail-a-Trash, Adam Joseph and Bridget Everett as well as bring cheer and perform wonderful festive Christmas tunes for the fabulous Holiday Season.

I also had a chance to interview Mr. Carl Siciliano who is the founder and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. In response to the lack of safe shelters for gay youths, Mr. Siciliano decided to make a difference and the Ali Forney (AFC) was started in June of 2002.

In our conversation and interview he mentioned to me that New York City can be a lonely place for youths that become tragically homeless. The Ali Forney Center makes a difference by rescuing gay youngsters from the dangers and brutality of New York City Streets by placing them in homelike nurturing safe environments.

Tragically as many as 25% of these teens are rejected by their families and end up homeless on the streets and then subjected to violence in homeless shelters. Many of them suffer from trauma, HIV infection, substance abuse and mental illness.

The Ali Forney Day Center and Emergency Center are some of the marvelous services that are offered. The Day Center is the entry point to programs for homeless youths. The center offers street outreach, case management, referral to housing programs, primary medical care, HIV testing, food and showers and mental health assessment and treatment.

AFC is committed to providing gay youths a safe haven where their needs can be met, and where they can begin to put their lives back together and is also dedicated to promoting awareness in the United States with the goal of generating responses on local and national levels from government funding, LGBT community and foundations.

For more information darlings, please visit www.aliforneycenter.org

Have a Very Merry Pink Champagne Christmas

(Long Island, NY) With Christmas upon all of us, this month has been particularly joyous for my family and myself. The month of December is always a very busy month for me. My social calendar is always filled with charity events and fundraisers. I was especially grateful to be invited by the Vice President of Toys of Hope, Ms. Tina Alfano to attend the Toys of Hope Children’s event benefiting over 350 needy Children on December 12, 2006 at the fairytale magical historical setting of Oheka Castle in Cold Spring Hills, New York.

Each year for the past several years Toys of Hope and Oheka Castle celebrates their annual event for children ages 3-5 to a fabulous holiday festive party with clowns, DJ, Spongebob, Elmo, Cat in the Hat, Dora the Explorer, A Royal King and Queen and of Course Santa Claus is the star of the show surprising each child with a shopping bag full of books, mittens and special toys.

Toys of Hope was established by its founder Melissa Doktofsky in 1994. Much to Melissa’s dismay, she realized that there are many unfortunate children living under severely difficult circumstances. There are many poor homeless children forced to live in shelters. Many children live in single parent environments where a new doll or toy is a very real luxury. There are many children that are immigrants and live in crowded apartments where the living conditions are not adequate. Melissa decided to try and make a difference by contacting local community groups and clergy to help her organize support for Toys of Hope in supplying needy children with toys and other items. In the last several years Toys of Hope has grown through the generous support of local businesses and the efforts of caring individuals to accomplish helping distressed children.

Toys of Hope’s mission is to supply books, clothing and of course toys to each and every underprivileged child regardless of race, religion, nationality or financial status. Every child deserves a fulfilling happier life and new toy can make a tremendous difference.

Toys of Hope believes in getting other children involved by getting boy scouts, girl scouts and students from elementary schools to volunteer to distribute and collect toys at their charity events teaching these children the necessity of community service value.

It is important to know that Toys of Hope sponsors many wonderful programs such as Music Lessons, Literacy Programs, Tutoring Programs, Art Lessons, Summer Camp, “Poor Paws”, “Out for a Day” and Tennis Lessons. It is a not for profit organization where one hundred percent of all money donated goes towards helping needy families.

Some of the wonderful celebrities that attended the event to show their support were Actors Brandon Hannan from the Sopranos, Richard Castellano from Analyze This, Dominick Mancino and Helen Proimos.

Please make a difference for needy children and their families this holiday season and contribute to Toys of Hope.

For more information about Toys of Hope, please visit www.toysofhope.org.

 

(Long Island, NY) If you fancy luscious ladies in a tantalizing array of fringe belts, go-go boots, fishnet stockings, tasseled panties, jeweled stilettos, glittering jeweled pasties and sequined push-up bras twitching and twinkling in a forest of shapely breasts, thighs and fannies than you must rendezvous to Lotus every Tuesday night and enjoy the Burlesque Dinner Show.

This past Tuesday I enjoyed watching the provocative pair Creamy Stevens and Little Brooklyn produce their Burlesque troupe known as Starshine Burlesque. Four dazzling ladies are part of this amazing ensemble. I had a chance to chat and interview Honi Harlow, Julie Atlas (Miss Exotic World) and the two producers of the show Creamy Stevens and Little Brooklyn. These four sexy sirens create their own divine acts and costumes and choreograph their own dances.

In my interview with scantily clad Creamy Stevens co-producer of Gold Rush, she revealed how important it is to keep the past alive. She expressed to me that the women who came before the Burlesque acts of today didn’t always get the respect they so deserved. These Vintage Burlesque Stars were ahead of their time and sophisticated women that were totally in control of their life and their bodies and knew what they wanted and were not afraid to express that in their performances. These wonderful women were sexy, funny and very smart.

Starshine’s website links to every single Burlesque performer’s website, and also to other current shows. It’s a great place to check out new talent and find out what’s available.

For information about Starshine Burlesque please visit their website at www.StarshineBurlesque.com.

Each week at Lotus their Burlesque Dinner show is guaranteed to put a smile on your fabulous face and a twinkle in your eye. Each act is totally different week to week to avoid continuous repetition. The Burlesque Burst begins promptly at 10:15 with four sensuous timely installments of sheer Burlesque sparkle and glitter and continues until 11:30 P.M.

In between each performance you will enjoy dim-dinner lighting and an original Thai-Urban Asian menu created by Lotus Executive Chef Filomino. Reserved tables with bottle service are also available for your pleasure and convenience.

For those of you who do not know what Burlesque really is let me enlighten you.

Burlesque is defined as a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes the provocative art of striptease) parody: a composition that imitates somebody’s style in a humorous way.

If you prefer darlings you can enjoy your stay for the Lotus Gold Digger Party ….a night of frenzy, rock and New York City hip-hop.

Each Tuesday night we will be taping my show Cognac’s Corner at Lotus nightclub interviewing the Burlesques Stars as they bump and grind to their sensational vaudeville acts. I will also be interviewing aspiring actors, comedians and entertainers promoting their talent. So please do stop by Lotus darlings and enjoy the show and if you are in show business you just might get on Cognac’s Corner.

Lotus is located at 411 West 14th Street right in the trendy meatpacking district.

For more information about Lotus nightclub please visit www.lotusnewyork.com

(Long Island, NY) Thanksgiving week I was privileged to be invited to the 34th International Emmy Awards Gala at the Hilton Hotel. This year’s event was hosted by British export Mr. Grahm Norton, award-winning television personality (Comedy Central, BBC). Liu Changle, Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Satellite Television and Abbe Raven, Chief Executive Officer, A&E Television Networks served as the evening’s co-chairs.

Founded in 1969, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is the largest organization of global broadcasters, with over 500 members from nearly 70 countries and over 400 companies. The Academy was chartered with a mission to recognize excellence in television programming produced outside of the United States and it presents the International Emmy Awards to programs in fourteen categories. The event is held every year in New York City and attracts over 1,100 international figures in broadcast entertainment and the media.

The International Emmy Awards were presented in the categories of: Children and Young People, Arts Programming, Best Performance by an Actor, Comedy, Best Performance by an Actress, Documentary, Drama Series, Non-Scripted Entertainment and TV Movies/Mini Series.

This fabulous star-studded gala included many glamorous celebrities that attended and presented awards were Actress Susan Sarandon who presented the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Award, Soap Star Lorenzo Lamas presented the Arts Programming Award, Maureen and Steven Van Zandt presented Best Performance by and Actor, Julianne Nicholson and Best Actor from last year handsome French star Thierry Fremont presented Best Performance by an Actress, Actress Rosie Perez presented Best in Comedy, Christiane Amanpour presented Best Documentary, Soprano Stars Robert Lier and Dominic Chianese presented best Drama Series, Ashleigh Banfield and Anuj Saxena presented Best Non-Scripted Entertainment and Roger Bart and Padma Lakshmi presented Best TV Movie/Mini Series.

The highlight of the International Emmy Awards is the Founders Award. This years Founders award was presented by anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News Katie Couric. Ms Couric debuted on September 5, 2006 becoming the first female solo anchor of a weekday network evening news program broadcast. This year’s recipient for the Founders Award is none other than famous Director Steven Spielberg for his outstanding television career. Mr. Spielberg’s first directing job was an episode of “Night Gallery” directing Hollywood Legend Joan Crawford. As a result of the success of his first episode of “Night Gallery” he went on to direct a second episode. He later directed episodes of “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Name of the Game,” and “Columbo.”

“Duel” his made-for Television production became a career breakthrough when it was released theatrically in the international market. Mr. Spielberg’s first feature film “Jaws” established him as respected Hollywood Director. Along with his movie career he continued to be successful in television creating a weekly anthology series “Amazing Stories” with a new director and cast each week. Mr. Spielberg is now working on future projects including a long-form production about World War II in the Pacific which will be from the “Band of Brothers” team, the sci-fi long form production “Nine Lives” and “On the Lot,” an unscripted series which will allow aspiring film-makers to vie for a studio development deal at DreamWorks.

The night was frigidly cold but that didn’t stop the stars from coming. At the red carpet arrival darlings, I had a chance to interview some of the glamorous celebrities that were presenting awards as well as the international stars that received them. Grahm Norton wearing a black tuxedo jacket with the Eiffel Tower etched in crystals revealed to me that this is the third year he is hosting the gala and Rosie Perez told me her fabulous gown was designed by Dolce and Gabana. Last years winner for Best Actor, French star Thierry Fremont expressed to me how happy he was to return to the gala this year. Mr. Fremont is the first Frenchman to have received an Emmy Award for best actor at the International Emmys.

In my conversation with Latin lover and handsome Soap Star Lorenzo Lamas he expressed how excited he was to present the Best in Arts Programming. Son of Hollywood movie star Fernando Lamas and stunning redhead Actress Arlene Dahl, gorgeous Lorenzo play Hector Ramierz, one of LA’s finest firefighters on the hit soap “The Bold and the Beautiful” which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary of being the first and only daytime drama to simulcast in Spanish utilizing SAP technology on the CBS Network Television. “How many countries is the Bold and the Beautiful viewed in” I asked? Mr. Lamas gazed into my dark brown eyes for a moment and revealed to me that the series is shown in more than 110 countries making it a world- wide television phenomenon. The series tapes at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California.

I also had a chance to chat with Padma Lakshmi an internationally known actress and awarding winning writer. In the last year Padma has been busy with two mini-series, television hosting, a feature film and a new cookbook on the horizon. Ms. Lakkshmi currently stars as the host of Bravo’s “Top Chef”.

The Best Performance by an Actress was won by Maryam Hassouni from the Netherlands for her performance as Laila in Offers and the Best Performance by an Actor was won by Ray Winstone from the UK for his performance as Vincent in Vincent.

In addition to the Best Actor category, British programs won in the Children & Young People, Comedy, Documentary, Drama Series and Non-Scripted Entertainment categories.

“We congratulate this year’s winners for their outstanding achievement. The Academy is proud to be the international television community’s platform for recognizing excellence in television programming worldwide,” said Academy President & CEO Bruce Paisner, also President of Hearst Entertainment.

For more information about the International Emmy Awards please visit www.iemmys.tv.

(Long Island, NY) As usual this weekend my calendar was filled with splendid invitations to launch parties, movie premiers and cocktail soirees. I chose to go to two fabulous events a pre Kwanzaa, Christmas, Chanukah Bash thrown together by my outrageous and fabulous friend Fashion Bridal Designer, Mr. Henry Roth from the hit TV show Style Court on the Style Network and a Private Theatrical Screening of the much anticipated film “Searching For Bobby D” starring handsome hot Italian American Actor William DeMeo and directed by the talented Paul Borghese.

My darling friend Henry is one of the most sophisticated stylish designers I know. His creative diversity, precision and flair for fashion makes him defy the “expected”. I am just not a cookie cutter and either are my brides”. I want everyone to say WOW when my brides walk down the aisle on that special day with exceptional elegance. Mr. Roth’s bridal collections are dramatic, sophisticated but yet totally wearable. Being a Gemini he is a man of many talents. Not only is he a bridal designer but also he currently hosts Style Court – visit www.stylenetwork.com. He also commands a law degree and has coauthored his first bridal planner and DJ’s (by hobby), which happens to make him the host of all his perfect parties. Henry’s parties are a recipe mixture of urban professionals, artists, writers, magazine publishers, fashion models, photographers and fashion designers.

Some of the wonderful New York personalities that attended Henry’s event on Friday evening were gorgeous Wendy Diamond Editor in Chief of Animal Fair Magazine, Count Vlad of Vladicouture, Publicist and Manager Ron Caparella, Financier Owain Morgan and my best friend in the whole wide world Event Photographer Shane Gritzinger. Henry Roth and his Bridal Collections have been editorialized in upscale publications including W Magazine, Glamour, Vogue, In Style and Many others.

To learn more about Henry and his bridal collection, please visit www.henryroth.com.

Saturday evening was glamorous and star studded as my driver pulled up to Tribeca Cinemas. Wearing my Golden Island Fox Fur, cognac diamonds and my Chanel suit I stepped out onto the red carpet to be photographed immediately with Director Paul Borghese, Star and Actor, William DeMeo, Actress Karen Lynn Gorney from Saturday Night Fever fame and Actor Joseph Manuella who play Robert DeNiro’s Impersonator in the film “Searching for Bobby D”.

The star of the film, William DeMeo plays Johnny Argano with such conviction as a frustrated Italian American actor born and raised in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, NY. (William DeMeo) Johnny is totally disgusted with being considered for mafia gangster roles, I know the feeling Will darling, casting directors usually like to typecast me as the glamorous blond socialite dripping in furs and diamonds getting out of limousines going to galas and fundraisers as I was cast in the 20Th Century Fox flick “The Devil Wears Prada” or as the retired platinum blond Las Vegas showgirl who is now the mistress to an Italian gangster mob boss as I was cast in “Born Yesterday” playing the Billie Holiday role.

The synopsis of the film (William DeMeo) plays Johnny Argano, the leading role in “Searching for Bobby D”. Johnny is determined to alter his lackluster career and with the help of his acting amigos, he decides to write his own screenplay and sets out to raise funds to produce a movie with his idol Robert DeNiro to star in the film with him.

William DeMeo co-wrote the script with Director Paul Borghese who both did a brilliant job. I found the storyline to be a trifle weak, but the film is hilarious and outrageously humorous with perfect comedic timing reminding me of the screwball comedies of the thirties with a modern Italian American twist. The casting is perfect and the chemistry that Mr. DeMeo has with his acting crew truly shows on screen. In my opinion the film should be later made into a TV sitcom.

The ensemble of characters is terrific too. Sexy Carmen Electra, Sandra Bernhard, Tyson Beckford, Tony Darrow, Frank Pellegrino, Karen Lynn Gorney, Kevin Dobson, Mario Cantone and Michael Nouri are just some of the wonderful actors that are cast in the movie.

My friend Actor Joseph Manuella also did a tremendous job of impersonating a drunk Robert. DeNiro and his scenes in the movie are hysterically funny.

Actress Karen Lynn Gorney plays Will DeMeo’s mother. Karen revealed to me on the red carpet that her character in the film is very submissive to her chauvinistic husband played by Actor Frank Pellegrino. It was good to see Karen again. I interviewed her few years ago for my TV show when she was promoting her cabaret act after playing Stephanie in “Saturday Night Fever” and she looked happy and beautiful.

“One Deadly Road” was the first producing accomplishment for Actor William DeMeo, which he produced, starred and wrote. Mr. DeMeo went on to produce, write and co-direct the feature film “Wannabes”. The film was picked up by Artisan Entertainment and was released in theatres before its national Home Video/DVD release in 2002.

Mr. DeMeo has also played in numerous other films. He portrayed a young Carlo Gambino in “Boss of Bosses” and the character Al Pacino in “Analyze that” with his idol and favorite actor Mr. Robert DeNiro. I remembered in an interview that I did with Will a couple of years ago for my TV show, Cognac’s Corner how thrilled he was to be working with Mr. DeNiro. I remember him saying that Robert DeNiro gave him a small role in “A Bronx Tale” and how it had changed his life forever.

Paul Borghese is not only the director of this film but he has directed several other films and is an accomplished actor with many roles under his belt. Between 1990 and 1995 Mr. Borghese served as Casting Director and Associate Producer for five independent films including Perfect Lies and New York Nights. Then Oliver Stone and Columbia Pictures recognized Mr. Borghese’s talents as a director and moviemaker and decided to hire him for a montage segment in the Academy Award nominated, The People vs. Larry Flynt.

A former President of (GIAA) the Guild of Italian American Actors he currently is working on co-producing a documentary with my high school mate John Turturro who is Executive Producer: Wiseguys and Beyond; Italian American and the Movies. The prestigious cast appearing as themselves include Paul Sorvino, Martin Scorsese, Chazz Palminteri, Marisa Tomei, Dominick Chianes, David Chase and Spike Lee among other notable filmmakers and actors.

For more information about please visit www.PaulBorghese.com

(Long Island, NY)  On October 8, 2006 I was invited to “Female Trouble” New York Private Screening with Director John Waters at the Director’s Guild Theatre on 57th Street, New York City.

Underground movie director and now Hollywood director Mr. John Waters has always been a huge and wonderful inspiration in my show business career so I was thoroughly exasperated and smittenly thrilled to be invited to this special screening. This rarely seen cult underground film, “Female Jungle” is about the tawdry life of Dawn Davenport portrayed splendidly by fabulous cult drag queen actor “Divine”.

The film begins with Miss Davenport as a loving schoolgirl to later as a crazed mass murderer – all of which happens because of her parents’ refusal to buy her cha-cha heels for Christmas. Outraged, distressed and despondent Miss Davenport flees from her home on Christmas day and is raped. She becomes a single mother, glamorous model and flirts with criminal behavior before her inevitable rendezvous with the electric chair.

This classic cult film was written and directed by Mr. Waters in 1974. His films are now famous for their exposure of the hideous reality in United States suburbia. In truth “Female Trouble” depicts suburban life as dysfunctional exposing teenage pregnancy, rape and domestic violence in the home. We now as Americans in the 21st Century see this today on Reality TV.

For this particular film, Mr. Waters amateurish editing and filming technique is quite effective in the context of the film and the unforgettable Divine’s performance on the trampoline is over the top and quite outrageous making this a favorite to John Water’s fans.

Film director, John Waters grew up in the 1950’s in Baltimore Maryland. Mr. Waters has always had a facination with violence and gore, both on the screen and in real life making him extraordinary from other children growing up in America at that time. In collaboration with his eccentric friends as his cast he started filming and producing silent 8mm and 16mm films in the mid-’60s; he screened these in rented Baltimore church halls to underground audiences drawn by word of mouth and street leafleting campaigns. His shocking films at the time drew a discreet audience because of their content and humor. Waters continued to make low-budget shocking movies with his Dreamland repertory company until Hollywood crossover success came with Hairspray (1988) in 1987.
He discovered “Divine” who became his leading lady in most of his early films. Divine was originally born Harris Glen Milstead just after the end of WWII,. He later became Baltimore’s most outrageous resident eventually becoming the international icon of bad taste cinema, as amusingly entertaining transvestite performer, Divine.

Divine met film director & good friend, John Waters, at high school in Baltimore, and the two decided to create, star and direct several of these wonderful taboo breaking cult films in the early 1970s.

At the end of the screening I asked Mr. Waters what was his favorite Divine character? He replied that he always had a fondness for the movie Hairspray and Divine’s Character Edna Turnblad; Rickie Lake’s mother in the film was his favorite.

Mr. Waters has always acknowledged that he has been inspired by many influential people in the entertainment industry such as Otto Preminger, Liberace, Herschell Gorden Lewis, Russ Meyer, Pier Paolo Pasolini and my favorite Hollywood bombshell movie star Jayne Mansfield.

Today darlings, what truly is amazing about Mr. Waters is that he still goes to see just about every movie that comes out and hardly ever rents movies.Outside of the theatre, Entertainment Photographer Shane Gritzinger did a little photo op of brilliant director John Waters and myself. We both spoke for a while, “Keep making wonderful films”, I replied as Mr. Waters said goodbye to me as he and his entourage slipped away into a New York Cab.

(Long Island, NY) Every year New Yorkers and Long Islanders put on their most outrageous costumes and trek to Manhattan to celebrate Halloween. Manhattanites just love to dress in their own extravagant creations and walk in the Halloween Parade in lower Manhattan. This year was no exception. I of course was invited to attend some really wonderful over the top events and Halloween parties. This year I was especially happy to attend the Bette Midler’s Hulaween New York Restoration Project Benefit Gala at the beautiful historic hotel The Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Each year she hosts this spectacular event to raise funds to restore New York’s Parks. I had a chance to interview Ms. Midler as she spoke to me about how important that every community in New York City deserves an oasis of natural beauty. “Bette darling, tell us about NYRP and how important is it to the community”, I asked. Ms. Midler adamantly replied, “NYRP joins in partnership with community-based groups, individuals and public serviced agencies to restore community gardens, under-resourced parks and wide open spaces in the city of New York”.

Upon moving to New York City Ms. Midler was extremely disappointed in the appearance of New York City parks. She was so upset with what she saw. People throwing garbage out the window, leaving dirty lunch bags on the ground. She finally realized that she had to do something about all of this – even if she manually had to clean up the garbage herself. In 1995 talented renowned entertainer Ms. Bette Midler decided to establish the nonprofit New York Restoration Project (NYRP). NYRP focus is that clean and green neighborhoods are an important element to the quality of New York City life and that every community deserves on oasis of perfect natural beauty.

In partnership with city, state, and federal agencies—notably the AmeriCorps program—NYRP has accomplished a great deal in just a little under a decade. NYRP has moved over 80,000 tons of garbage from project sites; rescued scores of community gardens and parks from commercial development, served over 5,000 at-risk urban youngsters with free recreational and environmental education programs, reclaimed more than 400 acres of under-resourced and abandoned parkland along the banks of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. NYRP has also created the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse and Swindler Cove Park, a magnificent five-acre public park on the site of what was once an illegal dumping ground.

Other A-list celebrities that attended the event to show their support and concern were Stevie Nicks who gave a performance, Mr. Willie Nelson who was delighted to receive the Leadership Award, Joy Behar, Martha Stewart, Shalom Harlow, Comedian Margaret Cho and many more. I was happy to chat with Joy Behar who was dressed in costume as Queen Elizabeth and Mr Willie Nelson who expressed how happy and privileged he was to receive this prestigious award. “Mr. Nelson darling, what was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid”? I asked. “The Devil” he so devilishly replied.

For more information about New York Restoration Project please visit www.nyrp.org

I was also delighted to attend The Lotus Halloween Bash presented by Richie Rich of the Heatherettes and Mark Baker with Clark Kent Lily of the Valley and Margalan Gray.

The Gold Rush a weekly Burlesque Dinner Theatre entertained and performed at Lotus with fabulous Burlesque stars Nasty Canasta, Little Brooklyn, Creamy Stevens and Julie Atlas Muz. Another fabulous celebrity that attended the party and enjoyed the evening was famous model Angie Everhart.

Afterwards my entourage of entertainment press photographer Shane Gritzinger, publicist Ron Caparella and famous fashion designer Count Vlad of Vladicouture decided to check out Suzanne Bartsch’s event at Avalon but the club was mysteriously shut down with police barricading the entrances and exits. We met up with famous photographer Patrick McMullan who told us to return to Lotus for more photo opportunities where we met up again with Richie Rich of the Heatherettes closing the night with his champagne and cocktail party downstairs.

The night was simply magical!!!

Until my next celebrity event,

(Long Island, NY) The 14th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival opened last week with the highly publicized and controversial film, “The Situation” starring beautiful Danish-born Actress Connie Nielsen. There were quite a few political films appearing at the festival but “The Situation” is certain to spark debate. At the screening I interviewed the director of the film Philip Haas who revealed to me that this is the first U.S feature film dealing with the war, set exclusively in Iraq.

I also had a chance to speak to some of the actors in the film Mido Hamada and Damian Lewis.

Ms. Nielson roles have ranged from an owner of a strip club in “The Ice Harvest” to her role as the incestuous sister of Roman Emperor in the Hollywood blockbuster movie “Gladiator”. This particular role as an American journalist is her most challenging because of its political content and message. The film touches on the struggles of the Iraqis surviving and intelligence officers and American soldiers trying to win support and favor of the Iraq people while quelling insurgencies.

At the screening I also had a chance to interview some truly talented and wonderful actors who are part of the Rising Stars Program. The Rising Star Program has grown within the past few years to become a dynamic program in providing a platform for extraordinary talent. This years rising stars are Dagmara Dominiczyk from the film “Mentor”, Carmen Chaplin from “Day on Fire”, Noah Fleiss from “Day on Fire” and later at the kickoff party at Montauk’s luxury spa and hotel Gurney’s Inn, I chatted with the very talented and handsome sexy young actor Mido Hamada. Mr. Hamada a German-Egyptian actor and a native from London expressed to me how excited he was to be starring in (“The Situation”) such a political and controversial film.

Mr. Hamada plays Zaid a photographer in war torn Iraq who has a special passionate bond with an American journalist Anna Molyneux played by stunning Connie Nielson.

Other films sparking attention were “Gray Matters” starring Heather Graham and Tom Cavanaugh, “Canvas” starring Joe Pantoliano and Marsha Gay Harden and “Shut Up and Sing” starring the gorgeous young Molly Shannon.

The most important event and the true soul and heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival has always been The Golden Starfish Award. This year marked a truly diverse selection of international films to date. The Golden Starfish Award for Career Achievement in Acting was presented to veteran actress Ms. Ellen Burstyn. Accomplished actress Ms. Burstyn has portrayed some of the screen’s most memorable characters including Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and Lois Farro in Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show” which have brought her international fame.

“While the Festival serves as showcase for established and emerging Artists, it is also a promotional opportunity for the business and corporate community. I see this collaboration as upholding a long tradition of Patron and Artist”, says Dense Kasell. “We are a fraction of the Entertainment Business and as such it is our mission to establish a platform where both can coexist and The Arts are supported.”

For further information about the Hamptons International Film Festival please visit www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.

(Long Island, NY)  Autumn is upon us and the month of October is just beautiful with fall leaves turning wonderful hues of harvest gold, amber and burnt orange. The air is clean, fresh and crisp just like a red apple waiting to be bitten into. It’s also a time for wonderful events happening in New York.

One of the wonderful exciting events that I was privileged to attend was the Americana Manhasset 3rd Annual Corcours D’Elegance. The Americana Mall in Manhasset hosted their 3rd Annual Concours D’ Elegance featuring automobile manufactures such as Aston Martin courtesy of Miller Motor Cars, Bentley courtesy of Champion Motors, Masarati and Ferrari presented by Ferrari Maserati of Long Island.

Deidra Costa Major, Creative Director for the American Mahasset expressed “The cars slated to compete in this year’s Concours represent the most luxurious and prestigious automotive manufacturers in the world”. The event was a fabulous opportunity for car enthusiasts and owners of exotic cars to share their camaraderie and passion for exclusive cars.

At this spectacular event the dealers showcased concept cars and 2007 supercars including the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, The Ferrari P4/P5 by Pininfarina, the Lamborghini special edition Murcielago LP640, the Aston Martin Rapide Concept, the Bentley GT Convertible, The Spyker C8, The Rolls Royce Phantom EWB and the Porsche 2007 911 Turbo. In addition to the dealers showcasing their cars many new collectors were invited to bring select cars and competed for Best In Class and Best In Show titles.

During this exciting car show, I decided to take a little stroll around this fabulous elegant mall.

The Americana Mall in Mahasset has celebrated fifty wonderful significant years in a collection of high end specialty boutiques including Cartier, Ferragamo, Hirshleifer’s Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Valentino, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co. Fendi and much much more. The mall is unique in itself because of its outdoor environment making it perfect for this kind of an event.

The mall was designed by renowned architect Peter Marino and landscape designer Oehme van Sweden. The Americana Mall in Manhasset offers many luxury accommodations including a gift and fashion resource, wonderful events each month and information about top designers and their shows at the boutiques.

It is located on the North Shore of Long Island. The American Mall is 50 miles from the Hamptons and only 20 miles from New York City making it very accessible and centrally located.

For more information about the Americana Mall and current events please visit: www.americanamanhasset.com

(Long Island, NY) Superb service with attention to detail, panoramic views of the south shore of Long Island, authentic French cuisine all define my experience at Louis XVI Restaurant in Patchogue Long Island for the unveiling of my portrait painted by renowned Artist Richard Gomez. Artist Richard Gomez spoke to me during our Television interview this past weekend of his passion for art and what inspires him to create masterpieces of art. “I am inspired by objects, personalities and scenes of beauty”. “I paint things that are beautiful”, he revealed so eloquently in our conversation. Mr. Gomez has traveled the world and has painted many beautiful paintings both of seaside landscapes, celebrity portraits such as famous painting of Cher and on tour of Europe a scene of a Madrid Café depicting Spain’s nightlife with its rich tones of red and gold.

For more information about Artist Richard Gomez please visit www.rogallery.com or please email him at rsegomez–AT–aol.com

In honor of Louis XVI Restaurant for the interview and the unveiling I dressed for the occasion as the dauphine Marie Antoinette the last queen of France to celebrate the French heritage of the restaurant and to promote the upcoming movie Marie Antoinette starring movie star Kirsten Dunst. Event Photographer Shane Gritzinger for Filmmagic.com photographed the event

My stylist and famous fashion designer Count Vlad of Vadicouture designed my costume/gown. This spectacular gown is an exact replica of one of the gowns that Marie Antoinette wore to an event at court during her reign in France. Much like Marie Antoinette’s seamstress and designer, Rose Bertin who designed her fabulous gowns took a great deal of time in creating. Velvets and silks for court dresses and muslin for informal gowns at her famous petit palace, the petit Trianon. She made the Trianon, with the help of architects, landscape designers her couturier Rose Bertin and her hairdresser Leonard as elegant and exquiste as could be and only invited a select few into her royal entourage.

The glamorous Queen Marie Antoinette devoted her time exclusively to the pursuit of pleasure. No expense was spared. She dazzled the court with her tall over the top hairdos and outrageous fashions changing three times a day with assistance of chamber –maids revealed also to me by Artist Richard Gomez. She attended masquerade balls, Paris opera houses and gambling tables and adored the Paris nightlife. “Depending on the embellishment of the gown, a single gown could take one year to create” Count Vlad expressed. She revolutionized the royal wardrobe. At first the glamorous queen was admired and loved, later because of bitterness and resentment among the courtiers that were excluded, vicious gossip made her the most hated woman in France giving her the title Madame Deficit. In any case she became one of the most famous women that ever lived resulting in books, paintings and movies that have been made of Marie Antoinette life, the last queen of France.

To learn more about Vladicouture designs please email vladicouture–AT–gmail.com

In my interview with the manager of Louis XVI restaurant, Alberto revealed she was totally misunderstood and really wanted to help the poor and underprivileged of France.

Darlings, dressed in my elaborate spectacular embellished gown designed by Count Vlad of Vladicouture myself and my guest for the evening were treated like members of the French court. We were seated on brocade chairs and I was tucked away on cozy banquettes enjoying our dining experience. The staff moved like a well-trained ballet dancers, working as a team to deliver perfectly prepared authentic French dishes. ManagerAlberto and chef Jean Claude stressed that the red snapper is the signature dish at the restaurant and my favorite dessert is of course the delicately prepared Marie Antoinette cake.

The restaurant’s location, over looks the Great South Bay, offers spectacular water views. The gracious interior provides plenty of competition: sparkling crystal chandeliers, massive flower arrangements, fluted columns, 18th-century-style paintings and a marble foyer rival the Palace of Versailles.

For more information about Louis XVI Restaurant please visit www.louisxvi.org.