New Dancers Officially Joining The Joffrey Ballet

Julia Rust, Anna Gerberich, Princess Reid and Leticia Stock (photo by Cheryl Mann)

Welcome to Chicago!

According to an official press release from The Silverman Group, Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will be opening their new season with more talented dancers! Derek Drilon, Anna Gerberich, Valentino Mongolia Zamora, Xavier Núñez, Princess Reid, Julia Rust, and Leticia Stock are blending with the current roster to create a 46 member group. They hail from the USA, Brazil, Spain and Puerto Rico.

“I’m pleased to welcome these beautiful dancers to the Joffrey as we begin our 2018-2019 season. Their artistry exudes all the qualities of a Joffrey dancer – energetic, versatile, dynamic,” Ashley Wheater (The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet) said in the press release.

Derek Drilon, Xavier Núñez and Valentino Moneglia Zamora (photo by Cheryl Mann)

Joffrey is also grateful to one family in particular for their generous donation that has allowed them to add Company dancer positions and additional work weeks to Joffrey’s seasonal contracts. “We are so grateful for The Lakonishok Family’s gift that affords our Company members a two-week contract extension, allowing us to further grow our exceptional range of international and local talent, much of which comes from our own Academy,”Ashley Wheater explained. The family encourages others to support The Joffrey Ballet as well.

The 2018-2019 season kicks off next month with Christopher Wheeldon’s beloved version of “Swan Lake”.

Click Here to learn more about the new dancers.

Click Here to read additional information about the upcoming season.

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“Heavens To Betsy 2”: All The Details About The Chicagoland Film

“Heaven’s To Betsy 2” has released a poster, trailer and kept its social media page updated. What is the latest news on the upcoming inspirational comedy film?

“Sole Productions is now looking into theatrical World Premiere dates with the end of October through the middle of November being the target time frame. One of the premieres has been confirmed to take place at the Emagine Theatres in Frankfort, IL,” the HTB2 social media page wrote earlier this month.

According to movie’s writer/director Robert Alaniz, “Heaven’s To Betsy 2” will answer all those lingering questions we had after watching the first installment. “HTB2 is not so much a sequel as a continuation of the first film. That’s how I wrote it, as if the second part was just as important as the first. Many things that may have been left in question in the first film are answered in the second…. We are looking into premiere dates and locations for the Chicagoland area and hope to have them locked in soon. I am anxious to see how audiences will respond.”

Stars Karen Lesiewicz, Jim O’Heir and Steve Parks reprise their roles from the first film, while Gary Gow, Michaele Nicole, Francine Locke and Becca Morello will be debuting in the film series.

Check out the fun trailer below:

When I found out a few months ago that “Heaven’s to Betsy” was filmed in the Chicagoland area, I rushed to see it on DVD.  Betsy dealing with all the answers to her prayers at the same time made a hilarious movie with so much heart! I actually preferred the alternate ending to the original. I’m anxious to see the next installment!

All rights to the photo, video and info belongs to Sole Productions.

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Win Movies, Games and Memorabilia

Family Video is currently in the midst of their “40 Days of Giveaways”. Since mid-Sept, they have been busy gifting their online followers with a surprise reward on a daily basis. Blue-rays, DVDs, movie memorabilia, games, a home theater system and more were given away so far.

Check them out on social media to enter to win.

All rights to the images belongs to Family Video.

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Sonam Kapoor Celebrates Khoobsurat’s Anniversary

This week, the Khoobsurat star honored the 4 year anniversary of the film’s premiere with a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot. In the video clip, all the actors seemed to have fun while posing for the photos.

Check out her happy tweet below:

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[Books] BTSCelebs to Review Carla Laureano’s “Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe” This Fall

BTSCelebs will be reviewing the next book in Carla Laureano’s Supper Club series! After learning about Rachel’s culinary dreams in book one and getting a glimpse into her best friend’s lives, we can finally be formally introduced to her bohemian baker bestie Melody Johansson. “Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe” promises a unique story as it places the spotlight on the possibility of Melody opening her own bakery-cafe and falling in love with a private pilot.

BTSCelebs plans to start reading this novel in the coming weeks, and the book will be officially released on February 5th, 2019

*A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the advance reader copy of the book*

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K-Pop Stars Coming to Chicago Soon

BTS

BTS and Jung Joon Young are the next artists scheduled to make stops in the Windy City!

Chicago has been graced with many K-Pop singers over the past few years. This fall, we are in for yet another surprise. On October 2nd and 3rd, the chart-topping group BTS plans to entertain thousands in the United Center. Award-winning solo singer Jung Joon Young will be performing in the Concord Music Hall on October 14th.

Jung Joon Young

I hope all the fans have fun in October! It would be great if Sf9 considers coming to the Chicago area next.

Image Credits: Big Hit Entertainment and C9 Entertainment

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Lauren Daigle Celebrates Album Release in New Orleans

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Could A Disney/Shia LaBeouf Reunion Be In The Future?

“That’s So Raven” is enjoying its second spin-off, “High School Musical” is making a comeback and reruns of 2000 era favorites have been introduced to today’s youth. What about my favorite youth sitcom Even Stevens?

Back in the 2000s, I was an avid Disney Channel viewer. I enjoyed “Phil of the Future”, “Lizzie McGuire”, “Cory in the House”, “The Replacements”, “Sonny With A Chance”, “Life With Derek” several DCOMs and more. However, I believed no series on that channel was more hilarious than Even Stevens. The main cast had the best on-screen chemistry! I missed it like crazy when it ended in 2003.

Since Hollywood’s new reboot trend is on fire right now, I’m hoping Disney considers bringing stars like Shia LaBeouf, Christy Carlson Romano, A.J. Truth, Margo Harshman, Ty Hodges more in an all new version of the show. “Raven’s Home” is proof that Disney Channel stars can return to their roots, while making a positive impact on the next generation.

Over the years, Shia LaBeouf may have branched out into film genres that are the opposite of Disney, but he’s always been a talented actor. I throughly enjoyed his performance on “Even Stevens”, “Tru Confessions”, “The Greatest Game Even Played”, “Transformers’s” series and Indiana Jones. I’ll admit he’s come a long way since then, however, it’s never too late to revisit your roots.

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Kathie Lee Gifford Shares BTS Photos of Her Hallmark Christmas Movie

Kathie Lee Gifford shared on Instagram recently, “Great shots from @SquireRushnell from the set of #AGodwinkChristmas. Looking forward to the holiday season when the movie is released.”

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Fantasy Casting: “Sister, Sister” Reboot

Growing up, I was a fan of the popular sitcom “Sister, Sister”, and the fact that a reboot may be in the works is exciting. Fans of the original series are hoping everyone in the main cast returns. However, I thought it would be fun to imagine an all new version of the series… where the adopted girls are not twins, and their parents’ new marriage forces them to become stepsisters. It could be interesting to see former child stars China Anne McClain and Zendaya take on the sister roles. They are comfortable working in comedy (plus they have an incredible Disney following).

Choosing their parents is a difficult task. Some unique stars for their adoptive parents could be Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, Jaleel White and Jurnee Smollett-Bell.

Pure imagination at its best!

All rights to the images belong to China Anne McClain and Zendaya.

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