Dance Review: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works 2016”

Capter1Chapter6_JeffreyCirioBTSCelebs was given the golden opportunity to review yet another stunning “Winning Works.

Today’s performances were Alexei Kremnev’s “Coco + Igor”,  Jeffery Cirio’s “Chapter 1, chapter 6”, Mariana Olivera’s “Death and the Maiden”, and Christian Denice’s “Urgence” all held their own charm. I love the chemistry the couples had in the the first two performances. The use of appealing symmetry in “Coco + Igor” was very pleasing to the eye, while “Chapter 1, chapter 6” had such a catchy beat it literally made me feel like I was at a concert. Chiro took the entire audience on an emotional journey from absolute joy to unexpected melancholy. His piece ended way too early. I would like to experience more of Jeffery Chiro’s work in the future.

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© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016

© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016

The one drawback was the dark and sadness surrounding Olivera’s piece. Watching “Death and the Maiden” was disturbing and kind of brought down the mood of the entire “Winning Works 2016”. I know every story can’t have a happy ending, but the entire piece is soley focused on death.

© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016

© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016

Nonetheless, all of the dancers did a fantastic job. Congrats to them all on a job well done!

Winning Works 2016 concludes its two-day engagement tomorrow at 3PM at the Edlis Neeson Theater in the Museum of Contemporary Art.

*A special thanks to The Silverman Group and The Joffrey Ballet for giving BTSCelebs the opportunity to review Winning Works.*

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Lee Taemin and Chloë Grace Moretz Take a Celeb Selfie

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K-Pop East meets West!

During Chloe Grace Mortez’s  recent trip to South Korea, she had the opportunity to meet a few K-Pop stars including the one and only Taemin. The SHINee member is currently promoting his first full-length album “Press It”, and  “The Little Mermaid” actress was able to catch one of his electrifying live performances.

Taetae’s agency, SM Entertainment, shared the photo above from their backstage meet and greet.

I love this! I only have one question….when will SHINee tour the USA to spend time with their new American friends and dedicated ShaWols?

All rights to the image belongs to SM Entertainment .

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Brittney Payton And Hubby Expecting Baby Number 1

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Brittney shared via Instagram: “Overjoyed to be sharing on #SweetnessDay that more sweetness is on the way! #BabyBenson due August 2016!”

Congratulations!

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Book Review: Bethany House’s “With This Ring?”

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Bethany House’s latest novella collection “With This Ring?” was a group of four short stories that made the reader long for elaborate weddings. Out of the four stories strictly about getting a proposal, I’d say Regina Jennings’ “Her Dearly Unintended” was the only treasure worth reading a second time. Josiah and Katie Ellen’s story was full of suspense, action and a sprinkle of love. Their pretend marriage in front of an unwelcome guest was so entertaining. Eleven chapters was nowhere near enough!

Unfortunately, Karen Witemeyer’s “The Husband Maneuver” was a bit too racy for Christian fiction, and Mary Connealy’s “Runaway Bride” story was so focused on running away from the enemy they forgot to fully develop Carrie and Big John’s love story. The ending felt very rushed. Melissa Jagears’ “Engaging The Competition” made me long for a complete story to be developed. Despite the sad narrative about her mother not accepting her husband’s death, the love story between Harrison and Charlotte (aka Charlie) was postponed because of Harrison’s poor eyesight. In my opinion, it ended before it even got started.

“With This Ring?” was disappointing (excluding Jenning’s tale), but it did give me a glimpse into four different worlds.

*BTSCelebs thanks Bethany House for the complimentary copy of the book.*

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BTSCelebs to Review “The Divergent Series: Allegiant”

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After two years of watching the Divergent series movies for fun, BTSCelebs will finally be given the opportunity to review the next film in the series days before it premieres in theaters!

I read Veronica Roth’s first two books , but I decided to postpone reading “Allegiant”….. so I wouldn’t spoil the “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” film. I read “Insurgent” prior to watching the film, and it ruined it for me. I want to surprised this time around.

BTSCelebs can’t wait to see Shailene Woodley and Theo James next adventure in the popular fantasy/sci-fi film series.

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*BTSCelebs sends a special thanks to Lionsgate and Allied Integrated Marketing for the opportunity.*

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BTSCelebs’ Photo Album From The “2016 Chicago Auto Show”

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Let’s relive Sunday!

By now, you know my favorite section from this year’s auto show was Hyundai. However, I didn’t want to end my coverage without giving you a visual of some of the gorgeous vehicles that caught my eye last weekend.

Take a look at BTSCelebs’ complete photo album from CAS16:

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*A Special Thanks to the Chicago Auto Show for the press pass.*

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Hyundai Shines at The 2016 Chicago Auto Show

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This year, BTSCelebs went to the auto show in search of the perfect Hyundai or Buick SUV. There were so many amazing, quality brands at the show, but these are the two automakers I would considering buying a SUV from. Buick did offer style and luxury and high end extras (like 4G LTE WiFi in every vehicle), however, Hyundai continues to offer affordable prices, style, luxury, incredible trunk space… the list is endless!

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Hyundai’s new Tucson and Santa Fe Sport models are a must see! Tuscon has dynamic bending headlights, ventilated and heated front seats, a brand new 1.61 GDI 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and so much more. Santa Fe Sport boasts that it has one of the most powerful 4-cylinder engines in its class, spacious seating for 7 passengers, a panoramic sunroof, active cornering contol AWD a host of advanced driving assists   I give them two thumbs up for having such appealing vehicles in color, design and features that I was almost persuaded to buy one on the spot! In addition to the driving assistance, their SUVs have  NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety ratings and J D. Power honors. Bravo, Hyundai.

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BTSCelebs highly recommends you check out this year’s auto show, and make sure you give the Hyundai section a second look.

*A Special Thanks to the Chicago Auto Show for the press pass and images.*

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Movie Review: “Love Finds You In Valentine”

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Diogo Morgado and Michaela Mcmanus star as Derek Sterling  and Kennedy Blaine in the new UP tv romantic film “Love Finds You In Valentine”. Derek is a ranch foreman solely devoted to the property he works on, while Kennedy is the law student who inherits the ranch and contemplates selling it. Once Kennedy finds out the truth behind the ranch’s financial situation and falls for the foreman, she slowing becomes attached to her family’s historic home and peaceful area. Derek and Kennedy’s family secrets come to light as they become honest with their feelings and let love find them in Valentine, Nebraska.

The scenery in this film is utterly breathtaking! It’s so beautiful that it almost distracts you from the intriguing storyline. If you are a fan of the main stars including iconic stars Lindsay Wagner and Ed Asner, I say gather your family and friends around the TV tomorrow night and check it out. Everyone did a very nice job in their individual roles. The onely complaint I do have is the chemistry between Diogo Morgado and Michaela Mcmanus. They weren’t 100% convincing as a couple in love. It probably would have been better for the two to remain good friends rather than develop a loveline between them. Other than that, it is a good wholesome family film definitely worth watching.

Watch “Love Finds You In Valentine” tomorrow at 7PM EST on UP tv.

*A Special Thanks to UP tv PR for the screener of the movie and the photo*

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[Interview] 7 Questions with Beloved Actress Lindsay Wagner

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Ms. Lindsay Wagner needs no introduction. She captivated audiences as the Bionic Woman in the 1970s and has continued to charm viewers through numerous films on the small and silver screen.

Recently, the star virtually sat down with BTSCelebs to answer a few questions about her heartwarming new film “Love Finds You In Valentine”.

Read the fabulous questions BTSCelebs asked and her interesting answers below:

BTSCelebs: What attracted you to this movie?

Lindsay Wagner: It’s a lovely movie about family and how deep our roots are embedded in us when we don’t even realize it.

Are you a fan of author Irene B Brand or the novel the film is based on?

To be honest, I was unfamiliar with her work and the series of “love finds you…” books prior to receiving the script. It’s a lovely idea to have love finding you all over the country.

You play June Sterling in “Love Finds You In Valentine”, are you anything like your character?

Yes, I think so. Not because I’ve lived the life she lived, but my grandparents were farmers from Kansas, Montana and Colorado. When visiting those places and especially the family farm, I felt a very special reverberation that I had never felt before. It was very moving. And I find it interesting that though I was born and raised in Los Angeles, during my whole adult life I’ve always kept a second home of some kind out in the countryside. It’s been part of what I have always used to keep myself grounded.

Were you a big fan of horses and ranches before this project?

Yes, we had horses for many years when my sons were young.

Tell us about your experience starring in a film with legendary actor Ed Asner and your on-screen son Diogo Morgado.

Well…aside from being a brilliant actor, Ed Asner is quite a scamper. He’s also a very passionate and intelligent man. Diogo has a wonderful career ahead of him. He’s a wonderful and gracious actor. And he couldn’t be any more handsome, if that’s OK for a mother to say. LOL

What projects can we look forward to seeing you in this year?

I was in a lovely film titled “a change of heart” that was made by the Pixel network.

“Love Finds You In Valentine” premieres on UP tv on this Sunday at 7pm EST.

*BTSCelebs sends a special thanks to UP tv and Lindsay Wagner for the interview and photos.*

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[Interview] Diogo Morgado: “It Was Beautiful To See This Beautiful Woman [Lindsay Wagner] Becoming My Mother In “Love Finds You In Valentine”

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BTSCelebs: You play ranch foreman Derek Sterling in your new movie. Is your personality anything like your character in the film?

Diogo Morgado: Yes, I think so. As a character we always start from a point of knowing.  What I mean is… we always start from a point from ourselves. From there, we start putting layers and different stuff based on information and stuff we want to achieve with the character or what we want to inspire. There were different elements that I was inspired by. I was beginning to connect with the audience. That path for the role. That troubled past or some sort of trauma, or a deep experience that somehow shaped the way they are as a person right now. I try to find inspiration in those kind of people I named in the past. For instance, the people that get out of jail and trying to enter society. They get it rough. It’s a rough time when you truly regret what you did in the past. You hope that wouldn’t define you as a person. You struggle with it. It’s hard. You get defensive and protective. Normally, you get strength in working really hard. So, I think Derek is a really hard worker. He found the Circle Cross to be his salvation. You hold on to that with everything you got. That’s why he’s defensive when Kennedy comes along. He tries to defend a piece of land that’s not his piece of land, but it’s his piece of land from the heart. It’s part of who he is. I try to get inspiration from that, of course. We always use part of who we are, but just as a start. We build on top of that.

So, answering your question. No, there are certain things that might be similar to me and Derek. Not in the structure actually. I was luckier in my childhood than Derek was.

Tell us about one surreal moment behind-the-scenes working with screen icon Lindsay Wagner.

It was great. She was a generous actor. I don’t know if you know this but I’ve been working as an actor in Europe not in the US. So, there are alot of things about the American culture that I’m not familiar with the same way you guys are. I remember her from “Bionic Woman”, but that was pretty much it. The good thing was that, I didn’t have any preconceptions about anyone. When you meet a person, you see the true person. It was beautiful to see this beautiful woman becoming my mother in the movie. She was pretty generous about it. We try to bring the love between a mother and her son. June adopted Derek. We tried to make that love as real or even deeper than a blood relationship. That was really important for us. We were on the same page with that. Hopefully, that came across.

If you had the opportunity to star in a film with any popular Hollywood stars, who would they be?

That’s only Tom Hanks. He’s my hero. He’s the one that name when I think about acting. Being an actor, what type of story I would like to tell I always say Tom Hank’s is the perfect example.  He did it all. He did it all really well. The day I would be in a movie with Tom Hanks  would be like the day I would be putting my gloves down. That’s it. I’m done. ….I’m not a fan of the star. I’m a fan of the actor, artist, the person as a talent.

What projects can we look forward to seeing you in 2016?

I just finished “CSI: Cyber “as a guest star. It happened this week. I really hope that this year I’ll be coming out with something as good as what I did so far. Pretty excited.

Don’t forget to watch Mr. Morgado portray ranch foreman Derek Sterling in the upcoming film “Love Finds You In Valentine” on UP tv on Valentine’s Day at 7pm EST.

*BTSCelebs sends a special thanks to UP tv and Diogo Morgado for the interview and photos.*

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