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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Syfy's HAVEN & CON OF DARKNESS Fall Season Launch w/Premiere Sept. 13th


San Diego CA (West Hollywood Today) 7/27/2013    
Eric Balfour and DJ Qualls

By Karen Ostlund

SyFy Network Show HAVEN and CON OF DARKNESS at Comic Con 2013.

HAVEN season 4 will premiere September 13th on the  Syfy  Channel, with Colin Ferguson from the beloved series Eureka, as a new cast member.
Colin Ferguson newcomer
fall season HAVEN, Syfy
 

 

International event producer A-List Communications produced two of the leading events at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con: eOne’s HAVEN cast, celebrity and fan fest,  and the annual genre themed extravaganza “CON OF DARKNESS,”

 The two events were co-hosted by Entertainment One (eOne), IFC Midnight, and MPI Dark Sky Films, along with DreadCentral.com, The Haunted Hotel, Femme Fatales and Shocktillyoudrop.com. 
 
 
Emily Rose in Haven,
outside Sidebar
 
 Haven's fall season launch party, last Thursday was located  at Sidebar on 536 Market Street in San Diego, and featured the cast  mingling with fans and VIP’s - while  sipping on specialty drinks with compliments  of sponsor Wild Turkey bourbon.
Adam Copeland & Lucas Bryant

The story behind the one-hour drama “Haven” is based on the novel “The Colorado Kid” from the renowned author Stephen King :

FBI Special Agent Audrey Parker, played by Emily Rose arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine, on a routine case. She soon finds herself increasingly involved in the return of "The Troubles", a plague of supernatural afflictions that have occurred in the town at least twice before. With an openness to the possibility of the paranormal, she also finds a more personal link in Haven that may lead her to the mother she has never known.
 

Parker (Emily Rose) begins to realize that her arrival in Haven may have been planned and that her name and even her memories may not be her own. As the series progresses, she learns more about the mysteries of both Haven and her true identity.

She and her partner Nathan Wuornos, played by Lucas Bryant find themselves frequently facing problems caused by both the effects of the Troubles, as well as town folk who take more drastic measures again.

Eric Balfour is playing Duke Crocker, the port town's smuggler, who frequently is involved in the investigations. He is eventually revealed to have the power to stop individual Troubles for good, though at a very heavy price.
Wild Turkey bourbon sponsor
for Haven at Comic-Con
 
Nicholas Campbell  is part of the main cast, and played Garland Wuornos  in Season 1, Haven's hard-nosed chief of police, a veteran of The Troubles and Nathan's father.


Adam Copeland was Dwight Hendrickson in Season 2, who helped clean up the effects of the Troubles. He is himself Troubled (attracting bullets)



John Ratzenberger at Con
of Darkness at Voyeur
Colin Ferguson, best known as Sheriff Jack Carter for five seasons on the beloved series Eureka, will be headed to Haven once the new season premieres in September. Ferguson will play William, a “handsome, mysterious stranger, whose secret agenda” leads him to Audrey Parker (Emily Rose).
Catherine Annette, Jen Roa, Kristen DeLuca and Ashley Noel
 at the Con of Darkness at Voyeur Club
CON OF DARK-NESS party on July 19th at San Diego’s Voyeur  nightclub  featured celebrities from the partner sites and numerous films and shows, plus fantasy creatures including: a Swamp Thing, a Yeti, a goblin, zombies and nurses; various dismembered and hanging bodies and limbs in the ceiling of the club.
Con of Darkness horror themed buffet
 


Shattered glass cupcakes w raspberry blood





DARKNESS buffet also featured horror themed food:

Bloody Fingers: (Mozzarella sticks with marinara); Puking Pumpkin or Melon: Guacamole and chips; Eyeball Skewers: (Grapes and melon balls in a honey-lime dressing); Oozing Meat Balls (open-faced meatball sliders on a skewer with tomato ketchup); Intestines on a Bun (bacon-wrapped hot dogs with spicy beet sauce); and Shattered Glass Cupcakes and Raspberry Blood. 
Sponsors also included Hint Water.

Dennis Widmyer, Alex Essoe and Kevin Kolsch at the
Con of Darkness Launch party
Girlie monsters promoted The Haunted Hotel

                 

 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Comic-Con 2013: "Trilogy Style" Gifting Lounge & its Guests


San Diego, CA (West Hollywood Today) 7/26/2013

By Karen Ostlund
Veestro food sponsor with David Blue Ugly Betty
 
In celebration of Comic-Com 2013, RSP presented celebrities and vips with a “Trilogy Style gifting lounge” -  a health concious lounge,  located at San Diego’s House of Blues 1055 5th Avenue.
The House of Blues is currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a national tour:
http://www.houseofblues20.com/Tours  

 

Jesse Heiman GoDaddy.com ad w Renee
event producer
 The lounge introduced Veestro Nature’s Cuisine: The healthiest meals delivered straight to your freezer!

Veestro was the official sponsor for Renee Simlak’s Trilogy Comic-Con Lounge.(www.veestro.com )

“It is fast food. vegan pizza. frozen grocery store meals, all quick solutions to hunger when time or energy is short”.

Based on the premise that food should be fresh and healthy, but also affordable and delicious, founder Mark Fachler brought Veestro to life in April 2013. The home delivery service offers up an enormous selection of entirely vegan, gourmet breakfasts, appetizers, soups, desserts, and entrees.
Veestro food sponsor w Stephen Lunsford from Teen Wolf
 
 

 
 

FitzeeFoods.com based in San Diego gave away whey protein and gluten-free oats snacks as Coconut Almond Chip and Paleo bar.

 
Kaj-Erik Erikson from The 4400

 

Heartbeat MATCHMAKER dating service,  gifted every “unattached” celebrity a consultation to their esteemed services.
CEO/ Matchmaker Dejuan Miller lives her life with integrity and looks for like minded individuals.
She is very intuitive and uses this to her advantage when matching potential clients:

 “I’m experienced, successful and confidential “ she said.
Miller has gained this popularity by playing matchmaker to friends & family for over 30 years.
(www.heartbeat-matchmaker.com )

 

Trilogy lounge also featured goodies from

Brush Buddies singing toothbrushes: “We are faced with the challenge of maintaining our own as well as teaching children proper oral hygiene habits. On average a person only brushes their teeth for 45 – 75 seconds, far below the optimal 120 seconds”.(www.brushbuddies.com)

 Their brushes feature songs from some of today’s biggest music stars as Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, PSY and LMFao:

 “The idea behing BrushBuddies is for kids to listen to a wellknown artists song for 2 minutes, and don’t stop brushing before the song is over”
Ivory + Mason 70s vintage glasses
Jamie Gray Hyder from True Blood w
Vita Coco Coconut Water
 
Other sponsors:

Vita Coco with 100% Natural Coconut Water; Robot Luv featured Robot “Indie Style” clothing,
and Ivory+Mason Eyewear in 70’s vintage style - distinguished unique and expressive eyewear. (www.ivorymason.com )

Meth!d Clothing promoted their mission statement,“Where Meth!d is any Extreme Means!” cotton t-shirts,
Meth!d cotton t-shirts

and 3D Cheeze Photo Booth where you were able to re-create your favorite Comic Con Saga, with 3D animated photos.(www.3Dcheeze.com)  
Kiowa Gordon,Twilight shows
3D photo magnet
by 3D Cheeze
 
The Lounge also brought on the Special Olympics Organization, which had a booth where
celebrities were encouraged to autograph signage that will be auctioned off for charity, later on.

The Special Olympics mission was founded in 1968.

SpecialOlympics.org  goal is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage.
Veestro Nature's Cuisine ready in 15 min.
Jason Mewes Clerks signs for
Special Olympics.org
 

 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Comic-Con 2013: Schick Hydro teamed up with Assassin's Creed Jackdaw Ship

 


San Diego, CA (West Hollywood Today)  7/24/2013  

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund

Schick Hydro helped guys groom for Comic Con with complimentary shaves  aboard the Assassin’s Creed Jackdaw Ship.
Schick Hydro offered free shaves for men.
 
Schick Hydro teamed up with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag to offer shaves fit for even the toughest, most heavily bearded pirates aboard the Assassin’s Creed Jackdaw Ship last Friday and Saturday during Comic Con convention in San Diego.

 Two experts from Schick Hydro barbers offered guys smooth shaves with the cutting edge Schick Hydro 5 razor. Schick knew that clean shaven pirates “get more booty”, so men who came to get a customized shave received Schick Hydro 5 razors, and also had a chance to win prizes.
Attendees of Comic Con lined up to try the new video game
Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag

Assassin’s Creed Jackdaw Ship was located at 5th Avenue Pier, San Diego behind the Convention center, and open to the public daytime. The ship had a VIP reception the first evening with  "spiced rum, beer & sandwiches” and the same activities as daytime.There were also gaming stations where guests could dance along to “Just Dance 2014”, or play ACIV, Watch Dogs and Splinter Cell Blacklist.
100’s of Comic-Con guests lined up to try the new video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, below deck during the Comic Con weekend.  The 3 floors ship also offered a Pirate photobooth with authentic pirate costumes to put on, and a museum with canons and ropes from the pirate days.

Schick partnered with Assassin’s Creed to create Hydro 5 gift packs featuring the Hydro 5 Razor and exclusive Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag content this holiday season.

Pirate Museum deck below

The Schick Hydro 5 razor is the best shave for men’s skin, with protective skin guards that reduce irritation, a soothing Hydrating Gel Reservoir packed with Aloe Vera and vitamin E and a flip trimmer that offers a closer shave”  explained a Schick Hydro Pirate to male guests.
 
 
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is an upcoming action-adventure game, and the sixth main installment in the Assassin's Creed series.
 
 It is a sequel to 2012's Assassin's Creed III, the game will see the player take on the role of an Abstergo Industries research analyst as they explore the story of Edward Kenway – father to Haytham Kenway, grandfather to Ratonhnhaké:ton and an ancestor of Desmond Miles.
 


Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will be set primarily on and around the islands in the Caribbean Sea during the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century, with three major cities consisting of Havana, Nassau and Kingston.This was the golden age of pirates.

Aaron Eckhart & Jennifer Morrison
(photo by Todd Williamson)

 

 
Julie Benz boarding the ship
(photo by Todd Williamson)
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag begins in 1715, when pirates established a lawless republic in the Caribbean and ruled the land and seas. These outlaws paralyzed navies, halted international trade, and plundered vast fortunes.
They threatened the power structures that ruled Europe, inspired the imaginations of millions, and left a legacy that still endures.
I am inside the photo booth of
Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
            



 
 




   


 




 


 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Gibson Guitartown on Sunset Strip Unveiled 3rd Annual Installment of Art Guitars


West Hollywood CA (West Hollywood Today) 7/22/2013

Photos & facts by Karen Ostlund
 

GIBSON GUITARTOWN ON THE SUNSET STRIP UNVEILED 3rd ANNUAL INSTALLMENT OF ART GUITARS.

GIBSON GUITARTOWN III FEATURES WORKS BY LINKIN PARK’S MIKE SHINODA, TATTOO ARTISTS LYLE TUTTLE,  KAT VON D, AND SCULPTOR EUGENE DAUB.

All guitars will be on display August 3rd at Sunset Strip Music Festival.  After the festival, they will be placed along the boulevard for public view.
 
 


Guitarist Robby Krieger from The
Doors, came to check out guitar art


 Gibson Guitartown on the Sunset Strip unveiled its third installment of art guitars last Wednesday,  at Hornburg Land Rover showroom on 9176 Sunset boulevard.

The public art exhibit featured 10-foot tall art guitar sculptures celebrating artists and musicians who have influenced The Sunset Strip. The current selection includes works celebrating 2013 Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) honoree Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, Love, ZZ Top, Alice Cooper and Debbie Harry.



 A wide range of artists participated in the 2013 installment, including Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, tattoo artist Kat Von D, tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle, who was close friends with Janis Joplin, sculptor Eugene Daub, who  created the Rosa Parks sculpture for the U.S. capitol, and jewelry designer Kathy Rose.


 GIBSON GUITARTOWN ON THE SUNSET STRIP  was originally launched in August 2010 with 20 10-foot tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars strategically placed along the legendary Sunset Strip.
 
 
Gibson Guitartown's painting artists, present at Hornsburg showroom July 17th.
 

 Each guitar sculpture celebrates a musician, personality or artist unique to The Sunset Strip’s history. Previous years have included works by artists Shepard Fairey, RISK, Tristan Eaton and John Kosh and have celebrated The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, Van Halen, Stevie Nicks, Jane’s Addiction, Slash, The Runaways and Cheech & Chong among others.

 As in previous years, the 2013 Gibson GuitarTown art guitars will be auctioned for charity at the end of their “tour.” Proceeds from the auction will benefit Music For Relief, the nonprofit organization Linkin Park founded to support disaster relief, provide aid to survivors of natural disasters and support the prevention of such disasters via environmental programs.
Cocktails sponsored by Jack Daniel's at the unveiling.
 


 Collectively, the previous auctions have raised more than $106,600 for charities. The 2012 Gibson GuitarTown charity auction raised $52,280 to benefit Los Angeles Fund for Education’s “Arts Matter” campaign, which funds art and music education programs in Los Angeles public schools. The 2011 charity auction raised $27,180 to benefit the Los Angeles Youth Network, which provides services for homeless youth, as well as $20,385 to support public art in West Hollywood and $6,795 to benefit the West Hollywood Library.

 

“We are happy to partner with Gibson for the third year and showcase another lineup of amazing art guitars,” noted Sunset Strip Music Festival managing director Karmen Beck, who spearheaded the GuitarTown partnership. “Gibson GuitarTown is a true celebration of The Sunset Strip community, and the guitars provide a vibrant and memorable walking tour of this influential music boulevard.”


The Sunset Strip Business Association, which is presenting the project in conjunction with Gibson, plans to unveil additional art guitars this fall. All guitars are created by local and nationally recognized artists and celebrate people and places that have shaped The Strip. All guitars unveiled July 17 will be on display at the Saturday, August 3rd Sunset Strip Music Festival street fest. After the festival, they will be placed along the boulevard for public view.
Danny Curnen is inspired by ZZTop

 The full list of guitars unveiled at the July 17th launch included:

•Danny Curnen, “The Eliminator”

Mixed media guitar inspired by the music and influence of rock and roll band ZZ Top. (Performances at Whisky, House of Blues Sunset Strip.)

 Graphic designer Danny Curnen was recently named one of the ‘Top 10 Poster Artists of 2012’ by Creative Bloq (UK). His design for Lisa Marie Presley will soon find a permanent home on display at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, TN. His artwork has been featured at legendary festivals such as South By Southwest, the Sunset Strip Music Festival and the Los Angeles Vegan Beer Festival, and he is the official poster art and graphic designer for The Roxy.
Eugene Daub's influence comes from Blondie
 


•Eugene Daub, “Call Me”

Mixed media guitar inspired by the music and influence of Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie. (Performed at the Whisky.)

 Eugene Daub is the recipient of the highest National Awards for sculpture and relief sculpture. He is the president of the American Medallic Sculpture Association, and a fellow and board member of the National Sculpture Society. Over the last 30 years Daub has designed and created many public art commissions for the United States government, private foundations, universities and corporations and has exhibited in the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, among other locations. His sculpture of Rosa Parks was unveiled by President Obama on March 27, 2013, in the U.S Capitol, Statuary Hall. The concept and pedestal were a collaboration with Rob Firmin.

 
 
 

Simone Gad's guitar art featuring Dolly Parton
 

•Simone Gad, “Dolly Parton and The Sunset Towers”

Mixed media, abstract guitar inspired by country music legend Dolly Parton. (Performed at The Roxy.)

 Simone Gad is a self-taught visual artist who has exhibited in local, national and international museums and galleries for more than 44 years. Gad is a six-time grant recipient and Getty-sponsored PST artist who was featured in Lyn Kienholtz’s encyclopedia, “L.A. Rising; So Cal Artists Before 1980,” among other numerous publications. Her guitar is part of a continuing series of paintings that focus on Los Angeles architectural monuments and famous females.
 
 
Tsipi Mani "Joan Jett"
 

 

•Tsipi Mani, “Unvarnished”

Mixed media guitar celebrating 2013 Sunset Strip Music Festival honoree Joan Jett. (Performances at the Whisky.)

 Tsipi Mani is a multi-media painter and sculptor with skills working in oils, clay, acrylic, bronze, aluminum and steel. Her paintings and statues fill her home and can be seen in a Beverly Hills gallery, as well as in a few commercial buildings in West Hollywood.  
Julia Martinez is inspired by Jose Feliciano
   

•Juliana Martinez, “Don Jose, Que Chévere!”

Tile and mixed media guitar inspired by legendary guitarist Jose Feliciano. (Performed at The Roxy, Whisky.)

 Juliana Martinez created her first mosaic at age 9 and was hooked. She currently creates public art pieces and accepts private commissions. This is her third contribution to the GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip art project. In 2010 she created a mosaic guitar celebrating the “Summer of Love” and in 2012 she created “There’s Something Happening Here” celebrating Buffalo Springfield.

 

 

    
Kathy Rose guitar is embellished
with semi-precious stones.

•Kathy Rose, “Alanis Morissette Utopia”

Guitar embellished with semi-precious stones, natural material and mixed media. Inspired by the music and message of singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette. (Performances at the Whisky, House of Blues Sunset Strip.)

 Kathy Rose is a recognized jewelry designer and businesswoman. She owns and operates Roseark gallery in West Hollywood and Santa Monica, and has launched Kaviar Jewelry and Native Rose clothing line. She also serves as the accessories editor for Foam magazine.
Mike Shinoda's art in acrylic and spray paint.

•Mike Shinoda, “Soldier In Repose”

Acrylic and spray paint. Linkin Park’s first shows ever were played on Sunset Boulevard. In this illustration, the band’s iconic “Hybrid Theory” soldier is shown in a moment of reflection. (Performances at The Roxy, House of Blues Sunset Strip.)

 Mike Shinoda is a songwriter, performer, record producer and visual artist. He is best known for his vocal and musical endeavors with two-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum alternative band Linkin Park. Shinoda graduated with a B.F.A. in Illustration from Art Center College of Design in 1998 and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2009. He has a hand in most artistic facets of Linkin Park’s artwork and imagery, including art for the band’s albums, merchandise, web and stage.
Lule Tuttle & Mark Phillips
"Janis Joplin"
 

 
 

•Lyle Tuttle & Mark Phillips, “Tribute To My Friend, Janis Joplin”

Mixed media guitar celebrating the colorful music career of Janis Joplin. The design features her portrait, signature, tattoos and other mementos of her life. (Performed at the Whisky.)

 Lyle Tuttle is a well-known American tattoo artist and tattoo historian. Tuttle opened his first tattoo studio in San Francisco in 1954. He has tattooed Janis Joplin, Cher, Henry Fonda and Paul Stanley among others.
Kat Von D's black & grey fine-line
tattoo art

•Kat Von D, “City Of Angels”

Graphite on paper and graphic wrap guitar using a modern day approach to the old school black and grey style of fine-line tattoo art. The guitar celebrates the prominence of the Mexican art culture that originated in the 1970s, here on the streets of Los Angeles.

 Kat Von D is a renowned tattoo artist and the star of the former hit television series LA Ink, which ran for five successful years. She is the author of three New York Times bestsellers, High Voltage Tattoo, The Tattoo Chronicles and Go Big or Go Home. She is the creator of a popular makeup and fragrance line for Sephora. She is also the founder of Wonderland Gallery, an art gallery and boutique located next to her tattoo shop, High Voltage Tattoo, in West Hollywood, where she resides with her awesome hairless cat, Piaf.
 
 
•Stacey Wells, “Welcome To My Nightmare”

Paint and mixed media guitar inspired by musician Alice Cooper. (Performances at the Whisky, House of Blues Sunset Strip.
 Stacey Wells has become a familiar face on The Sunset Strip, recently creating a collection of art she calls “Reflections of the Strip,” which features musicians who have made it big after starting on The Sunset Strip as well as new, talented bands that are paving their way today, playing at The Roxy, the Whisky and the Viper Room.
Stacey Wells "Alice Cooper"
 


•The Wizard, “Forever Changes”

Graphic wrap guitar inspired by iconic 1960s L.A. band Love. (Performed at the Whisky.)

 Born in a nondenominational hospital to two able-bodied humans in the year of our Lord 1984, The Wizard has spent the last 29 years traveling the Earth, harshing mellows. The Wizard currently spends his time farming hair, clicking furiously and making dreams real.
The Wizard is inspired by 60's LA band
Love

Additionally, artists from Ethos Gallery will create a live art piece during the 2013 SSMF street festival on August 3. The artists will paint the guitar outdoors throughout the day. Ethos Gallery, located in the heart of the Los Angeles art scene, specializes in fine art, street art, and live art installations. Ethos believes in the power of artistic expression, and therefore supports art that is positive, uplifting and environmentally conscious.


Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is supported by the Sunset Strip Business Association, Hornburg Land Rover on The Sunset Strip, City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau. GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is administered by the Gibson Foundation, the philanthropic division of Gibson Guitar Corp.