New Orleans has long been a favorite setting for big name producers and newcomers hoping to make theirs big.  The city, the historic French Quarter as well as the surrounding bayou country has so much to offer a production company it is no wonder that some thirty odd movies are scheduled to be filmed here.

 It was awesome to happen on to the filming of the Canal Street car crash scene in the John Cena movie Twelve Rounds during one NOLA visit.  Thanks to a really cool production assistant, a group of us including my nieces and nephews were thrilled to be able to watch up close and personal.

While that was exciting it was even more so when I got an opportunity to actually participate in the new Kate Hudson movie, Earthbound, being filmed in and around the Crescent City.  It is a romantic comedy which includes other names like Gael Garcia Bernal, Alan Dale, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates and Treat Williams.  In the film Kate has cancer (she had to lose twenty pounds for the role) Whoopi is God, and Gael is the young doctor that Kate falls for. There is no word yet on when the Nicole Kassell directed flick will hit the theater.

Most young girls at some point entertain thoughts of being in a movie.  My three year old granddaughter wants to be a “moo-moo tar” herself!  I have to admit I was no different, but I had put that behind me a long time ago, probably about the same time I put up my Barbie dolls.  So when a friend who was involved in the project suggested that since I was always in New Orleans anyway I should get involved too. I thought “what the heck”,  never really believing it would happen.

What a surprise when I was contacted the same day to take part as an extra (called “background” in the biz) in a Gala Fund Raiser scene of New Orleans supposedly wealthiest patrons being shot at Oak Alley Plantation.  Oak Alley Plantation, a historic property located on the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana, is a National Historic Landmark.  For a history lover like me this was going to be way cool, but due to the weather the scene was moved at the last minute. We actually filmed the scene at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue.  

The whole behind the scenes experience from wardrobe and make-up to Star orbit etiquette was a definite eye opener for me.  I will never look at movies or some “Stars” in the same way again. About the only familiar terminology to me was “first team” and “second team”.  I knew what it meant in basketball and sure enough it is the same in movies.  First team is the actual Stars and Second team is the Stand-ins (people who resemble the Stars). 

It will be really interesting to see the finished product and what actually makes it into the film. I think I have a fairly good shot since I was included in most of the shooting that day.  There is nothing like having the “clap board” snapped in front of your face. “Quiet on the set, Rolling, Sound, Background”  – and that was the cue for us extras to start our little pantomime party.

It was a hoot!  So much for my illusions of being transformed into a beautiful glamour goddess, the joke was on me.  Look for really big hair!  (because I’m supposedly really rich!  Who knew big hair and big money were synonymous?!)  It took a little while to get used to people coming up to me and messing with my hair and brushing stuff on my face all day.  Overall I met some really great people and heard some very entertaining stories from the veteran extras about past “background” roles. 

It was a fun new experience but an eighteen hour day in heels, with make-up caked on my face and a teased up ball of hair on my head is not my idea of the glamorous life.  Please don’t misunderstand though, even with the minor disillusionment, aching feet and contacts melted on my eyeballs (the lights are really hot and bright) I would gladly answer the call “background” again!

By Sharon Denise Talbot

Make Lifestyle Changes That Will Work With Nopalea

Make Lifestyle Changes That Will Work With Nopalea

For many of us the desire to make changes in our lifestyle has become an important part of our lives. We all want to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. Nopalea by Trivita is a product that is made to help you accomplish that goal.
Nopalea is made from all natural products like the Nopal cactus. The Nopal cactus has been used by native peoples to help their bodies rid themselves of toxins and for the healing properties it carries. The native people knew what worked because it gave them the results they desired. They did not need advertisements to tell them what to use. Nopalea has learned from the knowledge of these native people. Nopalea even uses Agave nectar to provide a sweet taste instead of refined sugar like many “natural” products.

This helps you to know that when you use Nopalea you are getting all natural ingredients and no preservatives.

Because there are no preservatives you should use the entire contents of Nopalea within 30 days of opening. You should also pour the dosage into a separate container. This will make sure the contents do no become contaminated.
So take the time to research Nopalea. I know you will like what you find. The natural ingredients and time and care involved in the making of Nopalea will bring you back for more.

This is a sponsored conversation. Neither PayPerPost nor the author are affiliated with Trivita / Nopalea.

Nopalea To Help Your Body Reduce Inflammation.

One Of The New Invicta Watches From Bluedial Will Help You Make That First Impression.

One Of The New Invicta Watches From Bluedial Will Help You Make That First Impression

If you are new to the business world there are certain things that you need to know. That first impression you make is hard to change. When seasoned business people meet you for the first time they form an impression of you quickly. The way you look and dress is important. Having a quality time piece like one of the Invicta watches offered by bluedial.com can make a great first impression.
A perfect example is the Invicta Men’s Watch Rose Two Tone Reserve Vemon Swiss Quartz Silver Tone Dial 1000M Diver. This is a watch that is made with class, style and precision. The rose two tone stainless steel case looks amazing with the brown leather strap and buckle. The silver tone dial with the luminous rose gold tone hands and hour markers give the watch a classy look. The fact that the watch is made with Swiss precision movements tell you it is a quality watch. All of this would make you think you would pay over two thousand dollars and in most cases you would.

This Invicta watch sells for $2,495 at most retailers but you can own it for less than $350 when you purchase it at bluedial.com. This also includes free 2nd day shipping.

So set yourself apart from all the newbies who use their cell phone as a time piece and go to bluedial.com. The selection of Invicta watches along with other quality brands will impress you and your next potential employer.

Blue Dial Offers A Wide Selection Of Invicta Watches

Duration : 0:5:48

It also has extremely soft laws. There is no death penalty, and no life without parole. it has strict gun laws, meaning that law-abiding people are disarmed, while criminals are armed.

By all accounts, it should be a very violent and murderous place.

However, the Madrid region had a murder rate in 2009 that was FIFTY-EIGHT times lower than New Orleans. It’s also 13 times lower than Dallas, 6.5 times lower than NYC, and about half the rate of the safest big city in all of America (El Paso).

We have no excuse. In states like Louisiana (home to New Orleans), unemployment is WAY lower than 20%. Private citizens DO have firearms. There IS a death penalty AND life without parole.

And yet, the murder rate is 58 times higher in NOLA than Madrid.

This proves that there is no link between a bad economy and violent crimes such as homicide.

The recipe for murder is:
Poverty + Drugs + Guns

Poverty alone doesn’t cause murder
Drugs alone don’t cause murder
Guns alone don’t cause murder

You need to mix the ingredients to get results.

The only ingredient in that recipe that can be substituted or taken out is drugs. You will always have more murders where the other 2 ingredients are present. As someone else pointed out, Spain is missing one of the key ingredients, Guns, with very low gun ownership.

Even though Spain has high unemployment, those who are unemployed are still in a less desperate environment than places like Thailand, because there are many social programs to help them and Spain ranks pretty high on the Quality of Life Index. Cities in the USA are similar, so what separates the 2 is that third ingredient, Guns. I’m sure Spain’s ghettos still rival USA’s when it comes to other crimes like robbery and rape.

http://www1.internationalliving.com/qofl2010/

Switzerland is irrelevant (to those who mention it every time the issue of guns comes up) because people in Switzerland have a higher standard of living since there’s so many rich expats there. People like to say that the reason Switzerland has low murder rates is because they are all armed. That’s ridiculous because Japan has lower murder rates than Switzerland and nobody is armed in Japan. Japan has a higher standard of living and is very expensive to live, just like Switzerland. That’s one of the main deciding factors, it’s not just guns alone. Arm people in Beverly Hills and you will have less shootings than if you arm people in Compton. It’s not race, and it’s not poverty. It’s a mixture of things but poverty plays a role in that mixture and when you mix poverty, drugs, and guns, you have a recipe for murder. Murders peaked in the USA from 1985-1990. That was the crack era, and it’s obvious that it was crack that caused that peak. Not just crack, but greed and poverty (and guns), because with crack came money and more organized gangs and greed and gangs were knocking each other off for corners.

Duration : 1 min 3 sec

Duration : 0:10:55

It’s almost time for the New Orleans premiere of Disney’s The Lion King at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.  Support the arts!  See in you NOLA!

Sharon Denise Talbot

Casting Announced for

Disney’s THE LION KING

Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical

LSU Graduate Among Cast Members

New Orleans’s Limited Premiere Engagement Plays

Wednesday, March 14 To Sunday, April 15 at Mahalia Jackson Theater

New Orleans, LA (February 13, 2012) — Casting has been announced for the New Orleans premiere engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING. New Orleans’ most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts’ stage from Wednesday, March 14 to Sunday, April 15. The press opening night is Friday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m.

The talented cast of more than 40 actors includes a local connection; Maurica Roland (Ensemble/Understudy Nala, Shenzi & Sarabi) is a Pensacola, FL native and graduate of the Louisiana State University music education program. Recently, Roland appeared in American Vybe at Walt Disney World in Orlando and Hairspray First National Tour (swing, u/s Dynamite). She is thrilled to be in New Orleans and close to all her college friends and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters.

The sardonic and deviously cunning “Scar” is played by J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is “Mufasa,” the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands.  Buyi Zama is the wise baboon shaman “Rafiki.” Mark David Kaplan portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird “Zazu.” Adam Kozlowski is the carefree warthog “Pumbaa” and Nick Cordileone is the wisecracking meerkat “Timon.”  Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” the lion prince born to be king, is played by Jelani Remy and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness “Nala.”

The three evil hyenas are played by Keith Bennett (“Banzai”), Rashada Dawan (“Shenzi”) and Robbie Swift (“Ed”).  The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.

In New Orleans, THE LION KING will play Wednesday, March 14 through Sunday, April 15 on the following schedule:

Tuesdays: 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 p.m.

*Thursdays:  8:00 p.m.

Fridays:  8:00 p.m.

Saturdays: 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.

**Sundays: 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.

*There will be special 2:00 p.m. matinees on Thursday, March 15 and Thursday, April 12.

**There will not be a 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, April 15.

Ticket prices start as low as $30.25. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Beginning Saturday, November 12, tickets will be available in person at the Mahalia Jackson Box Office, via phone at 800-982-2787 (ARTS), and online at BroadwayInNewOrleans.com. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 504-287-0372.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $875 million to date. Having already played more than 60 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its New Orleans premiere at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The current schedule is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 63 million people, grossed over $4.7 billion and have, cumulatively, run a staggering 89 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only six productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more both on Broadway and in the West End.  Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents.  THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, and in Tokyo, London’s West End, Hamburg and Madrid.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

On stage, Taymor’s creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters.  Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of  masks and puppets for THE LION KING.  The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.  Other members of the creative team include:  Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor).  Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

The New Orleans engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans and is a subscription offering of the Broadway Across America Series.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH OCTOBER 2012:

Richmond – Landmark Theater

February 15 – March 11, 2012

New Orleans – Mahalia Jackson Theatre

March 14 – April 15, 2012

Orlando – Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

April 17 – May 13, 2012

Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center

May 17 – June 10, 2012

Greenville – Peace Center for Performing Arts

June 12 – July 8, 2012

Houston – Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

July 10 – August 12, 2012

St. Louis – Fox Theatre

August 15 – September 2, 2012

Wichita – Century II Concert Hall

September 4 – 30, 2012

Albuquerque – Popejoy Hall

October 2 – 28, 2012

The Mahalia Jackson Theater is located in Armstrong Park at 801 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Information on the Broadway Across America – New Orleans series and venue policies and accommodations may be obtained online at www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. Group Sales information is available at 504-287-0372. Box Office information is available at 504-287-0351.

Arts Center Enterprises – New Orleans, LLC – (ACE) is a theatrical facility management company with more than 30 years of experience in the field of professional performing arts facility management and theatrical property development. Allen Becker, together with his partners David Anderson, Gary Markowitz and Kirk B. Feldmann have succeeded in establishing a successful business model that combines an entrepreneurial operating strategy, with a wealth of industry relationships, which result in active, vibrant, well-managed and self-sustaining performing arts facilities. Not only has this business model served to uplift communities through the presentation of powerful live performances, but it has served to also provide economic stimulus into urban corridors in need of revitalization. Please visit ACE New Orleans online at www.mahaliajacksontheater.com.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA  (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales.  Under the supervision of Beth

Williams (CEO—Theater Division), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Darren Criss and Beau Bridges, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever starring Harry Connick Jr, The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Godspell, Memphis, Lysistrata Jones, and the New York, West End, and national touring productions of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

New Orleans Theatre Association (NOTA) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to attract and present the finest theatrical and performing arts attractions available in New Orleans.

NOTA is also dedicated to financial and technical support of local non-profit institutions in New Orleans that are dedicated to the furtherance of theatrical and musical education and production.

New Orleans

The City of New Orleans – Lyrics

Ridin’ on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday mornin’ rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the south-bound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin’ trains that have no names
And freight yards full of old black men
And the grave-yards of the rusted automobiles

Good morning America, how are you?
Say don’t you know me, I’m your native son
I’m the train they call the City of New Orleans
And I’ll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Dealin’ cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain’t no one keepin’ score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels grumblin’ ‘neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers
Ride their father’s magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep, rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

Night time on the City of New Orleans
Changin’ cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we’ll be there by mornin’
Thru the Mississippi darkness rollin’ down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearin’ railroad blues.

Duration : 0:4:50

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina occurred in 2005 and people are still getting rent subsidies. Shouldn’t they have moved along by now, it  is 2011?

Were they a government dependent class before the Hurricane – is this just a continuation of the entitlement mentality?

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/end_of_rent_help_is_a_disaster.html

“End of rent help is a disaster for many Hurricane Katrina victims”

Hurricane Katrina is creating a feeling of entitlement.

yes, yes and yes…. we reap what we sow… in this case, a Big Brother (government) Will Take Care Of You mindset… and that passes from generation to generation. It’s not doing anyone any favors, since people don’t use their God-given talents and skills to provide for themselves and their families and build a future of which they can be proud. It’s actually an insult… but that’s not how it’s perceived.

Hurricane Katrina