Celebrity

The NEXT Blog

The latest in pop culture, celeb news, cool events and entertainment

By Flare Staff July 2, 2008

The NEXT Blog
June 2008

[6.30.08]

Paul Potts

ROOTING FOR THE UNDERDOG Simon Cowell is teaming up with Paramount to make a movie about the life of opera singer Paul Potts. In case you don’t already know who Potts is, he is a former mobile phone salesman and the 2007 winner of Britain’s Got Talent. Check out his goose-bump worthy performance on youtube. Alexandra Breen

[6.27.08]

Martha Wainwright

WE HEART MARTHA It’s hard to forget a Martha Wainwright concert. Even though I saw her at the MOD club on June 6th, her powerful vocals and amazing stage presence has got me listening to her new album I Know You’re Married But I Have Feelings Too non-stop.
Elio Iannacci

[6.26.08]

The Toronto Urban Film Festival

SUBWAY CINEMA You know those little TV screens that play the news and latest stock updates on the subway? Well they’re going to be put to use for The Toronto Urban Film Festival – an eight-day long public film festival taking place on the TTC. Films of any genre can be submitted as long as they’re exactly 60 seconds long. Prizes include a trip to Aruba, a Sony HD Camcorder, MP3 players and more! The submission deadline is July 1st, so check out the website for more details: torontourbanfilmfestival.com
Katy Sems, Flare Intern

[6.25.08]

Black Watch

A MUST WATCH I had the opportunity to grab some tickets to Black Watch by Gregory Burke of the National Theatre of Scotland during its Luminato run in Toronto. The script was fantastic and the choreography was breathtaking. If it ever comes to a city near you, it is worth the trip. The amazing special effects and clever dialogue will keep you on the edge of your seat! Katy Sems, Flare Intern

[6.24.08]

Hercules and Love Affair

DISCO STARS. Although we’ve already covered Hercules and Love Affair in FLARE, I have to give the Brooklyn based nü-disco group another shout out. Their new single—”We Belong”—has a video that just broke on youtube. I love it. Elio Iannacci

[6.23.08]

M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel’s band She & Him

BAD TIMING Somehow my vacation time always coincides with concerts I desperately want to see. I’ve missed Band of Horses the past two times they were in Toronto and now I’m going to be on my honeymoon when M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel’s band She & Him play at the Opera House on July 23. Bummer! Alexandra Breen

[6.20.08]

30 Rock, Dexter, The Wire

COUCH POTATO I know I’m a little late to jump on the bandwagon, but I’m totally addicted to TV on DVD. It all started with 30 Rock, then it was Dexter and now I’ve moved onto The Wire. I’m thinking Weeds is next. Alexandra Breen

[6.19.08]

Katy Perry

I KISSED A GIRL… Katy Perry’s debut album, One of the Boys, featuring her two smash hits “Ur So Gay” and “I Kissed A Girl” drops June 17th. I am very excited (and not just because we share the same first name). This “it” girl is tearing it up with her clever and catchy pop hits just in time to take over the charts this summer! Katy Sems, Flare Intern

[6.18.08]

The Ten Kens

FRIEND PROPS Last week I kicked off NXNE by checking out my friend’s band, Ten Kens, at the Drake. Their first single “Bearfight” is the perfect tune to crank while you’re getting ready to go out at night. But it has to be played really, really loud in order to be fully appreciated. Take a listen: myspace.com/tenkens. Alexandra Breen

[6.17.08]

Pop Justice

POP GOES THE WEB I love to read www.popjustice.com. It makes me laugh. It makes me angry. It makes me think. The writing is hilarious and occasionally brilliant. Elio Iannacci

[6.16.08]

New Kids on the Block

NKOTB 4 EVER Yesterday I got to see Joe McIntyre up close at the MMVA’s. If this happened fifteen years ago when his face was plastered all over my bedroom, I probably would have passed out. I have to admit, he’s still looking pretty fine. Alexandra Breen

[6.13.08]

Young People F–king

INSIDE OUT Last month I attended the Toronto Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and was astounded by the amount of great movies I was able to see. The best of the bunch was a documentary called Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell. A 25-year-old New Yorker by the name of Matt Wolf directed it and gave me an education on the underrated genius that Arthur Russell was (he produced underground dance tracks such as “Go Bang” and “Is It All Over My Face”). I can’t wait until next year’s fest. Elio Iannacci

[6.12.08]

Young People F–king

YOUNG PEOPLE F–KING Finally this Canadian 2007 TIFF contender is hitting theatres June 13th! If you’re in the mood for some razor-sharp, embarrassing, laugh-out-loud comedy, you should definitely try to see this film with your friends. Katy Sems, Flare Intern

[6.11.08]

Listener

HOT SERIES Last week I attended CTV’s upfronts. They announced an exciting new show called the Listener about a telepathic man struggling to fit into society. It stars some hot, young Canadian talent including Craig Olejnik (Toby Logan) and former model Lisa Marcos (Charlie Marks). Clement Virgo (Poor Boy’s Game, Lie With Me) directed the pilot. Alexandra Breen

[6.10.08]

Cyndi Lauper

CYNDI LAUPER IS BETTER THAN MADONNA There, I’ve said it. Now before you Madonnaholics start burnin’ up, let me explain. Cyndi Lauper’s latest disc, Bring Ya To The Brink is brilliant. It contains some of today’s most exquisite pop dance around (download “Echo”, “Grab A Hold” and “Lay Me Down” on Amazon or iTunes for proof) and it is produced by envelope-pushing artists such as Dragonette, Basement Jaxx and Kleerup. Having just seen Cyndi belt it out at the True Colours concert on Wednesday, I can honestly say her new songs stand up strong against her classic ones. However, Madonna’s Hard Candy sounds a whole lot like Nelly Furtado’s b-sides. Produced by the obviously exhausted Justin Timberlake and Timbaland—songs such as “Give It 2 Me” and “Candy Shop” just don’t sound quite as modern as Madge’s back catalogue of progressive pop (namely Erotica and Confessions On A Dancefloor). Elio Iannacci

[6.9.08]

A Wolf at the Table

BEAUTIFUL MIND Augusten Burroughs, the author of Running with Scissors, is back with another memoir called A Wolf at the Table. It’s a heartbreaking glimpse into his early childhood years. I’ve broken into full-on tears twice now, and I still have 80 pages to go. I’m super excited to sit down with Mr. Burroughs later this week, stay tuned for the interview. Alexandra Breen

[6.6.08]

Kate Hudson

GOOD THINGS DO COME IN SMALL PACKAGES North America’s largest short film fest is kicking off in Toronto on June 10 -15. I can’t wait to see Hollywood’s golden girl, Kate Hudson, make her directorial début with Cutlass. The flick stars Dakota Fanning, Virginia Madsen, Chevy Chase and Hudson’s step dad, Kurt Russell. Alexandra Breen

[6.5.08]

Nintendo’s Wii Fit

TV TRAINING Nintendo’s Wii Fit has just been introduced in Canada and its super easy and super fun. It’s like having a personal trainer in your living room! You can strength train, do cardio or try aerobics and yoga. As soon as you try it, you’ll be hooked. Katy Sems

[6.4.08]

Big Apple Restaurant

ROAD TRIPPIN” Wanted to post this just for fun. This past weekend I hit the road for Montreal (more on that later) and stopped by this roadside attraction/restaurant in Colborne for a slice of apple pie. Elio Iannacci

[6.3.08]

The Submarines

SOUND CHECK Last weekend I checked out The Submarines’ concert at the Drake. Despite the fact that the crowd was lacking, the California based pop duo delivered a brilliant performance. I especially enjoyed the Postal Service-esque tune “Thorny Thicket” and the super catchy “You, Me & The Bourgeoisie” (both off their latest disc Honeysuckle Weeks).

Coldplay

I also attended a listening session for the new Coldplay album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (which is dropping on June 17). It’s full of epic sounding tracks that reminded me at times of U2, Arcade Fire and even Sigur Ros. Alexandra Breen

[6.2.08]

Better Than Prince

THE FRESH FRENCH PRINCE We really dig this French singer and not just because his name is Flairs. Click here to take a look at the video for his first single “Better Than Prince”. Très cool in our books. Elio Iannacci

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