EVENTS: 3rd ANNUAL BET HONORS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

The 3rd Annual BET Honors was held at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. on Saturday night (January 16th). Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, and Sean “Diddy” Combs were among the people that were honored at the Gabrielle Union hosted event.

The show will air on February 1 at 8pm on BET and also features performances from: Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J Blige, India.Arie, Patti LaBelle, Maxwell, Trey Songz and more.

Cate Blanchett: A Streetcar Named Washington D.C.

Cate Blanchett goes for a morning walk with a friend on Saturday (November 7) in Washington D.C.

The 40-year-old Aussie actress is in town performing her critically acclaimed play, A Streetcar Named Desire. Last weekend, Cate attended the opening night reception of the play held at the Kennedy Center’s Embassy of Australia in D.C.

A Streetcar Named Desire continues through Nov. 21 at the Kennedy Center. The show is sold out!

Jay-Z Announces 2010 North American Tour Dates

Young Jeezy will open; tickets go on sale November 13.
By MTV News staff

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Jay-Z


Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty Images

Mere hours after Jay-Z rocked the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin, he announced the North American dates for his 2010 BP3 Tour via a press release from promoter Live Nation. The tour will begin on February 22 in Houston, with more dates to be announced soon.

Young Jeezy is scheduled to open all dates on the tour, tickets for which go on sale beginning November 13.

The first leg of the tour is still under way, with dates in Fresno, California (Saturday), Los Angeles (Sunday), Austin, Texas (Tuesday) and Champaign, Illinois (November 12).

The second leg will make stops in Dallas; New Orleans; Atlanta; Greensboro, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; Indianapolis; Denver; Los Angeles; and more, according to the press release. Additional day of show and on-sale information will be announced shortly for stops in East Rutherford, New Jersey; Uniondale, New York; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Detroit.

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday through Citi’s Private Pass Program, and will also have access to VIP Ticket Packages.

Jay-Z’s 2010 North American tour dates, according to Live Nation:
» — 2/22 Houston @ Toyota Center
» — 2/23 Dallas @ American Airlines Center
» — 2/25 New Orleans @ New Orleans Arena
» — 2/27 Atlanta @ Philips Arena
» — 2/28 Greensboro, North Carolina @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex
» — 3/3 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» — 3/7 Norfolk, Virginia @ Scope Arena
» — 3/11 Boston @ TD Garden
» — 3/16 Pittsburgh @ Mellon Arena
» — 3/19 St. Louis @ Scottrade Center
» — 3/20 Indianapolis @ Conseco Fieldhouse
» — 3/22 Denver @ Pepsi Center
» — 3/24 San Jose, California @ HP Pavilion
» — 3/26 Los Angeles @ Staples Center

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Spooky Scientology Center Opening Today in D.C. to Protests and Pissed-Off Commuters

Why’d Scientology unveil their new Washington D.C. “Ideal Org” on Halloween, of all days? ‘Guess the wide public perception of Scientology being spooky-sketchy hasn’t taken. Whatever the incentive: it’s pissing off commuters, being protested, and—naturally—has Anonymous spies inside.

After causing a ruckus in Rome, and stirring up chaos in Nashville, the Church of Scientology came down on D.C. today to reveal their new “Ideal Org” building, which is apparently like Scientology’s version of the special McDonalds that serve all the new special things that the rest of America has to wait for first, or something: it’s a special super-awesome Scientology outpost.

To help assist the citizens of D.C. welcome it, they shut down a huge street, hung giant sheets, and tried to scatter and rid themselves of protesters. Via DCist:

Police are out in full force around the humongous 50,000-square foot building, and security is tight — a ten-foot tall white temporary barricade is blocking off 16th Street; there are huge draping banners reading “SCIENTOLOGY” and “DIANETICS”, though, in case those walking by on their Saturday jaunts to the 14th and P retail corridor were wondering what the hell was going on with this big white thing in the middle of the street.

Ohhhh. That’s why those people are creepily going through that gigantic white sheet. Wonder what’s on the other side of it? I know! It’s a small man with scary eyes named David Miscavage. He’s the head of Scientology and he talked to his Scientology followers today.

There’re way fun things in this picture! See if you can spot the guy in the anti-psychology jacket. And important Scientologists! And the guy in the peach-colored shirt who looks like he’s missing his head. And here’re more people ready for Miscavage to rock their faces:

There’re also the people waving French flags outside this joint in honor of France’s recent ruling against Scientology “fleecing” followers. Fleecing, indeed.

Looks like they keep on keepin’ on after the awful week they just had, between Tommy Davis’ freakouts and Paul Haggis’ resignation from the church. So, basically, your typical Scientology shitshow. If you have any reports from what was said on the inside, let’s hear ‘em.

Olivia Wilde Looks Amazing

Oliva Wilde was spotted looking really good at this celebrity event. Olivia does not always get a lot of attention, but she manages to stay on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list. I guess that in itself says quite a bit about this talented (in more ways than 1, I’m sure) actress. Hair, dress, makeup—all beautiful as far as I can tell. Olivia’s next movies to be released are the ”Tron Legacy,” which is in post-production and then ”Next Three Days,” which is she is currently filming. And I am looking forward to seeing more of this celeb in action!

More about actress Oliva Wilde:

Olivia Wilde was born Olivia Jane Cockburn on March 10, 1984 in New York City. Although Olivia grew up in Washington D.C., she spent her summers in Ireland and studied in the renowned Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. The actress is the daughter of journalist parents Andrew and Leslie Cockburn and the granddaughter of writer James Helvick.

Olivia attended Phillips Academy, a boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, and was nearly kicked out on more than one occassion. After graduating, Olivia moved to Los Angeles to pursue a new career. She got an internship job as a casting director for the movie “The Girl Next Door.” She was given a small role in the movie, which starred Elisha Cuthbert. Olivia also appeared in the films “Alpha Dog” and “Turistas.” On television, Olivia Wilde has had regular roles in the short-lived shows “Skins,” as wellas “The Black Donnellys.”

Of course, the role she is probably most known for is playing Alex Kelly, who had a bisexual relationship with Mischa Barton’s character Marissa in “The O.C..” In 2007, another big break came her way when she was cast in the new team of interns in the FOX medical drama “House.”

Olivia married Tao Ruspoli, a documentary filmmaker, photographer and flamenco guitar player on June 7, 2003. They reside in Venice, Los Angeles, California.

Todd English’s Jilted Bride Turns Herself in on Assault Charges

Erica Wang, the woman that celebrity chef Todd English left at the altar and filed assault charges against, marched down to the 13th Precinct to face the music. And she even sent us a statement. The PR war rages on!

We got this statement from Wang’s lawyer Charles Clayman, who has an associate’s degree in spin.

“Immediately after learning a complaint had been filed, my client voluntarily arranged to appear this morning at the 13th Precinct in Manhattan. This is just the beginning, because NYPD policy requires this process whenever a complaint of this kind is filed. My client will continue to cooperate, has done nothing wrong and welcomes the opportunity for the District Attorney to reach that conclusion and clear her name.”

Ever since English left Wang at the altar two weeks ago, she has been trying to paint herself as the victim and parlay it into something bigger, like a book deal, TV show, or a line of disposable wedding dresses. She got herself booked onto both NBC’s The Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America earlier this week but got bounced, we hear, after English’s lawyers complained. English is trying to make her look like a crazy lady who beats him so that she won’t threaten his master cookery empire, which given the shitty economy, has a seen a few restaurants close down, including his Olives outpost in D.C.

We kind of wish we could just put these two in a locked room so they can duke it out and a clear winner can emerge. Instead, we get to watch as their flacks wage a protracted war. It’s like Afghanistan, except the media is actually covering it.

Miltitant Gay Activists Unveil New Tactics: Glamdalism

Leave it to the gays to take something old and tired and make it exciting again. Radical gay activist group Bash Back has committed the first act of “glamdalism.” It’s like vandalism, but with pink paint and glitter grenades.

Bash Back, a collective of grassroots militant activist chapters across the country, announced on their website that they defaced the headquarters of gay civil rights group the Human Rights Campaign Headquarters in D.C. this weekend before Sunday afternoon’s National Equality March. It’s gay-on-gay crime!

HRC headquarters was rocked by an act of glamdalism last night by a crew of radical queer and allied folks armed with pink and black paint and glitter grenades. Beside the front entrance and the inscribed mission statement now reads a tag, “Quit leaving queers behind.”

Not that we’re promoting something like vandalism (and the damage they did isn’t nearly as savage as the verbal attacks on their website), but glamdalism really needs to catch on. If we’re going to be protesting things by defacing them, the least we can do is make them pretty and glittery! This picture of the damage on Leslie Ewing’s blog about the march. In the future, we’re thinking about maybe a forest full of sparkly garden gnomes on Fred Phelps’ lawn.

HRC has long been a target of more radical gay factions for what they see as HRC pushing assimilationist attitudes, kowtowing to elected officials, and preserving the status quo. More from Bash Back’s statement:

Just like society today, the HRC is run by a few wealthy elites who are in bed with corporate sponsors who proliferate militarism, heteronormativity, and capitalist exploitation. The sweatshops (Nike), war crimes (Lockheed Martin), assaults on working class people (Bank of America, Deloitte, Chase Bank, Citi Group, Wachovia Bank) and patriarchy (American Apparel) caused by their sponsors is a hypocrisy for an organization with “human rights” in their name.

Of course, not everyone is as excited about glamdalism as we are, especially during a news cycle when Barack Obama and Lady Gaga’s penis are putting a big spotlight on the gay civil rights movement. Glamdalism as a concept is totally rad (as well as radical) but next time, why don’t we turn it on a target that is really oppressing us, rather than a group that tries to help. In the early ’90s, ACT UP! covered Jesse Helm’s house with a condom. That’s what we talking about! And don’t go doing anything illegal, kids. Prison is never pretty, no matter how much pink paint and glitter grenades you have.

Emmy Still Won’t Admit She Isn’t Flying Solo Anymore And Hangs All Over Her Crow Anyway

Alright, seriously – fess up already! We see the two of you together all the time. There is no need to be coy, Emmy Rossum.

While attending yet another star-studded Hollywood event this weekend (the launch of the new W Hotel in Washington D.C.) with her boyfriend Adam Duritz, Emmy remained mum as to the status of their relationship. However, she was keen to point out what a catch he is to the press. She says:

“I get why chicks dig him. He’s extremely kind, incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, creative and respectful.”

But even with this glowing review, she still refused to admit that she and the Counting Crow are an item. She would only offer this tid-bit in passing: “I’d be flattered if someone hit on me tonight, but I really can’t say if I’m available or not.”

We’re still confused as to WHY she won’t say they are together, but if she wants to live in denial, we’ll just keep showing y’all evidence in her face until she admits it.

Surrender! Ha.

[Image via WENN.]

President Obama ‘Opens’ For Lady Gaga At Human Rights Campaign Dinner

Gaga covers John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ at dinner, speaks at National Equality March next day.
By Gil Kaufman

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Lady Gaga performs at the Human Rights Campaign dinner on Saturday in Washington, D.C.


Photo: Alex Wong/ Getty Images

A day after he unexpectedly won the Nobel Peace Prize, President Barack Obama was still just an opening act for a pop star. At the Human Rights Campaign dinner on Saturday night in Washington, D.C., the president joked, “It’s privilege to be here tonight to open for Lady Gaga. … I’ve made it.”

The quip came not long after Obama promised in his speech to the nation’s largest gay-rights group to end the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military. He also said that he’s urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. “My commitment to you is unwavering,” Obama said, noting that some activists have complained that they “don’t believe progress has come fast enough.”

In fact, a number of leading gay activists have grumbled that Obama’s campaign promises about repealing the military’s controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and passing domestic-partner benefits have come to naught so far in his administration, and they’ve urged him to act more quickly on those campaign pledges.

While Obama made headlines with his bold pronouncements, Gaga, who was dressed more demurely than usual for the event in a pouffy, little black dress, black heels and giant round shades, was for many in attendance the real superstar attraction of the night.

During her performance at the 13th annual dinner, Gaga said she was there to “represent those young people who are taking a stand, who are going tomorrow to march with all of us,” referring to Sunday’s National Equality March. “You are inspiring a tremendous number of young people, and I know that tomorrow is going to be just as memorable as tonight was. And I promise to continue and to love and be loyal, to stand up for and to continue to challenge the world, for all of you. I’m not going to play one of my songs tonight because tonight is not about me, tonight is about you.”

The singer then admitted that she changed “some of the words” and a few of the melodies to John Lennon’s classic plea for understanding and peace, “Imagine.” Tinkering with the lyrics, she inserted references to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student whose death became a national rallying cry for hate-crime legislation. “Imagine there’s no heaven/ It’s easy if you try,” Gaga sang in a jazzy croon, “No hell below us/ And only Matthew in the sky.” Later she sang, “People of the nation, are you listening?/ It isn’t equal if it’s sometimes/ I want a real democracy.”

Gaga also appeared during Sunday’s march, and though she didn’t perform, she urged an end to homophobia and misogyny in the music industry and gave props to her “most beautiful gay fans in the world.” Wearing black pants, a white tuxedo shirt and black suspenders, Gaga received a hero’s welcome and said even with all the worldwide success she’s experienced over the past two years, the appearance in front of the adoring crowd on the mall in Washington was “the single most important moment of my career.”

Saying she was inspired by the new young generation of gay activists, Gaga told the crowd, “They say that this country is free and they say that this country is equal, but it’s not equal if it’s sometimes.” Then, to make sure they knew she meant business, she added, “Obama, I know that you’re listening,” then shouted, “Are you listening? … We will continue to push you and your administration to bring your words of promise to a reality. We need change now. We demand actions now.”

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GaGa Imagines Equality For All!

Lady GaGa performed at HRC’s big dinner on Saturday night before the National Equality March in D.C. on Sunday.

She took to the stage to give a speech about the importance of treating everyone the same – legally – and she also performed her own version of John Lennon’s legendary Imagine.

Check it out (above)!

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