Review: Vegetarian Viet Nam Cookbook by Cameron Stauch

By REESE AMOROSI

Chef Cameron Stauch has a unique and diverse background: he has prepared meals for royals and dignitaries while cooking for the Governor General of Canada, and he has immersed himself in local cuisines while living in Southeast Asia. Now, Stauch combines his culinary expertise and life experiences in a new cookbook, Vegetarian Viet Nam (W. W. Norton & Company).

Michelle Obama to Speak at Pennsylvania Conference for Women, Release Book

By A.D. AMOROSI

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has spent her first seven months away from the White House on vacation with her husband, the USA’s 44th President, Barack Obama. As of July, however, she’s back in the public eye with the announcement of a speaking engagement at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, and news of a book, Chasing Light, showcasing photos from her time in Washington – both in October.

Interview: Comedian and Author John Heffron Stands Up

By A.D. AMOROSI

Stand-up comedian John Heffron will always be known as the winner of the second season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2004, and for a brand of blue-collar humor he calls “middle class funny” (a term that also doubles as the name of his live DVD). Beyond that, however, Heffron is the author of advice book, I COME TO YOU FROM THE FUTURE: Everything You’ll Need to Know Before You Know It, based in part on his time as a psychology major at Eastern Michigan University, studies he still uses in his comedy.

Interview: Ritch Shydner on the 1980’s Stand-Up Comedy Boom

By A.D. AMOROSI

With producer Jim Carrey’s television version of I'm Dying Up Here coming to small screens in June, the illustrious, notorious past of America’s stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s and the 1980s has come sharply into view. Not only was comedian Ritch Shydner a longtime part of that golden era, he’s been one of its keenest documentarians. In addition to writing on series such as The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Roseanne and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Shydner authored 2007’s I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics, as well as the recently-released Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life as a Stand-Up In the 1980s Comedy Boom, the latter book released the same time as his General Maladies live stand-up album.

Like Mother, Like Daughter: A Conversation with Debbie Reynolds

By A.D. AMOROSI

The world barely had time to mourn the death of actor-author Carrie Fisher – a woman famed for roles ranging from her iconic Princess Leia in the Star Wars saga to the recent comedy series Catastrophe, and books including Postcards from the Edge (also a film released in 1990) and The Princess Diarist – before her mother, Debbie Reynolds, passed away. Renowned for her boundless energy and roles in classics such as Singin' in the Rain, The Tender Trap and her Oscar-nominated turn as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Reynolds was a queen of Hollywood with Fisher as her princess. In January 1997, I met with Ms. Reynolds to interview her about her title role in the Albert Brooks film, Mother, for the now-defunct Philadelphia City Paper.

Review: Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg Virginia by Tim Scullion

By REESE AMOROSI

Although American Horror Story: My Roanoke Nightmare recently aired its finale, fans of haunted houses don't have to travel far for a scare. Just 150 miles north of Roanoke, North Carolina, lies Williamsburg, Virginia, and within it, Historic Colonial Williamsburg, an area so reportedly rife with paranormal activity that there are guided ghost tours. While working as a tour guide, author and photographer Tim Scullion was inspired to document sightings, and this led to his latest book, Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia: with Breakthrough Ghost Photography.

Review: Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks

Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks

By A.D. AMOROSI

To most people, singer Bobby Rydell is a happy voice from their past, a joyful, rock n' rolling presence best known for early 60s hits such as "Volare" and "Wild One" as well as Hollywood musicals such as 1963's Bye Bye Birdie. Now, you can add author to that list as the crooner – with fellow musician and writer Allan Slutsky – has penned and published his autobiography Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks.

New Releases (and Re-releases) Commemorate Frank Sinatra's 100th Birthday

Re-releases commemorate Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday

By A.D. AMOROSI

On December 12, 2015, Frank Sinatra would have been 100 years old.  He was always protean and strong, a sound and vision of the smart American male who had, in the words of author Gay Talese, "survived as a national phenomenon, one of the few pre-war products to withstand the test of time, "even in an age when the very young seem to be taking over, protesting and picketing and demanding change." Sinatra is the music of America's 20th Century, its swing, sway and romance. Though it's grand to celebrate his catalog of music and film at any time, marking 100 years just seems appropriate.

Sports Writer Gabe Oppenheim Releases 'Boxing in Philadelphia' Book

Boxing in Philadelphia by Gabe Oppenheim

By A.D. AMOROSI

With his debut book Boxing in Philadelphia: Tales of Struggle and Survival, Philly sports writer Gabe Oppenheim realizes a longtime dream of his by placing the City of Brotherly Love, its classic pugilists and historic events of the fight game alongside other legendary boxing towns and arenas. Oppenheim read from his book in Philadelphia last night (February 17), and will do so again on March 24 at the Muhlenberg Branch of the New York Public Library (209 West 23rd Street, NYC, 212.924.1585).

Interview: Marky Ramone on Life as a Ramone, Writer and Entrepreneur

By A.D. AMOROSI

When it comes to interviewing Marky Ramone, there are many topics to touch on. He was a heavy metal drummer (Dust) who made his bones with transvestite rocker Wayne County and punk avatar Richard Hell. He was the first, non-original Ramones member and has carried on that band’s legend with his act, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg. He’s a satellite radio host for SiriusXM, a noted culinary entrepreneur selling his own ice cream, marinara sauce, cookies and beer, and now, an author with the release of his autobiographical Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone. Marky Ramone will appear at Philadelphia’s Free Library’s main branch on January 29 at 7 PM as part of his ongoing book tour.

Neil Young Calls Out President Obama and CSNY at Philly Show

Neil Young's Storytone album

By A.D. AMOROSI

On the cusp of releasing two versions of his latest album, Storytone, and a new autobiography about his first love (Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life & Cars), Neil Young caused a stir during his recent sold-out shows at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music by dissing President Obama, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the curious state of married bliss (remember, he did just leave his wife of 36 years Pegi Young, for actress Daryl Hannah).  Then again, it wouldn’t be much of a Neil Young event if the veteran songwriter didn’t raise some sort of ruckus.

Jennifer Weiner Launches Tour for New Book 'All Fall Down'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Jennifer Weiner made her name with her first two novels, Good in Bed (2001) and In Her Shoes (2002), the latter made more famous by its film version starring Cameron Diaz. Although the Philadelphia native's immediate follow-ups Little Earthquakes (2004) and Goodnight Nobody (2005) didn’t earn similar critical acclaim, they were popular with readers and made the New York Times Best Seller lists. The prolific Weiner (with six more books after those first four) just released her newest and possibly best novel, All Fall Down (Atria Books, June 17, 2014), and is touring both coasts starting with June 19’s twin events at the Princeton Public Library at noon and the Philadelphia Free Library’s main branch at 7 PM.

Larry Kane to Make Beatles Documentary with Tigre Hill

L to R: Paul McCartney, Larry Kane and John Lennon in 1964

By A.D. AMOROSI

You can’t keep Larry Kane down for long. No sooner than it was announced that the veteran anchorman (famous for gigs at WPVI-TV, WCAU-TV and KYW-TV in Philadelphia) was released from his Comcast Network program, Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, the newsman has a list of projects he’s working on, including a documentary dedicated to his most notable side project: his time as the sole journalist to follow The Beatles during their first tour of America in 1964.

Lifetime TV's 'Flowers in the Attic' is Creepy, Campy Fun

L to R: Kiernan Shipka and Ellen Burstyn in Flowers in the Attic on Lifetime TV

By A.D. AMOROSI

Back in the 80s, no home was complete without a dog-eared copy of V.C. Andrew's Flowers in the Attic, a tale of forbidden love, lost childhood and rotten parenting skills. It’s heartening then, that the Lifetime Network has filmed an adaptation of the strange, sad book without scrubbing clean the elements of incest that made it edgy. Casting Mad Men regular Kiernan Shipka as the intuitive teen and Ellen Burstyn as the Grandmother whose punishing anger drives each character (like her self-centered daughter Corrine played by Heather Graham) is key to Flowers success. This 2014 version isn’t as sinister as the book, but it is creepy, campy fun. The movie airs on Lifetime TV on January 18 at 8 PM.

Interview: Josh Piven, Author of the Play 'No Reservations'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Josh Piven, Philadelphia native and the author behind The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, gives playwriting a go with No Reservations, a work debuting this weekend in his hometown at the Adrienne Theater’s Skybox on Sansom Street. Though Jesus isn’t the focus of the New York Times best-selling humorist’s satirical Nativity play – a social media-savvy look at celebrity obsession - don’t let that stop you from griping. "I encourage protesting," says Piven. "We’d love the publicity."

Doogie Horner Releases Book ‘100 Ghosts: A Gallery of Harmless Haunts’

100 Ghosts: A Gallery of Harmless Haunts by Doogie Horner

By A.D. AMOROSI

Stand up comedian Doogie Horner is a lot things, a former contestant on the NBC reality competition show America’s Got Talent, a one-time Philadelphian, an author and graphic designer. This week, September 11 through September 14, Horner – who moved to New York City early in 2013 – returns to his native Philadelphia for the release of his newest book, 100 Ghosts: A Gallery of Harmless Haunts (Quirk Publishing), a séance celebrating its publication, and several stand up gigs.

Thom Nickels Releases Novellas 'Walking on Water' and 'After All This'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Philadelphia-based author Thom Nickels has written books and essays about a wide range of topics including local architecture, Catholicism, gay and lesbian legends and conscientious objectors (of which he was one during the Vietnam War). For his just-released ninth book, Nickels has penned two novellas, Walking on Water and After All This, with science fiction and spirituality as the link between each work’s alternate universes. Nickels will read from and sign copies of this new work at 5:30 PM on June 22, at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S 12th Street, Phila. PA.

Chef Maneet Chauhan from 'Chopped' to Appear at Tashan in Philadelphia

Chef Maneet Chauhan will appear at Tashan in Philadelphia on April 19

By A.D. AMOROSI

Tashan, Philadelphia’s premier modern Indian restaurant and lounge (777 S Broad Street), welcomes celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan this Friday, April 19. Chauhan, a judge on the Food Network's Chopped reality series, a one-time competitor on Iron Chef, a recent recipient of the James Beard Award for Excellence, and the author of the upcoming cookbook Flavors of My World (out on May 1), will be cooking and making cocktails at Tashan. The restaurant's Executive Chef, Sylva Senat, will be preparing the night’s appetizer and dessert.

Projekt Records Label Boss Sam Rosenthal Releases Erotic Novel 'Rye'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Sam Rosenthal has long been a fixture when it comes to the dark wave music scene (ethereal, Goth, cabaret). Rosenthal has been successfully running the Projekt label since 1983 with his spidery ensemble, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, as that label’s most popular act.  Now in 2013, Rosenthal has done something daringly different from his norm: he’s written and released his debut novel, Rye, and made it sharply erotic.

Yoko Ono Still an Inspiration at Age 80

Yoko Ono will re-issue her album catalog this year

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week, Yoko Ono celebrated her eightieth birthday, but there’s no slowing down for this avant-garde artist we first got to know during the Fluxus movement in the early 1960s. Instead, the Japanese primal scream-singer and poet seems as ceaseless as she is restless and forward thinking. “I work fast,” Ono told me during a 2009 interview for Blurt Magazine. “I let myself happen.”