'Chasing Nashville' Recap - Season 1, Episode 2: Chance of a Lifetime

Autumn Blair, star of Chasing Nashville season 1 on Lifetime
Autumn Blair, star of Chasing Nashville season 1 on Lifetime
By A.D. AMOROSI

For season one, episode two of Chasing Nashville (Lifetime), three young women (Helena Hunt, Autumn Blair, Savannah Little), who made it through the last episode’s Hillbilly Days try-outs, head into the finals with their sights set on stardom. Competing singers such as Julia Knight share their spotlight, producer/judge Keith Thomas approaches these promising vocalists about joining him in Nashville, and Lauren Marie Presley’s mom, Lara, goes full momager.

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' S2, E9: Rachelle Rak Saves Trinity

Tina and Trinity on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Season 2
Tina and daughter Trinity on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), Travis was cut, leaving only five contestants to vie for the $100,000 cash prize and a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School of New York: Kalani, McKaylee, Trinity, Gianna and JoJo. This week on AUDC season 2, episode 9 the theme is "Nightmares", the skill is "technique" and the winner's reward is the opportunity to assign the competition routines. It's a fantastic week for choreography; all of the numbers are exceptional and McKaylee even flies! In the end, dancing gymnast Trinity is cut, but gets the best birthday gift ever when Rachelle Rak saves Trinity with her "Callback Card."

Remembering Lou Reed: Conversations with Journalist A.D. Amorosi

Lou Reed and Metallica
Lou Reed and Metallica
By A.D. AMOROSI

There are so many things that sprung to mind when I heard the news that Lou Reed had died on October, 27, 2013, at age 71, from complications due to liver damage (he had a liver transplant in May 2013) . I immediately grieved for his wife, Laurie Anderson. I was devastated that punk rock’s architect was gone. I also remembered that Reed had called me an “ass----” on more than one occasion. Of this, I couldn’t be prouder.

Casting Notice: New Spike TV Cooking Show 'Frankenfood' Seeks Contestants

Spike Tv logo
Sharp Entertainment is casting for SPIKE TV's new cooking show Frankenfood
By GLAMOROSI

We recently reported that Philly food entrepreneur Tony Luke Jr. had signed on as a judge for SPIKE TV's upcoming competitive cooking show Frankenfood that will be hosted by Chef Josh Capon. Now we've received a casting notice that the show's producers at Sharp Entertainment are looking for contestants; everyone from experienced chefs to home cooks are welcome to apply, and one lucky person on each episode will win $10,000.

French Jazz in Philadelphia: Madeleine Peyroux, Eddie Lang Tribute

Madeleine Peyroux
By A.D. AMOROSI

Two very different brands of French jazz occur in Philadelphia this weekend when chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux plays the Merriam Theater on Friday, October 25, and the late swing guitar great Eddie Lang is celebrated this Sunday, October 27 at Rollers in Germantown.

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' S2 E8 Wild Wild West: Travis Eliminated

Travis from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
Travis from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), Ally was cut due to her lack of technical skills, which Abby Lee Miller and her fellow judges attributed to her lack of formal ballet training. This week on AUDC season 2, episode 8 titled "Wild Wild West", the remaining six contestants compete under the theme "Country Western", the skill the judges are looking for is "jumping", and the winner of the Group Dance Challenge gets to save one contestant from the bottom three. Despite receiving mostly positive feedback after his competition dance, Travis was eliminated.

'Chasing Nashville' Docu-series Premieres on Lifetime

Helena Hunt from Chasing Nashville on Lifetime
Helena Hunt from Chasing Nashville on Lifetime
By A.D. AMOROSI

The Lifetime Network’s new docu-series, Chasing Nashville, takes a fascinating approach to the usual televised talent contest concept. Rather than toss dozens of young innocents to the lions, or laughingly present the silliest of off-key singers along with its serious vocalists, Chasing Nashville focuses on four teenaged girls dedicated to making a name in country music. The biggest surprise of Chasing Nashville is that it’s a reality show with heart, one that tells the story of competitive spirit without flash.

'Walking Dead' Television Show Impacts Theater and Fashion

Paula Conway's new Walking Dead fan guide, DEAD SEXY
DEAD SEXY, The Walking Dead Fan Guide (Riverdale Avenue Books)
By A.D. AMOROSI

Walking Dead fans are having the best week ever. Sunday night’s season four premiere earned the TV show its highest ratings with 16.1 million viewers. For fashion lovers there's Paula Conway's new book, DEAD SEXY: The WALKING DEAD Fan Guide to Zombie Style, Beauty, Parties, and a Ghoul-Lurching UNlifestyle, published this week by Riverdale Avenue Books. Meanwhile, theater-goers can see the work of playwright Danai Gurira, the actress behind The Walking Dead’s mysterious character "Michonne," during the Philly run of her play The Convert at the Wilma Theater, October 16 through November 10.

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' Recap: Fairytales Come to Life

Ally from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Season 2
Ally from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Season 2
By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), Tyler was cut so his twin brother Travis attempted to quit and go home with him, but he changed his mind after an intense conversation with Abby Lee Miller. This week, on season 2, episode 7 titled "Fairytales Come to Life," Travis and his fellow contestants compete under the theme "Fairy Tales", the skill the judges are looking for is turns, and the Group Dance Challenge (GDC) reward is a private lesson with Abby. By the end of the show, Ally's lack of formal ballet training does her in, and she is eliminated.

Philly's 'Top Chef' Hits Year 2 for Sbraga, Prepares to Open The Fat Ham

Ben Fileccia, Kevin Sbraga and Munish Narula at Sbraga in Philadelphia
L to R: Ben Fileccia, Kevin Sbraga and, Munish Narula at Sbraga in Philadelphia
BY A.D. AMOROSI

Top Chef season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga has made year two as a restaurant owner a monumental one. The Philadelphia chef’s namesake restaurant on Broad Street – Sbraga – starts October with a special, second anniversary menu that’s served only at its Chef’s Counter. The restaurateur is also busy with The Fat Ham, his second eatery, scheduled to open next month at the Left Bank Building in the University City area.

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' S2 E6: Broadway Backstabbers

Tyler from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Season 2
Tyler from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition season 2
By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), Abby Lee Miller surprised everyone by using her "Callback Card" to bring back Kalani, her favorite contestant who had been cut a week earlier. Then, the aspiring dancers competed in a martial arts challenge, the winner's mom got to pick the bottom three, and that led to Haley being cut. This week on AUDC season 2, episode 6 titled "Broadway Backstabbers," the theme is "Broadway," and the skill the judges are looking for is versatility. Judge Rachelle Rak leads the Group Dance Challenge, McKaylee wins a solo, and during the elimination, Travis steps forward to quit AUDC.

Master Stylist André Richard Baldini to Open ARS LAB Salon in Philly

André Richard Baldini with a client
André Richard Baldini with a client
By GLAMOROSI

On Thursday, October 10, master stylist André Richard Baldini will open ARS LAB, a full service hair salon focused on cutting edge technology and health. The salon will cater to men and women, and will feature services such as cutting, MAC makeup applications and lessons, creative and corrective hair color, texturizing and conditioning. To celebrate the opening, ARS LAB will throw a party and open house on October 10 from 6-9 PM with complimentary light bites, champagne and swag bags. To attend contact RSVP@AndreRichardSalon.com.

James Beard Foundation's 'Taste America' Tour Stops in Philadelphia

The James Beard Foundation Taste America Tour poster
The James Beard Foundation Taste America Tour hits Philly on October 4
By A.D. AMOROSI

The James Beard Foundation, created in dedication to the late, critically-acclaimed chef and author, is one of the food world’s most valued commodities with award-giving culinary events held exclusively at its Manhattan outpost, the James Beard House. That’s what makes the Foundation’s October Taste America Traveling Food Festival – with stops in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Phoenix – so magical. Food lovers and top chefs get the chance to interact, and of course, eat and cook. The Philly stop is Friday, October 4, at Peachtree & Ward's Pêche in East Falls.

Philly's Tony Luke Jr. to Judge New Cooking Reality Show 'Frankenfood'

(L to R) A.D. Amorosi and Tony Luke Jr., Philly Burger Brawl - Photo by Glamorosi
A.D. Amorosi (left) and Tony Luke Jr. were judges at Philly Burger Brawl 2013
By A.D. AMOROSI

Tony Luke Jr. – actor, producer, Philadelphia-based king of the sous vide frozen cheesesteak – is having a great autumn. Not only is he readying Tony Luke sandwich shops in Ocean City, NJ, Temple University’s main campus, and Philadelphia International Airport (he just opened at the Laurel Lanes bowling alley in Maple Shade, NJ) while looking for funding for his next movie, the infamous gay Mummers story, Queens for a Day that he’ll film for director Leo Rossi. Last night, it was announced that the recently slimmed down Luke will soon have to eat his way through huge meals and interesting culinary concepts for the SPIKE TV network’s newest food show, Frankenfood. That program will air in the Spring of 2014.

'Inside Llewyn Davis' Film Hosts Sardi's Party and Town Hall Concert

Sardi's in he heart of Broadway in New York City
Sardi's is in the heart of Broadway in New York City
By A.D. AMOROSI

Writer/directors Ethan and Joel Coen, along with their producer Joel Silver, took over Manhattan on Sunday for their upcoming film Inside Llewyn Davis. The movie - due out December 2013 - is a caustic love letter to New York City’s pre-Dylan folk music scene of the early 1960s, Sunday’s Inside Llewyn Davis concert at Town Hall found several of the film’s stars (Oscar Isaac, co-stars John Goodman, Carey Mulligan, Adam Driver), soundtrack producer T Bone Burnett, and their friends celebrating its music on stage. A pre-concert party was also a treat: an old fashioned cocktail soiree with Joel Silver holding court at the legendary Sardi’s.

Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, Anything Can Happen: Kalani Returns

Kira and daughter Kalani from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition season 2
Kira and daughter Kalani from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition season 2
By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), the contestants had to perform on silks (as in, Cirque du Soleil-style aerial work) and impress the judges with their flexibility. In the end, head judge Abby Lee Miller let her favorite dancer be cut, leaving many viewers to wonder, "Why didn't Abby use her Callback Card to save Kalani?" This week on AUDC season 2, episode 5 titled, "Anything Can Happen", Abby changes her mind, and asks Kalani to return to the AUDC. That's not the only drama though: this week's theme is "Unconventional," the Group Dance Challenge has the dancers in a martial arts battle with Abby, and the winner's mother gets to pick the bottom three!