'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E8 Wild Wild West Coast, Part 2: Mega Mama Drama

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) girls auditioned for a MattyB video. When Mackenzie Ziegler scored the lead role, Melissa (her mom) signed the contract without consulting teacher/manager Abby Lee Miller, who didn't want her pop star protégé in the video unless she got featured billing. This week on Dance Moms season 5, episode 8 titled "Wild Wild West Coast, Part 2," Abby wants ALL of the girls out of the video, but only Melissa and Jill (Kendall Vertes' mom) honor her wishes. It's a bold move for the others, because Abby never forgets. Meanwhile, the news that Abby plans to cut one girl from the team leads to mega mama drama.

Kid Rock Announces Tour and Releases 'First Kiss' Album

Kid Rock's new album, First Kiss

By A.D. AMOROSI

Kid Rock is not a man to do anything small. Along with releasing his brand new album First Kiss on his new label (Top Dog/Warner Bros.) on February 24, he’ll put tickets on sale for his summer tour with Foreigner the same day. To make those shows affordable to all, tickets from the second row to the lawn seats will be $20. There will also be $20 all-in tickets (including parking) offered at participating Walmarts and venue box offices. Plus, the Kid will be on Howard Stern’s satellite Sirius-XM radio show on February 25 to talk about the whole shebang.

'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E7 Wild Wild West Coast, Part 1: ALDC and MattyB

L to R: Dance Moms stars Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, Holly Frazier scored daughter Nia a recording session with singer Aubrey O'Day but didn't have dance teacher/talent manager Abby Lee Miller's approval, so Nia was cut from the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) group number. This week on Dance Moms season 5 episode 7 "Wild Wild West Coast, Part 1," it's the ALDC's last week in LA. Maddie Ziegler is away taping TV show Austin and Ally, so Abby brings in two alternates, Sarah Reasons and Brynn Rumfallo, who will dance with the girls at competition, and compete against them for a role in a MattyB video. Mackenzie Ziegler lands the lead, but Abby wants to pull her from the shoot unless she gets equal billing with MattyB.

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).

'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E6: Nia Risks it All to Record with Aubrey O'Day

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) moved to Los Angeles, but once there, teacher/talent manager Abby Lee Miller left the team on its own for several days. Abby did attend an audition with the girls, but she criticized Nia Frazier in front of the casting directors, a move that led to mom Holly Frazier going around Abby to get her daughter a professional gig. This week on Dance Moms season 5, episode 6 titled "Nia Risks it All," Holly scores Nia a recording session with Aubrey O'Day, and as a result, Abby cuts Nia from the group routine.

The War on Drugs to Play the Tower Theater on March 27

Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs

By A.D. AMOROSI

With each of their albums since 2008, Philadelphia band The War on Drugs gets bigger, better and more majestic. There’s a level of restless experimentation between that year’s Wagonwheel Blues and 2014’s Lost in the Dream – guided primarily by its singing songwriter Adam Granduciel – that’s taken the band from their blue collar indie-rock roots to something grander and more nuanced in its arrangements and lyrical output. Now, The War on Drugs is gearing up for its largest tour to date including a show at Upper Darby’s Tower Theater on Friday, March 27. Tickets go on sale on February 9 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST.

Al Pacino to Perform 'One Night Only' at Caesars Atlantic City

Al Pacino

By A.D. AMOROSI

After wowing crowds with his Shakespearian recitations at the annual Academy Ball and Concert at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, Al Pacino announced an odd and lovely performance event called One Night Only. The show will hit Caesars Circus Maximus Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday, March 28, 2015; pre-sale for tickets begins February 5.

'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E5 Hello Hollywood, Goodbye Abby: ALDC Moves to LA

Dance Moms Recap S5 E5 "Hello Hollywood, Goodbye Abby": ALDC Moves to LA

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, as the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) prepared to move to Los Angeles, dance coach/ talent manager Abby Lee Miller emphasized that the moms shouldn't book gigs without her; the moms wanted assurance that Abby would promote all of the girls, not just her favorites. This week on Dance Moms season 5, episode 5 "Hello Hollywood, Goodbye Abby" the ALDC moves to LA, but Abby is stressed out and emotional and abandons the team. When Abby IS present, she criticizes Nia Frazier in front of casting directors, which leads to Holly Frazier going around Abby to get daughter Nia work. Meanwhile, the team doesn't get a warm welcome from their LA competitors who want to "make Abby cry" and "squash" the ALDC.

Nile Rodgers and Chic Sign Warner Brothers Deal for First New Album in Decades

Nile Rodgers

By A.D. AMOROSI

Nile Rodgers made news this week. On February 3, his biggest hit with his band Chic, 1979's "Le Freak," will be inducted into the 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame with Rodgers receiving the President's Merit Award during the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (NARAS) 8th Annual Grammy Week Celebration (the Grammy Awards are Sunday February 8). Better still for Nile lovers, he announced on February 2 that he, Chic, and his Land of the Good Groove label signed a long-term deal with Warner Brothers; it will be their first record in nearly 25 years.