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.
'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E4 Bye Bye Pittsburgh: ALDC Prepares for LA Move
By REESE AMOROSI
Previously on Dance Moms, Maddie Ziegler was in LA working with Sia (Maddie stars in Sia's "Chandelier" and "Elastic Heart" videos), so studio owner Abby Lee Miller invited JoJo Siwa (from season 2 of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition) to perform with the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). This week on Dance Moms season 5, episode 4 "Bye Bye Pittsburgh," it's the team's last few days before their move to LA, and it's JoJo's last chance to convince Abby to give her a permanent spot with the group. Like the other dancers, Nia Frazier is anticipating the move and wondering how it will affect her career, but she has the added pressure of facing her grandfather's illness. Meanwhile, the moms wonder if Abby will promote all of the ALDC girls in LA, or just her favorites.
Numero Group Releases 'Ork Box' Featuring Punk Rock Pioneers
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Numero Group's Ork Box |
Ork Records was arguably punk’s first record label, an operation started in 1975 by Terry Ork as a vinyl outlet for downtown New York City bands he managed including Television. The singles label only operated for 4 years and was all but forgotten since that time. Yet, its artists are seminal names within the framework of punk iconography, several of whom continue their mission. So, 40 years after its start, the label gets a comprehensive anthology – Ork Records Singles Collection, lovingly known as the Ork Box – just in time for April 18: Record Store Day 2015.
'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E3: JoJo with a Bow Bow Performs with ALDC
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Dancer JoJo Siwa and her mom Jessalynn |
Previously on Dance Moms, studio owner Abby Lee Miller was served with legal documents (she's being sued by former student Paige Hyland), she tangled with dance teacher Jeanette Cota (her daughter Ava was on Abby's season 4 Select Team), and she had a terrible argument with Holly Frazier (Nia's mom). This week on Dance Moms season 5, episode 3 titled "JoJo with a Bow Bow," Maddie Ziegler is in LA working with singer Sia, so Abby brings in two girls to perform with the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC): Sarah Hunt from the Select Team, and JoJo Siwa, a contestant from season 2 of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC).
Kim Fowley, Music Impresario, Dead at 75
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Kim Fowley |
On January 15, music impresario, artist and producer Kim Fowley died at age 75 in Los Angeles. Fowley famously discovered and produced The Runaways and co-wrote their biggest hit, “Cherry Bomb,” and was one of music’s great eccentrics, a chatty raconteur who could go on for hours at a time (as he did in several interviews I conducted with him). He was a font of information with strong opinions on Hollywood and music including garage psychedelia, bubblegum, glam rock and early punk, topics he discussed on his SiriusXM radio show on Little Steven’s Garage channel. Kim Fowley will be missed.
'Dance Moms' Recap S5 E2: Abby Got Served
By REESE AMOROSI
Previously on Dance Moms, the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) learned that Chloe Lukasiak and her mother Christi quit the team, Kalani Hilliker re-joined the ALDC, and Abby Lee Miller found out former student Paige Hyland was suing her. This week Dance Moms season 5, episode 2 is titled "Abby Got Served" because a process server hands Abby legal papers, but that's not her only problem: she has a run-in with Jeanette Cota (mom of Ava Cota, whom Abby dismissed last season), and she has an explosive argument with Holly Frazier (Nia's mom) after Jill Vertes (Kendall's mom) reveals that Abby said that only Kalani, Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler will book work in LA.
Morimoto and Vetri Collaborate for Two Night Dining Event
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Chef Benjamin Dayag of Morimoto Restaurant |
On January 21 and 22, 2015, two of Philadelphia’s best known culinary powerhouses – Stephen Starr Restaurants and Marc Vetri Restaurants – will showcase their establishments, Morimoto and Vetri, and send their esteemed chefs into a first-time collaboration. The 8-course, 16 dish Italy & Japan event, surely this year’s first great chef pairing, takes place at Morimoto at 723 Chestnut Street on the 21st and Vetri’s namesake restaurant at 1312 Spruce Street on the 22nd.
Pennsylvania Farm Show Opens this Weekend in Harrisburg, PA
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Butter sculpture at the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show |
The 99th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show starts in Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, January 10, 2015. With it comes everything from lumberjack competitions, hay bale tosses, a sheep-to-shawl contest and an appearance by Food Network chef Aaron McCargo Jr. (from Big Daddy’s House) making dishes from Pennsylvania-preferred goods on the Culinary Connections stage of the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. Before this week long celebration, the event’s annual butter sculpture was unveiled on January 8 with raw materials donated by Land O’ Lakes Butter of Carlisle, PA.
'Dance Moms' Premiere Recap S5 E1: 99 Problems but a Mom Ain't One
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The Abby Lee Dance Company begins its 5th season on Dance Moms |
Last season, Dance Moms closed with teacher Abby Lee Miller announcing she was opening a studio in Los Angeles and dismissing her new Select Team because they came in 2nd to her original Elite Team, who won their 4th consecutive National title. Also, sadly, the lovely Chloe Lukasiak and her mother Christi left the show after several years of discord. On the Dance Moms S5, E1 (season 5 premiere) titled "99 Problems but a Mom Ain't One," Abby and the dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) deal with Chloe's absence, a lawsuit from former student Paige Hyland, and the return of Kalani Hilliker.
The First Annual National Bobblehead Day is January 7
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National Bobblehead Day is January 7, 2015 |
Wednesday, January 7, 2015, is a banner day for the oversized headed doll known as the Bobblehead. That date happens to be the first annual National Bobblehead Day, an occasion which comes complete with a proclamation from the Registrar of the National Day Calendar recognizing the celebration for all spring-connected head-bobbing figurines. Look for sports teams across America to commemorate the day with promotions, Bobblehead unveilings and contests.
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