Just call Jennifer Lopez a renaissance woman. She dances, sings, acts, owns her own film production company and now she’s the proud owner of a new restaurant called Madre’s.
Located in Pasadena, Calif., the Cuban-themed, family-style eatery opened Friday night and Lopez‘s husband Chris Judd and actress Nicole Kidman were among those who joined Lopez in celebration.
Celebs
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts–Los Angeles presented their Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film to Star Wars director George Lucas on Friday night. The award was part of the 11th annual Britannia Awards in Beverly Hills.
Remember Tom Arnold, Roseanne Barr’s ex? These days he’s been busy giving away words of wisdom to high school students on behalf of the Creative Coalition, lobbyists for arts in public schools and campaign finance reform, The Associated Press reports. Arnold‘s most recent pearls of knowledge include staying away from drugs and alcohol, following your dreams and avoiding becoming famous by marrying someone who was famous first. Don’t you think Nicole Kidman would agree?
Actress/activist Jane Fonda has been instrumental in securing a new home for several unwed mothers recently. Oak Haven–a refuge for up to six teen mothers and their children–is located in Dalton, Ga. Fonda, who founded the Georgia Council for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, has worked with the state’s legislature to secure $2.4 million for seven group homes throughout Georgia, the AP reports.
In the Biz
Japanese animation has fared well in U.S. box offices before (take Pokeman, for example), but Walt Disney Studios is hoping Spirited Away will be really big. They’ve just acquired all domestic theatrical, video and television rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feature–Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time–Variety reports. The movie is slated for a U.S. release this fall.
Tube News
David Letterman‘s up to his old antics again–the ridiculous. According to The Miami Herald, he has booked the entire senior class of Harrold, South Dakota’s Harrold High School to appear on his Late Show. What’s the big deal? Harrold High is so small it only has one person graduating! Nice to know our tax dollars are going to good use up there in the Black Hills.
Music News
Rocker Lenny Kravitz is hitting the road again starting July 12, Rolling Stone magazine reports. After a three-year hiatus, the four-time Grammy winner will promote his sixth studio album, Lenny, on a 33 city tour. Pink and Abandoned Pools will open for Kravitz.
One of the biggest hip-hop tours in history has been cancelled, SonicNet Music reports. The Triple Threat Tour, featuring Ja Rule, Jay-Z and P. Diddy was supposed to go live June 12, but according to Ja Rule’s Murder, Inc. CEO, Irv Giotti, “Jay pulled out. It’s as simple as that.” OK, so the tour’s cancelled; at least we have CDs.
An image of John Lennon‘s blood-stained glasses–from the night he was shot dead–is being auctioned at Bonhams in London on April 17. The photograph was taken by the former Beatle’s wife, Yoko Ono, and is one of six prints. The owner of the print is selling it to raise funds for Artist Residencies of Tokyo (ART). In which room of your house would you hang a photo like that?
