On Tuesday 27th October, 2009 she will also participate in a BBC ONE special – racing against time to raise money for Children In Need.

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ will offer a visually stunning circumnavigation of the world – re-enacting the epic odysseys of Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin for a 21st-century audience.

—-

On BBC Four and BBC Two she fronts the popular walking series Wainwright’s Walks, Coast To Coast and Railway Walks.

Julia, who was recently on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me is also the presenter of BBC Three’s Kill It, Cook It, Eat It which returns in early 2010.

BBC One Official Website

Julia Bradbury Official Website

Based on the memoirs of Elliot Tiber, the comedy stars Demetri Martin as Elliot, who inadvertently played a role in making 1969’s Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the famed happening it was.

Featuring a standout ensemble cast and songs from a score of ’60s musical icons including The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and Country Joe and the Fish – plus a new recording of “Freedom” from Richie Havens – Taking Woodstock is a joyous voyage to a moment in time when everything seemed possible.

Released in UK cinemas on 13th November, 2009.

Watch the trailer:

Buy DVDs, music, more:

Taking Woodstock on amazon.com

TAKING WOODSTOCK

SYNOPSIS

Taking Woodstock is directed by Academy Award®-winner Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) with a screenplay by James Schamus (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Ice Storm), based on the book Taking Woodstock by Elliot Tiber.

The film stars Demetri Martin (Important Things with Demetri Martin on Comedy Central) as Elliot Tiber, Emile Hirsch (Milk, Into the Wild), and Liev Schreiber (Defiance).

It’s 1969, and Elliot Tiber, a down-on-his-luck interior designer in Greenwich Village, New York, has to move back upstate to help his parents run their dilapidated Catskills motel, the El Monaco. The bank is about to foreclose; his father wants to burn the place down, but hasn’t paid the insurance; and Elliot is still figuring how to come out to his parents.

When Elliot hears that a neighboring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers, thinking he could drum up some much needed business for the motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbor’s farm in White Lake, NY, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life, and American culture, forever.

Release date: 13th November 2009

Soundbites featuring the stars of the movie below.

Watch videos:

Clip – Movie synopsis – Demetri Martin

Clip – Ang Lee package
Demetri Martin Soundbite
Imelda Staunton Soundbite
James Schamus Soundbite

Clip – Power of Woodstock package
Ang Lee Soundbite
Emile Hirsch Soundbite
James Schamus Soundbite

Clip – Comments on Demetri Martin
Ang Lee Soundbite
Eugene Levy Soundbite

Taking Woodstock Official Website

While Picture Me Broken was not live on stage with Green Day, Beyonce, Muse or Taylor Swift at MTV’s 2009 VMAs, the MTV feature on this high energy young band landed them a hard earned award as the VMAs MTV’s 2009 “SF Best Bay Area Breakout Artist”. The award was sponsored by Our Stage and MTV.

Picture Me Broken which is fronted by LAYLA BROOKLYN ALLMAN, (the 16-year old daughter of legendary R&R Hall of Famer GREGG ALLMAN), and their song “Dearest (I’m So Sorry)” whose live video was featured on MTV2 has been blazing a trail with teen fans that can instantly relate to both the sentiment of the lyrics and the scorching delivery of the track.

The band started out as four 12-year olds playing covers for fun, but fueled by passion and determination, they have emerged as a serious contender.

Watch “Dearest I’m So Sorry” video:

“She’s got it in her blood…” remarks her famous father, who most likely is all but unknown to PMB’s growing legion of young fans!

PMB has played prestigious SF venues like “Bottom of the Hill,” grabbed an opening slot at the Shoreline Amphitheatre for Linkin Park’s Project Rev in 2008 and more recently played the 2009 SF Warped Tour.

Now they have just released their debut EP, DEAREST I’M SO SORRY.

As if reacting to the frightening state of the world they are growing up in, PICTURE ME BROKEN’S debut EP contains rites of passage themes, in the language of their peers.

Largely produced by Aveneged Sevenfold’s producer Mudrock (the title track was produced by Aaron Hellman at the Bay Area’s own Castle Ultimate Studios), the EP displays that it’s not only Layla Allman who’s talented, good-looking and charismatic, but the rest of the band members level the playing field: NICK LOIACONO (lead guitar), AUSTIN DUNN (bass) and CONNOR LUNG (drums).

Indeed, Picture Me Broken’s music all but redefines what will be expected from “kid bands” as there is nothing about PMB’s catchy driving rock that separates them from significantly more seasoned acts. Nothing shows this off more poignantly than the growing fan base on www.myspace.com/picturemebroken which continues to rave with surprise that there is a new band out there fronted by a “hot girl who can sing AND scream.”

Picture Me Broken will be featured on the front page of Purevolume.com on Sept 18, 2009 performing the first of many Hot Topic appearances on Sept 17th, and hosting an industry showcase in Los Angeles on October 16th 2009.

Buy Music:

Picture Me Broken on amazon.com

Currently preview and download Picture Me Broken’s EP:

Picture Me Broken on bandcamp

MySpace
Picture Me Broken on Twitter

Die Fabrik…it’s coming
@ Vanilla

Saturday, September 19th 2009

Preview Event and London Fashion Week Party
in Association with The British Fashion Council

DIE FABRIK is on its way to being a global phenomenon and what better way to unveil the experience of this elite club/venue than during London Fashion Week.

The global spaces are due to open in London, New York and Zurich in 2010 and the kick-off to starting the buzz in London is set to happen on September 19, 2009 at a special party hosted by trendsetting Central London club/restaurant Vanilla.

Attending the event will be some of the most elite names in music, fashion and celebrity with music provided by a host of illustrious DJs including Jazzy B, Howie B, Normski and CJ Macintosh as well as surprise guests.

DIE FABRIK started its journey in New York’s Soho and its diverse events, a mix of lifestyle and culture have quickly become the talk of the city, realising its founders’ dreams of recapturing the feel of the artsy loft parties New Yorkers were so attracted to in the 70s and 80s.

Says co-founder Xavier Favre “This period was about more than going to parties to consume emptiness; it was about a lifestyle where ART was the driving force behind every aspect of life. The DIE FABRIK concept is bringing back all these elements and following in the footsteps of artists who marked this time.”

As the diversity and innovation DIE FABRIK celebrate are also the hallmarks that London Fashion Week is famous for, what better way of marking the beginning of one than with the imminent arrival of the other!

EVENT INFO

‘DIE FABRIK…it’s coming’ – Launch Party

Saturday 19 September, 2009 – 20.00
Vanilla, 131 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 5BB

Vanilla Official Website

London Fashion Week

Wednesday 9th September, 2009
The Orangery at Kensington Palace, London
Arrivals: 10:30am Starts: 11am

Jermaine Jackson will attend a press conference to reveal plans for a major international tribute concert ‘The Tribute: In Memory of Michael Jackson.’

The brother of the late Michael Jackson is the initiator and co-producer of this special event which will be staged on September 26, 2009 in front of Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria – one of Europe’s grandest palaces.

Following the presentation Jermaine Jackson will be taking questions from the floor.

Michael Jackson – The Tribute

The perfect stocking filler for Christmas!

Cheryl Cole

Katy Perry

Lauren Conrad

Punky Allsorts was created in January 2008 by musician Alayna Salter to meet the demand that was ignited by her music fans after she wore her stylish designs on stage at her gigs.

Alayna believes that every girl should have the opportunity to own something that is personally designed, individually handcrafted and that captivates their own imagination and personality.

Since the launch of Punky Allsorts, the range has attracted a celebrity following including chart topping singer Katy Perry, the Hilton sisters, Lady GaGa and Katy Perry to name a few! LA fashion store Kitson has also snapped up the quirky designs to stock in its uber trendy Robertson Boulevard boutique which has ensured the attention of the jewellery’s status as a must have among the Hollywood set.

Alayna’s unique jewellery has been hand-selected and made with precious materials with care and attention to detail to ensure that you will love them as much as she does!

Alayna’s story

Alayna’s first love is her music, and she’s already attracted a string of collaborations from the teams behind Disney’s High School Musical, Victoria Beckham and the Backstreet Boys. Alayna’s attitude comes candy coated and her music has been descibed as quirky rock with a feisty flavour.

Amazingly, Punky Allsorts was created after fans at her gigs asked Alayna where she got her great designs from. Realising the great potential the jewellery had, Alayna set about building on her designs and launched the brand in January.

She says “If you’re brave and have a great idea, use your initiative and just go for it. I wanted to create a young, fun brand that didn’t follow the rules of the more formal traditional trends and now the success of the jewellery is providing me with great opportunities to further my music career!”

Punky Allsorts on amazon.com

Alayna Salter MySpace
Alayna Salter Official Website

Punky Allsorts Official Website

In addition to winning a Gossip Girl tee shirt, the first prize winner will also win two tickets to the Gossip Girl Screen Tour sponsored by On Location Tours.

The top three winners of our Gossip Girl Essay Contest will receive a Gossip Girl tee shirt. The grand prize winner will win a tee shirt and also win the Gossip Girl Screen Tour. The Gossip Girl Essay Contest is being held in honor of the August 18, 2009 release of the Gossip Girl Second Season DVD.

Here is how it works: Write a paragraph about how the spirit of Blair, Serena, Jenny, Vanessa, Nate, Chuck and Dan have helped you overcome life’s little tragedies. Be specific. When you are treated with disrespect like dear Serena, do you buy a new purse or get a wax? When threatened with the loss of prestige like our glam heroine Blair, do you flee to Bora Bora or just get a spray tan at Bliss Spa?

Don’t be shy; we are all atwitter awaiting your response. Please send your submissions to wendy@newyorkcool.com by midnight August 19, 2009. The winners will be announced on August 20th.

We will publish both the winning paragraphs and the “Honorable Mentions.” And if you want, you can send us a photo of yourself attired as your favorite Gossip Girl character which we will publish with your paragraph. (The photos are just for fun and will have no effect on whether or not you win a prize). More contest details.

New York Cool is an online magazine that celebrates the New York scene: Art; Music; Celebrity Interviews; Nightlife; Film; About Town; Theater; Fashion/Style; New York Stories; and Miss Wendy’s Texas Love Advice and Occasional Comments on Popular Culture. Published monthly, updated daily (sometimes hourly), so check back often.

Be sure to read What’s Up For Today for last minute tips about what’s going on in New York!

New York Cool launched in April 2004 and all our stories are still up in our archives. New York Cool has the best Listing Section in town; we update daily (sometimes hourly).

Photo: Gossip Girl Cast Member Taylor Momsen
Photo Credit: Janet Mayer/PR Photos

New York Cool Official Website

Actor Cambell Westmoreland is turning heads of big name Hollywood directors, and barely at thirteen years of age, he is set to show his wares again this summer in Robert Rodriguez’s new Warner Brothers film, Shorts.

Westmoreland’s role in Shorts places him alongside some of Hollywood’s top actors, such as William H. Macy, James Spader and Leslie Mann.

Watch Shorts movie trailer:

Premiered on August 15, 2009 and opening in theaters everywhere on August 21, 2009, Shorts has all the elements to be a huge critical and commercial success.

Westmoreland, well into his success as a child actor, has landed roles in films by prominent directors Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Dazed & Confused), Bryan Ortiz and now Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, Sin City, Desperado).

Directors Rodriguez and Ortiz have praised Westmoreland, remarked that they really enjoyed working with him, were impressed with Westmoreland and his professionalism on the set, and has commented on how reliable the young actor was during filming.

Born in Moscow, Russia, Westmoreland now lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas. He’s already represented by one of IMDb.com’s top ten rated talent agencies, The Atherton Group. Growing up outside of Hollywood, Westmoreland enjoys all the normal stuff a kid his age likes to do. He loves playing sports and is the quarterback for his school’s football team.

Westmoreland’s diversity as an actor is already apparent from the variety of roles he’s played to the scope of projects he’s been involved in. His background includes commercials, theater and television, which has given him the experience and preparation for the growing fame in which his film career has brought him.

To keep up with the latest news and projects Westmoreland is working on, check out his site www.cambellrocks.com. Remember the name: Cambell Westmoreland. You’ll be hearing a lot more about him very soon!

Shorts movie – Warner Brothers Official Website

Cambell Westmoreland Official Website

WHAT: Laura Bryna (www.laurabryna.com), country/pop recording artist, to make her Los Angeles debut (staged and choreographed by renown choreographer Eddie Garcia).

Coming off a 45-city tour with legendary country star Clint Black, Bryna has opened for the likes of Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Tim McGraw, Emmylou Harris and more.

Mixing country, pop and rock, Bryna is a dynamic performer with tremendous vocal range. Her debut CD, ‘Trying to Be Me’, is scheduled for release this fall in Europe. Bryna is also the voice for the Air National Guard, and her song “Hometown Heroes,” which she co-wrote, is the official song of the Air Guard ad campaign.

The special concert event will also be used to honor five lucky winners of Bryna’s ‘Hometown Heroes’ nationwide contest.

The winners received a trip to L.A. to see Bryna live in concert and will be recognized during the show as well as have the opportunity to share their inspiring stories. Bryna will also honor several special Women of the Air Guard during the event. Celebrities expected to attend.

Watch Make a Wish video:

WHEN: Monday, August 10, 2009

WHERE: House of Blues / Sunset Strip
8430 Sunset Blvd
W. Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 848-5100

TIME: 8:00 p.m.
(Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

RSVP: Eileen Koch & Company INC.
eileen@eileenkoch.com
(310) 441-1000
Eileen Koch Official Website

Buy Music:

Laura Bryna on amazon.com

Laura Bryna Official Website

Luke Rathborne is set to kick off his month-long residency in New York City beginning Tuesday, August 11, 2009.

The Brooklyn-based Maine native will play every Tuesday this month at The Living Room on the Lower East Side, Tuesdays at The Living Room on 158 Bleecker St in the Lower East Side at 10:30 P.M. for a special show every week, “In Search of the Miraculous” featuring a handful of NYC’s best musicians.

Rathborne recently recorded material in New York with members of Antony & The Johnsons’ band, The Johnsons.

Opening act for the show will be actress/singer Rain Phoenix and her band Papercranes supporting her new album.

DATES: Tuesdays in August! 11 P.M. Tue. Aug. 11th, 18th, 25th

BIO:

Luke Rathborne is a songwriter who moved to New York City from the deep woods and shallow waters of a small town in Maine when he was 19 years old in August 2006.

Over the past year, he has been playing and recording music throughout the dark corners of the city – even receiving positive reviews and press from the most staunch and incorrigible and curmudgeon-y of New York City sources (including an appearance in the NME and last month’s Interview Magazine) and has opened for the likes of the Holy Modal Rounders (feat. Sam Shepard) and more. He is currently finishing up work on a full release with members of the Johnsons. (Antony and the Johnsons)

PRESS:

“..Like Bob Dylan, Lou Reed or Will Oldham, why should you expect anything else but constant haunting, and engaging development.” – TheFanzine.com

“strange… melancholic.. Rathborne has assembled a diverse septet of players for this show” – Village Voice

“A young man of 21, Luke Rathborne has already defied odds to self-release a record and fund a move from the deep woods of Brunswick, Maine to the couch-surfing lifestyle of New York City. Now on his feet in a Brooklyn loft, Rathborne is finishing up a second album, building on the stripped down sounds of his first release, After Dark, and working in orchestral touches to enhance his arrangements of composition” – Filter Magazine

Interview Magazine – Featured artist article

“With melancholy on par with Elliott Smith and melodies that recall John Lennon, Luke Rathborne cements his place in the “one to watch” division. Tonight’s show, dubbed “In Search of the Miraculous,” is organized around NYC-based artists offering a taste of things to come.. Hopefully..” – L Magazine

“Hotly tipped singer-songwriter Luke Rathborne is set to kick off his month-long residency in New York City… ” – NME.com

For music and more, go to:

Luke Rathborne Official Website