Macao, China — Throngs of fans lined up at Sands Cotai Central Saturday evening, hoping to catch a glimpse of the glittering array of celebrities walking the red carpet on their way to a VIP gala dinner at Sheraton Macao Hotel, part of Sands Cotai Central’s A Night of Stars event.

Celebrities gracing the red carpet, to the delighted screams and cheers of their fans, included Sammo Hung, Carol “Dodo” Cheng, Frances Yip, Chang Chen, Wu Chun, Ekin Cheng, Chilam Cheung,Karena Lam, Grasshopper and Sandrine Pinna, along with Vincent Kok and Sire Ma, who were masters of ceremony at the gala dinner – a celebration for the integrated resort’s VIP customers. Before the dinner, the stars participated in a handprint ceremony, with the resulting handprints to be incorporated into the Cotai Strip development’s own version of an ‘Avenue of Stars’ walkway.

As part of the exciting, movie-themed gala dinner, VIP guests were entertained with performances from Moulin Rouge; a live band playing film theme tunes; headline performer Frances Yip and celebrity look-a-likes dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, Lady Gaga and others. The evening’s emcees, Sire Ma and Vincent Kok, also gave guests the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes through games played on stage.

During the A Night of Stars evening, Sammo Hung joined a handful of lucky guests for a round of cards at Sands Cotai Central’s APEX Club. Hung’s participation in “Win Like a Star” provided an opportunity for Sands Cotai Central to donate HK$250,000 to the Sammo Hung Charity Fund, a non-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of those in need: the poor, the elderly, the disabled, orphans and those impacted by natural disasters (projects include the reconstruction of damaged or destroyed schools).

As a celebration of the star-studded evening, visitors to Sands Cotai Central were each given a commemorative golden star. Visitors lined up to receive the one-of-a-kind mementos which were distributed by Sands Cotai Central ambassadors throughout the ground floor of the property.

A Night of Stars is part of Stars of the Cotai Strip, which has included celebrity events and amazing prize draws at the Sands Cotai Central integrated resort. Parent company Sands China Ltd. aims to make Macao one of the top entertainment hubs in Asia by bringing in a steady stream of talented film, TV, music and sports stars to the city. A Night of Stars and the other dazzling celebrity-led events this month affirm the company’s resolve to see Macao develop into a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Stars of the Cotai Strip, which launched on December 3, will climax in a celebrity-filled New Year’s Eve extravaganza. The year-end event features a special The Voice of China Venetian Macao Rock with Stars Concert, including Paul Wong of the Hong Kong rock band Beyond at the CotaiArena and a countdown to a spectacular fireworks display to ring in the New Year.

To find out more details on the celebrities involved and the exciting events of Stars of the Cotai Strip logon to the Sands Cotai Central Facebook and Weibo pages.

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An unparalleled blast from the past, Purple Revolver celebrates 60s and 70s popular culture with a 21st century slant on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach.

A celebration of all things retro, the family-friendly event infuses classic rock, Bohemian fashions and high-performance muscle cars along with premier food trucks, a throwback beer garden, celebrity look-a-likes and a three-acre festival. Stay tuned to www.purple-revolver.com for updates.

Thousands of “hipster” and “millennial” attendees will step back to the future, rubbing elbows with Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley impersonators while soaking up the essence of American pop culture from the era.

The greatest hits from legendary bands like the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Eagles, Boston and Bee Gees permeate the venue while nationally recognized Tribute Bands representing the Beatles, Queen and Led Zeppelin rock the Purple Revolver stage.

What’s old is new again as coveted Muscle Cars from the 60s and 70s – Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaroand Dodge Charger – sit alongside today’s popular siblings.  Tricked out Hot Rods, Custom Roadsters, Surf Woodies and famous TV show cars add to the atmosphere.  And paying homage to the original peace & love generation, modern hippy and eco-friendly influences are abundant; among the timeless classics are the mini skirt, bikinis, tie-dye, paisley prints and bell bottoms, all of which are back in vogue today.

A festival unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, the Purple Revolver Karaoke Lounge will challenge even the most hardcore music enthusiasts.  A nostalgic beer garden will pair “blasts from the past” (Budweiser, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz Malt Liquor) with several of today’s top craft brews while Gourmet Food Trucks will serve popular retro fare.

And helping fuel this unique retro revolution are several important Pop Culture anniversaries including the 50th of James Bond, the Beach Boys and Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Purple Revolver tickets will be on sale in May with proceeds benefitting several Long Beach charities and First Responders. The event is produced by MKM, a Huntington Beach-based active lifestyle firm.  Among the company’s premier properties are “Boardfest,” “Taste of Brews” and the forthcoming “Chocolate and Cordials.”  Purple Revolver updates are available at www.facebook.com/purple-revolver.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/heiner1947/

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The New York Film Festival comes to New York City for its 49^th annual showcase of new and emerging films in the entertainment industry. The yearly film festival will run from September 30 to October 16, celebrating up and coming filmmakers and actors.

The New York Film Festival was created in 1969 by The Film Society of Lincoln Center with aspirations of creating an event for filmmakers to show their movies. The love of art and film are combined during this festival and brings movie goers from all across New York City to exciting movie premieres.

International filmmakers are able to showcase their movies at the prestigious New York Film Festival. The Main Slate is the optimal venue to screen movies. Filmmakers from countries such as the United States, Iran, France, United Kingdom, Israel and Denmark are among those who will show their movies at the Main Slate.

In the movie entitled “Miss Bala,” a young Mexican woman competes in a beauty competition in Baja, where she gets involved in the ongoing narcotics battle in Mexico. “Miss Bala” depicts drug related gang violence and how it plays a role in Mexico.

“The Artist,” is a movie that pays homage to the original Hollywood entertainment business where the art of movie making was through black and white silent movies. “The Artist” highlights wonderful acting even though it is a silent movie and allows the audience to go back in time to when movies were first created.

Famous Hollywood actors can be seen in some of the movies on display at The New York Film Festival. “Melancholia” has actress Kirsten Dunst playing a bride in this science fiction movie. “The Descendants” ushers in George Clooney as a man who must cope with his wife who is in the hospital and his two daughters with whom he has shaky relationships.

Michelle Williams brings a performance as sex icon Marilyn Monroe in “My Week With Marilyn,” one of the most anticipated movies of The New York Film Festival.

Aside from the Main Slate where much of the popular movies are watched, there are also other special events going on during the festival. Documentaries are also a part of the film festival where the daily international lives of people are portrayed through film. “Tahrir” is a documentary of the recent revolution in Egypt, as seen through the voices of Egyptians on the streets of Cairo.

“Paradise Lost 3,” is an American documentary that follows the lives of Alabama teenagers who are in jail for murdering three children. These documentaries are just a couple among many others that use film to highlight unique, real life stories. World renowned talent made appearances at the New York Film Festival.

Internationally famed director Martin Scorsese spoke by video during a press conference on October 3. Scorsese talked about “George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” which is Scorsese’s new documentary. Special Anniversary Screenings of movies such as “The Royal Tennenbaums,” “Spirited Away” and “Howard’s End” will also be a part of The New York Film Festival.

Along with showing some of the world’s most talented actors and filmmakers, The New York Film Festival also gave the chance for bring up and coming movie makers to meet some famous directors and producers. The Emerging Vision event took place over the course of one day where 25 new and passionate film creators were given mentors to help produce high quality films.

The 25 chosen will have one year of ongoing guidance from professional directors and producers with the goal of helping young talents flourish in the entertainment industry. The New York Film Festival is a well respected annual event that gives both veterans and newcomers to the movie business a chance to share their talents for film with the world.
lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Marilyn Monroe’s timeless white halter dress went on auction on Saturday June 18, 2011. The white dress was made famous in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch”.  It was made famously by that one scene, where Monroe stands over a subway grate, air flowing underneath her skirt. This iconic scene was shot in the middle of Manhattan and is still a recognizable image.

The dress was auctioned for $5.6 million, a price that may shock some. Her most famous dress has also been famously replicated throughout the years, by those such as Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale tour.  It is incredible that this image has held its fame, even after 50 years. The scene was filmed seven years before Monroe’s death in 1962.

The dress was designed by William Travilla, a designer with a career that spanned 40 years.  Throughout his career, white halter dress remained Travilla’s most famous dress design. It was inspired by the multiple folds of Greek robes, with a plunging neckline. The color white was chosen to portray innocence. The dress was made with lightweight fabric for its ease of movement allowing for that famous billowing effect, when she stood over the grate.

If it wasn’t for Marilyn Monroe wearing it, perhaps the dress wouldn’t have been so famous to begin with and wouldn’t have gathered
such a high price at auction.

Marilyn Monroe was born June 1, 1926 and became famous for her movies.  Among her most notable were Gentlemen Prefer Blondes which was made in the same year as How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Bus Stop (1956), and Some Like it Hot (1958) which she won a Golden Globe Award for.  After Some Like it Hot she got a bad reputation. It was said that she was hard to work with, perhaps caused by her personal and mental problems she battled. Her death came early in 1962 by barbituate overdose. Regardless, Monroe remains as one of the most prominent actresses, sex symbols and pop icons.

The timing of the film The Seven Year Itch helped to bring the dress into the limelight, giving it the fame it now has. The scene was shot on September 14, 1954, on Lexington and E52 Street in Manhattan. The scene was filmed at night, and the set was filled with onlookers.

At the time she was also married to New York Yankees player Joe DiMaggio. He was there that night, watching his wife act. The media circus ended in a screaming match between Dimaggio and Monroe, and the next day she filed for divorce.

Either way if that the reason why it so famous or why it so iconic it still gotten 5.6 million dollars, and the person who bought have theoriginal that only she wore and nothing like it.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.facebook.com/MarilynMonroe?sk=photos&closeTheater=1

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