Speaking with … Ben Taylor
Carly Simon is his mom. James Taylor is his dad. Unlike many celebrity children, musician Ben Taylor will answer anything about them and loves nothing more than to get onstage with his famous parents.
Year: 2003
A movable feast
If you’re like most people, you choose your destinations based on things like beaches, museums, shopping and night life. But why be like most people? We’ve got one of the best reasons yet to hop on a plane: eclectic and fun cooking classes, where you can learn from the best and then splurge — go ahead, you’re on vacation — on your own creations.
Local performers find themselves caught up in ‘The Circle of Life’
Unlike most of the local theater scene, Derek Hasenstab had no clue “The Lion King” was casting in Chicago when he got a call to audition for the extravaganza. Actually, he didn’t know what the musical was about, much less the plot of the animated Disney film that inspired the production.
Speaking with…Joie Calio
When Dada’s “Dizz Knee Land” hit radio in 1992, fans flipped over the line, “I just flipped off President George.” More than a decade later, the song has gotten a resurgence, thanks to another controversial President George.
Fashion Buzz
“Free Winona”? That was so 2002. This spring’s must-have shirt is the plain and kinda ugly T-shirt touting “Jesus is My Homeboy.” Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Ashton Kutcher and Pamela Anderson have all been seen wearing the shirt. Even barely-there Lara Flynn Boyle (above) found a size small enough to fit her. Urban Outfitters reports brisk sales of the shirt, which is priced at $28.
J. Lo’s a maniac on the dance floor in homage
If Jennifer Lopez has anything to do with it, torn sweatshirts, leg warmers and a big ol’ hairdo will be back in style, thanks to the “Flashdance” theme running rampant in the music video for her latest single, “I’m Glad”–a song she wrote for the man of her dreams, Ben Affleck.
Jamie Kennedy has his ‘Malibu’–and TV, too
If Jamie Kennedy’s movie career takes off, it could end up killing his TV show. But Kennedy, whose feature film, “Malibu’s Most Wanted,” opens Friday, doesn’t seem too concerned.
Playa del Carmen
Lying 41 miles south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen is a dream for Americans who don’t want to be surrounded by their countrymen (and women). Popular with Europeans, who account for 80 percent of the tourists who visit the lush locale, Playa del Carmen boasts pristine beaches, clear blue water and, yes, topless sunbathers. The crowd is older than the spring breakers who flock to Cancun every year, so the aura is relaxing, rather than frenetic.
Semi-celebs extend their 15 minutes, by design
Have you heard? Hilton Hotel heiresses Paris and Nicky Hilton are the latest “celebrity” designers. Last GLARE noticed, the only designs the sisters had before were on the likes of hottie actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Edward Furlong.
Critical approval means Justin Lin’s ‘Luck’ is here to stay
When funding ran low for “Better Luck Tomorrow,” filmmaker Justin Lin called on an unlikely resource to help: MC Hammer. Yup. It was Hammer time. “I had met him in Vegas when I was working on the script,” says Lin. “He was really nice and offered to help. I called and said, ‘Hi, remember me?’ He couldn’t have been nicer. He wired me a decent amount of money within two hours.”