Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
On her latest album “soft winds and roses,” two-time Juno winner Diana Panton offers her interpretation of classic songs like the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere,” Elton John’s “Your Song” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Showcasing her beautiful, evocative vocals, the artist said her Scottish father’s record collection introduced her to jazz.
I’ll be updating this page periodically to include music that’s piquing my interest at the moment. Song of the day: “Pretty Baby” by Blondie.
“Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ever-patient husband you could ask for,” Devin Kawaoka said of the character he plays on the new Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.” “He feels deeply, sees the best in people and is always up for adventure – or some quality time over a glass of wine. He’s easy! If that’s not a good travel partner, then I don’t know what is.”
I was one of the speakers at the University of Southern California’s “Behind the Scenes of K-pop” — an all-day symposium featuring insiders and experts who fostered conversations about the art, culture, business, and the future of K-pop.
For Sung J. Woo (“Everything Asian,” “Love Love,” “Skin Deep”), favorite locations often make appearances in his books. His upcoming novel “Lines” – which deftly weaves a story of love, loss and forgotten possibilities – is set in suburban New Jersey, downtown Manhattan, Waimea (Hawaii), Portland and Breitenbush (Oregon).
“I’m lucky enough to say that my job doesn’t really feel like work,” said “Hysteria!” star Chiara Aurelia. “Filming in a new city is such an interesting experience, because you get the opportunity to see a city as not just a tourist, but also as a local. I’m originally from Los Angeles and most of my best childhood friends and family still live there. I’m lucky to have such a great excuse to visit and catch up with everyone.”
With a career spanning some 60 years and more than 50 albums, Iain Matthews is a veteran of touring and recording. Now based out of Horst aan de Maas in the Netherlands, the former frontman for the folk rock band, Fairport Convention, said he is looking forward to hitting the road to promote his Oct. 25 solo album, “How Much is Enough?”
“I’ve traveled to East Africa since I was young,” said “Warriors of Light” musician Radhika Vekaria. “And my grandparents are from India and I’ve traveled through Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bangalore, Hampi and Goa.”
Becoming an astronaut was a no-brainer for Kellie Gerardi, who was born in Jupiter … Florida, that is. “I’ve always been fascinated with space, but I definitely think growing up in Jupiter with a view of the Space Coast gave me invaluable exposure to human spaceflight,” said Gerardi. “I quite literally had front-row seats to the final frontier, so it didn’t seem quite so far out of reach.”
Traveling soon? These are some of the places my family and I have stayed. Some were amazing, while others were just meh. If you’ve got a recommendation for me, be sure to leave a comment and let me know.