This one makes my buzz boil over. Gotta say I’m amazed. appalled. aghast. awed. OUTRAGED!

Here’s an excerpt from tomorrow’s Washington Post:

There are 24 daily nonstop flights from Detroit to the Washington area. Richard Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Robert Nardelli probably should have taken one of them.

Instead, the chief executives of the Big Three automakers opted to fly their company jets to the capital for their hearings this week before the Senate and House — an ill-timed display of corporate excess for a trio of executives begging for an additional $25 billion from the public trough this week.

“There’s a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands,” Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.) advised the pampered executives at a hearing yesterday. “It’s almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high-hat and tuxedo. . . . I mean, couldn’t you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?”

The Big Three said nothing, which prompted Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) to rub it in. “I’m going to ask the three executives here to raise their hand if they flew here commercial,” he said. All still at the witness table. “Second,” he continued, “I’m going ask you to raise your hand if you’re planning to sell your jet . . . and fly back commercial.” More stillness. “Let the record show no hands went up,” Sherman grandstanded… more

Whoa. Waitaminute. Is this for real. I mean, how could this kind of thing happen? Case in point for why GM, Chrysler & Ford needs to change it’s overall approach… because there’s no party after everyone’s left the building.

No way I’m in favor of tax dollars supporting this. Here’s to whatever comes next.

Read more: LA Times

Today StubDog.com, the one-stop online source for deeply discounted entertainment options to fit every personality and budget, teamed up with the Houston Arts Alliance to support artists and art-related projects in Southeast Texas negatively affected by Hurricane Ike. While StubDog.com continues tracking fresh, affordable entertainment prospects for theatre-goers in Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston to enjoy at half-price, they are teaming up with clients and online customers to help Houston’s arts community recover from the ravages of the hurricane’s aftermath this fall.

For a four-week period beginning today (November 12-December 12, 2008), StubDog.com will donate half of the profit — $2 for every ticket sold — in each of their three markets: L.A., Houston & Dallas/Fort Worth.

StubDog.com is offering clients the opportunity to sell additional tickets from which 100% of the sales will be donated to the Hurricane Ike Arts Relief Fund. A small icon will denote the tickets these generous clients are offering in support of Houston’s struggling arts community.

Joining StubDog.com to offer support are:

A Noise Within, ComedySportz LA, Westside Eclectic, Chance Theatre, The New LATC, and Write Act Repertory Theatre.

If you were looking for an excuse to go to the theatre, here it is! This season has been a particularly devastating hurricane season, and every little bit helps for each and every person affected by all the hurricanes this year. 

repeal prop 8

repeal prop 8

The buzz in LA is Spring Awakening– now running at The Ahmanson Theater thru Dec 7.

• Here’s some simple advice: Buy tickets now through Goldstar before it’s too late

Spring Awakening combines teen angst and lust with a post-punk rock soundtrack into a play that could just be Hair for the current generation. This show is energetic, and covers the range of taboo: suicide, masturbation, teen pregnancy, homosexuality, repression, rebellion… with a sense of passion that makes it clear that musical theater is alive and well.

The ensemble of Spring Awakening puts forward the show with just the right edge, spearheaded by an amazing performance from Kyle Riabko as the lead Melchior. His voice is pitch-perfect, particularly in the haunting “Left Behind” ode to his best friend Mortiz. Blake Bashoff (formerly of “lost” fame) does a mesmerizing portrayal of the Mortiz, the confused and “lost” youth with amazing hair (possibly an omen of the 60’s classic?). And Christy Altomare is shokingly sweet and innocent as Wendla, with another beautiful voice as well.

I’ve noticed this show’s impact on youth culture in LA, and it’s making me happy. The two teens in my house are totally obsessed with the music and worship the cast. The underlying messages are positive, even if they are veiled in tragedy.

Spring Awakening is a love-rock musical that’s highly recommended. Don’t miss it.

Watch Videos Here:

• I don’t do sadness
• Mama who bore me

The same thing happened at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. The FBI was called in to investigate the matter.

The Mormon Temple has been under attack by protestors of Proposition 8. The Mormon Temple was the single largest contributor to the Yes on 8 campaign to strip constitutional rights of marriage to gays and lesbians.

So by now, if you listen to 103.1 FM with any degree of consciousness, you’ve had “Take Off Your Sunglasses” pounded into your brain, courtesy Ezra Furman and his Harpoons. And you’ve asked yourself, hopefully, “Has Gordon Gano found his mojo?”, but with the solid understanding that Gano’s lyrical skills may have suffered a bit since his prime. But no matter, our man is BACK!

Then the DJ says it’s Ezra Furman and his Harpoons. …Um…What? C’mon! How is that not Gordon Gano? It sounds exactly like him, from the annoying-but-endearing whiny voice to the well-it-kinda-makes-sense lyrics, even down to the diction and the flow! So who’s this Ezra guy? 

Lord knows. But my question is why aren’t people calling him out on it? Why is he getting away with this? Sure, the Violent Femmes are easily one of the most innovative and straight-out musically talented bands ever (Have you seen them live!??!! Go! Go Now!!) and they’ve managed to influence generations of young musicians. But no one’s had quite the gall to all out copy Gano. Because it’d just be way too obvious and everyone would call you out. Right? Right?

Our beloved singer of Mars Volta, Cedric Bixler-Zavala said it best in an interview, when he, in so many words, said that there’s really no excuse for people who do what Furman does. All musicians are only limited by their imaginations, and to keep regurgitating brilliant music put out before you were born doesn’t make you brilliant, Furman. It makes you a one-hit wonder for a hot second before everyone breaks out their old Violent Femmes albums and forgets about you. 

In closing, please refer to the picture. This is Furman, and those are two adoring fans. He’s ironically sporting ironic sunglasses, ostensibly while he’s singing his god-forsaken song about sunglasses. But look at the audience!! Even the third girl, who only got her arm in the picture, looks like she’s covering her ears! Furman, please put your guitar down and take your place in this world as President of the “I Love The Femmes!!!” fanclub.

West Hollywood / LA Mexican eatery (and gay haven) El Coyote’s manager, Marjorie Chrisoffersen, donated to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign.

Emails have been flying through the gay community about her vile contribution, citing that while catering to gay dollars, she turns around and uses the money to hurt them. Her supporters argue that she can do whatever she wants, independent of the restaurant.

She released this statement:

“I have been sick at heart that anyone has been offended by me. I have family, friends, employees from the gay community who are treasured people in my life.

I have been a member of the Mormon church all my life. I responded to their request with my personal donation.

For years the El Coyote has financially and generously supported the gay community and its charities.
Please be my guest for an early lunch Wed., Nov. 12th, @ 11:00 am and allow me to personally speak with you.

Please call and make a reservation as seating is limited.  323-939-2255
Margie”

i love danny boyle movies. lovelovelove. shallow grave, trainspotting, 28 days later - hell, i even liked a life less ordinary and the beach. and sunshine (despite the last 10 minutes) is a minor miracle. so it was a buzworthy opportunity to see the afi screening of his latest film slumdog millionaire on friday night at the arclight….and damn it’s good. slumdog begins with a young man (jamal) from mumbai who is on the verge of winning millions on the “who wants to be a millionaire?” gameshow. but questions about his ability to answer questions an uneducated orphan wouldn’t normally know mark him as a possible cheat, so the police pick him up and during the course of his interrogation, jamal spins the tale of his harrowing life from the slums that lead him to the gameshow. it’s lovely and horrifying and frenetic and funny and lovely stuff, conveyed with boyle’s usual spectacular visual texture and energy. i’m guessing this film will come and go without much hoopla, but do yourself a favor and seek it out. you’ll thank me. and so will your mom.

While the country seems intolerant of same-sex marriage and adoption, GM proudly recognizes diversity, offering a single day dedicated to the gay community at this year’s International LA Auto Show. GM will be pimp’ing out its major brands: Chevy, Saturn, Cadillac and Saab.

And of course, in LA gay style, they’ll start off with brunch, onto a tour of the show, and straight to happy hour … no jokes. Mimosas and Maseratis, bellinis and Bentleys? They don’t let the straights do that.

When: Sunday, November 23, 11am-6pm

Where: Convention Center (Downtown)

How: AutoShowGayDay.com