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Sorbara rocks the fan vote
Recently, after rising electro-pop star Martina Sorbara used a naughty word in print, her savvy-politician father admonished her, telling her to "stop saying the word 'tits' during interviews." As minxy Sorbara retells that story, she brings attention to her assets once again – using her dad's words innocently, we're sure. So, who's the savvy one here? It's a gorgeous autumn day, perfect for sharing tofu cubes and wheatgrass shots on a street-side patio with Sorbara and her hubby Dan Kurtz, the principals of the quartet Dragonette. The Toronto couple is currently based in London, where their coquettish, coolly futuristic new album Galore is getting all sorts of nice recognition: "The definition of brilliant 2007 pop," says Observer Music Monthly. Back in Canada, the couple is making the press rounds, chatting up a record that first started making waves with the release of the saucy single I Get Around. More>>
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OSF program honors veterans
Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter," opening on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's New Theatre stage Feb, 22 and playing through June 20, tells the story of one female Marine's return home from Iraq. Playwright Julie Marie Myatt placed the action of the play in Slab City, Calif., after Jenny Sutter returns to the States. Myatt wanted to look at the challenges that confront veterans when they return to civilian life, as well as the challenges that confront civilians: what is our responsibility to those coming home and how do we welcome them? The play has inspired OSF to create new partnerships and programs around the production with the hope that OSF company members and audiences will engage in discussions about those questions.
Also, in an effort to remain true to the experience of active duty military in Iraq and those returning home, OSF recognized the need to work with consultants on the play. More>>
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Will stone-age saga be next hit?
While publishers inevitably cast about for the "next J.K. Rowling," most aren't holding their breath. The odds-on favourite might be Michelle Paver, author of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, a continuing, six-part saga set during the Stone Age.
Paver, a 47-year-old graduate of Oxford University, received a $3.5 million advance in 2003 to write the books. Ridley Scott, director of Blade Runner and the forthcoming American Gangster, opening tomorrow, has optioned the entire series.
Mind you, Paver has eschewed all comparisons to the creator of Harry Potter.
"I'm not the next J.K. Rowling," she told England's Guardian newspaper earlier this year.
"We've got one already. It's flattering to be compared to her. I like her books and loved the first three particularly, but apart from the fact that they've got boys as heroes, they're very different."
Star Staff
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