East Valley Tribune - Life & Leisure

Sunday festival to showcase AZ wines

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:40:51 -0700

While it still has a long way to go before it can be compared to California’s or Washington state’s, Arizona’s wine industry is booming, and the Arizona Wine Growers Association wants everyone to know it. So 20 local wineries are banding together to put on the group’s first wine festival Sunday at The Farm at South Mountain.

"Meet Me in St. Louis" starts run at Broadway Palm

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23:37 -0700

The 1904 World's Fair was the biggest thing going in its day. It's certainly the most exciting thing in the Smith children's world in "Meet Me In St. Louis" - at least until their father announces the family must move. The musical based on the 1944 MGM movie classic that starred Judy Garland follows the upper-middle-class Midwestern family as they face change and the dawn of a new century. The memorable score includes "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song."

D'Vine hosts music festival Saturday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:18:56 -0700

D’Vine Bistro & Wine Bar hosts its semi-annual music festival Saturday at its east Mesa location.

Review: 'New Moon' rises but doesn't shine

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:57:53 -0700

Nerdvana: So, what do you do when you’re dumped by both your brooding vampire boyfriend and your brooding werewolf rebound? That’s the plot of "New Moon," the sequel to "Twilight."

Other reviews: "Planet 51" | "The Blind Side" | "The Messenger"

'Planet 51' proves unable to support life

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:44:46 -0700

It’s been a big year for animation, with a great variety of styles represented by “Up,” “Monsters vs. Aliens,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and the upcoming “The Princess and the Frog.”

'The Blind Side' focuses on the feel-good

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:41:49 -0700

The redemption-minded sports flick “The Blind Side” serves its inspiration straight-up with no twist.

'The Messenger' delivers emotional punch

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:40:39 -0700

In his directorial debut, "The Messenger," Oren Moverman takes the viewer on an emotional journey. The story follows decorated war-veteran Staff Sargeant Will Montgomery, played by Ben Foster, as he attempts to wind down his last three months in the Army. After being wounded in Iraq and returning stateside, he finds himself alone, with only an ex-girlfriend to welcome him back.

Nintendo sets up holiday demo at Chandler mall

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:54:00 -0700

Nerdvana: Chandler is the only Arizona city to host the Nintendo Holiday Mall Experience, an interactive event running Nov. 23 through Dec. 20 that lets shoppers take some of the newest video game titles for a spin.

Oprah Winfrey to end talk show in 2011

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:30:44 -0700

CHICAGO — Holding back tears, Oprah Winfrey told her studio audience Friday that she would end her show in 2011 after a quarter-century on the air, saying "prayer and careful thought" led her to her decision.

5 to try: Thanksgiving dinner restaurants

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:34 -0700

Almost everyone looks forward to Thanksgiving Day dinner, but not many enjoy the hours of preparation and post-meal cleanup. Fortunately, a number of East Valley restaurants will be open on the holiday. All you have to do is show up and eat. (Take note: Reservations are strongly recommended.)

North Pole irked at end to Santa replies

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:40:24 -0700

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Starry-eyed children writing letters to the jolly man at the North Pole this holiday season likely won't get a response from Santa Claus or his helpers.

MC Hammer lands at Celebrity Theatre

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:17:44 -0700

You might not recognize the name Stanley Kirk Burrell, but as three-time Grammy Award winner MC Hammer, he brought rap music to a mass pop audience and launched an empire that had people clamoring for Hammer-style parachute pants, haircuts, dance moves and eyeglasses, a Mattel "Hammer" doll and a cartoon adventure hero named "Hammerman."

>> MC Hammer will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $28 and $33. (602) 267-1600 or www.celebritytheatre.com.

Weezer tours Phoenix with new album

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:06:15 -0700

The band Weezer has gone from rock's dorky outsiders to cult figures with an obsessive fan base to megastars who have no trouble filling concert arenas. All this, despite earning just one Grammy Award. The quirky alt-rockers, on tour in support of "Raditude," their seventh studio album released earlier this month, have announced a stop in the Valley. Tickets go on sale Friday.

'Fringe' star celebrates weird science

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:32:55 -0700

Dr. Walter Bishop follows in a long line of mad scientists. An unbalanced genius like Bishop going at it in his lab is a pop-culture staple. Or even, some would say, a cliche. But in the able hands of John Noble, who stars on Fox's sci-fi thriller "Fringe," Bishop comes to life. He is both comical and tragic, nutty as a fruitcake yet totally relatable. This is a living, breathing portrayal.

Video game systems join social network sites

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:56:40 -0700

Users of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles can now brag about their achievements on Facebook.

SE Valley restaurants expand into Scottsdale

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:02:21 -0700

Here’s something you don;t see very often: A pair of popular Southeast Valley restaurants are expanding into Scottsdale.

18 Valley restaurants get AAA's 4-Diamond status

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:03:28 -0700

A week after announcing Chandler’s Kai was the only Arizona restaurant to earn its prestigious Five Diamond rating for 2010, AAA has announced its Four Diamond winners, which include 18 more Valley restaurants.

Leno laughs it up in Chandler

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:35:15 -0700

Jay Leno isn’t just the guy who succeeded Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.” The talk show host, stand-up comedian, bestselling author and famous collector of cars and motorcycles has also earned a reputation as one of the nicest and hardest working guys in Hollywood.

Advice Goddess: The Mobile Savage

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:17:14 -0700

Q: At a recent dinner, the hostess's cousin rudely spent most of the evening thumbing through his BlackBerry. Upon returning home, I received an e-mail from an acquaintance: "How was dinner at Elaine's?" When I asked how he knew I was there, he said Elaine's cousin had Twittered my presence. (I'm known for my business accomplishments, but I'm a private person, and felt violated).

Growing TV cover-up: Obnoxious pop-up promos

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:04:13 -0700

NEW YORK -- Somewhere in the universe of TV viewers, there's got to be a person who actually likes those pop-up, on-screen promotions.