celebs.

That’s So LA Contest - Submit an Ad, Win $1000

By Bill Karz • Jan 27th, 2009 • Category: Giveaways, celebs., culture., eat/drink., news., sport., urbangalpals.

Create an ad showing us what makes LA your LA. The top rated submissions will be awarded with an amazing “That’s So LA” weekend package and $1,000 spending money.

http://discoverlosangeles.com/thats-so-la/submit-ad.html



Nike+ Human Race - Just Did It!

By Sandra Witt • Sep 1st, 2008 • Category: celebs., news., sport.

Who knew that the Nike+ 10K Human Race would be a reunion for 90210? Former cast members like Tiffany Amber Thiessen and Jason Priestly ran in the event on 8/31/08 as well as the new cast of faces like Jessica Stroup, Dustin Milligan, Tristan Wilds and Michael Steger. This was a star-studded event with Randy Jackson as the host. Other actors from Jerry O’Connell to Pooch Hall also took part in the run, and athletes like Brandi Chastain, Lisa Leslie and Sarah Reinerstein were in attendance (some participated).

The purpose of the Nike+ Human Race was to see who had the fastest man and woman in each city/country, and to find out which city/country is the fastest on average. With over 25 cities participating and over one million runners running, this historical event contributed a portion of the funds to three casuses: Lance Armstrong’s Cancer Foundation (livestrong.org), ninemillion.org and WWF (the global conservation organization).

Munich had the fastest runner at 29′25″. The top 3 fastest cities included Taipei at #1, followed by Austin and Mexico City. Los Angeles came in 21st with our fastest man, Christian Hesch, at 30′41″ and fastest woman, Grace Padilla, at 36′35″. The race began at 8:31:08 p.m. and ended with a performance by Kanye West and Common. Kanye took the stage just after 10:00 p.m. and rocked the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for an hour. The night ended just how it began–with a big bang, as fireworks lit up the night sky.

It was great to be part of history, even if I wasn’t running! For complete global race results, click here.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa starts the race.

Los Angeles City Council members Jan Perry and Bernard Parks are joined by LA Sparks stars DeLisha Milton and Lisa Leslie, along with Randy Jackson (”American Idol” judge and Nike+ Human Race LA host).

Kanye West at the LA Coliseum

Kanye West. Photography by Bill Karz, click here to download hi-res image.

Kanye West at the LA Coliseum

Kanye West. Photography by Bill Karz, click here to download hi-res image.

Kanye West at the LA Coliseum

Kanye West. Photography by Bill Karz, click here to download hi-res image.

Kanye West at the LA Coliseum

Kanye West. Photography by Bill Karz, click here to download hi-res image.

Kanye West at the LA Coliseum

Kanye West. Photography by Bill Karz, click here to download hi-res image.

Kanye West mob scene.



Nike+ Human Race Tonight

By Bill Karz • Aug 31st, 2008 • Category: Giveaways, celebs., news., sport., urbangalpals., weekend.

Pack your sleeping bag and running shoes, the Nike+ Human Race takes place tonight at the Los Angeles Memorial coliseum. The 10k race featuring 12,000 runners starts at 8:31:08 p.m. Why the late start? LA is just one of 25 global cities hosting the event. As the final leg of the global marathon, Los Angeles will send off runners after the race to the anthems of Kanye West and Common.

Jerry O’Connell, Brian Austin Green and Tiffani Amber Thiessen, among many others, will be participating. In addition, Nike athletes Lisa Leslie, Brandi Chastain, DeLisha Milton, Khadevis Robinson and Sarah Reinertsen will also be in attendance. American Idol judge, Randy Jackson, will be the host of the night.

http://inside.nike.com/blogs/humanrace-en_US_LOSANGELES



iFLY Hollywood

By Bill Karz • Aug 22nd, 2008 • Category: celebs., sport.

Positioned in the heart of Universal CityWalk Hollywood’s restaurant- and shopping-lined strip in the San Fernando Valley, you can find yourself skydiving in front of the masses. The setting is a tunnel, as opposed to the open skies, so no need to pack a parachute. However, the experience is quite similar.

The wind tunnel reaches wind speeds that exceed typical skydiving air speed (120 mph) though the difference being you’re never at risk of falling thousands of feet to your death.

Countless celebrities are flocking to CityWalk for probably their first time. In a recent GQ article, Robert Downey Jr. wouldn’t have conducted the interview, had the journalist not been willing to meet him at iFLY. It’s just one of those places, in my personal opinion, that keeps you coming back for more. You kind of get addicted to see what your body is capable of doing under extreme wind pressure. The slightest hand movement can turn you 360 degrees, and the way you position your body will either allow you to float high in the tunnel or drop like a pencil through the air.

Click here for pricing, as it varies depending on individual flights and groups.

iFLY Hollywood
Universal Studios City Walk
Hollywood - Universal City, CA 91608
tel: (818) 985-4359

*Located right off Metro’s Red Line at Universal City, take the Universal Studios Hollywood tram up to CityWalk for the most convenient, green, cost-effective form of transit to/from iFLY.

www.iflyhollywood.com



Dodgers Stand by Me

By Bill Karz • Aug 17th, 2008 • Category: celebs.

Not only were Dodger fans treated to a stellar bottom of the 9th walk-off home run on Sunday afternoon, they also may have been seated next to star Director, Producer, Writer, Actor — Rob Reiner. I saw him on the way to the Club level on the 1st base line. What a sighting! Gotta love LA sports.



Full Tilt Fulfillment - Aug. 3 at Ritual

By Bill Karz • Jul 31st, 2008 • Category: celebs., news., weekend.

Take it from me, poker is for amateurs. Pros don’t know what to expect. Whatever skills you may have, or may think you have, test them against the celeb set at the Fulfillment Fund’s “Summer Nights” fundraising event and No Limit Texas Hold ‘ Em charity poker tournament supporting disadvantaged youth on Aug. 3.

Up to 150 players will compete and the winner will receive a top ten finalist seat at the “Aces Full” three table invitational at the Bicycle Casino on Aug. 22, 2008, where they will play for 15K in cash and prizes including a seat at the 2009 WPT Legends of Poker Main Event.

Celebrities/Pros expected to attend include: Melinda Clarke (The OC, CSI), Jamie Gold (World Series of Poker Champion), Kelly Hu (X Men2, The Scorpion King), Maeve Quinlan (90210), Bailey Chase (Saving Grace), Tony Dennison (The Closer), Kristie Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Yancey Arias (Knight Rider), Victoria Pratt (Daybreak), Roger Cross (24, Caprica), Chris Harrison (Host of The Bachelor), Eric Woods (The Next Race), Tia Carrere (True Lies, Wayne’s World), Rosa Blasi (Strong Medicine), Justin Hartley (Smallville), Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill), Rikki Lake, Daisy Fuentes, Mark Thompson (That’s So Hollywood, Fox 11) and more.

Proceeds from the night will benefit the Fulfillment Fund Bright Future Scholarships.

Poker Package is $350 by August 1st including Tournament Buy-in for $250 and Gala Event Ticket. There is a late registration fee of $100 for registration at the door. Summer Nights Gala Event Fee is $125 for party goers by August 1st, or $150 at the door.

Location: RITUAL - 1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood

Check-in: begins at 3p.m. (Tournament begins promptly at 4p.m. Gala party to follow at 7p.m.)

For more information on the Fulfillment Fund, visit www.fulfillment.org.



Twilight at the Club

By Bill Karz • Jul 22nd, 2008 • Category: celebs., eat/drink.

Could this be the best 19th hole in Los Angeles? The Twilight at the Club put on by Ghettogloss is located at Griffith Park next to the pro shop and driving range at the Wilson and Harding courses. This Wednesday, the party will be hosted by American Pie’s Jason Biggs.

Here’s the image of how it goes down, according to Ghettogloss:

“Picture this…..
Hot summer twilight and ice cold drinks at the Clubhouse in Griffith Park. The hot summer sun is finally going down, our fine bearded 70’s dj is spinning some low tempo beats, you are sipping on an ice cold Bloody Mary and looking out into miles of green golf course in Griffith Park with a completely unobstructed view. As you sit under an umbrella at at table for four with a few of your rad girlfriends and check out the hotties at the table next to you, you can hear random caws of exotic animals from the L.A. Zoo in between beats and you think to yourself…………Holy shit, I love L.A.”

Twilight at the Club takes place every Wednesday night all summer long from 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Call Ghettogloss for more information 323 912 0008*

To get there:
Enter Griffith Park at Los Feliz.
Stay straight…past the Merry Go Round.
Go left at the third stop sign.
Go up the hill and park on the right or on the top lot.
If you pass the driving range, you have gone too far.
If you see the driving range, you’ve made it!!



Madame Tussauds Unveiled

By Bill Karz • Jul 17th, 2008 • Category: celebs., culture., news.

Madame Tussauds has recently revealed the details of their newest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Located in the heart of Hollywood adjacent to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is scheduled to open in summer 2009 as the first Madame Tussauds to be built from the ground up in the 200-year history of the company. The 44,000-square-foot, $55 million, three-story building will be home to celebrity wax figures that can cost in upwards of $150,000 each to create. Set in 12 themed areas (The Red Carpet, Party, Spirit of Hollywood, Westerns, Crime, Modern Classics, Making Movies, Sport, Action Heroes, Behind the Scenes and Awards Ceremony), more than 80 figures will be on display. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the first three figures to be included in the new museum: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and the recently deceased Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. Hollywood prides itself on status symbols that celebrities thrive to attain; from getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to being the lucky recipient of an Oscar® Statuette. Having a wax figure created in your honor at Madame Tussauds Hollywood will soon be considered another preeminent mark of achievement for the celeb-set to earn and the public to admire. Not only will visitors be able to see their favorite celebs up close, the figures at Madame Tussauds can be touched and approached for photo opps.

www.madametussauds.com/hollywood



Fireworks, Stars and the Galaxy

By Bill Karz • Jul 3rd, 2008 • Category: celebs., sport., weekend.

Instead of the usual fireworks extravaganza, why not check out Posh’s hubby on the pitch as the Galaxy take on the New England Revolution. A patriotic match for the ages. Think about it…a British sport on American soil with a Brit leading the charge for the Americans facing a militia from Massachusetts. Let’s hope our man Beckham doesn’t change his name to Benedict.

For $100, you and three others can see the fastest game in town (until Baron Davis goes toe to toe with Kobe). Fireworks will light up the night sky and cervezas will be had.



Where to Spot Celebs in LA

By Bill Karz • Jul 2nd, 2008 • Category: celebs.

You may think of restaurants like Cut, the Ivy, Providence and Ortolan or hotels like the Beverly Wilshire, the Roosevelt and the Marmont as typical locales where you’ll find a-listers in their element. You’re right, but dropping $100 tabs might not suit your fancy. So if you’re looking for a quick fix, the red carpet isn’t always as unapproachable as you may think.

Standing outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is your best shot at spotting a celeb at the best value. Unlike a restaurant or hotel, the Grauman’s scene is 100% free. Not to mention, it’s located right next to the Metro subway station (Hollywood & Highland), and premieres typically take place early in the week (when flights are less expensive, hotel rates are lower and the weekend crowds are not as overwhelming). Hancock premiered on Monday and I saw Will Smith slowly parade down the red carpet with his family. Visitors to LA for their first time were in shock to say the least.

If you’re not the star struck kind of person and just trying to make your way down Hollywood during a premiere — when street closures kill the flow of traffic — I suggest walking/driving down either Franklin or Hawthorn.