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KC and The Sunshine Band to Headline DAP Health’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards 

KC and The Sunshine Band to Headline DAP Health’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards 

By Teri Kinne 

PALM SPRINGS, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/14/25 – The desert’s premier fundraising gala is set to welcome music legends KC and The Sunshine Band as headliners for DAP Health’s 31st Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. The event, with our presenting sponsor, Desert Care Network, will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. 

As both a journalist and former event producer, I look forward to covering this meaningful evening for The Hollywood Times, where Grammy Award-winning KC and The Sunshine Band will bring their signature sound to this vital fundraising celebration. 

The evening will honor Lynn Hammond with the Partners for Life Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to community service. DAP Health CEO David Brinkman shares the enthusiasm: “I can already foresee a standing, sold out crowd giving it up to shake, shake, shake and get down that night in their boogie shoes.” 

Event Chair Kevin Bass, who helped secure Barry Manilow’s performance at last year’s successful $2.3 million fundraiser, has reimagined this year’s gala. “We want them to actually get up and dance the night away!” Bass notes. 

The evening begins at 5:30 PM with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner and live auction at 6:30 PM. KC and The Sunshine Band will perform at 9:00 PM. 

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit daphealth.org/thechase or email sponsorships@daphealth.org. The dress code is “Creative Formal” – guests are encouraged to dress to impress with their own uniquely fabulous flair.

HOLLYWOOD FL – FEBRUARY 24: KC And The Sunshine Band pose for a portrait on stage at Hard Rock Live held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on February 24, 2023 in Hollywood, Florida. Photo By Larry Marano © 2023

Fait Accompli or Only Josie Knows?

Fait Accompli or Only Josie Knows?
“Only Josie Knows” riding Rancho Caribeno

By Josie Goldberg

The Hollywood Times – January 14, 2024

In my twenties and thirties, I did not have the desire to travel much. Los Angeles had everything I needed and more. I also was building my career or as they say laying my foundations and was super enthralled with everything going on in my life and around me in LA, California. Being a reality tv personality, owning and developing winning thoroughbred racehorses, and of course my alliance with all my new friends (very prominent males) from the former iconic Private Turf Cub at Santa Anita Racetrack.  I had everything I wanted and more.  However, one of my mentors and friends would always remind me that “Luck” does not last forever, and he was afraid my tires would wear bald.

My friend Joe Scardino would always tell me that he was at the end of his life and wanted to help me because he liked me.  He said Josie, you’re lucky but trust me this run is going to end with regards to me having successful thoroughbred horses at such a young age. He said I had a very long run. He would always say, “I don’t get close to too many people, but I like you. I see that you would never go after anyone initially it’s just when you get attacked, you bury them!  Joe understood me as he was of Sicilian descent.  He would always tell me to enjoy life and try to avoid problems, altercations and lawsuits. He saw how happy I was living the good life and said just figure out how to have checks coming in and all your problems would be solved. He consistently saw how I would lose my mind, waiting for my horses to win, gambling to pay bills, and waiting for television execs to put me back on tv.  Forget finding rich men to marry! He always said make your own money and make the choosing. You can’t help yourself Josie and you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut with a wealthy family or man! He built his wealth from a 2-person operation in his garage with his wife and when he died, he was worth millions and had thousands of employees. He knew people! He said you’re a good person! it’s just that you can’t keep quiet!

The pandemic helped me immensely.  I changed my life so that I can still pursue my other entertainment profession/ hobbies and continue to have a productive life for myself without my family and friends abandoning me. I became a Real Estate Broker in California. I come from a family where productive living is a must. No following your dreams unless you make your way first! My family would not allow me to pursue my dreams without having a formal education and profession.  If so no inheritance or assistance. I really thought about Mr. Scardino in 2024. I left thoroughbred racing in the beginning of 2024 and after 13 years really adapted to a new modus operando. I tried to avoid confrontations and altercations. I focused on my checks coming in and being a mature businesswoman as Joe said would make me more prosperous and happier. The one thing that arose in me in 2024 is my desire for travel (International and domestic), international studs worldwide and my love for tropical beaches and some casino gaming in the mix.

This year’s winter vacation was amazing.  I went to South Florida and The Dominican Republic.  I had some very interesting experiences. Some say they were coincidences, and some say “Fait Accompli.”

“ Only Josie Knows” at Hard Rock

I have to say “The Seminole Hard Rock “is one of my favorite casino resorts in the world. I always find exciting men while I’m there.  In my past articles I spoke about the European studs that I was dating and mentioned I wanted something closer to home.

Well, I hit closer to home then I ever expected. I met two handsome men. One was an all American 6’5 stud and other was a very classy handsome intelligent Russian Jewish stud!

Let’s start with the younger stud. I was playing blackjack with a group of men from Jupiter, Florida. All the dealers wear name tags from where they are from. It’s the theme for the casino.  The players also seem to talk with one another on where they were visiting from.  Well, when I said I was from California these men started telling me that California was a horrible state and they feel bad for me. I said I am sorry but that is fake news. California is the best state in America.  Our real estate market is very stable, and most of our schools are Blue Ribbon. In addition, our universities are top tier where all dream to come from all around the world. These men started to get a little hot headed with me and said Well you live in Orange County, that is not most of California.  I told you previously about my friend Joe and how he taught me to avoid confrontation. I smiled and said Boys from Jupiter, the only thing that South Florida has that we lack in southern California is tall, handsome studs that are 35-45, 6’5 with an athletic build that are very manly and MAGA men. As soon as they realized I am also a Trump supporter they calmed down and their friend walked in from another gaming room. I swear this man was 6’5. Gorgeous, incredible body and I immediately almost fell over. I looked at him and he looked at me and the chemistry went flying. His friends were cute, but not my type. But this stud, was something I have not seen in a long time. Well as you know, I ended up getting seduced at the blackjack table and I could not believe that I could have such physical chemistry with a 35-year-old fisherman! I am 42 years old and usually date age appropriate. Mr. Jupiter owns a charter boating company and is a successful fisherman and he told me his specialty is Yellowfin Tuna. He promised me that he would take me on one of his excursions one day and catch a big fish for me. We all know pillow talk, but let’s see if this Maga man is a man of his word and has integrity.  Mr. Jupiter is a Gelding as he has 3 small children and portrays to be a single man. We will wait patiently for Mr. Jupiter to invite “The Hollywood Times” on one of his charters to see the Bahamas and catch some Yellowfin tuna for Only Josie Knows stay tuned!

Mr. Jupiter

The second man I met was on Chanukah and Christmas. Dec 25. I was playing a slot machine while I was trying to hit the major jackpot.  I was losing bad until next to me sat this very intelligent handsome man dressed to impress and my luck changed immediately.  I was playing 5 dollars a spin and he was spinning big. We started talking and it turns out we come from the same people. We immediately bonded and had many laughs. We spent some time together and then the chemistry just hit out of nowhere.  This man like the other stud was not in my age range. This man was 55 and at a different point in his life than me. I was shocked on how I was so captivated by his presence and how our relationship escalated.   We said our goodbyes at the Seminole Hard Rock, and then a chance encounter between two Russian Jewish gamers ensued at one of the hottest spots on South Beach a couple days later, which ironically is owned by some famous Jewish entrepreneurs.

I was excited to see some of my clients that I interviewed previously for “The Hollywood Times” when I went to Miami for a couple of nights.  I went to visit my favorite Greek restaurant in South Beach “Santorini by Georgios.” I had an amazing Greek Mojito and a Greek Salad. I have to say these Greeks are very hospitable.

I then went for Mimi Boliviana aka The Orgasm Queens birthday dinner to Papi Steak house in Miami Beach. As we were leaving Papi Steak, the paparazzi starts shooting us because we were turning up that night to the max.  Mimi Boliviana is blowing up as one of the top adult stars in the industry with over 3.2 million followers on TikTok, 800k on X and close to 1 million on Instagram. As we got to the exit door, I literally almost bumped into my Russian Jewish VIP Slot stud with his significant other! He had no idea how special “Only Josie Knows” is and how God always shows me signs with all in my life.

He also did not do his research as I branded with Thoroughbred racing in California and there is a reason why wealthy men in California Thoroughbred Racing invested in Josie Long legs.  Josie Legs runs statewide, worldwide and always finds the best race!

My friend could have invited me, but that’s why even more so, with or without my men, I always am able to enter the best races worldwide. I built my career parallel to my romantic career. Mimi and I sat at the Bar and were given the best treatment. The food was so luscious and organic.  The Vibe was amazing.  I did not say anything to Miss/Mrs. VIP SLOT because Mr. VIP SLOT was very generous to me and only showed me respect and class while we engaged in our friendship. He did not acknowledge me, but I did not care! I play by the rules and don’t come for people unless they really hurt me, betray me or try to get a piece of ass for free and use me. That is my Trigger! I like Gentleman!!  Mimi thought it was funny! South beach is over an hour away from Seminole, what a small world? Or is it Fait Accompli? Well stay tuned for how that relationship is developing further….

Dominican Republic, Punta Cana

The Dominican Republic was very relaxing for me.  I had so much action in Florida and Only Josie Knows needed rest. The ocean was so warm and the resort where I stayed RIU Punta Cana was very comfortable. The food was fresh, healthy and available 24/7. That is important for me as I love to eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

I was happy to face one of my fears this trip. At the RIU resort I met Estefania Perez Payano from Destinations Services, and she booked me on a horseback riding excursion throughout the jungle and beach with Rancho Caribeno.

Estefania Perez Payano –
Contact #18292793238

I know people laugh at me and say how do you own thoroughbreds/ breed for 13 years and have never been on a horse more than 5 minutes. Well, this trip I faced my fears and did it. To be honest I had to be ponied the whole way.

“Only Josie Knows” riding
Rancho Caribeno

Riding horses for me was so therapeutic and so thrilling, especially going through the jungle and beach. I highly recommend this activity for all ages.

I am “Only Josie Knows” and I tell people I am from California. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I was raised as a real American with values of our culture and constitution. I will always be nice and give all the benefit of the doubt the first time around but if you show me otherwise; I will show you the “real Wild Wild West”. That is California values, we sometime are viewed by the rest of the world as “the fruits and nuts of the world” but when push comes to shove, we are the Golden State and will always be! We really are the representative of American Values!

As for my horses that I added to my barn, I don’t see them as a Kentucky Derby Contenders for 2025 for me but more of claiming horses that there is room to improve.  In horse racing, horses can improve and become champions. It’s rare but it happens. I do expect Mr. Jupiter to be a man of his word   and to take me on a fishing trip and catch me a yellowfin tuna. What do you think? Will he?  Stay tuned for where “Only Josie Knows” goes in 2025. It was a pleasure to bring in the New Year with the people of the Dominican Republica!

Happy New Year 2025

2025 Sundance Film Festival Announces Jury Members

2025 Sundance Film Festival Announces Jury Members
Top Row L–R: Kaniehtiio Horn, Vinnie Malhotra, Celine Song, Sam and Andy Zuchero, Kevin Macdonald, Wanuri Kahiu
Second Row L–R: Nicholas Ma, Arian Moayed, Daniel Kaluuya, Elijah Wood, Nia Imara, Michael Almereyda
Third Row L–R: Dr. Monica Lopez, Maggie Mackay, Marcia Smith, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Daniela Alatorre, Ava Cahen
Bottom Row L–R: Steven Bognar, Kibwe Tavares, Laura Kim
PARK CITY, UTAH, January 14, 2025 — The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the 16 jurors granting awards honoring excellence in cinematic and artistic achievement at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, along with the five jury members who present the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. The 2025 Festival will kick off on Thursday, January 23, with premieres in Park City every day through the end of Tuesday, January 28. Additional showings will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City throughout the Festival until Sunday, February 2. Over 11 days, world debuts of projects across program categories will highlight fresh voices, entertaining stories, and groundbreaking works.

Select awarded films in competition will be screened in person from February 1–2. Single Film Tickets for in-person and online screenings go on sale Thursday, January 16, at 10 a.m. MT. Visit the Sundance Film Festival website for more information: festival.sundance.org.

The 16 jury members, reflecting a range of diverse and influential perspectives, will select the winners to be announced during the Awards Ceremony held at The Ray Theatre on Friday, January 31. The 2025 Sundance Film Festival jury includes: Reinaldo Marcus GreenArian Moayed, and Celine Song for the U.S. Dramatic Competition; Steven BognarVinnie Malhotra, and Marcia Smith for the U.S. Documentary Competition; Ava CahenWanuri Kahiu, and Daniel Kaluuya for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition; Daniela AlatorreLaura Kim, and Kevin Macdonald for the World Cinema Documentary Competition; Kaniehtiio HornMaggie Mackay, and Kibwe Tavares for the Short Film Program Competition; and Elijah Wood for the NEXT section.

The jury for the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize deliberated ahead of the festival and awarded the prize to SALLY, directed by Cristina Costantini. This jury includes Michael AlmereydaNia ImaraMonica LopezNicholas Ma, and Sam and Andy Zuchero.

“We are thrilled to announce the incredible and accomplished group that comprise the 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s jury,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “The jury plays a pivotal role in helping us recognize and amplify a new generation of storytellers, which is a crucial part of our work in independent cinema.”

“The jury will embark on an exciting journey to recognize the storytelling and artistic achievements that are a part of this year’s program,” said Kim Yutani, the Festival’s Director of Programming. “We are truly appreciative of their commitment and are looking forward to having them join us at the Festival.”

Festivalgoers attending in person will participate in selecting the 2025 Audience Awards, which are available to films in the U.S. Competition, World Competition, and NEXT categories. Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the Festival Favorite, chosen from all in-person eligible feature film screenings. The Audience Awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 31. The Festival Favorite film will be announced at the conclusion of the Festival on Sunday, February 2.

Following are the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Jury members and their respective sections:

U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION JURY

Reinaldo Marcus Green is a writer, director, and producer. He most recently directed and wrote Paramount’s Bob Marley: One Love, which debuted at number one at the box office. Green is best known for directing the critically acclaimed Warner Bros. film  King Richard, which was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and earned Will Smith his first Oscar win.

Arian Moayed, an Iranian-born actor, co-founded Waterwell in New York City. Credits include Tony Award nominations for Broadway’s A Doll’s House and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad ZooThe Humans (Drama Desk Award), Guards at the Taj (Obie Award), Succession (two Emmy nominations), Inventing Anna (Netflix), and Ms. Marvel.

Celine Song’s feature debut, Past Lives (2023 Sundance Film Festival), received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay and won Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Feature and the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – First-Time Feature Film. A24 will release her second film.

U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION JURY

Steven Bognar is an Oscar- and Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker based in Ohio. His films include American Factory (2019 Sundance Film Festival), 9to5: The Story of a MovementA Lion in the House (2006 Sundance Film Festival), and The Last Truck. He co-directed each with his late partner, Julia Reichert.

Vinnie Malhotra, an Emmy- and Peabody Award–winning producer, leads the film and TV division of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground. Malhotra served as executive vice president of nonfiction programming at Showtime, led development and acquisitions at CNN Worldwide, and began his career as an ABC News producer.

Marcia Smith is a filmmaker, writer, and a co-founder and president of Firelight Media, a nonprofit organization that supports and advocates on behalf of documentary filmmakers of color. She recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from DOC NYC and a Silver Anthem Award for Nonprofit Leadership — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION JURY

Ava Cahen is the artistic director of Cannes Critics’ Week. She is the co-founder and co–chief editor of frenchmania.fr. Cahen is a commentator on Canal+’s Le Cercle and previously took part in several Le Masque et la Plume programs on France Inter. She regularly juries and does workshops at international festivals.

Wanuri Kahiu is a filmmaker, speaker, and writer. Kahiu’s Rafiki was the first Kenyan film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. One of Time magazine’s 100 Next in 2019, she’s a World Economic Forum cultural leader and co-founder of AFROBUBBLEGUM. Kahiu is set to direct Disney’s Once on This Island.

Daniel Kaluuya is an Oscar-, BAFTA-, and Golden Globe–winning actor, writer, producer, and director. His credits include Judas and the Black MessiahGet OutNopeWidowsSicarioBlack Panther, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Kaluuya wrote, produced, and co-directed The Kitchen for Netflix.

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION JURY

Daniela Alatorre is an accomplished Mexican producer and filmmaker with over 20 short and feature films to her credit. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Mexican Film Academy and was recently appointed as general director of the Mexican Film Institute.

Laura Kim was executive vice president of marketing at the recently shuttered Participant Media, where she contributed to campaigns for Academy Award–winning American FactoryA Fantastic WomanSpotlight, and Citizenfour, as well as All the Beauty and the BloodshedDescendantFlee, and The Look of Silence.

Kevin Macdonald is a Scottish director and producer who has made BAFTA- and Oscar-winning documentaries and features over a 30-year career. His work includes The MauritanianOne to One: John and Yoko, Touching the VoidOne Day in SeptemberMarley, and Life in a Day.

NEXT JUROR

Elijah Wood is a partner and co-founder of SpectreVision, the indie genre production company behind A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night and Mandy. His acting credits include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Ice StormEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindWilfred, and Over the Garden Wall.

SHORT FILM PROGRAM COMPETITION JURY

Kaniehtiio Horn is a Mohawk actress, writer-director, and producer. Her feature directorial debut, Seeds, which she wrote and starred in, premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. She was awarded the 2024 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award. Acting credits include Reservation DogsAlice, DarlingRutherford Falls, and Letterkenny.

Maggie Mackay, Vidiots Foundation’s executive director, developed her love of film as a child in her local New York City cinemas and video stores. For 13 years she was a senior programmer of the L.A. Film Festival and director of nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Kibwe Tavares is an architect-turned-filmmaker known for visually stunning, imaginative storytelling. His acclaimed shorts (Robots of BrixtonJonahThe Kitchen) and work on Noughts + Crosses showcase his talent for blending world-building with human emotion. Co-founder of Factory Fifteen, Tavares explores futuristic narratives rooted in societal and cultural themes.

ALFRED P. SLOAN FEATURE FILM PRIZE JURY

Michael Almereyda’s filmography spans 30 years. Marjorie Prime (2017) and Tesla (2020) won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, and Skinningrove (2013) won the Sundance Film Festival  Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction. He has written for The New York TimesArtforumFilm Comment, and booklets for the Criterion Collection.

Nia Imara is an artist, an astrophysicist, a professor of astronomy at UC Santa Cruz, and the founder of Onaketa, a nonprofit providing free STEM tutoring for Black and brown children. Imara’s new book, Painting the Cosmos, about the intersection of art and science, will be released in February 2025.

Dr. Monica Lopez is an entrepreneur and one of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics. She is developing human-centered artificial intelligence. Prior, she was a photographer and a writer-director and producer of theater and film, merging artistic work with research in the neuroscience of creativity. Her Ph.D. is in cognitive science from Johns Hopkins University.

Nicholas Ma is an award-winning director, writer, and producer whose films span an eclectic array of topics, from botany to basketball to Fred Rogers. Recently he wrote and directed Mabel (2024 San Francisco International Film Festival), directed Leap of Faith (Picturehouse, 2024), and became a father! He lives in Brooklyn.

Sam and Andy Zuchero have been making art together since their teens. Their first feature, Love Me, starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and will be released by Bleecker Street and Focus Features in 2025. The film follows a buoy and satellite who meet online, fall in love, and they discover what it means to be alive. Andy’s short film The Apocalypse premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and won Best Midnight Short at SXSW. Sam has a background in theater and has acted in several independent films that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance Institute

As a champion and curator of independent stories, the nonprofit Sundance Institute provides and preserves the space for artists across storytelling media to create and thrive. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, the Institute’s signature labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. Sundance Collab, a digital community platform, brings a global cohort of working artists together to learn from Sundance advisors and connect with each other in a creative space, developing and sharing works in progress. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences and artists to ignite new ideas, discover original voices, and build a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Through the Sundance Institute artist programs, we have supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern WildThe Big SickBottle RocketBoys Don’t CryBoys StateCall Me by Your NameClemencyCODADrunktown’s FinestThe FarewellFire of LoveFleeThe Forty-Year-Old VersionFruitvale StationHalf NelsonHedwig and the Angry InchHereditaryHoneylandThe InfiltratorsThe Last Black Man in San FranciscoLittle WoodsLove & BasketballMe and You and Everyone We KnowMudboundNanny, One Child NationPariahRaising Victor VargasRequiem for a DreamReservoir DogsRBGSin NombreSorry to Bother YouStrong IslandSummer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)Swiss Army ManA Thousand and OneTop of the LakeWalking and TalkingWon’t You Be My Neighbor?, and Zola. Through year-round artist programs, the Institute also nurtured the early careers of such artists as Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Gregg Araki, Darren Aronofsky, Lisa Cholodenko, Ryan Coogler, Nia DaCosta, The Daniels, David Gordon Green, Miranda July, James Mangold, John Cameron Mitchell, Kimberly Peirce, Boots Riley, Ira Sachs, Quentin Tarantino, Taika Waititi, Lulu Wang, and Chloé Zhao. Support Sundance Institute in our commitment to uplifting bold artists and powerful storytelling globally by making a donation at sundance.org/donate. Join SundanceInstitute on Facebook, Instagram, TikTokX (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

Sundance Film Festival®

The Sundance Film Festival, a program of the nonprofit, Sundance Institute, is the pre-eminent gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide. The Festival has introduced some of the most groundbreaking films and episodic works of the past three decades, including Daughters, Dìdi (弟弟), A Real Pain, Sujo, ThelmaWill & HarperPast Lives, 20 Days in Mariupol, The Eternal Memory, Still: A Michael J. Fox MovieA Thousand and OnePretty Baby: Brooke ShieldsRye LaneNavalnyFire of LoveFleeCODAPassingSummer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)MinariClemencyNever Rarely Sometimes AlwaysZolaO.J.: Made in AmericaOn the RecordBoys StateThe FarewellHoneyland, One Child NationThe SouvenirThe InfiltratorsSorry to Bother YouTop of the LakeWon’t You Be My Neighbor?HereditaryCall Me by Your NameGet OutThe Big SickMudboundFruitvale StationWhiplashBrooklynPreciousThe CoveLittle Miss SunshineAn Inconvenient TruthNapoleon DynamiteHedwig and the Angry InchReservoir Dogs, and sex, lies, and videotape. The program consists of fiction and nonfiction features and short films, series and episodic content, innovative storytelling, and performances, as well as conversations, and other events. The Festival takes place in person in Utah, as well as online, connecting audiences to bold new artists and films. The 2025 Festival will be held January 23–February 2, 2025. Be a part of the Festival at festival.sundance.org and follow the Festival on Facebook, InstagramTikTokX (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

The Festival is a program of the nonprofit Sundance Institute. To date 2025 Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors – Acura, AMC+, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Adobe; Leadership Sponsors – Audible, Casamigos, Omnicom Group, Shutterstock, United Airlines; Sustaining Sponsors – Canon U.S.A., Inc., Darling&Co., Dropbox, World of Hyatt®, IMDbPro, MACRO, Rabbit Hole Bourbon & Rye, University of Utah Health, Vimeo, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, White Claw Hard Seltzer; Media Sponsors – Deadline Hollywood, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Vibe, Vulture, TheWrap. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations helps offset the Festival’s costs and sustain the Institute’s year round programs for independent artists. Please visit festival.sundance.org for more.

The Academy of Magical Arts & The Magic Castle® Conjure Hope, Aid Relief Efforts

The Academy of Magical Arts & The Magic Castle® Conjure Hope, Aid Relief Efforts
The Magic Castle On Jan. 8 Hollywood Hills Fire (Credit Liberty Larsen)

HOLLYWOOD — As the Los Angeles community faces widespread and unprecedented adversity, The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) and The Magic Castle®—which itself was recently endangered by the Hollywood Hills fire—are bringing a little bit of magic to the fire recovery effort and people impacted by this tragedy.

Erika Larsen (third From R) Leads Magic Castle Crew With Garden Hoses On Jan. 8

The AMA has been spearheading a fundraising effort to collect essentials and toiletries for people in need, asking the community to bring items to the club.  On Tuesday, Jan. 14, The Magic Castle will transform its parking lot into a haven of comfort and support, distributing deli sandwiches, chips and cookies to individuals and families facing challenges brought on by the fires. Strolling magicians will be on hand to bring a moment of joy to attendees.

People may select needed items at the event. To ensure that aid reaches those most in need, we are requesting that attendees bring formal ID to identify zip codes in fire zones  Any items remaining following the event will be donated to The Red Cross.

Said, Hervé Levy, General Manager of The Magic Castle, “The Magic Castle has been a part of the L.A. community for 62 years.  We want to support our neighbors and people across Los Angeles who have been most severely impacted by this unprecedented tragedy … and bring a little magic into their lives for even a few moments. The magic community and other people have reacted quickly and generously to this effort and we look forward to welcoming people in need to our event.”

WHO: People impacted by the fires (ID requested for zip code verification)

WHAT:  AMA/The Magic Castle Fundraiser & Community Event, Food, distribution of essential items & strolling magicians

WHEN:  TODAY – Tuesday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., club parking lot

WHERE:  The Magic Castle, 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028

PARKING:  Onsite

WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS/REQUESTED ITEMS:

  • Gift Cards
  • Blankets, Bedding & Pillows
  • Flashlights & Batteries
  • Deodorant, Soap, Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
  • Detergent & Cleaning Supplies
  • Rags, Mops, Brooms & Scrub Brushes
  • Paper Towels & Toilet Paper
  • Bottled Water
  • Underwear & Socks (New Only)
  • Device Chargers
  • Baby Formula, Diapers & Rash Cream
  • Children’s Toys & Books
  • Pet Food
  • PPE, Including Dust Masks
  • Heavy-Duty Garbage Bags
  • Bandanas, Work Gloves & Other Protective Clothing Items

About the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) is a unique non-profit. The AMA’s membership—including the world’s most pre-eminent and celebrated magicians and illusionists—lives by the “Magic First” creed, devoted to the advancement of the art of magic and preserving its history.  Its headquarters and private clubhouse, the Magic Castle, has been an internationally revered gathering place for the magic brotherhood since opening its doors in 1963.  Located in historic Hollywood in an elegant, Victorian-era mansion, the Castle is an experience within itself—a remarkable meeting spot that captures a lost era and is timeless in its appeal, having hosted generations of magic enthusiasts from around the globe, as well as show biz elite from Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Johnny Carson, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Alexander (all performing members) to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry and Johnny Depp. The Magic Castle was founded by writer, actor, magician and entrepreneur Milt Larsen and his late brother, Bill Larsen, Jr., and his late wife Irene. Visit us online at: www.MagicCastle.com

Magic Castle (Exterior)

Weather Alert: Santa Ana Windstorm Threatens Southern California—What You Need to Know

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Weather Alert: Santa Ana Windstorm Threatens Southern California—What You Need to Know
By Tequila Mockingbird
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/13/25 – Southern California is bracing for yet another Santa Ana windstorm, with the National Weather Service issuing a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) warning for parts of the region. Fortunately, this storm has a significant easterly component and a much weaker northerly component, meaning the San Gabriel Valley will be spared from the strongest winds. Locally, expect conditions to remain calm with light winds.Here’s what to expect:

  • Winds will intensify late tonight, peaking around 8 AM tomorrow before subsiding in the evening.
  • For those in high-risk areas like Santa Clarita, Porter Ranch, Filmore, Acton, Camarillo, Ventura, and the eastern Inland Empire, this storm will hit hardest in your location. If you’ve evacuated to these areas, it’s recommended to return to the San Gabriel Valley, where you’ll be shielded from the storm’s effects.

What’s not affected:

  • Altadena will see no wind impact from this event, and winds will remain absent from the San Gabriel Valley during subsequent rounds of winds on Tuesday and Thursday. While these winds help clear toxic air pollution, conditions will remain dangerously unhealthy at night, so be cautious if you’re outdoors.

Stay safe and take care as these winds make their way through Southern California.

🎶 Time is Running Out—Get Your She Rocks Awards Tickets Now

🎶 Time is Running Out—Get Your She Rocks Awards Tickets Now

Green Day, Justin Timberlake, and Noah Kahan Headline BottleRock 2025

Green Day, Justin Timberlake, and Noah Kahan Headline BottleRock 2025

The wait is over—BottleRock Napa Valley’s 2025 lineup is here! As the proud presenting sponsor for the 9th year, JaM Cellars is thrilled to be back to the ultimate festival experience at the JaMPad. 

This year’s headliners taking stage May 23 – 25 include Green Day, Justin Timberlake, and Noah Kahan, along with an incredible lineup of artists for three unforgettable days of music, mouthwatering food, and, of course, delicious JaM Cellars wines.

Why Do Older Movies Look Faster?

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Why Do Older Movies Look Faster?
Credit: Historical/ Corbis Historical via Getty Images

When we think about old, silent films, we’re likely to picture the choppy, fast-paced movements of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, or perhaps the newsreel footage of Babe Ruth hitting a home run and seemingly zipping around the bases at 40 miles per hour. As talented as these individuals were, they weren’t capable of moving at speeds far beyond the range of normal people. So why do they appear that way on film?

Film Only Provides the Illusion of Movement

To answer this question, we need to go back to some of the basics of filmmaking. Throughout the history of cinema, movie cameras have never been able to faithfully capture real-life movement. Rather, they record a series of still images in rapid succession and replay them at speeds fast enough to trick the human mind into perceiving movement.

The number of individual images (or frames) displayed in one second of film is known as the frame rate, measured in frames per second (fps). Thomas Edison, who patented (but didn’t invent) the movie camera, noted that film needed to be shown at a speed of at least 46 fps to provide the illusion of movement. But in the early days of cinema, this proved too pricey to be practical, and some filmmakers found that the visual illusion could be sustained — and expensive celluloid film stock conserved — with frame rates closer to 16 fps, or even as low as 12 fps. While this speed was considered fast enough for a movie camera of that era, it is noticeably slower than the 24-fps rate that later became commonplace for both filming and projecting. And when old footage filmed at 16 fps or lower is accelerated for replaying at modern speeds, it will make the objects on screen move noticeably faster.

Some Films Were Sped Up on Purpose

In the 1920s, the major Hollywood studios largely used the Bell and Howell 2709 movie camera. This model featured a hand crank that churned through half a foot of film with each revolution. As such, turning the handle twice per second equated to a shooting speed of 16 fps, which became the general standard for the era.

That said, many silent film directors deliberately ordered sequences shot at slower or faster speeds — “undercranked” or “overcranked” — for effect. A scene filmed at a slower speed (i.e. 16 fps) and then projected at a faster speed (i.e. 24 fps) will appear sped up, while the effect of slow motion comes when something is filmed at an even faster speed and then slowed to a standard speed for projection.

Studios often provided theaters with specific instructions for projection speeds that were higher than the filmed speed to make the motion look faster than normal, generally for comedic purposes or action sequences. And yet many of these theaters projected the films at even higher speeds in order to cram more showings and boost the number of paying customers in a single day. The end result of a film shot at, say, somewhere between 14 and 18 fps and projected at 22 fps or faster is the sped-up motion typical of movies from this era.

Sound Changed the Standard for Speed

Though Edison and other innovators had previously attempted to match sound to moving pictures with limited success, the successful rollout of the Vitaphone with the Warner Bros. features Don Juan (1926) and The Jazz Singer (1927) showed that “talkies” were here to stay.

The Vitaphone solved the problem of sound and picture synchronization with a mechanical turntable that simultaneously powered a phonograph record alongside a film projector. A 16-inch record played at a speed of 33.3 rotations per minute (rpm) delivered 11 minutes of sound, matching the 11 minutes of visuals produced by 1,000 feet of film played at 24 fps. As sound ushered in a new era of cinema, Hollywood studios sought to standardize film speeds to preserve the uniform quality of their expensive productions, and 24 fps became the standard frame rate across the industry (notably slower than Edison’s original recommendation of 46 fps).

The reason for this exact number varies: Some sources note the depreciation of audio fidelity at lower speeds, or the fact that 24 is divisible by several numbers, enabling cinematographers to easily mark off smaller increments of film. Yet it’s likely that 24 fps was accepted throughout the industry largely because of Vitaphone’s initial success at that number.

The Filming Speed Today

Naturally, the equipment that once was considered cutting edge in Hollywood has long since been replaced by new and better creations. The all-important Vitaphone quickly became obsolete with the emergence of sound-on-film technology in the 1930s, and the Bell and Howell 2709 camera fell out of production by 1958. Even the longtime staple of celluloid film was largely pushed aside by major studios with the rise of digital movies in the 2000s.

Yet the old-fashioned 24 fps film rate remains standard across the industry, despite the ability of modern cameras to shoot at far greater speeds. One major reason for this is simply that audiences have become accustomed to the distinct look of movies shot at that speed (as evidenced by the critical uproar over the visuals from the 48-fps version of 2011’s The Hobbit).

This means we’ll likely continue watching movies filmed at this standard for the foreseeable future. And in the meantime, we can also enjoy the old clips of Charlie, Buster, and other luminaries of the silent era, the jerky movements and clumsy intertitles serving as a reminder of how far this beloved form of storytelling has come over the past century.

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An Interview with The Bear’s Edwin Lee Gibson

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An Interview with The Bear’s Edwin Lee Gibson

By Emily Safron

Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/13/25 – For Edwin Lee Gibson, his multiple partnerships with FX Networks were a mere coincidence. Now, the duo is on the road to success. “FX is fearless, and I see myself that way, so it’s a good fit,” he explained.

Gibson said he was only given a few words to build his character…”Ebra is a mystery that has lived 1000 lives.”

Gibson started acting when he was 16 and has since starred in 104 productions worldwide. Most recently, he starred in FX’s The Bear and She Taught Love. Now, he is looking ahead to his newest endeavor, a pink and red dress, made of satin… covered in flowers, mostly roses.

Gibson responded to his work on The Bear with all positive feedback, sharing a recent meeting with producer Christopher Storer. The two discussed their thoughts and the audience’s thoughts on the show. “I love doing the show with everyone. What people see that chemistry on camera, is indicative of how we are when the cameras aren’t rolling,” he shared. With the show renewed for a third season, Gibson looks forward to continuing his work with FX and Hulu.

In addition to acting, Gibson is also a writer. “I never want to be seen as an actor; I’m an artist, and artists create work,” he shared. “If you want to move in the business, you have to show people you can do beyond what they can do and put your mouth where your money is.” His upcoming short, a pink and red dress, made of satin… covered in flowers, mostly roses, began production in late 2024. The film was initially intended to be longer; however, Storer advised against putting all his money into his first project. He transformed it into a shortened 12-page version. Gibson will have a small role in addition to serving as executive producer.

Between 1998 and 2006, actor/writer Edwin Lee Gibson was a well-loved fixture for theater-loving children who enrolled in his Musical Theater Workshop at the Rye Arts Center.

Gibson was also chosen to be part of the Sony Pictures Television Writing Program in 2022 for his pilot Nicodemus. “You can only be nominated, and you can’t submit your own work,” Gibson said. “They read the projects blindly, and after the first cut, they find out who wrote the work. The program is filled with prompts and learning how to talk about the script and television writing process beyond a pilot.” Gibson shared he remained close with Sony following the program.

Gibson is looking forward to his projects this coming year, sharing he “may be working in the UK a bit more in 2025”. To learn more about Edwin Lee Gibson, you can follow along on his Instagram, @EdwinLeeGibson.