Tag Archives: Singers

DWTS: All-Stars Season

Posted on by Posted in Pop Culture .

 Start looking for your dancing shoes because a hot new season of Dancing with the Stars is on the horizon! Premiere night is Monday night, September 24th at 8pm (EST) to be exact! The series this fall is an all-star cast— featuring the best and the favorite celebs from the previous seasons of the show. Perhaps you’ve heard talk of this all summer long. If not that, maybe you dreamed of seeing your favorites from seasons past on the dance floor again. Whatever you’ve thought or heard, one thing for sure is that you no doubt have been curious about who would make the cut for an all-stars bout. All speculation became crystal- clear like the mirror ball trophy yesterday on Good Afternoon America. If you missed it, here’s who you can expect on Season fifteen of Dancing with the Stars.

  • Olympic metalist Apolo Ohno (won on season four)
  • Activist Bristol Palin (finalist on season eleven)
  • Singer Drew Lachey (won on season two)
  • Football pro Emmitt Smith (won on season three)
  • Actor Gilles Marini (finalist on season eight)
  • Racecar driver Helio Castroneves (won on season five)
  • Singer and actor Joey Fatone (finalist on season four)
  • Actress Kelly Monaco (won on season one)
  • Actress Kirstie Alley (finalist on season twelve)
  • Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and TV correspondent Melissa Rycroft (finalist on season eight)
  • Actress and model Pamela Anderson (participant on season ten)
  • Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson (won on season eight)DWTS: Allstar Season

The participating cast is supposed to have thirteen celebrities. But you just read a list of only read twelve names. Here’s what’s up with that: ABC is running a poll for fans and viewers to vote on that thirteenth participant. The selection is between Disney stars Kyle Massey and Sabrina Bryan, and TV host Carson Kressley and voting is done from ABC.com. The poll closes on Friday, August 24. The winner will be presented on Good Morning America on August 27th. For the first time ever, part of the show’s cast is a viewer’s choice! Get in on this experience while you can! Wondering which pros are participating? That hasn’t even been announced yet (and it’s got me antsy!) but Good Morning America will make it all known on August 13th. Boy! The show’s producers and publicity folk have certainly been making an effort to keep us guessing with all the details of this lineup! Make sure your dancing gear is on hand for this most highly-anticipated season to date!

The RiffRaff

Posted on by Posted in Art .

Open Mic at The RiffRaff, an Art Collective located at 865 Mercer St. in Princeton, WV, is an “artistic haven” according to Lori McKinney-Blankenship, where artistic talents of all types are welcomed, encouraged and respected.

Lori McKinney-Blankenship, along with the help of her husband Robert Blankenship opened The RiffRaff in 2006, making it a mere five years old, with the goal of giving back to the community, in an artistic way.

McKinney-Blankenship responded, “I grew up here, this is my hometown. I went away, studied theatre, and spent a summer abroad in London. The way the culture was shaped by the arts really affected me” when asked about what had motivated her to start The RiffRaff. She continued by saying “The fact that the community had access to art was something I recognized to be very valuable. After graduation, I searched for artists to work with, and hit the jackpot with creative collaborators. We wanted to make a difference in our community.”

Their desire to make a difference in their community was the building block to The Riff Raff. At open mic night, people are encouraged to make their way towards the stage, and to share their artistic talents with people who help form a supportive and welcoming group of people. All types of art are welcomed at The Riff Raff, according to McKinney-Blankenship, “Visual, literary, performing, healing, and theatrical. All types of creativity are welcome.”

The RiffRaff supplies people with a place to communicate with people whom they share things in common with. McKinney-Blankenship stated, “We’ve seen tons of young artists come in. Their creative lives are shaped by it. Waves of artists come at a time. It’s like eras of time. It’s always exciting,” she went on to say that “a few have really made it their identity, and taken advantage of the opportunities. Our door is open for you to make it your own.”

What falls under the category of making The RiffRaff your own? Well, at The RiffRaff, you are encouraged to share your art with other people. Diversities of art are welcome, encouraged and respected at The RiffRaff.

If you’re interested in starting or being in a band, The RiffRaff is a great place to meet people. McKinney-Blankenship said, “If you want to find a band, come to open mic. You’ll find musicians to perform with. Once you’re ready to record music, talk to us and we’ll get you started” when asked about how people could go about starting a band, and recording their music at the recording studio at The RiffRaff.

The RiffRaff gives people the opportunity to meet other artists, and to make friends with whom they have things in common with. McKinney-Blankenship said that “If you’re an artist or really creative person, and you’ve been looking for people to relate to, be friends with, you’ll find them here.”

For more information on The RiffRaff visit their website at theriffraff.net!