Recording Artist Erica Chase Joined Russell Brand, Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Cryer, Matt Kemp, Eric Dickerson & Other Celebs to Support the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program

Rocker Erica Chase may have traded a budding basketball career for a guitar and the opportunity to work with metal legend Dana Strum of Slaughter who is producing her upcoming album, but today she made an off-court rebound with a big assist to support A Day of Champions, a star-studded celebrity sports event at the Sports Museum of Los Angeles in support of the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

Chase, who sported a pair of rocker-chic, brown leather pants and so many of her signature bracelets that metal detectors at LAX are probably still going off, joined other celebs on the carpet including Russell Brand, Billy Bob Thorton, Jon Cryer, Jack Black, Chad Michael Murray, Robert Knepper, Soleil Moon Frye, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and NFL star Eric Dickerson.

“Whether on the court or off, there’s a champion in all of us,” Chase said.  “And today is a reminder that, together, we can make a difference in the lives of our smallest champions who are battling cancer.”

The Sports Museum of Los Angeles rarely opens its doors to the public except for special events, but today the doors were wide open and visitors took a rare look at the largest, private collection of sports memorabilia in the world.  More than 10,000 pieces were on display.

Meanwhile, Chase is returning to the studio to work on her album that’s scheduled for release in Summer, 2012.

Drumline Live

Prepare to be amazed. This show-stopping spectacle brings the explosive energy and athleticism of American marching bands to the Schermerhorn stage. Trained in marching band programs across the Southeast, the versatile cast of Drumline Live combines dazzling choreography with the sounds of contemporary hip-hop, R&B, classic Motown and the rousing brass band tradition.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7 PM
LOCATION: SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER

The Audacity of Dope

Riley Mansfield is not your typical hero. He writes songs for a living, smokes pot for recreation and just wants to live and let live. But when he foils an apparent terrorist plot to blow up a small plane over his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, he is thrust into the spotlight, which is exactly where he doesn t want to be.

Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of him, including both major political parties. They aren t willing to take no for an answer, partly because it s an election year and partly because what happened on the plane may be a bit more complicated than it appears.

Emboldened by his own obstinacy, Mansfield and his girl Friday, Melissa Franklin, lead the government and the Republicans on a sometimes merry, sometimes painful, sometimes lucky chase. Along the way, they stumble across unlikely friends a Democrat strategist, a Rolling Stone writer, a pair of sympathetic FBI agents and ruthless enemies. Theirs is a love affair of sex, drugs and country-folk set against a backdrop of political scheming, hidden agendas and an unraveling plan to maintain control of the government.

The American people deserve to know the truth, and it s up to Riley to tell them...if he can live long enough to get the chance.

Ilana Martin - The Voice Behind Grammy Award-Winning Hallmark & Emerging Musical Talents

Musical talent – past, present and future – find their voice; however, it is under the tutelage of an elite, well-versed vocal instructor that shapes them into celebrated entertainers.

With an international career that spans over three decades, ILana Martin is a voice trainer and founder of Vocal Workout Voice School.

At the early age of 16, ILana was accepted into the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world.  The accredited school shaped the careers of Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones. Within one week of enrollment, ILana independently trained clients out of her home.  By the age of 18, ILana was presented with an opportunity to tour as a background vocalist with Grammy-award winning entertainers Barry White and Patti LaBelle.

After a two-year nationwide tour, ILana toured with acclaimed American R&B artists Alicia Keys and D’Angelo.  Upon the launch of Motown Records’ sister label Mo Jazz Records, ILana provided harmonized to the seductive tunes of jazz guitarist Norman Brown.

Three years later, ILana’s talent traveled internationally from Europe to Latin America. During her global affairs, ILana founded the “ILana Martin Jazz Quartet” an opening act that captivated audiences. Touring in Ecuador with veteran Spanish singer Raphael de Espana; in France with English singer Tony Moore and in Malaysia with Boon Heng Tan, ILana’s international jaunts carried out approximately for eight years.  After relocating to New York, ILana homeschooled clients for more than two years out of her home in Harlem.  With a blossoming business in vocal training, ILana rented a space in Soho and founded Vocal Workout Voice School.

Vocal Workout Voice School is an institution built on holistic voice lessons. Differentiating from singing coaches and lessons, Vocal Workout Voice School recognizes that the voiceprint is natural and not found alike – similar to one’s fingerprint – and utilizes three-part ancient Yoruba breathing technique meshed with great tonal technique made frequent by renowned vocal coach Arthur Samuel Joseph.

To date, ILana has trained megastar entertainers including R&B artists Sean Combs and his female counterparts Dawn Richer and Kalenna Harper of Diddy-Dirty Money along with American singer Sean Garret.  ILana’s gift has lead to successful paths of the following independent artists: American singer Shay Fiol, an opening act for Grammy-award winning American soul artist India Arie; 2010 Budweiser Superfest contest winner and soul singer, Darien and Barack Obama’s inaugural performer and the voice behind Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King”, Dylan Janet Collins.

ILana’s professional career as a headlining background vocalist and celebrity vocal trainer spans approximately three decades – warranting her as a highly sought after instructor that continues to pave the expansive careers of recording studio and stage performers.

The Breeders' Cup World Championships, Watch It, Wager On It, And Win!

Kentucky Downs is the place to be to watch and wager on the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

You can root for your favorites in the 15 championship races to be run at Churchill Downs - and you'll have many chances to win in contests and drawings on both days of this big event.

See if you can be the "Breeders' Cup Survivor" on Breeders' Cup Friday.  Pick the winners of the six Friday Breeders' Cup races. If you have the winner in the first race, you move on. The last player standing wins $250.

Then on Breeders' Cup Saturday:  Make your best Win, Place and Show picks on the nine Breeders' Cup races. The player who accumulates the largest fictional earnings wins $500.

And we'll have drawings both days to give away mutuel vouchers ranging from $10 to $200 that winners will use to place Win wagers in each of the 15 Breeders' Cup races.

The contests are free to enter - and they're just the start of the fun and surprises in store for our players at this year's Breeders' Cup.

So come to Kentucky Downs and discover a new way to play on Thoroughbred racing's championship days next weekend.

Breeders' Cup Schedule 
Friday, November 4:
Kentucky Downs doors open at 10 am Central time.
First race at Churchill Downs at 1 pm Central.
First Friday Breeders' Cup race at 3:10 pm Central.

Saturday, November 5:
Kentucky Downs doors open at 9 am Central time.
First race at Churchill Downs at 11 am Central.
First Saturday Breeders' Cup race at 12:20 pm Central.

Roseanne Cash Hosts PBS Arts From the Blue Ridge Mountains: GIVE ME THE BANJO

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and country music royalty Rosanne Cash hosts PBS Arts From the Blue Ridge Mountains: GIVE ME THE BANJO, which airs November 4. Cash’s music spans many genres, from country and folk to blues, rock and pop. Daughter of the late Johnny Cash, she has sung with banjo legend Earl Scruggs, who is featured prominently in the broadcast. In addition to introducing the show, Cash will talk with country music star Rodney Crowell about the influence of banjo music on their individual styles.

Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival

A day full of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, music listening, cigar smoking, and barbeque eating. Admission includes a sampling glass in order to enjoy the "all-you-care-to-taste" sampling of beer and bourbon. Plus, many of the best local barbeque vendors will be on-site.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2 PM - 6 PM
LOCATION: NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM $30 IN ADVANCE; $40 AT THE DOOR

Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer

Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most iconic rock bands in American history, is kicking-off the Grand Opening of their first Southern barbecue, music and entertainment joint, “Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer” this December at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The week-long celebration begins Thursday, December 1, 2011 with a series of rockin’ live concerts, promotions, giveaways and of course, mouthwatering BBQ - all leading up to the exclusive Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th.  The once-in-a–lifetime Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th kicks-off with an “Eat ‘N’ Greet” luncheon with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jeff Arnett, the 7th master distiller in Jack Daniel’s 142-year history, followed by an intimate Lynyrd Skynyrd concert that evening.

Tickets for the Grand Opening Eat ‘N’ Greet and Lynyrd Skynyrd concert are now on sale through the Excalibur Box Office and by calling (702) 262-4400.

“With Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer, we wanted to create the kind of place that we’d like to hang out at,” says Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd. “With Southern-style barbecue and great music, this will be the perfect spot for rock and barbecue fans to kick back and have a great time in Vegas.”

“Lynyrd Skynyrd fans from around the globe have reached out about coming out for the grand opening of Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer,” says Michael Frey, co-owner of parent company, Drive This! Entertainment. “We plan to put on a party that fans and barbecue lovers alike will never forget.”

The grand opening celebration will kick off the first day of National Finals Rodeo on Thursday, Dec. 1, and culminate with an exclusive “Eat ‘N’ Greet” luncheon and evening concert by Lynyrd Skynyrd on Thursday, Dec. 8. Throughout the week, Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer will feature a series of live bands, promotions, giveaways and more.

The “Eat ‘N’ Greet” luncheon will feature a unique opportunity for fans to enjoy an intimate meal with the band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a presentation by Jeff Arnett, the 7th master distiller in Jack Daniel’s 142-year history. The evening concert will offer Lynyrd Skynyrd fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be one of just a few hundred people to see the iconic band perform in their first dining venue. Tickets for the grand opening concert are priced starting at $300 per person. Tickets for the “Eat ‘N’ Greet” and concert package are available for $750 per person. This package will also include an array of signature grand opening items including a limited edition single-barrel bottle of Jack Daniels topped with a commemorative bronze bottle-necker autographed by Arnett and the band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tickets for this 21+ concert will be available at the Excalibur Box Office at 702.262.4400 starting on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. A portion of proceeds from both events will be donated to the Lynyrd Skynyrd Foundation, which will then make contributions to the Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas and Nevada Children’s Medical Center.

Developed in partnership with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Drive This! Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based hospitality company that owns and operates RHUMBAR at The Mirage, Tacos & Tequila at Luxor Hotel and Casino and Casa Fuente in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer will serve fare from Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Tex. A tour of barbecue joints throughout the nation led them to the 111-year-old Texas institution, where the barbecue has been refined to perfection by the Schmidt. Kreuz Market has been widely recognized as one of the top barbeque restaurants in the country, with top honors for their brisket and sausage by the Food Network and Travel Channel, and a rating as Zagat’s number two barbecue spot in the nation.

The band’s famed “Hell House” is the inspiration behind the atmosphere, and band members Van Zant, Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke have consulted with the culinary team to highlight some of their Southern favorites.

Designed to capture the spirit of the band’s “Hell House,” the walls are made of authentic barnyard wood, with concrete floors and aged brick completing the downhome feel of the space. Never-before-seen Lynyrd Skynyrd relics including original album covers, guitars, artwork and photos from the bands more than five-decade-long career will be on display for fans. The staff is part of the action – hot bartenders and servers will be swinging, singing and jumping atop the bars and stage throughout the night -- leading riotous sing-alongs to classic rock songs and Lynyrd Skynyrd favorites.

Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer will serve mouthwatering ribs, brisket, chicken and more. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the high-energy hangout will transform into a late-night, high-energy rock club every night with great music and entertainment.

Win Two Tickets to the CMA Music Awards + Dinner for Two at Chipotle

The restaurant company that supports family farmers has found a way to bring country music to its fans in a big way!

Starting today, all Nashville-area Chipotle Mexican Grills will offer guests a chance to score free dinner and tickets for two to the upcoming 45th Annual CMA Music Awards. Guests who text CMA to 888222 now through Monday, November 7 will automatically be entered to win dinner for 2 at Chipotle and a two tickets to attend this year’s CMA Music Awards.