So I am off to see the real “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin in concert tonight at the newly built Nokia Center. Which is located across the street from the Staples center where the LA Lakers, Sparks and Kings play their home games at. The Nokia Center now sits on the lot where the Summer X-Games use to be played at.

I am so psyched and ready for this concert. Especially to hear from Aretha and her thoughts on the faux pa that Beyonce did at the Grammys. Beyonce and Tina Turner did a duet and Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as “The Queen”. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. It now has sounds of some kittens hissing and lionesses roaring in this little tit for tat.

Can I say wow and wow again. OK, ok. So there are many diva’s that are in their own right. But there are only a handfull that actually hold such honorable titles and never to be passed off to other divas. Can I say that Aretha is truely the “Queen of Soul”.

Now if you are wondering if I am dissing Tina. I am soooooooo not. Her sounds are original, classy, soothing and classic. But would see Tina’s music more on the lines of classic rock than soul. So two seperate music genre’s and two different diva’s that hold their own. And never ever can be compared. EVER. Tina the “Diva”(BTW – your still hot looking in your 60’s) and Aretha the true “Queen”.

But the only reason I can go is that I found a place where I am pretty much paying for 2 tickets for 1. The tickets are going for $55 – $85. I was able to get the 2 tickets for about $65 through a program that I am with called Gold Star Events. Which provides discounted tickets to local concerts, plays, events, operas, ballets, comedy shows, sporting events. Even Vegas shows. You can find tix for such events in major cities such as Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Fransico, Boston, D.C and Las Vegas. I have used them for a few things already and love it. Many of the tickets I get are anywhere between 10% to 50% off regular ticketed price.

So off I go to get ready. Cause I soooo R – E – S – P – E – C – T ‘ya Aretha. All praises to thee

If you are into Mexican food and want to sit down at a nice restaurant, I would recommend El Cholo Restaurant. It’s located south of Koreatown in the Country Club Park of Los Angeles. The cross streets are 11th and Western Avenue. The atmosphere, pricing and food are the best.El Cholo Restaurant is also proud of the USC and Cal State Los Angeles sports team. They sponser dinners with pro sports figures and than donate the money to these local university sports teams. They also have nights dedicated to US soldiers and or local heros such as the fireman(LAFD), police(LAPD).

El Cholo restaurant has been a fixture in the Los Angeles area since 1926. And the restaurant has been ran by the descendants of Alejandro Borquez and George Salisbury. The hours are generally around 11 AM – 10 PM. They do have vallet parking. And the busiest times of the year are in May around Cinco De Mayo(May 5th) and in September around the independence of Mexico from Spain(September 16th). El Cholo is widely known and famous for their margarita’s. Plan to spend between $10.00 – $20.00 per person,

I have been going to El Cholo restaurant for the last 12 years. Everytime has been a wonderful experience. I would recommend being seated in the patio area. My favorite dishes are the “Taste Of History”($12.25). It includes 1 taco, 1 enchilada, 1 tamale, 1 chile relleno with rice, beans and a salad. I usually order the Taste Of History when I really can’t decide on what I want. I never can finish the plate, so I take the remaining food home. The other plate I love to have is the Chile Colorado. Its chunks of beef in a spicy sauce, with the sides of rice, beans and cup of their fresh guacomole sauce and their homemade tortillas($10.75). You will also recieve free, fresh corn chips and salsa. And at the end of your mill will get sweet, savory prelaine candies.

As of January 22, 2008 the nominations for the Oscars were annouced. The Oscars have been home to the Kodak Theater which is located at Highland and Vine in Hollywood. Not only are the Oscars broadcasted there, so is the Ameican Idol finals.

The Kodak is a 3,600 seat theater. The Kodak also is centrally located within a shopping mall and movie thearter. It also sits comfortably on top of L.A’s mass transit, the red line subway. One of the subways major stops is the Highland/Vine – Kodak Theater Stop. Prepping the theater is done about a week ahead of the broadcast. So many fans and tourists can watch as the set up begins. Including seeing the full size statueets of Oscars lined along the red carpet walkway of the theater. Yes viewing this Hollywood history is free prior to the broadcast. Or you can attempt to be a spectator on the night of the Oscars in hopes to catch a glimpse of your favorite actor and or actress via the street in front of the theater.

The Oscars have been broadcasted from the theater since 2002. Previously they were broadcasted from the Shrine Auditorium located across from the USC campus on Jefferson and Hoover in Los Angeles. The Oscars were originally at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on May 1, 1929. The Roosevelt Hotel is one block west of the Kodak.

Here are some of the following nominations for certain catergories

Best Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson – There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy – Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman – Juno
Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Actor

George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones – In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie – Away from Her
Marion Cotillard РLa Vie en Rose (La m̫me)
Laura Linney – The Savages
Ellen Page – Juno

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem – No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Charlie Wilson’s War
Hal Holbrook – Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There
Ruby Dee – American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan – Atonement
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton

Best Original Screenplay

Diablo Cody – Juno
Nancy Oliver – Lars and the Real Girl
Tony Gilroy – Michael Clayton
Brad Bird – Ratatouille
Tamara Jenkins – The Savages

Best Adapted Screenplay

Christopher Hampton – Atonement
Sarah Polley – Away from Her
Ronald Harwood – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson – There Will Be Blood

On January 22, 2008(same day the 2008 Oscars were annoucned) the 2005 Oscar nominated Best Actor, Heath Ledger died in his SoHo, New York apartment. Results of his death are unknown pending an autopsy. May are hearts go out to Heath Ledgers family.