Donna Summer Dead: Queen Of Disco Dies At 63

Donna Summer died Thursday morning after a battle with lung cancer.

Lovingly named the “Queen of Disco,” the 63-year-old was in Florida at the time of her death, according to TMZ. Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, the 5-time Grammy award winner rose to fame in the ’70s with hits like “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls” and “Love to Love You Baby.”

Following the news of Summer’s passing, the singer’s family released a statement saying that they “are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy.”

TMZ also reports that Summer was working on a forthcoming album at the time of her death.

“RIP #DonnaSummer – dined with her a few months ago, and she sang Amazing Grace to guests with stunning power. Great lady, wonderful talent,” Piers Morgan tweeted about the late singer.

Summer is survived by her husband, Brooklyn Dreams co-founder Bruce Sudano, their two children — Brooklyn and Amanda — and her daughter, Mimi, from a previous marriage.

This is the book that everyone is talking about and let me tell you why.  This book is a real adventure and it is a story about a kind of innocent girl who falls for a very debonair, dashing man.  They get involved in a relationship and I won’t really tell you all the details as I don’t want to ruin the story… you’ll have to read it for yourself!

The reason I love this book is because it is causing people to wake up.  It’s inviting all of us girls and guys to explore something.  Something sexy and sensual, that is a great part of our humanity.

Mr. Grey is into all sorts of toys, some of them whips and some of them handcuffs and that’s what’s fun about this.  This is really about role playing and spending time with yourself or with your partner and getting a little nasty and getting a little naughty.  I really like the idea of reading it together; it’s just really playful and fun.

What we have is a special offer for you.  We have the book and we also have an amazing ‘sliquid.’  This is a special liquid for you to use in an intimate environment.  Life already has enough friction in it, so this is for when you don’t want friction! The lube is made by sensible women for sensible women. It is pharmaceutical grade silicon so it’s really amazing.

The other product is an 8 mode personal massager by Onye.  It comes in either black or pink and it’s really an amazing product.  So whether you’re into toys or just want a good read, you’ll definitely have fun with all of this.  This is your time to explore with yourself, have fun and know that you can’t make any mistakes.  And you’ll always have a smile on your face!

So put on your pretty clothes, pull down the shades, steam up the windows and have fun.

Get your Fifty Shades of Grey bundle now, only on OpenSky!  http://bit.ly/JhukRJ

Tutus and Bling

At last night’s American Ballet Theatre gala, some guests went for the dancing, others for the outfits. “I wish we could make ballerina gear everyday gear,” said the TV host Wendy Williams, who was clad in a custom red gown with a bustier top by the House of Execution. “Everything good starts with crinoline.” Rachel Roy, walking the red carpet in a tea-length skirt with tulle underlining, was of a like mind. “My daughter Tallulah picked it out; it was her birthday today,” said the designer, holding the hand of her 4-year-old date-cum-stylist. “I gave her a choice of what to do and she picked the gala, which was great because it was my ideal pick.”

Honorary chair Michelle Obama was a no-show, but there was still ogling to be done. Taking the stage, Caroline Kennedy was joined by her son, who drew gasps for his fledgling resemblance to JFK Jr. “I know you share my pride and admiration of the ballet dancers,” said his mother, a longtime supporter of ABT.

Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs had dressed several of the ballerinas for the gala dinner. “We know some of them and we don’t know how they do it—the discipline!” said Cushnie. Ochs, herself, was having nothing to do with self-restraint. She had just returned from a trip home to Maryland for Mother’s Day. “We went to Chesapeake Bay and ate crab until we were comatose,” she said. “I have cuts all over my hands.” Amy Sacco had other cuts in mind. There was the plunging neckline on her black Theia gown and also the cocktail ring and statement earrings swaying from her lobes. As ever, the nightclub doyenne was ready to party. She said, “I brought BYO bling.”

Article by: ASHLEY BAKER

All Hats Are On!

What does it take to raise $6.3 million dollars? If you’re  the Central Park Conservancy, you just throw a lunch. On Wednesday  afternoon, the organization celebrated the 30th Anniversary of its now-famous  Frederick Law Olmstead Awards luncheon, and despite a mild mist, the  mood inside the tent erected inside the Conservatory Garden was  relentlessly sunny.

Over twelve hundred women turned out in their Wednesday best to ogle one  the hats and fascinators in a display that may have put last year’s  Royal Wedding to shame.  Needless to say, Bill Cunningham was on  his toes.

The gregaious Anne Harrison, the current president of the Women’s Committee, warmly welcomed the guests and presented the FLO Award to her predecessor, Gillian Miniter, who spearheaded the fundraising of  over $13 millon during her tenure. (Reminder: The CPC provides $85% of the Park’s annual operating budget of around $37 million.) Despite the park’s peerless beauty, Miniter said, what she likes best is that “it’s open to everyone.” The  Corporate Leadership Award went to Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of JP Morgan Asset Management, who concluded her  speech by announcing a $3 million donation to restore playgrounds on behalf of the firm.

Katie Lee was on hand as Clos du Bois ambassador to encourage the ladies  to taste the Chardonnay, not like they needed much pushing. The party  favors – a Tiffany blue canvas tote from, yes, the event sponsor Tiffany & Co., and an  Evelyn Lauder-designed compact – were the things to fight over. (Well, that and photo ops. You know who you are!)

After a luncheon of puréed asparagus soup and poached chicken  salad—and some extremely tasty sorbets/cake confecetion—the ladies  gradually filtered out onto Fifth Avenue while picking up the latest  edition of the Wathne umbrella they’ve come to depend on. “Is it raining?”  asked one woman from underneath a veritable lantern of straw. “I hadn’t  noticed.”

Martha Stewart attended the luncheon and posted the following on her blog,

On Wednesday, May 4^th, I attended the 29^th annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon held in the Conservatory Garden of Central Park in New York City.  You may recall my previous blogs about this important event.  Frederick Law Olmsted is, of course, the famous American landscape designer and the father of American landscape architecture.  He designed many renowned urban parks, including the very magnificent Central Park.  This luncheon, fondly called The Hat Luncheon, is hosted by The Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy and is always so much fun.  Although hats are optional, very few bare heads are seen in the crowd.  You see many glamorous hats and many humorous ones, as well.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and it was rainy and cold and there were many wool suits and umbrellas.  However, more than 1,200 supporters were in attendance and more than 3.2 million dollars was raised to support the Conservancy’s work in maintaining and preserving Central Park.  The benefit committee has completely underwritten the event so that 100 percent of the ticket purchases went toward the operation of the Park.

“It’s when we are uncomfortable and most challenged that we are forced to dig deep into the shadow part of us to reveal something new.  That’s what I did recently when I travelled to LA to appear on Fran Drescher’s hit TVLand show, “Happily Divorced”.  Fran is an amazing creator, actor, writer and one of the most compassionate souls I’ve met as evidenced in her Foundation, Cancer Schmancer http://www.cancerschmancer.org/ Everyone on the show, Fran’s co-creator and ex-Husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, Franco Barrio, the Producer,  the supremely sensitive directors, Peter Marc Jacobson, Bob Koherr and Steve Zuckerman, along with the actors, Tichina Arnold, John Schneider, the legendary Rita Morena (West Side Story- hello!) were generous, patient and kind.  I played the part of a Tantrika (yes, I know a stretch LOL) inviting a cool, Burning Man meets Brentwood group to have “new experiences”.  Fran Drescher, Peter Marc Jacobson and their team of writers are uber-talented in their writing, comedic structure and created a caring, funny environment for us all! I was truly delighted to step onto the stage alongside such a sterling line-up.  Thank you Fran, thank you ALL for welcoming me!”

Watch Donna’s performance on Happily Divorced in the video above or visit TV Land’s site to view the full episode.

http://www.tvland.com/shows/happily-divorced/full-episodes