S4 Liquidations

Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Rapunzel and other fairy-tale characters face the consequences of happily ever after in the musical-comedy Into the Woods, running through May 27 on the North Canton Playhouse Mainstage at Hoover High School. Shows are at 7:30 pm Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 pm Saturday; and 2:30 pm Sunday. Tickets, $13 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, may be ordered at 330-494-1613 and www.northcantonplayhouse.com.

Look here daily for CantonRep.com Entertainment Writer Dan Kanes best picks for things to do this week.

Discover more things to do at CalendarofOhio.com

SUNDAY, May 13

Wine Country: From the Missions to Modern Day —- The Temecula Valley Museums latest exhibit will be on display through June 17. Growing grapes for winemaking has been a part of the Temecula Valleys history since the days of the early Spanish missions. Missionaries brought vine cuttings from Spain to use for the production of wine for sacramental and table use. The climate along the coast near Mission San Luis Rey proved too cool and foggy to allow the grapes to mature enough for winemaking. The Temecula Valley had the ideal climate and soil conditions, and so the history of winemaking in the valley began. Today, Temeculas Wine Country is a multimillion-dollar industry, producing award-winning wines and bringing tourists to the valley. Take a look at the development of this local industry from the missions to modern day and discover how it has turned Temecula into a charming destination; museum hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 1 to 4 pm Sundays; Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St., Temecula; 951-694-6450.

Gator by the Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival —- More than 85 performances on six stages, along with free dance lessons and 8,000 pounds of crawfish; 10:30 am to 7 pm; Spanish Landing Park, North Harbor Drive, San Diego; $75, three-day pass; $25, May 11; $30, May 12; $30, May 13; free, children 17 and under with paid adult; gatorbythebay.com or 619-234-8612.

Menifee Dance Company, in Concert —- Presented by Mt. San Jacinto College. This eclectic dance concert features original faculty and student work in the intimate setting of the Menifee Lab Theatre. Dance styles range from hip-hop to jazz to contemporary, with a few surprises along the way. This concert is a dynamic favorite; 2 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $10; 951-672-6752, msjc.edu.

Happy Mothers Day —- Program honors Mothers and Motherhood on this special day. Choreographed and staged by the members of Fine Arts Ballet Theater and incorporating guest artists, families and friends, the production captures Motherhood in all its forms and all its ages. The show is designed perfectly to be that special treat for the moms in your life either after brunch or lunch or before dinner; 1 and 3 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $21-$27; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Cruisin Califas: The Art of Lowriding —- Read story about new exhibition in May 10 Preview; 1 to 4 pm Sundays; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays; runs thought Sept. 30; 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside; $8, general; $5, seniors; free, students and military (and dependents) with ID; museum is free to all on Tuesdays; 760-435-3720 or oma-online.org.

A Piece of My Heart —- Presented by Inland Stage Company. I was very intrigued by a play that was directly based on women and war. Its a rare thing to find anything that is based specifically on womens contributions in a war, especially during that time in our history, said director Alisa Lovas in a press release. I am an actor, but after reading the play, I felt that I wanted to have more of a ‘voice in the overall production, so I chose to direct the play. I felt such a connection to the play and really wanted to honor the women who gave so much during their time in Vietnam; 2 pm (also Saturday and 7 pm Thursday through Saturday); Esplanade Art Center, 2181 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15 general admission; $12 students, seniors and military; Thursday performances are Pay What You Can, with a $5 suggested donation; $7 Saturdays Rush Tickets (also group rates and season tickets); inlandstage.org.

Dance Concert —- This eclectic dance concert features original faculty and student work in the intimate setting of the Menifee Lab Theatre. Dance styles range from hip-hop to jazz to contemporary, with a few surprises along the way. This concert is a dynamic favorite; 2:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $10; 951-639-5630, msjc.edu.

Nanas Naughty Knickers —- Presented by the Ramona Hillside Players; 2:30 pm (also May 20 and 27 and 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday May 25-26); Ramona Hillside Playhouse, 27402 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet; $5-$12; 951-658-5300, ramonahillsideplayers.org.

Classics at the Merc —– Featuring Erin McAdams, Siobahn Sung and Hyueeun Ham; 3 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $11 adults, $5 students; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Guitar Ensemble Concert —- Following a successful debut last season, the Guitar Ensemble will perform its own unique brand of intimate chamber music. The groups repertoire includes musical styles from European classical music to Brazilian bossa nova to American rock; 6:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $8; 951-318-7019, msjc.edu.

MONDAY, May 14

Art and Earth: My Art, My World —- A visual representation of an intuitive cathartic process steeped in pure and brilliant SoCal color by Kathryn Crabbe. Her works are featured in numerous private and public collections, including the Baltimore Museum of Art Archives, Pacific Northwest College of Art Library, San Diego Public Library Special Collections and the UCLA Arts Library; through June 30, 12 to 8 pm Mondays-Tuesdays, 10 am to 6 pm Wednesdays-Thursdays and 10 am to 5 pm Fridays-Saturdays; Murrieta Public Library, 8 Town Square, Murrieta; free; 951-304-2665, kathrynvcrabbe.com/2012/art-and-earth-my-art-my-world/.

Youth Symphony amp; Wind Symphony Spring Concert —- 7 pm; Murrieta Mesa High School, 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta; $10 for adults, $ 5 for students.

TUESDAY, May 15

Dance Moves —- Peter G. Kalivas, from The PGK Project, in association with Temecula Presents creates a new way for audiences to experience dance. In this intimate series, the audience mingles with the art of dance, thus creating a conversation between artist and viewer; 7 pm (every third Tuesday); The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $5 donation suggested; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

You Light Up the Stage —- Miss Jenis Dance Studio presents their annual spring recital, an evening of tap and jazz pieces; 7 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $6; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

New York Philharmonic —- Program features Dvoraks Carnival Overture, Debussys La Mer and Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4 in F minor; 8 pm; Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., San Diego; $27-$97; ljms.org or 858-459-3728.

THURSDAY, May 17

Open Mic Night —- Open Mic Night is open to comics and guests. Do you think youre funny? Join in for Open Mic Night and find out; 7 pm; Aces Comedy Club, 39745 Avenida Acacias, Ste. B, Murrieta; free; laughyouraceoff.com.

Jazz at the Merc —- Featuring the Doug MacDonald Organ Quartet featuring Doug MacDonald on guitar, Clarence Webb on tenor sax, Bobby Pierce on organ and vocals, and Harold Acey on drums and vocals; 7:30 pm; The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theatre, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.com .

Nobody Loves You —- The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses musical comedy about a young grad student who joins the cast of a reality television dating show to win back his ex-girlfriend, but is instead seduced by fame; opens today and runs through June 17; showtimes, 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays; 7 pm Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, Balboa Park, San Diego; tickets start at $39; theoldglobe.org or 619-234-5623. 

FRIDAY, May 18

High Hopes annual Dance and Music Showcase —- The city of Temecula Community Services Department presents this show, which includes a special tribute to rock n roll as well as performances by the High Hopes Chimes and Dance groups with a finale by the Temecula Valley High Hopes performers. Opportunity door prizes also will be awarded. High Hopes is a social recreation and performing arts program for people with developmental disabilities. The program enables participants to socialize and interact with peers; 6 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; free; 951-694-6464, 951-677-1958.

The Motels featuring Martha Davis —- 1980s New Wave music band from the Los Angeles area, best known for Only the Lonely and Suddenly Last Summer; 6 pm; Marquee 15, 9022 Pulsar Ct., Suite H, Corona; $18-$22; 951-200-4465, marquee15.com.

Dead Mans Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo —– The concert will benefit Wishes for Children; 6 pm; Wilson Creek Winery, 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula; $20 and up; wilsoncreekwinery.com.

Music Student Showcase —- This event brings talented students from the piano, guitar and voice classes together in a concert before a live audience. Includes the premier performance by our new Instrumental Chamber Ensemble; 7:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $5; 951-318-7019, msjc.edu.

Eric Schwartz —- Schwartz, aka Smooth-E, electrifies audiences with his blend of stand-up, music and video. Behind this geeky facade lies a multi-dimensional showman whose creations have been seen on The Tonight Show, Showtime, E!, BET, The CW, TMZ, G4 and more; 7:30 and 9:30 pm (also Saturday); Comedy Club at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $22; 877-711-2046, pechanga.com .

Taylor Williamson —- Williams has performed at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and is the youngest person to perform on the Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. He has also appeared on MTVs TRL (it was canceled two weeks later), Comedy Centrals Live at Gotham (also canceled) and was a semi-finalist on NBCs Last Comic Standing (canceled twice so far); 7 pm (also 7 and 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 7 pm Sundays); Aces Comedy Club, 39745 Avenida Acacias, Ste. B, Murrieta; $15-$20; laughyouraceoff.com.

UCR Chamber Music Ensembles —- Music from around the world and down the street, including Japan, Java, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, the Andes, and the United States. Rene Lysloff, coordinator; 8 pm; Performance Lab, ARTS 166, UC Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside; $6-$10; 951-827-4331, 213-480-3232, 714-740-2000, ticketmaster.com.

Wanda Sykes —- Sykes was previously seen on her own late night talk show on FOX, The Wanda Sykes Show, and on her second HBO stand up special Ima Be Me. Previously she starred as Barb in the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine. She has also been featured in the films Evan Almighty, Monster-In-Law, the animated feature Over The Hedge and The Barnyard and My Super Ex-Girlfriend; 8 pm; Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $45-$70; pechanga.com/entertaiment or 877-711-2946.

SATURDAY, May 19

Menifee Arts Showcase —- Hosted by the Arts Council Menifee, the event will feature displays of two- and three-dimensional art as well as dance, vocal and instrumental music and dramatic performances by residents; 11 am to 4 pm; Countryside Marketplace, which is at the corner of Newport and Haun roads, Menifee; 951-672-1731.

Youth Art Showcase —- The city of Murrieta is hosting the inaugural art showcase, a chance for any and all youth ages 12-18 to display their art for friends, family and local art fans. The showcase will be divided into fine art, photography, digital art and other art mediums. Participants can show a maximum of two pieces. In some cases, room sponsors will give awards ranging from ribbons to product prizes for classification winners. Deadline to register is Tuesday; Murrieta Senior Center, Murrieta; murrieta.org.

One-Act Plays —- To celebrate its second successful year, JDS Actors Studio is presenting three one-act mystery-based plays. This is the fourth set of plays offered by the Studio during the past two years; 7 pm (also 2:30 pm May 20); JDS Actors Studio, 40935 County Center Drive, Suite G, Temecula; 951-296-6715, jdsactorsstudio.com.

Inland Chorale —- Music from the Movies, Part 2; 3 pm (also 3 pm May 20); First Southern Baptist Church, 433 S. San Jacinto St., Hemet; $8; msjc.edu.

Country at the Merc —– Local country music artists perform two shows on Saturdays; 7 and 9 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Menifee Campus Singers —- This dynamic performance group performs both standard choral music and choral arrangements of seasonal and popular songs in a variety of venues. This concert features music by American composers; 7:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $8; msjc.edu.

Southwest Womens Chorus annual Spring Concert —- There will be songs about innocent and naive women; songs about mildly and excessively naughty women. Think West Side Story (I Feel Pretty) and Gilbert amp; Sullivan (The Sun Whose Rays) for sweet and innocent. Think Whatever Lola Wants and All That Jazz for the naughty side. And these are just the solos and ensemble songs; 7:30 pm (also 2 pm May 20); Old Town Temecula Community Theater; $9-$16; 951-308-6377, temeculatheater.org.

One has to wonder if a lifetime spent in the comic-book business hasnt bought Stan Lee the fountain of youth.

The co-creator of The Amazing Spider-Man, The X-Men, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers and a huge portion of the vast Marvel Comics universe (he has more than 500 characters to his name) will turn 90 in December, but if hes slowed down at all, its hard to tell.

The writer, editor and media personality is still Marvel Entertainments greatest spokesman, promoting the company and making cameos in the many blockbuster films based on his characters (well have to see if he shows up in The Avengers, set for release this coming Friday).

Meanwhile, as the chairman of his own POW! Entertainment venture, Lees got his hands on a striking number of projects, including an NHL-themed superhero team, an action-musical and a multimedia comics imprint for children, Stan Lees Kids Universe.

For the energetic Lee, retirement is simply not in the cards.

I think if you enjoy what you do its like playing and you cant stop, says Lee. Most men want to retire at a certain age. I cant wait to retire so I can golf or travel, or whatever it is. But Im already doing what I want to do. Its so much fun.

Born Stanley Lieber in New York City, Lee, whose family barely scraped by during the Great Depression, was always ambitious.

He dreamt of becoming a famous actor and when he got his first job in comics in 1939, working as an office assistant at Timely Comics (the earliest incarnation of Marvel), he saw it as a mere stepping stone, certain that he was destined to write The Great American Novel.

But by 1941 Lee was editor-in chief and head writer at Timely and, with a family to support, he was still holding those positions 20 years later.

By then he was frustrated by the limitations of comic books and determined to leave the industry.

Convinced he was on his way out, Lee began writing comics as he wanted to read them. Along with his collaborators, most notably artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he brought a new sophistication to his stories, imbuing such creations as Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four with a humanity not previously seen in the genre.

Despite their superhuman powers, these new Marvel age heroes were flawed and emotional and they faced real-world dilemmas that made them relatable to a more mature audience. Suddenly, Marvel Comics were being read not only by the usual prepubescent crowd, but also by the residents of college dorms.

I didnt target them, but one conscious effort I made was to use college-level vocabulary, Lee says. He theorized that by not talking down to his readers, he might appeal to a larger base, and, if younger readers had to look up a word or two in the dictionary thats not the worst thing that could happen.

Slowly, comics began to be taken seriously, a step into the modern era of the graphic novel where the genre is more often acknowledged as valid literature rather than disposable trash.

Lee and his collaborators had revolutionized the mainstream comic book business. But the politics of that move were complicated.

AMC Entertainment, the nations second-largest exhibitor, has once again scrapped plans fora stock offering, two people familiar with the matter said.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based theater chain had said in a regulatory filing last springthatitplannedto raise up to $450 millioninan initialpublic offering of stock, using the proceeds to pay down debt. Topshareholders in AMC include JPMorgan, Apollo Investment Fund and Bain Capital Investors.

But at the prompting of AMCs owners, the circuit has opted toshelve the IPO, out of concern that market conditions arentripe for a stock offering, said two sourcesfamiliar with the plans who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Its a tough business, said one of the sources, citing the long-term challenges faced by the exhibition industry, especially fromthe threat posed by shrinking theatrical windows — the period between when a movie is released in theaters and when itcan be viewed in the home. The biggest issue they are facing is how to navigate the collapsing of theatrical windows.

Industry-wide, the number of tickets soldin the US and Canada fell 4% last year to 1.28 billion, the lowest level since the mid-1990s. But revenue hasrebounded this year,jumping 23% in the first quarter.

This marks the thirdtime in five years that AMC has pulled back from going public.The company originally filedfor a $750-million IPO in December 2006 as private equity firms looked to recoup some of their heavy investments in the theater operator. But AMCwithdrew that offering in May 2007 after investors balked at the $17-a-share asking price. AMC then unveiled plans for a scaled-back stock offering in September 2007 but withdrew that plan a year lateramid market volatility.

Along with rival Regal Entertainment,AMC last year launcheda joint venture called Open Road Filmsthat willacquire and releaseindependentmovies.

AMC has been bulking up on the number of cinemas it controls. In May 2011,AMC acquired 92 theaters and 928 screens from Chicago-based Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, the nations sixth-largestmovie chain. AMC operates 347 theaters and 5,048 screens in the US and Canada.

Ryan Noonan, a spokesman for AMC,declined to confirm or deny whether the circuit had officially abandoned its IPO plans but said: The IPO process is ongoing and I do not have a time line to share.

AMC posted a loss of $82.7 million on revenue of $1.93 billion in the 39 weeks ended Dec. 29, 2011, compared to profit of $36.88 million on revenues of $1.9 billion during the same period in 2010, according a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company cited higher interest expenses, investment losses in Beverly Hills-based 3-D technology company RealD and costs related to its acquisition of Kerasotes.

RELATED:

AMC unveils IPO plans

Regal and AMC unveil new distribution firm

AMC buys Kerasotes Showplace Theatres

– Richard Verrier

Photo: Moviegoers gather at an AMC theater in Burbank on a Friday night.Photo credit: Ringo HW Chiu / For the Los Angeles Times.

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – In a vast and united show of support of veterans and military families, nearly every major studio, broadcast and cable network, talent agency and guild in the entertainment industry are working with non-profit organizations to launch a campaign called Got Your 6 that will help veterans translate their skills to their domestic lives.

Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obamas Joining Forces initiative, the campaign targets six pillars – jobs, education, health, housing, family and leadership, and includes specific goals in each area.

One year after some two billion people around the world tuned in to watch Britains Prince William marry Kate Middleton, the global media remain captivated with the lives of the now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The wedding fervour, which saw a million Britons cram the streets of London on April 29, 2011 to catch a glimpse of the future king and queen, has inevitably faded with the memory of the fairy-tale dresses, uniforms and horse-drawn carriages.

But royal watchers and many members of the public believe the couple have boosted the monarchys popularity and offer an escape for a nation beset by recession, unemployment and financial insecurity.

Even if, as naysayers argue, the duke and duchess are merely celebrities whose wealth and style are out of reach of all but a few, their popularity reaches far beyond Britain.

Horseback riding: In this photo released by Hyundai Card, US pop star Lady Gaga on a horse performs during her concert in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday. (AP/Hyundai Card)US pop star Lady Gaga wowed some 50,000 people in the audience at the Olympic stadium in Seoul with her provocative but creative stage costumes and performances.

Riding on to the stage on a horseback, clad in a futuristic body suit and metal headpieces designed by Italian fashion power house Giorgio Armani specially for the concert, Lady Gaga made her first official appearance here, saying the past week felt like a month to her.

The 26-year-old artist indirectly criticized the Korean government that banned under 18s to attend her concert.

“I was told that your government decided that my shows should be 18 or over So, I’ll make sure it will be!” Concert organizers checked IDs of the audience and asked them to wear a paper wrist band reading “18 above.”The state-run ratings board imposed the age limit for younger audience claiming her song “Just Dance” is inappropriate for the youth.

And captivate the audience, she did. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way Ball”concert mesmerized the Korean audience for over two hours with innovative and breathtaking stage installation and ideas.

“[It was] imaginative and futuristic,” said Claire Hong, 45, who attended the concert with her girlfriend.

“It was fantastic and out-of-this-world show performance, but nothing like what the authorities and the Christian groups worried about.”

Lady Gagas concert drew attention not only because the Seoul concert kicks off her world tour, but also because her concert was opposed by some conservative Christian groups here, accusing her of pornography and promoting homosexuality.

However, the singer did not comment on the Christian groups protesting before and during the concert.

Friday nights event was only the second concert by a foreign artist held at the country’s largest sports and entertainment venue. The late Michael Jackson held a concert at the same arena in 1996.

After Seoul, Lady Gaga will take her pop hits and eccentric costumes to Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and perform six shows around Australia.

The pop artist is expected to hold 110 shows this year, including the initial 11 concerts in Asia.

Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, became famous with the hits songs “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.”

Criticism over Lohans White House dinner invite

WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) — Meghan McCain, John McCains daughter, criticized Fox News Greta Van Susteren for inviting Lindsay Lohan to Saturdays White House Correspondents Dinner.

McCain, who said she still plans to attend the event, took to Twitter to voice her frustration over the invitation for Lohan, who has had a checkered past, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Let me get this straight Greta Van [Susteren] is bringing Lindsay Lohan to the WHC Dinner but has a moral offense to Louie C.K? she wrote.

McCain was referring to Van Susterens blog post last month in which she refused to attend the Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner because they hired the pig, Louis CK, to be their headliner. Van Susteren took offense to jokes Louis CK had made at the expense of Sarah Palins son Trig, who has Down syndrome.

Meanwhile, Lohan missed her Friday afternoon flight from Los Angeles to Washington, sparking concerns the actress would be unable to attend the event, E! Online reported. She was spotted boarding a red-eye flight, giving her plenty of time to make the Saturday evening dinner.

Lohan changed her flight; simple as that. No issues [and] she is looking forward to the dinner, her representative told E!

Jazz fest not tripped up by cancellations

NEW ORLEANS, April 28 (UPI) — Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett and Cee Lo Green were announced as last-minute headliners for the New Orleans Jazz Fest after several cancellations.

John Mayer, Eddie Vedder and Jill Scott all cancelled their appearances at the 43rd New Orleans Jazz Fest, which began Friday and goes through Sunday, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.

Health problems kept Mayer (throat) and Vedder (back) from appearing, while Jill Scott bowed out to film a remake of Steel Magnolias, the newspaper said.

Happenstance allowed organizers to fill the gaps with the equally big names of Springsteen and the E Street Band, Buffett and Green.

The trio join The Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Foo Fighters, the Beach Boys, Al Green, Florence + the Machine, Bon Iver, Frankie Beverly and Maze, the Zac Brown Band, Bonnie Raitt, and Ne-Yo, in addition to dozens of local New Orleans acts, the newspaper said.

Seacrest NBC contract includes Today

LOS ANGELES, April 28 (UPI) — US television and radio personality Ryan Seacrest has signed a two-year contract with NBC, extending his duties to the Today show and prime time news.

As part of the deal, Seacrest will scale back his presence on E! and become a special correspondent for Today and will contribute to NBC prime time news, entertainment programming and Olympics coverage this summer, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.

We look forward to his continued role on E! and to having him appear on many new places across NBCUniversal, including the Today show and at the Olympics, said NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke. This is a great example of how NBCUniversal is able to provide the perfect home for some of the best people in the business.

Im especially looking forward to working with all the stellar on-air talents and producing executives involved in NBCs news, entertainment and sports divisions, and Im eager and excited to take on this broader new role, Seacrest said.

Seacrest last week renewed his contract with American Idol, signing on for another two years as host for $30 million. The dollar amount on his NBCUniversal contract was not reported.

Cannon, Carey renew vows in Paris

PARIS, April 28 (UPI) — Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey renewed their wedding vows atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris, People reported.

The couple, who will celebrate their four-year wedding anniversary Monday, flew into France Friday for the ceremony later that night.

Tonight was an incredible night, Carey Tweeted. I cant express how amazing it was to renew our vows in Paris at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Carey wore a white mermaid dress with spaghetti straps and a black bow, and Cannon was in a white suit with a black tie, the magazine reported.

Following the renewal ceremony, the parents of 1-year-old twins were spotted having dinner at Le Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower.

(CBS/AP) FAIRFIELD, Calif. – Several rappers connected to a San Francisco Bay area music label are among those charged with taking part in a nationwide Ecstasy ring.

According to CBS Sacramento, federal agents say rappers were dealing Ecstasy and other drugs across the country.

Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that investigators seized 45,000 Ecstasy pills, crack cocaine and heroin from the Northern California-based drug trafficking operation.

The Contra Costa Times reports many of the 25 suspects are associated with Thizz Entertainment, a popular label on the Bay Areas rap scene. Thizz is slang for the feeling of being high on Ecstasy.

Federal investigators say some of the artists and their associates are using rap music as cover for criminal activity.

Thizz Entertainment has deep roots in Vallejo, and police say some of the labels associates also have deep criminal pasts dating back to the 1980s involving violent takeover robberies and murder. Many of the labels lyrics, the DEA said, promote Ecstasy use.

US Attorney Benjamin Wagner says suspects from various California cities, New York and Oklahoma City were arrested Thursday. Some suspects charged have yet to be taken into custody.

Prosecutors say federal agents uncovered a distribution network centered in Vallejo that trafficked in Ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, Oxycodone and marijuana.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 4 in Sacramento federal court.

MINNEAPOLIS, Apr 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (“Lakes”)

/quotes/zigman/78248/quotes/nls/laco LACO
+4.68%

announced that its
subsidiary, Evitts Resort, LLC (“Evitts”) has been awarded a video
lottery operation license (“License”) for the Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf
Resort in Cumberland, Maryland (“Rocky Gap”) by the State of Maryland
Video Lottery Facility Location Commission (“Commission”). The unanimous
decision to award the License to Evitts was made April 26, 2012, by the
Commission. The License is contingent on certain approvals by the
Maryland State Board of Public Works as well as Evitts obtaining
construction financing.

Lakes Entertainment’s President and Chief Financial Officer, Tim Cope
stated, “We are very pleased that we have been awarded the License for
the Rocky Gap project by the State of Maryland Video Lottery Facility
Location Commission. The award of the License is critical, however, the
Maryland State Board of Public Works still needs to take final action to
approve our purchase of the Rocky Gap Lodge and Resort from the Maryland
Economic Development Corporation, and our ground lease for the property
with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources before we can proceed
with the project. The Board of Public Works currently plans to meet in
June to review this transaction.”

Lakes Entertainment’s Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lyle Berman stated,
“Our proposal for this project includes purchasing the existing
four-diamond Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort which includes a 215-room
hotel, convention center, spa, two restaurants and the only Jack
Nicklaus golf course in Maryland. We also plan to expand parking and
initially construct approximately 50,000 square feet of new space. This
new space is expected to open with a minimum of 850 video lottery
terminals, a new restaurant and a live-entertainment bar.”

About Lakes Entertainment

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has a management agreement with the
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to manage the Red Hawk Casino.
Lakes has an investment in Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC for their planned
casino developments in Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio. Lakes’ subsidiary
Evitts Resort, LLC, has been awarded a video lottery operation license
for the Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in Cumberland, Maryland which is
contingent on certain approvals by the Maryland State Board of Public
Works as well as Evitts obtaining construction financing.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe
harbor for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in
this press release (as well as information included in oral statements
or other written statements made or to be made by Lakes Entertainment,
Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements
relating to plans for future expansion and other business development
activities as well as other capital spending, financing sources and the
effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and
competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks
and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in
the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the
company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
need for potential future financing to meet Lakes’ development needs;
those relating to the inability to complete or possible delays in
completion of Lakes’ casino projects, including various regulatory
approvals and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before
completion of these projects; possible termination or adverse
modification of management or development contracts; Lakes operates in a
highly competitive industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance
on continued positive relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of
amounts owed to Lakes by Indian tribes; possible need for future
financing to meet Lakes’ expansion goals; risks of entry into new
businesses; and reliance on Lakes’ management. For more information,
review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Lakes Entertainment, Inc.

Lakes Entertainment, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Timothy Cope, 952-449-7030

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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LACO

Lakes Entertainment Inc.

US

: U.S.: Nasdaq

$
2.46

+0.11
+4.68%

Volume: 77,629
May 1, 2012 4:00p

P/E RatioN/A
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$62.14 million
Rev. per Employee$1.87M

Financial Glossary

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