TIM KAZURINSKY at KATERINA'S SUPPER CLUB

Tim Kazurinsky, best known as one of the Not Ready For Prime Time Players of Saturday Night Live  from 1981-1984 resides in Evanston, Illinois, just beyond Chicago, the city in which he began his career with the esteemed Second City comedy troupe. Kazurinsky often visits and enjoys Chicago where he is currently appearing in I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With.

On November 20, 2007, author Anastasia Royal presented her new hardcover book about love and divorce, Undoing I Do, published by St. Martin’s Press/Thomas Dunne Books. The book has a companion music video which premiered on the Katerina’s Supper Club movie screen and whose theme song is available at Amazon and iTunes, performed by the author herself accompanied by superb Chicago musicians that include Matt Walker, a former percussionist with the Smashing Pumpkins.

Kazurinsky came to town to help celebrate with his friend Royal, and they danced and partied with eighteen musicians, Bruce Ingram; film critic for the Pioneer Press newspapers, Katerina, Mike Stein; singer and songwriter and publisher of FilmFax Magazine, and fifty friends and fans.

Photo of Tim Kazurinsky (left), with Bruce Ingram and Anastasia Royal, by Steve Starr

BRAD ROWE at the REELING 26th Annual Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival

The lush pink carpet was rolled out for the lively guests at the Opening Night Gala for Chicago's 26th Annual Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival held at the beautiful Chicago History Museum.  Brad Rowe, the star of the film screened that evening, Shelter, attended the festivities.

Giant ice sculptures encasing huge bottles of Stella Artois and Ketel One flanked bartenders serving pink Martinis from an elaborate bar, while patrons dined on the hors d’ouvres created by Whole Foods.  To prepare you for the mood of the film, men in wetsuits with the front zipper down to their navels posed with surfboards and with moviegoers for complimentary photographs, while 1960’s beach party music filled the air.  On the pink carpet, the movie’s handsome star, Brad Rowe, took time to pose for my camera with his beautiful family.  Everyone received a large bag of various items that included magazines, gift certificates, music downloads from Interactive Male, a journal book from Nielsen, a crystal goblet trimmed with gold and the Stella Artois logo, and a cute, small black tulle pouch containing Tylenol P.M.

Shelter, a film by Jonah Markowitz, is a very engaging, entertaining, and  romantic love story filled with believable, good-looking people, gorgeous views of the ocean waves and surfer boys off California’s coast.

Rowe, six feet tall with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair, was very amenable and friendly with everyone. After the screening, he took to the podium, spoke with the audience, answered questions about his career, and mentioned that he completed a Trifecta...he was in all three CSI television shows, and in each episode he played a man who killed his wife.  Rowe also revealed that although he frequently kissed and made out with dreamboat Trevor Wright in the film, the guys are both straight, and Rowe introduced his wife.  Great acting from all the men, and the women who include Tina Holmes, known for her role in television’s Six Feet Under.

Brad Rowe was born May 15, 1970, in Milwaukee,Wisconsin.  After graduation from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Economics, he traveled to Spain to study and play in a blues band.  Upon returning to the states, he decided he wanted to pursue screenwriting, and soon was led to acting.  Rowe has made numerous television appearances, and his feature films include Billy Hollywood’s Screen Kiss (1999), Body Shots (1999), Stonebrook (1999), Christina’s House (2000), According to Spencer (2001), Nailed (2002), Lucky Z (2003), Shut Up and Kiss Me (2003), and Shelter (2008).

I had a wonderful time socializing, and photographing the friendly crowd, engaging staff, Brad Rowe and his beautiful family, and watching Shelter.

Photo Left to right: Lisa Rowe, Brad Rowe, Trish Wenger, Karen Rowe and Joel Wenger, November 8, 2007.   Photographed by Steve Starr

CELEBRATING CHICAGO LATINO FASHION WEEK

Celebrating Latino Fashion Week and lounging in a gorgeous, meticulously restored 1932 Deusenberg after modeling in the spectacular Moda Latino Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon at Chicago's Galleria Marchetti are: left to right-actress Nadine Velazquez-honored with Nadine Velazquez Day, model Stephanie Edwards, Veronica Zepeda-winner of the Chicago Fashion Icon Award, Jaslene Gonzales-winner of America's Next Top Model, and Cynthia Olavarria, Miss Universe 2005, Puerto Rico.

The program, produced by Cesar Rolon, included beautiful and elegant fashions from Anna Fong, Carol Pineiro, Susie Garcia, Horacio Nieto, Elda De La Rosa, Ximena Valero, and James De Colon.

Photographed by Steve Starr, November 4, 2007
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VICTOR SKREBNESKI at the CARRIE SEKRIST GALLERY

Victor Skrebneski is one of the most esteemed photographers in the world. His images of celebrities, models, the famous and the infamous are beyond beautiful. They emanate a magical, ethereal feeling every human desires to possess.

The fantastic posters he has created for the Chicago International Film Festival are among his most exciting works, where gorgeous naked male and female human bodies that include the 1992 shots of a very young Anna Nicole Smith, are beyond imagination. Skrebneski photographed the world’s top models for 27 years while working for cosmetics giant Estee Lauder. His images of the most glamorous personalities of the 20th Century and his portraits of Bette Davis, Vanessa Redgrave, Faye Dunaway, Shirley McClaine, Nicholas Cage, Sigourney Weaver, Iman, Orson Welles, Sharon Stone, and dozens of other movie stars have become icons of the photographic world. My favorite icon, of course, is the photo Skrebneski took of me, Steve Starr, way back in 1973! So young...and almost as handsome as I am now!

Skrebneski has received numerous prestigious awards for his work, and has published several gorgeous books. On October 26, 2007, his latest publication, Richard’s Bar, was offered at the opening reception at the Carrie Secrest Gallery, 835 West Washington Street, Chicago, where adorning the walls was his photography installation named BIG. There, "Body Parts" belonging to Billy Dec, the handsome model and Chicago entrepreneur who owns Rockit Ranch Productions as well as several fantastic, celebrity endowed nightclubs and restaurants, were displayed, including his 7 foot long index finger, the top of his head, eye, and the main focus in the room which was a grand, intriguing portrait of Dec in a completely transparent shirt that became the backdrop of the evening, and the obvious focus of numerous patrons in the glittering crowd.

I named the photo of Victor and me, taken with my camera by one of the glamorous guests, "Two Photographers Getting Shot"

Photo of Victor Skrebneski and Steve Starr, October 26, 2007, at the Carrie Secrest Gallery
Photo of Ana Maria Berella with Billy Dec at the Carrie Sekrist Gallery, October 26, 2007, by Steve Starr

MARIO LOPEZ at the CROBAR

One of the most charismatic men of our time, Mario Lopez, was born October 10, 1973, in San Diego, California. Attending Chula Vista High School, he loved athletics, wrestling in particular, though his true passion was for dancing.

In the early 1980's, the talented Lopez was a dancer and drummer on the popular television show Kids Incorporated, a program that also featured future stars Stacy Ferguson, now known as Fergie, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. In 1989 Lopez began his popular role as A.C. Slater in the comedy series Saved By The Bell, making men and women set their alarms to wake up on Saturday mornings to swoon over the 5’ 10" handsome, ripped and deeply dimpled young man.

Lopez has appeared on several other television programs, and has hosted various shows including Name Your Adventure (1993), The Other Half (2001), Pet Star (2002), and Miss America (2007). Lopez hosted Miss Teen USA (1993) where he met beauty queen and co-host Ali Landry, whom he married, though the union was anulled within a few weeks, reportedly due to unfortunate indiscretions at his bachelor party the day before the wedding.

In 2006, Lopez’s dancing with the striking Karina Smirnoff on Dancing With The Stars was beyond spectacular. The pair lost in the final round, though a romance between them continued. His 2006 steamy, naked shower scene in the television show Nip/Tuck has been watched on computers thousands of times by thousands of people who are continually stunned by the beauty of the Mexican-American actor who has become an icon of All-American lust for millions. He is currently a host on the daily entertainment show, Extra.

Lopez arrived to celebrate his birthday at Chicago's Crobar, walking onto the red carpet in a white shirt and blue jeans to be photographed and interviewed by various reporters and IMAGE Chicago Magazine publisher Paul Sorkin. Lopez posed for my camera, and he seemed genuinely warm, completely natural, and very happy and content with his current successes. Photo of Mario Lopez, October 12, 2007, by Steve Starr

BEYONCE at the ALHAMBRA PALACE

One of the most beautiful and famous music and film stars in the world arrived amid intense excitement at the incredibly opulent Alahambra Palace August 18, 2007, where she socialized with dozens of friends and special fans in the luxurious VIP Room hidden away in the south corner of the dramatic tiered balcony.

Hundreds of gorgeous people socialized in the Alhambra’s exotic lounge, and a thousand more dined, drank, and danced below the Alhambra’s gigantic star shaped fixture as they awaited a glimpse of their idol.

Beyonce Knowles truly is as breathtaking in person as she is in her videos and on the screen in DREAMGIRLS, and I was truly thrilled when she posed for my camera.

Photo of Dr. Amer Rustom and Beyonce Knowles, August 8, 2007, by Steve Starr

LYNDA CARTER at the APOLLO

Lynda Carter, as part of her national tour after a twenty year hiatus, adorned Chicagos' Apollo Theatre with six special performances where she beautifully sang many of the most popular and beloved ballads and jazz classics of the 20th Century that included Always, Summertime, As Time Goes By and Blues In The Night, and where she joyfully flashed her tastefully enormous diamonds as she sang My Heart Belongs To Daddy. 

Her rendition of Put The Blame On Mame, a song made famous in the 1946 film Gilda, starring the gorgeous Rita Hayworth, an actress who was later portrayed by Carter in a 1983 television movie, was a particular favorite with the closing night audience which was the most appreciative, lively, and loving group a star could ever wish for.  Carter was backed by a fantastic six piece band led by Michael Orland at the piano, who is currently the arranger, pianist, and Associate Musical Director for the Fox TV show, American Idol, and who has worked with dozens of the most famous stars in the music industry.

 Linda Jean Cordova Carter was born July 24, 1951, in Phoenix, Arizona, and studied music and drama throughout her childhood and teen years.  Carter left Arizona State University to tour with a rock band, and returned home in 1972 to begin a modeling career. In 1973, Carter was crowned Miss World-USA and in 1975 she won the coveted role of television’s Wonder Woman, for which she will always be fondly remembered.  Lynda Carter went on to produce, host, sing and dance in five Network television variety shows and movies, and has also performed in numerous venues that include London's Palladium, and the MGM Grand and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. 

Carter has received numerous honors.  In 1978, The International Academy of Beauty voted Carter “The Most Beautiful Woman In The World.”  In 1980, Carter, who is of Mexican and Irish parentage, was given the Ariel Award, Mexico’s highest honor, for International Entertainer of the Year presented by the Mexican Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and in 1983 the Hispanic Women’s Council of Los Angeles awarded her the distinction of “Hispanic Woman of the Year.” Lynda Carter is married to Washington lawyer Robert Altman, and the couple has two children.

Carter was extremely personable and fun when we met after her show, posing for me and signing autographs for fans which included several entertainers and the exuberant owners and staff of Chicago’s marvelous Kit Kat Supper Club.

Photo of Lynda Carter at the Apollo Theatre, September 16, 2007, by Steve Starr

RUMBA WITH THE STARS

Rumba With The Stars began its second series of competition with another glamorous evening at Chicago’s gorgeous Rumba Supper Club, 351 West Hubbard Street, and local celebrities that included newscasters, columnists and radio personalities took to the dance floor to perform Latin dances for their favorite charity, and undulating to the fantastic Edwin Sanchez Orchestra.   

Unfortunately, one of the stars was unable to arrive, and I, the real Starr, dutifully took his place.  Luckily the Cha Cha and I have always had an affinity and after a quick, intense 20 minute choreographed routine created by my beautiful instructor and dance partner Ashanti, I soon faced the crowd…looking fabulous!  When the judges all held up a card that scored our dance at "10" I was beyond thrilled.  We won!!

Rumba With The Starr is dance history, but Rumba With The Stars continues to produce wonderful evenings and excitement every Thursday. Wait a minute…I’m in the finals!  For more information phone Rumba at 312-222-1442.

Photo of Cha Cha Cha dance competition winners, Ashanti and Steve Starr, at Rumba, August 30, 2007, by Amy Isett

CARLOS ZAMBRANO of the CHICAGO CUBS at RUMBA

Carlos Alberto Zambrano was born June 1, 1981, in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Now 26 years old, six foot five, and weighing 255 pounds, Zambrano is a Chicago Cub icon. He was selected to the National All Star for the first time in 2004, and is the youngest Cub in franchise history to pitch in an All Star game.

Visiting the Rumba Supper Club with an entourage of handsome friends and lounging in a round burgundy velvet booth next to the stage, the baseball star spent the night socializing, dining, and dancing to the spectacular Rumba orchestra. Zambrano was very amiable and polite with me, and agreed to pose for pictures with his admiring fans and the Rumba staff.

Carlos Zambrano with Oscar Soto and father Chef Benjamin Soto at Rumba, June 20, 2007. Photo by Steve Starr.

PATRICIA KARA at the PARTHENON

Beautiful actress Patricia Kara has appeared on numerous television programs that include TV Guide Channel for the Golden Globes, Las Vegas, All of Us, Mad TV, and Beverly Hills 90210, and has been a featured model in Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Glamour, Redbook, Fitnes RX and Sports Illustrated. She currently holds Case Number 9 on the successful television program, Deal Or No Deal, hosted by Howie Mandel.

Kara flew to Chicago from Los Angeles to view the showing of If Aphrodite Had Arms, a documentary about the 1974 Turkish Military invasion of the island of Cyprus, created by award winning filmmaker Jenna Constantine and her company, KaplaniKid Productions. They premiered their work at Chicago’s award winning Parthenon Restaurant at 314 South Halsted Street where dozens of enthralled guests were treated to a heavenly dinner before the screening. Everyone wanted their photo taken with Patricia, and so did I. After the luminous patrons posed for my camera, friendly and vivacious Kara posed with me in front of one of the Parthenon’s fantastic murals.

No, that is not Howie Mandel in the picture. That is me.

Photo of Patricia Kara and Steve Starr by STARRGAZERS Photography

FREDDY RODRIQUEZ at RUMBA

Actor Freddy Rodriquez was born January 17, 1975, in Chicago, and the handsome man, a Puerto Rican American, often visits his exciting home town, though his career brought him to move to Hollywood where he made numerous films that include A Walk In The Clouds (1995), Dead Presidents (1995), The Pest (1997), Can’t Hardly Wait (1998), Payback (1999), Chasing Papi (2003), Shock TV (2004), Dreamer (2005), Bobby (2006), Lady In The Water (2006), and Grindhouse-Planet Terror (2007).

In 2001, Rodriquez became well known for playing Hector Federico "Rico" Diaz on HBO Television’s successful, well-written Six Feet Under, and in 2003 began a recurring role as Marko "Mark" Espinosa on television in Scrubs. He has just been added to the 2007 regular weekly cast of the wonderful television show, Ugly Betty, in which he will play Giovanni who is expected to become the love interest of Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera.

Dining, dancing and socializing with his beautiful friends and family at the elegant Rumba Supper Club in Chicago, congenial Rodriquez, a friend of Rumba owner Edwin Rios, had a good time posing for my camera with friends and fans.

Pictured left to right, Edwin Rios with Elsie and Freddy Rodriquez at Rumba, July 13, 2007. Photo by Steve Starr

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