Starrlights 2007

THE GRAND OPENING of the ALHAMBRA PALACE

The Alhambra Palace is complete and magnificent fascination, and to walk through the towering arches into rooms adorned with the finest marble floors, hand-tiled walls, fantastic glittering nine-point star-shaped crystal chandeliers, exotic sculpture, luxurious hand-crafted furnishings and a round balcony where private tiered seating allows guests to smoke Hookahs and gaze down at the entertainment on the giant stage heading a beautiful, polished, inlaid wood dance floor lit by a gigantic star-shaped fixture set against an enormous copper ceiling medallion is to feel you are in a sensational French Moroccan dream.

Alhambra is an Arabic word for red, a color used among the golds, oranges, and natural tones in a sensational manner throughout the gorgeous rooms which were personally envisioned and brought to life by owner Dr. Naser Rustom. The Alhambra Palace, 1240 West Randolph Street, Chicago, is visual astonishment, live entertainment, meticulous service and fine dining. Photographing the official private opening of the Palace, teaming with over 2,000 awed, glamorous, satisfied guests, was a true pleasure.

For further information visit www.AlhambraPalaceRestaurant.com. Photo by Steve Starr.

RUMBA WITH THE STARS

The elegant Rumba Supper Club, 351 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, hosts a four week event of sensational Latin dance as local celebrities compete for their favorite charity in Rumba With The Stars, which premiered Thursday, June 28th, 2007, at 8:00 P.M. and continues each Thursday night through July with spectacular evenings of professional dance performances and the ecstatic rhythms of the white tuxedoed Rumba Orchestra. Hosted by Spanish language news reporter Millie Santiago, the first series of dancers include three reporters of NBC News; Lee Ann Trotter, Zoraida Sambolin and Alex Perez, Robert Jordan from WGN Television, Irene Mojica from 102.7 FM Radio, Nina Chantele of 103.5 KISS FM, Tsi-Tsi-Ki Felix of Telemundo Chicago News, and Lisa Lenoir, society editor the Chicago Sun Times.

Guests receive glorious gift bags from Juvenesse skin care, and, of course, photos by Steve Starr. Special dinner packages designed by Chef Benjamin Soto, tableside Mojitos, the incredible Rumba Orchestra, dance exhibitions, complimentary Merengue, Salsa, and Cha-Cha-Cha dance lessons by Amy Isett and Emily Lugo-Diaz and a Samba Chicago show awash in sequins, feathers and jewels enhance each evening.

It will always be another glamorous night at the wonderful Rumba, which attracts numerous celebrities that include Janet Jackson, Freddie Rodriquez, Drew Sidora, Jaslene Gonzalez, Daddy Yankee, Dionne Warwick, Floyd Mayweather, Otis Wilson, and dozens of other famed sports and political figures. For further information phone 312-222-1442. Visit www.Rumba 351.com.

Photo: Telemundo News Reporter Tsi-tsi-ki Felix and dance partner, instructor Eduardo Izguerra, president of Dance With Rhythm, at Rumba With The Stars, July 5, 2007.  Photo by Steve Starr

FERGIE at the ALHAMBRA PALACE

Gorgeous people, perhaps believing they were actually in a spectacular French Moroccan dream, lounged on the exotic silk sofas set against dazzling tapestries and glass tiles washed with red and gold lighting reflecting on sparkling brass and silver Hookahs.

The Alhambra Palace is what dreams are made of, and soon, Fergie, who earlier completed a performance at Chicago’s wonderful House of Blues, experienced the opulence of the Palace as she was whisked to the exotically furnished private VIP Reception Room on the west end of the stunning tiered balcony circling high above the dance floor.

There, the popular and beautiful music star relaxed and socialized with friends, Alhambra owner Naser Rustom, the handsome managers and staff, NBA players Antoinne Walker of the Miami Heat, Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns, and Image Chicago Magazine publisher Paul Sorkin.

Fergie posed for my camera and later took to her microphone just outside the door to perform for her fans dining at the balcony tables and sumptuous couches, and for those far below. The Alhambra Palace rises majestically at 1240 West Randolph Street in Chicago, where it bestowed its perfect and elegant service and attention to Fergie and her entourage.

Stacy Ann Ferguson was born March 27, 1975 in Hacienda Heights, California. Young "Fergie" sang in commercials and was the voice of Sally Brown in the Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show before she obtained her first major break when she became part of television’s Kids Incorporated between 1981-1989.

Along with fellow Kid star Renee Sands, Fergie became part of the all female band Wild Orchid.

Later, Fergie joined the Black Eyed Peas and helped propel them to mainstream success when they recorded Elephunk in 2003.

In September of 2006, Fergie released her first solo album, The Dutchess, which went platinum in both America and Japan.

In May of 2007, People Magazine’s annual issue named Fergie as one of the 100 Most Beautiful People In The World.

Photo of Fergie (top) and Fergie with Dr. Amer Rustom at the Alhambra Palace (below), photos by Steve Starr. June 10, 2007.

KENT NORTH at PARK WEST

Tall, charismatic and polite porn star Kent North attended the GRABBYS-2007 Erotic Video Awards at Chicago’s Park West Theatre, May 25, 2007, where Mr. North hosted the event along with fellow award winning stars Johnny Hazzard and Mathew Rush, entertainer and director Chi-Chi LaRue and entertainer Honey West who all enthralled a packed house of over 1,000 cheering fans.

Kent North was once a Royal Navy Submariner honored by Queen Elizabeth 11, and is today a Hot House Entertainment Lifetime Exclusive.

North was nominated in the category for the 2007 BEST SOLO, and he soon proudly bounded to the stage as winner of that coveted Grabby Award.

Before the show began, North and his equally handsome partner, Warren Lord, took time to pose for my camera, and were both charmingly concerned that I was happy with the photographic results. Photo of Kent North and Warren Lord by Steve Starr

DIRECTORS at 23rd INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

Four illustrious directors of films featured at the 23rd International Latino Film Festival stood together in the beautiful reception lounge outside the Arthur Rubloff Auditorium at the Chicago History Museum where I made the astoundingly talented men laugh as they shared their mutual admiration for each other.

From Brazil was Edgard Navarro who directed Eu me Lembro (I Remember) which won six Candango trophies at the Brazilian Festival of Brazilian Cinema that included Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay, Uli Stelzner of Guatemala and Germany who directed the documentary film Asalto a un Sueno (Assaulted Dream), and Emilio Rodriquez and Pedro Adorno Irizarry from Puerto Rico who both wrote the screenplay, directed, and, alongside Gabriel Cross, photographed El Clown.

Soon it would be El Clown that was awarded the gorgeous, dramatic trophies for Special Jury Prize for Opera Prima and the Best Selected Feature Film by WTTW, Channel 11, of Chicago.

Pictured, left to right, Edgard Navarro, Uli Stelzner, Emilio Rodriquez and Pedro Adorno. Photo by Steve Starr

BRUCE VILANCH at PARK WEST THEATRE

Gay Chicago Magazine publisher Craig Gernhardt and Bruce Vilanch.  Photo by Steve Starr

The winner of two Emmy awards, brilliant and hilarious writer and perfomer Bruce Vilanch attended the "Grabbys" 2007 Erotic Video Awards held at Chicago's Park West Theatre where he appeared along with five fabulous hosts, Chi Chi LaRue and Honey West, and three of the nations most handsome stars of pornographic film, Johnny Hazzard, Mathew Rush, and Kent North.

Vilanch, who as a child modeled for Lane Byant and once starred with the infamous star Talullah Bankhead in summer stock, later became an entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune where he wrote a glowing review on my production, the Steve Starr Studios fifth annual VANITY in 1974, describing it as "…Steve Starr’s moist and glittering musical revue, coming at you like silver lining from a cloud." Thank you Bruce Vilanch!

Bette Midler was so impressed by his review of her 1970 performance at Chicago’s esteemed Mr. Kelley’s that she hired him to enhance her stage shows. Vilanch later moved to Los Angeles where he wrote for the Donny & Marie show and the Brady Bunch Hour, and contributed his wonderful material to Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers. He began writing for the Academy Awards show in 1989, soon working with Billy Crystal, Whoopie Goldberg, and David Letterman, and became the show’s head writer in 2000. Vilanch was a regular writer and a panelist on Hollywood Squares, and in 2004 appeared on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY.

Vilanch’s first film appearance was as a dress designer in Mahogany (1975) starring Diana Ross. He also appeared in The Ice Pirates (1984), The Morning After (1986), It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas (1989), Get Bruce (1999), Circuit (2002), and Naked Fame (2005).

Vilanch, who will play one of the celebrity judges in the August 2007 release of the sexual spoof, Fucking With The Stars, directed by Grabby Award winning Chi Chi LaRue, thrillingly took to the Park West stage to receive a special Grabby Wall of Fame Award for his writing contributions.

JASLENE GONZALEZ-AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL at RUMBA

Chicago born Jaslene Gonzalez, winner of television’s America’s Next Top Model, arrived at the Rumba Supper Club, 351 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, May 22, 2007, in an enormous white limousine to greet television cameras and her joyously cheering fans and family that included her adorable baby sister.

In the elegant private dining room, decorated with glittering beaded table runners, engraved red glass platters, and white candles, Jaslene began her interviews with WGN, Telemundo and IMAGE Chicago Magazine publisher Paul Sorkin. Jaslene posed for my camera with Sorkin, Chef Benjamin Soto, event coordinator Cesar Colon, marketing director Richard Carrier, and every available handsome Rumba server until I remarked that I felt it was finally my turn to be photographed with the winner of America’s Next Top Model. I handed my camera to videographer/director Josh Figueroa and stepped next to Jasleen. The obvious, evident big glow between us is…her earring!

In the main room, people danced to the Rumba band on stage led by entertainment director Wo, all dressed in white tuxedos contrasting with the attentive staff in black tuxedos who fulfilled every drink wish to accompany the gorgeous buffet. Beautiful Jaslene has a very friendly, warm presence, and never tired to face the camera for another shot. Photo of Jaslene Gonzalez and Steve Starr by Josh Figueroa

DIONNE WARWICK at RUMBA

Dionne Warwick, the Grammy Award winning singing star who began her career in 1962 with the chart climbing hit Don't Make Me Over, was dining at Rumba, 351 west Hubbard Street, Chicago, September, 2006, with owner Vivian Rios and a friend, while in town to be honored at the Black Ensemble Theatre where she was the focus of their musical show, Don't make Me Over-A Tribute To Dionne Warwick. When Warwick was introduced by Rumba's musical director, Wo, the entire room burst into a thunderous applause. Photo by Steve Starr

SPIDER SALOFF AT THE CLAUDIA CASSIDY THEATRE

Jazz vocalist Spider Saloff, with an affinity for George Gershwin's music, is a glamorous chanteuse who performs throughout the country while retaining a home in Chicago.  Saloff is seen here posing in the lobby of the Claudia Cassidy Theatre at Chicago's Cultural Center before taking to the stage in her show, A Tribute To Johnny Hartman, featuring songs attributed to the smooth, beloved balladeer. Spider Saloff often performs at Chicago's  wonderful nightclub and restaurant, Katerina's, 1920 West Irving Park Road. Photo by Steve Starr

ERNIE BANKS at FORNETTO MEI

The famous Chicago Cubs baseball player, nicknamed Mr. Cub, was socializing with family members when a bevy of mostly female fans who, after attending a Gloria The Hat party at the Whitehall Hotel, Chicago, July 14, 2006, swooped down upon the icon, and he graciously let me pose them all for my camera. Photo by Steve Starr.