Original Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides costumes and props...

Johnny Depp returns soon as 'Captain Jack Sparrow' in the fourth installment of the hit movie franchise based on Disney's popular theme park attraction. To help get you excited for the new movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, check out this fantastic costume and prop exhibit.

Original film costumes and props on display from

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

These outfits and props featured in the movie were photographed on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema on April 29, 2011 and were installed by Olson Visual.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides movie poster

As with all the previous installments in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Penny Rose is Costume Designer for On Stranger Tides.

Actual costume worn by Geoffrey Rush as

Captain Hector Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean 4

Geoffrey Rush returns as 'Captain Hector Barbossa', but this time the former pirate is now a privateer in the court of King George II and captain of the HMS Providence.

If you're a fan, be sure to also check out Geoffrey Rush's Barbossa pirate costume from The Curse of the Black Pearl and come back soon to see his new costume in more detail here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props.

Zombie Quartermaster costume worn by Ian Mercer

in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

In addition to mermaids, the new movie also has zombie pirates, and this outfit was worn by Ian Mercer as the 'Zombie Quartermaster'. Check back soon to see this costume in more detail, along his signature weapons.

Pirates of the Caribbean movie poster wall

at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema

Beside the costumes and props the cinema also had this cool poster wall, featuring creatives from Pirates of the Caribbean movies, past and present.

Finally enjoy this short video of the movie exhibit.

Go further behind-the-scenes with these official books: The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual Guid e

Buy the 2012 wall calendar: 2012 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Wall Calendar

Off with your head

I had hoped that the website would be ready this weekend and I could be out pickling myself from the inside --- out, with the rest of the country. Alas it is not, as I keep drawing things that need painting and the perfectionist monster has reared it's ugly head and may have had a tantrum.....

I guess that is one of many perils when you are setting up your own business and are not only producing the product, but also doing all the marketing, advertising and research yourself. Unfortunately you can't fire yourself or give yourself a raise, well I think you can give yourself a raise, but you have to earn money first.

In the meantime The Grumpus has been reminiscing about the last time there were lots of blue blooded creatures about and it wasn't for a wedding. Something tells me that The Grumpus is not a fan of weddings or grossly affluent people.

Happy Birthday to the Jempot, the only thing worth celebrating today.

Space Shuttle Endeavor Final Launch Delayed

The final voyage of the space shuttle Endeavor has been delayed:

Update, 1:15 p.m. ET: NASA reports that the launch of space shuttle Endeavour will be delayed until at least Monday.

Space shuttle Endeavour, NASA's youngest orbiter, was scheduled blast off into space for the final time at 3:47 pm EST Friday, marking the next-to-last scheduled launch of the shuttle program, but liftoff was delayed due to technical issues.

According to the AP, Commander Mark Kelly and his crew were on their way to the launch pad, when NASA halted the countdown. The heaters on one of the ship's power units failed about four hours before liftoff.

Read More HERE.

I was looking forward to watching this final lift off of the Endeavor but will have to wait a little longer. I am keeping track of the final mission of each shuttle because I watched the launch of each way back in the beginning of the space shuttle program. I hope this will not be the end of manned space travel but a change into a better and new form of human space travel, but I am not holding my breath. Luck to us all!

Meatpacking District

I don't think they were invited to the wedding

  

although they were all dressed up

 and obviously off somewhere

wonderful

Virtual Shopping: Union Jack

In honor of the royal wedding I bestow upon you this edition of Virtual Shopping featuring non other than the ever so iconic, Union Jack. . .

Urban Outfitters / Decorative Things via Amazon

Art.com via Amazon / Home Decorators Collection

Okay, this last one doesn't feature a Union Jack, but I couldn't help myself, I love me some Scary Go Round, thusly I love this poster -

mini flower necklace.

mini flower necklace by tina fray.

mini flower necklace.

mini flower necklace by tina fray.

Ali G InDaHouse film costume on display...

Before 'Borat' and 'Bruno', there was 'Ali G'. The fictional creation of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen graduated from British television to star in his own movie in 2002.

Original costume worn by Sacha Baron Cohen in Ali G InDaHouse

This is just one of the outfits that the self-proclaimed 'voice of da yoof' and leader of the 'West Staines massiv' wore in his big screen debut, which were designed by Annie Hardinge.

Ali G InDaHouse movie poster

This costume was photographed on display at the London Film Museum on January 25, 2011.

Buy the movie: Ali G Indahouse - The Movie (Widescreen Edition)

Buy the TV series: Da Ali G Show - Da Compleet Seereez

It's Ninja Time!

Ready for more Opera Ninja? Watch the Twitter feed (on the right! over there ----->
for an exclusive play-by-play of tonight's dress rehearsal!!

You can also follow along here!

Granite Swirl

Another from a recently processed batch.. I probably shot this back in early December, I don't recall exactly. This is on film, so no EXIF data.. guess I should get back in the habit of taking notes:)
There are quite a few small waterfalls on the numerous streams in my area, but I've never seen one like this, carved right into solid granite.  I'm especially pleased because I found this one completely on my own.. no one told me about it and I've never seen a picture of it, which is kind of surprising.  I had no idea there was even a stream here, let alone this nice fall, until I pulled over and parked one day to explore some rock formations and noticed sound of the stream. Following the water down a ways, I came across this.  I shot a few variations because the shape is so unique, but this is my favorite so far.. maybe I will post a couple more, to see if one gets more reaction than the others.

Tomato and Avocado Crostini

Okay, so usually I jump right into talking about the food and why I love it and how to make it and I promise I am going to get to all of that, but first I have to talk about what these scrumptious little crostini are sitting on.

It looks like a piece of wood, I know, and that's because I am addicted to photographing my dinner in super-close-up shots, but they are actually on a plate that is made out of a fallen palm leaf leaf that is steam-processed with water and dried and turned into a plate.  Here's a picture that gives a better look.



And another with an arbitrary apple on it, just to show the size.




They are described as being "single use" - in other words, equal to your garden variety paper plate - but I can tell you that there is NO way that i am tossing these babies after one use.  They are sturdy and beautiful and definitely being used a whole lot more than once.  Because they are made of separate leaves, each one has its own special look and feel.



So not only is it gorgeous but also environmentally responsible...how great is that?  I found them in a pack of four at Fairway (of course), but I know they are also at Whole Foods and a whole raft of other places.  They are made by a company called VerTerra - click here for more info,and if you can't find them locally click this link: VerTerra - Party Perfect Dinnerware 8 Leaf Pressed Plates (8 in. x 8 in.)  Just for the record, the Verterra folks don't know me, have never heard of me, and didn't send these to me...I found them my own self.  Well, actually the Southern husband found them while I was in a whole different aisle deliberating over canned plum tomatoes.  A man has to amuse himself somehow.

Meanwhile, back at the actual reason for this post, let's discuss the crostini.  I think that you can put pretty much anything on a piece of french bread that has been lovingly basted with olive oil and toasted and get away with it, but it doesn't get too much better in terms of speed and taste than this recipe.  While the crostini is toasting, you chop up some cherry tomatoes.  Then scoop out the inside of a nice ripe avocado, mash it up with some lemon juice and sprinkle a little coarse salt on top.

All that's left now is the assembly: spread a little mashed avocado on each crostini, sprinkle on a few chopped tomato pieces...I like a little cracked pepper on mine to give it a little bite, but some oregano would be lovely, or a teeny bit of sea salt...improvise away!   These are of course a fabulous and easy appetizer, but they would make a perfect light lunch too...or if you are me and my Southern husband, a Friday Night Lights dinner.  Hurray for crostini!

Tomato and Avocado Crostini, adapted from Everyday Food

• One small baguette, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch slices
• Olive oil
• One ripe avocado
• One tablespoon lemon juice
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Brush the bread slices with some olive oil, arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake until golden, about 8 minutes.  Don't worry if the center isn't browned - as long as the edges are golden you are in good shape!

2. Peel and pit the avocado and mash with a fork with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. When the crostini are cool enough to handle, spread with avocado and top with tomatoes and whatever other garnish catches your fancy!

Print this!

Blogger Night at the Opera!

It's almost Blogger Night!

Our bloggers for La Traviata are the lovely and talented Natasha Belonio, Gwendolyn Floyd, Stacey Robinsmith and Frances Sprout.

Follow along as they live-blog opening night, starting at 6:30pm on Saturday, April 30!

Traffic Advisory for April 30 and May 7!

Coming to opening night? How about the Saturday, May 7th performance? Of course you are! Make sure you leave some extra time to get around downtown.

Upcoming Canucks home games:
Saturday, April 30th - 6:00pm
Saturday, May 7th - 5:00pm

Please allow plenty of time to get parked and get to the theatre. Again, the curtain goes up on La Traviata at 7:30 pm!

Where to park? Where to eat? What to wear?? Check out our handy guide to Your Night At The Opera!

La Traviata Previews!

People are getting excited about La Traviata! Check out these previews in today's Sun and Straight.

Acclaimed director applies psychology to a classic - in today's Vancouver Sun

Verdi without vulgarity - in this week's Straight

Loving

I'm loving this print from Urban Outfitters -

It totally reminds me of Jaws and thats always a good thing.

paper record player.

paper record player.

Necromonger warrior costume from The Chronicles of Riddick...

In the 2004 sequel to Pitch Black, Vin Diesel returned as 'Richard B. Riddick' for what was hoped to be the beginnings of a new sci-fi franchise, The Chronicles of Riddick.

Original Necromonger warrior armour

on display from The Chronicles of Riddick

In the movie the titular anti-hero becomes embroiled with a race of conquerors called the 'Necromongers'.

This is a costume worn by one of the Necromonger warriors in the movie and was photographed on display at the London Film Museum on January 25, 2011.

The Chronicles of Riddick movie poster

Michael Dennison and Ellen Mirojnick were Costume Designers on the sci-fi movie and you can also see her costumes in the G.I. Joe live-action movie.

Buy the movie: Riddick Trilogy (Pitch Black/ The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury/ The Chronicles of Riddick)

Chronicles of Riddick & Pitch Black [Blu-ray]

The Chronicles of Riddick (Widescreen Unrated Director's Cut)

20 Questions with James Westman

What do Elvis, Socrates and Willy Wonka have in common? They've all influenced baritone James Westman in some way! Before you come and hear James perform one of his signature roles in La Traviata, take a minute to learn a bit about him as he answers 20 Questions.

1. Guilty musical pleasure? Cuban music to escape with and cook to (figure out my definition of cookin'!!) Jim Reeves (what a voice!) and Eminem - a modern day Shakespeare!

2. Where do you love to sing?
On the home heritage farm at the back of the bush.

3. What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Watching my boys play hockey or listen to them play violin and cello!

4. To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
That's a secret...but a well enjoyed one at that!

5. Who are your favourite heroes/heroines of fiction?
Jesus Christ

6. Who are your favourite characters in history?
Albert Einstein for his mind, Gandhi for his patience, and Socrates, the greatest teacher.

7. Who are your favourite heroes/heroines in real life?
Jesus Christ

8. Who is your favourite author?
Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Melville

9. Your favourite musician?
Glenn Gould

10. Your favourite composer?
Bach

11. What quality do you most admire in a person?
Grace

12. Your favourite virtue?
Humility

13. Your favourite occupation?
To have a successful chocolate store - just like Willy Wonka!

14. What did you want to be as a child?
Hockey player. No - hockey superstar!

15. Your most marked characteristic?
Hard-working

16. What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty

17. For what would you like to be remembered?
I gave society the best of me and the most of me!

18. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Senior division body builder champion! (Ha, good luck!)

19. What is your motto?
Life is too short - live each day like it is your last!

20. What non-opera song do you rock?
All Elvis tunes! Thang ya very much!!

Your Emmett Fix

I just couldn't leave Emmett out. He's actually staring over at Elsie who was still posing for her photo.

You can almost see the kitchen behind him in this picture, so I'm gonna call it a two-fer. . .