Oscars 2012 List of Nominees and Cocktails

The 84th Academy Awards

Sun., Feb. 26, 2012

When is this year's 84th Academy Awards? Sunday, February 26, 2012 will be the evening for rolling out the ruby walkway. Hosting this year's event, thankfully, is Billy Crystal once again. Along with the gowns, glitz and glamour are other noteworthy items ... like nibblers and the smartest of cocktails.

If you are feverishly planning an Oscar party to ooh and aah over the red carpet celebrities and their wardrobe malfunctions, then you might want to review a few of these sassy cocktail recipes.  They were sent to me, and created especially for the gala by, Voli Light Vodka and Belvedere Vodka. I have posted the ones which I felt were most tempting for an award-worthy evening, along with a list of the nominees for the evening...enjoy!

Sweet Revenge

(inspired by "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo")\

2 oz Raspberry Cocoa

2 Raspberries

2 Blackberries

1 oz apple cider

1⁄4 oz maple syrup

Directions:

Muddle berries and maple syrup. Add all ingredients then shake and strain

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Raspberries

Crystal Cosmo

(an ode to this year's host Billy Crystal)

1 1⁄2 oz Voli Lyte

1 oz fresh lemon juice

2 oz Cranberry Juice

1⁄2 oz Agave Nectar Top with Prosecco (OPTIONAL)

Garnish: Lemon twist

Directions:

In a mixing tin, add ice, Voli Lyte, lemon juice, agave & shake.

Strain into a martini glass and top with Prosecco

The Artist

A surprisingly rich and delightful story about the end of the silent film era and the rise of the talkies, The Artist is a front-runner to win the Best Picture.

2oz Belvedere Black Raspberry 

1/4oz simple syrup 

1/2 oz Lemon juice 

6 fresh raspberries or 

1/2oz raspberry puree 

dash egg white 

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled 

martini glass top with a splash of soda and 

garnish with a raspberry.

THE NOMINEES

Best Picture

"The Artist" Thomas Langmann, Producer

"The Descendants" Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Scott Rudin, Producer

"The Help" Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers

"Hugo" Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers

"Midnight in Paris" Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers

"Moneyball" Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers

"The Tree of Life" Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers

"War Horse" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Directing

"The Artist" Michel Hazanavicius

"The Descendants" Alexander Payne

"Hugo" Martin Scorsese

"Midnight in Paris" Woody Allen

"The Tree of Life" Terrence Malick

Actor in a Leading Role

Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"

George Clooney in "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"

Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"

Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"

Nick Nolte in "Warrior"

Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"

Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Actress in a Leading Role

Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"

Viola Davis in "The Help"

Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"

Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Actress in a Supporting Role

Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"

Jessica Chastain in "The Help"

Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"

Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"

Octavia Spencer in "The Help"

Animated Feature Film

"A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli

"Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal

"Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson

"Puss in Boots" Chris Miller

"Rango" Gore Verbinski

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Tarkington Theater Announces Free Events and Grand Opening

Tarkington Theater Opens

with Free July Previews

Carmel (July 8, 2011) – The Center for the Performing Arts has finalized plans for the Tarkington Theater’s month-long preview celebration. The July performances culminate with a special red-carpet curtain raising on August 6, featuring Broadway and television star David Hyde Pierce, the Center’s artistic director Michael Feinstein, American Ballet Theatre dancers and Carmel native Julia Bonnett, winner of the 2009 Great American Songbook competition.

To attend the free previews, guests are required to request seats by calling the box office at 317-843-3800. Seating is limited. All performances will be offered in the Tarkington Theater, which is located across the Green from the Palladium (Third Avenue SW & City Center Drive).

In addition to the July preview performances, the Center is hosting Kids Day on July 30. A public ribbon-cutting ceremony and Open House is July 31. Both days will feature free performances on the Tarkington Theater stage.

The opening celebration culminates with the red-carpet curtain raising on August 6, featuring Michael Feinstein and Broadway star David Hyde Pierce. The Red-Carpet Curtain Raising concert on August 6 is the only paid performance in the lineup. Purchase tickets for the Red-Carpet Curtain Raising at the Palladium box office, One Center Green, by phone at 317-843-3800 or online at www.TheCenterForThePerformingArts.org

Michael Feinstein                                           Photo Credit: A J Mast

Preview and Grand Opening Events

Dance Kaleidoscope (July 15)

7 p.m. / Free / Reservations required

Celebrating 40 years in Indianapolis, Dance Kaleidoscope is Indiana’s premiere professional dance company. Under artistic director David Hochoy’s lead for 20 years, DK’s mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through the experience of outstanding contemporary dance. At the Tarkington, DK will perform “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Taking Care of Business.” They will perform at IRT July 21-24 and at the Sweet Pea Festival in Montana on August 7.

Anita Hall & Everett Greene (July 19)

7:30 p.m. / Free / Reservations required

One of the most sought-after performers on the Island scene, Anita recently left her Hawaii home of 22 years and returned to her birth place of Indianapolis. Anita has shared the stage with Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock and Michael McDonald. Everett Greene has traveled around the world, performing with notables such as James Moody, Larry Ridley and the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra. He also toured and sang with The Count Bassie Orchestra. Everett was inducted into the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005.

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (July 21)

7 p.m. / Free / Reservations required

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is a professional contemporary dance ensemble and company dedicated to the exploration and presentation of thought-provoking issues. With the ability of dance to transcend the barriers that divide our world, they strive to enlighten, educate and entertain audiences of all ages. GHDT presents four repertoire concerts each season. It is a resident company at the Tarkington Theater and will begin its 13th season performing at the new venue in October.

Heartland Truly Moving Pictures film screening (July 26)

7 p.m. / Free / Reservations required

Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, a non-profit arts organization, seeks to promote positive change in people’s lives through the transformative power of film. Its flagship event, the Heartland Film Festival, launched in 1991 and runs each October in Indianapolis, screening independent films from around the world. Heartland is also dedicated to cultivating youth and providing innovative educational programs to enrich the minds and lives of aspiring filmmakers.

International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (July 28)

7 p.m. / Free / Reservations required

The mission of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis is to recognize, reward and promote the world’s finest young classical violinists and encourage understanding, appreciation and support of the violin repertoire by a large and diverse audience. The IVCI utilizes its world prominence to bring international attention to Indianapolis, and maintains its efforts to be a visible and collaborative member of the arts communities in Indianapolis and Indiana.

Kids Day (July 30)

FREE / No reservations

1 to 6 p.m. - Family-friendly events and performances on the Tarkington Theater stage by Radio Disney, Iibada Dance Company, International Talent Academy, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and CYT. 

Open House (July 31)

FREE / No reservations

1 p.m. – Ribbon cutting. Remarks by Steven B. Libman, Mayor Jim Brainard and architect Stephen Sturtz.

2 - 5 p.m. – Open House featuring performances by Duke Tumatoe (2 p.m.), Carmel Repertory Theatre (2:30 p.m.), Indy Irish Dancers (3 p.m.), Indiana University Summer Concert Band (4 p.m.), Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre (5 p.m.) and Actors Theatre of Indiana (5:30 p.m.)

Red Carpet Curtain Raising (August 6)

PAID / Tickets required

5:30 p.m. - The opening night will feature artistic director Michael Feinstein performing Frank Sinatra hits. Feinstein will be joined by Tony Award-winning Broadway and television star David Hyde Pierce. Additional entertainment includes dancers from American Ballet Theatre and Carmel native Julia Bonnett, winner of the 2009 Great American Songbook competition. Guests will be greeted with a cocktail reception with food stations throughout the evening. Plans include an after party entertainment lineup and dancing. Limited seating is available via advanced paid reservations. For details, call the box office at 317-843-3800 or purchase online at www.TheCenterForThePerformingArts.org.

The Center for the Performing Arts, which is currently under construction in Carmel City Center, will include the Palladium concert hall, the Tarkington proscenium theater and the 200-seat Studio Theater. The Palladium will also be home to Michael Feinstein’s Great American Songbook Collection, acting as a museum and education center by day and a concert venue by night.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Oscars 2010 FInal Update

The flutes are empty, the dresses rumpled and the after-parties have begun. I shall list the top seven categories and its winner.
This just wasn't the year for large blue people to win little golden men, I suppose. I am pleased at how many (every single one) of the seven categories ended exactly how I wanted them to end. It's so lovely when that happens. Next time, I should probably put a little wager on it. Is that legal?

**Best Supporting Actor-Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
**Best Actor-Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
**Best Supporting Actress-Mo'Nique (Precious)
**Best Actress-Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
**Best Director-Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
**Best Picture-The Hurt Locker
**Best Animated Film-Up
--
This post is exclusively written for Gottago.us.

Oscars 2010 Red Carpet Update

The pink bubbly is open once again, or still, and the Red Carpet Event is under way.
Mariah Carey's golden globes are showing up and out in her navy blue dress, complete with a slit, because she does enjoy showing, well, herself.
This year's look seems to be headed where I expected, strapless and elegant. No one has shown up looking as if they rummaged a yard sale before arriving, and blue and pink seems to be the colors this evening.
--
This post is exlcusive for Gottago.us.