KANSAS CITY WOMEN MUSICIANS: BETWEEN ROCK AND A GOOD PLACE. By Timothy Finn

KANSAS CITY – “People don’t want to see women do things they don’t think women should do.” — Joan Jett

That was the case back in the 1970s, when Jett and the Runaways were trying to make it in the macho world of rock. These days, women aren’t the novelty they once were in popular music. But they are still the exception, part of the much smaller minority. “Things are better, for sure,” said Betse Ellis, a longtime player in the local scene, “but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

“It’s less of a deal, but saying it doesn’t matter anymore is a little like saying, ‘There’s no more racism,’ ” said Lauren Krum of the band the Grisly Hand. “It makes me want to be extra-positive and supportive of other women in music.”

Our music world is populated with lots of women who rock, in every sense of that word — women doing things people used to think women shouldn’t do, whether they’re fronting a band as a singer or lead guitarist, writing songs, producing and promoting concerts or showcasing music from a commercial-radio pulpit.

To read this article in its entirety, please visit KansasCity.com

American Idol’s ‘Tent Girl’, Amy Brumfield is a homeless desperado with a very wild criminal record.

ACTRESS JANET HUBERT SAYS ACTOR WILL SMITH IS VERY FULL OF HIMSELF. By Nancy Dillon

(NYDAILYNEWS.COM) – The original Aunt Vivian on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” says Will Smith is a royal pain — so she’ll never join a reunion for the hit sitcom. Actress Janet Hubert told TMZ.com that she missed a recent reunion dinner because she still blames Smith for her ouster from the 1990s NBC show.

“There will never be a reunion … as I will never do anything with an a—— like Will Smith,” Hubert told TMZ. “He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn’t know the word.”

Hubert, 55, has blamed Smith for her firing before. She even sued the star and NBC, contending Smith created a hostile work environment after she became pregnant. The show, which launched Smith’s multimillion-dollar movie career, followed the life of a streetwise Philadelphia teen sent to live with his rich Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil in California. Hubert’s pregnancy was written into the show.

Smith, 43, previously defended himself against Hubert’s claims, saying it was her ego that led to her replacement by actress Daphne Reid halfway through the show’s six-season run. “I can say straight up that Janet Hubert wanted the show to be ‘The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Show,’” he told an Atlanta radio station after she was cut.

“She has basically gone from a quarter of a million dollars a year to nothing. She’s mad now, but she’s been mad all along. She said once, ‘I’ve been in the business for 10 years and this snotty-nosed punk comes along and gets a show.’ No matter what, to her I’m just the Anti-Christ,” he told the station.

Smith’s publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MELANIE AMARO WAS CROWNED THE FIRST CHAMPION OF X-FACTOR. By Adam Graham

LOS ANGELES (MTV.COM) – From early reject to grand-prize winner, Melanie Amaro was crowned champion of Fox’s “The X Factor” on Thursday (December 22), winning a $5 million recording contract and a spot in a Pepsi commercial that will air during next year’s Super Bowl.

Amaro, a 19-year-old from Sunrise, Florida, beat out 30-year-old Columbus, Ohio, contestant Josh Krajcik for the title of “X Factor” winner. Chris Rene, the 28-year-old from Santa Cruz, California, came in third place.

When the results were read, an emotional Amaro exclaimed, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” She was swarmed by members of her family, and “X Factor” host Steve Jones struggled to get a word from her. After performing Beyoncé’;’s “Listen,” Amaro said, “God is good,” and thanked her fans.

“Thank you so much, thank you. I’m just, I’m so happy and I don’t know what to say,” she said. “This is something I’ve wanted for all my life!”

Amaro’s victory was especially sweet considering she was technically eliminated from the competition after Simon Cowell sent her home following one of the early rounds. Deciding he had made a mistake, Cowell paid a personal visit to her home and invited her to rejoin the competition.

In the end, Cowell was pleased with his decision, as well as America’s choice of Amaro as its first “X Factor” winner. “We came here to find a superstar, we found a superstar. Thank you to everyone who supported the show,” Cowell said. He called Krajcik “a worthy runner-up.”

To view this X-Factor article in its entirety, please visit MTV.com

THE NUTCRACKER WAS EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE & MUCH MORE. By Crystal Booker

KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is spectacular! From the opening scene at the party at Clara’s house to all the enchanted wonder and surprises this production has something for everyone. I have always wanted to see this production since I was a child and now I’ve finally gotten my wish.

The Nutcracker was definitely worth the wait. It was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. The dancers performed beautifully. The sets and costumes were spectacular and full of beautiful, bright colors. The scenes were both magical and wonderful.

My favorite scene was the third titled “The Snow Forest.” In this scene, the stage was transformed into a white forest loaded with snow. You really get the feel of the dancers performing in the cold. It’s equally fulfilling to watch the dancers leap across stage.

The Kansas City Symphony did a remarkable job of setting the tone as they played the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. Every enthralling scene will have you mesmerized with wonder and surprise. It was truly a 5 star evening. Everyone should share in this spectacular holiday experience.

Tickets are still available. They can be purchased online at www.kcballet.org.

Crystal Booker, a distinguished member of the Kansas City Film Critic’s Circle, is the movie critic of Kansas City’s Magic 107.3 FM. She is also a contributing writer to I Love Black Movies.com. To view her movie reviews, click here. For the entertainment scoop, check out “Celebrity Interviews.” She welcomes both your questions and comments at cbooker@massappealnews.com

PARIS JACKSON ACCEPTS A LEADING ROLE IN UPCOMING KIDS’ FILM. By Mary Jane Collins

HOLLYWOOD – Paris Jackson, the 13-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson, will soon make her acting debut in the upcoming film Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys alongside animated characters voiced by Larry King and wife Shawn Southwick, Joey Fatone, N-SYNC and Justin Timberlake.

Paris, the King of Pop’s middle child, will play a girl who becomes brainwashed by a jellyfish queen in the ocean. Filming begins in January and the film is a five part sequel written by Lundon O’Malley and produced by Stephen Sobisky, who helped create the stunning visual effects in such movies as Shrek, A.I., Titanic and Mission: Impossible II.

Paris wants to be an actress. She also wants to take on her dad’s legacy and do something good for the world. Her father loved giving back to his fans. If alive, MJ would be so proud of Paris’ accomplishments. Half the proceeds from the movie and book sales will be donated to various schools.

So much for Michael’s desire to keep his children out of the spotlight. We all knew it was just a matter of time before Joe Jackson put those kids to work. Maybe it won’t be a bad thing. Only time will tell.

Mary ‘Jane’ Collins is a hip hop artist and media personality in Kansas City. She also hosts a daily internet radio show to discuss pressing issues associated with the music industry. To learn more about Mary Jane, please visit her blog by clicking here.

TERRENCE HOWARD’S WIFE FILES RESTRAINING ORDER, SAYS HE BEAT HER. Associated Press

LOS ANGELES— Terrence Howard was ordered Tuesday to stay 100 yards (90 meters) away from his estranged wife after she claimed the Oscar-nominated actor repeatedly threatened and hit her during their marriage. The star denies the allegations.

Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon granted the stay-away order sought by Michelle Howard after she filed a lengthy declaration alleging abuse began within a week of the couple’s January 2010 marriage.

Michelle Howard filed for divorce a year later. The restraining order remains in effect until a Jan. 17 court hearing. In a text message last week, she claims Howard, 42, has repeatedly hit her and threatened her. She stated in a sworn declaration that she is in constant fear of Howard and has chronic health issues caused by the actor’s treatment.

Howard in his own sworn declaration wrote that he has never threatened his wife and that she has repeatedly vowed to ruin his reputation and release private details. “I live in constant fear of Michelle’s endeavors to ruin my reputation; even providing this declaration may well lead to my being subjected to a paparazzi blitz which would not be good for my career,” Howard wrote.

Michelle Howard wrote that Howard has hit her several times and threatened to throw her from a hotel balcony in South Africa last year. She included a text message she said he sent to her on Thursday in which he begged her not to pursue the divorce and threaten his career, ending the missive, “I can’t promise how I will respond.”

Howard wrote in his filing that he immediately followed up the message with another text stating that he wasn’t threatening her. “Despite my efforts to remove myself physically from (Howard’s) life, his periodic mood swings from anger, threats and violence to statements of love and requests for reconciliation continue and have not subsided,” she wrote.

Howard appeared in the first “Iron Man” film and received an Oscar nomination in 2005 for his role in “Hustle and Flow.” His attorney Christian Markey III did not immediately return an email message seeking comment.

ASTRO AND DREW WERE SENT HOME THIS WEEK ON X-FACTOR, ONLY 5 LEFT. By James Dinh

LOS ANGELES (MTV.com) – It was double the loss for “X Factor” on Thursday night (December 1) as Astro and Drew were eliminated from the competition, following Wednesday night’s Michael Jackson-themed performance episode.

Halfway into the broadcast, host Steve Jones announced pint-size MC Astro’s immediate departure from the competition. Taking his bottom-vote position better than previous weeks, the teen rapper appeared indifferent about the news and immediately hugged it out with the fellow contestants and mentor L.A. Reid.

“Hey, man, it’s for the better,” the MC told Jones. “The only reason I’m mad is ’cause I don’t get to see my girl that lives in Cali, but I will be back. … I love my time. I’ve gained a lot of fans. People got picket signs tonight. I wish y’all the best of luck.”

Reid offered a similar reaction, calling the eliminated competitor a star with endless talents.

Marcus Canty and Drew were the other two bottom vote-getters. For their sing-for-your-life numbers, Drew crooned Roxette’s “Listen to Your Heart.” Marcus Canty opened with a quick thank you speech and led into a moving cover of Gladys Knight & the Pips’ ballad “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye).”

In the end, it was a 3-1 vote that sent an emotional Drew back home to Arizona. During voting time, Cowell (the 14-year-old’s mentor and sole yes vote) was apologetic for the singer’s lack of votes, blaming himself for poor song choices.

“I want to say thank you to my fans and I’m going to keep going and I’m going to keep singing,” Drew told the audience. “I have a lot to show you guys, and it’s a lot more upbeat and a lot more different.”

Left in the competition are Chris Rene, Rachel Crow, Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Canty.

To read this X-Factor article in its entirety, please visit MTV.com

THE KANSAS CITY BALLET PROVIDES A FUN, WONDERFUL DANCE EXPERIENCE. By Crystal Booker

KANSAS CITY – You may be familiar with Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer”. You may have even seen it on film, but you have never experienced it put to dance. This year the Kansas City Ballet put on the production of “Tom Sawyer”, which ran from October 14-23, 2011. From the moment you enter the beautiful new Kauffman Center you know you are in for a treat.

Under the music composition of Maury Yeston and the direction and choreography of William Whitener, the company danced beautifully. The production was in 3 acts and each one more spectacular than the other. My particular favorite was from Act 2 “The Dance of the Fireflies.”

The beautiful set and the costumes of this scene really give one the sense of a graveyard at night and the beauty and mystery of the night sky. This production definitely was a five star evening.

The Kansas City Ballet has been a part of the Kansas City Arts scene since 1957 when it was founded by Tatiana Dokoudovska. While serving as artistic director, choreographer and advisor she poured her talent, time, love and financial support into the company. She devoted her life to dance and the success of the company all the way to her retirement in 1980.

The Kansas City Ballet consists of 25 professional dancers and through the years over 500 dancers have performed with the company. They hale from such companies as The Joffrey Ballet, Washington and San Francisco Ballets.

The next production starting December 3-24, 2011 is “The Nut Cracker”. This is truly a Kansas City holiday tradition with the Kansas City Symphony playing the spectacular music of Tchaikovsky along with the beautiful choreography and wonderful costumes and brilliant sets this production is sure to be a special treat for the eyes and ears filled with wonder and amazement.

An evening at the Kansas City Ballet is more than just a ballet show. It’s an experience and one that should be shared by every one of all ages. The Kansas City Ballet is like a fine wine. It keeps getting better with time. Tickets for this and all productions can be purchased online at www.kcballet.org.

Crystal Booker, a distinguished member of the Kansas City Film Critic’s Circle, is the movie critic of Kansas City’s Magic 107.3 FM. She is also a contributing writer to I Love Black Movies.com. To view her movie reviews, click here. For the latest reports and celebrity interviews, check out “Crystal on the Scene.” She welcomes both your questions and comments at cbooker@massappealnews.com