NY Comic Con 2011

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 06 October 2011 05:00

Written by L E Shannon

The 6th annual New York Comic Con (NYCC) is taking place October 13 - 16, 2011 at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, New York City.

Kicking off the festivities is a free evening of entertainment with DJ/artist Z-Trip.

"This is the first time that we have kicked off New York Comic-Con with an official evening of entertainment and I know that we will have a packed house," notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for NYCC.

This year for the first time, Marvel Studios is appearing at NYCC and will present a special event. With a high-profile panel, Marvel will debut never-before-seen footage from the upcoming feature film Marvel'sThe Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

Read more: NY Comic Con 2011

AltCar Expo 2011 on the Move

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Sunday, 25 September 2011 05:00

Written by FilmFestival Traveler Staff

The 6th Annual AltCar Expo is being held September 30 - October 1, 2011 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.  

The Alternative Energy & Transportation Conference and Expo hosts one of the most extensive presentations of Alternative Technology vehicles and transportation, infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency and urban planning found worldwide.

General Sessions include a couple of screenings:

The Right to Breathe, the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s recently completed documentary, discusses air quality issues in Southern California from an emotionally powerful and personal perspective. Produced by award-winning filmmaker Alexandre Philippe, the film aims to make viewers aware of the serious health effects of air pollution while also inspiring them to participate in practical solutions.

Read more: AltCar Expo 2011 on the Move

AARP Life@50+ Expo 2011: When I Grow Up

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Sunday, 18 September 2011 05:00

Written by Lynne Shannon

AARP Life@50+ Expo 2011 is happening September 22 - 24, 2011 at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.

Some very exciting sessions are matched with concerts and exhibits, as well as a great opportunity for free health screenings. In addition, a mini-film festival is included in the festivities. And non-members are encouraged to attend as well.

Feature Sessions – These sessions present celebrities and entertainers who share their personal life experiences. This Expo introduces:

• Master of Ceremonies: James Brown, NFL Today
• Jane Goodall
• BD Wong
• Tim Gunn
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Spike Lee
• Chris Gardner
• Joni Evans
• Liz Smith
• Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner
• Peter Greenberg, CBS Travel Editor
• Gary Knell (Sesame Street) with Grover
• Carol Burnett, in conversation with Tim Conway
• Leeza Gibbons in conversation with Sugar Ray Leonard

Lifestyle Sessions – Brain health, travel, relationships, identity theft, finances, wellness -- these are pretty much the most important concerns at a time when what we did in our 30's and 40's won‛t work anymore. Presentations include:

• Richard Simmons, Still Sweatin' After All These Years!
• What Color Is Your Parachute? A New Challenge and A New Solutions by Dick Bolles
• Alzheimer's & Mental Fitness: How Learning a Second Language Can Make a Difference
• Identity Theft: An In-Depth Look at Protecting Your Personal Data
• Intimacy Innovation: Sensible and Sensual Suggestions for Enhancing Your Relationship
• Navigating the Online Travel Realm
• Turning Cultural Assets Into Financial Assets: How Innovative Savings and Investment Models From Multicultural Communities Can Help You Live Your Best Life
• Turning Passions into a Career on YouTube

AARP University Sessions – AARP University was created to provide interactive, educational sessions by AARP staff experts on the latest AARP research, programs, services, benefits and larger issues of interest that affect AARP members and society. This year‛s panels include:

• Five Things Women Should Know About Retirement Security
• Great Gadgets – Cutting Edge Tech for Living Life
• E-Reading for Dummies
• Managing the Medicare Maze: Your Questions Answered
• Five Things You Must Know About Facebook
• Medical Tourism: Is It for Me, and What Do I Need to Know?
• The Price is Right! Or is it? – Let’s talk about Drug Safety, Effectiveness and Cost
• Pride Comes in All Ages: Out and Living Life to Its Fullest
• Social Security: Will It Be There When I Need It?
• Tips from the Money Coach

Movies for Grownups® is "a high-impact multimedia franchise started in 2002 by AARP The Magazine editors to spotlight and celebrate movies with storylines, performances and filmmaking that have distinct relevance to the 50-plus audience."

The films being screened for the Expo are:

Thunder Soul
dir. Mark Landsman
narrated by Jamie Foxx, who produced
"In the 1970s, music teacher Conrad "Prof" Johnson transformed Houston’s struggling Kashmere High School Stage Band into a world-class funk powerhouse. In this music-filled, heartfelt documentary, the band’s illustrious alumni return to play a tribute concert for 92-year-old Prof."

Mexico: The Royal Tour
dir. John Feist
A whirlwind tour of Mexico with AARP's Travel Ambassador, Peter Greenberg, in the company of Mexico‛s President Felipe Calderon, as they go cave diving, pyramid climbing, zip lining and spelunking down a 1,000-foot-deep cavern. Greenberg will host the screening.

50/50
dir. Jonathan Levine
starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Anjelica Huston
A 27-year-old writer learns he has cancer. He also has a support group (sort of): "a well-meaning pal, a freaked-out girlfriend, a too-involved shrink and a smothering mom. Rogen and writer Will Reiser will introduce the film.

Beginners
dir. Mike Mills
starring Christopher Plummer, Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent
This hit on the festival circuit is about a young man who learns that his father not only has a deadly form of cancer, but is also gay.  

On The Shoulders of Giants
dir. Deborah Morales
"The best basketball team you’ve never heard of was also probably one of the best basketball teams of all time." The Harlem Renaissance, an all-African American team, won the first-ever national professional basketball title in 1939 against the top all-white team in the U.S. The director and Kareem Adbul-Jabbar will introduce this documentary.

Another Happy Day
dir. Sam Levinson
starring Kate Bosworth, Demi Moore, Thomas Haden Church, George Kennedy, Ellen Burstyn, Ellen Barkin
A high-strung mother struggles to communicate with the rest of her eccentric family during a large family wedding.

The Way
dir. Emilio Estevez
starring Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez
An American doctor goes to Europe to claim the body of his adult son who was killed by a storm in the Pyrenees while walking the famed El Camino de Santiago. The doctor decides to finish the historical pilgrimage in his son’s place. The Sheens will introduce this premiere screening.

Dolphin Tale
dir. Charles Martin Smith
starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr.
A true story of a team who fought to save the life of a bottlenose dolphin that lost her tail in a fishing accident.

Special Concert performances are:

• Tony Bennett Live in Concert with Carrie Underwood and Stevie Wonder
• Lionel Ritchie with Patti Austin and Ramsey Lewis
• Jon Secada
• The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
• Eddie Floyd

with additional performances by:

• Soul Rebels
• Spanish Harlem Orchestra
• Jessy J
• Playing for Change
• Dave Koz
• Mandy Barnett
• George Benson

There will also be several cooking demonstrations by these Chefs:

• Adam Siegel
• Celina Tio
• Nancy Silverton
• Scott Richard
• Alex Roberts
• Isaac Becker
• Denisse Oller

Add to all this the free screenings for such concerns as diabetes, blood pressure, BMI, vision and hearing, with plenty of experts on hand to answer any questions visitors have.

For more information, go to www.aarp.org/about-aarp/events/national_event.

AARP Life@50+ Expo 2011
September 22-24, 2011

LA Convention Center
1201 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015