Entertainment News

The 3rd Annual Okanagan Arts Awards were held on Thursday, March 4 at the Lions Hall in West Kelowna. Honoring 25 nominees in a variety of disciplines, the evening featured the Arts Awards presentations, artist demonstrations and displays, a silent auction in support of the Arts Council, and pre-event and post event receptions.

Hosted by emcee Sandy Dawson, the evening began with a welcome from West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater, followed by an opening prayer and blessing by Westbank First Nations Elder Wilfred Barnes and a performance of Okanagan Song from Westbank First Nations Drummers.

In addition to the awards presentations, the event also featured performances by harpist Kate Gibson Oswald, pianist Rosalyn Frantz, dance group Company B, readings by Okanagan Poet Laureate John Lent, and a short film celebrating the visual artists by Jim Elderton.

“The event was a great success, both in terms of presentations and performances, and by the great show of support from the community,” said Sharon McCoubrey, President of the Arts Council of the Central
Okanagan.

“We wish to congratulate all the nominees and winners, as well as our amazing volunteers and everyone who supported the event through attendance, sponsorship, and donations to our silent auction.”

The winners were:

Lifetime Achievement: Geert Maas, Kelowna
Literary Arts: Nancy Holmes, Kelowna
Arts Educator: Leroy Wiens, Kelowna
Visual Arts: Gary Pearson, Kelowna
Music: Anna Jacyszyn, Kelowna
Supporter of the Arts: Jody LaFontaine, Lake Country
Dance: Tanya Bakala, Kelowna
Theatre: Louise Sjoquist, Kelowna

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) handed out its annual media awards with honourees that included Cynthia Nixon and Joy Behar. CBC.ca

Indian screen legend Amitabh Bachchan will be getting a lifetime accolade from the Hong Kong International Film Festival. CBC.ca

China has refused a visa to Australian writer Robert Dessaix on the grounds he is HIV-positive. CBC.ca

Director James Cameron confirms he's in talks with Fox for a re-release of his 3-D sci-fi blockbuster Avatar with additional scenes. CBC.ca

The Canadian military on Saturday unveiled a memorial to the first Canadian journalist killed in Afghanistan. CBC.ca

The National Film Board is launching a new documentar about klezmer hip-hop artist Socalled on a new YouTube video rental website. CBC.ca

"Ghost Whisperer" co-stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy have reportedly gone their own ways.

The couple has split up following their year-long relationship, says People.com.

No other details were immediately available.

Jake Pavelka and the two lovely ladies in his life -- his fiancée Vienna Girardi and his "Dancing with the Stars" pro partner Chelsie Hightower -- partied with Mickey Mouse at Disney World in Orlando, FL on Saturday.

Jake dance dipped Vienna while Mickey did likewise with Chelsie.

Watch Jake and Chelsie team up when "Dancing with the Stars" premieres Monday, March 22 on ABC.

"Jersey Shore" star Pauly Del Vecchio dished about the second season of his popular reality series while DJing in Las Vegas on Friday night.

"[In] a couple weeks I start filming," Pauly said about the second serving of "Jersey Shore." "First season was unreal … we're gonna do it all over again."

The reality star enjoyed a big night at Palms Las Vegas. He dined at N9NE Steakhouse and Nove Italiano, as well as played to a packed house at Ghostbar. To top it all off, he was presented a key to Playboy Club.

Popular rockers Nickelback, rapper Drake and Toronto indie band Metric were among the winners at the 13th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. CBC.ca

From the 82nd Annual Academy Awards to red-carpet bashes, Hollywood's hottest donned their most daring duds. Who's outfit was super lame and who's got game? You Rate!

The Walt Disney Co. is continuing its program of cuts by shutting down a motion-capture 3-D facility in San Francisco, resulting in 450 jobs lost. CBC.ca

Corey Haim will be laid to rest next week in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.

Meanwhile, a fund has been set up to help Haim's family cover funeral-related expenses. Those wishing to assist can send donations to:

Corey Haim Memorial Fund
c/o Judy Haim
P. O. Box 87655
298 John Street
Thornhill, Ontario
L3T - 7R4 CANADA

Actor Corey Haim had a fraudulent prescription when he died that was linked to a major drug ring, authorities say. CBC.ca

Last night, Katelyn Epperly, Todrick Hall, Alex Lambert and Lilly Scott's dreams of "American Idol" glory were snuffed out, but the latest four eliminated from the competition maintain their optimism and tell ET that despite the circumstances, they will prevail!

"I think that getting kicked off early kind of saved my street cred," says Lilly, "so I think that I have a good chance of making my mark in the industry. I'm definitely really thankful for everything and I'm stoked for what's next. I'm not worried about it at all."

Katelyn admitted that she is "a little disappointed" in the fans for not voting to keep her on the show, but says, "The experience is like no other. You can't meet the people and work with the types of people that we've been able to work with anywhere else. I mean, top of the line."

The California Attorney General's office said Friday that it is investigating a prescription drug ring linked to late actor Corey Haim.

According to the Attorney General, an unauthorized prescription in Haim's name was found during an investigation into fraudulent prescription pads ordered by a San Diego vendor. Authorities have not released when the prescription in Haim's name was found.

The ring operated by ordering prescription drug pads from authorized sources, but using stolen doctor identities, according to the Attorney General's office. The pads were either sold to prescription drug users, or to people who would then fill the prescription and sell them on the underground market, the Attorney General's office claims, saying that the doctors whose identities are stolen are usually not aware of it.