Diana Ross, Flaming Lips set to headline

Ten weeks and counting until the 20th anniversary edition of City Stages. Organizers have announced the first round of acts performing on Father’s Day weekend (June 13-15) in downtown Birmingham, including:

• Diana Ross
• The Flaming Lips
• Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
• Buddy Guy
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Roots
• Citizen Cope
• Sean Kingston
• Galactic
• Will Hoge

Three-day passes go on sale Friday through Ticketma$ter for $37.50 ($45 and $50 closer to the event dates).

What do you think of the lineup? How does it compare to the Crawfish Boil or Bonnaroo? (Same booking agents as Bonnaroo, but also same restrictions on artist exclusivity.) Is it better than the 2007 lineup? Tell us in the comments.

Plus, video previews after the jump …

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Hidden among lines
of code is a digital
epic on first life.

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How can the mall be
packed on a beautiful spring
day? Retail prison.

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‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ recap, episode 13

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

A piece of chocolate cake changes “The Biggest Loser” game. In the sense that the last episode did not include a piece of chocolate cake, and this ones does. Does Roger Shultz of Enterprise take the cake?

In a contest of pointless twists, this one may be the pointlessest. Still, it turned out to be a pretty good week.

Find out why we’re not frosted, after the jump …

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After nine months in prison, Don Siegelman is a free man. Sort of.

The former governor, convicted in 2006 of bribery, mail fraud and conspiracy, will be released from an Oakdale, La., prison camp on bond today as his appeal is considered. Meanwhile, co-convict Richard Scrushy remains locked up, his release denied because of flight risk.

The appeals court says enough substantial questions remain about the conviction to allow the release. Siegelman could end up in Washington, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. Ironically, he didn’t even take the stand at his own trial.

How bizarre is this legal maze? See the “60 Minutes” report from February and judge for yourself.

• The Birmingham News: Siegelman leaving prison on appeal

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Add a syllable
here, drop a word on this line.
That’s phoning it in.

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Roger loses Jax State job

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com

Enterprise’s Roger Shultz has shed more than 100 pounds so far on “The Biggest Loser,” but now he’s shed even more: his job with the Gamecocks.

The former Alabama lineman had served as associate athletics director at Jacksonville State University, but was fired after a nearly six-month absence while in California on the show. He remains in the running for the $250,000 grand prize, to be awarded on the live finale April 15.

He says he might open a gym in Birmingham with his former teammate and TV partner Trent Patterson, one that emphasizes a monthlong approach to fitness. Performa district, anyone?

Plus, he still has “In the Trenches,” his weekly radio show with Stan White in the fall. Oh, and a longer lifespan, blah blah blah.

• • •

Shape up: more “Biggest Loser” at biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com.

The good news is that Birmingham Shout is still around for a third year, providing films with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. The bad news is that it’s down to five movies and a short (as opposed to 16 films in 2007), moving up to March instead of April.

Info

• Film schedule: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. S. [map]
• Tickets: $7 per film, $5 for students and members. All-day pass for $17, $15 for students and members.
• For more info, visit the official site or call (205) 324-0888.
• MySpace profile

Previews after the jump …

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No one wants to pay
four bucks a gallon nor do
they want to drive less.

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What’s wrong with Birmingham? And how do we fix it? Birmingham Weekly gathered city and community leaders for a series of conversations on the issues of the day. Crime, education, communication and cooperation all came up, along with a rather detailed discussion on the pros and cons of the neighborhood associations. The group includes a Langford staffer, the president of the County Commission, a brain, a princess, a basket case and a criminal.

Sincerely yours, the B’ham Club.
• Birmingham Weekly: Pieces of the puzzle

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Nostrils wince with sore
anticipation; pollen
prepares to erupt.

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When head throbs, either
pill or powder to cure. What,
no migraine patch yet?

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‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ recap, episode 12

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

Everyone receives a makeover from Tim Gunn, including Enterprise’s Roger Shultz. Except that it’s “The Biggest Loser” and not “Project Runway.” But still, we’re interested again.

And after all, isn’t that what this show is about, to help fat people conform to society’s preferred sexual aesthetic. And also for product placement.

See their dramatic new looks, after the jump …

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Hoover dance instructor and 2006 national mambo champion Fabian Sanchez has partnered with Oscar winner Marlee Matlin. Not for a movie, but for something more glamorous: the sixth season of ABC’s reality competition, “Dancing With the Stars.” The show premiered last Monday.

Sanchez, a newcomer among the show’s professionals, and Matlin, the first deaf competitor, scored 22 in the first round, good enough to tie for fourth place among the 12 couples. The pair performed a cha-cha-cha and a quickstep.

He started dancing in 1992 and serves as co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio with his wife, Jacqueline.

The round continues from 7 to 9 tonight, with a recap at 7 p.m. Tuesday and the results following at 8 p.m., all on ABC 33/40.

Update: The Comedy Club Stardome [map] will hold a free viewing party tonight. Doors open at 6, with free dance lessons from 9 to 10.

Speaking of ABC reality, the Gaudet family of Mobile moved into a new house in February after Katrina wrecked the old one, courtesy of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The episode, which aired Sunday, is available online.
• The Birmingham News: Birmingham man dances way to TV

See Sanchez with his celebrity partner, after the jump …

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Never has being
organized been so easy
or so demanding.

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