By Doshka Harvey

A few minutes ago ABC officially announced the cast of Dancing with the Stars season 11.

The season premiere of DWTS will air on Monday, September 20th at 8:00 PM ET/PT and will include:

Women

1. Brandy - singer and Ray J's sister (I remember when we use to say 'Ray J, Brandy's brother').

2. Jennifer Grey - actress of the movie Dirty Dancing fame.  Enough said.

3. Margaret Cho - comedian.  She better bring it!

4. Audrina Patridge - one of the chicas from MTV's reality show The Hills.

5. Florence Henderson - it's Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch.  She still looks good! 

6. Bristol Palin - Sarah Palin's daughter.  Really???

Men

1. Michael Bolton - late 1980's/early 1990's balladeer.  Can he actually dance?

2. Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino - one of the fist pumpers from MTV's Jersey Shore.

3. David Hasselhoff - Baywatch was awesome when it was on television.  You just can't hassle the Hoff. 

4. Kurt Warner - another NFL star?  Ummm...why?

5. Kyle Massey - okay, a Disney kid.  Hope he does well.

6. Rick Fox - ex-husband to the stunning Vanessa Williams.  Former NBA player and hottie.

By Doshka Harvey

One of the great things about living in New York City is being able to experience retail therapy from pretty much any location.  Uptown, downtown, midtown, Soho, Noho, Times Square or Park Ave - you name the area and there will always be a shopping feast for your eyes AND wallet.

I recently had fun exploring the Ferrari store located on Park Ave.  I may not be able to afford any of the luxury cars prominently displayed in the store just yet, but it's very exciting to look.  Girls love fast cars too boys!

Until I can afford my future red Ferrari 458 Italia, retail therapy of the more affordable items will have to do.  At the store one can find goodies ranging from driving moccasins, jackets, cute baby clothing and strollers, miniature Ferrari cars, polo shirts, perfumes, watches and more -all sprinkled with the Ferrari label.  Now, isn't that worth a visit until your sports car dreams come true too?

Ferrari Store of New York City - 410 Park Avenue (corner of 55th Street), Tel. (212) 593-2080

Images courtesy of Syndicate Media Group/Photo credit: Billy Farrell from Patrick McMullan Company

By Doshka Harvey

It was iPhone mania in New York City today as many stood on a ridiculously long line awaiting their turn to purchase the new iPhone 4 at the Apple store located in the Meatpacking District.

Check it out:

Rest in peace MJ.  You will always be another part of us AND part of us.

You will never be forgotten.  Love you forever!

By Doshka Harvey

Hurry!  Hurry quick!  Diane von Furstenberg is having a blow-out sample sale this week with up to 75% off. 

I am a big fan of DVF dresses.  Every lady should have at least one DVF dress as part of her wardrobe.  They are versatile and stylish for both summer and winter wear.

By Doshka Harvey

Did you know that world's official oldest subway tunnel is located right here in New York in the borough of Brooklyn?  Yes, indeed!  It's the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, built in 1844.  This is fascinating!

What's even more amazing is that one can take a tour of this tunnel.  Once a month (usually on a Sunday), via The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association, hour and half tours are conducted and narrated by Bob Diamond who actually re-discovered the tunnel in 1980.  Way to go Bob!

Adults pay $15 while children pay $10.  It is for a good cause, especially since The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association is a non-profit organization.

Be forewarned, to enter the tunnel, one must climb down a manhole located in the middle of the street.  I actually think that's a bit adventurous!

The next tour takes place on May 16, 2010.  To register and find out about future tours, see images of previous tours and to discover fun facts about the history of Brooklyn's great railway system go to: http://www.brooklynrail.net/bhra_events.html

By Doshka Harvey

The epic documentary Have You Heard From Johannesburg by producer and director Connie Field premieres today at the Film Forum in New York City with a 2-week engagement from April 14-27.

Nelson Mandela in the 1990's, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

It is a 3 part documentary broken up into 7 films recounting the struggle of what it took to abolish apartheid in South Africa and the movement that took place worldwide to defeat that racist system.

Peter Hain, the British activist, National Chairman of the young Liberals, and spokesman for the Action Committee Against Racialism on June 22 1971, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

Part 1:  Mon/Wed 1:00 & 8:45, Tues 8:45, Thurs 5:30, Sat-Sun 1:00

The Road to Resistance (58 mins.), Hell of a Job (58 mins.), The New Generation (58 mins.)

Part 2:  Mon/Wed/Fri 5:30, Tues 1:00, Thurs 1:00 & 8:45, Sat-Sun 4:30

Fair Play (95 mins.), From Selma to Soweto (90 mins.)

Part 3:  Tues 5:30, Fri 1:00 & 8:45, Sat-Sun 8:00

The Bottom Line (83 mins.), Free at Last (75 mins.)

Soweto Day Demonstrations at South African Embassy, New York, June 17, 1991, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

For more information go to: http://www.filmforum.org/films/haveyouheard.html

Images courtesy of the Film Forum pr department

By Doshka Harvey

Dear Kim Kardashian,

The supposed rumor about town is that your relationship with Reggie Bush has hit another snag and you are now broken up. You two usually appear happy when out, though I must say when you both sat at the table across from mine on Valentine's Day 2009 at Maze in New York City, you both seemed to spend more time on your cell phones than on being romantic.  Could this have been a sign of things to come?  I don't know, but if this latest rumor is indeed true, all I can say is to hang in there Kim.

If you and Reggie are not truly meant to be, then be assured that there is already a long line of lovely black men awaiting their turn to date you.

But, if you are seeking a few good celebrity candidates, then why not consider these 5:

1-Shemar Moore

2-Mechad Brooks

3-Tyrese

4-Christopher Bridges (aka Ludacris)

5-Mekhi Phifer

Now if they are down with the swirl and are not attached, then you are good to go.

Happy mate hunting!  And, if all fails Kim, just contact me and I'll hook you up with Pookie from around the way and you'll be over Reggie in no time.

By the way, can I get Reggie's number since you no longer need it? :)

Regards,

LadyDoshka

(Seriously though Kim, I think you're fab and will be fine.  Love ya!)

By Doshka Harvey

It's not officially summer in New York City and spring has just barely begun, yet things are already hotting up here with 90 degree weather.

The last two days have been deliciously warm.  Girls cannot resist showing some skin in tanks tops, while the boys cannot resist sneaking a peak - some things never change.

A gentle stroll along the Brooklyn Promenade is always soothing for many and the view is consistently amazing.  

All images © 2010 Doshka Harvey

By Claudine Paul

Singer Corinne Bailey Rae follows her first international success, Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), with new music title The Sea.  On her latest recording three years later, Rae aims again for the intimate, simplistic, and placid style of folk/soul/pop/funk sound that brought her world-wide fame.  Uplifting 60's inspired tracks this time, however, such as "Paris Nights/New York Mornings," "Paper Dolls," and "The Blackest Lily " are welcome anchors.

Image courtesy of EMI Music Publicity

By Doshka Harvey

The Ultimate Engagement bridal event is taking place this weekend Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Gotham Hall in New York City.  With Spring right around the corner and Summer still to come, this is a must attend happening for that well to do bride (or groom) seeking the best of the best in wedding preparation and assistance.

Expect to encounter masters in the bridal industry such as Ines Di Santo, Sylvia Weinstock, Marcy Blum, Lisa Johnson of Ceci NY just to name a few. 

The event is complimentary, so register at www.Ultimate-Engagement.com for admission and a chance to win a dream honeymoon.

Image courtesy of Wunderlich Inc.

By Doshka Harvey

It was a started studded night at the USA Network and Vanity Fair Character Approved 2010 Awards held on Thursday, February 26, 2010 in New York City.

The second annual Character Approved Awards honored ten honorees which included:

Green Day (Music) 
Kathryn Bigelow (Film/TV)
Nora Ephron (Writing)
Narciso Rodriguez (Fashion)
Angela Brooks (Architecture)

Kehinde Wiley (Art)
Yves Behar (Design)
Dan Barber (Food)
Jessica Jackley (Giving)
Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy (New Media/Technology)

Friend, Tamara Tunie, Dule Hill, Friend, Matt Bomer

Some of the stars in attendance included actor Jeff Goldblum (ladies I saw him up close and personal and he still looks amazing at 57), Dule Hill, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gabourey Sidibe, Matt Bomer, and Corbin Bernsen just to name a few.

Image courtesy of PMK*BNC

By Claudine Paul

Sade, Soldier Of Love (Sony)

It's been more than a decade since we've heard any new music from songstress Sade, but her new release Soldier Of Love picks up right where she left off.  Besides her seemingly eternal beauty, judging from the cover of her new release, the singer delivers the smoky sounds that she has long become known for.  The opening track, "Soldier Of Love," sets an easy mood that is found throughout the rest of her new album. 

By Doshka Harvey

You may be familiar with Gilles Marini as a former model and for his sexy role as Dante in the first Sex And The City movie.  Gilles also participated in ABC's Dancing with the Stars season 8, coming in at second place on the show's season finale.

Having moved on to other projects, Marini currently has a pictorial out of himself.  It's the Gilles Marini 2010 Calendar captured by Fred Goudon, an award-winning photographer.

Sure the calendar is beautiful to look at because Gilles is quite a stunning man, however, it serves a purpose which is a great one.  All benefits from the sales will go to the Maximum Hope Foundation which helps families with terminally ill kids. 

The Gilles Marini 2010 Calendar can be purchased exclusively at www.amazon.com.

 For more information about the Maximum Hope Foundation please go to: www.maximumhopefoundation.org.

You can visit Gilles' website at www.gillesmarini.com.  And, photographer Fred Goudon at www.fredgoudon.com.

Images courtesy of Fred Goudon

By Doshka Harvey

It is Thursday, February 18th and today marks the official last day of Fashion Week being held at Bryant Park.  The shows will now move on to their new home, next season (September 2010), at Lincoln Center.  And, one group I'd like to pay a big salute to are the Citadel Security team that we all see each season at the tents.

Citadel Security has been providing security during Fashion Week since 1993.  That's pretty much 17 years now.  The charming Ty Yorio - a former NYPD homicide detective and a retired sergeant is the president and founder of the company and he runs a quality team.

Sure, fashionistas attending might get a bit annoyed at times when they must form long lines to get into a show or they may not get why security tells 'everyone move to the left or I need everyone to keep the line to the right,' but at the end of the day, these men are doing their job and they are good at it.  We know and they know the drill.

So, to the men at Citadel Security I say, see you next season at Lincoln Center for a new beginning.  Some of us promise to be just as pushy, sometimes snobby and as intrigued as we always are to get into a show (invite or not, you know who you are out there), but we expect you to keep us secure and in check like you always do.  We understand and we thank you!

By Doshka Harvey

Though the media might not be covering what's going in Haiti as feverishly as they were a few weeks ago, please let's not forget Haiti.  Rescues are still taking place and people still desperately do need help.

American Idol's Simon Cowell may be known as being mean on the hit show, however, as mean as he pretends to be on television, the man does still have a kind and soft heart.

Cowell's Haiti charity single is making waves on iTunes and Amazon download charts. The single is a cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts" and features top British artists such as Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis, just to name a few.

Proceeds will go to Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the Sun newspaper's Helping Haiti campaign.

Watch the moving video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgsh7u7upeA

CD cover © Sony Bmg Europe