Just Don’t Look up!

When you add three close-knit brothers, one long time childhood friend, Celtic and punk rock influences, a set of bagpipes, perhaps a mandolin, some traditional rock instruments and enough energy to fuel a fighter jet, you get Flatfoot 56. Tobin, Kyle, Justin and Josh form the Celtic punk rock, folk-tinged hardcore band from their hometown of Chicago.

Flatfoot 56 Rockin Out - Photo by Amber Frankford

With crowd-pleasing tactics such as Circle-pits, Meat Grinders and “Brave hearts” or “Walls of Death”, who cant have a good time? Flatfoot gives the term “throwing it in their faces” a whole new meaning when they take on the stage.

“This year we did a toga party and threw pita bread and feta cheese at the crowd. The year before that we did a super Chicago sports fan where we threw brats at people; We are big fans of throwing food at people,” Tobin says smiling, “The first year we did baby powder and confetti…We have had kids literally destroy, accidentally; other bands merch tables because we told them to go back and slap the hands of the guys in the back of the room and the kids just bulldozed the tables. It’s just stupid things like that. Were not an extremely vulgar band at all, we’re just fun-loving.”

Causing Heads to Turn and Thoughts to Arise

While watching Batman, men and women alike thought Catwoman had one of the coolest costumes for a super-villain. Well is not just a costume anymore, it’s a fashion, and Raquel and Giovanna rock it four or more times a week.

As icons in an exotic community, Raquel and Giovanna are most likely to be seen sipping drinks with friends at clubs or modeling for a fetish show, all the while wearing one of their several latex rubber catsuits. It may be a shock at first to see a 6’+ (in usually 6” heels) married couple dressed completely in latex, especially if it is something you have never witnessed before; but according to The Latex Twins, it’s as natural as a second skin.

“We wear these about four times a week, not just outside, but around the house as well.” This couple dresses in matching suits wherever they go, from the style, color and accessories, to the heels and makeup; and yes, they are legally married. But don’t get too excited boys, this isn’t a lesbian sex fantasy, Raquel and Giovanna are a heterosexual married couple who have been happily married for four years. What better way to express your love and commitment for one another than to spend time together in matching suits that turn heads?

Speaking of turning heads, to match his wife in every way possible, at least on the outside, when in these suits, Giovanna wears the heels, makeup and a fake chest. “Men’s clothes are so boring!  And I’m taking away one weapon women have against men; It’s funny.” Please, don’t misconstrue Giovanna as a transvestite or something of the like in any way shape or form, because you would be false in thinking so. “It should be Halloween everyday because people aren’t afraid of being what they want to be.”

Frenchman Arnaud Garnier Freestyle-Soccer World Champion 2008

Arnaud "Sean" Garnier was crowned world freestyle soccer champion on Tuesday evening in São Paulo, Brazil at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals. Participants from 44 countries battled it out head-to-head in the South American footballing Mecca for the prestigious title.

Photo by Gustavo Cherro

Displaying a truly unique urban style Gaurnier thrilled the crowd by mixing his skillful ball tricks with breakdance moves. In the final against charismatic Japanese Yokota, the eventual champion pulled an unexpected surprise: He frenzied the crowd and impressed the judges by sticking a pen on his teeth, then rolling the ball for several seconds on the pen’s tip.

“I love football, and winning a championship in Brazil is really special,” said Séan. “Yosuke was great, but I knew that if I did my very best I had a shot at winning”. On his way to the final, the Frenchman edged Brazilian Murilo Pitol in the semifinals. The 17-year-old admitted his rival’s superiority: “I just made too many mistakes against Séan, and he was able to pull off tricks that were more difficult than mine.”

A star-studded panel of judges chose each battle’s winner. Dutch football star and freestyle icon Edgar Davids was joined by 1994 World Cup champion Bebeto and 2008 FIFA World Futsal Player of the Year Falcão, plus legendary New York breakdancer Crazy Legs. A fifth vote came electronically from the 28 players who didn’t make the world final’s top-16.

Get ready for some side-splitting holiday fun!  The Second City Theatricals newest and most hilarious production, "The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue”, begins November 26, 2008 at The Second City located at 42705 Grand River Ave. in Novi. The show will run through December 28, 2008.

Nothing is too sacred for “The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue,” which delivers a healthy dose of seasonal satire with holiday film classics, family gatherings, improvised Christmas Carols, even Joseph and Mary – it’s the perfect alternative to the same old holiday shows.

Directed by Andy Miara, the cast of “The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” includes Tim Baltz, Dana Quercioli, Mark Raterman, Tim Robinson, Mary Sohn and Megan Wilkins.  Bryan Dunn is the Musical Director and Kyle Anderson is the Stage Manager.

Tickets for “The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” are available at the theatre’s box office, at 42705 Grand River Ave. in Novi, by phone at 248-348-4448 or online at www.secondcity.com  or www.ticketmaster.com .

• Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 8pm; tickets $15.00
• Fridays, 8pm & 10pm; tickets $20.00
• Saturdays, 7pm & 9pm; tickets $20.00