Renowned entertainer Bette Midler founded the nonprofit New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in 1995 with the belief that clean and green neighborhoods are fundamental to the quality of life and that every community in New York City deserves an oasis of natural beauty. NYRP partners with individuals, community-based groups, and public agencies to reclaim, restore, and develop under-resourced parks, community gardens, and open space in New York City, primarily in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.On October 31, NYRP will host Hulaween 2006, an Eleventh Anniversary celebration with a special performance by acclaimed entertainer Stevie Nicks. As part of the gala Celebration, NYRP will continue its successful tradition of hosting online a star studded celebrity auction at www.charitybuzz.com. Literally dozens of celebrities and friends of Bette Midler and NYRP will once again contribute incredible and very divine one of a kind experiences and memorabilia. Based on the unparalleled success of the 2005 event, we are proud to predict that the auction will be expanded in2006 in both scope and quantity of lots available to raise funds to continuethe work of NYRP. A Day on the Set of The Tourist with Hugh JackmanTalented actor and producer, this very incredibly popular Australian is sure to make you hop to it! Hugh Jackman starred in many films including X-Men,Van Helsing, Someone Like You, Scoop and more and will continue to impress with his latest film, The Tourist. His combination of talent and sexiness ensures success every time. Tour the exciting and mysterious set of The Tourist in New York this fall with one of the great actors in Hollywood. Join Hugh Jackman and his co-star, Ewan McGregor on the set of this film. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!Donated by: Hugh JackmanLinks:New York Restoration Projectwww.charitybuzz.comThanks to Roberta for the heads-up!

The festival closes on Sunday 8 October with the World premiere of British comedy Scenes Of A Sexual Nature. This debut feature from former Raindance film course student, Ed Blum, was shot in less than a month for a budget of under £500,000. Following seven couple as they explore love, sex and relationships one sunny afternoon on Hampstead Heath, the film boasts a stella British cast that includes Ewan McGregor, comedienne Catherine Tate, Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo, Adrian Lester, Andrew Lincoln, Douglas Hodge, Gina McKee, Hugh Bonneville, Mark Strong and Polly Walker. “I am so delighted that Scenes Of A Sexual Nature has been selected as closing night film of this year’s Raindance Festival which has always been a celebration of independent filmmaking, encouraging young filmmakers to live the dream,” says the films producer/director Ed Blum.SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER15:00 The Making of Scenes Of A Sexual Nature[UK, dir Ed Blum]A panel discussion about the making of Scenes Of A Sexual Naturewith director Ed Blum, and the creative, financial and technical team who worked on this exciting debut featureCLOSING NIGHT PARTYSUNDAY 8 OCTOBER FROM 9:30PM / THE EVE CLUB 3 NEW BURLINGTON ST, W1Following the jury prize-giving and the festival’s final screening ? Scenes of a Sexual ? join us for one last drink to share memories and anecdotes of the festival. The party will be held at The Eve Club ? please be sure to retain your cinema ticket for admission. Tickets to the screening and party are £20. Festival pass-holders get free admission if they have confirmed and collected their tickets in advance.Source: Raindance Film Festival

The Director of Scenes Of A Sexual Nature, Edward Blum, posted his first message on You Tube! Intro to Edward Blum’s new film, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, featuring a stellar British cast including Ewan McGregor, Catherine Tate and Sophie Okonedo.Our skeletal team (not to be taken literally) gawks at our first (ever) poster at Cineworld. Thrills galore!Source: www.youtube.com (username: SOASN)

Battle of the Thinking Woman’s U.K. Fantasy FodderWe may not want to see even an ad for All The King’s Men, much less sit through the full length of what critics are apparently united in loathing, but we will say this for it: at least now we know that, when Chris Rock made that extremely (at the time) accurate observation at the Oscars about Jude Law starring in every movie, Sean Penn felt compelled to defend (in the most humourless way possible) not just a fellow actor, but a co-star. So now it kind of looks more like a big-brotherly move on Penn’s part, rather than just another opportunity for Penn to demonstrate, by his own example, how the rest of us should live, like, Sean, dude, maybe you should focus less on award-show one-liners that you feel disparage your friends and more on picking material people would rather watch than a neighbour’s colonoscopy.Source: www.fametracker.com