HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
OCTOBER AT THE MOVIES
DIGGER
VERITY
THE SOCIAL RECKONING
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 9
STREET FIGHTER
WHALEFALL
CLAYFACE
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 16
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 16
IN THEATERS OCTOBER 23
Six new stories. One unforgettable month at the movies. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 2
Letter From The Editor
HOLLYWOOD PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
WELCOME READERS
to Hollywood Weekly's October issue!
Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT
This October, Hollywood Weekly celebrates the performers, creators and cultural moments that keep entertainment moving forward. Our cover story spotlights actor and attorney Don Worley, whose career reflects discipline, reinvention and a lasting commitment to placing the actor first. His journey opens an issue filled with distinctive voices from film, fashion, music and business. Our movie preview brings six upcoming releases into focus, from psychological thrillers and survival stories to bold action and dark transformation. We also revisit television's biggest night with a colorful 78th Emmy Awards spread. Music remains central to this edition. Rahway, Kenneith Perrin, Black Season Witch, Vandaveer and Los Angeles alt-punk band SP's show the range of today's independent scene.
Bernice Harris CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alex A. Kecskes Brandon Webster Carmelita Pittman LIFE & STYLE EDITOR
Niki Shadrow Snyder DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Georgina Vallejo SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Marci Chorpash AFRICA CORRESPONDENT
Egor Kelly BRAZIL OPERATIONS
From WatchTime New York to Los Angeles celebrations, contemporary fashion and practical financial insight, these pages continue Hollywood Weekly's mission to give ambitious talent and original voices a polished platform. Thank you for reading and supporting Hollywood Weekly Magazine.
Fabio Glingani INDIA OPERATIONS
Ike Sinha VIETNAM OPERATIONS
Dr. Emily Letran DISTRIBUTORS
INSIDE THE OCTOBER ISSUE 4-5 16-17 26
CoMag | Mader News
October at the Movies The 78th Emmy Awards SP's: 'Nekrogeddon'
Prather Jackson PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
Hollywood Weekly Magazine, LLC | HollywoodPublisher@gmail.com hollywoodweeklymagazine.com | Instagram: @hollywoodweekly
(818) 577-8507 HollywoodPublisher@gmail.com @hollywoodweekly hollywoodweeklymagazine.com
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | COMING TO THE SCREEN
OCTOBER AT THE MOVIES SIX NEW STORIES ARRIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN
SATIRICAL BLACK COMEDY
DIGGER IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2
The world's most powerful man races to prove he can save humanity before a catastrophe of his own making destroys everything. Tom Cruise stars in Alejandro G. Inarritu's wildly original comedy of global consequences.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
VERITY IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2
A struggling writer accepts an assignment to complete the novels of injured bestseller Verity Crawford. Inside the author's home, she discovers a disturbing manuscript that blurs desire, deception and terrifying truth.
TRUE-STORY DRAMA
THE SOCIAL RECKONING IN THEATERS OCTOBER 9
Facebook engineer Frances Haugen joins forces with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz to expose closely guarded secrets about the platform's reach and harms. Aaron Sorkin returns to the world of The Social Network.
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | COMING TO THE SCREEN
OCTOBER AT THE MOVIES ACTION, SURVIVAL AND A DARK GOTHAM TRANSFORMATION
ACTION / ADVENTURE
STREET FIGHTER IN THEATERS OCTOBER 16
In 1993, estranged fighters Ryu and Ken are pulled back into combat when Chun-Li recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. Behind the brutal competition, a deadly conspiracy forces old allies to face each other and their pasts.
SURVIVAL THRILLER
WHALEFALL IN THEATERS OCTOBER 16
While diving off California in search of his father's remains, Jay Gardiner is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. Trapped with only one hour of oxygen, he must draw on his father's lessons to attempt the impossible escape.
BODY HORROR / DC STUDIOS
CLAYFACE IN THEATERS OCTOBER 23
After actor Matt Hagen is brutally disfigured, he turns to an unconventional scientist for help. The experimental treatment transforms his body into clay, launching a tragic and frightening Gotham origin story.
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OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY / COVER STORY
DON WORLEY The Actor Comes First BY PRATHER JACKSON
For Don Worley, the easiest way to explain his increasingly busy career is also the simplest. Always actor, Worley says when asked which identity comes first today: actor or executive producer. I am not interested in producing a movie without a good role for me as an artist.
With a slate stretching from mobsters and martial arts to bodybuilding dramas, international mysteries and vertical series, Don Worley is building the career he once put on hold and making it clear that performing is at the center of everything he does.
internationally, experimented with accents and historical characters, worked alongside performers and filmmakers he has admired for years, and continued developing projects through Second Chance Pictures. Yet beneath all of that activity is a story that began much earlier.
It is a revealing answer from someone whose professional life has never followed a conventional Hollywood trajectory. Worley is an actor, executive producer, founder of Second Chance Pictures, longtime trial attorney and former stand-up comedian. Now, at a point when many people might be narrowing their ambitions, Worley appears to be expanding his. His current acting slate moves across genres, countries and formats: Tommy Karate, Iron Jane, Killing Hitler, Tangled Up in Blue, The Mystery of the Golden Spear, The Tempering, Barracuda and a growing collection of vertical projects. He has recently filmed HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
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BECOMING SOMEONE ELSE The Calling That Never Went Away Worley began acting when he was younger before building a highly demanding legal career. But to say he left performing is not entirely accurate. Acting never really left me, he says. Even while practicing law full-time, Worley performed stand-up comedy at night and on weekends around the country, created social-media videos and starred in two seasons of the unscripted series Power of Attorney: Don Worley. He also sees an unmistakable connection between his two worlds: I would also argue that being a trial attorney is also performing, just for a jury. Interestingly, Worley does not credit the courtroom with teaching him how to perform. He sees the influence flowing in the opposite direction. I was an actor first, he says, explaining that acting and performing stand-up before live audiences helped prepare him for trial work. In his estimation, facing a jury can actually be less intimidating than walking onto a comedy stage and having to make complete strangers laugh almost immediately. Comedy also taught him timing and how to read a room skills that translate naturally to both acting and litigation. A comedian learns when to wait for laughter to subside and when to deliver the next line. A trial attorney must similarly recognize whether a jury understands a point, appears confused or is losing interest. Stand-up comedy is the master teacher for reading audiences and timing, Worley says. Today, acting offers him something his other professional pursuits cannot. The ability to be someone else and convince the audience that you are that person, he says. Just as importantly, he likes the idea of entertaining viewers long enough that they can forget about their problems in life for at least 90 minutes. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
Becoming Someone Else Worley describes acting as equal parts creative challenge and escape. His process begins with building a history for the character. When the director calls action, his goal is to stop thinking like Don Worley and inhabit the person he has created until the scene ends. I typically do a back story on each character I play and try to focus on who that person is and be that person from Action! to Cut! he explains. That process becomes more demanding when a role involves an unfamiliar culture, accent or historical figure. But those are increasingly the challenges Worley is seeking. Since returning more seriously to acting, he says he has discovered a lack of fear of trying new things, pointing to roles in which he has played both a South African character and a New York Italian mobster. The work required dialects and personas he had never previously attempted. I have discovered that I have quite an acting range with enough time, practice and coaching, he says. Age, in his view, has become an advantage. There are more experiences and emotions to draw upon, and the available characters have become more varied. There are certainly more life experiences to pull from as an actor when you are older, he says. Worley jokes that there are also simply more roles for old guys characters ranging from assassins and CIA agents to husbands, fathers and villains. What interests him most, however, is complexity. He has turned down one-dimensional characters in favor of people who contain contradictions. I like the characters who are complex and have some good and bad in them, he says. Much like us. 2
FROM TOMMY KARATE TO IRON JANE RANGE, DISCIPLINE AND COMPLEX CHARACTERS
From Tommy Karate to Iron Jane That philosophy is reflected in Worley s expanding slate. In Tommy Karate, Worley plays Sensei Matt while also serving as an executive producer. The Justin Chon-directed crime thriller stars Pete Davidson as notorious Bonanno crime-family enforcer Tommy Pitera and Paul Walter Hauser as DEA agent Jim Hunt, with Camila Mendes and Simon Rex also among the announced cast. The project intersects with Worley s own history. He studied karate and other forms of fighting when he was younger, continues to practice Muay Thai for exercise and even participated in a sanctioned three-round charity boxing match in Las Vegas two years ago. But Sensei Matt also gave Worley something more personal to draw upon. As a teenager, he studied under Roy Kurban at the American Black Belt Academy in Arlington, Texas, an instructor Worley credits with helping build his confidence. For Sensei Matt, he tried to channel some of that relationship.
His character, Brian Hill, is an attorney, but Worley is careful not to reveal too much. He is an attorney who actually brings good news into Janie s world, he says. I don t want to spoil anything, but he is one of the good guys.
I obviously didn t become a mafia hitman, Worley jokes, but I came out of my shell, and I think that confidence led to me becoming an actor and standup comedian. Another upcoming project, Iron Jane, takes Worley into an entirely different world. Written and directed by Lissette Feliciano and starring Eiza Gonz lez and Brandon Sklenar, the film features Worley as Brian Hill, while he also serves as an executive producer. The bodybuilding setting was surprisingly familiar. As a young attorney, Worley represented bodybuilders in business disputes, and one of his close friends and the trainer who prepared him for his boxing match was a former professional bodybuilder. That gave him a glimpse into the discipline behind the sport. I can t imagine putting in the hours and discipline it takes to become a professional bodybuilder, he says. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
Actresses Tara Reid and Vivica A. Fox and actor Don Worley in the Tara Reid Murder Mystery Party.
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FROM BUDAPEST TO JOHANNESBURG HISTORICAL FIGURES, INTERNATIONAL MYSTERIES AND NEW CREATIVE GROUND
Becoming
Joe the Boss
Perhaps one of Worley s most transformative recent assignments took him to Budapest for Killing Hitler, where he portrays real-life organized-crime figure Giuseppe Masseria, better known as Joe the Boss. Playing an actual historical figure required a different level of preparation. Worley researched Masseria extensively and worked with a diction coach to develop the New York Italian accent. His preparation even included an unconventional reference point: rewatching My Cousin Vinny to work on the dialect. Once on set, the director helped him refine the physical mannerisms of the character, particularly Italian hand movements. Worley believes the experience will carry into another project, Cocaine Shark, in which he plays a local Italian character. Budapest itself left an impression. The town really reminded me of Galway in Ireland with the street musicians and the bars on walkable streets, he says, adding that the crews were very knowledgeable and experienced. The experience was part of a broader realization about how dramatically the profession has changed. Worley recently traveled to Johannesburg for The Mystery of the Golden Spear, part of the Miranda Green mystery franchise starring Mischa Barton. He says the project appealed to him because of his affection for murder mysteries and the quality of the previous films in the franchise. Working internationally has also altered his understanding of what it means to be a working actor. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
When I was younger, an actor had to live in LA or NY to get work, he says. But now you can live anywhere and you very rarely shoot in LA or NY.
When Your Heroes Become Your Colleagues One of the stranger aspects of Worley s current career is finding himself working alongside people whose films he watched long before he knew them personally. In Jamie Adams improvisational ensemble project Tangled Up in Blue, Worley joins an announced cast that includes Quentin Tarantino, Kylie Minogue, Jason Isaacs, Allison Williams, Sofia Boutella, RZA, Hugh Skinner and Craig Roberts. For Worley, who has long admired Tarantino s films, working alongside him as an actor rather than being directed by him made the experience less intimidating. Being an actor with him in an unscripted improv movie was less intimidating because it felt that we were all the same, Worley says. The same sense of disbelief occasionally surfaces elsewhere. He recalls talking with Aaron Eckhart about pickup trucks and ranches rather than telling him how much he loved Thank You for Smoking and The Dark Knight. Worley describes the experience of former idols becoming peers in strikingly ordinary terms: having drinks with Tarantino while he smoked a cigar in the U.K., talking ranches with Eckhart, spending time with Robert Davi in Florida and discussing a favorite Staten Island restaurant with Pete Davidson. It is nice to become friends with actors I have admired from afar over the years, he says. 4
SECOND CHANCE PICTURES THE PROJECT THAT BROUGHT HIM BACK / A NEW KIND OF SCREEN
The Project That Helped Bring Him Back If Worley s current schedule represents the acceleration of his acting career, A Time for Sunset helped establish the direction. Worley purchased the script and rewrote portions of it because he wanted to play the role. He added a connection between two assassins and used his stand-up background to inject moments of humor into the tension. I drew on my standup comedy background where I wrote all of my own material, he says. Making the film required balancing nearly every part of his life at once. Worley recalls waking at 5 a.m. to work on rewrites, spending 12 hours shooting and then returning to his hotel to catch up on work for his law firm. But it did feel like I was supposed to be there, he says.
convinced him that short-form entertainment was not going away. I knew short form content was here to stay after being a part of it, he says. He also finds vertical production creatively liberating. With episodes sometimes running approximately 90 seconds, he says performers can have more freedom with dialogue and characterization. Asked whether the closer phone-screen experience requires more restrained acting, Worley offers an unexpected answer. Actually, I think it is more unrestrained, he says. You can overact if you want if it is done right. That experimentation is visible in NVR-E-NUFF, directed by veteran producer-turned-director Billy Gerber and featuring rock icon Dee Snider. The project blends narrative storytelling with original music, music videos and behind-the-scenes material.
The film s festival recognition offered another kind of validation.
For Worley, the attraction was immediate: he loves music and was already an admirer of Gerber s work.
It was reassuring to receive awards for the film at film festivals and to receive confirmation as an actor, he says, adding that the movie remains an important acting reel for him.
Working opposite Snider brought its own surprises. The two performed a fight scene, and Worley remembers Snider nailing it on the first take before revealing that he had done stunt work earlier in his career.
Second Chance Pictures and a New Kind of Screen
He was great, Worley says, also recalling Snider s patience with fans who wanted photographs.
Worley is simultaneously using Second Chance Pictures to explore where entertainment may be going next. One area receiving particular attention is vertical storytelling.
Gerber s directing style impressed him for a different reason. He is certainly very respectful and treats everyone the same, Worley says. And he makes suggestions instead of yelling at you.
His interest in short-form, mobile-oriented content predates the current industry conversation. Worley already had experience with TikTok and says that participation HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
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THE ACTOR COMES FIRST AMBITION, CRAFT AND THE NEXT CHAPTER
To Worley, projects such as NVR-E-NUFF demonstrate why verticals can become a genuine creative laboratory. Lower production costs mean filmmakers can experiment without some of the traditional constraints surrounding studio filmmaking. The low cost of production allows you to tell any story you want and become anyone you want to become, he says.
Actor vs. Executive Producer Worley s ability to finance and produce projects inevitably creates a question he is keenly aware of: Does Hollywood see him as a producer who acts, or as an actor who also happens to produce? For him, the distinction matters. He points out that he accepts acting roles in projects he is not producing and emphasizes that his training preceded his producing career. He holds an undergraduate degree in acting and sees projects such as A Time for Sunset as evidence of his work as a performer. Everyone in my sphere of influence knows that acting is my passion and the only reason I become involved in projects, he says. Producing does, however, allow him to create the kind of opportunities he once wished someone would create for him. I would love to create opportunities for others, he says. This is what I always needed when I was younger.
Always actor. I am not interested in producing a movie without a good role for me as an artist. manage organizations. The producer learned how films get made. Now all of those experiences are feeding the ambition that started before the rest of them. There are still characters Worley has not played. He is particularly interested in tackling more serious emotional material after years of comedic and action-oriented performances. One upcoming role, he says, will require desperation, crying and a vulnerability audiences have not typically seen from him. A challenge for me, he calls it. And challenge seems to be precisely what he is looking for. Worley does not describe this chapter as a victory lap or a hobby made possible by success elsewhere. He talks about acting as unfinished business a craft he is still studying, practicing and trying to master. Ask him what he hopes audiences will say about his work five years from now and the answer contains no mention of producing, financing, business or law. I want to be respected and thought of for my acting, Worley says. Much in the way I respect actors such as Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich. For a man balancing several careers, that may be the clearest statement of where Don Worley intends to go next. The actor comes first.
That may be the connective tissue between the different chapters of Worley s life. The actor learned to face an audience. The comedian learned timing. The trial attorney learned discipline, persuasion and pressure. The businessman learned how to build and HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
FASHION / NYFW / SS27
TANG CHI COUTURE
In Between... Maggie Fan brings sculptural silhouettes and deadly romance to the New York runway.
Select SS27 runway looks. Photography by Karla Tomanelli.
BEAUTY AT THE EDGE At Tang Chi Couture, romance arrives with an edge. For Spring/Summer 2027, designer Maggie Fan places love and mortality in the same frame, exploring the fragile distance between darkness and light. The collection, titled In Between..., turns that tension into an expressive wardrobe of sculptural shapes and intricate detail.
Presented September 11 at New York s Georgia Room, the 25-look show marked the label s official NYFW runway debut. For the Taiwan-born, New York-based designer, the occasion was personal: a solo runway in the city where she developed her design language and built her experience.
Reporting based on materials supplied by Tang Chi Couture and L.E.R. Public Relations.
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
FASHION / NYFW / SS27
LIGHT. DARKNESS. DEADLY ROMANCE.
Ivory delicacy and graphic contrast on the SS27 runway.
The press materials describe a world of quiet violence, where beauty and danger exist together. In the supplied runway photographs, that idea takes visible form: airy transparency softens an ivory look, while bold black-and-white shapes give another silhouette an architectural presence. A dark, plunging look is traced with ornamental detail; a sweeping skirt balances volume with sheer texture.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION
In Between... follows the previous collection s exploration of time and asks what comes next. Its emotional territory includes devotion, sacrifice and the pull of something perilous, like a moth drawn toward a flame. Fan makes those opposing forces the foundation of the collection s story. The show also introduced a wider release of Tang Chi Couture s distinctive shoes, expanding a growing category for the emerging label. The New York presentation followed the brand s formal runway debut at London Fashion Week in September 2025.
TangChiCouture.com Instagram: @TangChi_Couture
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RAHWAY JERSEY-BRED ROCK HEADS WEST LIVE AT WHISKY A GO GO • NOVEMBER 14
BY HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY STAFF
Rahway does not arrive quietly. The New Jersey hard-rock force comes built for impact: crushing guitar riffs, thunderous rhythm, melodic hooks and the kind of live energy that turns a club into a shared release. On November 14, the self-described "Slumlords of New Jersey" bring that collision of grit and melody to the Whisky A Go Go, giving Los Angeles a close-range look at a band whose national footprint keeps expanding. Fronted by Nick Hade, with David “DC” Cardenas on guitar, Tim “Chigger” Louie on bass and Steve Cardenas on drums, Rahway balances classic hard-rock attitude with a heavier modern edge. The music is muscular without losing its hooks, and the performance is designed to move a room—not simply occupy a stage. That approach has carried Rahway well beyond its Garden State roots. The band has shared bills with major national acts, earned recognition on the NACC Top 30 Heavy Chart and generated hundreds of thousands of streams. Its music has also reached Internet, college and mainstream radio audiences across the United States.
FOUR MUSICIANS. ONE UNMISTAKABLE SOUND. ZERO APOLOGIES.
Photography: Sean Klein / Sean Klein Photography and Larry Jones / Arc Angel Entertainment
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
ZERO APOLOGIES. ONE UNMISTAKABLE SOUND. “Rahway doesn’t just play shows— they throw rock-and-roll family reunions.”
The band’s momentum accelerated in 2024 with a partnership with Pavement Entertainment, broadening its position in the national rock landscape and extending its reach through Sony distribution. It was a natural next move for four musicians who have spent years converting sweat, volume and road miles into a fiercely loyal audience. Rahway’s résumé includes sold-out appearances alongside Buckcherry at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, and Greta Van Fleet at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Those rooms matter, but the band’s real calling card is the feeling captured in its concert photographs: musicians leaning into the moment, a crowd answering back and the barrier between stage and floor disappearing.
The Whisky A Go Go is a fitting West Coast destination. Its stage has long rewarded bands with identity, danger and conviction—qualities Rahway brings in abundance. For an October audience planning the next month’s live calendar, November 14 is an invitation to experience the band where its music makes the most sense: loud, immediate and surrounded by people ready to move. Rahway’s story is still being written, but its direction is unmistakable. From New Jersey clubs to rooms across the South, Midwest and West Coast, the band keeps carrying the attitude of home into every new market. Four musicians. One unmistakable sound. Zero apologies. RAHWAY • NOVEMBER 14 WHISKY A GO GO • WEST HOLLYWOOD RahwayBand.com
THE SLUMLORDS OF NEW JERSEY • LIVE, LOUD AND BUILT FOR THE ROOM
Photo credits: Sean Klein / Sean Klein Photography • Larry Jones / Arc Angel Entertainment
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • OCTOBER 2026
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | MUSIC / KENNEITH PERRIN
KENNEITH PERRIN - MELODIC HEART & SOUL
For Kenneith Perrin, music is more than entertainment. It is a way to reach the heart, lift the spirit and remind audiences of the strength they carry within themselves.
When Perrin steps onto the Whisky a Go Go stage, audiences can expect more than a concert. They can expect a joyful celebration of melody, heart and soul.
That purpose takes center stage this October when Perrin brings his Melodic, Heart, & Soul Tour to Hollywood's legendary Whisky a Go Go. One of today's promising independent pop-soul artists, Perrin blends the uplifting energy of pop with the timeless rhythms of soul, R&B, gospel, funk, new wave and dance.
His catalog now includes three full-length albums, a remix album, three EPs and several singles. His motivational song 'Focus' was included on the 2026 FIFA World Cup All Star Compilation album, while 'Giving You All' has earned thousands of streams.
The result feels contemporary while remaining connected to the musical traditions that shaped him. Backed by Joe Perrin Jr., John Trujillo, Jarrett Borba and Brian Netzley, he creates an energetic live experience filled with charisma, infectious grooves and emotional connection. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Perrin grew up singing in churches, regional bands and musical-theater productions throughout his school and college years. As a military child raised in the South, he encountered different communities, cultures and musical styles experiences that inspired him to weave a broad range of influences into his original music.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
Another inspirational single, 'We Can Forgive,' has generated more than 29,850 plays. For all the rewards of recording, live performance remains the cornerstone of Perrin's career. 'Whether it's performing with my full band, trio or to a backing track, I always enjoy connecting with the audience on many levels,' he says. 'There is no feeling in the world like knowing the music you share onstage simultaneously touches someone's heart, mind or soul.'
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | MUSIC / BLACK SEASON WITCH
BLACK SEASON WITCH
SCAN FOR DETAILS
Black Season Witch is a prominent, Chicago-based musical project and art collective that has carved out a unique space in the contemporary dark alternative music scene.
This hybrid approach yields what critics describe as balancing dark romanticism with cold, industrial precision.
Heavily influenced by the historic legacy of the Chicago industrial music movement - which birthed and supported pioneering acts like Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, and the legendary Wax Trax!
their active presence on the road.
By combining mechanical rhythms with theatrical storytelling, they offer a sonic experience that feels both brutally contemporary and ancient.
underground to a touring act capable of captivating diverse audiences in venues nationwide.
Songs like "Go To Hell" and "Loveless" showcase this signature sonic footprint, Operating at the intersection of cinematic goth, layering classical and hypnotic darkwave classical, industrial rock, and darkwave, the melodies over heavy, mechanical band has earned a reputation for generating arrangements. highly immersive, atmospheric audio-visual The band's rising profile in the gothic and experiences. industrial ecosystems is further cemented by Through high-profile tours and national performances alongside alternative icons such as Christian Death and Gene Loves Jezebel, Black Season Witch has expanded its dark Records roster - Black Season Witch carries this footprint across the United States. foundational torch forward into the modern They have successfully transitioned from being era. a beloved fixture of the local Chicago
At the heart of the band's distinctive style is a deliberate blending of seemingly disparate genres. The group seamlessly marries hard electronic sequencing and aggressive metal guitar riffs with delicate, haunting classical music motifs. This stylistic duality is directly driven by the musical backgrounds of its core members. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
Ultimately, Black Season Witch stands out as a powerful contemporary force in alternative music. By respecting the historic roots of industrial rock while introducing their own cinematic and classical grandiosity, they continue to prove that the dark alternative movement is not just surviving, but evolving. SCAN FOR NOV. 12
What Your Financial Advisor Isn't Telling You AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN "JACK" F. REUTEMANN JR., CLU, CFP RESEARCH FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOUNDER AND CEO
While the affluent enjoy exciting experiences in the limelight, that fame also comes with a certain responsibility that can often be ignored. We recently sat down with John, "Jack" F. Reutemann Jr., CLU, CFP to get answers.
John "Jack" F. Reutemann Jr., CLU, CFP
Jack has 51 years of experience as an investment advisor representative and spent the last 34 years in the financial services industry developing Research Financial Strategies, a firm that specializes in providing investment advice using a proprietary methodology that leverages technical analysis. He was co-founder of the "No More Pies" class taught to other financial advisors 42 times from June 2009-December 2019 at $2,495/per participant and has been featured as a contributor on CNBC, Fox News, other national media outlets, and as a guest speaker at many conferences. In addition, he is a member of the National Association of ACTIVE Investment Managers (NAAIM) and the author of "Your Financial Advisor Is Not Managing Your Money (And Never Was)."
Research Financial Strategies Founder and CEO
What Hollywood's Affluent Rarely Hear From Their Money Manager Thanks for joining us, Jack. What do you think is the number one thing wealthy celebrities, athletes, and influencers miss when it comes to their finances? Famous celebrities and the affluent in Hollywood often rely on a very tight inner circle of managers, consultants, advisors, and friends for prestige, safety, guidance, and the trust factor. While this may seem like the right thing to do at that point in their life, fully trusting the members of an inner network can make them open to affinity fraud, especially since they are known for being wealthy. The Securities and Exchange Commission refers to affinity fraud as usually involving some type of fake investment HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
with fraudulent details pertaining to the promoter, risks involved, track records, and other important information. Basically, when one trusted person introduces a promoter into the inside circle as a fellow member who can also be trusted, a fraudulent investment can spread fast. The affluent member may have no idea if that person is genuinely working in their best interest, but when they find out, it can be too late. This is why it s important to conduct due diligence on anyone who wants to invest or manage your money, and this is true whether you have millions or hundreds in the bank. Q: What credentials are important to look for when evaluating a financial advisor?
OCTOBER 2026
Even if someone is a friend, it s essential to check their licenses. If they are a true fee-based fiduciary, they are legally required to act in your best interest. In contrast, a broker is generally held to a lower "suitability" standard. They may receive commissions on product sales and actually be paid more to sell you certain products. That s why it s important to find out how the advisor is licensed and compensated. Do they receive a flat fee, percentage of assets, or commission on products? How do they work and what are their processes? Find out before you hire them to avoid surprises later. Q: Does it matter if an advisor mentions using a specific software tool? Many people don t even think about the technology that a 13 1
WHAT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR ISN'T TELLING YOU
financial advisor uses, but it s important. This is especially true when paychecks come in waves relative to production schedules, residuals, and contractual deals. It s essential to have a single, clear, and complete view of everything in your portfolio at any time. This includes real estate, investments, cash, insurance, and more. Plus, tax codes, state and federal laws, and reporting requirements fluctuate, so it s essential to use the latest technology to keep up with all of the updates and help protect your wealth now and in the future. Q: How often should someone check in with their advisor? At a minimum, I suggest you check in on a quarterly basis. At these check-ins, you should talk to your advisor about how your accounts are performing and review benchmark comparisons. Don t settle for, everything is fine. Check your reports and ask questions. Get answers. Otherwise, you have no real way of knowing the status of your portfolio. Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes you see? Successful people often overlook a retirement plan or
a 401(k) relative to their current situation. It s important to compare fee structures and look for lower-cost alternatives because a small difference in fees, compounded over decades, can make a big change in retirement results. Another mistake I see is having a portfolio that focuses on one company or industry. By spreading risk across different companies and sectors, you tend to have more protection over your wealth. Q: Affluent people tend to be risk takers. What are your thoughts on risk when it comes to financial wealth? No investment is ever completely risk-free. However, risk can increase when you trust complete strangers with your money. While you may just want to avoid dealing with finances and just hand it over to an expert who will manage it for you, this can lead to big issues later. Also, when a friend or colleague mentions a hot investment trend or that everyone is using a specific financial advisor, this should come with a huge, risk warning sign. After all, it can be very tempting to bypass the research and just go with what others you admire are doing.
Jack and Toni celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
Instead, stop and think first. Look at every tip as something to research further. Then, once you get more data and questions answered, you can make the choice to write a check or pass. Q: Any final advice for those who have just put their money on autopilot? You ve worked hard to get to where you are today. Why would you ignore your money or simply hand it over to a complete stranger just because you don t want to deal with it or trust your friend s recommendation? It s time to make your wealth a priority. Conduct research, learn how a potential financial advisor is paid, and monitor your portfolio on a regular basis. Then, you ll know what questions to ask, avoid unnecessary risk and surprises, and have a good understanding of what your money is doing now and how close you are to your retirement dreams. Thanks so much for your great insights, Jack! To learn more about where your finances stand now and where you want to go, visit https://www.rfsadvisors.com to schedule a no-cost, no pressure conversation with Jack.
Jack is a proud grandfather
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | OCTOBER 2026
TELEVISION S
GOLDEN NIGHT The 78th Emmys celebrate bold storytelling, historic wins and enduring stars
MARISKA HARGITAY HOSTS THE 78TH EMMY AWARDS AT THE PEACOCK THEATER IN LOS ANGELES
Television s biggest night belonged to programs willing to take risks. At the 78th Emmy Awards, Apple TV s Widow s Bay emerged as the evening s defining comedy, while HBO Max s The Pitt continued its remarkable run as television s leading drama. Together, the two series reflected a year in which genre, craft and deeply human performances moved confidently to the center of the awards conversation. Widow s Bay, a darkly comic story set in a haunted New England island community, won six awards during the telecast and 14 Emmys overall - a new single-year record for a comedy series. Matthew Rhys won lead actor in a comedy for the series and also captured lead actor in a limited series or movie for Netflix s The Beast in Me. The unprecedented double made Rhys the first performer to win two lead-acting Emmys in the same year.
NOAH WYLE Outstanding Lead Actor, Drama - The Pitt
The comedy s sweep also included Kate O Flynn and Stephen Root in the supporting categories, Katie Dippold for writing and Hiro Murai for directing - recognition for a tonal balancing act that found wit, dread and emotional truth. RHEA SEEHORN Her first Emmy, for Pluribus
Photos: Television Academy | Editorial feature prepared for Hollywood Weekly Magazine
THE 78TH EMMY AWARDS
WINNERS & MOMENTS
TOP HONORS Drama Series The Pitt Comedy Series Widow s Bay Limited or Anthology Series DTF St. Louis Drama Actress Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus Comedy Actress Jean Smart, Hacks Limited-Series Actress Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
THE PITT accepts Outstanding Drama Series - a second consecutive victory.
Rhea Seehorn earned her overdue first Emmy for Pluribus, while Jean Smart extended her extraordinary run on Hacks. Smart s fifth win for the role made her the first performer to win for every season of a series. Allison Janney s supporting-drama victory for The Diplomat placed her alongside television s most honored performers. Sally Field returned to the Emmy stage with a win for Remarkably Bright Creatures, nearly two decades after her previous victory. Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his advocacy and fundraising for Parkinson s disease research. Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the ceremony celebrated television s power to connect generations and audiences appetite for distinctive voices.
MATTHEW RHYS A historic two-win night
JEAN SMART Another milestone for Hacks
SALLY FIELD A triumphant return
14 EMMYS WIDOW S BAY A record-setting year for a comedy series six wins on telecast night and eight at the Creative Arts ceremonies. ALLISON JANNEY Eight career acting Emmys
MICHAEL J. FOX Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
Sources: Television Academy official 78th Emmy Awards winners recap and photo library. Photos
Television Academy.
KEEP TOW CHAINS FROM DRAGGING SO THEY DON’T SPARK
SMOKEYBEAR.COM
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | EVENTS / LUXURY WATCHES
WATCHTIME NEW YORK RETURNS WITH A RECORD 48-BRAND LINEUP Collectors, watchmakers and global maisons gather at Gotham Hall October 16-18, 2026
WatchTime New York, North America s largest luxury-watch collector event, returns to Gotham Hall from October 16-18, 2026. The eleventh annual gathering will welcome a record 48 exhibiting brands and bring collectors face-to-face with the watchmakers, executives and creative teams behind exceptional timepieces. The three-day event will feature world premieres, first-look unveilings, hands-on discovery, presentations and collector programming. Newly confirmed exhibitors include g rald genta and Daniel Roth, Jacob & Co., Kollokium, Keris, Ferdinand Berthoud, Singer, Schwarz Etienne and KUDOKE. KUDOKE is scheduled to debut a new timepiece, while Frederique Constant will also unveil a new model. Since its debut 11 years ago, WatchTime New York has helped reshape the watch-show experience by giving enthusiasts direct access at a time when many industry gatherings remained trade-only.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
That collector-first approach has made the event an anchor of New York City s unofficial watch week and a meeting place for established maisons, independent makers and emerging names. Independent watchmaking remains central to the show. Visitors can encounter difficult-to-access brands, examine craftsmanship at close range and discuss design, engineering and heritage with the people responsible for each watch. Product discovery becomes a social experience built around conversation and shared enthusiasm. Saturday and Sunday admission includes participating brands, panel discussions, presentations, tastings and special activations. Friday-night packages have sold out, while weekend single-day tickets remain available. Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway, New York City. Tickets and current information: WatchTimeEvents.com.
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | LIVE COMEDY
DAVE CHAPPELLE ADDS SECOND MADISON SQUARE GARDEN DATE BACK-TO-BACK NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL NIGHTS | NOVEMBER 6 AND 7
GENERAL ONSALE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 | 12 PM LOCAL | LIVENATION.COM
Due to overwhelming demand, Dave Chappelle has added a second New York City performance at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 7. The new show joins his previously announced opening-night appearance on Friday, November 6, giving the 22nd annual New York Comedy Festival two consecutive nights with one of stand-up's most influential voices. Internationally recognized for his fearless social commentary and unmistakable wit, Chappelle has reshaped modern stand-up while setting records across television, streaming and live comedy. UPCOMING SHOWS OCT. 18 | Mesa, AZ | Sloan Park - NEW DATE OCT. 20 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena OCT. 21 | Charlotte, NC | Spectrum Center OCT. 23 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena OCT. 24 | Louisville, KY | KFC Yum! Center OCT. 26 | Austin, TX | Moody Center OCT. 28 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center NOV. 6 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden NOV. 7 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden - NEW
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
A PHONE-FREE EXPERIENCE
These performances are phone-free. Guests secure phones, smartwatches and accessories in individual Yondr pouches upon arrival. Devices remain with each guest and may be accessed only in designated Phone Use Areas before being re-secured. Anyone using a device inside the performance space will be escorted from the venue. ABOUT DAVE CHAPPELLE
Dave Chappelle is an award-winning comedian, actor, screenwriter and producer. He received the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019 and the NAACP President's Award in 2025. His credits include Chappelle's Show, multiple Netflix specials and memorable Saturday Night Live appearances. He has earned five Emmy Awards and six Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, including The Dreamer in 2025. NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL
Founded in 2004, NYCF brings leading comedians to venues across New York City's five boroughs. Tickets and festival information: NYComedyFestival.com.
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | DISCOVER LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES IN CELEBRATION ART, HERITAGE, GAME DAY AND A FAMILY-FRIENDLY FALL ADVENTURE
FROM LATINO HERITAGE MONTH TO THE SPIDER PAVILION, THE CITY OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ARTS + CULTURE
THINGS TO DO
Celebrate Latino Heritage
The Ultimate Rams Game Day
Latino Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15, and Los Angeles marks the occasion with concerts, art exhibitions and family-friendly activities. The celebration offers residents and visitors a chance to experience the people, creativity and traditions that shape the city.
A Rams game at SoFi Stadium is more than kickoff. The Discover Los Angeles game-day guide helps fans plan the experience and make the most of a visit to one of the city's signature sports destinations.
LATINO ART IN LA
A Citywide Cultural Journey From the Lucas Museum to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles provides many places to explore Latino art. Together, the city's museums and cultural institutions present a broad view of artistic expression, history and community.
SEPTEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 6
Enter the Spider Pavilion The Natural History Museum's Spider Pavilion brings visitors face-to-face with the fascinating world of spiders. Running through December 6, the seasonal attraction adds a family-friendly encounter with nature to the city's fall calendar.
PLAN YOUR LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE Explore more arts, culture, sports and seasonal activities at DiscoverLosAngeles.com.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | FOOD + CULTURE
SCHMEAR WE GO AGAIN NEW YORK BAGELFEST ROLLS OUT ITS 2026 JUDGES, TALKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
CITI FIELD | NOVEMBER 15, 2026 | MORE THAN 25 BAGEL MAKERS
The dough is rising, and so is demand for New York BagelFest. Presented by King Arthur Baking Company, the ultimate celebration of bagel culture returns to Citi Field on Sunday, November 15, 2026, bringing together more than 25 acclaimed bagel makers, culinary personalities, industry leaders and thousands of hungry fans. The seventh annual festival will feature unlimited tastings, friendly-but-fierce competition, conversation and entertainment. Bakers from ten states and five countries including Ireland, Spain, Canada and India - will compete alongside legendary New York institutions. Fewer than 9% of applicants were selected for the 2026 lineup. THE JUDGES
The judging panel brings together voices from food journalism, restaurants, culinary culture and digital media, including Joan Nathan, Jake Cohen, Chef Einat Admony, Darra Goldstein, Gabriella Gershenson, Leah Koenig, Jeremy Jacobowitz, Liz Alpern, Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Shannon Sarna. Food reviewers and creators Mike Varley, Justin Shukat, Sean Keeley, Joanna O'Leary and Morgan Carter add perspectives from across the bagel world.
MORE THAN A TASTE TEST
The coveted Best Bagel title will be decided through a blind taste test. Judges score unsliced plain bagels from 1 to 10 for flavor, texture, appearance and aroma, with flavor serving as the tiebreaker. The same criteria will determine honors for Best New York Style, Best Sourdough and Best Montreal Style. Additional awards include Schmear of the Year, Most Creative, Best Showmanship and Best Bialy. Festivalgoers will choose People's Choice, Best of the Boroughs, Best Beyond the Boroughs, Best International and Rising Star. The Bagel Rolling Championship returns to the main stage. INDUSTRY TALKS + ENTERTAINMENT
Industry Talks will explore bagel making, business operations, brand marketing, craft, growth and tradition. The program includes The Key to the Perfect Bagel at 10:15 a.m., From Toasted to Thriving at 11:30 a.m., Icons of Jewish New York at 1:15 p.m. and a 2:30 p.m. conversation with Christian Petroni and Scott Spellman of Utopia Bagels. Magic, mentalism, live fine art and family programming round out the day.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE General admission starts at $69. Two tasting sessions: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. | BagelFest.com
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | MUSIC
VANDAVEER TACKLE REGRET, MORTALITY AND THE UNFORGIVING NATURE OF TIME PHANTOM SAGE, OUT TODAY
ROBBY COSENZA | ROSE GUERIN | MARK CHARLES | JUSTIN CRAIG | J. TOM HNATOW Photo by lithophyte
After nearly a decade long hiatus, the band release three final tracks featuring late drummer Robby Cosenza Friday, September 18, 2026 (Lexington, KY) - Today Vandaveer release Phantom Sage, an EP that brings one incredibly heavy and precious chapter to a close. The EP features three new original songs, Pack of Thieves, The Source and Wholesale Arrangement recorded by the original lineup. The record comes after an extended hiatus that began almost a decade ago. In late 2017, after a year-and-a-half of traveling in support of their fifth LP, The Wild Mercury, and companion EP, Love is Melancholy, Vandaveer put the ol' tour van in park one last time and welcomed the bittersweet arrival of a long-overdue, open-ended break. After a dozen years and damn-near a thousand shows, it was simply time for a change. In the years that followed, solo projects, studio gigs, production work, and stages of one size or another each came calling for various members of the crew. It wasn't until the spring of 2023 that Mark Charles, Rose Guerin, Justin Craig, J. Tom Hnatow, and Robby Cosenza would all find themselves together again - in Hnatow's Small Blue Studio in Lexington, KY - making new music under the Vandaveer moniker.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Cosenza had been diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of cancer the year before and was in the midst of a valiant, two-year battle that eventually ended with his passing in early 2024. The plan that previous spring was a simple one: to hole up for a few days and make fresh noise together again for nothing more than the sake of the song. Time afforded the group just enough of itself on that occasion for three tunes to materialize. But as Cosenza's fight continued and health complications intensified, the project was naturally put on hold. Last summer, the remaining members reconvened to finish their final songs with their beloved, late bandmate. Robby Cosenza played on every record the band released dating back to 2007, so it's only fitting that his singular beats and mercurial spirit serve as the heartbeat and lifeblood of the group's final batch of tunes in this incarnation. Tom Petty once sang, What lies ahead I have no way of knowing. On Phantom Sage, Vandaveer grapples with that same evergreen conundrum, tackling regret, mortality, and the fleeting and unforgiving nature of time in equal measure.
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | NEW MUSIC
SP'S SOUND THE ALARM WITH 'NEKROGEDDON' SP's photographed by Holly Parker
Los Angeles alt-punk garage band SP's turns anxiety into voltage on its new single, Nekrogeddon - a furious collision of protest music, psychedelic guitar noise and a chorus built for a collapsing world. The track opens in a squall of feedback before bombastic drums and Steve Albertson's provocative vocal push it forward. Its first declaration - Steady on the path to our own annihilation - establishes the song's mood and the larger concerns of the band's forthcoming debut album, Dating at the End of the World. Guitarist Steve LaBate describes James Holland's bass as the song's main character, giving the arrangement a dark Black Sabbath undertow beneath its garage-punk attack. Albertson's writing moves between political alarm and personal survival. The lyrics confront artificial-intelligence scams, inequality and a health-care system that can turn illness into financial ruin. Yet the refrain reaches for human connection. Faced with problems too enormous to solve in one night, the song asks what comfort people can still offer one another.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
DATING AT THE END OF THE WORLD Album artwork by Oh Oozi | Out March 26, 2027
SP's features Albertson on vocals, LaBate on guitar and keys, Holland on bass and Allen Kronenberger on drums. Their upcoming album was recorded at Savannah Studios in East Los Angeles, produced by Julia Kugel, engineered by Grammy nominee Wyatt Blair and mastered by Grammy nominee Rob Kleiner.
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | PHILANTHROPY
HOLLYWOOD CARES LIGHTS UP BEVERLY HILLS FOR STOCKTON YOUTH Cardi B and Jason Lee unite entertainment and philanthropy to support Stockton's next generation.
Cardi B and Jason Lee attend The Hollywood Cares Foundation Dinner. PHOTO: JEN J
On a warm Beverly Hills evening, approximately 50 guests gathered at a private estate for a celebration with a purpose: opening doors for underserved young people in Stockton, California. Hosted by Cardi B, the Hollywood Cares Foundation dinner paired the intimacy of a private gathering with the reach of a growing philanthropic movement. The evening began with cocktails and conversation before guests sat down to a dinner catered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The room brought together leaders from entertainment, fashion, business and public service, all rallying behind Hollywood Cares' youth leadership, civic engagement and personal development programs. Among those in attendance were Lizzo, Tiffany Haddish, Law Roach, Bozoma Saint John, Evan Ross, Mona Scott, Tyrese, Joyner Lucas, Steven Cloobeck and Lou Young III. Additional support came from donors Gary Vaynerchuk, Paris Hilton and Robert Smith.
Stockton's young people deserve the same access to opportunity as anyone else. JASON LEE, FOUNDER, HOLLYWOOD CARES FOUNDATION
Guests gather at the Beverly Hills benefit. PHOTO: JEN J
For founder Jason Lee, who also serves as Stockton's vice mayor, the gathering was a reminder that advocacy becomes meaningful when it is matched by action. I'm grateful to Cardi B and everyone in that room for putting real resources behind our youth, he said. This isn't charity, it's an investment in what Stockton can become. Funds raised will advance Leadership Unlocked youth summits, I AM READY workshops and community initiatives including Toys for Joy. Together, the programs expand access to leadership development, civic participation, mental-health resources and wellness support. ABOUT HOLLYWOOD CARES FOUNDATION Founded in 2022, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit activates pop culture to uplift underserved youth. Its work includes securing a $12.4 million state grant for the I AM READY Stockton Youth Center, a planned youth mental-health facility.
HOLLYWOODCARESFOUNDATION.ORG
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OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | LOS ANGELES / CULTURE + FITNESS
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
FEBRUARY 20-21, 2027
LOS ANGELES CHINATOWN
FIRECRACKER RETURNS 49 YEARS OF MOVEMENT, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY For nearly half a century, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker has transformed historic Chinatown into one of the city's most spirited Lunar New Year gatherings. The 49th annual celebration returns February 20-21, 2027, welcoming runners, walkers, cyclists, families and four-legged participants for a weekend of health, heritage and community.
An opening ceremony brings lion dancers and the traditional lighting of more than 200,000 firecrackers. A free two-day festival adds live entertainment, exhibitors, vendors, children's activities, community resources and a beer garden.
Cyclists assemble for the annual 20- and 50-mile rides.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The 5K run/walk heads toward Dodger Stadium before returning to Chinatown. The challenging 10K climbs through Elysian Park, winding above the Figueroa Tunnels and through tree-lined hills with sweeping views of Los Angeles. Saturday brings 20- and 50-mile bike routes through the Los Angeles River corridor, Griffith Park and neighboring communities. The PAW'er Dog Walk welcomes canine companions, while Sunday's 1K Kiddie Run and Fun Zone invite young families. Virtual options welcome participants everywhere to begin the Year of the Ram by moving with purpose.
The PAW er Dog Walk makes Firecracker a family affair.
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | 49TH ANNUAL L.A. CHINATOWN FIRECRACKER
RUN
WALK
RIDE
CELEBRATE | THE YEAR OF THE RAM
A WEEKEND FOR EVERY GENERATION Chinatown Central Plaza
943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
OFFICIAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
SAT
FEB 20
50-Mile Half Century Bike Ride
8:00 AM
SAT
FEB 20
20-Mile Fun Bike Ride
8:15 AM
SAT
FEB 20
2K PAW er Dog Walk
9:00 AM
SUN
FEB 21
5K Timed Run/Walk
8:00 AM
SUN
FEB 21
10K Timed Run/Walk
8:40 AM
SUN
FEB 21
1K Kiddie Run + Fun Zone
9:45 AM
REGISTER NOW $35-$75
WHAT REGISTRATION INCLUDES A commemorative event T-shirt, custom finisher medal, Lunar New Year race bib, goodie bag, hydration and post-course refreshments. Bike, 5K and 10K participants age 21+ also receive one beer at the Firecracker Beer Garden. Virtual options are available.
IN-PERSON + VIRTUAL
firecracker10k.org runsignup.com/Race/CA/LosAngeles/ LAChinatownFirecracker info@firecracker10k.org 818-925-8434 #firecrackerLA #49years
PROCEEDS ARE REINVESTED IN LOCAL SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY | INTERNATIONAL ARTS
LIVE IN LAVINIA SA DANE AFIF TURNS A RESTORATION SITE INTO A LIVING SCORE
Live in Lavinia rehearsal at the Loggia dei Vini, Villa Borghese. PHOTO: GIOELE BENEDETTI
At Rome's Villa Borghese, contemporary art and music met inside a monument in transition. Live in Lavinia presented a concert conceived through artist Sa dane Afif's three-month occupation of the Loggia dei Vini, the historic pavilion currently being restored through LAVINIA, Ghella's public art program curated by Salvatore Lacagnina.
Afif transformed the site into an open rehearsal room, treating preparation itself as part of the artwork. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Federico Bisozzi joined saxophonist Simone Alessandrini to compose and arrange music for ten performance works, brought to life by soprano and pianist Rosaria Angotti. Guitarist and composer Alessandro Borgo Caratti also joined the ensemble on percussion.
Afif's wider practice moves fluidly among installation, poetry and performance. Rather than treating art as a fixed object, he builds networks of voices that reshape the original idea. Lyrics commissioned from ten international contributors are also presented at Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof. Bisozzi's screen-music experience, Alessandrini's contemporary-jazz vocabulary and Angotti's command of opera gave the concert an expansive language, bridging heritage and experimentation as the Loggia returned to public life.
The resulting sound moved between ancient pagan echoes, Mediterranean melismas, electronic sequences and minimalist repetition. Against the Loggia's ornate arches, the music made the restoration site feel less like a backdrop than an active instrument - fragile, unfinished and alive.
ART IN PUBLIC LIFE LAVINIA was created to accompany the restoration of the Loggia dei Vini and to reconnect the landmark with contemporary culture. Live in Lavinia offered a vivid example: a historic place renewed not only through architecture, but through listening. LAVINIAROMA.COM
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
OCTOBER 2026
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GEORGE GOODENOUGH THE MOUNTAIN MAN WITH 44 STORIES TO TELL
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY / THE COVER STORY / SEPTEMBER 2026
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY COVER STORY
Inspired by Mount Shasta. Driven by an unshakable belief in storytelling. BY HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY STAFF George Goodenough does not need a fashionable Hollywood office to imagine his next motion picture. Give him a notebook, a pen and a view of Mount Shasta, and the stories begin to arrive. The mountain remains a source of reflection and artistic purpose. For more than three decades, Goodenough has followed a remarkable path through more than ten typewriters, countless packages of copy paper and the completion of 44 screenplays. His work crosses drama, comedy, romance, adventure, science fiction and
faith-centered storytelling. Each script begins with the same conviction: an original idea deserves the discipline required to become a finished story. He has also written 33 episodes of his television anthology, The Road, with each episode presenting a different journey and cast. Goodenough continues writing without waiting for permission. Behind the screenplays is a mission: create memorable roles and prove that a determined storyteller can build an extraordinary body of work. 9
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A HOLLYWOOD CALL THAT CHANGED HIS ROAD
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY / THE COVER STORY / SEPTEMBER 2026
A Hollywood Call That Changed His Direction Goodenough ·s relationship with Hollywood Weekly began in 2015 after he submitted several story synopses to an advertising company in Hollywood. Not long afterward. ·George, you need to get into this business,· Jackson told him. The words stayed. In November 2019, his first article appeared in Hollywood Weekly Magazine. That same year, he received a trophy recognizing industry excellence at the annual Hollywood. Years later, Jackson asked him a direct question: ·George, who are you?· Goodenough looked toward the mountain that has inspired so much of his writing. ·A talented mountain. The response captured a writer whose creative life exists somewhere between Hollywood ambition and the spiritual atmosphere of Northern California. A Name With History
Goodenough believes his family name can be traced back more than 1,000 years to England and earlier European origins. He describes its historical evolution as moving from ·God-e-new· to the modern spelling of Goodenough. He also comes from a family tradition of firstborn sons. That sense of ancestry, destiny and generational connection appears throughout his storytelling. His characters encounter ancient mysteries, sacred objects.
Friends have asked whether the world will ever experience a decent and pure society. He rarely answers immediately. Instead, he walks away, opens his notebook and begins writing. The story becomes his response. Thirty-Three Years of Inspiration
Goodenough graduated from a Hollywood screenwriting school in 1993. Since then, writing has become an enduring . The work required patience and sacrifice: typewriters, stacks of paper, headaches, frustration and nearly every emotion listed in a college dictionary. He confronted writer ·s block, scene construction, flashbacks, pacing and the difficult mathematics of screenplay timing. Still. 10
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY / THE COVER STORY / SEPTEMBER 2026
THE HIDDEN WORLD BENEATH MOUNT SHASTA
The Telos Trilogy Among Goodenough ·s most ambitious projects is Telos: Threads of Gold, the opening chapter of a planned trilogy. The story draws upon legends of ancient Lemuria.
In the screenplay, Adama, a priest, and Rosalia, a priestess from Telos, obtain a. Goodenough says a producer associated with 20th Century Fox responded enthusiastically to the first Telos screenplay and encouraged him to consider developing a television series. The second installment, Telos II: Tail of the Black Planet Clan, follows Sharon, daughter of the king and queen of Telos. Joined by Adama and Rosalia, she must obtain all seven Philosopher·s Stones and save 144,000 chosen people. The concluding installment. ·My inspiration to write comes from the sacred mountain Shasta,· he explains. ·The high positive energy keeps me focused. As I am constantly learning.
Whether readers interpret the mountain spiritually, symbolically or simply as a magnificent natural landmark, its influence is unmistakable. It gives Goodenough a sense of place while his imagination travels into worlds far beyond it. The Road That Never Ends
If the Telos trilogy represents his most expansive world-building, The Road may be his most personal achievement. ·The Road is Designed as a television anthology, The Road currently consists of 33 episodes. Each tells a different story and can move freely among drama, comedy, adventure and romance. The connecting idea is the road itself: always moving. ·Forever winding, never ending - endless stories of The Road,· Goodenough says. One genre remains outside his plan: ·I never write horror, and I never will.· Even when his stories confront danger or supernatural forces.
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“I WANT TO MAKE STARS!”
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY / THE COVER STORY / SEPTEMBER 2026
Stories of Faith, Destiny and Transformation Goodenough ·s catalog reveals the extraordinary range of his imagination. Billy and Tina follows a young ex-con forced to flee to Mexico with his wife and infant son. Fifteen years later.
Other projects include Three Wooden Crosses, The Gift, Silence, Metatron: The Black Diamond and Twist of the Iron Pen. Across them, ancient queens, dancers, angels.
Although the plots differ dramatically, they share Goodenough·s fascination with people who are tested, transformed and called to fulfill a purpose greater than themselves. The Courage to Continue Goodenough is candid about one difficult reality: he has not yet sold a screenplay. He understands that entertainment is fiercely competitive and even accomplished artists can spend years searching for the right producer.
·If a top agent chooses to represent me,· he says, ·he or she will not be disappointed.· That confidence comes from decades of work, an extensive catalog and the conviction that somewhere among those pages are stories. When asked to identify his greatest goal, Goodenough did not speak first about awards, wealth or seeing his name illuminated above a theater. His answer focused on others. His scripts contain heroes, scientists, dancers, priests, queens, agents, lovers and ordinary individuals called into extraordinary situations. Every role represents a possibility - for a story and for an actor waiting for the character. From a notebook near Mount Shasta to the screens of Hollywood, the pages keep accumulating, the characters keep arriving and the City of Gold remains somewhere. George Goodenough is still writing. Still. CONTACT GEORGE GOODENOUGH Email: numberonescriptwriter@gmail.com.
But his perseverance is itself an achievement. Many aspiring writers begin one screenplay and never finish it. Goodenough has written 44, developed a trilogy.
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