1.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has begun sharing the names of its 2008 honorees. As of Nov. 3, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie and Javier Bardem are all set to grace the SBIFF stage. Prepare the paparazzi!
2.
As a bartender and the author of the 1862 collection of cocktail recipes, “The Bartender’s Guide,” professor Jerry Thomas is considered by many to be the father of the American bartending tradition. Drink up 100 of his classic cocktails – many accompanied by recipes with a more modern twist – as well as stories about Thomas’s life and times in the new book “Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to ‘Professor’ Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar.” The book, by David Wondrich, was released on Nov. 6.
3.
On this day in 1978, the prolific American painter Norman Rockwell passed away. Rockwell was most famous for his cover illustrations in The Saturday Evening Post, which depicted idealized images of Americana. By the time of his death, at age 84, he had produced over 4,000 works and secured a permanent place in the pantheon of contemporary art.
4.
Buy your tickets now to see rapper, actress and musician Queen Latifah performing hits from her personal repertoire of R&B-infused jazz and blues at the Arlington Theater on Nov. 15. The performance is sponsored by Arts & Lectures, and tickets to the 8 p.m. performance are just $28 for students.
5.
See Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Peter O’Toole, David Kelly, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais and Rupert Everett in the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novella Stardust, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight. The screenings are sponsored by Magic Lantern Films, and will take place in I.V. Theater.
6.
Jay-Z’s new album, American Gangster, came out on Nov. 6. Featuring 15 tracks inspired by the epic film of the same name, the album showcases heavy-hitting guest stars like Kanye West, Beyonce, Nas, Pharrell and Lil Wayne – not to mention Jay-Z tapping into his personal memories of growing up in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects.