Johnny Weir in Bensenville April 30
"Ice Dreams Starring Johnny Weir" is returning to The Edge Ice Arena, 735 E. Jefferson, Bensenville, on Saturday, April 30. This year's show will feature 100 young local skaters in a group number. The *Future Stars* were chosen to participate in the show through live and web auditions.
Weira three-time U.S. national champion, two-time Olympian and world medalist who recently officially came outwill be joined on the ice by other elite skaters, including two Chicago-area natives; world junior bronze medalist Agnes Zawadski of Des Plaines and ice-dance Olympian Melissa Gregory of Northfield. U.S. silver medalist Brandon Mroz will also be among those skating.
Ice Dreams will donate $1 of every ticket sold to the Japanese Red Cross in support of the relief effort. There also will be a silent auction held the night of the show, with all auction proceeds to be donated to the Japanese Red Cross. For more information visit www.icedreamstour.com .
Kobe Bryant fined $100K for anti-gay slur
The National Basketball Association (NBA) fined the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant $100,000 April 20 for "offensive and inexcusable" comments he made during the previous night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, according to CNN.
TNT cameras caught Kobe apparently calling referee Bennie Adams a "f***ing f***ot." Announcer Steve Kerr noticed, and announced on the air that TNT "might want to take the camera off him right now, for the children watching."
According to Towleroad.com, Bryant later said in an ESPN interview, "Even though I didn't mean it that way, I've since learned what that word still means to a lot of people. I went on-line myself and I did my own research and I saw and I read about kids who were committing suicide because of being teased for who they are. I don't play that.
"For people who don't think my apology is sincere, they don't know me. This isn't over for me. I really plan to do more. What I said was ignorant and I really didn't realize what I was saying. Now that I do and realize how it affects people I really plan to do more and to help with the awareness."
Anti-gay organizations had demanded that Bryant apologize. In a statement, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) said, "What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching."
Footage from the game is at www.tmz.com/2011/04/13/kobe-bryant-homophic-slur-during-nba-game. The Lakers are currently in a first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Hornets.
'Mr. Yoga' in Chicago April 22-23
Daniel Lacerda, a yogi known as "Mr. Yoga," will be at TruHarmony Yoga, 900 N. Franklin, April 22-23.
Classes will include the "Mr. Yoga Workout," which is a compilation of yoga poses meant to sculpt muscle. Lacerda is "an ambassador for lululemon athletica and Nike Endurance Sports," according to a press release.
See www.TruHarmonyYoga.com for more information.