Weekly buzz
Welcome to the weekly buzz, a segment found every Thursday. It includes the latest pop culture news, as well as local and regional events happening this weekend.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
There will be plenty of performances to watch before the ball drops on midnight on New Year’s Eve. Take your pick:
–Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest will ring in 2008 on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 on ABC. Fergie will host the Hollywood part of the show, and will oversee performances by Akon, Sean Kingston, OneRepublic, Plain White T’s, Taylor Swift, and Natasha Bedingfield. Clark and Seacrest will be in New York for the ball drop.
–Fox will air “New Year’s Eve Live” at 11 p.m. Dec. 31. Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Lifehouse will perform. It also will feature the U.S. TV premiere of Mariah Carey’s concert performance of “Shake It Off” from her recently released DVD “The Adventures of Mimi.” Cat Deeley will host.
–Tila Tequila will host “New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party” at 11 p.m. Dec. 31 on MTV. Performing will be Kid Rock, Wyclef Jean, Good Charlotte, Mary J. Blige, and many others.
COLLEGE BOWL GAMES
Are you in a college football pool? If so, I hope you’re winning! Either way, enjoy the following upcoming games.
Tonight
8 p.m. on ESPN — Arizona State vs. Texas
Friday
5 p.m. on ESPN — Boston College vs. Michigan State
8 p.m. on ESPN — Maryland vs. Oregon State
8 p.m. on NFL Network — TCU vs. Houston
Saturday
1 p.m. on ESPN — Connecticut vs. Wake Forest
4:30 p.m. on ESPN — Mississippi State vs. UCF
8 p.m. on ESPN — Penn State vs. Texas A&M
Sunday
8 p.m. on ESPN — Colorado vs. Alabama
TV NEWS
–The last original “Grey’s Anatomy” will air Jan. 10 on ABC.
–The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report will resume on Jan. 7 without their striking writers.
–On Jan. 1, Court TV changes its name to truTV and will emphasize real-life stories in its primetime slots. It will, however, continue to broadcast six hours of courtroom coverage beginning at 9 a.m. weekdays.
–The fifth season premiere of “The Biggest Loser” begins at 8 p.m. Jan. 1.
–The return of “1 vs. 100″ will air at 8 p.m. Jan. 4.
–American Gladiator’s 2-hour debut will be at 9 p.m. Jan. 6.
DVD NEWS
The following is a list of DVDs coming out Tuesday, Jan. 1:
-Resident Evil: Extinction
-War
-Shoot ‘Em Up
-Solstice
-Seaquest DSV: Season Two
-September Dawn (out Jan. 2)
MUSIC
–The Abuakwa African Music and Dance Ensemble will perform Feb. 23 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. The show teaches about the history of African music and dance, while using distinct African instruments.
Show times are 3 and 8 p.m. and advance tickets can be purchased for $15 for the 3 p.m. show and $20 for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are available at the theater’s box office, all Tickets.com outlets, tickets.com, or charge by phone at (800) 919-6272.
REGIONAL EVENTS
–New Year’s Eve with Jim Brickman, 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. For details, call (800) 776-7469.
–”Frozentoesen Celebration” will be from Jan. 2 through Jan. 31 at the Toledo Zoo. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half-priced admission. Events include Cabin Fever Feeds and Ice-carving demos.
–Kalamazoo is hosting a New Year’s Fest on Dec. 31. It includes 24 performing artists in 10 buildings surrounding Bronson Park. Music, magicians, clowns, jugglers, and much more. For details, call (269) 388-2830.
–Jackson will host “Eve On The Ave” on Dec. 31. Held in downtown Jackson, the street party includes food and music. For details, call (517) 788-4355.
–The New Year Jubilee will be held from 7 p.m. Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. in Ypsilanti. The family event offers more than 40 performances in 10 locations in the city.
LOCAL EVENTS
–A New Year’s Eve party will be held from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 at the Lynn C. Weeman Post 514, American Legion hall, 11601 Lewis Ave., Temperance. Open to the public. Tickets are $20 each and $30 a couple.
–Several places in Monroe County are hosting New Year’s Eve parties. Grafton Hall in Carleton, Mugsy’s in Monroe, and several other bars and halls are having parties. Check them out if you’re looking for something to do! You can also find all the information in display ads throughout the Monroe Evening News.