Of Notoriety: Final weekend for Towle's ‘POTUS,' anniversary free concert at Hard Rock and Bublé salute at TATC
When the president unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. The play is described as 'a bawdy and irreverent look at sex, politics and the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world, with a reminder that global crisis is always just a four-letter word away.' A show disclaimer warns that 'this play opens with a strong expletive and continues with raunchy language throughout.' Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $24 in advance and $28 at the door and available by calling 219-937-8780 or visit www.towletheater.org.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month and hosting a free concert by Gym Class Heroes on the Hard Rock Cafe stage at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10. With three stages and five dining outlets, more than 8 million people have visited Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana since it opened, ranking as Northwest Indiana's No. 1 tourist attraction. 'When we opened our doors back in May of 2021, the people in our area were thrilled to have a place nearby to see all their favorite artists on stage and wonderful dining and gaming experiences,' President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Matt Schuffert said in a release. 'It was truly what the region needed at the exact right time.' Travie McCoy, lead singer of Gym Class Heroes and a celebrated solo artist, is leading his band for the celebration performance. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, IN, directly adjacent to the I80/94 Burr Street Interchange. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Direct from Las Vegas, this Theatre at the Center tribute concert is a must-see for people who appreciate the music of The Great American Songbook. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett to superstar rock artists Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart are all the inspirations for the stylings and vocals of Canadian singer Michael Bublé. Entertainer Michael Ross Nugent pays tribute to Bublé and other greats, backed on stage by a grand piano and his pianist Michael Clark. At age 31, Michael Ross Nugent describes himself as 'a young man with an old soul and love from the great performers of yesterday and today.' The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Tickets are $40 available by calling 219-836-3255 or visit www.TheatreattheCenter.com.
'Forever Plaid' is one of the most popular and successful small cast cabaret style musicals of recent decades. Four musical hopefuls, Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie travel the small stage circuit as the crooning group 'The Plaids.' Fearful that the close of the decade of the 1950s means the end of the music and song stylings they so love, they fail to embrace the world of the swinging 1960s. A tragic car accident sends the fellows to heavenly limbo where they are given a chance to live their worldly dream of appearing on Ed Sullivan's popular CBS Sunday night variety show. This jukebox musical stars Josh Bachman as Francis, Phil Dietrich as Sparky, Trey Erny as Jinx and Jason Utesch as Smudge as directed by Patti Shaffner. From calypso beats to Perry Como and 'Three Coins in the Fountain,' audiences enjoy a musical trip down a memory lane of tune favorites. Weekend performances start May 9 with 8 p.m. curtains on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range from $27 to $60 at MemorialOperaHouse.com or 219-548-9137.
Now age 93, the greatest American film composer of all time, John Williams, has written some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history in a career spanning more than six decades. Williams has won 24 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In the final concert installment of the Northwest Indiana Orchestra's 2024-25 Season, Williams' work is highlighted for two nights, 7:30 p.m. both May 15 and 16 at Living Hope Church auditorium, 9000 Taft St., in Merrillville. Hear selections from 'Star Wars,' 'Indiana Jones,' Far & Away,' 'The Patriot,' 'Superman' and more in this tribute to an American icon. Tickets start at $45 with a $10 student option. Visit www.nisorchestra.org or call 219-836-0525.
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Hulk Hogan's storied wrestling career included iconic made-in-Canada matches
TORONTO — At the fan festival leading up to WrestleMania X8, World Wrestling Federation chairman Vince McMahon wanted to get a sense of who the audience would be pulling for in the anticipated match between Hulk Hogan and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson. Hogan was still in his villainous "Hollywood" persona while The Rock was the promotion's bankable baby face star heading into their March 17, 2002, showdown at Toronto's SkyDome. Canadian wrestling crowds, however, were famous for resisting the force-fed storylines trotted out by the promotions, and those in attendance gave a full-throated endorsement of Hogan. The ensuing fight, which has become something of a WWE legend, was one of many big moments in Hogan's wrestling career that came north of the border. Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday at 71. Hogan's matches in Canada included a headline title fight against the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI in Toronto — an uncommon Hogan loss and even rarer title fight between two baby faces — championship bouts against Paul (Mr. Wonderful) Orndorff and Ric Flair, and even an arm wrestling match with then-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (who died in 2016) at Fan Expo in 2013. But Hogan's most memorable match in Canada came at WrestleMania X8 — and it wasn't even the main event. When he finally faced The Rock in the 'Icon versus Icon' showdown, the crowd's support for Hogan was unequivocal. In a remarkable display of adaptive storytelling, the two wrestlers switched attitudes mid-match. Hogan broke out some of the signature moves that wrestling fans remembered from his rise from wrestling star to pop culture icon in the 1980s. He exhorted the throng of over 62,000 to cheer him on, cupping his hand to his ear and leaning toward the crowd and "Hulking Up," which involved glaring wide-eyed at his opponent while seemingly impervious to pain, often accompanied by a finger wag before he unloaded some offence. The Rock cleanly won the match, but the Canadian response set up a storyline that would see Hogan break off from his heel New World Order faction and return to his do-gooder persona of the '80s. That version of Hogan was arguably best known to Canadian fans leading into WrestleMania X8, and perhaps why the crowd at SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) was firmly in his corner. Another key fight at the same venue came 12 years earlier, when Hogan faced the Ultimate Warrior — a rising star whose popularity at the time rivalled Hogan's — for the WWF title. The fight, which was well-received by the fans in attendance — which included future wrestling stars Adam (Edge) Copeland and Jay (Christian) Reso — was meant to be a passing of the torch as Warrior beat Hogan cleanly by pinfall — the first time that happened since 1981. However, Warrior's title run proved to be short-lived, and by WrestleMania VII Hogan was once again champion after defeating Sgt. Slaughter in the main event. Hogan also had a couple of successful title defences in Toronto, notably a decision over Orndorff on Aug. 28, 1986, at Exhibition Stadium before a crowd of over 60,000. In a confusing ending that was typical of the ongoing feud between the wrestlers, Orndorff was disqualified despite appearing to win the match after his manager Bobby ("The Brain") Heenan laid out Hogan with a chair. In another matchup between legends, Hogan defeated Flair on a May 13, 2002, episode of Monday Night Raw in Toronto to retain the WWE Undisputed Championship. In another messy ending, nWo member X-Pac interfered with a Hogan pin attempt of Flair in the no-disqualification match. Flair's attempt to win the match via submission was then interrupted by (Stone Cold) Steve Austin, who laid out the 53-year-old Flair, allowing Hogan to perform his signature leg drop and cover for the pin. In a less heralded matchup, Hogan took the fall in an arm wrestling battle with Ford at the 2013 Fan Expo pop culture showcase in Toronto. "I own this town, man!" Ford yelled after the dubious win as Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger" played in the background. Hogan's main-event appearance at the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985 also had a Canadian connection, as he teamed with "The A-Team" star Mr. T to defeat (Rowdy) Roddy Piper — born Roderick Toombs in Saskatoon — and Orndorff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Curtis Withers, The Canadian Press
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Cindy Crawford has some fans 'disappointed' after spending time in Muskoka with Logan Paul. What other celebrities vacation in the Canadian region?
Some took to social media to say they'd unfollow the supermodel, after she posted photos from her Ontario getaway with the controversial influencer. Cindy Crawford is back in the Muskoka region, this time with a guest who's left some of her fans "disappointed." Over the weekend, the 59-year-old supermodel shared a few photos taken at a lakeside property in Ontario, sparking some controversy online. "What happens at the lake, stays at the lake," Crawford captioned her post, which featured a photo of herself in a boxing stance with 30-year-old YouTube personality Logan Paul. She included a hashtag for "Camp Salter," referring to the lakeside property Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, owns in Muskoka. The other pictures in her Instagram upload showed Paul posing alongside Crawford's husband Rande Gerber, 63, and Salter, along with a larger group photo featuring multiple people wearing hoodies with "Camp Salter" written on the chest. In the comments section, some showed their appreciation for Crawford's return to Ontario cottage country. "Welcome home!" wrote the Discover Muskoka Instagram account, along with blue and green heart emojis. "So cool, welcome to Canada," one person added. But many of the comments called out Crawford for spending time with Paul, who has faced numerous controversies since he started posting on social media more than a decade ago. Some fans expressed shock over the post, noting they'd now be unfollowing the model. "Embarrassing! You're Cindy Crawford. What the h— are you doing with Logan Paul? Wow," one person questioned. "Wow, MAGA lovers in Muskoka?!? This is very disappointing. You are visitors to our beautiful country that your leader wants to annex. This post ain't it," someone else chimed in. "Cindy….sister… delete this," another added. "Who would've ever thought I'd have to unfollow Cindy Crawford," someone shared. Over the years, Paul has faced numerous instances of backlash, from a December 2017 incident where he vlogged inside Japan's "suicide forest" to creating a health concern in mid-2023 with his Prime energy drinks. He and brother Jake Paul, 28, were also among the surprise celebrities who attended U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration this past January. The Muskoka region has long been a hot spot for celebrities looking to cool off amid warm summer weather. For years, the Ontario region has offered people a great chance to get in some swimming time and revel in outdoor barbecues as they enjoy the hotter months of the year. Between Canadian stars like Justin Bieber and Shania Twain, to A-listers including David and Victoria Beckham, it's an area that's often frequented by some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. Below are some of the many big names who have enjoyed trips to the Muskoka region over the years. Shania Twain Last October, the 59-year-old country-pop icon celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in the area. The "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" hitmaker took to Instagram on Oct. 14, 2024, to share a photo of herself bundled up on a dock while sitting in a Muskoka chair. "There isn't anywhere more beautiful than Canada in the fall, and there isn't a better feeling than being warm and cozy in the crisp, cold air," she wrote. "Thankful for friends and family and this fabulous view. Heaven!" Canadian fans (and fellow celebrities) were quick to echo Twain's love of Canada. "Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!" commented fellow Canadian songstress Avril Lavigne. "It's like God dumped bright colours on all the trees. Growing up in northern Ontario, it was my favourite season," wrote a fan. While Twain spent her younger years in Timmins, Ont., she now spends some of her time a bit further south, in Ontario's Muskoka cottage country. Twain reportedly has a home in Lake of Bays. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Crawford and Gerber are frequent visitors of the Muskoka region. Last August, the supermodel showed off a carousel of photos on Instagram, including snapshots of herself and loved ones enjoying the Muskoka region. Her post included various selfies of her summer getaway, as well as pictures of herself paddleboarding, posing on her speedboat and eating delicious meals. She also included more photos of her 63-year-old husband, along with their two kids, 26-year-old Presley Gerber and 23-year-old Kaia Gerber. They posted an intimate sneak peek inside their Lake Muskoka cottage, nicknamed "Gerber Point Lodge." "Thanks for another great summer," Crawford captioned her post, alongside a sun emoji. "Until next year." In summer 2022, Crawford also made a few Instagram posts of her time at their cabin, including a video of herself steering a boat and a carousel of photos of her husband at their lakeside property. David and Victoria Beckham Last summer, Victoria Beckham shared another series of photos from her and her family's summer spent in the Muskoka area. On Aug. 27, 2024, she posted a carousel of snapshots featuring loved ones, as well as a group photo featuring Crawford and Gerber. "Special family moments in Muskoka," she wrote with a Canadian flag emoji. "Kisses, #SalterFamily, I love you all so much!!" The 51-year-old fashion designer also tagged her 50-year-old husband David, as well as kids Romeo, Cruz and Harper. The previous summer, Victoria shared another carousel of photos from a family trip to the Muskoka area. On Aug. 7, 2023, she posted a variety of candid lake-side pictures of herself and loved ones. The post featured a picture of herself waterskiing, along with snapshots of the family enjoying the lake life. She also shared a photo of her and her husband posing with Canadian businessman Jamie Salter and his wife, Sheryl, on the water. "The most perfect few days in Muskoka with beautiful friends," Victoria captioned that post. In the comments section, people expressed their love for the English couple and welcomed them to Canada. "Come back soon! Hope you enjoyed your stay in the Muskokas!!" one person wrote, while someone else wrote, "Welcome to our playground." Austin Butler Victoria Beckham also took to social media last summer to share a video featuring husband David, son Cruz and Elvis star Austin Butler lifting a fallen tree trunk above their heads. Butler, 33, likely spent time with the Beckhams while visiting the Muskoka region with then-girlfriend Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter. "Did you ever think you would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree? Helping the community in Muskoka. I'm impressed, gentleman!" Victoria captioned her clip on Aug. 6, 2023. In the comments, fans praised Butler and the Beckhams for embracing "the Canadian way." "How very Canadian of them," a fan wrote, while another added, "they are being so helpful like friendly Canadians." Justin and Hailey Bieber While Hailey and Justin Bieber don't currently own property in Muskoka, they've rented places on Lake Rosseau and Old Woman Island on Lake Muskoka in the past, according to Hello! magazine. The couple, who welcomed their first baby together last summer, reportedly kick back in the region often. Muskoka might be one of the couple's favourite Canadian destinations, but an area closer to Toronto appeared to steal their hearts back in 2018. That year, according to iDesignArch, Justin, 31, and Hailey, 28, purchased a $5-million waterfront estate on Puslinch Lake near Cambridge, Ont. Simu Liu In July 2023, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu took to Instagram with a carousel of snaps from a vacation in Muskoka. In the sun-soaked photos from Goshulak Island, the 36-year-old actor spent time on the lake boating, jet-skiing and wakeboarding with his fiancée, Allison Hsu. In his now-deleted post, the Canadian star included a caption that was nothing short of a love letter to Goshulak Island, revealing it has been his "safe haven for over a decade." The 36-year-old Barbie actor added he "lived a lot of life and seen many things in those years, but nothing quite compares to the majesty of the lake." Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson According to Forbes, actors Goldie Hawn, 79, and Kurt Russell, 74, own property on Lake Rosseau, north of Lake Muskoka. It's where the couple have spent summer vacations with Hawn's 46-year-old daughter, Kate Hudson. In a red carpet interview with etalk at the 2023 Oscars, Hudson recalled her family's go-to pit-stop when driving up to their Northern retreat. "You got to go to Tim Hortons, and I usually just get coffee," she told Canadian TV host Tyrone Edwards. Martin Short Canadian comedian Martin Short is a big fan of Muskoka. The Only Murders in the Building star owns a cottage on Lake Rosseau and has even honoured his summer getaways in Ontario by creating a collector's coin. In 2013, the 75-year-old actor teamed up with artist Tony Bianco to create a $3 coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. The collector's item features Short's summer home, a sailboat and two Adirondack chairs. "As much as I adore the excitement of cities, it's rural Canada that has always had my heart," the Hamilton, Ont.-born star said in a press release that year. "When I'm there, I feel like I'm in heaven. More than anything, that's what Canada means to me." Mark Wahlberg and Tie Domi In August 2022, David Beckham shared a photo on Instagram posing with Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, Ted actor Mark Wahlberg, 54, and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Tie Domi, 55. In the picture, the four men flashed bright smiles for the camera and put their arms around each other. "Great few days in Muskoka," Beckham shared in the caption, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. "With family and friends. Wow, what a place. And yes, we laughed a lot and drank a little. The best." Shenae Grimes-Beech In July 2022, 90210 star Shenae Grimes-Beech shared a set of photos from her family holiday in Muskoka on her Instagram Stories. "Found a strip of pop-up shops made out of pastel-painted shipping containers in the middle of the woods. Muskoka, you're great," she captioned the first snap. The 35-year-old actress doubled down on her love for the region by sharing an additional photo of herself jet skiing, paired with the caption, "I repeat... Muskoka, you're great," alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Tom Hanks According to Forbes, Forrest Gump actor Tom Hanks has planted roots on the coastline of Lake Muskoka. The 69-year-old star owns a stunning lakeside cottage full of bay and picture windows, according to Bavarian Window Works. In the past, Hanks has shown his love for Canadians and the country's beauty. He replied to a letter from a fan in Toronto in 2016 who made a bet to see who could get a bet from a famous actor the fastest. "Toronto, huh? D— fine town," he wrote in his response, enclosed with a photo of himself. "Growing fast, all those condo towers down on the lake." Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills actress Lisa Rinna, 62, and her Clash of the Titans-starring husband, Harry Hamlin, 73, have been taking getaways to the Muskoka area for years. They've reportedly spent many summers on Governors Island in Lake Joseph, where Hamlin's family has had a cottage for more than a century. In August 2023, Rinna took to Instagram with a carousel of photos from her summer in the region that year. "Some lake life 2023," the star captioned that post, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Fans back then shared their appreciation for the post in the comments section. "Have the same view! It's the best," wrote New York-based stylist Leslie Fremar. "You rock," a fan added. Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh might be an Olympic-winning swimmer, but that doesn't mean she can't spend a bit of vacation time on Lake Muskoka. Following the Paris Olympics last year, the 18-year-old athlete took off to her family's cottage in the area with "the girls." The Toronto-born swimmer took to Instagram last August to share a carousel of photos with her friends enjoying the lake-side relaxation time. In the photos, the women posed on a dock wearing bikinis. "I think her favourite place is our cottage up north, she's just so excited to go there," McIntosh's mom, Jill, said last summer, according to the National Post. "She loves outdoors. She loves waterskiing. She doesn't do any swimming up there — she might do a cannon ball off the dock and that's it.
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White House lashes out at 'South Park' Trump parody
The White House on Thursday lashed out at the creators of "South Park" after the bawdy satire skewered Donald Trump in an episode featuring an AI-generated version of the US president crawling naked through a desert. In a no-holds-barred season premiere, the animated Trump character is also seen begging Satan for sex, only to be rebuffed -- in part because his penis is too small. The White House was not amused. "This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention," spokesperson Taylor Rogers said. "President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history -- and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak." The adult animated series, which frequently touches on hot-button issues in American life, is now in its 27th season and remains one of the world's most valuable TV shows. The season premiere begins with the foul-mouthed Cartman appalled that NPR has been taken off the air by the president, while Randy, a parent, is disturbed by the presence of Jesus in public elementary school. Complaints to the fictional White House receive only a threat from Trump to sue the mountain town of South Park for billions of dollars. Meanwhile, animated Trump is threatening to bomb Canada "like I did Iraq." "I thought you just bombed Iran," the Canadian prime minister replies. "Iran, Iraq, what the hell's the difference?" replies Trump. The episode, which sees the fictional Trump ride rough-shod over many aspects of American life, ends after the town of South Park makes a financial deal with the president that includes an agreement to make public service announcements. The AI generated short that follows -- ostensibly one of those announcements -- shows an overweight Trump staggering through a desert as a narrator casts him as a latter-day Jesus. The short ends with a naked Trump as the narrator says: "Trump. His penis is teeny-tiny, but his love for us is large." - Merger - The episode aired days after creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone reportedly penned a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount that gives the company global rights. The deal comes at a sensitive time for Paramount, which is trying to secure government approval for a multi-billion-dollar merger with entertainment company Skydance. The CBS parent caused a furor this month when it agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump had brought over an interview the storied "60 Minutes" current affairs program aired with Kamala Harris ahead of last November's election. The payment was criticized by Democrats as little more than a bribe to help smooth the merger, with Paramount initially dismissing Trump's lawsuit as meritless. Last week CBS sparked fury after it cancelled "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" whose host is a pointed critic of the president. The network insisted it was a financial decision, but opponents have painted the move as the latest example of American institutions bowing to Trump. hg/aks
