Hollywood Gossip: the fourth annual Chicago Modernism Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 14, 2007 -- The show spotlights 20th-century works including paintings, art glass, silver and pottery. Proceeds from the sale will benefit two organizations with local ties, the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Illinois Chapter of the International Interior Designers Association.

The two organizations will host a preview gala from 6-9 tonight. Tickets are $110. Call (312) 376-2725; www.aiachicago.org.

Regular show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10, which is good for both days. For more information, call (708) 366-2710.

Some defenders of rap music and hip-hop culture, such as the pioneering mogul Russell Simmons, deny any connection between Imus and hip-hop. They describe rap lyrics as reflections of the violent, drug-plagued, hopeless environments that many rappers come from. Instead of criticizing rappers, defenders say, critics should improve their reality.

"Comparing Don Imus' language with hip-hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship," Simmons said in a statement Friday.

The superstar rapper Snoop Dogg also denied any connection to Imus. "(Rappers) are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports," he told MTV.com. "We're talking about hos that's in the 'hood that ain't doing ---- that's trying to get a n---- for his money."

Criticism of rap is nothing new it began soon after the music emerged from New York City's underclass more than 30 years ago.

"I've been on (rappers) for 20 years," Crouch said. "I was in the civil rights movement. I know it takes a long time when you're standing up against extraordinary money and great power. But we're beginning to see a shift."

Source: http://www.msn.com
Posted by Denise O�Neal