Hot Rumor: Barbra's Next Movie?

From Playlist.com:

Barbra Streisand & Seth Rogen Offered Roles In The Comedy 'My Mother's Curse'

Yes, it's an offer story so it's nothing close to gospel yet, but it is a potentially interesting duo.

In the latest issue of Production Weekly, it's revealed that Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen have been offered roles in the comedy "My Mother's Curse." The film is the rather heartwarming-sounding tale of an inventor who embarks on a road trip with his mother with a secret plan to reunite her with a long lost love.

Here's the synopsis from PW:

The young inventor of a new organic cleaning product invites his mother on a cross-country road trip as he tries to sell his product to marketing outlets. His ulterior motive is to reunite her with a man she loved when she was young, and her motive is to help him overcome his ‘curse’ of non-commitment in relationships, for which she blames herself.

Streisand and Rogen are being offered the roles of mother and son, Joyce and Andy Brewster. The film has a script from Dan Fogelman ("Cars," "Crazy, Stupid, Love") and, less promisingly, has Anne Fletcher ("27 Dresses," "The Proposal") in the director's chair.

Again, these are just offers and both, one or neither of them may sign on. But the teaming of Streisand and Rogen could potentially be kind of great, so we'll be watching to see how this plays out.

Barbra and Jim Attend Standing Ovation Premiere

Barbra in Aspen

Barbra was in Aspen this week to attend the 'Aspen Ideas Festival'.
Entering its sixth year, the Aspen Ideas Festival is a conversation-packed exploration of some of the most important ideas and pressing issues we face. Presented by the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic magazine, the Festival strives to highlight the ideas of experts at the forefront of their fields and of leaders whose actions are changing the world.
Here's a photo of Barbra talking to Harvard Professor, Niall Ferguson:

Barbra is 2010 "California Hall of Fame" Inductee.

Sacramento, CA July 7, 2010 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver today released the names of the 2010 inductees to The California Museum's California Hall of Fame. In its fifth year, the California Hall of Fame has continued the tradition of honoring legendary people who embody California's innovative spirit and have made their mark on history.
The 2010 California Hall of Fame inductees are: Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, film-maker James Cameron, Silicon Valley visionary investor John Doerr, father of modern banking A.P. Giannini, country music legend Merle Haggard, author and activist Anne Lamott, former Secretary of State George Shultz, historian Dr. Kevin Starr, businessman and philanthropist Levi Strauss, screen and music icon Barbra Streisand, artist Wayne Thiebaud, comedienne Betty White, tennis champion Serena Williams, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
The 2010 inductees join 51 California Hall of Fame inductees who have made great achievements in science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, fitness, technology, activism and politics. The California Hall of Fame highlights the broad range of California interests by honoring trailblazers who have broken barriers in not just one field or talent, but have impacted the world with their overall courage, determination and creativity.

"The California Hall of Fame is a great way to honor amazing Californians whose dedication, determination and courage have helped shape this state," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "What they have accomplished reminds us all that we live in the greatest state, one of opportunity and prosperity. They make me proud to call California home, and proud that they are this year's inductees."

"I am so honored to be able to recognize this incredible roster of people who are not only an inspiration to me but to others across California and beyond," said First Lady Maria Shriver. "They represent the diversity, innovation and creativity that overflows from our amazing state."

"Eureka! That word best described the California Gold Rush and it best describes the discovery of pure, raw talent that has been mined in California since 1849," said The California Museum's Executive Director, Claudia French. "These 14 modern day explorers represent the passion and risk-taking that is quintessential California."

The California Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at The California Museum in Sacramento. The ceremony will be followed by a reception and unveiling of the new exhibit installation, featuring artifacts and mementos personally loaned by the inductees, their families and organizations, including many items that have never been exhibited before.

All living inductees and family of posthumous inductees are scheduled to participate in the presentation of the Spirit of California medals by the Governor and First Lady.

"California is known for its beauty, diversity and creative community," said Barbra Streisand. " It's respected for its leadership in scientific research, environmental awareness and regulation. But to me, for most of my adult life, California is simply home. Thank you to the State of California for honoring me as an artist and a citizen."

The California Hall of Fame-inspired Dreamers Challenge, an extension of the institution's mission to dare young people to dream, was designed to recognize innovative and creative thinking by awarding two $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors who can best illustrate how they would change the world. Unlike other scholarship contests, participants can respond in whatever medium suits their style and talent – painting, poetry, videos, musical creations, essays or Power Point presentations, for example.

Visit The California Museum website, CaliforniaMuseum.org, for more information and to access images and biographies of each of the inductees.

To date, the 2010 California Hall of Fame sponsors include The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women and the California Travel and Tourism Commission.

About The California Museum

The California Museum – home of the California Hall of Fame and California Legacy Trails – engages, educates and enlightens people about California's rich history and its unique contribution to the world through ideas, innovation, art and culture. Through captivating, interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum seeks to inspire men, women and children to dream the California dream and dare to make their mark on history. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-5 p.m.; Adults $8.50, Students/Seniors (with valid I.D.) $7, Children 6-13 $6.00; Free for Children 5 and Younger. Parking is free on the weekends. CaliforniaMuseum.org.

Barbra's New Book -- More Details

For nearly five decades Barbra Streisand has been one of the most singular figures in American entertainment. From the cabaret to the Broadway stage, from television and film stardom to her acclaimed work as a director, from the recording studio to the concert hall, she has demonstrated that the extraordinary voice that launched her career was only one of her remarkable gifts.

Now, in her first book, My Passion for Design, Barbra Streisand reveals another aspect of her talent: the taste and style that have inspired her beautiful homes and collections. My Passion for Design will focus on the architecture and construction of her newest homes, the dream refuge she has longed for since the days when she shared a small Brooklyn apartment with her mother, brother, and grandparents. The book itself, a culmination and reflection of Barbra's love of American architecture and design between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, will contain many of her own photographs of the rooms she has decorated, the furniture and art she has collected, and the ravishing gardens she has planned on her land on the California coast. In addition to glimpses of her homes, Barbra will share memories of her childhood, the development of her sense of style, and what collecting has come to mean to her.

My Passion for Design is a rare and intimate private tour into the world of one of our most beloved stars that will be welcomed by her fans and all lovers of the great achievements of American design.

Click here to pre-order this extraordinary book.

Barbra attends "South Of The Border" Screening in LA.

(L-R) James Brolin, Oliver Stone, Barbra Streisand and Benicio Del Toro attend the Los Angeles private screening of "South of the Border" at CAA on June 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Apologies for the poor quality photos.

"Little Fockers Trailer"

Click here to view the trailer.

A Family Affair in Hollywood.

Barbra and hubby James Brolin were spotted at the ArcLight Cinema last night for the premiere of Jonah Hex, which starred Josh Brolin (Son of James Brolin).

Barbra Talks To MatthewsPlace.com

In the fight for equality, sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the present that we forget that this struggle has been going on for decades --- and that those who have been speaking out on our behalf for many years have made possible the current level of societal acceptance of LGBT people.

There are few other individuals who have been such unabashed advocates for equality as Ms. Barbra Streisand, who has been at the forefront of the fight for her entire career. Recently Ms. Streisand was gracious enough to give a bit of her time to answer some questions for MatthewsPlace.com. We send her our sincere thanks for her compassion, generosity and candor. The world is a safer place because of her voice.

MP: In our work with young people, we often encounter folks who are consistently bullied in school and don't feel that anyone cares or even acknowledges what they are going through. Have you ever been picked on for something that made you different, and if so, what impact did those experiences have in making you the person you are today?

BS: When I was about 13 years old, I had my own style and kids made fun of me for the makeup I wore and the way I colored my hair. And when I was older and had established a career as a successful actress, I wasn't allowed to live in a particular apartment building in New York because I was either Jewish or in the entertainment industry. It was a horrible feeling. I could finally afford to buy an apartment in New York and I had recommendation letters from the mayor of [New York City] and the governor of [New York], but they still wouldn't let me purchase property in the building. I think those experiences made me sensitive to people who aren't always included in the mainstream. I am always conscious to recognize and empathize with those who have been marginalized, ignored, discriminated against, or bullied for being different. ?

MP: You've had such a remarkable career over many decades in film and music. Have you seen changes over that time period in the role LGBT people play in the entertainment industry, or in their ability to be open about themselves in the workplace?

BS: I think some of the most creative, talented and innovative people in our industry come from the LGBT community. But we do have a long way to go in terms of making it comfortable and safe for gays and lesbians in the industry to be open and honest about who they are. There is still fear that being "out" in Hollywood could compromise an actor's career by affecting the kinds of roles or opportunities he or she is offered. But in acknowledging that reality, I do believe that we are moving forward and starting to break through the stereotypes and stigmas that once really inhibited actors from being true to themselves and having a successful career in the business. I look forward to the day when people are hired because they are the best person for the job and are not excluded from opportunities because of their sexual preference, gender, or ethnicity.

MP: You have been a consistent advocate for equality throughout your career. In our work at the Foundation we are beginning to see a rise in the ally voice among young people. What role do you see their voice playing in the equality movement?

BS: I don't think many people would argue that LGBT equality is the civil rights fight of this generation. Young people today are far more open-minded about the issue than the older generation. The notion that gay people deserve the same rights as heterosexual people in marriage, the military, the workplace, etc., seems to be so obvious, yet the struggle continues. But this generation believes and understands that these rights should be available to all people, not just a privileged few. It's one of the major issues today where young people have found a common voice to rally behind, just as the civil rights movement was a unifying cause for my generation. This push for equality has created a new generation of activists, and I think that's wonderful.

Barbra and JB Attend Memorial Day Beach Party.

Barbra Streisand backs Scots music student for stardom

From DailyRecord.co.uk

A scots singing student has been tipped for stardom by legend Barbra Streisand.

Maureen McMullan, who's studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, came face to face with the superstar after she was told someone wanted to congratulate her on her performance of Summertime at a student show.
The 30-year-old, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, said: "I was astonished when Barbra Streisand stepped forward.
"She took my hand and said, 'You have a wonderful voice. Never give up.'"

Barbra Performs at Sandy Gallin's Birthday?

From The New York Post:

Legendary talent manager Sandy Gallin celebrated his 70th birthday in style -- by jokingly trying to strip Hugh Jackman at a party packed with stars including Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, David Geffen and Calvin Klein.

Gallin -- who managed Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey and Whoopi Goldberg -- threw his birthday bash at Donna Karan's West Village studio Thursday night. Streisand and Patti LaBelle performed at the party, but it was "Wolverine" star Jackman's turn that drove the crowd wild.

A spy told us, "Jackman got up and was singing to Sandy . . . Then Sandy jumped up and started to unbutton Jackman's shirt, but before he got too far, Jackman whirled him around and held his arms down. It was pretty funny."

Jackman, who's married with two kids, then joked, 'Come on, Sandy, let's face it. I am not your type. I am too old for you.' "

Streisand also performed two songs and poked fun at herself after repeatedly asking her pianist, composer-producer David Foster, to change the key. She said, "I am a little nervous. I didn't get to practice. I like to control." When Gallin yelled to her to perform "Over the Rainbow," she replied, "No."

Guests also included Joan Rivers, who gave a speech, Bette Midler, Vera Wang, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Sandra Bernhardt, CBS chief Les Moonves and wife Julie Chen, hotelier Jeff Klein and p.r. maven Peggy Siegal. Billionaire Ron Perelman and ex-wife Ellen Barkin were there, but stuck to opposite sides of the room. Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller delivered a video message from their yacht, while Parton, who's celebrating the 25th anniversary of Dollywood, also sent a greeting.

Our witness said, "It was amazing how many people had flown in from LA. Sandy is famous for throwing the best parties, and this was the best of them all."

Barbra on Broadway -- Again!

No, she wasn't performing -- but Barbra and James were spotted leaving the Broadway Play 'Red' on 26 May.

Photos of Barbra at BookExpo Event in New York. 25 May 2010.

Photos by Kevin Mazur.

USA Today: Barbra Streisand is at home with her 'Passion for Design'

By Bob Minzesheimer, USA TODAY
NEW YORK — At 68, Barbra Streisand is writing her first book — but it's no memoir.
"I'm a little too private. I'm not ready to write about my life," Streisand said Tuesday at the opening of BookExpo America, a publishing convention.

She said she tried writing a few chapters of an autobiography but quit after deciding that "this is hard. I'd rather write a book about design."

That $60 coffee table book, MyPassion for Design, will be released Nov. 16. It will feature 350 photographs of a complex of houses Streisand helped design in Malibu, Calif.

There's her "main house," where she lives; an "elegant barn," which she described as her art project; her "mill house" with 200-year-old beams; and a guest house, nicknamed "Grandma's house" by Streisand's husband, James Brolin.

It's a long way from her childhood in Brooklyn, N.Y. In a staged interview at the convention with Gayle King, editor at large of O magazine, Streisand mentioned her father, a teacher who died when she was 15 months old, and how her family couldn't afford a couch until her mother remarried when Streisand was 8.

"Maybe that's why I love couches," she said.

She linked her favorite color, burgundy, to a sweater she had as a child and described her love of "pure lipstick red."

Her passion for architecture blossomed, she said, in 1994 when a movie she was supposed to direct, an adaptation of Larry Kramer's play The Normal Heart, fell apart. "A house became my project. I made a house instead of a movie."

King asked Streisand if she kept anything in her California homes that remind her of her New York childhood.

"You mean like egg creams?" Streisand quipped.

King persisted.

"No," Streisand replied. "We lived in a $40-a-month apartment. Five people shared one bathroom. I have nothing that reminds me of that."

Associated Press: Streisand discusses design book at NYC's BookExpo

By Hillel Italie (AP)

NEW YORK — Creating the perfect house is more than a passion for Barbra Streisand. It's almost primal.

The 68-year-old singer-actress-director was promoting her upcoming design book Tuesday at BookExpo America at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Streisand says her many searches for cherished household objects is a way of compensating for her father's dying when she was 15 months old.

She told interviewer Gayle King that she thinks not having a father contributed to "this need of finding something you're looking for."

Streisand's "My Passion for Design" is scheduled to come out in the fall.

Barbra Streisand Brings Her Passion for Design to BEA

From Beliefnet.com

Last night I attended a rare, live interview with Barbra Streisand.

I don't think I am alone in saying that many people found it inspiring to just be in the same room with her.  Hearing her speak for an hour was a different kind of sacred.  Well... it was like buttah.

I could see why, in the words of Mike Meyers, Coffee Talk with Linda Richman, you could feel "a little verklempt" around her.  Even the interviewer, Gayle King, of Oprah Magazine and radio was the interviewer, did everything but bow at her feet to let her know how much she is adored.

She was there to kick off this year's Book Expo America--fondly known as BEA--as "the" keynote event. This coming fall, the Oscar-Emmy-Grammy-Tony winner and activist will add "author" to her impressive resume when her first book, My Passion for Design, is released by Penguin. BEA is the gathering place for booksellers and all of the publishing industry--a place where bestsellers are born.

It is so rare that Streisand does an interview that you want to listen closely as she shares details in a psychologically aware way. She said she had thought of writing a memoir, and penned a few chapters, but decided it is to personal and instead would write a design book. Even though most mortals will not get the chance to design million dollar homes, and may not be blessed with the same "exquisite" taste, we can dream and revel a bit in her devotion to details.

She shared that part of her meticulous detail to design came from a less than fortunate childhood. While her biggest fans seem to know this story, I had never heard it.

"We never had a couch," she said of her home in Brooklyn, NY,  where she lived with her Mom and brother after her dad died when she was 15 months old.  "So a couch was very special. My friends had couches. We only had a dining room table with stiff chairs so we sat around the dining room table."

Back then, she shared a bed with her mom and her brother slept on a pull out cot. It wasn't until her mom remarried when she was 8 that they had a couch. Even though it was unattractive with nubby olive green and gray, it was a couch! 

The only real piece of furniture she had in her room was a dresser. She put a fish tank atop to have "something that moved." Years later, she would have the Pacific ocean outside her door.

During the interview it was revealed she seriously dislikes (hates)  bright yellow and orange. She also mentioned a traumatic time in her youth that shaped her love of the color burgundy.

Preference for colors is psychologically linked to childhood, she said, and went on to tell the story of being sent to camp for kids with Anemia. Each child had to take medicated baths and wear a starched blue uniform. "The only way you could be individual was through your sweater."

Toby, the woman who watched her for her mom, knitted her a burgundy sweater with a wooden button, and it allowed young Barbra to have a color of her own. 

When Streisand talked about the "Elegant Barn" and  "Mill House" she designed, both featured in the book, the attention to detail and getting things right was pretty intense.  It sounded like the kind of famous attention to detail we have always heard of her putting into her movies.

She says ii is really just about getting it right. Her eye for seeing that which is out of place has allowed her to also create iconic music and movies. But, she admits, "it is a blessing and curse."

She explained that in 1994, when a deal to direct a movie adaption of "The Normal Heart" fell through, she put her creativity into designing a home on her property.  "I built a house instead of doing a movie,"  she said. Along the way, she went through a series of disappointing architects and construction crews and others who could not execute her vision.

She even took most of the 300 photos in her book herself. Why? She felt she had to. "Because it was my eye capturing the things I love."

Gayle King joked that Barbra was still furiously editing the galley of her book. "I will make changes until they rip it out of my hands," she admitted.

She refuted the idea that she is a perfectionist. "I only know that I strive for excellence. I don't know what it means to be a perfectionist. Nothing is perfect."

When King asked her if it is challenging to have her hands on every aspect of her work she admitted it can be and added, "But it allowed me to take responsibility for my own success."

From: http://blog.beliefnet.com/inspirationreport/2010/05/barbara-streisand-brings-her-passion-for-design-to-bea.html#ixzz0pLiyaad3

Putting It Together | Babs on Design

By Stephen Heyman -- New York Times.

As a rule, we avoid the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center like Chinese buffet. But for Barbra Joan Streisand, we made an exception. On Tuesday evening, Babs was on 11th Avenue to unveil her coming book, “My Passion for Design,” which is to be published by Viking in November. Passion? You could call it that, though Streisand’s relationship with design sounds more like an obsession. “When something is off its mark, it disturbs me viscerally,” she told a packed audience of publishing types gathered for BookExpo. “It’s not a good thing.”

Streisand, 68, will always be a New Yorker, but she’s been in Malibu so long she refers to our part of the world as “the East,” as if it’s Canaan or something. “The East” is where her architects come from, and Streisand has parted ways with quite a few of those, not to mention the stonemasons and the contractors she’s fired in her quest for residential paradise. She does not take no for an answer. She has created three homes on her ocean-side property, where she lives with her husband, the actor James Brolin, and her lap dog, Sammie, the Coton de Tuléar who’s pictured on the book’s cover. She’s tremendously hands-on: She makes her own sketches, and for a time she employed two full-time draftsmen to elaborate on them. She even took most of the photos that will appear in the book.

This affair with design began in 1990, when Streisand was scouting locations for “The Prince of Tides,” which was set in South Carolina. “I fell in love with plantation-style homes,” she recalled. She found a piece of property and wanted to build a Dixie dream house, with a magnificent closet fashioned like a department store. “We all live in our closets, don’t we?” Streisand asked the audience. “Well, some of us do.” But she decided she could do only the film or the house, and so the home project was deferred and the world saw Streisand, as Dr. Susan Lowenstein, steam it up with Nick Nolte. That odd pairing fits in with Streisand’s love of “the tension of opposites” — hard and soft, dark and light, Anshel and Yentl. Another example: she’ll cover a masculine Stickley wood chair with rose velvet. She’s also deeply into symmetry, and takes color-matching to great lengths, even coordinating the colors of the flowers in her garden to match her interiors. For her library, she picked only leatherbound books in burgundy and olive green.

Gayle King, the editor-at-large of O, the Oprah Magazine, interviewed Streisand but was obviously outmatched by the diva’s aesthetic prowess. “When I think of a Tiffany lamp,” King said, “I think of bright colors.” “No,” replied Streisand, “you’re thinking of fake Tiffany lamps.” Burn! King went on to quote Oprah, who likes to say, “God is in the details.” “Ah,” Streisand chimed in, “But Mies van der Rohe said the devil is in the details.” They’re both right, of course, but Babs had the last word.

BookExpo New York Review.

From Broadwayworld.com:

Barbra Streisand, the multi-gifted artist added another feather to her hat on May 25th by appearing in a casual setting at this year's BookExpo America (BEA) at the Opening Night Keynote Reception. This was the most anticipated keynote speaking event that the BookExpo experienced since Bill Clinton did the same event in 2004. People lined up a day early to secure tickets to be sure that they would see Barbra, and they did - in a new light and interviewed by the equally well known in popular culture - Gayle King, who is now a New Yorker.

It was a beautifully done, simply lit and executed event and the opening speech that brought on Ms. King and Ms. Streisand was given by Clare Ferraro, the president of Viking Penguin, Plume and Studio Books imprints of Penguin Putnam Publishing. It started out with a bang as Gayle and Barbra got into 'girl talk' immediately about color, clothing and things like that, and the laughs came tumbling down.

Gayle King expressed being in awe of Streisand and jumping at the opportunity to sit down with her. It was clear that she had read the galley of the book, cover to cover, in secret, on a plane coming from Los Angeles - while trying not to let anyone see over her shoulder.

The 288-page, photo filled book comes out on November 16, 2010 and is a great deal currently on sale at Amazon.com for a discounted price of $37.80.

There were some great things in the conversation including a previously unrevealed fact that surprised the audience - Streisand had also taken nearly all the photos in the book. As she said, "It's my eye, it's my vision, it's the way I see it" - to which, she got huge applause. The property she lives on in Malibu was clearly explained in terms of the three houses - the main house, 'Grandma's house' and the new elegant barn as well as the millhouse. The book is called My Passion For Design, and Streisand was on her game with the word 'passion' right up front.

Any question that Gayle asked, Barbra could immediately jump on and answer in a thorough and satisfying fashion, while also being quite entertaining as she confessed about her own characteristics regarding attention to detail, which could be perceived as both blessings and curses.

It became clear that the entire audience could relate to this as well as Gayle, as she herself told us had built two houses in her lifetime. The people at Penguin set the event up beautifully and there was a reception afterwards for guests of the book company. Streisand was praised for her diligence and delivery on such a full and complicated book, for which Rick Kot served as editor.

The other reason that this book will be a spectacular thing to own, is that Streisand wrote all of the content and it's loaded with stories and descriptions, as only she can do. Gayle did a nice job of touching on her career and Streisand told some very deep emotional childhood stories that were unexpected, but very welcome and made you understand much of what she has collected over the years and how she arrived at her work ethic, as a result of events during her youth. The whole thing lasted just over an hour, but the audience clearly would have stayed for more.

This book is something that everyone should put at the top of their Christmas list and should pre-order now to guarantee getting a copy, as its unknown how many will be in the first printing. We got a glimpse of the galley on the coffee table in front of her and it looks like a fascinating book that everyone will want to own. I must add, Gayle King got a huge round of applause for saying "it's nice to have a Kindle or a Nook or an iPad, but there's nothing like holding a book in your hand..." and the room burst into applause as you can imagine, since it was, after all, a BookExpo.

The event was low-key, not starry, accessible and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

Barbra and James in Boston.

Barbra and hubby James attended the 2010 commencement ceremony at Berklee College of Music on May 8, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. James Brolin's daughter, Molly, was graduating.

The couple then dined at French Restaurant "Clio" with Roger Brown, president of Brolin's daughter's alma mater Berklee, and Brown's wife Linda Mason.

Playbill.com: Barbra @ Broadway's Fences.

By Ernio Hernandez - Playbill.com

Playbill.com spotted Barbra Streisand on her recent May 11 trip to Broadway’s current Tony Award-nominated revival of Fences.

The songstress attended with designer Donna Karan.

Streisand also took in Sondheim on Sondheim May 12. The Broadway vet earned Tony Award nominations for her turns in I Can Get It for You Wholesale and Funny Girl. She received a 1970 Special Tony Award.

"One Night Only" DVD Debuts at #1.

Click here for the report:

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/news/another-billboard-1-barbra

"What's Up, Doc?" - First Barbra Movie on Blu-ray

Coming 10th August 2010.

Extras include:

• Scene-specific commentary by Barbra Streisand, 
• Full movie commentary by Peter Bogdanovich
• Vintage Featurette.

Columbia Records to Release DVD/CD Of Barbra Streisand's Historic 2009 One Night Return To Cabaret Performance

NEW YORK, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most celebrated concert performances of recent years, a one-time only event witnessed by little more than one hundred lottery-selected Barbra Streisand fans, will be made available on DVD and DVD/CD Combo Pack as well as Blu-Ray Disc by Columbia Records on May 4. The label has announced that release date for One Night Only – Barbra Streisand And Quartet At The Village Vanguard –September 26, 2009.

One Night Only covers the entire experience of Ms. Streisand's first cabaret performance in 48 years. The extraordinary event coincided with release of her Number One charting album Love Is The Answer last September which became the 51st Gold Record for the legendary singer who also has 30 Platinum. That top-of-the-charts launch for the leading album-selling female recording artist of all time (as noted by the RIAA) extended to five her record number of consecutive decades with a #1 charting. The new One Night Only CD will be a limited edition available only in the DVD/CD Combo Pack.

Ms. Streisand topped the DVD charts for three weeks in 2009, reigning for that period at number one with her three disc Streisand The Concerts. Her two disc Director's Extended Edition of Yentl was one of the top motion picture DVD offerings of last year.

An absorbing dream-come-true you-are-there high definition audio-visual document of Streisand's first cabaret performance in 48 years, One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard - September 26, 2009 immerses the home viewer in a tiny West Village nightclub, privy to the best sight lines and sound imaginable, to share an exclusive and intimate evening that prompted the New York Times to marvel, "Concerts by Ms. Streisand are rare, but the scale of Saturday's show was exceptional enough to briefly upend the natural social order of celebrity events... Ms. Streisand was booked for one night at the Vanguard — legal capacity 123, absurdly small for an artist who has sold over 71 million albums in the United States alone... But outnumbering the boldface names were two busloads of ticket-lottery winners, ordinary fans from around the world. Some said they had never been able to afford a Streisand ticket before, but on this night they rubbed elbows with Oscar winners, The Secretary Of State and a former president..."

Songs on One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard - September 26, 2009 include "Here's To Life," "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Gentle Rain," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)," "Where Do You Start?," "Nobody's Heart (Belongs to Me), "Make Someone Happy," "My Funny Valentine," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)," "Some Other Time," and "The Way We Were." The DVD and Blu-ray disc include as a bonus, a feature on the club and its legendary owner Lorraine Gordon.

One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard - September 26, 2009 is Executive Produced by Barbra Streisand and Martin Erlichman.

Barbra Streisand's Village Vanguard performance was originally booked to celebrate the release of Love Is The Answer, the artist's album of jazz standards hearkening back to her musical roots in New York cabaret. Released the week of the Village Vanguard show, Love Is The Answer became her ninth #1 album on the Billboard 200 and her 51st RIAA gold album in the US.

One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard - September 26 is now available for pre-order on barbrastreisand.com.

"Barbra Streisand to Headline Bookexpo America"

Annual Book Convention Welcomes Show Business Legend on Opening Night

Norwalk, CT, March 30, 2010: Barbra Streisand, the legendary actress, singer, and director, will appear at this year’s BookExpo America (BEA) at the Opening Night Keynote Reception on Tuesday, May 25th. She will be interviewed before thousands of booksellers and book industry professionals about My Passion for Design, to be published by Viking on November 16, 2010. It will be Ms. Streisand’s first appearance on behalf of the book.

“We are honored to welcome Barbra Streisand to our stage,” notes Steven Rosato, Event Director for BookExpo America. “One of the truly exceptional things about having a distinguished guest like Ms. Streisand headline our event for us is that it calls attention to the strength, vitality, and excitement that is so much part of the book industry. We are deeply grateful to Ms. Streisand for committing her time and energy to what is certain to be a stellar moment at BEA.”

In her first book, My Passion for Design, Barbra Streisand reveals another aspect of her talent: the taste and style that have inspired her extraordinary homes and collections. My Passion for Design will focus on the architecture and construction of her newest homes, the dream refuge that she has longed for since the days when she shared a small Brooklyn apartment with her mother, brother, and grandparents.

BookExpo America will take place May 25th – May 27th at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. It is a business convention, open only to members of the book trade. The Opening Night Keynote Reception will be in the Special Events Hall and all registered attendees will be admitted.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS: Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 39 fully staffed offices.

Reed organizes a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including:
Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewelry, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.

My Passion for Design: A Private Tour

New All About Barbra Magazine Coming...

It's here! Issue number 2 of the newly re-launched All About Barbra STREISAND - and what an issue it is!!

ALL ABOUT BARBRA STREISAND MAGAZINE – ISSUE NO. 2 – ORDER NOW

This issue will ship Mid April – please make sure you order now.

It's packed with great, exclusive features, including:

The Vanguard – come to the show via an ‘exclusive’ article by Richard Jay-Alexander, one of Barbra’s closest friends. You won’t read this anywhere else! We Are The World: All About Barbra takes you ‘inside’ the recording session in another ‘World Exclusive’ written by Barbra’s personal A&R, Jay Landers, who accompanied Barbra on the day.

Also, Spotlight on Barbra’s husband, actor James Brolin / WIN a hand-written note by Barbra in our exclusive competition in support of the Nothing’s Impossible Project. / The Oscars / On A Clear Day / Happy Birthday, Barbra, your messages to Barbra! / All the latest news and pictures rounded up in Just For The Record… plus lots more…


**We are using a ‘direct mailing' company make sure you’re on the first listing and get your issue quickly and on time!


http://www.allaboutbarbra.com/

A Letter From Barbra.

Barbra Streisand.
March 5, 2010

Dear Friend,

As we go about our everyday lives, it’s easy to take for granted the strong, steady beating
of our hearts. But, sadly, the odds are that many of us will someday face serious cardiac
problems. The fact is heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men
and women in the United States.

Women tend to worry more about breast cancer because it’s always in the news. But heart
disease takes the lives of 500,000 mothers, daughters, sisters and friends every year—more
than all cancers combined.

In fact, while the mortality rate for men with coronary artery disease has been declining for the
past 30 years, the number of women who die from it is rising. This is due, in part, to the fact
that diagnostic and treatment methods have been geared towards men.

Women have paid a huge price for the medical and scientific community not knowing about
the important gender differences in heart disease. What gives me hope is knowing that the
Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center is here for us.

Through gender-specific heart research, the development of new diagnostic tools,
breakthrough clinical trials using stem cells to enable the heart to heal itself, and specialized
care for women, the Women’s Heart Center is improving the detection and treatment of
women’s heart disease. When you consider that 40 percent of women don’t survive their first
heart attack, you can see why I’m excited about this work!

I’m writing to you today because I deeply believe that women’s heart disease is an epidemic
worthy of our philanthropic support. If you share this belief, I hope you will join me in
supporting Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center by sending a donation today.
Even a small gift will help save women’s hearts and lives.

Thank you, in advance, for your kind generosity. Working together, we can make a real
difference.

Warm regards,

Barbra Streisand

P.S. I have played many roles over the years, but one that makes me particularly proud is the
role I play as a supporter of the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center. It is an honor to have the
opportunity to ask for your support of this wonderful program.

Barbra Streisand

Click here to make an online donation to the Women's Heart Center.

If you prefer to make a donation by mail (check), please send to this address:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
8700 Beverly Blvd Suite 2416
Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Singers on Sondheim: Day 1, Streisand

Taken from Playbill:

Singers on Sondheim: Day 1, Streisand

This week, as Stephen Sondheim (and the world) celebrates his 80th birthday, I wanted to share some thoughts on one of America’s most influential songwriters from the performers who bring his music to life.

Today, I give you Barbra Streisand. Streisand is no stranger to Sondheim’s work, having included songs like “Send in the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music “Being Alive,” from Company, and “Not While I’m Around,” from Sweeney Todd on her albums “The Broadway Album” and “Back to Broadway.”

I remember watching Sondheim watching Streisand perform some of his songs at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2006. It was a magical moment seeing one master watch another.

*****

“Isn’t it rich?” Your words and your music are rich in substance and wit… and compassion. A rich mind…a rich talent.

“Are we a pair?” It was so exciting to work with you on The Broadway Album…your openness…your willingness to reexamine a standard you wrote many years before…like “Send in the Clowns.” When I was exploring it, even wrote a new bridge for me. In “Putting It Together,” you took a song that was about making art and revised the words to make it about recording music. How many writers would do that? Somehow you were able to say exactly what I wanted to say, but in rhymes! It’s brilliant! Thank you. Thank you!

And you wrote special lyrics, just for me, to “I’m Still Here” when I opened in my first concert after not singing in public for 27 years.

“Isn’t it bliss?” Your music gives me so much to work with as an actress…the intricacy of the lyrics…the layers of meaning. You always find original ways to say things. Yet every word, every note, feels inevitable. You capture the truth in the most poetic way. It’s just how I like things…simply complex.

You’re the best at what you do. Keep writing, Stephen. I’m not done yet…and neither are you.

***********

New DVD: One Night Only. Barbra Streisand And Quartet at the Village Vanguard. Full Details.

Barbra Streisand live at the Village Vanguard, New York’s legendary jazz club.

In the early 60’s, clubs like the Village Vanguard were scattered throughout Greenwich Village. Now it stands alone, the last of its kind.

In September 2009, a select group of fans and friends had the rare opportunity to experience Barbra’s performance in the ultimate up-close-and-personal setting. Accompanied only by piano, bass, guitar and drums, this is the artist at her most intimate.

This special concert will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 4, 2010.

•Introductions
•Here’s To Life
•In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
•Gentle Rain
•Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
•If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)
•Where Do You Start?
•Nobody’s Heart (Belongs To Me)
•Make Someone Happy
•My Funny Valentine
•Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
•Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)
•Some Other Time
•(Encore) The Way We Were
•Credits
•BONUS: INTERVIEW WITH VILLAGE VANGUARD OWNER LORRAINE GORDON

Pre-order Links:

DVD + CD. Special Edition 2 disc set: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BZXI1O?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003BZXI1O

DVD only (no CD): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BZXHX8?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003BZXHX8

Blu-ray: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BZXI6E?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003BZXI6E

BLU RAY: One Night Only: Barbra Streisand At The Village Vanguard

Click here to pre-order:

One Night Only: Barbra Streisand & Quartet at [Blu-ray]

Barbra To Present Award At This Year's Academy Awards.

It's true! Barbra is planning on attending and presenting an award at this year's Academy Awards.

Barbra won Oscars® in 1968 for her lead performance in “Funny Girl” and in 1976 for the Original Song “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born).”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Cover Art Released For Forthcoming Vanguard DVD

Cover Art now available at Barbra's Official Website.

Pre-order Barbra's New Book, Coming November 2010.

My Passion for Design: A Private Tour

Village Vanguard DVD Coming To DVD May 4

As stated on Barbra's official website, I can confirm that Barbra's Village Vanguard Concert from September 2009 will be released in its entirety on DVD, May 4 2010. Barbra performed a selection of songs from her new album, "Love is The Answer" which was released 3 days later, and debuted at #1, along with some old favorites including "The Way We Were, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", "Evergreen" and "My Funny Valentine".

If you'd like to purchase a copy of the album, you can using this link:

"We Are The World" Debuts At #2

Nearly 25 years after hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, charity single "We Are the World" makes its way back to chart, debuting at No. 2, thanks to the all-star collective Artists for Haiti. "World" trails Ke$ha's "TiK ToK,' which holds at No. 1 for a ninth straight week.

Over 80 artists, ranking from today's young hitmakers (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus) to legendary vocalists (Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand) gathered in Los Angeles to re-record the 80s classic on February 1st, a day after the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

The video for "We Are the World 25: For Haiti" premiered during the first two days of the XXI Winter Olympics on NBC (Friday & Saturday, Feb. 12 & 13) with the title hitting digital retailers on Friday evening. With just over two days of sales, "World" moves 267,000 downloads and enters the Digital Songs chart at No. 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The original "World," by USA for Africa debuted at No. 21 on the Hot 100 in the issue dated March 23, 1985 and rose to No. 1 three weeks later, where it held for four successive weeks.

Released six years before the advent of Nielsen SoundScan piece-count sales data, USA for Africa's version was certified for sales of 4 million copies (4x Platinum) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) within a month of its release.

Official Site of We Are The World 25 For Haiti (includes Video feat. Barbra).

Official Site of We Are The World 25 For Haiti -- Barbra took part.

Barbra's Most Romantic Broadway Love Song Is...

Barbra talked to Broadwayworld.com about her favorite Broadway Love Song.

The first song that comes to mind is Rodgers & Hammerstein's "If I Loved You" from CAROUSEL. It's just about the most perfect love song written for the theater. I admire the intelligence of the lyric's premise -- two people each too shy to express their love, so they couch their true feelings in the form of a question, and then pretend it hardly matters...when of course they know it does. With its heart swelling melody, it never ceases to touch people. A few years ago during my last concert tour I loved singing Maury Yeston's "Unusual Way" from NINE. It's about those kinds of relationships where love isn't easily defined.

The Truth About The "We Are The World Recording".

To clarify the ridiculous assertions relating to Barbra Streisand's participation in the new "We Are The World," the recording of which I attended with her, Barbra hit it on her first take, but then asked Patti Austin, who was producing the vocal session, if she could do a few more to see what else she might come up with. Patti thought the first take was perfect, and she thought the fourth one was more perfect. They stopped at "more perfect."
---Jay Landers / SVP A&R Columbia Records.

New Footage Of Barbra At "We Are The World" Recording Session.

BroadwayWorld.com has posted a fantastic video from the recording of "We Are The World" -- recorded in Los Angeles, last week.

Barbra seems to be really enjoying herself!
Click here to watch the video.

Barbra All Smiles For The Paparazzi!

Barbra and James dine after the recording of 'We Are The World'.

Patti Austin Talks About Relationship With Barbra

Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin was instrumental in helping mentor Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie make "We Are the World - 25 for Haiti," and she shares insightful moments on the historic re-recording of the classic song!

Patti says her dream moment was getting to work with Streisand to produce her solo segment of the song. "I had a great relationship with her," she says. "It was amazing to get into the studio with her and work on this wonderful line that she was going to sing that kind of introduces the melody for the first time."
"We Are the World -- 25 For Haiti" will premiere later this month during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on NBC.

Barbra Lends Vocals To Charity Song.

Barbra Streisand joined other Music stars including Kanye West, Pink and Celine Dion to re-record the 1985 charity hit We Are the World to raise money for Haiti.

More than 75 singers gathered on Monday (1 February 2010) to record the track together at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, the same studio the original was made.

The song will air for the first time on 12 February on US TV channel NBC.

Barbra Attends Pre-Grammy Party In L.A.

New York Daily News:

Barbra Streisand's happy days are here again: The legendary songstress was all the talk Saturday night at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hilton in L.A.

"It's rare for Barbra to show up to pre-Grammy parties, so this was a huge surprise," a music insider tells us. "No one could stop talking about her being there. Everyone thought that all eyes would be on Rihanna, but no one could care less after Barbra showed up."

What's Up Doc Coming To Blu-Ray

Warner Bros. will release WHAT'S UP DOC on Blu-Ray this year. Release date to be confirmed.

Details coming soon.

Barbra Dines With Anjelica Huston

Barbra Streisand is photographed as she departs from E. Baldi Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California on January 26, 2010, after lunching with Anjelica Huston.

Roz Focker Returns!

Barbra has completed filming for the new Fockers sequel, which will be released in late 2010. (July 2010 dates are incorrect).

Barbra Streisand Barbie Doll

Singer, actress, producer, and now doll! The legendary singer has 30 platinum albums and a couple of Oscars to her credit, and is the top-selling female artist in American music history. This impressive Pink Label Barbie Collection Barbra Streisand Doll stands approximately 11 1/2-inches tall in a stunning likeness of the legend herself. Barbra Streisand comes in an elegant white top and black dress, complete with a classic microphone stand. She's a true delight for her many fans and collectors alike!



Click HERE to order