These days, all that glitters is Ke$ha. With her smash hit, "TiK ToK," landing the number- one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, the global pop superstar singer-songwriter likely has Lady Gaga shaking in her 10-inch Alexander McQueen stilettos. Ke$ha’s debut album, Animal, which was produced by Dr. Luke, is fierce, and loaded with pump-up-the-volume beats and clever lyrics that are destined to become some of the best one-line zingers to hit the pop-culture landscape.

Musician Christian McBride has an intriguing way of seeing things, which surfaces when he talks about his instrument, the bass, and his devotion, jazz. “Playing bass is the exact same thing as being in offensive alignment in pro football,” he tells us. “In jazz, the focus tends to be on the vocalist or the horn player. Usually, the rhythm section is relegated as the support cast; we are the back-up guys. In football, the focus is placed on the quarterback, or the running back, or the wide receiver — those are your vocalists, saxophone, and trumpet

Having resided on the cutting edge for most of her life, interdisciplinary artist-performer Rachel Rosenthal, known for her shaved head, feminist views, and an unwavering love of animals, the provocative and avante garde artist recently turned 83 and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Having recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, the Grammy Museum is in the midst of its grandest exhibit yet, “Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer,” a new Smithsonian traveling exhibition, that launched on the King’s 75th birthday, January 8th. The exhibit runs through March 28, 2010.

Lee Daniels is a man of many talents. He directs. He produces. He pushes the envelope, hard, and often. And no matter how uncomfortable or beautiful or ugly, he always strives to tell the truth.

Anna Kendrick has always excelled at playing the smartest person in the room, and one who you definitely want to watch your back around. We were introduced to Kendrick in her bigscreen debut, Todd Graff’s Camp in 2003, when she played young teen actress wannabe Fritzi Wagner in a notable supporting role. Described by one adult character in the film as a “scary little girl,” Wagner begins the story as a mousy sidekick to blonde theater star diva Jill (Alana Allen), but then manages to quite literally push Jill off the stage in a fierce All About Eve-style

Actor James McAvoy is in high demand these days. After his breakout role in The Last King of Scotland, followed by lauded roles in Atonement and the action-packed Wanted, the affable Scottish actor is now a bona fide movie star.

To say actress Abbie Cornish has been moved by the roles she’s played is an understatement. Among other parts, the Australian actress has played a ladyin- waiting to a Queen (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), the love interest of one of England’s most famous poets (Bright Star), and a heroin addict (Candy). Talking with the 27- year-old, it’s obvious within a few moments how impassioned and dedicated she is to her craft. Many an actor after finishing a role, leaves it forever, but not Cornish. Every film has left an indelible mark, in a good way; through these experiences, she has gleaned insight not only into her characters, but herself, thus making her not only a