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Zappa Family

dorriolds — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:23:36 +0000

Zappa Family Trust

I would’ve guessed that the Zappa Family Trust was worth around ten million, give or take a few mill. However, Frank’s wife Gail became possessive and controlling about protecting anyone from using the Zappa name. lawsuits. She was vindictive Gail Zappa squandered millions for years to pay legal fees for blocking anyone from gaining financially from everything she’d trademarked including the Zappa name, the Zappa mustache logo, photos, music, writings, and anything else she could sue anyone for.

Background

Musician Frank Zappa (1940 – 1993) and his second wife, Gail Zappa (1945 – 2015), had four kids. Their oldest daughter is Moon who was born in 1967. Their son Dweezil was born a couple years later in 1969. Ahmet arrived on earth in 1974, and their youngest, Diva, was born in 1979.

Gail spent much of her life and gobs of money on lawsuits. She became infamous for blocking anyone who wanted to use the Zappa name. She even had a copyright on the Zappa mustache. What’s peculiar is that included blocking family members.

Frank died from prostate cancer. He’d been a chain-smoker since his teens. Gail Zappa, Frank’s surviving spouse set up the Zappa Family Trust in 2002. After her death in 2015, she left their four children in a bizarre situation.

Gail Zappa

After Gail’s death, the four heirs to the Zappa Family Trust discovered that the matriarch left them with a trust fund. But it was millions of dollars in debt. Gail inexplicably chose to divide the trust, pitting the two older siblings, Dweezil and Moon, against younger sibs Ahmet and Diva. The younger set inherited 30% each, while the older set of sibs received only 20% each.

Moon and Dweezil

Hence, Moon and Dweezil had no vote in any legal decisions about the Zappa Family Trust. Ahmet had control. Moon and Dweezil were named as beneficiaries only. The bottom line is this: until millions of dollars in debt are paid off, and until the trust becomes profitable, Moon and Dweezil will receive no money at all. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

“We’re like shareholders who have no say in anything.”
— Dweezil.
“I was completely blindsided. “For a whole year I was taking care of my mother – bringing her green juice and driving her to her doctor appointments. How do you look someone in the eye and say, ‘Thank you for the foot rub’ and be plotting against that human? It’s unconscionable.”
— Moon
— Rolling stone

Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa

Dweezil Zappa received a cease-and-desist letter from the family trust lawyers. Younger brother Ahmet was the overseer. Hence, Ahmet could have stopped that unpleasant turn of events. Things got messier when the public was made aware of the family feud.

It was Dweezil who announced that it was his own bro who was forcing Dweezil to change the name of an upcoming “Zappa Plays Zappa” tour. This cruel move came after Dweezil spent years building a reputation and selling merch with that spelled out. A thing like that turns out to be mighty costly.

Dweezil can play the complicated music that was composed by their dad Frank. The new name is “Zappa Plays Whatever the Fuck He Wants: The Cease and Desist Tour.” The brilliant name reflects Frank’s sense of humor and would’ve made his brilliant and hilarious father proud. To me, it sounds like it came from Frank Zappa’s ghost. Either that or Dweezil’s dark side and flair for riotous satire is from Frank’s genes.

Frank Zappa Childhood

Bobby Zappa, Frank’s younger brother, wrote about their childhood in Frankie and Bobby: Growing Up Zappa. I was speaking on a panel at the hired as graphic designer, social media consultant, copyeditor of the book. We quickly became great friends. I was privy to a lot of unpleasant information about Gail through him.

Bobby received legal pushback about using his own surname because Gail had trademarked “Zappa.” The other terribly sad truth is that Gail blocked Bobby from seeing the contents of the Zappa Family Trust. Before Bobby died he was thrilled to connect with Dweezil and Moon.

2020 Movie ‘ZAPPA’ by Alex Winter is awesome. Check the website for how to watch. You’ll be glad you did!

Enjoy the film ZAPPA by Alex Winter

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Scott Haze Amazes in James Franco’s ‘Child of God,’ a Movie Based on Cormac McCarthy Novel

dorriolds — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 13:46:06 +0000

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, I sat down with actor writer director James Franco and actor Scott Haze who plays lead character Lester Ballard in the movie “Child of God.” The movie is based on Cormac McCarthy’s third book and true to McCarthy form, it is a dark, disturbing tale of life at its rawest. Ballard is a human abomination, a deranged man that society has forsaken. Lester’s father hung himself, and his mother ran off leaving him to fend for himself in a cabin in the woods. He is more feral beast than human.
Ballard is a murderer, rapist and necrophiliac. He also shoots stuffed animals. That scene, although tragic, was also hilarious and the levity was appreciated. Most of it is darker than dark — one of my favorite things in any movie. But the trouble Franco ran into with both the screenplay he wrote and directing the film is that it is repetitive.
I will say there’s plenty of excitement, though, in between those repetitions. Ballard, devoured by loneliness and isolation, runs around the woods with a rifle, finds a dead woman and drags her home for company and necrophilia, and he talks to himself. He also talks to his stuffed animals and to both of the cadavers he has crushes on. Strangely, this anti-hero comes across as a sympathetic character because it is clear that the horrid hand he was dealt in life made him who he is. The movie is about man’s inherent need to be connected to others, to experience companionship, love, and sex.
Haze earned an Academy Award nomination in my opinion and I’ve got fingers and toes crossed that he gets one. His portrayal of Ballard is some of the best acting you will ever see. Haze threw himself into the role and became Ballard — sans the violence and necrophilia.
To get into the right headspace Haze left L.A. and his iPhone and went to Tennessee for three months. He lived in a cabin in the woods for two months and a cave for a month. During our interview Haze said, “The reason I went to Tennessee is I knew I couldn’t prepare for this role in Los Angeles. I had to do a lot of work. I had to lose the muscle, grow hair everywhere. When I was isolated in Tennessee I really got to see what it’s like to have those times when you’re talking to yourself, which added to the performance, which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t isolated myself for that period of time. Just the mumbling, the things that go through somebody’s head when they spend too much time alone.”
The New York City premiere of “Child of God” was Wednesday night at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Chatting with him earlier, Franco, 36, had mussed hair and kept his black leather jacket on. At the red carpet the star looked crisp in a black checked suit with chestnut brown shoes, and a Copenhagen-blue silk tie against a white shirt. He told the crowd, “I’m proud to be part of this movie by my favorite living writer.”
Haze arrived with actress Elissa Shay. Haze wore a dark blue suit, matching tie, white shirt and black shoes. Shay wore a red silk halterneck gown with thigh-high slits.
Lana Del Rey, 29, looked ravishing in a white brocade high-waisted pencil skirt, matching cropped top with a white underlay that covered her middle. She wore strappy gold sandal flats and her signature winged eyeliner.
“Child of God” opened Fri., August 1, 2014. Crime drama. Rated R. 104 min.
Watch the trailer

Watch James Franco talk about necrophilia

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and His Numbers

dorriolds — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 08:03:04 +0000

As Michael Bloomberg’s third term comes to an end here are some of his noteworthy numbers.
$1 Salary Bloomberg earns yearly as mayor of New York City
$370,000,000 Amount of money Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed in 2012 for Bloomberg’s charitable activities in public health, environment, government innovation, initiative, arts and education
$7.5 billion Amount of money allotted to Bloomberg’s municipal affordable housing plan, the largest since the Koch administration
$108,371,685 Amount Bloomberg spent on his campaign for a third term as mayor
$27 billion Networth, in dollars, making Bloomberg the 7th richest man in the US
523,000 Twitter followers
450 Miles of bike lanes created during Bloomberg’s tenure as mayor
1,000 Number of NYPD officers devoted to the counter-terrorism unit created under Bloomberg’s leadership in 2002
16 Maximum number of ounces of soda and juices allowed in NYC restaurants under Bloomberg’s attempted beverage ban
532,911 Number of New Yorkers searched by the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk program in 2012, a 548 percent increase since Bloomberg’s first year in office
108 Bloomberg is the 108th Mayor of the City of New York
Political Parties:
Democratic (Before 2001)
Republican (2001–2007)
Independent (2007–Present)

source: Manhattan, October 2013

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Who Doesn’t Want to Meet a Prince?

dorriolds — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:28:51 +0000

I’ve been having such a good time interviewing celebrities lately.

Today I met my first Prince! He is Italian Prince Lorenzo Borghese. Most people know him from the ABC show The Bachelor. He is an animal lover and advocate with a soft voice and humble demeanor. Lorenzo is the son of Prince Francesco Marco Luigi Costanzo Borghese (born 1938) and his American wife, Amanda Leigh. He is author of the book, The Prince of Nowhere, a historical novel and he invented a gentle, moisturizing pet shampoo.

Look for my article in the November issue of the New York Resident magazine!

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Face to Face — A Riveting Book

dorriolds — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:37:15 +0000

I could not put this book down. I read it straight through in a couple of hours. It is a harrowing tale but one that ends with hope and left me feeling relieved and inspired. It’s a mother’s tale of her son’s suicide attempt. Look for my upcoming review in the August NY Resident magazine.

“It was just before Thanksgiving when my son put a shotgun under his chin and pulled the trigger. He survived, but the blast obliterated his face. As I watched him struggle back to physical and mental health, I wrote what I saw and felt in my journals. This book came from those journals and from my son’s memories, which he shared with me. I freely admit that this book is written from our point of view and colored by our emotions. It was not written coldly and objectively, as a reporter would have written it, but from a mother’s heart. My hope is that our story might spare someone from suffering through the same torment we experienced. My family has found that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there can be a happy ending to even the most tragic story.” —Judith Casey

Face to Face

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Hot Fun in the Summertime

dorriolds — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:40:09 +0000

Forget your cares, c’mon get happy. While the weather is fine we can reach right up and touch the sky—ready, set, go.

Tours

New Chelsea Food Tour

www.walkingtoursmanhattan.com

Visit art galleries, nightclubs, the famous Chelsea Hotel, High Line Park, Chelsea Piers and stop at Chelsea Market, an indoor gourmet food lovers paradise. Covers 1 mile. Includes a full-dinner from 4 of the most popular local Thai, Cuban, French and Italian restaurants. Mon, Wed 5pm, $34.

Champagne Brunch Sunday Sail

www.cloud9living.com

Cruise the harbor in style for a unique Sunday brunch experience. NYC’s only floating designated landmark, an 82-foot schooner, carries you gently through the sun and spray. The package includes a big buffet, coffee, tea and open bar. The menu offers salmon, meats, cheeses, homemade breads, muffins, bagels and cakes. May–October, Sundays 11am–1pm. Adults $79, children 12 and under $39.

Edgar Allen Poe Greenwich Village Tour

www.unclesamsnewyork.com

A rich literary, cultural and artistic journey awaits. You’ll visit the home of Edgar Allen Poe, view music clubs on Bleecker Street where Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix played, stroll through Washington Square Park and learn about the haunts of Lenny Bruce and the beat generation. Mon, Fri, Sat 2pm, 2 hours. Adults $25, Children ages 5–12 $20, kids under 5 free.

Helicopter Flight Grand Island

www.viator.com

A 25-minute helicopter flight over Manhattan and the 5 boroughs. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Empire State Building and Central Park. The aircraft is modern, state-of-the-art and comfortable. This is an unusually fun heart-pumping thrill.
Choose your dates and times.
$270 per person, infants free.

Outdoor Dining

Beyoglu

www.zagat.com
Upper East Side’s sidewalk Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine offers something to satiate everyone. Vegetarian, meat and fish entrees, appetizers of filo dough stuffed with cheese and grilled chicken salads will hit the spot. It’s also perfectly positioned for prime people-watching.
Daily
Noon–10:30pm
1431 Third Avenue at 81st Street 212-650-0850

Central Park Boathouse

www.thecentralparkboathouse.com

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more idyllic spot anywhere in Manhattan to enjoy American, Traditional and Seafood meals. Grab a lakeside table and gaze at the wildlife. Try the Charcuterie Salad with Poached Chicken, Duck Confit and Cabbage, or Jumbo Lump Crump Crab Cake—it’s like a party in your mouth. The kids will love the burgers.
Central Park, Fifth Avenue at 72nd Street
212-517-2233
Mon–Fri Noon – 4pm; 5:30–9:30pm
Sat–Sun 9:30am – 4pm; 6–9pm.

Festivals

Lexington Avenue Street Fair

www.nycstreetfairs.com

A down-home street festival celebration from East 42nd to 57th Streets with more than 500 varieties of ethnic foods, arts and crafts and cultural exhibits. Saturday, May 28, 11am–6pm. Free.

HBO Bryant Park Summer Movie Festival

www.bryantpark.org

An annual summer event, this free movie festival makes Monday evenings something to look forward to. Thousands of New Yorkers flock to the Bryant Park lawn with picnic baskets, blankets, and bottles of wine to catch a free flick at sundown.
Mondays, June 20 – August22.
Free.

The Montauk Juried Art Show

www.montaukartshow.com

The Montauk Artists Association is hosting their Memorial Day weekend Juried Fine Art Show on the Montauk Village Green May 28 – 29. There will be an exciting field of artists from all over our country as well as Israel, Turkey, Peru, China and Europe, bringing their paintings and prints, photographs and digital art, jewelry, ceramics, leatherwork and outdoor garden and table top sculptures.
Saturday 10 AM–6 PM
and
Sunday 10 AM–5 PM.
The Green is located on Route 27 in the center of Montauk.

The article was published in the June issue of the New York Resident magazine.

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Best of the Summer Arts & Culture

dorriolds — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:57:10 +0000

MOVIES

Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts opens July 1.
It’s about a simple guy (Hanks) who gets fired when the company downsizes. With a desire to start over he goes to college. There he develops a crush on his teacher (Roberts). Their lives had seemed sadly stalled but then an unexpected lesson comes along and rejuvenates both of them.

John Carpenter’s The Ward opens July 8
The master of horror, best known for directing Halloween, hadn’t directed a feature film in nearly a decade. Now he’s back with this story of a girl who wakes up in a psychiatric hospital after being caught for pyromania—she burned down a farmhouse. At the hospital she is disoriented and suffering from amnesia. The lighting is dark and creepy, there’s oodles of strange noises and malevolent ghosts. The other girls begin to inexplicably disappear. It’s not a great film but for those who like cheap thrills and jumping out of their seats, it’s fun summer entertainment.

Project Nim opens July 8 at the Angelika Film Center
Nim is a chimpanzee who became the subject of a 1970s experiment to see if an ape could learn to communicate with language if he were raised like a human child. It is a heartbreaking and unsettling biography of a chimp that people tried to make human. It’s more than just a documentary, this film will leave you feeling deeply moved.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens July 15
This is the epic finale. The battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort.

Captain America: The First Avenger opens July 22
Based on a Marvel comic book, this movie is about a U.S. World War II army soldier who agrees to a top-secret military experiment. He is given supernatural powers and proceeds to use them to defeat his nemesis, The Red Skull. Lots of action and fight scenes.

BOOKS

I’m a Fan: How I married U2 into my life without going to the altar by Eric Shivvers
This is an inside look into one of U2’s most passionate fans. The author, a devotee of the Irish band for over 25 years, takes us on his personal journey. From the collapse of his parent’s marriage to sitting on Oprah’s couch shortly before Bono takes the stage for a taping, Eric shares with us his parent’s divorce, his battle with depression and more of life’s pitfalls, while U2 sits in the background playing the soundtrack. www.iamau2fan.com

The Social Climber’s Handbook by Molly Jong-Fast
This satire of Upper East Side elitists takes place during the Wall Street crash of 2008 and centers on socialite Daisy Greenbaum who will stop at nothing to prevent her husband from being laid off in order to hold onto his paycheck and her luxury lifestyle. She’ll do anything to protect her future shopping sprees even if it means murdering his boss. Though killing starts out as a solution to a pesky problem, it soon becomes a bit of a bad habit. You’ll lol as you whip through the pages. A deeply twisted tale was never so much fun. www.mollyjongfast.com

THEATER

You’ve Got Hate Mail is a hilarious Off-Broadway Van Zandt & Milmore comedy hit about an extra-marital affair going terribly awry when a juicy email is accidentally sent to the cheated-upon wife. “The perfect bedroom farce, expertly directed, riotously enacted by a five-person ensemble,” said the NY Post. “It doesn’t get better than this!” said Show Business Weekly. The playwrights have been called “the masters of modern farce” by The New York Times and are among the most produced playwrights in the world for over three decades. The show is performed weekly every Friday at 7 pm at The Triad Theatre. www.youvegothatemail.com

War Horse has been nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play. The star of the show is Joey, a life-size horse puppet. Experience the magical, mesmerizing bond that takes place between the entire audience and Joey. The story is set at the outbreak of World War I. The central character, a beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. The play is based on the inspiring, moving novel by Michael Morpuro. Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones won a Special Tony Award for Handspring Puppet Company’s Artistic Achievement. The scale of the puppet is a dazzling thrill. Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center. www.lct.org

The Off- Broadway hit Murdered by the Mob is celebrating its 15^th anniversary and shows no signs of slowing down. Mingle with mobsters, and maybe you’ll be made an offer you can’t refuse! The two and a half hour comedy features a sit-down dinner and dancing Presented by Murder Mystery, Inc., the company that has brought interactive mysteries for over 20 years now, the show can be found at Arno Ristorante on 141 West 38^th, just a few blocks from Times Square. info@murdermysteryinc.com

The Book of Mormon made history by hitting number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Created by Matt Parker and Trey Stone (South Park) it follows a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to AIDS-ridden, poverty-stricken Uganda to spread the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is the oddest premise for a Broadway musical—but it works. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it “a musical blast: not just funny as hell, funnier.” The Village Voice said to “ask yourself, ‘Dear God, how do I get tickets?’” Eugene O’Neill Theater, 250 West 49^th Street. www.bookofmormonbroadway.com

ART

Otherworldly: Optical Delusions and Small Realities
While the digital world continues to expand, a profound human need to re-experience the actual and tangible has also arisen. People spend more and more time staring into a monitor or smart phone in order to interact with others in cyberspace. Now the pleasures of making things by hand in the real world has an increased appeal. Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), 2 Columbus Circle between 8^th and Broadway. www.madmuseum.org

Bastille Day on 60^th Street
Each year this event brings the best of France to New York for an afternoon of activities and delights for the entire family. Kids can have their faces painted and play games at the Kids Corner booth. Enjoy music all day, French eats and a myriad of attractions provided by artists and artisans from France. On 60^th Street, Sunday, July 10, Noon–5pm. Free and open to the public. www.bastilledaynyc.com

Drop-In Art Workshop
Pre-school and young elementary-age children can enjoy their creativity at this lovely art studio. They’ll make exciting projects inspired by the lively, colorful world of artist Maira Kalman. The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92^nd Street. www.thejewishmuseum.org

The Art Center, Mostly Art Summer Program Your child can spend one or more weeks this summer drawing, painting and sculpting, listening to stories, and enjoying active breaks. There’s a high ratio of teachers to students so children receive personal attention. Monday through Thursday: 9am–3pm, Friday: 9am through noon. Generous snack provided. Children bring their lunch Monday through Thursday. While eating, they’re read fairytales and fables. The Art Center, 423 East 75^th Street (between York and First Avenue). www.theartcenterny.com

This article was published in the July 2011 issue of the New York Resident magazine.

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Just back from Mexico

dorriolds — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:19:36 +0000

I went for a 5-day excursion to Cancun to write a review of the CasaMagna/JW Marriott Hotel. The highlight of the trip was the spa treatments. Ooh-la-luxury! I already miss the jacuzzi and the eucalyptus steam room. And the food. And the outdoor pool and the beach. Oh, wait… and the linens! Marriotts have the very best bedding—oodles of soft down pillows, silky cotton sheets, a firm mattress. Room service was rather enjoyable too. I’d get my cappuccino made with skim milk and two shots of espresso just like I make at home accompanied by fresh cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew and kiwi sliced platters. My review will appear in the September NY Resident magazine.

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Colombia—No Longer a Place to Fear

dorriolds — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:04:08 +0000

For the last decade Colombia has made it their business to stop the government and police force corruption and put an end to drug lords and violence. They have made vast improvements and are now proud of their country. The colors, the people, the music, the accents all lulled me into a mellow state. I’m always happy when I fly back into New York City though. My head is filled with Frank Sinatra’s “These little town blues…” But it sure is nice to travel the world and report back to you, my treasured blog followers.

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Cyber Monday Tips for Safe Shopping Online

dorriolds — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:08:39 +0000

Cyber Monday is the Monday immediately following Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. It has overshadowed Black Friday by huge numbers. Last year, 96.5 million Americans shopped online during Cyber Monday, 79 million shopped in stores on Black Friday. The reason for the change is clear: the luxury of shopping from home, hence avoiding nearly being trampled by the crowds in Black Friday stores. The following Top 10 Online Shopping Tips adapted from the Better Business Bureau’s website are:

1. Protect your computer with spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

2. Shop on trustworthy websites only.

3. Protect Your Personal Information by reading the site’s policy.

4. Things that sound too good to be true usually are.

5. Beware of phishing—legitimate businesses do not email you about an order and ask for personal info. Always check the email of the sender. Make sure you know who you are actually communicating with. Look for slight spelling changes. For example I’ve received many “UPS” emails asking me for my address and phone number to send a package to. But when I view who sent the email it says “USPS” — these types of scams have become as commonplace as those telling you that you inherited millions of dollars and to please send your info to collect it.

6. Make sure an online purchase is secure—always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying.

7. Pay with a credit card because under federal law, a shopper can dispute the charges if the item never arrives. Never wire money. Western Union is a reputable company but there is no protection for the consumer once the money is wired. If you are asked to wire money you are more than likely being scammed.

8. As Judge Judy always says, “Don’t be stupid! Always keep a paper trail.” Save emails, website purchase confirmation pages, etc.

9. Read your credit card statements carefully! Be on the lookout for suspicious charges.

10. Federal law protects the consumer. If your purchase is not delivered within 30 days, or not by promised time, the consumer can cancel the order and receive a full refund. You are also protected if you receive damaged or misrepresented merchandise.

Here’s to a happy and SAFE holiday season for you!

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