Native Detroiter and acclaimed actor/comedian David Alan Grier will be the featured entertainer at THE GUILD of St. John Hospital and Medical Center’s 53rd annual fundraising dinner on June 5, 2013 at Penna’s of Sterling, in Sterling Heights, MI. The funds raised at the dinner will benefit St. John Hospital and Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

GUILD officials are extremely excited to have Grier return to his hometown where he has so many fond memories and participate in an event that will generate funding for such an important area – The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“We’re looking forward to David’s performance and expect his celebrity to help us maximize attendance and funding for such an important cause,” said GUILD Dinner Chairman David Kesner. “We’re also looking forward to honoring three Guild members who have tirelessly supported THE GUILD over the years.”

The three honorees include: Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Liggett, Jr. of Grosse Pointe Shores who will receive the Philanthropic Services Award; Ali Rabbani, MD of Grosse Pointe Shores, who will be awarded with the Physician of the Year Award; and The Ahee Family, of the Grosse Pointes, who will receive the Sr. Verenice McQuade Distinguished Service Award.

Doors open to the gala affair at 6:00 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oevres, followed by a multi-course dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained at www.stjohnguild.org or by contacting Kathy Taranto at (313) 343-3674 -- $250 for guests over 35 years of age and $125 for attendees between the ages of 21-35. 

Simon Cowell will be surrounded by women when THE X FACTOR returns for its third season this fall on FOX. Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland and international pop star Paulina Rubio join him and Demi Lovato as judges on the hit singing competition series.

Simon Cowell said today, “It’s taken more than a decade, but I’m delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!). Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different.”

“I am very excited to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and THE X FACTOR family,” said Rowland. “It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the states!”

“I love THE X FACTOR! I can’t wait to find the next big music star here in America,” added Rubio. “I’m so thrilled to be part of the show as a judge. Simon, be careful what you wish for, let’s see if you are ready to handle me, empieza la fiesta, amigo!”

A pop star since the age of 16, Kelly Rowland grew up in the spotlight as a member of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling groups of all time. Her powerful voice was a key ingredient in the group’s awe-inspiring list of chart-toppers and dance floor smashes, including four No. 1 singles in the U.S. and more than 60 million albums sold worldwide. The group received 14 Grammy Award nominations, and won three times, including Best R&B Song in 2001 for “Say My Name.” As a solo artist, Rowland has released three successful studio albums – “Simply Deep,” “Ms. Kelly” and “Here I Am” – selling more than five million records. Rowland’s first forays as a soloist contributed to the 2002 Grammy Award-winning song, “Dilemma (with Nelly),” and have been further evidenced by her gold and platinum solo albums. Her upcoming album, “Talk a Good Game,” will be released June 18. Rowland served as a judge on the eighth season of the U.K. version of “The X Factor.”

Paulina Rubio, considered to be one of the most influential contemporary Latin artists, has sold more than 20 million records around the world and has released 10 studio albums. Raised in Mexico, she began her professional music career in 1984, as a member of the popular teen pop group, Timbiriche. Since going solo in 1992, Rubio has created major hits both in English and Spanish and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards in the category of Best Latin Pop Album. Her prominence as an international artist extends to the digital world, as well. Official YouTube/VEVO views of Rubio's videos exceed 87 million. She has more than 1.2 million Facebook “likes” and more than 6.6 million Twitter followers.

“We are thrilled that Kelly and Paulina are joining Demi on the panel this season, in what is sure to be a triple threat of talented and successful women against Simon week-to-week,” noted Mike Darnell, President, Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “This is an incredible panel of judges and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store for Season Three of THE X FACTOR.”

“Kelly’s incredible talent as a member of one of the world’s most successful groups, Destiny’s Child, combined with her judging experience as part of the U.K. version of ‘The X Factor,’ make her an ideal choice to join this talented panel,” said Trish Kinane, executive producer for FremantleMedia North America. “Paulina is an amazing Latin superstar who brings glamour and fiery passion to the judges’ table. We welcome both of them in joining Simon, Demi and Mario in what will prove to be an exciting season.”

Last season, Tate Stevens was crowned THE X FACTOR Season Two winner and was awarded a recording contract, as well as production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. Tate’s video debuted as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the “55th Annual GRAMMY Awards®” and soon after, he released his first single, “Power of a Love Song.” He released his self-titled debut album last month.

Along with Stevens, THE X FACTOR discovered an amazing amount of diverse recording artists last season, such as finalists Fifth Harmony, Emblem3 and Carly Rose Sonenclar, all of whom also are working on their debut albums. Emblem3 are set to join Selina Gomez on her summer concert tour series this year and have just released their debut single, “Chloe (You're The One I Want).”

“The X Factor” format has created global superstars, including One Direction, Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd and Olly Murs. Artists discovered by the competition series have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 No. 1s, 270 Top 10 records and 500 Top 50 releases. THE X FACTOR is now aired in 191 countries, and local versions of “The X Factor” are now commissioned in 41 territories.  

The BeyHive has released the full track to Beyonce’s Pepsi commercial “Grown Woman” The beat is tribal and is guaranteed to get you bobbing your head and dancing before you realize it. This is bound to be the ladies summer anthem! Listen to it below.

Love to laugh? Well you are in luck! Southfield will soon be home to the comedic stars both on stage and off. The Comedy Zone, a national, live-comedy theatre chain, will soon be opening next door to Southfield’s AMC Star Movie Theatre. It is the first and only of the chain’s 65 U.S. venues to be located in Michigan.

The Comedy Zone’s grand opening show, June 6-8, will kick off with a three-night engagement by world renowned comedian, writer and actor Charlie Murphy, and his show “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip.” Comedian Freez Luv will open the show.

For budget friendly entertainment, all seats at The Comedy Zone are equally and modestly priced. The comfortable and intimate design of the 300-seat showroom ensures that each patron gets a good seat.

The Comedy Zone will feature celebrity comics from all over the country. With weekly shows that include nationally touring acts, it promises to establish the city of Southfield as Metro Detroit’s premier venue on the live comedy circuit.

The club’s debut show, “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip,” is expected to set the stage for a continuing line-up of star acts to follow in coming months.

Murphy has headlined sold-out shows around the world. He spent several years performing as part of various critically acclaimed tours with fellow comics Joe Rogan, John Heffron, Mike Epps and former fellow Chappelle show cast members Bill Burr and Donnell Rawlings. His headlining tour “I Will Not Apologize” was released on DVD and premiered on Comedy Central in the No. 1 slot.

Murphy’s writing career spans more than two decades. His autobiography, “The Making of a Stand Up Guy,” was published by Simon and Schuster, and he has written several screenplays, including “Norbit,” starring Charlie’s brother, Eddie Murphy, which opened No. 1 at the box office.

His current tour, “Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip,” will also be released on DVD.

The Comedy Zone is located at 25333 West 12 Mile Road in Southfield. For more information on this and other shows there, visit detroitcomedyzone.com or call (248) 506-1946.

To purchase tickets or to get show times, visit ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.