IdinaMenzel.com posted pre-sale and on-sale information for Idina’s concerts with the Houston Symphony Orchestra on October 14, 15, and 16, 2011. Fans can buy tickets RIGHT NOW by clicking here, selecting your performance, and using promo code MAUREEN. The pre-sale lasts until Saturday, July 30 at 11:59 pm CT. If you miss the pre-sale, public on-sale will begin Monday, August 1 at 12:00 am (aka Sunday night).

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Name That Tune – Idina Style contest!  Winners have been notified and I’m waiting to hear back from them before I announce any names.  Since I received so many submissions from Idina’s international fans, I decided to choose one winner from the USA and one international winner this time around.  I’ll try to do another contest soon.  If anyone has any contest ideas, please leave a comment below and let me know!

Here are the answers:

1. Nobody’s Side — Chess
2. What If  — Rhydian feat. Idina
3. Still I Can’t Be Still
4. All of the Above – Still I Can’t Be Still CD
5. Embraceable You (live from Soundstage)  – Idina Menzel EP
6. The Wizard & I – Wicked
7. Louie – See What I Wanna See
8. So Beautiful – Here cd
9. Better To Have Loved – I Stand CD
10. Take Me Or Leave Me – Rent

Idina was caught by photographers today while shopping in California.  Click on the pictures below to go the album to see more.

        

And in a last bit of news, I’ll be leaving on vacation in just a few days.  Erin will be stepping in to keep you up-to-date on anything that happens while I’m gone.  Thanks again, Erin!

Idina posted this message on Twitter today:

Friends, as many of you know I am extremely excited about returning to Glee, yet it comes with one drawback, which is due to my filming schedule I will have to cancel a majority of my upcoming November tour dates, which I am so disappointed about.  I hope you can understand. I was truly looking forward to seeing all of you and will do my best to make it up to you as soon as I can. xo

As she said, it’s only the November dates as of right now (don’t stress, London!).  Maybe she’ll be able to squeeze a few dates in during November, or maybe she’ll just reschedule the whole thing.  We’ll see, but either way, it will be nice to see her back on TV so much and hopefully singing some awesome new songs!

And speaking of new songs, have you seen the new videos on YouTube from the Red Rocks concert yet??  Idina sang a John Denver medley and performed “The Way We Were” with Marvin Hamlisch!  I bet that was a huge thrill for her.

And you only have a few more days to finish your guesses for the Name That Tune – Idina Style contest!  Entries must be received by this Sunday at midnight EST.  Click here for the contest page!

Idina appeared on a Denver area morning television show to talk about her upcoming Red Rocks show this Sunday night and revealed part of what her big surprise will be, as she hinted at on Twitter recently.  The video is online and can be viewed by clicking the picture below.  I can’t wait to hear what she sings!

And for the rest of the latest media: Idina recently did a radio interview for the Red Rocks show which can be listened to on YouTube.  While on YouTube, you can also view her latest video message to everyone attending the Red Rocks show.  And finally, there’s a nice article in the Denver Post too!  I hope everyone attending this show has a fabulous time!

And for everyone not lucky enough to go to Red Rocks to see this amazing concert, you could spend some time this weekend trying to name the songs in our new contest!

Okay, it’s time for our first contest while under new management!

We’re going to play “Name That Tune – Idina Style.”  I’ve set up a player to play through ten clips of Idina songs.  All of the songs come from professionally produced albums that are available to buy somewhere (i.e. none of her famous improv songs are options).  They can be from her own solo cds or songs she’s sang in Broadway/Off-Broadway shows.  All you have to do is name the song title to be entered into a random drawing for a signed 11×18 “I Stand” promo poster.  Click on the link below to go to the contest page.  Please let me know if you have any questions/problems!  Good luck!

Name That Tune – Idina Style contest page

There’s been a lot of press recently so here’s a rundown of the big interviews and concert review:

BroadwayWorld.com interview just posted today

Dish Magazine interview

Around Noon radio interview

Cleveland, The Plain Dealer interview

Cleveland, the330.com interview

Concert review from Cleveland

And if you’re planning to go to Idina’s concert in London at the Royal Albert Hall and you’ve waited too long to get tickets, WhatsOnStage.com has a special deal for you!

Also, look for a new contest to be posted soon (probably tomorrow)!  I just need to put the finishing touches on it first.  I’m very excited to get to do my first contest on the site!