Bono [ tickets ] and Bob Geldolf are challenging French President Nicolas Sarkozy to increase aid to Africa, saying the country has failed to live up to commitments it made at a 2005 summit of leading industrialized countries, according to a Reuters report. The activist rockers, who were key figures in the Live 8 concerts ahead of the Group of Eight summit, said failure by G8 leaders to keep their promises to the world's poorest was a disgrace; the G8 had agreed to double aid to Africa by 2010.According to a report by advocacy group DATA, launched by the rockers in Paris last week, the G8 has so far delivered only 14 percent of what was pledged. The DATA report says that of the seven countries that made commitments to Africa, only one country--Italy--is doing worse than France, with a net decrease in aid since 2005.The rockers apparently singled out France because it is about to take over the rotating European Union presidency and they hope a surge in French aid will prompt the other European members of the G8, Germany, Britain and Italy, to do more as well.
Monday, 23 June 2008
Monday, 16 June 2008
�Sex� appeal at box office
Sex And The City edged out Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull to claim the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office overseas.
The romantic comedy earned an estimated $38.2 million US from 40 markets during its second weekend, and has racked up $91.3 million to date.
Crystal Skull, meanwhile, has accumulated $326 million internationally, thanks to a $36 million weekend in 60 territories.
It had been the top choice overseas for the previous two weekends.
Kung Fu Panda, which replaced Sex and the City atop the North American box office, also debuted at No. 1 in nine overseas markets with an animated $20.7 million.
The Jack Black comedy grossed a stunning $9.2 million in Russia, and $7.5 million in South Korea.
Sex broke out in 25 fresh markets after its limited opening last weekend.
It finished No. 1 in 13 of the new territories, with Australia ($7.7 million) leading the pack.
Crystal Skull might have been hurt by the launch of the European Cup soccer championship.
Nonetheless, Crystal Skull held well in France, Spain, Germany and the U.K., where it tallied $5.6 million for a market total of $65.2 million.
See Also
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Ray Winstone - Hardman Winstone Saves Woman
British actor RAY WINSTONE once attempted to save a woman from a violent argument with her boyfriend - but was abused for helping out.
The 51-year-old actor stepped in to defend a woman who was being assaulted by her boyfriend.
But the star - who is famed for his hard-man movie roles - was shocked by her response.
He recalls, "When I was 18, I remember seeing a fella smashing the life out of a girl. I jumped on him, pulled him off and said, 'What do you think you're doing? You're going to kill her.'
"The girl turns around, punches me in the head and says, 'Mind your own business.' I didn't know whether to laugh or cry."
See Also
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Lionsgate acquires 'Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty'
Quirky script written by first-time screenwriter Adam Sachs
Lionsgate has acquired worldwide rights to "Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty," a spec script by first-time screenwriter Adam Sachs.
The script -- described as a quirky, elevated comedy in the vein of "Thank You for Smoking" -- centers on an unlikely friendship between a lonely reporter and an outspoken teen who bond during an animal-rights protest.
Sachs graduated from Harvard last year with a major in earth and planetary science; and had been writing for the Harvard Lampoon. The writer said he penned a humor piece for a Web site that caught the attention of Energy Entertainment's Adam Marshall.
"He loved it, and helped me develop a spec," Sachs said.
Producing are Brooklyn Weaver of Energy and Todd Garner of Broken Road Prods. Marshall and Sean Robins of Broken Road also will serve in producing capacities.
Lionsgate vp production Jim Miller is overseeing the project for the company.
Sachs is repped by WMA and Energy.
See Also
RIAA honoring Jewel for sales
More than 18 mil albums sold in the U.S.
NASHVILLE -- Jewel has been honored by the Recording Industry Association of America with a career milestone plaque commemorating sales of more than 18 million albums in the U.S.
Jenny Alves, RIAA's coordinator of artist industry relations, surprised the 34-year-old singer Thursday as she prepared to sign autographs at the Country Music Association festival.
"This is awesome. Thank you so much," said the singer, who also was scheduled to perform at the festival.
Jewel, whose full name is Jewel Kilcher, released a country album, "Perfectly Clear," on Tuesday. The lead single, "Stronger Woman," is No. 15 on the Billboard chart.
Perhaps best known for her pop and rock hits that include "Foolish Games" and "You Were Meant for Me," Jewel has sold 27 million albums worldwide since her 1995 debut.
She is touring with Brad Paisley in the summer.
NASHVILLE -- Jewel has been honored by the Recording Industry Association of America with a career milestone plaque commemorating sales of more than 18 million albums in the U.S.
Jenny Alves, RIAA's coordinator of artist industry relations, surprised the 34-year-old singer Thursday as she prepared to sign autographs at the Country Music Association festival.
"This is awesome. Thank you so much," said the singer, who also was scheduled to perform at the festival.
Jewel, whose full name is Jewel Kilcher, released a country album, "Perfectly Clear," on Tuesday. The lead single, "Stronger Woman," is No. 15 on the Billboard chart.
Perhaps best known for her pop and rock hits that include "Foolish Games" and "You Were Meant for Me," Jewel has sold 27 million albums worldwide since her 1995 debut.
She is touring with Brad Paisley in the summer.
Apollo Theater Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The Apollo pays tribute to 2008 inductee Smokey Robinson and 2008 Ruby Dee
& Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award recipients Pauletta & Denzel
Washington
Hosted by Comedienne and Actress Wanda Sykes
Evening will feature performances by Earth Wind & Fire, India.Arie and
Nnenna Freelon with additional appearances by Janet Jackson, Ruby Dee and
Terrence Howard
HARLEM, N.Y., May 12 -- The Apollo Theater Foundation,
Inc., announced today that on Monday, June 2, 2008, it will host its fourth
annual Hall of Fame Induction & Gala -- a magnificent affair that includes
a glamorous red carpet, a tribute concert and awards ceremony and a grand
tented after-party. The star-studded event will bring together the best and
brightest in business and entertainment to raise funds in support of the
Apollo's 74-year legacy and its initiatives for emerging artists, education
programs and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.
Hosted by comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, this year's event, in
preparation for the Apollo's 75th Anniversary, will commemorate the life
and music of Apollo Legend Smokey Robinson with a ceremony inducting the
performer into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame where he will join
predecessors Gladys Knight, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Little
Richard. The awards ceremony will continue with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis
Arts and Humanitarian Award given to Pauletta and Denzel Washington as well
as appearances by the presenters of the evening including Oscar nominated
actress, Ruby Dee, Oscar nominated actor, Terrence Howard and Grammy-Award
winner, Janet Jackson. The corporate award will be presented to Verizon for
their ongoing commitment to the community. The much-anticipated evening
will commence in the historic, legendary Apollo Theater where guests will
be entertained with a wide range of performances and appearances by the
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie, Nnenna Freelon, and
Earth Wind & Fire. The event will culminate with the Apollo Supper Club --
a stylish lounge atmosphere featuring the generous gourmet creations of
celebrity chef, Alexander Smalls prepared by Great Performances, plentiful
libations courtesy of Belvedere and late-night dancing to music spun by DJ
D-Nice.
Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation,
explained that, "As the Apollo prepares to enter into its 75th Anniversary
next year, we continue to champion the mission of honoring the history of
our much revered Theater as well as securing its future. This is more than
a venue. The Apollo is an experience and this year's Spring Benefit, in
particular, completely embodies that sentiment. This is the one event where
everyone from the business community to the entertainment world to the
Harlem community -- can come and celebrate and help preserve their Apollo
Theater."
Richard Parsons, chairman of the Apollo's board of directors, expressed
the significance of the evening and the institution as, "The Apollo Theater
shares a unique relationship with everyone who walks through its doors --
from the countless stars that were born on its stage to its world-famous,
international audience to the thousands in Harlem's communities served by
its programs. With the support of businesses combined with commitments from
civic-minded individuals, this milestone event will go far in helping to
guarantee the future of the Apollo and its programs."
Time Warner Cable is the Title Sponsor for the event. Lead Sponsors
include American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hearst
Corporation, Skadden Arps, Time Warner, TV One, Verizon and W Hotels.
Tickets are available for $1,000. To purchase tickets or to make a
donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., call 800.618.3444. Press
inquiries contact Jake Spitz at 646.688.6379 or jake@expagency.com.
About the Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem, New York City, and America's most
iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first
theaters in New York, and the country, to integrate, welcoming
traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations,
as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult
to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. For that
reason, the Apollo has been a pioneer in presenting the cultural
contributions of black and Latino communities and played a central role in
the development of American music into the 21st century. The Apollo has
launched and nurtured the careers of seemingly countless legendary
performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan, James
Brown, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, and Alicia Keys.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a nonprofit,
charitable organization in 1991 and is dedicated to the preservation and
development of the Apollo Theater. The Foundation brought stability to the
Theater's operations and focused its efforts on reinvigorating the Apollo
legend. Over the past few years, the Apollo has roughly tripled its
operating budget, full-time staff, annual audience, and weekly programs.
The Apollo's mission is to honor the influence and advance the
contributions of African-American artists and advance emerging creative
voices across cultures and artistic media through the Apollo Experience of
world-class live performances and educational programs. The Apollo reigns
as one of New York City's premiere uptown attractions and is the cultural
anchor of the current reinvigoration of the 125th Street corridor.
For more information, visit http://www.apollotheater.org.
CONTACTS:
The Experiential Agency
Jake Spitz (646) 688-6379
Jake@expagency.com
Sasha Tcherevkoff
(917)554-1135
Sasha@consilium-ventures.com
Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.
Nina Flowers (212) 531-5334
Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org
See Also
& Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award recipients Pauletta & Denzel
Washington
Hosted by Comedienne and Actress Wanda Sykes
Evening will feature performances by Earth Wind & Fire, India.Arie and
Nnenna Freelon with additional appearances by Janet Jackson, Ruby Dee and
Terrence Howard
HARLEM, N.Y., May 12 -- The Apollo Theater Foundation,
Inc., announced today that on Monday, June 2, 2008, it will host its fourth
annual Hall of Fame Induction & Gala -- a magnificent affair that includes
a glamorous red carpet, a tribute concert and awards ceremony and a grand
tented after-party. The star-studded event will bring together the best and
brightest in business and entertainment to raise funds in support of the
Apollo's 74-year legacy and its initiatives for emerging artists, education
programs and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.
Hosted by comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, this year's event, in
preparation for the Apollo's 75th Anniversary, will commemorate the life
and music of Apollo Legend Smokey Robinson with a ceremony inducting the
performer into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame where he will join
predecessors Gladys Knight, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Little
Richard. The awards ceremony will continue with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis
Arts and Humanitarian Award given to Pauletta and Denzel Washington as well
as appearances by the presenters of the evening including Oscar nominated
actress, Ruby Dee, Oscar nominated actor, Terrence Howard and Grammy-Award
winner, Janet Jackson. The corporate award will be presented to Verizon for
their ongoing commitment to the community. The much-anticipated evening
will commence in the historic, legendary Apollo Theater where guests will
be entertained with a wide range of performances and appearances by the
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie, Nnenna Freelon, and
Earth Wind & Fire. The event will culminate with the Apollo Supper Club --
a stylish lounge atmosphere featuring the generous gourmet creations of
celebrity chef, Alexander Smalls prepared by Great Performances, plentiful
libations courtesy of Belvedere and late-night dancing to music spun by DJ
D-Nice.
Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation,
explained that, "As the Apollo prepares to enter into its 75th Anniversary
next year, we continue to champion the mission of honoring the history of
our much revered Theater as well as securing its future. This is more than
a venue. The Apollo is an experience and this year's Spring Benefit, in
particular, completely embodies that sentiment. This is the one event where
everyone from the business community to the entertainment world to the
Harlem community -- can come and celebrate and help preserve their Apollo
Theater."
Richard Parsons, chairman of the Apollo's board of directors, expressed
the significance of the evening and the institution as, "The Apollo Theater
shares a unique relationship with everyone who walks through its doors --
from the countless stars that were born on its stage to its world-famous,
international audience to the thousands in Harlem's communities served by
its programs. With the support of businesses combined with commitments from
civic-minded individuals, this milestone event will go far in helping to
guarantee the future of the Apollo and its programs."
Time Warner Cable is the Title Sponsor for the event. Lead Sponsors
include American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hearst
Corporation, Skadden Arps, Time Warner, TV One, Verizon and W Hotels.
Tickets are available for $1,000. To purchase tickets or to make a
donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., call 800.618.3444. Press
inquiries contact Jake Spitz at 646.688.6379 or jake@expagency.com.
About the Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem, New York City, and America's most
iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first
theaters in New York, and the country, to integrate, welcoming
traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations,
as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult
to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. For that
reason, the Apollo has been a pioneer in presenting the cultural
contributions of black and Latino communities and played a central role in
the development of American music into the 21st century. The Apollo has
launched and nurtured the careers of seemingly countless legendary
performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan, James
Brown, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, and Alicia Keys.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a nonprofit,
charitable organization in 1991 and is dedicated to the preservation and
development of the Apollo Theater. The Foundation brought stability to the
Theater's operations and focused its efforts on reinvigorating the Apollo
legend. Over the past few years, the Apollo has roughly tripled its
operating budget, full-time staff, annual audience, and weekly programs.
The Apollo's mission is to honor the influence and advance the
contributions of African-American artists and advance emerging creative
voices across cultures and artistic media through the Apollo Experience of
world-class live performances and educational programs. The Apollo reigns
as one of New York City's premiere uptown attractions and is the cultural
anchor of the current reinvigoration of the 125th Street corridor.
For more information, visit http://www.apollotheater.org.
CONTACTS:
The Experiential Agency
Jake Spitz (646) 688-6379
Jake@expagency.com
Sasha Tcherevkoff
(917)554-1135
Sasha@consilium-ventures.com
Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.
Nina Flowers (212) 531-5334
Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org
See Also
Nelson Ricky
Artist: Nelson Ricky
Genre(s):
Country
Discography:
Hello Mary Lou
Year: 2002
Tracks: 19
Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra
Ray Conniff
Artist: Ray Conniff
Genre(s):
Instrumental
Classical
Retro
Folk
Vocal
Discography:
Um toque clssico and Meldicas e eternas
Year: 2000
Tracks: 14
Sucessos inesquecvies and Temas RomPInticos
Year: 2000
Tracks: 14
Ray Conniff 30 Anos De Sucesso
Year: 2000
Tracks: 11
Essnica Latina and Raz...es para Sonhar
Year: 2000
Tracks: 14
Conniff no cinema and Tempos Modernos
Year: 2000
Tracks: 14
In Moscow
Year: 1999
Tracks: 12
Versiones originales CD2
Year: 1998
Tracks: 13
Versiones originales CD1
Year: 1998
Tracks: 13
Ray Conniff Interpreta 16 Exitos de Manuel Alejandro
Year: 1990
Tracks: 16
Concert In Rhythm 1
Year: 1958
Tracks: 12
The military personnel wHO popularized unspoken vocal choruses and light orchestral accompaniment on a mix of popular standards and contemporary hits of the sixties, Ray Conniff was a trombone player for Bunny Berigan's Orchestra and Bob Crosby's Bobcats ahead beingness leased as an arranger by Mitch Miller for Columbia Records in 1954. After he wrote the charts for several sizable Columbia hits during the mid-'50s, Conniff became a solo creative person as well, applying his arrangement techniques to instrumental easy-listening for the thriving adult album grocery store. The result, dozen Top Ten LPs and well over 50 trillion total albums sold, cemented his position as one of the top LP peter Sellers of all time, but his increasingly watered-down and commercially focused arrangements gained few young fans by the end of the sixties. Though he continued transcription and touring the world into the nineties, Conniff's albums slipped off the charts in the early '70s.
Innate in November 1916 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Ray Conniff gained much of his musical go through inside the house. His father, a trombone player, light-emitting diode a local lot while his mother played the pianissimo. Ray began ahead a local ring while in high school -- picking up the trombone for the beginning sentence not long before -- and began writing arrangements for it; after commencement exercise, he stirred to Boston and began playing with Dan Murphy's Musical Skippers (besides playing and transcription, Conniff drove the band about). By the mid-'30s, he was ready for the swelled time, landing in New York simply later the birth of the fat dangle geological era. He comped around Manhattan for several age, and by 1937 landed an arranging/playing job with Bunny Berigan. Two old age later, he stirred to Bob Crosby's Bobcats, one of the hottest bands of the time, though Conniff stayed for only a year before joining up with Artie Shaw and afterward Glen Gray.
With the coming of American involution in World War II by 1941, Conniff coupled the Army, though the nighest he came to Wake Island was Hollywood, where he worked as an arranger with Armed Forces Radio. At the conclusion of the warfare, Conniff worked with Harry James merely lost interest in arrangement when boP touched to center stage during the late '40s. Completely divorced from the medicine business, he studied conducting and medicine possibility during the early '50s, emerging by 1954 to take on a position with Columbia Records and ill-famed pop producer Mitch Miller. The following year, he put his theories to practice with Don Cherry (the vocaliser, non the jazz trumpeter) on a Top Five hit, "Band of Gold." Close on its heels were some more than full-grown hits of 1956-57, including the bit ones "Vocalizing the Blues" by Guy Mitchell and "Chances Are" by Johnny Mathis, summation Top Five entries by Johnnie Ray ("Simply Walking in the Rain"), Frankie Laine ("Moonlight Gambler") and Marty Robbins ("A White Sport Coat [And a Pink Carnation]"). Columbia, doubtless ecstatic over the succeeder of its organizer, agreed to let Conniff record an subservient record album, and the result, 'S Wonderful (1956), exhausted months on the album charts. With a like spirit (though far tamer results) to Lambert, Hendricks & Ross' album of the same year, Sing a Song of Basie -- which canned classic Basie orchestra solos into vocal parts -- Conniff arranged parts for an cushy chorus of singers just now as he had with instrumentalists in the past. 'S Wonderful was desktop subservient music for adults wHO tranquil liked to listen the human voice, and the technique grew to define the "Muzaky" feel of much of the adult pop of the fifties and '60s.
During the rest of the late '50s, four Ray Conniff albums reached the Top Ten, light-emitting diode by the gold-certified 'S Marvelous and Concert in Rhythm. Conniff did well in the early '60s as well, with pop paper albums like Pronounce It with Music (A Touch of Latin), Memories Are Made of This, So Much in Love, 'S Continental, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, which continued to chart during the holiday season of the future six-spot long time after its 1962 release engagement. The rise of rock & wave in the mid-'60s apparently hurt Conniff's record sales, though in 1966 the inclusion of "Lara's Theme" in the film Doctor Zhivago resulted in Conniff's only significant singles-chart placing at figure nine, and a million-selling record album with Somewhere My Love. During the late '60s, he began to include the softer side of tilt and Bacharach-David pop into his repertoire, with artists from Simon & Garfunkel to the Carpenters and the Fifth Dimension all receiving the Conniff treatment (aboard more than confutative attempts, such as "Theme from 'Shaft'"). He continued to criminal record albums and perform to his gravid Latin American hearing into the nineties. On October 12, 2002, Conniff passed off after falling down and hit his head. He had suffered a stroke months prior, merely Conniff's health continued to deteriorate. He was 85.
Butch Walker backs new releases on solo trek
Man dies at Gatecrasher festival
A middle-aged man from Northampton died at the Gatecrasher festival this weekend (May 25).
The man's body was found in the early hours of Sunday at the Brackley bash.
Police have not identified the man, who was found in one of the showcase marquees at the festival, reports the Northampton Evening Telegraph.
Police posted up a notice around the site which read: "While we are not at this stage linking the death to the misuse of drugs, intelligence sources, police and security operators have identified and arrested a number of drug dealers within the event."
The festival was beset by bad weather, with acts including The Chemical Brothers having to pull out of the event after flooding affected some of the stages.
The man's body was found in the early hours of Sunday at the Brackley bash.
Police have not identified the man, who was found in one of the showcase marquees at the festival, reports the Northampton Evening Telegraph.
Police posted up a notice around the site which read: "While we are not at this stage linking the death to the misuse of drugs, intelligence sources, police and security operators have identified and arrested a number of drug dealers within the event."
The festival was beset by bad weather, with acts including The Chemical Brothers having to pull out of the event after flooding affected some of the stages.
Reese Witherspoon's New Job
After years of getting star treatment, the tables have turned on Reese Witherspoon.
The actress says that these days, she's just the limo driver for the superstars in her life: her two children, Ava, 9, and Deacon, 6.
She told Momlogic.com that becoming a parent held some big surprises for her. "I think probably that no one warns you that you don't sleep the first year -- that's one of them," said the Walk The Line actress, 32.
"And you basically become a limo driver by the time they're nine.
"I'm a professional driver now. I'm right up there with the Earnhardts!"
But Reese, who divorced their dad, Ryan Phillipe, last year said that there's one thing that she won't compromise on when she's in the car.
"I force my children to listen to my radio stations and they listen to a lot of country music. Very unhappily."
See Also
Callide
Artist: Callide
Genre(s):
Drum & Bass
Discography:
Callide-KINETIC002 Vinyl
Year: 2006
Tracks: 2
Shoot first, buy music later in GTA IV
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