#sundance ritz

[akashicpoint]

FLOWER SUN AND RAIN Grasshopper Manufacturer 2001

[thoughtportal]

Today Architectural Digest is welcomed by Ray and Anna Romano to tour their serene desert home in La Quinta, California. The ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ star and his wife worked with AD100 powerhouse Nate Berkus to design a beautiful and comfortable home, perfect for hosting their expanding family as two of their four children prepare to get married. Moving away from the mid-century Americana styles you’d typically find around Palm Springs, Berkus took inspiration from Italian country homes, creating a more muted space with all the charm of the Italian countryside. Before letting Berkus and Anna take the reigns on design, Ray only had a few specific requests for his new desert oasis. “I wanted some kind of cozy feel to it. That’s all. I was very vague,” he says. “And I fell in love with a bunk bed room that we saw at the Ritz-Carlton in Sundance that my kids stayed in. And I said, ‘I want a room like that.’”

[letterboxd]

Best of SXSW 2021.

From properly good Covid comedies to an epic folk-horror doc and an Indigenous feminist Western, the Letterboxd Festiville team reveals their ten best of SXSW Online.

We dug out old lanyards to wear around the house, and imagined ourselves queuing up the block from The Ritz (RIP). We dialled into screenings and panels, and did our level best to channel that manic “South By” energy from our living rooms.

The SXSW festival atmosphere was muted, and that’s to be expected. But the films themselves? Gems, so many gems, whether shot in a fortnight on the smell of an oily stimulus check, or painstakingly rotoscoped over seven years.

When we asked SXSW Film director Janet Pierson what she and her team were looking for this year, she told us: “We’re always looking for films that do a lot with little, that are ingenious, and pure talent, and discovery, and being surprised. We’re just looking for really good stories with good emotional resonance.” If there was one common denominator we noticed across this year’s SXSW picks, it was a smart, tender injection of comedy into stories about trauma, grief, unwanted pregnancy, chronic health conditions, homelessness, homophobia and, yes, Covid.

It’s hard to pick favorites, but here are the ten SXSW features and two short films we haven’t stopped thinking about, in no particular order.

Recovery Directed by Mallory Everton and Stephen Meek, written by Everton and Whitney Call

“Covid 19 is in charge now” might be the most hauntingly funny line in a SXSW film. In Recovery, two sisters set out on a haywire road trip to rescue their grandmother from her nursing home in the wake of a severe Covid 19 outbreak. There’s no random villain or threat, because isn’t being forced to exist during a pandemic enough of a threat in itself? If ever we were worried about “Covid comedies”, SXSW managed to flush out the good ones. (Read about the Festiville team’s other favorite Covid-inflected comedies, including an interview with the directors of I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking).)

Alex Marzona praises the “off-the-charts chemistry” between leads Mallory Everton and Whitney Call. Best friends since they were nine, the pair also wrote the film, with Everton co-directing with Stephen Meek. Every laugh comes from your gut and feels like something only the cast and crew would usually be privy to. “You can tell a lot of the content is improvised, which just attests to their talent,” writes Emma. Recovery doesn’t make you laugh awkwardly about how awful the last year has been—rather, it reminds you that even in such times there are still laughs to be had, trips to be taken, family worth uprooting everything for. Just make sure you’ve packed enough wet wipes for the road, and think long and hard about who should babysit your mice. —EK

The Spine of Night Written and directed by Morgan Galen King and Philip Gelatt

Don’t get too attached to any characters from its star-studded cast—nobody is safe (or fully-clothed) in The Spine of Night’s raw, ultra-violent and cynical world. Conjured over the last seven years, directors Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King’s rotoscoped epic recaptures the dazzling imagination and scope of their influences Ralph Bakshi and Heavy Metal. Approaching an anthology-style structure to explore how ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’—a proverb more potent now than when Gelatt and King began their project—the film packs a franchise’s worth of ideas in its 90-minute runtime. Though the storytelling justifiably proves itself overly dense for some, it will find the audience it’s after, as other Letterboxd members have declared it “a rare treat” and “a breath of fresh air in the feature-length animation scene”. For sure, The Spine of Night can join Sundance premieres Flee and Cryptozoo in what’s already a compelling year for unique two-dimensional animation. —JM

Kambole Campbell caught up with Gelatt and King (who are also Letterboxd members!) during SXSW to talk about animation inspirations and rotoscoping techniques.

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson Written and directed by Leah Purcell

Snakes, steers and scoundrels beware! Writer-director-star Leah Purcell ably repurposes the Western genre for Aboriginal and female voices in The Drover’s Wife. Molly Johnson is a crack-shot anti-heroine for the ages, in this decolonized reimagining of a classic 1892 short story by Henry Lawson. And by reimagining, we mean a seismic shift in the narrative: Purcell has fleshed out a full story of a mother-of-four, pregnant with her fifth, a missing husband, predatory neighbors, a mysterious runaway and a young English couple on different paths to progress in this remote Southern land. Purcell first adapted this story for the stage, then as published fiction; she rightly takes the leading role in the screen version, too.

As a debut feature director, Purcell (Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri) already has a firm grip on the macabre and the menacing, not shying away from violence, but making very careful decisions about what needs to be depicted, given all that Molly Johnson and her family are subjected to. She also sneaks in mystic touches, and a hint of romance (local heartthrob Rob Collins can take us on a walk to where the Snowy widens to see blooming wildflowers anytime). Judging by early Letterboxd reviews, it’s not for everyone, but this is Australian colonization through an Indigenous feminist’s eyes, with a fierce, intersectional pay-off. “Extremely similar to a vast majority of the issues and themes explored in The Nightingale,” writes Claira. “I’m slowly realizing that my favorite type of Westerns are Australian.” —LK, GG

Swan Song Written and directed by Todd Stephens

Udo Kier is often the bridesmaid, rarely the bride. Now, after a lifetime of supporting roles ranging from vampires and villains to art-house muse, he finally gets to shine center-stage in Swan Song. Kier dazzles as a coiffure soothsayer in this lyrical pageant to the passage of queer times in backwater Sandusky, Ohio. “He is absolutely wonderful here,” writes Adrianna, “digging deep and pulling out a mesmerizing, deeply affecting and emotionally textured performance, proving that he’s an actor with much more range than people give him credit for.”

A strong supporting cast all have melancholy moments to shine, with Linda Evans (Dynasty), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) and Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) along for the stroll. Surreal camp touches add joy (that chandelier, the needle drop!) but by the end, the tears roll (both of joy and sadness). Writer-director Todd Stephens ties up his Sandusky trilogy in this hometown homage, a career peak for both him and Kier. Robert Daniels puts it well, writing that Swan Song is “campy as hell, but it’s also a heartfelt LGBTQ story about lost lovers and friends, vibrant memories and the final passage of a colorful life.” —LK

Leo Koziol spoke with Todd Stephens and Udo Kier during SXSW about Grace Jones, David Bowie and dancing with yourself.

Islands Written and directed by Martin Edralin

Islands is a Mike Leigh-esque story that presents a Canadian Filipino immigrant family full of quirk and character, centered around Joshua, a reticent 50-year-old homebody son. The story drifts in and out of a deep well of sadness. Moments of lightness and familial love make the journey worthwhile. “A film so Filipino a main plot device is line-dancing,” writes Karl. “Islands is an incredibly empathetic film about what it’s like to feel unmoored from comfort. It’s distinctly Filipino and deals with the psychology of Asian culture in a way that feels both profound and oddly comforting.” In a year in which we’ve all been forced to physically slow down, Islands “shows us how slow life can be,” writes Justin, “and how important it is to be okay with that.” Rogelio Balagtas’s performance as Joshua—a first-time leading role—won him the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance. —LK

Ninjababy Directed by Yngvild Sve Flikke, written by Flikke with Johan Fasting and Inga H. Sætre

Ninjababy is as ridiculous as its title. When 23-year-old Rakel finds herself accidentally pregnant, scheduling an abortion is a no-brainer. But she’s way too far along, she’s informed, so she’s going to have to have the baby. The ensuing meltdown might have been heartbreaking if the film wasn’t so damn funny. Ninjababy draws on the comforting and familiar (“Lizzie McGuire if she was a pregnant young adult,” writes Nick), while mixing shock with originality (Erica Richards notices “a few aggressive and vulgar moments [but] somehow none of it seemed misplaced”).

An animated fetus in the style of Rakel’s own drawings appears to beg and shame Rakel into motherhood while she fights to hold onto her confidence that not wanting to be a mother doesn’t make her a bad person. Ninjababy’s greatest feat is its willingness to delve into that complication: yes, it’s righteous and feminist and 21st-century to claim your own body and life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to turn away from something growing inside of you. It’s a comedy about shame, art, finding care in unlikely places—and there’s something in it for the gents, too. The titular ninjababy wouldn’t leave Rakel alone, and it’s unlikely to leave you either. Winner of the SXSW Global Audience Award. —SH

The Fallout Written and directed by Megan Park

Canadian actress Megan Park brought the youthful wisdom of her days on the teen drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager to her first project behind the camera, and it paid off. Following the scattered after-effects of a school shooting, The Fallout may be the most acute, empathetic depiction of childhood trauma on screen in recent memory. “It sneaks up on you with its honesty and how it spends time with its lead, carried so beautifully by Jenna Ortega. Even the more conventional moments are poignant because of context,” writes Kevin L. Lee. Much of that “sneaky” honesty emerges as humor—despite the heavy premise, moments of hilarity hang on the edges of almost every scene. And Ortega’s portrayal of sweet-but-angsty Vada brings self-awareness to that humor, like when Vada’s avoidant, inappropriate jokes with her therapist reveal her desperation, but they garner genuine laughs nonetheless.

In this debut, Park shows an unmatched understanding of non-linear ways that young people process their pain. Sometimes kids try drugs! Sometimes they scream at their parents! But more often than not, they really do know what they want, who loves them, and how much time they need to grieve (see also: Jessie Barr’s Sophie Jones, starring her cousin Jessica Barr, out now on VOD and in theaters). The Fallout forsakes melodrama to embrace confusion, ambiguity and joy. Winner of both the SXSW Grand Jury and Audience Narrative Feature Awards, and the Brightcove Illumination Award. —SH

Ludi Directed by Edson Jean, written by Jean and Joshua Jean-Baptiste

When Ludi begins, it’s quiet and dreamy. The film’s opening moments conjure the simple pleasures of the titular character’s Haitian heritage: the music, the colors, the people. Ludi (Shein Monpremier) smiles to herself as she starts her morning with a tape recording her cousin mailed from Haiti to Miami, and listens as her family members laugh through their troubles before recording an upbeat tape of her own. But that’s where the dreaminess ends—Ludi is an overworked, underpaid nurse picking up every shift she possibly can in order to send money home. Writer-director Edson Jean fixates on the pains and consequences of Ludi’s relentless determination, which comes to a head when she moonlights as a private nurse for an old man who doesn’t want her there.

Ashton Kinley notes how the film “doesn’t overly dramatize or pull at false emotional strings to make its weight felt. The second half of the feature really allows all of that to shine, as the film becomes a tender and empathetic two-hander.” George’s (Alan Myles Heyman) resentment of his own aging body steps in as Ludi’s antagonist. Jean throws together jarring contrasts: George throwing Ludi out of the bathroom, followed by Ludi’s memories of home, followed by another lashing out, followed by a shared prayer. The tension is unsustainable. By interspersing the back-breaking predicament of a working-class immigrant with the sights and sounds of the Caribbean, Ludi elegantly, painfully reveals what the cost of a dream can be. —SH

Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror Written and directed by Kier-La Janisse

Building on the folk horror resurgence of films like The Witch and Midsommar, Kier-La Janisse’s 193-minute documentary Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched is a colossal, staggering undertaking that should school even the most seasoned of horror buffs. “Thorough is an understatement,” says Claira.

Combining a historian’s studied, holistic patience with a cinephile’s rabid, insatiable thirst, the film, through the course of six chapters, broadens textbook British definitions, draws trenchant socio-political and thematic connections, debunks myths and transports viewers to far-flung parts of the globe in a way that almost feels anthropological. As Jordan writes, “Three hours later and my mind is racing between philosophical questions about the state of hauntology we generationally entrap ourselves in, wanting to buy every single one of the 100+ films referenced here, and being just a bit in awe of Janisse’s truly breathless work.” An encyclopedic forest worth losing yourself in—get ready for those watchlists to balloon. Winner of the SXSW Midnighters Audience Award. —AY

Introducing, Selma Blair Directed by Rachel Fleit

There’ll likely be some level of hype when this intimate collaboration between actress Selma Blair and filmmaker Rachel Fleit comes out later in the year on Discovery+, and that’s okay, because that is Blair’s intention in sharing the details of her stem-cell transplant for multiple sclerosis. There’d be little point in going there if you are not prepared to really go there, and Introducing, Selma Blair is a tics-and-all journey not just into what life is like with a chronic condition, a young son, and a career that relies on one’s ability to keep a straight face. It’s also an examination of the scar tissue of childhood, the things we are told by our parents, the ideas we come to believe about ourselves. “I almost felt like I shouldn’t have such intimate access to some of the footage in this documentary,” writes Andy Yen. “Bravo to Selma for allowing the filmmakers to show some truly raw and soul-bearing videos about her battle with multiple sclerosis that make us feel as if we are as close to her as family.” —GG

Femme Directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping

I May Destroy You fans, rejoice: Paapa Essiedu, who played Arabella’s fascinating best friend Kwame, takes center stage in Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s intoxicating short film Femme. It’s a simple premise—Jordan, a femme gay man, follows his drug dealer (Harris Dickinson, mastering the sexually repressed brusque young man like no one else) home to pick up some goods on a night out. Except, of course, it’s not that simple. The co-directors build a world of danger, tension and electricity, with lusciously lensed scenes that lose focus as the threat rises. Frankie calls it “hypnotizing and brutal and gorgeous” and we couldn’t agree more. A crime thriller wrestling with hyper-masculinity seen through the eyes of an LGBTQ+ character, with a sucker-punch ending to boot, the world needs more than twenty minutes of this story. —EK

Play It Safe Directed by Mitch Kalisa

If you (unwisely) thought that the vulnerable, progressive environment of drama school would be a safe space for Black students, Play It Safe confirms that even a liberal bunch of actors (and their teacher) are capable of being blind to their own egregiously racist microagressions. Mitch Kalisa’s excellent short film explores structural prejudice head-on, in an electric acting exercise that rests on where the kinetic, gritty 16mm camera is pointing at every pivotal turn. At first, we’re with Black drama student Jonathan Ajayi as he receives the assignment; then we are with the rest of the class, exactly where we need to be. “Literally in your face and absolutely breathtaking,” writes Nia. A deserving winner of the SXSW Grand Jury and Audience narrative shorts prizes. —GG

Follow the Festiville team on Letterboxd

[blackkudos]

Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa (born Lance Taylor; April 17, 1957) is an American disc jockey, rapper, songwriter and producer from the South Bronx, New York. He is notable for releasing a series of genre-defining electro tracks in the 1980s that influenced the development of hip hop culture. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the originators of breakbeat DJing and is respectfully known as "The Godfather" and "Amen Ra of Hip Hop Kulture", as well as the father of electro-funk. Through his co-opting of the street gang the Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented Universal Zulu Nation, he has helped spread hip hop culture throughout the world.On May 6, 2016, Bambaataa left his position as head of The Zulu Nation due to multiple child sexual abuse allegations dating as far back as the 1970s.

Early life

Born as Lance Taylor to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, Bambaataa grew up in The Bronx River Projects, with an activist mother and uncle. As a child, he was exposed to the black liberation movement, and witnessed debates between his mother and uncle regarding the conflicting ideologies in the movement. He was exposed to his mother's extensive and eclectic record collection. Gangs in the area became the law, clearing their turf of drug dealers, assisting with community health programs and both fighting and partying to keep members and turf. Bambaataa was a member of the Black Spades. He quickly rose to the position of warlord of one of the divisions. As warlord, it was his job to build ranks and expand the turf of the young Spades. He was not afraid to cross turfs to forge relationships with other gang members, and with other gangs. As a result, the Spades became the biggest gang in the city in terms of both membership and turf.

After Bambaataa won an essay contest that earned him a trip to Africa, his worldview shifted. He had seen the movie Zulu and was impressed with the solidarity exhibited by the Zulu in that film. During his trip to Africa, the communities he visited inspired him to create one in his own neighborhood. He changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim, adopting the name of the Zulu chief Bhambatha, who led an armed rebellion against unfair economic practices in early 20th century South Africa. He told people that his name was Zulu for "affectionate leader." Bambaataa formed The "Bronx River Organization" as an alternative to the Black Spades.

Career

Inspired by DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Dee, Bambaataa began hosting hip-hop parties beginning in 1977. He vowed to use hip-hop to draw angry kids out of gangs and form the Universal Zulu Nation. Robert Keith Wiggins, a.k.a. "Cowboy" of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, is credited with naming hip-hop; the term became a common phrase used by MCs as part of a scat-inspired style of rhyming. Writer Steven Hager claims that the first time "hip-hop" was used in print was in his Village Voice article where he was quoting Bambaataa, who had called the culture "hip-hop" in an interview.

In 1982, Bambaataa and his followers - a group of dancers, artists, and DJs - went outside the United States on the first hip-hop tour. He saw that the hip hop tours would be the key to help expand hip hop and his Universal Zulu Nation. In addition it would help promote the values of hip hop that he believed are based on peace, unity, love, and having fun. He brought peace to the gangs; many artists and gang members say that "hip hop saved a lot of lives." His influence inspired many overseas artists like the French rapper MC Solaar. He was a popular DJ in The South Bronx rap scene and became known not only as Afrika Bambaataa but also as the "Master of Records." He established two rap crews: the Jazzy 5 including MCs Master Ice, Mr. Freeze, Master Bee, Master D.E.E, and AJ Les, and the second crew referred to as Soulsonic Force including Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow and Emcee G.L.O.B.E.

In 1982, Taylor, who was inspired by Kraftwerk's futuristic electronic music, debuted at The Roxy a test cassette of EBN-OZN's ground breaking, 12-inch white rap/spoken word "AEIOU Sometimes Y". It was the first commercially released American single ever made on a computer, a Fairlight CMI, ushering in the era of music computer sampling. In that same year, Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force stopped performing with a live band, and began to use only technology. Bambaataa credited the pioneering Japanese electropop group Yellow Magic Orchestra, whose work he sampled, as an inspiration. He also borrowed a keyboard hook from German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk and was provided the electronic Roland TR-808 "beat-box" by producer Arthur Baker and synthesizer player John Robie. That resulted in "Planet Rock," which went to gold status and generated an entire school of "electro-boogie" rap and dance music. Bambaataa formed his own label to release the Time Zone Compilation. He created "turntablism" as its own subgenre and the ratification of "electronica" as an industry-certified trend in the late 1990s.

Birth of the Zulu Nation

In the late 1970s, Bambaataa formed what became known as the Universal Zulu Nation, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture. By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc and DJ Dee, and after Disco King Mario loaned him his first equipment, Bambaataa began organizing block parties all around The South Bronx. He even faced his long-time friend, Disco King Mario in a DJ battle. He then began performing at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and formed the Bronx River Organization, then later simply "The Organization." Bambaataa had deejayed with his own sound system at The Bronx River Houses' Community Center, with Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, and Cowboy, who accompanied him in performances in the community. Because of his prior status in the Black Spades, he already had an established Army party crowd drawn from former members of the gang. Hip hop culture was spreading through the streets via house parties, block parties, gym dances and mix tapes.

About a year later Bambaataa reformed the group, calling it the Zulu Nation (inspired by his wide studies on African history at the time). Specifically, Bambaataa watched the 1964 film Zulu, which sparked the name for the group. Five b-boys (break dancers) joined him, whom he called the Zulu Kings, and later formed the Zulu Queens, and the Shaka Zulu Kings and Queens. As he continued deejaying, more DJs, rappers, b-boys, b-girls, graffiti writers, and artists followed him, and he took them under his wing and made them all members of his Zulu Nation. He was also the founder of the Soulsonic Force, which originally consisted of approximately 20 Zulu Nation members: Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, DJ Cowboy Soulsonic Force (#2), Pow Wow, G.L.0.B.E. (creator of the "MC popping" rap style), DJ Jazzy Jay, Cosmic Force, Queen Lisa Lee, Prince Ikey C, Ice Ice (#1), Chubby Chub; Jazzy Five-DJ Jazzy Jay, Mr. Freeze, Master D.E.E., Kool DJ Red Alert, Sundance, Ice Ice (#2), Charlie Choo, Master Bee, Busy Bee Starski, Akbar (Lil Starski), and Raheim. The personnel for the Soulsonic Force were groups within groups with whom he would perform and make records.

In 1980, Taylor's groups made Death Mix, their first recording with Paul Winley Records. According to Bambaata, this was an unauthorized release. Winley recorded two versions of Soulsonic Force's landmark single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown," with authorization from the musicians. Disappointed with the results of the single, Bambaataa left the company. The arranger credit on these recordings is correctly attributed to Harlem Underground Band leader, Kevin Donovan. This led to the false assumption that Bambaataa's real name was Kevin Donovan, which was widely accepted by the hip hop community until recently, following sexual abuse allegations, when Bronx River residents spoke out and revealed in oral testimonies that Bambaataa's real name was in fact Lance Taylor.

The Zulu Nation was the first hip-hop organization, with an official birth date of November 12, 1977. Bambaataa's plan with the Universal Zulu Nation was to build a movement out of the creativity of a new generation of outcast youths with an authentic, liberating worldview.

Recognition

In 1981, hip hop artist Fab Five Freddy was putting together music packages in the largely white downtown Manhattan new wave clubs, and invited Bambaataa to perform at one of them, the Mudd Club. It was the first time Bambaataa had performed before a predominantly white crowd. Attendance for his parties downtown became so large that he had to move to larger venues, first to the Ritz, in a show organized by hip hop pioneer, Michael Holman, with Malcolm McLaren's group Bow Wow Wow, then to the Peppermint Lounge, The Jefferson, Negril, Danceteria and the Roxy. "Planet Rock," a popular single produced by Arthur Baker and the keyboardist John Robie, came out that June under the name Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force. The song borrowed musical motifs from German electronic music, funk, and rock. Different elements and musical styles were used together. The song became an immediate hit and stormed the music charts worldwide. The song melded the main melody from Kraftwerk's "Trans-Europe Express" with electronic beats based on their track "Numbers" as well as portions from records by Babe Ruth and Captain Sky, thus creating a new style of music altogether, electro funk.

Afrika Bambaataa was booked on the first ever European hip hop tour presented by Europe One and Fnac France. Along with himself were rapper and graffiti artist Rammellzee, Zulu Nation DJ Grand Mixer DXT (formerly Grand Mixer D.St), B-boy and B-girl crews the Rock Steady Crew, and the Double Dutch Girls, as well as legendary graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddy, PHASE 2, Futura 2000, and Dondi.

Bambaataa's second release around 1983 was "Looking for the Perfect Beat," then later, "Renegades of Funk," both with the same Soulsonic Force. He began working with producer Bill Laswell at Jean Karakos's Celluloid Records, where he developed and placed two groups on the label: Time Zone and Shango. Bambaataa recorded "Wildstyle" with Time Zone, and he recorded a collaboration with punk rocker John Lydon and Time Zone in 1984, titled "World Destruction." Shango's album, Shango Funk Theology, was released by the label in 1984. That same year, Bambaataa and other hip hop celebrities appeared in the movie Beat Street. He also made a landmark recording with James Brown, titled "Unity." It was billed in music industry circles as "the Godfather of Soul meets the Godfather of Hip Hop."

Around October 1985, Bambaataa and other music stars worked on the anti-apartheid album Sun City with Little Steven Van Zandt, Joey Ramone, Run–D.M.C., Lou Reed, U2, and others. During 1988, he recorded "Afrika Bambaataa and Family" for Capitol Records, titled The Light, featuring Nona Hendryx, UB40, Boy George, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Yellowman. He had recorded a few other works with Family three years earlier, one titled "Funk You" in 1985, and the other titled "Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)" in 1986. In 1986 he discovered an artist in Atlanta. (Through MC SHY D) by the name of Kenya Miler a.k.a. MC Harmony (Known producer now as Kenya Fame Flames Miller), that was later signed to Criminal Records and Arthur Baker. The group was Harmony and LG. The first single, 1987's "Dance To The Drums/No Joke," was produced by Bambaataa and Baker with musicians Keith LeBlanc and Doug Wimbish. Bambaataa was involved in the Stop the Violence Movement, and with other hip hop artists recorded "Self Destruction", a 12" single which hit number one on the Hot Rap Singles Chart in March 1989. The single went gold and raised $400,000 for the National Urban League to be used for community anti-violence education programs.

In 1990, Bambaataa made Life magazine's "Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" issue. He was also involved in the anti-apartheid work "Hip Hop Artists Against Apartheid" for Warlock Records. He teamed with the Jungle Brothers to record the album Return to Planet Rock (The Second Coming).

Gee Street Records, Bambaataa and John Baker organized a concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1990 for the African National Congress (ANC), in honor of Nelson Mandela's release from prison. The concert brought together performances by British and American rappers, and also introduced both Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the ANC to hip hop audiences. In relation to the event, the recording Ndodemnyama (Free South Africa) helped raise approximately $30,000 for the ANC.

From the mid-1990s, Bambaataa returned to his electro roots. In 1998, he produced a remix of "Planet Rock" combining electro and house music elements, called "Planet Rock '98," which is regarded as an early example of the electro house genre. In 2000, Rage Against the Machine covered his song "Renegades of Funk" for their album, Renegades. The same year, he collaborated with Leftfield on the song "Afrika Shox," the first single from Leftfield's Rhythm and Stealth. "Afrika Shox" also appeared on soundtrack to Vanilla Sky. In 2004, he collaborated with WestBam, a group that was named after him, on the 2004 album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light which also featured Gary Numan. In 2006, he was featured on the British singer Jamelia's album Walk With Me on a song called "Do Me Right," and on Mekon's album Some Thing Came Up, on the track "D-Funktional." He performed the lyrics on the track "Is There Anybody Out There" by The Bassheads (Desa Basshead). As an actor, he has played a variety of voice-over character roles on Kung Faux.

Bambaataa was a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers. On September 27, 2007, it was announced that Afrika Bambaataa was one of the nine nominees for the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions. On December 22, 2007, he made a surprise appearance performing at the First Annual Tribute Fit For the King of King Records, Mr. Dynamite James Brown in Covington, Kentucky.

On August 14, 2012, Bambaataa was given a three-year appointment as a visiting scholar at Cornell University. The appointment was made in collaboration between Cornell University Library's Hip Hop Collection, the largest collection of historical hip hop music in North America, and the University's department of Music. His archives, including his vinyl collection, original audio and video recordings, manuscripts, books, and papers arrived at the Cornell University Hip Hop Collection in December 2013.

Child molestation allegations

In April 2016, Bronx political activist Ronald Savage accused Bambaataa of molesting him in 1980, when Savage was 15. Following Savage's allegations, three more men accused Bambaataa of sexual abuse. Bambaataa issued a statement to Rolling Stone denying the allegations. In early May 2016, the Universal Zulu Nation disassociated themselves from Bambaataa as part of an organizational restructuring that saw the group removing "all accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation" from their current roles in the organization.

On May 6, 2016, Bambaataa left his position as head of The Zulu Nation.

In June 2016, The Universal Zulu Nation issued an open letter apologizing to the alleged victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by Bambaataa.

"On behalf of the members of the Universal Zulu Nation worldwide, who have made their voices heard through their chapter leaders, we extend our deepest and most sincere apologies to the many people who have been hurt by the actions of Afrika Bambaataa and the subsequent poor response of our organization to allegations levelled against him," the Zulu Nation said in a statement signed by dozens of UZN chapter leaders worldwide.

"To the survivors of apparent sexual molestation by Bambaataa, both those who have come forward and others who have not, we are sorry for what you endured and extend our thanks to those who have spoken out for your bravery in bringing to light that which most of us were sadly unaware of, and others chose not to disclose."

The apology was signed by nearly three dozen members of the Zulu Nation, including leaders from as far as New Zealand. The organization also apologized to Ronald "Bee Stinger" Savage and Hassan "Poppy" Campbell, two of Bambaataa's accusers, who they said were "subjected to unjust and inexcusable attacks on their characters in official statements by our organization when they chose to speak their truths. ... We hear you, we believe you, and we stand with you."

In October 2016, Vice published an in-depth article titled "Afrika Bambaataa Allegedly Molested Young Men For Decades" and reported the stories and testimonies of the alleged victims and witnesses. The article stated the accusers "claim that these accounts of alleged abuse have been common knowledge in the Bronx River community and beyond since the early 1980s, including among many of Bambaataa's closest friends and Zulu soldiers."

Despite the multiple allegations and testimonies of victims and witnesses, to date no charges have been brought upon Afrika Bambaataa and he has not been prosecuted for these alleged crimes. This is due to New York state statute of limitations, which provide that actions for civil damages for defined sexual crimes, including sexual abuse of a minor, must be brought within five years of the acts constituting the sexual offense.

[lilyy-james]

                                   Emmeline Louise Gray                             Socialite Recluse

Age: Twenty-two.  Birthplace: Geneva, Switzerland. Sign: Libra-Scorpio cusp MBTI: INFP Gender: Female Height: 170cm/5′7 Family’s Net Worth: $823 Million Lives in: Her personal suite at the Ritz-Carlton New York. Mental Health: Prone to neurosis, anxiety, mild OCD. Occupation: Film critic Fluent in: English, French, Italian Inspiration: Eloise at the Plaza Pinterest: [x] Quote: “We’re all on the brink of despair. All we can do is look each other in the face, keep each other company, joke a little. Don’t you agree?”

Headcanons

Emmeline has an undergrad degree in film from NYU. Her short film Bird’s Eye was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. She was on track to direct her first feature film, with a screenplay penned by none other than Jocelyn Miller and starring Christian Bale and Finn Wolfhard as a father son duo, but had a minor breakdown on set. She was eventually replaced.

Has written reviews for the New York Post, Rolling Stone, Indie Wire, and A.V. Club. Now writes on her own website where she publishes film reviews with a focus on costume design. Averages one or two reviews per month, is selective with her viewings.

Despite mingling in high circles, her presence at fashion week front rows, parties and events, and even a fan instagram dedicated to her, Emmeline only has one close friend. Besides her pooch Harpo and her personal maid, of course. She likes long periods in solitude and spending most of her evenings alone, watching classical films or soaking in the tub.

[dualipahls]

artanduraku1: Amazing night with President Vjosa Osmani, singer Dua Lipa, Actress Yllka Gashi, Ms Fahrije Hoti and many more in Washington, DC screening of "Hive" at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown in Washington, DC. Hive (Albanian: Zgjoi) is a 2021 Kosovan drama film directed by Blerta Basholli in her directorial debut. The film stars Yllka Gashi, Çun Lajçi and Aurita Agushi. It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021 and became the first film in Sundance history to win all three main awards – the Grand Jury Prize, the Audience Award and the Directing Award – in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. It was selected as the Kosovan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards. At the center of it is the true story of Fahrije Hoti (Yllka Gashi, delivering a performance of fuming power), a Kosovan woman struggling to make ends meet while caring for her two kids—a young son and a sometimes maddeningly unsympathetic teenage daughter—as well as her father-in-law Haxi (Çun Lajçi). She’s been stuck in this situation a for quite some time now—the chronology isn’t identified exactly, but one can assume well into the aughts or possibly later, after the war in Kosovo ended in 1999 and left her husband missing in its wake. Wish good luck for Hive at the Oscars 2021.

10/11/2021

[ocw-archive]

3 Guys Unlikely Path To Hollywood - San Francisco Chronicle; February 18, 1996

By Mick LaSalle With smitten producer James Brooks' help, 'Bottle Rocket' hit Right now the luckiest people in Hollywood are three young guys from Texas -- Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson. If their luck holds, they'll actually get good reviews this Friday when their debut movie, ''Bottle Rocket,'' opens here and throughout the country, and they'll be launched on long, successful careers in the picture business. That wouldn't be any more amazing than what's already happened. The story of how ''Bottle Rocket'' found its way into movie houses is one of those wonderful Hollywood flukes that gives novices a reason to dream -- and makes struggling veterans shake their heads. It's 1991. Anderson and Owen Wilson, roommates at the University of Texas at Austin, write a script about two middle-class guys who clumsily embark on a life of crime. Anderson directs a short, starring Wilson and his brother, Luke. It gets picked up at Sundance and is shown in 1993. A few months later, Polly Pratt of producer-director James L. Brooks' production company, Gracie Films, sees the short. She loves it. She shows it to Brooks. Brooks, who directed ''Terms of Endearment'' and ''Broadcast News,'' loves it. Next thing you know he's on a plane to Texas to meet the young auteurs.

''It was like mountain air,'' Brooks enthuses about the short. ''It was just that fresh -- with brand-new rhythms. And then you find out that they're all brothers and friends. It's great.'' You can only imagine what it must have been like for three would-be film makers in their mid-20s to have an Academy- Award-winning director show up in their neighborhood, wanting to hang out. ''You feel like your life is hanging in the balance,'' says Anderson. ''But Jim Brooks had such appreciation of us that we always felt good.'' Brooks rode around in the car with them. ''He was like an anthropologist. We took him to where we lived -- three couches in a crummy apartment. He walked in and wanted to walk out immediately,'' says Anderson. ''Owen felt like when (Brooks) saw how bad we were living, he felt like he had to do the movie.'' Not so, says Brooks. ''No, you don't walk into somebody's house and say, 'That couch is an eyesore, let's make a movie.' Actually I envied them. The commitment of it. To be with your pals, all sharing the same goal, it's great.'' Brooks wanted to hear the script, so they read it out loud. ''Only the font Wes was using on his printer made a 140-page script the equivalent of 300 pages,'' says Owen Wilson. ''We knew something was wrong two hours into it when we were only on page 40. We had a real epic comedy. Jim Brooks looked like he'd been hit with a stun gun.'' But Brooks believed in these guys and had them brought out to Hollywood for rewrites. ''They put us up, but it's not like it was a luxury hotel,'' says Wilson. ''Where we were staying, they told us there were patients on the third floor. But they wouldn't tell us what kind of patients, and they wouldn't let us go up there. So the whole time we were wondering, 'What the f-- are they hiding on the third floor?'' It turned out to be a plastic surgery clinic. ''The star treatment has continued,'' says Wilson. ''On the publicity tour, Dunston (the orangutan from 'Dunston Checks In') stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. We stayed at the Econolodge.'' Between rewrites and cutting a deal, it was a year and a half between Brooks' visit and getting the green light from Columbia. ''Everybody was celebrating,'' says Wilson, ''but we thought we already had the green light. Then after the green light, it was back to '99 percent sure.' In L.A., 99- percent is like 50-50 in the rest of the country. And 90 percent means you're lost.'' What's extraordinary is that Columbia left the formula alone. Instead of putting stars in the leads, Anderson, 26, once again got to direct his buddies, Owen, 27, and Luke, 24. ''They might have tried to change it,'' says Anderson, ''but Jim Brooks had enough clout that they didn't interfere.'' The short ended after the first heist, at a bookstore. The feature film expands the story, showing the guys as fugitives who eventually go to work for a petty crook, played by James Caan, the movie's only recognizable face. Brooks, speaking by phone the day after the Los Angeles premiere of ''Bottle Rocket,'' was rhapsodic. ''If I really answered how I feel right now, I'd sound mushy. I think the acting is so true -- you can't take dynamite and make these guys have a dishonest moment. There's just something about their spirit. They're just good guys.'' After the premiere, says Wilson, ''We had a barbecue -- catered barbecue. People told us that premieres are usually stuffy, but that they had a good time at ours.'' Anderson and the Wilson brothers have nothing definite lined up after ''Bottle Rocket'' -- ''a lot of things are 90 percent sure,'' says Wilson. But they plan on working together. They're still all living together, too, only now they're in a house in Los Angeles. That doesn't sound too bad, having a house in Los Angeles . . . ''We're renting it,'' says Wilson. That still doesn't sound bad. ''Oh, yeah?'' says Wilson. ''Wait til you see the house.''

[adelaideattractions]

Audiences walk out of brutal movie

There were tense scenes at the Aussie premiere of a brutal historical drama in Sydney last night with punters walking out during numerous visceral rape scenes and yelling out criticism. Aussie film The Nightingale, directed by Jennifer Kent, was screened as part of the Sydney Film Festival last night to a sold-out audience of more than 1000 people at the Ritz cinema in the citys east. The unflinching rape-revenge story, set in 1825, is centred on a young Irish convict woman who chases a British officer and his band of cronies through the rugged Tasmanian bush with the help of an indigenous guide.

media_cameraAisling Fanciosi plays a young Irish convict who chases a British officer though the Tassie bush. Upon being shown at international festivals, it has been lauded by critics as a confronting and powerful piece of cinema that transcends the traditional boundaries of a revenge thriller. However, it was clear some in Sydney last night didnt feel the level of sexual violence was warranted in telling the story of Clare, the films 21-year-old protagonist. In setting up the tale of revenge, the first section of the film confronts the audience with long, drawn-out scenes of her being raped by several men over several scenes. By the third rape scene in the first 20 minutes, some of those watching on in horror in the Ritz had enough. Through the tortured on-screen screams, cinemagoers walked out, and some even yelled out criticism, as the director sat among the audience after introducing the film. As there was a lull in the on-screen horror, one woman could be heard screaming: Shes already been raped, we dont need to see it again. Punters also walked out during later scenes in the film that showed horrific levels of violence towards babies, children and mainly indigenous people with close-up shots of faces being mashed up, brutal stabbings and even more drawn-out rapes.

media_cameraBaykali Ganambarr plays an indigenous guide named Billy. Sydney cinemagoers arent the only ones who have taken issue with some of the films most provocative scenes, with critics asking whether the level of detail is necessary and noting audience members are walking out. Vacuum-packing a non-stop supply of rapes, deaths and beatings into more than two hours is needlessly punishing and comes at the expense of character and story, New York Post critic Johnny Oleksinski wrote. Constantly having to shield your eyes from horrible imagery as the Sundance audience was would seem to defy the whole point of watching a movie. FilmEra critic Chris Shortt called The Nightingale a gruelling and grossly offensive misfire. (Director) Kent subjects us to a disturbing frequency of rape scenes to the extent that it soon stops feeling like a jolt of brutal honesty and quickly becomes indulgent, he wrote. If we werent aware of the historical atrocities committed by British soldiers across the colonies already, we certainly are by the fourth rape scene. What, then, of the fifth or the sixth? Despite the criticism, The Nightingale received a sustained round of applause as the credits rolled at the Ritz last night. Introducing her work, Kent told the audience putting together the film was the toughest thing shed ever had to do, and the majority of critics had lauded the historical piece for its unflinching style earning it the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival last year.

media_cameraDirector Jennifer Kent said making the film was the toughest thing shed ever had to do. Picture: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images In a Q&A session with Kent after last nights screening, she was asked what she would say to the audience members who walked out. She said she totally understands why people would react in that way and they had every right but added she felt like she needed to include scenes of such horror so as not to soften the brutality of that period in history. She said filming the scenes was heartbreaking, and she cried throughout the process, all the way through to post-production. Critics who rated The Nightingale positively admitted it was hard to watch but that was the point, as it captured the horror of Australias colonial past. I dont think that any review can mentally, physically, or emotionally prepare you for what Kent has brought to life with this film, wrote Scott Menzel of We Live Entertainment, giving the film 9.5 stars out of 10. The Nightingale is a very difficult watch but packs quite an emotional punch. Criticism of the film comes as the portrayal of rape and its use as a narrative tool in television and film is being debated. As the final season of Game of Thrones aired last month, actor Jessica Chastain wrote on Twitter a woman shouldnt have to survive the worst possible experiences in order to flourish. Rape is not a tool to make a character stronger, she wrote in the post that has gone viral. A woman doesnt need to be victimised in order to become a butterfly. The Nightingale was shown as part of the Sydney Film Festival, which runs until June 15. There are two more showings, tonight at Event Cinemas on George St and on Sunday at Dendy in Newtown. Originally published as Audiences walk out of brutal movie https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/movies/cinemagoers-walk-out-and-yell-criticism-during-the-nightingale-premiere-in-sydney/news-story/caff28ba212a573619fe1ed29bc98b2e?from=htc_rss

[jaygilbert-blog]

COFFEE TALK [with Michael Kauffman]

“I’ve worked in music and technology during my career, largely in sales, marketing, and PR roles. I love to connect artists and companies with fans and customers -- and have been doing that in tech (YouTube on the marketing team and at Google via corporate communications), at start-ups like RightsFlow (a rights management and licensing company acquired by Google), and earlier in my career at labels and distribution companies like UMG, Verve, BMG, and Windham Hill.”

Q: What are a few of your favorite “industry moments?”

I loved spending time on the road with artists earlier in my career. While at Windham Hill in the mid-90’s, I joined Keola Beamer, Ledward Kaapana, and a few other Hawaiian slack key guitar icons on a series of dates up the eastern seaboard. It was one of the first times I spent a lot of time with a band who I had limited prior knowledge about. Pre-internet days. Not only did I fall in love with that music, but I got to introduce the band and crew to PA-breakfast-fave scrapple while eating at the Melrose Diner in Philadelphia. While at Verve, we arranged for the amazingly gifted vocalist Al Jarreau (RIP Al) to host the Music Biz Annual Conference Awards Dinner one year concurrent with his new release. Al arrived in San Antonio with a serious bout of the flu, and we didn’t know whether he’d be able to speak, let alone take the stage. But after a few hours of sweating it out, focused rest, home-brewed tea, and a mind-over-matter attitude, Al took the microphone and blew everyone away with his grace, wit, and charm.

I was fortunate during those years at Verve to work with a top-notch sales team (Tony Pellegrino, Jon Vanhala, Lisa Hopkins, Mark Callaghan, Jeff Lusis, Kim Smith, Missy Iredell), self-branded “The Jazz Pack”. We adopted a song-and-dance approach to many of our sales presentations and had a blast singing-while-selling our releases (I like to say that we were the last of the singin’ sales guys). Flashback to Los Angeles in 2001. The Universal Music and Video Distribution Conference was being held at the Century Plaza Hotel, and we were scheduled, along with all the other UMG labels, to present our upcoming releases to our friends at distribution. Instead of a generic video presentation, we opted to host an awards show called “The Tommy’s” (named for our beloved label Chairman Tommy LiPuma, industry icon, producer, and true music maker) packed with curated categories, spoof videos, and actual live performances highlighting our artists and releases.

The opening song-and-dance number involved us wearing Adidas tear-away track suits worn over tuxedos, doing a bit of choreographed dancing along with a backup crew consisting of the XFL’s LA Xtreme cheerleading squad. It culminated with Tommy himself being led through the curtains of the stage and down to his front-row seat amidst a rousing standing ovation (Tommy’s entrance is ~4:29 in this YouTube videohttps://youtu.be/Y09IwrNHO8Q). Furthermore, there was also an ice sculpture of Tommy, a raucous afterparty, the USC Fighting Trojan Marching Band performing "Tequila", balloons falling from the ceiling, and hundreds of customized Tommy bobbleheads that were presented to all in attendance. I vividly remember Tommy saying to me right before we stepped onto the stage: “Mikey! What's going on here babe?!” Most fun I ever had in a sales presentation. What a cool experience to work with that team and Tommy.

Another highlight happened at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City in early 2014: I spearheaded the music integration at our YouTube on Main Street pop-up experience. It was one of the more stressful planning periods I’ve endured — late nights, intense conversations, negotiations to book acts, and everything in between — but the effort was ultimately rewarded with goose-bump-inducing performances from Damon Albarn (“There’s no way we can fit a string quartet and a large keyboard on that small stage.”), Venus And The Moon (who asked me to rehearse with them in the parking garage), Carina Round, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Sleeping At Last, Matthew Perryman Jones and Kate Tucker (many artists via a Paste partnership — thanks Josh Jackson), and a few roof-raising late-nite DJ sets from Young Guru, Neon Indian, and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy -- who's agent phoned me on the day of his set to tell me he was stuck in Chicago due to snow. He arrived just in time to walk on the stage and start spinning records! It all came together and was magical. Plus so many other highlights: a post-dinner celebratory “toast” with Cheap Trick in Chicago, dinner in the Sinatra room at Patsy’s in NYC with Jamie Cullum, and of course live experiences like The Subdudes at Tipitina’s in New Orleans.

Q: If you were to make a playlist of the songs that are part of your DNA, the comfort food that you keep coming back to, that never fail to move and inspire you, what would those tracks be?

It would have to be a playlist of playlists… how many songs do I get?

Can I have 20 - 25? I love the Great American Songbook: Frank, Ella, Billie, Dean, Sammy, Tony, Dinah, along with Miles, Coltrane, Bird, Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Basie, and all the jazz masters.   Here's a happy hour playlist assembled by Ken Druker, our head of catalog while I was at Verve. He curated this “Jazz Pack Supertunes” compilation for our crew back in the late 90’s: Frank Sinatra & Count Basie - Come Fly With Me Dean Martin - Ain't That A Kick In The Head Buddy Greco - Around The World Bobby Darin - More Sammy Davis, Jr. - Hey There Jack Jones - You'd Better Love Me Count Basie - All Of Me Frank Sinatra - That's Life Eartha Kitt - C'est Si Bon Tom Jones - It's Not Unusual Perez Prado - Mambo No. 8 Wayne Newton - Danke Shoen Bobby Darin - Hello Dolly Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme - This Could Be The Start Of Something Big Buddy Greco - She Loves Me Vic Damone - The Song Is You Al Martino - Speak Softly Love Nino Rota - The Godfather Waltz Dean Martin - Return To Me Johnny Mathis - Chances Are Sammy Davis Jr. - I've Gotta Be Me Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight Marilyn Monroe - Happy Birthday Mr. President (on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/michaeljoel/playlist/1mNOucMihzZ38hMLv2ptNB)

Q: Are there any artists that never really made it, that came across your desk, that you wish people could hear and embrace?

Action Figure Party comes immediately to mind (a group spearheaded by Greg Kirsten, founder of Geggy Tah, who over the past decade has become a Grammy-award winning producer of Sia, Beck, Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding, Pink, the Shins, Tegan and Sara, Lily Allen), signed to Verve at the time by Bud Harner, our ultra-cool A&R rep. “Everybody Ready” now playing: https://youtu.be/Xud_KlHlqr0

Q: Who was your mentor? Why? Early in my career in advertising: Jim Coudal, the creative director at Weber, Cohn & Riley gave me a shot as a copywriter and helped me craft a voice for headlines and copy. Chris Balla and Bob Garbarini at BMG (now Sony) who provided the freedom and the guidelines to teach me how to think about music marketing. Pat Berry, my boss at Windham Hill (now running the Six Degrees label), who taught me pretty much everything I know about sales, much of it based on always framing decisions with what’s best for the artist. Also from the Windham Hill timeframe, Dave Morrell, who spearheaded AAA/non-comm promotion at our High Street imprint, is a dear friend and mentor who taught me how to love stories and to leave people with a smile. Dave has been releasing his memoirs — and they are a hoot! Horse-Doggin’: Volume 1 is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Horse-Doggin-Dave-Morrell-Archives-Vol-ebook/dp/B00IZLEFQ6/ref=la_B00LG1S4P0_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491231314&sr=1-1 and 1974 - The Promotion Man - Volume 2 is here: https://www.amazon.com/1974-Promotion-York-Morrell-Archives-ebook/dp/B015YV11M0/ref=la_B00IZQHCE8_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491231441&sr=1-3. Read up. Plus Bob Schneiders at UMVD taught me the ropes as for retail sales when I started at GRP, and also showed me the importance of connection via common passions solidified with personalized outreach. And the host of other sales and marketing execs who guided me through the years: Ben Kline, Pat Monaco, Bob Anderson, Tony Camardo, Linda Finke, Saul Shapiro, Mike Davis, Cliff O'Sullivan, Mark Flaherty, Marc Zimet, Anthony Ellis, Rob Santos, Nell Mulderry, (can't forget you) Jay Gilbert, the Jazz Pack (Jon, Tony, Lisa, Jeff, Mark)... it takes a village obviously.

Patrick Sullivan (CEO / Co-Founder at RightsFlow) mentored me through his leadership to win against the odds through smart-thinking and a tireless work effort, while Scott Sellwood (our Head of Biz Affairs at RightsFlow, and Publisher Relationships at YouTube) inspired me with his brain, musical abilities, and tenacious commitment to finding common sense solutions. And finally Tommy LiPuma, of course, our Chairman at GRP and Verve, who taught me how to pursue quality in music, art, wine and life. A legendary music leader, visionary and Hall of Fame human being with a legacy of music and joy rooted in the artists, colleagues, employees and millions of ears and hearts that he inspired. A few of use traveled to Cleveland last year to celebrate his 80th. So glad we did. It was a night of stellar performances: Diana Krall, Dr. John, Al Jarreau, Leon Russell (RIP)… followed by the afterparty back at the Ritz-Carlton, drinking amazing wine while listening and laughing into the wee small hours to the many, many stories filling the room. Music biz stories for the ages. Tommy stories. So fortunate and thankful. Smart, passionate, creative mentors who rocked my world.

Q: What’s the best part of your job? Helping and listening (to people and to music). Anytime I can generate a creative conversation with an artist, a company or a colleague, and help them think about their audience and how best to share + super-serve + connect, it’s a good day.

That, and getting together with friends and colleagues for lots of happy hours and live music. Ketel martini, up. Ice cold. Olives.

[easytravelpw-blog]

Full text write on https://easy-travel.pw/the-6-most-romantic-places-in-the-southwest/magazine/

The 6 Most Romantic Places in the Southwest

01 of 06

The Mystical Energy of Sedona, Arizona

Andrei Stoica / EyeEm / Getty.

The magnificent red rocks surrounding Sedona have inspired some to ascribe mystical powers to them. New Age believers regard the town’s invisible vortexes as swirling centers of energy that promote energy and healing. Whether you buy that or don’t, what’s undeniable is the unique beauty of the setting. Sunny days, crisp air (elevation is 4,500 feet), and clear nights studded with billions of stars make it a true haven for romantics.

Sedona is also a popular stopping-off point on a journey through the Southwest, thanks its proximity to the Grand Canyon. That vast, natural wonder is 114 miles away and about a two-hour drive, depending on traffic.

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Sedona

Consisting of private cabins with outdoor balconies that have exceptional views of red rocks or Oak Creek, L’Auberge de Sedona is sequestered among tall, shady trees but still walking distance to the town’s shops and restaurants. Luxury amenities including a wood-burning fireplace and down bedding and pillows can provide the setting for your own dreamlike journey in Sedona.

02 of 06

The Desert Appeal of Phoenix, Arizona

© Susan Breslow Sardone.

While it may appear that the city primarily consists of groomed golf courses, desert foliage, and sprawling spa resorts, there’s more to engage couples. One must-see is Taliesin West, where Frank Lloyd Wright and assistants created an extraordinary group of structures among saguaro cacti and prickly pear trees. Others are the unique Musical Instrument Museum and 50-acre Desert Botanical Garden, especially romantic at the end of the year when luminarias light the pathways.

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Phoenix

Although Phoenix has an impressive selection of hotels, from the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Arizona Biltmore, which is a large Waldorf Astoria Resort, to the intimate Royal Palms, it’s worth venturing further.

The adjacent town of Scottsdale is home to the one-of-a-kind Boulders Resort & Spa, a luxurious refuge set among ancient boulders and dotted with towering saguaros. Spacious casitas have a wood-burning fireplace, king-size bed, and a balcony to sip morning coffee and later observe the evening stars. While the spa has treatments to indulge those seeking spiritual awakening, massages offer genuine relief. Head outside to explore the desert trails or call for a golf cart to ferry you around.

03 of 06

The Sensuous Side of Santa Fe, New Mexico

© Susan Breslow Sardone.

Turquoise and sienna, shades of sky and earth, color Santa Fe, New Mexico. They’re echoed in an adobe-brick church stolid in Santa Fe’s bright daylight, in the bold geometric patterns woven into a Navajo rug, in a silvery Native American bracelet dotted with blue stones and sold in the Santa Fe plaza.

New Age meets Old West at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-style hot-tub spa set in the hills high above Santa Fe. Reserve a private outdoor tub with its own adjacent plunge pool. A pre-dusk appointment guarantees an awesome view of the sunset. Follow up with his-and-hers massages that use Ten Thousand Waves’ cedar-scented lotion. Then repair back down to town for a chile-infused meal at one of Santa Fe’s best restaurants.

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Santa Fe

While many downtown Santa Fe hotels appear to be similar low-slung adobe expanses, there are differences on the inside. The landmark Eldorado Hotel & Spa, a few blocks from the Plaza, features a fireplace, balcony, and Jacuzzi in some rooms. Set on a corner of the Plaza at the end of the Old Santa Fe trail, funky La Fonda Santa Fe boasts one of the best locations, décor that evokes the Old West, and a tasty French bakery.

In the heart of Santa Fe’s most historic neighborhood, the Inn of the Five Graces, a Relais & Chateaux hotel, is truly outstanding. Its name refers to the five ways to experience the world—sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch—and the Inn sees to it that every sense is thoroughly sated. As one of the most romantic and hospitable hotels for couples looking for the ultimate getaway, its rooms are adorned with hand-carved armoires and painted cabinets, richly textured armchairs, embroidered bedspreads and ethnic rugs, king-sized feather beds, and baths with deep-soaking tubs and mosaic tiles, making it a luxurious home away from home.

04 of 06

The Delights of Downtown Denver, Colorado

  aimintang/Getty Images 

The freewheeling spirit of the Old West meets high times in the Mile-High City. Colorado decriminalized marijuana for recreational use in 2012, and since then Denver’s appeal to visitors has blossomed.

Across from Union Station in lower downtown, LoDo Wellness is one source of medicinal and recreational marijuana, edibles, and accessories for couples who want to dabble without fear of arrest (as long as you don’t smoke outdoors or leave the state with weed).

But don’t let the haze keep you from experiencing the city’s unique attractions. Dress yourselves in cool new duds at Cry Baby Ranch and Rockmount Western Wear. Couples who appreciate the fine arts should allot a few hours to visiting the sprawling Denver Art Museum, which has vast collections of American Indian, pre-Columbian, and Spanish Colonial art objects along with European and American painting and sculpture. Those who favor the lively arts will find entertainment in the Plex’s six theaters and opera house.

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Denver

Walking distance to the shops and restaurants around Larimer Square, the Ritz-Carlton, Denver was the city’s first five-star, five-diamond hotel. It’s an exceptionally comfortable luxury hotel and the food and drink offerings in its concierge level lounge make the upgrade worthwhile. A spa with a couples suite plus Elway’s namesake restaurant, and a vast gym with a lap pool make this an ideal perch for couples on a Denver honeymoon or romantic getaway.

Continue to 5 of 6 below.

05 of 06

The Enduring Appeal of Las Vegas, Nevada

Westend61/Getty.

The Las Vegas Strip was designed to dazzle the eye, and its many attractions make it one of America’s most romantic places for a couple to stroll day or night (even though you can expect to encounter crowds). Thanks to the Las Vegas Monorail, you can ride the four-mile route in air-conditioned comfort, hopping on and off to take a closer look at attractions that catch your eye. Don’t miss:

The Fountains of Bellagio

Stratosphere Tower Thrill Rides

Volcano at the Mirage Las Vegas

Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas

Gondola Ride at Venetian Las Vegas

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Las Vegas

The Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is a calm environment within the hectic city. Blessed by a feng shui master, the hotel’s Asian ethos and design are in contrast to noisy, jangling gaming hotels.

Even the 500-square-foot, entry-level rooms have a king-size bed sheathed in soft linens, separate dressing area with a closet, and valet box. What’s a valet box? It’s a place where you can have something safely delivered (daily newspaper, laundry, shined shoes) without being disturbed.

Couples who upgrade can book an Apex suite. Located in the corners of the hotel, the suite’s bedroom is surrounded by glass on two sides, offering incomparable views of the Las Vegas Strip and CityCenter. The round marble tub in the bathroom inspires good, clean fun.

Worth a splurge: Twist restaurant, where triple-Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire conceives bold, inventive fare.

06 of 06

The Invigorating Seasons of Park City, Utah

Jason Cameron/Getty.

There’s no need to ever strap on a pair of skis to have a great time in Park City. In fact, it’s as much fun to visit this free-wheeling mountain town in summer as in winter. Hike, bike, even horseback ride to explore the heights just 35 minutes outside of Salt Lake City. And in the lakes and rivers surrounding Park City, you can kayak, go tubing and river rafting, even waterski.

For a change of pace, visit one of the town’s many art galleries, catch a musical or comedic performance at the Egyptian Theatre, or plan to attend one of the free outdoor concerts (pack a picnic).

The Most Romantic Place for a Couple to Stay in Park City

Park City offers a splendid choice of hotels, many of which have extensive spas. Yet the most romantic one is about 40 minutes outside of town. It’s Robert Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort, which is infused with his spirit and sensibility—and you may just spot him on the ski line.

Although the complex spans 6,000 acres, it’s limited to just 100 guest cottages in the shadow of 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos, the highest in Utah’s Wasatch Range. Crafted with native woods and local stone, these cozy units are decorated with hand-wrought furnishings, providing unique comfort and charm. You’ll also appreciate that the staff doesn’t accept tips.

#travel #airlinetickets #airtickets #cheapairfare #planetickets #travelinsurance #travelquotes #travelblogger #traveller #travelling #travelocity #travelodge #vacation

[demikbrayus]

Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to Travel for Free by Using Chase Credit Cards

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is a valuable incentive for cardholders. But maybe you haven’t yet applied for a Chase credit card or are unsure of which option gives you the biggest bang for your buck. Or maybe you’re already a cardholder and are looking to maximize your earning potential.

Either way, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive guide that pulls back the curtain so you can get a closer look at the inner workings of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

Earn Rewards By Using Your Chase Credit Card

There are several ways to earn points and cash back, but it depends on which product you choose.

Let’s take a closer look at the earning potential by card type:

Chase Cash Back Cards

Chase Freedom5% on purchases in select categories (up to $1,500). $0 annual fee $150 cash back (or 15,000 in Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $500; and 0% APR for 15 months once the account has been opened on all purchases and balance transfers. After 15 months the card then has a variable rate of 16.74%-25.49%. Chase Freedom Unlimited1.5% on all purchases $0 annual fee Spend $500 within the first three months and you’ll get $150 cash back (or 15,000 Ultimate Rewards points). Cardholders also enjoy purchase protection, zero liability for unauthorized charges, and extended warranty protection. Chase Ink Business Cash5% on select business expenses (up to $25,000) 2% on purchases at gas stations and restaurants 1% on all other purchases $0 annual fee $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. 0% APR for first 12 months on all purchases and balance transfers; after intro period it is then a variable rate of 14.99%-20.99%.

Chase Travel Cards

Chase Sapphire PreferredDouble points on travel and dining 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months $95 annual fee (waived the first year) Delayed baggage insurance Primary car rental insurance Trip interruption or cancellation insurance Chase Sapphire ReserveTriple points on travel and dining $450 annual fee 50,000 points after $4,000 is spent in the first three months Priority Pass Select lounge access $300 annual travel credit Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Chase Ink Business Preferred3 points per dollar spent on select business purchases (up to $150,000) $95 annual fee 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months Cell protection up to $600 per claim for both damage and theft

Other Ways to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

Beyond swiping your card to make purchases, there are several other ways to earn through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

Shop through the Chase portal

You can earn even more cash back by shopping through the Chase portal. Stores can be filtered by category or you can conduct a keyword search. Once you locate the store you’re looking for, the extra cash back percentage will appear on the icon and you can proceed with your shopping by clicking the “Shop Now” button.

The homepage for the Shop through Chase portal also includes seasonal offers with extra bonus/cash back incentives of up to eight percent.

There are no earning caps and once you’ve completed your transaction, points will appear on the dashboard.

Refer-a-Friend Program

You can also earn extra cash back through the Refer-a-Friend Program. If you invite friends and they are approved, you’ll earn cash back simply for getting them to sign up.

To start inviting friends, all you need to do is send a special link via Twitter, Facebook or email, and it only takes a few seconds of your time.

Rules vary by card, so it’s best to read the cardholder agreement to learn more about bonus amounts and referral limits.

Cardholder Bonuses

While it varies by card, many of the Chase credit products offer lucrative cardholder bonuses. Some offer a hefty sum of bonus points or cash back for spending a certain amount within three months of opening an account.

Others extend a set amount of cash back simply by adding an authorized user. Since these introductory offers tend to change over time, it’s best to visit Chase.com to learn more about the current promotion.

How to Use Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

The earning potential is great with the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program, but the redemption options are even more impressive.

Cash Back

Each point earned through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program is equivalent to one cent. Points can be redeemed at any time directly from the dashboard and deposited into your checking or savings account. You also have the option to receive a statement credit.

Gift Cards

Points can be also redeemed for gift cards from an array of retailers at the click of a button. Even better, select gift cards are offered at a discount to help you stretch your points even further.

Products

You can also redeem your points through Amazon.com. All you have to do is link your Chase Card and you’ll be given the option to use your points to pay at checkout. The dashboard also displays the value of your points, so you won’t have to spend time guessing how much you have at your disposal.

Travel

This is by far one of the best features of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and where you will get the most value for your points. Not only can you combine points or pay for travel with both points and cash, but you can also transfer points to travel partners for airline miles.

Who are the Chase Ultimate Rewards Partners?

1:1 point transfer partners include:

Airline Partners

Aer Lingus

British Airways

Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)

Iberia

Jet Blue

Singapore Airlines

Southwest Airlines

United

Virgin Atlantic

Hotel Partners

IHG Rewards Club

Marriott Rewards

Ritz-Carlton Rewards

World of Hyatt

But keep in mind that once points are transferred to partner programs, they can’t be transferred back. So you want to be certain that your decision to book is final.

Chase Travel Portal

The Chase Travel Portal is an online tool that allows Ultimate Rewards cardholders to book rental cars, flights, hotels, event tickets, and tours.

Depending on which card you carry, your points will vary on the Chase Travel Portal. If you have multiple Chase cards with Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer those points to the card with the highest redeeming value.

Here’s how the cards stack up to one another:

Case Freedom$0.01 Chase Freedom Unlimited$0.01 Chase Ink Business Cash$0.01 Chase Ink Business Preferred$0.0125 Chase Ink Business Unlimited$0.01 Chase Sapphire Preferred$0.0125 Chase Sapphire Reserve$0.01

Accessing the Chase Travel Portal

To access the Chase Travel Portal you will first need to have a card that earns you Ultimate Rewards points. If you do, all you need to do is log into your Chase account. Once you’re logged in you should see the Ultimate Rewards box on either the far right or left side of the home screen. Click on the box and it will take you to the portal.

Once on the portal, you will see a Use Points tab at the top of the screen. Click on this tab and you will be given the following options:

Get Cash Back

Shop Gift Cards

Use Points to Shop

Explore and Book Travel

The Explore and Book Travel option is probably the most used aspect of the Chase Travel Portal because it save whole doing what they love most: traveling.

Why You Should Use the Chase Travel Portal

Cardholders enjoy much better discounts by using their points through Chase’s Travel Portal. Sites like Expedia are similar in nature but are not built with Chase account holders in mind. With the Chase Travel Portal, shop and save as you would with Expedia, but then use your well-earned points to save even more.

Chase Experience Portal

The Chase Experience Portal (you may also have heard of Exclusive Events) is another way Chase Ultimate Rewards cardholders can use their points. It’s truly a portal you’ll want to bookmark on your computer and make a habit of checking every day as the site is updated regularly.

On the Chase Experience Portal you will find many different ways you can use your Ultimate Rewards points, including:

Sports tickets: Get tickets to some of the most exciting sports events in the world. Whether they are ring-side or on-field, you won’t be disappointed you spent your points here.

Entertainment: Whether it’s a new film, concert, or play, you can enjoy world-class entertainment with your Ultimate Rewards points.

Fine-dining and drinking: Get access to private dinners and tasting events; or enjoy a drink at a remote city-top bar.

Recent events Chase Ultimate Rewards cardholders have enjoyed include:

2018 PGA Championship

Panic! At the Disco lounge event

Sundance Film Festival

Vegas Uncork’d

Of course, the value of many opportunities through the Chase Experience Portal is subjective, and it may be hard understanding why an event is worth what it is. If this is something you’re interested in, make sure it’s an event that money can’t buy and that you couldn’t imagine passing up.

Many people have experienced one-in-a-lifetime events through Chase and did so by patiently waiting for an opportunity that made them want to jump up into the air.

Ultimate Rewards Points Expiration

Most rewards programs offered through other credit cards cancel any points you have accumulated if your accounts are inactive for 6 to 18 months. Note: An account is considered inactive when there aren’t any payments or purchases on it for a certain period of time.

As long as your credit card is open and in good standing, Chase will not cancel any points you have accrued. Should you decide to cancel your account, the points will then be lost. However, your points can be saved if you simply switch to a different Chase credit card, even a card with no annual fee.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Phone Number

It’s a different number than the phone number printed on the back of your credit card.

To reach the Ultimate Rewards department, call 1-866-951-6592. Call this number for any Ultimate Rewards questions you may have. If you have any other questions related to your card or account, call the number that is printed on the back.

Bottom Line

By selecting a Chase card with a lucrative bonus offer and hefty earning potential, you can load your wallet with cash back and save a bundle on travel. But before applying, read the fine print to ensure the costs of carrying the card won’t outweigh the benefits.

The post Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to Travel for Free by Using Chase Credit Cards appeared first on Crediful.

from Credit And Credit Repair https://www.crediful.com/chase-ultimate-rewards/

[embassy730]

Before I forget, make sure you see and support the film @questthedoc. It is amazing and serves a much greater purpose. It’s showing in Philly until Thursday, then NY and LA. Follow the Quest social media for show times. Congrats to @sabbygnyc, Michael aka Quest, John, PJ, Ma Quest, and everyone involved in the making of this special moment. #quest #questdocumentary #northphilly #documentary #sundance #filmfestivals (at Landmark's Ritz Movie Theatres Philadelphia)

[rotomaker]

The annual Sydney Film Festival kicks off next month and the full list of the slate of 288 films to be screened is now up at the film’s official site. “Samson and Delilah” director Warwick Thornton’s new film “We Don’t Need a Map” will open the festivities on June 7th and deal with the Australian people’s relationship to the Southern Cross star formation that has meant many things over time. Bong Joon-ho’s “Okja,” which will screen at Cannes, will close out the festival on June 18th – ten days before it premieres online worldwide on streaming giant Netflix. This will make it one of the few times the film will have a theatrical screening. Twelve films are in official competition including the aforementioned ‘Map’ along with Sofia Coppola’s “The Beguiled,” Michael Haneke’s “Happy End,” Raoul Peck’s “I Am Not Your Negro,” Alain Gomis’ “Felicite,” Shahrbanoo Sadat’s “Wolf and Sheep,” Kirsten Tan’s “Pop Aye,” Aki Kaurismaki’s “The Other Side of Hope,” Nana & Simon’s “My Happy Family,” Ildiko Enyedi’s “On Body and Soul,” Amat Escalante’s “The Untamed,” and Benedict Andrews’ “Una”. Other notable films to screen include Sundance fave and 2017 most critically acclaimed film to date, “Call Me By Your Name,” along with “A Ghost Story,” “God’s Own Country,” “Song to Song,” “A Fantastic Woman,” “The Wall,” “Brigsby Bear,” “Ingrid Goes West,” “In the Fade,” “Ellipsis,” “Patti Cake$,” “The Nile Hilton Incident,” “Australia Day,” “Pulse,” “Wind River,” “The Party,” “Madame” and “Mountain”. Tickets can now be purchased from SFF.org.au with most screenings taking place in the historic State Theatre (pictured), at Event Cinemas George St, or at select other locations including Randwick Ritz, Dendy Newtown, Cremorne Orpheum, or Dendy Opera Quays.

https://rotomakervfx.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/the-2017-sydney-film-festival-highlights/

[theonetruewilkipedia]

Sets 1-10 Summary

Liked Songs: 5743/10040

Included Artists: 109

Top 250 Countdown Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/user/rhwilk/playlist/52LRdhsUpXPxCZlX503NLL

Top Artists (by Top 250 influence):

Pink Floyd (10.999)

Rush (5.584)

Art Blakey (3.959)

Alice in Chains (3.867)

Arctic Monkeys (3.840)

AC/DC (3.777)

Andrew Bird (3.448)

Andrew Jackson Jihad (3.421)

Aretha Franklin (3.380)

Band Of Skulls (2.412)

Audioslave (2.355)

B.B. King (2.274)

Arcade Fire (2.169)

Albert King (2.136)

Aerosmith (2.127)

Bad Religion (1.952)

A Perfect Circle (1.739)

Bad Company (1.495)

Attack In Black (1.186)

Alvin Lee (1.178)

Ahmad Jamal (1.123)

Badfinger (1.095)

Ayreon (1.076)

Alt-J (.941)

Andre Previn (.936)

Archive (.891)

Arlo Guthrie (.854)

Andromeda (UK) (.849)

Astrud Gilberto (.814)

Al Di Meola (.782)

Babe Ruth (.768)

Barrett Strong (.719)

Acroma (.699)

Barry McGuire (.692)

Argent (.655)

Andrea Bocelli (.615)

Antonio Carlos Jobim (.612)

Andrew Lloyd Webber (.599)

Angra (.554)

Anberlin (.533)

Andy Timmons (.528)

ABBA (.433)

Adele (.404)

Al Stewart (.38)

Arlen Roth (.338)

Anthony Gomes (.305)

Alabama Shakes (.294)

Avenged Sevenfold (.279)

AFI (.217)

An Endless Sporadic (.194)

10cc (.176)

Astronautalis (.154)

Ananda Shankar (.147)

Armageddon (’70s) (.144)

Art Farmer (.135)

Andromeda (Sweden) (.128)

American Football (.119)

Anti-Flag (.092)

Altamont (.078)

Atomic Rooster (.069)

Barenaked Ladies (.058)

Apocalyptica (.047)

ASHES dIVIDE (.031)

? and the Mysterians (.004)

Complete Top 250 List (by ranking):

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) - Pink Floyd

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

2112 - Rush

Highway To Hell - AC/DC

Nutshell - Alice In Chains

Respect - Aretha Franklin

Rooster - Alice In Chains

Us And Them - Pink Floyd

Back In Black - AC/DC

Money - Pink Floyd

YYZ - Rush

Them Bones - Alice In Chains

Show Me How To Live - Audioslave

People - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9) - Pink Floyd

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Day After Day - Badfinger

A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left - Andrew Bird

Bad Company - Bad Company

Alice's Restaurant Massacre - Arlo Guthrie

Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin

Do Me A Favour - Arctic Monkeys

Three White Horses - Andrew Bird

Cochise - Audioslave

Train Kept A Rollin' - Aerosmith

Everyday I Have The Blues - B.B. King

Think - Aretha Franklin

Again - Archive

Big Bird - Andrew Jackson Jihad

The Girl From Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto

Moanin' - Art Blakey

The Outsider - A Perfect Circle

La Villa Strangiato - Rush

The View From The Afternoon - Arctic Monkeys

I Know What I Am - Band Of Skulls

The Great Gig In The Sky - Pink Floyd

The Hunter - Albert King

Would? - Alice In Chains

Money - Barrett Strong

Cut And Run - Attack In Black

Fuller Love - Art Blakey

Sweet Sour - Band Of Skulls

Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire

Return To Sanity - Andromeda (UK)

Echoes - Pink Floyd

Working Man - Rush

The Noose - A Perfect Circle

The Spirit Of Radio - Rush

Tom Sawyer - Rush

People II 2: Still Peoplin' - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) - Arcade Fire

Shooting Star - Bad Company

21st Century - Bad Religion

I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys

Con Te Partiro - Andrea Bocelli

E.T.A. - Art Blakey

A Night In Tunisia - Art Blakey

Orpheo Looks Back - Andrew Bird

Born Under A Bad Sign - Albert King

Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys

We're Only Gonna Die - Bad Religion

Dream On - Aerosmith

Fitzpleasure - alt-J

Dark Matter - Andrew Bird

Running Alone - Angra

My Body Is A Cage - Arcade Fire

Sun Rises Down - Acroma

Nobody Home - Pink Floyd

Poinciana - Ahmad Jamal

Sheep - Pink Floyd

Hey You - Pink Floyd

It's Only A Paper Moon - Art Blakey

Kyoto - Art Blakey

Sweet Sixteen - B.B. King

Light Of The Morning - Band Of Skulls

Truckers are the Blood - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

Wells Fargo - Babe Ruth

Broken Things - Attack In Black

Cygnus X-1 - Rush

Cry For You - Andy Timmons

Ocean Of Noise - Arcade Fire

The Bluest Blues - Alvin Lee

Seasons Of Wither - Aerosmith

Mediterranean Sundance - Al Di Meola

Sail Away To Avalon - Ayreon

Day Sixteen: Loser - Ayreon

Boot Stamping On A Human Face Forever - Bad Religion

Feel Good Drag - Anberlin

I Remember You - Andre Previn

Rolling in the Deep - Adele

Pigs (Three Different Ones) - Pink Floyd

Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2 - Pink Floyd

Thunderstruck - AC/DC

Let There Be Rock - AC/DC

Like Love - Andre Previn

Fake Palindromes - Andrew Bird

Hold Your Head Up - Argent

Dr. Feelgood - Aretha Franklin

Still Take You Home - Arctic Monkeys

Whole Lotta Rosie - AC/DC

Hells Bells - AC/DC

Autumn Leaves - Ahmad Jamal

Race With Devil On Spanish Highway - Al Di Meola

Roads To Moscow - Al Stewart

When A Man Loves A Woman - Arlen Roth

R U Mine? - Arctic Monkeys

Please Come Back To Me - Albert King

Roadhouse Blues - Albert King

Something Good - alt-J

S.O.S. - ABBA

Darkest Before The Dawn - Anthony Gomes

Tema Jazz - Antonio Carlos Jobim

I'm Going Home - Alvin Lee

Walk This Way - Aerosmith

The Necromancer - Rush

Judith - A Perfect Circle

The Mexican - Babe Ruth

Ghetto Woman - B.B. King

Wave - Antonio Carlos Jobim

The Phantom Of The Opera - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Chains And Things - B.B. King

A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin

Shadow On The Sun - Audioslave

Heaven On Their Minds - Andrew Lloyd Webber

No One - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Bat Country - Avenged Sevenfold

Incomplete - Bad Religion

Death By Diamonds And Pearls - Band Of Skulls

Always Alright - Alabama Shakes

Over Now - Alice In Chains

Cold Fame - Band Of Skulls

Baby Blue - Badfinger

Day Eleven: Love - Ayreon

Ahmad's Blues - Ahmad Jamal

Goodbye Blue Sky - Pink Floyd

Atom Heart Mother Suite - Pink Floyd

Miss Murder - AFI

How Blue Can You Get? - B.B. King

Impulse - An Endless Sporadic

Sweet Little Angel - B.B. King

Doesn't Remind Me - Audioslave

#1 Zero - Audioslave

Interstellar Overdrive - Pink Floyd

The Wall Street Shuffle - 10cc

As The Years Go Passing By - Albert King

Fearless - Pink Floyd

Distance - Andrew Jackson Jihad

When To Stop - Andromeda (UK)

Paranoid Eyes - Pink Floyd

Orbitals - Acroma

Xanadu - Rush

Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd

Is There Anybody Out There? - Pink Floyd

Buzzard - Armageddon

Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But... - Arctic Monkeys

Dat Dere - Art Blakey

The Aztec Suite - Art Farmer

Measure The Globe - Astronautalis

Have A Cigar - Pink Floyd

Dogs - Pink Floyd

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - ABBA

Sagar - Ananda Shankar

(*Fin) - Anberlin

Morphing Into Nothing - Andromeda (Sweden)

Hate, Rain on Me - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Cast Your Spell Uranus - Argent

From The Ritz To The Rubble - Arctic Monkeys

I Never Loved A Man - Aretha Franklin

Dancing Shoes - Arctic Monkeys

Be Free - Argent

Fool - Archive

Die For The Government - Anti-Flag

Someday My Prince Will Come - Andre Previn

Skin Is, My - Andrew Bird

Danse Caribe - Andrew Bird

Overdose - AC/DC

Liar - Argent

Easter Sunday - Altamont

Rotten Apple - Alice In Chains

Honestly? - American Football

Rocker - AC/DC

It's A Long Way To The Top - AC/DC

Heartilation - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Groove Or Die - Andy Timmons

You Ain't Alone - Alabama Shakes

Left Hand Free - alt-J

Jailbreak - AC/DC

Brian Wilson - Barenaked Ladies

The Defense - Bad Religion

Devil's Answer - Atomic Rooster

Live Wire - AC/DC

Everything's Alright - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Beating Around The Bush - AC/DC

One - Apocalyptica

The Summer Ends - American Football

Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart

Off Key (Desafinado) - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Sprawl II - Arcade Fire

Why I Sing The Blues - B.B. King

And All Things Will End - Avenged Sevenfold

Devil's In My Den - Ahmad Jamal

Pigs On The Wing (Part One) - Pink Floyd

O Morro - Astrud Gilberto

The Stone - ASHES dIVIDE

Gone With The Wind - Andre Previn

Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 1 - Pink Floyd

Give My Regards To Broadway - Andre Previn

Jumpin' Jack Flash - Ananda Shankar

Careful With That Axe Eugene - Pink Floyd

Pet - A Perfect Circle

The Wondersmith And His Sons - Astronautalis

Measuring Cups - Andrew Bird

All I Ask Of You - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Epiphany - Bad Religion

Empty Form - A Life Once Lost

By-Tor And The Snow Dog - Rush

The Quickening - Bad Religion

Lay My Head Down - Band Of Skulls

The Music Of The Night - Andrew Lloyd Webber

St. Francis Reel - Andrew Bird

Tenuousness - Andrew Bird

Crescendo of Thoughts - Andromeda (Sweden)

6 to 8 - AFI

King Kong - Babe Ruth

Gershatzer - Atomic Rooster

Finding My Way - Rush

Winter - Atomic Rooster

Laughing At The Blues - Arlen Roth

When The Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys

God Called In Sick Today - AFI

The Nile Song - Pink Floyd

96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians

I Stay Away - Alice In Chains

Border Song - Aretha Franklin

Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys

White Face, Black Eyes - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Chameleon Carneval - Andromeda (Sweden)

This Time Imperfect - AFI

Fake Tales Of San Francisco - Arctic Monkeys

Guilt: The Song - Andrew Jackson Jihad

Black Dog - Babe Ruth

Candle in the Wind - Andrew Jackson Jihad

High Hopes - Pink Floyd

The Sixth Extinction - Ayreon

The Sky Is Crying - Albert King

Spanish for Monsters - Andrew Bird

I Won't See You Tonight Part 1 - Avenged Sevenfold

Evil Twin - Arctic Monkeys

I'll Play The Blues For You - Albert King

[touristguidebuzz]

Cardholder Events: Ski with Lindsey Vonn or Experience the Derby, Oscars or Rio Carnival Like a VIP

  Update 1/23/17: Chase has confirmed that the skiing component of the ski weekend in Vail is sold out. However, you can put your name on a waitlist if you’re still interested in attending the event. Also, you can still purchase tickets to the meet-and-greet event with the skiers, which costs $75.

Credit cards can give you more than just points and miles to use for free travel. One lesser-known perk: access to unbelievably hard-to-get-into events. TPG has enjoyed the Cayman Cookout as a Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card holder and got exclusive access at the Sundance Film Festival with his Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Some of these events can even be paid for with points — a great way to redeem rewards if you don’t feel like traveling.

Check out these four upcoming events that are solely for people who have either a credit card or an account with the sponsoring loyalty program. Act quickly if you’re thinking about attending an event, as many sell out quickly.

Ski with Champions Lindsey Vonn, Jonny Moseley and others in Vail, CO!

Chase customers have access to an exclusive weekend of skiing with pros like Lindsey Vonn and Jonny Mosley. Image courtesy of Christophe Pallot via Getty Images.

Host: Chase

Cost: $1,200

Location: Vail, Colorado

Date: March 25 – 26

Here’s a unique opportunity for Chase customers: exclusive access to a weekend with some of the most legendary skiers to ever grace the slopes. Champion skiers Lindsey Vonn, Jonny Moseley, Phil Mahre and Steve Mahre will lead ski sessions to help improve your downhill and mogul skills, and guests can ski with these pros. After a long day on the mountain, kick back at the lodge and join the skiers for a fireside Q-and-A session. Buy tickets here.

Mingle with the Stars at the Grammy Awards

You’ll get to act like a star if you win Hilton’s Ultimate Grammy Weekend Experience auction. Image courtesy of Timothy Kuratek/CBS via Getty Images.

Host: Hilton

Cost: Current bid at 500,000 HHonors Points

Location: Los Angeles, California

Date: February 10 – 13

If you’ve ever wanted to walk the red carpet and feel like a star, this is your chance. Through the Hilton HHonors program, you can use your points for two tickets to the Grammy Awards, accommodations at the Beverly Hilton and a weekend of award show festivities. This is a pretty unique redemption, similar to TPG using his Chase Ultimate Reward points to attend the Emmys last year. Bidding ends on February 3.

Get the VIP Experience at the Kentucky Derby

American Express members can get exclusive access and VIP treatment at the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Image courtesy of Rob Carr via Getty Images.

Host: American Express

Cost: $4,800

Location: Louisville, Kentucky

Date: May 4 – 5

Get out your best pastel suit, because with this VIP experience you’ll be enjoying the Kentucky Derby in style. This package from American Express includes a private suite to view the races, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs barns and stables and an invitation to the post-race Winner’s Party. Although this event is on the pricey side, TPG loved his experience at the most famous horse race in the world in 2015, and access to VIP areas helps you avoid the crowds. Ticket sales end on May 3.

Be a Part of the Rio Carnival

Redeem your Marriott points for this incredible opportunity to be apart of Rio de Janeiro’s 2017 Carnival. Image courtesy of Buda Mendes via Getty Images.

Host: Marriott

Cost: Current bid at 200,000 Marriott points

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Date: February 25 – 28

You can live the magic of the Rio Carnival with this priceless experience, as you’ll get to walk in the parade with the famous Unidos Da Tijuca samba school in your very own Carnival costume. This two-person package from the Marriott Experiences Marketplace also includes tickets to the Rio Carnival VIP Lounge and a three-night stay at the luxurious AC Hotel Rio de Janeiro Porto Maravilha. Carnival lasts for a week, so you could extend your stay to enjoy Rio and all the festivities. Bidding ends on February 9.

Featured image of Rio De Janiero’s Carnival courtesy of Roberto Filho via Getty Images.

Which events have your credit cards given you access to?

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Las Vegas

Vegas is the ultimate girls’ destination any time of year. Growing up in Southern California, I’ve been there more times than I can count. Whether you visit in the summer, or over New Year’s Eve like I recently did, there’s so much to see and do in Sin City.

Here’s the ultimate girlfriend getaway guide to Las Vegas!

(source)

Where to Stay

Last Vegas has a massive array of hotels. I love The Venetian and The Palazzo because every room is a suite and can easily sleep four girls. As a major perk, these stunning hotels are reasonably priced so it’s a good excuse to treat yourself.

The Cosmopolitan has gorgeous rooms with options of up to three-bedroom suites. Winner of the most Forbes five-star awards in the world, the Encore at Wynn is another top luxe pick.

The Delano and Vdara are great options too. They don’t have gaming or smoking and are all-suite. They’re also part of a larger complex, so it’s easy to get around and find 24/7 entertainment!

Blowouts at Drybar at Miracle Mile

This is the prime spot to get gorgeous. With a full bar, a DJ, and a photo booth, the Drybar at Miracle Mile is a blast. The stylists are incredibly skilled and will have you feeling ready for a night out on the town.

I love their saying in the salon, “Blowout. Drink. Repeat!”

Dining Experiences

Yardbird: Hello, comfort food. This place has the low-key gourmet southern fare of your dreams. Show up in jeans and a T-shirt or a formal dress, and indulge in bourbon cocktails, insanely delicious biscuits, cauliflower, and the best devilled eggs I’ve ever had. Pictured above!

Giada at the Cromwell: I adore the super-girly and chic vibe of this Italian eatery run by celeb chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Lago at Bellagio: We got the best seat in the house here for the fountain show, which was an amazing experience. The small tapa-style plates are perfect to share, so you can try a bit of everything.

Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay: We loved the upscale pub grub here. They’ve got fun small plate options so you can share with your girls and try all of the unique foodie creations.

More Luxury Options:

Mr Chow: Treat yourself to Mr Chow at Caesars Palace. This place is the ultimate in luxury and has a champagne cart to boot!

The Twist at Mandarin Oriental: The Twist at Mandarin Oriental is another one of my faves. With great views of the Strip, this French luxury hot spot is a must-try.

Pedal to the Metal at SPEEDVegas

Admittedly, I was scared to even try this, but SPEEDVegas is truly one of the most thrilling things you can do in Vegas. Race around the track in a Ferrari or Lamborghini to try to beat your bestie’s speed.

I hit 147 MPH!

Take a Helicopter Tour

While it’s definitely pricey, it’s well worth it. There are so many breathtaking sights to see all over the region. Get an unparalleled view of the Las Vegas Strip at night, or go for a bird’s-eye view of the Grand Canyon.

Sundance Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters both have an impressive selection of tours!

SHOP my favorite Vegas essentials!

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Downtown Las Vegas Art Scene

In recent years, however, the Downtown area has experienced a revival through art and projects like the Life is Beautiful Festival! There is so much you can see just walking around here.

Also known as 18b, the Las Vegas Art District has a cool restaurant and bar scene. Check out the Mob Museum and stroll the streets to stumble upon some up-and-coming local art.

If you’re lucky enough to be there during the beginning of the month, the “First Friday” event is a must-see. 10,000 culture vultures flock to the area for live music, top art, and local food.

Read More: The Life is Beautiful Festival

Seven Magic Mountains

As if the natural beauty of Nevada wasn’t already incredible enough, there is also a striking art installation called the Seven Magic Mountains that you’ve got to check out.

Comprised of seven stacks of colorful boulders, that stand over thirty feet high, this installation sits just outside of Las Vegas in the Ivanpah Valley. The exhibition opened May 11, 2016 and will be on view for two years– so don’t miss it!

See a Show!

One of the best shoes I’ve seen in Vegas, and one I’d recommend for any girls’ trip is Absinthe at Caesars Palace. The experience is a hilarious combination of cabaret and acrobatics that make up a provocative variety show!

Absinthe entertains to no end, so make sure to grab your tickets ahead of time!

Neon Museum

Explore the history of this crazy city at the “Boneyard” of vintage Vegas signs. From quirky to iconic neon signs, there is so much to take in here– signs from old casinos and other businesses displayed outdoors on over 6 acres!

Happy Half Hour at the High Roller

As the world’s tallest observation wheel, the 550-foot-tall High Roller is an unforgettable experience. The Happy Half Hour ticket gives you a thirty-minute ride with an open bar. Go for the sunset trip and be sure to bring your camera.

You’ll definitely have the best view of the Strip!

(source)

Cocktail Experience

The Chandelier Bar in The Cosmopolitan is one of my top spots for a drink. It has a unique selection of cocktails that vary on each floor, and the place has endless photo ops.

For 180-degree views of the city, get to Skyfall Lounge at Delano Las Vegas, and then hang out with the cool crowd at The Dorsey for some yummy cocktails.

When you are in the arts district, you can mingle with the locals at the Velveteen Rabbit.

Live It Up

You don’t have to wait until nighttime to party in Vegas. During the “summer” months, March-September, in Vegas you’ll find tons of beach clubs and day parties that offer tons of fun with your girls poolside!

My Favorite Day and Nightclubs

Day: Encore Beach Club is the prime spot for a awesome pool party on the Strip. Spend the day lounging and drinking around the pool with your girls!

Day: Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay is a bit smaller than other beach clubs, but has an epic stages and great cabanas available for reservation.

Night: Marquee in The Cosmopolitan is always hopping and has my favorite atmosphere.

Night: XS is super chic and has a top lineup of DJs at Wynn Encore– I love it because it is half indoor, and half outdoors so you never have that claustrophobic feeling.

Night: TAO hosts one of the hottest nightclubs and lounge, while also offering an outside terrace with great view of the Vegas Strip.

READ NEXT: A Girlfriend Getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

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The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Las Vegas is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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