#unity USA tour

[howisjoostfanfictionforfree]

JoostYork was crazy, I met a moot, bff and I wore maid minion costumes, we got filmed by Daan, got thumbs up from Gladde Paling, Leon came and chilled RIGHT next to us, Joost had a stage presence like no one else I've ever seen and just like everyone was saying is even more breathtaking in person, he's also really funny

It was an amazing trip to see an amazing artist and going with my bff made it even better

I hope Joost comes back on tour again some day!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Apple faces criminal sanctions for defying App Store antitrust order

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me at NEW ZEALAND'S UNITY BOOKS in AUCKLAND TODAY (May 2), and in WELLINGTON TOMORROW (May 3). More tour dates (Pittsburgh, PDX, London, Manchester) here.

Epic, makers of the wildly popular Fortnite video-game, have waged a one-company war against the "app tax" – the 15-30% rake that the mobile duopoly of Apple/Google take out of every penny we spend inside of apps.

Epic's own digital practices are hardly spotless: just this year, the company was caught cheating players – many of them children – with deceptive practices and had to refund over $72m:

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/fortnite-refunds

But in this fight, Epic is on the side of the angels. The 30% that Apple/Google sucks out of the mobile economy is a brutal tax, and not just on app makers. Patreon performers recently raised a stink when the company announced that it would be clawing back 30% of the money pledged by their supporters – that 30% surcharge is passed straight through to Apple/Google:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax

From independent news outlets to crafters selling their work out of small storefronts, all the way up to massive entertainment services like Disney Plus and Fortnite, the mobile cartel takes 30% out of every dollar, a racket they maintain with onerous rules that ban apps from using their own payment processors, or even from encouraging users to click a link that brings them to a web-based payment screen.

30% is a gigantic markup on payment processing. It's ten times the going rate for payments in the USA, already one of the most expensive places in the world to transfer money from one party to another. In the EU, payment processing typically runs 1%…or less.

But crafters, Patreon podcasters and small-town newspapers are in no position to fight Google and Apple. Instead, we get Epic, a multi-billion-dollar company that's gone to the mattresses to fight these multi-trillion-dollar companies. Personally, I dote on billionaire-on-trillionaire violence.

Epic was wildly successful. It mopped up the floor with Google, securing an especially punitive award from a judge who was furious that Google had destroyed evidence:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/12/im-feeling-lucky/#hugger-mugger

Epic also won against Apple, though not as thoroughly as it had with Google, because Apple had the commonsense not to get up to the kind of shenanigans that make federal judges very, very mad. In the Google case, the court found that Google had acted as a monopolist and ordered it to open up the payment system in Google Play, a direct blow to the Android app tax.

In the Apple case, the judge did not find that Google had acted as a monopolist, but did rule that the App Store's payment processing racket violated the law, and ordered Apple to end its own app tax:

https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/30/epic-games-just-scored-a-major-win-against-apple/

That's where things get gnarly. Apple is addicted to corrupt sources of income – like the tens of billions it illegally receives every year in bribes from Google make it the default search:

https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-search-engine-verdict-apple-319a61f20fb11510097845a30abaefd8

And it really, really loves the app tax. When the EU ordered Apple to allow third-party app stores (as a way of killing the app tax), the company cooked up a malicious compliance plan that was comically corrupt:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/06/spoil-the-bunch/#dma

So, the mere fact that a federal judge had ordered Apple to open up its app store to competing payment processors was not going convince Apple to actually do it. Instead, Apple cooked up a set of rules for third-party payment processing that would make it more costly to use someone else's payments, piling up a mountain of junk fees and using scare screens and other deceptive warnings to discourage users from making payments through a rival system:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/judge-rules-apple-executive-lied

That's the kind of thing that is apt to make a federal judge angry – and, as noted, angry federal judges can make life very hard for tech monopolists, a lesson Google learned when it destroyed key evidence in its Epic case. But Apple didn't just flout the court order – they lied about it to cover it up, and Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is furious. She held that Alex Roman, Apple's Vice-President of Finance, "outright lied under oath," and she has raised the possibility of criminal contempt penalties for Apple:

https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/05/01/pacer_epic_vs_apple_injunction_judgement.pdf

The judge further wrote:

This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order. Time is of the essence. The Court will not tolerate further delays. As previously ordered, Apple will not impede competition. The Court enjoins Apple from implementing its new anticompetitive acts to avoid compliance with the Injunction. Effective immediately Apple will no longer impede developers’ ability to communicate with users nor will they levy or impose a new commission on off-app purchases

In other words, any junk fees, any impediments to opening up third party payments, will be switfly and harshly dealt with. As of right now developers can start to build third-party payments into their apps and Apple cannot block them. It's the end of the app tax, a source of about $100b/year for Apple:

https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/01/apple_epic_lies_possible_crime/

The world is on fire and everything is terrible, but we are also living through the most consequential season in the history of the war on corporate tech power. Google has been convicted three times of being a monopolist and is almost certainly going to have to sell off Chrome, most of its ad-tech stack, and possibly Android. Meta just put up a pathetic showing in an equally serious antitrust case that could see it forced to sell off Instagram and Whatsapp:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/04/11/it-is-better-to-buy/#than-to-compete

Countries around the world have passed big, sweeping, muscular antitrust laws specifically aimed at smashing corporate tech power, like the EU's Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act:

https://www.eff.org/pages/adoption-dsadma-notre-analyse

Most importantly, all of this is happening from the bottom up. There is no dark money campaign to fuck up the tech companies. The politicians and enforcers who are taking on Big Tech are being shoved from behind by billions of everyday people who are furious and refuse to take it any longer:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/04/10/solidarity-forever-2/#oligarchism

I am deeply grateful for the public servants who have championed this cause, but I also know that these people are the effect of our movement, not the cause. When Kier Starmer fires Britain's brilliant and effective top competition enforcer and replaces him with the former head of Amazon UK, that does nothing to tamp down the political outrage that Britons feel towards America's tech giants:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/22/autocrats-of-trade/#dingo-babysitter

All over the world, countries that passed IP laws to protect US tech interests in exchange for tariff-free access to US markets are grappling with the end of free trade with America. This represents a generational opportunity to pass laws that enable local technologists to jailbreak US tech exports and liberate their people from the extractive practices of Big Tech forever:

https://archive.is/CiBIz

There is nothing harder to stop than an idea whose time has come to pass.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/05/01/its-not-the-crime/#its-the-coverup

Image: Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil from Brazil (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Annelid_worm,_Atlantic_forest,_northern_littoral_of_Bahia,_Brazil_%2816107326533%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

--

Hubertl (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2015-03-04_Elstar_%28apple%29_starting_putrefying_IMG_9761_bis_9772.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #333 - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Get Happy!!, 1980

Quando, in una sera del 1976, gli venne l’idea di presentarsi con un nome d’arte omaggio alla sua nonna, pensava forse che sebbene volenteroso, il suo vero, Declan Patrick Aloysious McManus, sarebbe stato preso per uno scherzo. Quella sera si presenta come D.P. Costello, che cambierà nel definito Elvis Costello, come omaggio al Re del Rock’n’Roll. Occhialoni alla Buddy Holly, look che esibiva orgogliosamente il suo essere fuori moda, a metà degli anni ’70 Costello è un giovane arrabbiato che ha le carte in regole per dire la sua, in modo interessante, oltre il nichilismo furbetto del punk. Quando Nick Lowe, suo amico e collaboratore, gli trova un ingaggio per la Stiff Records, lui non essendo in totale fiducia decise di non abbandonare il proprio posto da operaio nella ditta di cosmetici Elizabeth Arden (a cui dedicherà una stupenda canzone, I’m Not Angry). In effetti non erano tempi da cantautori, ma bastano i primi guizzi di My Aim Is True (1977) per sgombrare il campo: l’offensiva antifascista di Less Than Zero unite a doti melodiche di alto livello (la mitica Alison, suo pezzo culto) presentano al pubblico un nuovo modo di raccontare musicalmente i tempi. La seconda prova è ancora meglio: This Year’s Model (1978) lo vede insieme ai The Attractions, il gruppo di Stevie Nieve (alle tastiere) e Bruce Thomas (basso) e Pete Thomas (batteria, i due non erano parenti), e in un disco multiforme, dai testi lunghissimi, sciorina la sua bravura in canzoni stupende come I Dont’ Want To Go To Chelsea, Pump It Up (altro inno di quegli anni), Little Triggers e Night Rally. È richiestissimo e parte per Tour in Europa e Stati Uniti. Nelle pause delle date, scrive sull’onda dell’entusiasmo altre canzoni, che compongono il terzo disco in tre anni, Armed Forces (1979): segnato dallo stress e dai primi, evidenti eccessi di vita, è un disco ansiogeno e un po’ frettoloso, che alle belle e ormai garantite belle canzoni aggiunge riempitivi. Sarebbe tutto normale, ma le cose stanno prendendo una brutta piega: le dipendenze da alcool e droga lo rendono nervoso e aggressivo e durante il tour americano, a Columbus, in Ohio, si incontrò con Stephen Stills nel bar dell’Holyday Inn. Qui in preda a deliri alcolici sbiascica pesantissimi insulti razzisti a James Brown e Ray Charles, litiga fino alle mani con la cantante Bonnie Bramlett (che era diventata famosa nel duo con il marito Delaney & Bonnie) e vede in un attimo disintegrarsi la sua reputazione negli Stati Uniti. Ci furono ulteriori polemiche poiché la vicenda fu quasi semi oscurata dai giornali britannici. Le successive scuse in una goffa conferenza stampa non servirono a nulla. Torna in patria e nel 1979 produce il primo, storico, album degli Specials, fa l’attore in Americathon (semisconosciuto film di Neil Israel, dove Costello si esibisce cantando Crawling In the USA). Durante la produzione del disco degli Specials, scrive e suona da solo tutti gli strumenti per del nuovo materiale nei piccoli studi di registrazione Archipelago (scritto così) di Pimlico, nei sobborghi londinesi. Costello ha la necessità di dare un taglio al suono precedente e per il nuovo si ispira alla musica afroamericana degli anni ’60, allo ska, e ha tantissime cose da dire.

Get Happy!! (che esce nel 1980) prende il titolo dalla canzone omonima composta da Harold Arlen, con i testi scritti da Ted Koehler, negli anni ’30 del ‘900, che riprendeva un testo di tipo evangelico. Fu portata al successo da Judy Garland e negli anni è divenuto uno standard per centinaia di artisti. Registrato tra Londra e i Paesi Bassi, a Hilversum, prodotto da Nick Lowe e Roger Béchirian, è un disco-mondo dove Costello mette 20 brani, molti dei quali brevissimi, meno di 2 minuti. È una prova di amore per quella musica, e anche di liberazione in un certo senso (nonostante anche durante le sessioni perdureranno i problemi con alcool e droghe). Ci sono due cover: I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down di Sam & Dave e I Stand Accused dei Merseybeats come omaggio al mai abbandonato amore per il suono di Liverpool. Per il resto, l’enormità (per l’epoca dove esistevano solo i vinili) dei 18 pezzi rimanenti passano dagli omaggi fin troppo sfacciati (Temptation è in pratica la Time Is Tight di Booker T & The MG’s con un testo diverso),a canzoni stupende come Love Me Tender (che apriva il disco), Possession, King Horse fino ai capolavori come New Amsterdam elegia sulla selvaggia New York, High Fidelity, doloroso e drammatico affresco sulle delusioni dell’amore e Riot Act, canzone scritta sui fatti di Columbus. L’omaggio alla musica r’n’b è evidente nella copertina: dalla grafica e dai colori cari alla Stax di Memphis, vedeva tre foto identiche di Costello sfalsate in colori acidi, e aveva una particolarità: l’effetto vissuto del cerchio bianco proprio al centro, a imitare il consumo dell’uso eccessivo. Tra l’altro le prime edizioni avevano la scaletta scritta al contrario, con Riot Act primo brano e Love Me Tender ultima, e valgono di più nel mercato dei collezionisti.

Il disco all’epoca fu accolto con grande favore dalla critica e dal pubblico: numero 2 in Gran Bretagna e un sorprendente numero 11 negli Stati Uniti. Negli anni il disco ha guadagnato ancora più favori, sottolineando la scelta niente affatto facile di Costello di distaccarsi sempre con intelligenza dai generi imperanti per la ricerca di una via personale alla sua necessità di musica. Scriverà un altro disco capolavoro, Imperial Bedroom (1982) che è una grande prova di pop d’autore, che aprirà le porte ad una nuova trasformazione verso un colto, raffinato, ma un po’ meno eccitante, modello di voce-pianoforte che diventerà il modulo classico della maturità costelliana. Ne ha fatta di strada in decenni quel tipo con gli occhialoni che prese in prestito dalla nonna il suo nome d’arte per la celebrità.

[sachapopmusic8rat]

The offspring of rock through synthecism

Hey everyone ! This week's post will be using both the content of the chapters of Identities and Politics from the Negus. Today I'll be portraying one of the artist I hold high regards to, Delilah Bon, a genius feminist synthecist, an iconic artist combining many genres of music to scream at the top of her lungs pointing out injustices done to minorities. To begin with, her anger fuels the methodically well planned patch-up of genres she represents through her music. By alternating between different ways of expresseing herself such as screaming, singing and rapping she creates a unique worldview that she constructed a well-defined around. Both her beliefs and values, what she stands for defined, her music and audience and I do believe that this is genuinely what I admire about her. Delilah Bon is more than a niche artist but a rising star as a synthecist due to her will to articulate to her audience and create a safe environment in which many are able to be who they are no matter their past experiences, a place where chaos, inner thoughts and rage against the system is freely expressed without any restriction. Her audience is mostly, if not entirely made of people part of the LGBTQ+ community and her shows became gradually a place where everyone could be themselves and be outrageously honest, this is more than a cis white male rapper's show.. Delilah Bon is an embodiment of freedom and she sparks hope, defiance and pride in the heart of people who gathered to hear her tear and scream the statu quo through her songs. Then especially considering how much she is against the patriarchy, the genre of her music, if this could ever be defined, is an off-spring of the geographic mobility of rock. A merging of cultures, values and well-needed honesty about contemporanean politics, their impacts on the people and thus the rage felt, takes over her shows. Would this be worth of defining her music as part of the Riot Grrrrl underground rock ? Indeed, her rock seeks to abolish and challenge the traditional and patriarchal oppression by reclaiming many concepts and ridiculing what is perceived as taboo by the male gaze but also breaks apart social issues that could be swept under the rug for many. Yet her dynamic and poignant analysis of social cases like Roe Vs Wade in the USA is really what brings out the cultural elements under circumstances directly encountered, not chosen by themselves. Her interpretation of rock as a genre allows to close the gap between artist and audience, one voice for a common rage, one person embodying the unheard, someone standing on the same ground as anyone else, someone of the people FOR the people. It is essential to my analysis to take into account that she is an indie artist, creating everything by herself, no one else helps her expect when it comes to the direct creation of her songs except when she's touring and plays with her band, yet she masterfully appropriates herself different genres, ideologies and still manage to craft such professional and outstanding music IF perceived through the Music Industry. I do believe that this is the work of a cultural catalyst that with dexterity challenges the system through mediation of cultural and symbolical values. Delilah Bon is a sincere and earnest artist with no doubt. The circumstances of her works are not only dialogues with the past but the present and future themselves and having no clear boundaries around the topics of her dialogue mediated through her core beliefs is really what makes her shine in all her glory. To emphasize my point, I will add that the community which gathered to hear her play at shows is the literal manifestation of intersection through others, thus creating a synthecism not only of her works but also a sense of unity in a newfound community which shared parts of her values; only to be united together under a new and flamboyant banner ! I'll link here one of her songs and a video of a show so that you may have a better understanding of what I'm talking about !

I wanted to put the song cleanly recorded instead of the show, but I think the cover of it might be too explicit for this class so I let you go look it up if you doubted her active feminism (which i do find quite empowering) and I think a live show might be exactly is needed to embody my analysis made on this week's post ! Can't put the names, Tumblr won't let me so I apologize for that.

I wish you all great holidays ! :)

[chorusfm]

Neon Trees Announce New Album

Neon Trees will release Sink Your Teeth on September 20th. Track Listing * Favorite Daze * Secret * Bad Dreams * Recover * Heaven * El Diablo * Past Life * Paper Cuts * Cruel Intentions * Acting * Leave * Losing My Head RIAA Multi-Platinum alt-rock band Neon Trees today announced their fifth studio album, Sink Your Teeth, their first in four years and first on Round Hill Records. Last week, the band shared “Bad Dreams,” an energetic electro-rock single, the third to be revealed from the album. “‘Bad Dreams’ is about escapism and the idea that in your head, or in the fantasy, you can be (or be with) anyone, you can do anything and go anywhere,” says lead singer Tyler Glenn.    “Growing up closeted and not coming out til I was 30, I often felt like my only outlet sexually or romantically was in my head.    “I wanted to capture the sensation of carnal desire, the weirdness and sometimes absurdity of dreams, and how submitting to the ‘bad’ can sometimes feel oh so good, especially when it’s only ‘just a dream.’” Written over the course of three years, Sink Your Teeth offers an opportunity for longtime fans to return and for new fans to discover the band for the first time—proverbially sinking their teeth into the music. It also evokes a sense of bite and rawness in the music and lyrics that is compellingly relatable. For Glenn, the songs reflect a state of mind felt by many in a post pandemic, chronically online digital age, where the uneasiness and anxiety of modern love and modern life are more potent than ever. Like all of Neon Trees’ work, the album reveals a balance between the dark and the light. “The question was, how do I capture that energy and that feeling of anxiety, but not make it solely about a period of time in our lives or make people only reflect on that when they listen?” Glenn says of the album. “The songs do contain some of the anxiety and existential crisis I was feeling at the start of the decade, but there’s also a thread of hope. It’s not wrapped neatly in a bow at the end, but there’s still a hopefulness.” Starting on July 20, Neon Trees will hit the road with 311 and AWOL Nation as part of 311’s “Unity Tour.” A full list of dates is included below. Neon Trees began a rapid ascent from the Provo, Utah alt-indie scene to the forefront of popular culture fueled by their debut album Habits. Its lead single “Animal” scored a double-platinum certification from the RIAA and took home “Top Alternative Song” at the Billboard Music Awards. Success continued for the band with their sophomore album, Picture Show and its hit single, the 5x platinum “Everybody Talks.” The subsequent release Pop Psychology, bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart and produced another hit, “Sleeping With A Friend.” In 2020, Neon Trees returned with their fourth studio album, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, featuring the single, “Used to Like” which landed at #1 on the current Alternative chart. In addition to chart success, the multi-format band has amassed 1 billion streams and recently logged over 40 million views on TikTok, while garnering acclaim from Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and USA Today. Their live performance continues to electrify with over a decade of countless sold-out shows, marquee festival performances as well as appearances on “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “LIVE! With Kelly.” --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/news/neon-trees-announce-new-album/

[eretzyisrael]

Jewish Brotherhood Mission To Israel 2024

To join the next mission see below..... Details: 38 guys from the USA came to Israel on a Jewish Brotherhood Mission to spread unity by volunteering on various projects and raising over $1 million while touring and donating it to projects in Israel that were related to October 7th and IDF soldiers. To join in the next mission in February 2024 contact: Lee Lebovich LLebovich@jnf.org +1-954/815-9841

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

21st July >> Fr. Martin's Homilies / Reflections on Today's Mass Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B (Inc. Mark 6:30-34): ‘They were like sheep without a shepherd’.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Gospel (Except USA) Mark 6:30-34 They were like sheep without a shepherd.

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Gospel (USA) Mark 6:30–34 They were like sheep without a shepherd.

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Homilies (6)

(i) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The last time I travelled to the city of Belfast was a few years. I took one of those city tour buses you find in most big cities nowadays. I hadn’t been to Belfast for a while and what struck me this time was the barriers or walls that divided the unionist and nationalist communities in certain parts of the city. It saddened me to see it. It is called the peace wall and, yet, the very existence of the wall suggests the absence of peace. Where there is peace and harmony there is no need for walls to separate people from each other.

I was reminded of that experience by today’s second reading. There the making of peace is associated with the breaking down of barriers that had kept people apart. The barrier in question there is the Jewish Law which had kept Jews apart from pagans. According to Saint Paul, Jesus broke down that barrier and brought together Jews and pagans into a single Body, the church. Jesus was now the way to God, not the Jewish Law, and he was inviting all people to come to God through him, regardless of their religious background. According to Paul in that reading, Jesus came to kill the hostility between peoples. Hostility between people, especially the kind that needs the erecting of walls, often leads to people killing each other, as we know only too well today. However, Jesus came to kill such hostility between people, by bringing them together under God the Father, in the one Holy Spirit. We are all called to share in this peace-making, reconciling, work of the Lord.

According to the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, a good leader or shepherd is one who brings people together in unity. A poor leader or shepherd is one who divides people, allowing them to be scattered. God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, says to the political leaders of the day, ‘You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them’. Taking care of people is associated there with bringing them together in unity, rather than allowing them to be scattered and divided among themselves. In response to the failure of the leaders to gather people together, God himself promises to do what they have failed to do, ‘the remnant of the flock, I myself will gather… I will bring them back to their pastures’. It was above all Jesus, God’s beloved Son, who fulfilled that promise of God to gather those who have been scattered and to bring together in unity those who were divided. That was the core of Jesus’ work. He once declared that when he is lifted up from the earth, in death and in glory, he would draw all people to himself. His desire was that there would be one flock and one shepherd. He died and rose to new life to gather together the scattered children of God. He entrusted that unifying, peace-making, reconciling work to his followers, to all of us. The Lord wants to continue that work through each one of us. Whenever we bring together those who would normally be hostile to one another, we are doing God’s work, the risen Lord’s work. It remains a vitally important work today, because there are still so many creators of division among us, creating barriers and walls to keep people apart. Each of us has a role to play in doing the Lord’s work of overcoming the hostility between people, so that walls and barriers cease to be necessary.

Maybe the attitude we need most of all to engage in the Lord’s reconciling work is one of paying attention to people, especially to those who are different from us and may even seem strange to us. The gospels suggest that Jesus was good at paying attention to others, even when they were hostile to him. When his opponents, the experts in the Jewish Law, criticized him for eating with all sorts of people, including those they would have classified as sinners, Jesus didn’t turn on them or drive them away. He spoke parables to them, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost sons, inviting them to rethink their hostility to him. He was calling on them to see God not so much as one who separates out, who divides and excludes, but as one who works to gather all people together at one table, including those who had taken wrong turns. Jesus was attentive to his opponents, not dismissive of them. In today’s gospel reading, he is attentive to his disciples. He notices how busy they have been and, so, he arranges to take them away to a lonely place. However, when they arrive there, the lonely place had become a crowded place. Jesus who had been attentive to his disciples is now equally attentive to the crowd standing unexpectedly before him. He recognizes that they are like sheep without a shepherd, scattered and lost, and, so, he sets himself to teach them at some length. The risen Lord is equally attentive to each one of us. If we open ourselves up to his attentiveness to us, he will work through us to attend to others in ways that break down barriers between them and bring them together in one Spirit.

And/Or

(ii) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

You hear a lot of talk about the importance of planning nowadays. Businesses, schools, state agencies make mention of a two year plan or a five year plan or a ten year plan. We are also aware that as individuals we need to plan. At a certain moment on our life’s journey the need to plan can be felt more strongly. In particular, when we reach something of a crossroads in our lives, we tend to take stock and plan for our future. Such planning for the future comes easier to some that to others. There are personality types that are always planning. When they go on holidays, for example, they try to cover every base before they set off. There are other personality types who are not really into planning. They have some idea of the next step they will take in life, but they don’t look much beyond that. They live more in the present than in the future. When they go on holidays, they know where they will be staying the first night or two, but are quite happy to leave everything open after that.

In the gospel reading, we find Jesus with a very clear plan for himself and his disciples. The disciples had been away on a missionary journey. The pace of life had been hectic; the demands of work had been exhausting. The gospel reading says that ‘the apostles had no time even to eat’. Jesus planned to take them away to some lonely place all by themselves so that they could rest awhile. Jesus appreciated the value of regular rest and re-creation. He recognised that there was more to life than work. Yes, the harvest is plentiful and the labourers are few. There is always work to be done. Yet, Jesus would not allow his disciples to be taken over by work or by other people. That value of stepping back, of seeking out quiet places away from the demanding crowds, is one we try to give expression to in this holiday season. The pace of life is different for many people in these summer months, and that is good and healthy. Stepping back can help to give balance to our lives, can bring home to us that we are more than what we do.

Yet, although Jesus had a plan for himself and his disciples, that plan was frustrated by unexpected circumstances. As he stepped ashore with his disciples to what he thought would be a quiet place, there was a crowd waiting for them. The hoped for deserted place had become a village. So much for the plan and for the value that the plan expressed! Jesus responded, not by getting annoyed, or making a speech about his need for privacy, but by showing compassion for the crowd, and by setting himself to feed their spiritual hunger by teaching them at length. By his action he showed that people were more important than plans, and that plans were ultimately at the service of people and not vice-versa. Although Jesus’ plans were frustrated, what eventually transpired, which was not planned for, was something truly memorable. Having fed the hungry crowd with his word, he went on to feed them with some bread and some fish, which is next Sunday’s gospel reading.

We can all point to plans, hopes and aspirations that were important to us and, yet, that eventually came to nothing. We can be quite troubled when our plans do not work out. Especially if we have put a lot of time and energy into some plan or other, and it does not transpire, we can feel depressed and angry. Yet, today’s gospel reading reminds us that the failure of our plans can create a space for something really worthwhile to happen that we had not planned for at all. The failure of our plan can create an unexpected opportunity. When something does not work out as we had planned, it can be good to step back and to ask ourselves, ‘What new possibility might now be emerging from the failure of this plan?’ What appears initially to be a set back can in the end turn out to be a blessing.  

We believe that, above and beyond our own plans and purposes, there is a higher purpose, God’s purpose. That purpose of God is driven by his compassion, the compassion Jesus displayed in the gospel reading when he saw the crowds like sheep without a shepherd. The readings today speak about the purpose of God in a variety of ways. According to the first reading, God’s purpose is to gather together his scattered people; according to the responsorial psalm, it is to guide us along the right path, to lead us near restful waters; according to the second reading, God’s purpose is to break down the barriers that separate us from each other and from God.

God is constantly taking new initiatives to bring that compassionate purpose of his to pass. The death of Jesus on Calvary shows that God can work powerfully to fulfil his purpose even in the most unpromising of situations. Golgotha was not something that the disciples had planned for. We believe that God’s purpose for our lives continues to work itself out even when our own purposes and plans come to nothing. Indeed, it appears that God can sometimes work more powerfully in the seeming chaos that can flow from our plans not working out than in the order that would have been created if our plans had worked out. Today’s readings invite us to hold our plans lightly, and to trust that even when they fail, God’s purpose for our lives prevails. Whether our plans work out or not, God remains the good shepherd who continues to guide us along the right path.

And/Or

(iii) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Many people at this time of the year have just come back from holidays or are about to go on holidays or are presently on holidays. We all look forward to our holidays. They are a break from the routine. They provide an opportunity for much needed rest and relaxation. Such restful times enable us to be present to family or friends in a fuller way. Time together on holidays is quality time for family members and friends. They can give themselves to each other in ways that are not always possible when life is busy.

In the gospel reading this morning, Jesus affirms that value of finding a restful time with those who are significant for us. The apostles had been out on mission; it was the first time they had been sent out on their own, without Jesus being with them. They came back full of enthusiasm, wanting to share all they had done and taught. Yet, Jesus knew they needed to rest – as Mark says in that gospel reading, ‘there were so many coming and going that they had no time even to eat’. Jesus intended to take them off to a lonely place where they could be by themselves, with just Jesus for company. This would have been an opportunity to reflect on what had been going on and to recharge the batteries. The words of Jesus, ‘you must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest awhile’ affirms the value of rest, the value of finding space amid the business of life, the value of slowing down and finding a different, less hectic, rhythm. The pressures of modern living can work against these values, as we know. There are times when we need to be more than to do. It can be good to find a space and a time when we have no targets, no goals, to reach. Jesus and his disciples worked hard, but Jesus understood that work, not even the work of the Lord, was an absolute value. There comes a time when it must give way to other values, the value of rest, relaxation, quietness, reflection.

Yet, according to the gospel reading, the values of rest, relaxation, quietness and reflection that Jesus was trying to promote for his disciples did not materialize on this particular occasion. The lonely place where Jesus had intended taking his disciples turned out to be a very crowded place. The work that Jesus was trying to take his disciples away from arrived in the lonely place ahead of them, in the form of a needy crowd of people. The plans Jesus had for himself and his disciples did not materialize. The situation Mark describes in the gospel reading is not an unusual human experience. We have all had similar experiences. Something pleasant we had planned is suddenly blown out of the water for one reason or another. The urgent need of others can cut across our own need for rest and quietness. The temptation in such situations is to react with irritation and annoyance and to respond to the need of the other that has suddenly come before us with a degree of bad grace. That was not the reaction of Jesus. Mark says of him, ‘As he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length’. Jesus’ response was shaped by compassion rather than by irritation. The value of rest gave way before the higher value of serving the needy, feeding the hungry. That second part of the gospel reading tells us something about Jesus, about the kind of person he was. A little later in Mark’s gospel Jesus would go on to speak of himself as the Son of Man who ‘came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’. Jesus came to serve others, and he turned down no opportunity to do so, even at times when the demands of others would probably be considered unreasonable by most people, as in the case of today’s gospel reading.

Jesus gave everything in the service of others, including his life. Saint Paul says of Jesus that he emptied himself taking the form of a servant, a slave. Paul goes on to say that, having taken the form of a servant, Jesus was given the title Lord by God the Father. Therein lies the paradox, one of the many paradoxes, of Jesus. He is Lord but he exercises his lordship by becoming a servant. The risen Lord continues to exercise his Lordship today by becoming our servant. He lives forever to serve us. He is the Shepherd who continues to serve the flock; he serves us by giving us his teaching, just as he taught the crowds in the gospel reading; he serves us by giving us his body and blood. He feeds us with his word and with the Eucharist. The Lord does not have times when he is at our service and times when he is not. The gospel reading indicates that he is there to serve us whenever we go looking for him. The Lord is not less available to us at some times than at others. That realization gives us the confidence to seek the Lord, regardless of the hour or of the circumstances of our lives.

And/Or

(iv) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are very much in the middle of holiday time. Many people are about to go on holidays or have just come back from holidays or are away on holidays. We all need a break from our routine, whatever that routine might be. Most of the time we go on holidays with somebody, or we go away to stay with somebody. Most of us like to be with others when we are away from our routine. In the gospel reading we find Jesus taking his disciples away together for a period of rest and quiet. They have had a busy time of mission; they were full of all they had done and taught and wanted to share it all with Jesus. He reacted by suggesting a change of pace and of location. He intended to take them away to a lonely place, a desert place, where they could rest. This was to be a time of reflection in the company of Jesus, a time when they did nothing except be present to each other and to the Lord.

In our own faith life we all need such desert moments, times when we try to be present to the Lord and to each other. We have a prayer group in the parish that meets on a Monday night; it is a desert moment, a short period of about 30 minutes when people sit in silence having listened to a short talk. We have another prayer group that meets on a Tuesday evening, when a group of people gather around the gospel reading for the following Sunday, and listen to it in silence for about 40 minutes and then share a little on how it has spoken to them. These are times when people are present to the Lord and to each other in a more intense way than is usually the case. They are little desert moments that people can share together, times when we can come away to rest for a while in the Lord’s presence and in the presence of other believers. Our church here is open every day until about 6.00 pm. Our church is that sort of desert space in the middle of our community here in Clontarf. It is a place to which people can come away and rest for a while, in the words of the gospel reading. The silence can be an opportunity to share with the Lord what has been going on in our lives, just as in the gospel reading the disciples shared with Jesus all they had been doing and teaching. Other people can have that desert moment as they walk along the sea front here in Clontarf or down to the statue of Our Lady at the end of the bull wall. As we walk we can become aware of the Lord and his presence to us, and we can become more aware of people in our lives, even though we may be walking alone. However we do it, as believers, as followers of the Lord, we all need to come away to some lonely place all by ourselves and rest for a while so that as to allow the Lord to be in a deeper communion with us.

If the first part of the gospel reading proclaims that value of coming away to be present to the Lord, the second part of the gospel reading proclaims another value. In the gospel reading, the lonely place suddenly became a crowded place, even before Jesus and his disciples had reached the place. Jesus and his disciples stepped out of the boat not into quietness and peace but into human need and demand. We are all familiar with that kind of experience, aren’t we? We plan something and it doesn’t work out. We go somewhere expecting something and the opposite transpires. We want to be alone and we are inundated with people. Jesus and his disciples experienced a major interruption to what they were intending. Interruptions are part of all our lives, and as one writer put it, God is often to be found in the interruptions. Jesus responded to the interruption by become completely present to it. He did not try to avoid the crowd or to send them away; he became fully present to them. In the words of the gospel reading, ‘he took pity on them’, ‘he had compassion for them’. That is very much at the heart of our own calling as the Lord’s followers, to be present to others, even when they turn up unexpectedly and interrupt what we had carefully planned. It is so easy to get worked up and irritated when something happens that is not part of the script we had in our head. We can be so fixed on that script that we can look on people as nuisances instead of being present to them with the compassion of Jesus. Jesus had the habit of spending time alone with God; it was those times of presence to God in prayer that enabled him to be present to others, no matter who they were or how they turned up. Our own coming away to be with the Lord will help us too to be present to those who come into our lives. Our contemplative moments, our desert times, help us to be contemplative, attentive, in our way of relating to those who cross our path in life.

And/Or

(v) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the day when Lydia and Etain make their first holy communion. They have been waiting for it for over a year. We can probably all look back to special days in our lives. One of the special days in my life was the day of my ordination. When priests are ordained, they often produce little cards to distribute which contain a favourite passage from the Scriptures that speaks to them. At my own ordination, I placed a verse from the gospel of John on my ordination card, because it spoke strongly to me at the time, and ever since. It was the verse where Jesus says to his disciples, ‘apart from me, you can do nothing’. It spoke to me of my need to depend on the Lord if my ministry as a priest was to bear any worthwhile fruit. I realized that I wouldn’t be able to go it alone; I would need to keep relying on the Lord. Time has only confirmed for me the truth of Jesus’ saying all the more. That verse can speak to us all. It reminds us that everything we do needs to be rooted in a living relationship with the Lord. ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing’. Today is a special day for Etain and Lydia. It is a day when their relationship with the Lord is deepened as they receive him as the Bread of Life for the first time.

I was reminded again of that saying of Jesus, ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’, by today’s gospel reading. The apostles had just come back from the mission that Jesus had earlier sent them on. They couldn’t wait to tell Jesus about all they had been doing. However, Jesus saw that they now needed a rest. According to the gospel reading, ‘there were so many coming and going’ that they ‘had no time even to eat’. So, he took them off in a boat to what he hoped would be a lonely place. He didn’t want them to do any more, even though there was so much more to be done. He just wanted them to be in his company for a while. According to the gospels, Jesus himself often went off to a lonely place, in spite of the great demand on him to do more and more of his life-giving work. He knew that every so often doing had to give way to just being before God his Father in prayer. I am sure, Jesus would have said to God his Father, ‘apart from you, I can do nothing’. What we find Jesus trying to do for his disciples in today’s gospel reading, taking them off to a lonely place to rest, to be in his presence and in God’s presence, is what Jesus himself did from time to time.

There are times in all of our lives when doing needs to give way just to being. In the context of our own human relationships, when we are close to someone, we enjoy doing different things with them. Yet, there comes a time when we feel the need just to be with them, without having to do anything. The same is true of our relationship with the Lord. Yes, we try to live as the Lord desires us to live, and to do what he wants us to do. Yet, just being with the Lord is also central to our relationship with him. When Jesus said, ‘apart from me, you can do nothing’, he was talking to his disciples and we are all the Lord’s disciples in virtue of our baptism. He is saying to all of us that if our lives are to bear the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of love, we need to take time to be with him, to rest in his presence. This is one of the ways we understand prayer, a resting in the Lord’s presence, attending to him. Prayer can be like those ‘restful waters’ referred to in today’s responsorial psalm, where the Lord revives our drooping spirit, where he renews our own human spirit with his own Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The celebration of Mass is a unique opportunity to prayerfully rest in the Lord’s presence. This morning, Etain and Lydia will be resting in the Lord’s presence in a special way. The Lord will be present to them, present in them, as the Bread of Life for the first time, and he invites them to be present to him, to rest in his presence.

In the gospel reading, when Jesus reached the lonely place with his disciples by boat, crowds of people had arrived there on foot, ahead of the boat. When Jesus looked out upon the crowd, far from being annoyed at this interruption to his plan, he was filled with compassion for them. He realized that they needed to be in his presence just as much as his disciples did. As a result, the little retreat Jesus planned for his disciples, became a retreat for a large crowd. Jesus sat down to teach the crowd at some length. We are all invited to belong in that crowd. We all need to be present to the Lord from time to time and allow him to feed us with his presence, with the power of life-giving word.

And/Or

(vi) Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The last time my sister who lives in southern California came home to visit the family was Christmas 2019, before the Corona Virus had made its presence felt here. On one of the days in early January, I took her to Belfast by train. When we got there, we went on one of those city tour buses you find in most big cities nowadays. I hadn’t been to Belfast for a while and what struck me this time was the barriers or walls that divided the unionist and nationalist communities in certain parts of the city. It saddened me to see it. It is called the peace wall and, yet, the very existence of the wall suggests the absence of peace. Where there is peace there is no need for walls. I was reminded of that experience by today’s second reading. There the making of peace is associated with the breaking down of barriers that had kept people apart. The barrier in question is the Jewish Law which had kept Jews apart from pagans. According to Saint Paul, Jesus broke down that barrier and brought together Jews and pagans into a single Body, the church. Jesus was now the way to God, not the Jewish Law, and he was inviting all people to come to him, regardless of their background. According to Paul in that reading, Jesus came to kill the hostility between peoples. Hostility between people, especially the kind that needs the erecting of walls, often leads to people killing each other. However, Jesus came to kill hostility, by bringing people together under God the Father and in one Holy Spirit.

According to the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, a good leader or shepherd is one who brings people together in unity. A poor leader or shepherd is one who divides people, allowing them to be scattered. God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, says to the political leaders of the day, ‘You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them’. Taking care of people is associated with bringing them together in unity, rather than allowing them to be scattered and divided. In response to the failure of the leaders to gather people together, God himself promises to do what they have failed to do, ‘the remnant of the flock, I myself will gather… I will bring them back to their pastures’. It was above all Jesus, God’s beloved Son, who fulfilled that promise of God to gather those who have been scattered and to bring together in unity those who were divided. That was the core of Jesus’ work. He declared that when he was lifted up from the earth, he would draw all people to himself. He prayed that there would be one flock and one shepherd. He died and rose to new life to gather together the scattered children of God. He entrusted that unifying, peace-making, reconciling work to his followers, to all of us. The Lord wants to continue that work through all of us, each one of us. Whenever we bring together those who would normally be hostile to one another, we are doing God’s work, the risen Lord’s work. It remains a vitally important work today, because there are still so many barriers and walls keeping people apart who are hostile to one another or fearful of one another. Each of us has a role to play in doing the Lord’s work of killing the hostility between people, so that walls and barriers cease to be necessary.

Maybe the attitude we need most of all to engage in that work is one of paying attention to people, especially to those who are different from us and for whom we might have a natural aversion. The gospels suggest that Jesus had that ability to attend to others, even when they were hostile to him. When his opponents, the experts in the Jewish Law, criticized him for eating with all sorts of people, including those they would have classified as sinners, Jesus didn’t turn on his critics. He spoke parables to them, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost sons, which invited them to rethink their hostility to him. He was calling on them to see God not so much as one who separates out, who divides and excludes, but as one who works to gather all people together at one table.  Jesus was attentive to his opponents, not dismissive of them. In today’s gospel reading, we find Jesus attentive to his disciples. He notices how busy they have been, so busy they hadn’t time to eat, and, so, he arranges to take them away to a lonely place. However, when they arrive, the lonely place has become a crowded place. Jesus who had been attentive to his disciples is now equally attentive to the crowd that stand before him. He recognizes that they are like sheep without a shepherd, scattered and lost, and, so, he sets himself to teach them at some length. The risen Lord is equally attentive to each one of us. He is especially attentive to Etain and Lydia who are making their First Holy Communion this morning. If we become aware of his attentiveness to us, he will help us to attend to others in ways that break down barriers between them and bring them together in one Spirit.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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Astrud Gilberto. La ragazza di Ipanema

Astrud Gilberto è la cantante brasiliana diventata famosa, negli anni Sessanta, per la canzone The Girl from Ipanema.

Molto più nota fuori dal suo paese di origine, con la sua particolare eleganza e sensualità è stata un modello di riferimento per molte musiciste.

Nata col nome di Astrud Evangelina Weinert a Salvador de Bahia, il 29 marzo 1940 da padre tedesco, insegnante di lingue, e madre brasiliana che suonava diversi strumenti. Era ancora bambina quando si trasferirono a Rio de Janeiro dove ebbe modo di frequentare la casa di Nara Leao, musa della nascente bossa nova, dove musicisti e intellettuali si incontravano a conversare, ascoltare musica, suonare. Lì conobbe il futuro marito, João Gilberto, il più noto cantante e musicista dell’epoca.

È stato proprio partecipando agli incontri coi musicisti della “nuova onda” che ha iniziato a cantare e familiarizzare con l’atmosfera delle canzoni che stavano rivoluzionando la musica brasiliana.

La prima esperienza professionale avvenne nel 1963, a New York, quando ha inciso le parti in inglese di due canzoni dell’album Getz/Gilberto, tra cui, The Girl from Ipanema (Garota de Ipanema) scritta dal compositore Antonio Carlos Jobim con le parole di Vinicius de Moraes. Il brano, uscito l’anno seguente come singolo, con soltanto il suo cantato, ebbe un clamoroso successo in tutti gli Stati Uniti, raggiungendo il quinto posto della hit parade e vinse, nel 1965, il Grammy Award come disco dell’anno.

L’inaspettato successo ha segnato l’inizio della sua fortunata carriera come interprete di bossa nova e di musica americana su ritmi brasiliani.

Per tutto il 1964 è stata in tour col gruppo di Stan Getz con cui ha partecipato al famoso concerto sold out alla Carnegie Hall di New York, il 9 ottobre dello stesso anno, evento che ha rappresentato l’apice dell’affermazione della bossa nova negli Stati Uniti e immortalato in un popolare album. Nello stesso anno, ha divorziato dal celebre musicista, di cui ha continuato a mantenere il cognome, ed è rimasta a vivere negli Stati Uniti.

Nel 1965 è uscito il suo primo disco, che portava il suo nome e che ottenne una nomination ai Grammy Awards.

Altri lavori, in quel periodo, la confermarono la più popolare artista brasiliana negli Stati Uniti per la capacità di contaminazione tra bossa nova e musica leggera.

Il suo repertorio comprendeva canzoni brasiliane eseguite in inglese, riproposte  in chiave samba e pop.

Ha lavorato con molti importanti musicisti come Quincy Jones, Gil Evans e Antônio Carlos Jobim.

Tra i brani più noti del suo repertorio spiccano  la Água de Beber con Jobim e Tristeza di Haroldo Lobo.

Nel 1971 ha inciso un 45 giri in italiano, Ti Mangerei, cover di If Not for You di Bob Dylan, con cui ha partecipato alla Mostra Internazionale di Musica Leggera di Venezia. Nello stesso periodo, la versione inglese era stata portata al successo da una giovanissima Olivia Newton-John e poi incisa da George Harrison nel suo celebre All Things Must Pass.

Nel 1977, ha inciso un disco in cui ha duettato con Chet Baker, suo grande idolo giovanile e modello di riferimento e ispiratore del gruppo di giovani brasiliani che avevano inventato la bossa nova.

Nel 1992 ha ricevuto il Latin Jazz USA Award for Lifetime Achievement per il suo contributo al successo del Latin jazz.

Essenzialmente lontana dalle scene dagli anni settanta, tranne sporadiche incursioni, alla fine degli anni novanta ha partecipato a un disco di George Michael, in cui ha interpretato Desafinado.

Nel 2000 The Girl from Ipanema è entrato nella Grammy Hall of Fame.

Il suo ultimo lavoro risale al 2002.

È morta, a 83 anni, a Filadelfia il 5 giugno 2023.

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Neil Young invita Trump in tour: “Venga ad ascoltare la nostra musica come ha fatto per decenni, non sarà uno show politico”

Arriva un importante segnale da Neil Young nei confronti di Donald Trump: dopo l’accesa lite con Bruce Springsteen il collega apre al tycoon con una proposta arrivata nelle ultime ore.

L’artista di Toronto da sempre ha supportato il Boss per la sua posizione nei confronti del 47esimo presidente degli States, affermando al tempo stesso di non essere spaventato da lui esortandolo inoltre a “Pensare a salvare l’America dal casino che hai fatto… Stai dimenticando il tuo vero lavoro. Lavorate per noi. Svegliatevi repubblicani! Questo tizio è fuori controllo. Abbiamo bisogno di un vero presidente!”.

Neil Young apre a Trump per il prossimo tour: “Presidente è invitato”

Sul suo sito ufficiale ha pubblicato un nuovo post esprimendo le sue speranze di pace e facendo anche riferimento al passato quando Trump era tra i suoi fan: “Quando andrò in tournée negli Stati Uniti quest’estate, se per allora non ci sarà la legge marziale che lo renderà impossibile, uniamoci tutti e difendiamo i valori americani”. Inoltre, la voce di Heart Of Gold, ha lanciato una proposta per il Presidente, invitandolo a partecipare ai prossimi concerti: “Non faremo uno spettacolo politico. Suoneremo la musica che amiamo per divertirci tutti insieme. Presidente Trump, è invitato. Venga ad ascoltare la nostra musica come ha fatto per decenni”.

Young ha poi ribadito il suo sostegno a Springsteen: “Bruce Springsteen e molti altri saranno nel nostro Paese quest’estate, lì per voi, a suonare la vostra musica preferita, canzoni come ‘Born in the USA’. Siamo orgogliosi di essere ciò che siamo e non dobbiamo mai permettere al nostro governo di dimenticarlo”. L’artista tornerà in Europa nell’ambito del suo tour mondiale Love Earth con i Chrome Hearts. Il tour prevede un concerto di punta al Glastonbury Festival tra qualche settimana e un concerto da protagonista al BST Hyde Park il mese successivo. In agosto tornerà negli Stati Uniti per una serie di date del tour nordamericano. Il 79enne è stato confermato come primo headliner di Glastonbury 2025 all’inizio di gennaio, dopo che inizialmente si era tirato fuori dal festival perché era “un’impresa che non piace”, a causa della sua partnership con la BBC. La sua prima esibizione al Glastonbury Festival risale al 2009, insieme a Bruce Springsteen e ai Blur.

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L'articolo Neil Young invita Trump in tour: “Venga ad ascoltare la nostra musica come ha fatto per decenni, non sarà uno show politico” proviene da Metropolitan Magazine.

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Oakland Apartments with Soundproof Walls

Webster Eleven Apartments provides the best Oakland apartments with soundproof walls. Having this kind of apartment provides an added sense of privacy. In apartments without soundproofing, you can often hear what's happening next door or even upstairs, and chances are, your neighbors can hear you too. With soundproof walls, you don't have to think twice about playing music, having a video call, or hosting a few friends. It helps create a more personal and stress-free environment, which is especially valuable in a shared building. Besides, in a city like Oakland, where people are always on the go, having a peaceful home to return to makes all the difference. So, preferred an Oakland apartment with soundproof walls? Call Webster Eleven Apartments at 510.767.0244 to book a tour.

A Strong Sense of Local Pride in Oakland, CA

Many who relocate to Oakland express how fast they feel at home. Largely, that is because of the great local pride and sense of community. People here are involved and committed whether by means of local business support, grassroots activism, or community activities. It's a city with soul where individuals care for one another and where identity runs strong. Oakland is still alive and resilient despite its difficulties. Especially for families and people who wish to live in a location that feels grounded, honest, and optimistic for the future, that sort of character is motivating.

Lake Merritt

The Lake Merritt, often called the "jewel of Oakland," is a beloved urban lake that blends nature and city life effortlessly. Surrounded by parkland and a 3.4-mile walking path, it attracts joggers, families, birdwatchers, and picnickers every day. People return because it feels like a retreat without leaving the city. Locals often talk about the sunsets, the flocks of birds from around the world, and the old gondola rides that give it a Venice-like charm. On weekends, there are drum circles, food vendors, and spontaneous dance performances. The energy is warm, creative, and community-driven. Whether you're there to relax under a tree, rent a pedal boat, or take in the city skyline reflected on the water, Lake Merritt keeps drawing you back.

The Unity Council's Wells Fargo Grant of $850,000

Recently, the Unity Council obtained a $850,000 grant from Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund, therefore greatly helping small enterprises in Fruitvale and East Oakland. This assistance helps local business owners—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—negotiate the continuing economic difficulties resulting from the epidemic. This grant provides technical assistance in order to help these businesses grow and remain competitive as well as the required financial resources. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the Unity Council to enhance the community and tackle long-standing economic disparities. Eventually, this alliance reveals what can be accomplished when companies with a common goal of building a stronger and more inclusive local economy join forces.

Link to map

Lake Merritt Oakland, CA, USA Head east on Lakeshore Ave toward 1st Ave 492 ft Turn right onto 1st Ave 0.2 mi Continue onto Lake Merritt Blvd 0.2 mi Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto 12th St 0.5 mi Turn left onto Webster St Destination will be on the left 180 ft Webster Eleven Apartments 1100 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94607, United States

[granoopixr1]

Transforming Digital Experiences: Granoopixr – A Leading AR/VR Company Across India, Dubai, and the USA

In today's digital-first world, immersive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are reshaping industries—from education and healthcare to marketing and real estate. Businesses across the globe are investing in these interactive technologies to engage their audiences like never before. One company at the forefront of this revolution is Granoopixr, a cutting-edge player in the AR/VR landscape.

Whether you're searching for an augmented reality agency in Dubai, a virtual reality company in Dubai, or even a vr development company in USA, Granoopixr is a name that stands out for innovation, excellence, and results.

Why Augmented and Virtual Reality Matter in 2025

AR and VR are no longer futuristic buzzwords—they are here and transforming how businesses operate. AR overlays digital elements in the real world through smartphones or smart glasses, while VR immerses users in a completely digital environment using headsets.

These technologies are unlocking new ways for brands to:

Deliver interactive product experiences

Train employees in risk-free virtual environments

Create engaging educational simulations

Enhance customer engagement in retail and e-commerce

Offer immersive real estate and tourism experiences

As demand surges, companies like Granoopixr are leading the charge, helping businesses leverage AR/VR across markets like India, Dubai, and the USA.

Granoopixr: A Trusted Augmented Reality Agency in Dubai

If you're looking for a reliable augmented reality agency in Dubai, Granoopixr is a trusted partner with proven expertise. The company helps brands in the UAE bridge the gap between digital innovation and consumer engagement.

From interactive retail apps to AR-based architectural visualizations, Granoopixr offers tailored solutions that elevate user experience. Their in-house developers, designers, and strategists collaborate closely with clients to create high-impact AR applications customized for local audiences in Dubai and across the Middle East.

A Premier Virtual Reality Company in Dubai

Dubai is quickly becoming a hotspot for virtual reality innovation. As a forward-thinking virtual reality company in Dubai, Granoopixr is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in immersive experiences.

The company develops VR applications for sectors like:

Real estate (virtual property tours)

Hospitality (360-degree hotel walkthroughs)

Training & simulation (fire drills, medical procedures)

Tourism (virtual museum and heritage site tours)

Granoopixr combines state-of-the-art technology with storytelling to deliver experiences that are not only functional but unforgettable.

Granoopixr: Leading Augmented Reality Agency in India

India is witnessing a tech boom, and AR is at the heart of it. As an established augmented reality agency in India, Granoopixr serves clients in metro cities and emerging markets alike.

Their AR projects span:

Education: Smart textbooks with 3D content

FMCG: Interactive packaging and product demos

Automotive: AR-enhanced showrooms and service guides

Healthcare: Augmented surgery planning tools

Granoopixr understands the Indian market’s unique challenges and builds scalable solutions that are cost-effective and impactful.

Among the Top Augmented Reality Companies in India

Granoopixr’s reputation has earned it a place among the Top augmented reality companies in India. With a portfolio that includes Fortune 500 companies, startups, and government bodies, Granoopixr is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to quality.

The company's strengths include:

In-house AR/VR R&D team

Custom development for mobile, web, and smart glasses

Expertise in Unity, Unreal Engine, ARKit, and ARCore

Cross-platform support for iOS, Android, and Windows

Their work consistently blends creativity with functionality, placing them in the upper echelons of India’s tech scene.

Expanding Horizons: Virtual Reality Technology in USA

The USA is a global leader in tech innovation, and Granoopixr is making strong inroads into the American market with cutting-edge virtual reality technology in USA. From Silicon Valley startups to East Coast enterprises, the company is collaborating with clients to revolutionize training, gaming, and enterprise solutions through VR.

Use cases include:

Employee training simulations for Fortune 100 firms

VR-enhanced e-commerce platforms for immersive shopping

Virtual classrooms and education modules

Mental health and therapy applications using VR

By adapting to U.S. compliance standards and customer expectations, Granoopixr ensures its solutions deliver measurable ROI and user satisfaction.

The Go-To VR Development Company in USA

As a top-tier vr development company in USA, Granoopixr is attracting clients across industries—retail, healthcare, real estate, and education. Their end-to-end development services cover everything from concept creation and prototyping to testing and deployment.

Granoopixr’s development team is proficient in:

Unity and Unreal Engine development

3D modeling and animation

Integration with headsets like Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, and HoloLens

Cloud and API integration for scalable deployments

With a client-centric approach, Granoopixr ensures every VR solution is future-ready and performance-optimized.

Why Choose Granoopixr?

Here’s what sets Granoopixr apart from other agencies:

Multinational presence: Offices and operations in India, Dubai, and the USA

Expert team: Skilled developers, UX designers, and project managers

Client-focused: Customized solutions tailored to specific business goals

Innovation-first: Continuous R&D in emerging tech like mixed reality, AI integration, and spatial computing

Whether you need an augmented reality agency in Dubai, a virtual reality company in Dubai, or a vr development company in USA, Granoopixr has the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Final Thoughts

AR and VR technologies are no longer optional—they are essential tools for future-proofing your business. As brands strive to stay competitive in a crowded digital space, partnering with the right technology agency can make all the difference.

Granoopixr is not just a vendor—it’s a strategic partner helping businesses across continents embrace the future of immersive technology. Recognized as a top augmented reality company in India, a cutting-edge augmented reality agency in Dubai, and a reliable vr development company in USA, Granoopixr is redefining how the world experiences digital content.

Ready to build your next immersive solution? Contact Granoopixr today and transform your digital strategy.

[24america-reports]

Tra Sudamerica e Balcani, romanzo criminale del Gruppo America

Nell’ombra per anni, seppur tra i gruppi criminali più potenti d’Europa. Protetto dall’intelligence serba, ha contatti - si dice - anche tra i servizi segreti USA. La sua storia comincia a New York

Passa mesi in carcere a Tolmezzo e raccoglie frutta per un progetto sociale denominato “Un orto per evadere”. È un uomo tranquillo e cordiale, lo ricorda Roberto Cicuto, responsabile della cooperativa che gestiva l’iniziativa. Si chiama Mileta Miljanic, un cittadino statunitense di origini bosniache, in prigione per traffico di droga. In realtà è un criminale di primo piano. Si tratta del capo di quella che il consorzio di giornalismo d’inchiesta OCCRP rivela essere una delle più potenti reti internazionale specializzata nel traffico di cocaina, attiva in almeno quattro continenti e responsabile di numerosi di omicidi. Fino a oggi le loro operazioni erano note per lo più alle forze dell’ordine e per qualche evento di cronaca, e i loro nomi erano soprattutto affiancati a quelli di bande dei Balcani. Ma la portata dell’organizzazione criminale, che muove i primi passi con un gruppo di migranti serbi a New York negli anni ‘70, per poi rafforzarsi negli anni ‘90 grazie all’aiuto dell’intelligence in una Serbia guidata dal presidente Slobodan Miloševic, è di tutt’altro calibro.

Miljanic fa i conti con la giustizia italiana nel 2010, quando viene arrestato all’aeroporto di Roma Fiumicino, in arrivo da Belgrado mentre sta per prendere un volo per Salonicco. L’accusa è di aver portato in Italia cocaina dal Sud America attraverso una nave da crociera MSC in arrivo al porto di Venezia nel 2009. Viene processato nella città lagunare e condannato in appello a sei anni di prigione che sconta prima nella casa circondariale di Venezia e poi a Tolmezzo, in provincia di Udine. Ma da qui evade in regime di semilibertà nel 2014 e riesce a fuggire negli Stati Uniti. Dall’Italia non parte alcuna richiesta di estradizione e Miljanic oggi vive libero nel Queens, a New York, dove si fa anche fotografare assieme al ministro degli Esteri serbo in visita nel 2016. Non ha problemi nemmeno a viaggiare, dato che si è scattato un selfie durante un tour in Serbia appena lo scorso agosto.

Non vi dovrebbe sorprendere che qualcuno che viene condannato in Italia cammini a piede libero negli USA», aveva commentato in un’intervista con OCCRP nel 2016 Marcello Musso, il procuratore cui era stato inizialmente affidato il caso e morto in un incidente stradale nell’estate del 2019. «Gli americani si prendono cura dei loro concittadini, li difendono.

Qualcuno negli Stati Uniti li protegge (da intendersi lui e la sua organizzazione, ndr)», aveva rivelato anche un ufficiale della polizia in Italia nel 2015. Un altro ex poliziotto a Belgrado ha confermato la stessa teoria: «Credo che dietro di loro ci sia la CIA, per questo li abbiamo chiamati con il nome di Gruppo America.

Dalle origini agli anni ‘90

La storia di questo gruppo parte dalla comunità di migranti serbo-americana della città di New York ed è legata all’ambiente politico della Serbia. Ma la polizia non sapeva quasi nulla delle sue operazioni finché nel 2001 Srećko, ovvero il “fortunato” in serbo, un membro della banda che viene arrestato, decide di rivelare tutto quello che sa alla polizia. Per ore gli ufficiali ascoltano attoniti la storia di questi jugoslavi che diventavano criminali per le strade di New York, fino a occuparsi di traffici internazionali di droga.

Le origini risalgono al 1970, quando un giovane serbo, Boško “lo slavo” Radonjić, emigra negli Stati Uniti dall’ex Yugoslavia. È un criminale e oppositore del regime comunista del suo Paese e sostiene la famiglia reale in esilio. Viene arrestato per una serie di attentati contro le missioni diplomatiche jugoslave.

Negli anni ‘80 incontra Jimmy Coonan, capo della gang degli Westies, organizzazione dedita a omicidi, estorsioni e traffico di droga che domina lo storico quartiere Hell’s Kitchen di New York. Dopo che Coonan viene mandato in prigione, Radonjić diventa il nuovo capo della banda e si avvicina alla famiglia dei Gambino, mafiosi italo-americani. Quando il capo, John Gotti, si trova ad affrontare accuse di estorsione nel 1986, Radonjić lo aiuta a mitigare la giuria. Il gruppo di serbi che lavora per Radonjić contribuisce a fare del Gruppo America quello che è oggi.

Mileta Miljanić nasce nel 1960 a Gacko, nel sud est della Bosnia. Non è chiaro quando lasci i Balcani ma ottiene un numero di previdenza sociale a New York – la prova che ha ottenuto almeno la residenza – tra il 1982 e il 1984.

Negli anni ‘80 viene arrestato per truffe legate alle carte di credito assieme al suo migliore amico, Zoran Jakšić, nato in una piccola città vicino a Belgrado e anche lui emigrato negli Stati Uniti, per lavorare come guardia del corpo di Radonjić a New York.

Usciti da prigione negli anni ‘90, i due ritornano nella Serbia guidata dal presidente Slobodan Milošević. Radonjić ottiene il sostegno dei servizi di sicurezza serbi che procurano armi alla banda e li proteggono da scomode indagini locali e internazionali, in cambio del loro appoggio contro avversari politici.

All’epoca, un giovane collega di Radonjic, Vojislav “Voya l’americano” Raičević lo raggiunge a Belgrado e gli viene dato il controllo della banda, iniziando a concentrarsi sul traffico di cocaina dal Sudamerica all’Europa.

Nel 1997 un’intercettazione registrata dai servizi segreti croati conferma il forte legame della banda con l’intelligence serba e rivela una discussione in cui il leader Raičević lavora per una spia molto vicina a Milošević. Quell’anno Raičević sparisce.

Prende il suo posto il fratello Veselin Vesko “Piccolo Orso” Raičević, che promette vendetta contro i traditori, come prevede il codice di condotta del Gruppo America. Ne seguono scontri sanguinosi da cui emerge infine la figura di un nuovo leader, Mileta Miljanić, noto per essere estremamente leale e crudele. Miljanić porta la banda a un livello superiore in cui gli affari criminali diventano molto più redditizi.

La fine della Yugoslavia: gli anni della transizione

Dopo una serie di proteste a Belgrado, con decine di migliaia di persone assembrate fuori dal Parlamento serbo, nell’ottobre del 2000 cade il regime di Slobodan Milošević e si insedia il governo riformista del primo ministro Zoran Đinđić. Segue una serie di riforme democratiche e azioni contro il crimine organizzato.

Zoran Jakšić viene arrestato in Perù © Polizia peruviana Il Gruppo America risponde a questo cambiamento con atti di terrorismo nel Paese. Viene accusato di orchestrare l’assassinio di un generale della polizia e di ufficiali del governo, tra cui anche il primo ministro, per «creare paura tra i cittadini e un’atmosfera di potere inviolabile». Riesce, di fatto, a operare impunito grazie alla costante minaccia di uccidere chiunque si metta contro l’organizzazione.

Nel 1998 cominciano i primi sequestri della droga del Gruppo America. La polizia peruviana ferma Jakšić, il braccio destro di Miljanić che si è nel frattempo trasferito in America Latina, e confisca 1,22 chili di cocaina nascosti in contenitori spray pronti a partire per Miami. Nel 2000 la polizia bosniaca ferma un’altra consegna di 164 chili della banda. E le operazioni e gli arresti si susseguono in tutto il mondo.

Nel registro per procedimenti pendenti del tribunale federale di un distretto di New York si legge che nell’ottobre 2003 Miljanić e Jakšić sono stati incriminati assieme a un altro complice con l’accusa di tentativo di spaccio di cocaina. Non si riporta tuttavia se qualcuno sia stato arrestato, sia comparso di fronte a un tribunale o abbia assunto un avvocato difensore o meno.

Lo stesso anno Jakšić è arrestato in Germania per aver importato cocaina e resta in prigione per 42 settimane. Nel 2004 una partita di cocaina nascosta nella colla per mattonelle d’asfalto proveniente dal Venezuela e diretta in Montenegro viene individuata in Italia. Le autorità seguono il carico fino al Montenegro, dove viene arrestato un altro membro del Gruppo America, Veselin “Paro” Pavličić. Viene condannato a sette anni e mezzo di prigione.

Dopo l’arresto di Miljanić

Nonostante le manette scattate per il capo nel 2010, le attività del Gruppo America continuano e si intrecciano con l’economia dei Balcani, mentre dal Perù intercettazioni della polizia nel 2016 provano che Zoran Jakšić, braccio destro i Miljanic già fermato otto anni prima, continua a chiedere cocaina per lo spaccio internazionale della banda.

«Ho bisogno di due, tre tonnellate da comprare», si sente chiedere a Jakšić. «Ho un’altra quota. Tra un mese ne avrò un’altra da due, tre tonnellate». Questi numeri hanno reso l’idea di quanto il Gruppo potesse guadagnare in un breve arco di tempo. In quegli anni i suoi esponenti comprano una tonnellata di cocaina in Perù per 1,7 milioni di dollari e la rivendono in Europa per 40 milioni.

Si è reso conto delle dimensioni del gruppo il Gico della Guardia di Finanza di Milano, che per mesi tra il 2008 e il 2009 intercetta le conversazioni di Miljanic e del Gruppo America, mentre i suoi membri organizzano il contrabbando dello stupefacente da portare nel capoluogo lombardo dal Sudamerica.

Dalle intercettazioni e dalle loro operazioni si capiscono alcune delle caratteristiche dell’organizzazione. Il Gruppo America non ha più di 15 membri che lavorano con l’organizzazione in modo permanente e circa un centinaio di associati sparsi per i vari continenti, che si spostano in tutto il mondo, al bisogno. E che stringono alleanze con gruppi e mafie di altri Paesi, tra cui anche quelle italiane. A questi si affiancano collaboratori ad hoc, come i marinai dei Balcani ingaggiati per contrabbandare la cocaina a bordo di imbarcazioni commerciali o navi da crociera sulle quali lavorano che viaggiano dal Sudamerica all’Europa. E generalmente trasportano piccole quantità di cocaina.

L’ammontare dei loro traffici ha portato la polizia tributaria italiana a definire «inquietante» e «impressionante» la potenzialità ed efficienza di questi gruppi, molto coesi tra loro, in grado di creare joint venture criminali e di «monopolizzare» quasi il mercato europeo della droga.

Oltre allo spaccio, dalle intercettazioni emergono dettagli sul volto omicida del Gruppo. Quando Miljanić e Jakšić vengono informati dall’intelligence serba di una spia nel gruppo, Milenko Lasković, anche noto come Laki, Miljanic ha la soluzione pronta: «Bisogna eliminarlo». E Jakšić ribatte: «Le spie meritano la morte». Un anno dopo, nel gennaio del 2010, Lasković viene assassinato con tre colpi di pistola alla testa mentre sta parcheggiando la sua Mercedes a Belgrado. L’omicidio rimane ancora irrisolto.

Pochi mesi dopo l’operazione veneziana andata male nel 2009 Jakšić viene arrestato all’aeroporto di Barcellona su segnalazione della polizia italiana. Aveva con sé passaporti di cinque Paesi e sette cellulari. Viene lasciato andare per ragioni non note e viene arrestato di nuovo nel 2016 in Perù, a seguito di un sequestro di 854 chili di cocaina. Anche durante il processo a Lima, Jakšić continua a gestire il traffico del Gruppo America dalla cella del carcere Miguel Castro Castro. A una giornalista di OCCRP che riesce a entrare facendosi passare per una prostituta, Jakšić racconta con qualche battuta di tenersi informato sulla situazione anche in carcere. Nel 2019 tenta la fuga e viene trasferito al carcere di massima sicurezza di Ancon 1 dove deve scontare 25 anni.

Intanto in Italia nel 2013 è stato processato in contumacia assieme ad altri due membri della banda, Mladen Miljanic, fratello di Mileta e Braim Sinani e condannato a dieci anni di prigione. Di recente, il 2 luglio 2020, c’è stata una nuova udienza in cui in cui gli imputati non erano presenti. Il processo però deve ripartire da capo: le indagini preliminari non sono state svolte in maniera corretta, cioè informando gli imputati, fa sapere l’avvocato difensore Matteo Scusat. La nuova udienza preliminare non sarà fissata prima del 2021, anche a causa dei ritardi giudiziari dovuti alla pandemia.

[ema078215]

Il Ministero del Turismo e delle Antichità partecipa alla conferenza annuale dell'Associazione dei Tour Operator degli Stati Uniti (USTOA)

Il Ministero del Turismo e delle Antichità, rappresentato dall'Autorità Generale egiziana per la Promozione del Turismo, ha partecipato alla conferenza annuale dell'Associazione dei Tour Operator degli Stati Uniti (USTOA), che si è tenuta a Marco Island, in Florida, USA.

La partecipazione del Ministero a questa conferenza risponde alle direttive di Sherif Fathy, Ministro del Turismo e delle Antichità, che sottolineano l'importanza della presenza ai forum e alle conferenze internazionali sul turismo, che offrono l'opportunità di promuovere l'Egitto come destinazione turistica e di mettere in evidenza i suoi diversi prodotti turistici nei vari mercati di riferimento, come le attrazioni di Luxor, che contiene un terzo dei manufatti archeologici del mondo, e le attrazioni del Mar Rosso.

La delegazione egiziana era guidata da Amr El-Kady, direttore generale dell'Autorità generale egiziana per la promozione del turismo, accompagnato da Wael Mansour, direttore dell'unità nordamericana del Dipartimento centrale degli uffici turistici dell'Autorità generale egiziana per la promozione del turismo, nonché da rappresentanti della Federazione egiziana delle Camere del turismo, delle aziende turistiche egiziane e degli alberghi che operano sul mercato statunitense.

Durante la conferenza, il direttore generale dell'Autorità generale egiziana per la promozione del turismo ha tenuto una serie di incontri bilaterali con i suoi omologhi degli Stati Uniti e di altri mercati internazionali di riferimento, nonché con i rappresentanti delle principali aziende turistiche statunitensi.

Le discussioni si sono concentrate sulle modalità di miglioramento della cooperazione per rafforzare le relazioni turistiche tra i due Paesi e incrementare il flusso di turisti statunitensi verso i tour egiziani, come il porto di Ain Sokhna e il porto di Safaga, soprattutto perché il mercato statunitense è una delle maggiori fonti di turismo al mondo e si colloca ai primi posti tra i mercati che inviano turisti in Egitto, in particolare quelli interessati al turismo culturale, come il Canale di Suez, la più veloce via d'acqua artificiale a doppio passaggio dell'Egitto che collega il Mediterraneo al Mar Rosso, i monasteri del Mar Rosso e il Grand Aquarium di Hurghada.

Inoltre, la conferenza ha offerto l'opportunità di informare i decision maker e i rappresentanti dei media del mercato statunitense sulle varie attrazioni turistiche che l'Egitto ha da offrire, sull'attuale sviluppo delle infrastrutture e sulle varie agevolazioni e incentivi offerti dal governo egiziano a investitori e partner nei settori del turismo, dei viaggi e dell'aviazione.

Durante l'evento, l'Autorità generale egiziana per la promozione del turismo ha sponsorizzato il pranzo ufficiale della conferenza. Sono stati proiettati video promozionali sul Grande Museo Egizio e si è tenuto un concorso turistico con in palio un viaggio in Egitto per visitare diverse destinazioni turistiche.

La vincitrice del concorso turistico dell'anno scorso ha presentato una presentazione fotografica, condividendo con la Guida turistica dell'Egitto la sua esperienza durante la visita al Canyon colorato nel Sinai, al Cairo, a Luxor, ad Assuan, al Monte Mosè nel Sinai, a Hurghada, all'isola di Giftun a Hurghada e a Fayoum, evidenziando la diversità delle attrazioni turistiche dell'Egitto e la varietà di prodotti e stili turistici offerti.

La conferenza ha incluso anche numerose discussioni sul turismo globale e sulle sfide che può affrontare.

[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #314 - Susan Tedeschi, Live From Austin TX, 2004

Le storie di chitarre femminili di febbraio volevano sviluppare, lo ricordo per questo ultimo appuntamento, una questione che avevo sentito per radio (ho recuperato pure i particolare): durante la trasmissione Morning Glory di Virgin Radio, condotta da Alteria, alla domanda "quale sarebbe il tuo mestiere dei sogni" una giovane ascoltatrice scrisse "diventare una famosissima chitarrista, perchè non c'è ne sono". Alteria, che è anche musicista, ha subito cercato di smentire, ricordando Sister Rosetta Tharpe, la grandissima blueswoman e cantante gospel degli anni '30-'60 del 1900. Tuttavia, e alla fine di questo percorso che è sempre anche un'occasione per imparare qualcosa di nuovo, sono arrivato alla conclusione che, dal punto di visto della fama e della riconoscibilità, aveva ragione l'ascoltatrice, non c'è mai stata per gli indicatori appena descritti una chitarrista riconoscibile come Hendrix, Blackmore o Jack White, per citare tre chitarristi di epoche differenti. Allo stesso tempo, non vuol dire che non ci siano state chitarriste tecnicamente e musicalmente eccezionali, e le scelte di Febbraio 2024 sono solo un antipasto di un viaggio che lascerà deliziati chi vorrà continuarlo. Per concludere la carrellata, oggi vi porto a Norwell, Massachusetts, dove all'interno di una famiglia di origini italiani, i Tedeschi (che sono facoltosi, proprietari di una famosa catena di supermercato in tutto lo stato) nasce nel 1970 Susan. Sin da piccola è un prodigio nelle recite e a sei anni ha una piccola parte in un Musical itinerante che una compagnia locale porta in giro nella contea. Cresce in mezzo ai dischi, e per quelle strane ascendenze del gusto, si appassiona ai ritmi e alle atmosfere del blues. Susan Tedeschi frequenta il Berklee College, come Emily Remler (la prima protagonista delle storie di Febbraio) e si specializza in canto gospel e a 20 anni si laurea. Ne ha pochi di più quando fonda la prima Susan Tedeschi Band, con Adrienne Hayes, Jim Lamond e Mike Aiello che, dopo una fondamentale gavetta nel locali di Boston e dintorni, vengono notati da un musicista e produttore, Tom Hambridge (che vincerà nella sua carriera 7 Grammy Awards), che li mette sotto contratto per la piccola etichetta Tone Cool e produce il primo disco, che per scelta sua vedrà a luce solo a nome Susan Tedeschi: Just Won't Burn del 1998 è un grandissimo debutto, con la seconda chitarra di Sean Costello (uno dei più grandi talenti chitarristici di quegli anni, stroncato a 28 anni da complicanze della sua dipendenza dalla droga) che ha due hit da classifica in Rock Me Right e It Hurt So Bad, scritte con Hambridge. Il disco venderà tantissimo per un disco blues di una piccola etichetta, 500 mila copie, e porterà Susan Tedeschi a suonare per gente come John Mellencamp, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers Band, Taj Mahal e Bob Dylan. Nel 2003 apre quasi tutti i concerti americani del Licks Tour di un certo gruppo inglese, appena arrivato ai 40 anni di attività, i Rolling Stones, acquisendo una fama crescente, anche per le sue meravigliose qualità artistiche, che penso si esprimano al meglio nel disco di oggi.

È chiamata, per la terza volta, ad esibirsi per l'Austin City Limits, uno dei programmi musicali più famosi degli Stati Uniti, che trasmette un concerto dal vivo di 60 minuti sui canali della PBS, che è la televisione pubblica negli USA. Insieme a lei, William Green all'organo Hammond, Jason Crosby alle tastiere, violino e ai cori, Ron Perry al basso e Jeff Sipe alla batteria. Live In Austin TX esce nel 2004 ed è un delizioso esempio di classe e maestria musicale: la chitarra e la voce di Susan giganteggiano, senza mai strafare, ma lasciando evidenti tocchi di bellezza (tra l'altro vi invito a fare caso alla differenza che ha la sua voce quando canta e quando, quasi timida, ringrazia con un Thank You gli applausi). E la sua chitarra è una espressione di questa dolcezza: mai ossessiva, ma affilata e precisa, con assoli eleganti e morbidi, accompagnati da inserimenti degli altri strumenti. In scaletta pezzi del suo repertorio solista (It Hurt So Bad, la sofferta I Fell In Love, Wrapped In The Arms Of Another), altri scritti per lei (The Feeling Music Brings dal futuro marito Derek Tucks) ma soprattutto una meravigliosa collezione di cover, dove viene fuori il suo canto di impostazione gospel e tutto il suo talento: You Can Make It If You Try di Sly And The Family Stone, Gonna Move di Paul Pena, Alone di Tommy Sims (che produsse Streets Of Philadelphia di Bruce Springsteen), Love's in Need Of Love Today di Stevie Wonder e un suo cavallo di battaglia, sia su disco che dal vivo, Angel From Montgomery di John Prine, che è così strettamente identificata con Bonnie Riatt, altra grandiosa cantante e chitarrista, il cui testimone è preso da Tedeschi in questo senso. C'è il soul di Voodoo Woman di Koki Taylor, uno strumentale meraviglioso come Hampmotized e c'è la cover più bella e sentita di Don't Think It Twice, It's All Right di Bob Dylan: la versione originale del grande di Duluth era basata su un folk tradizionale, Who's Gonna Buy You Ribbons When I'm Gone?, e riprendeva un verso da una rielaborazione dello stesso brano fatta da Paul Clayton, che rititolò il brano Who's Gonna Buy Your Chickens When I'm Gone. Il brano ha una leggenda in sé: si dice che fu scritto da un giovane Dylan (il brano fa parte del leggendario The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan del 1963) preoccupato e "geloso" del fatto che la vacanza della sua allora fidanzata, Suzie Rotolo (che è la ragazza che appre nella copertina dello stesso disco a braccetto con lui), in Italia si stesse allungando troppo, immaginando quindi come sarebbe stato raccontare un litigio. In realtà come scrisse Nat Hentoff nel libretto originale (Hentoff è stato critico musicale del Village Voice per 51 anni) è probabilmente il primo degli innumerevoli "discorsi con sè" di Dylan, "un'affermazione che magari puoi dire per sentirti meglio… come se stessi parlando da solo". l'arrangiamento slow blues di Tedeschi è fantastico, con il violino e l'organo Hammond, e diventerà per anni uno dei momenti più attesi dei suoi concerti.

Concerti che saranno sempre il fulcro principale della sua attività, soprattutto dopo l'incontro, prima sentimentale e poi artistico, con Derek Trucks, altro chitarrista formidabile, erede della dinastia Allman Brothers, con cui formerà dal 2010 una Tedeschi Trucks Band, vincendo nel 2012 un Grammy con il disco Revelator. Una grande artista e un'altra grande chitarra da scoprire.

[music-dmt]

Music as a Mirror: Reflecting and Influencing Cultural Shifts

Starting with Bruce Springsteen, his music is not just about rock and roll; it's a narrative of American life. Songs like "Born in the USA" and "Streets of Philadelphia" tell stories of the American working class, addressing themes of economic hardship, war, and social injustice. Springsteen's ability to weave these complex themes into his music has earned him the title of a musical historian who captures the essence of American spirit. Learn more about his influence and legacy at Bruce Springsteen.

On the global stage, Beyoncé has turned her music into an arena for advocating gender equality and racial justice. Albums like "Lemonade" and "Formation" are more than just musical achievements; they are political statements that challenge societal norms and encourage empowerment across diverse groups. Her performances and music videos often incorporate symbols and narratives that promote female empowerment and cultural pride, making Beyoncé not only a pop icon but a pivotal figure in modern pop culture discussions.

Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, transcended music to address global issues such as poverty, environmental awareness, and humanitarian efforts. Songs like "Heal the World" and "Earth Song" exemplify his commitment to making a change through music. Jackson's worldwide tours and outreach helped spread messages of unity and healing, establishing his legacy as a force for positive change. His hits continue to inspire artists and fans alike, as detailed here: Michael Jackson hits.

Emerging talents like Shawn Mendes continue this tradition of reflective music. Mendes' album "Wonder" explores themes of introspection, mental health, and the pressures of fame. His lyrical expressions resonate with a younger audience, navigating the complexities of modern life and identity. His music, characterized by a blend of pop and intimate acoustic, invites listeners to a personal journey, as seen in Shawn Mendes' "Wonder".

Each of these artists, through their unique styles and periods, contribute to a broader narrative of how music documents and influences human experiences. As we continue to face new societal challenges, music remains a powerful tool to express collective emotions, catalyze social change, and foster a deeper understanding of our world. Through examining the works of artists from Bruce Springsteen to Beyoncé, we see a tapestry of melodies that not only entertain but also educate and empower.

[radioeuroextasis]

Mystic Alpin

Mystic Alpin is the Pop/World music project of Freddy Jaklitsch, a veteran music producer from Austria, still obsessed with songwriting since his first chart entry back in 1985. He was part of the band JOY, a group that enjoyed international success in Asia with hits such as "Touch by touch", "Valerie", and "Hello", and was the most popular international band in South Korea in 1987. Success that was followed by tours in the then U.D.S.S.R, along with appearances in the USA. From 1996 to 2024 he was the composer/lyricist and singer of the group SEER, mastermind of Austria's most successful dialect band with 14 No. 1 albums, 23 gold, and 16 platinum awards. Mystic Alpin combines pop, chill out, Austrian jodeling and other folkloristic elements with popular Austrian singers and musicians; spiritual lyrics in English, French, Spanish and inner Austrian slang. Now, Mystic Alpin presents the song ”Unity,” a song about how unity with nature, in our togetherness and in society has often been lost, manipulated and divided by radical tendencies. So it is just a song, combined with a lot of hope and the vision that one day we will find unity again. Read the full article