Dean Ford Remembered (1946-2018)

Reflections of His Life (Leader of The Marmalade Dies at 72)

On New Year’s Eve 2018 me and the missus were watching the telly waiting for the ball to drop. Out of the blue, apropos of nothing, I wondered out loud who would be the first Rock Star to leave us in the New Year. Dean Ford passed on New Year’s Eve. I knew him by his birth name Thomas McAleese. He was one of the gentlest, most talented souls I ever met.

Ireland gave us Van Morrison, Wales gave us John Cale, and Scotland gave us Dean Ford. He was a proper pop star with the sixties rock band The Marmalade. Ford (aka McAleese) co-wrote and sang their number 3 hit Reflections of My Life in 1969 (top 10 in the US).

When I met Thomas it was at the home of mutual friend and musician Dominic Bakewell. Thomas had rented the same guest house that I had previously rented when Dom and I were going through our “communal band house” phase. He was an affable gent, and me being a confirmed anglophile, I was eager to discuss the folk music of the British Isles that was my (then current) obsession. He politely told me that none of that interested him and that his musical heroes where black Soul artists. I had no idea of the musical pedigree Thomas possessed at that time. But he made an impression right off.

We were not close friends but we were warm acquaintances. I would see him several times throughout the decades, and our conversations were always joyful and interesting. He loved to talk music and never seemed to grow tired of the subject. I knew him as a humble chauffeur who had conquered the evils of alcohol. I knew he had a daughter he adored but who lived at the other end of the continent.

Memories abound. One time Dom played me a home recording of one of his tunes we had performed together in our old band. I recognized the song, but when the vocals came in I was taken aback by the soulful, angelic tenor, with perfect intonation and vibrato. It was Thomas of course. The track was a textbook example of how a great singer can mine out the greatness in a song. Dom played me another song that featured a tasteful saxophone solo; again it was Thomas. Another song had a honey sweet harmonica break. Guess who?

It was around this time I connected the dots between Thomas McAleese, Dean Ford and The Marmalade.

One time in the 90’s, I showed up at some tatty open mic in Northridge. There was Thomas and Dominic. slumming for a performance fix just like me. I brought a little baritone ukulele that Thomas fell in love with. He played and cradled it the whole night. I was thinking about just giving it to him. I wish I had. I went up and did my song. Thomas really loved the bridge on this one song. I always cherished that compliment because it was so specific and I knew how genuine Thomas was with his words and opinions. Of course, when Thomas went up to do his numbers, it divided the assembled throng into two groups. There was Dean Ford, and then there was the rest of us.

One night Thomas invited me to a gig he was doing at a little club in Santa Monica just down the street from McCabe’s. I brought a female companion who showed little interest in going but went along anyway. Thomas was on his game and sang like a bird as usual. He knew all the tricks. He told me many times about his favorite piece of stagecraft while playing solo; which was to stomp his foot on the bandstand in time with his guitar to create an ambient thump that would add a bit of oomph to the performance. This night I actually saw him perform his parlor trick. My companion was transfixed. I guess she had never been in that close a proximity to such an amazing voice. She complimented Thomas effusively after the set. On the way home she asked many questions about Thomas, his music and his circumstance; too many. Clearly, I occupied second place in her affections that night.

Once during the Holidays, I was invited to Dominic’s to sit around the fireplace, drink and yak. Thomas had just acquired a beautiful Taylor guitar he was showing off like a newborn. He even let me play it. By chance, I had just taught myself the standard Misty and started playing it. Thomas fell in easily, knew all the lyrics and sang it impromptu in a manner that would do Johnny Mathis proud. It was a buzz to accompany such greatness. Even for just one song.

The last time I saw him was at a memorial service for Dom’s sister Bimmy. We talked at length; mostly about music of course. It’s like we picked up the same conversation we started 30 years prior. I mentioned that I had attended too many memorial services in recent years. I had no idea the next one I would attend would be for Thomas. The world is a terrible place Thomas, but I didn’t want you to die.

Just before Christmas past, I received his latest work (My Scottish Heart) in the mail for review. I had profiled his previous album (Feel My Heartbeat) and my review was a love letter to his wonderful songwriting talent, voice and the Scottish soul embedded in the grooves. I did a double take when I realized this was a double (2 CD) set; being of a certain age, and knowing that Thomas was now into his seventies, I had to wonder if the abundance of music on offer resulted from the lengthening shadow of mortality and a desire to put out as much music as possible – just in case. A few days later, I had my answer.

Thankfully, I have my certitude about what comes after this world. My certitude tells me Thomas is just fine and waiting for the rest of us to show up. Farewell Thomas, I wish we all had more time.

A Quiet Place Release Date US April 6, 2018 Film Awards Review by Ché Zuro

I decided to watch this film right before bed. Bad idea.

Feeling as though I were somewhere between my childhood, watching the original Twilight Zone, Outer Limits or Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and my young adulthood, going to see Alien and The Shining on the big screen, this film fits right into the “scare the crap out of me” genre.

A Quiet Place is terrifying. I know, I know, it is only a movie, but the circumstances of a post apocalyptic world and a family, still together, facing the impossible feat of survival, cut straight through my heart and soul. (And scared the crap out of me. See above.)

The story begins with scenes of what looks like an abandoned town, torn apart, total destruction, with children seemingly playing in a deserted pharmacy. With the children speaking with each other via sign language, one wonders if they are deaf (one of them, we find out, IS), then we see the whole family leaving the building, all barefoot yet clothed like the weather is not quite warm, the story really begins. With paths lined with white sand, they trudge on toward their destination, quietly, stopping here and there only to communicate with each other quietly.

Sound, or the lack thereof, is the key to survival in this film. Any kind of sound, a cough, a sneeze, dropping something, could be the demise of a human being in this story.

As one watches this beautifully frightened family – the parents aptly played by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski and children by Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Cade Woodward – try to continue living in this very scary, silent world, we see just how the population could decrease while lives are very quickly taken away. 

The acting, done with very little spoken dialogue, was amazing. Watching these brilliant actors go through their daily routines without being able to express themselves with sound, was something that not many of us can relate to.

The children acting in this were just as fantastic as the adults, with Simmonds playing the deaf child, and the sound in the film representing what she hears daily. 

Living almost always underground, the family does just about everything that a normal family would do, except work, drive, play outside and anything that requires noise, and when there is some kind of mistaken noise, monsters appear out of nowhere. And the monsters are frighteningly ugly, huge mouths with long sharp teeth with freaky vocal sounds, pulsating heads and long slimy limbs.

You do NOT want one of these to find you.

As much as this film scared me, it was brilliant. It was very creative and the acting brilliant. The sound editing was profound, hearing every little morsel of a floor creaking to someone accidentally dropping something, juxtaposed with Regan Abbott’s unability to hear anything, until she does.

This is a must see if you like this genre of film and a “be careful” if you don’t.

Are you ready for Envision?

Yup. Envision 2019 is finally underway as we announce our official dates: February 28th – March 3rd, 2019 back in our favorite gorgeous and lush jungles of Uvita, Costa Rica.

So start planning your trip. Book your tickets. If you’ve been to Envision before, come home! If this is your first time, you’re in for a wild ride. No excuses! You now know when and where your family will be re-connecting in blissful paradise, and we cannot wait to greet you for what will be the best Envision yet. If Envision 2018 was any indication, it is only up from here. We’ve learned a lot in the past few months and are excited to move forward with more heart, intention, and clarity to continue bringing you a transformational experience you will remember for the rest of your beautiful lives.

📸: Jess Bernstein Photography

P.S. – A limited amount of Super Early Bird tickets drop on June 11th at 1PM / PST and these will by far be the lowest priced tickets of the year. If you know you’re coming, grab them. If you’re unsure, grab them. There will be plenty of people to transfer your ticket to if your plans change, but these early birds will go FAST. (Sold out in 15 Minutes last year!!)

See you in February family! We’re bringing you something incredibly special. #Envision2019

📸: Eric Allen Photo
>

Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons and Shenseea Rocked BET Experience Live

Performances Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Reggae Gold

Photos by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images North America Los Angeles, CA-This past weekend, the star-studded BET Experience Weekend hit the Staples Center in Los Angeles, leading into the BET Awards held Sunday June 24th. On Friday, July 22nd BET Experience Live featured VP Records artists Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons. The show also featured a special 25th anniversary Reggae Gold Tribute by dancehall sensation Shenseea whose “Nothing Dem Nuh Have Ova Mi” is featured on this year’s album. Other artists who performed included Derez Deshon, Konshens and Safaree Samuels who also served as a host alongside Latin singer and “Love and Hiphop” personality, Amara La Negra. There were additional appearances by Jermaine Dupri, Trevor Jackson from movie Superfly and Poweractor and singer, Rotimi. Continuing to make waves in the dancehall, reggae and pop genre, Shenseea has continued to make herself a household name. Along with an upcoming EP, she also has a song with International pop superstar Christina Aguilera on her new album “Liberation” titled ‘Right Moves” featuring Keida. She was the perfect voice to speak on the 25th anniversary of Reggae Gold, out July 27th as she represents the new school of dancehall and Reggae Gold which has continued to be a brand that has supported new dancehall and reggae artists by giving them a platform for their music to reach a wide audience. Her breakthrough hit “Loodi” was featured on Reggae Gold 2017 and has continued to grow in YouTube views and streaming numbers since.

After her performance of “Loodi”, Jamaican born Safaree stated that Reggae Gold is an institution and asked the budding musician how it feels to be part of the 25thanniversary release. “It feels really good, I have to send a special big up to VP Records. Being that we know that reggae and dancehall music is originally from Jamaica and I was born and raised in Jamaica, I am just happy to see that its moving and growing globally each and every day.” The show wouldn’t be complete without soca and carnival vibes and there was no one better to deliver that than Soca’s royal couple Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons. They performed their latest singles “Block the Road” by Fay Ann Lyons and the soca anthem “Big Bad Soca.” The performance included carnival dancers, featuring Blacka Di Danca and crew to keep the crowd moving and energized. Following their performance, hosts Safaree and Amara La Negra asked them a series of questions. When asked about Fay Ann’s moniker ‘Aza Sefu’, she stated that the meaning is powerful sword and she is a leader and not a follower. “I believe women can be anything they wanna be.” Fay Ann also gave special props to Amara’s individuality and staple afro hairstyle as she said “ I watch Love and Hip hop and I support you 100 percent, Don’t try to be anyone else, look like you!”. In one of the more special moments of the show, the hosts invited Bunji and Fay Ann to lead a selfie of the entire audience that day. Performances by Konshens and Safaree concluded the show. SEE BUNJI GARLIN AND FAY ANN LYONS PERFORMANCE AND INTERVIEW SEE SHENSEEA’S PERFORMANCE AND INTERVIEW About BET Experience Live Bringing together hundreds of thousands of fans, celebrities, and thought leaders, BET Experience and the BET Awards are a whirlwind celebration of culture. As they head into the sixth year of the BET Experience, their exciting multicultural music and entertainment festival will continue to focus on the millennial experience while providing loyal fans with the opportunity to touch the brand and its culture in an active and experiential way. For press inquiries, please contact: jennifer.valentin@vprecords.com

Kelly Rowland wore an Uel Camilo gown to the 2018 NBA Awards on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.

Uel Camilo:

Brazilian sensuality meets Italian elegance – this combination is the distinctive trademark of the Uel Camilo Fashion brand. Through a blend of classical elements and chic style, Uel Camilo has created a high-end fashion line that stands out for its extreme sensitivity, and is based on exclusivity and glamour, ridding it of all excess and making it all the more precious.

Upon arriving in Italy, Uel Camilo, the young designer rediscovered the original spirit of the fashion system: to delight women with dresses that can make them dream. Each piece is an expression of his great love for fashion. The designer draws inspiration from artists such as Damian Hirst, Rabarama and Ertè, as well as his focus on the Art Nouveau and Déco time periods.

The Uel Camilo collections are distributed worldwide, and can be found in exclusive shops as far and wide as Milan, Hong Kong, Moscow, Berlin, Kiev and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit http://www.uelcamilo.it

• Instagram: @uelcamilo
• Facebook: @UelCamiloOfficial
• Twitter: @UelCamilo

Programming Insider

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

ON THIS DAY “The Garry Moore Show” debuted on CBS in 1950. It was initially broadcast in the Monday to Friday 7 p.m. half-hour and the roster of talent appearing on the variety series included Carol Burnett, Durward Kirby, Marion Lorne,Dorothy Loudon, Allen Funt and John Byner…Sonny and Cher were divorced in 1975, which did not bode well for their solo careers as variety show hosts…ABC half-hour daytime drama “Loving” debuted in 1983. It ran through Nov. 10, 1995 and was replaced by spin-off “The City”…Celebrity Birthdays: Three actors turn 48: “Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes, “NCIS: Los Angeles” star Chris O’Donnell and Nick Offerman from “Parks and Recreation;” baseball legend Derek Jeter is 44;  Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy is 26; pop singer Ariana Grande is 25. –Did You Know?: “The Sonny Comedy Revue,” headlined by Sonny Bono, lasted three months on ABC in the fall of 1974; while “Cher” on CBS limped along from February 16, 1975 to January 4, 1976. It was too little, too late when the divorced couple reunited for “The Sonny & Cher Show” on CBS in February 1976, which ended in the summer of 1977 RATINGS BOX                                                                       Monday 6/25/18 Household Rating/Share ABC: 3.7/ 7, CBS: 2.7/ 5, NBC: 2.4/ 4, Fox: 1.9/ 3, CW: 0.9/ 2 -Percent Change From the Year-Ago Evening: CW: +29, CBS: + 4, ABC: no change, Fox: -10, NBC: -20 Ratings Breakdown: In season-premiere news, season two of CBS scripted drama “Salvation” was left at the 9-10 p.m. ET starting gate, with a 2.4/ 4 in households. Comparably, that was 25 percent below its 3.2/ 6 debut in the Wednesday 9 p.m. hour (out of “Big Brother”) on July 12, 2017. And concerning was a loss of 12 percent in household rating in the 9:30 p.m. half-hour (2.6/ 4 to 2.3/ 4). CBS has a minor increase in the Monday 10 p.m. hour care of older skewing “Elementary” at a 2.8/ 5 (#1). Healthy “The Bachelorette” led ABC to another Monday overnight victory (and a certain win in adults 18-49 and all the key demos), with a 4.3 rating/7 share in households from 8-10 p.m. For the remainder of the breakdown by network and half-hour for Monday, June 25, click here Live+Same Day Scorecard Monday 6/18: Click here Tuesday 6/19: Click here Wednesday 6/20: Click here Thursday 6/21: Click here Friday 6/22: Click here 2017-18 Live+Same Day Season Ratings – Click here Source: Nielsen Media Research NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS Sean Spicer to Develop Daytime Talk Show Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, whose six-month stint in the job working for President Trump ended last summer, is developing a syndicated daytime talk show from distributor Debmar-Mercury and Pilgrim Media Group. Tentatively titled “Sean Spicer’s Common Ground,” the potential daily talker will feature Spicer hosting “some of the most interesting and thoughtful public figures for a drink and some lite conversation at a local pub or cafe.” According to the pitch…“The relaxed atmosphere is an ideal setting for Sean to get to know his guests as they discuss everything from the media to marriage. They might even tangle over the merits of making your bed or the value of a great point guard.” “In this current environment, I think it’s important to have a platform where we can have civil, respectful, and informative discussions on the issues of the day,” said Spicer in a statement. YouTube Orders Dark Comedy “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” Kirsten Dunst will star in an original dark comedy for YouTube, “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” for YouTube that will be executive produced by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Productions and was originally in development for AMC. The series, written by co-creators Robert Funke and Matt Lutsky, will premiere in 2019 on YouTube Premium (the rebranded name from YouTube Red). YouTube has ordered 10 episodes. Written by Robert Funke and Matt Lutsky, “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” is set near Orlando in the early 1990s. It centers on Krystal Gill (Dunst), a minimum-wage-earning water park employee who will eventually scheme her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise: the cultish, flag waving, multi-billion dollar pyramid scheme that drove her family to ruin. TV UPDATES CBS All Access Extends Agreement to Stream NFL Games on CBS All Access Through 2022 CBS and the National Football League have announced an extended agreement to stream all NFL ON CBS games on CBS All Access through the 2022 season. CBS will also now expand its NFL game streaming access for CBS All Access subscribers and TV Everywhere to include mobile devices beginning this season, adding to its distribution across other connected device platforms. The entire 2018 NFL ON CBS schedule, highlighted by Super Bowl LIII, will be streamed live on all CBS All Access platforms, including on mobile phones and tablets via the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, online at CBS.com, and on connected devices including Roku Players, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Channels. CBS All Access subscribers will receive the NFL ON CBS games that are broadcast in their local market. In addition to extending CBS All Access streaming rights to mobile devices for the first time, NFL ON CBS authenticated streaming rights will extend to mobile for its cable, satellite, telco and vMVPD partners beginning this season. Brand Safety Concerns Escalate – Click here 10 Shows Worth Watching This Summer – Click here PromaxBDA: 2018 Conference Highlights – Click here SPORTS –2018 FIFA World Cup Soccer Group Stage TV and Announcer Schedule -Click here –2018 NFL Regular Season Weekly TV Schedule on Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network – Click here –2018 NFL Monday Night Football Schedule on ESPN – Click here UPFRONT RECAPS –Brand Safety Concerns Escalate – Click here –10 Key Highlights From Network Upfront Week – Click here -Aggressive ABC to Launch 6 New Series This Fall: Click here -CBS Announces 5 New Series This Fall; 8 in Total – Click here -NBC: 3 New Shows This Fall; 9 in Total in 2018-19 – Click here -Fox to Launch Just 2 New Series This Fall, Plus “TNF”: Click here –The CW Expands to Sundays, Adds 3 New Series – Click here -Turner Networks’ Focus is On Faandom – Click here -Univision Plans for Future Amid Continued Cost Cutting – Click here -YouTube Boasts Both Scale and Safety at NewFronts – For more, click here -Hulu Crosses 20 Million Subscriber Mark – Click here -Linear Model Still Matters for Optimistic PopTV – Click here -Connector’s Remain Sony Crackle’s Key Target – Click here -Nat Geo Combines Science, Exploration Storytelling to Broaden Brand – Click here -“New” Discovery Touts Scripps Networks Expansion at Upfronts: Click here -With “Portlandia” Done, IFC Renews “Brockmire,” “Documentary Now” – Click here -A+E Celebrates Females in Women’s Upfront – Click here -Nickelodeon to Reboot “Blues Clues;” Introduce New Version of “TMNT” – Click here MARK YOUR CALENDARS “On the Case with Paula Zahn” will return for a new season in Investigation Discovery (ID) on Sunday, July 15 at 10 p.m. ET. The season premiere follows the disappearance of 8-year-old April Tinsley in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “iHeartCountry Festival,“ celebrating the best in country music, will air on Fox on Sunday, August 5. The special will include performances by Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Sugarland and Maren Morris ON THE AIR TONIGHT Netflix debuts Australian drama “Secret City”…“Good Bones” opens a new season on HGTV…Season finales: “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” part two on Amazon, “It’s Suppertime” and “Beerland” on Viceland, “Chopped” on Food and “Little People, Big World” on TLC…For the primetime schedule for Tuesday, June 26, click here

You Might Like Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is looking for a talented Account Executive, Syndicated Sales, to join our dynamic U.S. Distribution team. The Account Executive, Syndicated Sales, will sell programming to broadcast television stations, build and maintain strong customer relationships, and create development strategy. Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills are critical to achieving success in this role. Requirements: Two or more years of experience in a sales role or similar in entertainment; two or more years of entertainment experience and knowledge in the space, television industry preferred. Powerful communication, interpersonal and relationship skills. Tremendous teamwork skills, ability to fit into a team environment. Superior organizational and time-management skills. Excellent negotiating and dispute resolution skills. Ability to work independently and think strategically. Skill in establishing long-term business relationships of trust and understanding. Extremely strong service orientation. Ability to work on several projects concurrently while maintaining attention to detail. Must be flexible and adapt quickly to changing needs. Ability to strategize with and delegate to others in research and affiliate relations when necessary. Excellent computer skills – MS Office, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook. Knowledge of Nielsen ratings and/or ComScore is preferred. To apply, click HERE SITUATION WANTED Veteran journalist, marketer and researcher in search of freelance/consulting opportunities. Experienced in network, cable, syndication and digital, both in programming and research. Strong analytical, writing and editing skills. Well-respected within the business. Ability to tackle and conquer any assignment. To contact, please email prime71146@aol.com. TRIVIA CHALLENGE     Age Is Only a Number Which one of the following five TV couples had the biggest age difference based on their birth dates in real life? a) Ted and Georgette Baxter b) James and Florida Evans c) Jock and Miss Ellie Ewing d) George and Louise Jefferson e) Fred and Ethel Mertz   The answer to yesterday’s question… Which musician sings the “Gilmore Girls” theme song? a) Aretha Franklin b) Carole King c) Jewel d) Joni Mitchell e) Carly Simon Is: b) Carole King, who also guest-starred as Sophie Bloom, the acerbic proprietor of Sophie’s Music shop in the Gilmore’s hometown of Stars Hollow. Trivia All-Stars Gerry Bixenspan, John Brooker, Elvis Bussard, Larry Collins, Wendy Eisenberg, Steve Ellis, Jim Forkan, Gail Gins, Shannon Herlihy, John Hezlep, Bob Ingersoll, Jody McIntyre, Tom Moore, Richard Naldrett, Aaron Paquette, Greg Phelan, Gordon Purcell, Colleen Roth

New Feature Length 80’s Comedy “Pitching Tents” Streaming On HULU Beginning June 1st.

By: Brian Maddox

Birmingham, AL (The Hollywood Times) 05/25/2018 – “Life’s a puzzle, just make sure you don’t try to force pieces where they don’t fit.”

Sound advice for any teenager trying to figure out life after high school in 1984. But for aspiring artist Danny Whitaker (Michael Grant), working for his father in the local metal factory is a puzzle piece laden with jagged edges. His blunt spoken guidance counselor, Warren Mulligan (Jim Norton) advises that he should enroll in college as a means of protecting his own job.

In order to come to a sound decision, Danny and his pals, Todd (BooBoo Stewart), Scott (Jonathan Lipnicki), Phil (Marco James Marquez) and their stoner “friend,” Stash (Spencer Daniels) embark on a trek to the annual “Trout Camp” fishing trip, but also a keg party set up in the middle of the woods. It’s here that Danny crosses paths with Alison (Samantha Basalari), a member of the famed “Goddess Camp” who attempts to help Danny realize what’s most important in life; conformity or pursuing what’s in your heart.

Set in the nostalgic early 80’s, “Pitching Tents” is one of those rare movies that actually feels like a piece of the period in which it is set. Comedian Jim Norton is a definite scene stealer with his portrayal as a self serving high school counselor with a raunchy heart of gold. Another powerful performance is delivered by Eric Allan Kramer (American Wedding) as Danny’s father, Bruce.

With it’s lewd and satisfying humor, hilarious camaraderie amongst close friends, sight gags and heartfelt purpose, “Pitching Tents” is definitely an experience not to be missed.

Available to stream on HULU on June 1st.

Scholastic Entertainment’s multiple Emmy-winning Clifford The Big Red Dog is set to bound back onto the screen with an all-new animated series! Based on the best-selling Scholastic book series by Norman Bridwell featuring the larger-than-life dog and his best friend Emily Elizabeth, the reimagined show will launch on Amazon Prime Video and PBS KIDS in fall 2019. Clifford The Big Red Dog is currently in production for 39 episodes. Although still set on Birdwell Island, Clifford The Big Red Dog will offer fresh and colorful new locations, as well as introduce all-new designs for main characters Clifford and Emily Elizabeth, original songs and new friends. The rebooted show also will have a strong emphasis on social-emotional skills such as empathy, along with a solid curriculum designed to boost early literacy and encourage imaginative play – teaching as it entertains with Clifford-sized humor. Clifford The Big Red Dog is produced by Scholastic Entertainment. 100 Chickens and 9 Story/Brown Bag Films are on board to help bring this great big series to life. Inspired by the best-selling Scholastic books of the same name written and illustrated by Norman Bridwell, the first Clifford The Big Red Dog series premiered on PBS KIDS in 2000. The standout show garnered numerous industry excellence awards, including nine Daytime Emmy nominations, two CINE Golden Eagle Awards and a New York Film Festival Award. The classic Clifford The Big Red Dog series has aired in 110 countries around the globe, and also inspired a spin-off, the Emmy-winning Clifford’s Puppy Days. Scholastic published the first “Clifford The Big Red Dog” title in 1963, and today there are more than 133 million Clifford books in print in 16 different languages. A vintage hardcover edition of the original Clifford storybook was reissued in fall 2016. In addition, Clifford has his very own classroom magazine distributed by Scholastic in the U.S.

“An Evening of Metal and Unity in the South with Five Finger Death Punch”

By: Brian Maddox

Photos: Brian Maddox/THT

Birmingham, AL (The Hollywood Times) 05/16/2018 – “I’m getting jacked up on coffee tonight!” said frontman Ivan Moody of the Las Vegas based metal band, Five Finger Death Punch moments before he was set to take the stage of Legacy Arena.

The heavy metal quintet rolled through Birmingham, Alabama as part of a North American headlining tour with Jacksonville, Florida hard rock favorite, Shinedown. With hits such as Stranger Than Fiction, a groove heavy cover of Bad Company, Under and Over It and a perchance superior cover of the haunting Gone Away by The Offspring, fans (or Knuckleheads as FFDP label its following) were treated to an evening of gruff guitar riffs, commanding vocals and just about all the pyrotechnics and lighting that is eminently associated with a prestigious rock and roll show.

The band, founded in 2005 by guitarist Zoltan Bathory, Moody, and drummer Jeremy Spencer, blasted its way onto the metal scene in 2007 with its debut effort, The Way of the Fist, introducing metal fans to a distinctive brand of muscular thrash, incorporated with the nearly godlike vocals of Ivan Moody, and hereby marking their territory in the dominion of heavy metal. Their seventh album, And Justice for None, is set for release on May 18, 2018. After 13 years and several multi platinum albums, there’s no question that Five Finger Death Punch has established itself as a veritable force to be reckoned with in the metal community.

With a massive prop skull along with crossbones in the style of aluminum baseball bats positioned directly above the drum kit, the stage was set for an evening of auditory brutality that fans have come to love and expect from Five Finger Death Punch. And they delivered in spades.

That’s not to take away from the astonishing presentation that Shinedown offered the masses as well. The band opened their set with their thunderous anthem Sound of Madness, met with pumping fists and frenzied fans singing right along with frontman Brent Smith. Smith, in a display of total crowd participation, prompted the masses to acknowledge each other.

“I want you to look to your left, now look to your right. There’s a reason for this. You’ve probably never met the person standing next to you, but I want you to shake hands, high five and let everyone know you’re happy to be here and see each other.” The public gladly obliged, reminding us that we’re all in this world together.

Colley and Pheres

Amal Clooney wore Narcisa Pheres tiger’s eye drop earrings while out and about in New York City on May 6th.

NARCISA PHERES aspires to bring luxury back to its first conception, in its creation of exclusive pieces of only the highest quality, pandering to a niche market of connoisseurs who truly appreciate the nature of the unique. The brand speaks of elegance, sophistication and stylish high-end fine jewelry. The designs bring that history of aesthetic, whilst allowing the customer to achieve the ultimate in memorable style by making it their own. NARCISA PHERES speaks to those who know that refinement, perfection and taste cannot be rushed, nor by their very nature be mass produced. In a world of luxury brands, NARCISA PHERES remains true to the origins of that notion in its production of quintessential fine jewelry for individuals of every generation. From traditional elegance to debonair flair, each collection and one-of-a-kind piece holds something for any individual with refined taste. www.pheres.com

• Instagram: @narcisapheres
• Facebook: @Narcisapheres
• Twitter: @narcisapheres

CBS’ Survivor: Game Changers receives GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program at the GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon

Award presented by Jackie and Juliet Evancho and Frankie Grande

New York, New York – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today announced that CBS’ Survivor: Game Changers received the GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Reality Program category. The announcement came during the GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York. The Rising Stars event empowers and invests in the next generation of LGBTQ change makers, whose advocacy is changing their local communities and the culture at large. GLAAD also presented Rising Stars grants to three LGBTQ college students during the event. GLAAD will host the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, where additional GLAAD Media Awards recipients will be announced. Survivor: Game Changers was nominated alongside Viceland’s Gaycation with Ellen Page, TLC’s I Am Jazz, VH1’s Rupaul’s Drag Race, and NBC’s The Voice. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives. Accepting the award on behalf of Survivor: Game Changers was contestant Zeke Smith.Survivor: Game Changers was Smith’s second consecutive season, and during a heated tribal council, another player told the tribe that Smith was a transgender man and accused him of being deceptive simply because he had not disclosed his gender history to the other players. Fortunately, Smith’s tribemates immediately understood that Smith was not deceptive simply because he played as his authentic self and that outing someone is wrong. GLAAD worked closely with CBS and Smith to ensure that when the episode aired, Smith would have the opportunity to speak for himself about his experience. The award was presented by Jackie Evancho (singer), Juliet Evancho (trans advocate), and Frankie Grande (television personality). While accepting the award, Smith said: “My grand public outing made global headlines. Together, we changed millions of people’s perceptions of transgender people. We shattered stereotypes. We created a worldwide conversation about privacy and respect. Over the past year, I’ve met a lot of trans kids. Transitioning in middle and high school is hard. I see these kids struggling to retain hope that they’ll have an equal shot in the world. LGBTQ visibility on television matters because for many it is the only chance to glimpse their future. And to see that it is very bright.” “Reality television has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ inclusion on the small screen, andSurvivor: Game Changers continued that legacy with its thoughtful and responsible handling of Zeke Smith’s story,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO. “By ensuring that Zeke would have the opportunity to share his story in his own words, the show sparked a national conversation about the trans community.” The GLAAD Rising Stars program was presented by Barilla, Comcast NBCUniversal | Telemundo, Delta Air Lines, Turner, and Wells Fargo. Actor Nico Tortorella hosted the event, with a performance by Parson James, and appearances by Auli’I Cravalho (Rise), Ellie Desautels (Rise), Joshua Rush (Andi Mack), Milk (RuPaul’s Drag Race), and activist Blair Imani. At the Luncheon, GLAAD also announced the college students who will receive Rising Stars Grants for projects that use media to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance. The 2018 recipients of the Rising Stars Grants in New York included diverse, intersectional artists and advocates Priscila Alegria Nunez, Kosoko Jackson, and Akila Prayaga. The GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon commences the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York, which will take place on May 5 at the New York Hilton Midtown. GLAAD previously announced that it will honor Ava DuVernay, Samira Wiley, and JAY-Z’s mother Gloria Carter at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, hosted by Ross Mathews with special appearances by Halsey, Alexis Bledel, Laverne Cox, Lea Michele, Tituss Burgess, Nyle DiMarco, Wrabel, and Asia Kate Dillon. At the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, held on April 12 at the Beverly Hilton, GLAAD announced the award recipients in 12 GLAAD Media Award categories. They are: This Is Us (Outstanding Drama Series), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Outstanding Comedy Series), “Thanksgiving” Master of None (Outstanding Individual Episode [in a series without a regular LGBTQ character]), Andi Mack (Outstanding Kids & Family Programming), A Fantastic Woman (Outstanding Film – Limited Release), When We Rise (Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series), Black Panther: World of Wakanda (Outstanding Comic Book), The Bold and The Beautiful (Outstanding Daily Drama), “Why Bisexual Men Are Still Fighting to Convince Us They Exist” by Samantha Allen (Outstanding Digital Journalism Article), TransGriot (Outstanding Blog), Las Chicas Del Cable (Outstanding Scripted Television Series – Spanish Language), “Tres Hermanitos Para Dos Papás” by Jacqueline García (Outstanding Digital Journalism – Spanish Language). GLAAD also honored Britney Spears with the Vanguard Award and Jim Parsons with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. GLAAD announced a Special Recognition Award for the animated short film In A Heartbeat. Nominees may be found here: www.glaad.org/mediaawards/nominees To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag #glaadawards. ## About GLAAD GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD onFacebook and Twitter.

Fitz-Henley and Hohan

Actress Parisa Fitz-Henley wore a Maria Lucia Hohan dress to the premiere event of ‘Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance’ on May 3, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. 

 

Maria Lucia Hohan has become the starlet’s go-to designer, gracing Hollywood A-listers at major award shows, premieres and red carpet events. Known for her ethereal, elaborately draped gowns and flirty cocktail dresses, Maria Lucia Hohan’s signature aesthetic lies in her delicate pastel hues and colors on variations of silk textures, sheer mousseline, sand washed satin, creamy velvet and crisp taffeta. Self-describing her collections as chic but girly, Maria’s pieces are created to enhance the feminine silhouette and make a woman feel radiant and fabulous. For more information, please visit www.mlh-shop.com

·      Instagram: @marialuciahohan24

·      Facebook: @marialuciahohan

·      Twitter: @MariaLuciaHohan

 

Five Finger Death Punch: Premiere New Song “When The Seasons Change;” New Album ‘And Justice For None’ Due Out May 18

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH PREMIERE NEW SONG “WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE” TONIGHT AT 9:15 PM PT LISTEN HERE NEW ALBUM ‘AND JUSTICE FOR NONE’ OUT MAY 18

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH (L-R): Chris Kael (bass), Jason Hook (guitar), Ivan Moody (vocals), Zoltan Bathory (guitar), Jeremy Spencer (drums).

Tonight, Thursday May 3, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have released the new song “When The Seasons Change,” marking one of the most infectious and melodic songs in their repertoire yet. “This song is about loyalty, the kind of loyalty that doesn’t crumble in the face of adversity, which we have faced many times throughout our career and in our lives,” explains guitarist ZOLTAN BATHORY. “This is a very human subject everyone can relate to and it is something this world can use more of.” “When The Seasons Change,”is off the group’s forthcoming album AND JUSTICE FOR NONE, which is due out May 18.Listen to “When The Seasons Change” HERE. With their customary airtight riffs, muscular grooves and seismic melodies, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH maintain their signature intensity, all while pushing themselves into new territories on AND JUSTICE FOR NONE. The album is available for digital and physical pre-order HERE. For AND JUSTICE FOR NONE, the multi-platinum quintet–Ivan Moody (vocals), Zoltan Bathory (guitar), Jeremy Spencer (drums), Jason Hook (guitar) and Chris Kael (bass)–hunkered down in their home base of Las Vegas with longtime producer Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed) behind the board a year after Got Your Six. In the studio, the group collectively stepped up their game as a unit. “We just understand each other so well,” says JEREMY SPENCER. “There’s a huge level of respect on both sides. He gets the best out of us.” FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH’s current single, “Gone Away” (their own rendition of The Offspring’s 1997 hit single) has received over 27 million streams in the U.S., is currently charting at #5 on Active Rock and topped the iTunes rock and metal charts globally. Check out the official video for “Gone Away” and the lyric video. The group has now released three pre-order tracks “Fake” (on 4/6) which generated just under 1 million streams in the U.S. during its first week and made the viral chart on Spotify in multiple countries. Following two weeks later was the song “Sham Pain,”–listen HERE–which  launched to over 1 million streams in its first week of release and now “When The Seasons Change.” Expect an official music video for the song “Sham Pain” to be released next week. 5FDP will be hitting the road for a massive series of co-headlining North American dates with Breaking Benjamin this summer, along with special guests Nothing More and Bad Wolves. The summer amphitheater tour, co-produced by Live Nation and Frank Productions, kicks off on July 16, 2018 in Seattle, WA and will make stops in 32 North American cities. For tickets to the biggest, can’t-be-missed rock event of the summer, VIP offerings and more info on the tour go HERE. Catch FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on tour in the following cities: Five Finger Death Punch Spring Festival Dates 5/5/18 – Carolina Rebellion – Concord, NC 5FDP / Shinedown Spring US Tour Dates 5/6/18 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN 5/8/18 – Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY 5/10/18 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK 5/11/18 – Westfair Amphitheatre – Council Bluffs, IA 5/12/18 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI * 5/14/18 – Salem Civic Center – Salem, VA 5/16/18 – Legacy Arena – Birmingham, AL 5/17/18 – Ford Center– Evansville, IN 5/18/18 – Mark of the Quad – Moline, IL 5/20/18 – Alerus Center – Grand Forks, ND 5/30/18 – Casper Events Center – Casper, WY Five Finger Death Punch 5/29/18 – Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, CO 6/1/18 – Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel – Deadwood, SD 6/2/18 – KQRC Rockfest – Kansas City, MO 6/14-6/16– Montebello Rockfest – Montebello, SC Five Finger Death Punch + Breaking Benjamin Summer Tour Dates: * – 5fdp & Bad Wolves only/ ** – 5fdp, Breaking Benjamin & Bad Wolves only 7/16/18 – White River Amphitheatre – Seattle, WA ** 7/18/18 – Spokane Arena – Spokane, WA ** 7/20/18 – Taco Bell Arena – Boise, ID 7/21/18 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT 7/24/18 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – San Francisco, CA 7/25/18 – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA 7/27/18 – FivePoint Amphitheater – Irvine, CA 7/29/18 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM ** 8/1/18 – Austin360 Amphitheater – Austin, TX 8/3/18 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX ** 8/4/18 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX 8/6/18 – BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove – Southaven, MS 8/7/18 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO 8/9/18 – Heritage Park Amphitheatre – Simpsonville, SC 8/11/18 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL 8/12/18 – Verizon Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA 8/14/18 – KeyBank Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA 8/15/18 – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ 8/17/18 – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – Scranton, PA 8/18/18 – Xfinity Center – Boston, MA 8/20/18 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON 8/22/18 – Lakeview Amphitheater – Syracuse, NY ** 8/24/18 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA 8/25/18 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ ** 8/28/18 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH 8/29/18 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL 8/31/18 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Indianapolis, IN ** 9/1/18 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI 9/3/18 – Darien Lake Amphitheater – Darien Center, NY 9/6/18 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY ** 9/7/18 – XFINITY Theatre – Hartford, CT 9/9/18 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH ** About Five Finger Death Punch Confidently leading heavy music in the 21st century, Five Finger Death Punch continue to make the impossible a reality at every turn. Since their emergence in 2007, the hard rock band has achieved six consecutive RIAA Gold-certified albums, three of which have gone Platinum since, as well as a Platinum single culminating in their 2015 #1 album GOT YOUR SIX, while at the same time being one of the top rock streaming acts with over 2 billion global streams to date. In 2016, the band also received the prestigious “Soldier Appreciation Award” from The Association of The United States Army. 5FDP frequently play all major festivals globally from Download to Rock Am Ring to Rock on the Range and sell out arenas around the world to countless screaming “Knuckleheads.” Their 2017 Greatest Hits album A DECADE OF DESTRUCTION, boasts two new singles, amongst them “Gone Away”, a cover of the 1997 song by The Offspring which is currently storming the rock charts. 5fdp’s forthcoming seventh full length album, AND JUSTICE FOR NONE, to be released on May 18, 2018 will undoubtedly raise the bar again. The band will emerge on the biggest North American amphitheater rock tour of 2018 from July through September. WEBSITE: www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/fivefingerdeathpunch INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/5fdp TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FFDP YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQjw3b3Ay5zMmEHUAxL93Rw

Real Estate News – Michelle Pfeiffer, Bernie Madoff & Kathie Lee Gifford

Kathie Lee Gifford ‘s Key Largo mansion that she bought in 1998 with husband Frank Gifford is for sale

New Homes Roar In March”
While March weather was rough throughout much of the U.S., new home sales surged up 4 percent. Much of the gain was in the western U.S. where sales were up over 28 percent. New home sales for the first three months of 2018 are up 10.3 percent from 2017 to a median price of $337,200.

“Bernie’s Old Beach House”
Bernie Madoff’s former Hamptons beach house is for sale at $21 million. Madoff bought the Montauk home in 1980 but lost it in 2009 when the U.S. bankruptcy court seized it. In addition to the 3,000-square-foot home and 180 feet of beachfront, much of the home’s value is due to its location on the sand which is no longer permitted for new construction. The new owners paid $9.4 million for the home in 2009, added a pool and renovated much of the home.

A SOUTH INDIAN FILM THAT KILLS THE THOUGHT OF TERRORISM

By U.A.

Hyderabad, India (The Hollywood Times) 5/3/18 – ‘Na peru surya na illu India’ is a South Indian film that will be released into theaters worldwide on May 4^th 2018.  It tells the world the difference between killing a terrorist and killing the thought of terrorism.

The film’s lead character, Surya (played by Allu Arjun) is soldier who dreams of holding an Indian flag at the border. He is suspended from the Army because of his potent anger management issues. The story takes many twists and turns. When Surya witnesses a Muslim boy leaving his home with hatred for India and Indians, Surya takes serious steps. He aims to make the boy return to his home. He encourages the Indians, who have hurt him, apologize to him. He then takes a stand with the boy, doing justice for him. Finally, he pleads the world to kill the thought of terrorism.

Break-out director, Vakkantham Vamsi, has done an outstanding job––especially in shaping a most entertaining film.

South Indian film superstar, Allu Arjun, is a hit box-office draw in the Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam languages. His films language business starts from 100 crore minimum.

On Wednesday, May 2, SHOWTIME hosted an EMMY® FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION red carpet event, screening, and panel discussion for SHOWTIME LIMITED SERIES TWIN PEAKS. Series Creator David Lynch, Stars Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern participated in a discussion moderated by Andy Greenwald.

David Lynch
‘Twin Peaks’ TV show FYC event, Inside, Los Angeles, USA – 02 May 2018 – 02 May 2018 (Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock)

2018 OUTFEST LOS ANGELES LGBT FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GALA SCREENINGS

2018 OUTFEST LOS ANGELES LGBT FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GALA SCREENINGS

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: ANGELA ROBINSON

OPENING NIGHT: STUDIO 54

U.S. CENTERPIECE: WE THE ANIMALS

INTERNATIONAL CENTERPIECE: REINVENTING MARVIN

DOCUMENTARY CENTERPIECE: WHEN THE BEAT DROPS

PLATINUM CENTERPIECE: OUR FUTURE ENDS

CLOSING NIGHT: THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST

Los Angeles, May 3, 2018 – Outfest – the Los Angeles based non-profit organization promoting equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen – today announced its 2018 Achievement Award recipient, Angela Robinson, and its galas, including Opening and Closing Night, for the 2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by HBO. The nation’s leading LGBTQ festival will be held July 12-22, 2018.

The annual festival will open with Matt Tyrnauer’s vibrantly nostalgic documentary, Studio 54, featuring interviews with many of the legendary nightclub’s famous patrons, as well as those who worked behind the scenes during its heyday. The Achievement Award Ceremony will take place at the Opening Night Gala at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on July 12, followed by the screening of Studio 54.

Angela Robinson, a celebrated filmmaker and champion of LGBTQ rights, will receive the Achievement Award, Outfest’s highest honor, presented in recognition of a body of work that has made a significant contribution to LGBT film and media. In a time where women still only make up a fraction of directors, Robinson has carved a space for herself in both film and television, and frequently deals with LGBTQ topics in her work, such as D.E.B.S., “The L Word”, Herbie Fully Loaded, “True Blood”, How to Get Away with Murder”, and most recently Professor Marston and the Wonder Women.

Outfest’s Executive Director Christopher Racster commented: “Outfest has a long and important legacy of launching filmmakers careers. I am incredibly proud that we have the opportunity honor an amazingly talented woman director whose career started at Outfest. Angela has forged a unique path of success within the industry. When jobs are hard to come by for women directors, Angela has blazed a path in high-profile television series, lauded independent films and major studio movies. Her unique vision, her sharp humor, and her humanity are constantly on display in each move she makes. Angela’s work is always fresh, intelligent and groundbreaking.”

“It is such an honor to receive the Outfest Achievement Award this year — I premiered the first short film I ever made at Outfest and every film I’ve made since. It’s a joy to be recognized by Outfest in this way so many years later,” Angela Robinson remarked.

Additional gala screenings include: Sundance NEXT Innovator Award winner We the Animals (U.S. Centerpiece), written and directed by Jeremiah Zagar; the sweeping French drama Reinventing Marvin (International Centerpiece), from filmmaker Anne Fontaine; famed choreographer and filmmaker Jamal Sims’ feature debut When the Beat Drops (Documentary Centerpiece) on the Deep South underground dance phenomenon known as “bucking”; and Our Future Ends (Platinum Centerpiece), a multimedia and multidisciplinary satire about near-extinct lemurs living on long-lost Lemuria.

The 2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival will close on July 22 at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel with Desiree Akhavan’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, an unapologetically bold take on the topic of conversion therapy, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Jennifer Ehle, Sasha Lane, John Gallagher Jr., and Forrest Goodluck.

Outfest’s Direct of Programming Lucy Mukerjee commented: “After scouring the world for the past year to find the best LGBTQ films, our galas capture that queer pioneering spirit that lives across the ages. From our Opening Night Studio 54, where we learn the back story of the vibrancy that Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager brought to creating a safe haven for LGBTQ folk to the urgency of expression in When the Beat Drops from long-time choreographer Jamal Sims, we see that freedom of identity cannot be held down. Even something as simple as coming of age in We Are Animals looks at new territory in Jeremiah Zagar’s deft hands. The breadth of our galas this year also continues Outfest’s commitment to celebrate female voices including the work of acclaimed director Anne Fontaine and Desiree Akhavan’s sophomore effort, proving once again we will be seeing exciting things from her for a long time to come. I am thrilled we are bringing back the Platinum Centerpiece – Our Future Ends – which combines many genres to tell a story about how to keep a culture from extinction. Happily our queer culture is far from that place!”

The complete lineup for the 2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival will be announced the first week of June.

The 2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is proudly presented by HBO, a partnership that has spanned over 20 years. For more information about sponsorship, visit www.outfest.org/sponsor or contact Senior Manager, Corporate Relations Amy Walmann at amy@outfest.org or 213-480-7095.

To download stills, please visit: https://bit.ly/2HvYlRi

GALA SYNOPSES

Studio 54 (Opening Night Gala) Director: Matt Tyrnauer

When disco was the epicenter of popular culture, Studio 54 was the epicenter of disco. Brooklyn-born college pals Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager took a former opera house and CBS studio (where “What’s My Line?” and “Captain Kangaroo” filmed) in what was at the time one of New York City’s sketchiest neighborhoods and turned it into a dance palace known the world over. Extroverted gay Rubell and introverted straight Schrager (the latter giving his most extensive interview to date about Studio 54) were a powerful team – but the swirl of sex, drugs, celebrity, and tax evasion brought this phenomenon to an end, as did the advent of Ronald Reagan, the AIDS crisis, and the “Disco Sucks” backlash.

But oh, what heady times there were during Studio 54’s heyday, which this vibrant documentary captures, mixing vintage interviews (Michael Jackson!) with reminiscences from the doormen, bartenders, and paparazzi who experienced the thrills and the beats on the dance floor and in the infamous balcony. There may never again be such a stately pleasure dome as Studio 54, but Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary pays homage to the hedonism, the hubris, and the outrageous delights that took place under the lights, behind the scenes, and on the other side of the velvet ropes.

We the Animals (US Centerpiece) Writer-Director: Jeremiah Zagar

Lovely and lyrical, this film received well-earned comparisons to Moonlight when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it earned the prestigious NEXT Innovator Award. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar makes his narrative debut with this haunting adaptation of the novel by Justin Torres about three boys navigating their parents’ volatile relationship and the aftermath of their breakup. Two of the sons clearly follow in the footsteps of their macho, anger-prone father (Raúl Castillo, “Looking”), while the sensitive youngest, Jonah (Evan Rosado), remains closer to their mother (Sheila Vand, Women Who Kill).

Exquisitely photographed by Zak Mulligan, the film captures both the beauty and terror of childhood, guiding us through the wonders of the world and the pain and confusion of marital dysfunction. Strains of Malick (and, yes, Moonlight) appear throughout, but there is nothing contrived or overly familiar about this achingly crafted coming-of-age tale. The entire ensemble (which also includes newcomers Josiah Gabriel and Isaiah Kristian) gives the film a raw naturalism – we feel like invisible observers as young lives unfold before us. Subtle and haunting, bursting with empathy and energy, We the Animals heralds a new chapter for a brilliant and essential storytelling talent.

Reinventing Marvin (International Centerpiece) Writer-Director: Anne Fontaine

Martin Clement is about to give the performance of his life – his life story, that is, in an autobiographical stage play. As a child, young Marvin Bijoux was bullied by homophobic classmates at school and misunderstood by his often-neglectful parents, making him feel like a lonely outsider in his small rural French village. But when a kind school principal guides him to join the drama club, Marvin discovers his gifts for play-acting the misery that surrounds him. When he qualifies to attend a theatrical school, Marvin acts the role of the brash straight stud until he meets an older mentor who encourages him to acknowledge his sexuality and to exorcise his pain by putting it all on the stage.

This sweeping drama from director and co-writer Anne Fontaine (The Innocents, Coco Before Chanel) captures a life in the theater, as we see timid young Marvin (Jules Porier) blossom into adult Martin (Finnegan Oldfield, Nocturama) – with a little help along the way from Isabelle Huppert, playing herself. A moving tale of the past that many of us try to escape, but can never entirely leave behind, this film reminds us that no matter how far we get from our upbringing, a piece of it remains with us always.

When the Beat Drops (Documentary Centerpiece) Director: Jamal Sims

Drop into the electric and subversive underground dance scene known as “bucking.” As voguing exploded out of the ballroom scene of NYC, bucking was boldly pioneered in the clubs of the Deep South as a new form of self-expression. This film presents a fresh glimpse into the magnetic artistry and flair behind this emerging dance culture.

In his feature debut, famed choreographer and filmmaker Jamal Sims (who has worked with the likes of Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) illuminates the warm-hearted and fierce queer black performers who make up one of the leading “bucking” groups in the city of Atlanta. As they train for their biggest competition yet, they face the risk of losing their jobs and family to compete at the top levels of this dance scene.

Jamal Sims calls dance a “super power,” and with this film he crafts a vision of the power of dance to bring movement to new heights and to elevate the queer community.

Our Future Ends (Platinum Centerpiece) Writer-Director: Clement Hil Goldberg

Will queer culture go out with a stylish bang, or will the spirits of Lemuria inspire us to preserve our fabulousness? Clement Hil Goldberg’s multimedia and multidisciplinary satire envisions both near-extinct lemurs and long-lost Lemuria. Lemuria (a precursor to the occult city of Atlantis) was an imagined site of catastrophic loss populated by Lemurians, queer prehistoric entities that went extinct alongside the Atlanteans. Goldberg’s work illuminates the at-risk nature of queer spaces as well as the world’s most endangered mammal, the lemur. Pill-popping lemurs struggle to survive while Lemurians consult their crystals, as parallel extinction stories unfold through video, stop-motion animation, and live performance.

Starring Brontez Purnell, Heather María Ács, and Siobhan Aluvalot, with Zackary Drucker, Silas Howard, Xandra Ibarra, Ben McCoy, and Maryam Farnaz Rostami as additional voices of the animated lemurs. Come with them all on this disco journey to the brink.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (Closing Night Gala) Director: Desiree Akhavan

Desiree Akhavan won us over in 2014 with her hilarious feature debut Appropriate Behavior, and she brings her trademark wit and sass to this impressive follow-up feature. An adaptation of Emily M. Danforth’s celebrated queer YA novel, the film was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival for its warm, charismatic, and fearless performances.

Set in the early ’90s, the film follows lesbian teen Cameron (Chloë Grace Moretz), sent to a religious conversion camp after she gets caught hooking up with her female best friend. At the camp, Cameron reluctantly undergoes various tactics used to “cure” same-sex attraction from persistent camp leaders Dr. Lydia Marsh (Jennifer Ehle) and Reverend Rick (John Gallagher Jr.), who are intent on “saving” LGBTQ teens. While some of the teens embrace the treatment, Cameron resists, and instead forms an alliance with the rebellious duo Jane (Sasha Lane, American Honey) and Adam (Forrest Goodluck, The Revenant). The heartfelt bond shared among the three friends gives them the strength they need in order to rise up and live their truth.

Akhavan’s unapologetically queer lens delivers a refreshing take on the troubling topic of conversion therapy (which is, to this day, still used in some states) while exploring the themes of self-love, identity, and chosen family, all with unexpected flourishes of humor.

ABOUT ANGELA ROBINSON

Angela Robinson is an American filmmaker who most recently wrote and directed Professor Marston And The Wonder Women, starring Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, and Bella Heathcote. Robinson has an overall deal with ABC Television Studios and recently served as a Consulting Producer on the hit series “How to Get Away with Murder”. She previously both wrote and directed as an Executive Producer for HBO on boundary-pushing series including “Hung” and “True Blood”, as well as on Showtime’s groundbreaking “The L Word.”

ABOUT OUTFEST

Celebrating its 36th anniversary, Outfest was founded by UCLA students in 1982 who were looking for positive images of themselves in media. Today Outfest is the world’s leading organization that promotes equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss, and celebrate stories of LGBTQ lives. Over the past three decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers, and protected more than 37,000 LGBTQ films and videos. Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is 11 days of world-class films, panels, and parties.

ABOUT HBO

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services – HBO® and Cinemax® – to approximately 131 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the popular subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand®, as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. HBO NOW®, the network’s internet-only premium streaming service, provides audiences with instant access to HBO’s acclaimed programming in the U.S. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO and Cinemax programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

# # # #

43rd Annual Gracie Awards // Rita Moreno To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award & Norman Lear to Present the award

 

Rita Moreno
90th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 04 Mar 2018
WEARING JOSE MORENO (Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

RITA MORENO TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT 43^RD ANNUAL GRACIE AWARDS 

LISA JOYNER TO HOST EVENT PRESENTED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION ON MAY 22 IN LOS ANGELES 

LOS ANGELES (May 3, 2018) – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Rita Moreno will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43^rd Annual Gracie Awards on May 22 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The award will be presented by Emmy Award winner Norman Lear. Five-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and producer Lisa Joyner will serve as host.Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), the Gracie Awards honor outstanding individual achievements and programming by, for and about women in television, radio and interactive media.

MTV Movie & TV Awards | Announces Categories & Nominees

Tiffany Haddish to host 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards

MTV is excited to announce the categories and nominees for the 2018 “MTV Movie & TV Awards.” Hosted by Tiffany Haddish, the show will celebrate the actors, stories and moments that drove pop-culture in the last year and will once again feature gender-neutral categories. Blockbuster juggernaut “Black Panther” leads the pack with seven nominations – this marks the first time the film is being recognized at an awards show since its groundbreaking release earlier this year.

With the “MTV Movie & TV Awards” being the very first tent-pole industry event during the Emmy campaign season, we couldn’t be more thrilled to also share that Emmy® Award-winning producer and director Joel Gallen will be returning as Executive Producer of the show! 

Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Reception

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Taylor Louderman, Grey Henson, and Ashley Park attend the 2018 Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Junket on May 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

The 2018 Class of Tony Nominees gathered yesterday in midtown to celebrate their Tony Nominations!

Marking 72 years of excellence on Broadway, The Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award Nominees Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban, will be broadcast live from the Radio City Music Hall on CBS, on Sunday, June 10th, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay).