There is more than One Direction
The UK boy band has been making hearts throb, heads bob, and girls scream ever since they appeared on the UK’s X-Factor two years ago. Now though, they have run into their first bit of legal trouble, as a California band, also called One Direction, is suing them over trademark infringement of their name.
The California version of One Direction has been a band since at least February 2011, when they recorded their first album, The Light. While the record was produced after the One Direction that we all love and know appeared on the TV show, legal representatives for the California band are stating that the UK band used the name with full knowledge that it was already in use. Lawyer Peter Ross said, “rather than change their name or do anything to create confusion or avoid damage to our goodwill, they chose to press ahead and come on their tour.”
The UK band’s lawyers though, are singing a different tune, saying that they did in fact try to settle the matter, but the US band wasn’t willing to cooperate. Syco, the record label for the UK One Direction band released a statement of their own saying, “There is a dispute with a local group in California about the ownership of the One Direction name in the U.S. One Direction’s lawyers now have no choice but to defend the lawsuit and the band’s right to use their name.”
A decision hasn’t been made yet but since the California band did not register to have their name trademarked until February 2011, it’s unlikely that they hold the sole right over the UK band. What are they asking for though? One million dollars in cash, and three times what the UK band has made during their career so far.
Shania Twain and Las Vegas Go Hand in Hand
If you are a major country music fan, you might be surprised to learn that the beloved star Shania Twain wasn’t born and raised in the American heartland. She isn’t from Texas, and never really wore a cowboy hat growing up. Shania Twain is in fact from Canada, and has Native American and Irish ancestry. This just goes to show that true country music and vocal talent is born in the heart!
Shania Twain, born Eilleen Regina Edwards, has had quite the streak of success. Twain’s album “The Woman in Me” got the ball rolling in 1995 and in 1997, her bestselling album to date “Come On Over” was released. This album currently holds the record of being the highest selling album ever by a female musician. This title includes all genres, and is of course the best selling country album too. Diamond certified albums, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and five Grammy Awards later, this singer is still going strong. Shania has recently been enjoying making her own TV show called “Why Not? With Shania Twain”. Not to worry though…she manages to find time to keep up with her music, and you can still catch her fabulous singing voice live in concert in Las Vegas.
Is there anything Las Vegas doesn’t have? Starting in December 2012, they will also have a frequent show by country superstar Shania Twain. Twain recently announced that she will be headlining for Caesars Palace for the next two years. If you are planning a trip, or just dying to see the singer in person, then be sure to head out to Las Vegas to catch her “Still the One” show live where you will hear her big hits like “Man, I Feel Like a Woman!”, “From This Moment On, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?”, “I’m Outta Here!”, “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “You’re Still the One”.
Don’t miss the Canadian country sweetheart, Shania Twain, live and in person in Las Vegas belting out your favorite songs this December! A trip to Vegas would make the perfect Christmas present for big fans too, so be sure to write it on your wish list for Santa.
It Could Reach 98 Degrees This Summer!
First it was the New Kids on the Block, then the Backstreet Boys. Now, another boy band is rumored to be reuniting — 98 Degrees! Although not officially confirmed by the band as of yet, there have been rumors flying that this 90s boy band might be getting back together, and for a very special reason.
The rumor has been sourced to Rumorfix, who says that the band wants to give a special thank you to their fans, even though they haven’t been together for a decade. And Rumorfix does much more than just drop the hopes of an upcoming tour — they also say that the tour is set to include 15 stops in the months of July and August this year, though there are no words yet on where those stops will be.
The band never really officially broke up, they’ve just been on a very long hiatus since 2002, so they could each dabble in solo projects. Along the way, they’ve also teamed up for special events and to sing at special occasions, but this will definitely be the first time in a long time that fans have been able to watch them perform song after song after song, and as the group they were always meant to be.
This may also be much more than just a drop in the rumor pan, too. The band suddenly picked their website back up, after it laid dormant for nearly ten years, which hints at the fact that this could be for real and the band could have some real news to share with us very soon.
Would you be excited to see 98 Degrees back out on tour? Would you go see them?
Def Leppard In Your Face and in Concert
Have you ever needed someone so bad? Have you ever wanted someone you just couldn’t have?
No need to feel that way when it comes to Def Leppard, as they are currently doing a tour across the US! This rock band from England took your heart away in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and luckily for us, they are still singing all their greatest hits live and in person. It’s so much better to enjoy rock stars when they’re “in your face” as in performing in front of you, above your awesome front row seats.
Def Leppard in particular is a great experience. The band has been rocking the charts since the 1980s with albums like High ‘n’ Dry, Pyromania, and Hysteria. Their best hits included “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”, “Photograph”, “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, and “Love Bites”. Everyone has a favorite Def Leppard song, which is why the band is one of the world’s best selling artists with diamond certified albums and 100 million albums sold across the globe. The 1990’s also saw some major hits for the band, with their albums Adrenalize and Retro Active having the big hits like “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad”, “Let’s Get Rocked” and “Two Steps Behind”.
The band started in 1977 and was part of the “British Heavy Metal Movement”. Musically speaking, they are innovators, having combined elements of hard rock, pop, heavy metal and arena rock. Unlike most heavy metal bands, Def Leppard brings soulful guitar riffs and deep, multi-layered vocals to their music.
What does the future hold for this trendsetting band? In 2011, the band released the new album Mirrorball: Live and More and went on tour to promote the album. The album contains three brand new songs titled “Undefeated”, “Kings of the World”, and “It’s All About Believin'”.
In 2012, the band is teaming up with another rock legend, Poison, and is doing a summer tour across the US as well as headlining at Rock Fest. This is going to be one rocking summer for concerts, so be sure to see who is coming to your town, including the legends known as Def Leppard.
Tim Tebow is Going to New York!
Start spreading the news…Tebow is “leaving today” and is heading to New York! Tebow officially signed with the New York Jets and took part in an enthusiastic press conference that had the sports world buzzing.
Tim Tebow has recovered quickly after a particularly nasty shoving-in-front-of-a-train incident involving his former team the Denver Broncos. The Broncos signed Peyton Manning this month leaving quarterback Tebow few other options than to play the big field of the NFL and find a new home. Tim Tebow made national headlines last year, as he almost single-handedly led the disastrous Denver Broncos to a decent season end. He also garnered plenty of attention for his hard-Christian posing, citing scriptures and thanking God. While this isn’t exactly a “new play” for an NFL star, it is unique to see such a young man promoting God so fearlessly.
Some football experts, however, are not entirely convinced that Denver made a mistake–or that Tebow’s moving to New York is bad news for the Jets. Denver’s coach is not the only Tebow detractor. Why even Joe Namath joined the anti-Tebow movement recently.
The ex-Jet said, “I think it stinks,” he told USA Today, and cited starting quarterback Mark Sanchez as yet another victim in the scenario. Namath actually said much worse about Tebow before Monday, March 26, 2012, stating that Tebow had serious accuracy problems. However, on Monday, he seemed less upset and even credited Tebow as one of the “biggest stars in the game today.” He also said respectfully, “I think the Jets have done a terrific thing here in bringing the Jet fans a real star.”
Tebow is remaining very modest about the move–and about his expectations. “I think first and foremost, I’ve always said that I’m a football player first and then a quarterback. However, I can help the team, however I can make a difference, however they can use me, I’ll be open to it.”
Still Tebow is not stupid and knows that his quarterback ability is what brought him to the game. He would obviously be disappointed if he didn’t earn a permanent quarterback position sooner than later–and he would be joined by NFL fans and big suits, who want to see Tebow earn that investment.
What do you think? Is Tebow going to save the New York Jets or is it hell fire and brimstone from here on out?
Ghost: The Musical Comes to New York
Do you believe in love? It’s hard to believe that 22 years have passed since Ghost was released in the theater to much critical acclaim, several Oscar nods (and two wins) and cinema history. The film was a financial success and helped established Patrick Swayze, Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore as not only big movie stars, but also icons of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
While you might think such inspirational, and Christian devotional filmmaking would be outdated in the cynical 2012 era, Sam says ditto to you! In fact, retro is very in today and fans and newcomers alike can experience the miracle all over again. Ghost The Musical is coming to New York after a successful run at the Manchester Opera House in the U.K.
The New York show will star its original cast including Richard Fleeshman as Sam, Caissie Levy as Molly and Sharon D. Clarke as Oda Mae Brown. The presentation will debut at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and it’s all starting in March 2012!
While most people remember Ghost as a crushing drama, you might be intrigued to know that this new version of Ghost is actually a musical. The book is by Bruce Joel Rubin and the music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. While the production is based on the 1990 film, this is an entirely new production with original songs. Some of the most memorable numbers include “Here Right Now”, “Three Little Words” and “Life Turns on a Dime.” And in case you’re an old softie, yes, you will be relieved to know that “Unchained Melody” (the classic song that characterized the original film) returns to the stage.
The plot itself sticks to the source material, and centers on Sam and Molly. When Sam dies, he becomes caught between the real world and the Hereafter. With the help of medium Oda Mae Brown, Sam and Molly find some closure.
Perhaps it’s a fitting tribute that Ghost is having a revival and many new fans are discovering the influence of the late Patrick Swayze, who did so much to create the role of Sam in the original film. We can just visualize a glowing, heaven-bound Swayze looking on in approval as his favorite movie lives on for a new generation.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” Revival in New York
If you loved the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar back in 1971, or any of the many other stage and film versions that have followed, you may love the one now playing at the Neil Simon Theater just as much. Or, it could have you running for the doors. It will all depend on your own perspective, and whether or not you can appreciate the now-modernized, yet gruesome play that unfolds before you.
The show, just like the original, comes to New York from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival held in Stratford, Canada every year, and its brought much of its cast and crew with it. Most notably, Josh Young reprises the role of Judas, the ultimate betrayer and Paul Nolan continues on in the role of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is played by Chilina Kennedy and Paul Nolan plays out the role of Jesus, while Bruce Dow plays the part of Herod, the king who is out to destroy him.
While the show does mainly keep true to the original rock musical written by Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber, it’s punctuated with elements that can only come from a more modern era. Women in miniskirts, men with nothing but leather and chains strapped across their body, and all of them dancing in between metallic stairways and other highly modern-looking parts of the set. But, it might not be the contemporary spin on this performance that leaves some audience members disappointed. That comes at the end of the play, with the climax of the crucifixion.
You have to know going in that it’s not going to be a pretty sight, but this is Broadway gore at its finest. Between the crown of thorns, the flogging and other forms of torture administered to Jesus by the kings’ men, and the lashings that depicted with garishly red slash marks across a big screen, all make this a show for adults only.
For those that don’t mind a bit of dramatic punch added here and there, no matter how bloody; and who like to see new spins put on old stories (this one’s perhaps the oldest of them all!) get your tickets today. It opened last night at the Neil Simon Theater and will be running all the way through to September!
The Rat Pack Returns to Vegas
It would be quite an amazing feat to see the Rat Pack all together again–considering that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop have all met their respective makers–Peter Lawford having outlived everyone, making it to 2007. However, the Rat Pack is a multi-generational act and it’s not so unthinkable that they could still appear together on stage in spirit.
The original Rat Pack appeared in films and in live concert shows during the 1960s. They starred in the original Ocean’s 11 production, which was later remade into another heist adventure starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Julia Roberts. However, long before Clooney was a leading man, and long before he was even born, Frank, Dean and Sammy were giving rats a good name in Vegas.
Of course, history buffs know that the original rat pack included Humphrey Bogart, and rotating guests such as Errol Flynn, Mickey Rooney, Cesar Romero and Nat King Cole. There is no official story on how the Rat Pack got their name, but supposedly “den mother” Lauren Bacall coined the phrase (“You look like a goddamn rat pack”) after seeing Bogart and his friends return home from a night in Vegas. Other rumored visitors include Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland and Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven later said that Dean and Sammy came much later than the original pack.
Of course, when one thinks of the Rat Pack, they usually think of Frank, Dean and Sammy and that’s just what The Rat Pack is Back tribute show provides. The Vegas show tributes the swinging Las Vegas lounge era and presents four “actors” playing your favorite Rat Pack members. This 90-minute production, often described as “spiritual” and of “religious zeal”, since the cast members are that respectful of the original entertainers, and can sing brilliantly.
Cast members do solos and eventually all four members assemble for a grand finale. If you love classic comedy of the Rat Pack age, then don’t settle for it on video. See it live in Vegas–exactly where it should be seen, all these years later.
Blast from the Past: Def Leppard and Poison on Tour this Summer!
Back in early January, the band Poison teased fans on their Facebook page with the short status of, “Who would be into a Poison/Def Leppard spring summer tour?” Apparently, a lot of people, as there were over 6,500 comments on the post, all of them urging the band to get the tour going sooner rather than later. Now the two bands have joined up to actually get some dates together for the concert that die-hard metal fans will never forget!
The tour, which will not only include both Poison and Def Leppard but also guitarist Lita Ford from Runaways, will begin on June 20 in Salt Lake City. From there the bands will travel all across North America hitting notable cities such as Montreal, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Nashville. Both Poison‘s Facebook page, as well as Def Leppard’s website, say that this is the “first leg” of the tour, so hopefully there will be more than just the 17 stops that have been announced so far. You can see all of the cities that have been announced so far for the tour here.
This isn’t the first time the two bands have teamed up for a tour. In 2009 the bands also went out spreading their rock cheer to fans all over the country, and that tour was a wild success. However, fans shouldn’t be too hopeful that a new album is going to come along with it, not from Def Leppard anyway. Guitarist Phil Collen from Leppard said, “There’s so much involved with putting a record together. And the demographics for the people who buy albums is shrinking.” He did say though that he was hoping his band could pull together “a new song or two,” to play at the concerts. Hopefully Poison’s doing the same!
Marriott Theatre Presents Joseph – A Child’s Interpretation
You may have heard of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, but chances are, you never saw it the way it was originally intended. Most of the productions that have reached the mainstream have been performed for adults and written and scored in the style of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best work. However, the musical was first created for and performed at Colet Court, a preparatory school for St. Paul’s School in London.
The child’s production was only 15 minutes long and was envisioned as a “pop cantata”, to be sung by the school choir. The choir, along with a rock group called The Mixed Bag and an orchestra performed the piece, and it was so well-received, that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s father arranged for an encore. As the production continued on, it added more songs and more numbers, eventually growing into a full length musical. After the success of Jesus Christ Superstar the full production of Joseph was marketed as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s follow up effort. It went on to receive multiple Tony Award nominations in 1982 including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Featured Actress and Featured Actor in a musical.
The great news is that Marriott Theatre is now presenting a new version of Joseph that goes “back to its roots”. This production is tailored towards younger audiences, though performed by experienced actors. Like the original production, the musical is all singing, no dialogue, and features a variety of instruments.
This musical is based on the biblical story of Genesis and features famous songs like “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door”. The story concerns the humble origins and subsequent rising to power of Joseph, as he contends with his jealous brothers, his father, and various characters in Egypt.
This is a family-friendly production with catchy tunes, worthy of a Disney film (actually lyricist Tim Rice did co-write the songs from The Lion King). The play has been performed by over 20,000 schools throughout its run. If you have never seen the production before then now is your opportunity. Share this wonderful production with your children and teach them the value of the theatre!
