L’Oreal Paris Brings Beauty Underground, Introducing First-Ever Intelligent Shopping Experience in the New York City Subway

New Yorkers are about to stop in their tracks. Riding the subway just got more beautiful thanks to L’Oreal Paris (www.lorealparisusa.com). The leading global beauty brand is making history by unveiling the first-ever, intelligent vending experience in the New York City Subway system. Launching Monday, November 4, 2013, the breakthrough L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience works as a three-step process. It first detects the colors in a woman’s outfit and picks out the most prominent and related color palettes, then recommends L’Oreal Paris products to match and lastly allows women to quickly and easily purchase those products on the spot.

L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience. (PRNewsFoto/L’Oreal Paris)

Stationed within the Bryant Park subway station and developed by digital agency R/GA, the L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience is part of a partnership with R/GA and CBS Outdoor.  L’Oreal Paris was chosen as the inaugural brand to participate in the two-month program.

FROM STEPPING UP TO STANDING OUT: HOW IT WORKS

When a woman approaches the L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience, she sees her reflection in a full-length, well-lit mirror. She is then immersed in a world of color. Digital animations that represent her silhouette and the colors she is wearing appear alongside her reflection and suggest expertly-coordinated eye, lip and nail shade recommendations that “Match” or “Clash” her outfit.  Women can experiment with a variety of personalized looks from L’Oreal Paris’ best-selling Colour Riche franchise, beloved for its luxurious formulas and rich shades. From the time the mirror scans a woman’s look to when the products are in her purse, the entire experience takes less than two minutes.

The L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience is open November 4, 2013 through December 30, 2013, helping women look and feel beautiful on-the-go throughout the holiday season. Eye, nail and lip products from L’Oreal Paris’ Colour Riche franchise will all be available for purchase along with the brand’s newest mascara innovation, Voluminous Butterfly. Women will have the option to purchase just one or the multiple products recommended to them. Prices will be in line with other New York City retailers.

The L’Oreal Paris Intelligent Color Experience is located in the MTA Bryant Park subway station and can be accessed from the entrance on the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. It will be open weekdays from 7:00AM – 9:00PM and on weekends from 10:00AM – 8:00PM, with limited hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.

Sharing is Caring: Glittering Lights Illuminates the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 2013 Holiday Season

Glittering Lights (www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com), the beloved holiday drive-through spectacular, will once again illuminate the Las Vegas Motor Speedway nightly from Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, featuring more than 400 animated, energy-efficient LED lights along a 2.5-mile racetrack.

The attraction is back for its 13th season and its fourth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A new element that will debut on Friday, Nov. 29 is the Living Nativity made possible by the branches of the United Methodist Church. Another added attraction will be the Princess Fairy World and back for its second year will be the Avenue of Trees, a dazzling display of Christmas trees that pays tribute to the charities Glittering Lights has supported through the Speedway Children’s Charity.

Glittering Lights will be open nightly Sunday – Thursday from 5:30 – 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 – 10 p.m. at $15/vehicle on weeknights and $20/vehicle Friday – Sunday and holidays. The Living Nativity will run every Thursday – Saturday through Christmas with additional dates on Sunday, Dec. 22 – Tuesday, Dec. 24. The first 15,000 vehicles will receive a gift bag filled with goodies. Purchase tickets at www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com or at Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Discount tickets available at all area Walgreens.

“The beauty with Glittering Lights is that our visitors can bask in the holiday glow within the comfort of their vehicle,” stated Shannon Bentham, co-founder of Ivory Star Productions. “This year promises to be extra memorable with the addition of the Living Nativity, made possible by the branches of the United Methodist Church.”

“This will be our fourth year hosting Glittering Lights and our passion for ensuring that this remains the best holiday experience in our city is stronger than ever,” said Chris Powell, president of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “Not only does this enable us to raise money for children in need here in the Las Vegas community, but this is also the ideal holiday activity for Southern Nevada’s families.”

A portion of Glittering Lights’ proceeds will aid Speedway Children’s Charities efforts in funding children’s charities throughout Southern Nevada. Goodwill of Southern Nevada is also offering $2 off admission with a donation of gently used items at any of the 30 sites located in Southern Nevada or at the gates of Glittering Lights.

The Speedway Children’s Charities provides funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations throughout the Southern Nevada community that meet the direct needs of children. From coats, beds, food, new shoes, transportation to specialized camps or for medical treatment, The Speedway Children’s Charities has most likely touched the life of someone you know. Last year they awarded more than $260,000 in grants to 46 children’s organizations in our valley including:

• Ameriface
• Baby’s Bounty
• Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer
• Goody Two-Shoes
• Miracle Flights for Kids
•  Special Olympics
• The Lullaby Connection

The organization raise funds by hosting various special events throughout the year. We are also fortunate to be the recipient of funds from other events held on our behalf, like Glittering Lights. When we drove the various organizations receiving an SCC grant through Glittering Lights, not only the children, but the parents were beyond excited, impressed and sheer joy showed on their faces forgetting any health or other problems they might be experiencing – at least for a little while enjoying the beauty of Glittering Lights.

TripAdvisor Serves Up 2013 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants

Second Annual Awards Recognize Travelers’ Favorite Fine Dining Spots Around the Globe

TripAdvisor® (www.tripadvisor.com), the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its 2013 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants awards. The awards honor travelers’ favorite fine dining establishments worldwide, based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.

The awards recognize 171 restaurants, covering 13 countries and seven regions around the globe, including lists for Europe, Asia, South America, South Pacific, the Caribbean, the U.S. and the World.

2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Restaurants – Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France – #1 World (A TripAdvisor traveler photo)

2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Restaurants – Le Cinq, Paris, France – #3 World (A TripAdvisor traveler photo)

“It’s always food for thought when we tap our community for their favorite restaurants. This year, they’ve highlighted some amazing eateries in popular destinations, but also uncovered some hidden gems that are off the beaten path,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “Outstanding service and quality continue to be a hallmark of the Travelers’ Choice awards and with 171 favorites around the world, these fine establishments are sure to offer cuisine that satisfies every appetite.”

2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Restaurants – Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco, California – #2 U.S. (A TripAdvisor traveler photo)

2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Restaurants – Victoria and Albert’s, Orlando, Florida – #3 U.S. (A TripAdvisor traveler photo)

Colicchio and Sons Main Dining Room, New York City, New York – #2 World and #1 U.S. (A TripAdvisor traveler photo)

Travelers’ Choice Favorite Fine Dining Restaurants Worldwide:

1.      Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France

2.      Colicchio and Sons Main Dining Room, New York City, New York

3.      Le Cinq, Paris, France

4.      El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain

5.      Caprice, Hong Kong, China

6.      Funky Gourmet, Athens, Greece

7.      Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton, England

8.      Cum Quibus, San Gimignano, Italy

9.      Voila Bistrot, Paraty, Brazil

10.    Passion by Martin Berasategui at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Travelers’ Choice Favorite Fine Dining Restaurants in the U.S.:

1.      Colicchio and Sons Main Dining Room, New York City, New York

2.      Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco, California

3.      Victoria & Albert’s, Orlando, Florida

4.      Commander’s Palace, New Orleans, Louisiana

5.      The French Room, Dallas, Texas

6.      Halls Chophouse, Charleston, South Carolina

7.      Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia

8.      L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Las Vegas, Nevada

9.      Uchiko, Austin, Texas

10.    Mama’s Fish House, Maui, Hawaii

For the complete list of 2013 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants winners, go to: http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants.

handvaerk Launches with Debut Collection of Luxury Wardrobe Basics

handvaerk, a New York based luxury basics apparel brand, today launched its debut collection exclusively online at www.handvaerk.com.  The collection features a thoughtfully chosen selection of men’s and women’s luxury wardrobe basics, including t-shirts, polos, henleys, tank tops, underwear and other classic everyday pieces. Each item is handcrafted in small production runs in family-owned and operated workshops, maintaining the elegant artistry and grace that is inherent in traditional high-quality craftsmanship.

“We are thrilled to bring handvaerk’s line of men and women luxury essentials to the U.S. market,” said Esteban Saba, Co-Founder and CEO of handvaerk. “More than a statement of our devotion to the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality, handvaerk offers consumers basics that have thoughtful design and premium materials sourced from around the world.”

handvaerk was conceptualized by husband and wife team Esteban Saba and Petra Brichnacova as an artisanal collection of  wardrobe basics made from the highest quality materials. Inspired by the Danish word handvaerk, meaning artisanal and handcrafted, the brand offers a line with a pure aesthetic and takes its cues from mid century modern design. Each product has been designed for ultimate comfort, which is due to the fabric’s ultimate softness, meticulous tailoring and an unparalleled emphasis on every single sartorial detail.

Prior to creating håndvaerk, Esteban spent more than 15 years in the investment banking divisions of Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, and Citigroup; a senior strategic advisor to corporations on their major transactions, including Mergers & Acquisitions, and IPOs. Prior to moving to New York, he earned his MBA at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Petra is an artist at heart; from an early age a prolific student of aesthetics, philosophy, literature, and history of world art. She specialized in textile and surface design at Prague’s Mastership School of Art and Design and worked at several renowned art galleries in Prague. Petra also earned a degree in textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Prior to co founding håndvaerk, she spent a decade managing and curating Waldmann Inc. Petra is tasked with formulating the overarching art direction for håndværk and leads the design process. She is inspired by nature’s authentic beauty, and her collaborations with manufacturers who share her passion for natural, high quality fabrics.

The brand offers a product of exceptional quality made with distinct fabrics derived from the highest-grade Pima cotton from the northern coastal valley in Peru, Mongolian cashmere and merino wool from Scotland. All items are handmade or hand finished to maintain the artistry and grace that are inherent in high-quality craftsmanship.

“We create luxury essentials of uncompromising quality by crafting timelessly elegant products using the world’s finest natural fibers. Our heritage is grounded in three generations of small-scale family production; a storied legacy of manufacturing textiles, garments, and luxury products. Our minimalist style incorporates clean, pure lines, and pays homage to the materials used. Functional design accentuates the relationship between the human body and the exquisite comfort derived from the ultimate softness of our fabrics.” States the Co-founders. “We produce for those few who are truly thoughtful when investing in a product, appreciate the rigorous process required for high quality manufacturing, and understand how håndværk is redefining how luxury essentials should be made. Our inaugural collection has been thoughtfully curated to form the foundation of a modern and timeless wardrobe. We traveled to Peru for the finest Pima cotton from the northern coastal valleys and to Scotland for the best Mongolian cashmere and superfine merino wool.”

Holiday 2013 Gift Guide: New Kitchen Products From Bonavita for the Holidays with Buzz

Bonavita®, Based in Seattle, Introduces Innovative Kitchen Scales and Gooseneck Kettles, plus Brewing Equipment for “Coffee Geeks”

A catalog of cutting-edge products for the kitchen is being introduced this Winter by the coffee experts behind the Bonavita collection. Bonavita’s 8 Cup Coffee Brewer has received accolades as a “Best Buy” recommendation from Cook’s Illustrated magazine and as an “Editor’s Favorite” in Food & Wine magazine.  The brand’s design-forward, yet classically-inspired Gooseneck Kettles have also received the nod from the Los Angeles Times “Daily Dish” column, which describes them as “for coffee geeks, the latest electric pour-over kettle.”

Bonavita Electronic Kitchen Scale

Bonavita Porcelain Immersion Dripper

Bonavita’s 8 Cup Coffee Brewer

Bonavita, an Espresso Supply Inc. brand, is based in Seattle. Espresso Supply Inc. has been a leader in the specialty coffee industry for 20 years. With the Bonavita collection they have expanded into a new category of home electronics for the kitchen.

The Bonavita Gooseneck Kettle is known for the expert, elegant pour control its design produces. Lauded by the LA Times and industry leaders such as Food 52, the kettle comes in three styles. (Stove Top version 29600 MSRP $44.99; Standard Bonavita Gooseneck Electric Kettle 29601 MSRP $69.99; Variable Temperature Bonavita Gooseneck Electric 29602 MSRP $104.99.) It’s a kitchen staple for making coffee, tea and for such kitchen tasks as filling a pot with boiling water for pasta.  The Variable Temperature Bonavita Gooseneck Kettle is excellent for making just-right, and not too hot “kid’s cocoas,” plus hot toddies and holiday cocktails.  Its sleek lines dress up the home bar beautifully for entertaining.

Bonavita is introducing a commercial grade, precision-focused Electronic Kitchen Scale (29671 MSRP $94.99) this holiday season to home cooks, pastry chefs and bakers, plus any cooks who need their measurements exact.  The Bonavita scale weighs with great precision and speed to the 0.1 gram. Tested by pros, the Bonavita Electronic Scale has been the workhorse scale of demanding baristas at some of the world’s busiest, most revered coffee shops and espresso bars.  Now it is available to the public.

Also debuting this holiday season is the Bonavita Porcelain Immersion Dripper for brewing both coffee and tea.  The Immersion Dripper allows for precise control of the water to coffee contact time, much like a French Press, but with the added benefit of filtration to produce a “cleaner” cup.  Its porcelain construction is great for durability and heat retention during the brew.   (For up to 16 ounces of coffee or tea the Bonavita Porcelain Immersion Dripper 29130 MSRP $39.99.)

The Bonavita 8 Cup Coffee Brewer comes in two styles. (Glass Carafe version 53010 MSRP $159.99; Thermal Carafe version 53050 MSRP $179.99.)

Bonavita is carried internationally including in the United States by boutique shops such as Seattle Coffee Gear, plus larger retailers including Starbucks, Chef’s Catalog and Sur la Table.

32 Ways To Celebrate The Holidays In Philadelphia This Year: A Light Show Spectacular, A Pop-Up Shop & Restaurant & The Nutcracker Market

Images Provided by The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC)

Philadelphia boasts many holiday traditions that locals and visitors delight in year after year (Macy’s Christmas Light Show, Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker and the New Year’s Day Mummers Parade), but this year revelers can partake in new activities that are sure to become beloved traditions. There’s the all-new Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show, a sparkling holiday tribute to Ben Franklin; the addition of a pop-up restaurant and shop at the Blue Cross River Rink; and the Nutcracker Market, featuring hand-made arts and crafts from American artisans. Here are 32 ways to celebrate the holidays in Philadelphia:

Philadelphia’s City Hall, the largest one in the country, is festooned with colorful lights and garlands during the Christmas season. This unique angle shows Love Park’s sparkling tree in the foreground.

New This Year:

The holiday magic at Ben Franklin’s namesake park begins with the new Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show, featuring a 10-foot-tall kite made of lights that sparkle and spread the glow to lights throughout the square. The show runs every 30 minutes between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m., weather permitting. Other festivities include visits from Santa, Ben Franklin and other special guests, rides on the Franklin Square holiday train and the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, seasonal treats at SquareBurger and even mini-golf with warming stations to keep even the littlest players cozy. Activities and special events celebrate everything from Hannukah to Christmas to Kwanzaa. November 14-December 31, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org

RiverRink in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006.: Skaters glide on ice against a picturesque backdrop at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. Visitors can beat the chill with activities and snacks in the warming pavilion. Credit: Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

The Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing opens its 20th season with a whole new look that comes in the form of a pop-up holiday winter garden and village called Waterfront Winterfest, featuring shops, music and food. Also new this year: a holiday-themed light show that runs on the hour from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. And under a massive 400-person warming tent created from recycled shipping containers, folks enjoy comfort food, holiday cocktails and local beers. November 29-January 5. Columbus Boulevard & Market Street, (215) 925-RINK, www.riverrink.com

Rittehnouse Square

Thousands of lights brighten the streets of New Hope, Pennsylvania, during the holiday shopping season. The charming Bucks County town, just 35 miles north of Philadelphia, is home to many unique shops, restaurants, galleries and studios.

Shoppers stock up on one-of-a-kind, artisan-made gifts at the Pennsylvania Ballet’s first-ever Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Fifty selected artists and craftsmen offer hand-made American crafts and gifts. December 7-8. Broad & Spruce Streets, (855) 406-2743, www.paballet.org/nutmarket

BROOKLYN JUST GOT MORE BEAUTIFUL: SEPHORA Opens Its First Brooklyn Store On November 1st

Calling all makeup mavens, fragrance fanatics, skincare enthusiasts and beauty addicts! SEPHORA is opening its first store in Brooklyn on November 1^st. And what’s even more beautiful? The first 100 clients to show up at the grand opening on Friday, November 1^st at 8 AM and Saturday, November 2^nd at 9 AM, will receive a SEPHORA gift card with mystery values worth up to $1000!

Artist Mickalene Thomas for Sephora Brooklyn (original artwork)

The beauty fun doesn’t stop there. To celebrate the opening, SEPHORA has a weekend full of festivities, beginning Friday, November 1^st with the grand opening ribbon cutting. Grand opening weekend activities include:

• BROOKLYN, you’re a work of  art. Be among the first to experience five original works of art from Brooklyn      based artists Gary Panter, Kim Gordon, Keegan McHargue, Hisham Bharoocha and Mickalene Thomas – only at SEPHORA Brooklyn grand opening weekend. Let these chromatic paintings inspire your shopping      experience as we celebrate the beauty of Brooklyn.
• GET CREATIVE. Channel Brooklyn’s creative energy with unique in-store experiences and beauty related art workshops conducted by local artists.

FRIDAY, November 1^st

• 11 AM to 7 PM, GO PRO: Receive Express Services and beauty consultations from SEPHORA      PRO Artists, stationed at the Beauty Studio.
• 12PM to 4 PM, MAKEUP AS MATERIAL:  Join celebrated makeup artist Will Lemon, known for his customized skin      art, to watch and learn how he uses in-store products with natural ingredients to create custom skin-prints.
• Enjoy a SEPHORA photo      booth to take pictures and share your memories from the grand opening fun.
• Vibe as you enjoy the day’s activities with DJ sets by BK Creatives and campaign collaborators Will Lemon      and Hisham Bharoocha.
• Morris Kitchen, a Brooklyn based food vendor, will be serving up delicious, locally sourced bites, Brooklyn-brewed coffee and refreshing drinks.
• While celebrating the opening, Sephora Beauty Insiders can also receive an exclusive Sephora Brooklyn tote bag*, featuring illustrator Gary Panter’s campaign artwork, with any purchase of $50 or more!

SATURDAY, November 2^nd

• 11 AM to 3 PM, COLOR PALETTE EXPLORATION: Fashion and beauty enthusiast Katherine Bernhardt, who is known for      her colorful, expressionistic, large-scale paintings of celebrities and models, will be in-store to teach clients her technique and take them      through color palettes of makeup in fashion using acrylic paint.
• 4 PM to 8 PM, BEAUTY COLLAGE: Brooklyn campaign artist, Hisham Bharoocha, whose vibrant work has      been published in notable art, fashion, and culture magazines, will teach      participants how to make their own original artwork by collaging beauty imagery from fashion magazines and other mixed media materials.
• Enjoy a SEPHORA photo booth to take pictures and share your memories from the grand opening fun.
• While celebrating the opening, Sephora Beauty Insiders can also receive an exclusive Sephora Brooklyn tote bag*, featuring illustrator Gary Panter’s campaign artwork, with any purchase of $50 or more!

Marvin Gaye’s Children Respond to Lawsuit filed by Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Clifford Harris, Jr.

Today, the children of the late Marvin Gaye responded today in US District Court to the lawsuit that was filed against them by Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Clifford Harris, Jr., according to Mark Levinsohn, the NY entertainment attorney who represents Nona and Frankie Gaye in transactional matters. In that initial suit, filed on August 15, 2013, Thicke and his “Blurred Lines” collaborators sued to stop any claims they thought the children of Marvin Gaye may or would have against their intentional copyright infringement of the Marvin Gaye song “Got to Give it Up.” As Zoe Chace for National Public Radio stated on the NPR website on August 19, 2013: “Robin Thicke’s Song Sounds Like Marvin Gaye. So He’s Suing Gaye’s Family.”

According to the children, The “Blurred Lines” trio “rushed” to file their case soon after their song began attracting overwhelming attention from critics and fans about the substantial similarities that surpass the realm of coincidence to “Got to Give it Up.”  On August 8, 2013 Rob Hoerburger in the New York Times   wrote “But what I keep coming back to is the song’s choice DNA…And that bass line came right from Marvin Gaye’s No. 1 hit from the summer of ’77, ‘Got to Give It Up’.” In the August 23, 2013 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, Contributor David Ritz wrote, “When I first heard Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines,’ my reaction was the same as millions of other R&B fans: Hey, that’s Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.”  Thicke and company not only copped Gaye’s distinct bass line, but the defining funk of the cowbell accents. I wasn’t entirely surprised, since some years earlier Thicke’s ‘Love After War’ was a virtual lift of Marvin’s ‘After the Dance’ …”  A quick review of the internet reveals these comments are far from alone in this respect.

Indeed, the three writers filed their lawsuit against Gaye’s children shortly after the numerous “Got to Give it Up” similarities started surfacing and just weeks after all the online chat rooms were abuzz with discussions of the two songs, including fan postings of musical mash-ups that demonstrated the overlapping comparisons. As music critic Paul Cantor pointed out on Vice Magazine’s website in July 2013, “You probably don’t feel guilty for liking ‘Blurred Lines.’ Maybe that’s because it was originally a Marvin Gaye song (“Got To Give It Up”) and Marvin Gaye is … awesome.”

Initially Gaye’s children assumed that Thicke and Williams had obtained the proper license from EMI/SONY to use their father’s song “Got to Give it Up” when they decided to deliberately recreate the very essence of the song with “Blurred Lines”, but they were sadly mistaken.

Although representatives for the parties had ongoing discussions about the copying and possibility of a settlement, there was never any monetary offer made by Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams or their representatives to the Gaye family for use of the copyright, as erroneously reported by Billboard Magazine in August 2013.  Instead, Thicke decided to wage a very contradictory public denial about his creative intentions and file a preemptive strike against any claims by the family.  On July 9, 2013 he told Billboard Magazine, “Pharrell and I were in the studio making a couple records, and then on the third day I told him I wanted to do something kinda like Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got To Give It Up,’ that kind of feel ’cause it’s one of my favorite songs of all time. So he started messing with some drums and then he started going ‘Hey, hey hey..’ and about an hour and a half later we had the whole record finished.”  However, by September 2013 Thicke back peddled and did a one-eighty, telling TMZ that even though he’s a big fan of Marvin Gaye, the Motown legend is not in his head when he writes songs, including “Blurred Lines.”

When Gaye’s children raised their concerns to EMI/SONY, they were told that no license was granted, nor was any license needed.

The initial lawsuit filed by the Blurred Lines writers not only asks that any copyright infringement claims be rejected, but also challenges the family to prove that they (and not their publisher) have the right to sue.  According to the Gaye children, “EMI/SONY publishes and administers our father’s catalog so contractually, it would be for them to file the countersuit.  However, when we requested that they take action, they refused. They also refused to assign to us the right to file for ourselves.” It is because of this and other factors outlined in the countersuit that the family is reluctantly suing EMI/SONY for breach of contract and failing to perform their fiduciary duties. Coincidently EMI/SONY also represents Pharrell Williams.

“We have put a lot of effort into this matter, investigated it thoroughly, and believe we have a strong case,” says Richard S. Busch of Nashville and San Diego-based King & Ballow, who is litigation counsel for the Gaye children. He adds, “The counterclaim and court filing speak for themselves, and I look forward to presenting this case to the court and ultimately to a jury who will be able to listen to the songs themselves.”

Things to Do in New York: The 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

There are many things to do in New York for the holidays, but few are as iconic as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Manhattan Hotel – A New York Hotel welcomes visitors to this event with special offers

Of all the Things to do in New York for Thanksgiving, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is by far the most iconic. For 89 years this parade has been part of the Thanksgiving holiday. As 3.5 million people gather along the parade route, 44 million more watch the parade on TV while they put the finishing touches on their Thanksgiving dinners. The Manhattan Hotel – A New York Hotel has impressive special offers to welcome those who have come to see the parade live. With the ultimate New York location, guests at The Manhattan Hotel – A New York Hotel are just steps from exciting Times Square, the Broadway Theater District, Central Park, Empire State Building, and neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and SoHo to Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Madison Avenue.

Scens from Recent Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades

New Magazine, BurdaStyle, Fills the Void for DIY Fashionistas and establishes the intersection of “couture and craft”

For the more than 19 million active sewers in the US looking to create runway fashions on a budget, BurdaStyle magazine–new from F+W Media–delivers with 40+ fashion sewing patterns (including 20 full-size pull-out inserts), sewing tips and techniques, fashion trends, and DIY projects straight from the runway in each issue. Known across the globe as the premier sewing magazine for fashion and style, BurdaStyle will debut its first-ever U.S. Edition on newsstands across North America this month. Readers can learn more about subscriptions here.

BurdaStyle magazine establishes the intersection of “couture and craft” for DIY audience. (PRNewsFoto/F+W Media)

“Our BurdaStyle editors take inspiration from runways around the globe and translate that into stylish DIY projects from accessories to garments to full outfits,” says sewing and fashion expert Denise Wild, Editorial Director of BurdaStyle U.S. Edition. The inaugural issue features looks inspired by Chanel, Basler, Issey Miyake, and Philip Lim. “We’re bringing the latest designs and the season’s most stylish patterns to the North American audience in a way that focuses on inspiring, developing, and challenging DIYers of all skill levels.”

www.BurdaStyle.com is the largest global fashion and sewing community online, with more than 900,000 members and 7 million page views each month. The site offers downloadable PDF sewing patterns, project ideas, tutorials, and online education. Known around the globe since 1949 as the premier sewing magazine for fashion and style, BurdaStyle is available in 90 countries and published in 17 different languages.

Organizers of The Sydney Festival Announces the 2014 Program

 

Every January, Sydney Festival (January 9-26, www.sydneyfestival.org.au) enlivens and transforms Sydney (Australia) with a bold cultural celebration based on the highest quality art and big ideas. The program is kaleidoscopic in its diversity, from burlesque circus to New York rap to Russian theatre; from contemporary dance to family programs to traditional Indigenous arts practice. In all, the program comprises around 300 performances and around 100 events performed by over 1,000 artists in at least 20 venues each year. Inclusive programming, a broad range of free events and accessible pricing policies for the ticketed shows means that Sydney Festival is open to all, welcoming Sydneysiders and visitors from wherever they live. Tickets to all performances are available on the day for only $25 at the Tix for Next to Nix booth in Martin Place in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

Scene from The 2013 Sydney Festival

There’s also the famous free concerts in The Domain or Parramatta. Summer Sounds has featured the sounds of Brazil, Gypsies, New Orleans and Mali and is followed the next weekend by the orchestral power of the Sydney Symphony. Throughout January the Festival Garden is home to the Spiegeltent with a captivating program of burlesque and music which makes the most of the summer nights in the atmospheric setting of Hyde Park and Paradiso at Town Hall resonates with the energy of bands and DJs until late at night.

Arkady Shilkloper serenades the sunrise with his alphorn on the Manly Ferry. #sydfest #seeaustralia #dawncalling

Briefs for Sydney Festival 2013

Bright lights, fun times for Richard Hawley at the final night of #sydfest

Concrete & Bone Sessions

Dappled Cities The Future is Baroque for Sydney Festival 2013

David Byrne & St. Vincent at Sydney Festival 2013

Day One, ACT 3 – DAPTONE SUPER SOUL REVUE

Dirty Projectors at Sydney Festival 2013

Eraritjaritjaka

Just a Pyrophone Juggernaut being amazing. #sydfest #parraopeningparty #parramatta

Kashmere Stage Band at Paradiso

Lianne La Havas for Sydney Festival 2013

Limbo

Masi at Sydney Festival 2013

Masi at Sydney Festival 2013

Murder

Nicolas Jaar – FBi Night – Paradiso at Town Hall for Sydney Festival 2013

Norman Blake and Joe Pernice at Sydney Festival 2013

Nuggets Antipodean Interpolations. Live – for Sydney Festival 2013

Osaka Monaurail – Paradiso at Town Hall, Sydney Festival 2013

Archie Roach for Sydney Festival 2013

More than any other cultural event, Sydney Festival defines Sydney’s personality. For over three decades they have presented international artists who guarantee headlines, and whose presence in Sydney adds to the Festival’s buzz and prestige. Names like Björk, Brian Wilson, Grace Jones, Manu Chao, Elvis Costello, AR Rahman, Cate Blanchett, Ralph Fiennes, Robert Lepage, Peter Sellars and Sir Ian McKellen alongside some of the world’s great companies – Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance, Cheek by Jowl, Gate Theatre and the Schaubühne Berlin to name only a few – share the Festival with the most exciting artists and companies in Australia.

Sydney Festival’s audacious contemporary programming positions it at the forefront of arts practice in Australia and up there as one of the most wonderful festivals in the world. Sydney Festival relies on a mix of government funding; corporate, media and production partnerships; as well as philanthropic giving

Festival Director Lieven Bertels and the Sydney Festival team revealed the full program for Sydney Festival 2014, an explosion of exceptional theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film and more that will bring the harbour city to life from January 9-26.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s 15-metre high yellow Rubber Duck made quite the splash in Darling Harbour, so it’s back for the 2014 Festival.

Sydneysiders and visitors know Sydney Festival is one of the most wonderful summer festivals in the world – a claim underpinned by the city’s lustre and charisma, making it an ideal showcase for the world’s great artists.

The Sydney Festival 2014 is comprised of 104 events, a staggering 21 of which are free. With 372 performances across 33 indoor and outdoor venues, Sydney Festival 2014 features 722 artists from 80 companies across 17 countries. With 10 world premieres, 4 Australian premieres and 13 Australian exclusives, summer in our beautiful city is absolutely not to be missed.

“If you are really into your arts, Sydney Festival will not disappoint, with opera, dance, theatre and music acts from across Australia and the world.” says Festival Director, Lieven Bertels.

Against a backdrop of some of the world’s greatest theatre and dance, new Australian works of magnitude and cultural importance dominate this year’s theatre program. The world premiere of Black Diggers (directed by Wesley Enoch and written by Tom Wright) unfolds the untold stories of 1000 Indigenous soldiers who fought in World War One, whilst Michael Kantor and Tom E. Lewis’ indigenous re-working of King Lear in The Shadow King has recently premiered to a rousing reception by audiences in Melbourne, Australia.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s 15-metre high yellow Rubber Duck made quite the splash in Darling Harbour, so it’s back for the 2014 Festival.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s 15-metre high yellow Rubber Duck made quite the splash in Darling Harbour, so it’s back for the 2014 Festival.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s 15-metre high yellow Rubber Duck made quite the splash in Darling Harbour, so it’s back for the 2014 Festival.

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Shaun Parker returns to the Sydney Festival with the world premiere of Am I, whilst Halina Reijn performs the lead role in the retelling of the 1927 monologue by Jean Cocteau in the voyeuristic La Voix Humaine. Philip Glass presents a live score to Godfrey Reggio’s Visitors to follow its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and after a five month sell out season on London’s Southbank LIMBO returns to heat up the 1920s Speigeltent in the wildly expanded Festival Village.

A main highlight of the 2014 program is Henry Purcell’s great romantic tragedy Dido & Aeneas in Sasha Waltz’s wondrous reimagining of the great opera, featuring stunning choreography, a prologue performed in a giant fish tank underwater, and celebrated baroque orchestra Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. Reigning queen of contemporary German dance-theatre, Sasha Waltz, stages a radical re-telling of Henry Purcell’s Baroque masterpiece, Dido & Aeneas. The oldest love story in English opera, this tragic tale of unrequited love is brought to life by sixty exceptional dancers, singers and musicians at the Sydney Lyric from 16 to 21 January 2014. Dido & Aeneas is set to be as big an operatic sensation in the 2014 Sydney Festival as Semele Walk was in 2013.

Waltz casts both a dancer and singer in each role and tells the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, who reluctantly falls in love with the shipwrecked Aeneas. Later, Dido is brutally rejected when he is deceived into leaving her, and she takes her own life.

Dido and Aeneas

As it’s the sea that brings Aeneas to Dido and takes him away again, it is not surprising that Waltz uses water as a central motif in her realisation of the myth. Waltz opens the show in a visually arresting fashion – an aquatic prologue, where a giant water tank, almost spanning the entire width of the stage, is raised several metres off the floor. From a ladder, dancers climb to the top of the tank to gaze and point at the audience, and then plunge in ducking, diving and weaving their steps, staying submerged for impossibly long times.

Sony Expands High Resolution Audio Line with New Portable DAC/Amplifier and ES Series Integrated Stereo Amplifier

AT HOME OR ON THE ROAD, BOTH PRODUCTS DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY LISTENING EXPERIENCE FOR DIGITAL MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS

Sony Electronics extended its new line of High Resolution Audio products by introducing the PHA-2 Portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier and TA-A1ES Integrated Stereo Amplifier. Both products offer superior sound reproduction and have been specifically designed to support the latest high-resolution music sources.

“Sony continues its commitment to audio enthusiasts who truly care about music by offering the finest quality products that meet practically every lifestyle need,” said Aaron Levine, Business Manager for Sony Electronics’ Home Entertainment & Sound Division. “High Resolution Audio is elevating the digital music experience to a whole new level and both of these devices provide an outstanding listening experience – whether at home or on the go.”

All of Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio products have been created to make listening to digital music more compatible, convenient and compelling. Each of these devices is capable of playing back virtually any file format available. Whether it’s MP3s or the latest Double DSD files, Sony’s high-resolution devices will decode them and reproduce the music at the highest quality possible, so you can experience these recordings as the artists originally intended.

Sony TA-A1ES Integrated Stereo Amplifier (front)

Sony TA-A1ES Integrated Stereo Amplifier (back)

Sony PHA-2 Portable Headphone DACAmplifier (Back)

Sony PHA-2 Portable Headphone DACAmplifier (front)

With the growth of audio technologies, including high-resolution formats like PCM (44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ 96kHz/ 176.4kHz/ 192kHz in 24 bit depth) and DSD (DSF, DSDIFF); plus MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, ATRAC, ATRAC Advanced Lossless and AIFF; there are an increasing number of digital music files to choose from. The new Sony Hi-Res Audio products simplify this process and make transferring these files more convenient and more intuitive. Further, all of the controls, including the user interfaces, have been designed to make storing, organizing and accessing digital music a breeze.

The new Sony PHA-2 Portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier was conceived to deliver superior sound reproduction from a variety of audio sources and is the first portable DAC/amplifier to be compatible with virtually every high-resolution digital file format, including up to 192 kHz/24-bit PCM and both DSD (2.8MHz) and Double DSD (5.6MHz). Listeners can also enjoy upgraded sound quality with MP3 files and other music sources.

LIONSGATE And Lakeshore’s I, Frankenstein Rages Into Imax ® Theatres across the U.S. Starting January 24, 2014

IMAX Corporation and Lionsgate announced that I, Frankenstein, starring Aaron Eckhart, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and released into IMAX® theatres across the U.S. beginning January 24, 2014 as well as a number of international territories.

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

Aaron Eckhart stars as ‘Adam’ in I, FRANKENSTEIN. Photo credit – Ben King

Adam (Aaron Eckhart) and Terra (Yvonne Strahovski) in I, FRANKENSTEIN. Photo credit Ben King

The IMAX release of I, Frankenstein will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

“I, Frankenstein is the kind of action thriller IMAX fans seek out,” said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment and Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp.  “The producers certainly have a strong track record – with the Underworld franchise having grossed more than $460 million at the global box office – and we’re excited to team up with them once again as they launch this all new cinematic world.”

200 years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein’s creature, Adam (Eckhart), still walks the earth. But when he finds himself in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind. The action thriller I, Frankenstein is written for the screen and directed by Stuart Beattie from a screen story by Grevioux and Beattie. The film is brought to life by a cast that includes Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney, Kevin Grevioux, Mahesh Jadu, Caitlin Stasey and Aden Young as Victor Frankenstein. Lionsgate/Lakeshore Entertainment/Sidney Kimmel Entertainment present a Hopscotch Features/Lakeshore Entertainment/Lionsgate/Sidney Kimmel Entertainment production.

“We’re very pleased to extend our longstanding partnership with IMAX around the world, and we’re thrilled to bring audiences an immersive experience in IMAX that will give resonance to I, Frankenstein’s visual scope and effects,” said Lionsgate President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution Richard Fay.

For more information about I, Frankenstein, please visit Lionsgate’s official website at http://www.lionsgate.com/movies/ifrankenstein/

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: HSN Invites Holiday Shoppers To Win Big With Its More The Merrier Sweepstakes Presented By Toyota; Exciting New Launches And Special Holiday Offers

HSN’s Biggest Holiday Sweepstakes Ever includes a 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid Giveaway; Tickets to Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiential Events; Special Holiday Gift Bundles; Facebook and Instagram Contests and More

More the Merrier Holiday Shopping Season on HSN, HSN.com and HSN Mobile Begins Today

Interactive lifestyle retailer HSN is the ultimate destination for gifts this holiday season with curated options, special offers and exciting giveaways. Holiday shoppers will find everything they need to check off their list when they visit the More the Merrier Holiday Gift Store on www.HSN.com.  The gifting portal offers unique, exciting gifts; all presented by today’s hottest brands, biggest designers, well-known celebrities and trusted experts.

HSN customers will have the opportunity to win big during the “More the Merrier Sweepstakes presented by Toyota.” The nine-week, multi-platform sweepstakes offers consumers the chance to win an array of prizes through the HSN Arcade gaming portal on www.HSN.com or by using their tablet or smartphone via HSN Mobile.  Top prizes include:

— 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid – One lucky winner will bring home the redesigned 2014 Camry Hybrid.  Toyota has combined Camry reliability with refined design, extra features and hybrid technology in this sophisticated new model from Toyota.

— NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Getaway – Those who have a need for speed will find the perfect getaway if they win this exciting trip for two to the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota Owners 400 race at the Richmond International Speedway. The once-in-a-lifetime vacation package includes hotel and airfare, VIP tickets to the race, pre-race pit and garage access and the chance to meet a Sprint Cup Toyota driver.

— HSN Holiday Gift Bundles – Tis the Chic Season…Gifty Gadgets…Eat, Drink and Be Merry…these are just a few of the specially themed gift packages that HSN will be awarding winners weekly from October 15 through December 19.  These highly creative gift bundles will include a wide range of gifts including luxurious handbags from Twiggy, Beats Pill wireless speakers, Dyson Hard DC56 vacuums and more!

— Ozark Mountains Guided Fishing Trip – A fisherman’s dream vacation, one lucky winner and a guest will win a two-night getaway to the Big Cedar Lodge in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.  During the trip, they will have the opportunity to fish with Kevin VanDam, the number one angler in the world.

New Launches

For the aspiring musician on your list, four-time Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban will present his new Urban Guitar Collection exclusively on HSN on November 3. This beautiful new guitar set will look great under any Christmas tree and provide years of enjoyment as you learn how to play guitar from Urban himself through easy to follow instructional DVDs.

The legendary Iris Apfel has teamed up with Swarovski to create a special HSN jewelry capsule collection. With more information to come closer to the launch in early December, shoppers will be able to purchase the launch pieces of this special collaboration for holiday.

Culinary gifts are great for the foodies in your family – or to help out the hostess in need.  Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia will debut a collection of kitchenware set to launch exclusively on HSN, HSN.com and HSN mobile this November just in time for the holiday entertaining season.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Introduces Complimentary High-Speed Internet Access For Loyal Guests Of The Brand

Exclusive new benefit for guests who create an online profile and book via mandarinoriental.com

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (www.mandarinoriental.com) announced today that it will offer its exceptional high-speed internet service on a complimentary basis to guests who create an online profile and book published rates through the luxury hotel company’s website www.mandarinoriental.com.

Creating an online profile ensures that guests’ preferences and needs are better met across the portfolio. Booking accommodation at rates published on www.mandarinoriental.com also benefits guests, as the Group promises that rates offered online are the best available anywhere. If a better rate can be found it will not only be matched, but guests will receive a further 10% reduction.

In return, guests can enjoy complimentary access to exceptional on-line connectivity via superior bandwidths for up to six personal devices at every participating Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide.

“At Mandarin Oriental we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service, and in this digital age, we understand that fast internet connections are essential. With the added benefit of being able to seamlessly connect up to six devices in the comfort of their room, our guests can work comfortably and efficiently,” said Michael Hobson, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Chief Marketing Officer.

As an extension, guests who book Mandarin Oriental’s Best Available Rate via selected travel agency partners will also receive complimentary high-speed internet access.

National Geographic Channel Presents New Evidence That May Unlock the Centuries-Old Mystery of Bigfoot

Two-Hour Special Premieres Sunday, November 17, at 8 PM ET/PT

Has a British scientist finally unlocked the mystery of Bigfoot? Yetis –also known as the Abominable Snowman and one of the most elusive Bigfoot legends– have been recorded for centuries in the Himalayas, with local people and even eminent mountaineers claiming to have come face-to-face with the hairy, ape-like creatures. A photograph of a Yeti footprint, taken by British climber Eric Shipton at the base of Everest in 1951, sparked global Yeti mania.

New DNA research collected by Professor Bryan Sykes, a leading British geneticist, reveals a unique genetic link the may answer the centuries-old mystery — what is Bigfoot? The results are featured in a new two-hour special, Bigfoot: Revealed [wt], produced for Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. and premiering in the U.S. Sunday, November 17, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. (For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and follow us on Twitter at @NGC_PR.)

Sykes, professor of human genetics at the University of Oxford, sets off on a global quest to unlock the real story of Bigfoot, collected and tested Yeti hair samples in the western Himalayas to find out what species they came from. After subjecting the hairs to the most sophisticated DNA tests available and comparing the results to other animals’ genomes stored on the GenBank database, he found that he had a 100 percent match with a sample from an ancient polar bear jawbone that dates back at least 40,000 years — a time when the polar bear and closely related brown bear were separating as different species.

“This is an exciting and completely unexpected result that gave us all a surprise,” says Sykes. The Yeti DNA results are part of the most ambitious Bigfoot DNA analysis the world has ever seen, the Oxford Lausanne Collateral Hominid Project, which looks at the genetic relationship between our own species of Homo sapiens and other hominids.

Last year Sykes put out a worldwide call for samples from formally undescribed species, such as the Yeti in the Himalayas, Sasquatch in America’s Pacific Northwest and the Almasty in the mountains and tundra of Russia. All are mysterious creatures that have fascinated cryptozoologists and confounded scientists for decades. The study set out to discover whether Bigfoot is an ancient hominid, a member of the human family like Neanderthals, giant apes or some other species — or whether it is simply a hoax.

It’s a controversial subject, beset with scandals that have destroyed the careers of respected scientists in the past. But Sykes is undeterred. “‘Bigfootologists’ and other enthusiasts seem to think that they’ve been rejected by science,” he says. “Now I think that’s a complete distortion of what science is about. Science doesn’t accept or reject anything, all it does is examine the evidence and that is what I’m doing.”

Sykes has assembled substantial physical evidence and analyzed more than 30 of the most credible samples he has received. The results, including Sasquatch in the U.S. and Almasty in Russia, will be featured in the two-hour special.

Bigfoot: Revealed [wt] is produced for Channel 4 and National Geographic Channels (NGC) by Icon Films. For Icon Films, executive producers are Laura Marshall and Harry Marshall. For NGC, executive producer is Madeleine Carter; vice president, production & development is Kevin Mohs; executive vice president of programming and strategy is Heather Moran; and president is Howard T. Owens.

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 48 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com

Covergirl Launches Exclusive New Beauty Partnership with Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

COVERGIRL creates striking new CAPITOL COLLECTION beauty campaign inspired by the film

Artwork and Poster Images provided by Lionsgate and CoverGirl

In May 2013, COVERGIRL announced its first-ever major movie sponsorship of Lionsgate’s highly anticipated The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, scheduled for release in North American theaters on November 22, 2013. Inspired by the popular young adult science fiction series, “The Hunger Games”, CoverGirl has created a special line of makeup evoking the “districts” of the world in The Hunger Games novels. The line includes twelve unique beauty looks ranging from themes like Power and Fishing. The cosmetics collection for each look features products for the nails, lips, eyes and face. The CoverGirl Capitol Beauty Collection is in stores now.

District 1 – Luxury

District 3 – Technology

District 5 – Power

District 6 – Transportation

District 7 – Lumber

District 8 – Textiles

District 9 – Grain

District 10 – Livestock

District 11 – Agriculture

District 12 – Mining

District 2 – Masonry

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson lead an all-star cast in the second installment of The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The trailer, which debuted in April, has been viewed over 25 million times on YouTube; and the film promises to illustrate the exquisite splendor in the world of the Capitol in rich detail, and the film’s makeup department used COVERGIRL products on set to create the film’s luxurious, high couture looks.

“With The Hunger Games: Catching Fire partnership, we wanted to redefine cosmetics’ relationship to film with a fantasy-meets-reality beauty experience,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, VP and General Manager, Global P&G Cosmetics. “The film inspired COVERGIRL campaign coming out this fall truly will bring beauty transformation to life in an aspirational, dramatic fashion.  All of us at COVERGIRL were captivated by Suzanne Collins’ novels and the first film, so we’re thrilled to collaborate with Lionsgate on such a bold beauty partnership with the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

“We are excited to announce COVERGIRL as the exclusive makeup partner for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” said Paula Kupfer, Lionsgate’s Vice President of Promotions and Consumer Products. “The exquisite beauty and style in the world of the Capitol is a focal point of this film. Partnering with an innovative brand like COVERGIRL to create an additional layer of beauty storytelling and inspiration for the fans is new territory that we’re delighted to explore.”

Over the past year, COVERGIRL has stood out in the beauty category with its addition of several new spokeswomen, including P!NK, Janelle Monae and NERVO, who, along with the brand, embrace beauty with a sense of authentic individuality and fearlessness. COVERGIRL’s partnership with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the latest expression of the brand’s passion and commitment to continue to break barriers in beauty.

New “Fishy Hook” Pendant Collection to be debuted at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show by Anisa Jewelry Designs

Anisa Jewelry Designs unveils its new “Fishy Hook”  Pendant Collection just in time for the Holiday Season at  the 54th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct. 31^st thru Nov 4^th, 2013.

All the pieces are first hand carved in wax by Anisa Stewart and then cast into non-tarnish sterling silver and hand polished and finished by a family of fishing enthusiasts in Southwest Florida. Because they are made with the non-tarnish sterling silver they are perfect for the Florida Salt air and seas.

Anisa Jewely Designs

Anisa Jewely Designs

Anisa Stewart, of Anisa Jewelry Designs has been designing and making handmade non-tarnish sterling silver jewelry inspired by the Ocean for the last seven year’s in Fort Myers, Fl. This new collection of “Fishy Hooks” pendants is sure to be loved by the boating, fishing and ocean lovers everywhere with its whimsical fish faces within the hook pendant’s. These pieces will be available for sale, at retail prices ranging from $175 to $225 at The 2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and then after that at  www.anisajewelry.com, or contacting anisajewelry@aol.com

JW Marriott Marquis Miami And Christie’s Celebrate Miami’s Art Deco Landscape With Pre-sale Exhibition During Miami Art Week 2013

Global Brand Partners Host 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design Pre-Sale Exhibition

JW Marriott® (www.marriott.com, www.jwmarriottmarquismiami.com) and Christie’s have banded together to present a pre-sale exhibition of 20th Century Decorative Arts and Design and Ettore Sottsass: Important Works from a Private Collection during Miami Art Week 2013, December 2 – December 9, 2013. With its unique integration of 20th Century furniture, jewelry, drawings and decorative objects, both collections are truly unparalleled, and feature important works of 20th Century design by Antoni Gaudí, Jean-Michel Frank, Eugene Printz, Jean Royere, Isamu Noguchi, Fernando and Humberto Campana, and Claude Lalanne. The exhibition will be open to the public from daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. (PRNewsFoto/Marriott International, Inc.)

The JW Marriott Marquis Miami is situated in Miami’s new Metropolitan Miami development. The first-to-market JW Marriott property boasts 313 guestrooms, inclusive of 56 suites, along with a broad array of amenities, including renowned chef-restaurateur, Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne.  Offering a diverse setting for business, meeting and pleasure travel pursuits, the 41-story hotel features three concierge levels; 80,000-square-feet of total function space including a 20,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom; and one of the most unique indoor sports, lifestyle and entertainment complexes of any hotel in the U.S. The 50,000-square-foot, two-story indoor facility includes a NBA-approved basketball arena, tennis court, Mariano Bartolome Golf School, virtual bowling alley, billiards, full-service enliven spa and salon and more. Owned and operated by Met 2 Hotels LLC, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami is located at 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL. (For additional information and booking please visit www.jwmarriottmarquismiami.com.)

JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Christie’s Celebrate Miami’s Art Deco Landscape with Pre-Sale Exhibition During Art Week 2013. (PRNewsFoto/Marriott International, Inc.)

As official hotel partner of Art Basel Miami Beach 2013, Design Miami, Art Miami, and the Perez Art Museum, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami (www.jwmarriottmarquismiami.com) is immersed in the growing art scene already present in the city. Besides it’s more than $250,000 in sponsorships, and its support of other arts orginazations such as the Miami International Symphony Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera and others, the hotel and JW Marriott brand boast a strategic partnership with Christie’s, the world’s leading art auction house.  The partnership began during Art Basel Miami Beach 2010 when the hotel featured a popular exhibition of Post-War and Contemporary highlights which included pieces from artists such as Andy Warhol, Antony Gormley and Damien Hirst.

Procter & Gamble Brands Unite to Kick Off Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games “Thank You Mom” Campaign by Launching a Series of 28 “Raising an Olympian” Films

THE “RAISING AN OLYMPIAN” SERIES PAYS TRIBUTE TO MOMS BY SHOWCASING THE JOURNEY OF WORLD-CLASS ATHLETES AS SEEN THROUGH EYES OF THEIR MOTHERS

Procter & Gamble, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, kicked off the company’s Thank You Mom campaign this week with the “Raising an Olympian” series featuring Olay® athlete Lindsey Vonn (United States), Gillette® athletes Felix Neureuther (Germany) and Sven Kramer (Netherlands) and Pantene® athlete Elena Ilinykh (Russia). P&G sees its sponsorship of the Olympic Games through a special lens. That’s why when a P&G brand supports an athlete, they also celebrate the mom who raised them. Through the Raising an Olympian Series P&G is paying homage to moms of athletes from across the globe, bringing to life the daily lessons all moms teach. From their kid’s first steps to their first failures, the series highlights the unconditional love moms give their kids no matter what.

 

The launch of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics “Thank You Mom” Campaign marks 100 days to go until the start of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and is supported by more than fifteen P&G brands around the globe such as Pampers®, Head & Shoulders® and COVERGIRL®. The P&G Thank You Mom campaign recognizes and celebrates the moms behind the athletes by thanking moms for all they do to raise good kids and is part of P&G’s worldwide sponsorship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the biggest campaign in the company’s 175-year history.

P&G began a sponsorship with the USOC for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The company then signed a 10-year partnership as a TOP sponsor with the IOC, extending through 2020. P&G’s London 2012 Olympic Games campaign saw the start of the Raising an Olympian series, which showcased the journey of world-class athletes as seen through the eyes of their moms. As part of the Sochi 2014 campaign, the company will continue its tribute to moms and athletes around the world, producing 28 Raising an Olympian films.

Collectively, P&G’s Family of Sponsored Athletes set three World Records and won 42 Olympic Gold, 28 Olympic Silver and 15 Olympic Bronze medals in the span of 17 days during the London 2012 Olympic Games. P&G received 55 internationally recognized industry awards for the London campaign overall including: Nine Cannes Lion Awards, Two Effie Awards and Five Sabre Awards. Serving as a quintessential element of the Thank You Mom campaign, P&G launched its “Best Job” commercial, which celebrates the role moms play in raising Olympians and in raising great kids overall. The commercial, which was the cornerstone of the Thank You Mom campaign, won the best primetime commercial Emmy in 2012 at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony in Los Angeles and garnered more than 21 million views.

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Tequila Herradura Releases Cognac Cask Finish Reposado

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish to be available nationwide in November

Tequila Herradura (www.herradura.com) announces the release of its second in a series of small-batchtequilas, Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado. Credited with creating the first reposado expression and extra anejo expression in the tequila industry, Casa Herradura continues its legacy of innovation with Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado, a tequila that underwent a double maturation process in two different types of oak casks: American and French.

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado. (PRNewsFoto/Tequila Herradura)

Casa Herradura is one of Mexico’s most historic and renowned tequila producers and has been hand harvesting, handcrafting and estate bottling fine tequilas from the small town of Amatitan, Jalisco, since 1870. In 2007, Casa Herradura was acquired by Brown-Forman Corporation of Louisville, Ky., is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality beverages and alcohol brands.

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado is uniquely crafted by Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara, using traditional production methods and a proprietary fermentation from naturally-occurring wild yeast. The tequila is then aged to perfection in American oak barrels for 11 months and is transferred to French oak casks sourced from the historic Cognac region for an additional three months. The double-barrel maturation process accentuates the aromas of cooked agave and dried fruit, which is balanced on the palate by earthy and spicy notes. The finish is exceptionally smooth and warm with caramel and vanilla undertones. The Coleccion de la Casa series is the best example in the industry of how each of the sources of flavor – agave, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation – impacts the character of the final product.

Tasting Notes for Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado

Color: Clear, with golden and brilliant hues.

Aroma: A masterful combination of agave and smoked oak transitioning to robust spice and dried fruits.

Taste: The finest aged tequila is highlighted by the balance of earthy and spice notes with a touch of smoke and fruit.

Finish: The unique cognac aging results in a smooth warm finish of caramel and vanilla.

“The barrel is a key ingredient in the final aging process of tequila and through cask-finishing our tequila in two different types of woods, we are able to add a new layer of flavor and aroma and create a superb and multi-dimensional tequila,” said Tequila Herradura’s Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara.

“Tequila is a vibrant industry and we are proud of our leadership in the category for the last 143 years,” said Ann Stickler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Brown-Forman’s Tequilas. “It is a formidable challenge to create a whole new style of tequila and that is what we’ve been able to achieve with our limited edition Coleccion de la Casa releases.”

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado will be available throughout the United States at fine wine and spirits stores in November. The 750ml bottles will be available with a suggested retail price of $89.99. A limited quantity will be available in Mexico, Canada, Australia and El Salvador.

For more information about Tequila Herradura, visit www.herradura.com/ or the brand’s social media platforms: Facebook at www.facebook.com/Herraduratequila; Twitter at https://twitter.com/HerraduraTeq; Instagram @HerraduraTeq.

Chaparral Boats Launches Three New Boat Models

Building on Chaparral Boats’ stream of innovative new product introductions, the company just launched three new boats— the 307 SSX and the 21-foot H2O with Sport and Ski & Fish versions—at its recently completed International Dealer Conference in Key Largo, Florida.

Chaparral Boats, Inc. and Robalo Boats LLC are leading manufacturers of fiberglass boats under two brand names: stern drive and inboard pleasure boats by Chaparral, including H2O Sport and Fish & Ski Boats, SSi and SSX Sportboats, Sunesta Sportdecks, Xtreme Towboats, Signature Cruisers and Premiere Sport Yachts, and outboard sport fishing boats by Robalo.

The three new boats showcase the diversity of the 2014 Chaparral fleet. The 307 SSX is the newest addition to Chaparral’s premium quality SSX Sport Boat Series. Each of the last three years Chaparral had introduced 32-foot, 25-foot and 27-foot SSX offerings. The new 307 bridges the size gap and rounds out the Series perfectly.

Sporting a 30-foot 6-inch centerline with a 9’ 6” beam, the new 307 SSX offers Extended V-Plane performance, a fully enclosed head, a double-wide companion seat and Chaparral’s all new hand-stitched vinyl wrapped dash design. At home on lakes, rivers or even offshore, the 307 SSX is available with either twin or single engine power options.

The two new 21-footers are part of Chaparral’s widely acclaimed H2O Series which is noted for its “No Haggle, Real Deal” Nationally advertised pricing. The new 21-foot Sport sells for $32,455 including a trailer. The new 21-foot Ski & Fish at $34,075 combines first-rate fishing features with eye-catching styling, exceptional storage space, amazing ride comfort and Chaparral quality.

Chaparral Boats and Robalo Boats are subsidiaries of Marine Products Corporation. For more information about Marine Products Corporation, Chaparral, and Robalo visit their websites at www.marineproductscorp.com, www.chaparralboats.com, and www.robalo.com.

Awards season 2013/2014: Jaguar Cars to Become Title Sponsor of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles’ 2013 BAFTA LA JAGUAR BRITANNIA AWARDS®

BAFTA LA JAGUAR BRITANNIA AWARDS® to honor some of the world’s leading entertainment personalities

Jaguar to feature the all new F-TYPE sports car at Awards Ceremony

Jaguar Cars announced today that they will elevate their presence in Hollywood by joining with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA LA) as the official 2013 title sponsor of the BAFTA LA JAGUAR BRITANNIA AWARDS®. The Jaguar Britannia Awards®, taking place November 9 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, celebrates the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to excellence in the international entertainment industry. Honors are given for excellence in film, directing and comedy, as well as for worldwide contribution to entertainment and for use of the moving image for humanitarian causes.

JAGUAR CARS TO BECOME TITLE SPONSOR OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS LOS ANGELES’ 2013 BAFTA LA JAGUAR BRITANNIA AWARDS(R). (PRNewsFoto/Jaguar)

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles is the only Anglo-American professional organization founded to promote and advance original work in film, television and interactive media. BAFTA Los Angeles serves as the bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities, and provides exclusive access to screenings, Q&As with creative talent, produces seminars with leading UK film and television executives and the Heritage Archive, featuring broadcast-quality interviews with distinguished British members of the film and television industries, giving life to the preservation of the UK film industry for future generations. aintaining a long tradition of recognizing the finest filmmaking and television talent, BAFTA Los Angeles hosts a series of events, including the prestigious Britannia Awards, the Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties in January and September and the annual Garden Party.

A commitment to professional and community education is at the heart of the Academy’s charitable remit. BAFTA Los Angeles hosts the Student Film Awards and has an active Scholarship Program offering financial support and mentorship to UK students studying in the U.S. The Academy created The Inner City Cinema, a screening program providing free screenings of theatrical films to inner city areas not served by theatres. The success of Inner City Cinema has led to further free screening programs extended to multiple inner city parks through the Academy’s work with both the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks After Dark) and The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (Teen Summer Camps).

JAGUAR CARS TO BECOME TITLE SPONSOR OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS LOS ANGELES’ 2013 BAFTA LA JAGUAR BRITANNIA AWARDS(R). (PRNewsFoto/Jaguar)

The awards are presented annually at a gala dinner where peers and colleagues celebrate the work and accomplishments of distinguished honorees. Proceeds from the gala ceremony support BAFTA Los Angeles’ on-going education, scholarship, community outreach and archival projects.

The 2013 Jaguar Britannia Awards® will be hosted by award winning actor and comedian, Rob Brydon. BAFTA LA will honor Sir Ben Kingsley with the “Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment”; George Clooney with the “Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film”; Kathryn Bigelow with the “John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing”; Idris Elba with the “Britannia Humanitarian Award”; Sacha Baron Cohen with the “Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy”; and Benedict Cumberbatch with the “Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year.”

Jaguar will be showcasing its presence at the Jaguar Britannia Awards through several activations taking place throughout the famed Beverly Hilton’s grounds. The brand’s own star of the night will be the recently launched 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE, a return to the company’s heart: a two-seat, convertible sports car and a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years. A series of F-TYPE cars including, in true British fashion, several which are to be Union Jack emblazoned, will be on display. Assuring the evening’s honorees arrive in style, sleek Jaguar XJ sedans will chauffeur them to the event.

“This partnership with BAFTA LA and Jaguar aims to highlight the increasing appreciation for British innovation in everything from the entertainment and fashion worlds to luxury goods and automobiles,” said Jeff Curry, Brand Vice President, Jaguar North America. “We look forward to partnering with BAFTA LA to promote British excellence in the entertainment industry on both sides of the Atlantic and to celebrate the tremendous talent of the evening’s remarkable honorees.”

The awards will air on national TV on Sunday, November 10, 2013 on BBC America. For more information on the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles, visit www.baftala.org.

Brooks Brothers Partners With One Warm Coat®: RETAILER ACCEPTING COAT DONATIONS TO BENEFIT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Brooks Brothers, the iconic American brand, proudly announces their partnership with One Warm Coat®. One Warm Coat ( www.onewarmcoat.org) is a national organization that helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute them free, to people in need. Brooks Brothers retail, factory and airport stores across the U.S. and Canada will be participating to reach One Warm Coat’s goal – collect coats to give to those in need, free of charge.

From Tuesday, October 29th through Monday, November 4th, Brooks Brothers retail, factory and airport stores across the U.S. and Canada will be collecting gently used coats for their local charities during regular store hours. Customers who partake in donating a gently worn coat will receive 25% off a new coat at all Brooks Brothers retail locations and 15% off a new outerwear piece at all Brooks Brothers Factory Stores.

As America’s oldest retailer, Brooks Brothers has long been a fashion innovator. Established in New York City in 1818, Brooks Brothers was the first to offer ready-to-wear clothing and has continued throughout history with iconic product introductions including: seersucker, madras, the non-iron shirt and the original button-down collar. Nearly two centuries later, the company is proud to uphold the same traditions and values and to be the destination for ladies and gentlemen from every generation.

One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit organization that assists in the donation of coats. The organization helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute them free, to people in need. Its mission is to ensure that anyone who needs a coat has one. Providing this simple, yet vital, need helps people live productive lives year round. Since its inception, over 4 million coats have been collected and distributed through One Warm Coat activities. For more information about One Warm Coat, visit www.onewarmcoat.org

Established in 2007, Brooks Brothers’ The Golden Fleece Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to giving back to the communities we serve. Since its founding, it has sought to foster one of Brooks Brother’s core values: relationships. Support of our efforts is primarily provided through the generosity and dedication of our customers, associates and corporate partners. These relationships are leveraged in a way that results in mutually coming together in support of common causes relevant to the mission of the Golden Fleece Foundation and to the internal culture of caring. The Golden Fleece Foundation is dedicated to developing broad-based alignments of fundraising efforts to make a significant difference, and deliver the combined efforts of our charitable events and drives to the most in-need causes. We are committed to making a difference to those in need in our immediate neighborhoods as well as around the world.

“We are proud to work with One Warm Coat,” said Emilie Antonetti, Managing Director of Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation.  “Partnering with One Warm Coat allows our stores to build relationships with their local charities and offers our customers the opportunity to help those in need in their local communities.”

Jennifer Stockard, One Warm Coat President and CEO, added “We are thrilled to be joined by Brooks Brothers in our work to make it a warmer winter for people in need. Their legacy of community service combined with their network of stores and committed team members make them a perfect fit for One Warm Coat.”

For more information, visit your local Brooks Brothers retail or factory store or online at www.brooksbrothers.com.

A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk Symposium at The Museum at FIT, November 8 & 9, 2013

The Museum at FIT’s thirteenth fashion symposium, A Queer History of Fashion, boasts over twenty participants, more than any symposium we’ve held yet. Over the course of two days, an international array of scholars, authors, designers, and curators will discuss both historical and contemporary issues related to queer designers, icons, fashion and style. And this year it’s FREE!

The symposium A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk will be held in the Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Auditorium, on the second floor of FIT’s Marvin Feldman Center, on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in New York City.

The exhibition A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk, currently on view, is the first museum exhibition to explore in depth the significant contributions to fashion made by LGBTQ individuals over the past 300 years. Join the conversation on the exhibition Facebook page.

Registration is required. Space permitting, attendees may register the day of the symposium. Check out the exhibition Facebook page for all the latest on queer fashion. (See schedule here: http://www.fitnyc.edu/21499.asp)

Day 1, Friday November 8, Haft Auditorium

9:00 am: Check-in

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Dr. Joyce F. Brown, President of FIT, Welcome
• Dr. Valerie Steele, A Queer History of Fashion
• Simon Doonan & Fred Dennis, in conversation
• James Gager, MAC: All Ages, All Races, All Sexes
• Dr. Christopher Breward, Couture as Queer Auto/Biography
• John Bartlett, My Life as a Gay Designer
• Dr. Monica L. Miller, All Hail the Q.U.E.E.N.: Janelle Monae and A Tale of the Tux

2:00 pm – 5:00 PM

• Fran Lebowitz and Valerie Steele, in conversation
• Kevin Sessums, The World was Safer Sitting Under my Grandmother’s Singer Sewing Machine…
• Vicki Karaminas, ‘Born This Way’: Lesbian Style Since the Eighties
• Liz Collins, Art Dykes and Hag Fags: An Insider’s View of Queer Style Icons
• Hal Rubenstein, Do Gay Clothes Have More Fun?

Day 2

 Saturday November 9, Haft Auditorium

9:00 am: Check-in

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Randolph Trumbach, Man-Milliners and Macaronis: Clothes, Same-Sex Desire, and the 18th-Century Origins of the Modern Sexual System
• Elizabeth Wilson, What Does a Lesbian Look Like?
• Dr. Deirdre Clemente, Life in the Closet: Deconstructing Liberace’s Wardrobe
• Shaun Cole, Queerly Visible: Gay Men, Dress, and Style 1990-2013
• Jonathan D. Katz, Queer Self-Fashioning

2:00 pm – 5:00 PM

• Ralph Rucci, The Greatest Gay Fashion Designers
• Kevin Sessums, The World was Safer Sitting Under my Grandmother’s Singer Sewing Machine…
• Vicki Karaminas, ‘Born This Way’: Lesbian Style Since the Eighties
• Liz Collins, Art Dykes and Hag Fags: An Insider’s View of Queer Style Icons
• Hal Rubenstein, Do Gay Clothes Have More Fun?

 

Major Exhibition To Explore Modern and Contemporary Latino Art Opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Oct. 25

“Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art”, now open at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, presents the rich and varied contributions of Latino artists in the United States since the mid-20th century, when the concept of a collective Latino identity began to emerge. The exhibition is drawn entirely from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s pioneering collection of Latino art and explores how Latino artists shaped the artistic movements of their day and recalibrated key themes in American art and culture.

Melesio ‘’Mel’’ Casas, “Humanscape 62”, 1970, acrylic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment. © 1970, the Casas Family

The exhibition presents works in all media by 72 leading modern and contemporary artists. Of the 92 artworks featured in the exhibition, 63 have been acquired by the museum since 2011, representing its deep and continuing commitment to collecting Latino art. “Our America” will be on view from Oct. 25 through March 2, 2014. Following its presentation in Washington, D.C., the exhibition will travel to six cities across the United States. The exhibition is organized by E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Olga Albizu, “Radiante”, 1967, oil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of JPMorgan Chase

“The exhibition ‘Our America’ is the culmination of a major collecting initiative, still underway at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, to build a significant collection of Latino art in the nation’s capital,” said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “It is particularly exciting to debut so many artworks newly acquired for the museum’s permanent collection.”

The exhibition includes works by artists who participated in all the various artistic styles and movements, including abstract expressionism; activist, conceptual and performance art; and classic American genres such as landscape, portraiture and scenes of everyday life. Latino artists across the United States were galvanized by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s and they created new images of their communities and examined bicultural experiences. Many critically probed American history and popular culture, revealing the possibilities and tensions of expansionism, migration and settlement. Other Latino artists in the exhibition devoted themselves to experimentation, pushing the limits of their chosen medium. “Our America” presents a picture of an evolving national culture that challenges expectations of what is meant by “American” and “Latino.”

María Magdalena Campos-Pons, “Constellation”, 2004, instant color prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment. © 2004, María Magdale

“The relationship between Latino art and the larger world of American art in the post-War period is not simple or clear cut,” said Ramos. “Some artists, influenced by the activism of Latino civil rights movements, turned away from pure formalist discourse to tackle the pressing issues of the day. Others artists wholeheartedly embraced abstraction. An even larger group inhabited multiple worlds, infusing avant-garde modes with politically and culturally engaged themes.”

Holiday 2013 Gift Guide: Barbra Streisand’s “Back To Brooklyn” Concert To Debut November 25 As Columbia Records CD/DVD Package

“Barbra Streisand: Back to Brooklyn” will also air on Great Performances on Friday, November 29 at 9 p.m. (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Columbia Records has announced the simultaneous release of a CD and a CD/DVD package of Barbra Streisand’s critically acclaimed 2012 “Back To Brooklyn” concert, set to be released on November 25.  Filmed and recorded over two nights, the CD and DVD capture the superstar’s celebratory return to her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. With the CD, DVD and Deluxe CD/DVD, Barbra Streisand achieves yet another career milestone and proves along the way that you can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but you can’t take Brooklyn out of the girl.

A unique and compelling attraction of “Back To Brooklyn” is that the CD and CD/DVD combo features nine never previously performed songs by the star in concert. Ms. Streisand is the only recording artist to have accomplished #1 albums in five consecutive decades.  She has 51 gold albums, 30 platinum and 13 multi-platinum albums. Streisand has also earned eight gold DVDs, six of which have gone platinum and three of which have gone multi-platinum.

Barbra Streisand’s “Back To Brooklyn” Concert To Debut November 25 As Columbia Records CD/DVD Package. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records, Russell James, Copyright Barwood)

The DVD provides biographical video and still photo images of the artist’s childhood and early career. The evening marked her first musical performance in her native Brooklyn since she departed at age 16 to pursue her acting career and became one of the most popular and famous musical performers of her time.  Throughout the concert, Barbra reflects upon her years growing up in Brooklyn, and to mark the occasion, she commissioned special lyrics for two songs:

ACT I opens with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” which she turns into an homage to “the Brooklyn docks, the nova lox” and other fond memories of the sights and sounds of her youth.  When she triumphantly sings, “I’ve come home at last,” the audience rises from their seats with a thunderous welcome back ovation.

Barbra Streisand’s “Back To Brooklyn” Concert To Debut November 25 As Columbia Records CD/DVD Package. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records, Russell James, Copyright Barwood)

Barbra Streisand’s “Back To Brooklyn” Concert To Debut November 25 As Columbia Records CD/DVD Package. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records, Russell James, Copyright Barwood)

ACT II pays tribute to the people and places in Brooklyn today, with a re-written lyric to Cole Porter’s “You’re The Top“: “You’re the top, you’re a Brooklyn trolley…you’re the top you’re a hot bialy!”

SUNDANCE SELECTS Will Release ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME On February 21st 2014

A film by Chiemi Karasawa, Executive Produced by Alec Baldwin and Cheryl Wiesenfeld and Produced by Elizabeth Hemmerdinger and Chiemi Karasaw

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Hamptons International Film Festival – Summer Docs 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Traverse City Film Festival 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Mill Valley Film Festival 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: BFI London Film Festival 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Chicago Film Festival 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Philadelphia Film Festival 2013**

**OFFICIAL SELECTION: Tribeca Film Festival 2013**

At 87, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch remains indisputably in the spotlight. In the revealing and poignant ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME, the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is showcased both on and off stage via rare archival footage and intimate cinema vérité. By turns bold, hilarious and moving, the film’s journey connects Stritch’s present to her past, and an inspiring portrait of a one-of-a-kind survivor emerges. In stolen moments from her corner room at the Carlyle and on breaks from her tour and work, candid reflections about her life are punctuated with photographs from her personal collection and words from friends (including Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Tina Fey, James Gandolfini and John Turturro). Whether dominating the stage, tormenting Alec Baldwin on the set of “30 Rock,” or sharing her personal takes on her struggles with aging and alcoholism, ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME reaches beyond the icon’s brassy exterior and reveals a multi-dimensional portrait of a complex woman and artist. ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME marks the directorial debut of acclaimed producer Chiemi Karasawa.

Submarine Deluxe Takes The Wheel With The U.S. Distribution Rights To “Weekend Of A Champion”

THE LOST DOC FROM PRODUCER ROMAN POLANSKI & DIRECTOR FRANK SIMON RESTORED BY BRETT RATNER’S RAT DOCUMENTARY FILMS TO HIT THEATERS NOVEMBER 22, 2013.

Submarine Deluxe, the distribution division of Submarine Entertainment founded and run by twin brothers Josh and Dan Braun, announced that it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Frank Simon’s documentary WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION, an entertaining vérité look at world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as Roman Polanski follows his attempt to win the Monaco Grand Prix. In 1971, Motor Racing fan Roman Polanski spent a weekend with world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as he attempted to win the Monaco Grand Prix.  Polanski was given intimate access to Stewart’s world for three days, both on the track and off.  The result is an extraordinarily rare glimpse into the life of a gifted athlete at the height of his powers. Forty years on, Polanski and Stewart meet once again.  In a remarkable post-script, they discuss the sport, both past and present, with a unique and unmatched perspective.

Known as the “Flying Scot,” Sir Jackie Stewart’s passion for motor racing drove him to become one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, winning three World Drivers’ Championships and Sports Illustrated Magazine’s 1973 “Sportsman of the Year” award, the only auto racer to win the title.  The same year, Jackie also won BBC’s “Sports Personality of the Year” award and was named as ABC’s “Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year”.

This was all before excelling at a new career in broadcasting, covering NASCAR races and the Indianapolis 500 in conjunction with also becoming a consultant for Ford Motor Company and continuing to be a spokesman for safer cars and circuits in Formula One.

In 1990, Jackie was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and was honored with his knighthood in 2001.

“It’s an honor and a thrill to be working with Roman Polanski, Jackie Stewart and Brett Ratner to bring Weekend of a Champion to a US audience. This is an exciting and thought provoking film that should reach beyond the base of racing and cinema fans,” said Dan Braun

Submarine Entertainment is a hybrid sales and production company, consulting and strategizing on the sale and distribution of feature films and documentaries and producing unique and high quality feature films, documentaries and television properties. Submarine Deluxe is the company’s distribution label, which releases features films and documentaries including Being Elmo, Love Marilyn and the Academy Award nominated Chasing Ice.

WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION had its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival.  The Hollywood Reporter called the film “An insider’s view of this high-risk, high-octane sport during its most lethally dangerous period.”

Submarine Deluxe will release the film theatrically across the country beginning November 22nd in NYC, with a nationwide rollout to follow. Presented by RatPac Entertainment’s documentary arm Rat Documentary Films, who first acquired and restored the film, WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION will also be released later on Netflix after its theatrical run. The film is Submarine’s follow-up to the Academy Award nominated film, CHASING ICE.

Rat Documentary Films is a division of RatPac Entertainment – the film finance and production partnership of filmmaker Brett Ratner and Australian mogul James Packer.  Ratner previously produced the controversial Sundance documentary Catfish; the acclaimed HBO documentaries Helmut by June, about the legendary photographer Helmut Newton and I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale, and for PBS the acclaimed Emmy®- nominated American Masters: Woody Allen – A Documentary.

As a director, Ratner has grossed over $2 billion worldwide, directing such hits as the “Rush Hour” trilogy, “Red Dragon,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and most recently, “Tower Heist.” Ratner’s next project is “Hercules,” which he is producing and directing starring Dwayne Johnson. James Packer is the Chairman of Crown Limited. Crown is one of Australia’s largest resort and entertainment groups and has properties and investments in Melbourne, Perth, Macau and London with a market capitalization of approximately $10 billion.

“Josh and Dan Braun have a passion for great cinema, most especially the documentary genre which makes Submarine the best home for Weekend of a Champion,” said Brett Ratner

A Street Celebration in Paris Launched The Isabel Marant For H&M Collection

On October 25th, enthusiasts including Audrey Tautou, January Jones, Freida Pinto, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Olga Kurylenko, Alice Dellal, Mélanie Doutey and Lou Lesage gathered in Paris to celebrate the launch of the Isabel Marant pour H&M Collection. In a lively urban atmosphere catching Marant’s bohemian energy, the collection was presented in cinematic settings that mixed images, films and models. Live performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Rappers Delight, originally of Sugarhill Gang was there to energize the atmosphere.

Audrey Tautou

Alek Wek wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Alexandra Golovanoff wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Alice Dellal is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Alma Jodorowsky is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Astrid Berges Frisbey is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Elena Perminova is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Freida Pinto wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Isabel Marant and Margareta van den Bosch

January Jones, Audrey Tautou, Isabel Marant and Freida Pinto.

January Jones is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Leila Bekhti is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

Olga Kurylenko is wearing Isabel Marant pour H&M

The event transported guests into a street slice of Paris, in the early 90s, the time when Isabel debuted her eponymous line: brasseries, neon signs, pizza shops, souvenir shops, epiceries, street vendors and people casually enjoying a stroll in the outdoors. The collection, that includes her most iconic pieces from her career, was presented in a filmic way. Images, films and street casted models revealed the world of Isabel Marant. The city being integral to her style, Paris came as a natural choice to celebrate the collection being launched on November 14 in around 250 stores worldwide and online.

“We wanted to present the collection in a way that felt real and casual, not a red-carpet extravaganza: this is how I see my work. I design for everybody and am constantly inspired by the world I see around me, so it felt natural to have an urban setting as the backdrop of the event. And it had to be Paris, because the city is part of my DNA,” says Isabel Marant.

Creating wearable looks with attitude is Isabel Marant’s straightforward design credo. Her collection for H&M symbolizes this distinctive philosophy: to offer real clothes that  capture the moment. With inspiration from the most beloved and iconic pieces from her career,  Marant has assembled an eclectic wardrobe of must-have downtown staples with trademark Parisian flair. Everything for a contemporary woman needs is included, from T-shirts to sweatshirts,  tailored outerwear to dresses, and chunky knits to sleek boots and bohemian accessories. Everything goes with everything, because Isabel is convinced that style is all about individual attitude. She encourages the wearer to interpret fashion freely.

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection is an eclectic mix of boho elegance and rock ‘n’ roll insouciance. The spirit is quintessentially Marant: masculine tailoring – expressed in coats and jackets with strong shoulders and cocooning cuts – is featured, together with skinny pants, sweatshirts, loose blouses, airy dresses and textured knits. Embellishment adds nuance, with tie-dye prints on pants and blouses and Western-style piping on lean pants. Skinny and cropped leather pants have an assertiveness softened by loop-knit pieces.

. Live performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Rappers Delight, originally of Sugarhill Gang

. Live performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Rappers Delight, originally of Sugarhill Gang

The same free-mix spirit extends to the teen wardrobe – a playful edit of its grown-up counterpart, with an emphasis on prints. Marant sees no real distinction between these two worlds – it’s mostly a matter of sizes. As a designer who started rebelling against accepted norms in her teens, it makes perfect sense to her.