Daily Archives: October 25, 2013

SALON/SANCTUARY Concerts Presents The Legendary HOPKINSON SMITH Performing DOWLAND’S EUROPE: THE WINDS OF CHANGE

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PROGRAM INCLUDES WORKS OF JOHN DOWLAND AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES TO CELEBRATE THE 450TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPOSER’S BIRTH

Thursday, November 7, 2013, THE RENAISSANCE LIBRARY OF THE FABBRI MANSION, 7 EAST 95TH STREET | NYC

TICKETS: $25 – $100

RSVP: +1 888. 718. 4253

Salon-Sanctuary Concerts

The legendary lutenist Hopkinson Smith, will perform Dowland’s Europe: The Winds of Change to celebrating the 450th anniversary of the composer’s birth, on Thursday, 7 November 2013 at the Renaissance Library of the Fabbri Mansion located on 7 East 95th Street. The Library, built during the Renaissance as part of the Ducal Palace of Urbino in Italy and brought to New York during WWI. This extraordinary event offers a chance to enjoy Renaissance repertoire in an atmosphere of unparalleled authenticity for a United States venue.

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The concert, part of the Salon / Sanctuary Concerts Series(www.salonsanctuary.org) founded by Artistic Director Jessica Gould in 2009 offers the special chance to hear pre-Romantic music in intimate venues that complement the historical context of the repertoire. Pleased to present special projects that cast a light on historical issues through the prism of music, Salon/Sanctuary takes pride in many special interdisciplinary performances featuring luminaries from the worlds of opera, theater, film, and dance. The series has garnered critical praise for its innovative programming, and continues to attract a diverse audience for its path breaking offerings. Past and future soloists on Salon/Sanctuary include countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, soprano Julianne Baird, violinists Monica Huggett, Robert Mealy, and Cynthia Roberts, oboist Gonzalo Ruiz, Harpsichordists Bradley Brookshire, Jory Vinikour, and Kenneth Weiss, NYCB principal dancers Jared Angel and Megan LeCrone, and actors Kathleen Chalfant, Melissa Errico, Ethan Peck, Campbell Scott, and Matthew Modine.

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Born in New York in 1946, Hopkinson Smith graduated from Harvard with Honors in Music in 1972. The next year he came to Europe to study with Emilio Pujol in Catalonia and Eugen Dombois in Switzerland. He then became involved in numerous chamber music projects including the founding of the ensemble Hespèrion XX. Since the mid-80’s, he has focused almost exclusively on the solo repertoires for early plucked instruments producing a series of prize-winning recordings for Astrée. These feature Spanish music for vihuela and baroque guitar, French lute music of the Renaissance and baroque, early 17th century Italian music and the German high baroque. Continue reading →

The LoungePac Debuts at the 2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

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Lounge in Luxury in THE MOST STYLISH PORTABLE FOLDING LOUNGE CHAIR ON WHEELS

“QUITE POSSIBLY THE WORLDS BEST OUTDOOR PORTABLE LOUNGE CHAIR”

The LoungePac (www.loungepac.com) is a Boater’s dream come through. With seven products in one, it’s a sleek lounger that’s portable, durable, weather-proof, compact and easy to clean and store, and weighs just 22 lbs and no assembly required. The LoungePac is a: Lounger/Chair, with Coolers, a Removable Tote Bag, a Pillow, a Backpack, an Umbrella and Speakers (with Amplifiers that plugs into most Phones using a standard headphone 3.5mm jack).

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To start, it’s easily transported on wheels in a fashion similar to that of rolling luggage. Once you have reached your destination, it just as easily opens up from its transport state in ten seconds and is ready to use. It’s all-inclusive design it is packed with lots of goodies for your comfort and convenience, giving everything you need without getting up. The LoungePac features 2 coolers (one on each side) with cup holders for keeping drinks/food close at hand (coolers can also hold wine bottles). The 4-foot wide Umbrella has SPF35 protection, can be mounts to the chair with a revolutionary new 360-degree umbrella mount–whether you are using LoungePac on grass or cement–and the umbrella slides right into its storage slot when LoungePac is folded. The back and the leg support are fully adjustable from seating to lying down with many positions. The pillow is adjustable and can be removed to allow loungers to lie face down and read a magazine while looking through a face hole.

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Last but not least, the LoungePac also comes with a removable tote bag for personal items (with mesh pockets) and holds a sound system. There is also a large storage compartment under the seat for towels, books, computers etc. With the LoungePac, having the best seat at the dock, beach, concert etc. will never again be a problem. It is the ultimate 21st century portable lounger.

For more information, visit www.loungepac.com where there are videos demonstrating all the features and the process of using, opening and closing the LoungePac.

And We’re Off!: The 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Officially Kicked-Off the Awards Season Honoring the Year’s Best Talent With Series of Star-Studded Surprise Presenters

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Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for DCP and Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The race is on. The 2013 Hollywood Film Awards gala ceremony lit up the night with a star-studded turnout at its 17th anniversary show on Monday night at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills. The A-list event attracted Hollywood’s elite to honor excellence in the art of filmmaking, as well as creative talent within the global creative community. The evening was hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell. (A full list of the 2013 Hollywood Film Awards honorees is listed below.)

Honorees recognized for their achievements at this year’s Hollywood Film Awards Gala included Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Coldplay, Lupita Nyong’o, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dan Scanlon, Michael De Luca, John Knoll, Steve McQueen, Jerry Weintraub, Lee Daniels, Michael B. Jordan, Sophie Nelisse, David Oyelowo, Michael Wilkinson, Judy Becker, Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, and Misty Upham, mostly for films yet to be released in the theaters but are seen to be potential box office and award season winners. These films includes “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, “August: Osage County”, and “Dallas Buyers Club”

Celebrity presenters for the evening included Jack Black, Octavia Spencer, Geoffrey Rush, Robert Downey Jr., Sean Penn, Kanye West, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Jane Fonda, Forest Whitaker, Brian Helgeland, Jennifer Garner, Sean Hayes, Robert Kazinsky, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett and Olivia Munn among others.

Multiplatinum, multiple award-winning recording act Coldplay was honored with the Hollywood Song Award for the hit song “Atlas” from Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack. The band’s Chris Martin gave a soaring solo performance of “Atlas,” in addition to accepting the award on behalf of Coldplay. The award was presented by 10-time Grammy winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Continue reading →

LaCie and Porsche Design Introduce The Ultra-Sleek LaCie Porsche Design USB (3.0) Key

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Just in time for 2013 PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo, LaCie and Porsche Design announced the new Porsche Design USB Key, the latest inclusion to Porsche Design’s exclusive electronics line. The LaCie Porsche Design USB Key is one of the few ultra-portable devices on the market to feature up to 32GB of capacity and USB 3.0 speed and melds design, performance and technology to give users a stylish accessory for any keychain, purse or briefcase.

Porsche Design is a luxury brand with a particular focus on technically inspired products. The Porsche Design brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The products stand for functional, timeless and purist design, characterized by their technical innovation. The product portfolio includes watches, sunglasses, luggage, a fashion collection for men and women as well as sports apparel, electronic products and a men’s fragrance line. All the products under the brand are designed at the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See (Austria) and are available worldwide in the company’s own stores, franchise stores, shops-in-shops, high end department stores and exclusive specialist retailers. (For additional information, visit www.porsche-design.com.)

Since 2003, LaCie and Porsche Design have worked closely to deliver products that are technically inspired, delivering lacie-logoflawless functionality in its purest form. Each company complements the other, with technical influence from LaCie, together with an exclusive design and luxury brand presented by Porsche Design.

The USB key joins LaCie’s line of Porsche Design Storage Devices. Referred to as the most beautiful external hard drives, LaCie’s Porsche Design Series is credited for its sleek lines and minimalist style. “Porsche Design’s electronics series is an elite group of products that represent timeless design and influential technology,” says Dr. Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “The LaCie Porsche Design USB Key embodies that by combining high-speed performance with a compelling and usable design.”

The LaCie Porsche Design USB Key is one of the smallest USB 3.0 keys available. But despite its small footprint, the key exudes Porsche Design’s esthetic and drives incredible performance up to 95MB/s*. It is also durable enough to withstand daily use thanks to the slim steel construction and scratch-resistant connector. While on a business trip, users can conveniently access, securely store and easily share large documents or media files in seconds.

LaCie’s Private/Public software protects confidential data stored on the LaCie Porsche Design USB Key. Even in case of loss, theft or unauthorized access, files are secured with AES 256-bit encryption and password protection. And for added accessibility and off-site backup, the LaCie Porsche Design USB Key comes with one-to-one capacity of Wuala Secure Cloud Storage for one year.

The LaCie Porsche Design USB Key is available in 16GB and 32GB capacities through the LaCie Online Store and LaCie Resellers starting at $29.99. It comes with a 2-year limited warranty. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.

Toys”R”Us Unwraps “Make All Their Wishes Come True” Marketing Campaign

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2013 TV ADS CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF TOYS”R”US THROUGH KIDS’ EYES AND SHOWCASE THE RETAILER’S UNIQUE ABILITY TO MAKE KIDS’ WISHES COME TRUE, WHILE COMMUNICATING ITS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES AND COMPELLING SERVICES

COMPANY’S HOLIDAY ADVERTISING STRATEGY, LED BY AN AMUSING AND HEARTWARMING TV COMMERCIAL, PLACES NEW FOCUS ON DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT, PLUS FULL INTEGRATION INTO PRINT VEHICLES

Toys”R”Us® has unwrapped its 2013 holiday marketing plans, and they include a new Holiday TV campaign that will allow parents and gift-givers to experience the magic of Toys”R”Us through children’s eyes. The broadcast commercial, which began airing on Sunday, October 20, takes viewers on an amusing and moving journey, as a group of children who think they’re going on a field trip to “Meet the Trees” but instead wind up at The World’s Greatest Toy Store™ with free rein of the endless aisles of fun at their fingertips. The sheer delight captured during this real-life, surprise trip shines a spotlight on the company’s ability to help make kids’ wishes come true.

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The new TV ads are the centerpiece of a fully integrated marketing campaign, encompassing digital, radio and print advertising. Created in partnership with The Escape Pod Agency, an award-winning creative agency based in Chicago, the spots will air on all major networks and cable stations throughout the holiday season.

“While the holidays are a busy time for families, we wanted our new marketing campaign to cause viewers to pause and be reminded of the true joy that lies at the center of gift-giving. At Toys”R”Us, we are uniquely positioned to bring smiles to children’s faces – our stores are a quintessential wonderland for kids and kids at heart,” said Peter Reiner, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Toys”R”Us, U.S. “We also wanted to clearly illustrate our number one objective, which is to help make shopping for kids even easier and more enjoyable for moms and dads. From Free Layaway to Price Match Guarantee, which now includes online retailers, we’re pulling out all the stops to help gift-givers get their ‘Wishin’ Accomplished’ at Toys”R”Us!”

A SPECIAL TOYS”R”US SURPRISE: NOT YOUR AVERAGE FIELD TRIP

To film the series of unique, moment-in-time TV commercials for Toys”R”Us, the company coordinated a carefully executed prank that would ultimately bring great joy to a group of very special children. As nearly 100 kids from local New York charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Boys & Girls Club, boarded a school bus for a field trip captained by Park Ranger Brad from “Meet the Trees Foundation,” their lack of enthusiasm was written all over their youthful faces.

After a 20-minute bus ride, during which the only sounds heard from the children were silent yawns and a few grumbles, Brad announced that they were approaching their destination. At that moment, Brad tore off his subdued Park Ranger regalia to reveal a Toys”R”Us uniform – this quickly got the kids’ attention – and told them that they were actually going to Toys”R”Us. The sheer excitement that ensued was nothing short of amazing. From there, Brad, along with Toys”R”Us employees and Geoffrey the Giraffe, guided the children into the store, where they were given free rein to browse every aisle of the store filled with the season’s hottest toys.

Discreetly placed cameras and GoPros were used to film the kids as they tested out the magic of Flutterbye Flying Fairies, took the wheels of Razor’s Crazy Cart for a spin, tapped the touchscreen of tabeo™ e2 to unlock must-have apps and applied faux lipstick in the mirror of the Sofia the First Royal Talking Vanity. In addition to the adorable and action-packed, real-life footage, the TV spots highlight the kids’ true-to-heart comments about why they love Toys”R”Us.

The Toys”R”Us TV ads will air on all major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CW, as well as A&E, Lifetime, HGTV, TLC, TBS, TNT, Animal Planet, E!, Food Network, USA, OWN, The Hub and Oxygen, among others. Top national morning and syndicated talk shows, including Good Morning America, The View, The Talk, Rachael Ray , Queen Latifah and Dr. Oz, will also air the commercials throughout the season.

TOYS”R”US PREPARES PARENTS FOR SUCCESS: #WISHINACCOMPLISHED

Featured at the end of each TV commercial and throughout many of the company’s print and online marketing vehicles, is the hashtag, #WishinAccomplished. All parents are on a mission during the busy holiday season to fulfill their kids’ wishes, while also hoping for a hassle-free shopping experience for themselves. This new hashtag, coupled with the many services offered by Toys”R”Us this season to make shopping a cinch, will have parents using #WishinAccomplished as they successfully check off the items on their kids’ wish lists. Continue reading →

Golden Globe® and Primetime Emmy® Award Winning AMC Drama Mad Men, Season Six Arriving On Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download November 5 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment

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Launching on DVD/Blu-Ray, Mad Men Season Six, rife with possibilities, explores the glamorous and ego-driven “Golden Age” of advertising in the late 1960’s New York City.  Don Draper (Hamm) and the rest of the award-winning cast continue to captivate as they deal with the aftereffects of adultery, divorce, a merger and an ever changing social climate.

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Featuring the most watched episode in series history, Mad Men: Season 6 arrives on Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download November 5 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. From creator Matthew Weiner (HBO’s “The Sopranos”), the critically acclaimed show features a top notch cast that includes Golden Globe® winner and Primetime Emmy® nominated Jon Hamm (Friends with Kids), Primetime Emmy® nominated Elisabeth Moss (TV’s “Top of the Lake”), Primetime Emmy® nominated Christina Hendricks (Ginger & Rosa), Primetime Emmy® nominated January Jones (X-Men: First Class), John Slattery (The Adjustment Bureau) and Primetime Emmy® nominated Robert Morse (TV’s “City of Angels”). As TV’s most talked about drama, Mad Men has been recognized for its intelligent storylines and stellar acting, winning three consecutive Golden Globe® Awards for Best Television Series – Drama and four consecutive Primetime Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.

The 3-disc Blu-ray and 4-disc DVD sets are packed with bonus materials, including numerous innovative featurettes that examine wardrobe and sets for the show as well as the time period and culture of the Mad Men era. Mad Men: Season 6 contains all 13 episodes and will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $49.97 and $49.98, respectively.