Musical Legends Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, And The Velvet Underground To Be Honored With The Recording Academy® 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

Thom Bell, Mo Ostin And Ralph S. Peer To Be Honored With Trustees Award

Alan Dower Blumlein To Receive Technical Grammy® Award

The Recording Academy® has announced its 2017 Special Merit Awards recipients. The Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, and the Velvet Underground. Thom Bell, Mo Ostin and Ralph S. Peer are the Trustees Award honorees; Alan Dower Blumlein is the Technical GRAMMY®Award recipient.

“This year’s Special Merit Awards recipients comprise a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects, and technical visionaries. Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their respective crafts have created a timeless legacy.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates performers who have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award honors contributions in areas other than performance. The recipients are determined by vote of The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are voted on by The Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing® Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy’s Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and/or companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording industry.

Additionally, The Recording Academy and Hal Leonard Books will publish A GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends, a hardcover book that collects two decades of artist-written tributes to The Academy’s annual Special Merit Awards honorees. Among those who have written tributes in the book are Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Whoopi Goldberg, Ice Cube, Miranda Lambert, Queen guitarist Brian May, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Patti Smith, and Yo-Yo Ma. The tributes were originally commissioned for the annual GRAMMY Awards program book and never published widely until now. A GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends will be in stores early January.

A deeply spiritual and affecting gospel singer, Shirley Caesar‘s emotive vocal talents were discovered in a church choir when she was 10 years old. She is arguably best known for her eight-year tenure with the Chicago-based gospel group the Caravans, whom she joined after appealing to Albertina Walker to sing a solo with the group. Electing to pursue a solo career in 1966 alongside her own choir, the Caesar Singers, she subsequently carved out a profile that earned her the title of First Lady of Gospel Music. Caesar’s roll call of achievements includes 11 GRAMMY Awards®, 14 Stellar awards, 15 Dove awards, a NAACP Image Award, a Soul Train Music Award, and two current 59th GRAMMY nominations.

A prodigy who began playing piano at age 3, Ahmad Jamal started performing professionally at 14 and was signed to Okeh Records by age 21. Trained in both traditional jazz and European classical piano styles, Jamal has been labeled as a jazz innovator who helped pioneer “cool jazz,” which had a significant influence on Miles Davis, among others. With a catalogue spanning seven decades, he is known for wonderful renditions of pieces such as “Poinciana” and “Dolphin Dance,” original compositions such as “Ahmad’s Blues,” the fantastic compilation Complete Live At The Spotlight Club 1958, and his most well-known album, 1958’s At The Pershing: But Not For Me.

Three-time GRAMMY winner Charley Pride taught himself to play guitar in his early teens, but he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. After playing in the Negro American League, he was signed by RCA Victor and in 1967 he became the first African-American singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. (Later, in 1993, Pride became the Grande Ole Opry’s first African-American member.) “Just Between You And Me” launched Pride to stardom, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination for 1966. In 1969 Pride scored his first No. 1 country hit with “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me).” The recognition led to a long and auspicious career for Pride, who is considered the first African-American superstar in country music.

Clive Davis and The Recording Academy® to Honor BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee During 2017 Grammy Week in Los Angeles

Lee is to Receive The GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons® Award at the 2017 Pre-GRAMMY® Gala

Annual Celebration Will Take Place On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, At The Beverly Hilton Hotel On The Eve Of The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Clive Davis and The Recording Academy® will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY® Gala on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening preceding the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards®. As part of the celebration, BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee will be recognized as the 2017 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons® honoree for her significant contributions to the music industry.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.

Sponsored by Hilton, Mastercard, JBL by HARMAN, and Delta Airlines, the invitation-only Pre-GRAMMY Gala has long been one of the music industry’s most prestigious events, having hosted the industry’s top leaders and welcomed the world’s most talented artists on its stage. For nearly 10 years, the gala has also included a presentation to honor industry luminaries through The Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons Award. Past recipients include Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Sir Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee

National Geographic Channel And Katie Couric Chronicle The Gender Revolution With Moving Human Stories In Two-Hour Documentary

Two-Hour Documentary Hosted and Executive Produced by Couric to Premiere Feb. 6 at 9/8c Timed to National Geographic Magazine January Single-Topic Issue Exploring Gender Issues Around the Globe

It used to appear so simple for many of us: you were a boy or you were a girl. Girls wore pink, and boys wore blue; girls played with dolls, and boys played with trucks. Yet around the globe, these traditional notions of gender are changing rapidly, and labels are no longer so clear cut. National Geographic sets out to explore this evolving concept of gender through the lens of science, society and culture in the groundbreaking new two-hour documentary Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric, premiering Monday, Feb. 6, at 9/8c. Produced by Katie Couric Media with National Geographic Studios and World of Wonder Productions, the special will also air on National Geographic around the globe in 171 countries and in 45 languages.

Gender Revolution will explore the complexities of gender in everyday life, from the moment we are born through our twilight years. To better understand this complex social and scientific issue, Couric crisscrossed the U.S. to talk with scientists, psychologists, activists, authors and families to learn more about the role of genetics, brain chemistry and modern culture on gender fluidity. With conversations that range from the scientifically enlightening to the deeply personal, Couric’s unflinching search for truth sheds light on countless untold stories of struggle, understanding, ignorance, hurt and love.

“It’s hard to avoid hearing about some aspect of gender these days. Every time you check your phone, turn on the TV or scan Twitter, there’s another story that’s challenging our preconceived notions of what gender is, how it’s determined and the impact these new definitions are having on society,” said Couric. “I set out on a journey to try to educate myself about a topic that young people are living with so effortlessly — and get to know the real people behind the headlines. Because the first step to inclusiveness and tolerance is understanding.”

Among those Couric meets on her journey are the following:

• Georgiann Davis, an activist who explores how intersex traits are defined, experienced and contested in contemporary U.S. society; intersexuality is a condition doctors estimate affects one in every 1,500 to 2,000 births
• Dr. Joshua Safer, an endocrinologist engaged in clinical research who addresses a lack of knowledge on medical topics regarding transgender-identified individuals
• Prof. Kristina Olson, who is conducting a 20-year study of hundreds of young transgender and gender-nonconforming kids
• Transgender individuals of almost every generation — from a 4-year-old in Washington, D.C., to a retiree in California — who with their families face unique challenges as the result of their evolving gender identities
• Michaela Mendelsohn, a trans woman who owns six franchise businesses around Los Angeles and who, in response to tragically high jobless rates among transgender people, has dedicated her efforts to hire and promote trans workers at her restaurants
• Celebrity activists and pioneers such as tennis star Renee Richards and model and actress Hari Nef
• Gavin Grimm, a trans teen whose lawsuit seeking equal bathroom access is headed to the Supreme Court
• Countless other doctors and scientists who are on the frontlines of gender issues helping shape medical, social and psychological well-being

Further enhancing Couric’s intimate conversations are innovative graphics and animations that will help viewers understand the physiological nature of sex and gender like never before.

The broadcast premiere of Gender Revolution will come on the heels of the January 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine. The entire single-topic issue will be devoted to examining gender from different perspectives, providing a 360-degree look at what gender means in science and in social systems and civilizations throughout the world. With powerful storytelling through text, photographs, maps and graphics, paired with video and other content online, the issue will address gender identity and sexuality, coming of age for children in various cultures and the threats that those with certain gender identities face worldwide, among other topics. The January issue will be available on print newsstands beginning Dec. 27 and was uploaded online in its entirely at www.natgeo.com/genderrevolution on Dec. 19.

National Geographic is also developing a comprehensive discussion guide for schools and young adult groups to help guide conversation around the themes and topics covered in both the documentary and the magazine. This guide will be available for download beginning in January on www.natgeo.com/genderrevolution.

Gender Revolution is produced by Katie Couric Media, World of Wonder Productions and National Geographic Studios for National Geographic. For Katie Couric Media, executive producers are Katie Couric and Mitch Semel. For World of Wonder, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Jeremy Simmons serve as executive producers. For National Geographic Studios, executive producers are Jeff Hasler and Brian Lovett. For National Geographic, Tim Pastore is president, original programming and production, and Michael J. Miller is executive producer.

THIRTEEN’s American Masters Kicks Off Season 31 with Exclusive U.S. Broadcast Premiere of By Sidney Lumet, Tuesday, January 3 on PBS

Exclusive Interview With Treat Williams, Star Of Lumet’s Prince Of The City, And Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Nancy Buirski Follows The Documentary

Prolific and versatile filmmaker Sidney Lumet (1924-2011) made 44 films in 50 years, earning the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement after four Oscar nominations. Considered a quintessential New York filmmaker, Lumet frequently used New York City’s urban mettle to infuse his films with a realism and intensity that kept audiences in suspense while prodding them to consider their own morality. In American Masters: By Sidney Lumet, he tells his own story in a never-before-seen interview shot in 2008 by late filmmaker Daniel Anker and producer Thane Rosenbaum. With candor, humor and grace, Lumet reveals what matters to him as an artist and as a human being. Launching Season 31, American Masters: By Sidney Lumet premieres nationwide Tuesday, January 3 at 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and features a new, exclusive interview with Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-nominated actor Treat Williams, who starred in Lumet’s Prince of the City, afterward.

Peabody and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nancy Buirski (Afternoon of a Faun, The Loving Story, Loving) weaves Lumet’s personal stories and commentary with scenes from his films to create a portrait of one of the most accomplished, influential and socially conscious directors in the history of cinema. Clips spanning his canon, from 12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Prince of the City, The Verdict, and many more, reveal the spiritual and ethical lessons at the core of his work.

Looking back over his career, Lumet speaks intimately about the experiences that informed his work, which he loved. His Depression-era, working-class Lower East Side beginnings as a child actor with his father in Yiddish theater, on Broadway, and his gradual transition to directing live TV, informed the stories he chose and his ability to translate important stage works into film, such as The Sea Gull, The Fugitive Kind and Long Day’s Journey into Night. In clips from these films, American Masters: By Sidney Lumet underscores Lumet’s own journey: his relationship with his father mirrored in Long Day’s Journey into Night, Daniel, Running on Empty and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

Marching for workers’ rights in the 1930s, standing up to McCarthy-era blacklist interrogation and finding ways to employ his blacklisted friends, Lumet developed an appreciation for people who question authority. His movies often featured characters fighting for justice, standing up to the crowd and questioning personal responsibility. First and foremost a storyteller, Lumet’s strongly moral tales captured the dilemmas and concerns of a society struggling with essentials: how does one behave to others and to oneself? (You can read the full biography here.)

Kendra Scott Design Announces Investment from Berkshire Partners

Kendra Scott Design, Inc. (the “Company”), a leading fashion accessories brand led by founder Kendra Scott, announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm. Kendra Scott will continue as majority shareholder and CEO**. The Company’s senior leaders will remain in their current positions, focused on growing the brand’s omni-channel presence. Norwest Venture Partners will continue as a minority investor.

(**Berkshire has a long history of partnering with management teams to build market leading growth companies.)

The brand is well-known for its comprehensive suite of elegantly designed jewelry pieces as well as lifestyle categories such as beauty, home goods and fine jewelry. The brand also offers the Kendra Scott Color Bar™, an innovative jewelry customization experience available in all Kendra Scott stores as well as online at www.KendraScott.com. Kendra Scott is sold at premiere retailers including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Von Maur and over 600 specialty boutiques worldwide.

Scott, Designer and CEO, founded Kendra Scott Design with $500 from a spare bedroom in her home in 2002. Under her leadership, the Company has grown into a leading jewelry, home and beauty brand with more than 50 stores throughout the United States and significant wholesale and e-commerce operations. As the brand continues to grow, the company remains true to its founding philosophy of “Family, Fashion, Philanthropy” and “Kendra Gives Back: You Shop, We Give” initiatives to benefit both local and national charities across the country.

“Kendra and her team have built an authentic brand that is widely loved,” said Marni Payne, a Managing Director at Berkshire Partners. “The Company’s deep focus on its customers, commitment to product innovation and culture of giving back has led to impressive growth. We look forward to partnering with Kendra and her team to support their continued success.”

“We are delighted to have Berkshire invest with us at a very exciting time for our company,” said founder and CEO Kendra Scott. “Berkshire has significant experience in helping leading brands maximize their potential and a deep appreciation for the Kendra Scott culture and organization.”

Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, has made over 115 investments since its founding in 1986 and has raised nine private equity funds with more than $16 billion in aggregate capital commitments. Berkshire has developed industry experience in several areas including consumer and retail, communications, business services, industrials and healthcare. Other investments in the retail sector have included Aritzia, Bare Escentuals, Carter’s and Party City. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.

Jefferies LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Kendra Scott Design and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Kastner, Huggins, Reddien & Gravelle LLP served as legal counsel to the Company. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to Berkshire Partners. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the first quarter of 2017.

Give the Gift of the Ultimate Culinary Experience This Holiday

All You’ll Really Want for Christmas is Food and Wine

Still looking for a unique, affordable and delicious gift idea this holiday? Give the gift of the ultimate Seattle culinary experience with tickets to the Seattle Wine and Food Experience (SWFE) weekend of events on February 24 – 26, 2017. The newly-expanded weekend features three events: POP! Bubbles & Seafood, Comfort (NEW) and the Grand Tasting. A total indulgence for foodies, the weekend includes more than 300 of Seattle’s best chefs from gastro pubs to fine dining establishments, distillers, local cider and brew masters with more than 600 wines making this Experience the perfect holiday gift for the food and wine lover in your life.

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience, presented by Seattle magazine, brings the city’s vibrant culinary and beverage scene to life. The Weekend Pass ($220) is the best deal for that special foodie on your holiday shopping list. Need more convincing? Here are the top 5 reasons to attend each event:

POP! Bubbles & Seafood: Friday, February 24, 2017 at McCaw Hall

• Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Cava, Cremant and more than 40 kinds of bubbles to sample
• World-class seafood, including oyster bars, from 20 of Seattle’s best chefs
• Saber-Off Competition featuring local celebrities and incredible tunes by DJ Dubreezy
• The Callebaut Belgium Chocolate Lounge featuring bites from Seattle’s top pastry chefs
• Dozens of Reserve Red wines from the region’s top wineries

Comfort: Seattle’s Best Feel-Good Foods and Crafty Brews: Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Fremont Foundry

• Comfort is the newest and coziest addition to the Experience
• Mac & cheese, burgers, doughnut wall, fried chicken and many more comfort foods
• More than 50 craft beers, ciders, bubbly and more to quench your thirst between tasty bites
• Do-It-Yourself Bars: Hot Toddy, Bloody Mary, S’mores, Fry Bar and more
• Rock out with your friends to tunes by DJ Branden Landon and take photos in the Shutterbus

The Grand Tasting: Sunday, February 26, 2017 at McCaw Exhibition Hall

• More than 500 wines, plus tastes from distilleries, beer and cider, Oh My!
• Fare from 25 local chefs and 25 specialty food makers
• Explore the Celebrity Modern Luxury Lounge for a chance to win a cruise!
• Yakima Valley Craft Food and Beverage Exhibit
• The Savor Experience from San Luis Obispo County
• The Sweet Suite–Indulge to your heart’s content
• The “Pearls” of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates with wines from Canon 13, Intrinsic, Mamma Mia and more
• Taste from Nicky Farms exotic meats, Heritage Meats Butchery Block and Sustainable Alaska Seafood
• Buy your favorite wine, beer, cider and spirits from the QFC product store benefiting Les Dames d’Escoffier, Seattle****

2017 Inductees For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Announced

The names of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2017 Inductees have been released. They are:

• Joan Baez
• Electric Light Orchestra
• Journey
• Pearl Jam
• Tupac Shakur
• Yes

Award for Musical Excellence: Nile Rodgers

The 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will take place on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the third time. Ticket on-sale dates will be announced in January. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony will again have its television premiere on HBO, and a radio broadcast on SiriusXM. Broadcast details will be announced in early 2017.

Rock Hall with Hall Of Fame Wing

A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be available for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members in advance of the public sale date. To be eligible for the member pre-sale, you must be an active Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member by December 31, 2016. Additional public ticket details and presale offers will be announced in the future.

The special exhibition on the 2017 Inductees will open at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on March 30.

The Elvis Presley Exhibition at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Beatles Exhibition at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording. The 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Performer Inductees were chosen by more than 900 voters of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, as well as the aggregate results of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s online fan vote. The top five artists from the fan vote comprised the fans’ ballot that was tallied along with the other ballots to determine the 2017 Inductees. Four of the groups from fans’ ballot (Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Pearl Jam, and YES) will be inducted as performers in 2017.

Klipsch Audio, a leading global speaker and headphone manufacturer, is a strategic partner and presenting sponsor of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, its Induction Ceremony events and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Main Stage. Klipsch’s renowned products deliver the power, detail and emotion of the live music experience throughout the iconic museum.

All images courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Sensational Rediscovery of Lost Footage from the Historic 1924 Austrian Silent Film, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden)

Austrian Silent Movie From 1924 Anticipates Holocaust

Last year, sequences believed to be permanently lost from what is arguably the most important Austrian silent movie, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden), were discovered by a coincidence at a Paris flea market and subsequently acquired by the Film Archive Austria.

Lost Footage from the Historic 1924 Austrian Silent Film, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden).

The film, based on a novel by Jewish writer and journalist Hugo Bettauer and shot in Vienna in 1924, is eerily prescient in its portrayal of a society that is both intellectually and economically impoverished due to the expulsion of its Jewish population.

Lost Footage from the Historic 1924 Austrian Silent Film, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden).

The newly discovered sequences not only allow us for the first time to see the movie in its entirety, but also cast fresh light on it. Hitherto unknown scenes show Jewish life in a society in which hatred of Jews is being stoked. These scenes bring into much sharper focus the political message of the movie with its depiction of the vituperative antisemitism of interwar Vienna.

Owing to its advanced age, the highly inflammable nitrate material of the film rolls formerly thought to be lost evinces the beginnings of decomposition. Saving the film by transferring it to safety film must be given top priority. The film will then have to be restored and integrated into the already existing version.

Lost Footage from the Historic 1924 Austrian Silent Film, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden).

Since the financial support from the public sector was insufficient to accomplish the urgent task of preserving the material, the Film Archive Austria launched the largest cultural crowdfunding initiative in Austrian history in order to save The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden) from perdition. The campaign, which ended December 10, was a success. More than 700 supporters made it possible to rescue the film by contributing more than 86.000 Euro.

Lost Footage from the Historic 1924 Austrian Silent Film, The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden).

“This is not only a wonderful support for the work of the Filmarchiv but also a clear signal of the civil society to contribute decisively to the salvation of cultivated animals with extraordinary private commitment“, summarizes Filmarchiv director Ernst Kieninger.

More than just the significance of rescuing the film The City Without Jews (die stadt ohne juden) is the overwhelming international press response to the test. There were detailed reports in international mainstream media such as the time, the FAZ , the Agence France-Presse , the Guardian, the Libération or The Washington Post and in more than 50 international media throughout Europe, in Russia, Israel, the Arab world and the United States on The film archive project.

After completing the restoration, the movie will be screened in late autumn 2017 in the original version last seen more than 90 years ago. In addition, The City Without Jews will be given center stage in an exhibition organized by the Film Archive Austria. The opulent show at the Metro Kinokulturhaus will open in late autumn 2017 and explore the relations between cinema and Jewish culture in the period 1918-1938.

7 Features Advance In Race For Makeup And Hairstyling Oscar®

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films remain in competition in the Makeup and Hairstyling category for the 89th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

• “Deadpool”
• “The Dressmaker”
• “Florence Foster Jenkins”
• “Hail, Caesar!”
• “A Man Called Ove”
• “Star Trek Beyond”
• “Suicide Squad”

On Saturday, January 7, 2017, all members of the Academy’s Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

336 Feature Films In Contention For 2016 Best Picture Oscar®

Three hundred thirty-six feature films are eligible for the 2016 Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

To be eligible for 89th Academy Awards consideration, feature films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by midnight, December 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days.

Under Academy rules, a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.

Feature films that receive their first public exhibition or distribution in any manner other than as a theatrical motion picture release are not eligible for Academy Awards in any category. The “Reminder List of Productions Eligible for the 89th Academy Awards” is available at http://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility.

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

The 89th Oscars with host Jimmy Kimmel, will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Celebrating 10 Years, The Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) Announces This Year’s 2016 EDA Award Winners

“Moonlight” Leads With Seven EDAs Including Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay And Best Supporting Actor

Ava Duvernay Takes Three Awards In The 10th Annual AWFJ Year End Awards

The women have voted! The Alliance of Women Film Journalists is pleased to announce the winners of the tenth annual AWFJ EDA Awards. This year AWFJ presents the EDA Awards in 25 categories, divided into three sections: the standard ‘Best Of’ section, the Female Focus Awards and the irreverent EDA Special Mention awards—including Actress Most in Need of a New Agent and the AWFJ Hall of Shame Award.

The Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ), a not-for-profit corporation, is an international association of professional female movie critics, reporters and feature writers working in print, broadcast and online media, dedicated to raising the volume on women’s voices in the film community by broadening opportunities for women who write about film and supporting films by and about women – both in front of and behind the cameras – through intra-group promotional activities, outreach programs and by presenting the EDA awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.

The AWFJ presents the EDA Awards to honor women’s achievements in front of and behind the cameras. In addition to the annual end of the year awards, AWFJ presents EDA Awards for Best Female-Directed Films at select film festivals, including IDFA, Whistler Film Festival, DOXA. Edinburgh Film Festival. St. Louis International Film Festival and others. The EDAs are named in honor of AWFJ founder Jennifer Merin‘s mother, Eda Reiss Merin, a stage, film and screen actress whose career spanned more than 60 years. A dedicated foot soldier in the industry, Eda Reiss Merin was one of the founders of AFTRA and a long standing member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

In the ‘Best Of’ section, this year’s big winner is “Moonlight“, garnering EDA Awards in seven categories, including Best Film, Best Director for Barry Jenkins, Best Screenplay (Adapted) for Jenkins, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Mahershala Ali, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay won three EDAs for Best Documentary for “13th,” Best Female Director for “13th” and Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry for 13th and for raising awareness about the need for diversity and gender equality in Hollywood

“Manchester By the Sea” won two EDA Awards for Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Best Screenplay (Original) for Kenneth Longergan.

In the EDA Special Mention Categories, Annette Bening and Isabelle Huppert tied for the Actress Defying Age and Ageism Award, while Huppert was honored the Bravest Performance Award for “Elle.” Jennifer Aniston won the Actress Most in [Dire] Need of a New Agent for “Mother’s Day” and “Office Christmas Party.”

“This year has brought heightened awareness of the impact movies and cinema culture have on setting our social norms,” states EDA AWARDS and AWFJ founder and film critic Jennifer Merin. “The need for gender parity and greater diversity in the movie industry is patently clear. These goals are fundamental to AWFJ’s mission and core values. I’m thrilled that in our 10th anniversary awards season AWFJ members voted to honor such a diverse array of talent representing such a broad spectrum of perspectives, making the 2016 EDA Awards particularly relevant at a time when art — and film, in particular — must be the vanguard of social progress.”

Here’s The Entire List Of This Year’s Winners:

AWFJ BEST OF AWARDS

These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration.

• Best Film: Moonlight
• Best Director: Barry Jenkins – Moonlight
• Best Screenplay, Original: Manchester by the Sea – Kenneth Lonergan
• Best Screenplay, Adapted: Moonlight – Barry Jenkins
• Best Documentary: 13th – Ava DuVernay
• Best Animated Film: Zootopia – Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
• Best Actress: Ruth Negga – Loving
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis – Fences
• Best Actor: Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali – Moonlight
• Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director: Moonlight – Yesi Ramirez
• Best Cinematography: Moonlight – James Laxton
• Best Editing: Moonlight – Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders
• Best Non-English-Language Film: The Handmaiden – Park Chan-Wook

Glansaol Established as New Prestige Beauty & Personal Care Company

Company, Launched In Partnership With Global Private Equity Firm Warburg Pincus, Announces Acquisitions Of Laura Geller, Julep And Clark’s Botanicals

Glansaol, a new prestige beauty and personal care company, announced today that it has signed agreements to acquire three brands – Laura Geller, Julep and Clark’s Botanicals. Glansaol, which means “pure life” in the Irish language and is pronounced Glan-Sale, will operate an integrated portfolio of global beauty and personal care brands, diversified across segments, channels and geographies.

(prnewsfoto/glansaol)

Glansaol was founded through a partnership between Alan T. Ennis, a beauty industry veteran and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Revlon Inc., and Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm focused on growth investing. Through Ennis’ extensive beauty and personal care background, Glansaol is managed by a team of seasoned executives to deliver superior results and long-term growth acceleration. Glansaol works with individual brands to retain their brand uniqueness while collaborating together on innovation, research and ideas across brands. Through this approach, Glansaol is dedicated to providing consumers with high quality, innovative products.

The acquisition of Laura Geller is closed. Julep and Clark’s Botanicals are expected to close shortly. Terms were not disclosed.

“Our objective is to build Glansaol into a world-class, global beauty and personal care company by acquiring, integrating, and growing a portfolio of premium, complementary brands, managed by a team of seasoned executives,” said Ennis, President and CEO of Glansaol. “I am delighted to be taking this first bold step. Each of the three brands we are acquiring today plays a specific and important role in our portfolio and will retain their individual brand autonomy and culture. I believe that our unique long-term view of building the next great beauty company, is appealing to both brand owners and the capital markets.“

“We are excited to support the acquisition of these three strong and growing brands with diversified demographics, and believe they will benefit from enhanced scale, marketing and distribution capabilities as part of the Glansaol platform,” said Annette Rodriguez, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus. “Alan, along with Martine Williamson, Glansaol Chief Marketing Officer, bring invaluable insights into beauty and personal care, and we see meaningful opportunities for growth and expansion. We look forward to investing behind Glansaol as it makes additional acquisitions of complementary brands over time.“

Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing. The firm has more than $40 billion in private equity assets under management. The firm’s active portfolio of more than 130 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 16 private equity funds, which have invested more than $58 billion in over 760 companies in more than 40 countries. Warburg Pincus has invested more than $12.5 billion in over 200 healthcare and consumer companies. Current and former investments in the retail and consumer goods sectors include Neiman Marcus, Wanse, REISS, Biba Apparels, Kalyan Jewellers, Kidswant, and Intime Department Store Group, among others.

Glansaol hand-selected Laura Geller, Julep and Clark’s Botanicals to be its first acquisitions because of their inspirational founders, high quality products and unique position within the marketplace.

Laura Geller New York: Laura Geller is a leading prestige color cosmetics brand developed in 1997 by professional makeup artist, Laura Geller. Renowned as the pioneer of the “baked” category of makeup – cult-favorite, multi-tasking powders that deliver remarkably vibrant color – and for its easy-to-use, dual-purpose products intended to simplify and improve women’s makeup routines.

“The idea that Glansaol means “pure life” really resonated with me. Together, we will create something better, bigger, and stronger. I am greatly looking forward to the next phase of growth for the business,” said Laura Geller, Founder of Laura Geller.

Elana Drell-Szyfer, CEO at Laura Geller, said, “I have known Alan for several years and have great respect for him, both personally and professionally. His broad knowledge of all facets of the industry and strong belief in brands makes him and the Glansaol team a powerful new force to be reckoned with in the industry.”

Rich Gersten, Partner at Tengram Capital, who acquired a majority stake in the Laura Geller brand in 2012, stated, “It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Laura Geller team over the last four years. I am confident that Glansaol is the right partner to take this great brand to the next level.“

Initial Lineup Announced for 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans

Weekend Ticket Packages on Sale Now

Time Inc.’s Essence announced the initial lineup for the 2017 Essence Festival Concert Series in New Orleans featuring headliners Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige, among many others. The 23^rd annual event will take place June 30-July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The initial performance lineup is outlined below. Additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Artists confirmed to perform at the nightly Essence Festival concerts over Fourth of July Weekend at the Louisiana Superdome include: Diana Ross, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Doug E Fresh, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, John Legend, June’s Diary, Lalah Hathaway, Lizzo, Master P, Michel’le, Moses Sumney, Ro James, Shaggy, Sir the Baptist, Solange, Teyana Taylor, The Jones Girls Feat. Shirley Jones, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tweet, Yuna, and many more to be announced soon.

“This year’s Festival lineup puts women at the forefront of an incredible weekend of entertainment featuring more than 40 of the world’s most gifted artists and performers,” said Essence President Michelle Ebanks. “It is an honor to welcome the inimitable Diana Ross to the Festival for the first time. Plus, Festival veteran Mary J. Blige is back to share ‘Strength of a Woman’ with her most passionate fans.”

The A-list nighttime concerts will feature more than 40 acts and will take place across five stages — including the Festival’s renowned Mainstage and four intimate Superlounges. Mary J. Blige will headline a special night, themed My Path to Strength, introducing her highly anticipated album “Strength of a Woman.”

Weekend ticket packages went on sale Friday, December 16 at 10am CT with prices starting at $126. For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the Essence Festival visit Essence Festival. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2017 Essence Festival on Facebook.

The 2017 Essence Festival is presented by Coca-Cola.

California Kicks Off 2017 With Seventh Annual California Restaurant Month

A Monthlong Celebration Of Food And Dining Experiences With Exclusive Discounts And Experiences Across The Golden State

The Golden State invites visitors to start off the new year by exploring its culinary bounty during the Seventh Annual California Restaurant Month in January 2017. For 31 delicious days, participating destinations will offer various discounts, specialty menus and events that showcase the state’s diverse range of culinary offerings.

Cities and towns throughout the state are inviting foodies and food lovers to dig in to the best of California cuisine paired with a memorable vacation experience. California’s varied destinations are home to a diverse group of Dreamers and Dream Eaters including chefs, restaurant owners and tastemakers. Truly putting the “farm to fork” philosophy into practice, these innovators have developed pioneering menus and restaurant concepts, creating culinary experiences that are exclusive to the Golden State.

“What began as a simple initiative to promote local businesses has grown into an annual statewide collaboration promoting culinary tourism in California,” said Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta. “We are proud to enter our seventh year of this program as it continues to grow and position California as a top foodie destination.“

Below is a listing of celebratory culinary happenings in Northern, Central and Southern California during California Restaurant Month 2017.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/BAY AREA

Mendocino – Mendocino County Crab, Wine & Beer Festival, Jan. 20-29

If January leaves you feeling crabby, there’s no better place to be than at Mendocino County’s Crab, Wine & Beer Festival. Mendocino County is home to fishermen who harvest delicious Dungeness crab, and to winemakers and brewmasters who produce fine beverages that pair exquisitely with seafood. Held midway through winter, the 10-day countywide festival is an opportunity to shrug off the seasonal blues and indulge in fine seafood, wine and beer. Enjoy dozens of events, family-style crab and cioppino feeds, gourmet crab-themed dinners, crab and wine pairings, crab fishing adventures, a wine competition, and the ever-popular Crab Cake Cook-off that highlights the talents of the county’s chefs.

Yuba-Sutter – Yuba-Sutter Restaurant Week, Jan. 23-29

As part of California’s Farm to Fork Capital, Yuba-Sutter agriculture and its access to local ingredients play a large role in the area’s food story. During Yuba-Sutter Restaurant Week, individuals will be able to experience this firsthand through special menu items as chefs tell the story of the local region by creating special menu items that spotlight their version of Yuba-Sutter on a plate.

Yolo County – Taste of Yolo, January 1-31, 2017

In Yolo County, Farm to Fork is a way of life. Here you’ll find too many agricultural delights to count, including wine, tomatoes, berries, honey, meats, cheeses, nuts and flowers.

El Dorado County – El Dorado Epicurean, Jan. 1-31

El Dorado County celebrates California Restaurant Month by rolling out the epicurean carpet with numerous unique food and wine experiences. The El Dorado Epicurean is a month-long celebration with a collection of culinary adventures packed with exclusive seasonal offerings , cooking demonstrations with amazing and innovative chefs, special discounts, wine-pairing specials, and more.

Downtown Sacramento – Dine Downtown, Jan. 12-22

Named the “Next Great American Food City” by Southwest: The Magazine, Sacramento is quickly becoming an industry leader in the fine dining scene. Dine Downtown 2017, the 12th annual edition of the Dine Downtown Restaurant Week program, returns to Sacramento from Jan. 12-22, 2017 to highlight the best fare on the grid. For 10 days, more than 30 of Downtown’s finest restaurants offer special three-course dining experiences for $35. In addition, one dollar from every Dine Downtown meal is donated to social services and food literacy programs. This annual programs serves more than 15,000 meals and contributes to a whopping $3.5 million week of sales for downtown restaurants.

Vacaville – Vacaville Restaurant Week, January 13-22, 2017

Vacaville Restaurant Week was created to highlight the diversity of the Vacaville culinary scene and celebrate a week of fabulous dining. It provides local foodies and families the opportunity to enjoy specialty pricing and menus from participating restaurants throughout Vacaville.

Napa Valley – Napa Valley Restaurant Week, January 22-29, 2017

Napa Valley Restaurant Week allows locals and visitors to dine and delight throughout the valley and experience legendary food and wine culture. Through multi-course prix-fixe menus for lunch ($20) and dinner ($36 or $46), guests can try out the latest culinary hot-spots or revisit old favorites all week long. Farm-to-table practices and Michelin-starred restaurants make the Napa Valley an epicurean’s destination, and there’s no better time to enjoy it all than during Restaurant Week.

Sonoma Valley – Sonoma Valley Delicious, Jan. 1-31

Throughout January, explore the region’s dining highlights during Sonoma Valley Delicious, featuring restaurants, wineries, olive oil producers, cheese producers and more from throughout Sonoma Valley.

Suisun City Waterfront District – Suisun Waterfront Restaurant Week, Jan. 20-29

The seventh annual Suisun City Historic Waterfront Restaurant Week will return on Friday, Jan. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Suisun Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to experience some of the best food at a value you can’t get any other time of the year! Participating restaurants will offer a prix-fixe menu with three-course meals for dinner or a two-course meal for breakfast or lunch.

Downtown Benicia – Benicia Restaurant Week, Jan. 17-23

Downtown Benicia celebrates California Restaurant Month from Sunday, Jan. 17 through Saturday, Jan. 23. Discover historic Benicia’s culinary offerings with a dining passport offering a 15 percent discount at participating eateries.

Stockton – Stockton Restaurant Week, Jan. 20-29

Stockton Restaurant Week gives local foodies and families the opportunity to explore unique, fixed-price specialty menus from participating restaurants throughout the city. Stockton is stocked full of restaurants from corner to corner, and now is the time to unite food lovers with incredible restaurants and eateries at a price that won’t break the budget.

Berkeley – Berkeley Restaurant Week, Jan. 19-29

Visit Berkeley invites visitors to come experience food culture at its best in the epicenter of California Cuisine. Berkeley Restaurant Week will take place Jan. 19-29, offering some of the best in culinary dining at a special prix-fixe menu starting at $20 for lunch and $25 or $35 for dinner.

Oakland – Oakland Restaurant Week, Jan. 19-29

The highly anticipated Oakland Restaurant Week returns Jan. 19-29, 2017. The week features more than 100 restaurants with prix-fixe dining deals starting at $20.

San Francisco – San Francisco Restaurant Week, Jan. 18-29

San Francisco is at the top of its culinary game, recognized as one of the best dining destinations in the world. SF Restaurant Week returns with a celebration of San Francisco’s world-class dining community. More than 125 restaurants across 26 neighborhoods will offer special two- and three-course prix-fixe menus to showcase their passion for sharing great food with diners.

Tri-Valley – Eat Tri-Valley, Jan. 1-31

Set amidst rolling hills, vineyards and grand oak trees, the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the town of Danville invite you to eat, drink and play on the sunny side of the bay this January during Eat Tri-Valley.

San Jose – #DTSJ Restaurant Week, Jan. 16-26

Where Silicon Valley meets the Valley of Heart’s delight, #DTSJ Restaurant Week offers the perfect chance to try innovative chef’s specials made with local produce at special prices. San Jose’s range of restaurants – spanning from Farmers’ Union, a comfy tavern with sustainable fare, to Nomikai, a trendy lounge serving Asian fusion – makes it appealing to dine out more than once this week.

The Tranquilo Golf Club At Four Seasons Resort Orlando Welcomes PGA Tour Champions Stars In Challenge Season Event, The Diamond Resorts Invitational, To Benefit Florida Hospital For Children

The Tranquilo Golf Club, located at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, is pleased to be the host venue for the 2nd annual Diamond Resorts Invitational benefiting Florida Hospital for Children and taking place January 13-15, 2017. The three-day tournament will be nationally televised on Golf Channel.

The Tranquilo Golf Club At Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

The event brings together up to 27 PGA TOUR Champions players, three LPGA players, and 50 celebrities from the sports and entertainment industry to compete side-by-side for purses totaling USD 1.25 million. PGA TOUR Champions players will compete for USD 750,000 over the 54-hole tournament, while celebrities will play for a USD 500,000 purse. The tournament will utilize a Modified Stableford scoring format, which awards points as opposed to strokes, encouraging players to make the most out of every hole and creating a heightened sense of anticipation for fans.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Diamond Resorts Invitational and to welcome this world-class tournament to Tranquilo Golf Club,” said Thomas Steinhauer, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Orlando. “It is a distinct honor to take part in an event that will benefit Florida Hospital for Children and leave a lasting charitable impact in our community.”

The Tranquilo Golf Club At Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Proceeds from the event’s live and silent auction will directly benefit the Florida Hospital for Children, one of the nation’s premier children’s hospitals, setting standards for innovation, quality and comprehensive care. The child-centric healing environment designed to keep kids comfortable is complemented by a staff of world-class doctors, specialists, nurses and healthcare professionals utilizing advanced technologies, therapies and treatments.

The Tranquilo Golf Club At Four Seasons Resort Orlando

The Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Orlando is named to reflect the Spanish revival style of the Resort and pay homage to the Florida landscape, such as the southern live oak trees that are found throughout the course. Originally built in 1992 and designed by Tom Fazio, the golf course was enhanced by Fazio for its October 2014 reopening. Enhancements included creating a completely new hole and renovated bunkers, plus improved visibility and airflow by enhancing the landscape design, in addition to a fully renovated clubhouse. The course is a par 71 and plays to 6,901 yards. Home to abundant wildlife, the course is certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program for golf by the National Audubon Society.

“It’s very exciting for Tranquilo Golf Club to host this special tournament in its second year and to be put in the national spotlight on the Golf Channel,” said Charlie Kent, Director of Golf at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. “Our team has been working hard over the past few months to ensure the course is in impeccable condition for this main event. We could not be more thrilled to work with Diamond Resorts International and their team on this amazing tournament.”

“Fast Forward: Painting From The 1980s” Opens On January 27 at The Whitney Museum of American Art

In the 1980s, painting recaptured the imagination of the contemporary art world against a backdrop of expansive change. During this explosive period, an unprecedented number of galleries appeared on the scene, particularly in downtown New York. New media, such as video and installation art, was on the rise and both museums and galleries presented an array of ambitious and provocative exhibitions. Yet, despite other mediums such as photography and video gaining traction, many artists actively embraced the medium of painting, exploring its bold physicality and unique capacity for expression and innovation.

Julia Wachtel (b. 1956), Membership, 1984. Oil on canvas, 66 × 81 in. (167.6 × 205.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from the Painting and Sculpture Committee 2016.114 © Julia Wachtel; courtesy the artist and Elizabeth Dee New York. Digital Image © Whitney Museum, N.Y.

Fast Forward: Painting from the 1980s offers a focused look at painting from this decade with works drawn entirely from the Museum’s collection. The exhibition will be on view in the Museum’s eighth-floor Hurst Family Galleries from January 27 to May 14, 2017.

Kenny Scharf (b. 1958), When the Worlds Collide, 1984. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas, 122 5/16 × 209 5/16 in. (310.7 × 531.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from Edward R. Downe, Jr. and Eric Fischl 84.44 © 2016 Kenny Scharf / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

The exhibition features work by artists often identified with the 1980s—Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sherrie Levine, David Salle, and Julian Schnabel—as well as work by a significant number of other celebrated painters (including Carlos Alfonzo, Ross Bleckner, Peter Cain, Louisa Chase, Robert Colescott, Moira Dryer, Eric Fischl, Leon Golub, Keith Haring, Joyce Pensato, Susan Rothenberg, Kenny Scharf, Julia Wachtel, Terry Winters, and Martin Wong). Often through exuberant work that engaged with the heroic gesture or pop imagery, these artists explored the traditions of figuration and history painting, and offered new interpretations of abstraction. Many addressed fundamental questions about art-making in their work, while others took on political issues including AIDS, feminism, gentrification, and war.

Photograph by Matthew Carasella

Despite painting having been declared dead, artists renegotiated their commitment to the medium in the 1980s, in the face of a media-saturated environment. The medium suddenly came to represent an important intersection between new ways of seeing and a seemingly traditional way of making art—one full of possibility and thriving as many artists actively re-imagined what painting could be.

Fast Forward: Painting from the 1980s is organized by Jane Panetta, associate curator, with Melinda Lang, curatorial assistant.

Crystal AirCruises’ Reveals ‘Holidays Around the World’ Journey, Enticing Travelers to Make Next Year’s Adventure This Year’s Best Gift

Lavish Winter Itinerary Spans The Wonders Of India, Australia/New Zealand, French Polynesia, And UAE

As the holiday season quickly approaches, Crystal has unveiled an extraordinary itinerary that will make global luxury travelers start to look ahead to next year’s festivities. Crystal AirCruises’ “Holidays Around the World” journey offers 16 days of exceptionally luxurious exploration of far-off locales, departing from Los Angeles on December 22, 2017. The private jet journey begins with Crystal AirCruises’ signature Launch Day & Bon Voyage dinner and accommodations at the Montage Beverly Hills. This magical holiday journey has been specially curated to cater to the spirit of wanderlust and warm-weather dream destinations that many travelers desire during the winter months, featuring two- and three-night stays in Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Queenstown/Christchurch, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; Jaipur, India; and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“The holiday season and Crystal AirCruises share the common spirit of dreaming big and fulfilling wishes, making this particular itinerary an ideal adventure for an extraordinary holiday next year, or as the grandest gift under the tree this year,” says Crystal chairman, CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Holiday voyages aboard our ocean ships have always been a special occasion for travelers seeking adventure along with the traditions of the season. A Crystal AirCruise takes holiday travel to a new level, with the opportunity to celebrate the season while discovering several new destinations aboard a luxury private jet, with the added gift of exclusive Christmas and New Year festivities that only Crystal can offer.”

Along the way, guests will be treated to all-inclusive Crystal Experiences™ that reflect the natural and cultural allures of each destination. Experiences for intrepid adventurers, history buffs and foodies are in store for gallivanting holiday travelers in 2017, while Crystal AirCruises’ Design Your Time option allows for a fully customized holiday.

Among the events and exclusive experiences planned by Crystal’s expert destination team:

• Bora Bora/Papeete, French Polynesia (Accommodations at Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa) – An exclusive holiday dinner and celebration kicks off the island visit. During their stay guests will dive into the tropics with lagoon discoveries, soar over island peaks by helicopter, and indulge in world-class cuisine and Polynesian culture at hot spots like Maikai Bora Bora.
• Queenstown/Christchurch, New Zealand (Accommodations at Hotel St. Moritz) – Highlighting the adventurous outdoor lifestyle of New Zealand, Crystal guests will enjoy a welcome reception at Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre, then explore Fiordland National Park by helicopter and 4×4 and ride horseback through Doonholme Farm. A master culinary class in Central Otago Wine Region and a boutique experience at Chard Farm Vineyards will showcase the flavors and vintages of the region.
• Sydney, Australia (Accommodations at Sheraton on the Park) – Considered one of the world’s great cities for its nightlife, food scene and world-class shopping, Sydney is also an outdoorsman’s paradise. Crystal guests will be treated to VIP positioning for the ultimate New Year’s Eve soiree and fireworks extravaganza over Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge.
• Jaipur, India (Accommodations at Oberoi Rajvilas) – During a full day at the Taj Mahal, guest will explore the pink city. Here guests can take in superb views of the city and historic palaces, or take a Personal Connections experience joining the locals as they start their day with a morning Aarti (devotion the Gods). Old World meets exotic adventure with sunrise yoga led by an acclaimed Guru and a Hindu art ceremony.
• Abu Dhabi, UAE (Accommodations at The Emirates Palace Hotel) – From sparkling skyscrapers that rise along the Gulf to the Bedouin camel herds in the surrounding desert, Crystal guests can immerse themselves in the exotic thrills of one of the UAE’s most famous gems. Travelers can live out high-speed dreams with a Formula 1 racing experience at Yas Marina, plus privileged access to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and an exclusive “1001 Arabian Nights” Bedouin camp dinner reception.

Throughout the journey, guests’ every wish will be attended to by Crystal’s own expert crew, destination specialists and concierge. The luxuriously designed aircraft is larger and newer than any global jet tour travel option, appointed with features rarely found in even the most luxurious private jets. The Crystal Exclusive Class seats are designed for maximum personal space and ergonomic comfort, and convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds. The expansive social lounge with stand-up bar and dedicated table seating fosters friendly camaraderie among luxury travelers. Cuisine will be prepared by a dedicated executive chef in two state-of-the-art galleys and paired with an elegant premium wine list.

New Mars Survey From National Geographic And Kelton Global Reveals Americans Would Prefer To Leave Behind Both Donald Trump And Kanye West On The Red Planet

Jennifer Lawrence and George Clooney Top List of Celebrities Americans Would Want as Passengers on the Interplanetary Journey

Three out of 10 Americans Dream of Going to Mars with 52 Percent of Millennials More Eager to Jump Planets After the Election

“Rocket Man” is Preferred Tune for the Journey; “Star Wars” on Top List of Movies to Kill Time During Six-month-plus Trip; Han Solo is Preferred Pilot; Twinkie Ranks as Choice Snack Food; And Significant Other Tops List of Most Desirable Companion

From Executive Producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, National Geographic’s MARS Season Finale Airs Monday, Dec. 19, at 9/8c

It’s out of this world, but massive strides have been taken toward making the maiden manned mission to Mars a legitimate possibility within our lifetimes. Now a new network survey, conducted by Kelton Global and National Geographic, uncovers attitudes toward Martian exploration, whether Americans would ever make a trip to Mars, who and what they’d like to bring along on their journey (and strand there) and what they’d miss most from Earth. National Geographic has brought this prospect to life with the six-part global event series MARS, from executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard; the season finale airs Monday, Dec. 19, at 9/8c.

Of all the planets in our solar system, none has captured our collective imagination like Mars. Follow the first human mission to Mars, set in 2033, as the crew struggles to safely land on and colonize the planet. Tracing the thrilling quest to make Mars home, National Geographic presents a new breed of programming, blending cinema-quality scripted drama set in the future with documentary sequences that features current space-technology pioneers. In the season finale, “Crossroads,” which airs Monday, Dec. 19, at 9/8c, a devastating tragedy on the colony forces everyone on Mars and Earth to question the mission. While Olympus Town tries to persevere, controlling groups back on Earth struggle with the decision of whether to end the mission.

The National Geographic Mars survey commissioned Kelton Global to sample 1,024 nationally representative Americans over the age of 18 with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent. The survey was conducted between Dec. 1 and 4, 2016, and used an email invitation and online survey. (Quotas were set to ensure a reliable representation of the U.S. population. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.)

Three in 10 — or approximately 70 million Americans (29%) — admit they’ve given travel to Mars considerable thought, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of those who’d go are Millennials and male.

The recent election has spiked Mars interest with nearly half the survey respondents (44%) prepared to pack their bags:

• 52 percent of Millennials say the election results sparked their interest in the journey;

• 43 percent of Generation Xers

• 38 percent of baby boomers– all cite the recent US election as a reason to go.

Continuing on the election theme, nearly half (46%) are eager to leave behind Donald Trump on the lonely, hostile Red Planet, and more than a third (35%) agree that his opponent Hillary Clinton should join him.

Suffice it to say that barely anyone would want to colonize Mars with Kim Kardashian (10%), and even less (4%) prefer her husband, Kanye West, but Americans would be eager to ditch them in space along with the president-elect and former secretary of state.

Asked which celebrity they’d happily take on the journey, Americans are divided with more than two in 10 (22%) opting for Jennifer Lawrence and slightly fewer (18%) taking George Clooney (both of whom have been in space films). Here’s a further breakdown of all things Mars:

Making the Move

• Because passage to Mars is no ordinary vacation, nearly all Americans (95%) insist on bringing along family. If given the choice of one companion, nearly half (48%) said they’d prefer to achieve liftoff with their significant others.

• The survey reveals that nearly two-thirds (66%) of Americans would prefer to step foot on the Red Planet before Martians infiltrate our world.

• Sixty percent responded that they would rather be the first human on Mars than the last human on Earth. This finding could also explain why humans, by nature, have always been exploratory, why we discovered our “New World” in America centuries ago, why we went to the moon and why we yearn to unearth what’s life is like on Mars and beyond.

You’re Not Solo with Han Solo

• Martian travelers need a good old reliable co-pilot, and who better to guide the ship than someone from the “Star Wars” universe? Nearly half would nab Han Solo (44%), and almost a third (31%) would choose his brother-in-law Luke Skywalker.

• “Star Wars” is so relatable that approximately half of America (48%) would watch the “Star Wars” films on repeat on their trip to Mars; these movies are preferred over any other sci-fi movie, including “Star Trek” (36%) and “WALL-E” (30%).

Martian Sundries

• Traveling six to nine months to the fourth planet from the sun would be more bearable with sundries, including favorite nostalgic snacks from our early days in space travel.

• Most voyagers would opt to sink their teeth into the classic Twinkie (30%) with just as many (29%) snacking on the eponymous Mars Bar. Dippin’ Dots (24%) are appetizing, especially among Millennials who grew up with this cool alternative to ice cream.

“Rocket Man” and Other Tunes

• Space travelers require snacks, but they also want to stuff their suitcases with a favorite book (22%) and wouldn’t want to take flight without their favorite tunes (23%).

• In fact, when asked to choose one Martian theme song, most prefer a classic number: nearly half of America (44%) would “burn out his fuse up there alone” with Sir Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

• The legendary “Starman” David Bowie split the vote but maintained second and third choices for “Space Oddity” (17%) and “Life on Mars” (16%), respectively.

• Click HERE for the Spotify list of America’s Martian theme songs.

IKEA US Announces Expanded New Maternity Leave Policy

New IKEA US Parental Leave Policy Expands Benefit To Up To Four Months Paid Leave For Both Hourly And Salaried Co-Workers

IKEA US announced that effective January 1, 2017, it will offer a new parental leave policy for co-workers who are expanding their families, providing up to four months of paid parental leave. This includes salaried and hourly workers, both mothers and fathers, and adoptive and foster parents. This expanded policy was introduced to ensure co-workers have the opportunity to bond with their children and connect as a new family.

Co-workers who have been with IKEA for more than one year can take up to three months of paid leave to be with their family, receiving 100% of their base wage for the first six weeks of parental leave and 50% for an additional six weeks. Co-workers with three or more years’ tenure can take up to four months of paid leave, receiving 100% of their base wage for the first eight weeks and 50% for an additional eight weeks. This is in addition to the six to eight weeks of Short Term Disability available to all co-workers regardless of tenure.

“At IKEA, we believe time with family and friends is so important for a healthy work-life balance and a happy and productive workforce,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA US President. “This benefit, which applies to all parents, will give our co-workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families when welcoming a child. Our co-workers are our most important resource, which is why we continue to invest in helping them reach their dream.“

IKEA recently conducted research into what co-workers thought were the most important aspects of the American Dream. Topping the list was work-life balance and moments spent with family and friends. The new expanded parental leave benefit is the latest demonstration of IKEA’s commitment to creating an outstanding work experience for co-workers.

In addition, IKEA US recognizes that co-workers who are not welcoming a child into their families may need time away from work as well. That’s why IKEA is also introducing a sabbatical program for co-workers to take time to refresh and engage in personal and professional growth and development.

The expanded parental leave and sabbatical policies add to the growing list of investments IKEA has made in its co-workers:

• In 2015, IKEA implemented a new minimum wage structure based on the local living costs instead of the cost of labor. In 2016, IKEA raised wages again.
• IKEA offers excellent medical plans, vision coverage (at no cost to full time co-workers), along with dental, and prescription coverage to help co-workers and families stay well. All co-workers who work 20 hours or more per week (approximately 75% of our co-workers) are eligible for medical benefits.
• In FY17, pay check deductions for medical insurance will be reduced between 5-25%.
• IKEA offers a 401K plan and match for all co-workers.

In addition, IKEA offers a profit sharing program called Tack! (“thank you” in Swedish), a long-term loyalty program that strengthens IKEA co-workers’ retirement benefits.

Artsy and UBS Release Multimedia Feature “The Year in Art”

Report Engages Audience with 2016’S Art Trends, People, News, and Events

Artsy, in collaboration with, today launched an immersive experience that will guide users through the most important art and culture moments, influential artists and curators, and most impactful exhibitions of 2016. Presented as an easily digestible, accessible look at the past year in art, the feature takes a broader look at the art world, connecting important moments in that sphere to current events in the world at large. This is the fourth iteration of Artsy and UBS’s ongoing partnership, following their collaboration on The Art Market (in Four Parts), a four part series exploring the contemporary art market.

Earlier iterations of Artsy and UBS’s continuing collaboration include a series of short films about the 56th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, The Year in Art 2015, and the previously-mentioned The Art Market (in Four Parts).

The Year in Art feature is informed by data gleaned from UBS’s Planet Art mobile app (an aggregator of contemporary art news) and Artsy’s proprietary data, as well as input from Artsy’s close collaborators—artists, curators, collectors, critics, and others—which was then interpreted and filtered through Artsy’s editorial team. The feature highlights particularly impactful “moments” in the global art calendar from the past year, including Brexit (exploring a possible cooling of the art market); the re-emergence of Dread Scott’s flag (and its adoption by the Black Lives Matter movement); and the release of the Oculus Rift headset (focusing on the proliferation of virtual reality in society at large), amongst others. Articles announcing The Most Influential Living Artists of 2016, Most Influential Curators of 2016, Top Emerging Artists of 2016, and Artists to Watch in 2017 round out the feature, providing a robust snapshot of the past year, and a reference for years to come.

Artsy is the leading resource for learning about and collecting art from over 4,000 leading galleries, 700 museums and institutions, 60 international art fairs, and select auctions. Artsy provides free access via its website (Artsy.net) and iPhone and iPad apps to 500,000 images of art and architecture by 50,000 artists, which includes the world’s largest online database of contemporary art. Artsy’s encyclopedic database spans historical works, such as the Rosetta Stone and the Colosseum, to modern and contemporary works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Willem de Kooning, Richard Serra, Sarah Lucas, and Cindy Sherman. Powered by The Art Genome Project, a classification system that maps the connections between artists and artworks, Artsy fosters new generations of art lovers, museum-goers, patrons, and collectors.

“This is the latest initiative in our overarching mission to drive the conversation around art forward in a thoughtful and accessible way,” notes Marina Cashdan, Artsy’s editorial director. “As interest and engagement with visual culture grows, globally rich features such as this are important references and touchstones to understanding society’s relationship to the most influential art and artists of today. Partnering with UBS on our fourth project together, and having access to Planet Art’s detailed analytics, was integral to realizing this comprehensive feature.”

UBS’s long and substantial record of patronage in contemporary art enables clients and audiences to participate in the international conversation about art and the global art world through the firm’s global art platform. In addition to the UBS Art Collection, considered one of the world’s largest and most important corporate collections of contemporary art, UBS has an extensive roster of contemporary art programs that include the firm’s long-term support for the premier international Art Basel shows in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong, for which UBS serves as global Lead Partner; the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; and a global exhibition tour of WOMEN: New Portraits, an exhibition of newly commissioned photographs by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Andaz Brand Continues Expansion with Three New Locations

Brand Growth Accelerated With Hotels Expected To Open This Week In Arizona, Mexico And India

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced today the official opening of Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, marking the first Mexican location for the Andaz brand, and the anticipated openings of Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa and Andaz Delhi. The three properties will join 13 other Andaz hotels, each celebrating the local culture and unique spirit of neighborhoods in diverse and culturally rich global gateway cities and top resort destinations around the world. With several more hotel openings in the pipeline, the Andaz brand provides global growth opportunities for Hyatt.

Global in scale while local in perspective, Andaz Hotels weave the sights, sounds and tastes of their surroundings into each property for an experience that truly immerses guests in the eclectic culture of each destination. Through personalized, unscripted service, Andaz hotels create a barrier-free environment where guests are encouraged to explore their personal sense of style and become inspired by the spirit of the culture around them. Fourteen Andaz hotels are currently open: Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street in New York, Andaz San Diego, Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Napa, Andaz Savannah, Andaz Maui at Wailea, Andaz Ottawa By Ward Market, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Andaz London Liverpool Street, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Andaz Xintiandi in Shanghai and Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills.

“Hyatt is committed to purposeful and meaningful growth,” said David Tarr, Senior Vice President Of Real Estate And Development, Hyatt. “With three Andaz hotels opening this week in very different parts of the world, and the recent opening of Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, it’s clear the brand is a growth driver domestically and internationally for Hyatt’s luxury lifestyle brands.”

“These hotels truly fulfill the spirit of the Andaz brand, weaving the sights, sounds and tastes of their surroundings into the experience and immersing guests in the local culture,” said Sandra Cordova Micek, Global Senior Vice President Of Brands, Hyatt. “Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, and Andaz Delhi will create environments where guests leave feeling enriched, knowing their experience was much more than the expected hotel stay.”

Like all Andaz hotels, these properties will celebrate local culture and the spirit of their respective neighborhoods, bringing to life its history and personalities in unique and surprising ways. Now open and accepting reservations, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya (Carretera Federal Cancun-Playa Del Carmen Km. 298; Playa del Carmen-Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico, 77710, Tel: +52 984 1491234) introduces guests to a hidden paradise. The resort’s breathtaking design reflects the native Mayan culture and brings to life locally inspired experiences and indigenous environment for guests, whether by exploring the lush mangrove preserve, relaxing in the 10,000 square-foot Naum Spa, sunbathing in one of three outdoor pools, or unwinding on the pristine white sanded Caribbean beach. The guestrooms and suites at Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya are naturally inspired with breezy, open layouts flooded with natural light and featuring refined artisan décor. Local artworks adorn the walls, and decorative tiles outfit the floors. Each room and suite includes a balcony or terrace with tropical views of the resort gardens and mangroves, the crystal clear lagoon, or the Caribbean Sea.

Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya

Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya

Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya

Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya is located right on the beachfront, just north of Playa del Carmen’s intriguing community of shops, bars, and restaurants. The Riviera Maya coastline and the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea provide endless opportunities for watersports such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and kitesurfing. The Yucatan Peninsula offers endless adventures, including the unique archaeological ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum and the scenic natural swimming holes known as cenotes. Guests of the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya also have access to the prestigious El Camaleón 18-hole golf course, the Mayakoba Tennis Centre, and a variety of outdoor activities.

Four unique restaurants and bars offer distinguished culinary experiences, serving fresh ingredients and showcasing authentic cooking techniques – all with stunning views of the pools, lagoon, and ocean. To ensure an authentic stay, the hotel has teamed up with a series of local artists, including Senkoe, a Riviera Maya graffiti artist, who was tapped to curate vibrant and colorful murals seen throughout the resort. They also offer a series of inspiring activities to allow guests to truly absorb Mayan culture, such as learning to speak the language or preparing the best tacos in a Tacology class.

Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa Guestroom Exterior

Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa Guestroom Shower

Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa Guestroom

Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa Guestroom Evening Walkaway

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa is situated on 23 acres of sweeping desert landscape at the base of Camelback Mountain. Signature restaurant Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen will feature an exhibition kitchen with a plancha and will serve contemporary Sonoran cuisine in small, sharable plates. Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary will offer guests seven treatment rooms and a customizable menu utilizing unique and indigenous ingredients, as well as the opportunity to invent their own concoctions at the Desert Blending Bar. Through an extensive artist in residence program in partnership with the nearby Cattle Track Arts community, guests will be able to interact, learn and create alongside local craftsman in painting, pottery, photography and more. The hotel is expected to open later this week.

Ed Nardoza To Retire, Miles Socha Named WWD Editor In Chief

Nardoza To Retire After 25 Years Leading The Legendary WWD Brand

Penske Media‘s Chairman and CEO Jay Penske has named Miles Socha Editor in Chief of WWD. Socha, a veteran journalist who has most recently served as WWD’s Executive Editor, Europe, will succeed Edward Nardoza, WWD’s longstanding Editor in Chief.

Nardoza’s tenure spanned three decades, during which time he became the heart of WWD, guiding the brand through a challenging industry climate while never relenting on the original mission tenets established by Fairchild. Nardoza’s announced retirement includes plans to spend more time with his lovely wife and family. He also plans to finally write a few books.

Nardoza will be stepping down to enter retirement after 25 years in his role and 32 years overall at WWD’s parent Fairchild Fashion Media. He will work closely with Socha through January to seamlessly transition the role and responsibilities.

“It is difficult to leave my WWD family, particularly at such an exciting time with momentum building across the entire WWD organization. However, the time has come for a plan I’ve discussed with Jay for a long time, and we’ve got the right leader in place for the future,” said Nardoza. “It feels good to leave my post in the hands of a journalist as capable as Miles, who I’ve worked with side-by-side for nearly two decades; I know he and the organization’s team of talented, dedicated journalists will successfully steer WWD for years to come.”

In his announcement to the WWD staff on Thursday evening, Penske stated, “Ed is one of the finest editors of his generation. As WWD’s Editor in Chief for the last 25 years, he has impeccably led and built the top news operation across fashion, beauty and retail.“

Penske continued to say, “With Miles, we could not have chosen a more capable, talented and innovative leader to continue Ed’s work. For those of you who know Miles, you absolutely understand my decision; and for those who have not yet met Miles, you will quickly learn why he is the right leader – he’s a smart, driven and fair journalist deeply entrenched in our industry who also brings with him a progressive digital perspective. I look forward to all we plan to accomplish.”

Originally launched in 1910 as a fashion industry daily, and for four decades under the pioneering stewardship of John B. Fairchild, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) has grown into “the fashion bible” for CEOs, business owners, designers and other thought leaders in the fashion, retail and beauty industries. Owned by Penske Media since 2014, the WWD brand boasts an award-winning weekly print product, a steadily growing Web site, and an innovative digital daily. The business also produces a highly profitable series of year-round global events, including its most recently launched WWD Global Fashion Forum in Asia.

As the WWD brand continues to expand globally, Socha’s experience with international leaders and audiences in the fashion, retail and beauty industries makes for a good fit. Beyond his role as European Editor for WWD, Socha brings to his Editor in Chief role extensive international experience that includes reporting, feature writing and editing for newspapers and magazines in his native Canada.

“WWD is the fashion world’s most vital and dynamic news organization and I feel privileged and honored to lead its global teams,” said Socha. “I look forward to extending this brand’s news leadership as well as its celebration of creativity, just as Ed has done so beautifully for the last 25 years.”

Socha joined Fairchild Fashion Media in 1995, initially covering the designer men’s wear market at DNR before taking on the designer and denim beats at WWD. He became WWD’s Paris bureau chief in 2000 and its European editor in 2008, A journalism graduate from Ottawa’s Carleton University, Socha began his career at the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, a daily newspaper. Socha will relocate to the publication’s New York headquarters from WWD’s Paris office, and will report to Penske Media CEO and Chairman Jay Penske.

9 Foreign Language Films Advance In Oscar® Race

60th Anniversary Of The Foreign Language Film Category

Nine features will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 89th Academy Awards®. Eighty-five films had originally been considered in the category.

The competitive Foreign Language Film category was introduced in 1956 for the 29th Academy Awards. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the Academy has created a complete playlist of acceptance speeches and a poster gallery of all the Foreign Language Film Oscar® winners.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

• Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors;
• Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director;
• Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director;
• Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director;
• Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director;
• Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director;
• Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director;
• Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director;
• Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director.

Foreign Language Film nominations for 2016 are determined in two phases.

The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and December 12. The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

The shortlist will be winnowed down to the category’s five nominees by specially invited committees in New York, Los Angeles and London. They will spend Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, viewing three films each day and then casting their ballots.

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

10 Contenders Remain In VFX Oscar® Race

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 89th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

• “Arrival”
• “The BFG”
• “Captain America: Civil War”
• “Deepwater Horizon”
• “Doctor Strange”
• “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
• “The Jungle Book”
• “Kubo and the Two Strings”
• “Passengers”
• “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 7, 2017. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar® consideration.

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

145 Original Film Scores Eligible In 2016 Oscar® Race

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 145 scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2016 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 89th Academy Awards®.

A Reminder List of works submitted in the Original Score category will be made available with a nominations ballot to all members of the Music Branch, who shall vote in the order of their preference for not more than five achievements. The five achievements receiving the highest number of votes will become the nominations for final voting for the award.

To be eligible, the original score must be a substantial body of music that serves as original dramatic underscoring, and must be written specifically for the motion picture by the submitting composer. Scores diluted by the use of preexisting music, diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs or any music not composed specifically for the film by the submitting composer, or assembled from the music of more than one composer shall not be eligible.

The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below, in alphabetical order by film title:

• “The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer
• “Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer
• “The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer
• “Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer
• “Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer
• “Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer
• “American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
• “The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer
• “Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer
• “Armenia, My Love,” Silvia Leonetti, composer
• “Assassin’s Creed,” Jed Kurzel, composer
• “Autumn Lights,” Hugi Gudmundsson and Hjörtur Ingvi Jóhannsson, composers
• “The BFG,” John Williams, composer
• “Believe,” Michael Reola, composer
• “Ben-Hur,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers
• “Bilal,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer
• “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna, composers
• “The Birth of a Nation,” Henry Jackman, composer
• “Bleed for This,” Julia Holter, composer
• “The Boss,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
• “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” Craig Armstrong, composer
• “The Bronze,” Andrew Feltenstein and John Nau, composers
• “Captain America: Civil War,” Henry Jackman, composer
• “The Charnel House,” Todd Haberman, composer
• “The Choice,” Marcelo Zarvos, composer
• “Collateral Beauty,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
• “The Conjuring 2,” Joseph Bishara, composer
• “Criminal,” Bryan Tyler and Keith Power, composers
• “Deadpool,” Tom Holkenborg, composer
• “Deepwater Horizon,” Steve Jablonsky, composer
• “Denial,” Howard Shore, composer
• “Doctor Strange,” Michael Giacchino, composer
• “The Dressmaker,” David Hirschfelder, composer
• “Eddie the Eagle,” Matthew Margeson, composer
• “The Edge of Seventeen,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer
• “Elle,” Anne Dudley, composer
• “Eye in the Sky,” Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian, composers
• “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” James Newton Howard, composer
• “Fences,” Marcelo Zarvos, composer
• “Finding Dory,” Thomas Newman, composer
• “The First Monday in May,” Ian Hultquist and Sofia Hultquist, composers
• “Florence Foster Jenkins,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
• “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life,” Ryan Shore, composer
• “The Founder,” Carter Burwell, composer
• “Free State of Jones,” Nicholas Britell, composer
• “Ghostbusters,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
• “The Girl on the Train,” Danny Elfman, composer
• “Gleason,” Dan Romer and Saul Simon MacWilliams, composers
• “Gold,” Daniel Pemberton, composer
• “Greater,” Stephen Raynor-Endelman, composer
• “Hacksaw Ridge,” Rupert Gregson-Williams, composer
• “Hail, Caesar!,” Carter Burwell, composer
• “The Handmaiden,” Cho Young-wuk, composer
• “Hands of Stone,” Angelo Milli, composer
• “Hell or High Water,” Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, composers
• “Hidden Figures,” Pharrell Williams and Benjamin Wallfisch, composers
• “High-Rise,” Clint Mansell, composer
• “How to Be Single,” Fil Eisler, composer
• “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” Lukasz Buda and Samuel Scott, composers
• “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” James Newton Howard, composer
• “Ice Age: Collision Course,” John Debney, composer
• “Independence Day: Resurgence,” Thomas Wander and Harald Kloser, composers
• “Indignation,” Jay Wadley, composer
• “The Invitation,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
• “Ithaca,” John Mellencamp, composer
• “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” Henry Jackman, composer
• “Jackie,” Mica Levi, composer
• “Julieta,” Alberto Iglesias, composer
• “The Jungle Book,” John Debney, composer
• “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” Jake Monaco, composer
• “Kicks,” Brian Reitzell, composer
• “Krisha,” Brian McOmber, composer
• “Kubo and the Two Strings,” Dario Marianelli, composer
• “La La Land,” Justin Hurwitz, composer
• “Land of Mine,” Sune Martin, composer
• “Landfill Harmonic,” Michael A. Levine, composer
• “The Legend of Ben Hall,” Ronnie Minder, composer
• “The Legend of Tarzan,” Rupert Gregson-Williams, composer
• “Life, Animated,” Dylan Stark and T. Griffin, composers
• “The Light between Oceans,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
• “Lights Out,” Benjamin Wallfisch, composer
• “Lion,” Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka, composers
• “The Little Prince,” Hans Zimmer and Richard Harvey, composers
• “Live by Night,” Harry Gregson-Williams, composer
• “Loving,” David Wingo, composer
• “Maggie’s Plan,” Michael Rohatyn, composer
• “Me before You,” Craig Armstrong, composer
• “The Meddler,” Jonathan Sadoff, composer
• “Midnight Special,” David Wingo, composer
• “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” Jeff Cardoni, composer
• “Miracles from Heaven,” Carlo Siliotto, composer
• “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” Mike Higham and Matthew Margeson, composers
• “Miss Sloane,” Max Richter, composer
• “Mr. Church,” Mark Isham, composer
• “Moana,” Mark Mancina, composer
• “Money Monster,” Dominic Lewis, composer
• “The Monkey King 2,” Christopher Young, composer
• “A Monster Calls,” Fernando Velázquez, composer
• “Moonlight,” Nicholas Britell, composer
• “Morgan,” Max Richter, composer
• “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
• “The Neon Demon,” Cliff Martinez, composer
• “The Nice Guys,” John Ottman, composer
• “No Letting Go,” Alain Mayrand, composer
• “Nocturnal Animals,” Abel Korzeniowski, composer
• “Now You See Me 2,” Brian Tyler, composer
• “O.J.: Made in America,” Gary Lionelli, composer
• “Off the Rails,” Steve Gernes and Duncan Thum, composers
• “The Other Side of the Door,” Joseph Bishara, composer
• “The Ottoman Lieutenant,” Geoff Zanelli, composer
• “Ouija: Origin of Evil,” Taylor Stewart and John Andrew Grush, composers
• “Our Kind of Traitor,” Marcelo Zarvos, composer
• “Passengers,” Thomas Newman, composer
• “Paterson,” Carter Logan and Jim Jarmusch, composers
• “Patriots Day,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, composers
• “Pelé: Birth of a Legend,” A. R. Rahman, composer
• “Pete’s Dragon,” Daniel Hart, composer
• “Po,” Burt Bacharach, composer
• “Queen of Katwe,” Alex Heffes, composer
• “Race,” Rachel Portman, composer
• “The Red Turtle,” Laurent Perez Del Mar, composer
• “Ride Along 2,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
• “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Michael Giacchino, composer
• “Sausage Party,” Alan Menken and Christopher Lennertz, composers
• “The Secret Life of Pets,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
• “Silicon Cowboys,” Ian Hultquist, composer
• “Sing,” Joby Talbot, composer
• “Snowtime!,” Eloi Painchaud and Jorane, composers
• “Southside with You,” Stephen James Taylor, composer
• “Star Trek Beyond,” Michael Giacchino, composer
• “Storks,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna, composers
• “Suicide Squad,” Steven Price, composer
• “Sully,” Christian Jacob, composer
• “Swiss Army Man,” Andy Hull and Robert McDowell, composers
• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” Steve Jablonsky, composer
• “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Bear McCreary, composer
• “10 Days in a Madhouse,” Jamie Hall, composer
• “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” Lorne Balfe, composer
• “Trolls,” Christophe Beck, composer
• “20th Century Women,” Roger Neill, composer
• “Warcraft,” Ramin Djawadi, composer
• “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” Nick Urata, composer
• “X-Men: Apocalypse,” John Ottman, composer
• “Zoolander 2,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
• “Zootopia,” Michael Giacchino, composer

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

91 Original Songs Vie For 2016 Oscar®

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 91 songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2016 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 89th Academy Awards®.

To be eligible, a song must consist of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film. A clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film or as the first music cue in the end credits.

During the nominations process, all voting members of the Music Branch will receive a Reminder List of works submitted in the category and a compilation of the song clips. Members will be asked to watch the clips and then vote in the order of their preference for not more than five achievements in the category. The five achievements receiving the highest number of votes will become the nominations for final voting for the award. A maximum of two songs may be nominated from any one film. The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title:

• “Just Like Fire” from “Alice through the Looking Glass”
• “Rise” from “American Wrestler: The Wizard”
• “Friends” from “The Angry Birds Movie”
• “Flicker” from “Audrie & Daisy”
• “Seconds” from “Autumn Lights”
• “A Minute To Breathe” from “Before the Flood”
• “Glory (Let There Be Peace)” from “Believe”
• “Mother’s Theme” from “Believe”
• “Somewhere” from “Believe”
• “The Only Way Out” from “Ben-Hur”
• “Still Falling For You” from “Bridget Jones’s Baby”
• “F That” from “The Bronze”
• “Torch Pt. 2” from “Citizen Soldier”
• “Drift And Fall Again” from “Criminal”
• “Take Me Down” from “Deepwater Horizon”
• “Land Of All” from “Desierto”
• “Sad But True (Dreamland Theme)” from “Dreamland”
• “Angel By The Wings” from “The Eagle Huntress”
• “Blind Pig” from “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
• “One Frame At A Time” from “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life”
• “I’m Crying” from “Free State of Jones”
• “Gold” from “Gold”
• “Champion” from “Hands of Stone”
• “Dance Rascal, Dance” from “Hello, My Name Is Doris”
• “I See A Victory” from “Hidden Figures”
• “Runnin” from “Hidden Figures”
• “Sixty Charisma Scented Blackbirds” from “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate
• Can’t Change”
• “My Superstar” from “Ice Age: Collision Course”
• “Seeing You Around” from “Ithaca”
• “The Empty Chair” from “Jim: The James Foley Story”
• “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from “La La Land”
• “City Of Stars” from “La La Land”
• “Start A Fire” from “La La Land”
• “Cateura Vamos A Soñar (We Will Dream)” from “Landfill Harmonic”
• “Better Love” from “The Legend of Tarzan”
• “Never Give Up” from “Lion”
• “Equation” from “The Little Prince”
• “Turnaround” from “The Little Prince”
• “Moonshine” from “Live By Night”
• “Loving” from “Loving”
• “Hurry Home” from “Max Rose”
• “Gone 2015” from “Miles Ahead”
• “Wish That You Were Here” from “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”
• “I’m Still Here” from “Miss Sharon Jones!”
• “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana”
• “We Know The Way” from “Moana”
• “Even More Mine” from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”
• “Waving Goodbye” from “The Neon Demon”
• “I’m Back” from “Never Surrender”
• “Find My Victory” from “Olympic Pride, American Prejudice”
• “On Ghost Ridge” from “100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice”
• “Ordinary World” from “Ordinary World”
• “Devil’s Girl” from “Outlaws and Angels”
• “Levitate” from “Passengers”
• “Ginga” from “Pelé: Birth of a Legend”
• “Nobody Knows” from “Pete’s Dragon”
• “Something Wild” from “Pete’s Dragon”
• “Dancing With Your Shadow” from “Po”
• “I’m So Humble” from “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”
• “Stay Here” from “Presenting Princess Shaw”
• “Celebrate Life” from “Queen Mimi”
• “Back To Life” from “Queen of Katwe”
• “Let The Games Begin” from “Race”
• “Think About It” from “The Red Pill”
• “The Rules Don’t Apply” from “Rules Don’t Apply”
• “The Great Beyond” from “Sausage Party”
• “Faith” from “Sing”
• “Set It All Free” from “Sing”
• “Drive It Like You Stole It” from “Sing Street”
• “Go Now” from “Sing Street”
• “The Veil” from “Snowden”
• “Hymn” from “Snowtime!”
• “Kiss Me Goodnight” from “Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four”
• “Holdin’ Out” from “Storks”
• “Heathens” from “Suicide Squad”
• “Flying Home” from “Sully”
• “Montage” from “Swiss Army Man”
• “Petit Metier” from “They Will Have to Kill Us First – Malian Music in Exile”
• “Letter To The Free” from “13th”
• “Down With Mary” from “Too Late”
• “Can’t Stop The Feeling” from “Trolls”
• “Get Back Up Again” from “Trolls”
• “Smile” from “The Uncondemned”
• “We Will Rise” from “Veeram-Macbeth”
• “LA Venus” from “We Are X”
• “New Dogs, Old Tricks” from “What Happened Last Night”
• “Runnin’ Runnin'” from “What Happened Last Night”
• “What’s Happening Today” from “What Happened Last Night”
• “Who I Am” from “What Happened Last Night”
• “The Ballad Of Wiener-Dog” from “Wiener-Dog”
• “Try Everything” from “Zootopia”

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

“Love Lanai At Four Seasons Resort Lanai”: Enjoy A Hawaiian Adventure With Unlimited Activities

There’s no limit to what one can see on Lanai. And now, there’s no limit to what one can do with the new Love Lanai experience from Four Seasons Resort Lanai. Now guests can enjoy unlimited Four Seasons activities from golf to sailing each and every day during their vacation getaway to Lanai, Hawaii’s exclusive island adventure.

On property, guests can try their hand at championship golf at the award-winning Manele Golf Course

Experience an absolute escape at a resort with its own island to explore. On property, guests can try their hand at championship golf at the award-winning Manele Golf Course, where all 18 holes boast amazing ocean views; play tennis; or relax with a 60-minute spa treatment per person, per stay from the Love Lanai menu.

Humpback whale does a headstand at sunset with Lanai, Hawaii in the background.

Enjoy an evening cocktail on a Sunset Sail experience

Choose from a number of exciting ocean activities including a snorkel sail were waters teem with colorful fish and day octopus. Cast eyes across the seas to catch sight of humpbacks and spinner dolphins on a Whale Watch expedition or enjoy an evening cocktail on a Sunset Sail experience as the sun paints the sky a beautiful hue as the day comes to a close.

Explore the rugged off-the-beaten-paths on a Polaris RZR.

Upcountry adventures include horseback riding among the ironwood forests.

Upcountry adventures include horseback riding among the ironwood forests, an alternative way to explore the wooded valleys and trails of the extraordinary upland terrain of the Kaka’alani Flats. Or tour rugged off-the-beaten-paths on a Polaris RZR or Ranger as guides nimbly maneuver the trails while sharing their knowledge of the history of the island, the natural environment and heritage sites while heading to inspiring scenic vistas overlooking the neighbour islands.

Experience Costa Mesa, The City of the Arts™, This Holiday Season

Southern California’s Costa Mesa is a year-round destination in The OC where dining, shopping and Broadway performances are just the beginning of the experience to be had in the “City of the Arts” and the holidays are a spectacular time to visit. Below is a round up of holiday events and specials Costa Mesa in 2016.

STAY

“Stay in Costa Mesa & Get $100” with Participating Costa Mesa Hotels

Now through January 7, 2017, visitors who book and stay two nights in one of ten participating Costa Mesa hotels will receive a $100 South Coast Plaza gift certificate. Guests can use their $100 gift certificate at the South Coast Plaza and it’s more than 250 unique boutiques, fashion designer retailers and restaurants. In addition, the certificate is good for use at many restaurants around Costa Mesa, and for theater performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. For more information on the Stay and Get $100 offer and a list of participating hotels, please visit http://www.travelcostamesa.com/scp100.

NEW: BLVD Hotel, one of 11 branded properties in Costa Mesa has recently remodeled its lobby modifying its dining area to the Coast Lounge where they will offer complimentary evening happy hour for guests. This is the perfect addition for the chic, stylish boutique hotel.

SHOP
NEW: Weekend Max Mara at South Coast Plaza
The only North American store and located in Costa Mesa, Weekend Max Mara is the classic contemporary lifestyle collection within the Max Mara Group, created as an easy and wearable collection for weekends. From accessible ready-to-wear to accessories, the collection embodies an original sportswear foundation with focus on uncompromising quality, comfort and effortless style.

NEW: White Lilac at South Coast Plaza
Previously a private event service, White Lilac has opened its first boutique in Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza. Celebrated design company White Lilac’s signature home décor boutique showcases a unique, whimsical collection of gifts, housewares, accessories, furniture, and décor inspired by White Lilac innovative event designs for celebrity clients, dignitaries and iconic venues.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

NEW: Gun Whale Ales
A new craft brewing, blending and tasting room started by Southern California natives where the goal of their brew is to blend European-farmhouse tradition with West Coast styles made famous by California.

Ms Alice at The Mansion

Like a classic 1930s speakeasy, you’ll be wowed right when you walk through the door of this secluded bar located adjacent to popular Costa Mesa nightclub, Mansion. With the Alice in Wonderland twist on décor, unique cocktails and a menu that has your mouth watering, Ms Alice (purposely without a ‘period’) has no dedicated website, so you must visit in person to see why it is part of Costa Mesa’s eclectic dining scene.

NEW: Ruin Bar
Yet another creative dining experience, Ruin Bar opened in later November 2016. Located in The LAB anti-mall in Costa Mesa, this is an unassuming treat to the bar scene. You’ll find a sophisticated drink menu, and bites to tempt your palate.

NEW: Popbar
Founded in New York, Popbar has opened its first Costa Mesa location, serving up customizable PopGelato, PopSorbetta and YogurtPops. The authentic Italian treat is all-natural, gluten-free, low in sugar and fat and comes in a variety of flavors with traditional chocolate and vanilla, as well as banana and passion fruit. The twist is, you can customize your Popbar with a variety of dips and toppings.

BE ENTERTAINED
Segerstrom Center for the Arts December brings the sites and sounds of performances including American Ballet Theater featuring The Nutcracker (Dec. 9-18); Elf the Musical (Dec. 20 – Jan. 1); The Klezmatics Eastern European Hanukkah Concert (Dec. 22); Fiesta Navidad (Dec. 23) featuring Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in this festive performance.

Additional upcoming holiday shows at Segerstrom include: Big Band Christmas (12/10), Bach Brandenburg Concertos Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (12/14); Australian rockstars of opera, The Ten Tenors present “Home for the Holidays” (12/16-12/17); ‘Tis the Season featuring the Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony (12/18-12/19); American Idol alum David Archuleta on his Holiday Concert Tour (12/21). For more information on upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.travelcostamesa.com/calendar/upcoming-events/.

The Frick Pittsburgh Announces Publication of Collection Guide

A New Handbook Of Collection Highlights Has Been Published In Conjunction With A Major Exhibition That Celebrates The Works Of Fine And Decorative Arts At The Heart Of The Frick Experience

This fall the exhibition galleries at The Frick Art Museum are being taken over by the permanent collection for the first exhibition in eight years to focus exclusively on the works of fine and decorative art in the collection of the Frick Art & Historical Center (The Frick Pittsburgh). The Frick Collects: From Rubens to Monet celebrates the works of fine and decorative art at the heart of the Frick experience. The exhibition will remain on view through May 14, 2017. Admission is free.

Claude Monet (1840-1926) Banks of Thr Seine at Lavacourt (Bords de la Seine a Lavacourt) 1879. The Frick Pittsburgh.

Located on the Pittsburgh estate of late-19th-century industrialist Henry Clay Frick, The Frick Pittsburgh is the steward of collections left as a legacy to the people of Pittsburgh by Frick’s daughter, Helen Clay Frick. The permanent collections include fine and decorative arts, cars, carriages, historic objects, and buildings. The Frick experience includes The Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, Clayton, the Frick family Gilded Age mansion, and six acres of beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens. Also included are an Education Center, the Frick children’s playhouse (designed by renowned architects Alden & Harlow), a large working greenhouse (also designed by Alden & Harlow), The Café at the Frick, and the Grable Visitor Center, which houses the Frick Museum Store. (More information is available online at www.TheFrickPittsburgh.org.)

Arthur Devis (1712-1787) Sir Joshua Vanneck and His Family, 1752. The Frick Pittsburgh, featured in The Frick Collects: Rubens to Monet

From Henry Clay Frick’s early purchases, to his daughter Helen’s collecting interests, through to the acquisitions that have been made by the museum in recent years, (through this exhibition) visitors will see and learn about the enduring legacy of the Frick family as art collectors. Objects will be brought together to tell a unified story—a story that doesn’t stop with Henry Clay Frick’s early purchases for Clayton, but continues, looking at both Henry and Helen as the collectors who have shaped the Frick Art & Historical Center’s holdings.

The earliest acquisitions in the collection date to Henry Clay Frick’s bachelor days. Before his marriage (and for the first months after his marriage) he lived in downtown Pittsburgh at the fashionable Monongahela House. He bought his first paintings and decorative objects for his rooms there: an elaborate rococo revival clock and candelabra set purchased through Tiffany’s, an ebonized cabinet, and his first documented painting purchase, a landscape by local artist George Hetzel.

Antip Kuzmichev (Russian, 1856-1917) for Tiffany & Co, Tea Set, 1892. The Frick Pittsburgh; featured in the current The Frick Collects: Rubens to Monet exhibition.

When they moved into Clayton, Henry Clay Frick and his wife furnished it as many young couples do—most of the purchases were new, fashionable and of the period. Frick had met his wife, Adelaide Howard Childs (1859-1931) in February 1881. Adelaide was the sixth daughter of the wealthy Pittsburgh Childs family, who were manufacturers and importers of shoes and boots. For young couples during America’s Gilded Age like the Fricks, art collecting was not simply a way to exercise taste and create a suitable environment—although these were important considerations. More subtly the right objects gave their owner a sense of history and pedigree. Collecting was a personal pleasure and an indicator of status, discernment and good taste.

The Frick Pittsburgh: A Guide to the Collection, Scala Arts Publishers, Inc., 2016. Cover features Peter Paul Rubens’ Portrait of Charlotte-Marguerite de Montmorency, Princess of Conde, circa 1610. The Frick Pittsburgh. (PRNewsFoto/The Frick Pittsburgh)

The rise in American collecting of this period also coincided with the establishment of the first museums in the country, including the Wadsworth Athenaeum of Hartford, Connecticut in 1842, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1870, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1872, and in 1896, Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Institute. As the century progressed, forming collections and bequeathing them to the public became one way to put wealth and the accumulation of a collection to public service.

It was Helen Clay Frick’s vision that led to the restoration of Clayton as a house museum. The Frick Art Museum, which was opened to the public in 1970 just a block south of Clayton, was built primarily for the collection she developed, rather than the one she inherited. Helen even had the family cars and carriages carefully preserved and brought back to Pittsburgh from the family’s Massachusetts summer estate.

Movado Launches the Special Edition Edge Collection Designed in Collaboration with Celebrated Industrial Designer Yves Béhar

Movado has introduced a new Special Edition Movado Edge collection, developed in collaboration with world-renowned industrial designer Yves Béhar and his design firm fuseproject. A breakthrough design that brought a dynamic new level of artistry and innovation to the legendary Museum Dial, created in 1947 by artist/design Nathan George Horwitt, the Movado Edge collection premiered in 2015 to critical acclaim.

The Movado Edge Special Edition collection brings new creative thinking and modern materials to Edge and includes a bangle bracelet watch for women, and men’s bracelet watch and chronograph models.

“We are excited to continue our creative collaboration with Yves Béhar and to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the launch of Movado Edge with these new special edition timepieces,” stated Efraim Grinberg, Chairman & CEO, Movado Group. “Edge represents an incredible opportunity to take the purity and distinctiveness of the Museum Dial in creative new directions, and we are extremely proud of this latest result.”

Stark and striking, the iconic Museum Dial has no numbers and is defined only by a solitary gold dot at 12 o’clock, symbolizing the sun at high noon, while its simple moving hands suggest the daily rotation of the earth on its axis. This conceptual, groundbreaking dial is one of the most acclaimed watch designs of all time, and one of the most important of the 20th Century.

Edge reinterpreted Horwitt’s original design in three dimensions, with the signature dot emerging from the dial’s curved, newly textured landscape, and sculpted ridges around the edge suggesting the sun’s rays, while subtly marking the minutes. The transformative launch collection included men’s, women’s and chronograph models on stainless steel link bracelets and black leather or rubber straps.

“A year ago, we introduced the Edge collection for Movado – one of the brand’s most important design collaborations since the creation of the iconic Museum Dial watch in 1947,” said Yves Béhar, Founder and Principal Designer, fuseproject, “On the first anniversary of Edge, I designed a Special Edition signature line constructed with a dial made of a unique casting process, and with an organic pattern that celebrates the subtleties of the original collection.“

The Movado Edge Special Edition collection brings new creative thinking and modern materials to Edge. The distinctive concave dials are defined by a new organic texture, reminiscent of lava rock. Offered in stainless steel with a startling blue lava-textured dial and tonal dot, and in black and rose gold ion-plated stainless steel with a black lava-textured dial detailed by a rose gold-toned dot, these special edition designs feature case-backs engraved with Béhar’s signature. The inspired new Special Edition Edge collection includes a bangle bracelet watch for women, and men’s bracelet watch and chronograph models.