Arts Entertainment

Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil Was a “Thriller”

By. Andrea Comer
Inquiring News

Hartford - As a fan of Cirque du Soleil, the King of Pop would have been proud. Almost three years after his death, the fantastic Cirque masters presented a thoughtful tribute to Michael Jackson, which made its Hartford stop at the XL Center on May 2nd and 3rd.

Jackson’s life was itself a fairy tale – from his humble beginnings in Indiana to his icon status. His life story was majestically laid out for a packed crowd in decades of music, concert and video footage, powerful images and astounding performances. The show featured more than two dozen performers who danced and soared through a host of songs, from hits like “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” with the Jackson 5 to his solo classic “Thriller.” Just about every performance incorporated the singer’s legendary choreography, including the crowd-pleasing moonwalks and leanings.

For those vignettes that didn’t, there was plenty to astonish, from the contortionist in green garb dancing around a giant book to aerial dancers spinning through the air to “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” to the pole dancer’s mind-bending “Dangerous” routine. There was even comic relief in the form of dancing penny loafers with white socks and the legendary white glove. A human dressed as Bubbles was also included for laughs presumedly, but came across as more bizarre than entertaining.

Although a journey through the life of MJ, the show didn’t seem to follow a particular story line. Rather, fans received snapshots of the singer’s most memorable moments – fans hoping for full versions of songs like “Beat It” or “Billie Jean” were disappointed. That said, the show was careful not to dwell on any moment too long, so clearly emotional points like “What About,” didn’t last long enough to invoke Michael’s pain.

The closing performance, “Black or White,” which featured an MJ hologram, brought the crowd to its feet, and left them wanting for more. In truth, it was a reminder that even with a show dedicated entirely to him, the reality was that his loss is more than any tribute could overcome. “Immortal” was a reminder that while his memory lives on, there was so much more we were looking forward to.

I-OCTANE'S LATEST STUDIO RECORDING COMES "STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
Inquiring News Staff Report

New York, NY - I-Octane has had a groundbreaking year! In January he announced and promoted his My Life Tour. The six-month tour included shows in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Japan. The year also included features in Vibe Magazine, Billboard Magazine and over ten Award Nominations of which he nabbed approximately seven wins. Added to that, the artist released a catalogue of singles that received continuous airplay on top radio stations including Hot 97 and Sirius XM Radio. Now he is rounding out the year with a new project slated for release on December 6, 2011.

It is the eve of the release for I-Octane's debut EP, "Straight From the Heart" and in true I-Octane style the singer/songwriter stepped outside the box and came up with something intended just for his fans. The EP is unlike anything fans and industry executives will expect from I-Octane. Laden with tracks that include, Burn Dem Bridge, Blood A Go Run, Crime A Rise, Falling, Example for the Poor and My Problems Gone, I-Octane remarks, "I feel good about the singles and I am excited for my fans to hear something different from me."

For the EP, I-Octane worked with producers Stephen "The Genius" McGregor, Kimani "DJ Frass" Palmer, Garry G of Uniiqe Impact Productions, Dev Kutta of Livity Movements, Jordan McClure and David "Hizzle Hayle of Chimney Records. "Straight From the Heart" is the first project off the singer's own label, Conquer the Globe. The project is already receiving a 'thumbs up' by the media as single "Crime A Rise" was featured in the Jon Carmanica section of the New York Times.

In a previously released statement, I-Octane shared the following sentiments about the EP, "As an artist we spend so much time on the go and our interaction with our fans is so limited for so many reasons. Therefore, I take the opportunity while singing to speak to my fans. On this EP I went in depth about the unfortunate situations when friends turn their backs on you, falling in love, the recent increase in crime worldwide, the struggles of the poor and the lack of support ghetto people receive from those inna Jacket and Tie. I also go on to tell fans no matter what your struggles, Jah is the constant source to strength and he will help shoulder your burdens."

On Monday, December 12, 2011, DROM NYC, in association with Federation Sound and Destine Media, will host a by invitation only launch for the EP. I-Octane will perform selected tracks from the EP for media outlets and industry insiders. Thereafter, fans will be able to see I-Octane perform on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Sparks in Newark, NJ and on Friday, December 16, 2011 at Rebel in New York City.

"Straight From The Heart" will be available for purchase through Amazon and iTunes on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Willie Condry, Jr., or KASSO as he is popularly known, grew up in the cities North Ward. Art was a creative outlet that manifested itself early on. Since the age of 5, KASSO has been creating art. He first noticed graffiti art at the age of 7 when graffiti artist from North Jersey and New York were creating murals for local businesses in Trenton. At age 11, he watched the legendary battle between LA graffiti writers HEX and SLICK on television and that's when he realized what he was destined to do.

KASSO went on to study Fine Arts and Illustration at the College of New Jersey, where he excelled in painting, drawing and ceramic sculpture. He furthered his education under the tutelage of legendary graffiti artist, teacher, and mentor Daniel "POSE 2" Hopkins, where he mastered the fine art of aerosol painting.

Today KASSO is primary know for his unique portraits and vivid aerosol based murals. He is a pioneering force in the Trenton, NJ art scene and has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, some of which included: One Simple Wish, ALBUS CAVUS, NJTL(National Junior Tennis League), Home Front, City Without Walls, Isles Youth Build and The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. Along with S.A.G.E. Collective and the Vicious Styles Crew, KASSO has produced dozens of murals throughout the city of Trenton and across the east coast. He has also been commissioned to produced fine art for numerous celebrities and avid art collectors. His goal is to keep producing art by any means and to keep pushing the limits of what art can conceive and achieve.

 SAGE Mission statement

S.A.G.E. (Stylez Advancin Graffiti's Evolution) Collective is a crew of artists who are taking public art to a new dimension. We are the muralists of the future. SAGE combines the abstract with the absolute in art to bring murals into the twenty-second century, while preserving the history of a community on the walls of it's structures. SAGE artists remind those in neighborhoods that unity in community and pride in heritage are still alive. Our humanitarian goal is to uplift the lives of our communities and create a source of pride around the soul of the message.

www.sagecollective.blogspot.com

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK ANNOUNCES NEW OPRAH.COM 'GIVE SWEET THANKS' HOLIDAY SWEEPSTAKES  A Chance for Five Individuals to win $500 and Matching Donation to Local Charity

Los Angeles, CA - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the launch of an online holiday sweepstakes at Oprah.com in support of the new fall series "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's." Starting today through November 28, viewers can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win $500, in addition to a matching $500 donation to a local charity in their community at www.oprah.com/sweetthanks.

 
Viewers are encouraged to share a Thanksgiving family tradition (e.g., favorite recipe, family activity, fun memory, etc.), using the text and photo upload tools available on www.oprah.com.

Five winners will be chosen at random and are eligible to receive:
• $500 award
• $500 matching donation to the winner's local charity for the holidays

Winners will be announced on on-air December 3 during the season finale of "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" on OWN.

About "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's"
Saturday, 9-10 p.m. ET/PT When Robbie Montgomery - one of the original back-up singers for 1960s soul duo sensation Ike and Tina Turner - toured with the band, she poured her creative gifts into her cooking as much as her singing. After the singing stopped, Robbie took her mother's soul food recipes, passed down through generations, and created the empire known as "Sweetie Pie's," St. Louis' iconic and wildly popular soul food restaurant run by Robbie and her dynamic family. With two successful locations, Miss Robbie is upping the ante and preparing to open a third restaurant with the help of her son and business partner, Tim. While Tim and his girlfriend, Jenae, also prepare for the birth of their first child - and their wedding - Miss Robbie, who has never been married, continues to look for love at the age of 71. "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" follows the loud, loving and still very musical Montgomery family as they struggle with the demands of expanding their family-owned business, one soulful dish at a time. Produced by Pilgrim Films & Television.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 77 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.