ARETHA FRANKLIN
If Michael Jackson is ‘The King of Pop’ and Aretha Franklin ‘The Queen of Soul—Bruce Springsteen ‘The Boss’ and Frank Sinatra ‘The Voice,’ then Armin Van Buuren, the international DJ who usurped club titans Paul Van Dyk and Tiesto for DJ Mag’s #1 DJ in the World, is deserving of an honorific musical title too. 'The Prince of Party', 'The Titan of Trance,' or a succinct 'The Synthesizer' all seem fitting for the 34 year old Dutch DJ, still bound four times over to an official “Worlds Most Popular DJ” tagline.
The 44-year-old actress Halle Berry doesn't want to portray Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic based on her 1999 autobiography "Aretha: From These Roots."
During the "Wendy Williams Show", the Queen of Soul said that Berry was her pick for the movie: "For the last four years, we’ve been talking about that and I have had a number of offers but unfortunately, they were not good offers. Now, we have something on the table. They have all of the financing on one project and the second project, he’s in the process of writing things for me to approve on the tele-film. Halle Berry is my pick for the older Aretha. There’s a young Aretha that has yet to be named.”
On June 14, 2010, The King of Pop and the Queen of Soul will join the legends of the past in the Apollo Theater's Hall of Fame. For his immense contribution to the music industry, Jackson will be posthumously inducted while Aretha Franklin will appear in person to receive her title and award. In celebration of the Harlem landmark's 75th Anniversary, honorees and invited guests will include Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony who will each receive the theater's Humanitarian Award. For Jackson, the journey of his remarkable career will end at the exact place it started where he took stage with his brothers in the 1960's for their debut performance in Amateur Night. Other inductees include jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson and Patti Labelle.
He may only be 22 years old, but Jesse Marco is already well-established as one of New York City's most talented and sought-after DJs. His signature style and flair for mixing cross-genre classics, like Led Zeppelin and Jay Z or Michael Jackson and Nirvana, has caught the attention of some of the industry's biggest names, including Tom Ford, Russel Simmons, and Kanye West. Since he started spinning on his first turntables at the age of 12, his passion, talent, and dedication has taken him to the top, with a little help from DJ legends Mark Ronson and DJ AM. Don't miss your chance to get in on the action with Jesse Marco at Joonbug's Fashion Week Gala. Oh, and did we mention that he's also a model? How appropriate.
September 16th Rodrigo y Gabriela. The unbelievably talented Mexican acoustic guitar duo is playing a show at Terminal 5. The fingers will fly up and down guitar necks as the pair shred (can you shred on acoustic guitar?) through their unique sound, which combines elements of flamenco, rock and roll, Latin folk guitar, and…metal. They have a famous reworking of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ that cries out to be listened to. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, $35, Terminal 5, 610 West 56th Street, New York.
If you’re feeling pretty bummed out about missing out on the music festivals occurring all across the country this summer, don't fret--I come bearing optimistic news for music lovers everywhere!
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, U2, Paul Simon, Metallica, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Friends and Simon and Garfunkel, are among the list of confirmed artists to perform at a legendary two-night concert, in celebration of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary! But hold on, it gets better: This all-star event will take place in none other than Madison Square Garden, NYC!
The Jean Shop
Well I have a favorite belt, yes I’m blogging about a belt. I’ve had this belt since college and trust me that was many many years ago. Anyway, The belt is worn in just right. It's a dark brown heavy leather belt which has been worn to a point where the belt now looks light brown and weathered. It's just beautiful and perfect. The problem is, it's torn in the back and now my lovely belt needs a replacement.
I was at the Apple store on 14th street and walked the block for a cab and passed by the Jean Shop. This place is amazing. Jeans and jackets hang on the wall in all shades of leather and denim, belts and shoes in display everywhere. They offer any style, color, wash - whatever you like in jeans.
The original diva Aretha Franklin is now apparently making waves in the fashion world. The singer’s hat worn during the inauguration of President Obama is in high demand. Over 5,000 orders have been placed with Detroit designer Luke Song who made the original hat, which is now in the Smithsonian museum. A bit much for a hat if you ask me, but this is America. We pride ourselves in making meaningless B.S. important - hence why I am talking about a church hat with a giant bow right now.
Song was very proud of the fact Aretha chose that particular design. "I'm so glad she chose that one," Song said in a recent interview with the New York Times. "It was the one I was pushing her to wear."
The legendary Aretha Franklin and clarinetist Anthony McGill are scheduled to perform at Obama’s inaugural bash, but exciting lineups have also been announced for less formal celebrations. The Hideout, a swank venue in Obama’s Midwestern quarters and political activists at Interchange will sponsor the Big Shoulders Ball: Chicago Celebrates Change and bring the fiesta to D.C.’s Black Cat. Literary extraordinaire Thomas Frank was confirmed as presenter for a string of impressive acts, including rockin’ performances by Ted Leo, Andrew Bird and Tortoise amongst many others. In light of the event’s indie foundations, guests are requested to put away the glam and bring on the gram, so if you plan to attend, fish through grandma’s closet or local thrift store before heading to the nation’s capital on Jan 19th.
Ted Leo, Andrew Bird Play Obama Inauguration Bash [Pitchfork]
Aretha Franklin will perform during President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, according to the Associated Press. The notorious and well-loved Franklin has 21 Grammies. She was also chosen to perform for Bill Clinton in 1993. During a Labor Day weekend rally in Detroit, Obama sang a bit of Franklin's "Chain of Fools" to her.
Additionally, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero, and clarinetist Anthony McGill will perform a new work composed by John Williams.
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