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Stephen Hawking Is Performing At Glastonbury

May 12, 2015

The Kidz Field at Glastonbury is always a place of magic and wonder, but this year – the field’s 21st anniversary – they’ve really outdone themselves. Renowned physicist and mathematician Professor Stephen Hawking is coming to the Kidz Field for a special guest appearance. This looks to be the perfect opportunity to start the rumour that he will be appearing with Pink Floyd and perform the song Talkin’ Hawkin’, found on their The Endless River album.

As always, all children aged 12 or under are admitted free to Glastonbury Festival 2015, and all activities within the Kidz Field will be without charge. Glastonbury Fest 2015 runs June 24-28. Tickets are sold-out — bad news for all those Hawking superfans who waited too late to buy passes.

Jim Citrin to Host “Career Playbook Radio,” New Career Show for Millennials and Young Professionals on SiriusXM

May 12, 2015

SiriusXM today announced the launch of “Career Playbook Radio,” an all-new career advice show hosted by Jim Citrin, partner at executive search firm Spencer Stuart and best-selling author on leadership and career success. “Career Playbook Radio” is focused on giving millennials, young professionals, and parents of recent college grads expert insight into getting a great job and laying the foundation for a successful career.

“Career Playbook Radio” will be a weekly conversation with top executives, industry veterans, and thought leaders sharing their personal experience and knowledge with aspiring young professionals who are seeking to carve out a distinctive place with their careers in the first decade after graduation.

Each week, “Career Playbook Radio” will feature a wide slate of leaders from top companies and institutions, including: Gail McGovern, CEO and President, American Red Cross; Justin Smith, CEO, Bloomberg Media Group; J. Patrick Doyle, CEO and President of Domino’s Pizza Inc.; Laszlo Bock, Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google Inc.; Lori Goler, Vice President of Human Resources and Recruiting at Facebook, Inc.; Kristen Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, Alumni & MBA Career and Professional Development, Harvard Business School; Admiral Eric Olson, retired Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM); and Soo Hong, Chief Human Resource Officer, WeWork.

“‘Career Playbook Radio’ is a truly unique opportunity to use the reach and impact of SiriusXM to help graduating college students, aspiring young professionals, and their families get a great job and build a successful career,” says Jim Citrin, author of “The Career Playbook, Essential Advice for Today’s Aspiring Young Professional.” “This is a topic I’m absolutely passionate about – helping young people in their 20s succeed in their careers.”

“Jim Citrin has provided wise and experienced counsel to a generation of business leaders; now he will provide that valuable counsel to the next generation of young adults looking for career guidance in one of the most competitive marketplaces ever,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “With jobs in some sectors drawing hundreds or thousands of candidates, and hiring standards and protocol in flux, people are looking for help. On each show, Jim and an array of executives and educators will guide listeners with practical, real-world advice on launching and advancing their careers.”

The 6-week series, “Career Playbook Radio,” will launch on May 16, and air Saturdays at 5:00 pm, and rebroadcast on Sundays at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm (all times Eastern) on SiriusXM Insight, channel 121. Subscribers will also be able to listen to the show via SiriusXM On Demand on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.com.

Jim Citrin is a noted expert on leadership, executive success, and CEO succession. He is the author of six books, including the critically acclaimed “You Need a Leader, Now What? How to Choose the Best Person for Your Organization,” and international bestsellers, “You’re in Charge, Now What?” and “The Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers.”

Jim is one of the world’s leading executive recruiters and heads Spencer Stuart’s North American CEO Practice. Throughout his 21 years at Spencer Stuart, Jim has worked with clients on more than 600 CEO, board director, and top management searches for leading media, technology, communications and consumer companies, as well as private-equity firms and major not-for-profit institutions.

Brilliant animated short from 160 movies: “All Your Favorite Shows!”

May 12, 2015

Anything you wanna watch in the palm of your hands.

Video Game That Recreates the Jamiroquai Music Video for ‘Virtual Insanity’

May 12, 2015

Jamiroquai Game is a surreal video game by Buncho Games that recreates the 1996 Jamiroquai music video for the song “Virtual Insanity”, complete with the trippy floor and moving sofa chairs. “Virtual Insanity” earned 10 nominations at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, winning four awards, including “Breakthrough Video” and the “Best Video of the Year.” In 2006, it was voted 9th by viewers in a poll on music videos that ‘broke the rules.’

https://youtu.be/Et9b7LWfnxQ

Here’s a sneak preview of the game. Giant hat is not included.

Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square Announces New Partnership with Massey Hall and Summer Programming

May 12, 2015

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Toronto’s favourite patio, YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE (YDS), is embracing all things summer! Partnering with neighbour Massey Hall for all YDS summer programming, the curated season boasts an eclectic and international line-up of musical acts and films to run from May 18 – October 12, 2015.

Returning this summer are the popular programmes Massey Hall presents LUNCHTIME LIVE!, MINI Canada presents CITY CINEMA, and Virgin Mobile presents INDIE FRIDAYS.

Massey Hall presents Lunchtime Live! will feature a cornucopia of artists performing from 12:30-1:30pm every Monday, May 18-June 15 including Toronto’s world-renowned Taiko drumming ensemble Nagata Shachu; to be followed by the rocking grooves of West African griot and praise singer Cheka Katenen Dioubate (presented in association with Batuki Music Society), modern Filipino tribal music crew DATU, the electronic mix of tabla and violin in kLoX, and Aboriginal cellist Cris Derkson.

Massey Hall presents Lunchtime Live! returns in the fall with a line-up of artists presented in association with Dine Alone Records, which is celebrating its ten year anniversary, including travelling troubadour Spencer Burton, electro-punk soul-singer/songwriter Brendan Philip, electronic producers, writers and performers Free n Losh, and Burlington’s own power-punk trio Say Yes.

MINI Canada presents City Cinema: BUT CAN THEY ACT? Music Icons in Film for this year’s cult film series in the heart of the city, every Tuesday, June 16 – September 1 at sunset (approximately 9pm). Each City Cinema screening in the Square, will be preceded by a short concert film from the Live at Massey Hall film series—a series devoted to Canadian artists, which marries the thrill of live performance and the intimacy of behind-the-scenes access. The feature films include 8 Mile with Eminem, The Hunger with David Bowie, A Star is Born with Barbara Streisand, Be Kind Rewind with Mos Def, Dreamgirls with Beyonce, Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley, Dick Tracey with Madonna, The Wiz with Michael Jackson, Inside Llewyn Davis with Justin Timberlake, and Dancer in the Dark with Bjork.

Virgin Mobile presents Indie Fridays kick-starts the weekend with free concerts every Friday night from June 26 – September 4 at approximately 8:30pm. As the sun goes down, the stage will light up such artists as singer, painter, and performance artist Mx Justin Vivian Bond (presented in association with Pride Toronto), multiple Juno Award-winner Buck 65, self-described beat junkies Grand Analog, 22-year old MC/producer Tre Mission with Keita Juma, South African-Canadian conceptual singer Zaki Ibrahim, and returning to YDS after almost being lightning-bolted Fast Romantics with Kandle & the Krooks. Presented in association with Massey Hall.

And for those on the search for some respite from the hectic pace of life, YDS also transforms into a quiet oasis on scheduled fountain days. And there is always free WIFI for Canadian Virgin Mobile members. Simply select WIFI@YDS and enter your phone number to hop online.

Admission is FREE to all these events at YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE presented by Virgin Mobile.

For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit YDSquare.ca

First Gay Couple Kisses On The Kiss Cam. Guess How The Crowd Reacted.

May 12, 2015

According to the person who taped it, this is the first time a homosexual couple has been featured on the Kiss Cam. YouTube commenter Tee Jay summed it up best: “See how that works homophobes? Nobody turned gay. Nobody died. Nobody had their ‘rights’ taken away. But the big question is…how the F did you get those sweet seats! :)”

The Man Who Plays Big Bird Tells A Story That Will Devastate You

May 11, 2015

The man inside Big Bird for over 45 years on Sesame Street, Carroll Spinney recently did an AMA to promote his new film, I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story. User man_mayo asked: “What has been your most meaningful interaction with a child during filming? Or maybe from someone who grew up watching you and relayed a poignant story?”

And Spinney delivered what might be one of the most devastating stories ever:

Okay, here’s one.
This is a very sad story, but it’s real.
I got a letter from a fan who said his little boy, who was 5 years old, his name was Joey, he was dying of cancer.
And he was so ill, the little boy knew he was dying.
So the man, in his letter, asked if I would call the little boy. He said the only thing that cheered him at all in his fading state was to see Big Bird on television.
So once in a while, he wouldn’t see Big Bird on some days, because he wasn’t necessarily in every show. So he asked could I telephone him, and talk to the boy, tell him what a good boy he’s been.
So I took a while to look up a phone, because this was before cell phones. And they got a long cord to bring a phone to the boy.
And I had Big Bird say “Hello! Hello Joey! It’s me, Big Bird!”
So he said “Is it really you, Big Bird?”
“Yes, it is.”
I chatted a while with him, about ten minutes, and he said “I’m glad you’re my friend Big Bird.”
And I said “I’d better let you go now.”
He said “Thank you for calling me Big Bird. You’re my friend. You make me happy.”
And it turns out that his father and mother were sitting with him when the phone call came. And he was very, very ill that day. And they called the parents in, because they weren’t sure how long he’d last.
And so his father wrote to me right away, and said “Thank you, thank you” – he hadn’t seen him smile since October, and this was in March – and when the phone was hung up, he said “Big Bird called me! He’s my friend.”
And he closed his eyes. And he passed away.
And I could see that what I say to children can be very important.
And he said “We haven’t seen our little boy smile in MONTHS. He smiled, as he passed away. It was a gift to us. Thank you.”

Who left all this dust covered in onions in here, anyway?

Polaris Music Prize Announces Increase To $50,000

May 11, 2015

Polaris - Slaight Announcement Event Photo — Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize.

This past Saturday at the Slaight Music CMW Social, Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize, and Gary Slaight, President of Slaight Music, announced that Slaight will contribute an additional $20,000 to the Prize, bringing the total to $50,000. In addition, Slaight will also increase their contribution to the Short List prizes from $2,000 to $3,000.

Along with these additional contributions, Polaris announced The Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize, a new award that will annually honour five albums from the five decades before Polaris launched in 2006. Further details about the dates and selection process of this new prize will be revealed in the coming months.

“We’re ecstatic that Gary and Derrick from Slaight music have stepped up to help us celebrate our tenth year in a huge way. Although it’s impossible to put a dollar figure on great art, this increase bring us more in line with other major arts awards like the Scotiabank Giller Prize,” said Jordan. “And while this money is hugely generous, we are as excited to extend the Polaris conversation to the rich legacy of classic records from Canadian history. We get to officially pose a long time informal argument; what would be nominated for Polaris before it existed?”

“We’ve been proud supporters of the Polaris Music Prize for many years and wanted to celebrate their ten years by awarding more funds to the winners and nominees,” said Gary Slaight. “In addition, we wanted to make a more lasting contribution. Launching The Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize is the perfect way for our Family to show its appreciation for the greats of Canadian music through the respected Polaris filter.”

The Polaris Music Prize Long List announcement will head to Halifax, NS on June 16th. The forty titles will be announced at the world famous Carleton music venue and will run in conjunction with the team at Halifax Pop Explosion.

The Short List will be unveiled on July 16th at The Carlu in Toronto, and the Polaris Music Prize Gala will return to The Carlu for its third year, taking place on Monday, September 21st. Aux.tv will once again stream the gala live.

The eligibility period for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize runs from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. An independent jury of 196 music journalists, broadcasters and music bloggers from across Canada determines the Long List and Short List. Eleven people are selected from the larger jury pool to serve on the Grand Jury. They will convene the night of the gala to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.

The Polaris Music Prize will award $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year. Courtesy of Slaight Music, each of the nine other short listed artists will receive $3,000. Judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration of genre or record sales, the prize’s past winners have included Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007), and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).

Polaris Music Prize 2015 Key Dates:

June 16th – Long List announcement – The Carleton, Halifax, NS

July 16th – Short List announcement – The Carlu, Toronto, ON

September 21st – Polaris Music Prize Gala – The Carlu, Toronto, ON

Toto’s Dave Paich On Writing And The Success Of ‘Africa’

May 11, 2015

“I would see UNICEF commercials on TV, way back in the day, and I was a big reader of National Geographic. I’ve just always kind of been fascinated with Africa. I just kind of romanticized this story about a social worker that was over there, that falls in love and can’t — is having kind of a paradox, trying to tear himself away from Africa to actually have a life.

“I went to an all-boys Catholic school, and there were a lot of brothers that were teaching us there, and they were going to Africa and coming back. A lot of them were deciding whether to go into the priesthood, or whether to get married or not, and there were a lot of issues — like, celibacy was obviously a big issue. I had all these things rattling about in my brain when I was writing the song. All these thoughts about priests and young social workers that have gone over there, devoting their lives to helping people, and having to choose what kind of life they’re going to have — whether to keep doing this, what I’m doing here, or can I have a life, get married, have kids, and do that kind of thing. So it was a life choice mixed in with a geographical fascination there.

“We had finished our record, so when I started writing that, they were like, ‘Dave, why don’t you save this for your solo album?’ It’s kind of the joke — when someone writes a song that doesn’t really fit into the Toto mold, the joke is, everybody says, ‘Save that for your solo album.’ So the band kind of indulged me and let me start working on this track for it. This one barely made it; it just got on the end of the Toto IV album. It’s the one that didn’t get away, you know?

“It’s a very special song, you know? I was asked to perform it at the United Nations, to bring on Bishop Desmond Tutu, when he got a humanitarian award there. Then, in the late ’90s, we were able to go back to South Africa, after apartheid was ended, and we were able to play Capetown and Johannesburg and play ‘Africa,’ with some of the local musicians there and singers. It was quite a treat for us. It was just like a pinch-me moment. And at the same time, it’s become a kind of icon, a humorous icon. When it was on Family Guy, the world found out Toto doesn’t take itself all that seriously. We thought it was funny. Then we saw Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon do a little skit on ‘Africa,’ and we really enjoyed that.

Via Grantland