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Margaret Atwood Headlines Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Gala at Toronto’s Arcadian Court

Eric Alper
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Margaret Atwood Headlines Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Gala at Toronto’s Arcadian Court

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation marks 30 years of humanitarian action on May 29, 2026, with a milestone anniversary gala at Toronto’s historic Arcadian Court, and the evening’s centrepiece is a moderated conversation with one of Canada’s most celebrated and outspoken literary voices. Margaret Atwood, whose advocacy for Ukraine has been as clear as her fiction, will sit down for an intimate discussion on shared values, power and identity, moderated by Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc. It’s the kind of conversation that earns its stage.

The numbers behind this anniversary are worth understanding. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the generosity of Canadians channelled through CUF has raised over $100 million in humanitarian assistance, reaching more than 7 million people. That is not a retrospective figure. It represents ongoing, active work, and the May 29 gala is framed not as a look back but as a re-commitment to what lies ahead.

“The Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s 30th Anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary generosity of Canadians and the impact solidarity can have in times of unjust war,” says Valeriy Kostyuk, Executive Director of CUF. “As Ukraine continues to defend the democratic principles we value so deeply, this anniversary is both a celebration of what we have accomplished together and a recommitment to the work that lies ahead.” That framing gives the evening a weight that goes well beyond the usual gala format.

The moderated conversation is made possible through the support of the Temerty Foundation, the event’s official Conversation Partner. The evening also features a cocktail reception beginning at 6:30 p.m., dinner and live music, bringing together community leaders, donors and partners who have been central to CUF’s work since its founding in 1995 at the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Arcadian Court, located at 401 Bay Street in Toronto’s Simpson Tower, is one of the city’s most storied event spaces, and the setting feels appropriate for an anniversary of this significance. Tickets and table inquiries can be directed to info@cufoundation.ca or through cufoundation.ca. Thirty years of solidarity, and the work continues.

Thompson Square Release Swampy, High-Energy New Single “Lay It On Me”

Eric Alper
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Thompson Square Release Swampy, High-Energy New Single “Lay It On Me”

Thompson Square Release Swampy, High-Energy New Single “Lay It On Me”

TAGS: Thompson Square, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson, Johnathan Singleton, Ryan Hurd, Mickey Jack Cones, Casey Wood, Miles McPherson, Craig Young, Ilya Toshinskiy, Derek Jones, Rob McNelly, Derek Wells, David Dorn, Blackbird Studio, Georgetown Masters,

Thompson Square are out with “Lay It On Me,” a swampy, high-energy new single that marks the second release from their forthcoming album and signals exactly where the GRAMMY-nominated duo is headed. Co-written by Keifer and Shawna Thompson alongside Johnathan Singleton and Ryan Hurd, the track locks into a relaxed groove with vivid, lived-in detail, a summer night feel and the kind of easy chemistry that has always defined the best Thompson Square music. It’s out now on all digital platforms.

The writing session that produced “Lay It On Me” happened on a tour bus, the first time Hurd had ever been on one. “It was so fun to be a brand new songwriter getting an opportunity to write for a few days with Thompson Square and a hit songwriter like Jonathan,” he says. “Still such a great memory for me.” Singleton, a longtime fan of the duo, was equally energized: “We wrote a killer song, and sometimes songs take time to find their moment. I’m so glad this one is coming out.”

Produced by Mickey Jack Cones and recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, the track features Miles McPherson on drums, Craig Young on bass and Ilya Toshinskiy on guitar, with Cones and Derek Jones contributing across acoustic and electric guitars, keys, programming and background vocals alongside Rob McNelly, Derek Wells and David Dorn. It’s a production that keeps the swampy feel front and center without losing the live-show energy the duo has been deliberately chasing on this new project.

“We’ve been writing a lot with the live show in mind, bringing more energy into this next project and focusing on the kind of songs we genuinely love to listen to,” say Keifer and Shawna. That approach is audible in “Lay It On Me,” a track that works as well on a back road drive as it does turned up loud at a show. For a duo with a catalog built on emotional honesty and real-relationship storytelling, adding this kind of kinetic energy to the mix feels like a natural evolution.

More than a decade after “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” made Thompson Square a household name in country music, Keifer and Shawna are moving into their next chapter with the same authenticity that built their reputation in the first place. “Keifer and I really got back to our roots,” says Shawna. “But we’ve grown too, and the music reflects all of that.” With No. 1 records in 3 countries, international touring and a catalog Rolling Stone called “vivacious,” the foundation is as strong as ever.

Thompson Square’s “Lay It On Me” is out now on all digital platforms, with a video premiered on the American Country Network. More music from the forthcoming album is on the way.

Video: Slipknot Unleashed a Ferocious Headline Set at Rock am Ring 2019 Ahead of ‘We Are Not Your Kind’

Eric Alper
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Video: Slipknot Unleashed a Ferocious Headline Set at Rock am Ring 2019 Ahead of ‘We Are Not Your Kind’

Slipknot headlined Rock am Ring in Nürburg, Germany in 2019 with the kind of controlled chaos that only a 9-piece metal outfit operating at full force can deliver, running through “Psychosocial,” “Duality,” “Before I Forget” and a hungry crowd’s first live taste of “Unsainted” ahead of the release of ‘We Are Not Your Kind.’ Corey Taylor shifted between guttural screams and melodic hooks while the rest of the band turned the legendary festival stage into an audiovisual assault that reminded everyone exactly why Slipknot remains one of the most vital live acts in heavy music.

Sharon and Jack Osbourne to Discuss Ozzy’s Legacy and What Comes Next at Licensing Expo 2026

Eric Alper
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Sharon and Jack Osbourne to Discuss Ozzy’s Legacy and What Comes Next at Licensing Expo 2026

Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne will take the License Global Main Stage at Licensing Expo 2026 on May 20 for an exclusive fireside chat on one of rock and roll’s most enduring legacies. The session, titled “The Enduring Legacy of a Rock Icon and His Family: Ozzy Osbourne and The Osbournes,” kicks off at 2:00 PM PST at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, where Licensing Expo runs May 19 to 21. It’s a conversation that arrives at exactly the right moment.

Interest in Ozzy’s legacy is building across multiple major projects at once. An upcoming biopic explores his extraordinary life and career. The BACK TO THE BEGINNING theatrical project with Black Sabbath is generating serious anticipation. And Ozzfest returns in 2027, bringing the festival back to global audiences for the first time in years. For a brand that has always operated at the intersection of music, attitude and cultural mythology, the current momentum is significant.

The Osbournes family brand is entering its own new phase of growth alongside all of this. As the groundbreaking reality series approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027, the family is developing new categories and partnerships that reflect their signature voice, humor and cultural relevance. What made The Osbournes resonate wasn’t spectacle alone. It was authenticity, and that authenticity remains the foundation of everything the brand builds on now.

“Ozzy’s legacy has always been bigger than music,” say Sharon and Jack Osbourne. “It is attitude, humor, honesty, chaos, heart, and a connection with fans that has lasted for generations. The Osbournes became part of people’s lives because it was real, and that authenticity is still at the center of everything we do.” That framing defines the approach the family is taking into the next chapter, and it’s a compelling one for any brand partner paying attention.

The fireside chat will be moderated by Jens Drinkwater and Lisa Streff of Global Merchandising Services, the team behind the ongoing expansion of the Ozzy Osbourne licensing program across fashion collaborations, collectibles, accessories, lifestyle products and emerging digital opportunities. Their work is grounded in the same rebellious spirit that built the brand in the first place, and the Licensing Expo session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how that program continues to grow.

“The opportunity to gain rare insight from Sharon and Jack Osbourne is an exciting and unique addition to Licensing Expo,” says Amanda Cioletti, Vice President of Content and Strategy for the Global Licensing Group. “Ozzy Osbourne’s influence continues to resonate with millions of fans around the world, and The Osbournes remain one of the most recognizable families in entertainment. This session speaks directly to the power of licensing to preserve legacy, build community, and introduce iconic brands to new generations.”

Licensing Expo 2026 features over 5,000 brands across gaming, entertainment, fashion, toys and sports, with exhibitors including LEGO, Coca-Cola, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures and Hasbro. Registration and the full agenda are at licensingexpo.com.

Madonna Debuts New Music from ‘Confessions II’ in a Surprise Appearance at West Hollywood’s The Abbey

Eric Alper
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Madonna Debuts New Music from ‘Confessions II’ in a Surprise Appearance at West Hollywood’s The Abbey

Madonna showed up unannounced at The Abbey in West Hollywood last week, and what followed was one of the more remarkable nights in the iconic venue’s 34-year history. Transforming the space into CLUB CONFESSIONS to celebrate the opening of its newly expanded dance floor, Madonna and longtime collaborator Stuart Price debuted new music from her upcoming album ‘Confessions II,’ arriving July 3, giving a packed room of artists, creatives and nightlife figures an exclusive first listen to some of the most anticipated music of the year.

The choice of venue was anything but accidental. The Abbey has long been considered one of the world’s premier LGBTQ+ cultural landmarks, and debuting new music there underscored a connection to queer audiences and spaces that has defined Madonna’s relationship with her community throughout her career. It was the right room for a first listen, and the dance floor was the right place for music that clearly belongs on one.

DJs Romy, the XX singer-guitarist whose 2023 solo album ‘Mid Air’ was co-produced by Price, and Mez Monty, one of LA’s most respected house DJs rooted in the golden era sounds of New York and Chicago, kept the room moving between sets. The guest list reflected the full spectrum of music, fashion and nightlife: Addison Rae, Sky Ferreira, Lily Allen, Lola Young, Cara Delevingne, Kali Uchis, Bebe Rexha, Julia Fox, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jeremy Scott, Tom Daley, Gottmik, Symone, Sasha Colby, Trinity the Tuck and Moses Sumney among those who witnessed the debut.

‘Confessions II’ arrives July 3. If the Abbey preview is any indication, it’s going to hit hard.

Harbourfront Centre Unveils a Massive Summer 2026 Season with RuPaul, Maribou State, Foxwarren and More

Eric Alper
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Harbourfront Centre Unveils a Massive Summer 2026 Season with RuPaul, Maribou State, Foxwarren and More

Toronto’s waterfront is about to become the centre of everything. Harbourfront Centre has unveiled its Summer 2026 season, and with the world already turning its attention toward the city, the programming is built to match the scale of the moment. From weekly community staples to major concert events to city-wide soccer celebrations, this is the most ambitious summer the 10-acre waterfront campus has put together.

Concerts by the Lake headlines the music programming with RuPaul, Maribou State and Foxwarren performing on a newly refreshed Concert Stage, reimagined to elevate the live experience. It’s a lineup that spans electronic, indie and pop with the kind of range that reflects Harbourfront Centre’s commitment to programming that moves across genres and generations. The stage upgrades alone signal that this summer is operating at a different level.

Beyond the concerts, the immersive dance show Gatsby Redux returns by popular demand, transforming the campus into a Roaring Twenties garden party where audiences follow performers through the space rather than watching from fixed seats. It’s one of those experiences that earns its reputation, and its return says everything about how it landed the first time.

Weekly programming keeps the energy going across the entire season. Dancing on the Square, Free Flicks and Summer Music in the Garden are crowd-favourite community moments that draw thousands to the waterfront regularly, while signature festivals including Canada Day and Island Soul anchor the calendar alongside a full slate of multicultural programming. Daily exhibitions and public art through the Craft & Design Studio round out the campus experience.

Harbourfront Centre becomes the official home of GE Appliances Canada Soccer House Toronto this summer, a fan hub featuring food and beverage, interactive sponsor activations and retail pop-ups with official merchandise. With the global game commanding the city’s attention, the waterfront location makes Harbourfront Centre a natural gathering point for fans from around the world.

The public art dimension of the season is equally strong. Harbourfront Centre participates in the Olmec Cup, a multi-city installation inspired by the ancient origins of soccer and its cultural significance, as part of the City of Toronto’s broader host city initiative. A large-scale mural, ‘A City in Celebration’ by Toronto-based artist Patrick Lightheart, captures the city’s diverse energy for the millions passing through this summer. “Projects like the Olmec Cup and ‘A City in Celebration’ mural reflect how art and design can connect people across cultures and generations,” says Janna Hiemstra, Manager of Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre.

An expanded Ontario Science Centre presence adds interactive exhibits exploring space, astronomy, creativity and the science of movement, while Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities delivers barrier-free access to sport and community programming throughout the season. Full details and planning tools are at HarbourfrontCentre.com.

Live Streaming Pay-Per-View Market Headed for $4.2 Billion by 2030 as Demand for Exclusive Content Surges

Eric Alper
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Live Streaming Pay-Per-View Market Headed for $4.2 Billion by 2030 as Demand for Exclusive Content Surges

The live streaming pay-per-view market is on a serious growth trajectory. A new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com projects the global market will expand from $1.88 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for exclusive content, AR/VR integration, social media connectivity and mobile-first streaming. For the music industry, where live concert streaming has become a meaningful revenue stream, those numbers carry real weight.

Alana Springsteen Bares Everything on New Single “i loved you then” Ahead of Album ‘I Hope This Helps’

Eric Alper
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Alana Springsteen Bares Everything on New Single “i loved you then” Ahead of Album ‘I Hope This Helps’

Alana Springsteen is out with “i loved you then,” a sweeping, confessional track that ranks among the most unguarded music she’s ever recorded. Written with Lauren LaRue, Sara Bares and Jared Keim, and co-produced by Springsteen and Keim, the song revisits a period when she’d fallen in love but couldn’t bring herself to say it, held back by a deep fear of being fully seen. It builds from hushed intimacy into sprawling guitar work and hard-driving drums, landing at a bridge that hits like a question she can finally ask out loud. It’s out now via Santa Anna Nashville.

The track is one of the few true love songs on ‘I Hope This Helps,’ Springsteen’s 16-track sophomore album due May 29. All 16 songs are co-produced by Springsteen, who also plays guitar and piano throughout. The record documents her dismantling of long-held patterns of self-abandonment and confronts a fear-driven upbringing with the kind of directness that has defined her writing since her debut. Previously released tracks “love me anyway,” “black sheep” and “note to self” have already set the tone for what the full album delivers.

At 25, Springsteen has built a career on telling the truth without softening it. Her three-part debut ‘TWENTY SOMETHING’ earned her praise from NPR and PEOPLE, a Gold-certified single with Mitchell Tenpenny, a No. 1 collaboration with Tiësto on “Hot Honey,” a Tiny Desk debut in 2024 and tours alongside Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, LANY and NEEDTOBREATHE. ‘I Hope This Helps’ reads like the next step from an artist who has been working toward exactly this kind of record.

Following the album’s release, Springsteen heads to Europe for a headline summer tour, kicking off July 3 at Huercasa Country Festival in Riaza, Spain, and wrapping with a 2-night stand at Norsk Countrytreff in Breim, Norway on July 10 and 11, with stops in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast along the way.

ALANA SPRINGSTEEN: LIVE IN EUROPE Tour Dates:

July 3 – Riaza, Spain – Huercasa Country Festival

July 10 – Breim, Norway – Norsk Countrytreff

July 11 – Breim, Norway – Norsk Countrytreff

Video: Red Hot Chili Peppers Delivered a Blistering Two-Hour Headlining Set at Bonnaroo 2012

Eric Alper
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Video: Red Hot Chili Peppers Delivered a Blistering Two-Hour Headlining Set at Bonnaroo 2012

Fresh off their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the Red Hot Chili Peppers made their Bonnaroo debut in June 2012 with a 2-hour headlining set that ran from “Monarchy of Roses” through career-defining staples like “Can’t Stop,” “Dani California,” “Under the Bridge” and their iconic cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” all while Flea walked across the stage on his hands and shouted out fellow performers Radiohead and St. Vincent.

American Blonde Roar Back with Swampy Southern Rock Banger “Mississippi Moonshine”

Eric Alper
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American Blonde Roar Back with Swampy Southern Rock Banger “Mississippi Moonshine”

American Blonde are back with “Mississippi Moonshine,” their first new music in nearly 18 months, and the shift in sound is immediate and deliberate. The Mississippi-born outfit, now operating as a full band rather than a sister duo, enlisted Grammy-nominated Cage the Elephant founding member Lincoln Parish to produce, and the result is a swampy, raw-edged Southern rock track with moody organ, slide guitar and a vocal performance that hits like a live wire. Think Allman Brothers or Marshall Tucker Band with a chip on their shoulder. It’s out now.

The song was co-written by Nata Morris and the late Emmy-winner Cliff Downs, sparked by one of his musical riffs and a late-night true crime binge. The lyrics are sharp and watchful, and the production, tracked at Sienna Studios Nashville, doesn’t soften a single edge. Parish guests on organ, and the full band, Nata Morris on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Tinka Morris on drums and percussion, Pete Horne and Zach Dickerson on guitars, and Will Garrett on bass, delivers the kind of locked-in live energy that signals a group that’s been building toward exactly this moment.

Radio is already responding. “Sounds INCREDIBLE and unlike anything else out there,” says Jim Quinton of WPPL-FM. “THIS is a HIT.” Fletcher Brown of WXFL/WLVS called it a bluesy Southern rock track with hot slide guitar that “lives up to its name, just in time for summer.” For a band reclaiming their identity with this kind of force, that kind of early momentum matters.

“Mississippi Moonshine leans more heavily into our musical roots while pushing towards a more rock-driven, live-energy sound,” say Nata and Tinka Morris. “It’s bold, it’s honest, and it feels like the truest version of who we are right now.”

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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