All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Photo Gallery: Tim Hicks with Jessica Mitchell at Toronto’s OLG Play Stage
Young@Heart Chorus Announces October 2nd Release Date for Highly Anticipated New Album, Miss You
Young@Heart, the stereotype-defying, generation-crossing rock group composed of two dozen spirited senior citizens ranging in age from 77-92, will be releasing a brand-new single this Friday, August 28th.
The Massachusetts-based rock group, subject of the smash Fox Searchlight documentary Young@Heart, will release “A Change Is Gonna Come,” a cover of the Sam Cooke classic, featuring Chicago Children’s Choir. The song is one of seventeen unforgettable tracks featured on the group’s upcoming album Miss You, which will be released on October 2, 2020.
Pre-Save Miss You HERE
With their first album since 2012, Young@Heart puts its unique stamp on songs from legendary artists such as Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, NWA, and Pearl Jam. On October 3, fans worldwide can join Young@Heart for a virtual album release event and benefit concert that will feature performances, music video debuts, celebrity guest appearances, and more!
As an ensemble of senior citizens performing classic and contemporary hits, Young@Heart has been celebrated worldwide as a truly inspirational force, especially during these challenging times. Their energy and charisma show fans that it’s possible to grow old without growing boring. Unwilling to be shut away in nursing homes, Young@Heart had been touring the world since 1982, performing sold out concerts, and singing unexpected interpretations of popular music from The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, Sonic Youth, and Coldplay.
Unfortunately, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Young@Heart’s ability to tour, perform or rehearse together in person. With an average age of 85, its members are among the most at risk from COVID-19, and therefore this will be one of the last groups to perform in public due to the high risk of infection. One member is recovering from a 14-day hospitalization after contracting COVID-19.
Undeterred, Young@Heart refocused its energy in 2020 under the “new normal.” What began with an audio conference call in March, and a Zoom rehearsal a week later, blossomed into twice weekly virtual rehearsals and online collaborations with the renowned Chicago Children’s Choir and the Barton Hills Elementary Chorus from Austin, Texas, best known for their unique interpretations of Grateful Dead songs. The two choruses joined forces remotely to sing Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
This has all set the stage for the release of their fresh new album, Miss You, which will arrive on October 2.
Miss You track listing:
1. Miss You (The Rolling Stones)
2. With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles / Joe Cocker version)
3. Dance To The Music (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Gymnopédie (Erik Satie / Psychedelic Furs)
5. Women Of The World (Ivor Cutler)
6. Kiss (Prince)
7. Watching The River Flow (Bob Dylan)
8. A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)
9. Splendid Isolation (Warren Zevon)
10. For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
11. Express Yourself (Charles Wright & NWA)
12. I Still Got It (Lee Fields)
13. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town (Pearl Jam)
14. Volver Volver (Vicente Fernández / Los Lobos version)
15. Let’s Dance (David Bowie)
16. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (Aretha Franklin)
17. Because I Love You (Stevie B)
Motown Celebrates The Legacy Of Martin Luther King Jr. And The Great March On Washington For Jobs And Freedom
On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Washington, DC to draw attention to inequalities faced by Black Americans. As the nation reeled from violent acts perpetrated on civil rights activists in Birmingham, Ala., civil rights leaders A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and Martin Luther King Jr. chose to fuse their marches — Randolph’s and Rustin’s for jobs, King’s for freedom — into a massive, singular protest. Thus, The March On Washington For Jobs And Freedom, one of the most momentous civil rights gatherings in American history, was launched, culminating in Dr. King’s classic speech which he unforgettably (and extemporaneously) delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial: “I Have A Dream.” Available for the first time as a stand-alone single on global streaming platforms, listen to “I Have A Dream” HERE. Listen to the full album, The Great March On Washington, HERE.
Motown Records recorded the key speeches and then, adding singer Liz Lands’ studio performance of “We Shall Overcome,” swiftly released a full album that fall. The company’s striking, close mic’d sound was a more accurate capture of the event than any news report of the day. As TIME proclaimed, “Martin Luther King Jr. and Motown saved the sound of the civil rights movement.” UMe’s work to preserve and archive the audio from that historic day assures that generations of people from every walk of life around the world have been inspired to work for freedom and justice forcefully and peacefully.
In honor of the anniversary of The Great March On Washington, and its enduring legacy as one of the world’s greatest examples of peaceful mass protest to champion fundamental freedoms for those who routinely experience cruelty and injustice at the hands of wrongful institutions and individuals, Motown and UMe have developed new digital initiatives. These efforts make newly accessible the sounds of a day that is vital to ensuring that America fulfills its promise and that the uplifting messages delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial nearly 60 years ago can inspire those taking to the streets today for the purpose of nonviolent action as they become part of the proud legacy of the original march.
One of the core components of this year’s campaign will be recreating the energy of that great day through carefully sequenced playlists and digital activations, including interactive timelines, shareable social cards and ongoing support for the work that the late Congressman John Lewis, then a student activist and the youngest speaker at the march, spent a lifetime pursuing.
Earlier this year and coinciding with the first-ever digital release of The Great March On Washington album on Motown, TIME and executive producer Viola Davis invited the public to step back into history with THE MARCH – a groundbreaking, immersive Virtual Reality museum exhibit that recreated The March On Washington and allowed visitors to witness firsthand the “I Have A Dream” speech, utilizing original audio from Motown. TIME said, “King’s clarion voice carries without the distracting echo picked up by inferior attempts to capture it. Spectators on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial chime in audibly as King proceeds…making listeners feel as if they’re 10 ft. from the podium.”
Now, Motown and UMe are proud to celebrate of the 57th anniversary of The Great March On Washington, with the following:
- Long-unseen footage of Coretta Scott King. Long-unseen footage of Dr. King’s widow, civil-rights activist Coretta Scott King, during an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, during which she movingly introduces excerpts from her late husband’s oratory — footage that is now officially available here through digital platforms worldwide for the first time since its original airing in 1970.
- Exclusive “March On Washington” Playlist. March On Washington playlist will feature tracks by seminal Black creators like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar.
- Additionally, UMG unveiled USE YOUR VOICE, a digital campaign across UMG’s U.S. ecosystem to increase voter participation and civic engagement created with the Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC). The campaign launched on August 20th, marking 75 days before the 2020 presidential election and is designed to equip UMG employees, artists, partners and fans with the information, resources and digital tools needed to help get out the vote.
USE YOUR VOICE kicked off with the #HourOfAction initiative when U.S. employees were asked to pause from their workday and take an hour to concentrate on the election and take action. The #HourOfAction included a virtual canvassing event powered by over 150 employees that reached over 200,000 eligible voters across the country.
The hashtag, #UseYourVoice, will capture and amplify conversations around voting and activism of all kinds through November 3rd. With so many now exercising their constitutional rights, this hashtag opens up the possibility to discover shared visions or new opportunities to support, discover and embrace history as it unfolds in plain view.
“The tradition for preservation and distribution continues as Motown and UMe create ways for digital generations to enhance their journey,” commented Katina Bynum, EVP, East Coast Labels, Urban, UMe.
Bynum continued, “The Ed Sullivan Show clip of Coretta Scott King provides an early glimpse of the power of a woman’s voice. The #USEYOURVOICE hashtag encourages inclusion and action. The March On Washington playlist links the past and the present, just as today’s demonstrators carry on the work of yesteryear’s civil rights leaders and activists.”
Today, Dr. King’s plea for racial tolerance and unity — as well as similarly captivating speeches by a number of other civil-rights luminaries — ring ever truer in light of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain and other Black Americans. These orations have continued to inspire generations ever since, underscored by the planned March On Washington 2020 that will be held on the 57th anniversary of the original march.
To experience this year’s Motown/UMe tribute to The Great March On Washington, please visit:
- Available HERE is shareable video from The Great March On Washington featuring a recording of future Congressman John Lewis, who was then a 23-year-old student activist; this historic snippet provides an early sense of John Lewis’ great passion and commitment.
- Coretta Scott King on The Ed Sullivan Show, originally aired on March 22, 1970. Watch HERE.
- The Great March On Washington speeches and music performances were beautifully recorded in 1963, then engineered and released by Motown Records as a complete album. Stream or purchase The Great March On Washington HERE. The single for Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech is available HERE.
- The #USE YOUR VOICE conversation takes place HERE.
- Featuring artists from past and present, The March On Washington playlist honors the anniversary of this momentous protest. Listen HERE.
- Ethiopia Habtemariam, President of Motown Records and Executive Vice President of Capitol Records, spoke with Elvis Mitchell – host of KCRW’s “The Treatment” – about what Dr. King’s speeches mean to her. View their conversation HERE.
Novartis launches PsO in the Know podcast series hosted by music icon Cyndi Lauper
Novartis announced today, in honor of National Psoriasis (PsO) Awareness Month, Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and activist Cyndi Lauper will host PsO in the Know, a new podcast series dedicated to bringing the impact of PsO to life, one unique story at a time. PsO in the Know will feature a variety of guests, including award-winning Chef Aarón Sánchez, actress and New York Times best-selling author La La Anthony, and Emmy winning actor, author and producer Dan Bucatinsky. The series will focus on the impact of PsO on individuals and will be mixed with humor, personal stories and inspirational messages for the PsO community.
Affecting more than 8 million Americans, PsO is a common chronic, inflammatory condition which can cause substantial negative impacts on everyday life for patients.1-3 By sharing stories from those living with the condition from a variety of backgrounds, PsO in the Know aims to empower patients to speak up about their PsO and take action to get the help they need.
“Over the last five years, I’ve been sharing my story to inspire people with psoriasis to speak up and celebrate their everyday successes,” said Lauper. “With PsO in the Know, I’m excited to now bring even more patients together in a new, exciting platform to share their experiences about the realities of life with psoriasis.”
Visit PsOintheKnow.com to learn more about the podcast series. The podcasts will be available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora and Stitcher.
“I’ve been an entertainer for most of my life, had my music played on radio stations all across the world, but it has always been a dream of mine to actually host my own radio show,” said Lauper. “With the PsO in the Know podcast, I can realize that dream while helping to unite the millions of Americans who have psoriasis through a message of empowerment and hope.”
Jennifer Lawrence, SIA, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Helms, Dave Matthews and Many Other A-List Celebs Join “United to Save the Vote,” a Fiercely Nonpartisan Virtual Gala to Protect the 2020 Election on August 30th
What does it take for Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence, Ed Helms, Zooey Deschanel, SIA, Dave Matthews, Nick Kroll, Comedy Central’s Drunk History, Property Brothers’ Jonathan Scott, George Lopez, Jake Johnson, Kenny G, Ben Harper, and former United States Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge to get on one big Zoom call? It turns out the answer is voter access and safety. On Sunday, August 30th, these and other A-list entertainers are coming together to save the 2020 election and our democracy in United to Save the Vote, a one-of-a-kind, can’t miss night of original entertainment, music, and comedy. The virtual gala and fundraiser is hosted by fiercely non-partisan anti-corruption organization RepresentUs and cross-partisan coalition VoteSafe and will air live at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET.
Hosted by comedian Ed Helms, the event is free and open to the public. It will be an active, live fundraiser, with a goal of reaching $2M; attendees will be encouraged to make a gift during the event and supporters will be recognized. Interested attendees can RSVP Here.
American voters face unprecedented threats to casting their ballots safely and securely during November’s critical elections–from the ongoing pandemic to a dramatic shortage of poll workers to interference with the United States postal service, which undermines the security and validity of mail-in voting.
United to Save the Vote relays a vital strategy to protect the 2020 election and ensure it remains free and fair, interspersed between a fast-paced music and comedy variety show featuring A-list entertainers and musical acts, written by Matt O’Brien, head writer at Conan, and produced by leading Broadway producers and Tony Award nominees Tara Smith Swibel and Brian Swibel.
The live event aims to raise $2M for VoteSafe, a cross-partisan coalition chaired by former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge(R-PA) and former Governor Jennifer Granholm(D-MI), that supports the principle that every American has the right to vote safely and securely in November by ensuring that every voter has access to secure mail-in ballots and safe, in-person voting sites. Meeting this goal will help VoteSafe increase trust in vote-by-mail and election results to fight the potential for any candidate to claim fraud or ignore election results, guaranteeing a peaceful transition to the next administration, no matter who wins in November.
About RepresentUs
RepresentUs is the leading anti-corruption organization that is unrigging America’s broken political system. Co-Founded in 2012 by Josh Silver and Joshua Graham Lynn, they are leading a non-partisan movement of Americans dedicated to putting power back in the hands of the voters. Corruption and a rigged system have halted progress on the issues that Americans care most about, from healthcare to education to government spending.
Through the continued passage of state and local laws that fix our broken elections, fight against gerrymandering, stop political bribery, and end secret money, RepresentUs advocates for the federal passage of the bi-partisan American Anti-Corruption Act to restore a government that is once again by and for the people. To date, the movement has passed 114 transformative anti-corruption acts and resolutions in cities and states across the country—and in 2018 passed more anti-corruption reform than in any other year in America’s history.
For more information on RepresentUs and the strategy to unrig the system, visit represent.us.
Selena Gomez Announces Her Ownership In Serendipity Brands And Serendipity3 Restaurants Along With The Introduction Of Cookies & Cream Remix Ice Cream
Today, super-premium ice cream brand Serendipity and Serendipity3 Restaurants announces its ownership, partnership and newest ice cream flavor with award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and producer Selena Gomez.
Serendipity Brands, the take-home ice cream line hailing from the iconic New York City restaurant Serendipity3, introduces a new flavor, Cookies & Cream Remix, to the ice cream aisle, inspired by global music phenomenon BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez‘s latest single “Ice Cream,” available August 28th at all participating digital retailers via YG Entertainment/Interscope Records. “Ice Cream” is from BLACKPINK’s highly anticipated debut album set for release on October 2nd. Merchandise for the song “Ice Cream” is available HERE.
The latest addition to the Serendipity Brands lineup of decadent ice cream flavors, Cookies & Cream Remix is made with pink vanilla ice cream, crunchy cookie bites and swirling gobs of gooey fudge. Cookies & Cream Remix joins the line of Serendipity’s best-selling flavors including Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, Birthday Cake, Forbidden Broadway Sundae, Humble Pie and Strawberry Fields Sundae.
“Growing up and loving the iconic Serendipity restaurant, I couldn’t be more excited to become a partner in their expanding brand,” said Selena Gomez. “For the Cookies & Cream remix, I wanted to put my own personal spin on this classic flavor by making it with pink vanilla ice cream as a nod to my girls BLACKPINK and celebrate our new song ‘Ice Cream.'”
“Selena Gomez is the perfect partner and flavor engineer for Serendipity Brands,” said Sal Pesce, President and COO of Serendipity Brands. “As a forever fan of our brand, Selena brings a fresh perspective and a whole new set of fans to help us take over the decadent ice cream category with our innovative, indulgent mixes.”
Cookies & Cream Remix will be available beginning August 28th for a suggested retail price of $5.99 in supermarkets, convenience stores and other food retailers across the country and online at SerendipityBrands.com. Ask for it and other great Serendipity flavors at your local supermarket, convenience store and other stores selling ice cream.
Photo Gallery: The Trews with Crown Lands at Toronto’s OLG Play Stage
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Prince Edward County’s Alt.Rocker ROGOV Questions Life & Celebrates its Flow in NEW Single “Mistakes are Beautiful”
Canadian artist ROGOV and former frontman of 80s-era rockers ARKITEX questions life and celebrates its flow as he unveils his stunning, take-pause new single, “Mistakes Are Beautiful” — available now.
“Looking back at 36 years of living in California, where the ceaseless sun blurs the seasons and melts the years into long view, a question of mistakes swept over me,” ROGOV — nee Vladymir Rogov — considers. “I mused on the things that had become of me and wondered: what if my entire life is made out of mistakes?”
Collaborating with former Bowie lead guitarist, plus long-time friend and collaborator, Gold- and Platinum-selling, award-winning Canadian producer Stacy Heydon (Teenage Head, Sheriff, Long John Baldry), the song lands ahead of his forthcoming EP, Tourist.
The video, helmed by Canadian photographic artist Deborah Samual, showcases the journey and insight ROGOV gleaned upon his return to Prince Edward County, Ontario after living for years in San Diego, California.
Early praise for the song and video abound; “‘Mistakes are Beautiful’ is a visual work of modern film art,” Alannah Myles enthuses. “Beautifully shot and edited, (like) ‘Steve McQueen late-60s chic, desert’ cool.
“I loved the track,” she adds. “(The) audio mix was thoughtful, complicated, and extremely interesting.”
“Mistakes are Beautiful” is available now.
Charlottetown Rockers ARSENAL MILLS Break Onto the Scene with Groove-Laden Debut Single, “Lovesick & Broke”
Rock/blues band Arsenal Mills — featuring Brad Milligan, Griffen Arsenault, Josh MacNeil, and André Uyterlinde — have arrived on the Canadian scene with the release of their groove-laden debut single, “Lovesick & Broke” — available now.
“This song is a true story about a close friend of mine,” Milligan shares of the song’s origins. “He ended up losing someone special to him, which then caused a downward spiral of depression and drinking.
“We approached this song with the idea of making it as relatable as possible — the most important aspect of any song in any genre — but ’Lovesick & Broke’ was written with the hopes it would be sort of therapeutic for him.”
“If you keep telling yourself you’ll be okay, you will… Right?” Arsenault adds.
The single is the first of a few to land ahead of the Prince Edward Island-based band’s forthcoming debut EP, set for release this Fall 2020.
“‘Lovesick & Broke’ helped us find our sound as a collective,” Arsenault says. “It paved the way for the rest of the album.”
“It creates an interesting, contrasting image,” Uyterlinde offers. “It’s one of those songs that sounds very positive and energetic yet, at the same time, the lyrics are the opposite.
“But the groove is infectious… Nothing beats a rock n’ roll tune that makes you want to dance.”
“When the chorus hits, you can’t help but sing along,” MacNeil adds. “‘Lovesick & Broke’ is one of my absolute favourite songs to play; there’s just such an unmatched, fun energy to it.”
“This song is the perfect single to showcase what the album has to offer,” Milligan agrees. “We’ve been working tirelessly to deliver the best debut EP we possibly can; one that’s full of originality, energy and style.”
“Lovesick & Broke” is available now.
British Columbia-Born, World/Jazz Singer NANCY RUTH Urges to “Turn The Lights Back Down” in Sultry New Single
Canadian singer/songwriter Nancy Ruth has set forth her fourth single of the year into the world, a sultry ballad straight from her renowned repertoire of jazz, latin, and flamenco influences: “Turn the Lights Back Down” is available now.
“It invites us to take pause during this time of global chaos, and tap into the love that connects us all,” she shares of the inspiration behind the song.
Nancy Ruth, of all people, knows very much about this concept firsthand. “I recorded this song between New York, Vancouver, and Spain, both before and during COVID-19 confinement,” she recalls of the process. “The onset of travel restrictions caught me while I was in Malaga, Spain, which delayed my return to Canada.”
Originally from British Columbia, Nancy Ruth has made the world her stage, travelling to perform or reside in Morocco, Brunei, Polynesia, Panama, Spain, and more following esteemed studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Douglas College, and Berklee College of Music.
Since her self-titled debut release in 1998, Ruth has released four additional titles — It’s Got To Be Love (2004), Me Quedo (2008), Para Ti (2014), Sangria Jam (2016) — as well as a series of critically acclaimed singles, each embodying her fearless, fiery yet elegant signature sound.
“I write what flows freely,” she muses of her music. “I’m not trying to create a fusion, I just play what I feel.
“I’m a product of my experience and surroundings.”
Those experiences stack up, indeed… Most recently, and having spent a shining part of 2019 in New York City to record new works with arranger Joe Gianono (Blood Sweat and Tears, Michel Camilo) and GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Oscar Zambrano — including a soundtrack piece, “Where the Sea Melts to Sky,” featuring members of the New York Philharmonic — she was a featured composer and artist at Africa’s biggest jazz festival, Festival du Saint Louis in Senegal.
Before that, she’s both crooned for the Sultan of Brunei’s harem, had to sign a ‘high risk activity clause’ during a stint in the Yukon due to her penchant for skydiving, river-rafting, and bear watching, and legally changed her name to drop the last name of Trump; these, and more stories, are all worth an ask.
She’s currently working on a documentary detailing her some-18 years of travels through Morocco cross-culturally collaborating with musicians in Berber tribes, deserts, towns and cities from Tangier to Tiznit.
“Turn the Lights Back Down” is available now.