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Rita Wilson to Host The Spark, Exclusive New Talk Show on SiriusXM’s Volume Channel

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SiriusXM announced today that Rita Wilson, actress, singer, songwriter, producer and music lover, will host The Spark exclusively on SiriusXM.

This monthly one-hour show hosted by Rita Wilson out of SiriusXM’s new Hollywood studios, will feature Wilson along with rotating guests—artists, producers, music managers and entertainers—as they sit down to discuss their love of music and how it has shaped their lives.  The Spark will dive into the creative process—from writing, recording, or producing music—to candid conversations about the unusual and interesting paths taken throughout their careers.

SiriusXM subscribers can catch The Spark beginning Wednesday, October 9 at 7 pm on Volume (channel 106), the channel devoted to the discussion of, and passion for, music. Upcoming guests include entertainment entrepreneur and innovator Scooter Braun for the premiere show, and Grammy Award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt will be the featured guest in November.

“Music has always been a way for me to get insight into the human condition, be transported by the power of storytelling, to connect emotionally, whether that’s for a good cry, or to get on the dance floor,” said Rita Wilson.  “Music transports people. How many times have you bonded with someone over loving a song and what it means to you? That’s The Spark. Sparking conversation, curiosity, and creativity, and I’m excited to bring this to SiriusXM Volume.”

Wilson’s latest album, Halfway to Home, her fourth studio record, combines her love of Southern California rock along with Nashville country.  Wilson is currently touring North America in support of Halfway to Home.  The album’s first single, “Throw Me a Party,” debuted in March and depicts Wilson’s journey following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015. Other songs on the album include “The Spark,” a song about love and relationships, “Big City Small Town Girl,” about her own upbringing as a Hollywood native, and the album’s title track, “Halfway to Home.”

SiriusXM subscribers with streaming access can also hear the program on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Amazon Alexa devices, Apple TV, Sony PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to www.SiriusXM.com/AtHome to learn more.

Canada’s Public Broadcaster Launches CBC Listen, A One-Stop Destination For CBC’s Award-Winning Podcasts, Local And National Radio Shows And CBC Music Playlists

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CBC today announced the launch of CBC Listen, a new audio streaming service offering best-in-class Canadian content across award-winning CBC Podcasts, CBC Radio and CBC Music on the easy-to-navigate website and app. A one-stop destination, CBC Listen transports audiences into a world of sound, providing access to more than 200 free, curated CBC Music playlists featuring brand new releases from Canadian artists; CBC’s full podcast catalogue, including critically acclaimed series Someone Knows Something, Uncover, Front Burner and Love Me; and the ability to listen to CBC Radio One and CBC Music radio shows live, with select shows on-demand.

Key features of CBC Listen include:

  • A personalized audio experience with the ability to bookmark content for future listening and access recently played content
  • The versatile service allows users to cast audio to any AirPlay or Chromecast enabled device
  • The ability to stream CBC Podcasts such as Party Lines, Chosen Family or Uncover anytime, or download them for offline listening on-the-go
  • CBC Music playlists are sorted by genre, including folk, jazz, electronic, pop, rock, classical, hip-hop and country as well as themed playlists such as Chill Out, Indigenous Hip-Hop, Film Scores, and Workout Mix for easy discoverability
  • The ability for a user to pick up where they left off with continuous play on bookmarked and downloaded content
  • A sleep timer to customize listening to the user’s schedule
  • 100% free access to CBC Listen, with no fees or subscriptions required

CBC Listen is available for free as an app for iOS and Android devices and online at cbc.ca/listen.

Nick Offerman reads new Calm Sleep Story – “The Big Bad Wolf Learns Anger Management”

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The latest new Sleep Stories on Calm, the sleep and meditation app, are a series of “Fairy Tales De-Stressed” offering soothing new takes on scary old tales. Today comes “The Big Bad Wolf Learns Anger Management” read by actor Nick Offerman.

That comes on the heels of such recent Sleep Stories as “Rumpelstiltskin Learns To Meditate” and “The Wicked Witch of the West Discovers Mindfulness”. Celebrities Jerome Flynn and Keegan Connor Tracy narrate those bedtime stories.

The shared theme of the new tales is the power of meditation, mindfulness and other mind tools to transform our lives. The three new tales are written by Christina Yang, an American writer of Sleep Stories for Calm.

“We all know the story of the Big Bad Wolf,” says Offerman, the actor, writer, comedian and carpenter, best-known for his role as Ron Swanson in the sitcom, Parks and Recreation. “But in this new version, you hear what happens next – when he goes on a journey and becomes … a different, better kind of wolf. Having blown down the houses of the three little pigs, he has a change of heart and decides to help rebuild them.”

The Big Bad Wolf undergoes a comparable transformation. “The three little pigs suggest that he starts calling himself the Big Good Wolf,” says Offerman. “But he prefers the Big Calm Wolf. And they’re down with that.”

Even Offerman himself goes on a journey of his own, as narrator of the wolf’s tale: “I think I’ve found my new calling – as a Sleep Story narrator,” he says.

Four out of five small Canadian businesses don’t pay to broadcast music

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A Leger study on Background Music in Canadian Small Businesses commissioned by Stingray sheds light on Canadian small business owners’ lack of awareness of the legal framework governing the use of music in public spaces: 82% are unaware of the applicable legislation and of their legal obligations to performers and composers.

According to the study, while music is considered essential by 71% of respondents, only 11% pay rights to music creators. Also according to the report, 63% of those surveyed are unaware of any regulation preventing them from using a private streaming account to broadcast music publicly in their business. The study also reveals that 48% of business owners consider it important to broadcast Canadian music but only 18% declared being willing to pay tariffs to right holders.

Based on the study’s findings, business owners do not realize that a license is required to broadcast music in a public space. Without a license, they are liable for copyright infringement fines and performing rights societies may decide to pursue the matter through legal channels.

“The Leger study on Background Music in Canadian Small Businesses makes abundantly clear that the work of music creators is often taken for granted,” stated Mathieu Péloquin, Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Content of Stingray. “While we commissioned this study to gain a better understanding of the public use of music for our commercial division Stingray Business, we are happy to share the conclusions with the entire music industry. The results reveal that there is a pressing need for stakeholders, policy-makers, and business owners to join forces to address this crucial issue in support of our artists. Today’s findings confirm that further efforts are required to strengthen and communicate the existing legal framework.”

Stingray leverages over a decade of music distribution expertise to provide a turnkey service to broadcast music legally in commercial spaces at a price that is affordable for even the smallest business. Stingray’s hundreds of commercial-free music channels are designed for businesses, screened for inappropriate content and lyrics, and promote Canadian content and creators.

The survey was conducted among 510 small businesses (1 to 9 employees) across Canada with a physical space open to customers. All survey respondents are owners, managers or assistant managers in the following industries: retail, restaurants and bars, personal services (e.g., hairdressers, dry cleaners, and photographers), leisure and entertainment services, hospitality, and veterinary services.

Dead Can Dance Announce North American Reunion Tour For 2020

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Dead Can Dance will be embarking on an extensive North & South American tour beginning in Philadelphia, PA on April 17, playing shows across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Peru and ending with two shows in Santiago, Chile on May 24 & 26.

The tour sees Brendan Perry, Lisa Gerrard and full backing band return to the Americas for the first time since Coachella in April 2013.

Following their sold out 2-legged European tour in the Spring of 2019, which ended with a triumphant show at Athens’ stunning Odeon of Herodes Atticus Amphitheatre,, the band will be taking their spectacular 3 decade spanning set that includes music from their 2018 studio album Dionysus along with much loved classic works from their extensive catalogue such as The Host Of Serapahim, The Carnival Is Over and Yulunga, to theatres across the Americas.

Dead Can Dance are delighted to be joined by Blue Note Records’ acclaimed Danish artist Agnes Obel, as their very special guest on all shows from Philadelphia to Mexico City on May 14.

Dead Can Dance Tour 2020
04/17 Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia*
04/19 Washington, DC – The Anthem*
04/21 New York City, NY – Radio City Music Hall*
04/24 Boston, MA – Boch Center*
04/26 Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall*
04/28 Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre*
04/29 Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre*
05/03 Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre*
05/04 Vancouver, BC – Orpheum*
05/07 San Francisco, CA – The Masonic*
05/09 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre*
05/11 San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre*
05/14 Mexico City, MX – Auditorio Nacional*
05/16 Guadalajara, MX – Teatro Diana
05/19 Bogota, CO – Teatro Jorge Eliecer Gaitan
05/21 Lima, PE – TBD
05/24 Santiago, CL – Teatro Municipal de Santiago

* with Agnes Obel

Eagles To Perform “Hotel Calfornia” On US Tour In 2020

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Following their first time ever performing their iconic album Hotel California in its entirety, the Eagles are continuing their successful idea and going out on select American dates in 2020. Hotel California is the third best-selling U.S. album in history, recently certified 26-times Platinum by the RIAA. After its release in 1976, it topped the charts and won two GRAMMY Awards for “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California.” Several of the songs from the album have never been performed since the original Hotel California tour. The RIAA also certified Their Greatest Hits 1971-1977 as the best-selling U.S. album in history (38-times Platinum).

“Hotel California” 2020 Tour Dates:

Feb. 7-8 — Atlanta, State Farm Arena
Feb. 14-15 — New York, Madison Square Garden
Feb. 29-March 1 — Dallas, American Airlines Center
March 6-7 — Houston, Toyota Center
April 11-12 — San Francisco, Chase Center
April 17-18 — Inglewood, Calif., The Forum

Photo Gallery: Avril Lavigne at Toronto’s Meridian Hall (formerly The Sony Centre)

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All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com

Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne

Top 5 Games With An Open World

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Open world games are an incredibly immersive experience, hooking players in for literally hundreds of hours. They often involve a storyline with multiple branches allowing the player to make choices that suit them. Open world games also feature the freedom to explore the game’s world at the player’s leisure, allowing them to see what impact their choices have had on the characters and locations.

Open world games are trendy now, and many of them are excellent, but which ones in recent memory have been the best and why? Our list below is a compilation of open-world games that we feel are the best ones to sink all your time into. By the way, you can check out more at rocketfiles.com. Ranked in descending order:

  1. Red Dead Redemption 2

 

Ever wanted to be a cowboy in the Wild West? Look no further than Red Dead, which allows you to be precisely that. You play as a bandit who is starting to question his criminal ways and yearns to escape that life. But before he can, he’ll need to pull off one big final heist. Naturally, things go wrong, and it’s not long until the law is on your tail. Playing as a bandit on the run doesn’t make up all of Red Dead though. Exploring the West and living the life of a gunslinger is also a huge part. From riding your horse, drinking in taverns and rustling cattle, this game is just as much a Wild West simulator as it is a story of redemption.

  1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild

The Zelda series is over 30 years old now, and its most recent addition is by far it’s most ambitious. As the name implies, it’s you against the wilderness. The game’s hero Link has woken up from centuries long slumber and needs to rescue the titular Princess Zelda from their old enemy Ganon. But to do so, Link will need to restore his fractured memory, hunt to survive and make his way to the castle where the final battle awaits. The game offers incredibly non-linear storytelling, and the journey is a magical one that will never be forgotten.

  1. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

When it was originally released back in 2011 Skyrim, set a new standard for open-world games. You play as the Dragonborn, and a hero prophesied to save the world from an evil dragon god. But to do so, he/she must go on the ultimate quest and gather an army of allies to face the dragon at the final battle. Skyrim’s world is full of snowy peaks, icy glaciers and dark tombs where monsters lurk. As beautiful as it is harrowing at times, the game also pits the protagonist in the middle of a bloody civil war, where he/she can choose a side or help bring about a diplomatic resolution so both parties can focus their efforts on the real enemy. Skyrim has been released on dozens of platforms while it waited for something to knock it off its top spot.

  1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Considered to be the Skyrim Killer’, The Witcher 3 took the baton and ran with it, creating a grown-up fantasy experience that won more Game of The Year awards than we can count. The player takes on the role as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter by trade who finds himself helping a band of freedom fighters fights an advancing Empire. The only problem is his adopted daughter is the heir to the throne and is being stalked by an evil seemingly undefeatable entity that won’t rest until it has her. The world is stunning and detailed, and the players will often find themselves making difficult moral and political choices that can have dramatic results in the game world.

  1. Minecraft

Finally, we have reached the pinnacle of open-world games. The number one position goes to Minecraft. Open world games represent freedom and creativity, and no other game ever made encapsulates this quite like Minecraft. Anyone can enjoy the game, and anyone can try Minecraft free. Here not only do you exist and live in the world, you quite literally mine it and craft it yourself, block by block. Minecraft players have built entire cities, dungeons and pretty much anything else you can think of, each creating their own unique stories in doing so. When you first enter the world your character needs to cut down trees to survive the night, they need to build a cabin to be warm and safe in before the sunsets, and the monster comes out! So at times, the game can be very atmospheric. The game has endured the test of time due to its sheer infinite possibilities for gameplay.

 

 

Alicia Keys, Farruko, French Montana, Becky G, G-Eazy And Many More To Perform At TIDAL X Rock The Vote Benefit Concert on October 21

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Today, global music streaming and entertainment platform, TIDAL, has announced a long-term partnership with the nation’s foremost nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people, Rock The Vote. The partnership will kick off with TIDAL X Rock The Vote, a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for voter registration, education and rights. Taking place on Monday, October 21st at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, TIDAL’s 5th annual concert will be hosted by Angie Martinez and feature performances from Alicia Keys, Farruko, French Montana, Becky G, G-Eazy, Ty Dolla $ign, Carnage, CNCO, Moneybagg Yo, Doja Cat, Gashi, Dermot Kennedy, Lucky Daye, Angelica Vila, Nicole Bus and many more

The 2020 election will be a critical moment for our communities and it is imperative to ensure record-breaking youth voter turnout. One hundred percent of net proceeds from ticket sales and campaign will be donated to Rock The Vote to register and prepare new voters who are unfamiliar with the process; build coordinated efforts with grassroots organizations in its partnership network to mobilize underserved youth across the country; litigate to fight for voting rights; and lead a high school civics education coalition.

Following the benefit concert, TIDAL and Rock the Vote will continue to raise funds and support registration drives, voter education, relational organizing efforts, and early vote and Election Day efforts.

Beginning today at 12:00 PM ET until 4:00 PM ET, TIDAL members will have exclusive access to a limited time discount  on the purchase of standard tickets via TIDAL.com/RockTheVote or the TIDAL App (mobile & desktop). Tickets go on-sale to the general public beginning 4:00 PM ET and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com

Fans worldwide will be able to learn more, tune-in to the show and participate in fundraising efforts at TIDAL.com/RockTheVote. Fans can also text TIDAL to 788-683 to donate.

With support from partners like Mark Levinson By Harman, CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka and Snipes, 100% of net proceeds will be donated to Rock the Vote.

Since inception in 2015, the “TIDAL X” benefit concerts have raised millions of dollars for social justice, criminal justice reform, disaster relief & recovery, and education causes. Each year more than 30 of the world’s premier superstars and most promising emerging artists gather to support those in need across the globe. Past performers include Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Ms. Lauryn HillJennifer Lopez, Kaskade, Fifth Harmony, Jessie ReyezAlessia Cara, Flatbush Zombies, Bazzi and many more — you can watch their performances here: TIDAL.com/Brooklyn

The livestreamed benefit show furthers TIDAL’s commitment to supporting philanthropic endeavors and key social issues that the music community is passionate about, including Lil Wayne’s Social Wave For Change, T.I.’s TIDAL X: Money Talk Education Challenge as well as social justice initiatives from A$AP Ferg, The LOX, Damian Marley, Dec. 99th and more.