Pete Buttigieg the forward-thinking Mayor of South Bend, Indiana who is eyeing a full run for President of the United States of the America, just released his most important document of the campaign – his Spotify playlist. You’ll find Phish, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Florence + the Machine, Beck, Portugal. The Man, David Bowie and George Michael.
I Love This: Etch-A-Sketch Digital Camera
Etch-A-Snap is (probably) the worlds first Etch-A-Sketch Camera. Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero (or Zero W) it snaps photos just like any other camera, but outputs them by drawing to an Pocket Etch-A-Sketch screen. Quite slowly.
Photos are processed down to 240×144 pixel 1-bit (black & white) line drawings using Pillow and OpenCV and then translated into plotter commands by building a network graph representation with networkx. The Etch-A-Sketch wheels are driven by two 5V stepper motors mounted into a custom 3D printed frame. The Etch-A-Snap is entirely portable and powered by 4xAA batteries & 3×18650 LiPo cells.
Canadian Pop Supergroup GIRL POW-R Inspire 500,000+ Teens Worldwide with NEW Video “Never Let Go”
Canadian pop/rock band Girl Pow-R continue their mission of empowerment this week, having inspired more than 500,000 teens and young adults worldwide with their newest video “Never Let Go.”
The clip — seen across all Girl Pow-R socials — dazzles with the all-girl supergroup’s dynamic dancing, and comes complete with an important message to their fellow female fans: ‘stay true to you’.
It’s a message dear to their hearts: Girl Pow-R have been seen around Canadian cities as of late inviting audience-members and passersby to write on their signature #GirlPowRment wall. “We started as a group by writing messages about friendship, acceptance and support that we find inspiring,” says the band. “We really enjoy seeing what other girls and women add!”
In continuing their inspirational mission of spreading confidence and kindness, Girl Pow-R — as seen on YTV, TVO Kids, CityTV, eTalk Canada, Girls’ Life, Tiger Beat, J-14, Celeb Secrets, Fresh 95.3 and more — are hoping “Never Let Go” will encourage girls to stay confident in their individuality and avoid the pitfalls of peer pressure and online influence in today’s hyper-digital age.
“It’s about never becoming someone you’re not, even when there is pressure from your peers and the media,” Girl Pow-R alum Kalista explains. “Young people already face challenges with knowing who they are, they don’t need the added pressure of looking like a runway model.”
“The song is based off personal experiences a lot of us girls have faced. Being on Instagram and seeing all of these icons and role models having ‘perfect lives’, and going to school and seeing other kids wearing makeup, it’s hard to be yourself or feel accepted when you don’t do the same.”
“You feel like you have to change who you are to please others.”
“Our inspiration was about when you’re forced to be someone you’re not, and how we stand above it!” adds bandmate Krisalyn, who adds that she too has personally gone through situations like those discussed in the song’s lyrics.
“In my case, this song is based on a friend’s experience,” fellow Girl Pow-R member Milana rounds out, sharing how she helped her friend navigate the hurdles of overwhelming influence. “She felt pressured to change herself into someone else to fit in.”
“A lot of people in our society are trying to change you to not be yourself, and to act differently to fit in. But (we say) you should ‘Never Let Go’ of yourself for someone else!”
“Be you, and be proud of who you are.”
With members ranging in age from 10 – 17, Girl Pow-R’s greatest strength lies in the diversity in their ages, backgrounds and life experiences. The universal things that join them together, however, are dynamic skill sets and a shared mission of empowerment among young women in the world today.
“I think we’re growing more,” Kalista reflects. “We’re realizing life isn’t just about having fun all day and having a good time. We’ve realized there are pressures and issues that everyone goes through, but nobody really talks about it.”
“It grew as we grew,” Krisalyn agrees, considering the lyrics and their message, compared to when Girl Pow-R started. “We are all a bit older now, and experiencing more mature situations.”
“Social media has also had an impact on us,” Milana adds, “and has increased our ability to write lyrics based on not only ours, but on our fans sharing their own stories too.”
5-Time JUNO Award Winner Exco Levi to Receive 2019 BBPA Harry Jerome Entertainment Award
Five-time JUNO and multi award winning Canadian reggae artist Exco Levi is set to receive the prestigious BBPA Harry Jerome Entertainment Award for 2019 this month.
The Black Business & Professional Association’s 37th Anniversary Harry Jerome Awards ceremony will take place at the International Conference Centre this Saturday, April 27th at 5:00pm.
“It is an honour to be acknowledged by my own people in the name of Game Changer Harry Jerome,” Exco shares. “When I look at fellow nominees from various disciplines — education, business, medicine — this is a motivational platform for particularly African Canadian kids.
“I am pleased that Reggae music and other good news stories are being told about our performance and contribution to Canada, that can be shared with all Canadians.”
Having written more than 150 songs across the expanse of his career, Exco Levi is one of Canada and the world’s most dynamic artists in the genre.
Among his numerous appearances and accolades, the Brampton-based Jamaican-Canadian has won five Best Reggae Recording JUNO Awards within seven nominations.
His most recent release, last year’s NARRATIVE — a full-length 13-track journey into the reggae master’s uniquely vivid storytelling capability and richly defining point of view — has been received to much critical acclaim.
“My music is touching on many subtopics,” he reflects on the creation of NARRATIVE and its wide-reaching relatability. “Real issues that are going on… This is what the album is about. That’s why I named it NARRATIVE, because it’s telling different stories. It’s a part of me that I present to the world!”
Fleetwood Mac Announce Re-Scheduled Shows For North American Tour
Legendary, GRAMMY-award winning band Fleetwood Mac have announced today rescheduled dates for their North American tour. The tour kicked off last Fall and has traveled to more than 50 cities in North America. After European and Australian shows, the final North American dates will take place in Fall of 2019. Produced by Live Nation, the tour has met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike to the new line-up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.
All previously held tickets will be honored on these new rescheduled dates, along with new tickets which will be made available for these shows. Tickets for Quebec City will go on sale Friday, April 26th at 10am local time.
Fleetwood Mac was founded by Peter Green in 1967 and was named after Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. After Peter Green left in 1969, Fleetwood and McVie remained as original members, and the band has since featured a cast of brilliant talents. Most notably, Christine McVie joined the band in 1970, with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joining in 1974. The enduring spirit of Fleetwood Mac stands for an incredible body of great music that has connected with generations of people all over the world for more than 50 years. Fleetwood Mac has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and the GRAMMY-award winning band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
FLEETWOOD MAC TOUR DATES
Date City Venue
October 28, 2019 Boston, MA TD Garden
October 30, 2019 Quebec City, QC Centre Videotron
November 1, 2019 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
November 3, 2019 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
November 7, 2019 Winnipeg, MB Bell MTS Place
November 10, 2019 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
November 12, 2019 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
Dave Grohl In Conversation with Virginia Hanlon Grohl IS A GO at Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week (CMW) is proud to announce the exciting roster of keynote speakers as part of the Canadian Music Week Conference at May 9 – 11, 2019 at The Sheraton Centre in Toronto. Tickets are on sale now here.
On Friday, May 10 CMW is thrilled to let attendees eavesdrop on a conversation between Dave Grohl and his mother Virginia Hanlon Grohl, where they will talk about the inspiration behind her book From Cradle to Stage, her delightful meetings with music moms and what to do when your child is a talented, charismatic prodigy. A Q&A will follow.
Keanu Reeves Shows Off His Most Prized Motorcycles
Keanu Reeves shows GQ Magazine his most prized motorcycles at his shop, Arch Motorcycle. From his green Ducati in The Matrix Reloaded to his custom built Arch motorcycles, Keanu takes us through his collection!
An Acoustic Cover of the Game of Thrones Theme on Harp Guitar
Jamie Dupuis performed a stunning acoustic cover of the Game Of Thrones series theme on his signature harp guitar.
Figuring Out The Time Signature Of Jeff Goldblum’s Laugh
Lee Presson discovered the time signature of Jeff Goldblum’s laugh.
Mary J. Blige And Nas Announce First Ever Co-Headline North American Summer Tour
Two of hip-hop and R&B’s most legendary artists – Mary J. Blige and Nas – will be hitting the road together for the first time ever across North America this summer. The hitmaking heavyweights will be bringing a stacked setlist of songs spanning both of their careers that will make this one of the can’t miss shows of the summer.
Produced by Live Nation, the 22-city outing will kick off July 11th in West Palm Beach, FL at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre and make stops in Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas and more. The North American trek will see the two performing in a number of indoor and outdoor spaces across amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, concluding on September 10th in Toronto, ON at Budweiser Stage. Please see full itinerary below.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, April 18th for Toronto and on Friday, April 19th for the remainder of the tour, starting at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.
MARY J. BLIGE AND NAS SUMMER 2019 DATES:
DATE CITY VENUE
7/11/19 West Palm Beach, FL Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds
7/13/19 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
7/14/19 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place*
7/16/19 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
7/20/19 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena*
7/21/19 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
7/24/19 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
7/25/19 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
7/28/19 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/31/19 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
8/2/19 Houston, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/3/19 Austin, TX Austin360 Amphitheater
8/6/19 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
8/9/19 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
8/14/19 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
8/16/19 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
8/17/19 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
8/20/19 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
8/22/19 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
8/25/19 Tuscaloosa, AL Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
8/31/19 Syracuse, NY St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater
9/1/19 Boston, MA Xfinity Center
9/10/19 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage