MUSICAL MONDAY #22: HALL PASS TO HELL

So what’s “Musical Monday”? Just pick the book you’re currently reading and#40;or just finishedand#41;, then think of a song or album that best matches the book. Even hitting shuffle on your musical player will do the trick. I don’t know about you, but songs pop into my head all the time when reading books, or the perfect song will start playing while reading it and it feels like two atoms exploding in my brain! Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce artists that others might not know about. The Book: Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore The Song: Katrinah Josephina by Universal Hall Pass -or- The Reason: You know, Maggie deals with so much evil, and this song plopped into my lap right as I was finishing reading Highway to Hell. Both are hypnotic, deal with demons, and have a great ending. What could be better? If you have a “Musical Monday” post, I’d love to hear about it! Post your link below! Musical Monday is a meme hosted by yours truly, Tipsy Reader [Read More]

published June 9, 2011 at 12:37am CDT

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HONORS JOAN BAEZ FOR A LIFETIME OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY

Amnesty International turns 50 this year, and closely linked to Amnesty’s legacy of championing human rights is that of folk legend Joan Baez. Baez was an active supporter of Amnesty from the start, stuffing envelopes at their first home office in San Francisco– not coincidentally, where this year’s Annual General Meeting is being held. This Friday, as part of their anniversary AGM, Joan Baez will be honored for a lifetime of human rights solidarity and advocacy. Her receiving the award also marks an exciting beginning, as it will establish the Amnesty International Joan Baez Award for Outstanding, Inspirational Service in the Global Fight for Human Rights. The award will be given to artists – working in music, film, fine arts or other media – who similarly contribute to the advancement of human rights. Baez will be presented with the first award in recognition of her historic, ground-breaking and courageous human rights work with Amnesty International and beyond, and the [Read More]

published March 15, 2011 at 2:04pm CDT

MUSICAL MONDAY: GENIUS IN MY COMPANY

So what’s “Musical Monday”? Just pick the book you’re currently reading and#40;or just finishedand#41;, then think of a song or album that best matches the book. Even hitting shuffle on your musical player will do the trick. I don’t know about you, but songs pop into my head all the time when reading books, or the perfect song will start playing while reading it and it feels like two atoms exploding in my brain! Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce artists that others might not know about. The Book: The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin The Song: Genius Next Door by Regina Spektor -or- Click here for an alternate link! The Reason: The song has such a sad tune and even though the words DO NOT match the book, the melody does. Plus, it has “genius” in the title. Cop out, but whateves. If you have a “Musical Monday” post, I’d love to hear about it! Post your link below! [Read More]

published February 23, 2011 at 11:34am CST

'GLEE’S' LEA MICHELE TACKLES “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” AT SUPER BOWL XLV

Access Hollywood has confirmed that Lea Michele, the 24-year-old Broadway ingenue-turned-breakout star of  “Glee,” will be singing “America the Beautiful” prior to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers showdown in Super Bowl XLV. Past performers of “America the Beautiful” include Alicia Keys, Faith Hill and Queen Latifah in 2010 In addition to Lea, Christina Aguilera will sing the pregame national anthem  and the Black Eyed Peas will perform at halftime. Maroon 5, led by frontman Adam Levine, has also been added to the  pregame show with Keith Urban. Super Bowl Sunday will be a big night for diva Michele along with her castmates.  Gleeks  can see even more of the songstress during the highly anticipated return of “Glee.” which has the coveted post-game spot on Fox. The sports-themed episode will include contemporary covers of Michael Jackson and#40; “Thriller” performed on a football fieldand#41;, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Antebellum and Katy Perry [Read More]

published February 2, 2011 at 4:46pm CST

MUSICAL MONDAYS: HEAD BAKER

So what’s “Musical Monday”? Just pick the book you’re currently reading and#40;or just finishedand#41;, then think of a song or album that best matches the book. Even hitting shuffle on your musical player will do the trick. I don’t know about you, but songs pop into my head all the time when reading books, or the perfect song will start playing while reading it and it feels like two atoms exploding in my brain! Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce artists that others might not know about. The Book: Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker The Song: Ain’t That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin -or- Click here for an alternate link! The Reason: It’s such a fun, perfectly humored book that I couldn’t resist finding such a fun song to pair it with! If you have a “Musical Monday” post, I’d love to hear about it! Post your link below! [Read More]

published January 10, 2011 at 5:23pm CST

CHICKSPEAK HEARTS BRUNO MARS

Most notably, you’ve heard this newcomer serenading all of us chicks on rapper B.o.B.’s ubiquitous hit “Nothin’ On You,” his contribution to which helped propel the single to its number one spot in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Just months later, you heard him, and his beautiful acoustic guitar, sharing fantasies with Travie McCoy on the latter’s debut solo single, “Billionaire,” which made it to number three on the Billboard Pop charts. In between these singles, though, you’ve also heard some of the chart-topping tracks he’s penned for the likes of Flo Rida, Ke$ha, Cee-lo Green, Brandy, Adam Levine, and K’naan. So who’s the budding star behind the voice? His name is Bruno Mars and on his debut studio album Doo-Wops and Hooligans, he effortlessly combines modern pop with 50s era soul. The result is pure magic. Mars, born Pete Hernandez, first got his start in his own home, impersonating some of music history’s greatest performers, [Read More]

published November 9, 2010 at 5:33pm CST

RAISING THE BARRE: THE REINVENTION OF CLASSICAL BALLET

If you think Swan Lake or The Nutcracker when you think of ballet, think again. Many contemporary troupes are forging new ways to enchant modern audiences by demonstrating that ballet is a living dance form. Check out just a few of the ways in which ballet is being reinvented. Indie Rock Ballet: Goodbye Tchaikovsky, hello…The Shins? Last month, choreographer Trey McIntyre debuted with San Francisco’s Smuin Ballet a series of eight dance vignettes, set to tracks off the The Shins’ Oh, Inverted World album. Not only was there nary a pointe shoe in sight, but the male dancers shuffled across the stage wearing shorts and crew socks that evoked American Apparel more than Capezio. Avant Chamber Ballet: The Shins aren’t the only indie artist to receive the ballet treatment. The New York City Ballet’s Justin Peck recently choreographed a performance inspired by Osso’s Run Rabbit Run, a reinterpretation of Sufjan Stevens’ Enjoy Your Rabbit record. Performed this past weekend [Read More]

published November 9, 2010 at 4:00pm CST

MUSICAL MONDAYS: SHADOW MONSTER

So what’s “Musical Monday”? Just pick the book you’re currently reading and#40;or just finishedand#41;, then think of a song or album that best matches the book. Even hitting shuffle on your musical player will do the trick. I don’t know about you, but songs pop into my head all the time when reading books, or the perfect song will start playing while reading it and it feels like two atoms exploding in my brain! Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce artists that others might not know about. The Book: Shadow Fall by Erin Kellison The Song: Monster by Bon Voyage -or- Click here for an alternate link! The Reason: Custo badly wants to be among the living in some capacity to help/ warn Adam about another trader at Segue. For that, he’ll become a monster. If you have a “Musical Monday” post, I’d love to hear about it! Post your link below! [Read More]

published November 2, 2010 at 6:33pm CDT

MADONNA TO OPEN CHAIN OF HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS

Do you want your arms as contoured and fit as Madonna’s? It will soon be possible. Yesterday, the pop icon announced she is  set to launch an international health club chain called “Hard Candy”. The  music star is famed for her toned figure and love of working out, so this venture seems to suit her well as she diversifies beyond the realm of popular music. Health and fitness is obviously of great importance to her, and she’s in incredible shape, considering she’s  52-years old. The Material Girl has teamed up with Mark Mastrov, chairman of New Evolution Ventures and#40;NEVand#41; and the founder of 24 Hour Fitness and manager Guy Oseary  to open the high-end fitness center. “Our goal is to create an environment inspired by Madonna’s vision and high standards of what the ideal gym would be,” said Mastrov. “Hard Candy Fitness will be a reflection of Madonna’s point of view and will reflect her input on every detail including music space, light and other design [Read More]

published October 26, 2010 at 2:42pm CDT

MUSICAL MONDAYS: WILD LOVE

So what’s “Musical Monday”? Just pick the book you’re currently reading, then think of a song or album that best matches the book. Even hitting shuffle on your musical player will do the trick. I don’t know about you, but songs pop into my head all the time when reading books, or the perfect song will start playing while reading it and it feels like two atoms exploding in my brain! Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce artists that others might not know about. The Book: The Song: Tunnel of Love by Dire Straits -or- Click here for an alternate link! The Reason: When you read it, you’ll instantly get the “tunnel of love” reference. But because Ethan is a Green Beret and there’s the danger aspect, “Tunnel of Love” seemed like the perfect choice! If you have a “Musical Monday” post, I’d love to hear about it! Post your link below! [Read More]

published October 25, 2010 at 7:46pm CDT