‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ad Spurs Controversy
Los Angeles, California (CNN) — At first glance of Friday’s Los Angeles Times, you might think the Mad Hatter has taken over the newspaper.
Johnny Depp’s colorful character in Disney’s new film “Alice in Wonderland” dominates a faked front page, which includes the paper’s traditional flag and two stories that appeared in the paper last month.
Elle’s March Cover Girl: Keira Knightley
On her character in The Misanthrope: “Jennifer’s kind of a crazy mix of being a complete bitch—confident and terrifying—yet she’s incredibly young and is probably being exploited way more than she actually realizes.”
On criticism of her acting skills: “Oh, they still say that! Every time I do an interview with the English press, one of their questions is, ‘How do you feel knowing that everyone thinks you’re a shit actress?’ ”
Pepsi Initiative Hopes to Refresh
That’s right, you read it all correctly. The title is as just as blatant, shocking and exciting as the latest efforts of Pepsi to inspire individuals to create, contribute and add to the world we live in. For the past few weeks now, a series of commercials have circulated on television about the Pepsi refresh project, and after checking out the website, thought it might be a great idea to let you all know just what this is about.
Free money. No kidding.
Pepsi is handing out grants in the amounts of $5,000 all the way to $250,000 to individuals and organizations looking to get things going, develop and forward their ideas. Each person, or organization must fill out an application with specific details of their ‘idea,’ along with an itemized budget and you are all set! There are deadlines you must adhere to, and shortly thereafter a voting period starts to choose winning submissions.
What is more interesting about this process is that you…well, us…the public, we vote and ultimately choose the winners! Wait. They did say the same thing about American Idol didn’t they…hm, either way, what’s the harm in trying! Ideas range from documentaries, to starting performing arts charter schools. So, you should NOT be afraid of your passion. Give it a try. The worst they can do is say no, right?
Check out the following link to get more information. What are you waiting for? Money to support ingenuity and expansion in a recession sounds pretty refreshing to me!
ERE Expo 2010 Spring
ERE Expo Returns to San Diego for the 10th Year
There are other events, but none in the recruiting space that feature as many real practitioners sharing their successes and secrets with you. Now entering its 10th year, ERE Expo continues to reinvent its agenda and speaker faculty year after year, featuring sessions led by recruiters like you. That is something you won’t find at any other recruiting conferences this year!
If you’ve been to an ERE Expo before, don’t expect a repeat performance. Expect it to be better, with new topics not yet tackled, delivered by new companies and new speakers.
‘It Girl’ Janelle Monae Returns with New Singles
By: Brian Bowers
The phrase “a Monet” is typically used to describe an art piece created by the French Impressionist Claude Monet. In slang terms, it can often be used to describe something that has to be viewed from a distance to be understood. If one gets too close, the idea is that the beauty of the piece, art, person is disrupted completely. This isn’t the case with Janelle Monae.
From a distance and up-close Her flawless beauty and effervescence is a pleasant contrast to the rebel who undoubtedly has a cause and calling: inspiration. One can only wonder how much longer it will be before “Monae” will evoke images of the young, underground starlette singer as opposed to any of these clichés and conventions.
With the mantra “imagination inspires nations” it seems Janelle Monae continues to be the ‘it girl’ of the underground music scene. Her and the Wondaland Arts Society don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Noted for her eclectic style, funky hair and classic voice, she returns with two brand new singles Tightrope ft. Big Boi and Cold War.
Words cannot completely describe what Monae and the Wondaland Art Society manage to do sonically and capture such a wonderful aural experience. Her voice is classic and versatile combined with a lyrical content that is cryptic and profound. All of her work is a dive into deep, full musical sounds. In the recent past, Monae and her team were able to team up with Diddy and Bad Boi to release what she calls a short film, Many Moons. The video was epic, full of bright colors, multi-layered themes and of course undeniable beauty and charm that is characteristically…well, Monae.
If you want to check out the new singles and amazing art, check out her official page, or her myspace page. The epic debut album The Archandroid appears be a promising, generous effort both sonically and visually. Artists such as this don’t come around often, and it is my greatest hope that this one gets the respect she deserves.
Vista al Mar, Estate of the Day
Even some beachfront property in southern California is slow to move. One estate Vista al Mar in Dana Point, California, is headed for auction. The home is located in The Strand at Headlands, southern California’s last and most exclusive beachfront community. The development has several tiers of oceanview homes, this one appears to be on one of the middle levels. The new home was once priced at over $15 million but will be auctioned off with an opening bid of just $7.5 million.
HGO Unveils Tchaikovsky’s “Queen of Spades”
If you are looking for something a little different for entertainment when you head out in Houston, perhaps you should check out The Houston Grand Opera’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades this April. After performing Puccinni’s Tosca this past February, the Houston Grand Opera under the baton of Carlo Rizzi will be presenting one of 11 Tchaikovsky operas. According to the HGO website, the London Observer said the following of the production:
“Once every few seasons, a production gets pretty much everything right. This is one … Dramatically spine-chilling, visually spare and coherent, it was the kind of theatrical experience which changes the way you look at life – not a comment to be made lightly.” — The Observer (London)
The opera, which originally premiered in December of 1890, is based on the short story by Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. Much of Pushkin’s work has famously been set to music by a number of prolific composers. The Queen of Spades is a complex tale of secrecy, greed, manipulation and desire. And of course, what would opera be without a little avarice, a little death and passion!
MTV Wants Fulbright Scholar
By: Brian Bowers
Smile. I like titles and no this is not a joke I promise you. Did you know that Fulbright and mtvU have teamed together to offer a fellowship to individuals interested in documenting and studying the “power” of music on an international scale? But if you are left wondering what I mean by ‘offering’ and ‘fellowship’ let me just give you a few stats on the award:
• Round-trip transportation to the host country
• Maintenance for the academic year, based on living costs in the host country
• Book and research allowances (Fellows whose projects require extensive research
• funding, materials, or equipment must obtain funding from other sources for such
• purposes.)
• Supplemental health and accident insurance coverage
• Foreign language or cultural orientation courses, where appropriate
• Media resources (e.g., camera and Internet uplink for students to send dispatches to mtvU)
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? I bet anyone who didn’t like music and travelling before likes it a lot more now that someone else might potentially pay for you to take part! It seems following the initial pilot year in 2007-2008, the Fulbright-mtvU fellowship is back and in action. Be warned, this can be a complex application process for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree that requires proposals, recommendations…etc, its not for the faint at heart. But what’s a little paperwork and research for such an amazing opportunity.
If you need encouragement again, look at the awards above! I mean, you can contribute to society, music, academia and media without being on a reality TV show. Sounds great? GOOD, give it a shot.
Find more information here at the official website or here. Although this year’s deadline is coming up VERY soon (March 1, 2010 to be exact), you can always file this away for next year and get started way ahead of time!
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $250 million to the youth of Texas. It is the driving force for promoting Western heritage in the nation’s fourth largest city. With the help of 22,000 volunteers, the Show is the world’s largest livestock show and richest regular-season PRCA rodeo, and one of the world’s most significant concert venues.
More Info: Rodeo Houston
Dell Helps Customers Efficiently Deploy
Dell today introduced OpenManage Integration Suite for Microsoft System Center, a portfolio of software tools designed to help customers efficiently , securely, and cost-effectively utilize and manage standards-based IT resources. Available at no charge to Dell customers with Microsoft System Center, these software tools enable large enterprises, public organizations and mid-size companies to gain visibility, control, and flexibility of their Windows-based IT environments.
