Growing up in the seventies was a great time. Good music and SUMMER BLOCK BUSTER movies! I am sure everyone remembers the first time they saw the movie Jaws! The opening scene with the girl swimming alone? The shark toys with her for a few minutes and then, it’s over. She was gone! We went to Florida the year it came out. It seemed like the beaches where empty! It’s been 40 years since the shark terrised Amity Island. Well it’s back! It’s being re released into theaters
From the Guardian:
Jaws, 40 years on: ‘One of the truly great and lasting classics of American cinema’ | Film | The Guardian
First things first; Jaws is not about a shark. It may have a shark in it – and indeed all over the poster, the soundtrack album, the paperback jacket and so on. It may have scared a generation of cinemagoers out of the water for fear of being bitten in half by the “teeth of the sea”. But the underlying story of Jaws is more complex than the simple terror of being eaten by a very big fish. As a novel, it reads like a morality tale about the dangers of extramarital sex and the inability of a weak father to control his family and his community. As a film, it has been variously interpreted as everything from a depiction of masculinity in crisis to a post-Watergate paranoid parable about corrupt authority figures. But as a cultural phenomenon, the real story of Jaws is how a B-movie-style creature-feature became a genre-defining blockbuster that changed the face of modern cinema. In the wake of the epochal opening of Jaws 40 years ago, the film industry would find itself on the brink of a brave new world wherein saturation marketing and mall-rat teen audiences were the keys to untold riches. To this day, many consider the template of contemporary blockbuster releases to have been laid down in the summer of 1975 by a movie that redefined the parameters of a “hit” – artistically, demographically, financially.
According to David Brown, one of the film’s producers: “Almost everyone remembers when they first saw Jaws. They say, I remember the theatre I was in, I remember what I did when I went home – I wouldn’t even draw the bathwater.” I was no exception. I first saw the movie at the ABC Turnpike Lane in north London at the age of 12. It was a Sunday afternoon and I’d had to catch two separate buses to get to the cinema. I sat on the right-hand side of the packed auditorium and I remember very clearly finding the opening sequence so alarming that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get through the rest of the film. As I told director Steven Spielberg several decades later, watching poor Susan Backlinie being dragged violently back and forth by an unseen underwater assailant, screaming blue murder, I genuinely feared that I would lose control of my bodily functions (“I like that!” laughed the director).
For more of this great article go here <THEGUARDIAN>
First off, props to the former Bruce Jenner. I guess he feels he needs to dress as a woman and consider himself a woman so who am I to judge? Last time I looked, there was only one Judge out there. Besides that. We are all trying to get thru life as we know it and if it helps him/her get out of bed everyday, look in the mirror and accept himself. That’s a win. I think Caitlyn looks more real than those fake plastic “kardash an grab” chicks that get paraded around and worshiped for having practically zero talent other than a sex tape…
But, and there is always a but. Caitlyn has it easy. On one one end, it can be applauded. He will give encouragement to many others that need the inspiration to follow suite. However, so far he has done two exclusives which pay pretty big bucks. Not to mention a reality show documenting this transformation,. Money that the average person doesn’t have or can obtain. I am just thinking Caitlyn should donate part of the monies to caring LGBT organizations or suicide prevention causes to help those that feel like they are trapped and not accepted. Those that are everyday normal people living in a world that doesn’t always understand them…Discuss.
Sometimes some important timeless words get spoke at the right time and place. The Rev. Herron Wilson
A woman holds a fan as she waits in the heat outside the B.B. King museum during a day of public viewing for B.B. King in Indianola, Mississippi May 29, 2015. Blues legend King, who took his music from rural juke joints to the mainstream and inspired a generation of guitarists from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan, died in Las Vegas on May 14, 2015. He was 89. REUTERS/Mike Blake
has this to say at the Funeral…
“Hands that once picked cotton would someday pick guitar strings on a national and international stage. Amazing,”
One of B.B. King’s son’s said this…
“For a man coming out of the cotton field unlearned and you take his music and draw four corners of the world together — that is amazing,”
Fans say farewell as B.B. King laid to rest in Mississippi | New York Post
INDIANOLA, Miss. — Hundreds of people filled a church in the Mississippi Delta for the funeral Saturday of B.B. King, who rose from sharecropper in the area’s flat cotton fields to worldwide fame as a blues singer and guitarist who influenced generations of entertainers. King was 89 when he died May 14 in Las Vegas. At his request, his body was returned to his native Mississippi for a final homecoming. Amid rain, about 500 people filled the sanctuary of Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church, a red brick structure that sits in a field off of B.B. King Road in Indianola. More than 200 people who couldn’t get into the sanctuary watched a live broadcast of the funeral in the church’s fellowship hall, many waving hand-held fans with a black-and-white photo of a smiling King hugging his black electric guitar, Lucille.
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
My name is Alexis and I sing for the band Straight Line Stitch. We can be
found on all the major social networks such
as Facebook.com/straightlinestitch
Stevie Nicks and Sade because their voices are epic. They are legendary in their on rite and their styles are both timeless.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Always make sure you know what the heck is going on! Know your business and don’t let anyone BS you, but most importantly push as hard as possible and let nothing sway you from your dreams and goals.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I wish I would have listened more to my brother and my dad when it came to being more involved in the business aspect of things in the past instead of just counting on everyone else to handle all the business.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Playing overseas for the first time in the UK for the Download Festival was amazing and we had a blast. I remember feeling sick to my stomach with nervousness on seeing just how massive the crowd was. It was an intense epic moment in time. Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I collect Walt Disney’s Goofy items and I am a old school horror movie fanatic.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
It would be nice if the music scene had more camaraderie. It seems like nowadays everyone is only out for themselves and that kinda blows. There are so many great bands and musicians out there to get to know and play with but I notice the scene is very “clicky”.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
One could say these shows have over saturated the industry but it’s also helped a lot of people get their voice heard.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
It helps and it hurts. I think it has pushed the music industry in the direction that it’s going.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Jason is a human cyborg, seriously he’s part robot!! He’s so strong and can take a lot..more than the average human. Darren and I were both born with 12 fingers. Both of us had them cut when we were babies, but we still have the little bump on the side of our hands. We’re a band of mutants lol
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Probably Russell Johnson’s character The Professor, because he’s more my type and he just comes off so debonair.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
I was raised on vinyl. My mother has a huge collection of old records she would play all the time when I was a kid. I definitely have an appreciation for the look and the sound of vinyl.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
I don’t know Justin Bieber like that so I couldn’t say.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
I actually don’t have an opinion on Miley Cyrus, because I don’t know her personally. I just try to stay in my own lane and not focus on what others are doing.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Real vocals! I can listen to a record from the comfort of my home anytime. If I go out to see a show, I want to see a real show.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
I hope it’s us 🙂
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
I need Stevie Nicks/ Fleetwood Mac in my life, because their music has influenced me so much.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I love people but yet I’m terrified of them..
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Anything with Vincent Price or Boris Karloff.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD
I want to thank my Lord & Savior Christ Jesus and all our loyal supporters who continue to support us through the good and bad. We love you!!!!! Xoxo
Please share this with all your Facebook friends. Let’s make a difference!
Michael Shoemaker was severely injured and my nephew David W. Gee-Taylor was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2012. Michael has been through a lot and is trying to get back on his feet and support his family. He is currently building picnic tables. I am not asking for donations, I am asking to help this young man support his family buy purchasing a picnic table. If you live in Illinois, drop by and pick one up. If not maybe consider buying one and donating it to a family in his area or church that could benefit from one.
Mike was on “the wall” for us all. We can give back and support his endeavor. He is truly one of the real American Heroes. Click on his name to go to his Facebook page for all the info or contact Sandra Shoemaker.
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and where you can be found online.
Why hello there! I am Jayne Ava. Just a singer-songwriter gal from a small city in Canada tryin to live the dream in good ol LA! I just actually released a new single and music video! The song is called “Something There”. All those good thangs can be found on Youtube.
Well I grew up listening to tons and tons of Queen and Prince. My parents always had music on and so I absorbed whatever they put in my ears and that became what I loved. Good thing they had incredible music taste. Like Queen and Prince?!! The best. I die for Pink. She is just such a powerful, incredible, talented Woman. She has a sound of her own and has just stuck to being exactly who she wants to be for her whole career no matter what anyone said. She has been successful for so many years and still is humble and grateful and continues to inspire people. She just seems like such a caring beautiful genuine soul!!
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
As cliché as it is just stay true to yourself. No. Matter. What. It’s your life and your passion so how can you let some other idiot who is trying to change you to their liking tell you what you can and can’t do. Stay strong!! That way no matter what happens you can always respect what you are doing and know you carved your path exactly how you wanted to and that is an amazing thing. Being happy with you is the most important thing in the world
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
That advice that I just gave to other people above haha I had some moments where I was like welllll maybe they do know best and I should completely change everything about what I’m doing because I mean they are higher up in the industry than I am….well that never worked out that great and I ended up in a place being like who am I this is stupid I’m not happy. It felt like when you wear that one outfit out and you never were very comfortable in it and you couldn’t sit down the whole night without the whole dress just like exploding off your body but that one friend told you that you look “fierce” …well in the end you just have a horrible night and would have had so much more fun had you just worn that onesie you love! That is honestly the best way I can explain that.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
You know to some this may seem like a worst gig, but to me it was the best. When I first moved here, I performed at this singer showcase, which ended up being at a strip club. At first I was like, “this is horrible how did this happen?” “Am I a stripper now?” But my dancers and I decided to just roll with it and there actually was a lot of other talent there, the venue just happened to be a place where hot chicks danced on poles for dollah dollah bills. It ended up being super fun and I even got a couple dollars thrown at me while I was singing and I mean who doesn’t want to strut down a glass catwalk for one of their first gigs. Those dollars were probably the most money I made from a gig that whole first year I lived in LA haha!
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
What would you say if I was like “ you know what?! Drawing peckers is how I spend my free moments”…..I wish I had a hilarious hobby. I should work on that. My hobby is eating. eating and reading and watching tv. Mostly eating. Oh I love my crock pot. Like…I like it so much I’m going to call it a hobby. You can make anything in that thing…and I do.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
There are a lot of things wrong with the music industry like the whole greedy, superficial side but never before has music been so accessible to everyone. That is pretty amazing. Like if you want to put your music out there you can. It is that simple. I mean you may not get a billion fans, but you still can release into the world/interweb something you’re really proud of and want to share with people and that is a really great thing.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X Factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
That is a whole other side of the music industry. I wouldn’t say it has hurt the industry. It is not my favorite way to try and achieve your dream, but it gets the masses listening to great talent so what is wrong with that. If you have the patience to wait in an a million hour lineup why not give it a whirl. It is a great way to hear some incredible live performing (and also some comical performances) from people of any age.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
As an artist it obviously kind of sucks because you do want to get paid sometimes, but the way I see it is, and as I stated above, it gets a whole bunch of people listening to your music. It is like, wellll you can’t pay 99 cents for my song, that’s SO CHEAP. Come on!! That’s literal pocket change what else that is so satisfying can you get for 99 cents (besides a couple of things from McDonalds)? I mean we all have to get money, but that’s the world we live in and you just have to go with it. I am just happy anyone besides my mom and my wacky aunt are listening to my songs. I do feel like a lot of people forget that that is a way to make money as a singer. They see all the glamour side and it’s like no! People like me who aren’t selling out stadiums have to get paid (even the tiniest bit) from something so we can continue making this music you like to bump at your partayyyyys.
Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
I don’t drink when I perform. No before show shots for luck, no on stage casual beer. I get too self-conscious. I am not hating on anyone who wants to get a lil loose before performing. Performing is terrifying and good for you as long as you keep it in check, but I just get too scared I’m going to mess up. After the show is another story I will drink with the best of them, but absolutely no way can I have that classic shot of liquid courage before I hit the stage. I am a pretty boring rock star when it comes to pre show rituals! Haha.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s Island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
When I first read over these questions I was going to try and be super smooth and have an answer for this, but I can’t lie to you I have no idea about anything that is Gilligan’s Island. I mean I am well aware of its existence and no lie I got the whollllle box set in my stocking one year from my mom. It was foreshadowing. She knew I would be asked this one day. She is such a good momager. I should have known. I’m going to say I probably wouldn’t hook up with anyone because after being stranded the last thing on my mind would be gettin it on, it would be cheeeseburgers…
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Are there actually people who don’t know what vinyl is…. I get its not really the way to play music anymore, but seriously? There are people who don’t even know what it is? That makes me sad. (Probably as sad and some people reading this got when I said I didn’t know about Gilligan’s Island) The latest vinyl I bought was Mates of States. Their album, Mountaintops is amazing.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Nah I don’t think I’m down with murder…. I would probably shave his head…like how sad would he be?! And then I’m hoping we would bond over being Canadian and international sex symbols……
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
I LOVE MILEY. I just think it is so funny that people are so mad and think she needs help and all that, but that is exactly what she wants. She is home laughing at allll these people being outraged by her. She is having so much fun being her weird self. Her life is just this one big colorful game that the general public doesn’t get. The best part is girl can saaaaaang! And she is super intelligent. She has a lot of great things to say having grown up in the industry AND her godmother is Dolly Parton!! Like come on that’s amazing. I wish I could just slide onto stage from a huuuuge picture of my face down my tongue in a bear suit. That is living my friend.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lipsynching or real vocals?
Real Vocals, obviously. You are a singer…SING or kick rocks. I mean unless you absolutely have to like you lost your voice ala Little Mermaid or like the venue forces you to lipsynch….those are the only reasons why you should lip synch.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
Jayne Ava…duh…
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is… Why?
Kings of Leon and P!nk. They’ve gotten me through some things man. Kings of Leon is my favorite band. It’s just one of those things. I heard their album, Aha Shake Heartbreak and just couldn’t get enough. It spoke to me and at that time it’s like I needed this album. It existed just for me, haha. Sounds lame, but I stand by it. The storytelling in their songs is what gets me. I love artists who tell full stories. Although sometimes you need to listen to a full 5 minute song about shots…how amazing is it when after a song you feel like you learned something about someone or found someone you completely relate to and nailed exactly how you are feeling. The power of amazing music. And P!nk because well…I mean I think I’ve said enough about her. Oh and that was two you asked for one….I guess I’m feeling rebellious.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I HATE DOLPHINS. I think they are really gross giant worms of the sea and I have absolutely no time for them. You can tell me i have no soul or heart or whatever but throw me in a pool with one of those suckers and I’m out. That is where my life ends. Do research people. they aren’t cute slippery little magical wonders of the world. They drag people into caves and have their way with them. for real. ugh gross slippery jerks
Favorite movie of all time and why?
Vanilla Sky, Party Monster, Mean Girls, Spice World, and American Beauty. I can’t name just one. I watched all these movies at such a specific time in my life. Such turning moments and remember literally every detail about where I was in life when I watched each one of these. To avoid the longest explanation ever, they just all have a really personal meaning to me and relate to specific people I love or times I will never forget. How cool am I getting all-emotional about Spice World.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Dear Citizens of Los Angeles,
It has come to my attention that even when there is the slightest bit of rain, no let’s not call it rain. Mist. You lose your shit and don’t know how to drive. I am from Canada where you literally can not see the road in front of you, there is snow blowing everywhere, black ice on the ground, and like your car physically can not get warm enough for your window to defrost and you’re still like “ yep getting that burrito 30 minutes away is worth this death” I know I sound like everyone’s grandma (“in my day you had to walk to school 90 miles uphill in the dead of winter you youngin”) but seriously. Figure. It. Out. It’s like the world is ending every time moisture touches the surface of these streets. There are like car crashes everywhere, venues closing (for real once I was so excited for an event. I got dressed for like 6 hours and it was just like the most incredible thing I could ever be invited to, and it ended up getting cancelled because the bar shut due to extreme weather, I kid you not. I was waiting outside for a cab when I got the email. It’s like if I’m waiting outside after spending 4 hours putting my weave in it is NOT EXTREME WEATHER.) It’s the end of days. And with this drought and everything people are all like ohhhhh why won’t it rain more and then we get blessed with mild precipitation and everyone curses it and dies in the streets. It is rain guys, not lava. Grow up. *Mic Drop*
There are so many reasons to Celebrate the ARTs in Henderson and with your help we can continue to offer world-class performing arts programming for our community at the beautiful Henderson Fine Arts Center.
We have so much planned for our youth through arts education outreach and with your help we can nurture these young artists and watch them grow their talents.
If you’ve not yet completed and returned your pledge card for the 2015-16 season please take a moment today to do so today.
Your investment in the arts will make a world of difference!
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON — Episode 0266 — Pictured: (l-r) Actor Jamie Foxx and host Jimmy Fallon play “Wheel of Musical Impressions” on May 19, 2015 — (Photo by: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and where you can be found online.
