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Source: iambecauseweare.com

DECEMBER 1 , 2007

OutQ In The Morning with Larry Flick presents its second annual “celebration of life and hope” on World AIDS Day 2007 – Saturday, December 1. Beginning at 12 pm ET, tune in for a day-long special featuring discussions with medical experts and pioneering activists, listener calls and experiences. Plus, you'll also hear an interview with Madonna and exclusive performances by some of pop music's top artists including Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Travis, Joss Stone, Erasure's Andy Bell, Jimmy Somerville, Marc Cohn, Leann Rimes, Littlehorse and more!

Source: Contact Music

If the truth were to be fully told, I was a nervous, sweating wreck until I heard the line click off and end the phone connection between my studio in New York City and her home in London.

In fact, if you heard a gust of wind outside your window at around 1:30pm Eastern time last Friday, that was me... exhaling in relief. Y'see, after countless attempts over just as many months, I'd finally completed my first interview with Madonna for my Sirius/OutQ radio show. Within minutes of our conversation, news of this top-secret event travelled like wild-fire within the halls of my company. It was beyond exciting. I'd bagged the proverbial whale, and everyone wanted details.

Alas, everyone had to wait until this morning, when my conversation with Madonna aired for the first time. As I listened back, I re-experienced the stomach knots that threatened to render me incapable of speech. Thank goodness, I wrote most of my questions down.

More truth to be told: The only artist for whom I've ever written down thoughts and questions in advance for is Madonna. I've had the pleasure and privilege to interview nearly every major star in music... legends who would make any head spin. But she is the only artist who rattles me. I don't know why that's still a fact, given that I've interviewed Madonna several times in the past... and she has always been wonderfully gracious and funny and generous in spirit.

As I listened back to the interview in my studio this morning, I smiled. I felt accomplished and happy. The only misstep was failing to nail her with follow-up questions to a reference she made to writing with Pharrell. I thought to myself, "damn, how did I let that slip by?" Then I remembered the handful of people staring at me in the studio as I spoke with her... the clock ticking at the short and finite time I had with her... and honest-to-goodness nerves. I was just happy to be sailing from point-A to B without stuttering like a loon. When the first few bars of "Fighting Spirit" (chosen for diehards like me, who would've been irritated by the strains of "Vogue" or any other over-played track) began to play, I decide to give myself a pass at that error. I felt good. Mission accomplished.

Now that my blood pressure has resumed a normal level, I feel like I've come full circle from that Madonna moment this morning. Satisfied and happy... no matter what tomorrow brings.

P.S. - In answer to those wondering when/if the Madge interview will run again: It will air again on Monday, Feb. 19th at 9:30am Eastern time. It'll also run on my weekend music show, "Feel The Spin," during the weekend of Feb. 24. Go to www.siriusoutq.com to learn more. And if you don't subscribe, you can sign up for a free listening trial with a valid email address.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AN INTERVIEW

Source: boyculture.typepad.com

OutQ In The Morning with Larry Flick presents its second annual “celebration of life and hope” on World AIDS Day 2007 – Saturday, December 1. Beginning at 12 pm ET, tune in for a day-long special featuring discussions with medical experts and pioneering activists, listener calls and experiences. Plus, you'll also hear an interview with Madonna and exclusive performances by some of pop music's top artists including Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Travis, Joss Stone, Erasure's Andy Bell, Jimmy Somerville, Marc Cohn, Leann Rimes, Littlehorse and more!

OutQ In The Morning with Larry Flick presents its second annual “celebration of life and hope” on World AIDS Day 2007 – Saturday, December 1. Beginning at 12 pm ET, tune in for a day-long special featuring discussions with medical experts and pioneering activists, listener calls and experiences. Plus, you'll also hear an interview with Madonna and exclusive performances by some of pop music's top artists including Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Travis, Joss Stone, Erasure's Andy Bell, Jimmy Somerville, Marc Cohn, Leann Rimes, Littlehorse and more!

Source: sirius.com

NOVEMBER 30, 2007

MADONNA, Angelina Jolie and Cher are among the celebrities designing kites for charity. The high-flyers will auction off their authentic Afghan kites on eBay next month (05Dec07) as part of the launch of Participant Productions, a social action campaign which will coincide with the delayed release of new Afghan movie The Kite Runner. Proceeds from the kite auction will benefit the Afghanistan Relief Organization (AFO), which helps raise cash for the training of teachers and the construction of rural libraries in Afghanistan.

James Bond star Daniel Craig, Benicio Del Toro, Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Kate Winslet, Will Ferrell and acting siblings Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal will also decorate and sign kites for the upcoming auction.

As well as the kites, the auction will also include a trip to the set of the new James Bond film as a personal guest of director Marc Forster, as well as a private lunch with The Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini. People will also have the opportunity to bid for the inclusion of their names in Hosseini’s next book.

Source: Contact Music

Madonna's new song with Pharrell Williams is so "hot" it will "make the music speakers bleed".

The 'Hung Up' singer has been in the studio with hit producer Pharrell creating tracks for her upcoming album, and he claims their collaboration will take the music industry by storm.

Speaking at the launch of his new shop Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream in New York on Wednesday, Pharrell said:

"It was crazy. I don't want to say too much. I'd rather wait for you to hear it. It's awesome though. It makes the speakers bleed. It's hot!"

Earlier this month, it was reported Pharrell had been recording with the 49-year-old singer at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles.

The pair reportedly bumped into Kanye West, who was working with Michael Jackson in a studio next-door, inspiring the hip-hop star to rap on one of Madonna's new songs.

Last month, Madonna signed a $120 million, 10-year record deal with Live Nation Inc. and plans to release her first studio album with the label early next year.

Also set to feature on the hotly-anticipated LP are star producer Timbaland and 'SexyBack' singer Justin Timberlake.

Source: Fortune by Paul Sloan / Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:05 PM EST

NOVEMBER 29, 2007

Source: Live Nation

Guy Ritchie is to appear on The Sauce on the Fuse TV airing today from 6pm to 7pm EST, promoting the American release of "Revolver".

Guy will be joined on the show by Vincent Pastore, who plays the enigmatic Zach in the movie. Also featured in today's episode of the show will be rapper Beanie Sigel.

Source: Fuse TV

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

The Director reveals the labyrinthine web hiding beneath his latest endeavor ...

Guy Ritchie is a happy fellow. Content with the World, it seems. And he is truly excited about his latest directorial effort entitled Revolver. While the film plays at conventions expected from Ritchie at this point, such as "high-octane" gunfights and rich dialogue, it also gives way to a more personal, subdued narrative. The underlining theme of Revolver deals with finding one's Id amongst the wreckage.

Source: movieweb.com by Paulington James Christensen III

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

Madonna is hoping to sprinkle a little stardust on hubbie Guy Ritchie’s latest gangster flick, which has been retooled for its delayed U.S. release.

The couple will co-host a VIP screening of “Revolver” with Piaget on Sunday for invited tastemakers including Howard Stern, Lauren Bacall, Helena Christensen, Patricia Clarkson and Ivanka Trump.

Madonna’s star power can only help a film that stumbled after premiering at the Toronto Film Festival in 2005 and was slammed by critics when released in the U.K.

A pal says the flick was marketed to British audiences as a comedic romp similar to Ritchie’s “Snatch” - but it left them confused by its more “cerebral” theme. (Or “pretentious style and fractured storytelling,” as The Hollywood Reporter sniffed.)

“You have to pay attention — you may have to sit through it twice to figure it out,” co-star Vincent Pastore (who plays opposite Ray Liotta, Jason Statham and Andre Benjamin) told me yesterday. “Which I just did with ‘No Country for Old Men,’ so it doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie.”

The film, due in cinemas Dec. 7, has been recut for its U.S. release.

Source: nydailynews.com / Monday, November 26th 2007, 10:12 PM

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

LILONGWE (Reuters) - The Malawi government on Tuesday applauded Madonna's efforts to put the plight of the country's AIDS orphans on the global stage and raising money to support them.

The American singer said last week she would work with luxury goods maker Gucci to raise at least $2 million for Malawi's one million orphans.
Madonna and the Italian firm will host a fundraising event with dinner, musical performance and a party on February 6 next year to mark the opening of Gucci's largest store in the world, on New York's Fifth Avenue.

"What she is doing for orphans of this country very few super stars like her can do that, she has managed to put their plight on the world stage," government spokesperson and Information Minister Patricia Kaliati told Reuters.

"Madonna has built clinics in rural areas where government has failed to reach and because of that she has saved many lives of pregnant mothers who could have died," she said.

Madonna said the charity event would benefit UNICEF and the charity she co-founded in 2006, Raising Malawi, which focuses on trying to help Malawi's orphans, many of whose parents have died of AIDS.

Source: Reuters by Mabvuto Banda; Editing by Phumza Macanda / Tue Nov 20, 6:30 AM ET

NOVEMBER 18, 2007

Live Nation responds to critics who say the giant concert promoter paid way too much for the material girl, reports Fortune's Paul Sloan.

(Fortune) -- Ever since Live Nation, the giant concert promoter, announced a sweeping 10-year deal with Madonna to handle her albums, tours and merchandize, investors have worried that the company spent too much to lure the superstar away from Warner Music Group (Charts). The stock has fallen roughly 30 percent since the news came out last month.

On Thursday, CEO Michael Rapino and his top executives defended the deal before investors and analysts gathered at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, one of Live Nation's venues.

Judging from the immediate reaction -- the stock closed down slightly Friday -- the Street isn't yet convinced.

The execs didn't offer up exact figures of the deal -- citing a confidentiality agreement with the material girl -- but people familiar with it estimate its value at roughly $100 million for Madonna.

Live Nation (Charts) paid Madonna $25 million in stock as an advance. In addition, according to a person familiar with the terms, Madonna received about $25 million in cash, although Rapino wouldn't confirm this. For each dollar that that comes in, Los Angeles-based Live Nation gets a share and Madonna gets a share that counts against her advance.

Live Nation's lucky star
Michael Cohl, who runs Live Nation's Artist Nation division and helped broker the contract with Madonna, described the deal as pure partnership and said that any money after that is a basic revenue share, although the splits vary depending on the products. The problem, he said, is that people are viewing the deal as if it's a record deal -- and everyone knows the record business is suffering.

Instead, he said, investors need to realize that the rights deal will be "cross collateralized" across dozens of products -- ticket sales, DVDs, books, t-shirts, clothing lines, streaming videos, private concerts. "Anything you can think of we can do," said Cohl, who runs tours for the Rolling Stones, among other acts.

"Make no mistake," said Rapino. "We are not getting into the record business. We are not building a system to sell 6-inch discs....We're a marketing and distribution company."

Record labels have big infrastructures around the world to get CDs into stores, but Rapino argues he doesn't need that.

He likes to point to the deal the Eagles just did to sell its 2-disc set exclusively through Wal-Mart (Charts, Fortune 500), without having to give a cut to a label. They sold 700,000 in the first week.

Whether its Wal-Mart or Starbucks (Charts, Fortune 500) or Victoria's Secret, Rapino said plenty of companies are eager to cut deals to distribute albums.

"Corporate America couldn't be more excited about the demise of the record companies," he said.

Source: Fortune by Paul Sloan / Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:05 PM EST

NOVEMBER 16, 2007

Michael Cohl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Artists, announced today that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Signatures Network, Inc, the global leader in music merchandise holding master merchandise licenses for some of the most successful artists in music.

The deal - anticipated by a report on the New York Post last month and has now officially disclosed - secures Live Nation’s position in the global artist merchandise space. "This acquisition is a key component to our strategy to build a unified business around touring artists, managing their rights holistically and helping them reach their true potential," said Cohl

"I am thrilled to join Live Nation Artists and be a part of the revolutionary team that is transforming the music industry," said Signatures Network’s Chief Executive Officer Dell Furano, who will head up Live Nation Artists’ Merchandise Division. "The management team at Live Nation are trailblazers in their field - setting new standards of how business is done and establishing new benchmarks for success. The Merchandise Division will be no exception and I’m looking forward to the ride. I share Live Nation’s vision in building out the artist’s fan franchise and maximizing all marketing and revenue sources."

Signatures is renowned as a world leader in developing and marketing merchandise and web-based products, combining the online sales of music, tickets, merchandise and subscription services in addition to tour and third-party licensing and "brick and mortar" wholesale/retail services. Signatures Network holds the rights to market and license a diverse array of more than 150 major music artists in all genres and has expanded its core business by offering print-on-demand merchandising and custom manufacturing, allowing music fans to create unique one-of-a-kind products.

The definitive agreement announced today calls for Live Nation to acquire Signatures Network for a total of approximately $79 million in cash, stock and repayment of debt, before working capital adjustments in a transaction expected to close later this year.

Source: Live Nation, Inc

Live Nation Inc. was expected to provide commentary on their new high-profile partnership with the Queen of Pop on Thursday. In fact, ever since the giant concert promoter announced a sweeping 10-year deal with Madonna to handle her albums, tours and merchandize, investors had in fact worried that the company spent too much to lure the superstar away from Warner Music Group.

CEO Michael Rapino and his top executives defended the deal yesterday before investors and analysts gathered at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, one of Live Nation's venues.

Judging from the immediate reaction the Street isn't yet convinced - the stock has fallen roughly 30 percent since the news came out last month and it was off slightly in early trading Friday.

The Live Nation executives didn't offer up exact figures of the deal - citing a confidentiality agreement with the material girl - but they did estimate it will be valued at roughly $100 million for Madonna.

Live Nation paid Madonna $25 million in stock as an advance. In addition, according to a person familiar with the terms, Madonna received about $25 million in cash, although Rapino wouldn't confirm this. For each dollar that that comes in, Los Angeles-based Live Nation gets a share and Madonna gets a share that counts against her advance.

Michael Cohl, who runs Live Nation's Artist Nation division and helped broker the contract with Madonna, described the deal as pure partnership and said that any money after that is a basic revenue share, although the splits vary depending on the products. The problem, he said, is that people are viewing the deal as if it's a record deal - and everyone knows the record business is suffering.

Instead, he said, investors need to realize that the rights deal will be "cross collateralized" across dozens of products - from ticket sales to DVDs and books, from t-shirts and clothing lines to streaming videos and private concerts.

"Anything you can think of we can do," said Cohl, who runs tours for the Rolling Stones, among other acts.

"Make no mistake," said Rapino. "We are not getting into the record business. We are not building a system to sell 6-inch discs... We're a marketing and distribution company."

Record labels have big infrastructures around the world to get CDs into stores, but Rapino argues he doesn't need that.

He likes to point to the deal the Eagles just did to sell its 2-disc set exclusively through Wal-Mart, without having to give a cut to a label. They sold 700,000 in the first week. Whether its Wal-Mart or Starbucks or Victoria's Secret, Rapino said plenty of companies are eager to cut deals to distribute albums.

"Corporate America couldn't be more excited about the demise of the record companies," he said.

Source: Fortune by Paul Sloan,

NOVEMBER 15, 2007

NEW YORK - November 15th 2007: Madonna and Gucci will host an exclusive fundraising event on February 6, 2008 to celebrate the opening of Gucci's largest store in the world, the New York 5th Avenue Flagship. Co-chaired by Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini, this event will benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF, and will consist of dinner followed by a guest speaker, musical performance and an after party. This special evening will be dedicated to raising funds and awareness for orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Joining Madonna and Frida Giannini is a list of distinguished co-chairs, including Adrien Brody, Arpad Busson, Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, and Sting and Trudie Styler.

Both together and individually, Gucci and Madonna share a history of commitment to the fight against AIDS, as well as support for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Beginning in 1997, Madonna served as Honorary Co-chair of the record-breaking Gucci fundraising event for Aids Project Los Angeles. Ten years later, Gucci and Madonna have both responded to the global circumstances of the AIDS pandemic, pursuing interests on behalf of orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help" said Madonna. "Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal."

Since 2006, Raising Malawi has been dedicated to bringing an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's one million orphans, over half of whom have been orphaned by AIDS. Co-founded by Madonna, Raising Malawi provides thousands of children with physical assistance, long-term sustainability, and psycho-social programs to address their emotional needs through several community-based projects including orphan care centers, orphanages, medical clinics, crisis nurseries, feeding programs and a soon-to-come girls' boarding school.

Gucci has been a UNICEF corporate partner since 2004, starting with a local holiday event in Los Angeles, and growing to a global campaign in over twenty countries in 2005. The Gucci campaign supports UNICEF programs in Malawi and Mozambique, where over one million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Gucci's support has enabled UNICEF to provide lifesaving healthcare, protection, clean water and education to orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS. "AIDS is one of the most devastating public health problems in recent history," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Every day, 6,000 children lose a parent to AIDS, and 1,400 children die from AIDS. We can't thank Gucci and Madonna enough for their commitment to helping UNICEF fight the battle against HIV and AIDS. By helping us raise funds, they are helping children in Africa to survive and thrive."

"We are honored to have Madonna host this very special event with us, celebrating the opening of our New York Fifth Avenue flagship store while generating funds for Raising Malawi and UNICEF," said Mark Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Gucci. "At this significant moment in Gucci's history, we are proud to continue our commitment to a cause of great importance to the company. We are inspired by the work of Raising Malawi and UNICEF - organizations that are improving life in communities devastated by HIV/AIDS, and helping thousands of children in their daily struggle to survive."

The event is being entirely underwritten by Gucci, so every dollar raised will go directly to the important work of Raising Malawi and UNICEF.

Source: Reuters / Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:45pm EST

NOVEMBER 9, 2007

As announced before, Warner Bros will soon release a Live Earth CD/DVD. While the CD includes Madonna's Hey You, the dvd features her La Isla Bonita performance with Gogol Bordello, which is available as a video preview here

The CD/DVD will be released internationally on Nov 26 and on Dec 4 in the US. If you didn't order your copy yet, just click here.

Source: Icon

NOVEMBER 7, 2007

As part of its “Videos that rocked the world” series, tv channel Fuse will broadcast a Madonna special on November 27. Taking a closer look at the videos that changed the music scene during the past decades, the program will this time concentrate on Madonna’s Like A Prayer video and the controversy surrounding its release, back in 1989.

The Madonna devoted episode premieres November 27 at 10 pm EST (repeats at 1am)

For more info, visit Fuse’s website: www.fuse.tv

Source: fuse.tv

OCTOBER 5, 2007

Madonna's former Maverick CEO Guy Oseary will release a book of original photographs of the singer in 2008.

Madonna 'Confessions' will be available in Hard Back from June, 2008.
Oseary started working for Madonna when he was 17 years old. Together they founded Maverick Records.

He is the godfather of her son Rocco. He is also an executive producer of 'Last Call With Carson Daly'.

'Confessions' is not the first book from Oseary. The Israeli-American businessman is also the author of 'Jews Who Rock' and 'On The Record', a book about people in the music industry.

Guy O as he is known also produced the movies 'House of 1000 Corpses' and 'The Devil's Rejects' with Rob Zombie.

Madonna 'Confessions' will sell for $24.95. It will be published by Flying Dolphin Press on June 10, 2008.

This title will be released on June 10, 2008 and you Pre-order now on Amazon.com

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Flying Dolphin Press (June 10, 2008)
Language: English

Source: Amazon.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

Five acts will make it into the Hall of Fame in 2008. Madonna and the Beastie Boys are on the ballot on their first year of eligibility; this year’s nominees had to release their first single no later than 1982, the year that Madonna’s “Everybody” and the Beasties’ punk EP Polly Wog Stew came out. The other first-time nominees are Cohen, Bambaataa, Summer and the Ventures.

Doors opened wide for Madonna Louise Ciccone in 1982, after five years as a singer and dancer on New York City’s competitive club circuit. She signed with Sire Records (her label for the next 14 years) where her idiosyncratic persona exploded onto turntables, dance floors and airwaves and captured the imagination of the first generation of MTV viewers. She went on to become the top female star of the 1980s with seven #1 hits, three #1 albums and seventeen top ten hits in that decade. In addition to molding her public image, Madonna is a meticulous studio craftsperson and completely uninhibited stage performer. From her first #1, 1984’s “Like A Virgin” (produced by Nile Rogers of Chic) to her most recent two year Confessions campaign, Madonna remains one of the most ferociously original artists in music today.

Five new members will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The five inductees will be announced in January, 2008, and the induction ceremony will take place on March 10, 2008. All inductees are ultimately represented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

Source: Madonna.com

SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

"The English Roses," the phenomenally successful series of children's books by Madonna, is scheduled to launch a new series of chapter books on September 13, 2007 aimed at the "tween" market of readers aged 9-12, it was announced today by Puffin Books, the series publisher in association with Callaway Arts & Entertainment. The first four titles, which continue the adventures of five best friends living in London, are illustrated in a highly decorative, whimsical style by renowned fashion artist Jeffrey Fulvimari, who illustrated the original best-selling children's book of the same title (Callaway, 2003). The first four of twelve books -- "Friends for Life!," "Good-Bye, Grace?," "The New Girl" and "A Rose by Any Other Name" (Puffin/Callaway; Hardcover Fiction; $9.99; 128 pages) -- chronicle Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, Grace and Binah's adventures in the sixth grade. Throughout the series, the English Roses will have crushes, survive family feuds, make new friends, and overcome rivalries. The world of the English Roses will continue online at www.myenglishroses.net, where tweens can play interactive games, take quizzes, read horoscopes, download screensavers, and enjoy many other activities. In addition, "members-only" sections of the site will be accessible by using secret codes from membership cards found in all four books.

Madonna, a best-selling children's book author with six titles in the last three years ("The English Roses" [2003], "Mr. Peabody's Apples" [2003], "Yakov and the Seven Thieves" [2004], "The Adventures of Abdi" [2004], "Lotsa de Casha" [2005], and "The English Roses: Too Good to Be True" [2006]), has collectively sold three million books across 42 languages and 100 different countries. The first English Roses picture book debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Doug Whiteman, President of Penguin Young Readers Group, comments, "Madonna demonstrated in 2003 that she knows how to connect with kids through great stories and great characters. We are delighted to be part of this ongoing program, and can't wait to bring 'The English Roses' to a whole new audience."

Nicholas Callaway, Founder and Publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, says, "Madonna knows girls. As one of the entertainment, cultural and fashion icons of our age, she will now take a new generation of girls on a great adventure in the life and times of the English Roses."

All of Madonna's proceeds from "The English Roses" series will be donated to Raising Malawi ( www.raisingmalawi.org ), an orphan-care initiative.

Source: Madonna.com

GO SEE "Desperately Seeking Susan" in London

Show Times

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Matinee	-	-	-	-	5:00	3:00	-
Evening	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:30	8:00	-

The official press release for the musical based on Madonna's 1985 "Desperately Seeking Susan" coming to the Novello Theatre in London's West End has been released:

Desperately Seeking Susan will open in London at the Novello Theatre on 12 October, with a press night on Thursday 15 November. This quirky love story is set in New York City's vibrant Lower East Side and driven by the pulsating energy of classic Blondie songs. Based on the smash hit 1980's movie, this new musical is a whirlwind fairytale of mistaken identity, magic shows and rock 'n' roll.

Featuring all the best-loved Blondie tracks, including "Call Me", "Heart of Glass", "Rapture", "One Way or Another", "Sunday Girl", "Atomic", "The Tide is High", "Dreaming" and "Hanging on the Telephone", the production will also introduce "Moment of Truth", a new song by Deborah Harry and Chris Stein, written especially for this feel-good romantic comedy musical.

Roberta Glass, a suburban New Jersey housewife, escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay. Through a quirky twist of fate, Roberta and Susan unexpectedly swap lives and are plunged into a madcap world of jewel heists, magic shows and rock 'n' roll. The collision of their identities takes them on a wild ride of transformation and discovery until they realise that just when you think you know where your life is headed, something magical happens and turns it all around...

Before there was Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Debbie Harry was rock's reigning blonde pin-up icon, and both are quick to acknowledge her inspiration, as are countless female (and male) rockers since. The ultimate pop-rock diva, Deborah Harry became an icon of the new wave scene and a queen of New York, incorporating the influence of culture pioneers like Andy Warhol, Giorgio Moroder and Fab Five Freddy into her fashion, look and, particularly, sound. With Blondie, she and Chris Stein brought the worlds of disco and rock together with Heart of Glass and Call Me and broke ground by combining hip-hop and pop on Rapture.

Desperately Seeking Susan will star Kelly Price as "Roberta" and Emma Williams as "Susan".

Kelly Price has starred in the title role of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Watermill Theatre and as "Sarah Brown" in Michael Grandage’s production of Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre and has also appeared in Mamma Mia. Emma's most recent theatre credits include "Johanna" in Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival Hall', "Fran Kubelik" in Promises, Promises at the Sheffield Crucible and "Truly Scrumptious" in the original production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium. She has also starred with Steve Coogan in the British film The Parole Officer.

The show also stars Leanne Best, Mark McGee, Alec Newman and Jonathan Wrather and the cast includes Lucy Banfield, Matthew Boulton, Chloe Campbell, Matt Flint, Alex Gaumond, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Kaisa Hammarlund, Paul Hazel, Christine Holman, Steven Houghton, Toussaint Meghie, Twinnie-Lee Moore, Steven Serlin, Chris Piper, Laura Scott, Lincoln Stone and Gemma Whitelam.

The musical is written and conceived by American writer, director and actor Peter Michael Marino, whose other writing projects include Hollywood Nurses, an homage to lesbian pulp novels of the 1950s, which had a sold out run off-Broadway and is currently in development with The Drama Department in NYC for a 2008 opening. Peter wrote, produced and performed the title role in the critically acclaimed cabaret spoof Lance Jonathan: All About Me!, and its sequel More About Me!, which were met with critical acclaim, were nominated for several Mac Awards and received the Bsckstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement. He has also directed and produced a dozen NYC premieres. As an actor, Peter provided the comic relief for four years in the Off-Broadway smash Stomp.

The musical is directed by Angus Jackson, an Associate Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, and choreographed by American Andy Blankenbuehler.

Set and costume designs are by Tim Hatley, with lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Bobby Aitken and Brian Beasley and orchestrations by Martin Koch.

The show is produced in London by Susan Q Gallin, Ron Kastner, Mark Rubinstein, Joseph Smith for Old Vic Productions with Peter Kane, Nordby/Rawley Productions, Mary Lu Roffe in association with MGM On Stage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber and by special arrangement with Deborah Harry.

Creators:
Music & Lyrics by Blondie
Additional song by Debbie Harry
Book an concept by Peter Michael Marino
Directed by Angus Jackson
Choregraphy by Andy Blankenbuehler
Set and Costume design by Tim Hatley
Lighting design by Hugh Vanstone
Sound Designers Bobby Aitken and Brian Beasley
Orchestrations by Martin Koch
Casting Director Jill Green

The English Roses will be released on Sep 13, 2007. You can Order them at Amazon.com

Source: Amazon.com

The amazing Annie Lennox is back! Her PR machine clicked into high gear today and it was formally announced that the singer's new album is titled "Song Of Mass Destruction" and will be out in stores on October 2.
Click on the image above to get a better view of the very theatrical and slightly eerie cover art for the new album.

In addition to being an incredibly successful artist, Annie is a celebrated activist and humanitarian. The new album features the soaring and powerful feminist anthem 'Sing', born out of Annie's involvement with Nelson Mandela's 46664 and Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) - organizations fighting for human rights, education and health care for those affected by the HIV AIDS virus.

The track 'Sing' features 23 of the most recognized and successful female solo artists in the world, invited by Annie, to raise awareness and finances for TAC initiatives. Included among the group are superstars such as Madonna, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion, Fergie, Faith Hill, Pink, Dido, Gladys Knight, kd Lang, Angelique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, Anastasia, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and many others, as well as TAC activist members own vocal group known as 'The Genetics', whose CD of music inspired Annie to make 'Sing' a reality.

Source: Amazon.com

LIVE EARTH 7.7.07 - LONDON - MADONNA

HEY YOU

RAY OF LIGHT

LA ISLA BONITA + Lela Pala Tute with Eugene Hutz and Sergey Ryabstev from Gogol Bordello

HUNG UP

Photos: AFP/AP/Reuters Via Yahoo! News

I'm proud of what I've accomplished.
I'm blesses and grateful that I have family I have.
I have an incredible life.

Madonna

Out of respect to Madonna and her hard work on her upcoming album we are not going to report any leaked info on her new album. We are going to wait for the
REAL THING