HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

This beautiful Photo Gallery is courtesy of madonna-connexion.com - visit their site for high resolution photos.

Source: iambecauseweare.com

JANUARY 31, 2008

Source: MTV.com

Source: E! Online

Source: E! Online

JANUARY 30, 2008

CONTEST
Check back on February 4th for the launch of the '10' contest series. This exclusive contest will allow a lucky Icon member to win a signed copy of one of Madonna's 10 studio albums every 2 weeks until June 16, 2008!
Not an Icon member yet? Join now!

Source: Iconmadonna.com

Source: Forbes.com

Source: channel4.com

JANUARY 29, 2008

Source: Iconmadonna.com

Source: Berlin Film Festival press service

JANUARY 28, 2008

Source: Berlin Film Festival press service

JANUARY 26, 2008

Source: VH

JANUARY 23, 2008

Source: lifecantwait.com

Source: Berlin Film Festival press service

JANUARY 22, 2008

Source: Berlin Film Festival press service

Official Berlinale Press Release - 12.27.2007

Berlinale 2008: First Films Selected for the Panorama

Next to renowned directors like Laetitia Masson, Brad Anderson or Lucia Murat, newcomers like Javier Gutierrez from Spain or Özgür Yildirim from Germany will present their works in the Panorama 2008. Music star Madonna will give her directorial debut alongside the works of underground star Bruce LaBruce and TEDDY winner 2007, Zero Chou from Taiwan.

Thirteen films give a first lively glimpse of this year’s world cinema creations. From the start, it has been the mission of the Panorama to discover films for the cinema programme of the coming arthouse season and to provide the market with inspiration. In 2008, documentaries will again make a strong showing: from a total of 50 full-length films approximately one third will be documentaries.

During the Berlinale, more than 20,000 moviegoers will again participate in the Panorama Audience Awards, which are to be presented on February 17, 2008.

The Panorama Dokumente and the complete programme of feature films will be announced in January. So far the following films have been confirmed for the Main Programme and the Panorama Special:

Boy A by John Crowley, UK
with Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan, Katie Lyons

Chiko by Özgür Yildirim, Germany (World Premiere)
with Denis Moschitto, Moritz Bleibtreu, Volkan Özcan

Coupable by Laetitia Masson, France (World Premiere)
with Helene Fillieres, Jeremie Renier, Amira Casar

Eskalofrío by Isidro Ortiz, Spain (World Premiere)
with Junio Valverde, Mar Sodupe, Francesc Orella

Filth And Wisdom by Madonna, UK (World Premiere)
with Stephen Graham, Richard E. Grant, Eugene Hutz

Jas Sum Od Titov Veles (I am from Titov Veles)
by Teona Strugar Mitevska, Macedonia/France/Belgium/Slovenia
with Labina Mitevska, Ana Kostovska, Nikolina Kujaca

Maré, Nossa história de amor (Another Love Story)
by Lucia Murat, Brasil
with Cristina Lago, Vinicius D'Black, Marisa Orth

Megane by Naoko Ogigami, Japan
with Satomi Kobayashi, Mikako Ichikawa, Ryo Kase

Otto; or, up with dead people
by Bruce LaBruce, Germany/Canada (World Premiere)
with Jey Crisfar, Katharina Klewinghaus, Susanne Sachsse

Piao Lang Qing Chun (Drifting Flowers)
by Zero Chou, Taiwan (World Premiere)
with Serena Fang, Pai Chih-ying, Chao Yi-lan

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela
by Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, Iceland (World Premiere)
with Raquela Rios, Stefan Schaefer, Olivia Galudo

Transsiberian by Brad Anderson, Spain/Germany/UK/Lithuania
with Ben Kingsley, Thomas Kretschmann, Emily Mortimer, Woody Harrelson, Eduardo Noriega

Tres días (Before Fall) by Javier Gutierrez, Spain (World Premiere)
with Víctor Clavijo, Mariana Cordero, Eduardo Fernández

Source: Berlin Film Festival press service

JANUARY 21, 2008

Massive reach

The unabashedly mass-market effort aims to hit all its targets at once -- even if that means hitting plenty of others. Sunsilk expects to reach 250 million people in the U.S. alone the first three days but also will tap into the increasingly global audiences for the Super Bowl and the web properties.

The same TV ad will air within days around the world, but the campaign will be localized, too, using regional celebrities, said Andrei Gemeneanu, global brand director for Sunsilk.It's the first global campaign for a brand known for often edgy and offbeat local ones. It appears considerably tamer than "Get Hairapy" from JWT, New York, which launched the 50-year-old brand in the U.S. about 18 months ago.

"Hairapy" included ads featuring three gay friends of the brand's 20-something female target. In their place, "Life Can't Wait" centers on three global entertainment icons -- Marilyn Monroe, Madonna and Shakira -- starting with a highly graphic treatment of their hairstyles (as might be expected from a design agency) in the Super Bowl ad.

Source: AdAge.com

JANUARY 14, 2008

Gucci and Madonna - The official, hand delivered, exclusive invite

For the upcoming A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF
Madonna’s Gucci charity concert/party/auction is scheduled for February 6, 2008.

To celebrate the opening of the new Fifth Avenue Gucci store, Gucci and Madonna will throw a charity dinner, a concert and a party.

Joining Madonna in the celebrations will be Drew Barrymore, Adrien Brody, Arpad Busson, Frida Giannini, Salma Hayek, Francois-Henri Pinault, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Sting and more.

Performances by: Alicia Keyes, Rihanna, Timbaland and live auction by Chris Rock

Proceeds from the massive event will go to benefit UNICEF and a charity co-founded by Madonna, Raising Malawi.

Invite is a beautiful high polished black and gold plexi box (3/4" thick) with "GUCCI" engraved on a gold plate on the face.

Contents:
1. Gold foiled invite - looks like metal but isn't- 1/4" thick - matt finish with high gloss edges
2. Gold foiled "Raising Malawi/UNICEF" insert,
3. Gold stamped RSVP envelope with GUCCI logo
4. RSVP card with gold lettering with the breakdown of ticket prices contribution options

Source: Gucci

JANUARY 12, 2007

On January 9, 2008 - Fox News levelled a serious charge against Madonna, the Kabbalah Centre, Spirituality For Kids and Raising Malawi. A serious charge that - without any proof - claimed that

"Material Mom has conned both UNICEF USA and Gucci into helping her raise money for the Kabbalah Center and Madonna’s patron gurus, the Berg Family.

Gucci is throwing an all-star fundraiser on Feb. 6 for Madonna’s charity, Raising Malawi. GUCCI's "A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF" will take place in heated tents on the north lawn of the United Nations, with special co-hosts Sarah Jessica Parker and Salma Hayek scheduled to attend along with Madonna.

However, neither Gucci nor UNICEF is aware — even though it’s been noted here many times — that Raising Malawi is merely a front for Philip Berg’s Kabbalah Center of Los Angeles."

We didn't post that article since we have been working with Raising Malawi and absolutely believe in their cause!

"I think that the claims in the story are outrageous, they are incorrect, inaccurate, hurtful and malicious," Liz Rosenberg, Madonna’s publicist, told WWD. "The reality is — and it’s never been a secret — that the Raising Malawi organization was cofounded by Madonna and Michael Berg, who is one of the spearheading executives of the Kabbalah organization. The Raising Malawi organization is completely separate from the Kabbalah, and they are run as two separate organizations."

The foxnews.com report also suggested Raising Malawi had plans to indoctrinate "unsuspecting Malawi orphans into their brand of mysticism," having flown in teachers from Malawi to Los Angeles to "retrofit them for Kabbalah."

"There are no religious lessons being taught to the children of Malawi," Rosenberg said of those claims. "It’s tragic, because Madonna has put her passion and love and money behind a project that is saving children’s lives, giving them food, health care and schooling. The money that is being raised at the Gucci benefit is being divided between UNICEF and Raising Malawi."

She added that the funds raised that night are earmarked for the building of a girls’ school in Malawi. "There is a board, where accountability will be very clear and very specific, and all funds will be accounted for," Rosenberg said.

Gucci, too, issued a statement refuting the claims: "The accusations are not true. By agreement with Raising Malawi, the gifts and donations dedicated to Raising Malawi from this event will go directly to Raising Malawi, which is a legally distinct entity from the Kabbalah Centre or from any religious organization. Proceeds from this event are specifically allocated to support programs for orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, including the building of a girls’ academy in Malawi."

Source: Women's Wear Daily

JANUARY 3, 2008

Big Sister Blues #5 (English Roses, The)

Publisher: Puffin (May 29, 2008)
by Madonna (Author), Jeffrey Fulvimari (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 128 pages
Language: English

Being Binah #6 (English Roses, The)

Publisher: Puffin (July 17, 2008)
by Madonna (Author), Jeffrey Fulvimari (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 128 pages
Language: English

Source: Amazon.com

Source: movieweb.com

JANUARY 1, 2008

DECEMBER 12, 2007

All we knew was there was a song on her upcoming CD that mentions a candy shop - henceforth our theme. And of course, Madonna's love for candy - especially hot tamales is pretty well known.

This was strictly for the Warner Bros. Records employees - no press, no photographers, no cell phones. Madonna, always the perfect hostess screamed out different song choices to our resident dj by numbers. "Jesse, play no. 5 next" and so on. We were treated to l0 songs with comments by the artist on some of her collaborators Pharrell, Justin, Timbaland, an appearance by Kanye West, etc.

Every song was a knock out with two apparant favorites being Four Minutes to Save The World and Candy Shop or Candy Store (not decided)...

Madonna mentioned she was a little nervous as it was the first official playing of the music. Thankfully it was a room filled with Madonna fans who cheered after every song was played. Champagne and soda and lots of candy later, we all agreed that we felt blessed that we worked at Warner Bros. Records.

Click here to check the original official article posted on a website registered by Warner Bros. Records.

Source: Warner Bros. Records / Photo: Shira Citron

DECEMBER 5, 2007

The Confessions Tour by Madonna was submitted for consideration for nomination for Best Long Form Music Video at the 50th Grammy Awards back in October.

The nominations for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards have been announced today, and Madonna's Confessions Tour did actually make the list.

The Best Long Form Music Video category is aimed for video album packages consisting of more than one song or track. The award is presented to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer of at least 51% of the total playing time.

Here is the complete list of nominees in the category: Category 110: Best Long Form Music Video

Live & Loud At The Fillmore
Dierks Bentley
Russell Thomas, video director; James Whetherly, video producer
(Capitol Records Nashville)

Trapped In The Closet Chapters 13-22
R. Kelly
R. Kelly, Victor Mignatti & Jim Swaffield, video directors; Ann Carli, video producer
(Jive/Zomba)

The Confessions Tour
Madonna
Jonas Akerlund, video director; Sara Martin & David May, video producers
(Warner Bros.)

10 Days Out - Blues From The Backroads
Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Various Artists
Noble Jones, video director; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, video producer
(Reprise)

Liberacion - The Songs Of The New Cuban Underground
Various Artists
Reuben Fields, video director; Dean Bates, video producer
(Petrol/EMI)

The 50th Grammy Awards - a milestone for the Grammys and the Recording Academy - will take place on February 10, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Source: eonline.com

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

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

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

WeLoveMadonna.com wishing you in the up-coming New Year of 2008 all the best, especially health, happiness, love, peace,
success at work/study
and lots of light in your life!

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

Get yours now in stores or at www.liveearthmusic.org