Posts made in August 2017

Oxygen Media uncovers “Criminal Confessions” from Executive Producer Dick Wolf 

OXYGEN MEDIA UNCOVERS “CRIMINAL CONFESSIONS” FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DICK WOLF PREMIERING 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 7PM ET/PT

 
Oxygen Media, the network for high-quality crime programming, premieres the new original series “Criminal Confessions,” which debuts Sunday, October 1 at 7pm ET/PT. From Executive Producer Dick Wolf and Shed Media, the series delves into the psychological showdown that transpires inside actual police interrogation rooms between investigators and suspects and dissects what it takes to yield a confession. Each hour-long episode takes viewers through the emotional twists and turns of a real homicide case from the 911 call to the crime scene and leading up to the interrogation room where detectives corner their prime suspect. The police officers and detectives will walk us through their strategy while interviews with the suspects’ and victims’ friends and family shed light on the heartbreaking details, taking viewers on an emotional journey with the hope of finding justice. In every case, the interrogating officer will “break” the suspect and get a shocking reveal of what led to the atrocious crime. 

For a sneak peek visit: http://www.oxygen.com/criminal-confessions/season-1/videos/criminal-confessions-premieres-sunday-october-7th

 

“‘Criminal Confessions’ joins ‘Cold Justice’ as our second series from Dick Wolf, offering armchair detectives at home the thrilling opportunity to watch as both a case, and a confession, come to a head,” said Rod Aissa, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media. “The series celebrates the skill and talent of the amazing detectives who are passionately committed to finding the truth and justice.”
Executive Producer Dick Wolf adds, “We are giving viewers an inside look into the investigation of criminals, with an emphasis on the psychological component of confessions. Crime buffs will see a side of police work that has never been examined before.”

 
“Dick Wolf is a prolific producer of the crime genre,” said Mike Darnell, President of Warner Bros. Unscripted & Alternative Television. “With his vast experience, he brings viewers on a gripping new journey through the criminal investigation process. This new project is one of my favorites and builds on Wolf’s iconic repertoire.”

 
Fans can follow “Criminal Confessions” on Facebook for more details on the new series, sneak peeks and more.

 
In 2017TD, Oxygen is the fastest growing cable entertainment network among total viewers in total day, up +53% year over year.

“Criminal Confessions” is produced by Wolf Reality and Shed Media with Dick Wolf, Tom Thayer, Pam Healey, John Hesling and Adam Kassen serving as Executive Producers.


About Oxygen Media:

Oxygen Media is a multiplatform crime destination brand for women. Having announced the full-time shift to crime programming in 2017, Oxygen has become the fastest growing cable entertainment network with popular unscripted original programming that includes the flagship “Snapped” franchise, “The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway,” “The Jury Speaks,” “Cold Justice,” “Three Days to Live,” and “It Takes A Killer.” Available in more than 77 million homes, Oxygen is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Watch Oxygen anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

PENTATONIX + 2017 HOLIDAY SEASON

PENTATONIX SET TO CELEBRATE THE 2017 HOLIDAY SEASON WITH CHRISTMAS TOUR, DELUXE HOLIDAY ALBUM, 2ND NBC SPECIAL

TOUR KICKS OFF DECEMBER 3RD;

TICKETS AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 25th

A PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS DELUXE OUT OCTOBER 20TH 

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW VIA AMAZON

 
Three-time Grammy® Award-winning and multiplatinum selling artists Pentatonix have announced A Pentatonix Christmas Tour, which kicks off in Chicago on December 3rd with 3 nights at The Chicago Theatre and concludes just before Christmas with 3 shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre. The concerts will be the group’s first to feature songs from their 3 hugely successful holiday albums. To coincide with the tour, Pentatonix has also announced a deluxe version of 2016’s platinum-selling, chart-topping album – A Pentatonix Christmas. A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe will be released on October 20th via RCA Records and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon (http://smarturl.it/APTXmasDlxAmz).

 
Tickets for A Pentatonix Christmas Tour are available via a 24 hours Patreon presale (for Patreon members) beginning August 23rd at 10am. Holiday VIP upgrade packages will be available first to Patreon members during their exclusive pre-sale, then go to the general public beginning Friday, August 25th (www.ptxofficial.com/vip). Ticketmaster will also run a presale on August 24th from 10am – 10pm. Tickets are officially on-sale on Friday, August 25th at 10am local time. For ticket information, please visit www.PTXOfficial.com

 
Additionally, Pentatonix has announced that they will return to NBC with a brand new holiday special featuring live performances from the group and so much more. Last year’s “A Pentatonix Christmas Special” drew more than 10 million viewers across two airings on the network. An airdate for the special will be announced at a later date.

 
***

 
In just six years, Pentatonix has sold more than 6.4 million albums (in total consumption) in the U.S. alone. They have won three Grammy Awards, received a Daytime Emmy nomination and performed for hundreds of thousands of fans at their sold-out shows across the globe. Their YouTube channel boasts more than 13.5 million subscribers, yielding over 2.6 billion video views, and their 2015 self-titled album has been certified gold after debuting #1 on Billboard’s 200.

 
Additionally, seven of their albums reached the top 10 on Billboard’s 200 chart (2 at #1) and received multiple RIAA certifications for multi-platinum, platinum and gold selling albums and singles. In 2015, the group released its first tour documentary – On My Way Home – and appeared in the feature film Pitch Perfect 2.

 
Earlier this year, the group released PTX Vol. 4 – Classics which features their Grammy Award-winning performance of “Jolene” with Dolly Parton, as well as an arrangement of the John Lennon classic “Imagine.”

 
A PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS TOUR DATES:

12/03/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL

12/04/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL

12/05/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL

12/07/17 – Tower Theater – Upper Darby, PA

12/09/17 – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT

12/12/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA

12/13/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA

12/14/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA

12/17/17 – The Anthem – Washington, DC

12/19/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY

12/20/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY

12/21/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY

 
For More Information:

Official Website: http://ptxofficial.com/

YouTube Page: http://youtube.com/Ptxofficial

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pentatonix

Twtter: http://twitter.com/PTXofficial

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ptxofficial/

BuzzFeed to Launch Tasty and Nifty as Snapchat Discover Publishers

BuzzFeed to Launch Tasty and Nifty as Snapchat Discover Publishers

All-New Publisher Stories for Leading Social Food Network and DIY Brand

to Debut in early September

BuzzFeed today announced it will launch all-new Snapchat Discover Publisher Stories for its Tasty and Nifty brands in early September. Hot on the heels of the release of the Tasty app, the leading social food network will launch a Publisher Story featuring its iconic recipe videos alongside quizzes, articles and exclusive video content. The Nifty Publisher Story will include the DIY brand’s signature mix of how-tos, tutorials and ongoing series featuring practical, easy-to-use hacks for adulting.

“Snapchat has been an incredible partner and Discover is a platform where BuzzFeed has built massive scale, so it’s a natural place to extend and evolve Tasty,” said Ashley McCollum, General Manager of Tasty. “Tasty is about connecting the world through food and Snapchat Discover will allow us to get even closer with many of our hundreds of millions of Tasty fans.”

“With super tappable Top Snaps and colorful start-to-finish tutorials, Nifty’s Publisher Story will be among the easiest and most accessible ways for Snapchatters to learn, build skills and gain inspiration for solving almost any everyday problem,” said Peggy Wang, Editorial Director of Lifestyle at BuzzFeed.

The Tasty Publisher Story will include recipe videos from every Tasty franchise — from Tasty to Tasty Junior to Tasty Vegetarian — as well as long-form series like Tasty Tips, behind-the-scenes videos, articles, quizzes and polls.

These upcoming launches on Snapchat Discover follow on the heels of the launch the Tasty One Top, BuzzFeed’s first-ever smart appliance, and the all-new Tasty app for iPhone, which is available on the App Store with nearly 1,700 video recipes. Tasty has averaged 2.3 billion videos views on other platforms every month since its launch in July 2015, according to Tubular Labs.

The Nifty Publisher Story will include ongoing series and how-tos for everything from how to throw a dinner party to decorating an apartment to making bathtime extra relaxing after a long day of adulting. The Story will also include in-depth but easy-to-follow tutorials that build crafting skills, save money and offer solutions to common lifestyle problems.  

In little more than a year since launch, Nifty attracts nearly 32 million monthy users across platforms, with videos including its top-ranked “Recycled Tower Bathmat,” which has been viewed more than 260 million times to date.

Tasty and Nifty join the BuzzFeed Publisher Story in BuzzFeed’s portfolio of Snapchat Discover partners.

See first look images of MIDNIGHT SUN + March 30, 2018

A total eclipse of the heart…

Just in time for the solar eclipse, check out the first look of Bella Thorne and Patrick Schwarzenegger in new images from MIDNIGHT SUN! This romantic drama is a heart-breaking, life-affirming story of love, dreams lost and realized over one nearly perfect summer. Catch it in theaters March 30, 2018!

#MidnightSunMovie

In Theaters March 30, 2018

MIDNIGHT SUN, an epic romantic drama, follows 17-year-old Katie Price (Thorne), sheltered since childhood with a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight. Katie’s world opens up after dark when she ventures out to play her guitar for travelers. One night, she meets Charlie (Schwarzenegger) whom she has secretly admired for years. She hides her condition from him, and the two embark on a uniquely powerful romance. Rob Riggle plays Katie’s loving and compassionate father, Jack, who endeavors to give his daughter a good life.

Marvel Announces Exclusive Agreement With Writer Ed Brisson

Marvel Announces Exclusive Agreement With Writer Ed BrissonEd Brisson joins the House of Ideas writing Old Man Logan, Iron Fist and more!                                                                                            

New York, NY—August 21, 2017—Marvel Entertainment is excited to announce that writer Ed Brisson will bring his powerhouse storytelling and creative flair to Marvel in an exclusive agreement. Brisson, who has made his mark with engaging work across the comic industry, is currently writing acclaimed Marvel books Iron Fist and Old Man Logan. He will continue to write exclusively for Marvel in this new agreement.

“I’ve been a huge Marvel fan since I was a kid. I grew up with stacks of Spider-Man, Punisher, Daredevil, Ghost Rider and X-Men littering my bedroom floor. The comics would be in tatters because I would read them repeatedly, often having to tape the covers back on,” said Brisson. “I remember being on vacation when Kraven’s Last Hunt was coming out and begging my mom to drive me a half hour to the closest town with a convenience store so that I wouldn’t miss out on the latest issue. It’s still surreal to me that I’m currently writing some of those characters that I grew up reading. I don’t know that I’ll ever get over that feeling. I hope that I don’t.”

“Right now, I’m happy to keep on doing what I’ve been doing,” he added. “I’ve been having a blast writing Iron Fist. He’s one of my favourite characters in the Marvel Universe and I think that Mike Perkins and I have been doing some pretty interesting stuff with him, adding things to his mythology that will hopefully be felt for years to come.”

“Ed has many strengths as a writer,” said senior editor Mark Paniccia. “Dialogue. Pacing. Mood. He’s an editor’s dream.”

This fall, Brisson will continue bringing his creative talent to the Marvel Universe with the Marvel Legacy stories of CABLE: NEWER MUTANTS and OLD MAN LOGAN: THE SCARLET SAMURAI.

“We’re taking Logan back to face off against one of his more classic foes: The Hand,” Brisson teased. “To my mind, The Hand’s never really been much of a serious threat for Logan in the past as he has a tendency to cut through them like butter. But, under the guidance of Gorgon and the mysterious Scarlet Samurai, there’s a plan to improve The Hand, to make them deadlier so that they’re no longer simply cannon fodder for the Marvel U. Speaking of Gorgon and Scarlet Samurai: Gorgon and Logan have gone head to head on several occasions and Gorgon is desperate the finally take Logan down. The Scarlet Samurai, however, is a new player in the game. What she wants with Logan is something that we’re going to slowly reveal over the arc.”

“Like any great writer—like Lemire before him—Ed effortlessly reminds the reader Logan’s someone who’s been through a lot of pain…that some decisions don’t come easy,” said Paniccia. “This is a character you need to sympathize with or it’s just another super hero book.”

Exclusively at Marvel, Brisson is prepared to bring his creativity to the heroic, well-known characters of the Marvel Universe.

“Everyone at Marvel has been great to work with,” said Brisson. “They seem to really understand who I am as a writer and have been playing to that, while also pushing me to grow as a writer. It’s been just over a year since I started writing for Marvel on a regular basis and I feel that I’ve learned more from my collaborators and editors in that short time than I have in the years leading up to it. It’s truly been an incredible experience.”

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com

or simply chat with some of your favorite heroes with Marvel’s chatbot accessible through Twitter and Facebook

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. 

For more information visit marvel.com

© 2017 MARVEL

WINTER HOLIDAY CABINS BY ADVENTURESMITH EXPLORATIONS

Cabin space is still available for the winter 2017 holiday season on small-ship cruises to such coveted destinations as Antarctica, Baja California, Costa Rica, the Galapagos and Cuba, reports AdventureSmith Explorations, the company that brings cruise guests into intimate contact with seldom-visited shorelines around the world.

Antarctica
Travelers who want to maximize opportunities for wildlife encounters on land and sea can still book passage on one of three Antarctica programs inclusive of air transfers across Drake Passage. This segment of a cruise normally consumes several days of at-sea-only travel both coming and going. Popular air cruises fly guests over the often-turbulent Drake Passage, turning a two-day crossing into two hours. Following are air cruise departures with space available as of mid August. For more information and specifics on all the various itineraries offered by AdventureSmith Explorations please see Antarctica cruises.

  • If booked before Aug. 31, 2017, clients receive a 20 percent discount on a mid-December departure Dec. 15-22 of Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake. Also available are Dec. 16-23and Dec. 20-30 departures. This eight-day itinerary is from $9,495 per person double on the 132-passenger Ocean Adventurer or the 108-passenger Island Sky.
  • Antarctica Air Cruise offers three holiday departures still with availability: Dec. 16-23Dec. 21-28 and Dec. 22-29. This cruise is eight days from $10,995 per person double on the 72-guest Ocean Nova or the 71-guest Hebridean Sky XXI.
  • Polar Circle Air Cruise picks up the holiday slack with its Jan. 1-10, 2018, departure for 10 days from $14,495 per person double aboard the 72-guest Ocean Nova.
  • There is still ample space on a non-air cruise, the 11-day Antarctic Explorer expedition, an 11-day journey from $5,995 per person double, exclusive of the air cruise benefit. Four ships carrying from 132 to 199 passengers conduct this cruise.

Baja California and Costa Rica
Two very popular, close-to-home small ship cruise destinations as of late summer have good holiday cabin availability to accommodate families and groups. Some programs include special offers. Baja cruises in late December and early January coincide with the beginning of the peak season for viewing gray whales and for snorkeling with sea lions.

  • Westward Voyages in the Sea of Cortez has holiday availability on Dec. 14-22and Dec. 22Jan. 2 departures. This is a 12-day adventure from $5,250 per person double aboard the eight-guest yacht Westward.
  • Baja’s Bounty accommodates the holidays with departures Dec. 16-23Dec. 23-30Dec. 30Jan. 6 and Jan. 6-13 The Dec. 16 and Jan. 6 programs come with a bonus of $800 off on cabins booked by Sept. 30, 2017. This cruise is over eight days from $2,995 per person double aboard the 84-guest Safari Endeavor.

Friendly, tropical and easy-to-access, Costa Rica is a holiday destination primed for families. Small ships provide easy, inclusive access to rain and cloud forests, tropical birds and wildlife, active volcanoes, waterfalls and beaches. Whale watching ramps up this time of year, with the season for humpback whales running January through March. Holiday cruise options include $800 off the cabin rate and free round trip from Miami on some trips if booked by Sept. 30, 2017.

  • Unveiled Wonders: Costa Rica & the Panama Canal holiday departures are Dec. 15-23 ($800 off cabin rate), Dec. 22-30Dec. 29Jan. 6 and Jan. 5-13. This is a nine-day program from $4,395 per person double aboard the 62-guest Safari Voyager.
  • Costa Rica & the Panama Canal holiday departures are Dec.16-23Dec.23-30Dec. 30Jan 6 and Jan. 6-13, all with free round-trip airfare from Miami. For eight days from $5,990 per person double guests enjoy the hospitality of the brand-new 100-guest National Geographic Quest.
  • Treasures of Costa Rica & the Panama Canal holiday departures are Dec. 30Jan. 6 and Jan. 6-13 aboard the 34-guest Callisto for eight days from $2,790 per person double.

In addition, numerous Costa Rica lodge-based trips have availability. Please see AdventureSmith’s Costa Rica page for more trips.

Galapagos Islands
Although the Galapagos Islandsoffer sailings year-round, warmer water temperatures make the region highly sought-after come December for snorkeling and swimming. As AdventureSmith’s most popular holiday destination, it’s the first to sell out. However there’s still availability on the 16-guest Seaman Journey and Sea Star Journey sister ships for four days from $2,529 per person double; on the 90-guest Santa Cruz for five days from $3,388 per person double; on the 40-guest Isabela II for five days from $3,268 and on the 48-guest La Pinta for five days from $4,136 per person double.

Cuba
The Cuba by Land & Sea Cruise aboard the 46-guest mega yacht Harmony V comes with the expert team at Lindblad-National Geographic. The 11-day trip is from $9,500 per person double.

Active vacationers might also want to consider a Peru trekking adventure that pairs day hikes with nights in remote lodges. Amazon cruises are also a warm-weather option for winter travel. While they sail year-round, December and January departures come with high water season, which typically runs from November through May. During this time rivers, creeks and lakes are more navigable, as the waters are some 23 feet higher. This brings passengers closer to the canopy and wildlife.

For information on all of AdventureSmith’s small ship cruises, itineraries, availability and for 2017-2018 reservations, please call 900-728-2875 toll-free or visit http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/.

About AdventureSmith Explorations – Think Outside the Boat!
Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. A recognized leader in small ship cruising, in 2012 owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler‘s prestigious World’s Top Travel Specialists List as the leading expert on small ship expeditions.

TRAVIS PASTRANA OFF-ROAD RACES WITH POLARIS RZR

Strong showing for Polaris RZR Star Car at Vegas to Reno 


Travis Pastrana, Jolene Van Vugt and Jim Beaver take on longest off-road race 


Guest Star Car driver Travis Pastrana put in 300-plus miles of strong driving in the Polaris RZR Star Car Friday, facing down sweltering heat, dust, and rough terrain as he joined team regulars Jolene Van Vugt and Jim Beaver for the longest off-road race in America.


“I drove the Polaris RZR Star Car for 300 miles of some of the craziest desert terrain in the Vegas to Reno and it held up to an amazing amount of abuse,” said Pastrana. “There were jumps and rocks and silt and every other kind of obstacle out there and the UTV handled it all.”


Pastrana took the opening stint, driving the Polaris RZR Star Car off the start line and some 211 miles to the first scheduled driver change. Van Vugt took the reins for the next 100 miles, then Pastrana returned to carry the team to Mile 400.


The grueling race saw heavy attrition, with many vehicles throughout the field sidelined even before the mid-point of the event. Of the 336 total entries in classes ranging from the high-power Trick Trucks, to motorcycles, near-stock light-trucks, buggies, and UTVs, about 200 completed the full mileage to cross the finish line, with crashes, mechanical failures and sheer exhaustion taking their toll on more than a third of the field.


The Polaris RZR Star Car team was on pace for a late-night finish as Beaver and Van Vugt prepared to swap in for the final section to the finish when an inspection during a scheduled stop at Pit 11, in the Gabbs Valley region, uncovered a crack in a key piece of the aftermarket engine safety cage. Mechanics explored a temporary fix and were prepared to get the vehicle moving again just after midnight — nearly 12 hours after the Friday morning start.


But with just over 100 miles of terrain ahead that included some of the roughest and most remote areas of the race course, the team made the difficult decision to call it a night rather than risk an overnight stranded in the hostile Nevada desert for Beaver and Van Vugt.


“Of course the goal is always to finish the race but Travis and Jolene had both done such an amazing job getting to that point and the desert is no joke late at night,” said Beaver. “For us, it’s about having fun, first. We ran a great pace and covered a lot of ground. We’ll get our shot at the podium next time.”


Pastrana described his experience with the Polaris RZR Star Car team as “amazing,” and said he would jump at the chance to do it again. Car Throttle will release full video coverage of the team’s experience in the coming days, with additional social media content coming in the weeks ahead.


“I sure would have liked to get a finish with the team but the whole experience was amazing and I can’t wait to come back and do it again,” said Pastrana.


The action sport star is the latest celebrity guest driver to join Van Vugt and Beaver for a run in the Polaris RZR Star Car, a race-modified 2017 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS.


In March, Champion racer and television personality Tanner Foust joined the team as its first celebrity guest of 2017 and set a top 10 pace in the Mint 400. For the team’s second race of the year, journalists Alyssa Roenigk and Shaun Ochsner successfully completed a pair of laps each in the UTV World Championships in April. The team will wrap up its season this winter at the Pahrump Nugget 250, November 30 – December 3, in Pahrump, Nevada. The final 2017 guest star drivers will be announced in the weeks leading up to the race.


The team’s participation in select Best in the Desert races is documented in a series of online videos released throughout the season. Follow the Polaris RZR Star Car this season on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @PolarisRZR, and by using the hashtag #RZRStarCar and #RZRLife. Find Jim Beaver’s Down & Dirty Radio Show online at www.downanddirtyshow.com  and through all podcasting channels. 



Travis Pastrana took on the 2017 Vegas to Reno off-road race in the 
Polaris RZR Star Car. (PHOTO: Louis Yio / Polaris)

  

ABOUT THE DRIVERS:
Travis Pastrana is an action sport legend, Nitro Circus founder, and rally champion who began his career in motocross racing and soon became one of the pioneers of freestyle. In 2006, he became the first person in the world to land a double backflip on a motorcycle. He has earned wins in every major action sport venue including X Games, Gravity Games, Dew Tour and Red Bull X-Fighters. A four-time U.S. rally champion who races for Subaru Rally Team USA, Pastrana has also tried his hand at NASCAR and short course off-road competition.


Jolene Van Vugt is one of the most accomplished female athletes in action sports today. The first female to backflip a full-sized dirt bike, she holds multiple Guinness World Records. A Canadian originally from London, Ont., Canada, Van Vugt has earned multiple championship titles, including becoming the first-ever Women’s Canadian Motocross National Champion. She also has a starring role in many motocross and stunt videos, including the Nitro Circus series of videos and shows. Recently, she has shifted focus to racing side-by-sides in the Terracross Championship, and working in the television and film industry as a stunt performer.


Jim Beaver is an accomplished off-road racer and the host of the No. 1 action motorsport radio show in the world, the Down & Dirty Radio Show Powered by Polaris RZR, as well as its action sports spin-off, Project Action. Both popular programs are available as podcasts and via online streaming. The Down & Dirty Radio Show Powered by Polaris RZR also is in national syndication on radio networks across the United States as well as 500 networks in 177 countries on the American Forces Network. The Down & Dirty Radio Show Powered by Polaris RZR is available each Tuesday morning, while Project Action releases on Thursdays.


RARE BASQUIAT PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEXIS ADLER

Cultural venture caribBEING—an organization that illuminates the global Caribbean experience through arts and culture—who is partaking in a one-month residency at Brooklyn Museum, is presenting the exhibition Life With Basquiat, comprised of rare Jean-Michael Basquiat photos from the collection of his friend and ex-lover, Alexis Adler. The exhibition—held in the organization’s mobile shipping container, caribBEING House—depicts an experimental period before Basquiat’s meteoric rise in the art world, when Adler lived with Basquiat on East 12th Street in 1979 and 1980, and is on view through August 28.

Adler’s photographs offer a rare glimpse into the private life of the storied New York painter and street artist, as told through photographs—including images of his high school drawings and graffiti art. Adler met Basquiat in 1979, after she graduated from Barnard with a degree in biology. He was 19; she was 23. During their brief time together, Basquiat used whatever materials he could find to create mixed-media art. He made ends meet by selling sweatshirts on the street. Adler’s collection is a testament to Basquiat’s artistic genius in its formative years. “Throughout his short life, Jean Michael was a prolific artist, working with whatever he could get his hands on to create,” Adler said. “I’m happy to share my collection with the community via caribBEING and Brooklyn Museum as a way to pay tribute to the brilliance of my dear friend.”

Basquiat rose to fame as an artist in his 20s before dying in 1988 at the age of 27. He was a Brooklyn native of Caribbean heritage; his family hails from Haiti and Puerto Rico. “We are thrilled to partner with the Brooklyn Museum to offer this special glimpse into the formative years of an artistic genius,” said Shelley Worrell, Founder of caribBEING. “We are looking forward to connecting with the community to share this chapter of Basquiat’s life story while also drawing attention to a great Caribbean-American artist.” Lauren Argentina Zelaya, Assistant Curator of Public Programs at the Brooklyn Museum, who was a key architect of this residency, states: “Jean-Michel Basquiat is obviously a beloved artist and cultural figure in Brooklyn and we’re excited to honor his Caribbean heritage as a part of our month long celebration of 50 years of the West Indian American Labor Day Parade,” Zelaya said. “He was a junior member of the museum as a young person, so this glimpse into his younger years is a perfect fit. We hope his legacy continues to inspire young artists and creatives who visit us at the museum.”

During the month of caribBEING’s exhibit, visitors are invited to the mobile art center caribBEING House in Brooklyn Museum’s Biergarten to share J’ouvert stories, contribute to a collective Caribbean Newsstand with artist Lizania Cruz in addition to viewing Adler’s collection. Visitors on Saturday afternoons can partake in special storytelling activations on Caribbean cultureCaribbean Artists, and J’Ouvert. Free and open to the public.

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“WORTH IT” SEASON 3 PREMIERE, AUGUST 27

BuzzFeed today announced that its global hit series “Worth It” will return for its third season on Sunday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. EST/ 8:00 a.m. PST via YouTube.com/BuzzFeedVideo. Hosts and Producers Steven Lim and Andrew Ilnyckyj, along with Producer and cameraman Adam Bianchi, return with 10 all-new episodes in which the series goes global, as the trio travels through New York, Los Angeles, Australia and Japan.

Each episode of “Worth It” sees its hosts try everything from mac & cheese to Australian wine at three price points — affordable, middle tier, and luxury — in order to decide which dish is the most “worth it” at a given price. The first two seasons of “Worth It” have attracted more than 300 million views and two billion minutes — or 3,500 years — of watch time.

Season 3 features celebrity chefs David Chang and Marcus Samuelsson as they both prepare Fried Chicken, with Chang’s “Caviar and Fried Chicken” dish from Momofuku Noodle Bar at $500, Samuelsson’s “Fried Yardbird” from Red Rooster at $28 as well as Sylvia’s world famous “Sylvia’s Down Home Fried Chicken” at $16.95.

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Andrew Ilnyckyj and Steven Lim, the Hosts of “Worth It”

“‘Worth It’ has a very intentional audience, who are consuming the series in the same ways as traditional TV. They watch ‘Worth It’ as soon as it comes out on Sundays and repeatedly come back each week for more,” said BuzzFeed’s Head of Development Matthew Henick.  “‘Worth It’s strong relationship with its audience has created what we call the ‘Worth It effect’ on the restaurants we have featured, in some cases helping to completely change the course of business for the restaurants, with many people even going on their own ‘Worth It’ food tours.”

“Filming season 3 has been a ton of fun, we are going bigger and trying the most incredible food all across the world. When ‘Worth It’ first launched, I never thought our fans would go the extra step and actually go to the restaurants we’ve featured. Because of that, many of the restaurants owners have told us the meaningful impact being featured on Worth It has had on their business – and that’s honestly, the best part of my job, being able to have a part in helping local businesses,” said Steven Lim, Creator, Host and Producer of BuzzFeed’s “Worth It.”

“Worth It” expands beyond food with the “Worth It Lifestyle” series, launching in tandem to “Worth It” Season 3 on August 27.  In “Worth It Lifestyle,” a 6-episode season featuring new episodes on YouTube.com/BuzzFeedBlue, Lim sets out to see which New York City apartment, airplane, and suit, among others, are the most “worth it” at affordable, middle tier, and luxury price points.

Tune-in to  “Worth It” Season 3 on YouTube.com/BuzzFeedVideo on Sundays at 11 a.m. EST/ 8 a.m. PST, premiering on August 27.  Watch the “Worth It” Season 3 trailer here.

STEPHEN WATSON APPOINTED AS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Surface Media is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephen Watson as Editor-in-Chief of Watch Journal and Watch and Jewelry Editor for Surface Media. Prior to joining Surface Media, Watson served as Hearst Media’s Digital Editor, covering timepieces for TownandCountryMag.com, Esquire.com, MarieClaire.com, HarpersBazaar.com, and ELLE.com. Watson’s accomplished career includes roles as the Fashion Director of Men’s Vogue and Associate Fashion Editor of Vogue, where he worked alongside legendary editors Andre Leon Talley, Candy Pratts Price, Jay Fielden, and Anna Wintour. He was recently nominated for a Gem Award in 2017 for Media Excellence by the Jewelers of America.

“The appointment of Stephen Watson will deliver an unparalleled depth of experience within the timepiece, jewelry, and luxury brand development categories,” says Marc Lotenberg, CEO of Surface Media. “We look forward to having him expand our digital presence while engaging our loyal base of collectors and buyers.”

“Stephen’s experience in bringing luxury to life through digital platforms, transforming media landscapes, and delivering compelling creative is going to revolutionize the way consumers relate to the watch industry and the personalities behind the brands,” says Katie Reed, Executive Director of Sales for Surface Media and Publisher of Watch Journal.

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Stephen Watson

“I’m looking forward to steering Watch Journal at an exciting moment of change,” says Watson. “Watch Journal and Surface Media are ideally suited to focus on the inspiring businesses and people that are redefining the future of watchmaking.”

Watson is a native New Yorker and attended New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, where he studied menswear design and marketing.

Watch Journal is the exclusive timepiece magazine of the private-jet community and the only watch publication distributed to readers with an average net worth of $89.3 million dollars through 250 private air terminals across the United States. Advertising partners have the exclusive advantage of developing in-room hotel distribution channels, private club access, customized VIP events, strategic alliances, and social media programs.

Follow Stephen Watson’s timepiece adventures via @steviewatches. For more information on Surface Media, contact Katie Reed at 917-975-2928kreed@surfacemedia.com.