Posts made in May 2024

BLACK GIRLS ROCK

Beverly Bond, CEO and founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, has announced that the eagerly awaited BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards show is returning to television this year through an exciting new broadcast partnership with Lifetime A&E Networks. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® celebrates the outstanding contributions of trailblazers, entertainers, icons, community activists, pioneers, business moguls, thought leaders, and rising stars. The show will be taped at the Fox Theatre on June 27 and will air August 1, 2024, on Lifetime.

“Lifetime is thrilled to partner with Beverly Bond and BLACK GIRLS ROCK! for this historic celebration of Black women’s excellence.

As the premier women’s network, this partnership is a strategic alignment of our visions, underscoring our commitment to amplifying the voices and impact of women of color”

Critically acclaimed actress, singer, and producer Danielle Brooks, known for her roles in Orange is the New Black and The Color Purple, will host the triumphant return of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards.

The 2024 star-studded lineup of celebrants includes former BGR! Awards host, Founder and co-CEO of Pattern Beauty, and actress Tracee Ellis Ross (Star Power Award); Acclaimed Filmmaker of The Woman King and Love and Basketball Gina Prince-Bythewood (Shot Caller Award); GRAMMY Award-winning singer, actress, and entrepreneur Fantasia (Black Girl Magic Award).

Creator of premium fashion Brand Brother Vellies and The Fifteen Percent Pledge initiative, philanthropist Aurora James (Boss Up Award); Artist, animator, and sustainability advocate Maya Penn (Young, Gifted and Black Award); ‘Mama Glow’ founder, maternal health advocate, doula and wellness practitioner Latham Thomas (Community Change Agent Award); singer and Broadway icon Stephanie Mills (Living Legend Award) to be honored.

“As the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards make their much-anticipated return to television on Lifetime, we are thrilled to reignite this empowering platform on a new network in the vibrant city of Atlanta, our new cultural epicenter for celebration,” stated Beverly Bond. “In a world where the voices of women of color are often marginalized, our resurgence is a bold declaration of presence—more audacious, more resilient, and more dedicated than ever to elevating Black women and girls worldwide.”

“Lifetime is thrilled to partner with Beverly Bond and BLACK GIRLS ROCK! for this historic celebration of Black women’s excellence. As the premier women’s network, this partnership is a strategic alignment of our visions, underscoring our commitment to amplifying the voices and impact of women of color,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and Head of Programming, A&E, Lifetime.

The BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards have served as a beacon of inspiration and a cultural pillar for over 15 years, celebrating the profound achievements and indomitable spirit of Black womanhood. Esteemed luminaries such as Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Regina King, Yara Shahidi, Angela Davis, Janet Jackson, and many more have graced our stage, reinforcing the event’s significance as a cultural milestone. The 2024 Awards promise to be a momentous celebration of excellence and empowerment.

In addition to the awards, the expansive BLACK GIRLS ROCK! EXPERIENCE™ will unfold across Atlanta, creating an array of dynamic city-wide activations. including the BGR! Film Festival screening over 75 films, the BLACK CLOUD® Rainmaker Summit, and the VIP Pre-Awards Shot Caller Dinner and fundraising gala.

For ticket information, visit the Fox Theatre website.

The televised special is produced by B.G.R. Enterprises Inc., BondVision Media, and Done + Dusted. The Executive Producers are Beverly Bond, creator and CEO of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!®; Jane Mun and Kristen V. Carter Executive Producer/Showrunners and David Jammy, Executive Producer, Done + Dusted.

The 2024 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards is sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Lexus. For updates or more information about BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® visit www.blackgirlsrock.com.

The host, performances, and full schedule of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Experience will be announced at a later date. Follow the website for updates and event details.

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SLING BLADE

BILLY BOB THORNTON’S ‘SLING BLADE’ SET TO MAKE STREAMING DEBUT

Available May 28 Exclusively on Red Coral Universe

The wait is finally over! The critically acclaimed and award-winning film Sling Blade has been remastered in 4K and will be available digitally on May 28 exclusively on Red Coral Universe, an artist-first, AVOD, OTT streaming platform. Red Coral Universe is a free-to-use global platform available on all phones, tablets, smart TVs, connected devices, and the web, or via the Red Coral Universe App on App Store, iOS , and Google Play.

Red Coral Universe has built an eclectic roster of content ranging from traditional, feature film and television, to music videos and shorts, to rap battles and podcasts. The platform even has local sports featuring current superstars such as Caleb Williams and Angel Reese in their final high school games. Red Coral Universe celebrates artists by giving them a platform to reach a global audience and an opportunity to earn a greater share of the revenue generated compared to other streaming services. Whereas, some streamers will make creators jump through hoops to share fractions of points, Red Coral Universe gives creators the vast majority of the revenue starting from the first ad watched. The AVOD platform launched in January 2024 and has grown its registrant base at 10% per day since its inception. The catalog now features a wide variety of nearly 7,000 titles from over 600 artists and growing. Red Coral also finances, produces and distributes its own original content and currently has over a dozen film and television projects in Development.

Directed, written by, and starring the immensely talented Billy Bob Thornton, Sling Blade opened in theaters in December 1996 and became a sleeper hit, capturing audiences worldwide with its gripping narrative and stellar cast. Thornton’s portrayal of Karl Childers earned him widespread acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a Best Actor nomination, while Oscar-winning actor J.T. Walsh, country music legend Dwight Yoakam, the incomparable John Ritter and Lucas Black, delivered performances that have stood the test of time and continue to resonate with audiences today.

With its hauntingly beautiful cinematography and poignant storytelling, Sling Blade has earned its place in cinematic history, captivating audiences, and critics alike for decades. Whether you’re revisiting this cinematic gem or experiencing it for the first time, Sling Blade promises to leave an indelible mark, reminding us of the power of compassion and the possibility of redemption.

Sling Blade was produced by Red Coral Universe Founder and CEO, Larry Meistrich. When the film was purchased by Miramax, it broke all previous sales records for independent film ushering in an era of profitability and opportunity for indie filmmakers. Today, Meistrich has re-acquired Sling Blade as a signature film for the artist-first streaming platform. Chris Ogeneski of Corvid Partners, a Dublin-based financial services company, advised on the re-acquisition.

Film Synopsis

Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank’s mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle’s abuse.

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton as Karl Childers

Dwight Yoakam as Doyle Hargraves

J.T Walsh as Charles Bushman

John Ritter as Vaughan Cunningham

Lucas Black as Frank Wheatley

Natalie Canerday as Linda Wheatley

Robert Duvall as Frank Childers

Directed by

Billy Bob Thornton

Written by

Billy Bob Thornton

Produced by

Larry Meistrich, David T. Bushell, Brandon Rosser

Feature Run Time

135 minutes

Rating

Rated R

Genre

Drama

Social Media:

X: @RedCoralU

Facebook @RedCoralUniverse

Instagram: @RedCoralUniverse

#RedCoralUniverse

#SlingBlade

X-Men’s From the Ashes

Mutantkind no longer has Krakoa, but they still have the X-Men!

Over the last few months, new series announcements have revealed what awaits in the X-Men’s From the Ashes era. Set around—and beyond—the globe, the upcoming titles see new teams assemble to take on emerging threats to mutankind, beloved characters fulfill their long-awaited destiny as solo heroes, and other groups of mutants come together to survive a world that fears them now more than ever. They may share the same dream, but they have different missions. Harkening back to classic X-Men storytelling while embracing the franchise’s modern evolution, From the Ashes is an exciting fresh start for longtime fans and newcomers alike!

From the Ashes will officially kick off this July in X-MEN #1, NYX #1, PHOENIX #1, and X-FORCE #1. Today, fans can peek ahead at what’s to come in these first set of launches in August.

NYX #2

Written by COLLIN KELLY & JACKSON LANZING

Art by FRANCESCO MORTARINO

FROM THE SHADOWS COMES WOLVERINE!

Every day, mutants are being stolen off the streets of Manhattan – unprotected and forgotten by the human world. Now a war-worn Wolverine will descend into NYC’s criminal underworld to bring them back into the light. Who is the mysterious mutant fixer known only as Local? Can Laura stand alone against the dangerous forces working to control the future of New York’s mutants? What reality-bending threat waits in the night, already ten steps ahead? The shadows of NYX are calling. What secrets will you find lurking in that neon darkness?

PHOENIX #2

Written STEPHANIE PHILLIPS

Art by ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO

FAMILY REUNION IN THE FAR REACHES OF SPACE!

Jean Grey is dedicated to protecting innocents in deep space! Yes, space is vaster than imagination, greater and darker than the mind can comprehend – and yet, not big enough to stop family from dropping by without warning… But that’s how it goes when your father-in-law is Corsair of the Starjammers! Leaving the pirate life behind, he’s got the inside line on huge news, and Phoenix is the only one who can act to save untold lives – that is, if she can believe he’s telling the truth…

X-FORCE #2

Written by GEOFFREY THORNE

Art by MARCUS TO

WARFARE IN WAKANDA!

Forge leads X-Force in their new, custom Blackbird to the next world fracture in Wakanda. But as the ground literally changes under their feet, the team will have to stop…the Black Panther?! That can’t be right, can it?! And what secret is bubbling under the surface that just might tear the X-Force team asunder?

X-MEN #2

Written by JED MACKAY

Art by RYAN STEGMAN

INVASION!

The X-Men fly to the rescue of a mutant in crisis in San Francisco. The problem? Alien invaders seem to have a similar idea. Six X-Men vs. an invading alien fleet? Sounds about right.

X-MEN #3

Written by JED MACKAY

Art by RYAN STEGMAN

SCOTT SUMMERS VS. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

How did the X-Men come to possess their HQ, the Factory, and how difficult a position does that put them in? As Cyclops meets the implacable Agent Lundqvist, the X-Men come to find that their new home may not be as secure as they had thought…

Check out the covers now and stay tuned for more FROM THE ASHES announcements in the weeks ahead! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

The Art of Flavours

Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira will host the fifth edition of its gastronomic festival dedicated to award-winning culinary talents: The Art of Flavours on June 14-15th.

For this edition, José Diogo Costa, Creative Executive Chef of Reid’s Palace and its one Michelin-starred William Restaurant, will be joined by a selection of award-winning Chefs and emerging talent for an incredible culinary journey with panoramic views over Funchal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and dining events featuring the very best of the local gastronomic scene.

This year’s Art of Flavours line-up includes a team of Michelin-starred Chefs invited by José Diogo Costa of Reid’s Palace:

Luke Selby of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire, England, two Michelin Stars and one Green Star
Alex Tsiotinis of CTC Urban Gastronomy, Athens, Greece, one Michelin Star
Octávio Freitas of Restaurante Desarma, The Views Baía Hotel, Funchal, Portugal, one Michelin Star
Valentino Cassanelli of Lux Lucis, Forte dei Marmi, Italy, one Michelin Star
Vasco Coelho Santos of Euskalduna Studio, Porto, Portugal, one Michelin Star

The Chef has also invited four rising stars who will delight guests with their innovative delicacies during the iconic food party on June 15:

Isabel Nobre of Vila Vita Parc, Porches, Portugal
João Guedes Ferreira of Flora, Viseu, Portugal
Marlene Vieira of Marlene, Lisbon, Portugal
Pablo Aranda of El Olivo – La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel, Maiorca, Spain

The Art of Flavours starts with The Stars Dinner, an exquisite seven-course menu on June 14, brought to life by the six talented stars at the William Restaurant. Female Pastry Chef Isabel Nobre from Vila Vita Parc in the Algarve, Portugal, will prepare the dessert, promising the most perfect end to this experience. The menu will be paired with a curated selection of wines by António Maçanita wines, showcasing the indigenous grape varieties, and offering a taste of the Azorean landscape in every sip. With a focus on quality and sustainability, the wines capture the spirit of the Azores, earning acclaim both locally and internationally.

The fifth edition culminates on June 15 with a lavish outdoor food party that will gather all the guest Chefs alongside Creative Executive Chef Diogo Costa.

Portuguese winemakers and producers will come together, bringing almost 30 stalls, where food and wine lovers will be able to enjoy an incredible range of flavours and dishes. The stand-up dinner will offer a journey through Portuguese high-quality products. Champagne will mark the beginning of this adventure, and handmade desserts and delicate pastries will sweeten the end of a memorable night.

Among the unique producers, the Art of Flavours is excited to welcome Quinta Da Moscadinha, a Madeiran Cider producer winner of the gold medal in the Cider world competition with its Aged Cider, as well as a guest mixologist from the Three House Club in Funchal.

Held in the unique pool area of the Hotel, with a privileged view over Funchal’s Bay, all Chefs will be live cooking to the sound of DJ Donwella, a multi-genre female DJ from London. With roots in Cape Town, Donwella blends jazz, hip-hop, and soul with local Kwaito and South African dance music, creating the perfect vibrant atmosphere for this year’s food festival.

The Stars Dinner on June 14 is priced at 250.00 € per person and starts at 19:00. The Food Party on June 15 will commence at 19:30 and is priced at 200.00 € per person. Guests can also purchase a package to attend both events at a special price of 390.00 € per person. Advance booking is required, and reservations can be made directly by calling +351 291 717 171 or emailing reservations.rds@belmond.com.

Reid's Palace hosts the art of Flavours via 360 Magazine.

The Pop District

Since launching in 2022, achievements include over $3M generated for creative professionals, 400+ participants in The Warhol Academy, six public art projects, and plans to build The Factory, a new creative arts center.

Since The Andy Warhol Museum announced The Pop District in 2022, the museum has made significant progress in its 10-year cultural and economic development plan to transform the six-block section of the museum’s neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The Pop District has furthered The Warhol’s mission by inspiring the community through Warhol’s life, art and legacy by reinvigorating the city of his birth with cultural programming and creative workforce development, ultimately building a new cultural tourism destination for Pittsburgh.

Since launching, more than 400 participants have completed workforce development programs at The Warhol Academy. The Pop District has also commissioned and installed five original public artworks, including pieces by Yoko Ono (Wish Tree) and Pittsburgh artist Mikael Owunna (Anatomy of the Human), and received city approval to build a new creative arts center, which will be unique in size and capacity for Pittsburgh.

“Two years into developing The Pop District, it’s already becoming clear that the community-building and financial power of extending arts programming and workforce training beyond the museum’s walls is already changing lives and revitalizing the neighborhood,” said Dan Law, associate director of The Warhol who heads The Pop District. “The Pop District’s immediate impact is local, as it should be. But, in a broader sense, we’re pioneering models for museum innovation. We see our work as transferable and scalable throughout the industry. The work represents a new way of doing things.”

As of 2024, The Warhol has already surpassed its initial goals of generating more than $1 million in annual revenues, creating $1 million in annual wages/salaries, and matriculating 100+ students annually through The Warhol Academy. Since 2021, the project has generated more than $3 million in total wages, stipends, fellowships, contracts and honorariums, including over $1.5 million in 2023. The Pop District is now entering phase two, which will continue these learning and public arts activities while developing the new creative arts center to help further the museum’s community and fundraising goals.

Public Art

Since 2021, the museum has worked with artists to extend the museum outside of its walls and activate the six-block section of the North Shore through public art. Thus far, they have presented sculptural installations by Michael Loveland, and murals by Typoe and Laura Jean McLaughlin. On May 17, 2024, The Warhol unveiled a newly commissioned public sculptural work by KAWS, Together. This collaboration coincides with their exhibition KAWS + Warhol and helps mark the 30th anniversary of the museum.

The Warhol Academy

The Warhol is the first museum in the United States to fully integrate creative economy workforce development into its learning and public engagement operations. Since the workforce development prototype launched in 2021, The Warhol Academy has served over 400 participants–more than 175 annually–ranging from teenagers to mid-career professionals. The Warhol Academy, free to its participants, has provided over 60 paid fellowships in digital content creation and filmmaking/post-production and over 200 paid opportunities for high school-aged program participants. It also employs over 30 full-time, part-time and project-based staff and contractors. In 2024, Goodwill of Southwestern PA awarded The Warhol Academy ‘Innovator of the Year’ through its Power of Work awards.

Adding to these efforts, in 2023, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh founded a school, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Education, through which The Pop District is now granting free diplomas to professionals seeking post-secondary training in digital marketing, averaging over 40 annual graduates.

The Warhol Creative

The museum’s boutique production studio, The Warhol Creative, is providing further workforce opportunities for the greater Pittsburgh community as well as a sizable revenue stream for The Warhol. Since its conception, the program has worked with more than 20 local and national clients, including Dell Technologies, NBCUniversal and Miami City Ballet. Through contracts and sponsorships, The Warhol Creative has generated more than $1 million in earned income while contributing needed support for museum operations and bolstering local talent. The Warhol Academy participants are taught skills in the production studio and gain valuable hands-on experience by working on client projects. Utilizing knowledge learned in the program, some participants take on creating content for The Warhol’s Instagram account (reaching 137k followers) and TikTok account (18.3k followers), serving as media producers for The Warhol Creative.

“With The Pop District, we hope to show how museums can further address real needs in their communities,” said Patrick Moore, outgoing director of The Warhol. “Addressing these needs does not have to come at the expense of a museum’s financial stability or its commitment to preserving or interpreting its collection. We’re proud to have begun to show how our investing beyond The Warhol’s walls impacts the lives of community members while also creating a substantial revenue stream that can be invested back into the museum.”

The Factory

The Warhol is in the planning and design phase for The Factory, a creative arts center which will be adjacent to the museum. Projected to hold a capacity of 1,000 people, the new facility will host over 100 live performances and 100 events a year, serving a projected 75,000 visitors annually. The building’s capacity is unique in Pittsburgh and will allow touring acts that may have previously passed over the city a place to perform. The Factory will also serve as a permanent home for the museum’s live performance programs, most notably, Sound Series. The Factory will become a central component to providing the museum with a sustainable revenue stream while adding another North Shore destination for creativity to flourish.

About The Pop District
The Pop District is a major cultural and economic development project, spearheaded by The Andy Warhol Museum, that intends to transform a six-block section of the museum’s neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Shore into a thriving hub for expansive cultural programming, creative workforce development, and ultimately a new and enhanced cultural tourism destination. The project aims to use the power of public art, digital media production, and live music to create a museum-led destination in the city where Andy Warhol was born.

thepopdistrict.org
#warholPopDistrict

Photo by Elisa Cevallos

Rolling Stones Tour

Today, The Rolling Stones have announced they will be extending the STONES TOUR ’24 HACKNEY DIAMONDS with an additional stop in Ridgedale, Missouri on July 21 at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Tickets are on sale Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:00AM local time. For ticketing information, please visit www.rollingstones.com.

Mick, Keith, and Ronnie kicked off their wildly anticipated tour in Houston, TX last month and have brought their legendary show to cities across The United States including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, treating fans to their iconic hits and new music from their critically acclaimed new album HACKNEY DIAMONDS. The STONES TOUR ‘24 HACKNEY DIAMONDS will make stops in 12 more cities across the US and Canada, with stops in East Rutherford, Foxboro, Orlando, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Denver, Chicago, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara, with a final stop in Ridgedale. Full tour routing is below.

Hackney Diamonds is their first studio set of new material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang. Since then, the Stones have continued to smash box office records on a series of global sell-out tours and released 2016’s GRAMMY® Award winning Blue & Lonesome, which featured their brilliant versions of many of the blues tracks that helped shape their sound, and topped album charts around the world. In 2022, they thrilled European audiences totaling nearly a quarter of a million on the anniversary Sixty tour. The Rolling Stones have sold over 250 million albums worldwide.

Thunder Ridge Nature Arena – a decade in planning, development, and construction with the ambition to create America’s most beautiful outdoor amphitheater — is scheduled to open this May as a one-of-a-kind immersive outdoor “musical postcard from Mother Nature.” Located in Ridgedale, Missouri just a few miles from Branson, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is described by its creator and visionary — noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris as a “gift of the Ozarks to the world.” It is the only venue on earth completely dedicated to conservation.

AEG Presents’ Concerts West is the promoter of the Stones Tour ’24 Hackney Diamonds. For tickets and information, head to www.rollingstones.com.

What Is The Future of Heavy Equipment?

The heavy equipment industry is on the cusp of a transformative era driven by technological advancements and the urgent need for sustainable practices. As global industries face increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints and enhance efficiency, heavy equipment manufacturers are exploring innovative solutions to meet these challenges. From hybrid systems to fully autonomous machinery, the future of heavy equipment is poised to be greener, smarter, and more efficient.

Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid solutions are at the forefront of the heavy equipment revolution. Combining traditional internal combustion engines with electric power sources, hybrid systems offer a balance between performance and environmental responsibility. This dual approach not only reduces fuel consumption but also lowers emissions, making it an attractive option for industries aiming to meet stringent environmental regulations. For instance, construction and mining companies can benefit from the enhanced efficiency and reduced operational costs associated with hybrid machinery. Moreover, hybrid systems provide flexibility, enabling operators to switch between power sources based on the task at hand.

Electrification

Electrification is another pivotal trend shaping the future of heavy equipment. Fully electric machinery eliminates the need for fossil fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. This transition is driven by advancements in battery technology, which have made electric power more viable for heavy-duty applications. Electric excavators, loaders, and haul trucks are becoming increasingly common, offering quieter and cleaner operations. The benefits of electrification extend beyond environmental impact; electric machines also have fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs and longer lifespans.

Green Technology

Green technology encompasses a range of innovations aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of heavy equipment. From alternative fuels like biodiesel and hydrogen to advanced materials and design improvements, green technology is central to creating more sustainable machinery. Biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells offer cleaner alternatives to traditional diesel, reducing carbon emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources. Additionally, the development of lighter and more durable materials helps in reducing the energy consumption of heavy equipment. Innovations such as regenerative braking systems and energy-efficient hydraulics further contribute to environmental sustainability by optimizing energy use. Moreover, the integration of wood waste disposal systems, such as burners, can help manage biomass waste efficiently while providing an alternative energy source.

Autonomous Operation

Autonomous operation is revolutionizing the heavy equipment sector by enhancing safety, efficiency, and productivity. Autonomous machines equipped with advanced sensors, GPS, and artificial intelligence can perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention. This capability is especially advantageous in dangerous environments like mining or construction sites, where autonomous equipment can mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, autonomous operation supports uninterrupted, around-the-clock work cycles, greatly enhancing productivity. The data gathered by these machines can also be utilized to optimize operational processes and maintenance schedules, thereby minimizing downtime and reducing operational expenses.

3D Printing

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is poised to transform the production and maintenance of heavy equipment. This technology allows for the precise creation of complex parts and components with minimal waste. For manufacturers, 3D printing provides the capability to produce custom parts on demand, thereby reducing lead times and inventory expenses. In the maintenance sector, 3D printing can facilitate rapid production of replacement parts, minimizing equipment downtime and enhancing operational efficiency.

Superplastic + AREA15

Superplastic, the IP factory renowned across animated entertainment, music, fashion and collectible art toys, announces a strategic partnership with AREA15, an immersive entertainment company, that will introduce its animated characters IRL for the first time. As part of the partnership, Superplastic will open an experiential space within the AREA15 entertainment district later this year, creating an all new type of experience, blending its signature brand of mischief and tomfoolery with art, hype culture and fashion.

Located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, AREA15 is a vibrant playground that entertains more than 3 million visitors annually. The new Superplastic experience will join AREA15’s curated collection of interactive attractions, walk-thru art exhibits, tech-driven experiences, events and entertainment, unique food and beverage offerings, and globally recognized immersive experiences such as Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, Illuminarium, Five Iron Golf, Dueling Axes and much more.

“We’re thrilled to expand the Superplastic brand and characters to immersive entertainment,” says Superplastic CEO Jennifer van Dijk, “There is no better partner for us in this space than AREA15—we have a deep interest in growing intellectual property and entertainment that blends the digital and physical worlds. This is something we can powerfully scale over time.”

“We welcome the addition of Superplastic to our growing collection of top-tier, globally recognized brands who have selected AREA15 as the location for their first-ever experiential, brick-and-mortar attractions,” added Winston Fisher, CEO, AREA15. “Soon, our millions of visitors will have the thrill of interacting with Superplastic’s digital character universe in real life and in completely new and engaging ways.”

ABOUT SUPERPLASTIC:
Superplastic is a character-driven intellectual property company that creates synthetic celebrities with millions of followers worldwide and who appear in social media, music, gaming, high-end collectibles, fashion, animated entertainment, web3, and live experiences. The company sells tens of millions of dollars in real and virtual products annually, and has collaborated with Gucci, Fortnite, Mercedes-Benz, Tommy Hilfiger, Christie’s Auction House, J. Balvin, Kidsuper, Pusha-T, Paris Hilton, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Vince Staples, Rico Nasty, and more.

ABOUT AREA15
AREA15, located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, represents the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district offering live events, distinctive attractions, interactive art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, ground-breaking technology, bars and eateries and much more. AREA15’s curated mix of dynamic destinations—including LIFTOFF Bar and Ride, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, Illuminarium, Dueling Axes, Five Iron Golf, Kaia Handroll, The Beast, Wink World: Portals Into the Infinite, Museum Fiasco, Virtualis VR and many more—represents what’s next in experiential entertainment. With a robust, ever-changing roster of concerts, events, immersive art exhibitions, out-of-this-world nightlife and boundary-pushing production shows, AREA15 attracts visitors of all ages. Expanding across 20 acres in Las Vegas, AREA15 will soon welcome even more immersive destinations, including Universal Destinations & Experiences’ new, year-round horror entertainment experience Horror Unleashed.

AREA15 has received numerous accolades, including being named “Another Unmissable Stop for Art Lovers” by The Times UK, “Most Innovative Venue in the USA” and No. 2 on the list of “10 Best Immersive Experiences in the U.S.” by Timeout, “Best Immersive Art Experience” by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, one of “The 10 Most Innovative Urban Development and Real Estate Companies of 2020” by Fast Company, “Best Attraction” for three consecutive years as well as “Best Place for Your Instagram Shot” and “Best Rave Resurgence” by Las Vegas Weekly Readers’ Choice Best of Vegas Awards, “Best Arts Hub” by Vegas Magazine, “Best Family Attraction” from the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association, claiming the No. 1 spot in Blooloop’s “World’s Top 11 Immersive Art Experiences,” and being included in Las Vegas Magazine’s Hall of Fame.

Follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @AREA15Official; and YouTube: AREA15. Hashtag: #AREA15. Click here for directions.

QT Singapore

AUSTRALIA’S QT HOTELS & RESORTS ENTERS ASIA WITH GRAND AND GLAM QT SINGAPORE

Australian-based QT Hotels & Resorts announced today the forthcoming opening of QT Singapore, the group’s first hotel outside Australia and New Zealand. Since EVT opened the inaugural QT in 2011, the brand’s combination of luxury, chic, informality, playfulness, and eccentricity has transformed the high-end hotel scene across Australia and New Zealand, and soon to be Southeast Asia.

The new QT Singapore is housed within the former headquarters of the Cable and Wireless Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, an over-the-top example of British Empire monumental design, all columns, and verandas – originally built in 1927. It was granted landmark status in 2000 and converted into the Telegraph Hotel. The head-to-toe transformation of the landmark building into the QT Singapore is being led by renowned interior designer, Nic Graham, whose goal is to “blend inspiration from the tropical climate and historic architecture with the rich colors and bold statements that are QT’s signature style.”

Set to open in September 2024, QT Singapore will feature 134 luxury rooms and suites, a rooftop swimming pool and bar redesigned as Rooftop by QT, and a signature bar and grill, including intimate dining options. QT Singapore will sit in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown, adjacent to the Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre, thronged by visitors and locals eager to dine, snack and shop within a 130-year-old architectural marvel.

“We’re excited by the liveliness QT will bring to Singapore’s diverse tourism landscape,” says Callum Kennedy, Group General Manager of EVT Hotels and Resorts. “QT Singapore will be championed by QT’s luxurious quirk, from design to signature service, bringing the energy and vibrancy guests love from the world of QT to be discovered by locals and travelers in Southeast Asia.”

QT Singapore’s General Manager will be Doron Whaite, whose 20 years of experience with QT Hotels & Resorts and its parent company EVT, include major positions at QT Perth and QT Sydney. He led the launch of QT Auckland, winning him Hospitality New Zealand’s Hospitality Award for Excellence. “I am passionate about creating luxurious, memorable environments for guests,” says Whaite, “and QT Singapore, with its limitless potential, will enable the evolution of this iconic property into its next era, right in the heart of Asia.”

For more information about QT Singapore and the entire portfolio of QT Hotels & Resorts throughout Australasia, please visit: www.qthotels.com

Proof of Concept

Designer Brittany Pierone, alum of Fear of God, Nike and James Perse, who unveiled her Pre Spring 2025 Collection for PROOF OF CONCEPT, with a beautiful presentation/shopping event in DTLA that was attended by the likes of Jeff Staple, Jason Mayden (Jumpman), Jamil Hardwick, Armani White and more.

The collection features unisex apparel and accessories made in Italy and furniture made in Los Angeles.

Rooted in industrial design ethos, the lifestyle concepts seek to provide clever solutions with the human experience at the center of every design decision. These forms explore effortless minimalism accented by functional elements.

Designer Brittany Pierone brings a background in both industrial design and fashion and uniquely positions the design concepts that are both human-centered and aesthetically pleasing.

PROOF OF CONCEPT was founded on a mission to nurture and incubate talent, as access to mentorship, resources, and information is vital to its community’s success. The company seeks to empower through education with partnerships to help break industry barriers and is invested in endorsing and supporting the under-resourced yet brilliant taste makers.

Photo: Titan Studios