The Oxford Method Puts Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
The Oxford Method, a tutoring community, is on a mission to help underprivileged students around the country
The pandemic changed how education was delivered for millions of students. While just about everyone was impacted, it has been especially difficult on minority students. According to McKinsey & Company, the disparities among student groups grew over the last year. It reports that when it comes to learning, the pandemic took a heavy toll on Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities around the country. It found that students of color had fallen 3-5 months behind, while white students were 1-3 months behind. One company, The Oxford Method, is out to help bridge that gap and bring those students up to speed.
“There must be a spotlight put on diversity and inclusion because the achievement gap has widened in the last year,” explains David Florence, professor and founder of The Oxford Method, a community that offers tutoring services around the country. “We are taking steps to help those students so they can get caught up and have the foundation they need to succeed.”
The Oxford Method is an online learning community made up of educators who help to provide tutoring to those in need. It provides a full range of tutoring services, covering all types of subjects, and has experienced educators who can work with all levels of students. They help students who are gifted, special needs, traditional, and from rural and urban areas around the nation.
The educational community helps underprivileged students in a variety of ways, including by:
Providing free computers and high-speed internet. With that, it provides free instruction to the students, including those who are special needs and gifted.
Working with students who are in urban and rural areas. These are areas often overlooked and that fall short in the technology category.
Having instructors from all socio-economic, psychographics, demographics, and geographic areas. The community of educators not only has a mission of helping those who are in diverse categories, but they are a group that is diverse.
“We have helped many students who would otherwise have a difficult time getting assistance,” added Florence. “We look forward to helping even more to finish this school year strong, get caught up over summer break, and be able to go into the new school year feeling confident.”
The Oxford Method has over 100 tutors around the country, covering all subject areas. It offers online tutoring, as well as in-person and in-classroom options. Its tutoring services are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The Oxford Method works with its nonprofit, Social Actualization, Inc., by giving it 10% of all profits. The funds are used to provide free computers, high-speed internet, and instruction to underprivileged families in urban and rural America. Plus, 40% of the instructors are PhDs, 40% have a master’s degree, and 20% have only a bachelor’s degree.
The Oxford Method believes that education is the great equalizer and the best gift you can give the next generation. Subject areas include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as business, social studies, psychology, English, history, public speaking, study methods, test-taking, and more. To get more information about The Oxford Method, visit the Oxford Method website.
MAD RIVER BOAT TRIPS OPENS FOR THE 2021 SEASON ON JUNE 15,WILL OFFER PRIVATE BOOKING OPTIONS
Top-rated river outfitter Mad River Boat Trips opens for the 2021 season on June 15. Offering first class scenic float trips and whitewater rafting excursions on the Wild and Scenic Snake River, Mad River Boat Trips will offer private bookings this season to accommodate COVID restrictions and ensure the health and safety of guests and team members.
On Mad River’s scenic float trips, everyone—including family members as young as four years old—can enjoy a leisurely rafting excursion on a 13-mile-long, smooth-water section of the Snake River. Perfect for shutterbugs looking to capture photos of wildlife and the majestic scenery, these float trips are relaxing and spectacular for capturing wildlife—especially the numerous bird species that call the area home.
Meanwhile, Mad River’s whitewater raft trips take place on the portion of the Snake River surrounded by steep granite canyon walls, tall trees and picturesque alpine meadows abounding with wildlife. Professional, experienced river trip guides navigate rafters through the twists and turns of Snake River Canyon while pointing out all the distinctive flora, fauna, geology and aspects of the region’s history that make the area unique. Mad River Boat Trips offer runs through class II and III rapids, making them appropriate for guests ages six and older. Guests will grab their paddle and shoot the rapids with Mad River’s experienced and professional guides.
Back at the boat house, guests who opt for the early river run still have time to rent one of sister company Scenic Safaris’ street-legal, four-seater side-by-sides. These vehicles may be booked in advance or reserved on the spot, based on availability. Side-by-sides are perfect for exploring the trail heads that begin just minutes away from the boat house. Guests can take a scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park or explore the back roads in Gros Ventre Mountains or Greys River Range. Rentals are available for two hours, four hours, eight hours and multi-day.
Private tours available from Mad River Boat Trips include:
Classic Boat 8-Mile Whitewater Rafting on Snake River Audience: Great for families, first-time rafters or guests traveling with small children, ages 6+. Departure Time: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Highlights: The Snake River has been classified as a Class I-III river with exciting whitewater rapids. WOW! Moment: Incredible views, wildlife including otters, osprey and bald eagles and guides point out features that make the canyon unique. Duration: 3.5 hours Price: $92 per person, adults and children; $700 private boat, up to 16 passengers Private tours: Available for up to eight guests. Additional passengers are $92 per person.
Small Boat Snake River Whitewater Rafting Audience: Great for families with children aged 6+, adventure enthusiasts and small to medium-sized groups. Departure Time: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Highlights: Eight sets of rapids including Station Creek, Double Draw, Blind Canyon, Big Kahuna, Lunchcounter, Ropes, Champagne and Cottonwoods. WOW! Moment: Catch a glimpse of a mountain goat, a mule deer, an elk, or even a grizzly or black bear. Duration: 3.5 hours Price: $105 per person, adults and children; $700 private boat, up to eight passengers
Jackson Hole Snake River Float Trip Audience: Great for families with children aged 4+, mature travelers, wildlife enthusiasts or birders, large groups and multi-generational travelers. Departure Time: 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Highlights: The magnificent Teton Range sets the stage for the 13-mile Jackson Hole float trip. WOW! Moment: Spotting wildlife including beaver, cutthroat trout, cliff swallows, pelicans, osprey and bald eagles. Menu: Lunch is included. Duration: 3.5 hours Price: $92 per person, adults and children; $700 private boat, up to ten passengers, $92 per person for additional passengers
To find out more about Mad River Boat Trips white water and scenic float trips on the Wild and Scenic Snake River, go to Mad River or call (800) 458-7238.For more information about Scenic Safaris, visit Scenic Safaris or call (888) 734-8898.
ABOUT MAD RIVER BOAT TRIPS Mad River Boat Trips is a river outfitter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and consistent recipient of TripAdvisor’s “Excellent” rating by its customers. Offering whitewater trips and scenic floats daily during summer since 1977, Mad River offers guests extraordinary recreation on the recently designated Wild and Scenic Snake River. The Snake River begins its journey in the rugged backcountry of Yellowstone National Park and gathers water as it heads south toward Jackson Hole through Grand Teton National Park. The river exits the south end of Jackson Hole through the winding Snake River Canyon, lined with trees and steep granite walls, small alpine meadows and abundant wildlife. It’s on this section of the Snake River where guests travel down a wild and scenic river, which is a rarity in the Rocky Mountains—it’s an experience not to be missed. For more information, visit Mad River or Facebook. Mad River is a permittee of the Bridger-Teton National Forest/Equal Opportunity Provider.
ABOUT FOREVER RESORTS Forever Resorts is an exceptional collection of destinations providing hospitality services throughout the world. The company focuses on properties with access to nature and one-of-a-kind surroundings for vacations. For more information, go to Forever Resorts or Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
GET LOUD! SUMMER CONCERT SERIESTO BRING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS BACK TO W.C. HANDY PARKON WORLD FAMOUS BEALE STREET IN MEMPHIS
PJ Morton to Headline FREE Concert Series Kickoff on Saturday, June 5
Get Loud! Get Live! Get Here! Marketing Campaign to Feature Summer Anthem from Memphis Artists & GRAMMY-Winning Producer Boo Mitchell
Memphis Tourism, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Downtown Memphis Commission and Beale Street, will launch a 10-week outdoor music series “Get Loud!” on Beale Street’s biggest stage in downtown Memphis. The LIVE music series kicks off Saturday, June 5 with GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter PJ Morton at the newly renovated W.C. Handy Park outdoor performance space. GET LOUD! will follow with 10 Thursday night concerts starting June 10th and culminating August 12th, 2021. Additional headliners include St. Paul & The Broken Bones, David Ryan Harris, Rebirth Brass Band, Paul Thorn, Son Little and Marc Broussard. The performances will be free and open to the public, pairing a touring headline act with a Memphis based band as opening act.
The GET LOUD! initiative helps ensure the Memphis destination delivers on the brand promise of live and local music for visitors. It also allows Memphis artists, musicians and event production personnel to get back to work all over our city. Memphis Tourism is partnering with existing live music events to designate them as additional Get Loud! activations throughout the year.
“Our goal is to create a unique opportunity to showcase Memphis music by putting silenced artists and musicians back to work and delivering the core motivator that drives visitors to the Memphis destination, and that is music,” said Kevin Kane, President & CEO of Memphis Tourism. “This activation of the Beale Street entertainment district will not only create activity on the street, but in turn, increase overall hotel occupancy, fill our restaurants and venues and extend the length of stay.”
Made possible by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development funding, Memphis Tourism and the State worked together to develop strategic initiatives that will motivate travel and bring visitors back to a state known around the world for multiple genres of music.
“The Soundtrack of America is made in Tennessee, and we’re excited to see our stages and venues filled with fans again and artists back to doing what they love,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tourism is vital to our state’s economy. Bringing music back to historic Beale Street every day is an important step in restoring our industry, as well as celebrating the identity and culture that make Memphis so special. We’re grateful to Memphis Tourism and all who helped bring the ‘Get Loud!’ summer concert series to life.”
The lineup for the GET LOUD! concert series features a variety of headline acts, many with connections to Memphis, along with local bands serving as opening acts in the concert series set for Beale Street’s W.C. Handy Park. The thoughtful approach to booking acts has produced a soulful lineup sure to entertain both visitors and locals who visit Beale Street for the concert series. Additional headline, and a full slate of opening acts, will be announced in the coming days. For the most up to date schedule as acts are announced, visit Memphis Travel.
GET LOUD! CONCERT SERIES CALENDAR
Saturday, June 5th
PJ Morton Marcella & Her Lovers
Thursday, June 10th
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
The MD’s
Thursday, June 17th
David Ryan Harris
Thursday, June 24th
Rebirth Brass Band Chinese Connection Dub Embassy
Thursday, July 1st
Victor Wooten
Joseph Wooten
Roy “Futureman” Wooten
Regi Wooten
The Wooten Brothers
Dottie
Thursday, July 8th
Paul Thorn
Amy LaVere & Will Sexton
Thursday, July 22nd
Son Little
Thursday, August 12th
Marc Broussard Turnstyles
“EVERY STORY IS A SONG” MARKETING CAMPAIGN: GET LOUD. GET LIVE. GET HERE
The live music showcase on Beale Street will work in tandem with and be promoted via Memphis Tourism’s planned “Every Story is a Song” digital media campaign, targeting visitors in key drive markets within a 600-mile radius of the Home of the Blues, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll. The soundtrack to the advertising campaign is a summer anthem penned and performed by Memphis artists at world famous Royal Studios, with Grammy award winning producer Boo
Mitchell as producer on the track. The GET LOUD! campaign anthem will be released via digital platforms in early Summer 2021.
“Our community is rooted in music, and the pandemic has made it hard for many of Memphis’ most creative voices to be heard over the last year, whether performing in venues or even creating new music in the studio,” said Boo Mitchell, a Grammy award winning record producer, musician, songwriter, audio engineer, and owner of the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis. “I have a tremendous amount of civic pride in Memphis. When I was approached about getting involved with this project to produce a song that was a musical invitation to visit our amazing city, I didn’t just say yes, I asked, when can we get started.”
Storytelling within the marketing campaign will be inclusive of all audiences through a variety of channels, emphasizing the current Memphis sound, while giving a nod to the legacy sound that made Memphis a world-famous music city.
“Through this music series and marketing campaign, Memphis Tourism is inviting all visitors, the uninitiated and the indoctrinated, to come be a part of our extended family, to share in our city’s stories and our songs,” said Regena Bearden, Chief Marketing Officer for Memphis Tourism. “We’ve all relished anecdotes from visitors who describe feeling a deep connection to the Memphis sound. It touches your soul, creating a familial feeling, echoing who we are as a city and a destination. When you visit, you become a part of our extended musical family, and you may want to dance too.”
The multi-channel digital campaign will focus on the 600-mile radius key drive markets that, driven by data and research, have demonstrated a solid return by generating hotel room night sales, attraction tickets, restaurant and retail sales. In 2019 Memphis & Shelby County welcomed 12.4 million visitors, accounting for a $3.65 billion economic impact in spending from domestic visitors alone. This spend generated $179.5 million in state tax receipts and $101 million in local tax receipts. The leisure and hospitality industry in Shelby County includes over 2-thousand businesses and supports 49-thousand jobs.
Anywhere you go in Memphis, there’s a story waiting to be told, a song that connects to your heart and stays with your soul. Visitors can make a long weekend of it and celebrate that spirit with live music citywide every day this summer, kicking off with the GET LOUD free concert series in Handy Park. With live music, legendary attractions and Beale Street – plus food that’ll feed your soul – planning a visit to Memphis for an unforgettable music experience is effortless with resources available at Memphis Travel, log on today and feel the Memphis beat.
Good Vibrations – WonderWorks Myrtle Beach New Exhibit on EarthquakesNamed by Teachers during Teacher Appreciation Month
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach has an array of exhibits that help educate people about science. And its latest exhibit on earthquakes called Good Vibrations, opens May 28th. Good Vibrations will spotlight Tuckaleechee Caverns, and how they document seismic activity around the world. The new exhibit was a topic request from educators, so it seemed appropriate that they also name the exhibit. Teachers are invited to see this exhibit for free during WonderWorks Teacher Appreciation Month celebration.
“This new Earthquake exhibit offers a great opportunity to learn about plate tectonics and all seismic activity,” explains Robert Stinnett, general manager at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach. “We look forward to helping people shake things up and learn this type of science in a fun atmosphere.”
The Tuckaleechee Caverns are home to the most sensitive seismic station on Earth. It detects any and all tectonic movement anywhere in the world. If a country is testing a nuclear weapon or there is an earthquake, it has that information within seconds. Once it does, within 300ths of a millisecond, it relays that important information directly to the U.S. Military; Vienna, Austria; and Geneva, Switzerland. The information is collected 24/7 and is crucial to national security, as well as being able to provide earthquake information.
The exhibit, Good Vibrations will help share the importance of the Tuckaleechee Caverns and what they are doing in monitoring seismic activity. The information in the exhibit meets the educational standards on earthquake and seismic activity, and is one of WonderWorks’ many STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) related learning exhibits.
During the month of May 2021, teachers and all support staff can receive free admission to WonderWorks Myrtle Beach by showing a valid school ID or a pay stub upon entering. Additionally, up to four of their accompany guests can receive 50% off their admission price.
“Teachers are going to love learning about the caverns, and everyone who visits will have a great time,” added Stinnett. “Being able to learn and have fun all in the same place is a beautiful thing. We make it happen every day here at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach.”
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach STEM programs include the WonderWorks WonderKids event, virtual learning labs, ART-OLINA Young Artist’s Gallery of the Carolinas, science fair partnerships, online science worksheets, sensory days, group rates, birthday parties and a homeschool program. To learn more about the programs, visit the WonderWorks Myrtle Beach website.
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach has COVID-19 safety measures in place. They include reduced hours, enhanced cleaning, spatial distancing protocols, employee health screenings and employee personal protective equipment (PPE).
About WonderWorks
WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park, combines education and entertainment. With over 100 hands-on exhibits, there is something unique and challenging for guests of all ages. Feel the power of 84-mph hurricane-force winds in the Hurricane Shack. Make huge, life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab. Get the NASA treatment in our Astronaut Training Gyro and experience zero gravity. Nail it by lying on the death-defying Bed of Nails. Conquer your fear of heights on our indoor Glow-In-The-Dark Ropes Course. WonderWorks is open 365 days a year and hosts birthday parties and special events.
ATTORNEY AND FORMER LAW SCHOOL ASSISTANT DEAN LAUNCHESINNOVATIVE ATHLETIC, ATHLEISURE, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL APPAREL LINE OBSERVAMÉ
After a year of research and development, ObservaMé launched a line of sports, athleisure and healthcare professional apparel that sets the company apart from other brands in the industry. Karen D. Fultz-Robinson, a former attorney now fashion designer, has chosen the United States, specifically Tampa, to be the headquarters for all activities involving the design, manufacturing and distribution of the ObservaMé clothing lines for men and women.
The ObservaMé brand was developed to meet the demands of those living active lifestyles while addressing the need for easy access to personal fitness trackers and watches while training. All active wear shirts include a provisionally patented, one-of-a-kind, design that allows for easy viewing and access to fitness devices directly through the sleeve. Recently, Fultz-Robinson also learned that there was a need for the patent design to allow access to watches in the medical field, which led to the development of the ObservaMé compression sleeves.
As a marathon runner, Fultz-Robinson knows that training happens under many weather conditions and access to fitness tracking devices should not be a distraction. The ObservaMé design concept was born during a 15-mile run. Fultz-Robinson developed sketches and assembled a team to help her put together the mock-ups and final patterns.
“As an athlete, regardless of weather, I wanted to track my progress – pace, heart rate, and distance, and sometimes you just want to know what time it is,” said Fultz-Robinson. “Why should something seemingly so simple be difficult to access? Athletes or anyone living an active lifestyle shouldn’t have to struggle to view their devices.”
Today, the product line has grown to include the signature shirts along with vests and performance pants and a variety of accessories. ObservaMé’s brand name was also chosen by Fultz-Robinson to explain the company’s purpose for its customers. ObservaMé means “watch me” in Spanish.
“We help the consumer watch their performance and provide a stylish look that draws others to watch them as they compete or overcome performance barriers,” said Fultz-Robinson. “It references the clocks (watches) on our wrists but also encourages accountability, which helps us strive to maintain our fitness goals.”
While all long-sleeved ObservaMé apparel has been designed to stop the need for tugging or placing straps over the sleeve, each article of ObservaMé active wear is hand-made with high-quality dry wick material and some provide UV protection for active lifestyles (i.e., running, cycling, hiking, boating, golfing, hunting, and etc.). The streamlined designs contour to all body types for easy flexibility during any activity and all-day comfort, and the fabric is soft to the touch which prevents chaffing. The compression sleeves, which also provides easy access to watches and fitness trackers, can be used by athletes for sun protection or quickly convertible warmth, but have also been tested for use by those in the medical profession to prevent skin contact with inadvertent splashes from contaminants while allowing for monitoring vitals and staying warm.
The ObservaMé apparel line for men includes half-zip and crewneck shirts, hoodies, vests, full-zip jackets with hoods and performance pants. Women’s athletic/athleisure wear includes half-zip and V-neck shirts, full-zip jackets with hoods (with a high/low option), vests, hoodies, and long and capris style performance pants. All apparel is available for purchase at www.observame.net, and during various athletic events nationally. ObservaMé has previously appeared at the Boston and Detroit Marathons.
All products are manufactured at ObservaMé’s headquarters in Tampa, located at 14260 Carlson Circle, under Fultz-Robinson’s supervision to ensure the quality of each product meets the high standard set by the company.
Before founding ObservaMé, Fultz-Robinson practiced state and federal commercial and business litigation with the Tampa office of Sheehe & Associates, P.A., and was an assistant dean and professor at Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus. Before moving to Florida, she was a partner and practiced commercial, business, subrogation and recovery litigation, as well as family law at the law firm of Cozen O’Connor in Atlanta, Georgia, and was an assistant vice president at Bank of America in the Estate Settlement Division. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Fultz-Robinson earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Michigan State University and juris doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s Lansing, Michigan campus.
MADD Identifies 241 Examples of Auto Tech to Help Prevent Drunk Driving
New Analysis Follows Introduction of Two Federal Bills That Would Lead to Mandate for Drunk Driving Prevention Tech on All New Vehicles
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released an updated analysis of vehicle technologies that are available now – or in various stages of development – that could be installed in vehicles to prevent drunk driving and other impairments and save thousands of lives a year.
MADD’s update to the RFI submission follows the introduction of two bipartisan bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, that require NHTSA to issue a rulemaking that will lead to drunk driving prevention technology as standard equipment on all new vehicles. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan), David McKinley (R-WV) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) introduced the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving (HALT) Act on March 23. The bill is named in memory of a Northville, Michigan family, Issam and Rima Abbas and their children Ali, Isabella, and Giselle, who were killed by a wrong-way drunk driver while driving home from a Florida vacation in January 2019. On April 22, Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone (RIDE) Act of 2021.
“The HALT and RIDE Acts represent the beginning of the end of drunk driving forever,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “The many technologies MADD identified in the original RFI, and now our new RFI update, illustrate the very real potential for equipping all cars with technology that will stop an impaired driver. When you see what’s available now, the question becomes, ‘Why isn’t this already on cars and stopping these tragedies that kill 10,000 people and injure 300,000 every year?’ MADD believes automakers can solve this, and we challenge them to move quickly to start saving lives.”
More than 9,400 drunk driving deaths could be prevented each year when drunk driving prevention technology is made standard on every new car, according to a study released last year by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
MADD’s updated RFI submission describes 241 examples of three different major categories of technologies that can reduce or eliminate drunk and impaired driving. Some of these technologies are referred to as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
77 examples of driving performance monitoring systems can detect signs of impaired driving. These technologies monitor the vehicle movement with systems like lane departure warning and attention assist. These same technologies can be used to monitor erratic driving by a drunk or impaired driver. Although not currently programmed to detect drunk and impaired driving, these systems are standard equipment on almost all new cars today.
122 examples of driver monitoring systems can monitor the driver’s head and eyes, typically using a camera or other sensors. These systems can determine the state of the driver and detect if a driver is drunk or otherwise impaired.
42 examples of passive alcohol detection technologies use touch or breath-based technology to detect if a driver is drunk. Examples are in two Patents filed 12 years ago by DENSO, one of the largest tier one auto suppliers in the world. The two Patents are for breath or touch-based systems and are detailed in MADD’s RFI:
An example of using both driving performance monitoring and driver monitoring was announced by Volvo in March 2019. Volvo said it would equip new cars with cameras and sensors to enable the car “to intervene if a clearly intoxicated or distracted driver does not respond to warning signals and is risking an accident involving serious injury or death.”
“All of these technologies could be beneficial not only to prevent drunk driving, but to detect other dangerous behaviors that lead to crashes such as drugged driving, drowsy driving, distracted driving and medical emergencies,” Otte said. “That is why it we believe it is urgent that Congress pass the HALT and RIDE Acts, to get these lifesaving technologies in all new cars as soon as possible.”
For more information on the HALT and RIDE Acts, visit the MADD website.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Drivingcalls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit MADD or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
ZHU Announces Plans to Build NFT-based Fan Community
Kicking off with Limited-Edition DREAMROCKS Community and Moment Tokens for Attendees of Red Rocks Available to Redeem This Saturday, May 15th, An Open Zhuman Community Token Will Also Be Available To All In The Coming Weeks
Drops coincide with new album DREAMLAND 2021 and will allow fans to redeem exclusive content, merch and access to future events and collections
DREAMROCKS Community Tokens for all six shows, NFTs designed by Shane Fu for Night After Night
DREAMLAND 2021, released by Astralwerks, is now available worldwide HERE.
ZHU reveals the details of his plan to build an NFT-based fan community. Beginning with the DREAMROCKS NFT Collection exclusive to Red Rocks concertgoers, an open Zhuman Community token will also be made available for fans worldwide.
Fans who attended ZHU’s six-night sold out run at Red Rocks that concluded last night are able to register for complimentary community tokens as well as limited-edition moment tokens that include exclusive content from the show they attended. To redeem, showgoers should register using the same email they used to purchase their concert tickets at Yellowheart.
Fans of ZHU worldwide can register to receive an open Zhuman Community token at Yellowheart. The Zuman Community token will grant holders access to exclusive content and events to be announced in the coming weeks. ZHU adds, the fans have shown up so hard these last two weeks at Red Rocks, I’m excited to give something special back to them while also making sure all of my Zhumans worldwide can be a part of the community we’re building. All DREAMROCKS tokens will be minted and issued on Saturday, May 15th at 1PM ET. All Zhuman Community tokens will begin minting in the coming weeks.
The Dreamrocks NFT Collection from ZHU is being issued by Night After Night and Yellowheart, the partners behind Kings of Leon’sNFT YOURSELF album release. These releases make ZHU the first artist to build a fan community by issuing free community tokens and the first to issue tokens tied to a live experience.
Casey McGrath, CCO of Night After Night adds, with this offering, ZHU is setting the tone for how artists should enter the space and use NFTs to create a fan-first model that establishes a long term direct-to-fan pathway.
For YellowHeart, democratizing the modern live music experience is our mission. As in-person events start to come back, introducing the many ways NFTs can transform and amplify live music for both artists and fans, in a way that’s better for the environment, is all the more exciting, said Josh Katz, Founder & CEO of YellowHeart. It was important to ZHU to have both a carbon-neutral process, as well as offer tokens that are gas-free, so all of his fans could participate in this iconic drop. Since YellowHeart uses Ethereum Layer 2, which uses proof-of-stake, it is the most efficient blockchain solution in terms of gas fees and energy consumption.
Anta Al Batal serves as an anthem for MENA teams vying for the ultimate prize at VALORANT’s professional and semi-pro tournaments
Anta Al Batal reinforces Riot Games’ commitment to regional gamers with first-of-its-kind Arabic music video; Creative Partnership with Dubai based Regional Record Label Sony Music Entertainment Middle East.
Riot Games MENA today unveiled a first-of-its-kind Arabic music video and track for gamers across the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, uniting its VALORANT fanbase under a common language, love of music and passion for gaming.
The VALORANT Music Beat ‘Anta Al Batal’ (You Are The Champion), produced and conceptualized by RIOT Games MENA and Sony Music Entertainment Middle East, brings together some of the Arab world’s biggest and emerging music stars; Moroccan rap sensation, Issam Harris; Egypt’s Trap Legend, Marwan Moussa; and female vocalist, Fafa, a rising star from the UAE and regional music scene.
Celebrating the passion of MENA gamers for VALORANT, which has quickly established itself as a fan-favorite in the first-person shooter community, Anta Al Batal is the latest milestone in Riot Games’ growing commitment to its Arab-speaking fanbase and follows the launch of the Bahraini servers, localization of VALORANT into Arabic and Strike Arabia.
Riot Games worked in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Middle East to conceptualize the unique audio and video style of Anta Al Batal, that merged languages, melodies and cultural themes from Egypt, Morocco, UAE and beyond. The project took inspiration from the many cultural banners that exist across MENA, to unite gamers under their common passion for VALORANT and music.
Anta Al Batal serves as an anthem for MENA teams vying for the ultimate prize at VALORANT’s professional and semi-pro tournaments. Teams across MENA are gearing up for the second season of the Strike Arabia Championship in June and July for a spot in the Grand Finals. Winners of the regional tournament will earn the right to take part in VALORANT Last Chance Qualifier in Europe and potentially the global showdown that pits the world’s best teams and players against each other.
Anas al Hakim, Content Manager at Riot Games MENA, who masterminded creative direction of the music video, said: “Prior to online multiplayer games, music was the number one thing that transcended the MENA region. Now, with music and gaming we have a winning combination to unite our players through unique experiences that they can all enjoy. Our hope is that the bridges we build are not only between us but also with players from all around the world.”
Mike Fairburn, General Manager at Sony Music Entertainment Middle East commented ‘Music is a global connector – it binds us all and reflects the varied cultural narratives of our region. Our company culture is built around this positive force and with the Riot Games team, we found a perfect partnership focused on collaboration, as well as an openness to use music and gaming to make deep connections. We are incredibly excited and proud to share our collective creative efforts with the world”.
The vision behind Anta Al Batal was to create a celebratory moment in the region’s history of gaming, give VALORANT players a soundtrack that is truly theirs, and mark another significant milestone of Riot Games’ commitment to Arabic gamers.
About VALORANT: VALORANT is a competitive 5v5 character-based tactical shooter for the PC developed by Riot Games. VALORANT is a precise and lethal multiplayer game with high-fidelity gunplay, a diverse arsenal of guns, agents with unique abilities, and competitively tuned maps for thousands of hours of play.
VALORANT is a free-to-play game and optimized to perform on a wide variety of PC hardware, allowing for a global audience to compete. Demonstrated by the game’s best-in-class game server quality, global infrastructure, and proprietary anti-cheat technology, Riot Games is committed to preserving the core tenets of the tactical shooter genre and upholding the competitive integrity of the gameplay experience.
VALORANT quickly established itself as a fan-favorite among the global first-person shooter community after launching its closed beta in April 2020. The game made history on its first day, breaking viewership records with 34 million hours-watched in a single day, and surpassing 1.7 million peak concurrent viewers, a peak concurrent record second only to Riot Games’ 2019 League of Legends World Championship Finals. Over the course of VALORANT’s two-month beta testing period, an average of nearly 3 million players logged on each day to play. Fans also demonstrated their enthusiasm for the shooter by watching more than 470 million hours of VALORANT closed beta streams on Twitch, the world’s leading service and community for multiplayer entertainment, and Korean video-streaming service AfreecaTV.
About Riot Games: Riot Games was founded in 2006 to develop, publish, and support the most player-focused games in the world. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, to worldwide acclaim. League has gone on to be the most-played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports.
As League enters its second decade, Riot continues to evolve the game while delivering new experiences to players with VALORANT, Legends of Runeterra, Teamfight Tactics,League of Legends: Wild Rift, and multiple work-in-progress titles, while exploring the world of Runeterra through multimedia projects across music, comic books, TV, and more. Founded by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, Riot is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has 2,500+ Rioters in 20+ offices worldwide.
“Kingpins of the live music scene in the South West. Come Along is so fun and so polished, Pattern Pusher at their fines” – Sarah Gosling (BBC Introducing South & West)
“One of the most energetic live shows” – GQ Magazine
“Strong classic songwriting from start to finish” – Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music)
Pattern Pusher is an energetic funk-soul three piece from the South West who create uplifting, inspiring and optimistic music that is hitting all the right notes in a world crying out for positivity.
Prior to the UK’s initial lockdown, they had just won the Glastonbury Pilton competition (judged by Michael Eavis), played in front of 8,000 people, supported Wolf Alice and completed an epic festival season playing the main stages at Bearded Theory and Beautiful Days.
With no choice but to lock themselves away in the studio, the band have emerged in 2021 armed with their impressive debut album, a collaboration of their musical prowess and a nod to the classic artists they so admire. Inspired by the vintage approach of 60s and 70s classic songwriting, Pattern Pusher draw influence from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Jamiroquai and Primal Scream with a bright and new energy.
The band is fronted by Alex Johnstone on the keys, whose soaring soulful vocals are evocative of Donny Hathaway and Ray Charles, while Benny G’s wild energy on the bass and Benny C’s grooving drum rhythms underpin an unconventional line up with a classic sound. Their crusade of happiness has earned them a loyal fan base, accolades from BBC Radio 6, support from BBC Introducing, and a string of festival shows; now lining up on the same bills as their idols.
New single Come Along is the band’s first release in over a year. Both lyrically and sonically the song is looking to a brighter future, after a tough time for society, helping each other out and feeling hopeful for better days ahead. They worked with producer John Waddell in Oxford and the song was mixed by the legendary Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro).
Bursting into life with driving keys and a pulsating bass line, the single is sure to be an anthem for the summer, injecting some much-needed positivity into a music scene that has suffered a great deal over the last year.
The band recently gave ‘Come Along’ its first public performance as part of the online Music Feeds concert headlined by Liam Gallagher, Blossoms and Sam Smith that raised over £1 million for charity. Recorded in their own studio, the session earned them the accolade of the best performance of the night from many of the concert viewers and they are now in talks with the organizers James about accompanying them on live dates.
Their forthcoming album is already attracting significant industry attention. Pattern Pusher have recently signed a management deal and have already landed their first big sync placement with Guessable on Comedy Central.
“We are so excited to be able to finally share the new music that we have been working on with the world. We have a renewed spring in our step, and we are marching into 2021 with positivity and excitement”.
Autumn Tour Dates: 3rd November – Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney, London 13th November – The Cavern, Exeter Further dates to be announced
Additional Live Dates: 30th July – Rock Oyster Festival 27th August – The Great Estate Festival 3rd September – Bosfest 4th September – Shebfest 4th September – On the Road Festival 25th September – The Loft Live Sessions (supporting Will and The People)
PUMA SIGNS WNBA SUPERSTAR BREANNA STEWART TO GROUNDBREAKING DEAL
PUMA and Breanna Stewart make history; partnership to include signature shoe
Global sports company PUMA has signed a long-term, groundbreaking partnership with WNBA MVP and Champion Breanna Stewart “Stewie.” The superstar athlete will serve as a brand ambassador both on and off the court and will play a vital role in helping grow PUMA’s business, by collaborating and creating products including a signature shoe.
“I am proud to join the PUMA family,” said Breanna Stewart. “We share a vision to grow the sport and welcome everyone – specifically women and girls – globally. The genuine investment PUMA has shown to collaborate with and activate around women, including the commitment to a signature performance shoe, is something that I hope serves to raise the expectations and standards of the generations of basketball players who follow me.”
Stewart has set a new standard throughout her career, including being the only player of any gender to win four consecutive NCAA Championships and a four-time Most Outstanding Player during her time at the University of Connecticut, being the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft, celebrating a gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics and capping off last year’s WNBA season with her second Championship and Finals MVP.
Beyond the court, Stewart is known for advocacy work around equality and social justice, standing up for Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ community. She also has embraced the opportunity to lend her support and give back to the community by investing in basketball development programs and donating to great organizations like the Black Future Lab.
“We are thrilled to welcome Breanna Stewart into our PUMA family,” said Adam Petrick, Global Director of Brand and Marketing for PUMA. “She embodies what it means to be a PUMA athlete with her on-court determination to her off-court activism for equality in all forms. We are excited to work together in many ways to not only be an advocate in the community but to also help grow the sport for women everywhere.”
Stewart also will be part of PUMA’s newest women’s platform “She Moves Us,” which celebrates women who move culture and sports forward and inspire other women around the world.
