About Skyler Johnson

Rolls-Royce Coachbuild

According to Robb Report, Beyoncé and Jay-Z may be the proud owners of one of these vehicles.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is honored to present the next chapter of its Boat Tail coachbuilt commission—one of just three that have been, and ever will be, made.

The essence of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is that each commission tells a story entirely unique and personal to its owner, reflecting their own history, tastes and sensibilities. With this in mind, Boat Tail, revealed at Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este 2022, on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, is a masterwork of restraint, sophistication, elegance and attention to detail.

Boat Tail is entirely hand-built, with the body panels fashioned from vast, single sheets of aluminum to create the distinctive outline inspired by the racing yachts of the early 20^th century. In every respect, this remarkable motor car is entirely unique.

This Boat Tail design was commissioned by a patron whose family business has grown from his father’s origins in the pearling industry. Widely traveled, internationally educated and cosmopolitan in his tastes and influences, the client is an established patron of the arts, who additionally owns a sizable collection of classic and modern cars, housed in a dedicated private museum.

The foundation of the color is a shimmering blend of oyster and soft rose, with large white and bronze mica flakes adding a unique pearlescent quality that changes subtly under different light conditions. The contrasting cognac-colored bonnet, created specifically for this Boat Tail, contains fine bronze and gold colored aluminum mica flakes complete with a layer of crystal and iced matte clear coat, adding significant warmth and depth to the car’s appearance. The technical fiber lower sills of Boat Tail incorporate a rose gold woven thread.

The rear deck, which houses Boat Tail’s unique ‘butterfly-design’ hosting suite, is swathed in Royal Walnut veneer, inlaid with rose gold-plated pinstripes with a satin-brushed finish to ensure a sensitive and sophisticated appearance. The Royal Walnut was specifically selected by the client for its beautiful properties as it matures over time, a material that will gradually transition to the tonal properties of the cognac color. From above, one observes a harmonious balance and satin effect of the iced bonnet and tactile wooden rear deck, in contrast with the high-gloss front and side perspectives.

From the front, the Pantheon Grille, milled from a single, solid billet of aluminum, is graced with a Spirit of Ecstasy fashioned in rose gold.

The interior is a beautifully curated combination of perfectly matched cognac and oyster-colored leathers and Royal Walnut veneer, with rose gold and mother-of-pearl accents throughout. The leathers, complete with a pearlescent finish, accentuate the surfaces and forms of Boat Tail’s seats and interior design. The transmission tunnel is formed from Royal Walnut veneer with rose gold pinstripes, drawing a direct visual reference to the rear deck and adding a glowing warmth to Boat Tail’s interior.

The centerpiece of the dashboard is a timepiece made from mother-of-pearl, chosen and supplied by the client from his own collection; the fascia of which is pure and minimal in its appearance so as not to detract from the precious material. The same prized substance graces the control switches and instrument dials, creating a strong visual and material connection between the car, the owner, and his family heritage.

Rolls-Royce front via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

Rolls-Royce interior via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

Rolls-Royce engine via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

NFT Animal Series

Location Services

Craft in America is pleased to present a female-led exhibition investigating the concept of place in relation to personal narrative, identity, and materiality. Location Services: Jewelry Perspectives on Time & Place spotlights three distinct points of view on place through the lens of contemporary jewelry. This exhibition brings together the work of Motoko Furuhashi, Kerianne Quick, and Demitra Thomloudis and features an on-site collaborative research space shared between the artists. Viewers will be invited into the process through interactive features of the artists’ work.

Location Services looks at site as inspiration, as material, and as a point of interaction through three distinct craft practices. Through the creation of wearables, the three artists promote a conversation about place.

Furuhashi, Quick, and Thomloudis share a common interest in site, place, and origin. Approaching this shared subject from three distinct perspectives, the artists construct a holistic view through crafted responses, which are unequivocally individual. Motoko Furuhashi uses direct experiences to capture the physical and non-physical memories of selected locations. By collecting material directly from the site and creating through performative actions, Furuhashi claims site as an extension of her studio. Furuhashi’s collection of surfaces are applied to jewelry, bringing site directly to the wearers body. Kerianne Quick focuses on material origins, histories, and supply chain information to bring the wearer/viewer an expanded perspective. Connecting to the history of jewelry as objects of remembrance—the work reminds us that history is present, even when it is unseen. Demitra Thomloudis pushes and plays with scale, placement, materials, and form to capture facets of the places we reside, visit and explore. Her work reveals the consideration of site within the construct of jewelry and creates the opportunity to examine aspects of place, identity, value and material sign systems.

About the Artists

Motoko Furuhashi was born in Tokyo, Japan. She received an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, she teaches at New Mexico State University. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Oakland Museum of California, Alliages Contemporary Art Jewellery in Lille, France and Nobana Art Works in Ginza in Tokyo, Japan.

Kerianne Quick is a third-generation Los Angelina and Assistant Professor of Art at San Diego State University. She received her BA with an emphasis in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at San Diego State University, and her MFA in Metals from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Highlights from her exhibition record include the National Museum for Women in the Arts, the Museum of Art and Design in New York, Museo Franz Mayer in Mexico City, the Salon del Mobile in Milan, and Design Week Amsterdam. Her work is included in major collections such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Design Museum den Bosch (formerly Stedelijk).

Demitra Thomloudis is a studio jeweler and an assistant professor in the jewelry and metalwork area at the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia. Her exhibition record includes predominant institutions such as the Museum of Arts and Design in New York; The Benaki Museum in Athens, Greece; The Museum for Modern Art in Arnhem, Netherlands; The Hellenic Museum in Melbourne, Australia and the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City, Mexico.

thuy – i hope u see this (deluxe)

Vietnamese singer-songwriter thuy (pronounced twee) released the deluxe edition of her critically-acclaimed debut EP, i hope u see this. The fourteen-track project is a reflection of thuy‘s truth, unraveling the complexities of love through a utopia of harmonies that spotlight heartbreak, love, empowerment, and self-confidence. i hope u see this (deluxe) introduces five more reasons as to how thuy is paving the future for modern R&B in her own right.

“The deluxe project is a continuation of the theme that I’m closing the door on the past in order to enter a new chapter in my life,” thuy said with excitement about the deluxe EP.

i hope u see this (deluxe) is a cohesive body of work that celebrates thuy‘s innate musicality. It’s a consistent approach, meant to be played in any setting that honors emotion. Songs like “distance between us” prove that thuy’s regaining control over those overwhelming thoughts and unwanted feelings that have sapped her energy over the years. Her smooth vocals permeate the work, flirting over bouncy percussion that grinds into a catchy hook with “inhibitions” featuring P-Lo.

When trying to make sense of thuy, you’re introduced to a fiery songstress that’s capable of making the best out of a bad situation. “in my bag” featuring Destiny Rogers channels those elements of misfortune into a deeper meaning that encourages listeners to remain focused in the face of adversity. Diving deeper into the remix, thuy explains, “the ‘in my bag’ remix with Destiny Rogers is a major women empowerment anthem and that’s why I knew I wanted to get another female artist on it. Destiny Rogers was the perfect feature for this remix; she just exudes confidence and drive. I wanted to really embody the idea that women can be bosses and to never count us out of anything because we always come out on top!”

About Thuy

thuy is a recording artist and songwriter who marked her debut in 2015 with her first radio record, “Hands on Me”. Born and raised in the Bay Area, the now LA-based artist has released several records showcasing her angelic vocals, skillful songwriting, and modern R&B stylings. Having amassed over 150 million streams and garnered support from premier publications including Billboard, Rolling Stones, Paper, VIBE, Harper’s Bazaar, Lyrical Lemonade, MTV, NBC, Flaunt, and more thuy is setting herself apart in the pop R&B scene.

As a Vietnamese-American recording artist, thuy was featured in Paper’s first feature on Southeast Asian-American artists, highlighting how the rising artist has “carved out a space for herself both within and beyond the community of self-made Asian-American musical artists that have emerged in the streaming era.”2021 marked a turning point for thuy, who released her debut EP: i hope u see this. The project shares a beautiful and introspective collection of records touching on heartbreak, love, empowerment, and self-confidence. Through the project, thuy hopes that her music continues to inspire confidence in others and to be a voice for those who want to feel seen.

JUANES – Un Dia Normal

Celebrating a milestone anniversary for one of Latin Music’s seminal and uplifting albums this century, Universal Music Latino has announced two special 20-year anniversary editions of JUANES’ record-setting and global breakthrough album, Un Dia Normal. A digital-only 20-year Anniversary edition (remastered in HighResAudio and Dolby Atmos) is now available at all major Digital Music providers, while a limited vinyl, CD and cassette special edition (providing fans with a combination of demo recordings & Juanes‘ personal commentary) can now be pre-ordered HERE. Here’s what people had to say.

“Twenty years ago, Juanes released his breakthrough album… with its mix of catchy pop, cutting rock, and traditional Latin sounds, Un Día Normal took him to an entirely new level. It spent 92 weeks on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, setting a record at the time, and it spun off gigantic back-to-back hits such as ‘A Dios Le Pido,’ ‘Mala Gente,’ and ‘Es Por Ti,’ all songs that helped define pop-rock in Spanish for that era. The album won six Latin Grammy [awards], including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year—and it made Juanes a star. …he remembers putting together the album during a hectic, emotional time, filled with highs and lows that inspired the sound of the record. He talks about the changes he was going through at the time, how he drew from his past, and how Un Día Normal changed the game,” said Rolling Stone.

“One of Latin Music’s greatest… and most essential albums… Juanes‘ contagious beats and socially conscious lyrics were a huge success… single ‘A Dios le Pido’ became a Latin anthem… and ‘Un Dia Normal’ conquered the Billboard Latin Albums chart for two straight years, remaining in the top 10 for 92 weeks and won [six] Latin Grammy awards. …it perfectly captured the mainstream possibilities of singing in Spanish,” said Billboard.

Juanes on the Album

“I was passing through a very dark moment and a very light moment, and I think Un Día Normal really showed that in the music. Songs like ‘A Dios le Pido’ and ‘Es Por Ti’ were inspired by my family, my hope for better days, and also my wife, actually. I was completely in love and I thought at [the] time that my life was really changing in a very positive way. Un Día Normal reflected all of that. At the beginning of my musical journey, I started with folk music from all of South America. It was very normal [for] me to listen to tango and bolero, rancheras, vallenatos, cumbias. Then, when I became a teenager, I became crazy over rock music. I was an extremely big fan of heavy metal and Metallica. And then at some point around my twenties, I just realized that I needed to go back to my roots and I wanted to bring some elements of all of that to my music.”

Stuffed Cheddar Burger

With summer quickly approaching, it is time to get by the pool, relax, and grill some delicious food. Every year, May 28^th marks National Burger Day, ironically this year, it coincides with Memorial Day weekend! With that in mind, The Cheesecake Factory has the perfect treat to wow all your family and friends at this year’s cook-out.

The iconic restaurant brand has shared their recipe for the Stuffed Cheddar Burger. Nothing screams summer like a BBQ! With National Burger Day falling on the Saturday of MDW, now you have the perfect excuse to make this decadent and classic burger at home from The Cheesecake Factory.

Ingredients

8 oz. Ground Beef 80/20
1 slice Sharp Cheddar
1 slice American Cheese
1/4 tsp. Coarse Salt
1/8 tsp. Black Pepper, ground
1 ea. Hamburger Bun
1 Tbl. Butter, melted
1/4 tsp. Coarse Salt
1/8 tsp. Black Pepper, ground
1 Tbl.1000 Island
1/2 oz. Iceberg Lettuce, sliced thin
1 slice Tomato
5 ea. Dill Pickle Chips
1-1/2 oz. Caramelized Onions

Procedure for stuffing burger patty

Place plastic wrap onto a clean work surface. Mound the ground beef onto the center. Place another piece over the mound. Use a flat-bottomed pan or pot to press the meat out into a patty approximately 8″ in diameter. Remove the top layer of plastic wrap. Place the cheese slices, stacked onto the patty. Break off the corners of the cheese and place onto the rounded slices before carefully folding the excess meat over the cheese, covering it completely. Use the plastic wrap to help fold the meat over the cheese and press to form a patty. Repeat the process as needed (if making more than 1) and wrap the patties individually in plastic to store. Let the patties rest under refrigeration for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking and up to 24 hours.

Assembling Burger

Place the prepped stuffed cheddar burger patty onto the grill and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes then turn the burger 45° to mark and cook an additional 2 minutes. Brush the melted butter onto the cut sides of the bun and place (cut side down) onto a gridle or non-stick pan to toast approx. 30-60 seconds. Remove the bun and set aside until needed. Flip the burger over and cook 2 minutes. Turn the burger 45° to mark and continue to cook 2 minutes. Season the burger with salt and pepper just before removing it from the grill. Spread the dressing evenly over the bottom. Mound the iceberg lettuce onto the bottom bun. Top with the tomato slice and pickle chips. Set the burger on top of the pickle chips. Mound the warm onions evenly onto the burger. Place the top bun onto the burger and enjoy! Be careful, the cheese in the center will be very hot!

Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine

Lighthouse Immersive is proud to announce it raised $250,000 to support Ukraine through Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine showings in multiple North American cities. Emboldened to assist Ukraine with its ongoing crisis, Lighthouse Immersive, the producers of the Original Immersive Van Gogh, arranged to have an existing immersive exhibit celebrating the work of Ukrainian artist, poet, philosopher and public figure Taras Shevchenko brought to North America.

Premiering March 15 in Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston; April in Pittsburgh and Cleveland; ticket sales from Immersive Shevchenko directly supported First Theatrical Charitable Foundation, which focuses on humanitarian needs of Ukrainians with a specific focus on elderly arts and culture workers and other social priority groups who have been left without adequate support at this time and to the National Bank of Ukraine Fund.

In 2021, Ukraine-born Lighthouse Immersive Associate Producer Valeriy Kostyuk, working with a Ukraine-based team including Producer Natalia Delieva, Creative Director Tais Poda, Composer Timur Polyansky, and Curator-Consultant Dmytro Stus, developed and launched an immersive exhibit of Shevchenko’s work in Odesa. Kostyuk sought to apply the artistry and innovation that Lighthouse Immersive practiced with Vincent Van Gogh to one of Ukraine’s most beloved cultural figures. He was able to work with the National Museum of Taras Shevchenko in Kyiv to obtain access to their collection of paintings, resulting in a one-of-a-kind sensory experience that President Zelensky himself visited before the war began. Lighthouse Immersive worked with the Ukrainian producers in Kyiv and Odesa to bring the exhibit to North America so they can share Ukrainian art and culture with audiences abroad while raising funds for a righteous cause.

“I was happy to find a way to use my experiences producing in North America to promote Ukrainian artists,” comments Kostyuk. “Ukrainian culture is as beautiful and moving and important as the culture of any other country in the world, and Shevchenko is, in many ways, a father of the independent Ukrainian nation. I have been moved and inspired beyond words by the endurance and resilience of the Ukrainian people in this moment and I am deeply thankful to the incredible team in Ukraine who partnered with me on this project, as well as to the producers at Lighthouse Immersive for standing with me in this moment.”

The war continues in Ukraine as invading Russian forces continue to encounter fierce resistance. Amidst the bombardments and firefights, workers at the National Museum of Taras Shevchenko crate away valuable pieces of artwork in the exact same containers used to shield them from invading Nazi forces in 1941 to hide the valuable national artwork from the invading Russian Military forces as gunfire erupts just down the street. An artist, poet, writer and political activist of the mid-19th century, Shevchenko was known for expressing themes of Ukrainian oppression by the Russian government in his art.

“It was inspiring to see everyone come together to support the people of Ukraine and be able to donate to Ukrainian charities including the National Bank of Ukraine Fund, Ukrainian Red Cross Society, and First Theatrical Charitable Foundation,” says Lighthouse Immersive Producer Corey Ross.

Taras Shevchenko (March 9, 1814-March 10, 1861) is largely considered a cultural trailblazer of the independent Ukrainian nation. Born a serf, Shevchenko was freed in 1838 while a student at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art. A master of Ukrainian painting/graphic art and a spiritual leader, Shevchenko was the founder of critical realism and the folk element in Ukrainian fine arts. Shevchenko’s creative output primarily reflected the socio-political reality of the Ukrainian people of that period and largely expressed themes of Ukrainian oppression by the Russian government and calls for Ukrainian liberation.

About Lighthouse Immersive

Lighthouse Immersive creates, produces and distributes innovative digital immersive art experiences through its experiential entertainment multiplex digital art galleries, aiming to cultivate community and creativity through large-scale events and exhibitions of all art forms. Lighthouse Immersive offers versatile spaces for creators to present their work while engaging audiences in unique art experiences that encourage dialogue and inspire new artistic creations. Lighthouse Immersive has produced the world premiere of Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Frida Kahlo and Immersive Klimt: Revolution to more than 21 North American cities. Recognized as the leader in immersive art experiences, Lighthouse Immersive custom-designs each of their venues, named Lighthouse ArtSpace, to distinctly envelop the various architectural settings they inhabit. It operates galleries in a range of historic venues including refurbished industrial and retail spaces. Since 2021, the company has opened or is opening 21 new galleries in North American cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Boston and Denver, and is currently expanding into additional markets. To date, Lighthouse Immersive has sold 5 million tickets to Immersive Van Gogh across North America, with Artnet calling it “one of the largest coordinated art phenomena of all time.”

X-Men: Hellfire Gala

Mutantkind is set to send shockwaves through the Marvel Universe yet again in this year’s HELLFIRE GALA! A night overflowing with heavy drama, surprise guests, and game-changing revelations, the event will take place in July’s “X-MEN: HELLFIRE GALA #1,” a giant-sized one-shot written by current X-Men writer Gerry Duggan along with an all-star lineup of artists: Kris Anka, Russell Dauterman, Matteo Lolli and C.F. Villa.

A Marvel Comic of such magnitude wouldn’t be complete without an incredible variant cover from artist Stanley “Artgerm” Lau! The mega-popular cover artist depicts Jean Grey in her now iconic Hellfire Gala outfit from last year, ready to announce the new team of X-Men!

At last year’s gala, mutants changed the face of the solar system, terraforming Mars and claiming it for mutantkind. Don’t dare miss this issue to see what comes next! Stay tuned for more news about “X-MEN: HELLFIRE GALA #1,” including an exciting sneak peek! For more information, click HERE.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, 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 for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

Reckless in Vegas × SAHARA

Reckless In Vegas, whose utterly distinctive sound offers a modern twist on Vintage Vegas, announced tickets are now on sale for its ongoing engagement at SAHARA Las Vegas, beginning June 30. Performing in the Las Vegas Strip’s fabled resort-casino, which recently completed a $150 million renovation and where Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Buddy Hackett and Don Rickles once graced the showroom stage, Reckless In Vegas will appear in the SAHARA Las Vegas Theatre on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8:30 PM. Audiences can look forward to rocking out to the power trio’s exhilarating original renditions of beloved classics by the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley and more.

Reckless In Vegas steals audiences away to the bygone days of Las Vegas when the drinks were strong, the entertainers were charismatic and the music was intoxicating. The show combines the imagery, comedic banter, glamorous showgirls and classic music from Sin City’s 1960s “glory days” with a contemporary rock band aesthetic.

Members Michael Shapiro (band founder, lead vocals, guitar), Jack E. Roth (drums) and Chris Nichols (bass, vocals) have created a high-energy show incorporating live performances of modern versions of songs by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Sonny & Cher, Frankie Valli, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and Bobby Darin with dynamic production-show elements.

Whether audiences remember the swinging Vegas lounge-era days or were born much later, Reckless In Vegas brings something for everyone. Video montages, dialogue, humor, modern hard-rocking grooves and tender moments of balladry combine to create a truly original take on this classic genre. Think The Rat Pack meets Green Day.

“Performing at the historic—yet completely reimagined—SAHARA Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip represents a dream come true for me,” says Shapiro. “There exists no better venue for our band, which reinvents and reinvigorates classic Las Vegas entertainment for contemporary audiences.”

About Michael Shapiro

Shapiro was raised in Las Vegas and, after stints in Oregon and California, returned to his hometown in 2015. He picked up his first instrument at age 13, and trained hard in guitar, vocals, piano and trumpet, attuning his ear to classical opera as well as rock. A chance encounter with a family friend struck the right chord and paved Shapiro’s way into music. At age 16, he had the opportunity to jam with Bruce Springsteen. The rocker’s energetic marathon performances spurred Shapiro to develop a taste for a raucous stage presence. After playing in various cover bands in his teens, Shapiro formed the band Trip, released several albums and toured. Being part of the VH1 Rock Across America Tour, Trip opened for such artists as Edwin McCain, Duncan Sheik, The Romantics and Cheap Trick. It was during an ill-fated gig opening for Great White when a tragic fire struck, that moved Shapiro to deeply reflect on life’s vagaries and whims.

He bounced back, releasing his first solo album, Somehow, Someway, and toured nationally, opening for the alt-rock band Live. After moving to San Rafael, Calif., he formed the power trio: Reckless in Vegas.

Shapiro’s style yields insight into his influences: Jimi Hendrix‘s relentless guitar riffs, Journey‘s Neal Schon, Carlos Santana and the melodic and powerful vocal styling of U2′s Bono.

About Jack E. Roth

With more than 35 years’ experience, Roth has played drums and percussion on hundreds of projects associated with major labels and otherwise (including work with MCA, Universal, Interscope, MTV, VH1, Artisan, EA Sports), resulting in an extensive knowledge of playing, recording, production and engineering techniques.

Roth has performed all over the United States, headlining and opening for Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Puddle of Mudd, Chickenfoot, Buckcherry, Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour), Fuel, Living Colour, Trapt, Adelita’s Way, Steel Panther, Deep Dark Robot, Cold, Smashmouth, Danzig, Static-X, Fear Factory, Slaughter, Vince Neil, Dokken, Ratt, Eddie Money, Michael Angelo, Rick Derringer, Michael McDonald, Dennis DeYoung (Styx), The Commodores, The Romantics, Al Stewart, Starship, Berlin, Mark Farmer (Grand Funk), The Family Stone, Pat Travers, Edgar Winter, Canned Heat, Ten Years After, Steppenwolf, Marshall Tucker Band, Three Dog Night, War, The Fixx, Vixen, Shotgun Messiah, Kik Tracee, Gilby Clark, Life, Sex & Death, Bang Tango, Gary Hoey and Love/Hate, among others.

He has also played in backing bands for Randy Jackson (Mariah Carey, Journey, American Idol), Dee Snider, Meat Loaf, Sabastian Bach (Skid Row), Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Deborah Gibson, Sheri Belafonte, Frank Hannon (Tesla), Tony Fredianelli (Third Eye Blind), Steve Plunkett (Autograph) and Paul Revere & the Raiders.

Roth is endorsed by Ayotte Drums, Aquarian Drumheads and Gibraltar Hardware and is a proud member of ASCAP.

About Chris Nichols

Born in Newark, Ohio, as the son of a piano teacher, Nichols studied the piano, cello, guitar, drums and bass. His early years led him to Nashville where he toured with several artists throughout the nation. His desire to “Go West” led him to Las Vegas when the mob still owned the town. He saw the Sands and the Dunes casinos fall to their demise. Since moving to Sin City, he has recorded on several records both as an artist and an engineer. Nichols actually shared the stage with Shapiro in Trip as they ascended to the height of that band’s career. With the help of several bands, he has also shared stages with Willie Nelson, Chris Isaak, Toto, Peter Frampton, Rick James and Lifehouse, to name just a few.

Dance Your Style US Champion

Premier global street dance competition Red Bull Dance Your Style completed its U.S. run on Sunday, May 22nd crowning David “The Crown” Stalter as the U.S. champion. The Crown will go on to represent the USA at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

David “The Crown” Stalter is a Liberian-Korean, Minneapolis born and raised, self-taught dancer. Although a dancer his whole life, David began to take his craft seriously in 2012, teaching himself the styles of hip-hop, animation, breaking, popping, locking, house, and more. His dedication and skill has landed him work with artists such as G-Eazy, Lil Jon, Skee-Lo and more. In addition to dance, David is also an actor, model, poet, DJ and ukulele player.

The Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final USA took place at Generations Hall, a repurposed 1820s sugar refinery located in the historic French Quarter, reclaiming this space as their own. Ultimately, the crowd determined who represents the U.S. in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final. Pell hosted the competition as DJ mikeyoffline spontaneously chose tracks engaging the dancers and the audience with a mix of unforgettable chart-toppers and timeless jams.

In addition to the competition, the weekend offered curated parties, performances, workshops and showcases helmed by celebrated dancers, musicians and DJ’s that highlighted the storied history and eclectic vibe of New Orleans. Jookin’ legend Ladia Yates taught the essentials of freestyle while Bounce choreographers and dancers Skip & Flash explained how to win the crowd. South Korean popping phenom Dassy delved into all-style battle strategy.

The homegrown sub-genre was popularized by artists like DJ Jubilee, Juvenile and Big Freedia. Characterized by midtempo reworkings of familiar samples, booming brass-band percussion and call-and-response routines, bounce music made the party shake. Between the events, barbecues, crawfish boils, and second line performances, the weekend was bursting with Southern flavor and rhythm from beginning to end.

International Dance Day celebrates dance as an inspirational artform, and one of the most powerful and universal forms of expression. Red Bull Dance Your Style honors the diverse dance community by unifying artists and dance scenes from all corners of the globe on one stage. In further celebration of the holiday, Red Bull will feature live classes from its global roster of dancers on the RedBullDance Instagram throughout the day on Friday, April 29 including appearances from Dassy and her crew Femme Fatale and LA-based Storm DeBarge.

About Red Bull Dance Your Style

Red Bull Dance Your Style is an all-styles dance competition that challenges the best dancers across the world through improvisational, 1:1 battles. With no pre-planned music or choreography, dancers must wow the crowd, as the audience plays judge to decide the winner. The competition will conclude with the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals where winners from over 30 countries will descend upon Johannesburg, South Africa to battle it out for the coveted Red Bull Dance Your Style World Championship.