Posts made in December 2023

50 cent in Miami for nye via 360 MAGAZINE.

50 CENT + CASA MATILDA’S

Bottles were popping all night for the private dinner hosted by 50 Cent at Miami’s newest hotspot, Casa Matilda’s.

Presented by Barry Mullineaux and Phil The Mayor of Perk Marketing Group.

Notable guests including American Actor and TV Host Terrence J, American Actor Cuba Gooding Jr., Member of the Florida House of Representatives Fabian Basabe, Entrepreneur Joey MorrisseyTania VujasinKarima Bah, and more, were indulging themselves in 50’s liquor Branson Cognac and Le Chemin Du Roi champagne. 

50 got up and welcomed everyone with the toast, saying how much he loves Miami and how happy he is to christen the first night at Casa Matilda’s

Casa Matilda’s is a wonderful new Mexican steakhouse in the south of Fifth in Miami Beach. 50 is in town to also celebrate New Year’s Eve which he will host at M2 on NYE. 

How to Throw an Amazing Party

(and What Music to Listen To)

We all know that being the host can sometimes feel like we’re juggling flaming chainsaws, right? The venue, guest-list, and yeah – scoring that perfectly curated playlist. Now, a party without good music is kind of like a pizza without cheese – it just ain’t right.

But don’t sweat it! Here to help navigate you through the highs and lows of throwing an unforgettable shindig – from killer tunes to crowd control tips – is your friendly neighborhood event guru. Ready? Let’s crank up this jam!

Decoding the Party Mix: Setting Your Sonic Mood

The right music sets the tempo, like a drummer leaning into that backbeat. And just like a good stew, the perfect playlist needs time to simmer. Tossing in whatever comes to mind might leave you with an end product that’s more ‘erhm’ than ‘mmm’. You don’t want Beethoven crashing into Beyoncé any more than you’d want jalapenos crashing into your chocolate cake (unless you’re into that sort of thing). 

Start off light – think cocktail nibbles. Bands like Tame Impala or Arctic Monkeys blend smoothly – they’ve got vibes softer than pajamas fresh out of the dryer but snappy enough to get toes tapping. 

As temperatures rise and chats gather steam, upshift your audio gears without lurching too hard on the throttle; no one wants a sonic whiplash! A bit of Lipa or Swift could do the trick here, adding some fuego without burning down La Casa.

And when it’s time for those dance-offs? Marvin Gaye, Bruno Mars—or even old-school MJ can moonwalk everyone onto the dance floor faster than you can say “Billie Jean.”

Party Savers: Failsafe Tricks to Keep the Good Vibes Flowing

Every host knows the horror of seeing conversation wells dry up or dance floors empty faster than a microwave on popcorn mode. But fear not, dear party planner – here’s a few ace tricks for keeping that ship sailing smooth.

First off, good old props! You’d be surprised how a random hat or some zany sunglasses lying around can break ice like an Arctic expedition. Nothing sparks chatter quite like Uncle Bob strutting about in flamingo-pink shades at midnight.

If you’re going for an adults-only event and your guests are open to it, you might even consider offering cannabis-based goodies. Companies nowadays have refined their offerings beyond the stereotypical ‘special brownies’, so why not buy Delta-9 THC gummies online? They’re sweet little party additions that can lighten moods – just remember to offer these responsibly! 

Finally, when all else fails, make sure you’ve got a little something called “dance circle starters” in your arsenal – those boogie-bound friends who’d start dancing under a streetlight if you let them loose! Encourage them onto the floor for some instant action and watch others follow suit. The key is making sure everyone feels comfortable enough to let their hair down!

Party Aftermath: Winding Down and Leaving Them Wanting More

As the clock ticks and the evening mist takes over, it’s traditionally ‘closing time’, folks. Now, you’ve rocked the house down but how you wrap things up can be just as crucial – it’s like dessert after a gourmet meal. You don’t want people feeling like they’ve been karate-chopped out of the door.

Begin slowing the rhythm like a dancer ending a flamenco. Opt for music with a chilled-out vibe, something along the lines of Norah Jones or even good ol’ Sinatra. This lets guests know that it’s time to park those dancing shoes without abruptly switching off their party modes.

Finally, wind up with some parting notes – funny awards, takeaway goodie bags (remember those childhood birthday parties) or an encore from your playlist to gather everyone for one last hoorah!

And there we go! Be it ensuring you’re armed with attention-grabbing tunes; dishing out fun props or offering those sweet Delta-9 gummies; and wrapping up on just-right notes – you’re now prepared to host quite a shindig!

But let’s not stop here – what are your sure-shot tricks to light up any party?

WINTER BREAK

Collegiate must-haves of the moment


BLVCK

French designer and founder Julian O’Hayon has hit a home run with the Blvck Baseball Jacket. The monochromatic design makes this one of the most effortless yet chic pieces for any male’s wardrobe. This is a staple item that can be dressed up or down. From Equinox to an epic night on the town, this stunning piece features monogrammed lining, leather sleeves, a signature emblem, and snake embroidery on the front. The size is accurate, and the fit is tailored.

Mixed media artist and mogul Vaughn lowery via 360 MAGAZINE.

*Featured image of mixed media artist and mogul Vaughn Lowery.

AOHSOA

An edgy fashion capsule from Ace of Haze, Style of Ace presents a nostalgic twist. Their black varsity jacket is an ultra-limited edition and offers bespoke finishings upon request. Modestly priced at $400 with a large logo patch on the back and an embroidered wrist band. The black and gold motif is reminiscent of the first intercollegiate fraternal association of Divine Nine, Alpha Phi Alpha, which was founded at Cornell University on December 6, 1906.

AOHOSA designer Armon Hayes models for 360 MAGAZINE.

LOUIS VUITTON

Pharrell Williams brings his own unique play on colors, reimagining Louis Vuitton heritage emblems, patterns, and stylings. The collection illustrates the connective power of travel through nautical themes with hints of surfing and tropical floral prints, making the wardrobe easily celebrated across continents. Made up of sailor like silhouettes and exaggerated sandals and sneakers inspired by the formality of loafers, the wardrobe transports the modern-day working man from formal to beach.

Pharrell creative director of Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall show in Hong Kong via 360 MAGAZINE.

GUCCI

Gucci unveils an innovative iteration of its heritage Horsebit 1955 bag, transformed through an asymmetrical aesthetic and brought to life in Demetra—an innovative animal-free material that combines quality, softness, and
durability—in collaboration with iconic musical artist Billie Eilish, who is known for her bold advocacy.

Billie Eilish Gucci campaign via 360 MAGAZINE.

DOLCE&GABBANA

Since its inception, D&G has continued to pay tribute to the color black. The impact of well-made outerwear will last. Nicely paired with a white button-down shirt and skinny tie. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana continue to stay ahead of the trend within the luxury segment with bold statement pieces that are durable and hold their value while continuing to emphasize sustainability.

Dolce&Gabbana letterman jacket featured in 360 MAGAZINE.

Future of Decentralized social media on Blockchain

Introduction

The development of social media networks based on decentralized blockchain technology is a developing trend that the world has seen in recent years. By putting people in charge of their own data instead of having it controlled centrally, these platforms provide a new way to interact with social media. In this article, the potential effects of decentralized social media on the current state of social media are explored. You can visit fintech-insight.com for more such topics.

What is Decentralized social media?

Social media platforms based on blockchain technology are called decentralized social media platforms. Users have ownership of their data and can decide how their data is used on a decentralized website. Social media enables direct communication between employee and employee, in contrast to social media where one organization controls employee data.

How Decentralized social media Works

Blockchain technology is used to build networks, which is how social media works. The data is spread across a network of computers and then stored on a common server. The data is validated by other users on the network, and each user receives a copy.

Advantages of Decentralized social media

Decentralized social media platforms have several advantages over centralized social media platforms. Here are a few of them:

Data Privacy and Security

Users can store all their data online in a non-standard manner. As a result, they can decide what information to disclose and to whom. In addition to providing greater security, blockchain technology used by distributed social media makes it harder for hackers to gain access to user data.

Decentralization

Platforms for social media that are used nationally are not controlled by one organization. Instead, employees run the networks. This means that users can point out changes to the network and have a say in how the platform is managed.

Censorship Resistance

Decentralized social media platforms are resistant to censorship. Because the data is stored on a distributed network, it is difficult for governments or other entities to censor content.

Challenges of Decentralized social media

While decentralized social media platforms have many advantages, they also face several challenges. Here are a few of them:

User Adoption

Blockchain technology is still very young, and decentralized social media networks are still in their infancy. It may be challenging to draw new users to the site as a result.

Scalability

Scaling decentralized social media systems can be challenging. The fact that the data is dispersed throughout a network of computers makes it challenging to manage vast amounts of data.

Regulatory Challenges

Platforms for social media that are not centralized operate legally ambiguously. Decentralized social media networks now lack particular laws, which can make it challenging to function.

The Future of Decentralized social media on Blockchain

Despite the challenges, the future of decentralized social media on the blockchain seems promising. As more people gain exposure to blockchain technology, they are likely to begin adopting decentralized social networking networks. Additionally, advances in blockchain technology will make scaling easier and enhance the usability of these systems.

The social media landscape could change thanks to decentralized social media platforms. By granting users control over their data, decentralized social media platforms can provide a more transparent and trustworthy means of online information sharing. This can aid in restoring the dwindling confidence that users once had in social media platforms.

Potential Impact of Decentralized social media on Society

The way that individuals connect online may change as a result of decentralized social networks replacing centralized ones. Social media helps individuals to maintain privacy and control over their personal information by eliminating the middleman that controls that information. This might stop incorrect information from spreading on social media.

Platforms for decentralized social media can be utilized to promote fairness and social justice. Social media can help to lessen the power imbalance between entrepreneurs and social media businesses by allowing users on their platforms. This may contribute to the development of a more democratic and equitable society.

Conclusion

A fascinating new social media trend is decentralized social media platforms. By cutting out the middleman who manages users’ data, these services give users privacy and privacy. On the blockchain, social media appears to have a bright future, but there are still certain challenges to be solved. As more individuals learn about blockchain technology, social media sites will likely become standard.

ID via 360 MAGAZINE.

ID – DEATH BY FAME

Investigation Discovery, the leading true crime network, announced today the return of DEATH BY FAME for an all-new season this January, exploring more shocking true stories behind the rise, fall and murder of some of Hollywood’s most promising stars. Stories include the murders of “Jam Master Jay” of Run-D.M.C., actress Tara Correa-McMullen of Judging Amy, lawyer-turned-legal reality TV star Loredana Nesci and the suspicion surrounding the death of singer James Brown and the murder of his son-in-law, among others. Featuring criminal trial attorney Sara Azari as she reprises her role to provide expert commentary on each case, the second season premieres Monday, January 22 at 9/8c on ID.

Behind the bright lights of stardom lies a dark and sinister side of Hollywood where murder is the main character.  Though Tinseltown promises glitz and glamour, these stars’ stories end very differently. In the eight-episode new season of DEATH BY FAME, both rising stars and beloved icons meet a disturbing fate, whether through their own untimely death or acts of evil committed by their own hands. These stories have become their own Hollywood legends, often leaving more questions than answers.

The premiere episode, “A Rising Star Shot Down,” recounts the tragic tale of Tara Correa-McMullen, a young actress known for her role as Graciela Reyes on the television series Judging Amy. At just 15 years-old, Correa-McMullen rose to fame from the tough streets of Los Angeles, starring alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest actors and actresses. But a romance with the wrong person takes her down a dangerous path, and out of the spotlight forever.

Additional episodes this season explore the decades-old murder of musician Jason William Mizell, aka “Jam Master Jay” of the famed hip hop group Run-D.M.C., executed inside his recording studio; the death of singer James Brown, which some suspected to be murder and became further complicated by the subsequent shooting death of his son-in-law; Blake Leibel, an intern to comedian Jim Jefferies who led a flashy life – until he was convicted of a grisly murder; lawyer-turned-legal reality TV star Loredana Nesci who went from the spotlight to stabbing victim; Joseph Son, who starred in Austin Powers and carved out a career playing bad guys until his DNA was linked to a cold case, and more.

Use #DeathByFame to join the conversation and follow ID on FacebookInstagramTikTokX and YouTube for exclusive content.

DEATH BY FAME is produced for ID by Ample Entertainment.

About INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID)

Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading true crime network on television, delivering the highest-quality programming to more than 70 million U.S. households. For exclusive web content and bonus material, fans can follow ID on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or check out the network’s true crime blog, CrimeFeed. Investigation Discovery is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

SELENEE’s ‘I’ Collection runway & backstage debut at LAFW via 360 MAGAZINE.

SELENEE – I COLLECTION

SELENEE, the avant-garde luxury fashion brand, is captivating the fashion scene with its latest ‘I’ Collection—a remarkable blend of nature-inspired designs and cutting-edge technology. With an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing the unconventional, SELENEE is set to make waves at New York Fashion Week 2024.

At the core of the ‘I’ Collection is a celebration of individuality and a bold departure from conventional fashion norms. SELENEE’s artistic director, MT Yang and chief designer Claire Zhao, have ingeniously crafted each piece to tell a story of liberation and empowerment. Drawing inspiration from the historic confinement of women’s legs in crinolines during the Middle Ages, the collection symbolizes a contemporary liberation, with designs that empower women to break free from societal constraints and return to their authentic nature.

The ‘I’ Collection introduces an innovative 480-degree inward rotating sleeve structure, utilizing materials like medical silicone gel, fine-spun fabric wool, metal, and distinctive handmade and 3D printed elements. The result is a visually stunning and unique style that seamlessly blends contrasting materials and techniques.

SELENEE’s ‘I’ Collection runway & backstage debut at LAFW 

Black takes center stage as the primary color, chosen strategically by Yang and Zhao to convey a sense of power and vitality within the simplicity and elegance of the hue. Neutral tones, metallic accents, and contrasting colors are skillfully incorporated to achieve a harmonious balance in every detail, creating a collection that is both visually striking and conceptually rich.

SELENEE’s dedication to responsible and sustainable practices shines through in their choice of materials and production methods. The brand’s ethos aligns with a broader commitment to challenge the status quo and embrace innovation, not only in design but also in the quest for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Join SELENEE on a journey of restoration, revival, and rebirth, as they represent those who dare to challenge the norm, embracing the authentic pursuit of dreams through innovative abreathtaking designs.

For more information visit https://www.selenee.co/company or check out SELENEE’S Instagram

SELENEE’s ‘I’ Collection runway & backstage debut at LAFW via 360 MAGAZINE.
Travis Japan releases Road to A via 360 MAGAZINE.

Travis Japan – Road to A

Japanese boy group, Travis Japan, releases their highly-anticipated debut album, Road To A, out now via Capitol Records. You can listen to Road To A HERE. In addition, Travis Japan released the music video for the song, “Okie Dokie!”. You can watch the music video HERE.

Roughly one year after signing with Capitol Records, Travis Japan brings their debut album to the world. The album, Road To A, symbolizes Travis Japan’s pursuit of the essence of entertainment and fully encapsulates everything about Travis Japan as they prove to the world that they are authentic to who they are. The “A” within the album title is an abbreviation, as the “A” stands for authenticity.

Over the last ten years, Travis Japan has built a global fanbase for themselves through their immense talent and skills. Members of the group: Chaka, Umi, Shime, Noel, Shizu, Genta, and Machu have all dedicated themselves to their craft as they continuously strive to improve themselves as individuals and as a group. Chaka, the leader of the group, had these words to say about the album. “As Travis Japan, we are pleased to announce the release of our first album! It is full of our past and future, an album full of charm. No matter what, we are looking forward to your excitement as we move forward. Thank you so much for your support,” he says.

The album is being supported by their pre-release single, “LEVEL UP!”, produced by Sam Bergeson and pays homage to Travis Japan’s Japanese heritage as it features game sound effects from the iconic world of Japanese arcade games. With a total of 19 tracks, including their debut single, “JUST DANCE!” along with the following releases such as, “Moving Pieces” and “Candy Kiss”, Road to A is an album that’ll thrill audiences and cement the global appeal of Travis Japan!

Wrapping up the 2023 year, Travis Japan continues to grow as a group, with success in both the domestic and international markets. On December 6th, Travis Japan opened for Marshmello on his Japan Tour at the Tokyo Garden Theater. The group also just announced their nationwide arena tour in Japan, Travis Japan Concert Tour 2024 Road to Authenticity, for the top of the 2024 year. With the immense success happening in addition to the exciting year to come, Travis Japan cements themselves as an international group with no intention of slowing down.

Road To A Tracklist

  1. “JUST DANCE!”
  2. “LEVEL UP”
  3. “99 PERCENT”
  4. “Okie Dokie!”
  5. “Charging!”
  6. “DRIVIN’ ME CRAZY”
  7. “Love Tag”
  8. “Swing My Way”
  9. “Till The Dawn”
  10. “Seasons of Gold”
  11. “Keep On Smiling”
  12. “Candy Kiss”
  13. “Moving Pieces”
  14. “Turn Up The Vibe”
  15. “King of the Jungle”
  16. “So Sunday”
  17. “Still on a Journey”
  18. “My Dreamy Hollywood”
  19. “PARTY UP LIKE CRAZY”

Follow Travis Japan: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter

NLE CHOPPA via 360 MAGAZINE.

NLE CHOPPA – PISTOL PACCIN

With more than 31 million TikTok views, 4.7 million “likes,” and overwhelming demand from fans online, Memphis-bred rap star NLE Choppa is celebrating this holiday unwrapping his much-anticipated new music video “Pistol Paccin” featuring breakout Texas rapper BigXThaPlug via NLE Entertainment/Warner Records. Listen HERE and watch the music video HERE.

Tis’ the season of giving so NLE Choppa personally donated toys, clothes, and books to more than 300 hundred kids from his Parkway Village hometown in Memphis. “I’m just living my purpose, doing what God would want me to do. He blessed me to be able to bless others,” said the multi-platinum rapper. Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young attended the event to give his support to Choppa saying, “these are the type of feel-good moments our city needs.” Watch the full FOX 13 news clip HERE

From the jump, NLE Choppa’s flow leaves this soundscape in flames as the chantable chorus takes hold, “Pistol paccin, never lackin’, run up.” BigXThaPlug counters with a catchy and quotable verse punctuated by his laidback delivery and signature tone. In the accompanying visual, they dominate at an arena size basketball court, rapping right to the camera with clear intent. Filled with animated graphics and “meme-able” moments, the clips place them center court as the new generation’s champions!

“Pistol Paccin” just continues a hot streak for NLE Choppa. He recently uncovered the latest installment of his celebrated multi-platinum “Shotta Flow” series, “Shotta Flow 7.” Listen HERE and watch the music video HERE.

It vaulted to #13 on the TikTok Viral Music Chart with 156K “creates” to date. The music video also notably cracked the Top 30 on YouTube upon release. Plus, it has already gathered 14.6 million streams in addition to 3.3 million YouTube views. 

The ”Shotta Flow” series has impressively generated over 687.8M global streams and nearly 1B views. It kicked off in 2019 with “Shotta Flow,” which went triple-platinum and spawned a double-platinum Remix featuring BLUEFACE. “Shotta Flow 2” and “Shotta Flow 3” also both reached platinum status. “Shotta Flow 6” served as the opener to his acclaimed 2022 album, Me vs. Me, which posted up 111M global streams and counting, in addition to over 30M YouTube views on the music video.

Earlier this fall, NLE Choppa dropped Cottonwood 2: Deluxe 2.0. He added nine brand new tracks to his 2023 opus Cottonwood 2, offering the definitive vision of this body of work. Listen HERE.

He preceded Cottonwood 2: Deluxe 2.0 with his very first short film, Nightmare On Cottonwood. NLE Choppa personally co-directed Nightmare On Cottonwood alongside Ben Marc. Additionally, he attracted an all-star supporting cast to bring everything to life, including Kai Cenat, DDG, Sukihana, and Funny Marco, among others. Nightmare On Cottonwood showcases his influence as a true hometown hero and sees him evolve again—it’s no wonder GQ christened him “one of the biggest names in rap.” Watch HERE.

FOLLOW NLE CHOPPA:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Press Site | TikTok

Credit – Jimmy Fontaine

Pixel Power

5 Celebrities Addicted to Gaming 

In an era where video games have transcended mere entertainment to become a global cultural phenomenon, it’s no surprise that they’ve captured the attention of both ordinary people and superstars. Some celebrities have been open about their love for video games, with some even admitting to being addicted to gaming. Let’s be more specific here and talk about five celebrities who have been known to be avid gamers.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill, known for his roles in “The Witcher” and the DC Extended Universe, is an avid gamer who has been open about his passion for video games. Henry has been seen building his own gaming PC and has expressed a preference for playing video games at home rather than going out, citing it as a way to escape the pressures of being in the public eye. Cavill has revealed that he spends at least four hours gaming, if not many more, and has shared some of his favorite games, including World of Warcraft.

We are not surprised that his preference goes to this MMORPG by Blizzard Entertainment. The game of World of Warcraft has been continuously developed and updated since its release in 2004. It has undergone numerous changes and improvements over the years, reflecting the developers’ commitment to maintaining the game’s relevance and appeal to players. 

Thus, the new season 3 of the Dragonfly expansion has been recently released, where players will encounter nine bosses as they fight back against the Druid of the Flame and Fyrakk atop Amirdrassil, the new World Tree. The task of saving Azeroth is not an easy one, especially considering that the raid is new and relatively few people have experience in completing it. Fortunately, there is a WoW carry service that you can order to successfully defeat all bosses and are guaranteed to receive all the loot. The game has been at the top for almost 20 years and boasts a global community of millions of people who are immersed in a rich fantasy world, including Henry Cavill.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk has had a lifelong passion for video games. He created his first video game Blastar when he was 12 years old in 1983. This passion has followed him through the years, and today, being one of the richest and most influential people on the planet, he has not given up this hobby. It is known that Elon Musk plays many popular games, including Elden Ring and Overwatch. 

A funny fact is that Elon loved Elden Ring so much that it was like a sedative for him. According to celebrity biographer Walter Isaacson, Elon could not sleep after he decided to buy Twitter and played this game until the morning. The next interesting fact is related to another favorite game of Musk’s — Overwatch. This game features the celebrity’s favorite character, Marcy, who is very similar to his then-lover Amber Heard. Amber, deciding to surprise Elon, made a first-class cosplay, which Elon liked so much that he even posted her photo on X(ex-Twitter). As time has shown, this act did not help save the relationship, but it created a lot of hype.

Drake

Drake is the next celebrity who spent hours playing Fortnite. As the Canadian rap musician says himself, Fortnite has become a kind of reward after work. The most sensational event related to Drake and Fortnite was a joint stream with star streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. So, on the night of March 15 on Twitch.tv, they set a new record for the peak viewership on a personal stream — 628 thousand people.

Graham’s appearance on Blevins’ stream caused a lot of hype outside of Twitch. Both Ninja and Drake were trending on Twitter in the US. Leading foreign websites also wrote about them. While they were establishing a connection on the stream, 200 thousand people followed the superstars. During the first matches, their number increased to 400 thousand. The growth was facilitated by Drake’s tweet on the social network (with his 36 million followers at that moment). The streamer was also supported by the official Twitch channels and other popular representatives of the gaming community.

Robin Williams

The popular comedian-actor Robin Williams, honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was a passionate fan of both Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. However, it was World of Warcraft that held a special place in his heart, often serving as a bonding experience with his son. Unsurprisingly, when the actor passed away, the developers of World of Warcraft paid tribute to him in the game.

The inspiration for this commemorative character came from a petition initiated by Jacob Holgate (World of Warcraft player), which amassed over 10,000 signatures. As a result, the character named Robin takes the form of a genie emerging from an “Ever-Burning Lamp” when players interact with the object. The genie utters one of the iconic lines from Williams-voiced genie character in the 1994 “Aladdin” movie, exclaiming “INFINITE COSMIC POWER!” before playfully shrinking, waving, and humorously adding, “itty-bitty living space.” This in-game tribute beautifully honors the memory of the beloved actor and gamer.

Jack Black

No big surprise — Jack Black is no stranger to the gaming scene! Black has dipped his toes into the video game industry before, gaining fame for lending his voice to Eddie Riggs in the underrated Brutal Legend. He proudly shared with Kotaku that one of his gaming triumphs is conquering Project Gotham Racing, a classic racing game from the original Xbox era.

In 2018, Black ventured into YouTube with his channel — “JablinskiGames” — where he’s been spotted playing vintage arcade games and exploring Minecraft alongside PewDiePie. While he may not be a hardcore gamer, there’s no denying his genuine interest in gaming. His affection for Red Dead Redemption 2 shines through in a recent song, where he boldly labels it as one of the most epic Shakespearean stories in gaming history. 

Let’s Wrap It up

Beyond the glitz of Hollywood and the boardrooms of tech titans, the pixelated allure of video games exceeds boundaries, captivating even the most influential figures. As we explore the gaming journeys of Henry Cavill, Elon Musk, Drake, Robin Williams, and Jack Black, we witness the universal appeal that virtual realms hold. This once again proves that the love for gaming knows no bounds, uniting celebrities and enthusiasts alike in a shared passion for the digital frontier.

JAPAN SOCIETY

Celebrate the New Year Japanese-style at the Japan Society Oshogatsu celebration that’s filled with fun for the whole family.

After watching a riveting Japanese taiko drum performance, kids are invited on stage for a hands-on drum mini-workshop. Families can then welcome the New Year with exciting and traditional activities like New Year’s calligraphy (kakizome), lion dancing (shishimai), rice (mochi) pounding, kamishibai storytelling, kite making and more New Year’s-themed crafts. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

Japanese bento lunch boxes and snacks will be available for purchase to eat at in-door picnic area.

About the Performers:

  • Taiko Masala has thrilled audiences throughout the US with performances of Japan’s traditional drumming – Taiko. By combining the training and discipline of Japanese martial arts with the precision and power of complex drumming, Taiko Masala brings visually stunning and breathless excitement to their performances.

© George Hirose

Admission:

$18 General admission / $12 Japan Society members; children ages 2 and under free.

Free for Cool Culture members. Advance ticket purchase required. This event will be photographed. Recommended for children ages 3-10 and accompanying adults. Tickets can be purchased here.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Family Programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; and Friends of Education and Family Programs.

About Japan Society

Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business and society with audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)–forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business, and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S. We strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and far.