Posts tagged with "Grand Rapids"

Allison Christensen for use by 360 Magazine

April Top Stories

With Covid rates remaining stagnant and Russia continuously attempting to invade Ukraine, the world is in a very odd place as we enter April. Here are the top news stories of the month.

Sacramento Shooting

Twelve people were injured, with six dying, as a result of two gunmen in Sacramento, California. Dandrae Martin was arrested on April 4th for his alleged connection to the crime. Police expect more suspects to surface as massive amounts of video footage and physical evidence are examined.

360 NFT

On April 1st, 360 Magazine launched its very own NFT collection, Animal Series. Despite the date of release, the NFT is no joke. There are four animal themed NFTs currently on the market, which will be available to bid on until May 1st. Head to OpenSea to secure an animal of your own.

The Grammys

The 64th Grammy Awards were held on April 3, giving well-deserved wins to artists like Olivia Rodrigo, who went home with three Grammys (one of which she broke). Lil Nas X performed “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow and Billie Eilish performed “Happier Than Ever.” Other highlights include a message from Ukrainian President Zellenskyy in which he discussed the importance of music during these troubling times. Find more information HERE.

Fashion Week Brooklyn

Fashion Week Brooklyn is now underway. For Rick Davy, founder of the 501c3 non-profit BK|Style Foundation (BK|SF), sponsorships and partnerships have been key factors in ensuring the success of the esteemed showcase. This year’s series of runway shows and events kicked off April 2nd with kidswear at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum with events across the borough and a finale at Socceroof on April 10th.

Urban Beauty TV is partnering with BK|Style Foundation to highlight the April 8th Denim show. This program will air during season two, slated for premiere in August (National Black Business Month). Coverage includes onsite interviews with the founder(s) of Fashion Week Brooklyn, featured designers and behind-the-scenes footage. Host of Urban Beauty TV, Midori Amae, will present the segment filmed backstage. A teaser will be released shortly after production via social media.

Oklahoma Abortion Ban

Oklahoma recently passed Senate Bill 612 that bans abortion except in the case of a medical emergency. Rape and incest are not causes for abortion, with Republican Sen. Jim Olsen stating that the baby “should not be liable for the sins of the father.” Those attempting to perform an abortion will be subject to a $100,000 fine or 10 years in prison.

This bill is especially troubling for Texans, as many fled to Oklahoma for their operations because of the state’s ban. Now many are left without options.

Smiley Martin Arrested in Connection with Sacramento Shooting

With Dandrae Martin arrested April 4th, another individual has been detained in relation to the six murders: Smiley Martin, Dandrae’s brother. A fully-automatic machine gun converted from a pistol was also recovered.

Smiley was convicted in 2016 after beating the mother of his two children. He was attempting to force her into prostitution.

Judge Jackson Confirmed

Despite an extensive confirmation process, the Senate has officially confirmed the nomination of Ketanji Brown, making her the first Black woman to serve. In a close 53-47 vote, three republicans joined the democrats. Only five women have ever been on the Supreme Court prior to Jackson, and this move will greatly broaden the diversity of the Supreme Court.

Britney Spears Teases Pregnancy

April 11, Britney Spears took to Instagram hinting at a pregnancy. The caption to a photo of a pink tea set and flowers left fans a little confused, while others began congratulating her. Britney teased about being “food pregnant,” but then states, “So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby …”

Further on in the post, Britney speaks about the depression she experienced with her past pregnancies stating, “I obviously won’t be going out as much due to the paps getting their money shot of me like they unfortunately already have … it’s hard because when I was pregnant I had perinatal depression … I have to say it is absolutely horrible … women didn’t talk about it back then …”

New York City Shooting

Tuesday morning a shooting reportedly broke in Brooklyn upon the subway. There has been 13 people reported injured after the gunman threw smoke bombs into a subway car and began shooting on the southbound R train. The gunman has not been identified, but was seen wearing a construction vest and gas mask. Schools in the area went into lockdown as the NYPD and FBI began their search for a suspect.

Frank James Arrested in Relation to Brooklyn Shooting

Frank James was arrested in connection to the shooting in the Brooklyn subway. Reports have suggested that he was a lonely and angry man, very active in politics, and had a YouTube channel where he discussed current events. Police have not yet released a motive.

Video Footage Released from Patrick Lyoya Police Shooting

On April 4, Patrick Lyoya was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids, Michigan police officer after being pulled over. Video footage was captured from varying angles, including from a police bodycam point-of-view, a police dashcam, cell phone and home surveillance footage. The video shows the police officer, whose identity has been kept private, shooting Lyoya in the head and killing him. An investigation is underway.

DJ Kay Slay Passes From COVID

New York City graffiti artist and hip-hop musician DJ Kay Slay passed away at 55 on April 17 after a longstanding battle with COVID-19. After being hospitalized with the virus in December, as the Sun reported, he was placed on a ventilator and has been dealing with health problems since.

Highest Gymnastics Championships Viewership

The NCAA announced that this year’s Women’s Gymnastics Championships brought in a record 922,000 viewers. This championship has an 11% higher viewership compared to 2021. Oklahoma’s Trinity Thomas recieved a perfect 10 and won gold.

South Africa Suffers Fatal Floods

Flooding across South Africa’s eastern KwaZulu-Natal province has shocked the country, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa affirming a state of disaster. A total of over 440 people were killed, with around 40,000 people homeless. With little water, food or housing, $68 million for cleanup was dispersed from the national government after the natural disaster hit South Africa.

Airlines Lift Mask Mandates

Many US airlines have discontinued mask mandates that have been in place for almost two years. The lift came after US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that the CDC’s travel mask mandate was unlawful. Said airlines lifting their mask mandates include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit and JetBlue.

Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard Defamation Trial

Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard took to a Fairfax, Virginia courtroom to battle out their defamation trial. The lawsuit filed resulted from Heard’s reported allegations of abuse during their marriage. Having divorced in 2016, an op-ed written for the Washington Post by Heard in 2019 alleged she was a victim of domestic violence. The trial took to the courtroom on April 11.

Syracuse Police Scrutinized Over Treatment of 8-year-old Boy

An investigation went underway surrounding a video that went viral of an 8-year-old boy being placed into the back of a police car by Syracuse police offers. The boy allegedly stole a bag of chips, and the video shows him crying while officers put him into the car. In the video footage recorded by Kenneth Jackson, he offered to pay for the bag of chips and walk the young boy home.

The young boy was not handcuffed or arrested, and officers drove him back to his father’s house. The child’s father, Anthony Weah, spoke to ABC News when recalling “that police knocked his son off his bike and slapped him on the back, according to his son.”

Biden Announces Additional Ukraine Assistance

Thursday April 21, President Joe Biden declared that the United States would be sending $800 million in military aid to Ukraine amidst the ongoing against Russia. He also made announcements that the US would ban all Russian-affiliated ships into the nation’s ports. Included within the package of assistance is “heavy artillery weapons, such as 72 155-mm howitzers, 144,000 rounds of artillery and dozens of tactical drones.”

Shanghai COVID Lockdown

In late March of this year, Shanghai endured their largest COVID-19 outbreak to date since the onset of the pandemic. Since the outbreak, strict lockdowns were set into place, significantly affecting businesses. There has been a push from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to reopen major businesses, but labor shortages affect the likelihood of returning to work.

Mike Tyson Punches Plane Passenger

Video footage of Mike Tyson depicts the former heavyweight champion boxer getting physical with another passenger aboard a plane at San Francisco International Airport. Said passenger seemed to annoy after taking a photo with him, and Tyson ended up punching the man, leaving him with a slightly bloody head.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Testifies

Republican Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia undergoes a disqualification hearing based off her involvement with the January 6 uprising on Capitol Hill. Some of her involvement on social media involving the insurrection has raised questions. Regarding the pro-Trump protest, Green stated while testifying, “I only believe in peaceful demonstration… I do not support violence.”

There has, also, been evidence from Greene’s socials depicting “support for executing prominent Democratic politicians in 2018 and 2019 before being elected to Congress in 2020.” Greene rebutted by claiming she has a lot of people running her socials, so she doesn’t know who liked said posts.

Washington DC Shooting

Friday April 22 a shooting erupted in Northwest Washington DC. A suspect has not been identified yet, while three adults and one child were reportedly injured. The suspected gunman is Raymond Spencer, a man who was updating a Wikepedia page for the school across from where the shooting took place.

The Washington Post reported that Spencer wrote, “A gunman shot at the school on April 22, 2022. The suspect is still at large,” with another post on 4chan stating, “Dear God please forgive me,” and “Waiting for police to catch up with me.”

The shooter reportedly committed suicide, and it is unknown if Spencer is the confirmed gunman.

Air Force General Receives First Court-Marital Conviction

Maj. Gen. William T. Cooley of the US Air Force was found guilty of one of three abusive sexual contacts. This court-marital trial and conviction became the first of a general officer in the Air Force to ever be found guilty. The incident dates to 2018 in which Cooley has been found guilty of “the first specification, ‘kissing (the victim) on the lips and tongue, with an intent to gratify his sexual desire.’”

Will Smith Endures Oscars Backlash

Following the Oscars held in May of this year, Will Smith continues to suffer consequences after slapping Chris Rock during the award ceremony. Two of his upcoming films have halted production, with one being cancelled altogether.

Netflix’s Bright 2 has officially been rescinded, with Netflix stating that the cancellation has nothing to do with Smith’s Oscars turmoil. National Geographic has postponed filming for Pole to Pole, which followed Smith as he traveled from the North and South Pole.

Elon Musk Buys Twitter

Coming in at a whopping $44 billion, Elon Musk is set to close a deal on buying Twitter. The venture began when Musk became one of the platforms largest shareholders, swiftly being offered and turning down a set on Twitter’s board to finally bidding to purchase the site.

Regarding the acquisition, Musk stated, “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated, […] Twitter has tremendous potential — I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”

Oldest Living Person Passes Away

A Guinness World Record holder, Kane Tanaka of Japan has passed away at the age of 119. Tanaka held the record for the eldest living person and was confirmed on March 9, 2019. Her family released a statement in Tanaka’s words, in which she stated, “I was able to come this far with the support of many people. I hope you will continue to have fun, [and be] cheerful and energetic.”

Footage Following “Rust” Shooting Released

Video footage taken after the deadly shooting on the “Rust” movie set has been released. The shooting occurred onset of the Western movie, in which Alec Baldwin allegedly shot a prop gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and struck director Joel Souza.

Footage has been made public depicting Baldwin debriefing with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, as well as officers speaking with Souza in a hospital room after the shooting.

Kamala Harris Tests Positive for COVID-19

April 26 Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19. She released the following statement via Twitter, “Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.

Willow Pill Wins Rupaul’s Drag Race

Willow Pill, the underdog of season 14, surprised many by winning the season 14 crown. The “twisted little doll” from Denver, Colorado and drag sister of season 11 winner Yvie Oddly had a sweet personality and dark, eccentric style of drag. She became the first trans contestant to win a regular season of drag race. Many remember Willow for her runway looks, like her all-white, early ’00’s inspired entrance outfit and her white with red spots mushroom getup. Fans loved her talent show, her roast and her direction in the Girl Group episode. Despite her constant battle with cystinosis and only receiving one challenge win, she won the hearts of many—and the crown.

US Marine Returned Home from Russia via Prisoner Exchange

Russia and the US engaged in a prisoner exchange to return home previous Marine Trevor Reed. Reed was jailed in Russia during the summer of 2019 after allegedly assaulting a Russian police officer. The trade also brought Russian drag trafficker Konstantin Yaroshenko back to his country after being sentenced 20 years in prison in 2010.

Reed’s family made a statement to the public, in which they expressed, “Today, our prayers have been answered and Trevor is safely on his way back to the United States, […] While we understand the interest in Trevor’s story – and as soon as he’s ready, he’ll tell his own story, we’d respectfully ask for some privacy while we address the myriad of health issues brought on by the squalid conditions he was subjected to in his Russian gulag.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci States US is “Out of the Pandemic Phase”

When sitting down with PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff to discuss the state of the US, Woodruff asked Dr. Anthony Fauci questions about the pandemic and the status of the country.

Woodruff raised the question of when we would see the closing of the pandemic, in which Fauci replied, “We are certainly, right now, in this country out of the pandemic phase, […] Namely, we don’t have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now.”

Disney and Florida Battle Ongoing Dispute

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has thrown out Disney World’s special tax status that has been in place since 1967. The status allowed the corporation to operate as a self-government, which includes making decisions about construction on properties, reducing taxes and creating electricity, which saved millions of dollars for them.

The repeal comes after the newly passed is the “Parental Rights in Education” law, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Disney’s chief executive Bob Chapek has publicly shown his disapproval for the bill, in which DeSantis countered via a fund-raising email to supporters, “If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy.”

Disney has not released a statement regarding the loss of their exclusive rights.

Southern California Drought Controls

The state of California has experienced its driest conditions in state history throughout the course of the past three years. 2022 has already revealed extremely dry conditions through in the state in just the early first three months, which are times in which California typically obtains half of its precipitation totals. Because of this, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California declared a Water Shortage Emergency, and have limited outdoor watering to only one day per week in certain regions.

Biden Proposes New Ukrainian Aid Bill

President Joe Biden has asked Congress to pass a $33 billion bill to help provide relief to Ukraine throughout the war with Russia. The bill is set to provide $20.4 billion in military/security aid, $6 billion towards the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $4 billion towards the State Department’s Foreign Military Financing Program.

About the bill, Biden stated, “The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen. We either back Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities in Ukraine… We need this bill to support Ukraine in this fight for freedom.”

Moderna Submits COVID-19 Vaccine for Younger Children

Moderna submitted their request for granted emergency use authorization (EUA) regarding new COVID-19 vaccines for children under the ages of six to the Food and Drug Administration. Currently, children above the age of five are able to be vaccinated in the US.

Regarding the submission, Moderna’s chief executive officer Stéphane Bancel stated, “We believe mRNA-1273 will be able to safely protect these children against SARS-CoV-2, which is so important in our continued fight against COVID-19, and will be especially welcomed by parents and caregivers.”

Naomi Judd Passes Away at 76

Naomi Judd, one half of the mother-daughter Grammy award winning duo The Judds, passed away. The singer, mother to her bandmate Wyonna and Ashley Judd, was dealing with mental illness as reported by her children through a statement released on Saturday April 30.

“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” the daughters stated, “We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.” 

the Great Destroyer Tour via Elektra for use by 360 Magazine

Coheed and Cambria – The Great Destroyer Tour

Coheed and Cambria have announced details of “The Great Destroyer Tour,” a U.S. headline run which will feature support from special guests Sheer Mag. The coast-to-coast trek is set to get underway on February 16th at the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, CA and will continue through mid-March giving audiences an opportunity to see the band live in intimate clubs across the U.S. Pre-sales for tickets to “The Great Destroyer Tour” will begin tomorrow, December 15th at 10:00AM local time with general on sale starting Friday, December 17th at 10:00AM local time. For tickets and more information on the “The Great Destroyer Tour,” click HERE.

The upcoming winter dates will see Coheed and Cambria performing their 2021 singles “Rise, Naianasha (Cut The Cord)” and “Shoulders,” the latter of which is currently Top 10 at Active Rock Radio, marking the group’s career highest radio chart position to date. “A total banger, as explosive and catchy as anything they’ve ever released,” declared REVOLVER who placed “Shoulders” in their weekly Best New Songs Right Now round-up. “Coheed and Cambria are back, and they’re heavy as ever,” asserted Billboard, with Guitar World attesting “Coheed and Cambria have come out swinging.” Brooklyn Vegan observed, “It finds the band embracing their love of classic heavy metal riffage, before exploding into the kind of soaring chorus that Coheed have been churning out since day one, they sound pretty damn inspired.”

Furthermore, Coheed and Cambria vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez sat down with GRAMMY.com earlier this year for an in-depth interview discussing details of the band’s imminent new album while also examining Vaxis, an emerging central figure in the sci-fi universe of “The Amory Wars”, previewing his origin story and expanding the mythos.

About Coheed and Cambria

For the last 20 years, Coheed and Cambria have continuously broken the mold of what a rock band can be, forging their own path and building a universe around their music unlike any other. Whether it is in the way their genre-spanning approach to songwriting has allowed them to bridge worlds without being contained to one, or the multifaceted story arc of their albums and comic book series which mark the longest running concept story in music, Coheed and Cambria have consistently shaped new standards, never conformed. Comprised of Claudio Sanchez (Vocals/Guitar), Travis Stever (Guitar), Josh Eppard (Drums) and Zach Cooper (Bass) the band has gripped listeners and press around the globe with their visionary compositions and conceptual mastery. In 2018, Coheed and Cambria made a stunning debut with their album Vaxis I: The Unheavenly Creatures, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “Hard Rock Albums” chart, #6 current sales and Top 15 on the “Billboard 200” chart.

Tour Dates

Feb 16 – Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA

Feb 17 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV

Feb 19 – El Rey Theatre – Albuquerque, NM

Feb 20 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ

Feb 22 – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City

Feb 23 – The Soundstage at Graceland – Memphis, TN

Feb 25 – Mars Music Hall – Huntsville, AL

Feb 26 – The Fillmore – New Orleans, LA

Feb 28 – The Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN

Mar 01 – The Signal – Chattanooga, TN

Mar 02 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

Mar 04 – The NorVa – Norfolk, VA

Mar 05 – The National – Richmond, VA

Mar 06 – PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION – Newport, KY

Mar 08 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, MO

Mar 09 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI

Mar 11 – Clyde Theatre– Fort Wayne, IN

Mar 13 –GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, M

Mar 14 – Main Street Armory – Rochester, NY

Mar 15 – Empire Live – Albany, NY

Mar 17 –Fete Music Hall– Providence, RI

Mar 18 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT

Mar 19 – XL Live – Harrisburg, PA

Saint Motel - It's All Happening - Artwork from Sydney Worden from Glenn Fukushima from Elektra for use by 360 Magazine

SAINT MOTEL ANNOUNCES U.S. AND EUROPEAN TOURS

Elektra recording group Saint Motel have announced U.S. and European tours in support of their forthcoming album The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The band’s U.S. tour will kick off this September with three special hometown shows at Los Angeles, CA’s The Roxy Theatre, and wrap on Halloween at Madison, WI’s Majestic Theater. In March of 2022, the band will return to the road for a European tour. The upcoming dates mark Saint Motel’s first live shows since their sold-out U.S. tour wrapped in March of 2020. Pre-sale tickets for all dates will be available beginning tomorrow, and general on sale begins this Friday, June 11 at 10:00am local time here.

Saint Motel’s highly anticipated new album The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released on June 25, 2021. The album is available for pre-order now here. The band recently unveiled an official music video for the album’s current single “It’s All Happening”, co-directed by Saint Motel front man A/J Jackson and Mario Contini. Watch it on the band’s official YouTube channel here.

On The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack the Los Angeles-based band dreams up their own cinematic experience in album form, as its songs cycle through stories of love, danger, and impossible triumph. The album also embodies an opulent sound true to its ambitious scope. Co-produced by front man A/J Jackson and Grammy Award-winner Mark Needham (The Killers, Dolly Parton, Chris Isaak), The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack continues the Saint Motel custom of joyfully blurring genres, bringing in elements of everything from symphonic pop to big band.

Audiences began experiencing the album with the release of a pair of EPs: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Pt.1 and The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Pt. 2. Among many highlights, “Van Horn” has amassed nearly 20 million streams, while the band performed it on ABC’s JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! Receiving critical acclaim, Dujour described “Preach” as “a bop,” while American Songwriter poured over the album’s concept in an in-depth interview with A/J. Further looks came from Ladygunn, Hollywood Life, and more. Now, fans get the full picture of Saint Motel’s vision with the complete The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack studio album.

In the lead up to the album, Saint Motel made history as “the first band to open their own virtual metaverse” powered by Mozilla Hubs. The virtual world is designed as a motel with each room dedicated to a song on The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The quartet’s launch of “New World” welcomed fans to the virtual space where Jackson performed a live acoustic set. In this 3D VR chatroom enabled for all headsets and browsers, audiences can enter an exclusive, immersive environment to engage directly with the band through virtual meet-and-greets and intimate, live performances, consume exclusive video content, and much more. Additionally, it doubles as a space for fans to congregate and get to know each other. Saint Motel’s “New World” upholds what has become a tradition of engaging with groundbreaking technology for the guys. Visit Saint Motel’s website to explore the “New World.” In 2016, they dropped their Elektra full length debut saintmotelevision as the first-ever Virtual Reality album and first-ever Augmented Reality album and accompanied the record with the free saintmotel AR/VR app.

Saint Motel U.S. Tour Dates

September 30, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre

October 01, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre

October 02, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre

October 04, 2021 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater

October 05, 2021 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory

October 07, 2021 – Salt Lake City, UT – Depot

October 08, 2021 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater

October 09, 2021 – Fort Collins, CO – The Aggie

October 11, 2021 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown

October 12, 2021 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note

October 13, 2021 – Urbana, IL – The Canopy Club

October 15, 2021 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

October 16, 2021 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater

October 17, 2021 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine

October 18, 2021 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel

October 20, 2021 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom

October 21, 2021 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater

October 22, 2021 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg University

October 23, 2021 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Sound Stage

October 26, 2021 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall

October 27, 2021 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

October 29, 2021 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom

October 30, 2021 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection

October 31, 2021 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theater

Saint Motel European Tour Dates

March 31, 2022 – Berlin, Germany – Franz Club

April 02, 2022 – Hamburg, Germany – Stage Club

April 03, 2022 – Cologne, Germany – Luxor

April 05, 2022 – Munich, Germany – Hansa 39

April 06, 2022 – Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia

April 08, 2022 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso Noord

April 09, 2022 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique The Rotonde

April 10, 2022 – Paris, France – La Maroquinerie

April 12, 2022 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall

April 13, 2022 – Manchester, UK – Academy 2

Projecting pop hooks through an alternative lens with a flair for dramatic presentation, Saint Motel make music worthy of the big screen. Streamed and viewed over half-a-billion times, the platinum-selling Los Angeles quartet magnify this vision with immersive live experiences and one unpredictable move after another. The group initially came together at film school before introducing themselves on 2012’s Voyeur. Signing to Elektra Records, their 2014 My Type EP boasted both the gold-certified title track “My Type” and fan favorite “Cold Cold Man.” In 2016, saintmotelevision yielded the smash “Move.” Flipping the script once again, the musicians reimagined the record with a series of history-making first-of-their-kind innovations: an award-winning Virtual Reality version and an Augmented Reality version. In 2019, Saint Motel launched their most ambitious undertaking yet, unveiling their third full-length album in three parts. First up, they uncovered The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Pt. 1 powered by the shimmy and shake of Alternative Top 15 lead single “Van Horn.” Between packing houses coast to coast on headline jaunts and earning acclaim from People, Billboard, and more, the four-piece rolled out Pt. 2 throughout 2020. In addition to unforgettable sets everywhere from Coachella and Lollapalooza to Bonnaroo, the boys lit up shows such as NBC’s TODAY, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden, among others.

Saint Motel is: A/J Jackson (vocals), Aaron Sharp (guitar), Dak Lerdamornpong (bass), and Greg Erwin (drums).

Connect With Saint Motel

Saint Motel Website

Saint Motel – New World

Twitter

Facebook

Youtube

Instagram

Gleaves Whitney × Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Gleaves Whitney, who has served as director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University since 2003, has been chosen to fill the role of executive director for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation (GRFPF) effective Sept. 1. He will replace Joe Calvaruso, who will retire after serving as the Foundation’s executive director since 2008.

“Gleaves has a strong background developing successful collaborations and partnerships, which will be beneficial for the Foundation’s relationships with the National Archives and Records Administration, the Ford Museum and Library, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, as well as Grand Rapids community and nationwide entities,” said GRFPF Board Chair Mike Ford, son of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford.

Credited with establishing the first sustained and comprehensive common ground initiative in U.S. higher education, Whitney received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant for the program. Through his leadership, the Hauenstein Center has hosted major conferences that have helped revive the study of Midwestern history and launched the nation’s first presidential question-and-answer column, “Ask Gleaves.” He also developed the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy at the Hauenstein Center, which now has more than 400 alumni serving in communities around the nation.

“Gleaves brings to the Foundation an exciting and innovative vision for our future work, both across Michigan and throughout the nation,” said Ford. “We have great confidence that he will help us continue to advance the strong legacy of my father and mother for the greater good of our American democracy and the national well-being of all people.”

Whitney was selected from a pool of candidates following a comprehensive national search. Calvaruso will assist Whitney with his transition through the end of August.

“I am honored to be selected as the new executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and to bring the legacy of President and Mrs. Ford to a new generation of Americans,” Whitney said. “The Ford family, Foundation trustees, and Joe Calvaruso have been instrumental in shaping what the Foundation is today, bringing critically important conversations about our nation’s 38th president to the forefront of our national dialogue. I am extremely humbled to have the opportunity to build on their considerable achievements.”

Before joining the Hauenstein Center, Whitney served in Michigan Governor John Engler’s administration as a senior writer, chief speechwriter, and historian, and also assisted in the creation of the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Colorado State University, Fort Collins; and a master’s degree in history from the University of Michigan. He was presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkley California; and was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to West Germany (1984-1985).

About the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation fosters increased awareness of the life, career, values, and legacy of America’s 38th President. It does so through activities designed to promote the high ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor that defined President Ford’s extraordinary career of public service. The Foundation promotes the ideas, values, commitment to public service, and historical legacy of President Gerald R. Ford, and further promotes greater civic engagement and recognition of integrity wherever it exists in the public arena. It supports permanent and changing exhibits designed to promote historical literacy; conferences; educational outreach and other programs, both scholarly and popular, including at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Can Stress Help Your Workout?

By Eddie O’Connor, Ph.D., CMPC

You don’t need this article to tell you the benefits of exercise on your stress levels (but I will reinforce them anyway). Physical activity increases endorphin production in the body. Those feel-good pain-relieving hormones. And it’s good for your brain. Physical activity increases blood flow, which increases our cognitive capacity and speed. So, we think better. Focusing on exercise means we are not focusing on our stress, so there is a fantastic mental break from stress too, plus the positive meditative effect of focusing on the exercise, in the moment, as we do it. Your self-confidence likely gets a boost with the earned results of a better, healthier body.

But while exercise helps stress, can stress help you exercise? Your experience is probably going to tell you “no.” Ever been too tired to go to the gym and skip it? Ever prioritize more work or responsibility over your workout? Or be so fatigued that you’d rather zone out in front of the TV or phone, maybe eat a snack to feel better instead? Of course, you have. In fact, it is more likely that stress actually hurts your workout. Besides the decreased motivation to go, there is the real fatigue you feel even if you attend, decreasing the quality of your workout—especially if you are not recovering well with adequate sleep. There isn’t one major organ or process in the body that isn’t enhanced by sleep, or impaired without enough of it. (Get at least 8 hours to help both regulate your stress and improve your workouts.) Stress can cause muscle tension, increasing risk of injury and slowing tissue repair—which leads to longer recovery times. Stress makes it harder to lose weight and can increase food cravings. Those extra pounds don’t help us move well.

But despite these facts, I can think there is one way that stress can help get you moving.

It’s this: Notice how bad feeling stressed out feels. Rather than repeatedly numbing out, or working harder and longer in futile attempts to escape it (do you ever really catch up on everything?), notice how you feel. It’s terrible. It’s unhealthy. It turns us into not-so-nice people, crabby and irritable with others. Our performance in everything declines. And our coping strategies of snacking, sleeping less, and sedentary “resting” just make it worse.

And then realize that you have a choice. There is something you can do. It won’t feel good at first. You will be tired and sore and you might sweat a lot. But if you don’t want to be stressed, working out (or any physical activity) WILL help you. This isn’t my opinion. Its science.

So, the question is, are you willing to choose some discomfort in service of decreasing your stress and getting healthier? Stress can motivate your workout if you realize that working out is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, and then engage exercise with your whole heart and mind to beat it.

About Eddie O’Connor

Dr. Eddie O’Connor is a Clinical and Sport Psychologist at Mary Free Bed Sports Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids, MI. He is a Fellow and Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association forApplied Sport Psychology—the largest organization for sport psychology consultants and professionals.  

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Tori Kelly

GRAMMY nominated artist Tori Kelly will kick off a North American headline tour on October 18 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. The run is in support of her new project, Hiding Place, a powerful collection of R&B infused gospel songs that was produced by 12-time GRAMMY Award winner Kirk Franklin.

In addition to playing such venues as Warner Theatre in Washington DC (October 28) and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (November 8), Tori and her band will perform at several historic houses of worship, including New York City’s Riverside Church (October 30) and the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles (November 16 & 17). Tickets go on sale Friday, September 14. See below for itinerary or visit www.torikellymusic.com

Capitol Records will release Hiding Place on September 14. The passion project follows Tori’s 2015 album Unbreakable Smile, which Idolator recently hailed as “one of the better debut albums in recent memory.” It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and contained the Gold-certified singles “Nobody Love,” “Shouldߣve Been Us” and “Hollow”

Tori recorded Hiding Place primarily at Kirk Franklin’s studio just outside Dallas. Half of the songs were penned solely by Franklin, while the remaining tracks came from a collaboration between the two artists the first time that Franklin had ever co-written in a decades-long career that’s seen his songs performed by legends like Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston.

Fans who pre-order / pre-save Hiding Place in digital format will instantly receive the first single “Never Alone” (feat.Kirk Franklin,) and “Help Us To Love” featuring The Hamiltones, official background vocalists for GRAMMY winner Anthony Hamilton. Other guests include Jonathan McReynolds and Lecrae. The video of Tori performing “Never Alone” live with Kirk Franklin, which has more than two million views, can be seen HERE.

Tori Kelly Hiding Place Tour

10/18 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle

10/19 Birmingham, AL @ Lyric Theatre

10/21 Charlotte, NC @ McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square

10/22 Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre

10/25 Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead

10/27 Philadelphia, PA @ Temple Performing Arts Center

10/28 Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre

10/30 New York, NY @ Riverside Church

11/1 Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre

11/2 Grand Rapids, MI @ Fountain Street Church

11/5 Chicago, IL @ Fourth Presbyterian Church

11/6 Chicago, IL @ Fourth Presbyterian Church

11/8 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium

11/11 Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theater

11/12 Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre

11/13 Houston, TX @ Wortham Center Cullen Theater

11/16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church

11/17 Los Angeles, CA @ The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church

11/19 San Francisco, CA @ Herbst Theater

Watch “Never Alone” here.

Lord Huron’s Vide Noir is Out Now!

Vide Noir, the highly anticipated new album from Lord Huron is out now on Whispering Pines/Republic Records. Additionally the band’s music video for their lead single, “Wait by the River,” debuts today—watch/share it here: http://bit.ly/2J62veY. Vide Noir can be purchased here: http://LordHuron.lnk.to/VideNoirPR

The new music continues to receive widespread critical praise while the band is due to perform “Wait by the River” on “Late Night with Seth Meyerson May 2. You can also listen to singer/songwriter/producer Ben Schneider’s Guest DJ interview with Bob Boilen on NPR Music’s “All Songs Considered” here: http://n.pr/2HD0E4A

Last week, the band launched a Vide Noir public access television show in select cities nationwide. As a true multi-media artist, Schneider has created an immersive program that expands upon the album’s narratives and themes while showcasing the hidden world that inhabits Vide Noir. Fans can tune in to their local listings or see below for a current airing schedule. Additional local airings will be announced soon.

In support of the release, the band begins their worldwide tour tonight in Grand Rapids, MI. Even as the band headlines their largest venues to date, many shows (including New York City, Chicago, Boston, Oakland and Seattle) have sold out months in advance. Every pair of tickets ordered for the U.S. headlining tour includes a copy of Vide Noir. Tickets for the dates are on sale now at http://lordhuron.com.

Vide Noir was written and recorded over the past two years at Lord Huron’s Los Angeles studio and informal clubhouse, Whispering Pines, and was mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips/MGMT). Schneider found inspiration wandering restlessly through his adopted home of L.A. at night: “My nighttime drives ranged all over the city—across the twinkling grid of the valley, into the creeping shadows of the foothills, through downtown’s neon canyons and way out to the darksome ocean. I started imagining Vide Noir as an epic odyssey through the city, across dimensions, and out into the cosmos. A journey along the spectrum of human experience. A search for meaning amidst the cold indifference of The Universe,” he says.

VIDE NOIR TRACKLIST

1 Lost in Time and Space

2 Never Ever

3 Ancient Names (Part I)

4 Ancient Names (Part II)

5 Wait by the River

6 Secret of Life

7 Back from the Edge

8 The Balancer’s Eye

9 When the Night is Over

10 Moonbeam

11 Vide Noir

12 Emerald Star

VIDE NOIR PUBLIC ACCESS TV AIRING SCHEUDLE

April 20— Nashville, TN— NECAT at Channel 19—1 a.m. Local Time

April 20— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—5:30 p.m. Local Time

April 20— Madison, WI—WYOU at Channel 991—7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Local Time

April 20— Lansing, MI—LPMC at Channel 16—6:30 p.m. Local Time

April 21— Nashville, TN— NECAT at Channel 19—4:30 a.m. Local Time

April 21— Berkeley, CA—BCM at Channel 28—4:30 p.m. Local Time

April 22— Berkeley, CA—BCM at Channel 28—8:30 p.m. Local Time

April 22— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—10:30 p.m. Local Time

April 22— Denver, CO—DOM at Channel 56—10 p.m. Local Time

April 23— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—12:30 p.m. Local Time

April 25— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—4:30 a.m. Local Time

April 27— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—5:30 p.m. Local Time

April 29— Burlington, VT—VCAM at Channel 15—12:30 p.m. Local Time

LORD HURON TOUR DATES

April 20— Grand Rapids, MI—20 Monroe Live * 

April 21—Chicago, IL— Riviera Theatre  *

April 22—St. Paul, MN—The Palace Theatre  *

April 23— Milwaukee, WI—Riverside Theatre  *

April 25—Kansas City, MO—Arvest Bank Theatre ^

April 26—Indianapolis, IN—The Vogue  ^

April 27— Royal Oak, MI—Royal Oak Music Theater  ^

April 28—Cincinnati, OH—Homecoming Festival

April 30—Boston, MA— House of Blues  %

May 1—Philadelphia, PA—Electric Factory %

May 3—New York, NY—Beacon Theatre  %

May 4—Washington, DC—The Anthem %

May 4-6—Atlanta, GA—Shaky Knees Festival

May 31—San Diego, CA—House of Blues

June 1—San Diego, CA—House of Blues 

June 2—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre

June 3—Oakland, CA—Fox Theater 

June 5—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom 

June 6—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom 

June 7—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre 

June 8—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre 

June 15-June 17—Dover, DE—Firefly Festival

July 25—Toronto, ON—Sony Centre

July 26—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE

July 27—Cleveland, OH—House Of Blues   

July 30—Portland, ME—State Theatre

August 1—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Steel   

August 2—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Steel

August 4—Montreal, QC—Osheaga Festival

August 5—Boston, MA—House Of Blues  

September 21—St. Louis, MO—The Pageant

September 25—New Orleans, LA—Civic Theatre

September 27—Houston, TX—Revention Music Center

September 29—Austin, TX—Stubb’s Waller Creek

October 1—Tulsa, OK—Cain’s Ballroom

October 3—Omaha, NE—Sokol Auditorium

October 4—Denver, CO—Ogden Theatre   

October 5—Denver, CO—Ogden Theatre   

October 19—Copenhagen, DK—Vega

October 20—Aarhus, DK—Voxhall

October 21—Hamburg, DE—Gruenspan

October 22—Amsterdam, NL—Paradiso

October 23—Brussels, BE—Ancienne Belgique

October 25—Cambridge, UK—The Junction

October 26—London, UK—Roundhouse

October 27—Sheffield, UK—Plug

October 28—Gateshead, UK—Sage Gateshead

October 29—Liverpool, UK—Invisible Wind Factory

October 31—Paris, FR—Le Trianon

November 2—Munich, DE—Technikum

November 3—Koln, DE—Gloria

November 5—Berlin, DE—Columbia Theater

BOLD—sold out 

* with In Tall Buildings

^  with Liz Cooper & The Stampede

% with Midnight Sister