Posts tagged with "Los Angeles"

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LA COVID GRANTS

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JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES AWARDS $1.3 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL COVID-19 RELIEF

Newest Distributions Address Urgent Physical and Mental Healthcare Needs, Part of Institution’s Comprehensive $8 Million-Plus Pandemic Giving Effort

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced that it has awarded $1.3 million in grants to five local organizations principally to address urgent physical and mental healthcare needs in the community resulting from COVID-19. The grants also include support to sustain small-business owners financially impacted by the pandemic.

These latest distributions are part of the previously announced COVID-19 Response Grants, the multi-stage initiative through which The Foundation has committed more than $8 million in giving, the largest amount ever earmarked by the institution to a single cause.

The five new recipients are Jewish Family Service LA (JFS), Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA), Los Angeles Jewish Home (LAJH), Martin Luther King Community Hospital (MLKCH) and Venice Family Clinic (VFC). The total number of awards including these latest grants is 46. Prior COVID-19 relief grants were directed to address immediate, vital needs across the local community and in Israel, as well as to sustain local, mission-critical Jewish nonprofits which have been impacted by the pandemic.

Through its ongoing outreach with local nonprofits and other funders, The Foundation identified unmet needs, including many more people requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19, according to President and Chief Executive Officer Marvin I. Schotland. He said the ongoing pandemic also has resulted in greater isolation of many seniors who lack the technology or knowledge to access essential care. It also continues to have a devastating financial impact on small business owners from the protracted crisis, Schotland said.

Schotland stated: “This a global health crisis of a magnitude never experienced in our lifetimes. Vast needs continue to emerge that require support. Because The Foundation is in regular contact with nonprofits, we are able to respond quickly as critical needs are identified, including funding for urgent physical and mental healthcare disparities and businesses that are struggling. With these significant grants to five organizations, our dollars will favorably impact thousands of individuals in need in the Jewish and larger community.”

The five grants are being directed to:

Jewish Family Service LA(JFS) for Video Services for Older Adults: The grant will expand a successful pilot program with frail older adults connecting them to vital services and a support lifeline through technology. Funding will support staffing and provide Chromebooks and internet so elderly clients can access services.
Jewish Free Loan Association(JFLA) for the Small Business Loan Fund: Due to the pandemic, JFLA has been receiving a significantly higher number of applications for interest-free loans, which average $20,000, for struggling businesses and for launching new enterprises. This grant will help grow the loan fund and allow JFLA to continue making loans without reducing the amounts or turning applicants away.
Los Angeles Jewish Home(LAJH) for
- The Brandman Centers for Senior Care—Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): PACE provides a complete range of health, social and nutritional services for nursing home-eligible seniors who wish to live safely in their own homes or with family members. Over 250 frail elderly seniors are enrolled in PACE. This grant will enable staff to take resources to these seniors who, due to COVID, are unable to come into the facility for services.
- The Factor Building Skilled Nursing Facility: This grant will help support staffing needs in the Factor Building, which now houses all residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. The facility requires a separate staff to provide the usual high-quality, long-term medical and rehabilitative therapies to these residents, as well as treating them for COVID.
Martin Luther King Community Hospital(MLKCH) for:
- Space Conversion: Hitting the Black and Latino communities served by MLKCH hardest, the hospital is addressing new critical needs to ensure its COVID patients – whose positivity rate runs double L.A. County’s average – receive proper care. With capacity stretched, MLKCH converted an entire floor into an intensive care unit to meet the unanticipated level of critical care needed for COVID patients. As well, it is using every other space possible to house patients.
- Post-Discharge COVID ICU Clinic: The facility supports patients who continue to experience symptoms or require additional care. Given the increased level of critical care needed, the post-COVID clinic has also seen a surge. MLKCH converted an existing space into a clinic where patients receive comprehensive services including pulmonary appointments, respiratory therapy services, mental health services, and continuing support from their ICU medical team.
Venice Family Clinic(VFC) for:
- Telehealth/Information Technology Infrastructure: To keep older adults engaged and prevent social isolation, the grant will strengthen information-technology infrastructure to provide high-quality virtual services. VFC will purchase an integrated telehealth video tool enabling patients to complete pre-visit paperwork, have fully encrypted visits, and receive post-visit details via video.
- COVID Care Outreach Initiative: The program will help create a strong social support system for an estimated 2,000 elderly patients and 5,000 seniors in VFC’s extensive network of volunteers, as well as retired staff members and community partners. Staff and volunteers are mobilizing to identify older adults at high risk of social isolation, conduct wellness calls and video chats, arrange for grocery deliveries, and host virtual small group activities.

About The Jewish Community Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1.4 billion (unaudited; Dec. 31, 2020) entrusted to it by over 1,300 families and ranks among the 10 largest Los Angeles foundations. It partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of their giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. In 2020, The Foundation and its donors distributed $127 million to 2,700 nonprofits with programs that span the range of philanthropic giving. Over the past 12 years, it has distributed more than $1 billion to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. To learn more, visit their website.

“Access to quality health care is one of the ultimate acts of social justice. Through its generous support, the Jewish Community Foundation has lifted our community in the full continuum of caring and healing. The Foundation’s supportive partnership of our work throughout the pandemic has enabled MLKCH to expand our care to accommodate all the critically ill COVID patients who need us in South Los Angeles — and we’ve supported our innovative post-discharge COVID clinic, making sure our patients continue to see the nurses and doctors who cared for them as they continue their recovery at home.”

— Dyan Sublett, president, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Foundation

“Through the decades, we have always been thankful for the outstanding support from the Jewish Community Foundation. Never has The Foundation’s generosity been more valued than during the current unprecedented pandemic. On behalf of our residents, and the dedicated staff who care for them, I would like to express deep appreciation for this generous grant. This award ensures we will be able to continue providing the highest quality of medical care – including essential safety materials – to meet the challenges of COVID-19, while also purchasing communications devices such as iPads for the residents, to help maintain a sense of normalcy during these extraordinary times.”

— Dale Surowitz, CEO and president, Los Angeles Jewish Home

Lexus Puts Gamers in the Driver’s Seat

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Luxury automaker reveals Gamers’ IS: the first vehicle designed by and for the Twitch community as the ultimate gaming space

Gamers, start your engines. Lexus is unveiling the Gamers’ IS: the first vehicle designed by and for the Twitch community as the ultimate gaming space. In a livestream hosted by popular streamer Fuslie last month, more than 554,000 unique viewers watched and weighed in on their favorite features. They voted on modifications ranging from the gaming-themed exterior wrap, to the custom controller to their “game fuel” beverage of choice. Lexus then worked with the fabrication experts at SCPS to bring the custom, crowdsourced car to life as a totally immersive gaming vehicle.

“The Twitch community dives headfirst into their passion of gaming, just as we did in designing the new 2021 Lexus IS as a pure expression of a sports sedan,” said Vinay Shahani, vice president of marketing at Lexus. “We asked for their help designing their dream gaming space, and they answered in spades. Together, we created the ultimate fusion of design and performance in automotive and gaming.”

The exterior of the Gamers’ IS, a modified Lexus IS 350 F Sport, is adorned with the “Infiltrate” design custom vinyl wrap, as chosen by 48 percent of voters in the Twitch poll. This look exudes a technical, interface-driven, HUD-centric design territory reminiscent of first-person gaming, black ops and reconnaissance.

For the interior, more than half (55 percent) of Twitch voters selected the “Neon Tokyo” style featuring an electrified, neuron-exploding Japanese pop art aesthetic. The ceiling of the cab is decked out with a clear layer of acrylic embedded with resin “raindrops” all backlit with programmable RGB LED lights, giving off the effect of driving under the lights of downtown Tokyo at night in a light rain. Behind the rear seats, LED panels project programmable content onto the rear window, creating an animated backdrop. SCPS included many custom upholstery elements into the design of the Gamers’ IS interior. Smart Tint on the windows dims the cabin for gameplay.

A custom-built gaming PC with an MSI Gaming GeForce GPU + AMD CPU is installed in the vehicle’s trunk. It has sleek custom housing, all highlighted by programmable RGB LED’s. A fog machine and automated RGB lasers were installed for maximum reveal effect.

In the passenger’s side is a fully integrated gaming system complete with haptic feedback in the seat and a high-def, fully positional curved monitor. The curved monitor was chosen over a flat one by nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Twitch voters. The system features a retractable keyboard and mouse platform, and a one-of-a-kind 3D printed game controller. Nearly half (42 percent) of voters chose the “Cyber” design for the controller, featuring a metallic space gray and dark teal with neon accents.

Filling the six-drink center console cooler is the community’s “game fuel” of choice–coffee drinks–as selected by nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of voters. The entire vehicle is custom wired, including all the electronics and programmable lighting.

Walker Jacobs, Chief Revenue Officer at Twitch, said “Lexus has effectively leaned into the community and connectivity that define Twitch. Our viewers crave being a part of the action, and through this collaboration we were able to create a truly immersive experience that celebrates their passion for gaming. The result is a first-of-its-kind gaming vehicle. Bravo Lexus!”

The transformation of the Lexus IS into the ultimate gaming vehicle required “all hands on deck” at fabrication expert SCPS. The project involved 20 different members of their team, including concept artists, designers, 3D modelers, electrical and structural engineers, metal fabricators, craftsmen, artists, custom upholsterers and computer technicians—most of whom are serious gamers themselves. From designing the initial concepts to the reveal, the entire build took five months.

Fuslie is a variety streamer who first made her mark within the PUBG community. She has played in multiple tournaments, including Twitch Rivals. She is also known for her singing voice and her urban exploration streams around Los Angeles.

This partnership is part of a new “All In” campaign for the 2021 Lexus IS. The campaign celebrates those who fully embrace their passions, while showcasing Lexus’ own obsession: an unapologetically pure sports sedan.

For more information on the new IS, visit Lexus’ website.

About Lexus

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its guests. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 243 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models and two F performance models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

About Twitch

Launched in 2011, Twitch is a global community that comes together each day to create multiplayer entertainment: unique, live, unpredictable experiences created by the interactions of millions. It brings the joy of co-op to everything, from casual gaming and world-class esports to anime marathons, music, and art streams. Twitch also hosts TwitchCon, the biggest community event of the year, where tens of thousands of people come together to celebrate and connect with others who share their interests and passions. We’re always live at Twitch. Stay up to date on all things Twitch on Twitter and on our Blog.

LUCKY DAYE’S NEW EP: TABLE FOR TWO

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Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Lucky Daye shares his latest EP, Table For Two, out now on Keep Cool/RCA Records. The EP follows his 2019 highly acclaimed debut album,Painted and comes off the heels of standout new single “On Read” with Grammy-nominated East London prodigy Tiana Major9. The release, timed perfectly for Valentine’s Day, features powerful contributions from Ari Lennox, YEBBA, Mahalia, Queen Naija, and Joyce Wrice making this a mandatory listen for any and all music lovers across eras and genres.

Early on in life, Lucky Daye discovered his love of music and natural gift for singing and songwriting in the musical melting pot that is New Orleans, where he was born. Ultimately Lucky knew he wanted to pursue music as a career so he moved to Atlanta for a brief stint and eventually ventured to Los Angeles to pursue his dream. He was shortly thereafter picked up by Keep Cool under RCA Records, where he recorded his 2019 breakthrough hit “Roll Some Mo” which has aggregated over 60 million streams worldwide. Earning first ever GRAMMY nominations that same year, Lucky Daye raked in a grand total of four nominations for Best R&B Song, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Album. This widespread acclaim also came in from his selective feature choices with KAYTRANADA, Buddy, SG Lewis, Big Freedia, Kehlani, Kiana Lede, Babyface, Victoria Monet, and more. His critically acclaimed work has received unanimous praise from Rolling Stone, NPR,Noisey, Billboard, The FADER, and Daye has found himself in 2021 with his dreams being manifested. With praise such as:

“…Far ahead of his competition in the genre. Daye’s forlorn vocal manipulation has drawn comparison to Frank Ocean, but his versatility and strategic fusions of funk and jazz nod to how he might set himself apart…”– NPR

“Lucky Daye can do it all. The versatility of his music makes him hard to box in one genre [and] shows elements of his skillfulness with songs full of strings, funk and tempo.” – HYPEBEAST

TABLE FOR TWO TRACKLISTING:

How Much Can The Heart Take feat. YEBBA

On Read with Tiana Major9

My Window feat. Mahalia

Access Denied feat. Ari Lennox

Falling in Love feat. Joyce Wrice

Dream feat. Queen Naija

Stream it now here.

The Story of The Dale

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A prototype, three-wheeled moto-car from 70s, called The Dale, is now gaining popularity for its unique design and interesting back story. HBO is even currently airing a documentary called The Lady and the Dale, and it’s causing one obscure little yellow car in the collection of the Museum of American Speed to have an unexpected moment of fame. Envisioned in 1974 by entrepreneur Geraldine Elizabeth Carmichael, only two prototype vehicles of the Dale were ever made, and they’re still being talked about today. The story of the Dale is one of the most bizarre in the history of the American automobile.

1974 was not an awesome time to be an American car maker. There was a crippling gas shortage and American cars had, quite inconveniently, become giant, gas-hungry behemoths. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find gas, let alone afford it.

As keeping gas in that big-block powered luxo-barge began to chew up the kids’ college fund, people starting looking for gas alternatives. One man’s solution was to start riding his vastly more fuel-efficient motorcycle to work. But Dale Clift got tired of getting wet whenever it rained. So, he did the only logical thing: build an enclosed, three wheeled contraption using a few motorcycle parts and a lot of imagination. When Dale and his car crossed paths with Liz Carmicheal, things really got interesting.

Liz took Dale’s idea and ran. She founded the 20th Century Motor Corporation, and their first car was to be a small, 3-wheeled car based on Dale Clift’s three wheeled moto-car. Liz’s incredible claims about the car brought quite a bit of publicity to the project. The Dale was supposed to be made of indestructible fiberglass, go 80 miles per hour, get 70 miles per gallon, and cost around $2000. The company started collecting deposits from eager buyers and raising money from investors. And they raised a lot of it. Something like $30 million.

What they forgot to do was get all the appropriate licenses, permits, and to actually make a car. A small group of engineers were busy trying to build a car that would match the hype. They cobbled together one running prototype that was at least partially functional, as well as a few painted and rolling fiberglass shells. The car you see pictured below is one of the mock-up versions.

And because no story from the 70’s is complete without mentioning The Price is Right, we’re happy to report that the very car you see pictured below actually appeared as a prize on the show in ’75. Fortunately for everyone, all the contestant’s guesses were way over the Dale’s alleged asking price, saving the lucky winner from the burden of hauling a non-functioning fiberglass lawn ornament home with them.

The inevitable reality began to catch up to the 20th Century Motor Corporation. The local news station and several concerned authorities started asking questions and not liking the answers that they were being given. As the house of cards began to fall, it was discovered that things were not at all what they appeared to be. The Lady and the Dale does a great job telling that story. Go watch it. We’ll wait.

So how did one of the four Dales created end up 1500 miles from LA in Lincoln, Nebraska? As you might expect, that’s an interesting story too, and it starts with Dean Moon. You know him, he was the founder of Moon Equipment company, the man behind some of the most iconic hot rod parts in the business, and the creator of the “Mooneyes” logo that you’ve seen on every hot rod ever.

After the spectacular implosion of the 20th Century Motor Corporation, this Dale somehow found its way to the roof of a California muffler shop. What it was doing there and how it got there may never be known, but when the shop closed its doors, Dean Moon was there to relieve them of the little fiberglass three-wheeler on their roof. He thought he could apply a little hot rod ingenuity and make a neat little kit car out of it.

Apparently, the California authorities were not ready to forgive and forget the whole Dale debacle, so they were a wee bit prickly when approached by Moon about licensing and other official matters. So, he called up his old friend Speedy Bill Smith in Nebraska, thinking he might have better luck.

It’s unclear just what Bill saw in the Dale, but one thing is clear. Speedy Bill had a knack for spotting strange, unusual, and cool automobilia. He built a museum around it. So, there’s little doubt that he saw more than just a weird little yellow car. Whatever the reason, the Dale came to live in Lincoln and has never left.

The Museum of American Speed exists to tell the story of the American automobile, and this is a story like no other.

SHEPPARD x “KALEIDOSCOPE EYES”

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The band celebrates the release of their third studio album streamed worldwide from Brisbane this February!

Just 2 weeks away from the release of their highly anticipated album “Kaleidoscope Eyes”, Australian pop-powerhouse Sheppard have unveiled plans to broadcast their very special one-off live show in their hometown of Brisbane, to celebrate their third full length release!

Under strict Covid restrictions, a live audience of only a 1000 will share in this magical live experience. For fans around the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, London to Berlin and all of Australia who are unable to see the show live-and-in-person, Sheppard have unveiled details on where you can tune in and see the one-off performance in its entirety, from the comfort of your couch!

Thanks to the genius minds at Youtube, fans around the world will be able to tune in and see the new album in its entirety live at the following times:

Brisbane – 13.00 Saturday 27th Feb
New Zealand – 16.00 Saturday 27th Feb
Philippines – Saturday 10.00 am Feb 27th
Tokyo – 12.00 Saturday Feb 27th.
Los Angeles – 19.00 Friday 26th Feb
New York- 22.00 Friday 26th Feb
London –03.00 Saturday 27th Feb
Europe Central Time – 04.00 Saturday 27th Feb
South America – 12 midnight Friday 26th Feb

“We didn’t want anyone to miss out on the show, so we’re going to be streaming the entire performance online for anyone in another state or country! As it is our only live show, we have built an amazing production”

– George Sheppard

The release of “Kaleidoscope Eyes”–which officially drops on Friday, February 26^th, comes off the back of a rollercoaster of a year; one that included a global pandemic, a performance to millions at the AFL Grand Final and an entire year’s worth of singles and music videos landing each month for Sheppard’s fans.

Supported by Mason Watts
THE FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL | FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY, 2021

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS
A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Thought, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives, Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G). In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label’s catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.

Surf Mesa × Madison Beer – Carried Away

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Surf Mesa and Madison Beer celebrate the euphoria of young love in the new single, “Carried Away,” released today by Astralwerks—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Coming of age and falling in love maylook different in quarantine, yet the duo evokesthe timeless essence of romance that remains unchanged. After opening simply with Madison’sexquisite, emotive vocals and acoustic guitar, the tender ballad swells as Surf imbues it with rich, ethereal layers. Download / stream “Carried Away” HERE. View the lyric video, created by Katia Temkin (Ariana Grande, Drake) as well.

“‘Carried Away’ is about the butterflies in your stomach feeling you get when you meet someone new and fall in love for the very first time,” explains Surf Mesa. “Working with Madison was a dream. I hope this song spreads love during this time when we need it more than ever.”

“When writing songs about love,” says Madison,“I’m often drawn to the ups and downs and heartache that can result from a relationship gone bad. It was refreshing to explore the other side of love for ‘Carried Away,’ the excited nerves you get from meeting someone and falling in love for the first time. I’m so grateful to Surf who made the whole process so fun.”

“Carried Away” follows Surf Mesa’s breakthrough hits “ily (i love you baby)” ft. Emilee and“Somewhere” ft. Gus Dapperton. Recently certified Platinum by the RIAA, “ily (i love you baby)”has amassed nearly two billioncombined global streams. Hailed by Rolling Stone as an ”earworm of a song,” it hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart and reached No. 2 on the U.S. Top 40 radio tally.Surf performed both songs in an exclusive live performance for Vevo DSCVR ARTISTS TO WATCH 2021.

View Lyric Video HERE

Download / Stream “Carried Away” HERE

ABOUT SURF MESA

No matter how dark things get, Surf Mesa remains a dreamer. The 20-year-old songwriter and producer spent much of 2020 honing the escapist energy of the nostalgic electronic ballads he’s been working toward since he got a copy of FL Studio in third grade. The Seattle artist makes “music for good feels,” which made his music a breath of fresh airin a tough year. Both of his beloved 2020 singles—“ily (i love you baby)” featuring Emilee and “Somewhere” featuring Gus Dapperton—offer romance and refuge for tired minds, drenched in gossamer synth and fueled by insistent drums. The delicate “Carried Away” with Madison Beer, continues in this windswept tradition.

This placid mindset has clearly connected. “ily” was recently RIAA certified Platinum after almost 2billion global streams and nearly 4 billion TikTok videos. The song hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and #2 on Top 40 radio.“Somewhere” is right behind it, landing on Spotify’s hallowed New Music Friday out of the gate and garnering placements on dozens of playlists across platforms since. His whirlwind rise also earned him remixing duty on Marshmello and Halsey’s “Be Kind,” and Shawn Mendes’ “Wonder”—both fitting titles for Surf’s heartwarming music to enter mainstream EDM and pop.

By year’s end, “ily” placed on Spotify and Amazon’s top songs lists, setting him up for even bigger successes this year—VEVO has already named him a DSCVR Artist To Watch for 2021. And yet, after all this, he continues to make music at home alone, the same way he’s worked since he was a kid,holed up in his room making beats between Counter-Strikematches. He has humble aims: to make catchy, chill pop music and give others a way to “feel better about their day.” Listening to Surf, it’s hard not to.

ABOUT MADISON BEER

Prior to signing withEpic Recordsin 2019, Madison Beer achieved unprecedented success as an independent artist with her partnerFirst Access Entertainment. Her debut EP As She Pleases boasts over 700 million streams and made her the first independent female solo artist to break into theTop 20 radio charts, after having debuted in theTop 5 on iTunes in 18 countries and in the Top 10 in 42 countries worldwide. Globally, Beer has over 2 billion streams across her catalogue.

She’s attracted the endorsement ofTime, Rolling Stone, NME, V Magazine and Billboard, which named her among its coveted “21 Under 21” list, and has a social following that reaches an audience of over 20 million on Instagram and 12 million in TikTok.

Her latest single “Baby” was included on PAPER’S “10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now” and MTV’s “SONGS WE LOVE” list, with the video amassing over 4 million views on YouTube within its first week of release. Last year, feverish fans mobilized and left thousands of comments on Epic’s Instagram page to demand the release of “Stained Glass,” Madison’s most personal song to date, after she teased it during an Instagram Live session. Continuing on her hot streak, Madison has consistently beaten her daily best streaming numbers with “Selfish” after the single was added to Spotify’s coveted Today’s Top Hits playlist and is now certified Gold. Madison’s debut album, a strong personal and artistic statement, is slated for release in February 2021viaSing It Loud/First Access Entertainmenton exclusive license toEpic Records.

ABOUT ASTRALWERKS

Established in 1993 in New York City, Astralwerkswas the brainchild of Caroline Records staffers who saw an opportunity for a label focused on the nascent electronic and ambient scene. Now based at the historic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, Astralwerkshas emerged as a modern, artist-first label and the #1 market share leader for dance/electronic music in the U.S. Combining a scalable, independent and global-thinking ethos with the ability to tap into the resources of a major label has enabled Astralwerksto sign such artists asILLENIUM, Jonas Blue, Alison Wonderland, EDEN, ZHU and Alesso. As a testament to its pioneering approach, Astralwerks has amassed 30 GRAMMY® nominations, taken home six GRAMMY Awards and had historic releases from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Swedish House Mafia, Halsey, Porter Robinson, Phoenix, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim and many others. The label has also released such massive singles as the 6x Platinum “Happier” by Marshmello + Bastille and FISHER’s “Losing It.”

ELECTRIC GUEST x DARELL x RVSSIAN: “FREESTYLE”

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ALL-STAR COLLABORATION ARRIVES ALONGSIDE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO STARRING THE ARTISTS SHOT IN MIAMI + CALIFORNIA.

Acclaimed indie-pop duo Electric Guest have teamed up with Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Darell and Jamaican producer Rvssian for today’s release of “Freestyle (feat. Darell & Rvssian)” – listen HERE.

The high-energy collaboration finds the Latin superstars lending their signature reggaeton spin to the track, originally featured on Electric Guest’s 2019 album KIN. The new version of “Freestyle” also arrives with a brand-new music video featuring the artists in their respective cities of Miami and Los Angeles – watch HERE.

The origins of the collaboration stem in large part from lead singer Asa Taccone’s desire to dive deeper into his Puerto Rican roots (courtesy of his father). While Puerto Rican culture and their heritage has always been celebrated by his family, Asa has long wanted to embrace this more within his music.

In the months before the pandemic, Asa’s father – who was directing John Leguizamo’s Broadway show ‘Latin History for Morons’ – came to an Electric Guest show in New York, bringing Leguizamo with him. They talked afterwards and encouraged him to explore the culture more.

Around that time, Electric Guest was looking to revisit album track “Freestyle” and considering releasing a new version with an added verse from a featured artist.

As Asa explains: “Freestyle was the last song we wrote for the album. It took us forever because we couldn’t figure out the chorus melody. We ended up doing a session with Ne-Yo at a studio in L.A. We sat down and played him the instrumental and he immediately started humming… after about 10 minutes we had the chorus that had eluded me for months.

But the song kind of slipped under the radar. We had always wanted to do a video for it and possibly get a feature, but Covid hit while we were on tour and like the rest of the world, our cycle ground to a halt and we never really got around to it.”

Asa has long been a fan of Darell and Rvssian’s music, so having them featured on a new version of the track felt like the perfect way to dip his toes into the Latin sound. After sending the song their way with the hopes of just a verse, he and bandmate Matthew Compton were sent back a fully-formed, almost entirely new version of the track that the Puerto Rican rapper and Jamaican producer had recorded in Miami.

“It was a totally different format… really their own take on it,” Asa shared. “I think everyone felt the same which was like, ‘Well that is… kind of a better version!’”

Speaking on their collaboration, Rvssian shares: “Remixing the song was fun because I had changed the production from one genre to another. And having Darell add his Latin touch on the vocals… this created a nice fusion.”

Darell adds: “When Rvssian hit me up to participate in this collab, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The end result I feel gives great vibes. For me, it’s always a pleasure to keep growing the culture and blending musical worlds together.”

On the making of the video, Asa shared: “The crew came up from Miami and – even though we were in masks – it was definitely a party on set. I think that vibe translated into the video… riding that horse was equal parts terrifying and fun.”

Electric Guest’s third album KIN was released in 2019, featuring standout tracks, “Dollar,” “Play With Me,” and “More.” The LP was met with critical acclaim, with Associated Press declaring “KIN is a breezy confection of fiendishly clever pop hooks augmented by some computer wizardry.” Uproxx also praised the project as “a masterclass in modern pop that’s anchored by real, genuine emotion.”

The band supported the album with a massive run throughout Europe and the United States, including back-to-back sold-out New York shows at Webster Hall and Music Hall of Williamsburg – with the latter added by overwhelming popular demand.

TIME included “More” in their ‘5 Best Songs of the Week,’ proclaiming it “a retro-inflected electro-pop tune that rings sweet and sincere.” The high-energy music video for the track was directed by Joe Weil (Kendrick Lamar, YG, Khalid) and premiered on People. In the exclusive premiere of the video for fan favorite, “Play With Me,” PAPER declared the visual: “part R&B music video parody + part fantasia — more music videos should tread this fine line, honestly.”

“Dollar” came accompanied by an equally feel-good music video, directed by The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone and co-starring a fully operational hovercraft DeLorean. That visual had its exclusive debut via Complex, which wrote, “[‘Dollar’] is representative of the duo’s goal of entering this latest era with a desire to make straight up, unapologetic pop.”

BUY/STREAM “FREESTYLE” (FEAT. DARELL & RVSSIAN): HERE

WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: HERE

ANDRE GAINES OF CINEMATION STUDIOS TEAMS BRING THE RIVETING STORY OF ELIZABETH CARMICHAEL TO HBO

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When independent producers Andre Gaines and Allen Bain got an email from then
screenwriter Nick Cammilleri about a project called “The Lady and The Dale,” following the rise and fall of 1970’s transgender entrepreneur Elizabeth Carmichael and her radical fuel-efficient, three-
wheeled car known as The Dale, they knew it was the type of project they had to get their hands on.

“It is the only unsolicited inquiry that either of us have ever responded to,” says Gaines. “I have always
loved true crime. Next to sci-fi, and biographical, it’s my favorite genre. Liz Carmichael’s story was
incredible — we were hooked from the very beginning, and so was everyone on our team.”

The three developed the project for more than a year-and-a-half before sharing it with Emmy®-winning
producers of HBO’s Room 104 and Amazon’s Transparent, Mark and Jay Duplass who are repped at
the same agency as Gaines. Within days, the Duplass brothers were in, and together, the team pitched
the four-part documentary series to HBO, who bought it within weeks. The Lady and The Dale is a
probing exploration of family and identity seen through the lens of a fearless and wily innovator, an
extraordinarily resilient woman, and a dedicated parent. The story is told using archival material with
photo collages and animation to illustrate Carmichael’s experiences.

“Animation was an important part of my early career, and I knew it could work here in a unique way,”
says Gaines, who started Cinemation Studios in 2010 as an animation and visual effects
house. “Documentaries often use re-enactments to help tell the story, but with The Lady and the Dale,
animation just made sense.”

HBO describes the series as a riveting, human portrait of an imperfect trailblazer, an industrious
businesswoman, and a beloved mother whose ambition and unwavering optimism ran headlong into
widespread transphobia and media bias. Ahead of her time, forced to operate in an unaccommodating world, Liz Carmichael stands as a heroic figure of resilience and as a symbol of untrammeled
enterprise and survival.

“As a filmmaker, I am always drawn to stories with compelling characters,” says Gaines. “There are
universal themes in The Lady and the Dale that people can relate to regardless of color, gender, and
socioeconomic status.”

Like Carmichael, Gaines is a firm believer in charting his own destiny. A native of Toledo, Ohio his
Hollywood journey began working for former Universal Studios President Kevin Misher, and later for
Producer Doug Wick at Sony. “Both Kevin and Doug taught me not to ‘play the market’ meaning don’t
try to copy what’s out there,” Gaines recalls. “They also said, don’t be so niche that your material will
go over people’s heads.” He also learned how to pick winners from British independent film producer
Cassian Elwes, a long-time friend, and frequent collaborator, but credits his parents, Jimmy and
Sharon Gaines, with teaching him about finance early.

“My parents taught me about money when I was just a kid, and I figured out very early in this business
that if you don’t control the money, you don’t control the narrative,” says Gaines. “People say never
use your own money. I have always said the opposite.”

While at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Gaines began writing and producing
animation, then later producing live-action foreign films and U.S. remakes with STUDIOCANAL. Over
the course of his 15-year Hollywood career, Gaines has financed and produced over twelve
documentary and narrative feature films including Spike Lee’s Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Ladder to
Damascus, Emmy-winner By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, Oscar-nominee Embrace
the Serpent, and SXSW winner Bill Nye: Science Guy on Netflix. Brazilian Western, The Immortal
Warrior, Bricks in Motion, and The Purple Onion were four films Gaines co-financed and produced
with first-time filmmakers in the director’s chair.

Gaines recently wrapped production on the reboot of Stephen King’s Children of the Corn, one of the
first films to shoot during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. In addition, Gaines is producing
Buzzed directed by Marc Forster, about famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin whose life took a turn for the
worse after landing on the moon, and Killing Gawker directed by Seth Gordon, a collaborator with
Gaines on Bill Nye: Science Guy, about the raucous trial of Hulk Hogan versus the defunct tabloid
news site Gawker.com. He re-teams with his Lady and the Dale partner Allen Bain and Blumhouse
TV on another upcoming documentary series Stateless, about a group of bitcoin anarchists who
attempt to build a society free of government rule in the Caribbean.

Gaines is also in the final stages of a project he financed, wrote, and directed – the highly anticipated
documentary feature film about legendary comedian and activist Dick Gregory. The journey has been
a special one for Gaines.

“I cold-called Mr. Gregory in 2015 and pitched the idea to start filming him. He was in,” says Gaines. “It
has been a six-year labor of love to bring the story of this extraordinary comedian, activist, cultural,
and entertainment icon to the screen, and I cannot wait for people to see it.”

Gaines says his time with Dick Gregory, who died in 2017, was a “period of enlightenment” for him
that redirected a path for his life and career in ways he could not have imagined.

“I’ve been blessed with an incredible career, filled with wonderful mentors, awesome friends, and
supportive family,” says Gaines. “My mission now is to pay it forward and help other filmmakers
achieve their dreams while continuing to make meaningful and transformative art.”
Byline: Sherri McGee McCovey

The Lady and The Dale debuted with two back-to-back episodes on HBO on SUNDAY,
JANUARY 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes on subsequent Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. THE
LADY AND THE DALE is also available to stream on HBO Max.

ABOUT THE LADY AND THE DALE

A riveting, human portrait of an imperfect trans trailblazer, an industrious
businesswoman and a beloved mother whose ambition and unwavering optimism ran headlong into
widespread transphobia and media bias. Her life leaves a complicated legacy. Ahead of her time,
forced to operate in an unaccommodating world, Liz Carmichael stands as a heroic reminder of the
prejudices facing the trans community and as a symbol of untrammeled enterprise and survival.

ABOUT ANDRE GAINES

Andre Gaines is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, director and the founder
of Cinemation Studios, a company that finances and produces content for the
motion picture and television industries. Over the course of his fifteen-year career,
Gaines has financed and produced more than twelve documentary and
narrative feature films.

Gaines started off 2021 as a producer alongside Mark and Jay Duplass of the HBO
four-part documentary series, The Lady and The Dale, the true story of Elizabeth
Carmichael, a transgender automotive entrepreneur who introduced a bold,
new three-wheel car in the 1970s. His other upcoming productions include: the
documentary series Stateless with Blumhouse TV; the remake of Stephen King’s
Children of the Corn; Buzzed starring Jeremy Renner and Keira Knightley; Killing
Gawker written by Charles Randolph and directed by Seth Gordon, and the
award-winning animated feature The Immortal Warrior starring Rodrigo Santoro.

Andre Gaines

Drive-In at the Ebell of LA

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Drive-In screening awards-eligible films across LA & launches this weekend @ Ebell of Los Angeles

Necessity drives awards-eligible filmmaker Phyllis Stuart to create the Your Consideration Drive-In Screening Series for the awards season.

With the 2021 awards season in full swing and theaters still shuttered, awards voters are left to judge competing films at home via an online link this season. It’s not ideal. So one awards-eligible filmmaker, Phyllis Stuart (Wild Daze) launched a series the Your Consideration Drive-In screening series to give voters a place to experience films the way their creators intended them to be seen on the big screen. Their Drive-In will follow all public health and safety requirements as mandated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the City of Los Angeles.

Awards voters are inundated with online voting links Stuart said, so motivated by The old proverb: Needs Must When The Devil Drives, aim to give my film a fighting chance to reach voters and offer other awards-eligible filmmakers a place to envelop audiences Conveniently located pop-up locations keep voters close to home while allowing them to watch films.

WHAT: Your Consideration Drive-in Screening Series for film awards voters

WHERE: VARIOUS / FIRST VENUE: THE EBELL OF LOS ANGELES: East Parking Lot @742 S. Lucerne Blvd. LA CA 90005

WHEN: Opening Night January 30th & 31st at 7 P.M.

HOW: Adhering to the 2021 awards outreach rules, all Your Consideration Drive-In Screening invitations will be emailed to awards voters from participating studios and campaign publicists, who will each host their own screenings

Like a traveling treasure hunt, the Your Consideration pop-up drive-in screening series allows Los Angeles film awards voter audiences the chance to travel short distances to see awards-eligible films on a big screen, from the safety of their own vehicles. Says its founder, Phyllis Stuart, always loved scavenger hunts as a kid, and since we must still socially distance this is a safe way to witness cinematic splendor together.

The first two nights of the series will take place at The Ebell of Los Angeles on January 30^thand 31^stwith Stuart’s feature-length documentary Wild Daze. Thereafter, until April 2021 studio awards-eligible films will run at three Your Consideration Drive-In venues.

Director of Special Events, Anessa Birkemeier believes supporting the documentary work of a female filmmaker like “Wild Daze” director Phyllis Stuart aligns with the mission at The Ebell of Los Angeles: To participate in and encourage the educational, cultural, and social growth of the diverse LA community. The venue parking lot with 150 spaces at 742 S. Lucerne Blvd., sits directly across from the clubhouse, where the Your Consideration Drive-In will launch. Ms. Birkemeier added, “The Ebell of Los Angeles is excited to host a drive-in experience that connects our community and supports the film industry.”

ABOUT YOUR CONSIDERATION DRIVE-IN SCREENING SERIES

Featuring a 40-foot inflatable screen with a 30,000 lumen Barco projector and FM transmitted audio, the pop-up drive-in accommodates 75 to 150 vehicles for evening film screenings beginning January 30^ththrough April 2021. The series offers film awards, voters, the opportunity to watch awards-eligible films on the big screen in a charming Los Angeles cinematic environment. For more venue details visit HERE and to book a screening visit HERE.

ABOUT THE EBELL OF LOS ANGELES

The Ebell of Los Angeles is home to the Wilshire Ebell Women’s Club, an active club that began in 1894. In 1927 the women built their historic landmark in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. The 75,000 square foot property includes a tri-level clubhouse and the 1,238-seat Wilshire Ebell Theatre that has hosted top artists including Cher and Stevie Wonder and lectures by world leaders like Dr. Jill Biden. Judy Garland was discovered on the Broadway-style stage while performing as Baby Frances Gumm. Revenue from the Theatre, private events, film and TV& productions fund the operations so that the Ebell women can continue their social and philanthropic work in the community. The Ebell will serve as one of three venues for the Your Consideration Drive-In screening series.

ABOUT WILD DAZE THE MOVIE

Under the banner of Light Productions (The Women’s Image Awards, 50 Years of Funny Females), filmmaker Phyllis Stuart forges an awards-eligible documentary Wild Daze, a project six years in the making, fueled by a fierce desire to save African wildlife, while protecting the women, children and forest peoples whose fates are tied up with the survival of the continent’s most iconic and majestic animals. Visit www.wilddazethemovie.com and follow developments on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Trailer HERE.

Coronavirus Mutations × U.S. Travel Restrictions

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By Emily Bunn

A breaking news article featured in The New York Times announced that the United States will be imposing a mandatory requirement for negative COVID-19 test results from all incoming, international travelers. The requirement for proof of a negative test in order to fly will begin Tuesday, January 25^th.

The CDC has ordered for all travelers to provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 3 days before their travels. Without documentation of a negative test or documentation of recovery supplemented with a letter from a health care provider or public health official, passengers will be prohibited to fly.

The United States is not the only country to be putting in place tighter travel regulations. Due to new mutations of the virus, many countries are adopting stricter border protocol. The New York Times reports:

“Even as the United States moved to impose travel restrictions, citing the danger of the fast-moving variants, a case of the variant spreading in Brazil was identified in Minnesota.”

Variations of the virus in Brazil and South Africa, due to international travel, both pose the threat of COVID-19 mutating. If the virus does mutate, it is potential that the new strain of such will be unreactive to current vaccination efforts.

The New York Times reports that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, an adviser to President Biden, has commented: “With the world travel that you have, and the degree of transmissibility efficiency, it’s not surprising.” Further, President Biden has broadcasted a ban on travel by all non-citizens into the United States from South Africa, the U.K., Ireland, and 26 other European countries.

An article published today on AP News reported that in attempts to increase vaccination efforts, President Biden announced that his administration is planning to purchase 100 million doses of each of the approved coronavirus vaccines–Pfizer and Moderna. Vaccination deliveries to states will be surged for the next three weeks. The Biden administration has announced that they plan to vaccinate 300 million citizens by the end of summer, as reported by The New York Times.

The President, in a White House briefing on January 26th, commented on importance of increasing vaccination supplies to help Americans:

“And to a nation waiting for action, let me be clearest on this point: Help is on the way. We can do this if we come together, if we listen to the scientists.”

These efforts come at an especially critical time, as the global number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 100 million, reports The Wall Street Journal. However, that has been recent speculation regarding the accuracy of that number. In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration has been accused of undercounting the amount of coronavirus deaths that occurred at nursing homes. A report released by Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, shows that the coronavirus death count appears to have been cut by approximately 50 percent. The report compares the number of facility deaths publicized by the Department of Health–1,229 deaths, versus the number of facility deaths reported the Office of Attorney General–1,914 deaths. This staggering discrepancy between reported deaths has spurred suspicion against Cuomo, and the Office of Attorney General (OAG) is conducting an on-going investigation concerning the cause of these variances.

However, there is still hope. In Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom rescinded the county’s stay-at-home order this past Monday, reports The Los Angeles Times. This new jurisdiction will allow for all counties in California to return to the four-tier, colored-coded system of assessing coronavirus risk. Lifting the imposed stay-at-home order could allow for the reopening of personal care services and outdoor dining. While LA has been particularly hard hit by coronavirus, the city actually has a higher vaccination rate than most other comparable cities in the U.S. The New York Times reports that “83 percent of the doses the city has received have been administered, compared with 74 percent in New York City; 52 percent in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio; and 58 percent of the doses ordered in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.”

While the coronavirus situation is still being closely tracked and monitored, hospitalizations and the number of patients in ICUs have been steadily declining. With hospitalizations at their national lowest since December 13 ^th and an increase in vaccination efforts, there is progress to be recognized, despite current setbacks and uncertainties.