Today: September 20, 2024
Today: September 20, 2024

Arts

Arts

Singer Ciara expecting fourth child, her third with Russell Wilson

The Grammy-winning performer Ciara is expecting her fourth child, her third with husband and Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, a representative for the singer confirmed to The Associated Press. Ciara broke the news in a video announcement on her Instagram, revealing her pregnant silhouette in front of a pool. She wrote in the caption, “You look at me like that again, we make another kid… You my heart I’m your rib.” The clip is soundtracked by “How We Roll,” her 2023 collaboration with Chris Brown. In July 2020, Ciara and Wilson welcomed their second child, Win

August 08, 2023
Singer Ciara expecting fourth child, her third with Russell Wilson
Arts

DJ Casper, Chicago disc jockey and creator of 'Cha Cha Slide,' dies after battle with cancer

Willie Perry Jr., a Chicago disc jockey known as “DJ Casper” and creator of the iconic “Cha Cha Slide” dance, has died. He was 58. Perry was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and his wife confirmed his death Monday in a statement to WLS-TV. “Casper was a fun-loving, giving person,” his wife, Kim, said in the statement. “He was a genuine, family oriented man. He loved Chicago with all his heart. He will be greatly missed.” His “Cha Cha Slide” continues to be a favorite at weddings, clubs and many other events about two decades after it

August 08, 2023
DJ Casper, Chicago disc jockey and creator of 'Cha Cha Slide,' dies after battle with cancer
Arts

Jay-Z's Made In America fest canceled due to 'severe circumstances outside of production control'

Jay-Z ‘s annual Made in America festival, scheduled for next month in Philadelphia, has been canceled. “Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made in America festival will no longer be taking place,” the festival shared in a statement on social media. Made in America had been scheduled for Sept. 2-3 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with Lizzo and SZA as the headliners. “This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation. Made in America has a legacy of delivering exceptional experiences for music fans and concert goers, and it is

August 08, 2023
Jay-Z's Made In America fest canceled due to 'severe circumstances outside of production control'
Arts

Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt makes her Hollywood debut in Netflix's ‘Heart of Stone’

Alia Bhatt had been weighing her Hollywood options for a few years. A popular star of Hindi films for over a decade with nearly 79 million Instagram followers, she’d been interested in making an English-language film, but nothing had been working out. Then Bhatt got word of a new action franchise led and produced by Gal Gadot and within a week of reading the script, the deal had closed. It was, she concluded, fate. “Your first film chooses you,” Bhatt said in an interview with The Associated Press in June. “Technically, this is my first English-language movie. It chose me

August 08, 2023
Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt makes her Hollywood debut in Netflix's ‘Heart of Stone’
Arts

ESPN strikes $1.5B deal to jump into sports betting with Penn Entertainment

You know ESPN the sports media giant. Now brace yourself for ESPN Bet, a rebranding of an existing sports-betting app owned by Penn Entertainment, which is paying $1.5 billion plus other considerations for exclusive rights to the ESPN name. The deal, announced Tuesday, could take Walt Disney Co.-owned ESPN into uncharted waters. Disney is fiercely protective of its family-friendly image, not typically associated with the world of sports gambling. Penn will operate ESPN Bet, which ESPN has agreed to promote across its online and broadcast platforms in order to generate “maximum fan awareness” of the app. ESPN Bet will also

August 09, 2023
ESPN strikes $1.5B deal to jump into sports betting with Penn Entertainment
Arts

Women battle misogyny to send hip-hop spinning in a new direction

Rasheeda Frost’s decades-long relationship with hip-hop started in 1981. She was a curious, energetic kindergartener — eager to touch and explore anything put in front of her. Rasheeda remembered her mother presenting her with a huge, white box — it was a record player that she would continuously spin, not knowing what its purpose was. Then, she said, her mom gave her a record with a colorful cornucopia printed in the middle: The Sugarhill Gang. “She must’ve just known hip-hop was embedded in me at such a young age,” the MTV “Love and Hip-Hop: Atlanta” reality star

August 09, 2023
Women battle misogyny to send hip-hop spinning in a new direction
Arts

Through space and rhyme: How hip-hop uses Afrofuturism to take listeners on journeys of empowerment

Afrofuturism, a mix of science fiction, magic realism and liberation politics, has shaped some hip-hop artists’ work for decades.

August 09, 2023
Through space and rhyme: How hip-hop uses Afrofuturism to take listeners on journeys of empowerment
Arts

Through space and rhyme: How hip-hop uses Afrofuturism to take listeners on journeys of empowerment

The exhibit “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., on May 4, 2023. Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images It is perhaps only natural, as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, that people look to the genre’s future. But for some rappers, the future has always been part of the story. Ever since August 1973, hip-hop artists have turned to Afrofuturism – a mix of science fiction, politics and liberating fantasy – to inform their lyrics and their look. As a professor of African diaspora religious philosophies and

August 09, 2023
Through space and rhyme: How hip-hop uses Afrofuturism to take listeners on journeys of empowerment
Arts

Air travel is in a rut – is there any hope of recapturing the romance of flying?

The high-risk adventure of air travel has been subdued, yet today’s long flights can paradoxically feel torturous. Christopher Schaberg, CC BY-SA Amelia Earhart broke a transcontinental speed record 90 years ago, in July 1933, by flying her signature red Lockheed Vega from Los Angeles to New Jersey in just 17 hours, seven and a half minutes. Earlier that year, Earhart had flown as an observer on a Northwest Airways winter flight across the U.S., testing the possibilities of a “Northern Transcontinental” route. Because those early airplanes couldn’t reach high altitudes, they weaved through dangerous peaks and the erratic weather patterns

August 09, 2023
Air travel is in a rut – is there any hope of recapturing the romance of flying?
Arts

Angelina Jolie joins producing team for Broadway-bound musical 'The Outsiders'

Add Angelina Jolie to the growing list of celebrities lately dipping their toes into producing on Broadway. The Oscar-winning “Girl, Interrupted” actor has become a lead producer on the Broadway-bound new musical “The Outsiders,” a show based on S.E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 coming-of-age crime drama. “The Outsiders” had its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse earlier this year. The Broadway cast and dates have not been revealed yet. “I hope to be able to contribute while continuing to learn from this amazing team, who I have been working with since my daughter

August 09, 2023
Angelina Jolie joins producing team for Broadway-bound musical 'The Outsiders'
Arts

Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, subject of 'Searching for Sugarman' documentary, dies at 81

Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, who became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugarman,” has died. He was 81. Rodriguez’ death Tuesday in Detroit was announced on the Sugarman.org website and confirmed Wednesday by his granddaughter, Amanda Kennedy. He died following a short illness, according to his wife, Konny Rodriguez, 72. A 2013 Associated Press story referred to Rodriguez as “the greatest protest singer and songwriter that most people never heard of.” His albums flopped in the United States in the 1970s, but — unknown to him — he later became a star in South

August 09, 2023
Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, subject of 'Searching for Sugarman' documentary, dies at 81
Arts

If you've ever wanted to be in 'Hamilton,' you can now do so — on Roblox

The landmark Broadway musical “Hamilton” has landed on Roblox, turning the innovative stage show into an immersive online environment for a new generation. “’Hamilton’ has global recognition. Roblox has 66 million daily active users from all around the world. What a perfect match,” Matt Edelman, president and chief commercial officer for Super League — which designed and built the online experience — tells The Associated Press ahead of Thursday’s official launch. In the Hamilton Simulator, players use their own avatars as they rub shoulders with the musical’s characters and negotiate through 10 levels set during the

August 09, 2023
If you've ever wanted to be in 'Hamilton,' you can now do so — on Roblox
Arts

Hollywood strike matches the 100-day mark of the last writers' strike in 2007-2008

The Hollywood writers strike reached the 100-day mark on Wednesday, matching the length of the landmark 2007-2008 strike. The milestone comes as the U.S. film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual strikes by its actors and screenwriters. There’s no foreseeable end — a negotiating session last week involving Hollywood studios and streamers and the striking workers ended with little progress. Special Writers Guild of America pickets calling attention to the 100th day are being held in New York and Los Angeles. Television networks are a month away from starting a new fall season, and broadcasters

August 09, 2023
Hollywood strike matches the 100-day mark of the last writers' strike in 2007-2008
Arts

Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band, dies at 80

Robbie Robertson, The Band’s lead guitarist and songwriter who in such classics as “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” mined and helped reshape American music, has died at 80. Robertson died surrounded by family, a statement from his manager said. From their years as Bob Dylan’s masterful backing group to their own stardom as embodiments of old-fashioned community and virtuosity, The Band profoundly influenced popular music in the 1960s and ’70s, first by literally amplifying Dylan’s polarizing transition from folk artist to rock star and then by absorbing the works of Dylan

August 09, 2023
Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band, dies at 80
Arts

Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans and a crackdown on password sharing expected to extend through next year. The increases will raise the monthly cost of ad-free Disney+ by $3, or roughly 27%, to almost $14. The cost of ad-free Hulu will likewise rise $3 to almost $18 — a 20% hike that will make it more expensive than the most popular ad-free tier at Netflix. Iger spoke following Disney’s release of mixed earnings for its fiscal third quarter ended

August 09, 2023
Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing
Arts

Children's author Dav Pilkey has shameless title for next 'Dog Man' book, 'The Scarlet Shedder'

With apologies to Nathaniel Hawthorne and admirers of “The Scarlet Letter,” Dav Pilkey has a shameless name for the next installment of his multi-million selling “Dog Man” children’s books series about a canine superhero: “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder,” to be published March 19. Woof. “Dog Man started out as a character I created when I was in second grade, but the series has evolved into a love letter to my parents,” Pilkey said in a statement released Thursday by Scholastic. “Looking back as a kid growing up with dyslexia and ADHD, my parents, who were

August 10, 2023
Children's author Dav Pilkey has shameless title for next 'Dog Man' book, 'The Scarlet Shedder'
Arts

Taylor Swift announces October release of '1989 (Taylor’s Version)' at Eras Tour show in Los Angeles

Taylor Swift closed the 2023 U.S. leg of her landmark Eras Tour at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium in a big way by announcing the fourth edition of her re-recording project: “1989 (Taylor’s Version.)” After playing a few tracks from her “1989” era live, the pop star approached the center of the stage with an acoustic guitar in hand and suggested to the audience that she’d been working on something big. “Instead of telling you about it, we’ll just show you,” she told the crowd as the screen illuminated behind her. “1989 (Taylor’s Version) available October

August 10, 2023
Taylor Swift announces October release of '1989 (Taylor’s Version)' at Eras Tour show in Los Angeles
Arts

Fans in India rejoice as superstar actor Rajinikanth's latest movie hits theaters

Fans of an Indian movie star with a cult following thronged movie theaters and celebrated with dancing and prayers as his latest film hit screens on Thursday. Hundreds of avid supporters of Rajinikanth, one of India’s biggest movie superstars, carried photo cutouts and flower garlands as they made their way to a theater in Mumbai to watch his latest film “Jailer.” The first screening began at 6 a.m. local time. When Rajinikanth appeared on screen, the theater stopped the movie for a minute as fans danced and cheered, rejoicing in his return after a period of

August 10, 2023
Fans in India rejoice as superstar actor Rajinikanth's latest movie hits theaters
Arts

Kuwait and Lebanon move to ban 'Barbie' over gender and sexuality themes ahead of Mideast release

“Barbie” is set to open across the Middle East on Thursday, but moves by Kuwait and Lebanon to ban the film over its themes on gender and sexuality have raised questions over how widely it will be released. Kuwait announced its ban late Wednesday, saying the film promotes “ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order,” without elaborating, according to a statement published by the state-run KUNA news agency. In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada said the film was found to “contradict values of faith and morality” and “promote

August 10, 2023
Kuwait and Lebanon move to ban 'Barbie' over gender and sexuality themes ahead of Mideast release
Arts

Heritage algorithms combine the rigors of science with the infinite possibilities of art and design

By bridging culture and computation, heritage algorithms challenge the myth of ‘primitive cultures’ and forge a new understanding of science and art.

August 10, 2023
Heritage algorithms combine the rigors of science with the infinite possibilities of art and design
Arts

Emmy Awards move to January, placing them firmly in Hollywood's awards season

The strike-delayed 75th Emmy Awards have a new date — one that places them squarely within Hollywood’s awards season, for a change. Fox announced Thursday that the Emmys will air Jan. 15 from the Peacock Theater at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. The show will air on the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. The timing means that the Emmys, which honor the best shows on television, will air weeks before the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which honors film and television actors. Numerous other shows like the Golden Globe Awards, which haven’t been confirmed for a

August 10, 2023
Emmy Awards move to January, placing them firmly in Hollywood's awards season
Arts

Q&A: Kelsea Ballerini on her divorce EP and people throwing things at concerts

Back in February, recording artist Kelsea Ballerini quietly released an EP of strikingly intimate and vulnerable songs about her recent divorce from Australian musician Morgan Evans, with no expectation of performing or promoting them in the way she would a traditional album. But after receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from fans, the pop country singer-songwriter is re-releasing “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” on Friday with some updated lyrics and a previously unreleased track. In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Ballerini reflected on what this EP has meant for her, both personally and professionally. The

August 10, 2023
Q&A: Kelsea Ballerini on her divorce EP and people throwing things at concerts
Arts

Movie weapons supervisor pleads not guilty to manslaughter in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin

The woman who oversaw the use of weapons on the movie set where Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, New Mexico court officials said. Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment on the charges in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Rust,” officials said Wednesday. A state district judge tentatively scheduled a trial for December. A defense attorney for Gutierrez-Reed has characterized it a tragic accident and says the weapons specialist committed no

August 10, 2023
Movie weapons supervisor pleads not guilty to manslaughter in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin
Arts

Streamer Kai Cenat says he is 'beyond disappointed' in mayhem at NYC event

The 21-year-old social media influencer who was charged with inciting a riot after a crowd of thousands of his followers erupted in chaos in New York City last week says he is “beyond disappointed” in the bad behavior. “Beyond disappointed in anybody who became disruptive that day, bro,” streamer Kai Cenat said on Twitch on Wednesday. Speaking publicly for the first time since some of his followers jumped on cars and hurled bottles during the Aug. 4 mayhem in Manhattan’s Union Square, Cenat added, “None of that is cool, bro, you feel what I’m saying?” Thousands

August 10, 2023
Streamer Kai Cenat says he is 'beyond disappointed' in mayhem at NYC event
Arts

Striking screenwriters will resume negotiations with studios on Friday

The guild that represents striking film and television screenwriters says negotiations with major studios and streaming services will resume Friday. The Writers Guild of America sent a message to its members Thursday saying they expect the studios will respond to their proposals. The two sides met last week to discuss possibly restarting negotiations, but no negotiation dates were immediately set. “Our committee returns to the bargaining table ready to make a fair deal, knowing the unified WGA membership stands behind us and buoyed by the ongoing support of our union allies,” The Writers Guild told its

August 10, 2023
Striking screenwriters will resume negotiations with studios on Friday

Follow