I’m going to be away from this spot, “It Is What It Is“, for a few days. I won’t have full access to a PC or laptop.
I still have the capacity to keep an eye on what happens in the blogosphere while I’m away.
I’m not able to just disconnect, particularly with what is going on in our world at this time.
There are so many problems, issues, conflicts, injustices, bigotry, destruction, killing, wars ….. We need to stay informed and educated about “happenings“.
I will leave you today with a message.
As noted above, we won’t find peace until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, as Mr. Sweitzer noted.
‘Tis the season …
We are all in this together. Be kind to on another.
Back to school with What’s the Mashup!
To celebrate, here’s a mashup of 100 scenes of dance made in Hollywood and elsewhere !!
Can you identify the 100 movies?
Before going into the actual post, I must confess that I have totally fallen in love with Adele’s new musical project.
I have been listening to her new CD “25” and must say that I’m totally taken by it.
I know I’m not the only one because everything seems to be Adele nowadays. She was on a visit to New York City and hit all the major talk and late night shows. She appeared on Jimmy Fallon and was hilarious.
She also filmed a TV special for NBS which will air December 14 at 10 PM. One show that I will surely record and watch at my leisure.
Ellen DeGeneres made a parody of her “Hello” which was quite entertaining. Heather Rooney, an incredible illustrator, painted a colored pencil picture of Adele.
I found this video, a rendition of Adele’s “Hello” by the Southern University Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls.
Southern University Marching Band’s Outstanding Cover
By COLLEEN ANNEK
December 3, 2015
Southern University, “of Baton Rouge, not New Orleans: this distinction is incredibly important” as noted by USA Today, takes on Grambling State in the Bayou Classic every year, this year having been the 42nd face-off between the teams, according to the Bayou Classic’s website.
Southern University competed in the Bayou Classic Battle of the Bands on November 27, 2015, and they came to impress. With a stacked horns section, the band covered Adele’s chart-topping single ‘Hello’ with unparalleled power as the Dancing Dolls accompanied the band from the field.
Record-breaking ‘Hello,’ which is currently one of the most popular songs in the country (it has been at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 list for five weeks now) was the perfect card for Southern University’s marching band to play.
~~GALLERY~~
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While Adele’s power-ballad might not be the first thing you think of when considering marching band music, the orchestration of the original track leaves plenty of room for the song to be adapted to a full marching band arrangement. The resulting harmonies are out of this world — just make sure you don’t have the volume turned up too high, these horn players mean serious business.
She’s been the favorite to win since the first week of the competition , and now Bindi Irwin is the official dancing queen of “Dancing With the Stars.”
“Oh, my God! We won!” she exclaimed Tuesday night after beating out her biggest dance-floor rival, Nick Carter.
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”
The Christmas Spirit is making its way in. You can see it everywhere: houses are light up, stores are decorated, people are shopping. Santa’s orders are being filled out.
Meghan Trainor Has Her Own ‘Peanuts’ Character and Song On the Soundtrack
Meghan Trainor is the newest member of the Peanuts gang, and she has a new feel-good song to celebrate.
The “Dear Future Husband” singer revealed her cartoon identity via Twitter and Instagram Tuesday (July 27, 2015), also announcing that she will be on the soundtrack for The Peanuts Movie that hits theaters in November.
The track, titled, “Better When I’m Dancin’,” is another classic confidence-boosting tune from Trainor—exactly what The Peanuts Movie makers were looking for.
“They wanted a song about confidence and knew I was good at writing those,” Trainor told People. “I feel better when I’m onstage dancing and having fun, so I wrote about that!”
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang are dancing way to the big-screen, with moves like you’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.
Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest.
From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.
Watch Adele, Jimmy Fallon, Roots Sing ‘Hello’ With Classroom Instruments
Tonight Show’ supergroup perform chart-topping ballad with melodica, tambourine, toy xylophone, kazoos
By Ryan Reed
Adele’s “Hello,” a chart-topping ballad from her record-breaking new LP, 25, is already one of her most intimate singles. But the singer achieves a new level of intimacy with this Tonight Show rendition of the poignant track, backed by Jimmy Fallon and the Roots on classroom instruments.
Crammed into a small space, the supergroup fleshes out Adele’s croon with melodica, tambourine, wood block, toy xylophone, bongos, a banana shaker and kazoos.
Joining in on the silliness, the singer fakes a cell phone call, channeling the long-distance melancholy of the lyrics.
I’ve been following this season with more enthusiasm than ever before. From the day Season 21 started, I’ve been following, admiring and rooting for Bindi.
Last night, the freestyle which Derek choreographed for her was simply amazing and unforgettable.
She has been consistent in her performances. She has improved so much as the weeks have passed. She seems to be older than her years. The support of her family and loved ones has been remarkable. The presence of her father, Steve, has been quite notable.
Tonight is the night.
I’m holding my breath because I really hope she wins the mirrored trophy.
I found this YouTube video which shows the complete evolution, the practice, the reasoning, the performance and the judging of the dance.
Bindi Irwin reduces Dancing With The Stars audience to tears as she breaks down during emotional performance in memory of her late father Steve
BIANCA SOLDANI FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
There was hardly a dry eye in the Dancing With The Stars arena on Monday night after frontrunner Bindi Irwin took to the stage for a heartfelt tribute dance.
The Australian teenager couldn’t keep her composure and fell sobbing into the arms of her partner Derek Hough, after a childhood image of herself with her late father Steve flashed up at the end of her sequence.
The judging panel and studio audience members were visibly moved by the outpouring of emotion and many were seen wiping their eyes.
Celine Dion sings L’Hymne a L’Amour in tribute to Paris attack victims at American Music Awards 2015
The American Music Awards took a sombre turn on Sunday when Celine Dion sang in tribute to the victims of Paris’s terror attacks.
The Canadian singer covered Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne a L’Amour after actor-musician Jared Leto delivered an emotional speech about the deadly events.
Leto spoke about an impromptu show his band Thirty Seconds To Mars had performed at Le Bataclan in Paris, the scene where 89 people lost their lives in the attacks 10 days ago.
He said: “Seven months later that same venue was under siege, one of a series of attacks that changed the world forever.
“Tonight we honor the victims of the unimaginable violence that took place in Paris and around the world.
“France matters, Syria matters, Russia matters, Mali matters, the Middle East matters, the entire world matters and peace is possible.”
Introducing Dion’s performance, Leto added:
“Many of us here are the sons and daughters of immigrants and Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, and President Barack Obama.
“The American Music Awards wanted to show its support for the people of France and the entire world.”
The Tenors Become Vampires for ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ Video With Lindsey Stirling
The Tenors released the new music video for “Who Wants to Live Forever” on October 28, 2015, exclusively via Billoard.com. The video – which features Lindsey Stirling – dropped just in time for Halloween.
“Who Wants to Live Forever” is featured on The Tenors’ most recent release Under One Sky.
~LYRICS~
(Instrumental Intro featuring Lindsey Stirling)
(Fraser)
There’s no time for us.
There’s no place for us.
What is this thing that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us?
(Remi)
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever? Oh,
(Clifton)
There’s no chance for us.
It’s all decided for us.
This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us.
(Victor)
Who wants to live forever?
Who dares to love forever?
Oooh, Ahh,
(Clifton)
Who dares to live forever? Woah,
When love must die.
(Instrumental break featuring Lindsey Stirling)
(Fraser/Remi)
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
(All)
And we can have forever,
And we can love forever.
(Victor)
Forever is our today.
(All)
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is ours,
(Fraser)
Who wants forever anyway?
(Instrumental close featuring Lindsey Stirling)
~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~
Google Images
The Tenors (formerly known as The Canadian Tenors) are a vocal quartet consisting of Remigio Pereira, Victor Micallef, Fraser Walters and Clifton Murray. They perform operatic pop music that is a mixture of classical and pop, featuring songs such as “The Prayer” and Panis Angelicus from the former genre, and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah from the latter.
Originating from Canada, Pereira from Ottawa/Gatineau, Micallef from Toronto, Walters from Vancouver and Murray from Port McNeil, the Tenors have performed on more than 60 international television programs. They appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Celine Dion in 2010, at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, at the opening ceremonies of 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and on ITV (TV network) Diamond Jubilee Show at Windsor Castle for HM Queen Elizabeth II. The venues they have performed in include the Tel Aviv Opera House, and the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. They also appeared on the 2009 Grey Cupbroadcast and on CBC Television’s Holiday Festival of Ice.
They have shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young, Paul Anka, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Brian McKnight, David Foster and Natalie Cole.
Who doesn’t love a good vampire scene set in a haunted castle?
In The Tenors’ video for their cover of Queen’s “Who Wants To Live Forever,” from their latest album Under One Sky, the quartet are vampires lamenting their immortality. The clip also features violinist Lindsey Stirling who contributed to the song.
Directed by Matěj Pichler, the video was shot in a historic castle in Prague, which locals have rumored is haunted by a previous family who inhabited the space 300 years ago.
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