Common Sense, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a powerful voice for kids and families in the 21st century, today announced the honorees for the 2017 Common Sense Awards, to be held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.
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The Common Sense Awards celebrate visionaries who have embraced media and technology to inspire, educate, and improve the lives of kids. This event is Common Sense Media’s annual fundraising gala that rotates among San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Over the past 12 years, the Common Sense Awards have honored some of the most innovative minds in entertainment, public policy, and education technology, from former President Bill Clinton and filmmaker George Lucas to author J.K. Rowling and science educator Bill Nye the Science Guy. This year’s honorees are true heroes who inspire, break barriers, give kids a voice, fight to ensure every child can succeed, and leverage their celebrity to achieve social justice. The honorees include:
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• Gina Rodriguez, Golden Globe Award-winning actor, the CW’s Jane the Virgin: Media Role Model Award
• Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.): Public Policy Leadership Award
• Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, co-founded by Amy Poehler and Meredith Walker: Digital Media Leadership Award
• April McClain-Delaney, Common Sense Washington director and co-chair, Common Sense Washington Advisory Council: Common Sense Champion Award
• S. Dallas Dance, Ph.D., superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools: Educational Leadership Award
“Mobile devices and screens are a regular part of life, which can be challenging for parents to manage but can also provide wonderful learning and entertainment opportunities for kids and teens,” said James P. Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense. “We commend our honorees for the positive media messages, policies, and advocacy that they have supported on behalf of kids and families. They represent the gold standard for what media can be for our youth if we put our minds to it. We hope that by honoring them here today, others will follow their lead in creating content and policies that ensure kids can learn from and be entertained by what they see on their devices.”
This year’s hosts are Katty Kay, BBC News anchor, and Claire Shipman, journalist/author, who are co-authors of the New York Times best-seller The Confidence Code. Attendees will enjoy a poetry reading from National Student Poet Joey Reisberg, who recently shared the Lincoln Center stage with Meryl Streep and other luminaries at a celebration of National Poetry Month on April 19, 2017.
The audience attending this year’s Common Sense Awards will include influential guests representing the worlds of education, government, and public leadership, industry, and business. To learn more about the 2017 Common Sense Awards, click here.
May 03, 2017 01:30 pm
Following thousands of events taking place in over 190 countries, International Jazz Day 2017 culminated in a phenomenal concert streamed worldwide from Havana’s historic Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso.
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International Jazz Day 2017, Sun. April 30
Credit/Copyright: TMIJ/UNESCO
As the International Jazz Day 2017 Global Host City, the musically vibrant city of Havana also presented a wide range of concerts and education programs in partnership with Cuba’s Ministry of Culture, the Cuban Institute of Music, and the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO.
Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in coordination with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, International Jazz Day is recognized on the official calendars of UNESCO and the United Nations. Each year on April 30, International Jazz Day highlights the role of jazz in promoting freedom, creativity and intercultural dialogue, and uniting people from all corners of the globe. Toyota served as Lead Partner of International Jazz Day 2017.
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The Global Concert – hosted by Will Smith – began with an all-star group of musicians from Cuba and around the world performing “Cuba Bop” and “Manteca” in tribute to the groundbreaking 1940s collaboration between Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo that blended Afro-Cuban music and jazz.
Acclaimed vocalist Cassandra Wilson performed her sultry composition “You Move Me” and Cuban trumpet virtuoso Julio Padrón played Freddie Hubbard’s inventive “Byrdlike.” Beloved Cuban vocalist Bobby Carcassés joined forces with master bassist and vocalist Richard Bona of Cameroon for a fiery rendition of the Latin jazz tune “Bilongo.”
“Bésame Mucho” showcased the global influence of jazz, with pianists Youn Sun Nah (Republic of Korea) and Tarek Yamani (Lebanon); bassist Esperanza Spalding and violinist Regina Carter (United States); and drummer Antonio Sánchez (Mexico). To mark the centennial of jazz icon Thelonious Monk, legendary Cuban pianists Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Chucho Valdés gave a stunning performance of the classic “Blue Monk.” The concert came to a exhilarating end with artists including pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Marcus Miller, vocalists Kurt Elling and Ivan Lins, French guitarist Marc Antoine, and Cuban percussionists Yaroldi Abreu, Adel González, Ramsés Rodriguez and Oscar Valdés performing the John Lennon anthem “Imagine.”
“Budweiser Made in America,” the JAY Z curated two-day music festival and staple of Labor Day Weekend, returns to Philadelphia for a sixth year.
This year’s concert will benefit both the ACLU of Pennsylvania and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. A primary goal of this music festival is to have a positive impact on the communities involved.
As a result of this concert, money invested into these communities will positively impact the education, income and heath of the most vulnerable citizens in these regions. As a result of this year’s Budweiser Made in America festivals, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will invest in initiatives that support youth success and family stability to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Headliners JAY Z, J. Cole, The Chainsmokers are joined by Kaskade, Marshmello, Migos, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, 21 Savage, Sampha, Cash Cash, R3hab, Pusha T, Vic Mensa, DMX, DJ Mustard, Marian Hill, Tiwa Savage, Getter, KYLE, Wizkid, Stormzy, Lizzo, Dirty South, Broods, Kelela, Francis and The Lights, Ugly God, Yung Lean, PnB Rock, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Rob $Tone, Rapsody, Netsky, Green Velvet, Beach Slang, Salva, Burns, Jorja Smith, Vanic, THEY., Kap Slap, Devault, Nick Grant, Mt. Joy, Mannequin Pussy, Kodie Shane, Flor, Earthgang, Medasin, Tommy Genesis, Smino, Mozart La Para, Carter Winter, Maleek Berry, Karen Rodriguez, J.I.D, Busty & The Bass, Ari Lennox, Downtown Boys, Queen of Jeans
When: Saturday, September 2, 2017
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Where:
Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA and for those who are unable to attend, global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL, will livestream the festival on TIDAL.com
Ticket Purchase: TIDAL members have access to an exclusive presale ahead of the general public beginning Monday, May 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm (ET) at TIDAL.com/MIA.
Citi is the official credit card of the Budweiser Made In America Festival. Citi cardmembers get access to presale tickets beginning on Tuesday, May 2nd at 10:00am ET through Thursday, May 4th at 10pm ET. For additional details, visit www.citiprivatepass.com
General public can purchase tickets beginning Friday, May 5, 2017 at 10:00 am (ET) at Ticketmaster.
Actor Jeff Bridges has been a long time supporter of ending childhood hunger. Curiously, in another effort to combat hunger he created Dreaming With Jeff, a website that supports sleeping, dreaming and, for children in America, eating as well.
When Squarespace (a website design platform where Jeff Bridges says any wild idea can make a creative website) suggested he give it a try, Bridges decided to make a website devoted to helping people to sleep. “Sit back, close your eyes, and nod off,” says the home page.
For no fee, visitors to the website simply download the album or click on a track and listen to Jeff talk, hum and chant to relaxing and sometimes weird music. “We hope you enjoy streaming,” says the website, and then, “We invite you to make a donation to No Kid Hungry and help end child hunger in America.”
“You can get it for free,” says Bridges, “but then make a donation.”
Concordia, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that builds partnerships for social impact, will welcome former Vice President of the United States, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and leader of the new Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania, Joe Biden, to address the inaugural Concordia Europe Summit in Athens, Greece on June 6-7, 2017.
The Summit will also feature addresses from Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and Non-Executive Chairman of Goldman Sachs International and former President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
As its first major European event, the Concordia Europe Summit is an important convening of over 400 leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that will provide attendees with an opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions on how public-private partnerships can address pressing issues facing the continent and beyond, including the mounting refugee crisis, the future of the European Union, and regional investment in achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Concordia Co-Founders, Nicholas Logothetis and Matthew Swift commented, “Building meaningful partnerships at the intersection of business and government in and around Europe is key to ensuring that the global community at large remains on a steady path to achieving the SDGs, sustainable solutions for refugees, and opportunities for investment. We are honored that former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will lend their leadership as we come together to identify solutions for a more prosperous Europe.”
Additional information about the inaugural Concordia Europe Summit including the livestream and Day of Engagement can be found on the event website here.
The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but on May 19, he’s coming to Santa Fe. That’s Charlie Daniels’ signature song, of course, and he’s bringing his show to the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino for one night only to benefit the Espanola Valley Humane Society.
“We’re thrilled to have The Charlie Daniels Band perform for us once again,” said Christine Gabaldon, Buffalo Thunder’s Director of Marketing. “He’s a true entertainer and this promises to be a memorable evening.”
Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s music scene than Charlie Daniels, who has been performing for fifty-plus years. Over the course of his career, Charlie has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and Musicians Hall of Fame. He’s been presented the Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music and was honored as a BMI Icon in recognition of his songwriting. He’s also received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame and in 2016 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Most recently, he’s written his memoir titled, “Never Look at the Empty Seats,” which will be released this October.
But music isn’t his only passion. Charlie Daniels lends his time and talent to numerous charitable organizations as well, and the Espanola Valley Humane Society’s mission has proven to be a remarkable fit.
“I have a very unique opportunity because of being in the music community, you try to give back to some extent. I do feel like people should. We should all do as much as we can,” Charlie says of using his celebrity status to aid worthy causes.
And the Espanola Valley Humane Society is indeed worthy. Established in 1992, their mission is to end animal suffering due to overpopulation and preventable disease in underserved communities. Now celebrating their 25th anniversary, the Society’s goal is to find every dog and cat in their care a loving, happy home. When surrendering a pet becomes the only option, no animal is ever turned away. According to the organization’s Executive Director Bridget Lindquist, the Society has touched the lives of more than 143,000 companion animals since opening its doors.
“We manage a city-owned animal shelter,” Lindquist said. “That means that 91% of contributions go directly to the animals in our care. We have limited available resources to do that job so the partnership with this special performance goes a long way in raising both awareness and donations.”
In addition to the benefit concert, Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is addressing animal welfare in its own unique way by creating a dog park on its property, Gabaldon said. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 4pm on the same day as the concert, and the public is invited to attend.
The Charlie Daniels Band Benefit Concert is expected to sell out with a capacity of 1500 people. Limited VIP packages are available that include a concert ticket and photo opportunity with Charlie Daniels himself for $99. Tickets are available at the casino box office or online at tickets.com.
May 03, 2017 06:00 am
Started by Linkin Park, Music for Relief responds to natural disasters as they occur to help victims recover and rebuild, with an emphasis on housing, education programs and resources.
The organization also recognizes the environmental consequences of global warming, which have demonstrated the capability to accelerate and strengthen certain types of natural disasters. Therefore the second goal of MUSICFORRELIEF is to help prevent and decrease future natural disasters by reducing greenhouse gasses, seeking renewable forms of energy and educating the public about climate change.
