Fans flock to hear Elton
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110313/NEWS/103130487/-1/NEWS06
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110313/NEWS/103130487/-1/NEWS06
Sharon L. Thompson of Falmouth, left, and her daughter, Serena Fackos of Pawcatuck, Conn. were among the fans attending last night’s Elton John show at the DCU Center. (T&G Staff/MARK C. IDE)
WORCESTER — The fans, wearing oversized glasses festooned with pipe cleaners and stick-on glitter, only reinforced what was on the marquee outside: Elton John was in town.
Sharon L. Thompson and her daughter Serena Fackos wore their glittery eyewear on top of their heads like tiaras in celebration of the British pop icon’s sometimes outlandish fashions. Standing inside the lobby at the DCU Center, Ms. Thompson, of Falmouth, said she has always been in awe of Elton John and was eager to make the drive to Worcester for tonight’s show.
“I hope he does ‘Circle of Life,’ ” she said, referring to the song he wrote for the 1994 Disney animation, “The Lion King.”
Her daughter Serena, of Pawcatuck, Conn., was just as fervent.
“He’s been on my bucket list,” she said. “I like ‘Benny and the Jets.’ ”
The crowd filled the lobby well before the interior doors opened for the 8 p.m. show. Ticket holders comprised a mix of ages, but it was weighted heavily with the AARP generation. Some brought their children. The only fashion statement more prevalent than gray hair and denim jackets was leopard-skin print.
Mark Brawsay, 37, of West Springfield, with bleached blond hair and leopard print jeans, said he wore the jeans specifically for this show, one of several of Sir Elton’s he has attended.
“He’s always a good show,” he said, “and well worth the buck. I try to see him when he’s in the area, depending on the ticket prices.
“I like all his stuff, but mostly I like his earlier stuff,” he said of Elton John’s 40-year-long recording career.
Jaymie Cutler of Brookline said she and her boyfriend waited until the last minute and still got tickets.
“I’ve seen the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, and I hold him up there with them,” she said. “I’ve seen the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, and this just completes the cycle.
“I’m thrilled to be here. It brings back memories from college.”
Outside, limousines dropped off concert-goers while scalpers tried to sell tickets. One fan said he saw front-row tickets for sale online for $600 each.
Sherrie Tarquinio of Hubbardston, and her friend, Kathy McGrath of Auburn, said they had seen Sir Elton before, years ago.
“I saw him in Mansfield when it was the Great Woods,” Ms. Tarquinio said. “I like all of his stuff, but I would like it if he sang ‘Candle in the Wind.’ ”
Ms. McGrath recalled seeing him perform at the former Cape Cod Coliseum in the 1970s.
“I like his old stuff, like ‘Candle in the Wind,’ but I don’t know much of his newer stuff,” she said.
Outside, Chris Miller, 25, of Worcester waited for a friend to arrive to loan him some cash to buy a ticket.
“I’ve wanted to see him for a while,” he said. “I like all different types of music.”
Kein Glamour-Alarm
Erwischt: Elton John im Schlafzimmer-Look
http://www.promiflash.de/erwischt-elton-john-im-schlafzimmer-look-1103133003.htmlSonntag, 13. März 2011 | 06:15 Uhr | Andrea
Bildquelle: Michael Wright/WENN.com
Wenn es um das Thema Mode geht, hat Elton John (63) bekanntlich grundsätzlich sehr eigene Vorstellungen. In der exzentrischen Welt der Stars eigentlich kein Problem. Sein jüngster „Auftritt“ auf dem Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles sprengt jedoch gleich mehrere Fashion-No-Go-Grenzen.
Kurze Hose im Schlafanzug-Look, weiße Tennissocken und Sturmfrisur – besonders viel Mühe scheint sich der Sänger bei diesem Outfit nicht gegeben zu haben. Wenigstens sein Standard-Accessoire – die Sonnenbrille - hat der 64-Jährige farblich auf das T-Shirt abgestimmt. Richtig übel nehmen kann man ihm den Mode-Fauxpas jedoch nicht. Schließlich sind Elton John und sein Ehemann David Furnish (48) erst vor Kurzem Eltern des kleinen Zachary geworden. Dass Mode und Fashion für den Sänger nicht mehr im Mittelpunkt stehen, ist selbstverständlich.
Ein Mode-Ausrutscher in Elternzeit: Wir meinen kein Problem und freuen uns auf baldige Bilder in altgewohnter Pop-Ikonen-Manier.
Kurze Hose im Schlafanzug-Look, weiße Tennissocken und Sturmfrisur – besonders viel Mühe scheint sich der Sänger bei diesem Outfit nicht gegeben zu haben. Wenigstens sein Standard-Accessoire – die Sonnenbrille - hat der 64-Jährige farblich auf das T-Shirt abgestimmt. Richtig übel nehmen kann man ihm den Mode-Fauxpas jedoch nicht. Schließlich sind Elton John und sein Ehemann David Furnish (48) erst vor Kurzem Eltern des kleinen Zachary geworden. Dass Mode und Fashion für den Sänger nicht mehr im Mittelpunkt stehen, ist selbstverständlich.
Ein Mode-Ausrutscher in Elternzeit: Wir meinen kein Problem und freuen uns auf baldige Bilder in altgewohnter Pop-Ikonen-Manier.
Bildquelle: Michael Wright/WENN.com
BILLY ELLIOT Closes In Houston 3/13
http://houston.broadwayworld.com/article/BILLY_ELLIOT_Arrives_In_Houston_2232011_20110312
Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to Houston until March 13, 2011 as a part of the Theatre Under The Stars and Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center 2010-2011 seasons.
Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.
Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever.
Casting for the second national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical features Tony Award-winner Faith Prince starring as Mrs. Wilkinson along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Michael Dameski, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto and Daniel Russell in the role of ‘Billy.'
Also featured are Rich Hebert (Dad); Patti Perkins (Grandma); Jeff Kready (Tony); Joel Blum (George); Griffin Birney and Jacob Zelonky (Michael); and Rachel Mracna (Debbie).
Ben Brantley of the New York Times says that Billy Elliot "Sends audiences into a mass swoon!" Time Out says it's "The most electric and passionate show in years." The Daily News calls Billy "So exhilarating that you feel like leaping!" Liz Smith calls the show "Absolutely awesome," The New York Observer raves that Billy is "The best thing to happen to Broadway in a long while," and WOR's Dave Richardson cheers, "All I can say is WOW!
The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.
Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at www.BillyElliotTour.com.
Billy Elliot the Musical will play at The Hobby Center February 23 - March 13, 2011 and tickets start as low as $24. Tickets go on sale Sunday, November 14 and are available at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/Houston and www.tuts.com or charge by phone by calling 800-982-ARTS (2787) and 713-558-TUTS (8887). Groups of 15 or more should e-mail Houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com or groupsales@tuts.com or call 888-451-5986 or 713-558-8888.
Join our social community! For up-to-the-minute news including videos, news articles, photos, and more visit, Gexa Energy Broadway Across America-Houston and Theatre Under the Stars on Facebook and on Twitter @baahouston and @tutshouston.
13 Mar
2011
2011
Elton John 3/12 DCU Center Worcester Photos
http://theaudioperv.com/2011/03/13/elton-john-312-dcu-center-worcester-photos/
The legendary Elton John performed last night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The show is one of several on his North American late winter/early spring tour. The Rocket Man played a three hour long set. Our Phil DeSimone (of FromThePhotoPit.com) was there to get some great shots of Sir Elton and his band. Check them out below:
Interview with Elton John from the Gnomeo and Juliet Junket
http://www.thenightowlmama.com/2011/03/interview-with-elton-john-from-the-gnomeo-and-juliet-junket.htmlFiled in Resources 0 comments
In January I was invited by Disney to attend the Gnomeo and Juliet Junket with 19 other Bloggers. The junket included interviewing the director of Gnomeo and Juliet Kelly Asbury and Excutive Producer Elton John and voice’s of Gnomeo (James McAvory) and Juliet (Emily Blunt). I had no idea what to expect other than what you hear through the grape vine and I figured it would be a stuffy atmosphere question and answer’s type of meeting. To the contrary it was the total opposite. Of course it would of been really great to sit in a big circle and chat about this and that but formally we all remained professional and had some truly great “inquiring minds want to know” questions to ask.
Interviewing Elton John
As you could imagine when Elton walked into the room you could of heard a pin drop. He walked fast quickly sat down and folded his hands on the table. Visions of the last time I saw him in concert in Chicago flashed quickly in my memory. I started hearing his awesome songs playing and foot started tapping. I could feel my heart race thinking, “HOLY Wow! I’m sitting in a room with Elton John and oh yes everyone else is here too, but I have the most perfect view.” Then I started to think about how I was going to make sure I was able to stand next time who for the picture. Suddenly I heard others talking. That’s right were here for an interview.
I want to point out a few answers to questions that were asked of Elton because I feel they have a strong message to the world and funny that it comes from a Disney Film but Disney film have become a universal “happy place” for all and I think if everyone around the world would just start paying attention to what’s going on in the world and stop the backlash and violence this world would be a better place.
Q: What attracted you to the story?
“…these garden gnomes and these two groups have been horrible to each other for so long. They eventually destroy everything that they have created of beauty. And it takes a young gnome who’s read and a young gnome who’s blue to come through all rubble of the destruction to bring these to people together and say what are we doing? Why don’t we respect eachother?..”
There was a lot more to the interview and the questions but honestly this is such an important message. With War going on in the world and so much violence and now with so many people losing their lives in Japan from the devastation of horrible earth quake this message needs to be heard around the world.
“People need to respect people’s views, respect people’s opinions, and don’t be hateful toward them. You can agree to disagree. There’s so much hate in the world and I believe that love conquers hate always. the message we want to get out in this film that hate takes a lot of negative energy and it puts it out into the world and that’s the message of this film. It’s funny, it’s great, it has a tragic story and has a happy ending.”
Such a powerful message isn’t it? I have to say that at the time I probably missed such great words. Most of what I hear coming out of Elton sounds like music and if you think about it his words could be put to music and I think many would listen. Atleast I would hope they would. Elton is featured in Gnomeo and Juliet as a Gnome. It’s for a brief few minutes that I honestly wish would of lasted the whole song. It was one of the most cutest parts in the movie and certainly had me smiling from ear to ear. Many of Elton’s songs were featured in the movie new and old. You’ll hear “Don’t Go Breaking my Heart”, “Saturday Nights all right for Fighting” and more placed in fun scene’s.
Elton also shared his thoughts about the very exciting moment of becoming a father on Christmas day. He beams with excitement of being a father and you can only imagine what that must be like now at his age. Knowing how much more enjoyable it is for me to be a parent to be able to enjoy my children so much more than rushing around to get things done here and there. Elton plans to write some children’s songs and possibly a stories, too. The very first story he read to his son was “Cinderella” and his partner read to him, “Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers”. He reads “Runaway Bunny”, too, which he loves.
We were only given 20 minutes with Sir Elton John but when they tried to cut the interview Elton said he had no place to go and wanted to continue to talk with us. He truly seemed down to earth and enjoyed talking with all of us. It maybe a parent thing because he certainly enjoyed shared things about his son. He mentioned that raising and bringing child in today’s world is difficult. He says as much as he can teach his child many great things, he’ll teach him a 1,000 more.
The funniest question of the interview was, “Do you wear boxers or brief’s?” Elton replied, “Boxers or brief’s? Brief’s! Black Calvin Kleins” Well there you have it. Inquiring minds the answer to the very important question what kind of underwear Elton John wears is Briefs. Lol Gotta love it. And just to be clear I loved Gnomeo and Juliet. My children still ask to go see it a second time. It’s truly a Disney film for the whole family.
As you see I’m standing right next to Elton John with a huge smile on my face. He truly is a marvel in the Music Industry and has such inspiring message in his music and in his words he shared this day. He wants to work with young talent but says not many ask. He’s waiting and he is approachable you just have to ask.
Thanks for reading about my adventures. I hope I shared enough to give you insight on what happens at a Junket. There is still one more interview session I need to share with Emily Blunt and James McAvory and that will come soon I promise.
My lap top crashed on me a few weeks ago and many of my notes were lost so that’s why the delay in sharing such an amazing adventure.
Disclaimer: Disney flew me out and handled the accommodates for my trip to this event. Thoughts shared are completely my own and a once in life time adventure that I feel truly blessed to have experienced. Many thanks to Sir Elton John for being so humble and sharing so much with us.
Interviewing Elton John
As you could imagine when Elton walked into the room you could of heard a pin drop. He walked fast quickly sat down and folded his hands on the table. Visions of the last time I saw him in concert in Chicago flashed quickly in my memory. I started hearing his awesome songs playing and foot started tapping. I could feel my heart race thinking, “HOLY Wow! I’m sitting in a room with Elton John and oh yes everyone else is here too, but I have the most perfect view.” Then I started to think about how I was going to make sure I was able to stand next time who for the picture. Suddenly I heard others talking. That’s right were here for an interview.
I want to point out a few answers to questions that were asked of Elton because I feel they have a strong message to the world and funny that it comes from a Disney Film but Disney film have become a universal “happy place” for all and I think if everyone around the world would just start paying attention to what’s going on in the world and stop the backlash and violence this world would be a better place.
Q: What attracted you to the story?
“…these garden gnomes and these two groups have been horrible to each other for so long. They eventually destroy everything that they have created of beauty. And it takes a young gnome who’s read and a young gnome who’s blue to come through all rubble of the destruction to bring these to people together and say what are we doing? Why don’t we respect eachother?..”
There was a lot more to the interview and the questions but honestly this is such an important message. With War going on in the world and so much violence and now with so many people losing their lives in Japan from the devastation of horrible earth quake this message needs to be heard around the world.
“People need to respect people’s views, respect people’s opinions, and don’t be hateful toward them. You can agree to disagree. There’s so much hate in the world and I believe that love conquers hate always. the message we want to get out in this film that hate takes a lot of negative energy and it puts it out into the world and that’s the message of this film. It’s funny, it’s great, it has a tragic story and has a happy ending.”
Such a powerful message isn’t it? I have to say that at the time I probably missed such great words. Most of what I hear coming out of Elton sounds like music and if you think about it his words could be put to music and I think many would listen. Atleast I would hope they would. Elton is featured in Gnomeo and Juliet as a Gnome. It’s for a brief few minutes that I honestly wish would of lasted the whole song. It was one of the most cutest parts in the movie and certainly had me smiling from ear to ear. Many of Elton’s songs were featured in the movie new and old. You’ll hear “Don’t Go Breaking my Heart”, “Saturday Nights all right for Fighting” and more placed in fun scene’s.Elton also shared his thoughts about the very exciting moment of becoming a father on Christmas day. He beams with excitement of being a father and you can only imagine what that must be like now at his age. Knowing how much more enjoyable it is for me to be a parent to be able to enjoy my children so much more than rushing around to get things done here and there. Elton plans to write some children’s songs and possibly a stories, too. The very first story he read to his son was “Cinderella” and his partner read to him, “Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers”. He reads “Runaway Bunny”, too, which he loves.
We were only given 20 minutes with Sir Elton John but when they tried to cut the interview Elton said he had no place to go and wanted to continue to talk with us. He truly seemed down to earth and enjoyed talking with all of us. It maybe a parent thing because he certainly enjoyed shared things about his son. He mentioned that raising and bringing child in today’s world is difficult. He says as much as he can teach his child many great things, he’ll teach him a 1,000 more.
The funniest question of the interview was, “Do you wear boxers or brief’s?” Elton replied, “Boxers or brief’s? Brief’s! Black Calvin Kleins” Well there you have it. Inquiring minds the answer to the very important question what kind of underwear Elton John wears is Briefs. Lol Gotta love it. And just to be clear I loved Gnomeo and Juliet. My children still ask to go see it a second time. It’s truly a Disney film for the whole family.
As you see I’m standing right next to Elton John with a huge smile on my face. He truly is a marvel in the Music Industry and has such inspiring message in his music and in his words he shared this day. He wants to work with young talent but says not many ask. He’s waiting and he is approachable you just have to ask.
Thanks for reading about my adventures. I hope I shared enough to give you insight on what happens at a Junket. There is still one more interview session I need to share with Emily Blunt and James McAvory and that will come soon I promise.
My lap top crashed on me a few weeks ago and many of my notes were lost so that’s why the delay in sharing such an amazing adventure.
Disclaimer: Disney flew me out and handled the accommodates for my trip to this event. Thoughts shared are completely my own and a once in life time adventure that I feel truly blessed to have experienced. Many thanks to Sir Elton John for being so humble and sharing so much with us.
MACC holds Party at the Pavilion
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/547155/MACC-holds-Party-at-the-Pavilion.html?nav=10March 13, 2011
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FIRST PHOTO: The Maui High School Pep Band opens the day's entertainment for the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Party at the Pavilion, a Community Celebration, on Saturday in Kahului. The event marked the opening of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Yokouchi Pavilion, Courtyard & Morgado Hall. A show by Elton John launched the $12.8 million pavilion Feb. 24. The pavilion transformed the outdoor space previously known as Yokouchi Founders Court.
SECOND PHOTO: The Maui Pops Orchestra performs with the Pocket Opera Company of San Francisco and the Olinda Chorale on Saturday afternoon at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
SECOND PHOTO: The Maui Pops Orchestra performs with the Pocket Opera Company of San Francisco and the Olinda Chorale on Saturday afternoon at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Elton John’s buffet table at Caribou Ranch in the 70s
http://williamcarbone.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/elton-johns-buffet-table-at-caribou-ranch-in-the-70s/Back in the days when I was working at a used railroad tie company delivering ties to suburbanites, city-dwellers and to the owners of Gold & Silver mines in the high Rockies, when I was recording music at Applewood Sound in Denver, Colorado nights and weekends trying to find romance, fame and fortune all in one place – all at the same time – I was in possession of a 16-Track analogue recording tape that was from a recording session near Hollywood at Devonshire Downs Studios. It was from a couple of years earlier.
I needed to have someone make a clone of the tape for whatever reason and I ended up at Applewood, who’s staff producer made a call – then told me I could have the copy made at Caribou Studios, which was just up the mountain from Boulder in a town called Nederland [not a mis-spelling].
Caribou Studios was a nirvana for recording artists in the clean, clear Colorado air, in the middle of pine-forest, and high-valleys about an hour’s drive west of Boulder. The group CHICAGO’S creator James William Guercio was the proprietor of the ridiculously cool, recording ranch.
“James William Guercio was the founder of Caribou Ranch, a popular recording studio in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The first true radio hit recorded at Caribou was Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way”. In addition to Chicago (starting with Chicago VI), the studio has been used by numerous other artists: Elton John (for his Caribou album as well as Captain Fantastic and Rock of the Westies), Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Carole King, Stephen Stills, Waylon Jennings, Amy Grant and Supertramp.”
The Caribou complex consisted of the ranch-house, recording studio/film studio, stables and more. It was secluded, behind forest with a long access road – with guys in Mercedes with walkie-talkies guarding Elton John et-al. Elton John was staying at the ranch while recording the Caribou album.
While I was doing business in the studio, one of my little girls was grazing at Elton John’s buffet table which was set up for John’s CARIBOU ALBUM recording sessions.
I needed to have someone make a clone of the tape for whatever reason and I ended up at Applewood, who’s staff producer made a call – then told me I could have the copy made at Caribou Studios, which was just up the mountain from Boulder in a town called Nederland [not a mis-spelling].
Caribou Studios was a nirvana for recording artists in the clean, clear Colorado air, in the middle of pine-forest, and high-valleys about an hour’s drive west of Boulder. The group CHICAGO’S creator James William Guercio was the proprietor of the ridiculously cool, recording ranch.
“James William Guercio was the founder of Caribou Ranch, a popular recording studio in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The first true radio hit recorded at Caribou was Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way”. In addition to Chicago (starting with Chicago VI), the studio has been used by numerous other artists: Elton John (for his Caribou album as well as Captain Fantastic and Rock of the Westies), Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Carole King, Stephen Stills, Waylon Jennings, Amy Grant and Supertramp.”
The Caribou complex consisted of the ranch-house, recording studio/film studio, stables and more. It was secluded, behind forest with a long access road – with guys in Mercedes with walkie-talkies guarding Elton John et-al. Elton John was staying at the ranch while recording the Caribou album.
While I was doing business in the studio, one of my little girls was grazing at Elton John’s buffet table which was set up for John’s CARIBOU ALBUM recording sessions.
Elton the ¿young 63¿ admits he may be too old to be a dad
http://www.rubysfamousbbqjoint.com/elton-the-%C2%BFyoung-63%C2%BF-admits-he-may-be-too-old-to-be-a-dad-9Last updated at 1:53 AM on 13th February 2011
Challenge: Sir Elton and David Furnish pose with Zachary for a magazine
The singer and his partner, David Furnish, attended the birth of Zachary Levon Furnish-John to a surrogate mother on Christmas Day.
At the time, Sir Elton insisted he was a ?young 63?.
However, in an interview he has admitted for the first time that those who have criticised him for having a child
in his 60s may be right.
He said: ?I?m 63. Maybe people say I waited a little too long. That may be the case. I can?t answer that question.?
Sir Elton said he and Mr Furnish, 48, decided on the surrogacy route after their attempts to adopt a 14-month-old Ukrainian orphan called Lev were thwarted.
?It became too hard to do that,? he said. ?Too hard on the child, too hard on us. We?d never have been able to do that.?
He said they had instead pledged to look after the child.
In his interview with the Today show on NBC, Sir Elton said he enjoyed the challenge of bringing up Zachary. ?It was the only thing in my life that I?ve not had the challenge… and it is the most challenging and most responsible thing to bring up a child.
Daddy and daddy: Elton John and David Furnish talked about being parents for the first time on Daybreak last week
?I?m sure as much as I can give him, he?s going to give me a thousand-fold back. Already, in seven weeks he?s done that.?
13 de março de 2011 | 
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