http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45225063#.Trs06laOeA0
updated
11/9/2011 11:46:49 AM ET KIEV, Ukraine — Singer Elton John has unveiled a charity project to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine, believed to be the worst in Europe.
The program — co-founded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation and a local anti-AIDS group — will allow homeless women who are at high risk of contracting HIV to be tested for the virus which causes AIDS.
Up to 100,000 young women are believed to be living on the streets of Ukrainian cities, according to organizers.
John said Wednesday that the homeless women will also get medical, psychological and legal help to "bring them back to life."
Ukraine has Europe's worst AIDS epidemic with 1.3 percent of Ukrainians above 15 infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the United Nations.
Wed Nov 09, 12:57 PM
Elton John project fights AIDS in Ukraine
Elena Pinchuk, Ukrainian business woman and sponsor of ANTIAIDS Foundation (EPAAF) speaks during a joint press with British singer Elton John in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. The founders of the Elton John Foundation (EJAF) and sponsor Elena Pinchuk, ANTIAIDS Foundation (EPAAF), presented to journalists their second joint charitable project. Its goal is to help girls and women who spent most of their lives in the street, to have access to HIV testing and to receive social, medical and legal assistance. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
KIEV, Ukraine — Singer Elton John has unveiled a charity project to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine, believed to be the worst in Europe.
The program -- co-founded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation and a local anti-AIDS group -- will allow homeless women who are at high risk of contracting HIV to be tested for the virus which causes AIDS.
Up to 100,000 young women are believed to be living on the streets of Ukrainian cities, according to organizers.
John said Wednesday that the homeless women will also get medical, psychological and legal help to "bring them back to life."
Ukraine has Europe's worst AIDS epidemic with 1.3 per cent of Ukrainians above 15 infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the United Nations.
Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, gestures during a briefing in Kiev November 9, 2011. John and Ukrainian philanthropist Olena Pinchuk, who runs her own AIDS charity, are launching their second joint project seeking to help homeless young women affected by AIDS. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY)
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/health-1316123812-slideshow/elton-john-founder-elton-john-aids-foundation-gestures-photo-161046491.html
Elton John-inspired ballet opens in Toronto
ON STAGE / Love Lies Bleeding runs until Nov 12
Xtra staff / Toronto / Wednesday, November 09, 2011
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Elton_Johninspired_ballet_opens_in_Toronto-11053.aspx
Alberta Ballet’s
Love Lies Bleeding opened in Toronto on Nov 8 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts -- complete with an entourage of local drag queens.
Set to the classic pop songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, it follows a character called the Elton Fan. The production deals with drug abuse and HIV and includes a long kiss between the two lead male dancers.
The ballet premiered in Calgary a year and a half ago and is set to play Montreal and Ottawa in the spring of 2013. The Toronto run goes until Saturday, Nov 12.
Below is a video from the opening-night show.
Love Lies Bleeding
Nov 08-12, 2011
http://www.sonycentre.ca/Events/Event-Detail.aspx?evtID=471
Tickets as low as $33.10!
David Mirvish presents Alberta Ballet’s LOVE LIES BLEEDING, inspired by and featuring the music of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Alberta Ballet’s internationally acclaimed Artistic Director and Choreographer Jean Grand-Maître has created “a three-ring circus à la Elton John,” and as one would expect, there is plenty of spectacle including aerialists, dancers on spinning turntables, and fire-emitting roller skates. Set to 14 classic songs composed by Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin, the ballet is an examination of the cult of celebrity and the triumphs and challenges of superstardom.
“The screams of appreciation started early and came often during the debut performance of
Love Lies Bleeding.” – Paula Citron, The Globe & Mail
www.albertaballet.com
Elton John's 'Aida' captivates young and old
Published on -11/9/2011, 12:22 PM
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/Firestone110911
Students and teachers from Hays elementary and middle schools nearly filled 12th Street Auditorium as I arrived for a dress rehearsal of Hays High School's production of Elton John's "Aida," with lyrics by Tim Rice. There is no doubt this is a good show -- it was a great hit on Broadway and won several Tony awards.
Elton John's "Aida" only loosely is based upon Giuseppe Verdi's opera. The Egyptians still are at war against Ethiopians in Verdi. The main characters are Aida, a captured Nubian princess, Amneris's handmaiden; Radames, Egyptian general, engaged to Amneris, the Egyptian princess.
The couple's private emotions still conflict with their political allegiances and responsibilities. Things perhaps do not end quite as pessimistically in John's "Aida" as they do in Verdi's.
The music, directed by Johnny Matlock, was a joy to hear. Several well-known local musicians, as well as a number of students, formed a first-rate ensemble. The three main characters performed splendidly. Kiley Dinkel was outstanding in the title role. She not only has a big, rich chest voice, perfect for pop singing, but a good deal of musical and dramatic talent.
Not to be outdone, Ashley Nease shone as Amneris, whose role alternates high drama and high comedy. She, too, has a chest voice, a little higher and brighter than Dinkel's. Their two voices blended well together, and with that of Travis Wright as Radames. Wright is a convincing actor with a promising vocal talent.
There was no weak link among the supporting actors, either. Aaron Cunningham acted the part of Zoser, Radames's villainous father, to perfection. Zoser slowly is poisoning Pharaoh, who, played by Preston Ryan, looked appropriately sick. Jake Nelson did a good job as Radames's slave Mereb, a Nubian who helps Aida contact her father Amonasro, well portrayed by Spencer Greathouse.
Shelby Matlock gave a moving performance as Nehebka, a Nubian who sacrifices her life for Aida.
Choral and dance numbers abound in "Aida," but Meder and choreographer Tawnita Augustine knew how to stage them effectively, maintaining the interest of the audience at all times. The first act finale, in which the Nubians express their fear Nubia will not survive the loss of Amonasro, absolutely is breathtaking.
The whole production is lavish. Meder told me she planned it as homage to the Broadway show.
Brad Moritz's set is simple -- open space with a staircase at the top of the stage. Lighting by technical director Jeremy Wann indicates changes of scene and underscores the mood of the action. And the costumes are fantastic -- Meder and costume mistress Janna Wright have created a kaleidoscope of color.
I had my doubts about how much of the show the younger students would understand, but their response throughout was both appropriate and positive. They liked "Aida" just as much as I did.
"Aida" plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 12th Street Auditorium. For reservations, call Hays High at (785) 623-2600 or the box office (785) 623-2428. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7.50 at the door.
Elton John Dont let the sun go down on me.08.11.2011
Sir Elton John launches new charity project in the Ukraine
The popstar has launched an anti-AIDS project to help homeless women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS.
VIDEO:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8880169/Sir-Elton-John-launches-new-charity-project-in-the-Ukraine.html
Sir Elton has joined forces with Ukranian businesswoman Elena Pinchuk to help homeless young women, especially the ones with children, who live in the street and to provide them with medical, legal and social aid.
"Nobody, no one should have to live like this. Especially women with children who have no place to go to. Now, with this centre they have medical treatment, they have scans, they have psychological help, they have someone to talk to, they have somewhere to go," Sir Elton said at the news conference in Kiev.
The singer, whose AIDS foundation have been working in
Ukraine for more then two years, said the country's government should do more to help the homeless.
"It's up to us as a foundation and the Elena Pinchuk Foundation to try and make things better by working with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education. But the government has to do more, they have to step up, they have to eradicate this problem. We live in a 21st century, for Christ sake. This is a disgrace! It is a disgrace, no matter if it is London, New York, Kiev, Moscow, Sydney, wherever," the singer said.
Sir Elton has been in Ukraine a number of times and even tried to adopt a little boy, Lev, after visiting an orphanage in Donetsk region in 2009. The Ukrainian authorities did not allow the 64-year-old gay star to adopt the child due to his age and sexual orientation. John said that Lev had become a part of his life together with his adopted son Zachary, whom the musician is raising together with his life partner David Furnish.
Songwriter Bernie Taupin Exhibits His Paintings
http://www.poplifeart.com/art-blog/2011/11/songwriter-bernie-taupin-exhibits-his-paintings/
Bamboo by Bernie Taupin
Songwriter and longtime Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin is also a painter. He says that he has doodled all his life, but he began painting seriously in the early 1990s when he moved to his ranch in Santa Ynez Valley, California near Santa Barbara.
About his artwork, Taupin says:
Canvas to me is simply the visual extension of what I have spent my life creating through words. The imagination, in my estimation, is the most powerful tool the artist possess enabling us to conjure up beautiful
distraction for the ears and eyes.
I have no formula except that which comes from what I dream, feel and see. To me colors are like words…they express emotions…likewise texture and mediums display an abundance of moods.
Bernie Taupin will be exhibiting his paintings this month at
Michael Murphy Gallery in Tampa, Florida. The exhibition runs from November 5 through November 13, 2011. Taupin will make personal appearances at the gallery on Saturday November 12 from 6 – 9 p.m. and on Sunday November 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. Also, According to
Bernie Taupin’s website, there will be an invitation only VIP reception on Friday November 11. Contact the gallery for RSVP contact information and other information about the exhibit.
In the video below, Bernie Taupin talks about the inspiration for his artwork, how painting compares to working with Elton John, and more.
For more information about Bernie Taupin’s artwork visit:
http://www.limelightagency.com/bernie-taupin/art-gallery/-bernie-taupin.html
http://openlibrary.org/works/OL7967777W/A_Cradle_of_Haloes
A Cradle of Haloes 1 edition
Elton John vai interpretar hoje as suas melhores canções em São Petersburgo. O músico chegou à Rússia com a banda de rock Elton John Band. Moscovo é uma das cidades da turnê Greatest Hits Tour. No concerto, Elton John cantará tais sucessos como I´m Still Standing, Candle in the Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road e muitos outros. O músico já se apresentou em Riga e Vilnius, e dará concertos em Kiev e Moscovo.
Elton John no palco do Palácio do Gelo de São Petersburgo, pela turnê dos Greatest Hits Durante seus 40 anos de carreira, Elton John já vendeu mais de 450 milhões de cópias de mais de 25 álbuns gravados. Em 1994 foi introduzido no Hall da Fama do Rock and Roll, e em 1998 recebeu das mãos da Rainha Elizabeth II o título de Cavaleiro da Ordem Britânica, ganhando o direito de acrescentar o título de nobreza "Sir" em seu nome.
