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City of Hope Gala Delivers an Elton John Set, Surprise Cameo by Celine Dion

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Two legends turned up at Metropolis of Hope’s Spirit of Life gala on Tuesday night time.

It got here as no shock when Elton John took his place at middle stage contained in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles because the piano man was beforehand introduced as one of many night time’s headliners weeks earlier than the occasion happened. He nonetheless wowed the group by closing the packed program with a rousing set that included his hits “Your Track,” a rendition of “Tiny Dancer” and an prolonged efficiency of “Rocket Man” that rocketed the capability crowd out of their seats by the point it was over.

Nevertheless, when it got here time to current the night time’s highest honor to AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano, an enormous reveal got here within the type of celebrity Celine Dion. Organizers managed to maintain her look below wraps till her identify was referred to as and he or she made her solution to the rostrum to current to Marciano.

“I do know that your profession has been marked by nice accomplishments and has survived its share of nice challenges, nevertheless it has been marked, above all, by a constant expression of empathy. In your management roles, you have got proven such a generosity of spirit, a kindness and understanding of humanity that your legacy appears to be writing itself,” mentioned Dion in her second shock exhibiting of 2024 after turning as much as February’s Grammy Awards to current the night time’s last trophy.

For his half, John additionally had some reward for the veteran stay leisure govt, praising Marciano for shepherding a 2004 residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and extra just lately for coordinating his record-breaking farewell tour. “We went out within the sunshine,” John famous of his Farewell Yellow Brick Street tour. “I didn’t wish to exit within the twilight.”

In accepting, Marciano mentioned, “The stay leisure business has a singular potential to create highly effective moments that encourage change. Tonight’s success is a testomony to the unimaginable affect our business can have after we unite for a standard trigger. I’m deeply honored to obtain the Spirit of Life Award, and I’m grateful for the chance to help Metropolis of Hope’s aim to finish most cancers.”

Different highlights of the night time included magic by grasp illusionist David Blaine, an epic drone present in the course of the occasion’s cocktail hour and grasp of ceremonies Fred Armisen who hosted the entire affair. Along with surprising the viewers along with his tips, Blaine additionally tugged at their heartstrings by revealing that his mom was identified with most cancers when he was simply 16 years outdated, and he or she handed 4 years later. He relayed the story whereas standing subsequent to a supersized set of his initials that he had set on fireplace, explaining the connection to the occasion as this: “Metropolis of Hope is about placing out fires.”

See extra views from contained in the occasion under.

David Blaine performs magic throughout Metropolis of Hope’s Spirit of Life gala.

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

Marciano accepts the award from Dion.

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

Host Armisen and spouse Riki Lindhome.

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

Lucian Grainge, Common Music Group chairman and CEO, and honoree Marciano.

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

Evan Funke, who dealt with the night time’s menu, and Grace Funke.

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

DJ Cassidy

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

Evan Lamberg of Common Music Publishing, Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at Metropolis of Hope, Robert Stone, CEO of Metropolis of Hope, honoree Jay Marciano, Chairman & CEO of AEG Presents and Alissa Pollack, govt vp of worldwide music advertising at iHeartMedia. Mentioned Lamberg: “For many years, the music, movie and leisure industries board has stood alongside Metropolis of Hope within the battle in opposition to most cancers. Over that point, we’ve raised over $160 million, and counting, to assist so many. We are able to’t thank sufficient this yr’s Metropolis of Hope Spirit of Life honoree, Jay Marciano, and his whole crew at AEG, for an extremely profitable fundraising occasion and yr. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude for all he has performed.”

Lester Cohen/Getty Pictures for Metropolis of Hope

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Elton John On Creating the ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical

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For Elton John and his husband David Furnish, televangelist Tammy Faye has lengthy been a determine of fascination. 

The 2 have been drawn to her not just for her over-the-top type, together with her daring eye make-up and mannerisms, but additionally her compassionate interview with pastor Steve Pieters, a homosexual man residing with AIDS, in 1985 on her widespread Christian tv present Tammy’s Home Get together. That second, in addition to her sophisticated legacy intertwined with the rise of televangelism and the downfall of her former husband and their tv empire, led John and Furnish to choice the rights to show her story right into a West Finish present and now a Broadway musical. 

“I toured America for thus lengthy and so usually that she turned somebody I used to be very, very interested by, and that pivotal second when she did have the pastor on was equal to Princess Diana holding the person’s hand within the Lighthouse in London. I assumed, ‘This girl is unbelievable,’ simply the way in which she regarded, the way in which she talked, the way in which she acted, she was so vibrant. She was lively, pleasure and forgiveness, and so I used to be at all times extremely fascinated by her,” John stated. 

“So after we received the possibility to write down the musical, I jumped at it, as a result of I like fascinating individuals like that who’ve had nice success after which been banished and misplaced every part, after which come again due to their religion and due to their perception, and switch the tables,” he continued.

Sitting in a Manhattan resort room in early October, days after performing on the New York premiere of a documentary about his life, John had additionally simply seen a run by way of of the musical for the primary time with the Broadway forged. John stated he was “very, very blissful” with what he heard, and with the present’s new choreography.

After gaining the life rights 12 years in the past, with the blessing of Tammy Faye Messner’s second husband, Roe Messner, John and Furnish assembled a inventive staff that included ebook author James Graham and director Rupert Goold. John wrote the music for the present and labored on the rating with the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, who wrote the lyrics. John had lengthy been impressed by music from America’s South and drew on some nation twang to create the musical’s sound. 

“All the good music from America got here from the South. All the pieces began there,” John stated, quipping. “I’m a born-again Southern individual.”

The musical premiered at London’s Almeida Theater in 2022, with The New York Instances calling it “spectacularly entertaining,” and now could be set to open on Broadway on Nov. 14 on the newly renovated Palace Theatre, with a largely new forged, save for Katie Brayben, who’s returning as Tammy Faye, after successful an Olivier award for her portrayal. Christian Borle performs Jim Bakker, Faye’s first husband, co-host and co-founder of their  PTL Tv Community, and Michael Cerveris performs Jerry Falwell, a fellow televangelist who took over PTL after scandal. 

The story of Tammy Faye has additionally been tailored for display, notably within the 2021 Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield-led movie, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and been the topic of a number of stage diversifications. 

John has beforehand written the music for a number of stage exhibits, together with The Lion King, Aida, Billy Elliot: The Musical on Broadway, and most just lately The Satan Wears Prada, which involves the West Finish this month after a combined Chicago premiere. As for why Furnish and John noticed this as a musical, Furnish stated it was inherent in her story. 

“It’s additionally such a brilliant, brash, colourful world, it’s bigger than life and music was such an integral a part of that world. Tammy was a terrific singer. The significance of hymns and music and religion. That matches musical theater so brilliantly. It was simply screaming out,” Furnish stated. 

The musical’s tackle her story contains an examination of the rise of televangelism within the U.S. and the parallel rise of the conservative motion beneath Ronald Reagan. That plotline could “jangle a couple of nerves,” John says.

“Lots of people who’re evangelicals won’t like what we’re saying, however the reality is that when Jerry Falwell satisfied Ronald Reagan to carry the church into state, it modified the entire face of America perpetually,” he stated. 

John compares Messner herself to Evita, or Eva Perón, one other high-profile girl who turned the topic of a musical, in that she’s “sophisticated, advanced, however you’ll be able to’t take your eyes off of her.” Whereas Messner had gained favor, notably among the many homosexual group, for her compassion towards Pieters and people residing with HIV/AIDS, she was additionally a part of a tv empire that collapsed after her then husband, Jim Bakker was convicted on counts of fraud and conspiracy in 1989, after claims that he used church donations to fund their life-style and for , hush cash for former church secretary who accused him of rape. 

Amid the scandal, Messner additionally struggled with drug habit and fought most cancers, all whereas persevering with to talk to the significance of affection, forgiveness and religion, making her life a “very Shakespearean story,” John stated. His aim is for viewers members to see the musical and say “Wow, we have been unsuitable about her.” 

“She’s an unbelievable character, the nice, the dangerous and the ugly. You couldn’t take you’ll be able to’t take your eyes off her, as a result of she was proper in your face. She did dangerous issues, however I don’t assume she was conscious of what the dangerous issues have been, the results have been of the PTL and Heritage USA [the Bakker’s theme park] and stuff like that. It simply ran away with itself,” John stated. 

“It received forward of itself. It received too large. It received manner past her,” Furnish added. 

“And that occurs to individuals in present enterprise. It’s the identical kind of factor. However she by no means misplaced her religion and she or he by no means misplaced her goodness. She didn’t do it intentionally. And so for me, she’s a hero, and to write down a couple of hero or heroine is an absolute pleasure and a present,” John stated. 

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Memories of My Life on Tour’ Book Release

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The practically 5 year-long and 330-concert worldwide Farewell Yellow Brick Street tour marked the forty-ninth, and last, live performance tour by English musical legend Elton John. And whereas the performances formally concluded on July 8, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden, the musician’s journey continues along with his launch of Farewell Yellow Brick Street: Recollections of My Life on Tour.

The visible and written diary, authored by the icon himself, was first introduced in Jan. 2024 and was formally launched on Sept. 24 at main on-line retailers, together with Walmart, Goal and Amazon, with a limited-edition copy obtainable at Barnes & Noble. The B&N Unique Version encompasses a holographic cowl and features a collectible Elton John poster. Each variations are at the moment on sale.

Restricted-edition copy

Farewell Yellow Brick Street: Recollections of My Life on Tour (B&N Unique Version) by Elton John

Elton John 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour' Book Release

Farewell Yellow Brick Street: Recollections of My Life on Tour by Elton John

Inside the 256-page hardcover e book, John shares his fondest recollections, most unforgettable moments and beforehand untold tales from the record-breaking Farewell Yellow Brick Street tour. Although the ultimate tour is his major focus, the singer additionally displays upon the start of his profession and his life on the street all through the years.

Along with written phrase, John shares his private archive of posters, sketches and never-before-seen images and postcards. Farewell Yellow Brick Street: Recollections of My Life on Tour captures the artist’s epic Gucci wardrobe and vibrant set design. Plus, the e book begins with a foreword by David Furnish, Elton John’s husband and supervisor.

For an extra peek into the farewell tour, take a look at Elton John Stay: Farewell from Dodger Stadium on Disney+, which paperwork the whole thing of his historic Dodger Stadium efficiency, the famous person’s last North American present. Via Sept. 27, new subscribers can save 75 p.c on three months of Disney+ Primary; join right here.

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Elton John Talks Fame, Family, Coming Out

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Elton John opened up about fame and household on Saturday evening after the world premiere of Elton John: By no means Too Late on the Toronto Movie Pageant.

“Fame is a harmful factor should you don’t have one thing else, and that one thing else is honesty, and should you don’t have honesty to go together with fame, then you definately’re going to be in actual, actual bother, like I used to be earlier than I acquired sober in 1990. It’s been 34 years now,” John mentioned throughout a post-screening Q&A for the movie directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, his husband.

John added household — which incorporates the 2 sons he and Furnish have raised — has meant the world to him, greater than fame itself. “My life rotated. The factor I do know in regards to the film essentially the most is I’ve him [Furnish], I’ve my two sons, I’m very pleased with what I’ve achieved,” he insisted.

John mentioned he’ll proceed to create music, regardless of ending his touring profession in 2022. However household comes first in his retirement. “That is the best feeling I’ve had in my life, greater than having the primary No. 1 album on Billboard. Yeah, that was very nice for about 5 minutes. This can be a lifetime,” he added.

“The love I’ve for this household, my kids and my mates, has by no means been higher. And pay attention, I’m 77 years outdated and I’m having the very best time of my life,” John mentioned, earlier than including: “On my tombstone, I don’t need it to say he bought 1,000,000 information. I simply need it to say he was an excellent dad and nice husband.”

Elton John: By no means Too Late, in its use of archival footage and interviews to indicate John on the top of his profession from 1970 to 1975, reveals a musician who was a genius on stage, however fully sad and unloved when not enjoying in entrance of adoring followers.

The documentary follows John as he seems again on his life and the early days of his 50-year profession, and it does that by going backwards and forwards between the lead-up to the musician’s iconic 1975 live performance at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles as his fame surged, and preparations for his remaining live performance in North America at Dodger Stadium in 2022.

John insisted on hiding his sexuality till popping out in 1976 throughout an interview with Rolling Stone, which had solely been preceded by struggles with dependancy, modified his life. “I didn’t really feel as if I used to be hiding, however I used to be simply very forlorn in considering am I ever going to search out somebody, being how well-known I’m and with my sexuality,” John recounted.

From the second he got here out, John mentioned he started a journey of first-time honesty in his life. “It took me so lengthy to inform the reality, and it made me so sad, and it was so silly, the quantity of years that I misplaced by not telling the reality and by fooling myself. And after I stopped fooling myself, my life rotated,” he defined.

John additionally added: “Kindness will at all times out, and that’s what I hope for the American election,” with a watch to the U.S. presidential election in November.

Co-director Cutler made a pretend pas when he supplied reward to John and Furnish as he revealed the duo will seem within the upcoming Spinal Faucet sequel from director Rob Reiner set for a 2025 launch. “Oh, is it not introduced?” Cutler requested when he heard a “shhh” from over his shoulder.

“The fucking fool,” John then joked affectionately to Cutler with accompanying laughter from the Roy Thomson Corridor viewers.

Earlier than launching on Disney+, Elton John: By no means Too Late will debut with a restricted theatrical run on Nov. 15 within the U.S. and U.Ok.

The unique documentary from Disney Branded Tv is produced by Rocket Leisure and This Machine Filmworks (part of Sony Footage Tv) and is directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish. Cutler and Furnish additionally function producers alongside Trevor Smith. Elise Pearlstein, Mark Blatty, Luke Lloyd Davies, Rachael Paley, Jane Cha Cutler and John Battsek function government producers.

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President Biden Unveils NYC Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center

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On the heels of a controversial debate with Republican opponent Donald Trump, President Joe Biden bounced again with a busy Friday schedule.

The morning noticed Biden hit a marketing campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, the place he seemingly ignored calls to step apart within the 2024 election by declaring, “I understand how to do that job.” By the afternoon, Biden was in New York alongside his spouse, First Woman Jill Biden, superstars Elton John and Katy Perry, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and different politicos and New York officers to unveil town’s Stonewall Nationwide Monument Customer Middle. The grand opening was timed to kick off New York Metropolis’s Satisfaction weekend and mark the fifty fifth anniversary of the historic rise up that marked a turning level for LGBTQ liberation.

“Fifty-five years in the past right this moment on this hallowed floor, a pivotal story for our nation unfolded. The soul of the nation was actually examined — that’s not hyperbole, the soul of the nation was examined — and the center of this motion was ignited and the course of historical past was modified ceaselessly,” President Biden stated from the rostrum. “This beloved bar turned the location of a name to cry for freedom, dignity, and equality and respect. Rise up had galvanized the LGBTQ+ neighborhood all throughout the nation, fairly frankly all around the globe.”

He stated the occasions that came about on June 28, 1969, marked a turning level for civil rights in America, and he hailed Stonewall “as an emblem of a legacy of the management” of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, “particularly trans girls of colour,” who have been key members of the motion and the riot that modified the course of historical past. Biden then acknowledged present occasions by leaning on one thing he’s stated quite a few occasions throughout his administration amid the cavernous political divide between liberals and conservatives: “We stay in a battle for the soul of America. I take a look at round on the pleasure, hope and light-weight that each one of you convey, I do know [it’s] a battle we’re going to win and proceed to make progress.”

Biden praised the LGBTQ neighborhood by including, “Your braveness and contributions enrich each a part of American life. At the moment, let’s proudly keep in mind who we’re — we’re the USA of America. There’s nothing past our capability to work collectively, and everybody deserves to be handled with dignity and respect it doesn’t matter what their background. Interval. Interval. Interval.”

A glance contained in the Stonewall Nationwide Monument Customer Middle in New York

Courtesy of Stonewall Nationwide Monument Guests Middle

SNMVC is a program of Satisfaction Reside in partnership with the Nationwide Park Service, making it the primary LGBTQIA+ heart within the park’s community. As such, it is going to be staffed by Stonewall Nationwide Monument NPS park rangers charged with welcoming guests, monitoring entry to the services, internet hosting conferences and stamping Nationwide Parks Passports for company. The middle, six years within the making, is credited with being led by two queer girls of colour, Satisfaction Reside co-founders Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard. New York studio EDG Structure + Engineering led architectural design and renovation. Homosexual couple and Chicago-based designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent are credited with contributing to the interiors whereas New York’s Native Initiatives spearheaded the design of SNMVC’s reveals.

In her remarks, First Woman Jill Biden singled out Rodriguez and Gothard for his or her contributions. “That is American historical past,” she stated. “And like so many victories the LGBTQ neighborhood has gained all through the years, this can be a work of affection. Diana, Ann Marie, together with your hope and dedication, you might have proven us that love can transfer mountains. You’ve the sort of partnership, each in life and in your work, that everybody hopes to seek out. And also you’ve made positive to maintain the range of this neighborhood on the heart of your work. From right this moment on, the Customer Middle and Monument will inform our nation’s story to {the teenager} who comes right here and discovers she isn’t alone.”

A rendering of the Stonewall Nationwide Monument Customer Middle.

Courtesy of SNMVC

The house is designed to supply a glance again on the neighborhood’s historical past and tradition and the combat for equality by means of a wide range of packages (in-person and digital), exhibitions, visible artwork shows, a lecture collection and a devoted theater house. SNMVC spans 2,100 sq. toes at 51 Christopher Road, situated between Waverly Place and seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village. Again within the day, the Stonewall Inn occupied two adjoining storefronts at 51 and 53 Christopher Road. Within the years that adopted 1969, the actual property modified arms and separated into two completely different companies with the present bar at 53 Christopher Road reopening its doorways in 1990. In the meantime, 51 Christopher Road housed a variety of companies, together with a bagel store, retail retailer and nail salon.

After Biden’s remarks, he launched EGOT winner John as an in depth buddy of the household. In 2022, the Bidens introduced John a Nationwide Humanities Medal throughout an occasion on the White Home. “I can say as a proud English homosexual man, this is among the largest honors of my lifetime,” John stated in his temporary remarks from the rostrum. “The combat for freedom and equality is an ongoing one.”

Later in this system, John carried out for the gang and was joined onstage at one level by one other famous person entertainer, Katy Perry.

An outline of reveals and experiences is under. Admission is free and reservations can be found.

The Reserving.com Theater
Reserving.com supported the theater and is creating unique programming in collaboration with Satisfaction Reside. The content material showcases numerous tales of LGBTQIA+ vacationers. Satisfaction Reside will display screen movies and host occasions within the venue.

Wall of Solidarity
Google put in an interactive exhibit that options digital screens that convey the influence of Stonewall’s legacy around the globe and spotlights the voices of hope.

The West Wall
Stonewall pioneer and SNMVC founding companion Mark Segal curated a collection of panels for the west wall, every providing a first-hand account of the occasions that led as much as the Stonewall Rise up. The panels present guests with a complete telling of the Stonewall legacy, together with historic moments that formed LGBTQIA+ activism throughout the nation.

Jukebox
With help from founding companion Amazon, the exhibit incorporates a 1967 Rowe AMI, a duplicate of the unique jukebox that was current contained in the Stonewall bar in 1969. Curated by Honey Dijon, the jukebox options songs that seize the rebellious spirit and collective pleasure of the Stonewall neighborhood. Honey Dijon’s playlist is on the market solely on Amazon Music.

Parsons Faculty of Design Pupil Exhibit
Satisfaction Reside established a partnership with the New Faculty’s Parsons Faculty of Design to create an elective class for college kids, who curate a rotating exhibit on the Customer Middle that shares the experiences of younger queer folks and allies.

Moms of Star AR Expertise
B. Hawk Snipes, Tourmaline and Kinfolk Basis joined forces to create a historic archive that includes neighborhood figures which have been “celebrated, silenced, uplifted and even erased all through historical past” like Storme DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson and Zazu Nova.

Stonewall Generations
Stonewall Generations is a video collection produced by Satisfaction Reside with help from founding companion AARP. The collection highlights, celebrates and archives the voices of the motion as a method to underscore the reverberations of Stonewall within the combat for equality right this moment. Chelsea Clinton, Adam Lambert, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado and extra are included.

FEWOCiOUS Unique Artwork
An unique work titled “How Are You?” from the queer artist FEWOCiOUS is featured on the east wall of the Customer Middle. The artist created the portray in real-time in Christopher Park on the SNMVC’s 2022 Groundbreaking Ceremony.