Monday Motivation

Flirty 30
Meg Ryan & Billy Crystal

Today's Monday Motivation comes in the form of leaving a lasting impression...for example the movie When Harry Met Sally which just celebrated it's thirty year anniversary with stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in attendance.

I mean who could ever forget Meg's fake orgasm scene smack dab in the middle of a deli. Or the chemistry she and Crystal had. "Yes" this is one of those movies that left and impression and still resonates with fans and audiences today.

Thus today's task is to be the best you, you can possibly be and leave a positive lasting impression on someone, or someones. 

We are all unique and have a quality that is ours and nobody else's - but please note that I said make a lasting positive impression. Negative ones stick to you like super glue and are not what you want peeps to remember you for.

It's time to Monday, cheers!

When Harry Met Sally on IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/

On Top Of Mount Wilson...

Mt. Wilson Observatory Presents

Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome

Held Inside the Iconic Dome of the 100” Telescope

~

The 3^rd Season of This Six-Concert Series

Kicks-off with Hot Jazz on a Cool Spring Afternoon

Featuring Ben Powell, Roch Lockyer and Brian Netzley

Sunday, May 5, 2019

~

The Concert Series Runs May Through October; First Sunday of Each Month

Performances at 3:00pm and 5:00pm

Mount Wilson Observatory – the scientific marvel above Pasadena, atop Mount Wilson – is pleased to announce the third season of its Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome, which will take place on the first Sunday of each month, inside the iconic vaulted dome of the 100-inch Hooker telescope. A wide range of musical adventures, thoughtfully curated by Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan, will be presented in this acoustically remarkable venue during the six-month run of the 2019 season, which concludes on October 6^th. See the Concert Series schedule and line-up below. Poised for rediscovery, the grounds of the legendary observatory— founded in 1904 by astrophysical pioneer George Ellery Hale—are open for free to the public year round. For visitor information please see https://www.mtwilson.edu/visiting.

“The inaugural concert of the season, on Sunday, May 5, 2019, is inspired by the Hot Club de France,” notes Tsan. The afternoon concerts will feature music by and in the style of the great guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Violinist Ben Powell and guitarist Roch Lockyer will be joined by Brian Netzley on bass for hot gypsy jazz on a cool spring afternoon. In addition, concert-goers will be treated to an exhibition featuring rare scientific artifacts, drawings, and illustrations from the Observatory’s collection. The program will be offered in two performances, one at 3:00 PM and one at 5:00 PM. There will be a reception with the artists at 4:00 PM. Seating inside the historic dome is limited. Tickets cost $50 each and must be purchased in advance. For more information on the concert series, please visit https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts. From there, you can purchase tickets to the May 5^th 3:00 PM performance or the 5:00 PM show.

The 100-inch Hooker telescope is the instrument with which astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered our place in an expanding universe and so expanded our comprehension. The dome for the telescope—designed by famed Chicago architect D.H. Burnham—is a 20^th century temple to science whose acoustics rival the great cathedrals of Europe and provides a unique setting for this ambitious music series. 

Albert Einstein wrote that, “There exists a passion for comprehension, just as there exists a passion for music.” This extraordinary venue, a monument to the pursuit of comprehension, energizes that passion for music.

All proceeds go to support the Mt. Wilson Institute in its mission to preserve, protect and promote the Observatory and the science accomplished there.

Please be advised that access to the dome performances is via a 53-step staircase. There is no ADA-compliant access.

2019 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome include:

Sunday, May 5

Hot gypsy jazz on a cool spring afternoon with violinist Ben Powell, guitarist Roch Lockyer and bassist Brian Netzley playing music by and in the style of the great guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

Sunday, June 2

Leslie Reed, oboe, Roger Wilkie, violin, Alma Fernandez, viola and Cécilia Tsan, cello, in a program of oboe quartets by Mozart and Britten and a Beethoven string trio.

Sunday, July 7

Voices in the Dome with Hila Plitmann, soprano, Sangeeta Kaur, soprano, Sara Andon, flute, Reina Inui, violin, Jacqueline Marshall, harp and Shea Welsh, guitar. On the program are compositions by Danaë Vlasse, Todd Mason, Bruce Babcock, Mark McEncroe and Anthony Constantino.

Sunday, August 4

Schubert’s String Quintet in C major performed by the Lyris Quartet featuring Alyssa Park, Shalini Vijayan, violins, Luke Maurer, viola, Timothy Loo, cello and Cécilia Tsan, cello.

Sunday, September 1

Cello duets performed by Eric Byers and Cécilia Tsan featuring works by Bach,Barriere and Offenbach.

Sunday, October 6

The concert series wraps up the summer season with Mozart and Brahms Quintets for clarinet and strings. The artists include Pierre Génisson, clarinet, Ambroise Aubrunand Henry Gronnier, violins, Virginie d’Avezac, viola and Cécilia Tsan, cello.

 

Mount Wilson Observatory (est. 1904):

For the first half of the 20^th Century, Mount Wilson was the most famous observatory in the world. The biggest telescopes were here, and their new optical designs were changing the way astronomy was done. Among the many discoveries made on the mountain, a few revolutionized our understanding of our place in the Universe. Here, for the first time, Harlow Shapley measured the size of the Milky Way Galaxy and located our position in it, far from the center. Then astronomer Edwin Hubble proved that the mysterious spiral nebulae, which astronomers had speculated about for decades, were in fact distant galaxies similar to our own. Then Hubble teamed up with Milton Humason to discover that this immense Universe was expanding. Space itself was getting bigger. This finding, when run backwards in time, led straight to the Big Bang Theory. This is where modern cosmology began. In the history of human progress, Mount Wilson holds a special cultural place in the history of human knowledge.

Mount Wilson Institute has independently operated and maintained the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1989 under a long-term agreement with the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The mission of Mount Wilson Institute is – as originally laid out in the Observatory’s founding lease terms of 1904 – to sustain, improve, and promote the Observatory; that is, to conduct science, to educate the public about the work, and to maintain the grounds for public use and enjoyment.

This legendary observatory just beyond Pasadena, is poised for rediscovery by the entire family.

LINKS:

• Mt. Wilson Observatory - https://www.mtwilson.edu

• Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome - https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts

• MWO Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WilsonObs

• MWO Twitter - https://twitter.com/mtwilsonobs

• MWO Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mtwilsonobservatory

Elise Testone - "This Is Love"

Elise Testone

ELISE TESTONE, ‘SASSY’ SOUL SINGER/SONGWRITER AND FORMER

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FINALIST, TO RELEASE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED

2^ND ALBUM “THIS IS LOVE” ON APRIL 17

EAST COAST TOUR TO BEGIN IN CHARLESTON, SC ON APRIL 17; MULTIPLE PERFORMANCES SCHEDULED DURING NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST

Stream THIS IS LOVE on Soundcloud

Soulful singer/songwriter ELISE TESTONE, a former American Idol finalist and powerhouse vocalist whose incredible stage presence and bluesy maturity rank with the best, is releasing her long-awaited sophomore album, This Is Love, on April 17 and immediately mounting an East Coast Tour that includes special performances during the world-renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Elise has toured extensively, with high profile TV appearances on The Tonight Show, Ellen, Live! with Kelly, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America and others.

Elise’s debut album, In This Life, released in 2014, received rave reviews, celebrating her ability to “wail the blues, rock like a b*tch and purr sexily” (Goldmine Magazine). Her unique style owes more to Ella Fitzgerald, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, James Brown and Amy Winehouse than today’s disposable hit-makers.

This Is Love is the perfect combination of soul, rock, attitude and restraint ― a distinct fusion of R&B and rock, subtly influenced by funk and hip-hop that best complements her longstanding reputation as a “sassy” (Yahoo! Entertainment) soul siren. Equally as impressive and at ease at belting James Brown style over a relentless funk groove as she is gently resting her voice over a tender ballad, Testone’s range of influences and vocal capacity know few limits.

“Love has come in and out of our lives in many different ways,” says the New Jersey native, now living in Brooklyn after establishing deep career roots in Charleston, SC. “Sometimes the love is real and sometimes we are bound together by an unhealthy passion or aggression and become trapped under the illusion that what we have is true, when in fact it is the opposite. This Is Love is an artistic expression of those experiences, starting with ‘Flying High,’ a composition focused on the most important love ― self-love.”

Co-written with guitarist Adam Fallen (Clay Aiken, Eric Benet) and Brooklyn jazz, hip-hop, and electronica multi-instrumentalist Jesse Fischer, and featuring Daru Jones (Jack White, Pete Rock) on drums, “Flying High,” starts the album floating joyously through a jazz-flavored, flute-enhanced classic soul orchestral groove. Other players on the album include Broadway’s School of Rock teen guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (also co-writer of album closer, “Tell Me Now”), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note) and bassist and experimental musician MonoNeon (Prince).

Of special note on This Is Love is “Holly,” written to honor the memory of Elise’s best friend and Charleston roommate, who committed suicide in 2015, two years after surviving life-threatening brain surgery.

“Holly had a light around her that was like no one I know,” Elise recalls. “She could make anyone smile within the first few seconds of seeing her. We bonded instantly and had a relationship built on honesty and playfulness. We looked out for each other. We were family. Both of us young at heart, we shared a deep passion for music. Holly always dreamed of being a music star but was always a little afraid to perform.

“Two years after her surgery, I moved to New York and she moved to Texas. She was very unhappy and ended up shooting herself in the head, or at least that is the story I was told. I know if I was near her that never would have happened. I felt like I mourned her twice in a way. And in no way did I think I would lose her that soon after I almost already did. This song took me three years to write because it was so important, but also because I had a real tough grieving process and felt stuck. I am so happy with how it turned out. I am so confident that every lyric was the right lyric, and I am so grateful to have had the time with her that I did. Hopefully this song can convey the positive mark she has left on me and the world.”

Elise Testone returns to the road, where she continues to wow audiences, when her tour commences April 17 with an Album Release Party, backed by an 11-piece band, at the Pour House in her “second” hometown of Charleston. Two weeks later, she heads to New Orleans with Doug Wimbish of Living Colour, Nigel Hall of Lettuce, and Leo Nocentelli of The Meters, among others, for several performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Her heart more exposed with every note, it’s not uncommon to find Elise on her knees and out of breath at the end of a hard-driving soul tune – all in service of the music. A Top Six Finalist on American Idol in 2012, she has a wide range of fans that knows few barriers, from young festival goers to older music veterans, to jazz and hip-hop lovers.

Elise has opened for B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Snoop Dogg, Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, and Dumpstaphunk, and has performed with Stevie Nicks, Bernie Worrell, Bernard Purdie, Stanton Moore, Skerik, Robert Randolph, The James Brown Band, Ghost Note; and members of Queen, The Meters, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Living Colour, Trey Anastasio Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Galactic, Van Halen, Turquaz, D’Angelo, Pete Rock, Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Snarky Puppy, Soulive and Lettuce, among others. 

Indeed, nothing compares to seeing Elise Testone live. Her voice fully resonates as she seizes the moment to let the improvs naturally flow.

“I never know what I might do with my voice, and sometimes I’m personally shocked in a positive way when the notes bend unexpectedly,” she says.  “I am also so grateful to a have a strong, passionate, talented and soulful group of musicians, who I call friends, available to play on stage with me in any situation. You never know what special guest may come through either. Always good energy and musicality!”

This Is Love will be available on all online platforms, as CD’s and Vinyl. Learn more at www.elisetestone.com

Wed, April 17^th - Charleston Pour House, Charleston, SC (Southeast Album Release)

Thu, April 18^th - Dead Dog Saloon, Murrells Inlet, SC (Southeast Album Release)

Sat, April 27^th - Howlin' Wolf, New Orleans w/Bonerama Brass Band

Mon, April 29^th – Blue Nile, New Orleans, LA (Wimbash, with Doug Wimbish of Living Colour)

Fri, May 3^rd - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival w/ Leo Nocentelli

Sat, May 4^th - One Eyed Jax w/Ghost Note

Fri, May 17^th - Camp Jam, Hammonton, NJ

Sat, May 18^th – Rhythm & Brews Festival, Haddon Heights, NJ w/Philthy

Sun, May 19^th - Nublu, NYC , Album Release Show co-bill w/Philthy

Elise Testone on the Web

www.elisetestone.com

Facebook │ Twitter │ Instagram │ YouTube │Vimeo │Pinterest

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion

To the moon, Hillbillies! The Hillbilly Moon Explosion are a European band who just came to the US to play their own unique version of Rockabilly to Americans. They've long held the US in their hearts. Way back in 2006 they traveled to San Diego to record an album 'All Grown Up' with producer Mark Neill (Black Keys). Since then they've become a viral phenomenon, with their 'My Love For Evermore' inspiring myriad tattoos, cover versions, 7" pressings and sixteen million Youtube views. That track was their first duet with Mark 'Sparky' Phillips, the wayward singer from Welsh psychobilly band Demented Are Go. His well-worn vocals contrasting with the sultry Emanuela Hutter made the pairing one that had to be repeated on their next two albums. Now they are to release a whole album of duets with Sparky, tellingly titled The Sparky Sessions. It includes "Jackson" and the "My Love For Evermore" vinyl and video hit. Seven new tracks are added to the previous Sparky collaborations. Tonight (April 10th) they embark on a 11-day west coast tour, concluding at the renowned 'Viva Las Vegas' Rockabilly Festival on April 20th. Sparky however will remain a mystery for Americans. He's barred from the country after multiple arrests and jail terms during earlier Demented Are Go US tours. (see story HERE)  The Hillbilly Moon Explosion are comprised of two Englishmen living abroad - Oliver Baroni, double bass & vocals, and Duncan James, guitar; a French drummer Sylvain Pettitte, and their captivating Italian/Swiss chanteuse, Emanuela Hutter. Their home town is Zurich in Switzerland. USA TOUR DATES: with Lara Hope & The Ark-Tones and The Delta Bombers (Select dates): 4/12 - Santa Ana CA - Yost Theatre - TICKETS 4/13 - Lancaster CA - VFW Post 300 - TICKETS 4/14 - Riverside CA - Romano's Concert Lounge - TICKETS 4/16 - San Diego CA - Soda Bar - TICKETS 4/18 - Scottsdale AZ - Pub Rock Live - TICKETS 4/19 - Bullhead City AZ - Lazy Harry's 4/20 - Las Vegas NV - Viva Las Vegas Festival MUSIC VIDEOS: My Love For Evermore - https://youtu.be/2rlYPb2plaY?t=16 Jackson - https://youtu.be/_HM_gPFsDpc

www.hillbillymoon.com www.facebook.com/hillbillymoonexplosion

Michael's Musings

Put On Your Best Sunday Dress
Michael Shinafelt 

This has been one of those weeks, not bad, not good, not even in between - indifferent. Yeah they are the ones that befuddle the senses and make your mind go Hmmmmmmm... but at least they are uneventful and they do tend to have an odd calm about them even though they aren't entirely smooth. 

They are just so very, day by day, which isn't a bad or good thing, it simply is, always and will be, much like a constant craving, sands of the hourglass, blah, blah, blah - It's time to release the Kraken!

Apparently you are not allowed to wear the Queen's tiaras, what would you do?

Gird your loins

In dog years you're still a twat

Alexa, get me some ______ fill in the blank, it yours to enjoy! 

Coffee in the morning? Groundbreaking...

I'm going to name it after you

Him: I can't figure you out

Me: Many have tried 

All the boys and all the girls are begging to if you seek Amy

Sonja Morgan of the Captain Morgan, Morgan's 

"I play the ukulele, and I sing, too" - Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane "Some Like It Hot"

A prequel to Grease is in the works, we now officially live in Hell

I don't wanna be buried in Pet Semetary - who am I kidding, I'd love to come back from the dead as a homicidal version of my former self!

Do you believe in the power of rubber baby buggy bumpers?

It's Showtime!

Want to see something really scary? Follow me at: 

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Hump Day & Chill

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Fencing

Fencing
Chris Mason & Sasha Pieterse

Today is all about fencing, no not of the sword fighting variety, but of the getting impaled on one type of thing. 

Here it is peeps the current image of my eye a BTS selfie of Sasha Pieterse aka Alison Dilaurentis & Chris Mason whose character Nolan Hotchkiss bites it by, you go it, getting impaled on a fence, fencing, at the end of the premiere episode of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. 

Consider this definition of "fencing" my contribution to the Urban Dictionary - since I have to look up so many of today's references there I felt like adding to the already muddled waters for some more WTF? moments and collective Google searches among the masses.

Love this image and really love the show, thus my work here is done.

Mic Drop!

PLL: The Perfectionists on the WWW at:
https://freeform.go.com/shows/pretty-little-liars-the-perfectionists