Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey

The Montalbán Presents

Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey

Professor Brian Cox’s

Immersive Live Experience

Fri. June 17 & Sat. June 18, 2022

The Montalbán is honored to present Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey, the latest immersive live experience from World-renowned physicist, Professor Brian Cox for two nights, Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, 2022. Horizons is a celebration of our civilization, of our music, art, philosophy and science; an optimistic vision of our future if we continue to explore Nature with humility and to value ourselves and our fellow human beings. Cox will once again be joined by award-winning comedian Robin Ince, his co-host on the BBC’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Returning to the historic Montalbán (the site of his Cox’s last sold-out engagement in Southern California), the show will start at 8:00pm. Tickets cost $65. Located near the legendary corner of Hollywood and Vine, the venue is at 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. For information and tickets, please visit https://www.themontalban.com/briancox.

In the midst of a 29-city North America tour produced by WestBeth Entertainment, Horizons demystifies planetary science, cosmology, and quantum theory for an all-ages audience through advanced LED screen technology, comedy, and live Q&A. The tour will also visit arenas and theaters throughout the U.K., Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia. As the Edmonton Journal recently wrote, “Only a handful of scientists can sell out arenas lecturing on some of the most complex issues vexing particle physicists today. Cox is one of them. His capacity to distill some of the most complex questions researchers ask about space, time and things above and beyond it into something the lay person can grasp is rare.”

Professor Brian Cox Photo: Mark Harrison Horizons takes audiences on a dazzling cinematic journey; a story of how we came to be and what we can become. Using state of the art LED screen technology, venues will be filled with images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and a time before the Big Bang. What is the nature of space and time? Why does the Universe exist? How did life begin, how rare might it be and what is the significance of life in the Cosmos? What does it mean to live a small, finite life in a vast, eternal Universe? The deepest of questions will be explored using the latest advances in our understanding of quantum theory, black holes, biology, planetary science, astronomy and cosmology. “I loved the 2019 world tour because it gave me the opportunity to discuss the most profound ideas with tens of thousands of people in front of the most spectacular images of the Universe,” stated Professor Cox. “When the tour was over, I immediately started thinking about how I could delve deeper, tell an even more profound story and make the show even more spectacular. I’m very excited about what has emerged! I hope the evening will make people think about how fortunate and precious we are, how strange and wonderful our Universe is, and the limitless future we have to look forward to if we make the right choices over the coming decades.”

• Brian Cox - briancoxlive.co.uk
• Brian Cox Instagram - www.instagram.com/profbriancox
• Brian Cox Facebook - www.facebook.com/ProfessorBrianCox
• Brian Cox Twitter - twitter.com/ProfBrianCox
• Brian Cox YouTube
• Brian Cox Wikipedia - wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Cox_(physicist)

"We're Here"

Talia Keys
Photo:
Stefan Poulos

This Pride, Talia Keys Releases “We’re Here”

Her Call-to-Action Song and Visual Encourages Queer People 
Be Proud, Keep Fighting and Shake Sh*t Up

Talia Keys is celebrating Pride month with the release of a new music video that calls for today’s queer generation to be loud and proud in who they are.  Written and produced by Keys, “We’re Here” is a reggae inspired, feel good anthem that is broken into three parts. The first verse is about the internal struggles many LGBTQ youth face when their outward appearance doesn’t quite fit the societal mold. The second verse challenges them to smash the patriarchy of society’s expectations around gender binaries. Finally, the outro encourages all to own who they are because by simply existing, they are changing the world into a better place.   “We need to fight the status quo,” asserts Keys, “Because like it or not, We’re Queer, We’re Here and We aren’t going anywhere.”   Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms.  Its music video is on YouTube.

“I was inspired to create ‘We’re Here’ because I grew up in Mormon Utah as a closeted queer Catholic girl,” Keys reflects.   “Being different in Utah put a target on me. In school, I was bullied for being a Tomboy and then I became a bully to protect my secret.”   When she finally came out in her mid-twenties, Talia, a successful musician, lost fans and gigs, but she kept her drive.   Today, she uses her music and performances to preach the good word of love, acceptance and fucking shit up.  “I see the stage as my platform to spread awareness.”

That message is echoed in the “We’re Here” music video.  It was shot in an empty theater because, as Talia explains, “Sometimes it feels empty when you come out and the support you once had is gone.  As queer people, though, we learn to be strong willed and to perform with our entire heart, even if it is to an empty room.” She also wanted to shed light on the fact that queer art is suffering during the pandemic.     

The video features several queer, trans, enby artists and drag queens. “We’re Here” stars Madazon Can-Can, a gender non-binary drag king, burlesque dancer and clown.  “I first saw Madazon Can-Can perform at our local Pride and was captivated by their ability to entertain rowdy queers, dance burlesque, shine as a drag king and make us laugh and cry as a clown,” Talia says.  “When I began visualizing the We’re Here’ video, I immediately thought of Madazon whose multifaceted talents would be able to convey the message of the song.”

She also cast local drag artists Kay Bye (they/them), Lilia Maughn (she/her/they/them) and M’Lady Wood (she/her), as well as local musician Zaza Historia VanDyke (She/Her) in the music video and assembled an all-Queer crew to shoot the video.  The award-winning filmmaker Melahn Atkinson (she/they) produced, filmed and edited “We’re Here.” Talia directed, produced and acted in the video. Ismene Vetas and Marz Catrow (they/them) long-time collaborators, were the additional camera operators.

Talia Keys is an activist-musician who has enjoyed a loyal following in Salt Lake City clubs for over a decade, and has made a name for herself on national tours and jam festivals from coast to coast.   Growing up, she and her brother were raised by a single mother.  Her dad struggled with addiction and his battles forced Talia to grow up sooner than one would expect. 

Still, she was a kid with a big imagination and whether she was pretending to be Michael Jordan or impersonating Elvis Presley, Talia could entertain herself for hours.  She began piano lessons at age 9, drums at 11, guitar at 16 and mandolin at 22.  Music was always very prevalent throughout her youth, beginning with The Beatles and turning to Bob Marley in middle school.  Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads were some of the other artists that played a big role in her musical development.  She even had a Kris Kross phase (and yes, she wore her clothes backwards for a time).  It opened Talia up to rap and hip hop and she became a huge fan of Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees and Blackalicious.

Talia Keys’ trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. While her physical appearance may scream LESBO, her music does not.   It presents a modern twist on the rock n’ roll troubadour singing songs of struggle and ultimately, triumph.  

Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms.  Its music video is on YouTube.  Visit Talia’s website and follow her on Instagram @ taliakeys   

Michael's Musings

Happy Pride!
Ian Harvie & Yours Truly

It's Pride Month Minions! I thought to myself what better way to kick it off than with a Throwback Thursday blast from the past of Myself and Comedian Ian Harvie hanging before a Margaret Cho show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA.

Hey, it doesn't get anymore LGBTQ than that now, does it??? I thought not.

This Pride Season I'm going to embrace my demons. French kiss them. Might f#ck them. 

Memo to RHOBH, Ken Todd had it correct: "Goodbye Kyle!"

He will rise and give us free marshmallows!!! The more you know...

Overheard a son saying to his mom: "You are a liar and an abomination." Whatever your take on this, that kid has an expansive vocabulary.

Was thinking about how much I miss Prince the other day, so I drew a mustache on Rihanna 

I've seen this movie, something's gonna crawl up in there. Wait for it.

"Coming out is the most political thing you can do" - Harvey Milk 

I would love to go back to pre-stupid times

Woman Crush of the Week - This week it's a duo, Sarah Michelle Gellar & Selma Blair kissing in one of my favorite movies Cruel Intentions, That's Hot 💘

Here's some candy, now wipe your nose

TBH the whole thing really seemed like none of my business

Excuse me I've got "Peach Tree" dishes full of cells that need to be cultured 

Remember being yourself is never the wrong thing to do

Like a snake at a carnival...Entertain Me

Do it, and do it now here -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Candle In The Wind
Marilyn Monroe

Today is Marilyn Monroe's Birthday! Thus I propose we Hump Day & Chill to an image from my favorite film she was in The Misfits with Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift.

Here's the 411 on it:

"While filing for a divorce, beautiful ex-stripper Roslyn Taber (Marilyn Monroe) ends up meeting aging cowboy-turned-gambler Gay Langland (Clark Gable) and former World War II aviator Guido Racanelli (Eli Wallach). The two men instantly become infatuated with Roslyn and, on a whim, the three decide to move into Guido's half-finished desert home together. When grizzled ex-rodeo rider Perce Howland (Montgomery Clift) arrives, the unlikely foursome strike up a business capturing wild horses." 

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Marilyn on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe  

"Do It Again"

Lit
Photo:
Nick Fancher

Go all in, go hard, no regrets. Rinse and repeat. It’s kind of been a motto of the band Lit for a very long time.  It doesn't always end well but it sure keeps it interesting and is the theme behind the band’s latest single, “Do It Again” HERE Of the track, “Do It Again” Lit says it’s about a dysfunctional relationship that you just can’t seem to say no to, because you like to see how crazy things might get. Could be a person, could be a substance, either way you kind of look forward to watching the wheels fly off the cart.” Watch the lyric video HERE

 

“Do It Again” follows Lit’s current radio single, “Mouth Shut” HERE. Whether you posted something that didn't go over well, or you accidentally sent a text to the wrong person, we all have had foot in mouth disease at some point. Sometimes you wish you would have just kept it to yourself is the impetus for “Mouth Shut.” You can watch the “Mouth Shut” lyric video HERE. Both tracks are off their long-awaited seventh studio album, Tastes Like Gold due June 17, 2022 Via Round Hill Records which you can pre-order HERE.

 

Lead guitarist Jeremy Popoff says, “We wanted to get back to the old school Lit sound with a modern day approach to the production.  It took a minute to get our heads in the right place, especially with all of the craziness going on in the world.  We started writing and making demos with Carlo Colasacco and YOUTHYEAR and we knew we had tapped into the vibe we were looking for. Tastes Like Gold is the album we wanted to make.”  Tastes Like Gold, produced by Carlo Colasacco, YOUTHYEAR & Lit features No Doubt’s Adrian Young, Butch Walker and American Authors. 

 

“Do It Again,” “Mouth Shut” and the autobiographical “Kicked Off The Plane” HERE  follow “Yeah Yeah Yeah”- HERE  (live performance video HERE & official video HERE) which was the first single from Tastes Like Gold.

 

Lit’s US tour is in full swing with a special upcoming hometown show in Anaheim, CA at House of Blues on June 17. Additional dates throughout the summer and fall are currently being added to the schedule including a show at Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI on July 2. All dates are on sale now HERE

 

Catch up with Ajay & Jeremy as they discuss some of their favorite albums with Spin Magazine HERE

 

In addition, Lit’s four part documentary style podcast about their iconic song, “MY OWN WORST ENEMY” that was produced for Round Hill Music by Osiris Media is available now. Listen to My Own Worst Enemy, The Podcast. Presented by Round Hill Music HERE

Follow Lit here:

Official Website: https://www.litband.com/

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Youtube

Memorial Day 2022

Top Gun: Maverick
Tom Cruise & Jennifer Connelly 

With the not unexpected success of Top Gun: Maverick this Memorial Day weekend I thought I would leave you with this image from it. Something about it captures the key aspects and the vibes that this particular day of remembrance gives me. 

No, I'll never explain again...Enjoy your day Minions!!!

Memorial Day on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day  

Just Because...2 Broke Girls

Serving Laughs
Kat Dennings & Beth Behrs 

For some reason of late I have been watching reruns of 2 Broke Girls every chance I get. State of the world issues may have something to do with it I'm sure. Also it's one of the funniest, most entertaining sitcoms ever made. This is coming from a person who, in general loathes them.

What I love about this show is, while it's politically incorrect and many of the jokes are the characters making fun of each other. It's all in a good natured, caring way. NONE of it is mean spirited in the least.

Not to mention Kat Dennings & Beth Behrs are gold together, along with the rest of the awesomely talented cast!!!

I have serious doubts 2BG would get a network greenlight in the current climate. So let's be grateful it doesn't have to and that it exists.

Like the saying goes: Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened 😊

Also be grateful for syndication and reruns that allow us to watch something this fun, over and over again...

2 Broke Girls on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Broke_Girls