DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Cissy Houston, renowned gospel singer and Whitney Houston’s mother, dies at 91
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Cissy Houston, renowned soul and gospel singer and mother to Whitney Houston, died at the age of 91. Houston, a two-time Grammy winner who sang backup for Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, passed away at her home Monday morning in New Jersey, according to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston at the Annual People's Choice Awards in 1993. She later formed the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, singing backup for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. “On behalf of The Houston Family, we are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” said the family in a statement.

Persons: Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Pat Houston, ”, Cissy, Whitney, Bobbi Kristina, ” Whitney Houston, Houston, Dee Dee Warwick, Doris Troy, Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, Van Morrison’s “, Jimi Hendrix, Presley, Bette Middler’s, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett, ” Houston, Dionne, Leontyne Price, “ Organizations: CBS, Getty, Houston ”, Houston Locations: Houston, New Jersey, Newark , New Jersey, Las Vegas

☆ Sabrina Carpenter honors Madonna in vintage Oscars gown at VMAs red carpet
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Madonna was everywhere at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards in New York — and she wasn’t even there. But it was Artist of the Year nominee Sabrina Carpenter who went the extra mile by tracking down a vintage gown from the Queen of Pop’s style archive. Featuring a deep-V neckline and embellished with sequins, pearls and crystals, the white satin gown was designed — and later customized for Madonna — by celebrated fashion designer Bob Mackie. “Maria Schiavo, a well-known fashion stylist, borrowed my sample of this dress for a Madonna cover shoot for Vanity Fair,” Mackie recalled. Nobody else should be seen in that dress.”)Carpenter’s stylist, Jared Ellner, said on Instagram that he acquired the Madonna gown through LA vintage clothing studio, Tab Vintage.

Persons: CNN —, Addison Rae, Anitta, Sabrina Carpenter, —, Bob Mackie, Michael Jackson, ”, Dick Tracy, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Ron Galella, Steven Meisel, Mackie, “ Maria Schiavo, ” Mackie, Pop, Fran Drescher, Monroe, Diana Ross, Cher, Anya Taylor, Joy, Katy Perry, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, Jared Ellner, De, Tab Vintage’s, Alexis Novak, Carpenter, “, Evan Agostini, Britney Spears, Spears Organizations: CNN, MTV, De Beers, Vogue, UBS Arena, Billboard, VMA Locations: New York, Monroe, Elmont , New York

☆ Wayne Brady and Nichelle Lewis on Striving for Excellence in ‘The Wiz’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Salamishah Tillet | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

“That show was so Black,” my 8-year-old whispered after we saw “The Wiz” on Broadway. He hadn’t made this observation last fall after seeing a performance of the show in Baltimore, during the national tour that preceded this revival. So I was curious: What had changed, and why was this iteration more culturally resonant for him than even the 1978 movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson or NBC’s 2015 “The Wiz Live!” special that I’d screened for him. I suspected my son was drawn to this version’s colloquial expressions (“All I got to do is stay Black and die,” Evillene tells Dorothy), choreography (ranging from Atlanta street dancing to South African amapiano) and its casting of Wayne Brady as the Wiz, who greets the Scarecrow and the Tinman with a dap. (Brady will depart the production on June 12.)

Persons: hadn’t, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Evillene, Dorothy, Wayne Brady, Brady Organizations: Broadway Locations: Baltimore, Atlanta

☆ Opinion | Rita, Anita, My Mother and Me
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Deborah Paredez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Some Latina mothers teach their daughters how to spoon masa or plátano onto a corn husk or banana leaf when making tamales or pasteles. My Latina mother taught me to love musicals. Perhaps it’s because, like all musicals, “West Side Story” is a complex form of representation that revels in both its messiness and its marvelousness. My mother was showing me a diva who could move across these imposed limits. Many of us have cataloged and condemned the musical’s depictions of criminal youth and blatantly sexual women all speaking in exaggerated accents.

Persons: Barbra Streisand, Fanny Brice, Diana Ross, Rita Moreno, Anita, ” Organizations: Broadway Locations: “, America

☆ These are the concert residencies that helped define the Las Vegas strip
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Las Vegas is a city brightly lit by it’s rich history, extravagant hotels, luxurious dining experiences, perpetually rolling dice and, of course, one-of-a-kind musical residencies. Here’s a look at some of the most influential musical residencies that have helped define Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world. Usher previously performed his “Usher: The Las Vegas Residency” through 2021 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Known as Mr. Las Vegas, the performer has become such a local icon that streets are named after him. Marco Piraccini/Mondadori/Getty ImagesThere was a time where Las Vegas residencies were considered something best suited for artists of yesteryear.

Persons: Mariah Carey, Adele, Garth Brooks, Lionel Richie, Usher Usher, Aaron J, Thornton, WireImage, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Zendaya, Usher, Wayne Newton Wayne Newton, Ethan Miller, Wayne Newton, Newton, Wayne, Elvis Presley Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley, –, Long, Celine Dion Celine Dion, Tomasz Rossa, Celine Dion, Love, Dion, Diana Ross Diana Ross, Matt Sayles, Invision, Diana Ross, Ross, Ross ’, “, Elton John Elton John, Mick Hutson, Redferns, Elton John, he’s, Rocketman, Britney Spears Britney Spears, Marco Piraccini, Britney Spears, Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Bono, Adam Clayton, Bram van den Berg, Kevin Mazur Organizations: CNN, Sin, Vegas, Las, Colosseum, Billboard, Tropicana, Getty, Flamingo, Intercontinental, Westgate Las, “, Venetian, Caesars, Yamaha, Planet Hollywood, Forbes Locations: Sin City, Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Fans of the soulful sounds of Detroit’s Motown and Memphis’ Stax Records will be able to enjoy music from both brands in the same place if they watch and listen to a free, online show streaming during Black History Month in February. Registration has begun for “Stax Meets Motown,” which features musicians from Stax Music Academy playing hits from both of the influential soul and R&B music labels. “Think Glee meets Grease meets Fame meets Hairspray, all with classic 1960s soul music,” Stax said in the release. Stax Music Academy began these virtual presentations in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year’s show is a lively comparison of Stax and Motown,” said Stax Music Academy Executive Director Isaac Daniel.

Persons: Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvis Gaye, Tammi Turrell, Otis Redding, Sam, Dave, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Booker T, “, ” Stax, Stax, ”, Isaac Daniel Organizations: Motown, Memphis ’ Stax Records, Stax, Stax Music Academy, Jackson, Booker, Washington High School, Detroit Riots Locations: MEMPHIS, Tenn, Memphis

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Underneath his umbrella, NFL legend Dan Marino stood nearly drenched on the sideline watching Prince’s epic “Purple Rain” Super Bowl halftime performance in 2007 during a torrential Miami downpour. “The halftime performance has come a long way,” said the Hall of Fame quarterback who played 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and competed in the 1985 Super Bowl. His show will be vastly different than the NFL’s first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967, which featured marching bands from the University of Arizona and Grambling State University, a historically Black college, along with hundreds of flying pigeons, thousands of balloons and two soaring men wearing jetpacks. After the inaugural Super Bowl, the NFL kept bringing back other marching bands, drill teams, signed Chubby Checker and Up with People, an organization that stage positive thinking through dance and song performances. Dudowsky recalled when Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said the “Super Bowl of music is the Super Bowl.” He said the halftime show has been able to grow thanks to the NFL's ability to adjust to the current culture and giving deserving artists the platform to express their artistry.

Persons: Dan Marino, Marino, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Aerosmith, ”, Marino's, Rihanna, Katy Perry's, Scarlett Johansson, doesn’t, she’s, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson ’, Gaga, ” Johansson, “, you’ve, Kris Jenner, Jenner, ” Usher —, Chubby Checker, Gloria Estefan, Billie Jean, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Seth Dudowsky, Jay, —, don’t, Dudowsky, Chris Martin, Dr, Dre, Snoop Dogg, Dogg, Roger Goodell, ” Dogg, Usher, he's Organizations: ANGELES, of Fame, Miami Dolphins, Super, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Associated Press, Bowl, University of Arizona, Grambling State University, NFL, New, Rose Bowl, Coldplay, Roc Nation Locations: Miami, Las Vegas, U.S, Southern California

☆ Dolly Parton and Cher remind us it’s greater, later
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Something to sip on…Dolly Parton In the film "Rhinestone" in 1984 and Cher in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. Getty ImagesDolly Parton and Cher are both making 77 years old look lovely. The same day Parton was on the football field, Cher performed her new Christmas single “DJ Play a Christmas Song” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You should listen to…Sir Paul McCartney performing in 2017. Poet Paul Muldoon collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney on the bestselling book, “The Lyrics: 1965 to Present,” and their relationship is clear in the ease of their conversations on this podcast.

Persons: Lisa Respers, Dolly Parton, Cher, Parton, Diana Ross, Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Martin, Samuel L, Jackson, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Kevin Mazur, Giselle Knowles Carter, Beyoncé ”, – she’s, Bey, EGOT, Oscar, Tony, Sir Paul McCartney, “ McCartney, Paul Muldoon, McCartney, ”, … Catherine Tate, David Tennant, Who, ” Peope, Russell T Davies, it’s “ Organizations: CNN, Getty, Dallas Cowboys, ”, Disney Locations: Lisa Respers France, Los Angeles , California, London, England, Atlanta, AFP

☆ When Club Music Went Commercial, Remixes Kept It Real
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Craig Seymour | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Remixes can free a song from the dictates of radio trends, marketability and the pop conventions of boy-meets-girl. It makes me think about what, on the surface, seems so irrational: a Black queer person risking alienation from the larger Black community to shape a distinct identity around the inexplicable wants of the heart. You just had to learn it for yourself.”There is another function of the remixes I cherish most: They instigate precious memories. The beat is the confession, which recognizes, changes, and conquers time.” Some remixes remind me of the 1980s and ’90s, when music forged in Black queer spaces began reaching the mainstream. Remixes were one way of preserving Black queer aesthetics amid economic incentives to make club music more commercial.

Persons: Diana Ross, ” Jody Watley, Mariah Carey, ”, Quincy Jones’s, Arthur Baker, Baker, Chaka Khan’s, Frederick Douglass, “, Whitney, David Cole, Robert Clivillés, Oz, Glinda, “ You’ve, James Baldwin Locations: Houston

☆ Beyoncé got a birthday serenade from Diana Ross
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —It would be hard to imagine a bigger or better birthday celebration than Beyoncé’s on Monday. During the singer’s “Renaissance World Tour” concert in Los Angeles, Diana Ross surprised the crowd when she stepped on stage to serenade Bey with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”“I’m here to celebrate Beyoncé’s birthday,” Ross said as Beyoncé hugged her tight. When Ross was finished, Beyoncé, who turned 42, told her, “Thank you so much, you are so amazing.”“This is the legendary Diana Ross! Thank you so much.”Diana Ross just sang happy birthday to Beyonce!!! #RENAISANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/KMtsFQISQ1 — kelechi (@its_kelechi) September 5, 2023Kim Kardashian was in attendance and shared a video of the two on stage on her Instagram Story, writing, “A birthday song from @dianaross.”Beyoncé had previously serenaded Ross in 2019 when Ross turned 75.

Persons: Diana Ross, Bey, ”, ” Ross, Beyoncé, Ross, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, “, ” Beyoncé, serenaded Ross Organizations: CNN Locations: Los Angeles

☆ The Family of a Former Supreme Battles for Control of Her Life
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Julia Jacobs | Christopher Petkanas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“It has been an open secret among the Motown family, the tragedy of Cindy,” Herman said in an interview. Lander considered but did not agree to an interview, and stopped responding to inquiries. With her gentle manner and polished skills, she was well suited for a daunting role: keeping one of Motown’s premier acts on track. “Cindy had a strong voice and charisma,” Gerald Posner, a Motown historian, said in an interview. “She’s the one who had to make the change look seamless — and she did.”

Persons: Motown, Cindy, ” Herman, Lander, Birdsong, ” Lander, ” Birdsong’s, Patti LaBelle, Ballard, Diana Ross, Ballard —, “ Cindy, ” Gerald Posner, “, ” Organizations: Soup, Motown Locations: Camden , N.J

☆ Readers’ Picks: 12 Pride Anthems
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

“Smalltown Boy” is not necessarily about running away from a heterosexual upbringing but toward pride, freedom and acceptance. To me, “Holiday” was a metaphor for that place where I could live inside a bright, shiny rainbow. I took a few extra days of leave at the end, which happened to coincide with Seattle Pride. Diana Ross: “I’m Coming Out”My coming out song at the age of 38 was “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross. It may be rough, you may be alone, but you have that special song that the world needs to hear.

Persons: Bronski Beat, “, ”, J.P, Jack Terry, Northville, CeCe Peniston, CeCe, I’d, — Eric, Diana Ross, Harry N, Cohen, Cass Elliot, — Jared Schrock Organizations: Bronski, YouTube, Seattle Pride, Pride Locations: New York, Streeter, Alameda, Calif, Mich, Seattle, Kentucky, Pittsburgh

☆ Take a look inside RuPaul's fabulous 'whimsical and fun' Beverly Hills mansion that features a ballroom adorned with disco balls
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Chris Johnston | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

RuPaul and his husband Georges LeBar wanted to give their 1980s Beverly Hills home a makeover. The "Drag Race" star opened the doors of the "whimsical and fun" home to Architectural Digest. RuPaul told design magazine Architectural Digest that they'd "always loved Martyn's aesthetic, so we trusted him. The performer told Architectural Digest that the home is "meant to be whimsical and fun. See more images in the June issue of Architectural Digest, or click here.

☆ RuPaul opens the doors to his maximalist Beverly Hills mansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In a four-poster canopy bed — or velvet claw-foot daybed — in the Beverly Hills mansion he shares with husband Georges LeBar. The property is more than worthy of royalty, with grand airy rooms and neoclassical details dressed up in bold colors and maximalist glamour. RuPaul and LeBar bought the European-style estate in 2019, and enlisted interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard — a longtime friend — and architect Christopher Hatch McLean to work their magic. RuPaul and Georges LeBar transformed their Beverly Hills estate with the help of interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Orange is the drag icon's favorite color and appears in velvet, lacquer or painted accents through the home.

☆ Harry Belafonte, who mixed music, acting, and activism, dies at 96
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Bill Trott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Belafonte was born in New York City's borough of Manhattan but spent his early childhood in his family's native Jamaica. A few weeks before the launch, Belafonte told Rolling Stone magazine that singing was a way for him to express injustices in the world. "We were instructed to never capitulate, to never yield, to always resist oppression," Belafonte told Yes! "The Navy came as a place of relief for me," Belafonte told Yes! Belafonte was the first Black performer to win a major Emmy in 1960 with his appearance on a television variety special.

CNN —Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, has died, his publicist Ken Sunshine told CNN. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Belafonte, left, plays a school principal in a scene from the film "See How They Run" in 1952. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Belafonte poses with the Emmy Award he won in 1960 for the musical special "Tonight With Belafonte." Fred Sabine/NBCU/Getty Images Belafonte and other recipients of Albert Einstein Commemorative Awards display their medallions after being honored in 1972. He is survived by his wife Pamela, his children Adrienne Belafonte Biesemeyer, Shari Belafonte, Gina Belafonte, David Belafonte, two stepchildren Sarah Frank and Lindsey Frank and eight grandchildren.

☆ Factbox: Little known facts about King Charles: One-time jockey and hedgelayer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - King Charles will be crowned next month at London's Westminster Abbey, following in a tradition that dates back some 1,000 years. Here are some little known facts about the monarch:FIRST REGAL SCHOOLBOYCharles is the first monarch to have gone to school, as all his predecessors were educated by private tutors. As part of his education, he spent two terms at Geelong Church of England Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia. SPORTYAs a young prince, Charles loved skiing, surfing, and scuba diving. MUSIC AND ARTS LOVERCAMBERLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: King Charles III inspects the 200th Sovereign's parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on April 14, 2023 in Camberley, England.

Lena Horne made history this week as the first Black woman to have a Broadway theater named in her honor. The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on West 47th Street, near Broadway in Manhattan’s Theater District, was renamed the Lena Horne Theatre on Tuesday in recognition of the famed performer and civil rights activist. The Lena Horne Theatre seats more than 1,000 people and is one of nine Broadway theaters throughout New York City belonging to the Nederlander Organization. The Lena Horne Theatre was previously named the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and the Mansfield Theatre. Horne won several awards during her career, including two Grammys, in 1982 and 1996, along with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989.

Search resuls for: "Diana Ross"

18 mentions found