Satellite capacity offered by Eutelsat Communications will enable television networks and operators across Europe to broadcast in High Definition the exceptional 12-12-12 live concert to be held tonight in New York City to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The musical line-up performing at the “12-12-12″ concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City includes Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who and Paul McCartney. Celebrity presenters will include Chelsea Clinton, Billy Crystal, Leo DiCaprio, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristen Stewart and Quentin Tarantino.

The live concert will cross the Atlantic via the EUTELSAT 12 West A satellite (downlink frequency 12.638 GHz, horizontal polarisation). The Free-to-Air signal will be received by Telefonica at its facilities in Madrid and reuplinked to the EUTELSAT 9A satellite (downlink frequency 12.054 GHz, horizontal polarisation) for Direct-to-Home reception as well as for cable and IP network distribution across Europe.

“12-12-12″ will be distributed worldwide to nearly two billion people through television feeds, radio and online streaming and available to 114 million television households in the US and to more than 400 million television households internationally via networks and feeds in North and South America, Europe, Africa,Asia and Australia.

The concert is being produced by James Dolan, Executive Chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company; John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises; and Harvey Weinstein, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Weinstein Company.

Every single penny from ticket purchases and donations will go to serve the victims of Hurricane Sandy through the Robin Hood Relief Fund.

For the most up to date information on “12-12-12″ see http://www.121212concert.org.

Image Courtesy : Netfalls – Remy Musser / Shutterstock.com

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Los Angeles, U.S.A. — Alicia Keys and AK Worldwide have teamed up with Bento Box Interactive, to create a one-of-a-kind immersive storytelling app, entitled The Journals of Mama Mae and LeeLee. Centered on a touching story, the app encourages exploration through music, journaling, games, rewards and more. Underscored by Alicia Keys’ original music and inspired by Keys’ own relationship with her Nana, the app tells the story of a relationship between a young girl (LeeLee) in New York City and her wise and mystical grandmother (Mama Mae).

The app has been created to redefine the classic storytelling experience for children and parents utilizing interactivity and animation within innovative tactile features to engage them within the story and immerse them into the world beyond the pages of a book.  Combined with stylized art direction and beautiful animation, Mama Mae’s magical adventures from her journal provide empowering life lessons to LeeLee and drive the app’s unique interplay.

Co-produced by AK Worldwide and Bento Box Interactive, the new app is available for download from the Apple App Store for the iPad, iPhone and iTouch on October 25 for $3.99;  and shortly after on other devices and platforms. The characters and stories for the app were created by Alicia Keys, DJ Walton and Jessica Walton with the innovative App technology and platform developed by Bento Box Interactive and animation produced by the Bento Box team.

“I feel it’s so important to tell the story of Mama Mae and LeeLee through an app because this has the potential to really bring everybody together in an interesting way,” said Keys. “Mama Mae is a character that is partially born from the spirit of my Nana, who instilled in me all of the values that still guide my path to this day. As technology continues to advance, I feel it is so important to continue growing and fostering those indelible relationships as children tap into the digital landscape. The Journals of Mama Mae and LeeLee has the potential to enrich the way children, parents and grandparents participate in each other’s lives.”

“This is a very proud moment for all of us at Bento Box Interactive,” said Scott Greenberg, CEO Bento Box Interactive. “We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with such a great storyteller in Alicia Keys and her amazing team. Alicia keenly understands technology and its great potential for engaging the iPad generation. Together, we’ve opened the door to a new kind of storytelling experience. With music, games, journaling, rewards, and so much more all in one app we are charting a course for the next generation of readers. We are incredibly excited to share The Journals of Mama Mae and LeeLee with the world.”

The first story in the app titled “Blue Moon,” challenges users with true-to-life obstacles which empower children to face their fears, break free from limitation, and open themselves to unearthing their love for adventure and discovery within. This first story is highlighted by the song, “Follow the Moon,” composed and produced by Keys.

Throughout the app and the series of story-packs, all music is produced and scored by Alicia Keys including the main theme song “Unlock Yourself,” which is composed and performed by Keys and serves as a central theme reminding children to be true to themselves and follow their dreams.

Additional story-packs, featuring the magical adventures within Mama Mae’s journal, will be released within the app’s bookshelf in the future on a regular basis. Each story-pack will also populate the interactive environment of LeeLee’s 3D animated bedroom with additional original content that encourages users to explore and “unlock” all the possibilities.

The pristine functionality of the app’s design allows for seamless transitions between the series of stories and the interactive world of LeeLee’s bedroom that enables the reader to immerse within the story’s experience. Through Mama Mae’s wisdom and the app’s compelling features, children can explore new worlds with the touch of their fingertips.

To access a trailer of the app, please visit the link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/IbNfdFhNZrY

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Cast members from The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil performed live at the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center. All 60 dancers and acrobats from Love performed to a specially edited track by Producer Giles Martin, featuring songs from the two-time Grammy Award-winning Love album.

Iconic artist and philanthropist Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at this special event celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work. The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs.

Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Additional performances included multi-Grammy winning artists and current Grammy nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, and Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas; Grammy winning artist Duane Eddy; multi-Grammy winning artists Norah Jones, Alicia Keys and James Taylor; two-time Grammy winning artists Diana Krall and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin Grammy winning artist Sergio Mendes; and current Grammy nominee Katy Perry.

The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time Grammy winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney. Love, a Cirque du Soleil creation and co-production with Apple Corps Ltd., celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles and is presented exclusively at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles company, Apple Corps, has agreed to a major theatrical partnership. The project was born out of a personal friendship and mutual admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte.

Since its June 2006 premiere, Love has performed over 2,000 shows for more than 4.3 million people. Recently named “Best Show in Las Vegas” by USA Today, Love has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for four consecutive years and continues to be a celebrity favorite.

In February 2011, The Beatles’ Grammy Award-winning Love album and ‘All Together Now’ documentary made their digital debuts, exclusively on iTunes.

Image Courtesy of Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

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The night of June 25^th, an all too lucky audience was graced with the vocal expertise and beauty of Mrs. Alicia Keys. Carried out at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, the performance by the R & B talent was coupled with, not only Alicia’s soothingly soaring singing voice, but her gift of piano playing.

She brought her skill to her own rendition of the Beatle’s song “Black Bird”, lyrics which express waiting patiently for those long-sought after moments in one’s lifetime.

The evening’s performance was named “Piano & I: A One- Night Only Event With Alicia Keys,” marked by the simplicity and power of the artist’s raw gifts. The night celebrated what the coming weeks would hold for Keys when the release of the expanded 10^th anniversary edition of 2001’s album Songs in A Minor, as well as a performance at Beacon Theatre in New York.

Keys poured out her songs for the Art Deco Pantages audience with her usual essence of authenticity coupled with her silky vocal ability. While the performance was focused in on her 2001 album, Keys didn’t neglect to include some of her more recent hits- among those “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)” which she co-wrote along with other artists including Drake.

The songstress filled the two hour show with a presentation of songs packed with a wide-ranging field of emotion. Keys opened the show with an assortment of songs originally from artists who motivated her music interest. Mary J, Blige, Brian McKnight and even rapper Biggie Smalls all had a place in Keys’ opening along with numerous others.

The artist emitted her passionate energy by sharing with the audience “I love this. It’s stripped back and super-raw”. Mrs. Alicia Keys has 4 albums under her belt, occasional acting roles and now a role as mother. Her past music experience has propelled her to present refined performances which was surely witnessed in her A Minor show.

She has a striking ability to exude a unique power in her songs like when she sang the moving “Goodbye”- her body language was a marriage of what is raw and what is real.

The songstress started out her career quite young at the age of 20 and since then her mark within the fast-paced industry has been undeniable.

Her sound dives into music territory of hip-hop and R and B with a passion that one can trace back to the sixties seventies.  Keys made a stunning achievement when she brought home five Grammys for her Songs in A Minor album in 2002.

The singer has worked to establish a name for herself all around the world but her core is clearly back in her hometown of Manhattan, New York.   During her performance she shared with her audience stories of her childhood and her songwriting days on trains.

Then, after performing a meaningful version of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”, she transitioned into “Empire State of Mind” an inspirational piece she collaborated on with Jay-Z.

When Keys glided through to her performance’s end, she closed with a energizing arrangement of her song “Superwoman”.  It was a fitting ending to a brilliantly empowering performance by the songstress with a command over the piano and a striking voice to match.

Tom Begasse / Shutterstock.com

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