Madonna is having a huge party and everyone’s invited. The Madonna 2012 World Tour begins May 29th 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel it was officially announced by Live Nation Entertainment, the tour’s international promoter.

The shows will include arenas, stadiums and special outdoor sights including the Plains of Abraham in Quebec and a return visit to South America as well as Australia where she has not performed in 20 years. The tour will stop in 26 European cities including London, Paris, Milan and Berlin.

The first of 26 North American shows is scheduled for August 28th in Philadelphia and includes a September 6th show in NY’s Yankee Stadium and an October 10th performance at LA’s Staples Center. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale beginning February 10th in Tel Aviv and the United Kingdom, with North American tickets going on sale beginning February 13th. Tickets for North America are available at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. A complete itinerary of Madonna 2012 follows this release.

Madonna’s previous tour, the phenomenally successful “Sticky & Sweet” Tour reaffirmed her status as one of the most successful touring artists of all time. The historic tour included such incredible touring feats as a 70,000 seat sell-out in Werchter, Belgium, an 85,000 sell-out in Helsinki (the largest show ever in the Nordic countries by a solo artist), a 40,000 ticket sell-out in Oslo, Norway, and 72,000 tickets sold out in one day in Tallinn Estonia.

Other record breaking ticket sales around the globe include 650,000 tickets sold in her series of South American dates, 72,000 tickets at Zurich’s Dubendorf Airfield – the largest audience ever assembled for a show in Switzerland, 75,000 tickets in London and four sell outs inNew York’s Madison Square Garden (60,364 tickets).

The announcement of Madonna’s 2012 World Tour follows an extraordinary week which included a monumental extravaganza of a performance at the Bridgestone Super Bowl Halftime which was seen in over 200 countries by over a billion people. Last week also saw the release of Madonna’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin” from her highly anticipated new album MDNA on Live Nation Entertainment/Interscope Records – scheduled to be released on March 26th.

Pre orders have already catapulted MDNA to No. 1 on iTunes in 51 countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain,Canada, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands. The single’s  video directed by Megaforce which also stars Nicki Minaj and MIA previewed on American Idol. Additionally, the Madonna directed Golden Globe Award winning film “W.E.” opened in NY and LA with other markets to follow later in the month.

“Madonna’s track record as a world class entertainer and touring artist speaks for itself. Her artistry, talent and creative productions get bigger and better with each tour and Madonna 2012 will be no exception. We are thrilled to have her back on the road and know her fans feel the same,” commented Arthur Fogel, CEO Live Nation Entertainment Global Touring and Madonna tour promoter.

In the course of her phenomenal career, Madonna has a record breaking 37 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart along with a record breaking 40 Number 1′s on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Song Charts. No other act has more Top 10′s on the Hot 100 or Number 1′s on the Club Chart.

Madonna has sold over 300 million albums and holds the record for the most successful tour by a solo artist in history. She is a seven time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, producer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Her last CD “Hard Candy,” debuted at Number 1 in 37 countries including US, UK, Canada, France and Australia. Madonna 2012 World Tour is the Material Girl’s 9th Tour. Her first tour was the 1985 Virgin Tour.

Madonna’s recent Golden Globe winning song “Masterpiece” from The Weinstein Company film  “W.E.” as well as “W.E. Music From The Soundtrack “W.E.” film have both been released digitally on Interscope Records. A physical release will be in stores in the UK on February 6th and on February 14th in the US.

US residents ordering tickets online to a US performance will receive their choice of a digital or physical copy of Madonna’s new MDNA album with every ticket purchased.

Citi is the official credit card of the US leg of Madonna’s upcoming world tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Feb. 8th at 10am through Citi’s Private Pass Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Icon is Madonna’s official fan club. Lifetime Legacy members of Icon will receive first access to tickets and VIP Packages starting February 7, 2012. Registered free Icon members will have the opportunity to purchase an “Icon Live Pass,” which gives them access not only to ticket & VIP Package pre-sales, but also to a tour devoted forum and an exclusive tour gift. Fans can sign up for a free Icon membership at Madonna.com today.

VIP Packages will are available through VIP Nation, including premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more. For more information please visit: www.VIPNation.com viagogo, Europe’s leading secondary ticketing company (www.viagogo.co.uk), has been named as the Official Premium and Secondary Ticketing Partner for Madonna’s 2012 summer tour dates across Europe.

Viagogo will handle premium tickets for select shows this summer, offering fans the chance to see one of the most anticipated concert tours of the year. Fans that can no longer use their tickets will be able to resell them to other fans through viagogo’s secure online platform, and, as always, all tickets are guaranteed.

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They say it’s easier to make an audience burst into tears than it is to crack them up, and when it comes to Charlie Hides you will have a little bit of both. He’ll have you crying with laughter. Just a quick browse through his hilariously elaborated videos is enough to understand why the talented comedian has gone viral, becoming a worshipped YouTube sensation.

Known worldwide for his impeccable impressions of Madonna, Lady Gaga, Cher and every pop diva you can possibly think of–including teen heart-snatcher Justin Bieber–there’s more to Charlie Hides than the eye can meet. He pens the witty lines he will later deliver in front of the camera and takes care of every single errand from editing the video to making sure the characters look fabulous and believable.

Every Wednesday he’ll bring the divas over to your house, and if you’re lucky Charlie will unleash his very own creations that include Christian extremist Loretta Lee Jackson and Ghetto hot-mess Laquisha Jonz. Welcome to the universe of Charlie Hides.

Toonari Post (TP): You direct, write, perform, edit your videos…How do you explain what you do for a living when there’s so many layers to your professional career?

Charlie Hides (CH): Well my main interest is making people laugh so “comedian” is the label that I feel most comfortable with.

TP: Did you always know you wanted to work in the entertainment industry?

CH: From my earliest recollections I was an entertainer; putting on plays in the basement with my brothers and sisters, appearing in school productions… etc. As a kid I would entertain my friends on the school playground by doing the voices of the teachers. I got so good at mimicking the voice of my high school principle that I could fool the teachers.

TP: What single moment made you embark on this journey?

CH: The first time I heard a paying audience laugh at my jokes sealed my fate. I came off stage feeling more alive than I had ever done in my life and I wanted to go right back on and do it all over again.

TP: What or who would you cite as your inspirations, idols and influences?

CH: There are too many inspirations to list. I’m inspired by lots of things, music, TV, movies as well as the by people I see in day to day life. Saturday Night Live was an early inspiration for me. It was a great mix of original sketch comedy, celebrity impressions and pop culture. The musical guests were always the hottest acts on the charts and it was the only chance for me to see some of these legendary performers live.

TP: Now you’re a renowned YouTube personality thanks to your genius videos. Were you always drawn to the video format?

CH: I’ve been making videos for years which I used in my live shows as a way of keeping the audience entertained while I did a quick costume change into another character. When I moved to England YouTube was a great way of sharing my videos with my friends and family back home in the States.

TP: How has YouTube changed your career?

CH: It never crossed my mind that I’d have so many people in other countries watching me, or that I’d be seen by the celebrities. The biggest change to my career is that number of people from around the world who are seeing my work. My channel gets over 10,000 views a day, that’s mind boggling.

TP: In your hilarious parodies you spoof all kinds of divas. Who’s your favorite pop icon to impersonate? Who’s the audience’s favorite?

CH: My favorite celebrity is whichever one I’m doing at the moment. It changes from day to day. The Madonna Gaga videos get the most views because of the huge amount of interest in everything they do and anything related to them.

As a writer and actor my favorite characters to play are the original ones like Laquisha Jonz, Loretta Lee Jackson, Maureen and Stanley Blackstone. I’m free to start with a blank slate and don’t have to worry about recreating a certain look or accent. And I don’t have to worry about offending any fans.

TP: Let’s say you are to impersonate a new character. What would the process be like? How do you find that signature touch so everyone will recognize who you’re portraying?)

CH: Anytime I challenge myself to impersonate a new celebrity it starts with the research. I watch their music videos, movies, interviews etc , and then I experiment with wigs and make up to see if I can get my face to look like them. I look for mannerisms, gestures, facial expressions etc. and I try to incorporate as many details as I can.

There are some people I just can’t look like due to the shape of my face and body type. Sometimes an iconic costume or hairstyle can suggest the celebrity enough to make a joke work. Plop a Tina Turner wig on a fire hydrant and everyone will know who its meant to be.

TP: Pop stars are usually accompanied by a hovering entourage of hair & make-up assistants, costume designers… Do you have your own team or you’re also in charge of your image?

CH: I wish I had a team! No, it’s just me and a bag of wigs and video camera.

TP: Have you gotten any feedback from the famous stars you impersonate? Who would be your dream celebrity run-in?

CH: I’ve not heard directly from anyone I impersonate but Kylie Minogue has tweeted me a couple of times and Boy George took me to lunch in London after seeing my videos. I’ve heard from Cher’s vocal coach that she is now saying “Hellooooo” and “whooooo?” to her sister and friends. And I’ve been told that Lourdes and Rocco are watching the videos of their mom. I’d love to sit beside Madonna on a long haul flight but I’m guessing she wouldn’t be too impressed to meet me.

TP: What’s your take on social media? Do you think the plots you create really take place in real life?

CH: I think most people know that celebrities use the media to create and maintain an image and that their public personas are often a very different version of themselves. I like to imagine what goes on behind the scenes and then exaggerate the ideas for comic effect. If those “plots” really happen in real life it’s purely coincidence.

TP: Fans can be as fierce and catty as the divas they worship. How have those die-hard fans reacted to your parodies?

CH: At first some fans thought I was being critical but over time most people have realized that I’m affectionate and not mean-spirited. I don’t take it too seriously. I have a genuine respect and admiration for the accomplishments of most of the subjects of my videos. My goal is to brighten people’s day with a bit light-hearted fun and I think that my intention comes through.

Make sure to tune in for a new video every Wednesday.

You can also follow Charlie Hides TV on twitter and Facebook.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlie-Hides-TV/136970379705116

The article Charlie Hides: Interview With YouTube Sensation appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

It has just been announced that Madonna might be gearing up to take the stage at the Super Bowl on February 5th in Indianapolis. It would be the first time the Material Girl-turned-moviemaker performs at the iconic event and while conservative audiences will cringe at the rumors, music fans are already fantasizing about costumes, set-lists and a much-expected dose of controversy.

What other event draws such massive viewership and so many multi-million commercial deals? At last year’s edition, a whopping number of 111 million people tuned in to watch the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburg Steelers duke it out on the field. Singing the anthem or delivering a jaw-dropping halftime show are two of the most wanted gigs in the performance industry.

Every move and note are analyzed bare by a diverse audience, delivering post-event rants crammed with sassy critics that will tear anyone apart with a sleazy touch. At the Super Bowl you’re never good enough. Next year all eyes could be on the 52-year-old songstress and her creative crew. Could this be Madonna’s reconciliation with America’s mainstream public?

Madonna is a clear example of the American dream, a poor girl from the Midwest arrives in NYC with a few bucks in her pocket and two years later she’s the biggest star on the planet. But that didn’t stop her from reflecting on the traditional American values in her 2003 album ‘American Life’, her lowest-selling record to date and a turning point in her career.

Ever since she mocked former president George W. Bush in a war-themed video, an obvious anti-Bush statement that was later withdrawn by Madonna herself on her team’s advice, her album sales in the US have shrunk to minimal numbers. None of her albums released after ‘American Life’ have shifted more than 1.7 million copies. On the contrary, tickets for her latest tour sold out in minutes, making her the highest earning female performer.

In 2004, Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction marked a new era in live TV. Producers and organizers, dreading a scandalous follow-up, started booking rock&roll acts such as Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and The Who.

But last year the record-breaking show welcomed The Black Eyed Peas, a more contemporary act that was joined onstage by Usher and Slash. Grammy winning pop diva Christina Aguilera also took the center stage to belt out the Star Spangled Banner. Clad in black tones and sporting her signatures peep-toes, the singer flubbed the lyrics and embarrassed herself in front of her country.

She later apologized stating she got stuck in the moment, a high-profile mess-up that might introduce a teleprompter policy from next year on. With that much pressure on her plate, will Madonna channel her ‘Holiday’ era and portray a dancehall Goddess or will she vogue the night away with tons of French-kissing, cone-bras and naughty words?

And though Madonna is both of those performances, the latter will probably not be allowed onstage as there will certainly be a highly prearranged contract that will keep whoever is going to entertain the viewers on their toes.
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