Actors’ Equity is warning members that New York City’s just-launched “ Open Culture ” program of outdoor performances on city streets does not meet the union’s minimum standards for wages or its Covid-19 safety protocols. “If you are approached to work on a New York City ‘Open Culture’ project, please contact your business representative immediately before accepting,” writes Equity executive director Mary McColl in a letter being sent to members today. Equity indicated that it will “continue to push New York City” to make changes to Open Culture regarding pay and safety issues. The city’s Open Culture website indicates that arts organizations eligible for inclusion in the program include theaters, music venues, comedy clubs and others. Filming or recording of the events is permitted without a film permit. Related Story Sinclair Broadcast Group Trims Workforce By 5% Due To Impact Of Covid-19 The union’s criticism of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s … [Read more...] about Actors’ Equity Slams New York City’s “Open Culture” Outdoor Performance Plan Over Wage And Safety Issues
Singers performing in new york
ITV Orders ‘The Masked Dancer’ Following The Success Of ‘The Masked Singer’
ITV is doubling down on masked entertainment shows. Following the soaraway success of The Masked Singer in the UK, the commercial broadcaster has ordered The Masked Dancer . Bandicoot Scotland will make a seven-part series based on the spin-off show for late spring, meaning it will help fill a giant Britain’s Got Talent -shaped hole in ITV’s schedule after the Simon Cowell talent series was abandoned this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Twelve celebrities will perform unique dances, while covered from head to toe in extravagant, colorful costumes and masks, leaving viewers and a star panel to guess their identities. Those doing the guessing in the studio will include Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, and Davina McCall, who already feature on The Masked Singer . They will be joined by Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Comedian Joel Dommett hosts. The Masked Dancer has been commissioned by ITV head of entertainment Katie Rawcliffe and commissioner … [Read more...] about ITV Orders ‘The Masked Dancer’ Following The Success Of ‘The Masked Singer’
The Gospel of Robert Finley, Dan Auerbach’s Favorite Singer
Earlier this winter, Robert Finley was backstage at Seattle’s Showbox nightclub discussing his remarkable personal history when the subject of his age came up. The soul singer said he would be turning 64 soon – on February 13th, in fact. “Robert, that’s tomorrow,” said his friend and bandleader Dan Auerbach , breaking into laughter. “With Robert,” Auerbach explained, “every day is his birthday, and is a bit of a celebration.” Finley has plenty of reasons to celebrate lately. After spending almost all of his life living in obscurity within 50 miles of the tiny town of Bernice, Louisiana, Finley has been playing sold-out rooms across the country as part of Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Revue (That tour just wrapped last week; Finley begins a solo headlining tour May 20th in New York). Tonight in Seattle, Finley sang six songs, bringing the house down with his booming range, posessing what Auerbach calls a “deep yearning.” Related Inside Dan Auerbach's Own Rolling Thunder … [Read more...] about The Gospel of Robert Finley, Dan Auerbach’s Favorite Singer
CAA “Greed” Is At True Heart Of New $10M ‘Walking Dead’ Suit Declares AMC – Update
(UPDATE with AMC statement) Over four years after former The Walking Dead showrunner Frank Darabont and CAA first took AMC to court in a more than $280 million profit participation action, the duo hit the cabler again today with a new $10 million suit. A suit that AMC is dismissing as being because of the avarice of the uber-agency. “Having recently completed its audit of AMC’s accounting records, it is now clear that AMC’s wrongful conduct extends well beyond artificially deflated license fees,” said the breach of contract and declaratory judgment-seeking complaint filed this morning in New York Supreme Court ( read it here ). “In addition to withholding hundreds of millions of dollars from the creators of the hit television series The Walking Dead through improper self-dealing, which is the subject of litigation between the parties currently pending in this court, AMC has used a variety of shady accounting practices, described below, to withhold tens of … [Read more...] about CAA “Greed” Is At True Heart Of New $10M ‘Walking Dead’ Suit Declares AMC – Update
James Bond 24 Theme Song to Be Performed by Sam Smith?
A report from Page Six claims that British singer Sam Smith has narrowly beaten out Lana Del Rey to sing the theme song for next year's Bond 24 . A rep for Sam Smith said the news is not confirmed yet, but the singer is reportedly in talks with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli , and is said to be the "clear winner," despite Lana Del Rey 's lobbying for the chance to sing a 007 theme. Sam Smith is best known for the hit song "Stay With Me" which debuted earlier this year. RELATED: No Time to Die Will Arrive in U.K. Theaters a Week Earlier Than Expected We reported in September that the producers were courting pop star Rihanna for a small role in Bond 24 , which lead to speculation that she may have been considered to sing the theme song as well. The last actress/singer to both appear in a 007 film and sing the theme song was Madonna in 2002's Die Another Day . Adele , who sung the eponymous theme song for 2012's Skyfall , won … [Read more...] about James Bond 24 Theme Song to Be Performed by Sam Smith?