#kate candid may 2018
Text
Blatantly Partisan Party Review XXII (Victoria 2022): Independent candidates in the Legislative Assembly
There are independent candidates standing all around the state in both the lower house (the Legislative Assembly, where government is formed) and the upper house (the Legislative Council, the house of review). This entry discusses the Legislative Assembly; my next one will turn to the Legislative Council.
Sitting independents
First up, there are three seats with sitting independents. Russell Northe, an ex-Nat in Morwell, is retiring and it is now a notional Labor seat. Ali Cupper (Mildura) and Suzanna Sheed (Shepparton) hold seats that the Nationals are desperate to get back.
Sheed won Shepparton in 2014 and successfully defended it in 2018; Cupper won Mildura in 2018. Labor is not competitive for these seats, and I recommend preferencing Cupper and Sheed ahead of either Liberal or National. Both parties are running in both seats, and will be relying on their voters being disciplined and sending preferences to each other ahead of the indies—which is no sure thing. Cupper and Sheed should fancy their chances.
Party-endorsed independent candidates
Some independent candidates for the Legislative Assembly are endorsed by parties not registered with the VEC. I have reviewed those affiliated with Socialist Alliance, the Indigenous–Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA), Fusion, and Australia One. The IAPA is standing one candidate in the lower house (for the electorate of Melbourne) and two in the upper house. All candidates for the other aforementioned parties are running in lower house electorates and they have not endorsed any upper house candidates. See the linked reviews for the specific candidates and electorates.
Are there any “teals”?
Yes. There are going to be some interesting lower house races featuring so-called “teal independents”. I’m not doing a separate review of teals for this election, but you can read my thoughts from May’s federal contest here. In general, the teals are centre to centre-right, comprising a lost generation of younger moderate middle-to-upper class women who would likely be Liberal Party candidates if the Libs were not swimming further and further into the misogynistic deep end.
I recommend that in all instances you should preference a teal ahead of a Liberal or National candidate. If you have a competitive local teal, see the recommendations section of my federal election entry for tactical considerations if you are tossing between whether to vote teal, Labor, or Green. Of those with Climate 200 funding—the body most strongly associated with financially supporting teal candidates—Sophie Torney in Kew looks most competitive, followed by Kate Lardner in Mornington.
There are also some rural candidates who are at times talked about in the same breath as teals. Jacqui Hawkins in Benambra, for instance, accepted polling—but not funding—from Climate 200. This is her second go after a strong showing in 2018 and she insists she is a “yellow independent”, not a teal. The teal campaigns do have an urban vibe, so it is in the interests of rural candidates to not appear too close to Climate 200 and Simon Holmes à Court.
Other independents
You might also have other independents running in your local electorate, and because you have to number every box on the small ballot for the Legislative Assembly, you really should look them up. Sometimes, they’re amusingly loopy. Sometimes, they’re the benign sort of candidate you use in your preferences to separate the parties you like and dislike. Sometimes they’re so unhinged that you put them below the crackpot party you thought you were going to put last. And sometimes—not as often as would be ideal, but sometimes—you will be pleasantly surprised by how appealing they are. Use the VEC’s website to see if there are any indies in your area.
If you have a good local indie but you don’t think they’re likely to be competitive, it’s still not a waste of time putting them first ahead of your preferred bigger parties. If they receive 4% of the primary vote, they receive public funding from the VEC to cover some of their campaign costs.
#auspol#springst#vicvotes#vicvotes22#vicvotes2022#Victorian election#Victoria#Melbourne#Election 2022#independent politics#independent politicians#teal indies#teals#teal independents
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
Liev Schreiber Net Worth, Income, Biography, Career, Family
Liev Schreiber is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for his roles as Jeff Willis in the 1998 movie Twilight and as Marty Kantrowitz in the 1999 movie A Walk on the Moon. He has also starred in movies and TV shows like Hamlet, Scream 3, The Painted Veil, A Rainy Day in New York, Buffalo Girls, Drunk History, and Robot Chicken.
Net Worth
Liev Schreiber's net worth is believed to be $20 million, and he makes more than $3 million a year as a salary. His success as an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer has helped him build up his net worth.
Biography
Liev Schreiber was born Isaac Liev Schreiber on October 4, 1967, in San Francisco, California. His mother's name was Heather Schreiber, and his father's name was Tell Carroll Schreiber. His father was a stage actor and director, and his mother was Jewish. His family was wealthy, and his maternal grandfather came from Ukraine. Schreiber and his family moved to Canada when he was a child.
Due to problems between his parents, his mother had to take him away, which made his father send detectives after them. When he was three, his mother kidnapped him, and his father and mother fought in court for years to get custody of him. When he was five, his parents got a divorce, and his mother got to keep him.
He went to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where he became very interested in playing the bass clarinet. He later went to the Friends Seminary with actress Amanda Peet. He started acting school at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts and also went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Career
Schreiber has been in a lot of movies since he started acting in 1994. Some of them are: Mixed Nuts in 1994, Denise Calls Up in 1995, The Daytrippers in 1996, His and Hers in 1997, Phantoms in 1998, A Walk on the Moon in 1999, Hamlet and Scream 3 in 2000, Kate & Leopold in 2001, The Sum of All Fears in 2002, Spinning Boris in 2003, The Manchurian Candidate in 2004, The
He has also been in TV shows and series like Buffalo Girls in 1995 Since You've Been Gone in 1998, RKO 281 in 1999, Hitler: The Rise of Evil in 2003, Lackawanna Blues in 2006, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2007, Independent Lens in 2008, Robot Chicken in 2012, Clear History in 2013, Ray Donovan in 2013, Bojack Horseman in 2015, Saturday Night Live in 2016, Civilization in 2018, and many more.
He has also been in many stage plays, including "The Summer House," "The Tempest," "Macbeth," "Hamlet," "Betrayal," "Othello," "The Mercy Seat," "Henry V," "Talk Radio," "Macbeth," "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," and "In the Summer House."
Family
Liev Schreiber was born to Tell Carroll Schreiber and Heather Schreiber. He has four brothers named Pablo Schreiber, Charles Schreiber, Will Schreiber, and Max Schreiber. He has two sons named Sasha Schreiber, who was born in 2007, and Samuel Kai Schreiber, who was born in 2008, and he may have a daughter named Sophia Schreiber.
Liev Schreiber was married to actress Naomi Watts. They got married in 2005 but split up in 2016, and they have two children together.
#Liev Schreiber#Liev Schreiber Net Worth#Liev Schreiber Biography#Liev Schreiber Career#Liev Schreiber Family#Liev#Actor#Hollywood Actor#Hollywood#Hero#Model
0 notes
Text
Who needs a crown when you have cash like this? Meghan Markle's net worth since leaving the U.K. Back in July 2020, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry made headlines when they bought a $14.65 million Santa Barbara property, surrounded by tiered rose gardens and cypress trees, that features nine bedrooms, 16 (!) bathrooms, a library, pool, gym, sauna, a tea house, and a children's cottage. It's reportedly where they intend to raise their two kids, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana, to give them the life possible. But many royal watchers may have real estate news broken. Can they actually afford that?!
The purchase followed their very public (seemingly painful) "step back" from the rest of the British Royal Family with a reduction in their royal salary.
Jobs, so we were not going to come and see this house. It wasn’t possible. It’s like when I was younger, and you’re window shopping—it’s like, I don’t want to go and look at all the things that I can’t afford. That doesn’t feel good.”
Since then, the Sussexes have made media appearances, including finally releasing their Netflix series Harry & Meghan and the Archetypes podcast on Spotify. So with some burning questions. Specifically: What is the Duchess' net worth? And how has it changed now that she and her Harry are no longer senior royals? Read on for our breakdown of Meghan Markle's net worth in 2023!
She and Prince Harry are reportedly worth $60 million as of 2023. Meghan Markle had a solid acting career in her own right before marrying Prince Harry when she was 36. Given her showbiz success, not surprising that Markle was reportedly worth about $5 million before she merged her finances with Prince Harry's.
She starred in more than 100 episodes of the legal drama Suits, each of which earned her $50,000 (according to knownetworth.com) toward the end of her acting career, and made about $360,000 from her roles in the 2010 movies Remember me, the Candidate. She also ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig, which she, unfortunately, had to decommission once her relationship with Harry got serious, making around $80,000 annually from sponsorships, endorsements, and branding.
Thanks to inheritances left to him by his late mother, Princess Diana, and his late great-grandmother the Queen Mother, Prince Harry was reported to be worth between $25 million and $40 million in 2018.
His former salary of $50,000 a year from his job as a captain in the British Army also contributes to that figure. On a beautiful morning in May 2018, when Meghan Markle emerged from St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle as the Duchess of Sussex, her net worth was joined to that of her new husband (see: aforementioned $25 million-$40 million).
Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back as senior royals did not change their combined net worth of $60 million reflects their independent wealth.
However, now that their lifestyles are longer financed by the crown, they have had to spend more money. For example, they are no longer funded by the Sovereign Grant, which previously accounted for 5 percent of the Sussexes’ administrative and household costs. And although it was expected that they would continue to receive money from the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast portfolio of colonized land and assets (dating back to the 1300s!) was transferred to Prince William and Kate Middleton when Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022.
Elsewhere, the Sussexes are likely to make more speaking engagements—for a price. In June 2021, they signed up with the high-profile Harry Walker agency, which also represents the Obamas and the Clintons, and their fee per speech is expected to be around $1 million. Whew! That'll certainly help cover the bills.
Unfortunately for the Duke and Duchess, they were obligated to relinquish their use of the "Sussex Royal" brand, which could have brought in millions of dollars for the couple.
Markle reportedly made about $50,000 per episode of Suits toward the end of her tenure on the USA Network series. With her bit parts and walk-on roles in other TV shows and movies, her total net worth from acting is estimated to be around $2 million.
In addition to getting paid just for acting on Suits, Markle likely also still gets residual payments from the series through reruns and streaming on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
According to The Sun, Markle likely got a $700,000 advance for her book The Bench, which came out in June 2021. Prince Harry's book contract has a rumored price tag of at least $20 million, so expect to see the couple's net worth spike later in 2023.
Markle reportedly made $800 per episode of Deal or No Deal and appeared in more than 30 episodes, sometimes filming up to seven episodes in a single day. Though it paid reasonably well at the time when she wasn't acting steadily, she didn't love the job.
"I went from working in the U.S. Embassy in Argentina to ending up on Deal. It's run the gamut. Working on Deal or No Deal was a learning experience, and it helped me to understand what I would rather be doing," she told Esquire in 2018. "I would end up standing up forever in these terribly uncomfortable and inexpensive five-inch heels, just waiting for someone to pick my number so I could go and sit down."
Later, Markle said on her Archetypes podcast that being a briefcase girl made her feel like a "bimbo," explaining, "I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach knowing that I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage. I didn't like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance. And that's how it felt for me at the time: being reduced to this specific archetype."
According to The Times, Markle narrated the Disney documentary Elephant in exchange for a hefty donation to Elephants Without Borders.
The charity thanked her and Disney in a March 2020 Facebook post following the donation, writing, "Elephants Without Borders (EWB) is delighted to be involved with the Disney Nature film Elephant and to help share the amazing story of elephants. EWB extends enormous gratitude to the Disney Conservation Fund for choosing our organization as the beneficiary for the film, enabling support for communities living alongside many of the elephants featured in the film. The partnership and support it provides will help elephant conservation and empower these communities. We are excited and immensely grateful will enable us to continue our efforts for local communities and their coexistence with elephants."
While Meghan and Harry's sitdown with Oprah Winfrey delivered stratospheric ratings and several bombshell revelations, the Sussexes and Winfrey herself made it clear within the interview that the couple wasn't paid a dime for it.
"I just want to make it clear to everybody that you don't know what I'm going to ask is no subject that's off-limits is not getting paid for this interview," Winfrey said in the introduction to their chat. Markle replied, "All of that is correct."
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan reportedly made a whopping $25 million to sign an exclusive Spotify deal for their Archewell Audio podcast series. "One of the things my husband and I have always talked about is our passion for meeting people and hearing their stories, and no matter what the story, they usually offer you an understanding of where someone else is coming from and at the same time reminds you in some way of a story about yourself," Markle said in a statement announcing the partnership, adding that "kindness and compassion will underly everything you hear from Archewell Audio."
In August 2022, Meghan's Archetypes podcast finally launched on Spotify. The first episode focused on the archetype of "ambitious" with guest star Serena Williams.
The second episode featured the "diva" archetype with Mariah Carey's third "singleton" with Mindy Kaling. As of November 2022, 12 episodes have been released.
Harry and Meghan announced a Netflix contract in September 2020, saying, "Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important." They added that Netflix's "unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action."
The Netflix deal has been speculated to be worth $150 million, but some insiders pointed out a discrepancy in those numbers: While creators like Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy have netted Netflix contracts in the nine figure range, Harry and Meghan are credited as producers, not content creators—so their payday will not be quite as steep as that of the woman who brought Bridgerton to the masses.
A spokesperson for the couple confirmed that this allowed them to pay back the cost of renovations to Frogmore Cottage.
0 notes
Text
Hawkeye (série télévisée)
Cet article est une ébauche concernant une série télévisée américaine.
Cet article ou cette section contient des informations sur une série télévisée en cours de production, programmée ou prévue.
Le texte est susceptible de contenir des informations spéculatives et son contenu peut être nettement modifié au fur et à mesure de l’avancement de la série et des informations disponibles s’y rapportant.
[La dernière modification de cette page a été faite le 20 décembre 2021 à 11h:45]
Hawkeye est une mini-série créée par Jonathan Igla pour le service de streaming Disney+, basée sur le personnage de Marvel Comics du même nom. Il se déroule dans l'Univers cinématographique Marvel (MCU), partageant la continuité avec les films de la franchise. La série se déroule après les événements du film Avengers: Endgame (2019), dans le cadre de la phase IV du MCU, et présente le nouveau super-héros Kate Bishop/Hawkeye.
Les deux premiers épisodes de la série sont sortis le 24 novembre 2021 et le reste de la série est diffusée au rythme d'un épisode par semaine. Une série dérivée axée sur le personnage de Maya Lopez / Echo, joué par Alaqua Cox (en) est en cours de développement.
Ayant pris sa retraite des Avengers après leur victoire finale sur Thanos, Clint Barton, alias Hawkeye, s'apprête à passer Noël avec sa famille ; mais tous ses plans se retrouvent bouleversés quand Kate Bishop, jeune archère et justicière néophyte, parvient à récupérer un de ses anciens costumes et se retrouve avec tous les ennemis de l'ex-Avenger sur le dos, notamment le « gang des survêts » dirigé par Maya Lopez/Echo qui cherche à venger la mort de son père des mains de Ronin, mais aussi la Veuve noire Yelena Belova que la comtesse Valentina de Fontaine a lancé aux trousses de Barton, en lui indiquant faussement qu'il était le responsable de la mort de Natasha Romanoff (voire la séquence post-générique du film Black Widow).
Genèse et développement
En septembre 2018, Marvel Studios développait plusieurs mini-séries pour le service de streaming Disney+, centrées sur des personnages de « deuxième niveau » des films de l'Univers cinématographique Marvel (MCU) qui n'avaient ou étaient peu susceptibles de jouer dans leurs propres films.
En avril 2019, le développement d'une série d'aventures mettant en vedette Jeremy Renner dans le rôle qu'il tenait dans les films du MCU Clint Barton / Hawkeye avait commencé. L'intrigue devait suivre Barton alors qu'il lègue le manteau de Hawkeye à Kate Bishop. Kevin Feige doit produire la série, pour une saison de six à huit épisodes.
Renner avait initialement signé pour jouer dans un long métrage autonome axé sur son personnage, mais a accepté de jouer dans une série à la place après que Feige a décidé de redévelopper le projet pour Disney+].
Feige a officiellement annoncé Hawkeye au San Diego Comic-Con en juillet.
En septembre 2019, Jonathan Igla est annoncé comme scénariste en chef de la série. Amy Berg avait aussi été candidate au poste de showrunner.
En juillet 2020, Rhys Thomas a été embauché pour diriger un bloc d'épisodes pour la série et pour servir de producteur exécutif, avec le duo de réalisateurs Bert & Bertie embauché pour diriger un autre bloc. Borys Kit du Hollywood Reporter a estimé que l'embauche de ces directeurs a indiqué que la série pourrait avoir un « ton léger », étant donné le travail passé de chacun. Les budgets pour chaque épisode s'élevaient à 25 millions de dollars.
Katie Mathewson et Tanner Bean sont les scénaristes de la série
Lors de l'annonce officielle de la série, Kevin Feige et Jeremy Renner ont déclaré que la série suivrait Clint Barton / Hawkeye alors qu'il apprend à Kate Bishop à être un "super-héros sans super-pouvoirs", et explorerait davantage le temps de Barton en tant que justicier Ronin qui a été évoqué pour la première fois dans Avengers: Endgame en 2019
En octobre 2019, le producteur exécutif Trinh Tran a déclaré que la série explorerait le passé de Barton, et a confirmé que le manteau de Hawkeye serait passé à Kate Bishop. Hawkeye est influencé par la course de Matt Fraction avec le personnage dans les bandes dessinées.
La série présente Lucky the Pizza Dog, un golden retriever qui est un compagnon de Barton et Bishop, et des photos de tournage montrent Barton avec une prothèse auditive, indiquant que sa perte auditive serait explorée dans la série, adaptant l'arc narratif écrit par Matt Fraction en 2012 qui présentait à la fois Lucky et la perte auditive du personnage.
Avec l'annonce officielle de la série en juillet 2019, il a été confirmé que Jeremy Renner jouerait dans la série en tant que Clint Barton.
Début septembre 2019, Hailee Steinfeld s'était vue offrir le rôle de Kate Bishop, mais elle n'a signé le contrat qu'un mois plus tard. Le magazine américain Variety a indiqué que l'une des raisons à cela était une clause de non-concurrence dans son contrat avec Apple TV+ pour avoir joué dans la série Dickinson. Le magazine a estimé que Steinfeld serait en mesure de négocier cette clause, d'autant plus qu'aucune autre actrice n'avait été approchée pour le rôle de Bishop.
Interrogée sur son rôle dans la série peu de temps après, Steinfeld a déclaré que ce n'était «Ce n'est pas forcément quelque chose qui se passe».
Steinfeld a toutefois été confirmée dans le rôle de Bishop en décembre 2020, avec l'annonce de Vera Farmiga comme Eleanor Bishop (mère de Kate), Florence Pugh dans le rôle de Yelena Belova / Black Widow, Fra Fee dans le rôle de Kazi, Tony Dalton en Jack Duquesne, Alaqua Cox pour Maya Lopez / Echo, Zahn McClarnon pour William Lopez, et Brian d'Arcy James dans un rôle non divulgué. Pugh reprend son rôle du film Black Widow (2021).
Le tournage a commencé début décembre 2020 à New York, avec Rhys Thomas et Bert & Bertie à la réalisation, et Eric Steelberg en tant que directeur de la photographie.
La série est filmée sous le titre de travail "Anchor Point". Le tournage a eu lieu au centre-ville de Brooklyn, y compris à la station de métro Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets, et à Manhattan à Washington Square Park, Midtown, Hell's Kitchen, East Village et le Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Les photos d'ensemble ont également indiqué que la série se produirait pendant la saison de Noël et présenterait une fête de Noël[24]. Le tournage supplémentaire a eu lieu aux Trilith Studios à Atlanta en Géorgie.
Le 22 février 2021, le tournage a commencé au centre-ville de Canton, en Géorgie, pendant une semaine, se poursuivant dans la région entre le 4 mars 2021 et le 5 mars 2021[25].
Le tournage s'est terminé le 21 avril 2021
Titre original et français : Hawkeye
Création : Jonathan Igla, d'après les personnages créés par Stan Lee et Don Heck
Réalisation : Rhys Thomas et Bert & Bertie
Scénario : Katie Mathewson et Tanner Bean
Direction artistique : Eric Steelberg
Costumes :
Musique originale : Christophe Beck
Casting :
Producteurs exécutifs : Trinh Tran
Société de production : Marvel Studios
Société de distribution : Disney Media Distribution
Budget : Environ 200 million de dollars
Diffuseur : Disney+
Pays d'origine : États-Unis
Langue d'origine : anglais
Format : couleur
Genres : super-héros
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
C
Cabaret - Bad Hersfeld - 1995 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) | TRADER'S NOTES: Act 1 only
CAST: Peter Heinrich (Emcee), Pia Douwes (Sally Bowles), Witta Pohl (Fräulein Schneider), Utz Richter (Herr Schultz), Frank Jordan (Clifford Bradshaw), Patrik Fichte (Ernst Ludwig), Annika Bruhns (Fräulein Kost), Barbara Köhler, Claudia Waucshke, Julia Hillens, Manuela von Englen, Nane Broning, Susanne Riegger, Suzanne Back
Cabaret - Donmar Warehouse - 1993 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Alan Cumming (Emcee), Jane Horrocks (Sally Bowles), Sara Kestelman (Fräulein Schneider), George Raistrick (Herr Schultz), Adam Godley (Clifford Bradshaw), Michael Gardiner (Ernst Ludwig), Charlotte Medcalf (Fräulein Kost), Loveday Smith (Lulu/Two Ladies Dancer), Kevin Walton (Herman/Customs Officer/Max), Anthony Hunt (Bobby/Two Ladies Dancer), Charlotte Storey (Texas), Christopher Staines (Victor), Matt Kane (Rudy)
NOTES: Pro-Shot
Cabaret - Fifth US National Tour (Roundabout 50th Anniversary Tour) - February 17, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Randy Harrison (Emcee), Andrea Goss (Sally Bowles), Sharan Cochran (Fräulein Schneider), Mark Nelson (Herr Schultz), Lee Aaron Rosen (Clifford Bradshaw), Ned Noyes (Ernst Ludwig), Alison Ewing (Fräulein Kost)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the new tour, with no obstructions. Randy does a terrific job in the role. Great cast and very strong performances! A+
Cabaret - The Netherlands - 1989
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Willem Nijholt (Emcee), Alexandra van Marken (Sally Bowles)
NOTES: Generation loss
Cabaret - Third Broadway Revival - May 3, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Alan Cumming (Emcee), Michelle Williams (Sally Bowles), Linda Emond (Fräulein Schneider), Danny Burstein (Herr Schultz), Bill Heck (Clifford Bradshaw), Aaron Krohn (Ernst Ludwig), Gayle Rankin (Fräulein Kost)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture with no obstructions and features the entire Revival Cast. Alan gives a terrific return performance as the Emcee. Gayle and Linda still give such beautiful performances that are wonderful to watch! A
Cabaret - Third Broadway Revival - August 19, 2014 (SJ Bernly's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Alan Cumming (Emcee), Michelle Williams (Sally Bowles), Linda Emond (Fräulein Schneider), Danny Burstein (Herr Schultz), Benjamin Eakeley (u/s Ernst Ludwig), Kaleigh Cronin (u/s Fräulein Kost), Stacey Sipowicz (u/s Lulu/Two Ladies Dancer), Andrea Goss (Frenchie/Gorilla), Leeds Hill (Bobby/Two Ladies Dancer), Kristin Olness (Helga), Jessica Pariseau (Texas), Dylan Paul (Victor), Kelly Paredes (u/s Rosie), Evan D Siegel (Hans/Rudy)
Cabaret - Third Broadway Revival - November 20, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Alan Cumming (Emcee), Emma Stone (Sally Bowles), Kristie Dale Sanders (s/b Fräulein Schneider), Philip Hoffman (s/b Herr Schultz), Bill Heck (Clifford Bradshaw), Aaron Krohn (Ernst Ludwig), Gayle Rankin (Fräulein Kost), Katrina Yaukey (u/s Lulu/Two Ladies Dancer), Benjamin Eakeley (Herman/Customs Officer/Max), Andrea Goss (Frenchie/Gorilla), Leeds Hill (Bobby/Two Ladies Dancer), Kristin Olness (Helga), Jessica Pariseau (Texas), Dylan Paul (Victor), Stacey Sipowicz (Rosie), Evan D Siegel (Hans/Rudy)
NOTES: Excellent HD capture with Emma joining the cast as Sally. She does a dazzling job in the role and very precise in detail. Lovely performances from Kristie and Philip. A
Caesar and Cleopatra - Stratford Festival - 2009 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Christopher Plummer (Julius Caesar), Nikki M James (Cleopatra)
Camelot - Second Broadway Revival - 1982 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Richard Harris (King Arthur), Meg Bussert (Queen Guenevere), Richard Muenz (Sir Lancelot), James Valentine (Merlyn), Barrie Ingham (Pellinore), Richard Backus (Mordred), William Parry (Sir Dinadan), Thor Fields (Tom of Warwick), Jeanne Caryl (Nimue), William James (Sir Lionel), Andy McAvin (Sir Sagramore)
Candide - New York Philharmonic - May, 2004 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: AVI (HD)
CAST: Paul Groves (Candide), Sir Thomas Allan (Dr. Pangloss), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Maximilian), Kristin Chenoweth (Cunegonde), Janine LaManna (Paquette), Patti LuPone (The Old Lady)
Candide - Paris - December 31, 2006 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: William Burden (Candide), Lambert Wilson (Dr. Pangloss), David Adam Moore (Maximilian), Anna Christy (Cunegonde), Jeni Bern (Paquette), Kim Criswell (The Old Lady)
NOTES: Recorded by the BBC.
Candide - Scottish Opera Production - May, 1988 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Mark Beudert (Candide), Nikolas Grace (Dr. Pangloss), Mark Tinkler (Maximilian), Gaynor Miles (Paquette), Ann Howard (The Old Lady), Nikolas Grace (Cacambo)
The Capeman - Broadway - 1998
FORMAT: AVI (SD)
CAST: Ruben Blades (Adult Salvador), Renoly Santiago (Tony), Ednita Nazario (Esmerelda), Michelle Rios (Aurea), Elan Ruz Rivera (Cookie), Sara Ramirez (Wahzinak)
NOTES: "THE CAPEMAN" OBC 1998 (mp4) Very poor picture quality, but clear audio. Marc Anthony (Young Salvador), Ruben Blades (Adult Salvador), Renoly Santiago (Tony), Ednita Nazario (Esmerelda), Michelle Rios (Aurea), Elan Ruz Rivera (Cookie), Lugo (Baba Charlie Cruz), Sara Ramirez (Wahzinak).
Caroline, or Change - Broadway - July 24, 2004
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Tonya Pinkins (Caroline Thibodeaux), Veanne Cox (Rose Stopnick Gellman), Anika Noni Rose (Emmie Thibodeaux), Chandra Wilson (Dotty Moffett), Chuck Cooper (The Dryer), Larry Keith (Mr. Stopnick), Alice Playten (Grandma Gellman)
NOTES: Fixed the brightness balance. Sound improved. Includes TV appearances.
Caroline, or Change - Toronto - February 1, 2020 (The Musical Speakeasy's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Jully Black (Caroline Thibodeaux), Evan LeFeuvre (Noah Gellman), Deborah Hay (Rose Stopnick Gellman), Damien Atkins (Stuart Gellman), Vanessa Sears (Emmie Thibodeaux), Alana Hibbert (Dotty Moffett), Keisha T Fraser (The Washing Machine), Stewart Adam McKensy (The Dryer), Samantha Walkes (The Radio), Measha Brueggergosman (The Moon), Sam Rosenthal (Mr. Stopnick), Oliver Dennis (Grandpa Gellman), Linda Kash (Grandma Gellman), Moses Aidoo (Jackie Thibodeaux), Micah Mensah-Jatoe (Joe Thibodeaux)
NOTES: Features a speech from the artistic director of the Musical Stage Company regarding the commencement of Black History Month. This is my first ever complete video capture, save for a short blackout for about the last sixty seconds of the closing number. A worthwhile watch that begins Musical Stage Company's residency of the Winter Garden Theatre!
Caroline, or Change - West End Revival - December, 2018 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Sharon D Clarke (Caroline Thibodeaux), Jack Meredith (Noah Gellman), Lauren Ward (Rose Stopnick Gellman), Alastair Brookshaw (Stuart Gellman), Abiona Omonua (Emmie Thibodeaux), Naana Agyel-Ampadu (Dotty Moffett), Me'sha Bryan (The Washing Machine), Angela Caesar (The Moon)
Carousel - New York Philharmonic Concert - March 2, 2013 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Nathan Gunn (Billy Bigelow), Kelli O’Hara (Julie Jordan), Stephanie Blythe (Nettie Fowler), Jessie Mueller (Carrie Pipperidge), Jason Danieley (Enoch Snow), Kate Burton (Mrs. Mullin), John Cullum (The Starkeeper), Shuler Hensley (Jigger Craigin), Tiler Peck (Louise), Robert Fairchild (Fairground Boy)
NOTES: HD Pro-shot from PBS, recorded 3/2/13 at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center and marks the orchestra's 75th appearance on the series. Aired on April 26, 2013.
Carousel - Third Broadway Revival - March 2, 2018 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Joshua Henry (Billy Bigelow), Jessie Mueller (Julie Jordan), Renée Fleming (Nettie Fowler), Lindsay Mendez (Carrie Pipperidge), Alexander Gemignani (Enoch Snow), Margaret Colin (Mrs. Mullin), John Douglas Thompson (The Starkeeper), Amar Ramasar (Jigger Craigin), Brittany Pollack (Louise), Garett Hawe (Enoch Snow, Jr.), Andrei Chagas (Fairground Boy)
Carrie: The Musical - Broadway - May 15, 1988 (Closing Night) (Highlights)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Linzi Hateley (Carrie White), Betty Buckley (Margaret White), Charlotte d'Amboise (Chris Hargensen), Darlene Love (Lynn Gardner)
NOTES: Act 1 only.
Carrie: The Musical - Chicago/Stage Door Fine Arts - August 9, 2015 (Closing Night) (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Anna Blanchard (Carrie White)
Carrie: The Musical - Hamburg - August, 2019 (Rumpel's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Lorena Dehmelt (Carrie White), Kaatje Dierks (alt Margaret White), Larissy Pyne (Sue Snell), Tim Taucher (Tommy Ross), Rita Sebeh (alt Chris Hargensen), Nils Marckwardt (Billy Nolan), Isabelle Schubert (Lynn Gardner), Nicolas Schulze (Mr. Stephens), Kerstin Leowin (Norma), Selina Bögelein (Frieda), Dominic Angler (George), Piero Ochsenbein (Freddy), Sara Kettmann (Helen), Dominik Thätner (Stokes)
Carrie: The Musical - Hamburg - July, 2019 (Rumpel's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Lorena Dehmelt (Carrie White), Maya Hakvoort (Margaret White), Larissy Pyne (Sue Snell), Tim Taucher (Tommy Ross), Alexandra Nikolina (Chris Hargensen), Nils Marckwardt (Billy Nolan), Isabelle Schubert (Lynn Gardner), Nicolas Schulze (Mr. Stephens), Kerstin Leowin (Norma), Selina Bögelein (Frieda), Dominic Angler (George), Piero Ochsenbein (Freddy), Sara Kettmann (Helen), Dominik Thätner (Stokes)
Carrie: The Musical - Hartford - March, 2015
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Caroline Cannon (Carrie White), Diana Zee Chandler (Margaret White), Maggie Powderly (Sue Snell)
Carrie: The Musical - Off-Broadway - February 4, 2012 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Molly Ranson (Carrie White), Marin Mazzie (Margaret White), Christy Altomare (Sue Snell), Derek Klena (Tommy Ross), Jeanna de Waal (Chris Hargensen), Ben Thompson (Billy Nolan), Carmen Cusack (Lynn Gardner), Wayne Alan Wilcox (Mr. Stephens), Blair Goldberg (Norma), Jen Sese (Frieda), Corey Boardman (George), F Michael Haynie (Freddy), Elly Noble (Helen), Andy Mientus (Stokes)
NOTES: Great capture of this beautifully retooled revival. The performances were astonishing and the whole cast was senstational. Marin and Molly are pure perfection! The campiness has been removed from the show and there is such a sad and powerful story that remains. A-
Carrie: The Musical - Off-Broadway - March 18, 2012 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Molly Ranson (Carrie White), Anne Tolpegin (u/s Margaret White), Christy Altomare (Sue Snell), Derek Klena (Tommy Ross), Jeanna de Waal (Chris Hargensen), Ben Thompson (Billy Nolan), Carmen Cusack (Lynn Gardner), Wayne Alan Wilcox (Mr. Stephens), Blair Goldberg (Norma), Jen Sese (Frieda), Corey Boardman (George), F Michael Haynie (Freddy), Elly Noble (Helen), Andy Mientus (Stokes)
NOTES: Terrific capture, one of my favorite shows. Marin was more of a Barbara Cook portrayal, Anne was more of a Betty Buckley. Rare performance as Anne only went on a handful of times. A-
Carrie: The Musical - Off-Broadway - April 5, 2012 (Highlights)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Molly Ranson (Carrie White), Marin Mazzie (Margaret White), Christy Altomare (Sue Snell), Derek Klena (Tommy Ross), Jeanna de Waal (Chris Hargensen), Ben Thompson (Billy Nolan), Carmen Cusack (Lynn Gardner), Wayne Alan Wilcox (Mr. Stephens), Blair Goldberg (Norma), Jen Sese (Frieda), Corey Boardman (George), F Michael Haynie (Freddy), Elly Noble (Helen), Andy Mientus (Stokes)
NOTES: Highlights only, including ‘And Eve Was Weak’, ‘Carrie’, ‘I Remember How Those Boys Could Dance’, ‘Stay Here Instead’-’When There's No One’, ‘Destruction’. Recorded vertically on a phone
Carrie: The Musical - Seattle - October 10, 2013 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Keaton Whittaker (Carrie White), Alice Ripley (Margaret White), Larissa Schmitz (Sue Snell), Kody Bringman (Tommy Ross), Tessa Archer (Chris Hargensen), Andrew Brewer (Billy Nolan), Kendra Kassebaum (Lynn Gardner), Brian Lange (Mr. Stephens), Erin Herrick (Norma), Melissa Maricich (Frieda), Frederick Habreen (George), Riley Neldham (Freddy), Alexandria Henderson (Helen), Eli Wills (Stokes)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of one of the Final Dress Rehearsals. Top notch production and thrilling performances from Alice, Keaton, and the whole cast! This is quite a unique capture since it was the first time the blood was dropped. Too many amazing things to point out here, don't miss this one!!! A+ Well filmed with a nice mix of close-ups and full stage shots and no obstructions. Based on the revised Off-Broadway version, and presented at the Balagan Theatre. Because this was recorded at the final run-through prior to opening night, there are a few “holds” as they worked out any kinks: * After “Evening Prayers” there is a hold to change all microphone batteries, resulting in most of the song being run a second time (the sound check was removed and put as a bonus at the end of act two). * During the scene where Carrie is getting ready for the prom a microphone made a "farting" noise and Alice grabbed her butt and said "sorry" which made the cast and tech crew laugh.
Carrie: The Musical - Seattle - October 13, 2013 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Keaton Whittaker (Carrie White), Alice Ripley (Margaret White), Larissa Schmitz (Sue Snell), Kody Bringman (Tommy Ross), Tessa Archer (Chris Hargensen), Andrew Brewer (Billy Nolan), Kendra Kassebaum (Lynn Gardner), Brian Lange (Mr. Stephens), Erin Herrick (Norma), Melissa Maricich (Frieda), Frederick Habreen (George), Riley Neldham (Freddy), Alexandria Henderson (Helen), Eli Wills (Stokes)
NOTES: One of the first regional productions of the revised Carrie. Good to have Ripley in something.
Carrie: The Musical - Stagedoor Manor - July 31, 1999
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Julie Kleiner (Carrie White), Vivienne Cleary (Margaret White), Nina Sturtz (Miss Gardner), Kaily Smith (Chris), Erin Evers (Sue), Blair Late (Tommy)
NOTES: Another abridged version. Video suffers from gen loss but has cleaned up decently. Piano is the only instrument in the orchestra, and it drowns out some of the singers. This has been incorrectly labelled as an authorized production,which is incorrect - this was an unauthorized production (e.g., no rights were secured before the production), though Gore (and Cohen) were in the audience of this performance and chose not to sue Jeff Murphy and Stagedoor over copyright infringement, partly because Gore said he had always wanted to see the show done with actual teenagers (reported by Jeff Murphy, the director).
Carrie: The Musical - Stratford-Upon-Avon - February 16, 1988 (Preview) (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Linzi Hateley (Carrie White), Barbara Cook (Margaret White), Sally Ann Triplett (Sue Snell), Paul Gyngell (Tommy Ross), Charlotte d'Amboise (Chris Hargensen), Gene Anthony Ray (Billy Nolan), Darlene Love (Lynn Gardner)
NOTES: Filmed professionally for the RSC archives on the third night of the performance (February 16, 1988). Shot from first row mezzanine center with no obstructions with audio taken directly from the soundboard. Mostly a full stage shots without zooms. This is usually incorrectly labelled as "Opening Night (February 13, 1988)", which is incorrect, as on opening night, Barbara Cook was almost decapitated right after the set changes from "Don't Waste The Moon", which not seen in this video (also verified by the person who copied this from the archives).
Catch Me If You Can - Broadway - April 27, 2011
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Aaron Tveit (Frank Abagnale, Jr.), Norbert Leo Butz (Agent Carl Hanratty), Tom Wopat (Frank Abagnale, Sr.), Rachel de Benedet (Paula Abagnale), Kerry Butler (Brenda Strong), Linda Hart (Carol Strong), Timothy McCuen Piggee (Agent Cod)
NOTES: A nice capture of the short lived show. Disc also includes around 100 minutes of interviews, B-Roll, behind the scenes, etc. Great video with nice picture and clear sound. A
Catch Me If You Can - Seattle, WA (Pre-Broadway) - August 4, 2009 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Aaron Tveit (Frank Abagnale, Jr.), Norbert Leo Butz (Agent Carl Hanratty), Tom Wopat (Frank Abagnale, Sr.), Rachel de Benedet (Paula Abagnale), Kerry Butler (Brenda Strong), Linda Hart (Carol Strong)
NOTES: This is a great capture of the show. The show is filled with wonderful talent. Aaron and Norbert have a great chemistry together and Aaron has a huge voice. Kerry and Felicia both have great songs and great vocals. The show itself is very sleek and mod. A
Catch Me If You Can - Seattle, WA (Pre-Broadway) - August 15, 2009
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Aaron Tveit (Frank Abagnale, Jr.), Norbert Leo Butz (Agent Carl Hanratty), Tom Wopat (Frank Abagnale, Sr.), Rachel de Benedet (Paula Abagnale), Kerry Butler (Brenda Strong), Linda Hart (Carol Strong)
NOTES: Some very quick blackouts, none last more than 30 seconds or so.Very little obstruction, just heads on the bottom and the right, mostly in wideshots, and they're hardly noticeable.
Cats - Broadway Revival - July 22, 2016 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Leona Lewis (Grizabella), Ahmad Simmons (Alonzo), Daniel Gaymon (Admetus/Macavity), Christine Cornish Smith (Bombalurina), Christopher Gurr (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Emily Pynenburg (Cassandra), Guiseppe Bausilio (Carbucketty), Corey John Snide (Coricopat), Kim Faure (Demeter), Lili Froehlich (Electra), Sara Jean Ford (Jellylorum), Eloise Kropp (Jennyanydots), Ricky Ubeda (Mr. Mistoffelees), Jess LeProtto (Mungojerrie), Andy Huntington Jones (Munkustrap), Quentin Earl Darrington (Old Deuteronomy), Shonica Gooden (Rumpleteazer), Tyler Hanes (Rum Tum Tugger), Jeremy Davis (Skimbleshanks), Emily Tate (Tantomile), Georgina Pazcoguin (Victoria), Sharrod Williams (Pouncival), Arianna Rosario (Sillabub)
NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the new Broadway Revival. Everything is nicely captured with dance numbers full stage shot. High energy performances with some choreography and song tweaks from the original! A
Cats - International Tour - April 22, 2019 (Closing Night) (Highlights) (mymummysaysimamiracle's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Elizabeth Futter (u/s Grizabella), Lloyd Davies (Alonzo), Thomas Inge (Admetus/Macavity), Dean Ambrose (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Sally Frith (Bombalurina), Matt Harrop (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Katie Deacon (Cassandra), Louis van Leer (Carbucketty), Fletcher Dobinson (Coricopat), Ella Nonini (Demeter), Amy Whittle (u/s Jellylorum), Grace Swaby (Jemima), Ceili O´Connor (Jennyanydots), Alex Harrison (Mr. Mistoffelees), Billy Mahoney (Mungojerrie), Jak Skelly (Munkustrap), John Ellis (Old Deuteronomy), Kirsty Ingram (Rumpleteazer), Dan Partridge (Rum Tum Tugger), Matthew Rowland (Skimbleshanks), Eilish Harmon-Beglan (Tantomile), Hannah Kenna Thomas (Victoria)
NOTES: Highlights only(Opening, Mungo and Rumple, Old Deuteronomy, Jellicle Ball, Skimbleshanks and Moments of Hapiness)!
Cats - Italy Tour - 2010
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Luca Giacomelli (Admetus/Macavity), Azzurra Adinolfi (Bombalurina), Gianluca Ciatti (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Silvana Isolani (Cassandra), Denise Brambillasca (Demeter), Federica Baldi (Jemima), Stefania Fratepietro (Jennyanydots), Salvatore Marchione (Mungojerrie), Roberta Miolla (Rumpleteazer), Roberto Colombo (Skimbleshanks), Tiziano Edini (Pouncival), Alessandro Lanzillotti
NOTES: Non-replica production. House Cam with no zooms.
Cats - Japan - 2006
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Koji Tomita (Cassandra), Masashi Kikuchi (Carbucketty), Yuka Takizawa (Demeter), Chie Inoue (Jellylorum), Kazue Haruhara (Jemima), Yoko Ishi (Jennyanydots), Hitoshi Tsuzi (Mungojerrie), Shoichi Fukui (Munkustrap), Kensan Ishi (Old Deuteronomy), Shinobu Aikawa (Rumpleteazer), Emi Takakula (Tantomile), Kyoko Sato (Victoria), Eliko Mulata (Sillabub)
NOTES: Filmed from the very front row
Cats - Netherlands - June 29, 2007
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Pia Douwes (Grizabella), Merlijn Wolsink (Alonzo), Pierre Alexandre (Admetus/Macavity), Daymon Montaigne Jones (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Anouk van Nes (Bombalurina), Paul Donkers (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Caroline Beuth (Cassandra), Michael Macalintal (Coricopat), Suzanne Heijne (Demeter), Veerle Casteleyn (Electra), Annemieke Van Der Veer (Jellylorum), Cindy Belliot (Jemima), Marleen van der Loo (Jennyanydots), Mark John Richardson (Mr. Mistoffelees), Mark van Beelen (Mungojerrie), Roberto de Groot (Munkustrap), Marco Bakker (Old Deuteronomy), Marjolein Teepen (Rumpleteazer), Stanley Burleson (Rum Tum Tugger), Marcel Visscher (Skimbleshanks), Hannah van Meurs (Tantomile), Anique Bosch (Victoria), João Paulo De Almeida (Pouncival)
Cats - Netherlands - July 28, 2007
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Anita Meyer (Grizabella), Merlijn Wolsink (Alonzo), Pierre Alexandre (Admetus/Macavity), Daymon Montaigne Jones (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Anouk van Nes (Bombalurina), Paul Donkers (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Caroline Beuth (Cassandra), Michael Macalintal (Coricopat), Suzanne Heijne (Demeter), Veerle Casteleyn (Electra), Annemieke Van Der Veer (Jellylorum), Veerle Casteleyn (Jemima), Maaike Schuurmans (Jennyanydots), Mark John Richardson (Mr. Mistoffelees), Mark van Beelen (Mungojerrie), Roberto de Groot (Munkustrap), Paul Walthuis (Old Deuteronomy), Marjolein Teepen (Rumpleteazer), Gino Emnes (Rum Tum Tugger), Marcel Visscher (Skimbleshanks), Hannah van Meurs (Tantomile), Anique Bosch (Victoria), João Paulo De Almeida (Pouncival)
NOTES: Starts at the The invitation to the Jellicle ball and missing a couple of minutes at the start of act 2 two. Act one is filmed in night shot, and act two comes with a verry clear picture. Veerle Castelyn is followed a lot.
Cats - Netherlands - September 16, 2007
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Penny Voss (Grizabella), Merlijn Wolsink (Alonzo), Pierre Alexandre (Admetus/Macavity), Daymon Montaigne Jones (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Anouk van Nes (Bombalurina), Paul Donkers (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Caroline Beuth (Cassandra), Michael Macalintal (Coricopat), Suzanne Heijne (Demeter), Veerle Casteleyn (Electra), Annemieke Van Der Veer (Jellylorum), Veerle Casteleyn (Jemima), Maaike Schuurmans (Jennyanydots), Mark J Richardson (Mr. Mistoffelees), Mark van Beelen (Mungojerrie), Roberto de Groot (Munkustrap), Paul Walthuis (Old Deuteronomy), Marjolein Teepen (Rumpleteazer), Gino Emnes (Rum Tum Tugger), Marcel Visscher (Skimbleshanks), Hannah van Meurs (Tantomile), Anique Bosch (Victoria), João Paulo De Almeida (Pouncival)
Cats - Tecklenburg, Germany - August 29, 2015 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Maya Hakvoort (Grizabella), Andrew Hill (Alonzo), Zoltan Fekete (Admetus/Macavity), David Pellerin (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Sabine Hettlich (Bombalurina), Yngve Gasoy-Romdal (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Lucy Castelloe (Cassandra), Tobias Joch (Coricopat), Caroline Frank (Demeter), Leah Delos Santos (Jellylorum), Celine Vogt (Jemima), Benjamin Eberling (Jennyanydots), David Pereira (Mr. Mistoffelees), Nils Haberstroh (Mungojerrie), Armin Kahl (Munkustrap), Reinhard Brussmann (Old Deuteronomy), Anna Carina Buchegger (Rumpleteazer), Shane Dickson (Rum Tum Tugger), Stephan Luethy (Skimbleshanks), Eleonora Talamini (Tantomile), Taryn Nelson (Victoria), Hakan T Aslan (Pouncival), Marthe Römer (Etcetera)
Cats - The Netherlands - 1987
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Ruth Jacott (Grizabella), Kyle Boynton (Munkustrap), Fred Butter (Rum Tum Tugger)
Cats - The Netherlands - August 18, 1992
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Ellen Evers (Grizabella), Joyce Stevens (Bombalurina), Wilma Hoornstra (Demeter), Michiel Verkoren (Mungojerrie), Brian Galliford (Old Deuteronomy), Meike Staring (Rumpleteazer), Fred Butter (Rum Tum Tugger)
Cats - The Netherlands - August 18, 1992
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Ellen Evers (Grizabella), Joyce Stevens (Bombalurina), Wilma Hoornstra (Demeter), Michiel Verkoren (Mungojerrie), Brian Galliford (Old Deuteronomy), Meike Staring (Rumpleteazer), Fred Butter (Rum Tum Tugger)
Cats - Vienna - 1988 (Pro-Shot's master)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Broadway - April 20, 2017 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Christian Borle (Willy Wonka), Ryan Foust (Charlie Bucket), John Rubinstein (Grandpa Joe), F Michael Haynie (Augustus Gloop), Kathy Fitzgerald (Mrs Gloop), Emma Pfaeffle (Veruca Salt), Ben Crawford (Mr Salt), Trista Dollison (Violet Beauregarde), Alan H Green (Mr Beauregarde), Michael Wartella (Mike Teavee), Jackie Hoffman (Mrs Teavee), Emily Padgett (Mrs Bucket)
NOTES: Great HD capture of the new musical based on the Roald Dahl classic novel. A fresh dark take on the material, which was fun and very enjoyable! A great comedic cast and innovative production. A
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Broadway - May 1, 2017 (NYCG8R's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Christian Borle (Willy Wonka), Jake Ryan Flynn (Charlie Bucket), John Rubinstein (Grandpa Joe), F Michael Haynie (Augustus Gloop), Kathy Fitzgerald (Mrs Gloop), Emma Pfaeffle (Veruca Salt), Ben Crawford (Mr Salt), Trista Dollison (Violet Beauregarde), Michael Wartella (Mike Teavee), Jackie Hoffman (Mrs Teavee), Emily Padgett (Mrs Bucket)
NOTES: Fantastic HD video with excellent picture and clear great sound; Video has great close-ups and good stage shots for dancing numbers.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - West End - January 22, 2015 (Lanelle's master)
FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD)
CAST: Alex Jennings (Willy Wonka), Zachary Loonie (Charlie Bucket), Billy Boyle (u/s Grandpa Joe), Vincent Finch (Augustus Gloop), Amy Carter (Veruca Salt), Rhianna Dorris (Violet Beauregarde), Daniel Rhodes (Mike Teavee)
NOTES: Fun show with very imaginative staging, though I do wish they used more songs from (either) movie. The first 5 minutes of Act One has some wandering and blackouts, but after that it is a steady and unobstructed shot. Includes curtain call.
Chasing Rainbows - Paper Mill Playhouse - October, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Karen Mason (Ma Lawlor), Stephen DeRosa (LB Mayer), Colin Hanlon (Roger Edens), Karen Mason (Kay Koverman), Ruby Rakos (Judy Garland), Lesli Margherita (Ethel Gumm), Max von Essen (Frank Gumm), Michael Wartella (Mickey Rooney)
NOTES: Great HD capture of this Judy Garland bio musical focusing on her early years, leading up to The Wizard of Oz, with a couple of fun tap numbers! Act One starts when Judy sings a version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow (same tune but with different lyrics). Act Two starts part way through the number right before they enter the MGM studio. Please do not post screenshots of this video on Twitter ever. Gifs on Tumblr are okay after the NFT date, but don't go linking things to actors and shows.
The Cher Show - Broadway - April, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Stephanie J Block (Cher (Star)), Teal Wicks (Cher (Lady)), Micaela Diamond (Cher (Babe)), Jarrod Spector (Sonny Bono), Michael Berresse (Bob Mackie), Michael Campayno (Rob Camilletti), Matthew Hydzik (Gregg Allman), Emily Skinner (Georgia Holt)
NOTES: Beautiful HD close-ups but some long drop-outs and quite a few obstructed scenes. The rake in the mezzanine at the Neil Simon kinda stinks and I'm pretty sure the ushers were playing flashlight tag with each other the entire show. but I began to care a lot less as the night went on Video is very Cher-centric...choreography in "Dark Lady" is captured beautifully, but for the rest of the show I was mostly focused on getting those Stephanie, Teal, and Micaela zooms. We start at the scene before "Half Breed" and when Stephanie tells everyone to stand up for the finale it's all over for my filming ability.
The Cher Show - Broadway - January, 2019 (NYCG8R's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Stephanie J Block (Cher (Star)), Teal Wicks (Cher (Lady)), Micaela Diamond (Cher (Babe)), Jarrod Spector (Sonny Bono), Michael Berresse (Bob Mackie), Michael Campayno (Rob Camilletti), Matthew Hydzik (Gregg Allman), Emily Skinner (Georgia Holt)
Chess - Netherlands - November, 2006 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Jeroen Phaff (Anatoly Sergievsky), Joke de Kruijf (Florence Vassy), Jasper Kerkhof (Freddie Trumper), Mieke Dijkstra (Svetlana Sergievskaya), Ben Cramer (Molokov)
Chicago - Broadway Revival - 1996 (Highlights) (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Ann Reinking (Roxie Hart), Bebe Neuwirth (Velma Kelly), James Naughton (Billy Flynn), Joel Grey (Amos Hart), Marcia Lewis (Matron "Mama" Morton), D Sabella (Mary Sunshine)
NOTES: Almost the full show (2 hours and 7 minutes). Usually referred to as Press Reels, this is actually the unedited footage shot for press or archival purposes. Decent amount on generation loss with some distortion at the top of the screen, and a time code at the bottom. Sometimes incorrectly labeled as 1995 .
Chicago - The Netherlands - 1999 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Simone Kleinsma (Roxie Hart), Pia Douwes (Velma Kelly), Stanley Burleson (Billy Flynn), Marjolijn Touw (Matron "Mama" Morton)
Chicago - The Netherlands - Fall, 1999 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Ellen Evers (u/s Roxie Hart), Pia Douwes (Velma Kelly), Stanley Burleson (Billy Flynn), Serge Henry Valke (Amos Hart), Marjolijn Touw (Matron "Mama" Morton)
NOTES: Good capture; multicam proshot. One camera is centre stage, the other is on the left balcony.
Chicago - West End Revival - 2004
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Frances Ruffelle (Roxie Hart), Pia Douwes (Velma Kelly), Alex Bourne (Billy Flynn), Zee Asha (Matron "Mama" Morton)
NOTES: The same video as the March 27, 2004 video
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Broadway - April 16, 2005
FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) | TRADER'S NOTES: PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST! Working on uploading
CAST: Raúl Esparza (Caractacus Potts), Erin Dilly (Truly Scrumptious), Kevin Calhoun (Childcatcher), Marc Kudisch (Baron Bomburst), Jan Maxwell (Baroness Bomburst), Phillip Bosco (Grandpa Potts)
NOTES: A little shaky at times, and some ducks, but otherwise excellent. Includes news footage.
A Chorus Line - Broadway Revival - September 30, 2006 (Preview)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Michael Berresse (Zach), Tyler Hanes (Larry), Brad Anderson (Don), Mara Davi (Maggie), Jeffrey Schecter (Mike), Yuka Takara (Connie), Michael Paternostro (Greg), Charlotte d'Amboise (Cassie), Deirdre Goodwin (Sheila), Ken Alan (Bobby), Alisan Porter (Bebe), Heather Parcells (Judy), James T Lane (Richie), Tony Yazbeck (Al), Chryssie Whitehead (Kristine), Jessica Lee Goldyn (Val), Paul McGill (Mark), Jason Tam (Paul), Natalie Cortez (Diana), Michelle Aravena (Tricia), E Clayton Cornelious (Butch), David Baum (Roy), Mike Cannon (Tom), Nadine Isenegger (Lois), Grant Turner (Frank), Lorin Latarro (Vicki)
NOTES: Commonly mislabelled as Opening Night (October 5, 2006), however menu says it is September 30, 2006. Video includes the playbill and some bonus news features of the Pre-Opening, Opening Night and the Review.
A Chorus Line - Hollywood Bowl - July 29, 2016 (SJ Bernly's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Mario Lopez (Zach), Spencer Liff (Larry), Michael Starr (Don), Mara Davi (Maggie), Robert Fairchild (Mike), J Elaine Marcos (Connie), Denis Lambert (Greg), Sarah Bowden (Cassie), Leigh Zimmerman (Sheila), Kelsey Walston (Bebe), Tiana Okoye (Judy), Cornelius Jones Jr (Richie), Justin Michael Wilcox (Al), Courtney Lopez (Kristine), Sabrina Bryan (Val), Ross Lynch (Mark), Jason Tam (Paul), Krysta Rodriguez (Diana)
NOTES: This all star cast gives energetic and nuanced performances, cast as a whole is a stand out with absolutely incredible dance numbers, nicely filmed, no obstructions, no washout, just a couple of quick dropouts, filmed from stage directly, screens are never shown, filmed in 16:9 with a mix of wides, mediums and close-ups, show is 125 minutes on one disc includes curtain call and playbill scans.
A Chorus Line - North Shore Music Theatre - November, 2010 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Derek Hanson (Zach), Kurt Domoney (Larry), Joe Grandy (Don), Cary Michelle Miller (Maggie), Jonathan Day (Mike), Hannah Chin (Connie), Aaron Umsted (Greg), Rebecca Riker (Cassie), Katie Cameron (Sheila), Sean Quinn (Bobby), Katerina Papacostas (Bebe), Bethany Moore (Judy), Delius Doherty (Richie), Venny Carranza (Al), Nancy Renée Braun (Kristine), Leslie Donna Flesner (Val), Christopher Shin (Mark), Miguel Angel Falcon (Paul), Julie Kotarides (Diana), Maggie Marino (Tricia), Brian Bailey (Roy), Michael McCrary (Tom), Sarah Shepler (Lois), Taylor Shubert (Frank), Wendy O'Byrne (Vicki)
NOTES: Performed in the round, two cameras and sound patched in from the soundboard.
A Chorus Line - Off-Broadway - July 12, 1975 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Robert LuPone (Zach), Thommie Walsh (Bobby Strong), Clive Clerk (Larry), Ron Khulman (Don), Kay Cole (Maggie), Wayne Cilento (Mike), Baayork Lee (Connie), Michael Stuart (Greg), Donna McKechnie (Cassie), Kelly Bishop (Sheila), Nancy Lane (Bebe), Patricia Garland (Judy), Ronald Dennis (Richie), Don Percassi (Al), Renne Baughman (Kristine), Pam Blair (Val), Cameron Mason (Mark), Sammy Williams (Paul), Priscilla Lopez (Diana)
NOTES: The original Broadway cast filmed prior to moving to Broadway. Professionally filmed using multiple cameras for the Lincoln Center Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) archives. Newly surfaced video which is a HUGE improvement over the previous version which has been in circulation for a while. This is also complete and includes the opening announcement alerting the audience that the show is being filmed. Amazing quality, but still has a little generational loss. In black and white. The DVD has been enhanced with chapter stops for all of the musical numbers. This, along with the tapes of Crazy for You and Passion, is amongst the only three TOFT tapes that have been leaked.
A Chorus Line - The Netherlands - 2002 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Wilbert Gieske (Zach), Fons van Kraaij (Larry), Roy Kullick (Don), Marieke van Hulst (Maggie), Birger van Severen (Mike), Hannah van Meurs (Connie), Thomasj Vets (Greg), Ellis van Laarhoven (Cassie), Anouk van Nes (Sheila), Hans van der Heijden (Bobby), Manon Novak (Bebe), Carolien Canters (Judy), Perry Dossett (Richie), Job Vlaar (Al), Eva Roest (Kristine), Jacqueline Aronson (Val), Paul Boereboom (Mark), Hein Gerrits (Paul), Cystine Carreon (Diana), Cyrille Carreon (Tricia), Peter van Dosselaer (Butch), Axel de Graaf (Roy), Regi Severins (Lois), Peter Stoelhorst (Frank), Roeselien Wekker (Vicki)
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong - BBC Special - December 30, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Henry Shields (Chris), Henry Lewis (Robert), Charlie Russell (Sandra), Dave Hearn (Max), Chris Leask (Trevor), Nancy Zamit (Annie), Greg Tannahill (Jonathan), Jonathan Sayer (Dennis), Ellie Morris (Lucy), Diana Rigg (Aunt Diana), Derek Jacobi (Scrooge/Himself)
NOTES: Mischief Theatre 2017 BBC Special proshot.
A Christmas Story - Broadway - November 7, 2012 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: AVI (HD)
CAST: Johnny Rabe (Ralphie), Dan Lauria (Jean Shepherd), John Bolton (The Old Man), Erin Dilly (Mother), Zac Ballard (Randy), Caroline O’Connor (Miss Shields)
NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the Broadway transfer. This is such a fun show and a top notch cast that delivers the perfect blend of performances. Nice changes from the previous PreBroadway tour from last year and a perfect show to get into the holiday season!
Cinderella (Pantomime) - Mercury Theatre Colchester - 2020 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Mari McGinlay (Cinderella), Mari McGinlay (Prince Charming), Deborah Tracey (The Fairy Godmother), Nicholas McLean (Buttons), Nerine Skinner (Dandini)
NOTES: aired to raise money for covid-19
Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein) - Broadway - March 2, 2013 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Laura Osnes (Ella), Santino Fontana (Topher), Victoria Clark (Marie), Harriet Harris (Madame), Ann Harada (Charlotte), Greg Hildreth (Jean-Michel), Marla Mindelle (Gabrielle), Phumzile Sojola (Lord Pinkleton), Peter Bartlett (Sebastian)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of this classic show, with this being the first time having appeared on Broadway! Really a top notch cast and a beautiful production, nicely staged! A
Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein) - Broadway - April 17, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Carly Rae Jepsen (Ella), Joe Carroll (Topher), Victoria Clark (Marie), Fran Drescher (Madame), Ann Harada (Charlotte), Todd Buonopane (Jean-Michel), Stephanie Gibson (Gabrielle), Peter Bartlett (Sebastian)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture with no obstructions. Carly and Fran were wonderful in the roles and really gave them their own touch! Great to see the show still in wonderful shape. A+
Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein) - Second National Tour - May, 2018 (House-Cam's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Tatyana Lubov (Ella), Louis Griffin (Topher), Leslie Jackson (Marie), Sarah Smith (Madame), Joanna Johnson (Charlotte), Corbin Williams (Jean-Michel), Nicole Zelka (Gabrielle), Antonio Beverly (Lord Pinkleton), Christopher Swan (Sebastian)
NOTES: Video is filmed in a house cam format. There is a lot of spotlight washout so you can't really make out faces, but the sound is wonderful. Soundboard. Location unknown
Ciske de Rat De Musical - The Netherlands - 2007 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: DVD ISO (SD)
CAST: Danny de Munk (Cis de Man), Hugo Haenen (Meester Bruijs), Hajo Bruins (Vader Frans Vrijmoeth), Mariska van Kolck (Tante Jans), Marjolijn Touw (Moeder Marie Vrijmoeth), Marleen van der Loo (Suus Bruijs), Ad Knippels (Kinderinspecteur Muysken), Sjoerd Pleijsier (Bovenmeester Maatsuyker), Ids van der Krieke (Oom Henri), Jacobien Elffers (Bet(je)), Ger Otte (Pater de Goey), Jorge Verkoost (Jan Verkerk)
City of Angels - West End Revival - March 9, 2020 (Preview) (BwaytoWestEnd's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Theo James (Stone), Hadley Fraser (Stine), Jonathan Slinger (Buddy / Irwin S. Irving), Rosalie Craig (Gabby / Bobbi), Rebecca Trehearn (Donna / Oolie), Rob Houchen (Jimmy Powers), Vanessa Williams (Carla / Alaura), Marc Elliott (Pancho / Munoz), Nicola Roberts (Avril / Mallory)
NOTES: Stage Shot filmed from Stalls. Awful audio.
Clueless: The Unauthorized Musical Parody - Rockwell Table & Stage - September 10, 2015
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Laura L Thomas (Emma), Tom Detrinis (Weston), Spencer Strong Smith (Josh), Emma Hunton (Tai), Corbin Reid (Dionne), Christopher Chatman (Murray)
NOTES: A production of Rockwell Table & Stage; well filmed from the audience with clear picture and excellent sound; musical selections included "I'll be There for You" (aka the Friends theme), "Wonderwall," "Barbie Girl," "Like a Virgin," "Rolling in the Deep," "Dancing On My Own," "Big Yellow Taxi," a brief excerpt of "Popular" from Wicked, "Always Be My Baby," "Love Shack," and a clever version of "Proud Mary" that incorporated the famous "rollin' with the homies" bit from the movie.
The Color Purple - Broadway - March 28, 2006 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: AVI (SD)
CAST: LaChanze (Celie), Elisabeth Withers-Mendes (Shug Avery), Felicia P Fields (Sofia), Kingsley Leggs (Mister), Brandon Victor Dixon (Harpo)
NOTES: Beautiful capture of this show, crystal clear picture and sound, great closeups. A
The Color Purple - Broadway Revival - November 11, 2015 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Cynthia Erivo (Celie), Jennifer Hudson (Shug Avery), Danielle Brooks (Sofia), Isaiah Johnson (Mister), Kyle Scatliffe (Harpo), Joaquina Kalukango (Nettie)
NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the new revival which been stripped down and streamlined to focus on Celie's journey. Some beautiful moments in the show with the direction and simplicity spotlighting the story. A few blackouts in the first 5 minutes as clueless ushers fumbled around. A
The Color Purple - Broadway Revival - May 11, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) | TRADER'S NOTES: Highlights
CAST: Cynthia Erivo (Celie), Heather Headley (Shug Avery), Danielle Brooks (Sofia), Isaiah Johnson (Mister), Kyle Scatliffe (Harpo), Joaquina Kalukango (Nettie)
NOTES: Beautiful capture of the ever stunning Heather Headley joining the cast. There really is no need to say anymore! A
The Color Purple - First National Tour - April 22, 2007 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Jeannette Bayardelle (Celie), Michelle Williams (Shug Avery), Felicia P Fields (Sofia), Rufus Bonds Jr (Mister), Stu James (Harpo), LaToya London (Nettie), Stephanie St James (Squeak)
NOTES: I have to say I enjoyed this cast more than the OBC. Jannette is amazing here and will give you chills and Michelle is stunning. Beautiful capture. A+
The Color Purple - First National Tour - September 6, 2009 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Fantasia Barrino (Celie), Reva Rice (u/s Shug Avery), Felicia P Fields (Sofia), Rufus Bonds Jr (Mister), Stu James (Harpo), LaToya London (Nettie), Tiffany Daniels (Squeak)
NOTES: This is the performance following the day Fantasia missed two performances from "Food Poisioning", which made the Chicagoland News. Despite that, she still gives a great performance as Celie and has such a powerful voice. Reva knocks it out of the park as Shug! A
Come From Away - Australia - 2019 (Highlights) (Press Reel's master)
FORMAT: M4A (untracked)
CAST: Zoe Gertz (Beverley/Annette & others), Douglas Hansell (Kevin T./Garth & others), Richard Piper (Claude & others), Simon Maiden (Oz & others), Sarah Morrison (Janice & others), Nicholas Brown (Kevin J./Ali & others), Nathan Carter (Nick/Doug & others), Angela Kennedy (Diane & others), Sharriese Hamilton (Hannah & others), Emma Powell (Beulah & others), Kellie Rode (Bonnie & others), Kolby Kindle (Bob & others)
NOTES: Proshot B-Roll of Welcome to the Rock, Me and the Sky & Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere
Come From Away - Australia - September 12, 2019 (WizardWisdom's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Zoe Gertz (Beverley/Annette & others), Douglas Hansell (Kevin T./Garth & others), Richard Piper (Claude & others), Simon Maiden (Oz & others), Sarah Morrison (Janice & others), Nicholas Brown (Kevin J./Ali & others), Nathan Carter (Nick/Doug & others), Katrina Retallick (Diane & others), Sharriese Hamilton (Hannah & others), Emma Powell (Beulah & others), Kellie Rode (Bonnie & others), Kolby Kindle (Bob & others)
NOTES: HD capture of the Australian company of this fantastic musical. Includes a video of a post-show Q&A with the cast in honour of the 18th anniversary of September 12. Shot from the back row of the dress circle, so a head blocks the centre at times but it’s shot around where possible. Most noticeable in the group numbers where a lot of the action is downstage. The first 4 minutes or so is mostly wandering shots as I was setting up my camera and evading ushers. A lot of great close-ups - Zoe’s “Me and the Sky” is a highlight.
Come From Away - Broadway - March 10, 2017 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Jenn Colella (Beverley/Annette & others), Chad Kimball (Kevin T./Garth & others), Joel Hatch (Claude & others), Geno Carr (Oz & others), Kendra Kassebaum (Janice & others), Caesar Samayoa (Kevin J./Ali & others), Lee MacDougall (Nick/Doug & others), Sharon Wheatley (Diane & others), Q Smith (Hannah & others), Astrid Van Wieren (Beulah & others), Petrina Bromley (Bonnie & others), Rodney Hicks (Bob & others)
NOTES: A beautiful capture of the new Broadway musical. The score is fantastic and the production is wonderful.
Come From Away - Broadway - February, 2020 (StarCuffedJeans's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Becky Gulsvig (Beverley/Annette & others), Tony LePage (s/b Kevin T./Garth & others), Joel Hatch (Claude & others), Paul Whitty (Oz & others), Pearl Sun (t/r Janice & others), Caesar Samayoa (Kevin J./Ali & others), Jim Walton (Nick/Doug & others), Sharon Wheatley (Diane & others), Kenita R Miller (Hannah & others), Astrid Van Wieren (Beulah & others), Petrina Bromley (Bonnie & others), De'Lon Grant (Bob & others)
Come From Away - First National Tour - February, 2020 (Hollis Mizner's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Marika Aubrey (Beverley/Annette & others), Andrew Samonsky (Kevin T./Garth & others), Kevin Carolan (Claude & others), Harter Clingman (Oz & others), Julia Knitel (Janice & others), Nick Duckart (Kevin J./Ali & others), Chamblee Ferguson (Nick/Doug & others), Christine Toy Johnson (Diane & others), Danielle K Thomas (Hannah & others), Julie Johnson (Beulah & others), Sharone Sayegh (Bonnie & others), James Earl Jones II (Bob & others)
Come From Away - Toronto - January 7, 2020 (The Musical Speakeasy's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Eliza-Jane Scott (Beverley/Annette & others), Jeff Madden (Kevin T./Garth & others), George Masswohl (Claude & others), Cory O’Brien (Oz & others), Cailin Stadnyk (u/s Janice & others), Ali Momen (Kevin J./Ali & others), Clint Butler (u/s Nick/Doug & others), Barbara Fulton (Diane & others), Kate Etienne (u/s Hannah & others), Lori Nancy Kalamanski (u/s Beulah & others), Kristen Peace (Bonnie & others), Kevin Vidal (Bob & others)
NOTES: As far as I know, the first ever video of the Toronto production! I had the entire show in VOB format ready to post but, unfortunately, I lost the USB it was on in the middle of an airport. Luckily I was able to salvage all but thirty minutes of the original footage, so all that's lost is part of the scene after "I Am Here" and a portion of "Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere". If you find a USB the size of a thumbnail around Pearson, it's a $5 reward! A flu passed around the cast that they were all just recovering from, and at one point you can see Bev take a tissue out of her pilot's jacket and blow her nose. It explains the large number of understudies on, particularly of interest is that of the role of Hannah being played by a Caucasian actress, which causes her absence for the bus scene and leads to a severely different dynamic I'd not seen the character played as before.
Come From Away - Washington D.C. - September 24, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Jenn Colella (Beverley/Annette & others), Chad Kimball (Kevin T./Garth & others), Joel Hatch (Claude & others), Geno Carr (Oz & others), Kendra Kassebaum (Janice & others), Caesar Samayoa (Kevin J./Ali & others), Lee MacDougall (Nick/Doug & others), Sharon Wheatley (Diane & others), Q Smith (Hannah & others), Astrid Van Wieren (Beulah & others), Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan (Bonnie & others), Rodney Hicks (Bob & others)
NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the PreBroadway try out in DC. Terrific ensemble piece telling the stories of stranded passengers during the 9/11 attacks. A
Come From Away - West End - November 5, 2019 (wheredidtherockgo's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Rachel Tucker (Beverley/Annette & others), David Thaxton (Kevin T./Garth & others), Clive Carter (Claude & others), Harry Morrison (Oz & others), Emma Salvo (Janice & others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J./Ali & others), Robert Hands (Nick/Doug & others), Helen Hobson (Diane & others), Cat Simmons (Hannah & others), Jenna Boyd (Beulah & others), Jennifer Tierney (s/b Bonnie & others), Nathanael Campbell (Bob & others)
NOTES: The bottom left of the video is slightly obstructed by a lighting rail. The master accidentally stop recording during '38 Planes' but realized right away so it’s only missing a second or two. Some nice close-ups. Clive misses the cue for the first “Welcome to the Rock!”
Come From Away - West End - April, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master)
FORMAT: MOV (HD)
CAST: Rachel Tucker (Beverley/Annette & others), David Shannon (Kevin T./Garth & others), Clive Carter (Claude & others), Harry Morrison (Oz & others), Emma Salvo (Janice & others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J./Ali & others), Robert Hands (Nick/Doug & others), Helen Hobson (Diane & others), Cat Simmons (Hannah & others), Jenna Boyd (Beulah & others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie & others), Nathaniel Campbell (Bob & others)
NOTES: This video is never to be publicly shared on YouTube, tumblr, Facebook, Stagedork etc.
Come From Away - West End - February, 2020 (queenofthedead's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette & others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T./Garth & others), James Doherty (Claude & others), Harry Morrison (Oz & others), Emma Salvo (Janice & others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J./Ali & others), Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug & others), Kate Graham (Diane & others), Cat Simmons (Hannah & others), Jenna Boyd (Beulah & others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie & others), Tarinn Callender (Bob & others)
NOTES: Slightly obstructed by one head but worked around the best I could.
Come From Away - West End - November, 2019 (queenofthedead's master)
FORMAT: M2TS (HD)
CAST: Rachel Tucker (Beverley/Annette & others), David Thaxton (Kevin T./Garth & others), Clive Carter (Claude & others), Harry Morrison (Oz & others), Emma Salvo (Janice & others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J./Ali & others), Bob Harms (s/b Nick/Doug & others), Helen Hobson (Diane & others), Chiara Baronti (s/b Hannah & others), Jenna Boyd (Beulah & others), Jennifer Tierney (s/b Bonnie & others), Nathanael Campbell (Bob & others)
NOTES: Incomplete: starts 12 mins in. Shot around heads. The combination of the revolve and the lighting of this show might make it a jolty watch but the action is caught as best as possible. If I had to decide who to film, I chose Rachel Tucker.
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery - West End - August 20, 2019 (wheredidtherockgo's master)
FORMAT: AVI (SD)
CAST: Sean Carey (Sam Monaghan), David Coomber (Neil Cooper), Charlotte Duffy (u/s Caprice Freeboys), George Hannigan (Everyone Else), Liam Jeavons (Mitch Ruscitti), Damian Lynch (Mr. Freeboys), Killian Macardle (Officer Shuck), Jon Trenchard (Warren Slax), Ashley Tucker (Ruth Monaghan)
NOTES: My first video ever. I couldn’t see what I was filming so the camera has a tendency to film upward toward the ceiling. You can hear me laugh pretty loudly since I was holding the camera close to my face.
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery - West End - December, 2019 (queenofthedead's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Tom Hopcroft (u/s Sam Monaghan), Ross Virgo (u/s Neil Cooper), Charlotte Duffy (u/s Caprice Freeboys), George Hannigan (Everyone Else), Eddy Westbury (u/s Mitch Ruscitti), Damian Lynch (Mr. Freeboys), Killian Macardle (Officer Shuck), Jean-Luke Worrell (e/c Warren Slax), Ashley Tucker (Ruth Monaghan)
NOTES: Masters Notes: Shot around 2 heads. A few dropouts that add up to about 5 minutes overall. Not the most focused capture and a lot of fidgeting from the master, but action is captured mostly well enough.
Company - Kennedy Center - June, 2002
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: John Barrowman (Bobby/Bobbie), Lynn Redgrave (Joanne), David Pittu (Harry), Christy Baron (Susan), Emily Skinner (Jenny), Marc Vietor (David), Kim Director (April/Andy), Elizabeth Zins (Kathy/Theo), Marcy Harriell (Marta/PJ), Alice Ripley (Amy/Jamie), Matt Bogart (Paul), Jerry Lanning (Larry)
NOTES: This video gets listed under various dates including June 5th, June 6th, June 15th, July 7th, and different copies exist in varying quality and size.
Company - Second West End Revival - January, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Rosalie Craig (Bobby/Bobbie), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Mel Giedroyc (Sarah), Gavin Spokes (Harry), Daisy Maywood (Susan), Ashley Campbell (Peter), Jennifer Saayeng (Jenny), Richard Henders (David), Richard Fleeshman (April/Andy), Matthew Seadon-Young (Kathy/Theo), George Blagden (Marta/PJ), Jonathan Bailey (Amy/Jamie), Alex Gaumond (Paul), Ben Lewis (Larry)
Company - Third Broadway Revival - March 10, 2020 (Preview)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)|Gifted: Upon Request
CAST: Katrina Lenk (Bobby/Bobbie), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Jennifer Simard (Sarah), Christopher Sieber (Harry), Rashidra Scott (Susan), Greg Hildreth (Peter), Nikki Renée Daniels (Jenny), Christopher Fitzgerald (David), Claybourne Elder (April/Andy), Kyle Dean Massey (Kathy/Theo), Bobby Conte Thornton (Marta/PJ), Matt Doyle (Amy/Jamie), John Arthur Greene (u/s Paul), Terence Archie (Larry)
NOTES: Wideshot MP4 Gifted Upon Request
Company - West End - Novemeber 28, 2018 (Diodenes of Catania’s master)
Format: MP3 (tracked)
Cast: Rosalie Craig (Bobbie), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Mel Giedroyc (Sarah), Gavin Spokes (Harry), Daisy Maywood (Susan/Priest), Ashley Campbell (Peter), Richard Henders (David), Jonathan Bailey (Jamie), Alex Gaumond (Paul), Ben Lewis (Larry), Richard Fleeshman (Andy), George Blagden (PJ), Matthew Seadon-Young (Theo)
Copacabana - Netherlands - 2002 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Danny de Munk (Tony Starr/Stephen), Cystine Carreon (Lola Lamar/Stephanie), John Leddy (Sam Silver), Jacqueline Aronson (Gladys), Sophia Wezer (Conchita), Edwin Jonker (Rico)
Coriolanus - Donmar Warehouse - January 30, 2014 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (SD)
CAST: Alfred Enoch (Titus Lartius), Brigitte Hjort Sørensen (Virgilia), Deborah Findlay (Volumnia), Elliot Levey (Brutus), Hadley Fraser (Aufidius), Jacqueline Boatswain (Valeria), Mark Gatiss (Menenius), Peter de Jersey (Cominius), Tom Hiddleston (Coriolanus)
NOTES: Often circulated with hard subtitles. The June 4 2020 YT livestream version does not have them.
Coriolanus - Stratford Festival - 2018 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Alexis Gordon (Virgilia), Andre Sills (Coriolanus), Brigit Wilson (Valeria), Graham Abbey (Aufidius), Lucy Peacock (Volumnia), Michael Blake (Cominius), Stephen Ouimette (Brutus), Tom McCamus (Menenius)
NOTES: Great quality video and audio. This is a professionally filmed version of Coriolanus, presented by the Stratford Festival (Stratford, Ontario, Canada) in 2018 and streamed online on April 30, 2020. Original file format: one MP4 file
Cruel Intentions - Los Angeles - July 31, 2015
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Katie Stevens (Kathryn Merteuil), Constantine Rousouli (Sebastian Valmont), Molly McCook (Annette Hargrove), Shelley Regner (Cecile Caldwell), Tyler Sheef (Blaine Tuttle), Spencer Strong Smith (Greg Mcconnell), Alexander Pimentel (Ronald Clifford), Pamela Holt (Mrs. Bunny Caldwell)
NOTES: Notes: Well filmed from the audience with clear picture and excellent sound; featuring songs by The Goo Goo Dolls, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Meredith Brooks, Natalie Imbruglia, Spice Girls, Counting Crows, The Verve and Christina Aguilera
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Broadway - November 22, 2014 (Lanelle's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Alex Sharp (Christopher Boone), Francesca Faridany (Siobhan), Ian Barford (Ed), Enid Graham (Judy), Helen Carey (Mrs. Alexander)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Broadway - December 30, 2014 (Matinee) (SJ Bernly's master)
FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)
CAST: Taylor Trensch (alt Christopher Boone), Francesca Faridany (Siobhan), Tim Wright (u/s Ed), Enid Graham (Judy), Helen Carey (Mrs. Alexander), Mercedes Herrero (Mrs. Shears and others), Ben Horner (Mr. Thompson and others), Richard Hollis (Roger Shears and others), David Manis (Rev. Peters and others)
NOTES: "Nicely filmed. There's a couple of quick dropouts and not many washouts, but no obstructions or blocking. A-"
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - National Theatre - September 6, 2012 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Luke Treadaway (Christopher Boone), Niamh Cusack (Siobhan), Paul Ritter (Ed), Nicola Walker (Judy), Una Stubbs (Mrs. Alexander)
Curtains - West End - October 8-12, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Jason Manford (Lieutenant Frank Cioffi), Carley Stenson (Georgia Hendricks), Ore Oduba (Aaron Fox), Rebecca Lock (Carmen Bernstein), Samuel Holmes (Christopher Belling), Leah Barbara West (Niki Harris), Alan Burkitt (Bobby Pepper), Martin Callaghan (Oscar Shapiro), Emma Caffrey (Bambi Bernét), Nia Jermin (Jessica Cranshaw), Adam Rhys-Charles (Daryl Grady), Mark Sangster (Sidney Bernstein), Minal Patel (Johnny Harmon)
NOTES: Pro-shot streamed by The Turbine Theatre on 4/14/20 as a fundraiser for coronavirus relief efforts.
Cyrano de Bergerac - Netherlands - 1992, 1993 (Pro-Shot's master)
FORMAT: MP4 (HD)
CAST: Bill van Dijk (Cyrano), Ryan van den Akker (Cyrano's love interest Roxane), Peter de Smet (Ragueneau), Danny de Munk (De Guiche)
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
Crisis in International Atheism
RENOWNED ATHEIST Richard Dawkins once described the difficulty his fractious atheist colleagues had in organising themselves as akin to “herding cats”.
[…]
In 2017, AAI represented 36 member groups from all over the world. Some members were already concerned about what they saw as the AAI becoming moribund and the board agreed to put a reform programme to the vote at the 2017 AGM. However, critics claim there was no AGM at any point in 2017. The stated purpose of this mandatory AGMs in the original AAI bylaws is to “approve the accounts and elect directors”. The critics say these bylaws have since been completely rewritten and the bylaws which currently appear on its site have never been subject to a proper vote. Therefore, opponents claim, nothing AAI has done since 2017 has been subject to a legitimate democratic process.
In early 2018, two members of AAI - Atheist Ireland and the Freedom From Religion Foundation - offered to work on a (new) reform proposal to rescue AAI’s legitimacy. The board agreed.
However, while claiming to work on these reforms, the board invited selected members to an AGM without informing anyone else, according to protagonists. During that ill-attended May 2018 AGM, new bylaws were passed which meant that: directors would no longer be elected but appointed by the board; bylaws would no longer be changed by a vote but by directors; and requirements to hold AGMs and present financial accounts were removed.
THREATENING TONES
An example of the breakdown of civilised discourse in the organised atheist world came last February, when a breakaway group (confusingly called the International Association of Atheists, since dissolved) used an AAI subscriber list to ask for financial contributions to its new organisation. AAI accused it of theft and demanded restitution in threatening tones. The International Association of Atheists responded, denying the charges. The AAI then responded again with more bluster.
The allegations would appear to be substantively true, but some of the meeker atheists interested in international representation could only observe in despair as the back-and-forth press releases between AAI and the International Association of Atheists developed an tone edolent of a scene from The Life Of Brian. In one blog post, AAI threatened to call the police, adding that supporters of the International Association of Atheists “have said we will never take this step. Just watch us.” Nothing happened.
In March of this year, then vice president and current director Bill Flavell claimed in a Free Thought Prophet podcast that he “didn’t really understand” the protocols involved in advertising the 2018 AGM, which he was involved in arranging. Then president and current director Howard Burman claimed in the same podcast that the AAI “erred” when it failed to invite the majority of members to this clandestine AGM and that he had never spoken to Atheist Ireland’s Nugent despite multiple public records of emails and Skype calls including Nugent and other parties.
In April of this year, then AAI “blog manager” and current "at large director" Jason Sylvester replied to the allegations in a blog post which personally attacked AAI’s critics but also promised to “investigate it properly” with an “objective and neutral approach that such a serious allegation requires”. The results of (or any evidence for) that investigation have yet to be made public. Sylvester also claimed around this time that “Integrity will be restored”, any evidence for which has also yet to be made public.
In May of this year, the secretary / treasurer of AAI, Fotis Frangopoulos, sent an back-pedalling email to ex-affiliates admitting the substance of these allegations. For instance, the email admits that the bylaws were “temporarily” changed in order to “turn the organisation around”, challenging all claims of innocent errors or a lack of understanding of protocol. The email promised that a legitimate AGM with all of the affiliates would be held to “nominate candidates… and to vote”. However, the current batch of directors were “elected” by only 10 of the claimed 53 affiliates during the May AGM which was referred to by a prominent human rights organisations, the Greek Helsinki Monitor, as “very undemocratic”.
More recently, comedian and activist Kate Smurthwaite, one of the AAI Advisory Council which exists to “give support and advice” to the board, claimed in a tweet that the board never offered her “any input at all” and that she didn’t know why her name was on its website. There is no reason to suspect that anyone else on the advisory council, which includes such high-profile atheists as Gad Saad and Lawrence Krauss, had any more input into AAI policies and decisions than Smurthwaite.
One of the conditions for special consultative status at the UN is that an organisation “must have a democratic decision making mechanism”. The Council of Europe similarly demands of its members with participatory status “a democratic structure and governance”.
If the UN and the Council of Europe remove AAI’s privileges due to their undemocratic structure, there will be no international representation in these organisations for atheists and the world’s major religions will be free to continue making submissions to the UN and the Council of Europe without any counterbalance from a group many religious people regard as their mortal enemies.
The Phoenix, 10 September 2021
1 note
·
View note
Text
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Most Recent Female Astronauts
For Women’s History Month, NASA and the International Space Station celebrate the women who conduct science aboard the orbiting lab. As of March 2019, 63 women have flown in space, including cosmonauts, astronauts, payload specialists, and space station participants. The first woman in space was Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova who flew on Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, flew aboard the Space Shuttle STS-7 in June of 1983.
If conducted as planned, the upcoming March 29 spacewalk with Anne McClain and Christina Koch would be the first all-female spacewalk. Women have participated in science on the space station since 2001; here are the most recent and some highlights from their scientific work:
Christina Koch, Expedition 59
Christina Koch (pictured on the right) becomes the most recent woman in space, launching to the space station in mid-March to take part in some 250 research investigations and technology demonstrations. Koch served as station chief of the American Samoa Observatory and has contributed to the development of instruments used to study radiation particles for the Juno mission and the Van Allen Probe.
Anne McClain, Expedition 57/58, 59
Flight Engineer Anne McClain collects samples for Marrow, a long-term investigation into the negative effects of microgravity on the bone marrow and blood cells it produces. The investigation may lead to development of strategies to help prevent these effects in future space explorers, as well as people on Earth who experience prolonged bed rest. McClain holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as an Army Aviator, with more than 2,000 flight hours in 20 different aircraft.
Serena M. Auñón-Chancellor, Expedition 56/57
Serena Auñón-Chancellor conducts research operations for the AngieX Cancer Therapy inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). This research may facilitate a cost-effective drug testing method and help develop safer and more effective vascular-targeted treatments. As a NASA Flight Surgeon, Auñón-Chancellor spent more than nine months in Russia supporting medical operations for International Space Station crew members.
Peggy Whitson, Expeditions 5, 16, 50, 51/52
Astronaut Peggy Whitson holds numerous spaceflight records, including the U.S. record for cumulative time in space – 665 days – and the longest time for a woman in space during a single mission, 289 days. She has tied the record for the most spacewalks for any U.S. astronaut and holds the record for the most spacewalk time for female space travelers. She also served as the first science officer aboard the space station and the first woman to be station commander on two different missions. During her time on Earth, she also is the only woman to serve as chief of the astronaut office. Here she works on the Genes in Space-3 experiment, which completed the first-ever sample-to-sequence process entirely aboard the International Space Station. This innovation makes it possible to identify microbes in real time without having to send samples back to Earth, a revolutionary step for microbiology and space exploration.
Kate Rubins, Expedition 48/49
The Heart Cells investigation studies the human heart, specifically how heart muscle tissue contracts, grows and changes its gene expression in microgravity and how those changes vary between subjects. In this image, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducts experiment operations in the U.S. National Laboratory. Rubins also successfully sequenced DNA in microgravity for the first time as part of the Biomolecule Sequencer experiment.
Samantha Cristoforetti, Expedition 42/43
The first Italian woman in space, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti conducts the SPHERES-Vertigo investigation in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The investigation uses free-flying satellites to demonstrate and test technologies for visual inspection and navigation in a complex environment.
Elena Serova, Expedition 41/42
Cosmonaut Elena Serova, the first Russian woman to visit the space station, works with the bioscience experiment ASEPTIC in the Russian Glavboks (Glovebox). The investigation assessed the reliability and efficiency of methods and equipment for assuring aseptic or sterile conditions for biological investigations performed on the space station.
Karen Nyberg, Expedition 36/37
NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg sets up the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) fluorescence microscope in the space station’s Kibo laboratory. The MSPR has two workspaces and a table used for a wide variety of microgravity science investigations and educational activities.
Sunita Williams, Expeditions 32/33, 14/15
This spacewalk by NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Aki Hoshide, reflected in Williams’ helmet visor, lasted six hours and 28 minutes. They completed installation of a main bus switching unit (MBSU) and installed a camera on the International Space Station’s robotic Canadarm2. Williams participated in seven spacewalks and was the second woman ever to be commander of the space station. She also is the only person ever to have run a marathon while in space. She flew in both the space shuttle and Soyuz, and her next assignment is to fly a new spacecraft: the Boeing CST-100 Starliner during its first operational mission for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Cady Coleman, Expeditions 26/27
Working on the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE), NASA astronaut Catherine (Cady) Coleman performs a Corner Flow 2 (ICF-2) test. CFE observes the flow of fluid in microgravity, in particular capillary or wicking behavior. As a participant in physiological and equipment studies for the Armstrong Aeromedical Laboratory, she set several endurance and tolerance records. Coleman logged more than 4,330 total hours in space aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia and the space station.
Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 24
A system to purify water for use in intravenous administration of saline would make it possible to better treat ill or injured crew members on future long-duration space missions. The IVGEN investigation demonstrates hardware to provide that capability. Tracy Caldwell Dyson sets up the experiment hardware in the station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). As noted above, she and Shannon Walker were part of the first space station crew with more than one woman.
Shannon Walker, Expedition 24/25
Astronaut Shannon Walker flew on Expedition 24/25, a long-duration mission that lasted 163 days. Here she works at the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF), an incubator with an artificial gravity generator used in various life science experiments, such as cultivating cells and plants on the space station. She began working in the space station program in the area of robotics integration, worked on avionics integration and on-orbit integrated problem-solving for the space station in Russia, and served as deputy and then acting manager of the On-Orbit Engineering Office at NASA prior to selection as an astronaut candidate.
Stephanie Wilson, STS-120, STS-121, STS-131
Astronaut Stephanie Wilson unpacks a Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Part of the Cold Stowage Fleet of hardware, MERLIN provides a thermally controlled environment for scientific experiments and cold stowage for transporting samples to and from the space station. Currently serving as branch chief for crew mission support in the Astronaut Office, Wilson logged more than 42 days in space on three missions on the space shuttle, part of the Space Transportation System (STS).
Other notable firsts:
• Roscosmos cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya, the first woman to participate in an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk, on July 25, 1984
• NASA astronaut Susan Helms, the first female crew member aboard the space station, a member of Expedition 2 from March to August 2001
• NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the first female ISS Commander, April 2008, during a six-month tour of duty on Expedition 16
• The most women in space at one time (four) happened in 2010, when space shuttle Discovery visited the space station for the STS-131 mission. Discovery’s crew of seven included NASA astronauts Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Stephanie Wilson and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki. The space station crew of six included NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson.
• Susan Helms shares the record for longest single spacewalk, totaling 8 hours 56 minutes with fellow NASA astronaut Jim Voss.
• Expedition 24 marked the first with two women, NASA astronauts Shannon Walker and Tracy Caldwell Dyson, assigned to a space station mission from April to September, 2010
• The 2013 astronaut class is the first with equal numbers of women and men.
• NASA astronaut Anne McClain became the first woman to live aboard the space station as part of two different crews with other women: Serena Auñón-Chancellor in December 2018 and currently in orbit with Christina Koch.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com
#women#womenshistorymonth#astronauts#stem#science#space#international space station#NASA#girlpower#Spacewalk#engineering
5K notes
·
View notes
Text
Best Upcoming Non-Western and POC Fantasy Books in 2020
https://ift.tt/3jP41EA
The world of fantasy is expanding (as you can see from the awesome, expansive titles we covered in 2019). While I still love a good tale of a farm boy from a feudal nation saving the kingdom (or the world), I’m thrilled that so many great titles from beyond the traditional fantasy white European setting (so, you know, a majority of the world) are hitting American bookshelves.
This list of most-anticipated non-western fantasies has some ongoing series titles, as well as conclusions to fantasy sagas, and brand new series starters. So whether you’ve been following titles inspired by world locations beyond western Europe, or whether you are brand new to this window into where the fantasy genre can go and has gone, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the titles I’m most looking forward to this year.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in January
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
The Illustrians have been usurped, and Ximena, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal, is ready to seek revenge. When the usurper, Atoc, demands the hand of the Condesa in marriage, Ximena goes instead, seeking a chance to destroy the relic that brought Atoc to power. Ibañez drew inspiration on stories of revolution in Bolivia, where both of her parents are from, in creating this South American influenced fantasy world.
Read Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibanez on Amazon.
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
This YA fantasy spin on The Count of Monte Cristo begins when Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning. Sure, she’ll face greater punishment aboard the debtor’s ship that has been her home for years, she instead finds herself rewarded. The only reward she wants? Revenge on those who have wronged her. But of course, revenge comes with its own costs, and as she becomes embroiled with the son of the man she wants to destroy, she uncovers truths that convince her to trust no one. The first in this duology comes from the author of the Timekeeper trilogy, and would pair well (for adult readers) with 2019’s excellent Queen of the Conquered, which has its own echoes of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Read Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim on Amazon.
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi
In this contemporary dystopian fantasy, Ella can see the future of others. Her powers alienate her from her family, including her younger brother Kevin, who was born on the day that the police officers who beat Rodney King were exonerated in court. Alternating between Ella and Kev’s perspectives, the story follows the siblings from Kev’s promising childhood into his incarceration—for being a young black man in America. When Ella, who vanished years before, begins to visit Kev through astral projection, she leads him through the memories of others that she has experienced, guiding him to possibilities for a different future. Onyebuchi’s #OwnVoices story shines light on the realities of the structural racism and brutality faced by contemporary black Americans.
Read Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in February
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
Jane McKeen started putting down the restless dead in Dread Nation, and she’s back in the divided America of the 1880s. Summerland has fallen, but that doesn’t make Jane’s life any easier. Enemies are still around her, and she finds herself questioning if she really understands the world. It’s a good thing she’s got Katherine Deveraux watching her back. Kate never expected to be Jane’s ally, but she knows just exactly how important it is to have friends in a world as dangerous as this one. This sequel to Ireland’s celebrated first novel comes after Ireland penned a few Star Wars novels, and it’s great to see her back in the Weird West from a galaxy far far away.
Read Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland on Amazon.
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes
This Maya-and-Aztec-inspired series starter reveals that the sun is fading, despite all of Prince Ahkin’s efforts to the contrary. When he must select a bride from among six candidates—and sacrifice the other five—in order to ascend to the throne, he feels connected to Mayana. But the gods may be against them, and the world may be on the brink of a darker apocalypse.
Read The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes on Amazon.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso
A war tore Queen Talyien’s nation apart. A marriage was supposed to save it. But when her groom disappears, there’s no way to unite the rival clans of her nation, fracturing the kingdom. When, years later, he sends her a message requesting that they meet, she holds out hope that there will be peace—until someone tries to kill her. In order to save her people, and herself, she must become the Bitch Queen, the she-wolf, that her enemies have called her. Villoso grew up in the Phillipines and draws inspiration from that setting. This novel was originally self-published in 2018, but the traditionally printed books launched this year for an expected trilogy.
Read The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in March
Thorn by Intisar Khanani
I loved the self-published version of Thorn when it was first released in 2012, and I’m excited to see a fully revised, expanded version coming out this year from HarperTeen. Drawing inspiration from the story of the Goose Girl, the story revolves around Princess Alyrra, whose identity is stolen from her by a sorcerer, robbing her of her royalty—but also granting her a chance to start fresh, free from the expectations of her family. However, when she uncovers a plot that threatens the prince she was to marry, she must decide whether to remain silent, or return to the royal world she longed to escape. This new edition of the #OwnVoices novel also includes Khanani’s fantastic short story, “The Bone Knife.”
Read Thorn by Intisar Khanani on Amazon.
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa
The eagerly awaited conclusion of Kagawa’s trilogy is almost here! This third book in the “Shadow of the Fox” series follows the cliffhanger ending of Soul of the Sword. Hopefully this installment will reveal what has happened to Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko and her love-interest-slash-enemy, Kage Tatsumi, who was possessed by a demon.
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa on Amazon.
Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco
Tala doesn’t really care about magic—and she sometimes negates it accidentally. Her family is part Filipino—she descends from Maria Makiling, a Filipina heroine—and part tied to the old, disappeared country of Avalon. When the Snow Queen returns from the dead, and an Avaolian firebird shows up on Tala’s doorstep, she’s thrust into a dangerous world of spelltech in the Royal States of America…
Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco on Amazon.
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Although this Thai-inspired fantasy novel is geared toward middle graders, there’s no shortage of depth to the story. When prison-born Pong escapes, he discovers that the world he’d longed to see is just as unfair and impoverished as the one he left behind. The rich thrive in the supernatural lights of Chattana, but the poor remain struggling in the shadows. Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, is determined to bring Pong back inside before her family is at the center of a scandal. But her own experiences outside the prison make her question the truths she has long trusted. With inspiration drawn from Les Miserables, this middle grade fantasy also has plenty of adult appeal.
Buy A Wish in the Dark on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in April
Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Renata is a memory thief, once in service of the king of Andalucia—though not of her own volition. She was kidnapped as a child and forced to carry out the King’s Wrath, leading to the deaths of thousands of her own people. Now, she has joined the rebellion, but even among the people who rescued her from the king, she is mistrusted. When she’s tasked with rescuing her commander—and love interest—from the palace, her rage and desire for revenge are tested. What will it cost her to keep her cover? Córdova is best known for the “Brookyn Brujas” series, and this Spain-set historical fantasy series starter is likely to feature some of the same appealing magic that made the contemporary fantasy series so popular.
Read Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova on Amazon.
The Ranger of Marzanna by Jon Skovron
This Russian-inspired epic fantasy features two siblings destined to oppose each other over the fate of the invading Empire. Sonya is training to be a ranger. Sebastian, her brother, is the world’s most powerful sorcerer. When their father is murdered by imperial soldiers, Sonya decides to take a stand against them, gathering together allies to push the invaders back. But Sebastian sides instead with the Empire, leading them to a final confrontation that will determine the fate of the world—and their family.
Buy The Ranger of Marzanna on Amazon.
The Red-Stained Wings by Elizabeth Bear
Set in the same world as Hugo-winner Bear’s epic “Eternal Sky” trilogy, The Red-Stained Wings continues the story of “The Lotus Kingdoms” she began in her 2017 novel The Stone in the Skull. Both books follow The Gage, a wizard-created brass automaton, and The Dead Man, a former bodyguard of the deposed Uthman Caliphate, who work as mercenaries. In the first book they delivered a message, and now all the Lotus Kingdoms are at war because of it. (While The Red-Stained Wings originally released in hardcover last year, we missed it in our 2019 roundup, and Bear’s work is too good not to mention.)
Buy The Red-Stained Wings on Amazon.
Read more
Books
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Review
By Kayti Burt
Books
The Infinite Noise: Interview with Lauren Shippen
By Kayti Burt
Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst
YA and middle grader readers will be familiar with Durst’s unique twist on fantasy stories, but her newest title gives adult audiences a chance to see her shine. Set in Becar, a land where your actions in life determine your next incarnation, the only way out of the cycle is to win the Races. Tamara and Raia, a trainer and a rider, work together to try to train a kehok—a monstrous mount—for Raia to ride in order for Raia to earn her freedom.
Read Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in May
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
This gorgeous cover grabbed me immediately, and this ancient West African-inspired fantasy with a strong female lead looks like it could join Tomi Adeyemi’s series as a YA hit. Deka is different from everyone else, with intuition that marks her as separate. All she wants is to be a normal member of her village—but when her blood is revealed to be gold, the color of impurity, she must choose death, or a fate as a warrior for the emperor. Skewing older than Rick Riordan’s demigod fantasies, but with shades of the Dora Milaje from the Black Panther, this is definitely an #OwnVoices series starter to watch for.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on Amazon.
Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu
Lu and Min, the warring sisters of The Girl King, continue their battle over the Empire of the First Flame in this epic sequel. Lu, the firstborn, was destined to rule, and Min, blessed with magic, grew tired of being in her sister’s shadow. Now, while the sisters plot for the throne, a greater threat arises outside their empire—but even if they work together, they might lose everything.
Read Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu on Amazon.
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
This pirate swashbuckling adventure full of Asian folklore stars Flora, an orphan girl who takes on the identity of Florian to gain respect from a pirate crew, and Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, whose dreaded arranged marriage is interrupted by pirates. The two are thrust together, forming an unlikely bond that leads them to team up to rescue a mermaid and escape their fates—if they can survive the sea, a witch, and the Pirate Supreme himself.
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall on Amazon.
Lobizona by Romina Garber
Argentine folklore comes to life in Miami in this #OwnVoices contemporary novel that tackles real-world issues of the treatment of undocumented immigrants—and the fantastic problems of descending from a bruja and a lobizón, a werewolf. Manuela Azul is hiding from her father’s Argentine crime family in Miami. When her mother is arrested by ICE, Manu makes more discoveries about her family than she’s ready for—including the fact that, according to the rules of her family’s magical world, she’s not supposed to exist…
Read Lobizona by Romina Garger on Amazon.
The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala
This sequel to last year’s The Tiger at Midnight continues the story of the legendary rebel, Viper, in a saga based on Hindu mythology. Esha, known as Viper, and her partner Kunal infiltrate the court of King Vardaan. But while getting into the palace is easy, completing the tasks they set out to do may make them question their loyalties—to their countries, and to each other. This is the second book of a trilogy, so readers may need to expect a cliffhanger…
Read The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in June
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
Sirens have to hide their powers—and Tavia is determined to keep her identity a secret rather than be forced to follow the restrictions against her people. At least she has her best friend, Effie, to help her navigate high school. But soon, Effie has to face the literal demons of her past, and Tavia’s powers are revealed in the worst moment possible. Black mermaids are taking the spotlight between Disney’s live action The Little Mermaid and Rivers Solomon’s excellent The Deep, and this #OwnVoices YA novel looks like another excellent addition to that growing subgenre. (Disclosure: this novel is not #OwnVoices for mermaids; as far as I know, Morrow is not a siren in hiding.)
Read A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow on Amazon.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
A Crown Princess who seeks to resurrect her dead mother by sacrificing the heart of a king. A war-stricken young man, whose only way to save his sister is to kill the Crown Princess. Fate has different plans for both of them…. Princess Karina plans to offer her hand in marriage to the winner of the Solstasia festival in order to kill her new husband and bring her mother back from the dead. Malik enters the competition, hoping to get close enough to kill Karina, so that he can save his sister from a vengeful spirit. But when their two paths collide, the two find that everything is more complicated than they expected. Brown’s debut, the first of a duology with a sequel due out next year, is inspired by West African folklore, and features plenty of tension between the two POV leads. (Malik’s sweetness and anxiety make him an unusual protagonist for many reasons, and there are reasons he’s come away as the fan favorite character.)
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Lee might not be returning to the world of his middle-grade Korean-mythology space fantasy or his hard SF space opera, but the launch of a new fantasy series, full of magical automata, is just as exciting. When a symbol painter’s Phoenix Extravagant—the material they need to create pigments to program the automata—they set out to find the source. But the secrets of the Empire may be darker than the painter ever imagined. This #OwnVoices novel features a nonbinary main character in an Asian-inspired fantasy setting, and it’s at the top of my must-read list for 2020.
Read Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee on Amazon.
The Unconquered City by K. A. Doore
Doore’s “Chronicles of Ghadid” come to a conclusion in this third, action packed volume of assassins and warriors. Illi remembers the rise of the restless dead, and she works to protect her city from the guuls that travel the dunes. And Illi knows a secret that could allow her to end the threat of the dead—but only if she’s willing to risk sacrificing everything.
Read The Unconquered City by K.A. Doore on Amazon.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
In the concluding volume of Chakraborty’s #OwnVoices “Daevabad Trilogy,” con-artist Nahri and exiled prince Ali are back in 18th Century Cairo after fleeing fallen Daevabad. But neither of them feel right having left their loved ones behind under the rule of a tyrant. Together with the djinn Dara, they have to find a way to remake the world. Den of Geek has been following this trilogy since book one, and it’s exciting to watch this series come to a conclusion.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty on Amazon.
Read more
Books
The City of Brass: A Conversation with S.A. Chakraborty
By Kayti Burt
Books
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty Review
By Kayti Burt
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
One of my favorite discoveries last year was Gods of Jade and Shadow, and while Moreno-Garcia takes this story in an entirely different direction with an all new cast, this re-envisioning of the gothic suspense genre in a Mexican setting looks to be just as fantastic. Noemí is a brave socialite called to rescue her cousin from a mysterious doom. When she arrives, she’s not sure whether the threat comes from her cousin’s intimidating English husband—or from the house itself, which plagues her dreams with visions of blood. Set in the 1950s, this #OwnVoices historical looks likely to feature the same kind of strong, unstoppable heroine as her 2019 title, twisting the tropes of another genre with a dose of horror.
Read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on Amazon.
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
“A bandit walks into a coffeehouse, and it all goes downhill from there,” according to the marketing hook for this one—and I have to admit, that has me hooked! This novella from Sorcerer to the Crown writer Cho is a wuxia fantasy with a female lead in far over her head. Guet has to team up with a group of thieves in order to protect a sacred object.
Read The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in July
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
This sequel to Lim’s Spin the Dawn continues the story of Maia Tamarin, once tailor to the king, and now cursed with demon blood. When she completed three impossible dresses and freed the trapped magician who served the emperor, she set into motion events that now have far-reaching consequences. Maia must assume the place of the emperor’s bride to keep the peace—but as she begins to lose herself to the demon curse, she also plans for a future for her family, and the magician that she loves, even if she herself doesn’t survive.
Read Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim on Amazon.
We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
Zafir and Nasir are supposed to be enemies, but when they were brought together in We Hunt the Flame, they found that nothing is as simple as they thought. Now, both on a hunt for the same lost artifact, they find a far deeper evil than either has before experienced, and realize that their prize may be more dangerous than they can imagine. This is the second in Faizal’s #OwnVoices “Sands of Arawiya” series, and should relieve readers who have been waiting since the first novel’s cliffhanger ending.
Read We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal on Amazon.
The Crow Rider by Kalyn Josephson
In this sequel to Josephson’s The Storm Crow, Princess Anthia (Thia) continues her plans to defeat the invading Illucian empire and restore Rhodaire. But her giant crow, Res, injures her when he’s unable to control his own magic, adding complications to their plans. Worse, Thia is being pursued by the Illucian Crown Prince, to whom she is irresistibly drawn. Can Thia become the crow rider she was meant to be, and reclaim her stolen kingdom? The Crow Rider concludes Josephson’s duology, set in a melting pot fantasy world.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in August
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets Hindu mythology? Yes, please! Sheetal is the daughter of a mortal and a star. In order to save her father, she must travel to the celestial courts and serve as a champion in her mother’s family in a tournament. If she doesn’t succeed, she may never be able to return to Earth—or save her father’s life. This is a standalone #ownvoices fantasy novel that looks like it would definitely appeal to readers who loved Roshani Chokshi’s The Star Touched Queen.
Read Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar on Amazon.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
When most YA novels deal with immigration issues, the word “alien” doesn’t involve UFOs. Gilliand throws that expectation right out the window, creating a powerful first-person narration from the voice of a Latina who still communicates with her dead grandmother (and kitchen spirits). The narrative tackles not only undocumented immigration, human trafficking, and issues of sexual harassment and assault, but also UFOs, alien and government conspiracies, and human experimentation. The mashup of genres is unbelievably smoothly done, considering the disparate tones usually used for each, and the result is an amazing, un-put-downable novel with short chapters that inspire readers to keep going for just one more…
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Debut author Ifueko introduces readers to a new world, where the Raybearer is guided by his Council of Eleven, each of whom has a Hallow, or magical power, to help him rule. Lonely Tarisai has been raised by The Lady to get close enough to the Crown Prince to kill him. But when Tarisai becomes a member of the Council, she finds the belonging she has always sought. Can she forge her own path, and fight the order she’s been compelled to obey? The first in a new series, Raybearer is inspired by West African mythology, and features a strong cast and a protagonist whose voice makes you want to root for her—whatever she decides.
Nujran and the Corpse in the Quadrangle by Krishna Sudhir
In this sequel to the 2017 Nujran and the Monks of Meirar, Sudhir mixes the mystery genre with Indian mythology. There’s a murder on campus that needs to be solved, but Nujran has even more to deal with: kidnapping, a prison escape, a reunion with a certain group of monks, and a new romance. It’s a lot for a college student to handle—and with a mysterious illness plaguing the teachers, there’s a lot depending on Nujran to solve the mystery! Though this is the second book in a series, it stands alone, and readers can pick up the story as they go.
Dominion: An Anthology of Black Speculative Fiction, edited by Zelda Knight and Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald
We don’t normally include anthologies on this list, but Dominion is too good to miss. The thirteen stories, written by writers from Africa and the African diaspora, range from fantasies with gods and ghosts to post-apocalyptic science fiction. Some of the tales border on horror, while others feature magicians and middle-managers. Many of the stories force their protagonists to face their dead—whatever that may mean for the story. It’s a unique collection and it’s well worth picking up and discovering a new favorite short story.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in September
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Julian Diaz wants to know why he’s dead, so it’s a good thing Yadriel summoned him—accidentally—instead of the ghost he meant to bring back. Now Yadriel can’t get rid of Julian without helping the ghost tie up some loose ends. As the two spend more time together, Yadriel realizes he doesn’t really want Julian to leave after all. This novel features a Latinx trans boy determined to prove his gender to his family in a really intriguing #OwnVoices YA fantasy debut.
Read Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas on Amazon.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
When Lin’s father, the Emperor, passes her over as his heir, she decides to take matters into her own hands, practicing the forbidden art of bone shard magic. But Lin isn’t the only one determined to take the throne, and the revolution at the palace gates may cost her everything. This first book in the “Drowning Empire” series is Stewart’s debut, and while the world is not specifically non-western inspired, Stewart is the Chinese American daughter of immigrants, and her new setting with its migratory islands is sure to grab the interest of readers who love fresh takes on fantasy.
Buy The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart on Amazon.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This contemporary magical King Arthur-adjacent story, featuring a strong female lead who’s torn between taking down the Legendborn—descendents of King Arthur’s knights—for the secrets they hide from the world, or joining them in a fight against darker magical forces. Bree believes that her mother has died in an accident, until a “Merlin” attempts to wipe her memories of a magical event. Instead, Bree’s own magic is unlocked, and when she discovers another Merlin was hospitalized the night her mother died, she’s determined to uncover the secrets of the magical world. But the more she learns, the more she realizes there’s more at stake: war is coming, and Bree has to choose whose side she’s on.
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
You may have detected some excitement about Córdova’s anthology, Vampires Never Get Old, here at Den of Geek. But in addition to that Halloween perfect title, the conclusion to Córdova’s epic “Brooklyn Brujas” series also came out this fall. The award-winning series, the story of three sisters who develop their magical powers, launched with Labyrinth Lost in 2016. In this final volume, Rose is pulled through a magical portal to Adas, a magical land she has to save. Can saving another world help Rose figure out how to heal her own broken family? As Rose comes into her powers, she discovers she just may have what it takes to save herself. Fans of the series will not want to miss this finale!
The Ikessar Falcon by K. S. Villoso
The second book of the “Bitch Queen” trilogy is here! The series launched with a traditional publisher earlier this year, and in the sequel, Queen Talyien, now abandoned by her people, faces her failure to save her nation. In order to protect her king and her son, she must dismantle the myth that others have built around her—the myth she could never become. With mad dragons on one side and power-hungry men on the other Talyien’s road home is dangerous, but if she doesn’t triumph, her nation may pay the price.
Zorro’s Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America’s First Superhero by Stephen J. C. Andes
If superheroes are modern fantasy, the combination of legend and superhero deserves a place on this list, even if the exploration is nonfiction. Did you know that Zorro first appeared in 1919? The swashbuckling hero who fought for the poor and impoverished, while hiding his identity behind the foppish Don Diego, definitely set the stage for future cape-wearing heroes with secret-identities. But Zorro is more than just a precursor of that genre; Andes argues that he represents a Latinx, multiethnic, multicultural America. If you’ve loved Zorro in pop culture, taking a peek into the history behind the character is a must.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in October
Storm the Earth by Rebecca Kim Wells
Maren and Kaia may be reunited in this explosive conclusion to the Shatter the Sky duology, but their journey has changed them. Maren remains determined to set the dragons free, and to rescue their friend, Sev, now trapped by the emperor. Though Maren knows that she will fight, she’s not sure who will survive once the battle is over…
Read Storm the Earth by Rebecca Kim Wells on Amazon.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Roanhorse’s Anasazi-inspired fantasy novel isn’t out until October, but the book is hitting many anticipated-fantasy lists of 2020. It’s no surprise, as Roanhorse is one of the most celebrated voices in fantasy right now, with a Nebula, Hugo, and Campbell all under her belt. While you’re waiting for more on this title, you can pick up the first two books in her Sixth World series, her Star Wars novel, or her 2020 middle-grade fantasy Race to the Sun.
Read Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse on Amazon.
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Lee might not be returning to the world of his middle-grade Korean-mythology space fantasy or his hard SF space opera, but the launch of a new fantasy series, full of magical automata, is just as exciting. When a symbol painter’s Phoenix Extravagant—the material they need to create pigments to program the automata—runs out, they set out to find the source. But the secrets of the Empire may be darker than the painter ever imagined. This #OwnVoices novel features a nonbinary main character in an Asian-inspired fantasy setting, and it’s at the top of my must-read list for 2020.
Of Fury and Fangs by Kyoko M.
In this fourth novel in the “Of Cinder and Bone” series, someone is trying to kill Dr. Rhett “Jack” Jackson. As one of the two scientists—alongside Dr. Kamala Anjali—who brought dragons back to life after their previous extinction, Jack has a lot of enemies. Jack and Kamala plan to solve the mystery of who wants Jack dead, but finding the truth may cost more than they expected. The “Of Cinder and Bone” series mixes science fiction and fantasy, flooding a contemporary SF setting with dragons, and adding a hefty dose of thriller in for good measure.
God Storm by Coco Ma
In this sequel to Ma’s 2019 novel, Shadow Frost, Asterin has evaded her mother’s attempt at murdering her and has risen to become queen. But the cost was high, and Asterin lost both her lifelong friend and her true love. Now, she realizes that her friends are being held by the God of Shadow. What Asterin chooses won’t just change the fate of her friends, it might change the fate of the whole mortal world.
The Shadow of Hades by Paul C. Williams
Four stories intertwine in this paranormal fantasy novel that deals with themes of grief. In one tale, a boy with no memory wakes in a graveyard; eventually he discovers the souls of the dead residing within him. In another, the fabric of the universe is coming undone in a magical wood, and the local residents have to come together to heal the breech. Eventually, the four stories merge into a single whole, an exploration of what the characters are willing to sacrifice to confront their own demons. Williams is a Black-Hispanic, LGBTQ teen author who published his first book at age seventeen; his exploration of grief and death is dark, but also offers readers a spark of hope.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in November
The Conductors by Nicole Glover
A historical mystery crossed with a fantasy novel, this debut focuses on former Underground Railroad conductor Hetty Rhodes and her husband as they make their post-Civil War life in Philadelphia, solving mysteries the white authorities ignore. Hetty’s used to using her wits and her magic, and her new life is no different—especially when it comes to uncovering truths about the Black Elite of Philadelphia.
Read The Conductors by Nicole Glover on Amazon.
The Burning God by R. F. Kuang
The third, eagerly anticipated book in “The Poppy War” series sticks-the-landing (according to Kuang, quoting her editor in a Twitter post). The story finishes Rin’s saga in a world reminiscent of 20th Century, but filled with gods and monsters.
Read The Burning God by R.F. Kuang on Amazon.
cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });
The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter
Winter’s sequel to last year’s The Rage of Dragons follows Tau as he continues fighting a war his people have been waging for generations. In a world where some women can summon dragons and some men can magically transform into larger, stronger versions of themselves, Tau has already realized that there are greater costs to the endless war than the Omehi have admitted to their people. Alongside Tsiora, the ousted queen of the Omehi, Tau strives to delay an attack by the indigenous people of Xidda, all while the queen makes a dangerous plan to retake the throne from her sister. The reviews of The Rage of Dragons make that novel sound un-put-downable, so expect another page turner when this one hits the shelves.
Buy The Fires of Vengeance on Amazon.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
What happens if you take Romeo and Juliet, reset it in 1920s Shanghai, then add a magical creature that drives people mad? Chloe Gong explores the answer in her YA historical fantasy. Juliette Cai has returned to Shanghai, proud to take on the role of heir to the Scarlet Gang. Roma Montagov is heir to the Scarlet Gang’s rivals, the Russian White Flowers. But while both gangs—and heirs—are prepared to war with each other, a deeper danger is rising from the depths of the Huangpu River, and the only cure to the creature’s madness comes from the Westerners in the city, who have their own motives. Unless Juliette and Roma can put aside their differences, Shanghai might fall. This is the first in a duology, to keep watching for Gong’s sequel to find out the fates of these two star-crossed lovers.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in December
King of the Rising by Kacen Callender
Last year’s stunning Queen of the Conquered blew me away with its moral ambiguity and it’s gorgeous and terrible fantasy Caribbean setting. I had no idea Callender was planning a sequel, but I am incredibly excited to see where she takes the world, especially with the first novel’s secondary character Loren as the point of view character in this sequel. In the first novel, when Sigourney played the catalyst for a slave revolt—that led to her own unmaking, as well—Loren was one of the revolutionaries pulling her strings, and was the man who spoke up to request mercy for her. Now, with this former slave, the child of a colonist, at the forefront of the story, readers will get a very different view of the islands, and I cannot wait to see where this narrative takes us.
Buy King of the Rising by Kacen Callender on Amazon.
The post Best Upcoming Non-Western and POC Fantasy Books in 2020 appeared first on Den of Geek.
from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2TZsgWN
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
Kate Middleton Makes Heartbreaking Confession About Her, Prince William’s Son Prince George
By Camille Heimbrod
from London to Canada. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just announced that they will be stepping back ... actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018. Photo: ... William. In related news, there are also rumors suggesting that Markle is trying to keep Archie away from ...
27 notes
·
View notes
Text
Bruising of a Brotherly Bond
Diana begged her boys to look out for each other for life but, as RICHARD KAY reveals, the whole family are worried about a widening rift between William and Harry
No picture says more about the natural bonding of brothers than that taken of Princes Harry and William at Harry's wedding last year.Their affection and mutual support for one another on the most public of stages, yet most personal of occasions, was both poignant and compelling.How utterly tragic then that less than 18 months after that joyous day at Windsor Castle, all the talk now is of rift and division between the two princes.
Stories of bad blood had been circulating for months but, with one extraordinary intervention, Prince Harry has given credence to the rumours by admitting there have been tensions between the pair.
No picture says more about the natural bonding of brothers than that taken of Princes Harry and William at Harry's wedding last year (pictured during Harry's wedding in May last year)
While a family row of this nature is by no means as constitutionally dangerous as the upheavals over the Abdication and the Duke of Windsor, the implications could be just as damaging, not least because the monarchy is arguably more vulnerable to criticism than it was in the Thirties. The early signs are not encouraging.
Within hours of Harry's candid interview in an ITV documentary, during which he said he and his brother are travelling on 'different paths', William was concerned enough to permit aides to speak of his worries about Harry's and Meghan's welfare.
According to a Kensington Palace source quoted by the BBC, William had expressed the hope that his brother and sister-in-law 'are all right'.
It is highly unusual for officials to voice such personal views on a private family matter. But I understand the 'Sussex problem', as Harry and Meghan are referred to within royal circles, has dominated family discussions in recent days.
There is no disguising that the views articulated by William are shared right across the Royal Family. While sympathy for a couple struggling to adjust to royal life under a media spotlight does still exist, it is draining away.
How utterly tragic then that less than 18 months after that joyous day at Windsor Castle, all the talk now is of rift and division between the two princes (pictured together in July 2018)
Prince Harry has given credence to the rumours by admitting there have been tensions between the brothers (pictured, the Cambridges and Sussexes together for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March)
But the family are desperate not to be seen driving a deeper wedge between them and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Certainly, the Queen and Prince Charles had hoped that the challenges of fatherhood following the birth of baby Archie would have overcome the differences that existed between Harry and William. The Princes are acutely aware of the importance that their late mother placed on them looking out for each other — something she wanted them to do all their lives.
Of course, it didn't help that stories of differences first began to emerge during Meghan's pregnancy.
What was being said was that William had earlier questioned the haste with which his younger brother was wanting to marry the American actress.
William, of course, dated Kate Middleton for eight years before giving her an engagement ring.
Harry, on the other hand, had made up his mind almost immediately after being introduced to the star of the American TV legal drama Suits — a divorced woman three years his senior — at a London dinner party in 2016.
To William, advising caution was common sense. But Harry, ever sensitive, is understood to have interpreted his brother's words, as well as those from others in his circle, as an implied criticism of his choice of bride.
He also apparently accused his older brother of failing to offer support, while Kate was said to be struggling to get on with Meghan. To some extent, this explains Harry's touchiness in the run-up to his wedding, which included a row over Meghan's tiara.
The brothers played polo against each other in Wokingham in July this year, which was also the last time they were pictured together
But after the wedding came two further shocks. One was the announcement that the Sussexes were decamping from Kensington Palace where they lived next door to William and Kate, and moving to Windsor.
The other was that the two brothers, whose public lives had been so entwined, were splitting their joint household, with Harry setting his up separately in Buckingham Palace.
It then emerged that they were also parting ways over their charity work with Harry and Meghan set to launch their own royal foundation next year.
But if these were the highly public examples of Harry's march towards princely independence, there were other, equally significant moves behind the scenes. Throughout his troubled 20s Harry had a close network of reliable friends.
But after the wedding came two further shocks. One was the announcement that the Sussexes were decamping from Kensington Palace where they lived next door to William and Kate, and moving to Windsor
Many of them are no longer part of his magic circle. They include school friends, vital support after Princess Diana's death, whose services are apparently no longer required. Many have been left hurt and baffled. The father of one told me: 'Harry has stayed in our house and been a very welcome guest over many years, then one day calls went unanswered.
'It was always pretty much on his terms. He was the one who usually got in touch, but there was no explanation, just silence.' Other friends say Harry complains they don't understand him.
Of course, he won't be the first married man to find new companions after taking a wife. Closer to home, I am told Harry left family members puzzled after changing telephone numbers without immediately telling them.
If this sounds familiar it is because we have been here before — with Diana. She regularly changed mobile numbers as an effective way of dumping friends she no longer wanted. Within the family, however, there has been growing anxiety. Harry's failure to spend time with the Queen at Balmoral during the summer was a strategic mistake.
Family business is usually taken care of during the long summer break in Scotland, and countless intractable conundrums have been resolved in the civilising atmosphere of Royal Deeside.
However, despite his absence from Balmoral I understand the Queen has spoken to Harry in the past month and offered to help.
Courtiers, meanwhile, were uneasy about the timing of Harry's television cri de coeur in the documentary broadcast on Sunday.
Not only did the advance publicity for it last week threaten to upstage the final part of William and Kate's highly successful trip to Pakistan, it also overshadowed a moving visit by the Countess of Wessex to Kosovo, where she met survivors of sexual violence.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex meets with sexual assault survivors in Kosovo
'It is the reason why royal diaries are so carefully co-ordinated, to avoid the risk of clashes between the various households,' says an aide. 'Quite simply, you don't rain on someone else's parade.'
Sunday's broadcast also revealed Harry's wish for the couple to be seen as hard-working members of the Royal Family. So it was hardly helped by his announcement that they now plan a six-week holiday.
So what about William? He is certainly perplexed by his brother's behaviour and believes he has handled some of the issues unwisely. He, too, has had some difficult moments in the media spotlight, including Kate being photographed topless before they married and the ensuing legal fight with the paparazzi.
'He dealt with these matters in a mature and considered way,' says a friend. 'He didn't allow them to become psychodramas in the way Harry seems to.'
The fact is, William is the same figure who looked out for his younger brother at school. And as uncomfortable as he has clearly found Harry's outburst, he will always be there for him.
Not long before she died, Diana talked to William about the kind of woman he might marry. She told him that the most important thing was that they should be best friends.
The tragedy of her own marriage, she said, was that she and Prince Charles barely knew one another, and had they been friends first, they would never have separated.
Diana later said that William 'got' this. According to one of the Princess's circle, William's concern about Harry marrying Meghan so quickly was probably because of that maternal advice about marrying someone you know well.
But then there is also the contrast in the way the brothers are going about their royal lives. While Harry has been criticised for using private jets while preaching about climate change, William and Kate have been seen carrying their own bags onto a budget airline flight to Aberdeen.
Instead of criticising the media as Harry did during his tour to southern Africa, William stopped to speak to them during his trip to Pakistan.
And while he protects his children from publicity, he also knows when to relax — and to be seen relaxing with them — as he did at an Aston Villa football match recently with Kate, George and Charlotte.
There is, of course, sympathy from the royals for Meghan's difficulty in adjusting to her new status, and because of her relationship with her father and other dysfunctional family members. No one more so, perhaps than Harry's own father, the Prince of Wales. But while he can offer help — and he has — Harry has not been inclined to accept it.
It is a shame. For the Duchess of Cornwall — Harry's stepmother — is familiar with the dramas of royal life. No one endured more criticism than Camilla, yet she has built a remarkable relationship with the public who admire her quiet contribution to public life at Charles's side.
For the Queen, 94 next birthday, this is no ordinary distraction which can be dismissed as mere gossip. Harry has seen to that by addressing it directly on camera. Indeed, it is a family drama that many close to the royals fear could unravel with further damaging revelations.
_________________________________
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the number one tactic of emotional/mental abusers is isolating their target away from their friends and family until you are the only person they have left or feel that they need. I learnt this the hard way in a particularly abusive relationship in my early 20′s, and it’s been really alarming seeing the same sort of patterns with M & H’s relationship. There had already been the obvious rumblings of Tom Inskip being ghosted and now even more school friends are admitting they have been put by the wayside is bloody concerning, particularly for someone who seems increasingly emotionally fractured.
All of that conjecture aside, they would have known and had access to the Court Calendar. They would have KNOWN that Countess Wessex was meeting with sexual assault survivors in Kosovo. If you were truly about “empowering women” and wanting to “shine a light” on causes such as sexual violence against women, maybe wait a fucking week or two to release Panorama 2.0 so that these women had the chance to have their plight put on a world stage? You didn’t have to publicise it during the Pakistan Tour. You didn’t have to air it during the Kosovo tour. But you did. And this is why people are finding it really bloody hard to keep swallowing the gold pill. Even people such as myself, who were absolute balls-to-the-wall diehard supporters of the two of you right from the beginning but now feel like we’ve been played like fucking idiots.
63 notes
·
View notes
Note
quillette[.]2019/11/04/meet-the-gay-activists-whove-had-enough-of-britains-ultra-woke-homophobes/ 🙌
Are gay people allowed to meet and organise in defense of their interests? A hard yes, you might have thought. But some apparently disagree.
Witness the response to the London-based LGB Alliance, a newly created British group that asserts “the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to define themselves as same-sex-attracted.” The group’s creation has sparked vitriol, not from the traditionalist Christians or social conservatives who might have opposed such groups in the 1980s or 1990s, but from the self-described progressive left.
Readers who aren’t steeped in the most fashionable iteration of identity politics might now be scratching their heads. Unless you’re taking cues from Leviticus, what could possibly be wrong with saying it’s okay to be gay?
The answer is that, in acknowledging the reality of same-sex attraction, you are indirectly acknowledging the reality and importance of biological sex as a driver of attraction. You are also indirectly acknowledging that members of the opposite sex are not members of your dating pool—even if they tell you that they share your gender identity. Which means you have effectively pled guilty to that grave modern thoughtcrime, transphobia.
If you are not on Twitter, have not set foot on a college campus in the last few years, and don’t read woke web sites such as Teen Vogue, where this sort of thing is taken very seriously, you may imagine that I am engaged in some kind of Swiftian send-up of identity politics gone amok. After all, just about every single person reading this knows quite well how sexual attraction works. But I am quite serious: Activist groups that brand themselves as mainstream representatives of the LGBT community not only preach the idea that true attraction is based on gender, they also have sought to de-platform and mob anyone within their ranks who points out that this idea is completely divorced from the way the human brain actually works. In this make-believe world, to be gay—in the way gay people actually experience being gay—is to be a transphobe.
This is not an entirely new development. As gay-rights groups pivoted to become “trans-inclusive” in recent years, this de facto homophobia has emerged in plain sight. Rather than simply combat violence, bullying and discrimination against trans people, and press for better health care and representation for them—all noble and important goals—those groups have taken on an ideological mission. One might even call it quasi-spiritual: They have replaced biological sex with gender identity—an indefinable internal essence that one demonstrates outwardly by adherence to masculine or feminine stereotypes—throughout their literature and activism.
Stonewall UK, for example, was set up in 1989 to fight Section 28 of the Local Government Act of 1988, which banned schools from “promoting homosexuality” and “pretended” (i.e., gay) “family relationships.” But that same group now defines gay and lesbian people as those who are “attracted to the same gender” (my emphasis), and that evidence of transphobia shall be taken to include “the denial/refusal to accept someone else’s gender identity.” The logical consequence of these distorted definitions is to define same-sex-attraction as bigotry. In 1988, it was conservative homophobes in government claiming that homosexuality was a dangerous, counterfeit identity. Now the homophobes are the progressives running organizations that claim to champion the interests of lesbians and gay men.
Of course, doctrinaire trans-rights activists might attack straights with equal vigour—since straight men and straight women are just as focused on the reality of biological sex as gay men and lesbians. But all bullies seek out the weak and vulnerable, which is why they now rail against the LGB Alliance with more fury than they direct at society as a whole. That’s why the LGB Alliance’s launch meeting was an invitation-only affair, held at a secret location—the sort of security precaution that one might implement when moderate Muslims break away jihadists. “This is an historic moment for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual movement,” tweeted Allison Bailey, the criminal-defence barrister who chaired the event. “LGB Alliance launched in London tonight, and we mean business. Spread the word, gender extremism is about to meet its match.”
Based on the reaction from defenders of the new gender orthodoxy, you would have thought Bailey were a Cossack leader announcing a pogrom. “This is frightening and nasty. There is no LGB without the T,” tweeted Owen Jones, who is perhaps Britain’s best-known gay journalist. (This is not new behaviour for Jones, who often starts pile-ons against anyone he regards as transphobic—especially women.) Anthony Watson, an advisor to the opposition Labour Party, said he was “horrified and disgusted,” and described the Alliance as a “#hategroup.” Linda Riley, the editor of Diva, a lesbian magazine that proclaims itself “trans-inclusive,” adapted Martin Niemöller’s famous 1946 confession, First They Came, Tweeting, “First they came for the T…”—thereby suggesting that refusing to prioritize the artifice of gender ideology over inborn sexual orientation is the first step toward some kind of real or metaphorical Holocaust.
Trans activists also used a despicable tactic that now has become a common feature of these cultish campaigns: attempting to beggar those they disagree with. Gendered Intelligence, a non-profit group that works exclusively with trans people (and apparently sees no irony in attacking an organisation focused exclusively on the rest of the LGBT grouping), urged followers to write to Bailey’s law chambers in London, “expressing your concern with the barrister in question and with the new group.” This same mob also sent equally spurious complaints to JustGiving, which hosted the Alliance’s fundraising page. The company panicked and temporarily suspended the Alliance’s account.
The original mover behind the Alliance was Kate Harris, a lesbian and veteran civil-rights campaigner, who a decade ago was a Stonewall fundraiser. She had become increasingly enraged by the harassment of lesbian women that was tolerated, even encouraged, by such groups. Harris and Beverley Jackson, another veteran campaigner, had been writing to Stonewall executives for months, seeking a discussion about the malign impact of gender-identity extremism. They asked Stonewall’s chief executive at the time, Ruth Hunt, whether she was worried about the enormous increase in the number of teenage girls attending GIDS, Britain’s gender-identity clinic for under-18s, and what she would say to the growing number of “de-transitioners”—people who abandon their trans identity and return to an identity corresponding to their biological sex. Many of these girls (as most of them are) describe themselves, with hindsight, as having been motivated by internalised homophobia.
“What upsets me most is that this is all based on the legitimacy we created,” Harris told me. It was this anger that inspired her to gather a group of notables, some of whom had been involved in Stonewall during its early days, to draft an open letter to the group’s current management and board for publication in the Times of London on October 4, 2018. The signatories included Simon Fanshawe, one of Stonewall’s founders, novelist Philip Hensher, actor James Dreyfus, feminist campaigner Julie Bindel, and several trans people who regard Stonewall’s divisive approach as likely to harm the interests of the trans community in the long run.
“We urge Stonewall to acknowledge that there are a range of valid viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics, and to acknowledge specifically that a conflict exists between transgenderism and sex-based women’s rights,” the authors wrote. “We call on Stonewall to commit to fostering an atmosphere of respectful debate.”
In response, Ms. Hunt pretended that the letter writers were inventing some kind of non-existent tension. “The petition also asks us to acknowledge that there is a conflict between trans rights and ‘sex based women’s rights,’” she wrote. “We do not and will not acknowledge this. Doing so would imply that we do not believe that trans people deserve the same rights as others.”
A year after this fruitless exchange, it had become clear no change of direction was forthcoming. Ms. Hunt had stepped down, and Stonewall was looking for a new CEO. One potential candidate who was approached by a recruiter disclosed that exploratory questions about whether it might be possible to soften the organisation’s dogmatic position on gender were dismissed out of hand. Many of the signatories of the 2018 open letter decided it was time for a decisive break from an organization that, while pretending to represent L, G,B and T alike, had come to prioritize the most extreme T faction.
Despite all the harassment to which LGB Alliance already has been subject, the group still got off to a flying start. Its JustGiving page has been reinstated, and is on course to hit a £25,000 initial target. The attacks on Bailey sparked widespread outrage and sympathy. Gendered Intelligence deleted its outrageous tweet about her. (Such a personal and highly politicized attack is unlikely to have gone down well with the Charities Commission, which regulates non-profits). Even fans of Owen Jones think a witch hunt against Bailey—a black lesbian from a working-class background—was a low blow. Several publications have written about the LGB Alliance, painting it as everything from a saviour of left-wing politics from its own worst elements, to a front for U.S. evangelicals seeking to export America’s culture wars. The articles in praise were pleasant to read; those lambasting the group neatly underscored the urgency of its mandate. All in all, the Alliance can be said to have arrived. So what next?
Like many of us, Bailey saw parallels with the actions of an abusive spouse. “Just think about what this means LGB,” she Tweeted. “The T has said that this is a marriage that we cannot leave, even if the T becomes abusive. If we try to leave, we will be threatened. If we do manage to leave, we will be starved of cash.”
On its agenda will be protecting women’s sex-based rights—including the right to have certain services offered in spaces free of male bodies. The group will also be campaigning against legislative changes that would compromise female safety.
Stonewall and other trans groups frequently misrepresent Britain’s Equality Act of 2010, which states clearly that single-sex spaces and facilities are perfectly lawful provided they are a “proportionate means to a legitimate aim.” They insist, falsely, that separately stipulated protections against discrimination and harassment for trans-identified people ensure that they can access all spaces intended for the opposite sex. Under such false guidance, Girlguiding UK and Sport England have gone “trans-inclusive,” a euphemism used to describe policies that enable males and females to “self-identify” into spaces intended for the opposite sex. Anyone with even the faintest grasp of biological reality will see immediately why such policies impact most heavily on girls and women.
The Alliance also will lobby for a change of tack at GIDS, Britain’s gender-identity clinic for under-18s, which is under fire for being too quick to affirm children’s claims of a cross-gender identity. It will disseminate unbiased information on the risks of transition and the evidence that gender confusion in children usually resolves itself during puberty, so that young people and their parents have an alternative to a gender-identity narrative based wholly on mechanical affirmation of a child’s claims. It will also seek to give a voice to detransitioners, whom trans activists often accuse of never having been trans in the first place (a claim that completely contradicts these same activists’ insistence on a policy of unfettered self-identification, which equates thinking you are trans with being trans).
If the Alliance flourishes, it could help forge a new consensus on trans rights, one that doesn’t rely on a denial of the reality of biological sex or sexual orientation. And who knows? If sanity prevails, the LGB and T communities may one day find rapprochement.
Helen Joyce is finance editor for The Economist.
38 notes
·
View notes
Text
Precious! Thank you😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Princess Charlotte’s cutest moments
MAY 02, 2015 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn baby girl outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital.
JUNE 2015. Just weeks after the princess was born, Kensington Palace released this sweet photo of baby Charlotte with her big brother George.
JULY 5, 2015. The whole family gathered in Norfolk for Princess Charlotte’s christening. While being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charlotte wore a replica of the christening gown used by Queen Victoria children.
FALL 2015. Will and Kate shared this fall photo featuring a smiley Charlotte as a Christmas greeting from their family back in 2015.
NOVEMBER 29, 2015. In addition to her royal duties, Duchess Kate is also a skilled photographer. Case in point, this candid portrait of Charlotte with her favorite stuffed puppy.
MARCH 3, 2016. Is there anything cuter than a baby all bundled up? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge snapped this snowy image while on a family ski vacation in the French Alps.
APRIL 201 . Kensington Palace released a series of photos taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in honor of Charlotte’s first birthday.
APRIL 20, 2016. Princess Charlotte’s striking resemblance to her great-grandmother first became apparent in an official portrait of the Queen with her five great-grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren, taken in honor of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.
JUNE 11, 201 . Princess Charlotte made her first appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Trooping the Color celebrations for Queen Elizabeth’s 91st birthday.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2016. At a children’s party for military families in Victoria
DECEMBER 25, 2016. George and Charlotte stole the show, sucking on festive candy canes.
MAY 1, 2017. In honor of Charlotte’s second birthday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released this photo of the princess, which was taken by her mother in Norfolk, England.
MAY 20, 2017. Princess Charlotte as a bridesmaid in her Aunt Pippa’s wedding.
JUNE 17, 2017. Charlotte made an appearance on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour
JULY 17, 2017 While her brother Prince George pouted down the runway, Princess Charlotte was all smiles and waves upon arrival in Warsaw for the Royal Tour of Poland.
JULY 19, 2017. The little princess was given her own mini bouquet upon arrival in Berlin.
JANUARY 8, 2017. Charlotte on her first day of nursery school.
APRIL 23, 2018. Princess Charlotte sweetly waves to the crowd as she arrives at St. Mary’s Hospital to meet her newborn baby brother!
JUNE 10, 2018. The little Princess was running all over the fields, cheering on her dad who was playing polo.
JULY 9, 201 . Charlotte stole the show at Prince George’s christening, telling reporters and photographers they weren’t coming to the celebratory tea afterwards.
OCTOBER 12, 201 . Princess Charlotte is practically a professional royal bridesmaid at this point.
TWITTER / KP MAY 1, 2019 This portrait was taken at the family’s home in Norfolk in April and shows Charlotte playing on the grounds of the estate.
TWITTER / KP MAY 1, 2019. In honor of Princess Charlotte’s 4th birthday, Kensington Palace released a trio of pictures of the young royal.
MAY 19, 2019. Princess Charlotte plays on a swing in the garden created by her mom, the Duchess of Cambridge, at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Pictures credit GI
80 notes
·
View notes
Link
Sandra Oh, Darren Criss, Marie Kondo, K-pop band BTS and more are being honored as a part of nonprofit collective Gold House's second annual A100 List to celebrate Asians and Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and their transformative contributions to society.
Additionally, for the first time, Gold House is launching the A1, a vote among the A100 honorees for the single most impactful Asian in culture from the last year. Honorees can vote online until May 15, with the winner being announced at the end of the month.
The A100 list, which honors 100 of the most esteemed and impactful Asians in media and entertainment, fashion and lifestyle, technology, business, and social activism and politics from the past year, also includes Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu, comedian Hasan Minhaj, actress Lilly Singh, fashion designer Phillip Lim, THRsenior reporter Rebecca Sun, and U.S. Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Kamala Harris, among others.
The honorees were chosen through a rigorous selection process with a selection committee consisting of Gold House’s hundreds of nationwide members, 20 of the country’s top Asian nonprofit leaders, and a group of multicultural icons including Forest Whitaker, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, decorated Olympian Michelle Kwan, former CCO of the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Group Janice Min and more.
AAPIs represent 7 percent of the total U.S. population and outpace the nation’s general population in income, educational attainment and population growth, according to a Nielsen report in 2018. They also out-consume the general population in both traditional and new media, and because of this, Gold House hopes that the list “serves as a culmination of these facts to showcase and spread further awareness of AAPIs’ broadening impact on consumerism, culture, and business.”
“We know the world’s divided; when traditional institutions fail to unify us, it’s incumbent on our cultural leaders — founders, creative voices, nonprofit organizations and businesses — to show us a brighter, more productive path. It’s always been this way: cultural shifts have always preceded policy changes. The A100 List embraces the pinnacles of integrative cultural achievement to unify not only the Asian diaspora, but all communities,” a Gold House spokesperson said.
The A100 honorees will be feted at three different receptions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City, where they will ring the NYSE Closing Bell to herald in the list and Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The full A100 list can be found on Gold House's website.
33 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dead by Daylight LORE STREAM
I felt like listing as much information we got from the stream today but I probably misunderstood sth or didn’t hear it so feel free to rewatch the stream on the official DBD Youtube or Twitch. Also probably tons of errors here since I had to make this quick.
SO LET’S GO:
- All animals in the realm are usually fabricated by the Entity, except Maurice, Kenneth’s horse. Due to Kenneths willingness to serve the Entity, he was allowed to bring Maurice with him and Maurice got corrupted and deformed.
- The Entity is willing to give Killers a bonus if they behave and perform willingly.
- The Entity is sth like an emotion-parasite or virus. It does not ONLY feed of hope but also on strong emotions in general. Rage, desperation and even affection are for example emotions the Entity feeds on.
- With that, it’s been also confirmed that Survivors in particular CAN be in a relationship since it creates emotions and is very beneficial for the Entity.
- The Entity does NOT monitor the matches. It has no clue what is going on during a hunt. (my hopes confirmed, gives my OC story more weight)
- The more power the Entity gains the more ways open for it to snatch possible future Survivors and Killers. With that it was also explained why Kate got into the realm, even with her very different backstory. She was simply at a place with a hole in existance which the Entity used to slip through. (my theory confirmed, gives my OC story much more wight)
- There is no information of a Survivor who managed to escape the realm.
- When a Survivor or Killer can't provide food for the Entity, they end in the void and just vanish. (my theory confirmed)
- Killers CAN naturally die in the realm. But it is very unlikely due to the Entity keeping them alive to serve it.
- The Entity can easily just force it’s will on Killers. I can also use torture be it physical or psychological to make them submit.
- A hook sacrifice feeds the Entity better than a Mori. A Mori is simply not as "nutricious” and is rather seen as a gift to the Killer. (my theory confirmed)
- Abductions by the Entiy can appear as very violant and scary.
- Vigo is persumably not a survivor (or alive) anymore, since he got mentioned as a survivor in past tense (with weight and meaning; he ded I bet). Benedict is still a survivor tho and still in the realm.
- The number of Trappers victims in the mine he killed is very high. Before the mine-kills, he’s been already killing and torturing people for his father.
- Alex' Toolbox is called Alex’ Toolbox because someone in the DBD Team called Alex always used the toolbox in the early state of the game.
- It is possible for killers to see each other once in a while. Some see each other as rivals, most are neutral, some have affinities. (Sadly) the Devs mentioned that they want to make certain relationships canon such as... *sighs* Sally and Philip... Because they like that idea... yay...
- There is no record of who the very first Killer was.
- The Entity elects a Killer in a different way any human would do. It doesn’t go by experience but it has a special sense for the potential to be killer in a person. (They described it as some sort of smell.) That is also the reason why it choose Rin over her father for being a Killer, since Rin, in her strong emotional state, could give the Entity more to feed on. (my theory confirmed)
- Philip was a candidate because he killed out of revenge. (Like one time, wow.)
- Lisa called for help and thus was willing enough to serve.
- The Entity can corrupt people in becoming Killers and prooving themselfes as Killers for it. It has done that with Sally and Rins father. As for Rins father, when Rin got chosen instead, he persumably snapped out of the Entites corruption and lived on in grief of what he has done. (I can hear @azarovsslayer celebrate in the distance)
- Sally was receptive to corruption due to her depression. And thus was a good candidate for being a Killer.
- Rin didn’t get a chance to Kill her father. Probably so that she will stay a Revengeful Spirit forever and can live out her rage on Survivors.
- Being mercyful towards Suvivors doesn’t lead to punishement right away, since it creates hope and thus more strong emotions the Entity can feed on. Killers can get rewarded for being mercyful.
- The Entity has emotions, goals and thoughts but those are incomprehensible for the human mind.
- The Entity is an organic being.
- Rins powers came not only from the Entity but also from her Legacy.
- The Entity will make an appereance outside of it’s usual appereance (like hooks etc.) at some point in the game.
- The woods around the campfire are a facade like some things in the realm.
- The fog you see after the exit gate significates barrier.
- The Entity’s realm follows a certain line tho it has no rules of time. (my theory confirmed, and unintentional rhyme)
- The basement is so important and powerful because it’s close to the core of the realm.
- Laurie’s timeline is probably the oldest out of all Survivor’s timelines.
- The Entity is ancient. (They made jokes about it being bff with Cthulhu.)
- Evan didn’t want to serve the Entity at first, since he was still loyal to his father. The Entity tortured him into submission. (my theory destroyed, sad face)
- Annas timeline begins around WW1. It is the oldest Killer timeline so far. Sallies comes very soon after that. All that will change with Chapter 11, where a new Killer will appear with his origins way back in time.
- The sky, stars and moon are only constructions of the Entity. There is no Day/Night shift.
- Killers from a future timeline can already be in the realm but are not seen before.
- There is a way to decipher the Entity’s language. This also counts with the writings on the summer event weapons. It is not easy to decipher but it’s possible.
- The whispers from the perk “Whispers” are in fact the Entity’s voice and whispers.
- Injuries the Killers have can come from either the power they were given, torture or corruption.
- It is possible for a Survivor to become a Killer. (I can hear @azarovsslayer screaming in the distance)
- There is no clue if Babies can be born and raised in the realm. EDIT: Later on Dave re-answered the questions with “Why not.” and stated that it would make a cool fanfiction idea.
- MegxTrapper? “I don’t think that’s a thing.” - Dave, with a strong hint of “NO”; 2018 (which I’m angry about, since they said the Entity also likes to feed of strong emotions such as love, so it should be possible even very unlikely) EDIT: Dave apologized later on for what he said.
- The Entity has no favourite Killers or Survivors.
- Survivor won’t get Killer outfits and vice versa.
- Entity MAY has worshippers in the real world. MAYBE. (Mat be like “Pls start a cult but non violent”, still wtf man?)
- The Entity can feed of emotions of non human beings too, such as animals or other creatures.
- Lore characters may appear as playable characters in the game at some day.
- A Survivor can learn to use Entity’s powers against it. Either like Vigo did or way beyond. (my theory confirmed, gives my OC story more weight)
- Once a Survivor is in the match, in the Entity’s eyes, they simply just fulfill organic functions.
- The golden toobox has lore. The question was, if it had lore and they laughed and simply said yes and didn’t talk about it cause they are ABSOLUTE SH-
- The age of Killers and Survivors will be an actual info in the BIO at some point in the game.
- There is no knowledge of the Entity being the only one of it’s kind. (I don’t think it is the only one)
- All Survivors are at least 21 years old.
- Kenneth is probably the person with the worst personality and characteristics so far.
Other than that I got taunted by Mat and even after shoving my art into the Devs continously and, ON TWITTER, successfully pushing the lore stream to happen it still wasn’t there, I’m sure I am pretty much blocked in that particular case, thank you very much.
#dead by daylight#dead by daylight lore#dead by daylight stream#dbd#m n c talks#I have mixed feelings#miiiiixed feelings...
554 notes
·
View notes
Text
Best New Horror Movies on Netflix: Winter 2018
There’s an overwhelming amount of horror films and TV shows to sift through on Netflix, so I’ve decided to take out some of the legwork by compiling a list of the season’s best new genre titles available on Netflix’s instant streaming service.
Please feel free to leave a comment with any I may have missed and share your thoughts on the films you watch. You can also peruse past installments of Best New Horror Moves on Netflix for more suggestions.
1. The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House is, quite simply, some of the best long-form horror storytelling of all time. Based on - but not a strict adaptation of - Shirley Jackson's influential gothic horror novel of the same name, the series is created and directed by Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Ouija: Origin of Evil). Told through two timelines, with clever transitions between the past and present, the story concerns five siblings and how an alleged haunting they experienced as kids affects them as adults. The cast includes Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Carla Gugino (Watchmen), Michiel Huisman (Treme), Elizabeth Reaser (Ouija: Origin of Evil), Kate Siegel (Hush), Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People), and Lulu Wilson (Annabelle: Creation). It is admirably character-driven, which makes the horror elements hit even harder, and a spooky atmosphere is present throughout all 10 episodes.
2. Green Room
Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier achieves the impossible by matching - and perhaps even surpassing - the unbridled intensity of his previous film, Blue Ruin, with Green Room. The exercise in white-knuckle suspense finds a scrappy punk band trapped in a skinhead club after unwittingly walking in on a crime. The late Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) delivers one of the best performances of his tragically short career as the de facto leader of the band. In a bit of inspired casting, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) is chilling as the conniving, white supremacist venue owner. Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development), Joe Cole (Skins), and Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) round out the band, while Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) is also wrapped up in the brutal fight for survival. Akin to Don't Breathe, the tension on screen is enough to induce anxiety, and Saulnier nails the punk rock DIY spirit to boot.
3. Cam
Cam stars Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid's Tale) as a cam girl - one who performs pornographic acts live on camera for paying viewers - who is desperate to gain popularity. Produced by Blumhouse, this is not your typical "seedy underbelly of the sex industry" movie, although there is some of that; instead, it goes in a refreshing, unpredictable direction. Reminiscent of a neon-soaked episode of Black Mirror, Cam is a suspenseful and compelling mystery-thriller with a sci-fi twist and horror undertones. Brewer is spectacular in her fearless performance, while director Daniel Goldhaber makes a powerful feature debut.
4. The Night Comes for Us
The Night Comes for Us is an unrelenting action thriller in the vein of The Raid, John Wick, and Dredd. In fact, the Indonesian film reunites The Raid's Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais. Taslim leads as a man who goes rogue from a dangerous crime syndicate. A variety of deadly individuals (Uwais among them) are out to get him, but he has some tough allies as well. It all culminates in an incredible final battle in which the viewer feels every blow. The blend of brutal, graphic violence and impressively choreographed fight scenes is written and directed by by Timo Tjahjanto (whose V/H/S/2 segment is a highlight of the franchise).
5. Apostle
Forget that Nicolas Cage abomination; Apostle is the Wicker Man reboot we deserve. The Netflix original film is reminiscent of the 1973 occult horror classic not only in plot but also in tone, style, and pacing. Set in 1905 London, a feral Dan Stevens (The Guest) stars as a man whose sister is kidnapped by a religious cult on a secluded island, which he must infiltrate to save her. Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) serves as the cult's charismatic leader, while Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) plays his daughter. The slow-burn is quite a change of pace for writer-director Gareth Evans (The Raid franchise) and his regular cinematographer, Matt Flannery, but they handle it beautifully.
6. May the Devil Take You
May the Devil Take You feels like The Evil Dead's Sam Raimi directing an installment in The Conjuring universe. The Indonesian horror film is not a scrappy splatterfest; it's elegantly directed by Timo Tjahjanto (V/H/S/2). He culls from modern supernatural tropes to craft fine horror set pieces, spooky imagery, a good atmosphere, and strong production value. Chelsea Islan (Headshot) earns to be mentioned in the same breath as Bruce Campbell in her lead role as a daughter who investigates her estranged father's past to uncover the truth behind his coma and her haunting visions. It's a tad overlong at 110 minutes, which is particularly felt during the last act, but there's enough kinetic energy to keep it moving forward.
7. Hold the Dark
Hold the Dark is not quite as strong as Jeremy Saulnier's previous efforts (Green Room, Blue Ruin), but his mastery of tension remains unparalleled. Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) stars as a wolf expert who's convinced by an Alaskan woman (Riley Keough, Max Mad: Fury Road) to hunt a wolf that took her young son, only to get wrapped up in a murder plot. Meanwhile, the boy's soldier father (Alexander Skarsgård, True Blood) returns home from duty in the Middle East unhinged. The screenplay is written by Macon Blair (I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore), based on the book of the same name by William Giraldi. As viewers have come to expect from Saulnier, the violence is as unrelenting as the suspense.
8. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is not your TGIF version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Its aesthetically similar to the Archie Comics title on which its based, embracing the rich Gothic horror atmosphere, but the story veers more into teen drama territory. The result is like a mash-up of Riverdale, The Witch, and Harry Potter. It may take a few episodes to become invested, plus to get used to the distracting shallow depth of field style (which is thankfully used less as the season progresses), but it's eventually rather addicting. The midsection becomes something of a monster-of-the-week series, but it never loses sight of the overall story arc. Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) is charming as the titular witch, and the main cast also includes Ross Lynch (My Friend Dahmer), Lucy Davis (Shaun of the Dead), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings), and Michelle Gomez (Doctor Who).
9. Into the Forest
Into the Forest is a post-apocalyptic tale of sorts, but it's a grounded take on the subject matter that largely functions as a drama. Ellen Page (Inception) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) star as sisters who live with their father (Callum Keith Rennie, Battlestar Galactica) in a secluded, woodland home. Directed by Patricia Rozema (Mansfield Park), the movie follows the family in their fight for survival in the months after electricity is lost throughout the world. Although it drags in spots, Page, who produced the film after falling in love with Jean Hegland's novel on which it's based, is in top form.
10. In Darkness
In Darkness stars Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) as a blind pianist who hears her upstairs neighbor (Emily Ratajkowski, Gone Girl) get murdered, drawing her into London's seedy underworld, where she meets Ed Skrein (Deadpool) and Joely Richardson (Event Horizon). With shades of Wait Until Dark, the thriller offers some solid suspense and tension, plus superb sound design and cinematography. The setup is gripping, though the plot later becomes too convoluted for its own good. Dormer is fantastic in the lead, and she also produced and co-wrote the script with director Anthony Byrne (Peaky Blinders).
11. Don't Watch This
Don't Watch This is listed on Netflix as a season, but it's simply five unrelated horror shorts, ranging between 2 and 9 minutes in length. There's body horror, killer kids, urban explorers, and Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski parodying American Psycho. In addition to a few clever setups and strong horror set pieces, they boast quality production value, cinematography, and special features (both practical and digital). Shorts usually struggle to find an audience on YouTube, so it's great to see them showcased on a platform as powerful as Netflix.
Bonus: De Palma
De Palma is a documentary on filmmaker Brian De Palma (Carrie, Scarface, Mission: Impossible, Blow Out, Phantom of the Paradise, et al.). The septuagenarian himself - with no other talking heads - discusses and reflects on his oeuvre, going movie by movie (plus a handful of unmade projects) in chronological order, accompanied by clips and stills. Co-directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) and Jake Paltrow (Young Ones), the candid nature of the interviews prevent the film from feeling like a mere DVD special feature. It moves briskly, leaving you wanting more even at 110 minutes.
#netflix#the haunting of hill house#chilling adventures of sabrina#green room#cam#may the devil take you#apostle#the night comes for us#hold the dark#into the forest#best of netflix#article#list#haunting of hill house#sabrina#in darkness#don't watch this#de palma#bent neck lady
96 notes
·
View notes
Link
via Politics – FiveThirtyEight
The effort to bypass the Electoral College and choose the president via the national popular vote has historically seemed like a long shot. But after an impressive string of legislative victories this year, maybe it should be taken more seriously.
The National Popular Vote initiative aims to create an interstate compact to effectively “abolish” the Electoral College without amending the Constitution. States that join the compact agree to award their electoral votes not to the candidate who wins that state, but to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. (States can do this because there is no national law dictating how they should award their electoral votes; indeed, the Constitution explicitly leaves it to state legislatures to decide.) However, the compact will go into effect only when the states that have signed on are worth 270 electoral votes — enough to ensure that the popular vote winner wins the election.
In the 13 years since the initiative started, support for joining the compact has largely been limited to Democratic-leaning states, probably because the two times in recent history when the Electoral College winner lost the popular vote, the split benefited the Republican candidate. By the end of 2018, the compact had been joined by 12 jurisdictions (11 states and the District of Columbia) that were worth a combined 172 electoral votes. But all of them were safe Democratic jurisdictions, and supporters of the initiative had almost run out of blue states to sign up. There was little indication that they could conscript the purple or red states that the compact needs to take effect.
But then 2019 happened. The compact found three additional states willing to sign on, with three more seemingly on the cusp of doing so. And unlike previous years, the new and pending members include some hard-fought presidential swing states.
Already this year, Colorado (worth nine electoral votes), Delaware (three electoral votes) and New Mexico (five electoral votes) have joined the initiative, bringing it up to 15 signatories and 189 electoral votes. And three more have a good chance of signing on (which would bring the total to 18 signatories and 206 electoral votes):
The state Senate in Oregon (seven electoral votes) gave its approval last month. The House seems likely to follow suit, considering that it passed similar legislation four times in the past decade, and Democratic Gov. Kate Brown’s office has indicated that she supports it.
The state Senate in Maine (four electoral votes) passed the compact on May 14, sending it to the Democratic-controlled state House. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has not publicly taken a position on the legislation, however.
In Nevada (six electoral votes), the compact has passed both chambers of the legislature and is awaiting Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak’s signature. However, he has not said whether he will sign it.
If even one of those states signs on to the compact, 2019 will be the year with the highest number of states to join the movement since it began in 2006. But which states are joining is just as significant as how many. Colorado and Nevada demonstrate that even hotly contested presidential swing states might be willing to join. And that Delaware and Oregon, two Democratic-leaning states,1 are signing on after years of inaction suggests that the pressure to pass the legislation is growing. For example, Oregon state Senate President Peter Courtney, who had blocked passage of a National Popular Vote bill in the state for years, relented this year.
But the compact has still only enlisted states where Democrats have had free rein to pass legislation. Democrats have full control of state government in all six states that either have passed or could realistically pass the compact this year. If the compact passes in Maine, Nevada and Oregon, every single state where the legislature and governorship are currently controlled by Democrats will have joined. And assuming that most Republican lawmakers continue to oppose the National Popular Vote movement, Democrats will have to sweep state elections in some tricky states in upcoming cycles for the compact to reach 270.
What states might those be?
Democrats control the governorship in Virginia, which is holding state legislative elections this fall. If they successfully flip the state Senate and House of Delegates, the compact could increase its electoral vote count by 13.
Then, in the 2020 elections, Democrats have a realistic shot at taking power in Minnesota (where they currently lack control of only the state Senate) and New Hampshire (the governorship), with Michigan and North Carolina as dark horses. That’s 45 more electoral votes. At that point, the compact would have amassed a total of 264 electoral votes, just shy of the 270 needed for the compact to (theoretically) go into effect. One snag here: It’s likely that some of the states that have passed the compact will lose some electoral votes after the 2020 census. Current estimates suggest that, under this scenario, reapportionment would leave the compact around 10 votes short heading into the 2022 elections.
So that year, supporters of the National Popular Vote campaign would need to capture just one more midsize state — in my view, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are the most plausible targets. The problem is that it’s unlikely that both the 2020 and 2022 elections will be good cycles for Democrats, so flipping all, or even most, of the states above is a tall order.
In the meantime, the compact could encounter other obstacles. Republicans could recapture full control of one (or more) of the states in the compact and repeal the National Popular Vote law. And if the compact began to look like it was really going to take effect, opponents would likely sue and claim that it is unconstitutional. So despite its successes in 2019, the National Popular Vote interstate compact remains a highly uncertain proposition in the long term.
3 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
jayreyez
Jay
jayisbug
JayBug
zannilove
The Zanni Diaries
chocolatebanditgoopfreak-blog
Sem título
jeonchry
cherri