Modern Music

Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy, whose performing career spans movies, television and the stage, will host this year’s Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 26, 2012, telecast producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer announced today. This will be Murphy’s first hosting stint on the Oscars®.

“Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever,” said Ratner. “With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances – especially on stage – I know he will bring excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February.”

Commented Mischer, “Eddie is a truly ground-breaking performer, whose amazingly diverse array of roles has won him a devoted audience of all ages.

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The Colosseum is one of the symbols representing Italy (and more specifically Rome) world wide. Its shredded stone walls stand tall against the passing of years. But not if fashion has something to say about it!

Tod’s (yes, the same Tod’s for which Gwyneth Paltrow used to represent) has apparently set up a guarantee fund for the restoration of the Colosseum (10 million euros, $12,7 Million) to start the works at the Colosseum. However, this is not something Tod’s is doing for free (although they reportedly denied it): for the entire duration of the restoration of the monument (for which they’re willing to donate 25 Million euros $31,8 Million), Tod’s ads would be visible on the Colosseum’s protective wraps.

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F,Reviews Posted by Brian Salisbury – January 6th 2012 @ 3:41 pm

The Devil Inside, directed by Stay Alives William Brent Bell, is the story of a young woman whose mother was committed to an asylum after she murdered three people during an exorcism; her own exorcism. The young daughter is now traveling to a hospital in Rome, where her mother was transferred, to examine the validity of her possession. She brings along a film crew to document the experience.

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LeUyen Pham

Bestselling author and illustrator, LeUyen Pham, began her career as a layout artist for DreamWorks Feature Animation. She wrote and illustrated and   and is the illustrator of numerous other picture books. LeUyen maintains a blog with regular updates about her forthcoming titles. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, artist Alex Puvilland, and two sons.

Nicki Richesin: You made a rather dramatic exit from Saigon when you were two years old. Does your Vietnamese ancestry influence your work at all?

LeUyen Pham: I don’t think it does in the way that you mean.

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Influential 1990s rapper Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers, died suddenly today.  He was 44.

Heavy D was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today … and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM. According to PerezHilton.com, he was found unconscious on a walkway near his home in Beverly Hills.  After 911 was called, Heavy was conscious and speaking, but was transported to the hospital for further testing. An hour later, he had passed.

Last month Heavy D performed a medly of his hits at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards, marking  his first live performance in 15 years.