Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ed Sheeran HQ (@edhq)

Singer Ed Sheeran has had quite a week. On May 4, the British musician won his years-long copyright case after being accused of copying Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Just a day later, he released his sixth-studio album titled – (aka Subtract). Since he had even stated he would quit music altogether should he lose the trial, the latest developments surely have him celebrating, and reinforcing his bond with his creative practice. That's why it's almost fitting that he chose to revel with his fans in a unique setting.

As part of his album release campaign, Sheeran's team set up a pop-up shop in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. While fans could take in the visuals from the record, enjoy photo-ops, and acquire merchandise, getting an acoustic performance from the singer wasn't on the cards.

On the Saturday after his album release, Sheeran showed up to the site, where fans had lined up for the shopping experience. With guitar in hand, he climbed atop a parked car, and turned it into an impromptu stage for a surprise show. Not only did his fans marvel at the chance to see him perform in such a unique setting, but passersby also got to enjoy a tiny show from one of the most popular singers in the world. Sheeran performed half a dozen songs, including his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” and his latest single, “Boat.” He then posted a video of the surprise show, which has earned over a million likes on Instagram.

Happy for the opportunity to sing stripped down versions of his songs to his fans, Sheeran repeated the impromptu performance in two other cities that also hosted a pop-up experience for his album release—Dallas and Los Angeles. As if taking into account the tongue-in-cheek comments about the now-likely dented roof of the Volvo he used as a stage in New York, he switched vehicles for following performances. “The Volvo took too much weight yesterday, so I got an ice cream truck for the Dallas pop up,” he wrote on Instagram. For his LA showcase, he went even bigger, booking a sightseeing bus for the occasion.

While his fans surely appreciated this chance to see him up close, his actual tour promises something much more ambitious than him and his acoustic guitar. Sheeran is currently on tour, playing both stadiums and medium-sized venues that could pass for intimate settings given the size of his fanbase. If you want to know if he’ll be stopping at a city near you, you can visit his website. You can also check out his latest album on Spotify and stay up date with Sheeran by following him on Instagram.

To celebrate the release of his latest album, Ed Sheeran climbed on a parked car to give a surprise acoustic performance in New York.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

Happy for the opportunity to sing stripped down versions of his songs to his fans, Sheeran repeated the impromptu performance in Dallas…

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

…and in Los Angeles, where he booked a sightseeing bus for the occasion.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

Ed Sheeran: Website | Instagram | Spotify
h/t: [People]

Related Articles:

Watch Taylor Swift Deliver an Inspiring Commencement Speech to ‘22 Graduates

Lizzo Dazzled the 2023 Met Gala With a Surprise Performance

Neil Diamond Surprises Broadway Crowd With a Performance of ‘Sweet Caroline’

Watch Kelly Clarkson and Pink Sing Together at the iHeartRadio Music Awards

READ: Ed Sheeran Surprises Fans With Impromptu NYC Performance Atop a Car

Superb.

#wgastrong #WritersStrike #LucilleBluth pic.twitter.com/FesLK68MGy

— Isabelle (@northnorth_west) May 4, 2023

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA)—aka Hollywood’s writers—went on strike. After six weeks of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the WGA announced its members would “walk off the job.” The labor union represents about 11,500 people who write for the television shows and movies we enjoy at home and in theaters. Their protesting brings productions to a halt, the likes of which have not been seen since the last strike in 2007–2008.

So, why is the WGA striking? There are many reasons, but one is regarding residuals in the face of streaming services. A writer receives money every time the episode they wrote re-airs on a television network. For those with a show in syndication like Friends, that can mean a substantial amount of income. But with on-demand services like Hulu and Netflix, the residuals for a show are much lower—despite how many times an episode might be viewed. This makes it unsustainable for writers.

Good thing I, as the writer of this episode, do not benefit from this success because of the current streaming residuals model pic.twitter.com/U5u93ynjKa

— Brittani Nichols *Strike Version* (@BisHilarious) May 4, 2023

“Driven in large part by the shift to streaming, writers are finding their work devalued in every part of the business. While company profits have remained high and spending on content has grown, writers are falling behind,” the WGA said in a statement. “The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels. ”

The industry is also grappling with the rise of AI and how the technology could be used to generate scripts. The WGA is looking for protection against the use of artificial intelligence as it relates to writing material. “Right now, I think we have a pretty simple philosophy, which is AI can’t be literary material,” explains Chris Keyser, WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chair. “It can’t be a draft that we have to rewrite. It doesn’t mean that companies won’t use it in some ways. It can be research material—but it can’t be literary material. I’ll say this, no one knows exactly what AI’s going to be, but the fact that the companies won’t talk about it is the best indication we’ve had that we have a reason to fear it.”

While scripted programming is on hold—and could be for a while as the last strike lasted 100 days—there is a lot at stake for the writers. The hope is that a strike will force the AMPTP to negotiate, as the implications of it have a ripple effect throughout the industry.

The WGA created protest signs with space for writers to fill in the blanks. And, being writers, it’s no surprise they came up with witty and often times laugh-out-loud funny things to put on those signs. Scroll down to see some of the best signs from the Writers’ Strike picket line, so far.

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike. Here are some of the best protest signs seen at the picket lines so far.

All work and no pay makes writers STRIKE ✊ #wgastrong #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/EAK3WcNsrQ

— Diya Mishra (@thedimishra) May 3, 2023

Hit them where it hurts. #wgastrong pic.twitter.com/ZCRdRypt4G

— Phillip Iscove (@pmiscove) May 2, 2023

Several reporters today were walking around asking writers how long we’d *actually* be willing to strike. I don’t know dude, how long do you think it’ll take 11,000 unemployed writers to run out of sign ideas? #wgastrong #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/C0cq81jTcF

— mah ree nah (@marinarachael) May 3, 2023

THIS THREAD IS OF MY FAVE PICKET SIGNS. reply to the sign to help me tag and give credit if i don't have it! thank you! @WGAWest @WGAEast #WritersStrike ✊ pic.twitter.com/9YZXDgZxFK

— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023

“YOU CAME UP WITH QUIBI”#WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/2tQkYIgLm1

— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023

#WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/8f8CYgpApe

— chandra thomas (@chandra7thomas) May 4, 2023

“SURE, I SUPPORT ‘A.I.'…
*A*ll our terms being met
*I*n a fair & timely manner”
✊ @jonnysun #WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/OxeJwxc2I9

— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023

If this doesn’t scare you #wga #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/HUqclM9e1C

— Taietsarón:sere (@tai_leclaire) May 4, 2023

The last WGA strike in the mid-aughts lasted 100 days. If you look back at television shows around that time, you'll notice that many of the seasons were shortened.

Writers strike picket signs still undefeated perfection pic.twitter.com/G7uyErHhmQ

— Fuck You I Quit (@fuckyouiquit) May 5, 2023

These #writersstrike picket signs are so good.
“‘I’M MAD AS HELL AND I’M NOT GOING GO TAKE THIS ANYMORE’ WAS NOT WRITTEN BY A PRODUCER!” pic.twitter.com/UV4rkQGmfy

— is pro WGA (@EmmaTolkin) May 2, 2023

“AMPTP: THIS IS NOT THE WAY”#WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/KUN0w0j72n

— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023

Took a day of brainstorming with a blank sign but landed on this last night. #WGAStrong #WGAStrike pic.twitter.com/C6SAEF37Iq

— James C. Oliver (@JamesOliverInLA) May 3, 2023

#WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/0mcA9hpD3d

— Leon Langford (@MasonLLL) May 3, 2023

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joel Boyd (@therealjoelboyd)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JJ (@jessicajwu)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alison Tafel (@alisontafel)

The Writers Guild of America West released their list of proposals and the AMPTP responses that justified why the labor union was forced to go on strike.

I'm incredibly proud of how transparent our union is. In the @WGAWest‘s strike announcement, we included a list of our proposals, and the AMPTP's responses. Read it for yourself: it explains in black and white we're forced to go on strike. pic.twitter.com/U2FLsv9Dob

— Adam Conover (@adamconover) May 2, 2023

In light of the current strike, clips of Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show are going viral. They demonstrate what it was like during the 2007–2008 protests.

Late Night took a two months break, thinking the strike would end, but when it kept oging they were forced to come back without writers.

What followed was remote segments of Conan showing people stuff at his desk, and mostly just unscripted content. pic.twitter.com/3E5eIDzBev

— Flash Knight ⚡️ Heroes Unbound (@HeroesUnbound) May 2, 2023

The last time the WGA went on strike, Conan O'Brien did this. Pay writers. pic.twitter.com/jGakskSVLK

— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) May 2, 2023

Related Articles:

31 of the Most Creative Protest Signs From the Global Women’s March

25+ Creative Protest Signs From the Global Youth-Led Climate Change Strike

20+ of the Most Clever and Powerful Signs at the Global March for Our Lives

READ: Best Signs From the Writers Guild of America Strike Show How Creative They Are With Words

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds)

Ever since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer team in the fifth tier of the English football league system, they've had one goal—take it to the Premier League, the cream of the crop. Now that the season is over, Wrexham AFC has been crowned as the winner, earning a much coveted promotion. From the moment the team mathematically reached the championship, Reynolds has been expressing his excitement and sharing some moving footage of the celebrations on Instagram.

The win marks Wrexham's first league title in 45 years.  Considered to be the third oldest soccer team in the world, Wrexham AFC has had a rough time over the last few decades, as management issues and debts further prevented the team from doing well and rising to the top before the arrival of Reynolds and McElhenney.

What does the victory of Wrexham AFC mean? To fully grasp it, you’ll need to understand how English soccer works. Unlike the most popular American leagues, the champion of a league does not emerge from a play-off round; it wins by earning the first spot on the table, where positions are allocated via a point system—three points for a win, one for a draw. That's why Reynolds and McElhenney were able to celebrate before the tournament was over; their win over Boreham Wood on April 24 secured a big enough lead over the second place, Notts County. The club amassed a record-breaking tally of 111 points.

Also unlike major American sports, a tier system gets teams promoted by winning their league tournaments and relegated from a certain league if they end last. Since Wrexham AFC played and won the 2022-23 National League, the fifth tier, they've earned a spot on the fourth tier, the English Football League Two, for the next season. To make Reynolds' vision come true, they must conquer the subsequent leagues on the pyramid to reach the Premier League, the top level.

While this dream seemed far-fetched when Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the team in 2020, Wrexham AFC has taken a huge step with this victory. Being promoted after only three seasons since they took over is no small feat, and both actors have expressed their pride and joy about this throughout the celebrations.

Before continuing to dream big, both club owners are reveling in the win. After sharing a moving hug—captured by no other than Paul Rudd, who happened to be Reynolds' guest—Reynolds then shared a picture of him kissing the trophy. Since the feat deserved a full-blown party, Reynolds, McElhenney, and the players paraded on open-top buses in the streets surrounding Wrexham AFC's stadium, The Racecourse Ground. It has also been announced that Reynolds will take the players to Las Vegas, as he promised them earlier should they win the promotion.

Reynolds and McElhenney previously shared their experiences as soccer club owners on the first season of the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham. If the latest developments are any clue, season 2 will depict their thrilling, movie-like path to victory.

Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer team owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, was crowned as the winner, earning them a coveted promotion.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds)

From the moment the team mathematically reached the championship, Reynolds has been expressing his excitement and sharing some moving footage of the celebrations on Instagram.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds)

Ryan Reynolds: Instagram | Twitter
Rob McElhenney: Instagram | Twitter
Wrexham AFC: Instagram
h/t: [Mashable]

Related Articles:

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Welcome Their Fourth Child

Hugh Jackman Begs the Academy Not to Nominate Ryan Reynolds for “Spirited” Song

Canada Wrote Ryan Reynolds a Song To Let Him Know They Absolutely Love Him

Ryan Reynolds Helps Woman Find Stolen Teddy Containing Voice Recording of Her Late Mother

READ: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Celebrate the Promotion of Their Soccer Team Wrexham AFC

Left: Missy Elliott (Photo: Atlantic Records via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) | Right: Willie Nelson (Photo: Bmwmunk/Depositphotos)

The results are in. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2023, honoring the legacy of trailblazing musicians across genres and generations. From hip hop artists to country music performers, this year's inductees reflect the Hall's updated mission to depict rock and roll as “a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing” that “celebrates the sound of youth culture.”

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are Willie Nelson (who just celebrated his 90th birthday), Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, George Michael, and The Spinners. Previously, 14 acts were nominated, meaning that half of the list didn't make the cut. However, those left out—A Tribe Called Quest, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, and Warren Zevon—can try once again as early as next year.

Missy Elliott made history as the first female hip hop artist to be ever be nominated. Now, she is the only one among the seven inductees to have been voted in during her first year of eligibility, now that her genre is being acknowledged. “I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC,” she wrote on Instagram.

The accomplished rapper is join by Crow and Michael as the only musicians this year to land their spots with their first appearance on the ballot. This is Rage Against the Machine’s fifth time as a nominee, and it’s the fourth time for Bush and The Spinners.

In addition to the seven acts in the Performer Category, there are six more names in the Class of 2023. Three figures are being honored as part of the Musical Excellence category: singer Chaka Khan, instrumentalist-producer Al Kooper, and lyricist Bernie Taupin; while guitarist Link Wray and hip-hop trailblazer DJ Kool Herc have earned the Musical Influence Award. Don Cornelius, host of Soul Train, is the recipient of the annual Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“When you can go from Link Wray, who was one of the early influencers, to Missy Elliott and Kate Bush and The Spinners and Rage Against the Machine and Willie Nelson, you have a very diverse body of work. What we are always trying to show is that rock ‘n’ roll is a big tent and a lot of people belong,” declared Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, before unveiling the list of inductees. The nominees were voted on by a pool of 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals.

The induction ceremony, featuring performances and appearances by the inductees, will take place on November 3 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. To stay up to date with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and how to watch the event, you can follow the institution on Instagram.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2023. The Performer Category features Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, George Michael and The Spinners.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall)

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Variety]

Related Articles:

Country Music Star Willie Nelson Is Celebrating His 90th Birthday at the Hollywood Bowl

89-Year-Old Willie Nelson Nabs Four Grammy Nominations

Musician Willie Nelson Writes Open Letter Demanding More Protection for Wild Horses

12 Facts You Might Not Know About the Legendary Band Fleetwood Mac

READ: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Unveils Class of 2023, Featuring Willie Nelson and Missy Elliott

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por DISCO DADDY STUDIO (@discodaddystudio)

Singer Lizzo is known for her big, thrilling performances. Although she routinely sells out arenas, this time a much more select group of people got to hear Lizzo live in an intimate setting. The “About Damn Time” singer surprised the attendees of the 2023 Met Gala with a private show full of dazzling elements.

Before revealing herself as the starry entertainer of the evening, Lizzo walked the Met Gala carpet along with dozens of other celebrities. She wore a floor-length Chanel black gown dripping with shiny pearls. The color scheme of her outfit paid tribute to the fashion designer who was theme of this year's Met Gala—Karl Lagerfeld. The theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, celebrated the legacy of the famed—yet controversial—German fashion designer.

The Met Gala carpet is widely covered due to the extravagance of the outfits donned by celebrities, which is why it has been labeled as “the Super Bowl of fashion.” However, what happens during the actual party is closely guarded. That's why there are so few videos of Lizzo's performance other than one posted by Vogue. As the company responsible for organizing the gala, its photographers are the only ones that showcase what goes on indoors.

Lizzo appeared in a Fendi coat covered in mirrors to later reveal a shimmering Yitti bodysuit at the Met's Temple of Dendur. She opened with an interlude from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” before moving on to an  instrumental cover of “Truth Hurts.” She then revved up the party with “Cuz I Love You” and “Good as Hell.” The most moving moment of her set was when she was joined by her idol, Irish flute player Sir James Galway, for a duet of  “Flight of the Bumble Bee.” She then closed her performance with her hits “Juice” and “About Damn Time.”

Vogue reports that the reception to Lizzo's show was very positive: “Would it surprise you to learn that the crowd went absolutely wild?” While we can't relish in the singer's amazing performance at the Met Gala in full, there's one bit of Lizzo fun we can all enjoy—a picture of her hugging Jared Leto in full cat costume. The image features Lizzo with an expression of shock and dread her face. As to be expected, it is beginning to make rounds online for its meme-ability.

If you want even more Lizzo content, you can stay up to date with the musician by following her on Instagram.

Lizzo surprised the attendees of the 2023 Met Gala with a private show full of dazzling elements.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Vogue (@voguemagazine)

Before revealing herself as the starry entertainer of the evening, Lizzo walked the Met Gala carpet.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

You can watch a fragment of Lizzo's Met Gala performance below:

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Vogue (@voguemagazine)

Lizzo: Website | Instagram | Spotify
h/t: [Vogue]

Related Articles:

Lizzo Shares the Spotlight With 17 Female Activists After Winning People’s Champion Award

Lizzo Played a 200-Year-Old Crystal Flute During a Concert, Revealing the Sounds of History

Lizzo Joins James Corden for ‘Carpool Karaoke’ and They Have the Best Time

Fans Criticized Lizzo’s Song ‘Grrrls’ for Offensive Lyric, so She Changed It

READ: Lizzo Dazzled the 2023 Met Gala With a Surprise Performance

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson)

A wedding anniversary is a good time for celebration. And while every year is important, it is always admirable to see spouses commemorating decades of time spent together. On April 30, Hollywood power couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson shared the good news about their 35th wedding anniversary, including a heartwarming photograph of the pair enjoying a cake for the special occasion.

Hanks and Wilson met in 1981 on the set of the TV show Bosom Buddies, and eventually married seven years later in 1988. Prior to tying the knot, Hanks converted to the Greek Orthodox faith in honor of Wilson's faith and Greek heritage and is now even a Greek citizen. The couple have two sons together, named Chester and Theodore.

“35 years of marriage. April 30, 1988. Love is everything,” Wilson wrote on Twitter and Instagram. In the photo, we see Hanks presenting a large icing-covered cake to his spouse with the words “Happy Anniversary” written on top. “I think the end result is that we got married for all the right reasons,” Hanks said about his relationship with Wilson. We wish the happy couple many more wonderful years together.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are two beloved actors who have shown their affection for each other throughout the years.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson)

Whether they're glammed up for a night on the town…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson)

…or they're catching each other enjoying the simple pleasures of domestic life.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson)

And now they've just celebrated their 35th wedding  anniversary. Congrats to the loving couple!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson)

h/t: [CNN]

All images via Instagram.

Related Articles:

Tom Hanks Surprises an Elated Bride by Asking for a Photo With Her on Her Wedding Day

Tom Hanks Discovers He’s Related to the Real Mister Rogers, Who He Plays in His New Film

These 7 Friends Dressed Up as Different Tom Hanks Characters for Halloween

READ: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Celebrate 35 Years of Marriage Together

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

If you thought Baby Yoda was adorable, wait until you see how cute these Star Wars-themed kitchen gadgets are. Whether you want a pressure cooker or just a fun apron, there’s a nifty Star Wars version available—check out this BB-8 Instant Pot and Chewbacca apron. The best part is you won’t have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to grab these gadgets for yourself. All of these Star Wars kitchenware and cookware items are available to purchase online. Williams Sonoma even has an exclusive Star Wars collection to “fulfill your destiny and restore order to your kitchen!”

Whether you’re a Jedi through and through or your allegiance lies with the Dark Side, there’s an endless selection of devices, tools, and handy items for the kitchen that can easily show you’re a Star Wars fan. You could use lightsaber chopsticks (that actually light up) to support your soba, or a Darth Vader toaster to brand your bread, and set a Death Star kitchen timer while you relax with your favorite drink in a wine glass inspired by Princess Lea and Han Solo’s comedically romantic banter. The possibilities are truly endless!

Scroll down to check out some of the best Star Wars kitchen gadgets available to purchase right now.

Darth Vader Toaster

Uncanny Brands | $44.99

Han Solo in Carbonite Signature Roaster

Le Creuset | $1,690

R2-D2 Coffee Press

TEENKON | $15.97

Darth Vader Mug

Star Wars | $29.99

Death Star Kitchen Timer

Star Wars | $59.95

BB-8 Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot | $73.33

Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker

Williams Sonoma | $59.95

R2-D2 Popcorn Maker

Williams Sonoma | $99.95

Death Star Cheese Board

TOSCANA | $39.95

R2-D2 and C-3PO Spice Shakers

Star Wars | $39.99

“May the Fork Be With You” Fork

LAIX | $11.99

Baby Yoda Ramen Noodle Bowl and Chopsticks

Star Wars | $29.99

Star Wars Helmet Tumblers

JoyJolt | $29.95

BB-8 Beer Stein

Star Wars | $24.99

Stormtrooper Whiskey Decanter + 2 Glasses

PYPIBAWLI | $34.99

8-Piece R2-D2 Measuring Cups

ThinkGeek | $90.80

4-Piece Star Wars Cookie Cutters

LOLIROCK | $11.98

Death Star Cookie Jar

Star Wars | $49.99

Mandalorian Chip Clips

Star Wars | $17.99

Millennium Falcon Cutting Board

PromiDesign | $59.99

Lightsaber Chopsticks

Kotobukiya | $24.99

Chewbacca Apron

Williams-Sonoma | $39.95

Millennium Falcon Spatula

Star Wars | $26.99

Boba Fett Mandalorian Dinnerware Dining Set

Star Wars | $55.99

Storm Trooper Mug

Vandor | $17.85

I Love You and I Know You Stemless Wine Glasses

Star Wars Saga | $27.99

Death Star Ice Molds

Star Wars | $9.95

Lightsaber Salt & Pepper Shakers

Pangea Brands | $39.99

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

This Elegant ‘Star Wars’ Furniture Collection Brings the “Force” to Your Living Room

Star Wars Death Star Tent Takes Camping to a Whole New Galaxy

German Science Professor Transforms University Observatory into Giant Replica of R2-D2

Baker Crafts Epic Millennium Falcon Cake Featuring Details That Are Out of This World

Dad Uses the Force to Make Healthy “Star Wars” Lunchboxes for His Kids

READ: 28 Creative ‘Star Wars’ Kitchen Gadgets That Are Fun and Functional

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Santiago Moreno (@san_tiagorquesta)

While a soulful music performance can be achieved with just a single instrument, it's hard to beat having several instruments play in harmony. But that doesn't always mean having an individual player for each of them. Argentinian artist Santiago Moreno is the perfect example of this. He performs as a one-man band as part of a France-based theater company called La Mue/tte. During this 30-minute stint, he plays the guitar and relies on a series of strings and pulleys to play the percussion on his back. The result evokes the charm and complexity of Latin American rhythms like bolero and tango. It's hard to believe Moreno does it all on his own.

To make everything work, Moreno relies on the principles of puppetry as he carefully coordinates his movements to get the desired sequence of sounds from his many instruments. His act is a full-body performance that requires a lot of planning and concentration, yet he seems to be having the time of his life; he draws crowds with his charisma wherever he plays, whether it is the street or a proscenium.

Moreno started performing as a one-man band in 2014, and the act has sprouted variations that include even more puppetry, such as Les intimites de l'homme orchestre (“The intimacy of the one-man orchestra”). It features a table puppet and other small inventions.  There's also The False Orchestra, in which Moreno attaches a puppet to the rear of his body as if were performing back-to-back with another musician.

If you want to stay up with Moreno and his music and puppetry performances, you can follow him on Instagram.

Argentinian artist Santiago Moreno performs as a one-man band, relying on the principles of puppetry to play music that evokes complex Latin American rhythms.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Santiago Moreno (@san_tiagorquesta)

A video of him performing as a one-man band made waves on Reddit, where it earned over 15,000 upvotes.

Santiago Moreno: Instagram
La Mue/tte: Website|Instagram

Related Articles:

Depeche Mode Fan Throws a Roll of Film on Stage and the Band Mails Photos Back to Him

Artist Pays Tribute To Musicians We’ve Lost With Colorful Light Paintings of Skeleton Bands

Pink’s Daughter Willow Nails a Cover of an Olivia Rodrigo Song at Her First School Recital

Italian Quartet Performs Epic Acoustic Guitar Cover of the ‘Star Wars’ Theme Song

READ: One-Man Band Uses the Principles of Puppetry to Wow Audiences With His Performances

When you think of the most famous cellists of our time, cello masters like Yo-Yo Ma come to mind. But back in late January, an unexpected clip from a 2018 performance skyrocketed on Reddit’s r/toptalent that shared the prowess of Brannon Cho.

The post was titled “Brannon Cho playing Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, arguably the hardest cello piece ever.” Cho, who was only 24 years old at the time, is seen fervently playing the string instrument with incredible speed. The entire piece is about 40 minutes long, and as James M. Keller for the San Francisco Symphony describes, “the [cello] is active nearly throughout, with strikingly little time off.” It’s divided into three long movements. Each movement has a variety of tempos and showcases the wide range of capabilities the cello has.

The part of the clip that has surged in popularity is at the very end of the piece, which is also the most replayed portion of the performance on YouTube. Keller describes this portion: “The solo cello eventually intones a motif consisting of arpeggios. That marks the final sprint towards the finish line, by which point the cellist’s arpeggios have led to the stratosphere of the instrument’s range.”

As Cho alludes in his Instagram post, the cello-orchestra piece has a deep meaning that is rooted in Soviet Russia. “The oppressive Soviet regime inspired Soviet composers at the time to compose some of the most devilish, brutal writing for cello,” he says.

Scroll below to watch the clip of Cho finishing the incredible cello piece, as well as the full performance.

Back in late January, an unexpected clip from a 2018 performance skyrocketed on Reddit’s r/toptalent, sharing the prowess of Brannon Cho.

The Reddit post has garnered over 13,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments discussing his impeccable playing.

The entire piece is about 40 minutes long, and as James M. Keller for the San Francisco Symphony describes, “the [cello] is active nearly throughout, with strikingly little time off.”

Brannon Cho: Website | Instagram | YouTube
h/t: [Reddit]

Related Articles:

Watch Four Talented Musicians Use Only One Cello to Play a Difficult Classical Piece

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Gives Impromptu Performance at COVID-19 Vaccine Center

Watch Ludovico Einaudi Perform Timeless Classical Piano Compositions for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ Series

Watch This Beatboxer Recreate an Orchestra Using Only His Voice

READ: Watch a Young Cellist Successfully Complete One of the Hardest Cello Pieces Ever

Photo: Screenshot from BBC's “Antiques Roadshow”

As one of the most famous contemporary artists, David Hockney is known for his distinctive, colorful style and depictions of Los Angeles' swimming pools. However, not many realize how much his art has changed over the years. A painting made early in Hockney's career was recently discovered on an episode of BBC's Antiques Roadshow and is estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Unlike Hockney's well-known works, the vintage landscape is made with a muted green color palette and possesses a rough, textured surface. The anonymous owner brought the painting onto the BBC show to have it appraised by art specialist Ruper Maas, recounting the story of how the precious work fell into his hands. He explained that his grandfather met Hockney in the town of Trimley St. Marty in 1957 and invited him and his companion for Sunday lunch, where he purchased a painting from each artist. Maas delved into the story and confirmed that Hockney was traveling through Suffolk during that time to see the nature that inspired Romantic painter John Constable.

“This is not at all what I'm used to seeing by David Hockney,” Maas comments upon first seeing the picture. “I have this idea that they only had green and brown with them because they were broke.” At the time of its creation, Hockney was still a student at Bradford School of Art and not settled into the style that the world knows him for. The owner guesses that the old landscape might be worth $15,000, but, after some speculation, Maas believes that the picture could be worth well over $35,000. “One of the things about David Hockney is that he is so instantly recognizable to most people that when you see one that isn't, you question it really hard,” Maas adds. “That's the problem with that picture. But…I now know what an early Hockney looks like.”

An old David Hockney painting worth about $35,000 was discovered on an episode of BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

Photo: Screenshot from BBC “Antiques Roadshow”

Watch the clip of Antiques Roadshow here:

h/t: [Art News]

All images via BBC Antiques Roadshow.

Related Articles:

Immersive Exhibit Lets You Step Into David Hockney’s Art Throughout the Years

Major Exhibition Explores Van Gogh’s Influence on David Hockney for the First Time

David Hockney Exhibit at LACMA Presents 82 Intimate Portraits by the Artist

READ: David Hockney Painting Worth $35,000 Is Discovered on BBC’s ‘Antiques Roadshow’