These aesthetically pleasing, limited-edition playing cards are bound to elevate your game night!
We can always count on reality TV Stars to put on a good show!
Nearly a year to the day after releasing her sophomore studio album, Surrender, beloved singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers made her comeback to the touring scene after a three-year hiatus because of COVID-19. Before her return, Rogers’ last tour was in 2019, celebrating her beloved debut record on the Heard It in A Past Life tour.
WWE Summerslam held on the 5th of August was a great night as it took place in Detroit, Michigan and there were many fans in attendance, making it a great success.
The city of Detroit played host to a number of WWE dramas on Saturday night, as the ongoing storyline of The Bloodline took center stage once again for wrestling fans and the city served as the backdrop for many of the narratives for WWE Summerslam.
In a battle of “Tribal Combat,” Jey Uso challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship as well as to be recognized as the “Tribal Chief.” The biggest question was how would Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso play a role?
There are also three additional belts at stake at WWE Summerslam, as Asuka is battling Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair for the Women’s Championship, which Bianca won. However, Iyo Sky cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to win the championship for the first time. As for the World Heavyweight Championship, Finn Balor took on Seth “Freakin” Rollins, and Gunther defended his Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre.
The event was attended by over 50,000 WWE fans from all over the world. In the early stages of WWE Summerslam, there were already activities for fans to take part in. C4 Energy was giving away its new product to attendees at the event, and it proved to be beneficial since the weather outside was extremely hot and humid. In addition to the activation held by Cricket Wireless, 2K Games was also there to offer fans the chance to play WWE 2K23 and cut promos as WWE superstars.
With their tremendous advertising investment in the Detroit market, WWE was able to leverage billboards, digital out-of-home advertising, and media displays all over the city, demonstrating a significant investment in this market.
When it came time for an epic match between Rhodes and Lesnar, both stars were more than ready to deliver. In order to prolong their wait until WrestleMania 40, WWE intends to keep Rhodes far from the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Despite Rhodes’ popularity, he remains the favorite to face Reigns in the main event of WWE Universe. There was a big surprise in the outcome of this match when Brock Lesnar decided to endorse Cody Rhodes, which was something no one anticipated would happen.
Without much preamble, it’s safe to say that this year’s muscle car talk has definitely been centered around Ford. With its show-stopping all new Mustang Dark Horse, and with other manufacturers shifting to EVs, Ford has remained the safe haven for enthusiasts. They have decided to double down on their market share, and have introduced a slew of events and programs to keep fans interested and coming back for more. The latest? A Save the Manual event, in which participants have the opportunity to try the new Dark horse, and learn how to drive stick. This was an opportunity I definitely could not miss.
I arrived at the location, set up in the parking lot of CitiField. I had the opportunity to try my hand at driving manual in the Ford Bronco as well, and since the Mustang was occupied (and definitely more difficult), I decided to try the Bronco first.
The Ford Bronco, courtesy of Ford
I had never driven a manual vehicle before this event, and had only had experience using paddle shifters in my own vehicle. Assuming that this would give me a bit of a head start, I soon realized I was very wrong. With a Ford instructor in the passenger seat, I quickly stalled the vehicle in less than thirty seconds. “You want to slowwwly peel your foot off the clutch, and right in the sweet spot you want to start pressing down on the gas,” the instructor explained to me. I slowly released my left foot off of the clutch, and as I pressed down on the gas pedal, the car lurched forward and came to a grinding halt as the engine stalled out. My instructor laughed as I sheepishly turned the car back on and tried again. After several more tries (and several more failures), I began getting the hang of it.
Pretty soon, it was time to start shifting into gears beyond the first. My instructor explained that it was the same process, except that I had to watch my RPM and ensure that I was in the sweet spot, around 3000 RPMS for the Bronco, before I shifted. This number would vary for each gear however, and since the location for the shifter to go for each gear was different as well, it was starting to become a lot to remember. Pretty soon, I slipped up and let go of the clutch too early, and the vehicle jerked to a stop and stalled once more, right when I thought I was getting the hang of it. Driving stick was a lot harder than I thought it would be! It was definitely more fulfilling , however. I could sense the lurches in the cars engine, and the sound tones that would signal to me when it was time to shift and when I couldn’t. I felt much more closely connected to the car.
After getting the hang of the Bronco, it was time for me to move on to the Dark Horse, which I was extremely excited about. Accompanying me in the vehicle was NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, who had been driving stick shift his entire life. It truly was a dream come true.
As I started the vehicle, I was prepared for the worse. If the Bronco had been difficult, this awesome V8 would definitely throw me for a loop.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse, courtesy of Ford
However, I was pleasantly surprised that driving the Mustang came easier than the Bronco. The random stalls and mistakes that came with the Bronco never came with the Mustang, and I grew more and more comfortable driving it as I shifted to higher gears. It was definitely a more forgiving car. Since Ryan did not have to do much instructing, we had much more time to talk, and we conversed about driving, cars, his NASCAR career, and even other topics like movies. It was a wonderful experience.
I truly admire the effort that Ford is putting into keeping the car enthusiast culture alive. Driving manual is definitely not a necessary skill; after all, driving automatic is easier and more applicable to the masses. However, for enthusiasts, it provides a deeper and richer experience with their vehicles, and allows for more refined control of their machine. This is something that is definitely valuable, and with the advent of EVs, it seems like it is a dying skill. With no one left that is interested in the hobby, car manufacturers will neglect to make a manual variant of their cars, and the sense of connection with one’s car will be lost.
The Mustang Dark Horse shifter, courtesy of Ford
This is why it is important to keep passing down our skills, teaching as many as we can, and learn all that we can, so that this wonderful ability can stay alive. I truly thank Ford for their commitment to providing individuals with the outlet to hone this skill, and I am confident that as long as manufacturers keep giving programs and events that allow for knowledge transfer, as Ford has done, and do not simply kill off their manual variants in the name of cutting costs, driving stick will be enjoyed by many for decades to come.
During the last week of July, the Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem shared their passion for dance with the public through a free series of 20-minute performances.
On Tuesday, July 18th, the global multi-platform media company World of Wonder (WOW) brought the house down with an extraordinary Drag performance celebration at their headquarters and gallery space in Hollywood. Celebrating International Drag Day, bringing together fans, queens, and stars from the Drag Race universe for an unforgettable evening.
The event featured an impressive lineup of Drag Race royalty, including Lawrence Chaney, the winner of “Drag Race UK” Season 2; Angina Heals, co-host of “Drag Race Thailand”; Nicky Doll, the charming host of “Drag Race France”; and Kylie Monique Love, winner of “All Stars” Season 6. Each performer took the stage by storm, delivering electrifying performances.
Fans got to meet their favorite queens during special meet-and-greet sessions. Among the additional talents in attendance were Jiggly Client, a renowned judge from “Drag Philippines” and a veteran of both “Drag Race” Season 4 and “All Stars 6,” along with Corazón from “Philippines” Season 1, and a host of other fabulous guests.
The festivities were further enhanced by House of Love Cocktails and Mocktails refreshments. As the night unfolded, guests reveled in the magic of drag culture and epitomized the spirit of International Drag Day.
World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, creating an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. With an impressive 30 Emmy Awards and two Oscars to their credit, WOW has reached audiences across 190 territories through their global network, WOW Presents Plus. The groundbreaking television portfolio includes iconic franchises like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Dragon, which have brought the art of drag to the world stage.
The International Drag Day Party hosted by World of Wonder was a night to remember, showcasing the talent and brilliance of drag culture while reinforcing WOW’s commitment to shaping the global entertainment landscape.
This summer, New World Stages welcomes back the talented Rodrick Covington in the exhilarating new off-Broadway musical ‘Rock & Roll Man.'”
This vibrant production celebrates the life of the trailblazing DJ Alan Freed and his significant impact on the rock music scene of the 195s. Covington, a seasoned veteran of the New York stage, steps into the shoes of the legendary Ramp; B and rock singer, musician, and songwriter, Little Richard.
Rodrick Covington’s impressive stage credits already include appearances at New World Stages in “Drum Struck” and on Broadway in Tony Award-winning and Grammy-nominated productions like “Once On This Island” and “The Lion King.” With such a remarkable stage presence, he is well-equipped to breathe life into the flamboyant persona of Little Richard.
Little Richard, famous for hits like “Tutti Fruit,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Lucille,” left an indelible mark on the world of music. His unique style, marked by croons, wails, and screams, became an intergenerational influence on rock music, both in the 1950s and for years to come. “Tutti Fruit” itself reached impressive heights on the charts, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Top 100 in America and number 29 on the British singles chart, eventually selling over a million copies. The song became included in Rolling Stone’s list of the top 500 songs of all time, with critics hailing it as “the most inspired rock lyric ever recorded.”
When Covington isn’t on stage, he’s passionate about wellness, even owning his own wellness center. He is passionate about self-care, both on stage and off, and offered some brilliant tips on staying grounded and mindful. We sat down with Covington to talk about all things ‘Rock & Roll, man!’
Check out the conversation below!
In recent years, Puerto Rico has illustrated how several points can be true simultaneously throughout the global media. A territory can survive the consequences of being the world’s oldest colony, — it can gift the populace the most listened-to entertainer year after year, and natives and descendants can assert a cultural pride that can only be identified as Boricua. The Discover Puerto Rico team is dedicated to teaching the history of La Isla del Encanto and joined forces with Premios Juventud earlier this month to illuminate the beauty of the island’s music, landscape, and heritage.
“I am committed to purchasing and experiencing art among locals,” Nicole Olmeda, a communications coordinator at Discover Puerto Rico and Fajardo native, explained to her arriving party. Olmeda’s sentiment touching the support of Puerto Rican-owned businesses was further substantiated by the Premios Juventud Media Fam itinerary. Journalists based in the United States and other Latin American territories traveled to Puerto Rico to experience the Univision televised award show’s 20th anniversary at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The trips back-to-back agenda spanned several days, and to be concise with its highlights, The Knockturnal will list background information on separate establishments’ attributes, respectively. The Don Rafa Boutique Hotel & Residences hosted guests with an ambiance inspired by the 1950s and the love story of the hospitality pioneers Rafael Hernández Salazar, Ernesto Suárez, and Pura Suárez Salazar. Bespoke Lifestyle Management, a family-owned transportation and concierge service, took media attendees to and from each press trip site. And the first stop was at a renowned San Juan chef’s establishment, Mario Pagan Restaurant. Pagan, the owner, has been featured on television shows, including the Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef,” but his most considerable work is arguably his efforts alongside the World Central Kitchen and Chefs For Puerto Rico in the name of disaster relief.
Each facet of the collective experience directed eyes to the community it serves, and Melissa Santana, the executive director of the corporation for musical arts and subsidiaries for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, added to the discussion over dinner. Since its inception, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico has been distinguished by having musicians of the highest caliber who have excelled locally and internationally. Santana, a musician herself, has studied between the island and the United States, creating visibility for the company’s youth development programs and activations such as Festival Casals de Puerto Rico.
In order to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure, editors were required to do some homework of our own. CL Tours PR, an excursion company, started the festivities with a cultural walk in the birthplace of commercially accepted reggaetón and bomba. The prominent locations we visited were La Perla, Old San Juan’s Calle San Francisco, Calle Fortaleza, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. The latter location is home to the Cepeda family, the descendants of the legendary bomba composer and instrumentalist Rafael Cepeda.
The genre’s origins derive from the Spaniards’ colonization of Indigenous Peoples — subsequently, enslaved West Africans were brought to work on sugar plantations in Puerto Rico, and their musicality prevailed. Enslaved populations used bomba as a form of resistance, including communications of forthcoming rebellion and to celebrate momentous occasions such as baptisms and weddings. While this music has existed since the pillaging of most Taínos, its inclusivity of surviving Indigenous Peoples remains. It is also a testament to how Blackness founded nearly all Spanish-language genres, which were later amplified on the trip and awarded through Premios Juventud.
While the show’s name translates to “youth awards,” Latino icons are prioritized. The affair opened with a reggaetón medley arranged by Boricua superstar Daddy Yankee and concluded with the Colombian idol, Shakira, becoming the biggest winner of the evening, sweeping 8 awards. “To be honest, when I had self-doubt, you made me believe in myself again. When I feel fragile, you give me strength. You’ve protected me. You’ve been loyal,” she told fans during an emotional speech.
Performances by De La Ghetto, Zion & Lennox, RaiNao, Wisin, CNCO, Chencho Corleone, Farruko, Hoobastank, and others kept the audience on its feet. Also known as la fiesta más HOT del verano (or the hottest party of the summer), the event annually recognizes youth leading to change in music, culture, charitable happenings, and the world. Award winners Eladio Carrion, Danna Paola, Bizarrap, Peso Pluma, Rosalía, and Rauw Alejandro were unmistakable fan favorites. Although many Spanish-speaking territories had representation present, none were plentifuller in number than Borikén.
Still, the Discover Puerto Rico team aimed to reiterate that there was nothing new under the Taíno sun. All the musical genres we revere in mainstream culture today have predecessors. The following morning, a scenic drive was taken to the south of the island to encounter Ponce, previously known as the largest and richest city in Puerto Rico. The locale is also understood to have gifted the voice of the man frequently credited as the most significant Boricua musical figure of all time, Héctor Lavoe.
At 17, he migrated from Puerto Rico to New York City to pursue his career as a singer. Before being revered as a longtime member of the Fania All-Stars and solo salsa luminary, Lavoe was a teenager making his rounds in Spanish-language nightclubs in the Bronx and Manhattan. He is among the pioneers, who were mostly New York-based Puerto Ricans and Cubans, who took the salsa genre globally.
Today murals of him cover New York City and Puerto Rico. Lavoe (born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez) are buried in his hometown with his wife, Nilda “Puchi” Román Pérez, and the couple’s son, Héctor Pérez Jr. With respect, a bottle of Don Q was placed on their tomb as an offering during Discover Puerto Rico’s tour of Ponce with Isla Caribe PR. Landmarks visited in Ponce included Centro Cultural Carmen Solá de Pereira, Plaza de Mercado Isabel II, and Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano.
The city’s music fueled our visit, namely with Centro Comunal y Cultural del Barrio San Antón de Ponce, where we met athletes and plena exemplars Carlos “Cao” Vélez, Otoniel “Otto” Vélez Franceschi, and Luis Antonio “Mambo” de León Tricoche. Plena is an Afro-Boricua genre known for its heavy percussion and spirited sound. Much like bomba, plena is also a means of critiquing worldly conditions and communicating messages among listeners. Beyond historical lessons was the review of another Puerto Rican cultural staple, Caribbean dishes.
The mountain town of Cayey introduced lechón (roasted pork), and Lechonera El Mojito specializes in pork by the pound and the Creole bites that commonly accompany native eats. Further, traditional West Indian food from neighboring Caribbean territories is accessible throughout the island, and you may likely find more culinary similarities than differences facing those of Puerto Rico.
Other establishments visited beside Premios Juventud’s Media Fam selectees were Areyto, Mercado La Carreta, Casita Miramar, La Factoría, and Santaella. The last-mentioned restaurant is owned by the best-selling cookbook author (“Cocina Tropical: The Classic and Contemporary Flavors of Puerto Rico”), Chef José Santaella. His establishment also borders La Placita de Santurce, a market square celebrated for its nightlife, time-honored artwork, reggaetón, and salsa.
In recognition, El Bastión, a cultural center devoted to developing arts and knowledge in diverse disciplines, including salsa, offered a lesson to scribes on the genre that frequently fills the streets of Puerto Rico and its correlating dances. Salsa typically combines elements of the vocal traditions from African genres, percussion instrumentation from conga, plena, mambo, bomba, Spanish guitar techniques, and more recently, modern components of jazz.
A few of salsa’s most influential figures include Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Oscar D’León, Tito Puente, Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Marc Anthony, and Andy Montañez. The latter artist deepened my affinity for this music, as he is my relative. Discover Puerto Rico also acknowledged Montañez via a record placement at Casa de la Música en Cayey.
Andres Yambo, a musician and representative of this Cayeyana artistic hub, offered a reading on Puerto Rican music from the 19th Century forward — and writers encountered the evolution of radios by playing music chronologically from each generation’s finest apparatus. Chiefly, what is absolute is the magnificence, culture, and resilience of natives and their descendants that compel all who witness the land they love most: Puerto Rico.