Photos By Dijana Mesin
Ready to get festive this holiday season! The Holly Jolly Bar at Mad Morton will transport you to a winter wonderland!
Allē Lounge on 66 added to the excitement by transforming into ‘TURN 66’, an exclusive late-night hospitality series by leading experiential partner CMG (Corso Marketing Group) following the evening race and qualifying night run. Hosted by global hospitality leader Richie Akiva, known for curating the most A-List of events globally, and music artist Badius, the two-night after affair catered to VIP guests on Friday and Saturday nights, November 17th and 18th, for an exclusive post-race celebration perched above the Las Vegas Strip on the 66th floor of Resorts World Las Vegas’ Conrad Tower. Featuring captivating 360 degree views and a stellar lineup of famed world class DJs including DJ Pee .Wee aka Anderson .Paak, Guy Gerber, Kaz James, Ruckus, Vice, Carlita, DJ Tennis, Swaylo and Miramar.
The high energized late night party that went until 6am for two straight nights was attended by notable talent such as Travis Scott, Swizz Beatz, Zedd, Odell Beckham Jr, Glen Powell, Nyjah Huston, Swae Lee, Heidi Klum, Tom Kaulitz, David Dobrik, Badius, Ross Butler, Jessica Serfati, Leonardo Del Vecchio, Michael Rubin, Will Makris, Mark Birnbaum, Bobby Kennedy III, Taras Romanov, Leon Bridges, Rufus Du Sol, Christopher Schwarzenegger, Galen Gering, Amber Black, Haley Amaya, Chloe Hock, La Demi, Jessica Belkin, Sienna Raine, Chord Overstreet and many more.
The room of music artists, supermodels, athletes, influencers, VIPs and top global entrepreneurs sipped on top shelf spirits, Heineken Silver and Red Bull fueled the evening. The party went until the sun could be seen rising over the Las Vegas Strip and mountains from the floor to ceiling windows of the extraordinary and sophisticated venue that played home to the late night fete.
ZOUK, the nightclub at Resorts World, also had headliners Travis Scott, Zedd and Tiesto, who performed each night of the weekend racing events.
Corso Marketing Group is a leading experiential agency that was also on the ground for F1 Vegas handling the Heineken House at the track, featuring a three day series of programmed DJs, artists and performances as well as additional Resorts World and Zouk Group programming.
Follow @CorsoMG @RichieAkiva #Turn66 @ResortsWorldLV on social channels
All photos courtesy of Resorts World LV
B.I is no stranger to releasing new music, but he returns on November 9th with his latest offering to fans. In this release, he gives fans a glimpse into heartbreak with his album, “Love or Loved Pt 2.” The album includes five tracks that take on the pain of a love in trouble or lost. The album begins with the title track, “Loved,” before venturing into “4 Letters” which features, Filipino-Australian singer and songwriter, James Reid. Then the album journeys into the track, “Alone” which also features singer, TYTAN. Rounding out the album are the last two songs, “S.O.S” and “All shook up” which features Indonesian singer and songwriter, Agnez Mo.
We had the wonderful opportunity of chatting with B.I ahead of this release. During our chat we discussed everything from inspirations to collaborations. He also shared his favorite track off the new album.
Question: What was the genesis or the inspiration for the new album?
B.I: While I’ve consistently delved deeply into the concept of love, this time, I wanted to venture into new genres and experiment with different lyrical tones. Love is an emotion that feels incredibly familiar to all of us, yet I aimed to convey these stories with fresh and unique music and storytelling.
It is my sincere hope that listeners can deeply connect with this portrayal of heartbreak. And by that, I don’t only mean that they relate to the lyrics, but also that they find solace in the melodies.
Question: How would you say this album helped you evolve as an artist? as a music producer? as a musician and creator?
B.I: I can sense personal growth with every studio or single album I produce. So far, I believe my exploration of various musical genres and diverse instrumental arrangements has enriched my work, and I’m very satisfied with the results.
Question: Can you break down each track on the album? Can you explain to me what its vibe is or what people should expect?
B.I: [Loved] has an alluring combination of bass and drum sounds, and its overall mood is cold. The mellow and calm vocals also add to its charm. [4 Letters], on the other hand, resembles an uplifting and bright movie soundtrack, but its lyrics in contrast, evokes a sense of nostalgia. I think that would transport the listeners into a state of reminiscence about a past love. On top of that, having James as a featured artist on the track further heightens great anticipation, I’m sure. [Alone] is a laid-back track with a peaceful rhythm, while it bursts with energy in the rap section. Titan, who featured in the song, delivered the tone I had envisioned. With [S.O.S], I spent a significant amount of time on creating the lyrics. If you pay attention to it, it could really get you thinking deep. [All shook up] is an unfamiliar genre not only for me, but also for listeners in Korea. I’m pleased with my collaboration with Agnez Mo; it’s a fresh combination that elevates the level of completion. The melody is very beautiful, so I wish the listeners a relaxing and easy listening experience.
With the entire album, I put in the effort to explore something new and uncharted. Moreover, I wanted to highlight the charming and surprising collaborations with artists in Asia. The results aligned perfectly with my vision, so I’m eagerly looking forward to sharing them with our fans.
Question: Is there a song off the new album that you feel closest to or love the most?
B.I: I adore each and every song, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the title track [Loved]. It has a wonderfully dreamy and sentimental quality. It’s the kind of mood I’ve always wanted to explore, and I’m particularly pleased with how well it came together… It beautifully showcases the essence of the album, I have a deep affection for it, and knowing that it was co-created in collaboration with such an exceptional team of songwriters, makes it even more precious to me.
“Love or Loved Pt 2” is out now and can be found on all streaming platforms.
The holiday season is officially upon us. Now that Halloween is over it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit. Hilton Hotels & Resorts and the Hallmark Channel have partnered up to bring the spirit of the holidays to travelers, fans, and viewers. Anyone can now feel like they are in a Hallmark Christmas movie by booking a stay at select Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties in New York, Houston, and Chicago all inspired by Hallmark’s beloved “Countdown to Christmas” movies. Each of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hallmark Channel suites will feature festive decor that is reflective of the property’s locale, as well as symbols from “Countdown to Christmas” movies.
The Knockturnal had the chance to experience the magic firsthand at Hilton Chicago in the “Santa Summit” suite. The holiday suite is fit for the man of the hour, himself! The merry guest room offers festivities that inspire the spirit of friendship and adventure, featuring vintage Santa décor, life-sized reindeer, a Santa-themed bed and cookie kit, a heartwarming wall installation for Letters to Santa, and much more. What’s more, the room was created to bring to life the all-new original Hallmark Channel holiday movie premiere, “The Santa Summit”, which centers around the true meaning of the holidays and the bonds of friendship. As a special surprise for travelers slumbering in the Santa Summit suite, Mr. Claus has even guaranteed a spot on the nice list following each stay! In the hotel lobby, guests staying at this historic hotel will be transported into the ultimate holiday stay with a 24-foot Christmas tree decorated with nearly 2,000 inches of garland, and a gingerbread replica of the Hilton Chicago, complete with Chicago’s iconic skyline. Guests and Hallmark fans alike can even take part in finding Santa’s Missing Buttons, expertly hidden throughout the hotel, to receive a treat from the Hallmark Holiday Cart.
“Our partnership with Hilton is the perfect holiday pairing. These festive, showstopping stays are the ultimate ‘suite’ treat that will deliver on our fans’ growing desire to immerse themselves in the Hallmark brand and the wonderful world of Hallmark Channel Christmas movies,” said Lara Richardson, chief marketing officer, Hallmark Media. “We’re proud to help guests indulge in a winter wonderland of aspirational holiday décor, charming Christmas activities, and endless ways to experience the Hallmark holiday spirit.”
Each guest room includes a custom-decorated Christmas tree and a complimentary hot cocoa station. To keep the holiday cheer going all season long, each guest suite will also include Hallmark Channel branded takeaways guests can enjoy with their loved ones during or after their holiday stay. Items include Hallmark Channel Wine, Bissinger’s cocoa mix and hot cocoa bombs, Republic of Tea products, wine glasses, mugs, and more.
Additionally, guests at all three properties can get into the holiday spirit with the Hallmark Holiday Cosmopolitan, a unique cocktail offering crafted by Hilton’s expert mixologists and uniquely designed to invoke every Hallmark lover’s small-town holiday dreams while staying in the big city. The festive cocktail will be served alongside a non-spirited version for all cheerful travelers to enjoy throughout the season.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Hallmark for a collaboration that embodies the joy of the holiday season and brings to life the light and warmth of hospitality we show our guests every day,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. “This is a great representation of Hilton’s commitment to delivering immersive and unforgettable experiences during every stay. Our collaboration with Hallmark allows us to leverage timeless storytelling to bring an added level of excitement during the holidays.”
Reservations for Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” Holiday Suites by Hilton will be available to book starting at 9:00 a.m. EST/12:00 p.m. PST on November 1, with stays running from November 7 to January 2 at Hilton New York Times Square; from November 7 to January 1 at Hilton Americas-Houston; and from November 7 to December 30 at Hilton Chicago.
To enjoy a sneak peek of the “Countdown to Christmas” Holiday Suites by Hilton or book a stay, visit Hilton.com/Hallmark. To learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts, visit stories.hilton.com.
Tolliver wakes up like the rest of us–by splashing some water on his face and getting his morning cup of coffee on the way to pick up cat number two. That was the start of his day as we interviewed him to discuss his background, music, and journey of self-discovery.
Thursday, October 26th, 2023. The Neuehouse, Manhattan New York — National Geographic releases a new documentary, “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” filmed by Director, Moses Bwaoy.
The 121 minute (2 hours and 1 minute) documentary focuses on the trials and tribulations faced by the humanitarian, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known by his stage name Bobi Wine and his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi. The singer, actor, Ugandan politician and a former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo County East constituency in Uganda’s Central Region survived seven assassination attempts on his life while he ran for the presidency. Bobi Wine also leads the National Unity Platform political party; a political and social liberation political party that is progressive in its mission, positioning itself as a social democratic organization, guided by the principles of servant leadership, equality, transparency, accountability, freedom, liberty and social justice for the citizens of Uganda. The screening for this film was held at the Neuehouse and Moderated by the eloquent filmmaker and Director Amir Bar-Lev (publication credits include: Newsweek, Rollingstone, Village Voice).
In June 2019, Bobi Wine, a native of Uganda who grew up without his parents, in a more impoverished and harsh space of Uganda, announced his candidacy for the 2021 Ugandan presidential election; but not with little resistance faced by environmental factors, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, placing a strain on the public gatherings of his supporter and with equal, if not more pushback from the Ugandan police, under the directive of president, Yoweri Museveni, who’s served the country of Uganda for over 30 years. Incumbent Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), took part in the 2021 election, garnering over 7 million signatures of votes to run for president from the people of Uganda, who also experienced hardships during the Museveni leadership.
Unfortunately, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), lost the race for presidency, according to official results, placing the incumbent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as the victor; although Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, along with several citizens, claims this result was fraudulent. Not only had the civil leader been beaten and hospitalized by the regime, but had lost many family members and friends who were beaten, killed or had gone missing due to their unyielding support of Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
This moving documentary has so much wrapped up in one film. What is most impressive is that first time filmmaker, Moses Bwayo, shot 5,000 hours of film and brilliantly condensed the most intricate footage into two hours. Bwayo highlights the love story of the charismatic couple that led Robert and Barbie together, and the strength of their union that helped them survive this trying and dangerous season of their lives. He captures the power of woman, Barbie Kyagulanyi, who remains poised, exhibiting grace under fire as she navigates her children and family through extended periods of time apart from her husband, Robert, the man we call Bobi Wine; Barbie, not knowing if her spouse was dead or alive. Bwayo captures the story of liberation, documenting the campaigns, the arrests and the volatility that surround Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) during his fervent run for office. With an unbiased eye, he captures the stories of heartbreak, brutal murders, hostility and literally blood in the streets of Uganda. With enthusiasm and belief in a greater mission, his film illustrates a story of hope, pulling the viewers in to chant for the success of Bobi Wine; albeit we are aware of the fate of this brave leader to take on such a powerful authority that is Museveni; and most importantly this film serves as an eye opener to the world that is blindly unaware of the suffering of the People of Uganda and other nations of the world, who face day-to-day tragedies, as they beg for and seek asylum and equal rights as human beings.
I highly recommend checking this documentary out; this film garners, for the respective countries, a new level of appreciation for the freedoms we are afforded in the United States of America and in other countries where citizens are allowed to find better ways of living and even the freedom to gather in peaceful protests. “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” is available on the following platforms: Disney plus, FuboTV and will air worldwide on YoutubeTV, Nov 5th, 2023.