With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award®-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony® Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…).

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED, winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Monday, February 13:

1. Online at DPACnc.com
2. DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
3. Ticketmaster.com/wicked or Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000
4. Ticketmaster outlets including Crabtree Valley Mall and Wal-Mart
5. Group tickets are already available for reservations: 10% off groups of 20+ for select performances. Call 919-281-0587 or mail Groups(at)DPACnc(dot)com for details.

Performance schedule as follows:

May 2: 7:30 PM

May 3: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

May 4: 8:00 PM

May 5: 2:00 PM & 8:00PM

May 6: 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM

May 8-10: 7:30 PM

May 11: 8:00 PM

May 12: 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

May 13: 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM

May 15-17 2012: 7:30 PM

May 18, 2012: 8:00 PM

May 19, 2012: 2:00 PM & 8:00PM

May 20, 2012: 1:00 PM & 6:30PM

May 22-24 2012: 7:30 PM

May 25, 2012: 8:00 PM

May 26, 2012: 2:00 PM & 8:00PM

May 27, 2012: 1:00 PM & 6:30PM

“I’m ecstatic that we have secured a return of WICKED for DPAC. It was a thrill to have so much excitement at DPAC during its first sold out 4 weeks in 2010 and the return is sure to only bring even more,” said Durham Performing Arts Center GM, Bob Klaus. “WICKED is a live entertainment experience like no other!”

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald-green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.

Called “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety, WICKED continues to thrill audiences around the world. There are currently seven productions of WICKED worldwide: New York; London; Japan; Holland; Australian/Asian Tour; and two concurrent North American National Tours.

WICKED features set design by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony® winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony® nominee Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show’s musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

Grammy Award-Winning Cast recording available on Decca Broadway. For more information about WICKED log on to http://www.wickedthemusical.com.

*As a note to all calendar listing editors, the title of the show is WICKED (not WICKED: A New Musical or WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz).

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A New Jersey native, Rodriguez is a nationally regarded producer and presenter of both live and televised events. Prior to returning to bergenPAC in 2005 (he had a previous stint in 1998-2000 when the venue was named the John Harms Center for the Arts), Rodriguez served as Executive Director of the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. (2000-2005) and Executive Director of Aaron Davis Hall at City College of New York (1990-1998). He previously held Development, Administrator and Special Projects positions with Carnegie Hall, the Queens Museum, INTAR/Hispanic-American Theater Foundation, and Pro Musicis Foundation, Inc.

“David has been a professional colleague of mine for over twenty years,” said John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO. “In his new role as NJPAC’s first Executive Producer, he will oversee Programming on behalf of the Arts Center and report to me. As Executive Director of both the Apollo Theater and now bergenPAC, David has produced and presented thousands of concert and theater events, as well as dozens of television specials and recordings based on those presentations. This type of multi platform presenting of one-of-a-kind events is at the heart of NJPAC’s future programming strategy. I am excited to welcome David as the newest member of the NJPAC family.”

“As we move in a new path for NJPAC, I want to pay special tribute to founding NJPAC Vice President of Programming, Stephanie Hughley, for creating the standard for world-class and community-based programming that has become NJPAC’s hallmark,” Schreiber added. “And as curator and producer of NJPAC’s Alternate Routes series since its inception, Assistant Vice President of Programming Baraka Sele, has brought the world to NJPAC and been a champion of emerging artists and unique cultural pairings.”

“Through their extraordinary contributions, the greatest artists in the world have performed in Newark. Their work has set the stage for the next phase of our growth, one that will take advantage of new opportunities in broadcast, recordings and a host of competitive presentations that will continue our tradition of excellence and diversity while increasing box office and other revenue streams.”

As Executive Director/CEO of bergenPAC, Rodriguez oversees more than 170 events each season reflecting the diversity of audiences in Bergen County. The artists who have performed regularly at bergenPAC during his tenure include Itzhak Perlman, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Joshua Bell, Ballet Folklorico de Colombia, Bill Cosby, Parsons Dance, Steve Martin, and the New Jersey Symphony, among many others. Under his leadership, bergenPAC also offers extensive educational outreach initiatives which impact over 40,000 young people annually.

He initiated a program for national broadcast of live performances and created an operational plan to balance fine arts programming with commercial presentations, broadcasts, and rentals. Through the venue’s partnership with The Bennett Studios, Rodriguez has collaborated on broadcasts and recordings including work with kd lang, Tony Bennett, Steve Martin, Jamie Cullum and the Count Basie Orchestra, among others. During his tenure, the Bennett Studios has garnered over 10 Grammy awards and numerous nominations. In addition, bergenPAC has been home for concert events broadcast on HBO, PBS, CW Network, National Public Radio, and A&E, among others. Artists including Foreigner, Darlene Love and The O’Jays have all produced live DVDs from bergenPAC’s stage.

“I am honored to join the NJPAC team and be part of one of our nation’s true artistic and economic success stories,” said Rodriguez. “As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I look forward to expanding artistic and community collaborations while continuing the tradition of bringing unique and thoughtful programs to the State’s leading stage. Having collaborated with John Schreiber successfully through the years, I am excited to be part of NJPAC’s institutional leadership and contribute to the vision for growth.”

In addition to his work at bergenPAC, Rodriguez has a strong history of producing shows for broadcast from the Apollo Theater, including NBC-TV’s Showtime at the Apollo (six seasons), AOL’s Rod Stewart Live at the Apollo, NBC-TV’s Apollo at 80, MTV’s James Brown at 70, and additional programs with QVC, HBO, Comedy Central, VH-1, and PBS’s Great Performances.

“David knows how to take a project to the next level,” said Ray Chew, Musical Director of American Idol and Showtime at the Apollo. “He revitalized the Apollo’s legendary Amateur Night – adding a revamped television show, school outreach programs, a national tour and major sponsorship totaling over $ 50 million. Similarly under his leadership, bergenPAC has become a respected home for recording and broadcasts. He has an understanding of both the artist and the business as it has evolved, and for that reason I always look forward to working with him.”

As Executive Director of the Apollo Theater, Rodriguez created or oversaw a variety of important new initiatives including Latin Nites at the Apollo, George C. Wolfe’s Harlem Song, The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, and Dance Theater of Harlem’s first Apollo season. Other special presentations included influential artists such as Prince, Ruben Blades, George Clinton and P-Funk, Ben Harper, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Carly Simon, and Stevie Wonder. In addition, Rodriguez implemented the first Apollo tour of Amateur Night to over 30 cities. He produced Apollo branded special events for the NCAA Final Four and special concerts for all 22 Historically Black Colleges in MEAC and CIAA athletic conferences.

“As Executive Director of the Apollo, David’s leadership, energy and commitment helped to build audiences and sponsorship to new levels while creating strong long-term partnerships with the Harlem community,” said Richard D. Parsons, Chair, Citibank and the Apollo Theater Foundation and past CEO of Time Warner Inc.

At Harlem’s Aaron Davis Hall and Englewood’s John Harms Center for the Arts, Rodriguez was recognized as a leader in the development of new works, providing commissioning funds and free space to artists including Max Roach, Ginger Baker, Tony Williams, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co., Donald Byrd, Fred Ho, Toni Morrison, George Faison, Sekou Sundiata, and Butch Morris. Works commissioned and premiered moved on to a variety of internationally prestigious venues.

“David is a leading presenter in the field with a long history of performing arts presenting and commissioning with Ailey and other companies,” said Sharon Luckman, Executive Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which has been the Principal Resident Affiliate of NJPAC since its opening in 1997. “It’s great that he’ll be bringing this successful history of producing, audience building and fundraising to NJPAC and I look forward to working with him in Newark for many years to come.”

Rodriguez was a founding producer of New York’s Latin International Theater Festival (TeatroStageFest). He has consulted on the Essence Festival held annually at the New Orleans Superdome and The Montreux Jazz Festival. In 2011, Rodriguez reopened the 10,000 seat Mt. Laurel Performing Arts Center in Pennsylvania with concerts by Kiss, ZZ Top, and Frankie Valli with the Beach Boys.

He has served on numerous panels and conducted seminars on community outreach, fundraising, arts advocacy and management for a variety of academic and cultural organizations. In 2007, Rodriguez was presented with the Paul Robeson Award from the Urban League of Bergen County for achievement in the Arts and Culture.

Rodriguez received his BA in Arts Administration/Music Merchandising from Mansfield University with additional studies at the Julliard School and Eastman School of Music. A bassist, he has had a wide range of concert and recording experiences including the Rochester Philharmonic, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Don Pullen and Chuck Mangione.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the sixth largest performing arts center in the United States. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over 6 million visitors (more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit http://www.njpac.org for more information.

Programming has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Discover Jersey Arts.

NJPAC is a wheelchair accessible facility and provides assistive services for patrons with disabilities. For more information, call 888-GO-NJPAC.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 09, 2011

Today, the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets—a global, grassroots campaign to fight malaria in Africa—announced that Disney’s The Lion King and the Nederlander Organization are joining the campaign as its newest partners in the movement to end malaria. The organizations will work together to raise awareness among millions of Broadway fans about how they can help stop malaria, a disease spread by a single mosquito bite that kills a child every 45 seconds in Africa.

“We’re thrilled to have Disney’s The Lion King, the Nederlander Organization, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS join Nothing But Nets to help save lives from malaria,” said the UN Foundation’s Vice President of Global Partnerships, Elizabeth Gore. “In five years, the Nothing But Nets campaign has brought together the world’s largest group of partners and grassroots supporters to send nets to save lives from malaria; today we’re excited to bring that buzz to the Broadway community.”

To date, hundreds of thousands of Nothing But Nets supporters have raised nearly $ 40 million to send more than 6 million nets, to help families across Africa live healthy lives free from malaria.

The Lion King has connected millions of Americans to Africa. It’s fitting that this story gives its fans an opportunity to help fight malaria—a leading cause of death among children on the continent. Tom Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Group, remarked: “We welcome the Nothing But Nets campaign to The Lion King in celebration of their fifth anniversary and in recognition of their life saving efforts to prevent the spread of malaria in Africa.”

This week, the partners kick off weekly giveaways through their social media channels to raise awareness and funds, leading up to a landmark fundraising appeal on World Malaria Day in April 2012, in association with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

“When my grandfather founded the Nederlander Company in 1912, hundreds of people were still dying from malaria around the U.S. every year,” said James L. Nederlander, President of the Nederlander Organization. “We’ve proven that we can beat malaria in this country, but we need to keep going until all families are safe from this preventable disease. We’re proud to join Nothing But Nets to raise awareness and send life-saving nets to families in Africa.”

Anyone can be a Champion in the fight against malaria. This partnership will spread the buzz on Broadway and across the country—from students to CEOs—that it takes just $ 10 to send a net and save a life. A $ 10 donation helps purchase a long-lasting, insecticide-treated net, delivers it to a family in Africa, and educates communities on its importance and use. To learn more, visit http://www.NothingButNets.net.

Tweet me: Malaria kills. @TheLionKing is biting back with @NothingButNets @NederlanderBway and @BCEFA! http://ow.ly/7jsME

About Nothing But Nets

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The people of The United Methodist Church, and Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S. It only costs $ 10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit http://www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $ 1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. We build and implement public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and work to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through our campaigns and partnerships, we connect people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. These campaigns focus on reducing child mortality, empowering women and girls, creating a new energy future, securing peace and human rights, and promoting technology innovation to improve health outcomes. These solutions are helping the UN advance the eight global targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For more information, visit http://www.unfoundation.org.

About the Nederlander Organization

The Nederlander Organization is a family company prominent for three generations in management and operation of theatres and the production and presentation of distinguished entertainment. Under the guidance of Chairman, James M. Nederlander and President, James L. Nederlander, the company owns/operates nine Broadway theatres in New York and a chain of legitimate theatres and amphitheaters around America and in London. The Nederlanders are also prolific, award-winning producers of Broadway and touring productions including Annie, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, La Cage aux Folles, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Me and My Girl, Movin’ Out, Noises Off, Peter Pan, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Will Rogers Follies, West Side Story and many others.

About Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised over $ 195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses. BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors Fund, including The HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more. BC/EFA also awards annual grants to more than 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide. For more information, visit BroadwayCares.org.

# # #

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) October 22, 2006

(M.A.D.a.M.) M.A.D.a.M and Area 108 FM and The Whiskey Sky CLUB & Sire/Mute Records proudly present Depeche Mode Touring The Angel: Live in Milan Special Event on Oct.29th 2006 starting at 10pm at The Whiskey at Green Valley Ranch Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas , Nevada.

Touring the Angel: Live and Milan is the focus of this special event. Giveaways at the event will include Depeche Mode Touring The Angel: Live In Milan CD (8 Live tracks) + 2 DVDs (complete live concert on DVD 1 and on DVD 2, over an hour of extras and tour documentary). DVDs(of entire concert in Amray box), 2 DVD+CD Sets (limited), posters and a grand prize mohawk Knit Head hat ( http://www.knit-head.com ) that Martin Gore wears in the show. Area 108 FM is giving away the promotional Depeche Mode items on air to special radio winners. The following is more information on the on the band and DVD & CD set brought to you by http://www.depechemode.com.

“The most popular electronic band the world has ever known” – Q

“One of the greatest British pop groups of all time” – Sunday Telegraph

Depeche Mode’s ‘Touring The Angel’ was one of the most successful, highly grossing and critically acclaimed tours of the last year. Hailed as the greatest live performances of their career, it can be re-lived from September 25th when it’s released as a special edition 3-disc set, featuring the full-length live show and a host of exclusive extras on two DVDs and a live audio CD.

Directed by Blue Leach, who has previously worked with R.E.M, it was recorded at Milan’s Fila Forum on February 18th and 19th 2006 and sees the band at their live best with a pulsing sound, electric stage presence and ecstatic audience.

“Touring the Angel was probably the most enjoyable, rewarding live show we’ve ever done”, says Dave Gahan. “The new material was just waiting to be played live. It took on a life of its own. With the energy of the crowds, it just came to life”

“It had been four years since the last tour, so we were ready to take the album on the road” adds Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher. “For us, everything came together – it was one of our definitive live moments, especially as we got to perform older, equally special tracks.”

The first DVD features over 20 stunning live songs, including the recent hit singles ‘Precious’, ‘A Pain That I’m Used To’, ‘Suffer Well’ and ‘John The Revelator’ plus the definitive ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’, ‘I Feel You’, ‘Enjoy The Silence’ and many more.

DVD2 features a range of exclusive extras, including: two bonus live songs – 1986′s smash-hit ‘A Question of Lust’ and ‘Playing The Angel’s ‘Damaged People’ – plus a 20-minute documentary featuring Anton Corbijn, who directed the video for ‘Suffer Well’ and created the tour’s six stage screens, which also appear here.

“We worked with Anton Corbijn on the stage designs, which gave continuity from the videos” adds Dave Gahan. “It was definitely felt like one of our strongest tours – both musically and visually”

Additionally, the DVD boasts the official tour announcement from Germany, Summer 2005, and the previously unreleased ‘Playing The Angel’ electronic press kit. Meanwhile, the audio CD features over thirty minutes of stunning live tracks from the concert.

The European leg of the world tour followed 24 American dates and featured four UK shows – including two at London’s Wembley Arena. It sold-out 69 arena dates throughout 30 countries, with 800,000 tickets sold in Europe alone, and was their first since 2001′s ‘Exciter’, where they played to nearly two million people. In total, Depeche Mode played to 2.5 million people across 31 countries this year.

International sales of ‘Playing The Angel’ have surpassed two million, seeing them reach Number 1 in eighteen countries, plus Top Ten in the UK, US and Canada. The album has been certified multiple platinum and gold in 20 countries.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Leonardo’s Secret: Clean Up Your Act!

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) November 09, 2011

Clarence & Desta Sheridan introduces Leonardo’s Secret: Clean Up Your Act!, for eReader devices. View the Book Trailer and see a young Leonardo da Vinci, as a a busboy, who was asked to make turtle soup. One of the turtles begged for his life! It was Tuttle. Tuttle, tried to convince Leonardo that there is a big world out there, and he could show him all about it, if he would just take a chance.

This is the first in a series of children’s fiction books. “Leonardo’s Secret: Clean Up Your Act!” follows the life of “Tuttle the Turtle”. A turtle who lived so long, he evolved into an independent thinking and speaking mastermind. Follow Tuttle as he influences many famous and sometimes infamous people throughout history.

Young Leonardo and Tuttle are faced with dilemmas that cause them to create wondrous inventions, so far ahead of their time, that no one else sees them for the grand ideas they really are. Through humor and chaos, Leonardo’s inventions come to life, only to find out that everyone one else sees them for something different in the end.

Together, Leonardo and Tuttle embark on colorful and unpredictable adventures that allow for delightful family entertainment, while taking a fresh look at some of da Vinci’s 6,000 most imaginative inventions!

Originally written as a screenplay, here are some of the KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror comments:

“Having a turtle behind his inventions is a humorous and creative way to get kids’ attention. The last scene hooks you – when chaos reins and an invention is formed out of the disaster. Another hook – the tension when da Vinci thinks the turtle is getting baked. This is good, clean fun with a fun ending.”

ISBN: 9780966386417

Pricing and Availability:

Barnes and Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle Version Features Include:

3D Artwork
Introductory Price $ 2.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies)

Special iBook Store Enhanced Version Features:

3D Artwork
Animated sequences
Audio enhanced glossary
Special Apple iBook Introductory Pricing: $ 1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies)

All Online Stores have sample chapters available on their respective “Product Pages”.

Clarence Sheridan – Creator and Author of Leonardo’s Secret

Producer of BackStage starring Carol Channing CD-ROM game which was lauded in The New York Times, NPR and on PC Magazine’s Top 100 List. Art/Show Director for Disney Entertainment. Winner Best Animation; Midwest Entertainment Film Festival for Techman. Other accomplishments include performing on Broadway for 5 years at Radio City Music Hall and in the Tony and Grammy nominated production of Hello, Dolly!, starring Carol Channing.

Desta Sheridan – Story Contributor:

Behind every good man is a woman who makes it so everyone can understand what he is doing…That would be Desta. Desta met Clarence while she was also performing in the Tony and Grammy nominated production of “Hello, Dolly!”, starring Carol Channing. She also performed in London’s West End in ShowBoat. Her best production to date are the 2 children she had with Clarence.

Copyright (C) 2011 Clarence Sheridan. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Scottsdale, Arizona (PRWEB) November 10, 2011

After a careful assessment of admission data, Journey Healing Centers (http://journeyrecoverycenters.com) reveals that 90% of their clients are dependent on one or more prescription drugs when they enter addiction treatment. The holistic healing program offered at JHC has a 95% treatment completion, which is a high success rate according to industry standards. As unfortunate as the untimely passing of Michael Jackson was, pharma cocktails like the one implicated in the recent trial ((Valium, Ativan, Versed and Propofol) are more common than might be expected. Many of the clients admitted to Journey Healing Centers are addicted to even more prescription drugs, and some even walk in with bags full of pills.

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH 2010), prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing health problem in the US with about 7 million people regularly using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes (2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.) In addressing this disturbing trend, Michael Desjardins MSN, APRN PMHNP-BC, Journey Healing Centers, explains, “People are not taking care of the underlying problem. If they have an ache or a pain, they want a pill to take care of it. And there are too many providers out there ready to write a prescription thinking they’re helping and they’re not, and it’s dangerous.”

Pill sharing, doctor shopping and Pill Mills are all contributing to this prescription drug abuse epidemic. It is way too easy to get prescription drugs from a friend or family member’s medicine cabinet or shop doctors to get a fix and feed an addiction. And because these drugs are prescribed by a doctor, many get the false impression that prescriptions are safe. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported 1 in 20 people in the US ages 12 and older reported using prescription painkillers non-medically in 2010.

On top of this prescription drug epidemic, many young adults are using designer drugs such as Bath Salts, Dragonfly and Spice that are legal, and can be deadly. Dr Oz did a show this week about Dragonfly, and Dr Ravi Chandiramani, Journey Healing Centers Medical Director, was just interviewed by AZ Family Channel 3 in Phoenix about the dangers of Dragonfly and Spice: Dragonfly New Deadly Designer Drug: http://www.azfamily.com/news/health/Dragonfly-New-deadly-designer-drug-133570708.html

Journey Healing Centers’ 95% treatment completion success rate is a result of providing clients with a holistic healing program targeting the mind, body and spirit versus throwing more medication at a problem. While withdrawal from medications can be painful, the licensed doctors and therapists provide treatment to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. The customized holistic healing program expertly blends medical oversight to taper addictive medications to the bare minimum possible while incorporating laboratory testing, nutritional assessment, dietary modification, hormone rebalancing, and condition specific therapies and replacing bad habits with new hobbies such as yoga therapy, art therapy, and equine therapy.

Background:

Journey Healing Centers operates drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Arizona and Utah, and has been featured on MTV’s Gone Too Far, PBS, ABC News 15 Phoenix, Fox 10 Phoenix, ABC 4 Salt Lake City, AZ Family Phoenix, NPR.org, USAToday.com, Psychology Today and in People Magazine. Journey Healing Centers has supported thousands dealing with addictions through Residential Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Sober Living Homes, Aftercare, Sobriety for Life Program and a Free 24-Hour Hotline with Addiction Specialists: 1-866-774-5119 or visit: http://journeyrecoverycenters.com

For a timely interview on Prescription Drug Abuse and Holistic Healing options, please contact:

Liz Brown

310-987-7207

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Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) November 10, 2011

Jack Wishna, Founder and CEO of rockcityclub.com, and a friend of Michael Jackson, joins the Jackson Estate in calling for NBC Universal to cancel the airing of “Michael Jackson and the Doctor – A Fatal Friendship” set to air Friday November 11, 2012.    Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star this week, and Jack Wishna wrote in a letter to MSNBC that the documentary is an attempt to glorify the actions of Murray and is giving Murray, a convicted felon, a platform that he refused to take in a court of law.

Friends for over a decade, Jack Wishna and Michael Jackson also worked together to help develop new musical talent. It was Wishna who convinced Michael to return to America after 18 months in exile, moved him to Las Vegas, Nevada, and worked with him to create the ‘biggest comeback in the history of entertainment’ along with the programs that eventually would become rockcityclub.com, the creator of the first Social Music Network. This collaboration of Michael Jackson and Jack Wishna continues to help many aspiring musicians and artists that come through the rockcityclub.com platform .

“Michael was a very caring and trusting human being and it is horrible how Conrad Murray took advantage of Michael for his own gain, and did not care enough about him to help him through his pain. And now NBC is giving Murray a reward by focusing a show on his opinions and views and having him further tarnish the image of a great talent, human being and humanitarian” said Wishna.

“It is our hope that NBC Universal and MSNBC will show compassion to Michael Jackson’s family, his loyal fans, and the many real friends Michael had and reverse their decision to air this unnecessary documentary,” added Wishna

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There is much controversy surrounding the late Michael Jackson’s death. There have been claims that his death was a murder, a homicide even if the LAPD has denied allegations that they have started investigations into the case.

Michael Will Be Missed Forever…

Even if there are certain quarters who are not at eased with his actions and controversies surrounding the late King of Pop, he will undoubtedly be sorely missed by the entertainment industry. His career has seen too many great songs, many of which are number ones including great videos. Let’s not forget that he was involved in the USA-AFRICA campaign which was intended to solve world hunger and poverty. Not only did he do that, he was recorded in the Guiness Book Of World Records for being the celebrity that contributed to the most number of charities (39 in total) including the concert of the Century, Victory Tour which saw him contributing 5 million to 3 different charity organizations. Many of his fans, including myself are planning to honor Michael Jackson by wearing Michael Jackson Halloween Costumes.

Was It Murder?

Again, this is a highly controversial issue. Other than the fact that articles such as this could very well sway investigations and the juries’ verdict (since it is still an ongoing case), we can only assume. Michael Jackson’s death has been said to be due to a cardiac arrest initially and further investigations led to the administration of the powerful drug Propofol (also known as Diprovan) by the late Michael’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. Propofol or Diprovan is a strong medication to treat insomnia and Dr. Conrad Murray is the one that has been found to administer the drug to Micheal which led to Michael’s addiction to the drug. Michael was said to be in the process of trying to kick off his habit on Diprovan prior to his death. Further reports by the coroner has said that Michael’s death was a homicide due to a combination of a series of drugs including Lorazepam, Propofol (Dirpovan) and Midazolam. While there may be differing opinions as to whether Dr. Murray’s charge for homicide is right or wrong, it must be said that Diprovan is a very powerful drug and an overdose can lead to a cardiac arrest (which was just what happened). We will wait in anticipation as the case goes into its proceedings…

Michael Jackson – Pepsi Hair On Fire

As we all know, Michael Jackson is one of the many celebrities who endorsed Pepsi at one time or another. Sometime in the 80s, post-Thriller, Michael Jackson was involved in a horrific tragedy when his hair was set on fire. In the 1984 filming of the Pepsi ad in the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, Michael suffered severe scalp burns. As a result, Pepsi paid .5 million to settle the case; an amount which Michael donated to the Broatman Medical Centre. While there was no concrete evidence to indicate otherwise, there has been suggestions that Michael’s long battle with an assortment of addictions had been triggered by this “Pepsi Hair On Fire” incident. Whether that has any truth to it remains to be seen.

It’s Ironic, that today, Thursday, September 3, as I write this, Michael Jackson has been finally laid to rest. What better way to celebrate his life and legacy than to wear Michael Jackson Halloween Costumes this Halloween.

Another problem with such sites is that you’ll have to browse through a lot of other junk in order to find the one music video that you actually like. Moreover since it is non musical site you’ll only be able to find the popular music videos which may not necessarily be the best music video. Also the genres of music are quite limited as not everything gets published and approved. In recent times most music video fans have been disappointed but luckily this problem has not gone unnoticed.

Webmasters have realized that users need a site that is dedicated to music videos and a site that can offer to the users a lot more variety and genres. It is very convenient if all the best music video and dance music videos are available at the same place in the form of free music videos. These genres should also include popular free music videos like hip hop videos and other dance music videos.

The users also want access to those private music albums that are quite rare to find but can be fascinating at times as there are a lot of talented people out there who are not noticed always. Finally, an icing on the cake would be the most controversial video features that can expose truths about music or pop stars to their fans.

In case you are a music video fan looking for all such options under one umbrella you should give http://favoritemusicvideo.com/ a try for sure. The site offers a tremendous variety of great free music videos and you can also find popular search and sort functions to facilitate your search for the best music video.

You can also view ratings of videos by other users and the popularity they have attained. The site also educates about the various genres of music and various unknown facts. More than being a music video site this one is a free online music videos library that offers a lot more than most other sources.

1.  Steppin Out – Joe Jackson (1982)

This is the very first MTV video I ever saw.  It was 1982 and I didn’t even know what MTV was.  I was a 13-year-old girl babysitting alone for sleeping children in a quiet, dark house in front of the TV.  I had the remote and landed on this new channel “MTV” and there it was — “Steppin’ Out” by Joe Jackson.  I watched this “picture story” and was so enticed and excited that I immediately reached over to the end table, picked up the monstrous cordless phone (I don’t remember the actual size, but based upon the time period, I’m sure it was sizable) and called my mom.  I tried to explain to her in my excitement the true total awesomeness of it all — how I had just watched a “story” played to a song, on “pay tv”.

2.  Black Coffee in Bed – Squeeze (1982)
Black Coffee in Bed – Squeeze

This has to be the second MTV video I ever saw, and as we didn’t have MTV at home yet, I watched it on one of HBO’s half-hour music video shows.  My 33-year-old mom fell in love with it, and actually introduced me to it.  You may know “Tempted” or “Something So Strong” by Squeeze, but if that’s all you know, you’re missing out on their greatest song, and one of the best videos ever.

3.  I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues – Elton John (1983)

I fell in love with song because of the original video.  It’s the story of a young couple separated during WWII because the young man is drafted.  I have always been a vicarious time-traveler, and I especially love the music, clothing, and simpleness of that time period.  My dear grandparents were separated during WWII and corresponded by letters for several years, marrying upon his return in 1946.  When I watched this video as a young teen, I inserted myself into the video, into the most bittersweet, romantic scenario I could imagine.  Today I can watch it and feel the way I felt then.

4.  No Rain – Blind Melon (1992)

The 1990s were one of the best decades ever for music because of the “Seattle Sound” or Grunge.  The first time I heard “No Rain”, my attraction to Blind Melon was immediate.  Their music seemed familiar to me somehow; maybe it was because of their traditional rock sound, or maybe it was just because I felt right at home in all those fields of wildflowers and could relate to The Bee Girl.

5.  Cars – Gary Numan (1979)
Gary Numan – Cars

Way before Emo, there was Gary Numan. Gary Numan was light years ahead of the groups of my childhood.  He introduced synthpop and electronic, a new look, and a new era of music.  He looked good in eyeliner, he looked good without a tan, and he was wearing the quilted, red, casket-lining jacket WAY before Michael Jackson.  He sent messages out to the universe, “Your teenagers of the future WILL LOVE VAMPIRES.”  What exactly was it that he had?  I didn’t know the name for it then, and cannot find the words to describe it now.  All I know is this:  First I loved Dark Shadows and Barnabas Collins, then I loved Video Killed the Radio Star, and THEN I loved Gary Numan.

6.  Waiting On A Friend – Mick Jagger (1981)

“Everything old is new again.” —Peter Allen

“The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.” —Aldous Huxley

The Mick Jagger of this 1981 video would be completely at home in this day and age of laid-back, skinny jeans, long hair, pumped-up lips, and sweet, soulful jazz-rock.  He wasn’t waiting on a lady; he was just waiting on a friend.

7.  You Got Lucky – Tom Petty (1982)
You Got Lucky – Tom Petty

Back in the infamous ’80s, we never thought we would live to see 25.  I can speak for myself anyway.  It was the age of the Cold War, the Big Bomb, the Wall.  This video seemed so realistic back then.  I’m not quite sure, in reminiscence, what type of world disaster would have left the sky that strange shade of rose,
or just a chosen few males riding around in a dune buggy/go-cart, but I was a believer.  

8.  Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac (1982)

I’m a huge Stevie Nicks fan.  She’s just magical, as are all her songs.  When I used to watch this video, and when I watch it today, I get lost in the story.  She goes up to the attic, looks into a mirror, and becomes “the gypsy that she was”.  The way I always interpreted it was that when she looked into the mirror she started reliving her former life as a gypsy.  But in reading what Stevie says now about how the song was created, I am a little disappointed to find that the “velvet underground” was but a memory of the “poor” days before Fleetwood Mac, when she and Lindsey lived in a room with just a mattress donned with vintage coverlets, and a lone lamp.

9.  Crash Into Me (Dave Matthews Band) – 1996

I’ll never forget the first time I heard this song.  I was rollerblading in Tampa, Florida in 1997, wearing a pair of bad headphones tuned into FM radio, and it came through garbled and distorted, and still I fell in love.  The video is violins, medieval festivals, forests, the smell of rain, and raw romance.

10.  Lay Lady Lay (Magnet and Gemma Hayes) – 2003

This is the best music video I have ever seen.  I like everything about it, and it was a “love at first view”.  Everything works together to touch some special place inside of me that I didn’t even know existed and could never find the way to myself — the trailer park, the windmills, the breakfast truck including overly-fried, brown eggs, the really good-looking-in-an-unassuming-way guy, the “white trash” girl with bleached blond hair and heavy black eyeliner and oh-so-obvious lip liner, the Jesus sticker in the window, the kid with acne, and all the people who pop out of the bed (especially the ones with musical instruments).  When Magnet rides his bike through the trailer park I just want to ride with him.  How can I explain it?  This has got to be The Best Music Video of All Time.

Cool fact: In 1894, sheet music publishers Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern hired electrician George Thomas and various performers to promote sales of their song “The Little Lost Child”.  Using a magic lantern, Thomas projected a series of still images on a screen simultaneous to live performances. This would become a popular form of entertainment known as the illustrated song, the first step toward music video (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)…