News

On Monday, February 24, co-founder of Cure Addiction Now (Can), a nonprofit dedicated to funding innovative research for substance use disorder (Sud), Nancy Davis welcomed guests to The Beverly Hills Hotel for its Inaugural Fundraising Evening, which raised $800,000.

The inaugural event featured a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction and special performances by Rufus Wainwright, Siedah Garrett, David Foster, Madison Love, Colin Love, Scout Willis, and Luke K.

For the first time ever, the event united supporters, advocates and experts to raise critical funds for Can’s groundbreaking initiatives. By fostering collaboration among leading scientists and addressing both addiction and mental health, Can is advancing toward its goal of eliminating the stigma and delivering life-saving solutions. In addition to funding scientific research, a donation will be made from the event to a local center supporting patients who suffer from substance use disorder that have been affected by the fires in Los Angeles.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won the award for Original Song for a Comedy or Musical for their Oscar-nominated “Barbie” tune “What Was I Made For?” while past Academy Award winner and 2024 nominee Ludwig Göransson took home the Original Score for a Studio Film honor for “Oppenheimer” to pace the Society of Composers & Lyricists Scl Awards tonight at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in a ceremony hosted by singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett.

Also picking up trophies were Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro for Original Song for a Drama or Documentary for their tune “Can’t Catch Me Now” from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” while John Powell was awarded the prize for Original Score for an Independent Film for scoring the documentary feature “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”

SEE5th Annual Scl Awards Nominations: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Lenny Kravitz among contenders [Full List]

Director...

Billie Eilish and her brother and songwriting partner Finneas took home best original song for a comedy at the 2024 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards on Tuesday. Olivia Rodrigo, Ludwig Göransson, Nicholas Britell and John Powell were among other winners.

Eilish and Finneas won the award for their hit Barbie track “What Was I Made For,” less than two weeks after winning a Grammy for the same song, which is also nominated for an Oscar. It beat its fellow Barbie song “I’m Just Ken” Flamin’ Hot‘s “The Fire Inside,” The L Word: Generation Q’s “All About Me” and Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s “Peaches.”

Rodrigo and music producer Dan Nigro took home the award for best original song for a drama or documentary for her viral “Can’t Catch Me Now” from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. She beat songs from American Symphony,...

Oppenheimer‘s Ludwig Göransson won the marquee film prize at the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards, which were handed out Tuesday night in Los Angeles. The Black Panther Academy Award winner took Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film and also is nominated for the Original Score Oscar next month.

Hitmakers Billie Eilish & Finneas and Olivia Rodrigo scooped Original Song statuettes for their respective tunes from Barbie and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The Barbie track won Song of the Year at the Grammys this month and a Golden Globe in January and is up for Best Song at the 96th Oscars on March 10.

Still: A Michael J. Fox composer John Powell won Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film.

The TV prizes went to Nicholas Britell for Succession and Carlos Rafael Rivera for Lessons in Chemistry.

Related: Martin Scorsese On Death Of “Confidante, Collaborator, Advisor...

Billie Eilish, Finneas, Ludwig Göransson and Nicholas Britell were among the winners Tuesday evening at the 5th annual Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards.

Eilish and Finneas took home the award for outstanding original song for a comedy or musical for “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie.” The win continued their sweep of the season from the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards.

Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro won outstanding original song for a drama or documentary for “Can’t Catch Me Now” from “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Britell took home the prize for outstanding original score for a television production for “Succession.”

Göransson, who was honored with Variety’s Artisans Award in Santa Barbara this past weekend, won outstanding original score for a studio film for “Oppenheimer.” John Powell won outstanding original score for an independent film, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” and Stephen Barton...

The Society of Composers & Lyricists will honor Martin Scorsese and the late Robbie Robertson with the Spirit of Collaboration Award at this year’s Scl Awards on Feb. 13.

This award recognizes a “composer/director relationship which has created a prodigious body of work.” Robertson and Scorsese’s collaborations have included Raging Bull, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, Silence, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Past recipients of the Spirit of Collaboration Award include Thomas Newman and Sam Mendes, Terence Blanchard and Spike Lee, Carter Burwell and the Coen Brothers and last year’s honorees Justin Hurwitz and Damien Chazelle.

The nominees for the Scl Awards, which this year will be hosted by Siedah Garrett, closely reflect this year’s Oscar-nominated songwriters and composers: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (Barbie), Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt (Barbie), Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson (American Symphony) and Diane Warren...

“Inheritance,” “The Accident” and “Good Bad Things” are among the award winners at the 30th annual Slamdance Film Festival. The winners were announced Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Park City – The Yarrow in Park City, Utah.

The three films feted the Feature Grand Jury Prizes, while the Audience Awards went to “African Giants,” “Demon Mineral,” “Good Bad Things” and “Night Drives.”

The festival also announced the recipient of their Agbo Fellowship from Slamdance alumni Joe and Anthony Russo. It went to Kiarash Dadgar, whose short film “The Steak” was programmed as a part of the Narrative Shorts competition and included a $25,000 prize with mentorship from the brothers.

“This year’s award-winning films leave an indelible mark on the world of independent cinema. Each one delves into groundbreaking storytelling and the spirit of human resilience, highlighting the extreme filmmaking talent on show at Slamdance ’24,” Taylor Miller, Slamdance director, said in a statement.

Pop/Edm singer Lachi has probably put as much work into being an artist as she has into being an advocate for the disabled community. She has sung at the Lincoln Center and the White House, spoken at the United Nations and become a member of the Grammy Board, where she has helped make the awards ceremony more accessible for artists with disabilities. The artist has also brought in members with disabilities to the Recording Academy, including Namel Norris, Gaelynn Lea, Siedah Garrett and Ryan Nelson. Lachi has accomplished all this in addition to her work establishing the Ford Foundation-funded global network Rampd, or Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities, which has collaborated with such entertainment giants as Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The singer, who is legally blind, has penned a new song to honor the late Judy Heumann, special advisor for international disability rights under the Barack Obama administration,...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Elemental and the start of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts premiere

Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Tobe Nwigwe, Liza Koshy, Peter Dinklage, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Peter Cullen and Pete Davidson walked the red carpet in Brooklyn on Monday for the U.S. premiere of the latest Transformers flick.

Peter Dinklage, Lauren Vélez, Pete Davidson, Tobe Nwigwe, David Sobolov, Ron Perlman, Tongayi Chirisa, Steven Caple Jr., Peter Cullen, Cristo Fernández, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Dominique Fishback, Anthony Ramos and Liza Koshy Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback and Tobe Nwigwe

Tiny Beautiful Things FYC

The Tiny Beautiful Things team, including star Kathryn Hahn, attended an FYC event in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Tanzyn Crawford, Ingrid Michaelson, Kathryn Hahn, Lauren Neustadter...

On Friday, June 2, Multiple Sclerosis (Ms) advocate and Center Without Walls founder Nancy Davis welcomed guests to the Fairmont Century Plaza for the 30th Annual Race to Erase Ms Gala.

Flo Rida performs onstage during the 30th Annual Race To Erase Ms Gala

Credit/Copyright: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Race to Erase Ms

The event raised over $2 million to benefit the Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top Ms research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for Ms. The star-studded event featured performances by Flo Rida and Siedah Garrett. Additionally, Cinq à Sept kicked off the evening with a fashion show, featuring the Fall 2023 Fashion Collection.

Guests at this year’s landmark event included Race to Erase Ms Founder Nancy Davis, performers Flo Rida and Siedah Garrett, and special guests Alan Bersten,...

When philanthropist and jewelry designer Nancy Davis founded Race to Erase Ms 30 years ago, the medical world was grappling with limited solutions for those affected by multiple sclerosis, the chronic neurological disease in which immune system cells attack myelin (protective sheaths) in the central nervous system.

Two years earlier, in 1991, Davis refused to accept the bleak prognosis handed to her at the age of 33 when she herself was diagnosed with Ms. “They [doctors] told me I should just go home and go to bed. There were a lot of hocus-pocus remedies like bee stings — pretty crazy things that were not going to help you. It was quite scary and terrifying. I obviously did not listen.”

Two years later, she founded the Race to Erase Ms, which in three decades has raised more than $50 million to fund critical research on multiple sclerosis, which is estimated to affect nearly one million people in the United States.

The Race to Erase Ms Gala will return to Fairmont Century Plaza on June 2, 2023 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gala.

This year’s guests will be treated to a celebration featuring a performance from Flo Rida and Siedah Garrett to help raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. The event will also boast a Cinq à Sept fashion show.

Race to Erase Ms was founded in 1993 by Nancy Davis and is dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of multiple sclerosis. Funding research is the core focus of the foundation and significant strides have been made to find the cause and cure of this debilitating disease. At the event’s inception 30 years ago, the absence of medications and therapies encouraged its involvement; the Race has been instrumental in funding pilot studies that have contributed to drugs now on the market and other very important therapies that are improving...

Just in time to celebrate Pride weekend The live recording of Songs of the Phoenix, will be available everywhere, digitally, Friday, June 24th. Songs of the Phoenix features music by composers and lyricists Ty Defoe, Alexandra Elle, Siedah Garrett, Joriah Kwame, Daniel Lazour, Patrick Lazour, Melissa Li, Andrew Lippa, Ingrid Michaelson, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Diana Syrse, and Kit Yan.

Composer Kris Bowers could find himself landing more than one Emmy nomination come July.

From composing the music to “Bridgerton” to “Inventing Anna,” and reuniting with Ava Duvernay for “Colin in Black and White” to penning an original song for “Dear White People,” the odds are stacked in his favor as he has multiple paths to landing a nomination and even win.

Bowers returned to score “Bridgerton’s” second season. The composer says he spent a lot of time focusing on Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony’s (Jonathan Bailey) theme and how it should sound.

As the characters go from enemies to lovers, Bowers explains he knew their storyline would be “complicated, messy and devastating for somebody.” His initial version of the theme was “pretty dark. It’s kind of sad,” he admits. But it’s a swelling theme, and by the time the two characters kiss, Bowers says, “We...

On Friday, May 20, Multiple Sclerosis (Ms) advocate and Center Without Walls founder, Nancy Davis, welcomed guests to the Fairmont Century Plaza for the 29th Annual Race to Erase Ms Gala.

Siedah Garrett, Nancy Davis and guests are seen onstage with Chic during the 29th Annual Race To Erase Ms

Credit/Copyright: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Race to Erase Ms

The event raised over 1.4 million to benefit the Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top Ms research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for Ms. The star-studded event featured a performance by Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, and guitarist Nile Rodgers and Chic. Additionally, Tommy Hilfiger presented its latest adaptive collection in a fashion show at this year’s gala. First launched in 2017, the adaptive line features innovatively designed clothing that...

After two highly successful years of drive-in events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Race to Erase Ms gala makes its long-awaited return to the foundation’s original home at the newly renovated Fairmont Century Plaza on May 20th, 2022.

This year’s guests will be treated to a celebration featuring a performance from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend, Nile Rodgers & Chic to help raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. The event will also boast a fashion show featuring Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive’s latest collection. Launched in 2017, the line features innovatively designed clothing that makes dressing easier for adults and children with disabilities.

Expected to attend are Race to Erase Ms founder Nancy Davis, Headliners Nile Rodgers & Chic, and additional special guests including Alan Bersten, Amanda Kloots, Angela Lewis, Anna Fiamora, Anna Trebunskaya, Anne Heche, Big Boy, Brandee Evans, Brian Austin Green, Camerone Parker, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Carmen Electra, Christine Devine,...

The Society of Composers & Lyricists announced the winners of its 3rd Annual Scl Awards this evening at The Skirball Cultural Center. The event, which was hosted by rapper Aloe Blacc, recognizes composers and songwriters in all visual media.

Oscar-nominated siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell accepted their award virtually for Outstanding Original Song for a Drama/Documentary for the theme from No Time To Die.

Outstanding Original Song for a Musical/Comedy went to “Just Look up”, co-written by Nicholas Britell, Taura Stinson, Ariana Grande and Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, from Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up.

Germaine Franco, also nominated for an Oscar this year and the first woman to score an animated feature film for Disney, won in the category of Outstanding Original Score for a Studio film for Encanto, while Daniel Hart was awarded in the Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film category for A24’s The Green Knight.

2Nd Update, 6:00 Pm: The Society of Composers & Lyricists has rescheduled its Covid-delayed third annual Scl Awards for Tuesday, March 8, at the Skirball Cultural Center in L.A.

“After much deliberation, we have also decided to extend out final voting period,” the group said this evening. “This will allow our many mem bers who have been impacted by the surge in Covid-19 additional time to review all the nominees’ excellent work.” The voting period now will begin Monday and run through February 25.

See the list of nominations below.

Updated, 4:30 Pm: The Society of Composers & Lyricists has postponed its third annual Scl Awards amid the surge in Covid cases tied to the Omicron variant. No new date was set for the ceremony that had been set for February 1 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Here is the statement from the group’s president, Ashley Irwin:

Upon...

The Society of Composers & Lyricists have announced the full list of Scl Awards’ nominees, to be presented the 3rd Annual Scl Awards for score and songs in visual media on February 1st at the Skirball Cultural Center (Covid permitting). Awards are presented in seven competitive categories: Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film, Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film, Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production, Outstanding Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production, Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production, Outstanding Original Score for Interactive Media, and the David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent.

The evening hosted by Darren Criss will include musical performances from Grammy-nominated singers/songwriters of Bridgerton: The Unofficial Musical Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy winner Judith Hill, and more. A musical tribute will accompany the spirit of collaboration award.

Full list of nominees below:

Outstanding...

Nicholas Britell has a leading three nominations from the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards, with Tuesday’s announcement of this year’s nominees for music in visual media finding Britell in contention for both song and score for his work on Adam McKay’s satire “Don’t Look Up,” as well as a nom for TV score for “Succession.”

The Scl’s third annual awards program is slated for Feb. 1 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Women composers and songwriters had a surprisingly strong showing this year. Fifteen of the 35 individuals nominated, or nearly 43% of the total, are female. They are nominees in all six competitive categories, and took all three slots for the newly established David Raksin Award for emerging talent.

Four contenders received two nominations each: Jonny Greenwood, Kid Cudi (songs in “Don’t Look Up” and “The Harder They Fall”), Germaine Franco (scores for “Encanto” and the...

Nicholas Britell led all composers with three nominations for the third annual Society of Composers and Lyricists’ Scl Awards, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Britell was nominated for his scores to the film “Don’t Look Up” and the television series “Succession,” as well as for co-writing the song “Just Look Up” from “Don’t Look Up.”

Other composers or songwriters with multiple nominations in the seven categories were Germaine Franco, nominated for her scores to “Encanto” and “Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness”; Jonny Greenwood, nominated for “The Power of the Dog” and “Spencer”; Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, nominated for songs from “Don’t Look Up” and “The Harder They Fall”; and Diane Warren, nominated for songs from “Four Good Days” and “The Mustangs.”

Nominees in the Studio Film category were Britell, Franco, Greenwood, Alexandre Desplat for “The French Dispatch” and Hans Zimmer for “Dune.” In the Independent Film category, Greenwood was...

Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. All are renowned in the business, but some are less well known to the general public. Here, these artists tell their complete stories, giving an up-close look at life on music’s A list. This edition features singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett.

Siedah Garrett will go down in pop-music history as the woman who co-wrote “Man in the Mirror” for Michael Jackson and...

Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you have not watched the fourth and final season of “Dear White People,” streaming now on Netflix.

When Justin Simien was adapting his 2014 satirical film “Dear White People” into a half-hour television series, he created a bible for the show that included a reference to Donald Trump becoming president. And then Trump did just that. When Simien was conceptualizing the fourth and final season of the Netflix comedy, he wrote in a fictional virus. And then Covid-19 hit.

At that point, he and co-showrunner Jaclyn Moore had already worked out plans for a future storyline in addition to the main characters’ senior year at Winchester University playing out in the final run of episodes. The future story is set 15 years later in order to see the characters finally attempting to resolve some things between them, while the senior year story follows them as they...

On Friday, June 4, Multiple Sclerosis (Ms) advocate and Center Without Walls founder Nancy Davis welcomed guests to the Rose Bowl for the 28th Annual Race to Erase Ms Gala: Drive-In to Erase Ms.

Earth, Wind & Fire perform onstage at the 28th Annual Race To Erase Ms

Credit/Copyright: Rich Fury/Getty Images for Race to Erase Ms

For the second year in a row, this legendary event was held at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium for a night of celebration and fundraising under the stars. The evening raised over $1.4 Million to benefit the Race to Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top Ms research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for Ms.

The event opened with a Spring/Summer 2021 runway show from Hollywood-favorite fashion brand alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet.

Three of this year’s Oscar nominated tunes were penned by Black songwriters: Celeste reaped a bid (along with Daniel Pemberton) for “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago”; D’Mile, recent Grammy champ H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas collaborated on “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah”; and supporting actor nominee Leslie Odom Jr. was cited with Nashville based singer/songwriter Sam Ashworth for “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami.”

The first Black tunesmith to contend for Best Original Song at the Oscars was Quincy Jones who was nominated in 1967 (alongside lyricist Bob Russell) for “The Eyes of Love” from the long-forgotten “Banning.” (Jones earned the first of his four score Oscar nominations that same year for “In Cold Blood.”) He and Russell reaped another bid the following year for the title tune from “For Love of Ivy.” His last nomination to date was in 1985 for...

MPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund) hosted the 14th annual edition of its iconic pre-Emmy Awards party, reimagined as “The Evening Before: Special Edition.”

The virtual benefit took place on Saturday, September 19, and celebrated Emmy nominees and other TV industry members, all while helping to raise funds for their colleagues and work family who benefit from MPTF’s charitable programs and services. The evening featured one-of-a-kind musical performances, special appearances from Emmy nominees and some of television’s brightest stars sharing how MPTF is supporting the entertainment community during this unprecedented time. The annual event raised $1.5 million last night.

“MPTF has never been more essential to our entertainment community. It has stepped up during this pandemic in heroic ways both for our residents on campus and for our workforce in the community. We’ve never been prouder of our efforts to take care of our own,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman of the MPTF Board of Governors.

Jeffrey Katzenberg and the Motion Picture and Television Fund turned to Richard and Demi Weitz’s Quarantunes Zoom concert fundraising franchise to save this year’s edition of the Evening Before fundraiser tied to the annual Primetime Emmy Awards fete.

“Succession’s” Jeremy Strong, George Clooney, Rachel Brosnahan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Schitt’s Creek’s” Dan Levy, Octavia Spencer, Ramy Youssef, Sherry Lansing, Josh Groban, Yvette Nicole Brown, Deborah Cox and Josh Gad were among the guests on the presentation, which blended fundraising pitches and musical performances.

Performers contributing numbers included John Legend, Billy Porter, Seth McFarlane, Bryan Adams, Robin Thicke, Siedah Garrett, Jac Ross and DJ Cassidy.

A gathering of ’80s and ’90s hip-hop royalty joined the benefit — including LL Cool J, Doug E. Fresh, Pepa from Salt-n-Pepa and Rev. Run from Run-dmc — as DJ Cassidy played a condensed version of a new special, “Pass the Mic: Volume...

On Friday, September 4, Multiple Sclerosis (Ms) advocate and Center Without Walls founder, Nancy Davis welcomed guests to the Rose Bowl for a very special reimagined live drive-in Race to Erase Ms Gala.

Marg Helgenberger Attends 27th Race To Erase Ms Drive-In

Credit/Copyright: Rich Fury/Getty Iamges

For the first time ever, in light of the current pandemic, guests were invited to “Drive-In” for an evening of socially distanced music, celebration, and raising funds and awareness for this life-altering disease. The event raised over $1.4 Million to benefit the Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top Ms research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for Ms. The event honored Davis’s son Jason, who passed away earlier this year, with a very special posthumous “Medal of Hope.”

The event opened with...

In 1989, Quincy Jones had already amassed one of the most enviable discographies in pop history, playing, writing, arranging, or producing for Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Lesley Gore, The Brothers Johnson, George Benson, Patti Austin, and Michael Jackson.

But the legendary polymath still had more to do — Jones set out to create an album that “represents everything I have worked for after 40 years,” according to The Billboard Book of Number One R&b Hits. That turned into Back on the Block, which spawned one of the last hits in Jones’ hit-filled...

Tribeca and Walmart Drive-In Screenings

The Tribeca Film Festival is teaming up with Walmart for a new drive-in series that will take place at 160 Walmart stores across the country. Store parking lots will be turned into outdoor theaters Aug. 14 to Oct. 21 for free screenings of family-friendly films, including classics such as “The Karate Kid,” “Back to the Future,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Ghostbusters” and “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” as well as more contemporary fare like “Black Panther,” “Wonder Woman” and “The Lego Movie.”

Drew Barrymore will serve as virtual hosts for all the screenings. Peter Berg, Jennifer Garner, LeBron James and Chrissy Metz are expected to make virtual or in-person appearances.

Race to Erase Ms Moves

Race to Erase Ms is moving to the Rose Bowl. Nancy Davis’ annual gala, which usually takes place at a hotel ballroom, will be transformed into a socially-distanced drive-in on Sept. 4. The evening...

Race to Erase Ms and Charitybuzz have launched a virtual auction offering exclusive experiences in support of groundbreaking Ms research.

The highest bidders will be awarded the chance to learn from the best entrepreneurial minds, innovative chefs, highly decorated musicians and favorite stars. With each bid supporting Race to Erase Ms, this virtual auction provides the unique opportunity to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes while donating funds to support nationwide research.

“We are so grateful to our amazing friends and supporters for donating not only their time but their skills to support our organization” said Race to Erase Ms founder Nancy Davis. “Charitybuzz is an incredible platform that prides itself on supporting important causes and we are thrilled to partner with them again to spread awareness of this life-altering disease.”

To place a bid and support Race To Erase Ms, click here

A full list of auction items can be found below:...

Democratic presidential candidates soon will start descending on Los Angeles for Thursday’s presidential debate — if a labor dispute is resolved.

Unite Here Local 11, which represents cooks, dishwashers, cashiers and other workers, said that contract negotiations will resume Tuesday with Sodexo, which contracts with Loyola Marymount University for food services. Last week, all seven presidential candidates who have qualified for Thursday’s debate said they would boycott the event if the union pickets and the labor situation is unresolved.

“We look forward to continuing negotiations with Sodexo on Tuesday or sooner in hopes of reaching an agreement before Thursday’s debate,” Susan Minato, co-president of the local, said in a statement.

In the meantime, some of the candidates are taking the opportunity of an L.A. visit to raise money.

Pete Buttigieg has two fundraisers scheduled for Tuesday, including a breakfast in Beverly Hills with tickets starting at $500 per person.

Pediatric Victory Foundation 2018 Benefit UCLA’s Pediatric Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Neuro-Development Disorders To Take Place on Sunday October 7 at the Luxe Sunset Hotel in West Los Angeles.

Supporters and attendees of this prominent charity event include entertainment lawyers, production and studio executives, community and business leaders and more. For more information, click here.

Kabc’s Anchor Marc Brown will host the 3rd Annual Pediatric Victory Foundation Gala. Nikka Costa (Everybody Got Their Something) will perform along with Siedah Garrett singer and songwriter, who has written songs and performed backing vocals for many recording artists in the music industry, such as Michael Jackson, The Pointer Sisters, Brand New Heavies, Quincy Jones, Tevin Campbell, Donna Summer, Madonna, Jennifer Hudson among others. She co-wrote the hit “Man in the Mirror,” the Michael Jackson hit. Additional guests include Kabc’s new traffic reporter Chris Cristi.

The Pediatric Victory Foundation was created two...

The 3rd Annual Kids Music Day will be celebrated on Friday October 5th, 2018.

2018 Kids Music Day

Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with music schools, music retail and other music organizations worldwide to highlight the importance of including music in children’s education. Events held by participating locations include open houses, instrument petting zoos, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument donation drives and more. It is estimated that over 500 locations worldwide will help celebrate Kids Music Day in 2018.

This year, a number of celebrity artists are showing their support for Music Education by joining the inaugural class of Kids Music Day Ambassadors including:

Julie Andrews, Richie Sambora, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Sarah McLachlan, Victor Wooten, Mandy Harvey, Jim Brickman, Bernie Williams, Siedah Garrett, Orianthi, Alma Deutsher, Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, Damien Escobar, Amy Holland, Charlie Worsham

Kids Music Day is also being supported this year by Casio Emi, Alfred Music,...

On Friday, April 20, Multiple Sclerosis (Ms) advocate and Center Without Walls founder, Nancy Davis, welcomed guests to the Beverly Hilton for its historic 25th Anniversary Race to Erase Ms Gala.

Flo Rida Performs At 25th Anniversary Race to Erase Ms Gala

The event raised over $1.6 million to benefit the Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top Ms research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for Ms.

Guests at this year’s event included Race to Erase Ms Founder Nancy Davis, host Scott Rogowsky, Performers Flo Rida, Elle King, and Siedah Garrett, Musical Director Greg Phillinganes, and additional special guests including Ajiona Alexus, Byron Allen, A.R.T., Lance Bass, Talitha Bateman, Allison Baver, Stacey Bendet, Phillip Bloch, Katrina Bowden, Miles Brown, Logan Browning, Cheryl Burke & Matthew Lawrence, Terry Butler, Francesca Capaldi,...

Race to Erase Ms announced today that platinum-selling international music star Flo Rida will headline its historic 25th Anniversary Gala on Friday, April 20 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Award-winning singers Elle King and Siedah Garrett will also deliver musical performances throughout the night. The landmark evening will be hosted by HQ Trivia’s Scott Rogowsky, and will feature a Fall 2018 runway show from Hollywood-favorite fashion brand alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet. The legendary, celebrity-filled gala has raised over $47 million to date for Race to Erase Ms and its Center Without Walls program. This year marks the 25th Anniversary Gala, where guests will participate in a silent auction before enjoying a gala dinner and live musical performances. The organization also announced one of the luxury live auction items that will be available to guests of the event – a Ferrari Portofino, one of the first of its kind to reach Los Angeles.

Everyone knows Halle Berry is still the only black Best Actress winner, but there’s a more alarming stat in Oscar history: Only one black woman has won a non-acting Oscar. That was Irene Cara, who co-wrote Best Original Song winner “Flashdance… What a Feeling” from “Flashdance” (1983). She could finally be joined by three more this year — two at once — and all for the same film: “Mudbound.”

Of “Mudbound”’s four nominations, three of the nominees are black women: director/co-writer Dee Rees in Best Adapted Screenplay, and “Mighty River” songwriters Taura Stinson and Mary J. Blige, who’s also up for Best Supporting Actress. (Virgil Williams co-wrote the script and Raphael Saddiq also co-wrote the Best Original Song nominee.)

Rees and Blige have already made Oscar history, with the former being the first black woman nominated in Best Adapted Screenplay and the latter being the first black woman to...

Over the weekend Viola Davis's camp confirmed they were officially aiming for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Fences. This disappoints us since she won the Lead Tony on Broadway for the role and now it seems like we're going to remain ages and ages away from another Woc winning Best Actress. It's been a long time since Halle Berry. Viola will of course become the most nominated black actress at the Oscars ever if she's nominated for Fences (which will be her 3rd nomination) making her the immediate frontrunner. 

Can Viola & Denzel repeat their Tony winning dominance at the Oscars for Fences?

Updated Best Actress Chart

Updated Best Supporting Actress Chart 

But let's discuss a less cited but even more impressive (though frustrating) record Viola may break. If Viola is nominated for Fences she becomes not just the most nominated black actress but the most nominated black...

By Anjelica Oswald

Managing Editor

Last year’s Oscar ceremony made history when director Steve McQueen became the first black filmmaker to win for best picture with 12 Years a Slave and Alfonso Cuaron became the first Latin American to win for best director with Gravity. This year’s ceremony could make history as well: Ava DuVernay could become the first black female to be nominated for best director for Selma, and if Angelina Jolie lands a nomination for Unbroken, it will be the first time two women are nominated in the same year.

In 2012, DuVernay became the first black woman to win for best director at the Sundance Film Festival with Middle of Nowhere.

Lee & Low Books found that 99 percent of best director winners are male and 99 percent of best actress winners are white (93 percent of best actor winners are also white).

The lack of diversity at the Oscars does...

Twentieth Century Fox’s new animated feature Rio 2 took over Miami, Florida on Friday evening (March 21) for a series of gala events marking the film’s World Premiere.

The celebrations included a screening; a Guinness World Records Attempt of the Largest Samba Party; the groundbreaking ceremony of the City’s Official Walk of Fame, in which the film and two of its stars, Jamie Foxx and Andy Garcia, were the inaugural inductees; and a special concert that featured performances by acclaimed artists Janelle Monáe, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Ester Dean, all of whom contribute to the film’s soundtrack.

Attendees at the World Premiere screening of Rio 2 walked the special “Blu” Carpet (named for one of the film’s characters) and were enveloped by action, music and fun as director Carlos Saldanha reunited his beloved characters in Rio 2.

Rio 2 Concert from We Are Movie Geeks on Vimeo.

Janelle Monae wants to take you to Rio on her new song and resistance is futile. “What Is Love,” which is featured in 20th Century Fox’s animated feature, “Rio 2,” came out today. The song combines Monae’s trademark irrepressibly bouncy, upbeat sound with a slight Brazilian rhythm and with lots of great percussion. It’s easy to see the birds of Rio bopping to the tune. It’s easy to see anyone bopping to it. It has the same kind of fun vibe as the Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life" crossed with Santa Esmeralda's version of "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." Yep, I went there. In the song, Monae wonders what good is love if it’s not coming from the one she loves, but the song is as light as a feather, so even though she may be asking a deep question, the...

By Terence Johnson

Managing Editor

One of the bright spots this past film year was the success of Disney’s Frozen. On the strength of it’s more modern princesses and an infectious score, the film set box office records and has garnered two Oscar nominations, Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Let It Go”, its infectious hit. In honor of Frozen’s nomination, we figured it was time to take a look at the history of animated movies in Original Song.

The history of animated films picking up nominations and wins in Best Original Song is a tale as old as time (see what I did there?). Since the 1930s, animated films have won this award 13 times and over 50 nominations, which you can see below. This is an even greater feat when you think about the consideration that animated films get when lists of musicals are made (they...

Eight years since the release of their 2005 Grammy-nominated album, “Illumination,” Earth, Wind & Fire is set to return with their latest studio offering, “Now, Then & Forever.”

Initially intended for a 2012 release to coincide with the presidential election, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are capitalizing off the recent success of Robin Thicke and Daft Punk’s nostalgic chart-topping hits by embracing their trademark sound for the 10-track opus.

In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, bassist Verdine White revealed details on recording the September 10 opus in addition to his thoughts on sustaining longevity in the music the industry.

How long was the recording process for “Now, Then & Forever”?

Two years to cut. Originally the process started in Philip Bailey’s home. And then he went back to listen to all of the Earth Wind & Fire records. And then we called [keyboardist, musical director] Larry Dunn, one of the original members of the band,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed its 276-member-strong class of 2013.

The list, published by The Hollywood Reporter, includes actors, cinematographers, designers, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, "members-at-large," musicians, producers, PR folks, short filmmakers and animators, sound technicians, visual effects artists, and writers.

Jason Bateman, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Mortimer, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Peña are among the roster of actors, while "The Heat" and "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig made the directors' cut.

"We did not change our criteria at all," says Academy president Hawk Koch of this year's larger-than-usual class. "Yes, this year there is a tremendous amount of women, a tremendous amount of people of color, people from all walks of life. This year, we asked the branches to look at everybody who wasn't in the Academy but who deserved to be.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the 276 members of the entertainment industry invited to join organization. The list includes actors, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, producers and more. Of those listed below, those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2013. "These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today," said Academy President Hawk Koch in a press release. "Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy." Koch also told Variety, "In the past eight or nine years, each branch could only bring in X amount of members. There were people each branch would have liked to get in but couldn't. We asked them to be more inclusive of the best of the best, and each branch was excited, because they got...

The Academy just added 276 Oscar voters.

That’s 100 more than last year, and part of an easing of a longstanding cap on the number of new members allowed to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences each year.

AMPAS usually adds between 130 and 180 new members, replacing those who have quit or passed away. The membership now stands around 6,000.

Jason Bateman, Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Riva, and Chris Tucker are among the actors who have been invited to join, the organization announced today.

Other interesting additions: the musician Prince, Girls and Tiny Furniture writer/director/actress Lena Dunham,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 276 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2013.

“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.”

The 2013 invitees are:

Actors

Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno”

Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface”

Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City”

Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved”

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises”

Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid”

Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town”

Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator”

Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl”

Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...

Earth, Wind and Fire are releasing their first album in eight years on Sept. 10 and dropped their record's lead single onto the web on Monday.

"My Promise," which leads the promotional effort behind "Now, Then & Forever," the band's twentieth studio album, features Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Maurice White and Ralph Johnson, as well as contributions from one of the group's founding producers, Larry Dunn and Bailey's son, Philip Bailey Jr. The single was written by the band and Academy Award nominee and Grammy Winner Siedah Garett.

Take a listen above and let us know what you think in the comments.

New York -- Earth, Wind and Fire initially wanted to release its new album around the 2012 presidential election, but the band realized it wasn't satisfied with the songs it created.

"We have a lot more bells and whistles in place now and the record is better," singer Philip Bailey said in a recent interview.

"Now, Then & Forever," the group's first album in eight years, will be released Sept. 10. Bailey said the band called co-founding member Larry Dunn and others to help produce its latest sound.

"I said, `Let's go back to the drawing board,'" he recalled. "It's a great representation of who Earth, Wind and Fire is now, but not departing from the classic sound."

"It doesn't sound like we're trying to be anyone other than Earth, Wind and Fire," added bassist Verdine White.

The band – which includes founder Maurice White and Ralph Johnson – has worked on the album for two years.

The American Idol Season 12 Top 8 will be faced with a tricky theme this Wednesday (8/7c on Fox): Detroit: The Music of Motor City.

Yep, it’s essentially another way of saying Motown Week, and as such, I’m gritting my teeth bracing for an onslaught of songs we’ve already heard one too many times in prior Idol seasons — “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Let’s Get It On” to name a few.

Related | American Idol: 22 Fresh Theme Nights That Need to Happen Right Now

Still, hope springs eternal,...