PRESERVING WOODSTOCK

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Announces Historic Preservation Fundraising Campaign for the National Register Historic Site

BETHEL, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2017 -- In celebration of the 48th Anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – the not-for-profit cultural center and museum located at the fabled festival's historic site – has announced a Crowdrise fundraising campaign to support new preservation and interpretation efforts.

On the weekend of August 15-17 in 1969, half-a-million people gathered on Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, N.Y. for the Woodstock festival, a three-day event that has come to represent a generation, and the power of peace, love and music. This watershed moment in American history continues to be a beacon of hope for people of all generations, and its historic site attracts visitors from around the globe.

As the 50th Anniversary approaches, Bethel Woods continues to carry on that spirit, while preserving and interpreting its historic site. The organization has embarked on a series of historic preservation projects that will enhance the visitor experience, restore and open to the public new areas of the festival site, and introduce immersive technologies that will immerse guests in the site's history.

In support of these projects, Bethel Woods launched an online campaign via Crowdrise, to raise the funds needed for the Bindy Bazaar Trails Project, which will restore the forested trails of the festival's marketplace, providing access to walking trails including reproductions of the iconic signage that proclaimed the "High Way," "Groovy Way," and "Gentle Path" in the woods. In the spirit of community that permeated Woodstock, Bethel Woods is raising the funds needed for this project via the online fundraising platform, Crowdrise with a goal of $25,000 - seeking individual donations starting at just $10. To be a part of preserving this important piece of our cultural heritage, please visit crowdrise.com/preservingwoodstock.

Bethel Woods' CEO Darlene Fedun said, "At its heart Woodstock was about the peaceful community that grew out of quite difficult circumstances, working together and sharing what they had with each other – and so is this fundraiser. This is a true example of how each of us, when united as a community, can make a much greater positive impact together, and through this fundraiser can contribute to preserving a treasured piece of history for future generations."

Recently, the Woodstock site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, formally acknowledging the significance of its heritage and setting in motion continued preservation efforts. Located 90 miles from New York City, Bethel Woods also features an 800-acre campus including a Pavilion amphitheater with a capacity of 15,000, an intimate indoor performance space, arts and humanities programs for all ages, and the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods. Visit bethelwoodscenter.org for more information and to plan your visit. 

RLJE Films Acquires BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99

Starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter and Don Johnson

The Team Behind Bone Tomahawk Reunites for a Second Round

Film Set to Release in Theaters October 6, 2017

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2017 -- RLJE Films, a brand of RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE), has acquired all North American rights to the highly anticipated film BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99. After the successful collaboration on the critically acclaimed western Bone Tomahawk, RLJE Films, writer/director S. Craig Zahler, producers Jack Heller from ASSEMBLE Media and Dallas Sonnier from Cinestate, unite with IMG Films, on this action-packed film. Los Angeles-based XYZ Films will handle foreign sales and serve as executive producers on the project.

BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99 stars Vince Vaughn (Hacksaw Ridge, "True Detective"), Jennifer Carpenter ("Dexter"), Marc Blucas ("Underground"), Udo Kier (Blade), and Don Johnson (Django Unchained). The film will make its World Premiere at the 2017 Venice International Film Festival and will continue on to screen at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest.

RLJE Films plans to release BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99 in theaters on Oct. 6, 2017. 

"With the announced Venice, Toronto and Fantastic Fest premieres, the verdict is in. S. Craig Zahler has done it again," said Mark Ward, RLJE Film's chief acquisitions officer. "Considering the success of Bone Tomahawk and the stellar performance by Vince Vaughn, we couldn't be more thrilled to reunite and bring BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99 to audiences."

In BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99, a former boxer named Bradley (Vince Vaughn) loses his job as an auto mechanic, and his troubled marriage is about to end. At this crossroads in his life, he feels that he has no better option than to work for an old buddy as a drug courier. This improves his situation until the terrible day that he finds himself in a gunfight between a group of police officers and his own ruthless allies. When the smoke clears, Bradley is badly hurt and thrown in prison, where his enemies force him to commit acts of violence that turn the place into a savage battleground.

Ward and Jess De Leo from RLJE negotiated the deal with Sonnier, Heller, and WME on behalf of the filmmakers.

Writer/director S. Craig Zahler is an award-winning screenwriter, director, novelist, cinematographer and musician. Zahler's newest novel Hug Chickenpenny: The Panegyric of an Anomalous Child is set for publication this fall.

RLJE Films' new and upcoming features include Once Upon a Time in Venice starring Bruce Willis, Bushwick with Dave Bautista and Brittany Snow, and Pilgrimage with Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal and Richard Armitage. www.us.rljentertainment.com.

ABOUT RLJ ENTERTAINMENT
RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premium digital channel company serving distinct audiences primarily through its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), which have rapidly grown through development, acquisition, and distribution of its exclusive rights to a large library of international and British dramas, independent feature films and urban content. RLJE's titles are also distributed in multiple formats including broadcast and pay television, theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-ray, and a variety of digital distribution models (including EST, VOD, SVOD and AVOD) in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Additionally, through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE co-produces and develops new programs and owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited.

For more information, please visit RLJEntertainment.com, Acorn.tv, and UMC.tv.

QVC Welcomes You Home with Casa Zeta-Jones Academy and Tony Award-Winning Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones to Launch Home Collection with QVC

WEST CHESTER, Pa., Aug. 7, 2017 -- Home décor meets Hollywood. Best known as a multi-talented actress who has graced both the silver screen and Broadway stage, Catherine Zeta-Jones' passion for design was inspired by her childhood in Wales alongside her seamstress mother and a lifetime of travels. Now, she is bringing her creative vision to life with Casa Zeta-Jones, a signature home collection scheduled to debut on QVC Thursday, September 28 at 10 AM and 10 PM (ET).

"We have been truly impressed not only by Catherine's luxurious design aesthetic, but her keen eye for detail as well," said Doug Howe, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for QVC. "Her dedication to perfection is evident in even the smallest details of each item, and we are confident our customers will be both enthralled by her collection and amazed at the ease with which it transforms the home."

Influenced by her Welsh heritage and the elegance of old Hollywood, Casa Zeta-Jones perfectly blends luxury and opulence with functionality and versatility. This initial launch features an assortment of items, including bedding, bath towels, table linens and rugs, designed to complement any style and space.

"I can't wait for everyone to see Casa Zeta-Jones. I am thrilled to bring my home and bedding line to QVC," Catherine Zeta-Jones said. "This is a project I have been passionate about and working on for years now, and I am delighted to share it with QVC customers."

Zeta-Jones partnered over a year ago with renowned business mogul Daymond John and his team at The Shark Group, and her vision for Casa Zeta-Jones has now come to life.

The Casa Zeta-Jones collection is scheduled to be available beginning September 28 through QVC.com, the QVC apps or by calling 800.345.1515.

Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D World Premiere At The Venice Film Festival 2017

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7, 2017 -- Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D, long rumored and highly anticipated by fans, will make its world premiere at the 74th Venice Film Festival 2017, announced the Estate of Michael Jackson today. Additional media assets: www.mjthriller.net/

Creating Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D, the original iconic short film, directed by John Landis and written by Landis and Michael Jackson, was not reedited or recut in any way. Rather Optimum Productions brought Landis in and together they supervised an elaborate and labor intensive process that began with the original 35mm film negative from Michael's archives and resulted in a 3D conversion of the acclaimed film using the latest available technology.   

To complement the enhanced visuals, all of the audio, including Michael's music, Elmer Bernstein's score and the sound effects, has also been updated to 5.7, 7.1 and Atmos standards in order to create the highest quality audio and visual experience for in theater viewing which is how Michael and Landis intended the film to be enjoyed.

In making the announcement, John Landis said, "I am so happy to have had the chance not only to restore but enhance Michael Jackson's Thriller! We took full advantage of the remarkable advances in technology to add new dimensions to both the visual and the audio bringing it to a whole new level. Even though Thriller was shot traditionally, I was able to use the 3-D creatively. Let me just warn you, there is a rather shocking surprise in there!"

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson said, "Michael Jackson made Thriller a rich theatrical experience: fun, funny, scary and wildly entertaining. No one before or since has made anything like it. Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D is a modern day technical enhancement of his and John Landis' original vision, and I think fans will love it."

From the beginning Michael Jackson and John Landis set out to produce Thriller with the aesthetics of a feature film. Michael was a fan of An American Werewolf In London, and called Landis to collaborate on the project. Academy Award-winning make-up artist Rick Baker was brought in for the elaborate prosthetic transformation of Michael and the cast. Michael Peters collaborated with Michael on the choreography. John Branca, Michael's attorney at the time and now the co-executor of his Estate with John McClain, worked out a deal with MTV and Showtime for a first of its kind "making of" documentary, Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, to offset the cost of making the short film.

Thriller premiered at the AVCO Theatre in Los Angeles in 1983, and it sold out every night for three weeks. No other music film generated such excitement and has such a hold on our attention, such that more than three decades later, we all share it as a collective memory and it remains the only music video to be inducted into the elite National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It is fitting that Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D and Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller will premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world. The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller was available on VHS from 1983-1990, and has never been available for purchase in any format since then. Its screening in Venice will mark the first time that the award-winning documentary has ever been shown in a theater.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
The following provided services for the creation of Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D:

2D Film Restoration - Deluxe Lab

3D Film Conversion - Legend3D

Audio Work - NBCUniversal Studio Post Feature Sound and Humberto Gatica and Martin Nessi

SOURCE the Estate of Michael Jackson

San Francisco Chronicle Uncorks New Interactive Wine Website, "The Press"

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2017 -- The San Francisco Chronicle, Northern California's largest newspaper, today announces the debut of The Press, an online, interactive guide to the best of California Wine Country.

Building on The Chronicle's decades-long coverage of the wine industry, The Press will allow users to find the best wineries and tasting rooms to visit, plan a day or weeklong trip, and learn more about the beautiful vineyards that make California Wine Country so famed – all via an online portal. It will feature reviews of wineries and tasting rooms, plus guides to Wine Country restaurants, hotels, events, and more from The Chronicle experts' audiences have come to know and trust, including Wine Critic Esther Mobley, Food Editor Paolo Lucchesi, and Restaurant Critic Michael Bauer. The Press is mobile-friendly and easy-to-use, allowing for users to plan their dream Wine Country trip from home or on the road.

"With The Press, wine lovers get recommendations and insight from Esther Mobley, one of the top wine journalists in the country, along with her crew of writers," said Kitty Morgan, Assistant Managing editor for Lifestyle for The Chronicle. "They've visited hundreds of the region's wineries, checked out the tasting rooms and sampled the wines. With this information, those wine lovers can then plan a trip that meets their budgets, time frame and interests. The Press is wine journalism made totally user-friendly."

Beginning on Sunday, August 6th, oenophiles can access The Press via SFChronicle.com directly at SFChronicle.com/ThePress.

About The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by Hearst Corporation in 2000, The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. With name-brand voices and a keen editorial eye, the Chronicle is an authority that still surprises. Follow us on Twitter @SFChronicle.

About Hearst Corporation
Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 36 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, HISTORY and ESPN; significant holdings in automotive, electronic and medical/pharmaceutical business information companies; a 50 percent stake in global ratings agency Fitch Group; internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate. Follow us on Twitter @HearstCorp.


SOURCE The San Francisco Chronicle

Coach Introduces the Coach x Selena Gomez Collection Featuring the Selena Grace Bag

NEW YORK, Aug. 7, 2017 -- Coach (NYSE: COH, SEHK: 6388) announces the launch of Coach x Selena Gomez, a new collection in partnership with the actress and singer. Featuring the Selena Grace, a bag designed by Selena in collaboration with Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers, the offering also includes small leather goods and accessories available for a limited time.

The Selena Grace is a double-handled carryall named after the star and the quality she most embodies. A staple that reflects Gomez's effortless all-American style, it's a go-everywhere bag built for real life. The Selena Grace features Gomez's personal touches: a hangtag bearing her signature and a storypatch sewn inside with her empowering message: "To be you is to be strong." The bag is further customized with "Love yourself first" in Selena's handwriting—a phrase inspired by one of her tattoos—embossed onto the base of the bag.

The Selena Grace comes from a legacy of American authenticity, craftsmanship and unfussy luxury for which Coach is known, imbued with a youthful new personality. It is available in three exclusive colors: Selena Black Cherry, Selena White and Selena Red. The collection also includes bag charms, wallets and the Selena Wristlet.

"It was really fun to create this collection with Selena and design pieces that are cool and feminine like her," says Vevers. "When we designed the Selena Grace, it was about exploring the qualities Selena wanted in a bag and creating something that felt personal to her."

"I'm very excited for everyone to finally see the design Stuart and I worked on together," says Gomez. "I can't wait to carry it—it's totally versatile, perfect to wear day-to-night and it goes with everything."

Additionally, Coach is offering customers a chance to win one of 150 signed Selena Grace bags, as well as one grand prize: A signed bag and a trip for two to meet Gomez in person at the Coach House flagship store in New York on September 13. Customers can enter for a chance to win at Coach.com or at any U.S. Coach retail store from Friday, August 4, to Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

The Coach x Selena Gomez collection will be available for pre-order online at Coach.com beginning on August 14 and available in Coach stores globally beginning September 1, 2017.

Gomez's new song "Fetish" is out now and marks her third song on the radio along with "It Ain't Me" and "Bad Liar."



CAMPAIGN IMAGE CREDIT:  © Steven Meisel
EDITORIAL CREDIT: Coach

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be Closing Keynote Speaker at Content Marketing World 2017

World's Largest Content Marketing Event Returns to Cleveland September 2017

 

CLEVELAND, Aug. 7, 2017 -- Content Marketing Institute (CMI) just announced, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actor, producer, director and writer, will be the closing  keynote speaker for Content Marketing World 2017. The largest content marketing event in the world returns to Cleveland, Ohio, September 5-8, 2017.

A prolific actor of both film and television, Gordon-Levitt's acting credits include the films, Snowden, The Dark Knight Rises, Lincoln, Looper, Inception and many more. In 2013, Gordon-Levitt made his screenwriting and directorial debut when he wrote, directed and starred in the film Don Jon. He's also well-known to TV audiences for his starring role on NBC's award-winning comedy, 3rd Rock from the Sun. Gordon-Levitt has been nominated for several awards including The Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild. Additionally, Gordon-Levitt founded an online collaborative production company called hitRECord. The collaborative of over 350,000 artists creates and develops art and media collectively. hitRECord has produced music, books, DVDs and short films, and even produces an Emmy-Award winning series, hitRECord on TV which is hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 

"Besides his depth of talent as an actor, writer and director, it's impressive to see how Joseph Gordon-Levitt has built and grown an incredible community of content creators," explains Joe Pulizzi, founder, Content Marketing Institute and co-author of upcoming book Killing Marketing. "He truly believes in the importance of storytelling and collaboration - and has been able to monetize it for this community."

Joseph Gordon-Levitt will deliver the final afternoon keynote address on Thursday, September 7 to the expected 4,000 Content Marketing World attendees at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Content Marketing World is the one event where attendees can learn from and network with the best and brightest in the content marketing world, featuring over 150 sessions with marketing leaders from the world's leading brands. Other keynote speakers include Pulitzer Prize winning author, Colson Whitehead, popular YouTuber, Casey Neistat, Senior Integrated Marketing Content lead at Coca-Cola, Kate Santore and General Electric CMO, Linda Boff.

There is still time to register for #CMWorld by visiting: http://www.contentmarketingworld.com/

You can also check out this video to see what #CMWorld is all about: