Blink 182 cancel May tour after 'medical emergency'

10 May 2012 // by: Music-News.com Newsdesk 

A 'medical emergency' has forced pop/punksters Blink-182 to cancel all of their scheduled May 2012 tour dates. It has been revealed that the drummer, Travis Barker, "required an urgent tonsillectomy".

The affected gigs are all in America or Canada. The band hit our shores this summer for a series of arena dates.

Through their Facebook page they explained:

"Blink-182's drummer, Travis Barker, requires an urgent tonsillectomy with a recovery period expected to extend beyond the scheduled tour dates. The band apologizes for any inconvenience as a result of these cancelations and thanks their fans for their ongoing support."

The May 10th and 11th concerts at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, OK have been rescheduled for September 13 and 14, 2012. All previously issued tickets will be honored on the new dates respectively. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

The following tour dates are cancelled and will not be rescheduled:

May 15 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY
May 17 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH
May 18 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT
May 19 at The Bamboozle in Asbury Park, NJ (There are no refunds being offered for The Bamboozle)
May 20 at Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
May 22 at Colisee Pepsi Arena in Quebec City, Canada.

 

People's Choice Awards 2012 Winners List Katy Perry, 'Harry Potter' and Emma Stone nab multiple awards.

By Jocelyn Vena

On Wednesday night (January 11), the 2012 People's Choice Awards was dominated by Katy Perry, "Harry Potter," Johnny Depp and Emma Stone. With show-stopping performances by Favorite Pop Artist winner Demi Lovato and Faith Hill, the show handed out prizes voted on by more than 230 million people.

"The Big Bang Theory" actress Kaley Cuoco hosted the show, and in between costume changes and witty banter, she managed to emcee a night that combined pop culture's love for TV, movies and music. Airing live from Los Angeles, the show was chock-full of funny moments, as well as frequent references to funny folks like Neil Patrick Harris and Betty White, who even got a kiss from Don Cheadle.

Relive the glitz and glamor of the People's Choice Awards with our best dressed list, recap of the night's vampire takeover and Demi Lovato's heart-stopping performance.

Travis Barker Talks Grammy Performance With Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake

'I have yet to rehearse,' Blink-182 drummer tells MTV News of his performance at Sunday's show.

By James Montgomery, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Travis Barker is eternally busy. Blink-182. Solo album. Clothing company. You name it, he's probably got his hand in it. That's why you can't blame him if he's not totally up to speed on his performance with Drake, Lil Wayne and Eminem at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Sometimes, these things tend to pile up.

"I have yet to rehearse [with anyone]. I got a call, like, on Tuesday. Everyone found out a day after I did. So, I don't know exactly what I'm doing yet," Barker told MTV News on Friday (January 29) in his Los Angeles studio. "I'm just a part of it. I know I'm playing drums. I know it's a performance with Eminem, Drake, myself and Lil Wayne. I think it might be 'Forever.' "

That seems likely. After all, both Em and Wayne contributed verses to Drake's "Forever," and Barker contributed a blazing remix of the song earlier this year. But the Blink drummer's night won't just stop there. He's apparently also set to perform with Wayne on a version of "Drop the World," from Weezy's upcoming Rebirth album (that track also features Em), which makes it sound very much like there's a medley on tap.

"Yeah, I think we're doing a medley, a couple of songs," Barker laughed. "I think 'Drop the World' is in. Maybe."

And while a combo of Barker, Drake, Eminem and Wayne would certainly rival the"Swagga Like Us" performance at last year's Grammys (which featured Jay-Z, Kanye West, T.I., Weezy and M.I.A. sharing the stage), there's still one big question: Will West — who has been lying low since his infamous outburst at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards — show up on Sunday to perform his verse on "Forever"? Not surprisingly, Barker isn't exactly sure.

"I don't know. Someone said he's in Hawaii, writing an album," he smiled. "I would stay there."

Sweet music therapy to the cure, no more medicines to endure!

Raga Jogiya, Bhairavi, Malhar, Darbari are no longer just music to the ears, but also a form of treatment, recovery, prevention and improvement. Rejoice! The melodious Indian Classical music is being used to affect miraculous cures, for quicker post operative recovery, treating infertility, preventing natal handicaps in new-born as also to develop concentration and memory in youth and children.

Different ragas are used to cure different ailments. Dr Sucheta Rakshit, music therapist practising at a hospital here informs that she studies the history of each patient which includes his living style, the food habits, the medical records and even the astrological signs. The therapy is prescribed accordingly. A woman with a rural background would be preferably advised natural soothing sounds akin to sea, wind and river, she explains.

The ragas of Indian classical music are classified according to `pahar' (the time period of a day), and the therapy mandates hearing the raga in the ordained pahar only. For example hyperactive people are prescribed morning ragas. The morning ragas are those that should be listened to in the morning. These include Raga Jogiya, Bhairavi, Todi, Bilash todi and Lalit etc. The afternoon ragas consist of Soodh Sarang, Jaunpuri, Bhim palasi with Raga Yaman, Bihag, Kalyan and Sudh kalyan constituting the evening ragas. The night ragas would include Darbari Kanada and Adana.

Music therapy is being used extensively in a hospital here for patients of neurology and gynaecology departments with amazing results. Dr Prakash Khaitan, neurosurgeon here says, "We are using music therapy along with medicines and it has been seen that the recovery has been much faster than with just medicines." He recounts recent cases where post operative recovery has been quicker due to music therapy.

"I operated a 60-year-old woman who was suffering from haemaephalagia (half body is paralysed). She was given music therapy along with the medicines and we saw that she regained consciousness, vision, sensations and movement of body parts much faster than in earlier cases. The recovery period came down to nearly half, he recalled." Dr Khaitan mentions another case of an agitated 40-year-old male patient with a severe head injury. "We performed a CT scan on him and as we were preparing for the operation, we played music which had a becalming effect on him. A repeat scan immediately thereafter showed reduced inflammation in brain which implies that music therapy leads to some kind of activation of brain cells. These indications are extremely encouraging," he gushes.

Many ailments can be cured with music only. Raga Bhairavi helps in curing asthma and cold as also sleeplessness. Raga Malhar, Raga Sorath, Raga Jaijiwanti are used to get rid of mental stress. Further, Raga Sarang cures headache, Raga Darbari improves heart condition, Raga Pancham reduces stomach disorders and Raga Shivranjini enhances memory. To energise the body, refresh the mind, to mitigate migraine and even in treatment of psychiatric cases like insomnia, music therapy is very effective. "In severe cases we start the therapy with only instrumental music which is later upgraded to vocal music, informs," Dr Sucheta.

"We recommend that the patient should listen to the music during the advised time period with a headphone. In operative recovery cases, we give the music therapy to patients twice a day (mornings and evenings). Usually each session is an hour long. The room should be dark and if that is not possible then eyes should be covered with a dark coloured eye band. The patient should be comfortable so that musical vibrations seep into the body," she adds.

Dr Vandana Bansal, gynaecologist and IVF specialist, feels that music is the essence of life and has an immense becalming effect on the mind. "I personally, too, believe in music therapy. When I perform operations, I prefer to play a soothing music in the operation theatre. Also after a tiring day I listen to the recommended music and feel rejuvenated," she says.

Music therapy helps cure infertility and autistic children (children born with a handicap). Both these are directly related to mental stress. Music therapy is showing positive results in post delivery and post operative recovery of patients. "We plan to use music therapy in our IVF techniques also," informs Dr Bansal.

With the world's first music therapy programme launched in Michigan State University in 1944, today music is also being used to overcome depression, to enhance concentration and memory in children as also develop intellect and creativity in youth. The seven notes of music may soon turn out to be the seven wonders of the medical world!

A Well Rounded Musical Education Includes Theory

Within the musical community, there is a debate about the value of music theory that will probably never ends. Is it important to study music theory scales, or is it much better to just dive into the music and experience it viscerally. The proponents of learning the theory regarded it as an essential part of knowing how to play music. You can learn by trial and error, they say, but you would do much better to benefit from the knowledge of other people. Not learning music theory when you play music is like refusing to learn arithmetic when you are studying math.

The other side, however, has just a strong of an argument. They claim that music theory worksheets are stifling. The point of music, they argue, is creativity. You should dive into it and experience it viscerally. Learning the theory of music too early on can stifle the imagination. Although it is alright to learn music theory chords later on, it is much less important than having some experience actually playing music.

I used to be on the latter site, but I have recently switched opinions. You see, I learned music without music theory. I didn't even know music colors theory, much less the more formal and rigorous stuff. To me, you see, playing music was almost a physical experience. I could feel the sounds and textures around me. I didn't really need someone telling me what the structures meant. I could tell what they meant with my entire soul.

As I have matured as a musician, however, I have seen the use and the need for music theory. I have even begun to use music theory worksheets, and I hope to understand it pretty thoroughly within the next couple years. You see, the most important thing about theory is that it gives you a good vocabulary to talk about music.

I believe that you can learn to play anything without music theory. What you can not do, however, is to talk to other people about it. If you don't know the names of the chords, the different scales and progressions, and the rhythmic patterns that define various forms of music, how can you tell other musicians what you want? Learning about music is almost as important as learning language if you really want to collaborate with other people. Without it, it is very difficult to express yourself and ask people for what you want. Why make life difficult?

World music, dance come to Abu Dhabi

ADACH to host exceptional world music, dance performance in January, February featuring African rhythms, Flamenco, Kathak.

Habib Koite

ABU DHABI - Featuring the best of contemporary world music and dance, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) continues its unique initiative World Stage by hosting three exceptional artistic experiences this January and February.

Authentic music lovers will witness an extraordinary performance of internationally acclaimed Malian musician Habib Koite on January 21 at the Cultural Foundation in the capital.

Koite, famous for his exuberant guitar-playing and vibrant African rhythms, and his supporting cast, Bamada, a super-group of West African talent, including Kélétigui Diabate, have graced numerous world music festival stages and won an array of awards for their chart-topping albums.

In January 24 and 25 ADACH will host another breath taking flamenco nights at Emirates Palace Hotel Auditorium by Joaquin Cortes who needs no introduction to Flamenco and dance lovers; he single handedly re-defined the language of Spanish dance when he was only in his twenties. Since then he has embarked on a superstar career constantly pushing the limits of movement and drawing inspiration from his gypsy heritage and contemporary sensibilities. In Abu Dhabi he presents show CALE - his brand new flamenco extravaganza with forty dancers on stage.

Akram Khan, one of the world's top contemporary dance choreographers is partnering with ADACH to present a two-year international co-production reflecting the artistic heritage of the Middle East. His first piece, Gnosis, presents a sublime combination of traditional Indian Kathak dance and contemporary movement with Arab Oud and Qanoon musicians live on stage. The performance has already garnered rave reviews after its recent premiere in London's Sadler's Wells Theatre and receives its Middle East premiere in Abu Dhabi before touring the region.

The show will be staged on February 25 and 26 on Abu Dhabi Theatre (Marina Mall area).

Music therapy: Teachers strike an emotional chord with disabled students Learning to play an instrument, experts say, allows hidden talents to sing

By Lisa BlackTribune reporter

December 21, 2009

Elizabeth "Lizzi" Gottlieb loves music and she loves an audience, so when her flute teacher comes calling on Tuesday evenings, she is quick to assemble her family for an impromptu concert.

At 21, Gottlieb has played the flute since fifth grade, an immensely rewarding hobby for the young woman with Down syndrome who practices for hours in her bedroom.

"Lizzi will never be a total virtuoso, but she can play hundreds of songs and get joy out of it," says her longtime instructor, Bob Lieberman, 58, who tapped his foot as she played "Yellow Submarine."

Lieberman and other music teachers understood long before being validated by research that playing an instrument offers much more than simple pleasures and emotional release. For children and adults with disabilities, music can unleash especially powerful gifts, helping them communicate or process information in new ways, researchers say.

While music therapists work on life skills, improving wellness, self-esteem and accomplishment, there are invisible benefits at play, too, that can be had even in more traditional lessons not tied to a medical purpose.

"Music is non-threatening, and it is all around us," said Melaine Pohlman, a Geneva music therapist and president of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy. "We are all able to experience it on some level. Even folks who are severely impaired can experience music."

Increasingly, parents are signing up children for music lessons who, years ago, might not have gotten the chance because of a disability. In Hinsdale, for instance, Autumn Voakes, executive director of the American Music Institute said that more parents are seeking lessons for children with autism. She hired two teachers with special-education experience as a result and hopes to expand her programs to specialize in the area, she said.

Listening to music stimulates the brain in areas involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating memory, said Vinod Menon, associate professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences and neurosciences at Stanford University.

But playing an instrument challenges the brain even more, engaging the visual, motor and auditory systems as the musician reads notes and moves his or her hands and body to perform while listening to the sounds.

"This is a good way to engage multiple networks in the brain," Menon said. "They establish temporal patterns. How exactly this might improve mental and cognitive functions is at present unclear. I think it would be quite surprising if they did not have a significant impact."

Rebekah Cope, 31, a violin teacher for The Musical Offering in Evanston, counts several students withattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as among her most talented.

One of them, Karlita Williams, 14, a freshman at Payton High School in Chicago, has played half a dozen instruments, including violin and, more recently, viola. She often needs more time to learn the lesson, but "then she comes back two weeks later and is playing beautifully," Cope said.

"She has these very elaborate ways of finding a note and learning what she's playing," Cope said. "It seems complicated to everyone else but makes sense to her."

Karlita, diagnosed at 9 with ADHD, said she finds it easier to focus when working with a teacher one-on-one. She tried ballet and tap dance classes when younger but found it too tempting to socialize with others.

Often she needs Cope to repeat instructions in different ways, sometimes over a period of weeks, before she fully understands.

"I hear her, but I have a problem where -- you know how you hear people talk but you aren't really listening? You are not processing the information," Karlita said. "I had one teacher say I learn by osmosis. I space out. It takes a while."

During a recent lesson, she shifted from one sneakered foot to the other while playing "Danny Boy" on viola in Cope's Northwest Side apartment, which coincidentally is on Mozart Street.

Cope listened intently, violin in hand, stopping the performance every few measures to correct Karlita's hand positioning or demonstrate by playing along.

Over and over, they repeated the part until both were satisfied that Karlita would nail the song during an upcoming concert.

The teen, who performs with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, said she can tell when she has played the song correctly by the look on her teacher's face.