Sept 25, 2009
Ann Marie Calhoun is featured in Mass Animation's first animated short, "Live Music." Ann Marie plays the part of "Vanessa," a violin that falls in love with an electric guitar (played by legendary guitar player, Steve Vai). "Live Music" was produced and directed by Yair Landau, former Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and President of Sony Pictures Digital. The project was backed by Intel Corp and launched through a Facebook page where animators collaborated in a competition to animate the short.
Sept 25, 2009
The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard has selected Kevin Sites to join the 72nd class of Nieman Fellows. Kevin Sites, a freelance multimedia journalist and author based in Los Angeles, will examine the challenges of maintaining public interest if the war-reporting paradigm shifts from combat-centric to collateral damage. He will also explore options for sustainable, independent Web-based reporting. Established in 1938, the Nieman Foundation administers the oldest mid-career fellowship program for journalists in the world. Working journalists of accomplishment and promise are selected to come to Harvard University for a year of study, seminars and special events.
Sept 25, 2009
Ann Marie Calhoun is working with renowned composer, Hans Zimmer, on the film score for the new Sherlock Holmes movie directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. The film has an expected release date of December 25, 2009.
Sept 25, 2009
Kevin Sites recently participated in a new History Channel special, "Expedition Africa: Stanley and Livingstone". Kevin and three other explorers recreated Henry Morton Stanley's historic 970 mile trek across Tanzania to locate Dr. Stanley. The eight-part series will available on DVD on October 06, 2009. For more information, visit: http://www.history.com/expedition/.
Sept 25, 2009
Rahim AlHaj will be a featured performer at the du Monde Arabe festival in Montreal, Canada on October 31, 2009.
Ann Marie Calhoun will be performing four shows in Acapulco, Mexico with Yanni (November 13 - 16, 2008).
Ann Marie Calhoun will be touring with Dave Stewart this summer (August 29 – September 21). Ann Marie first worked with Dave Stewart earlier this year as a member of Ringo Starr’s backing band for several “Liverpool 8” shows in Los Angeles. She also recorded with Stewart in March of 2008.
Darrell Muller’s band (Old School Freight Train) has recently announced its summer tour schedule. For dates and venues, please visit www.osft.net/.
Rahim Alhaj is scheduled to perform at World Refugee Day on June 22, 2008. He will appear at the Outpost Performance Space. Rahim is also scheduled to perform at the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana on July 12th and 13th.
Ann Marie Calhoun has been a featured guest artist at several Widespread Panic shows this summer. She is scheduled to perform with the band at the Rothbury Festival on July 4th and in Portsmouth, VA on July 19th.
Congratulations to Rahim AlHaj, who received a Grammy Nomination (Best Traditional World Music Album) for his new CD, “When the Soul Is Settled.” The CD also features Lebanese master percussionist, Souhail Kaspar. This is Rahim’s second Grammy nomination.
Congratulations to Ann Marie Calhoun for being voted the “My Grammy Moment” winner at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Ann Marie performed “The Pretender” with the Foo Fighters during the live Grammy telecast.
Helen Horal’s new CD, “Words Unbroken” has now been released. This excellent disc features several other members of the Baghdad Rain Project, including James McLaughlin (drums), Darrell Muller (bass) and Ann Marie Calhoun (violin). “Words Unbroken” is available through most online retailers and at Helen’s site.