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Highlights include The Roots’ Picnic at Festival Pier in Philadelphia (June 7), Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. (June 14), Jazz Aspen Snowmass in Aspen, Colo. (June 21), the Oulala Festival in Saint Bonnet le Chateau, France (July 4), Roskilde Festival in Denmark (July 6), Cactus Festival at Minne Waterpark in Brugge, Belgium (July 11), Pori Jazz Festival in Finland (July 17), Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago (August 2), Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore (August 9), Central Park Summerstage in New York City (August 17), the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco (August 24), Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver (September 14) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival in the city’s Zilker Park (September 27).
“Bosco Mann was trying to start his record label, Desco, and he needed some background singers for Lee Fields,” Jones told Pollstar. “He needed three girls to back him up. My ex used to play saxophone with him, so he said, ‘My lady sings; maybe she knows two girls.’
Internal business conflicts caused the demise of Desco Records and the end of the Desco Soul Revue in early 2000. Jones and Mann, along with Soul Providers guitarist Binky Griptite, organist Earl Maxton, percussionist Fernando Velez, trumpeter Anda Szilagyi and baritone saxophonist Jack Zapata drafted tenor saxophonist Leon Michels and drummer Homer Steinweiss to form Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.
That all changed over the past two years. While the band was taking a break, Jones and The Dap Kings worked on a variety of side projects, including recording and touring with British sensation Amy Winehouse, working with producer Mark Ronson, guesting on tracks by Robbie Williams and performing with Lou Reed.
“Everything is combined,” she said. “You do the album, and then you go do shows. When we slack down, we can do things separately, and then we get back together and keep trying to put out an album every year.”

pollstar.com

Sharon Isbin, a Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist whose music is featured on the soundtrack of “The Departed,” is one of the featured performers for the 2008-09 Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center Concert Series.
Isbin opens the season on Oct. 3 in a concert called “Journey to the Amazon,” which also features Thiago de Mello on percussion. The two will take the audience on a voyage through the Amazon, “bringing the rain forest and its inhabitants to life through music,” according to a Mendelssohn e-mail announcing the season.
De Mello will host a preconcert lecture at 6:45 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30.
Cost is $25, $10 for students.
All concerts will be at Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 N. Court St., Rockford.
Individual tickets for the rest of the concerts are $20, $15 for students.
Adult subscriptions for the season cost $100, $50 for students. A four-concert package costs $75, $35 for students. A family subscription is $180, with four concerts for a family priced at $135.
Mendelssohn Performing Artists, Woodwinds Concert, “Whirl of Winds,” 2 p.m. Nov. 9.
Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, Holiday Concert with Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra Brass, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
Brian Bowman, “Euphonium,” featuring Rockford native Bowman and honoring The Sousa Band, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16.
Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Concert, “Colors of the Baroque,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20.
Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Institute for Young Artists, with a world premiere of a Ravinia Festival piano trio celebrating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. March 20.
Mendelssohn Performing Artists, Piano and Vocal Concert, “Songs With and Without Words,” a celebration of Felix Mendelssohn, one of the most popular composers of the Romantic era, 7:30 p.m. April 3, 2009.
Alan and Alvin Chow, piano duo, 7:30 p.m. May 1, 2009.
For more information, call 815-964-9713 or go to mendelssohnpac.org.

rrstar.com

THE RED Bull Air Race World Series 2008 commences in Abu Dhabi today with the hospitality areas doors opening at 12.00 which you must purchase tickets for. Wherever you are viewing today’s qualifying, the ticketed areas or on the Corniche, you are in for a treat. At 1pm side acts including air performances from renowned athletes and flying squads will entertain the crowd. Skydivers, helicopter aerobatic teams as well as many more acts are set dazzle and astound. Qualifying begins at 2pm for the pilots taking to the skies for this year’s tournament. This is the fourth successive year that Abu Dhabi has held a Red Bull Air Race (the actual race being tomorrow) and this year promises to be the best yet. Under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and in close partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority the Corniche will accommodate an estimated 250,000 spectators all marvelling at the ultimate racing challenge.
The Red Bull Air Race is a series of ten two-day events held at different locations around the world. Fantastically powerful aircraft, piloted by a selection of the most gifted aerobatic flyers in the world race around 5km track set out by inflatable pylons or ‘Air Gates.’ Competitors must fly through the Air Gates in a predetermined order and fashion. There are strict rules on how the planes must fly through the Air Gates giving the crowd the opportunity to see world-class aerobatics as well as speed. This year twelve pilots will be competing to take the crown from last year’s champion Mike Mangold from the USA. The first day (today) will see two rounds of qualifying followed by results determining the pilots’ positions tomorrow. Each pilot will fly twice with their better time taken as their qualifying time. The pilots who qualify 9th to 12th will be out of the main competition and will be vying for one point in the ‘Point One’ stage on race day. ‘Point One’ is where the four slowest pilots have a chance to get in the scoring by winning a tournament between themselves and thus coming 9th overall. The pilot to complete the course in the slowest time will also go first on race day.

khaleejtimes.com

It was a year ago when dogs began to rip the Falcons apart. Then came the Razorbacks and finally a Tuna, turning the team into a menagerie of misfortune. Michael Vick ended up in prison, Bobby Petrino went to Arkansas and Bill Parcells landed in Miami.
By the time animal-rights picketers left town, the Falcons’ fans had fled, the team had collapsed and the organization had redefined haplessness. And this was already a franchise without consecutive winning seasons in its 42-season history.
Now, the Falcons’ owner, Arthur Blank, is trying to clean up the mess.
Rebuilding would be his thing, considering he is a founder of Home Depot. He has a rookie coach, a first-time general manager and a bundle of draft picks. He also has some unexpected feelings about the possible return to Atlanta of Vick, — who is serving a 23-month prison sentence in Leavenworth, Kan., for his role in a dogfighting operation.
“I have not flatly ruled that out,” Blank said during an interview earlier this month at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. “Every emotion you could name with Michael, I felt. Betrayal, disappointment, anger, frustration. On the other hand, I do believe in second chances and people having the opportunity to come back. Michael is working hard, going through a rehabilitation process emotionally. Hopefully, he’ll be back in the N.F.L. some day. If he comes back, he will be a great role model and be able to talk to young people about making choices.”
Blank has a reputation, one agent said recently, of preferring the big splash. Bringing Vick back would certainly qualify as a cannonball, although it would also run counter to the philosophy Blank is trying to absorb after last year’s misfortune.
When he began his coaching search after Petrino left 11 months into the job, he received a note and a phone call from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ chairman, Dan Rooney. “Be patient,” Rooney advised.

nytimes.com

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fitch Ratings has affirmed the foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of LAN Airlines S.A. (LAN) at ‘BBB’, Fitch has also affirmed the rating on LAN’s US$40 million Ticket Receivables Series 2002 due 2009 at ‘BBB’. The Outlook on all ratings is Stable.
The ratings reflect LAN Airlines S.A. (LAN) strong business position, low cost structure, fleet flexibility and adequate financial profile. LAN’s competitive advantages are underpinned by the integration of passenger and cargo operations, which provides revenue diversification and reduces the break-even load factor. The company operates the largest passenger and cargo route networks in the region, which optimizes the rotation of its long-haul and short-haul aircraft. These advantages allow LAN to maintain a cost structure that is among the lowest in the industry. The fleet is modern, fuel-efficient and has staggered delivery and lease expiration dates, which provides flexibility in capacity management. LAN faces industry-related risks, including revenue volatility, high operating leverage, fuel price volatility and growing competitive threats.
In recent years, revenues have grown robustly, supported by strong regional economic growth, international trade and domestic currencies. International passenger traffic has thrived on the back of customer demand and capacity additions to support increased frequencies and new routes, consolidating the company’s strong market position as the leading Latin American carrier. LAN generated $3.5 billion in revenues in 2007, a 16% growth from the prior year. Cash generation, as measured by EBITDAR, also experienced strong growth at $726 million versus $583 million during the prior year. Consequently, that resulted in improved credit metrics as total adjusted debt/EBITDAR improved to 4.0 (x) versus 4.5 (x) in 2006 and total adjusted net debt/EBITDAR improved to 3.4 (x) versus 4.2 (x) in 2006. Meanwhile, EBITDA/interest coverage improved 0.4 (x) to 7.4 (x) compared to the previous period. EBITDAR/interest coverage + rental expense was 3.1(x) versus 2.7(x) in 2006.

businesswire.com

The LPGA’s Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika has opened ticket sales for the event, which will be played May 26-June 1 at RiverTowne Country Club. The event, hosted by Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, features one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour, $2.6 million.
One of the ticket packages being offered this year is a Family Sunday Package, which allows families to attend on Sunday for $55 advance, $66 at the gate. The package includes two daily tickets, four hot dogs, four snacks, four soft drinks and a tournament poster. Members of the military, the fire department and the police department also will receive special discounted rates.
Practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday of tournament week are free. Daily tickets Wednesday-Sunday are $20 in advance, $30 at the gate. Weekly tickets, good for Wednesday through Sunday, are $60 in advance and $80 at the gate. Daily tickets for military, fire, police and seniors are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate, while weekly passes for the same category are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate. Children 17 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.
Tickets are available online at www.ginntribute.com. Nicole Castrale won her first LPGA title in last year’s event, defeating the world’s top-ranked golfer, Lorena Ochoa, in a playoff.
Volunteers also are being sought for a variety of tasks for the Ginn Tribute. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of three 4-6 hour shifts, and those who do will qualify for a round of golf at RiverTowne. There is a charge of $55, which includes two tournament golf shirts, a tournament hat or visor, a volunteer badge good for all week and one tournament guest grounds ticket, good for all week.
Those interested should go to www.ginntribute.com, call Alexa Devine at (843) 881-2532 or e-mail smudevine@aol.com.
Els, Johnson join Heritage
The Verizon Heritage has announced that Ernie Els, Masters champion Zach Johnson, Woody Austin and Fred Funk will return for this year’s PGA Tour event, scheduled April 14-20 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.
Boo Weekley won last year’s event, chipping in for pars on the final two holes. Els, who finished a shot behind Weekley last year, has seven top-10s in the Heritage. The tournament will offer a $5.5 million purse, with the winner taking home $990,000.
Tickets for the tournament are available online at www.verizonheritage.com or can be purchased by calling (843) 671-2448.
City Four-Ball Championship
Entries are being accepted for the Charleston City Four-Ball Championship, which will be played March 8-9 at Municipal Golf Course. The tournament is open to amateurs who have resided in Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester counties for more than six months. The field is limited to 104 teams. The entry fee is $250 per team, and the entry deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Entry forms are online at www.charlestoncity.info/golf, or call (843) 795-6517.
The fifth annual Dick Jones-Groggy Darby Memorial Golf Tournament was postponed because of bad weather and has been rescheduled for March 31 at Snee Farm Country Club. Team captains will be notified of the shotgun start tee time by letter. Additional teams are welcome. Proceeds benefit East Cooper Meals on Wheels and the Friends of Dick Jones Baseball Scholarship at The Citadel. Contact Kirk Darby at (843) 696-5846 or Ricky Jones (843) 442-7950.
–The Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club’s Calling All Angels tournament, to benefit elementary schools on Johns Island, will be played Thursday at Kiawah Island’s Osprey Point Golf Course. The entry fee is $85 per player. The two previous tournaments have raised $42,500 for Angel Oak Elementary. Contact Jim Kelechi at (843) 266-4640.
–The Goose Creek High School Gator Classic will be played March 1 at Redbank Plantation. The tournament is limited to 20 foursomes. Contact Ray Loa at (843) 276-5959, Tonya Heckendorn at (843) 364-0497 or Julie Wilson at (843) 270-5796.
–A golf club demo day will be held March 1 at the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Contact Ronnie Miller at (843) 266-4039.
–The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Deputies in Schools golf tournament will be played March 3 at the Links at Stono Ferry. Contact Master Deputy Powell at (843) 856-3362 or Deputy Church at (843) 856-3364.
–The Fleet Reserve Association Branch 269 tournament will be held March 8 at Redbank Golf Course. Contact Roger Lebel or Tom Chilton at (843) 218-5764
–The Marc Hammond Memorial tournament is March 8 at Oak Point-Kiawah Island Resort. Contact Tony LaBoone or Karen Bair at (843) 559-9933
–The Colleton Amateur will be played March 8-9 at the Plantation Course at Edisto. Call (843) 869-1111.
–Open qualifying for the 60th Azalea Invitational amateur on March 10 at the Country Club of Charleston. The entry fee is $100. Applications are available online at www.azaleainvitational.net or by calling the pro shop at (843) 795-2312.

charleston.net