Wolf Trap Announces New Set Of Summer 2013 Performances; To Include Performance By Nickelodeon Star Victoria Justice

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has announced the news in the following Press Release, from PRNewswire, that Nickelodeon Star Victoria Justice ("Victorious", "Zoey 101") will be one of the special guest performers who will be performing as part of the performing arts foundations 2013 summer schedule at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts!:

Wolf Trap Announces New Set of Summer 2013 Performances featuring Josh Groban, Juanes, She & Him, La traviata with the National Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Justice, Melissa Etheridge, The Tenors, Widespread Panic, Anita Baker, and Many More
** TICKETS ON SALE TO GENERAL PUBLIC MARCH 16 AT 10 AM**ON SALE TO SELECT MEMBERS NOW
All Summer Performances at the Filene Center at
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
(Unless Otherwise Noted)
VIENNA, Va., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announced today 34 additions to its 2013 summer schedule at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. In a wide-ranging season that features opera, theatre, comedy, dance, symphony, international and contemporary music, Wolf Trap continues to strengthen its commitment to the presentation of high quality, accessible and affordable arts experiences for the broadest possible audience. Tickets to the newly announced shows go on sale Saturday, March 16 at 10 am, with more performances to be announced later this spring.

(Download image - Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110414/MM83739LOGO)

Wolf Trap Debuts

Each summer, Wolf Trap is proud to welcome a fresh roster of in-demand acts. Artists making their first appearance at the Filene Center this season include classical-pop singer Josh Groban ; hip indie-rock duo She & Him with special guest Camera Obscura; Nickelodeon star and teen-pop sensation Victoria Justice ; iconic comedian turned bluegrass star Steve Martin with this year's GRAMMY Award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell ; celebrated Canadian vocal foursome The Tenors; and the good vibes and powerful instrumentation of Widespread Panic. Also making his Wolf Trap debut will be D.C.-born acoustic-pop singer Eric Hutchinson , appearing as a special guest in a program headlined by Melissa Etheridge .

Evenings of Folk, Pop & Rock; Returning Wolf Trap Favorites

From May through September, the Filene Center stage will come alive almost every night with performances by top-quality artists and touring acts making their way to Northern Virginia for memorable evenings under the stars. The folk acts in place for the upcoming season include acclaimed folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, in a co-bill with singer and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joan Baez ; the 50 Years on the Carefree Highway Tour with Canadian folk legend Gordon Lightfoot ; and folk icons Don McLean and Judy Collins . The diverse rock 'n' roll line-up to date features GRAMMY Award winner and international Latin superstar Juanes; all-female rock pioneers The Go-Go's; celebrated pop-rockers the Doobie Brothers ; '80s chart-toppers Huey Lewis & The News; Mexican-American roots-rock bands Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys; and a stream of popular hits with GRAMMY winner Pat Benatar , Neil Giraldo , and Cheap Trick. Other notable performances include a showcase of unparalleled guitar skills by Peter Frampton and B.B. King ; and the vocal and instrumental talents of Ian Anderson in his classic progressive masterpiece and its sequel Thick as a Brick 1 & 2.

Wolf Trap also welcomes back GRAMMY-winning R&B/soul diva Anita Baker ; legendary singer Michael McDonald , on tour with jazz-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist Boz Scaggs ; rock-pop pioneers Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons; flamenco fusion idols the Gipsy Kings; country-folk beloved singer/songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin in a duo performance;'70s "rock 'n' roll band with horns" Chicago; bluesy-classic rock leaders the Steve Miller Band; and veteran alt-country music singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett and His Large Band.

Performances of great entertainment value for families include Sing-A-Long Grease, featuring the re-mastered 1978 film on huge screens; and the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China, the world's premier Chinese acrobatic touring company.

NSO@Wolf Trap: Visual Explorations, Musical Celebrations, Opera & More!

Today's announcement includes six additions to the highly anticipated summer schedule of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap with Festival Conductor Emil de Cou . NSO@Wolf Trap highlights include a new Operascape production of Verdi's La traviata with the Wolf Trap Opera Company, conducted by L.A. Opera resident conductor Grant Gershon ; Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, featuring blues-rock singer and guitarist Warren Haynes ; Orff's Carmina Burana , featuring The Choral Arts Society of Washington and soloists from the Wolf Trap Opera Company; and Wicked Divas, a concert of show-stopping Broadway and film hits, featuring vocalists Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block , and conducted by NSO Principal Pops conductor Steven Reineke .

Newly announced performances pairing imagery with live music are Frozen Planet in Concert, a visual and musical exploration of the Earth's great frozen wilderness led by composer and conductor George Fenton ; and America the Beautiful, including " Ansel Adams : America," composed by Chris and Dave Brubeck and featuring over a hundred striking images of or by Ansel Adams .

Wolf Trap Opera Company Presents Finest Emerging Talent in Three New Productions

The GRAMMY-nominated, nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Opera Company will showcase the exceptional talent of its Filene Young Artists in three full-length opera productions as part of the summer schedule. The 2013 repertoire will include Verdi's La traviata with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Filene Center and Rossini's The Journey to Reims and Verdi's Falstaff at The Barns at Wolf Trap.

In addition, the Filene Young Artists and Studio Artists will offer recitals and concerts, including two performances of Wonders To Wander To: Songs and Stories of Faraway Lands, with Steven Blier , and Aria Jukebox, both held at The Barns at Wolf Trap; and Vocal Colors, in the Music Room of The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.

For information on the full Wolf Trap Opera Company season, see the latest 2013 WTOC press release.

For the full summer 2013 calendar to date, visit http://www.wolftrap.org/Filene_Center.aspx.

Tickets for Wolf Trap's 2013 performances can be purchased online at www.wolftrap.org, by phone at 1(877)WOLFTRAP, or at the Wolf Trap Box Office located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia. For more information, please call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

Members buy tickets before the general public for all summer 2013 shows. Join now to get early tickets, while supporting Wolf Trap's renowned arts and education programs.

About Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded by Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994), produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues, the outdoor Filene Center and Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns is operated by the Foundation year round, and during the summer months is home to the GRAMMY-nominated Wolf Trap Opera Company, one of America's outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap's education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program that was included in Bloomberg BusinessWeek's2009 List of "Best Places to Intern." As part of its ongoing commitment to protect and preserve the environment, Wolf Trap offers metro access and is a founding member of the Green Music Group.

Visit the Wolf Trap website at www.wolftrap.org for more information.

SOURCE Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

RELATED LINKS
http://www.wolftrap.org.

Viacom Issues Official Statement Regarding North American Media And Telecommunications Company Cablevision's Antitrust Lawsuit Against Viacom

In response to the US media and telecommunications company Cablevision Systems Corporation announcing the news that they have filed an antitrust lawsuit today against Viacom (NYSE: VIA), in the federal court in Manhattan, for allegedly "illegally forcing Cablevision to carry and pay for 14 lesser-watched ancillary networks its customers do not want, such as Palladia, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic, in order to carry must-have networks such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central", Viacom has released the following statement today (Tuesday 26th February 2013) on their official blog, Blog.Viacom, regarding the antitrust lawsuit Cablevision filed against the company:

Statement from Viacom on Cablevision Antitrust Lawsuit

Viacom released the following statement today regarding the antitrust lawsuit Cablevision filed against the Company:

“At the request of distributors, Viacom and other programmers have long offered discounts to those who agree to provide additional network distribution. Many distributors take advantage of these win-win and pro-consumer arrangements. Reflecting the highly competitive cable programming business, these arrangements have been upheld by a number of federal courts and on appeal. Viacom will vigorously defend this transparent attempt by Cablevision to use the courts to renegotiate our existing two month old agreement.”

Tags: Cablevision, Cablevision antitrust lawsuit, Viacom Cablevision lawsuit

Below is Cablevision Systems Corporation's original press release, from PRNewswire, announcing the news:

Cablevision Files Federal Antitrust Lawsuit Against Viacom For Illegally Forcing Purchase Of Programming Services

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) filed an antitrust lawsuit today against Viacom (NYSE: VIA), in federal court in Manhattan, for illegally forcing Cablevision to carry and pay for 14 lesser-watched ancillary networks its customers do not want, such as Palladia, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic, in order to carry must-have networks such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

Commenting on the lawsuit and Viacom, Cablevision offered the following statement:

"The manner in which Viacom sells its programming is illegal, anti-consumer, and wrong. Viacom effectively forces Cablevision's customers to pay for and receive little-watched channels in order to get the channels they actually want. Viacom's abuse of its market power is not only illegal, but also prevents Cablevision from delivering the programming that its customers want and that competes with Viacom's less popular channels."

Cablevision's suit contends that:

* Viacom abused its market power over commercially critical networks, including must-have networks such as Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and MTV, to coerce Cablevision into carrying the 14 far less popular ancillary channels.

* Viacom coerced Cablevision by threatening to impose massive financial penalties unless Cablevision complied with Viacom's demands.

* Viacom's conduct harms Cablevision and its customers, and impairs competition by making Cablevision pay for and carry networks that many subscribers do not want to watch, while other networks are excluded from distribution, preventing Cablevision from being able to differentiate its services and harming subscribers.

Cablevision's complaint asserts that Viacom engaged in a "per se" illegal tying arrangement in violation of the federal antitrust laws. Cablevision's antitrust lawsuit also asserts that Viacom has engaged in unlawful "block booking," which is a form of tying that conditions the sale of a package of rights on the purchaser's taking of other rights. Viacom's conduct also violates the Donnelly Act in New York State Law, which parallels federal anti-trust laws.

The complaint was filed under seal and a public version is not yet available.

Cablevision is seeking a number of remedies including:

* Declaratory relief voiding the December 2012 carriage agreement.

* A permanent injunction barring Viacom from conditioning carriage of any or all of its core networks on Cablevision's licensing any or all of Viacom's ancillary networks.

* To effectuate the permanent relief, a requirement that Viacom permit Cablevision to carry the core networks and ancillary products on terms pending negotiation of a new, lawful agreement

* Treble damages and legal fees.

Viacom's eight core networks:

MTV
MTV2
Nickelodeon
VH1
Spike
TV Land
Comedy Central
BET

Viacom's 14 ancillary networks:

Centric
CMT
MTV Hits
MTV Tr3s
Nick Jr.
Nicktoons
Palladia
Teen Nick
VH1 Classic
VH1 Soul
Logo*
CMT Pure Country**
Nick 2**
MTV Jams**

*Optimum East Only
**Optimum West Only

Antitrust Legal Background

* Federal antitrust laws protect competition. By protecting competition, antitrust laws secure lower prices, higher quality, and other benefits for consumers.

* The antitrust laws prohibit tying, where a powerful firm wields its leverage from a product in one market, called the "tying" product, to compel a customer to take another product, called the "tied" product, when that customer would have preferred instead to take a product that competes with the "tied" product.

* The reason antitrust law prohibits such tie-ins is to protect competition and consumers. If powerful firms can leverage their power from one market to another, they can insulate the tied product from competition. Forcing customers such as Cablevision to take Viacom networks instead of competing networks, in turn, hurts consumers because they get less for what they pay for video services.

Cablevision officials indicated that there would be no immediate disruption in programming offerings pending the resolution of this matter.

About Cablevision Systems Corporation

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading media and telecommunications companies. In addition to delivering its Optimum-branded cable, Internet, and voice offerings throughout the New York area, the Company owns and operates cable systems serving homes in four Western states. Cablevision's local media properties include News 12 Networks, MSG Varsity and Newsday Media Group. Cablevision also owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corporation

RELATED LINKS
http://www.cablevision.com.

Also, from C21Media:

Cablevision acts to unbundle Viacom

US cableco Cablevision has filed a lawsuit against Viacom in an attempt to drop some of the latter’s channels it claims are unpopular with customers.

Cablevision said that as part of the carriage agreement it signed with Viacom in December, it was illegally forced to carry and pay for “14 lesser-watched ancillary networks its customers do not want,” in order to carry “must-have networks” such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

Viacom has “abused” the market power its popular channels provide, according to Cablevision, which names some of the “lesser-watched” channels as Palladia, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic. The cableco accused Viacom of selling its programming in a manner that is “illegal, anti-consumer and wrong.”

Viacom has dismissed the claims, saying it will “vigorously defend this transparent attempt by Cablevision to use the courts to renegotiate our existing two-month-old agreement.”

The company said in a statement: “At the request of distributors, Viacom and other programmers have long offered discounts to those who agree to provide additional network distribution. Many distributors take advantage of these win-win and pro-consumer arrangements.

“Reflecting the highly competitive cable programming business, these arrangements have been upheld by a number of federal courts and on appeal.”

If Cablevision’s lawsuit is successful, it would set a precedent in which cable providers would be able to cherry-pick the channels they carry, rather than having to take on bundles of networks.

Cablevision’s full complaint is available here.

Nico Franks
27-02-2013
©C21Media

Nickelodeon Channels Around The World, Including NickToons USA, To Debut "Monsuno Combat Chaos", Later This Year; Jakks Pacific Announce New "Monsuno" Merchandise For Season 2

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the Nickelodeon News in the following article that Nick USA's animation and action network, Nicktoons, and Nickelodeon's international channels (Planet Nickelodeon / Nickelodeon International) will start to premiere and show season two of the popular animated series "Monsuno", titled "Monsuno Combat Chaos", later this year (2013).

The second season continues the adventures of a group of heroic kids wrestling with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno, while fending off larger threats including new villains and catastrophic events. "Monsuno" is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint-venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and The Topps Company.

Kidscreen is also reporting in the same article that Jakks Pacific will release new Monsuno toys, including brand new larger transforming action figures, cores, accessories and battle sets that complement the existing Monsuno products on sale, and an all-new "Monsuno" battle action game to complement the second season of the action-packed adventure show:

Jakks Pacific takes on Monsuno second season

A new toy line based on the action-adventure series Monsuno Combat Chaos will make its way to US and global stores this year.


Jakks Pacific will release new Monsuno toys and an all-new battle action game. The toys include new larger transforming action figures, cores, accessories and battle sets that complement the existing Monsuno products.

The new line reflects season two of the animated series that will debut in the US later this year on NickToons and internationally on Nickelodeon international channels and free-to-air networks.

The second season continues the adventures of a group of heroic kids wrestling with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno, while fending off larger threats including new villains and catastrophic events. The series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint-venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and The Topps Company.

Tags: Jakks Pacific, Monsuno Combat Chao, Nickelodeon, NickToons, toys

Diversity Stars Jordan And Perri Looking For Entrants To Take Part in Nickelodeon UK And Sky 1's Brand New Street Dance Show, "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party"!

To celebrate Nickelodeon UK and Sky's brand new street dance-themed reality entertainment show, "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party", Sky 1 (also known as Sky One) has announced on their official "Got To Dance" website that Princess Productions, the production company who will be making the series, are currently looking for applicants to nominate themselves and their friends to take part in Nick UK's brand new series, "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party"!


Jordan & Perri are having a party - and you're invited, so if you are aged between 9 and 13, love to dance and want the chance throw the ultimate party for your friends, Diversity stars Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely want to hear from you now!

They will help you to plan your very own event and teach you and your friends a slick dance routine so that YOU can become the headline act at your very own party!

For more information on how to nominate yourself and your friends to take part in an episode of Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party, potential entrants should contact Princess Productions via email: jordanandperri@princesstv.com. The deadline for entry's to apply to be on the show is Sunday 31st March 2013. So get in touch - this is one block party you don't want to miss out on!

Production on "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party" will take place during Spring 2013, and will be shown on Nickelodeon UK & Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK during Summer 2013, before launching on Sky 1 later in the year!

Good luck to everybody who enters to be on "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party"!

Are you auditioned or are planning to apply to be the star of your very own block party as part of "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party"? Let NickALive! know on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and/or Facebook!

Remember, there ain't no party like a Jordan & Perri Ultimate Block Party!

Extra tags: How to be on Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party, Be on Nickelodeon,

"Blue's Clues" Co-Creator Traci Paige Johnson Teams Up With Feature Film producer Caroline Baron To Launch Brand New Interactive Children's Media Company "yummico"

Kidscreen's children's digital entertainment news column, iKids, is reporting the news in the following article that Traci Paige Johnson, a co-creator of Nickelodeon Preschool's (Nick Jr.'s) groundbreaking 1990's series "Blue's Clues" and co-creator of PBS' preschool series "Super Why!", which currently airs on Nick Jr. UK and Ireland, has teamed up with the feature film producer Caroline Baron, of "Capote" fame, to launch a brand new interactive children's media company called "yummico", which will develop interactive content for preschoolers and toddlers. The company will launch digital games, interactive shows, apps and eBooks, as well as traditional narrative animation, print books and other consumer products. First out of the gates for yummico is a new musical animated interactive series called "Yummiloo" (pictured below), which is designed to help kids develop food identification skills and healthy eating habits. The property features the Yum Yums, a band of creatures that lives in a world made entirely of food. The first Yummiloo app, "Yummiloo Rainbow Power", was produced in collaboration with Night & Day Studios and will launch March 2013 at the iTunes store. The company is also rolling out additional content shortly, including "The Adventures of Ash & Ollie", which will reinforce lifestyle habits like bedtime rituals, screen time, potty training and good manners. Other interactive programming in development includes "The App Police", a buddy comedy featuring two bumbling policemen that takes place inside the world of tablet devices, and "Edison the Invention Detective", which follows a young girl inventor who loves to solve mysteries:

Blue’s Clues co-creator launches kids interactive media venture


Blue’s Clues co-creator Traci Paige Johnson and feature film producer Caroline Baron, of Capote fame, have launched a new interactive children’s media company called yummico.

yummico is focused on developing interactive content for preschoolers and toddlers. The company will launch digital games, interactive shows, apps and eBooks, as well as traditional narrative animation, print books and other consumer products.

First out of the gates for yummico is a new musical animated interactive series called Yummiloo (pictured), which is designed to help kids develop food identification skills and healthy eating habits. The property features the Yum Yums, a band of creatures that lives in a world made entirely of food.

The first Yummiloo app, Yummiloo Rainbow Power, was produced in collaboration with Night & Day Studios and will launch next month at the iTunes store.

The company is also rolling out additional content shortly, including The Adventures of Ash & Ollie, which will reinforce lifestyle habits like bedtime rituals, screen time, potty training and good manners. Other interactive programming in development includes The App Police, a buddy comedy featuring two bumbling policemen that takes place inside the world of tablet devices, and Edison the Invention Detective, which follows a young girl inventor who loves to solve mysteries.

Johnson is a co-creator of groundbreaking 1990s Nickelodeon series Blue’s Clues and co-creator of PBS preschool series Super Why!, while Baron has produced several feature films, including Capote and Monsoon Wedding. She is currently executive producer of upcoming big-screen comedy Admission, starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Baron is also the founder of A-Line Pictures with her husband and producing partner Anthony Weintraub.

Tags: A-Line Pictures, apps, Blue's Clues, Caroline Baron, digital media, Traci Paige Johnson, yummico, Yummiloo, Yummiloo Rainbow Power