Meet the Press: Night Music’s Peters and Stritch

Tony Award-winning leading ladies Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, soon to step into the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, greeted the press for a photo op and interview session June 24.
They replace Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, who concluded their runs  June 20. Peters will take on the role of the captivating actress Desirée Armfeldt, with Stritch as her worldly-wise mother Madame Armfeldt, when the show resumes performances July 13.

Here is a look at the new cast members, posing for photos at the Cafe Carlyle.

A Little Night Music's Hunter Ryan Herdlicka.


Hunter Ryan Herdlicka
We are happy to welcome guest celebrity blogger Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, who plays Henrik in the Tony-nominated revival of A Little Night Music, which will reopen after a brief hiatus July 13 with two new stars, Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Herdlicka, who will make his solo cabaret concert debut June 27 at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, is blogging for Playbill.com all week; his final entry follows: Hey everyone....
I can’t believe a week has already gone by and it’s time to end my blog on Playbill. I have gotten such amazing feedback from readers, and I thank you all for reading...
So, it’s Friday – the end of a work week for many, and the start of a busy weekend for many actors two show days can be grueling. It has been such a gift that Night Music has been on hiatus while I’m rehearsing for my solo concert at Feinstein’s, which is this Sunday at 8 PM! Tickets are nearly sold out, and I’m glad to hear that many of you will be there.

Today is a busy day. I’m up early so that I can get all of my errands out of the way before my entire family gets into town (my parents and grandparents). For now, I’m off to get my haircut then to Ripley Grier for a two-hour rehearsal for my concert, then off to see Promises, Promises with my family. I’ve already seen the show, but wanted to go back because I knew my family would love it and I am obsessed with Katie’s owl noises. Katie Finneran is truly incredible and completely steals the show – her performance is worth the price of admission.

Since this is my last blog, I wanted to share with you all a quote I keep in my dressing room. It’s one that was given to me by Michael Cerveris, who is one of the best actors I’ve known.

The quote was written by Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille:

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you…..no artist is pleased…there is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others.

I think this sums up what it means to be an artist. Ms. Graham demands that you not judge yourself, but that you recognize the “divine dissatisfaction” that keeps you working and striving for your dreams. It reminds you that being an artist is a very special gift that not everyone has been given; you must not take it for granted.

Thank you all reading this week and please check out my website so that we can stay in touch...

All the best,
Hunter

The Importance of Rajab


Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The Holy Prophet (saww) has said, “Rajab is the month for seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT)”.

When we were researching information about Rajab, we found many conflicting views in the ummah about the significance of Rajab. Also we were careful not to pick up on information that might cause believers to commit bidah.

We came across one article that is good. Today we post an article on the month of Rajab written by Mufti Taqi Usmani.

By Mufti Taqi Usmani
http://www.albalagh.net/general/rajab.shtml

Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This month was regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha'ban. Therefore, when the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

"O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)."

Yet no specific way of worship has been prescribed by the Shari'ah in this month. However, some people have invented some special rituals or practices in this month, which are not supported by reliable resources of the Shari'ah or are based on some unauthentic traditions. We would like to explain here the correct position about them.

1. Celebration of Lailatul Mi'raj

It is generally believed that the great event of Mi'raj (ascension of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam to the heavens) took place in the night of 27th of Rajab. Therefore, some people celebrate the night as "Lailatul- Mi'raj" (the night of ascension to heavens).

Indeed, the event of mi'raj was one of the most remarkable episodes in the life of our beloved Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. He was called by Almighty Allah. He traveled from Makkah to Baitul-Maqdis and from there he ascended the heavens through the miraculous power of Allah. He was honored with a direct contact with his Creator at a place where even the angels had no access. This was the unique honor conferred by Allah to the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam alone. It was the climax of the spiritual progress which is not attained by anybody except him. No doubt the night in which he was blessed with this unparalleled honor was one of the greatest nights in the history of this world.

But, Islam has its own principles with regard to the historic and religious events. Its approach about observing festivals and celebrating days and nights is totally different from the approach of other religions. The Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not prescribe any festival or any celebration to commemorate an event from the past, however remarkable it might have been. Instead, Islam has prescribed two annual celebrations only. One is Eid-ul-Fitr and the other is Eid ul-Adha. Both of these festivals have been fixed at a date on which the Muslims accomplish a great 'ibadah (worship) every year. Eid-ul-Fitr has been prescribed after the fasts of Ramadan, while Eid-ul-Adha has been fixed when the Muslims perform the Hajj annually. None of these two eids is designed to commemorate a particular event of the past which has happened in these dates. This approach is indicative of the fact that the real occasion for a happy celebration is the day in which the celebrators themselves have accomplished remarkable work through their own active effort. As for the accomplishments of our ancestors, their commemoration should not be restricted to a particular day or night. Instead, their accomplishments must be remembered every day in the practical life by observing their teachings and following the great examples they have set for us.

Keeping this principle in view, the following points should be remembered with regard to the "Lailatul-mi'raj":

(1) We cannot say with absolute certainty in which night the great event of mi'raj took place. Although some traditions relate this event to 27th night of the month of Rajab, yet there are other traditions that suggest other dates. Al-Zurqani, the famous biographer of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has referred to five different views in this respect: Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-u-Thani, Rajab, Ramadan and Shawwal. Later, while discussing different traditions, he has added a sixth opinion, that the mi'raj took place in the month of Zulhijjah.

Allama Abdulhaq Muhaddith Dehlawi, the well-known scholar of the Indian subcontinent, has written a detailed book on the merits of Islamic months. While discussing the 'Lailatul-mi'raj' has mentioned that most of the scholars are of the view that the event of mi'raj took place in the month of Ramadan or in Rabi-ul-awwal.

(2) It is also not known in which year the event of Mi'raj took place. The books of history suggest a wide range between the fifth-year and the twelfth year after the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam was entrusted with prophethood.

Now, if it is assumed that the event of Mi'raj took place in the fifth year of his prophethood, it will mean that the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam remained in this world for eighteen years after this event. Even if it is presumed that the mi'raj took place in the twelfth year of his prophethood, his remaining life-time after this event would be eleven years. Throughout this long period, which may range between eleven years and eighteen years, the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam never celebrated the event of mi'raj, nor did he give any instruction about it. No one can prove that the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam ever performed some specific modes of worship in a night calling it the 'Lailatul-mi'raj' or advised his followers to commemorate the event in a particular manner.

(3) After the demise of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam also, no one of his companions is reported to celebrate this night as a night of special acts of worship. They were the true devotees of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam and had devoted their lives to preserve every minute detail of the sunnah of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam and other Islamic teachings. Still, they did not celebrate the event of mi'raj in a particular night in a particular way.

All these points go a long way to prove that the celebration of the 27th night of Rajab, being the lailatul-mi'raj has no basis in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam or in the practice of his noble companions. Had it been a commendable practice to celebrate this night, the exact date of this event would have been preserved accurately by the Ummah and the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam and his blessed companions would have given specific directions for it.

Therefore, it is not a Sunnah to celebrate the Lailatul-mi'raj'. We cannot declare any practice as a sunnah unless it is established through authentic sources that the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam or is noble Companions have recognized it as such, otherwise it may become a bid'ah about which the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has observed in the following words: "Whoever invents something in our religion which is not a part of it, it is to be rejected."

Being mindful of this serious warning, we should appreciate that the 27th night of the month of Rajab is not like 'Lailatul-qadr' or 'Lailatul-bara'ah' for which special merits have been mentioned expressly either y the Holy Qur'an or by the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

However, all the recognized modes of 'ibadah (worship) like Salat, recitation of the Holy Qur'an, dhikr, etc. are commendable any time, especially in the late hours of night, and obviously the 27th night of Rajab is not an exception. Therefore, if someone performs any recognized 'ibadah in this night from this point of view nothing can stop him from doing so, and he will be entitled to the thawab (reward allocated for that recognized 'ibadah insha-Allah.) But it is not permissible to believe that performing 'ibadah in this night is more meritorious or carries more thawab like 'Lailatul-qadr' or 'Lailatul-bara'ah', because this belief is not based on any authentic verse or on a sunnah of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Similarly, it is not a correct practice to celebrate this night collectively and to invite people to special ritual congregations.

(4) Some people suggest some special modes of worship to be performed in this night. Since no special mode of worship is prescribed by the Shari'ah in this night, these suggestions are devoid of any authority and should not be acted upon.

It is believed by some that the Muslims should keep fast on 27th of Rajab. Although there are some traditions attributing special merits to the fast of this day yet the scholars of hadith have held these traditions as very weak and unauthentic reports which cannot be sufficient to establish a rule of Shari'ah. On the contrary, there is an authentic report that Sayyidna 'Umar, Radi-Allahu anhu, used to forbid people from fasting on this day, rather to compel them to eat if they had started fasting.

It should be borne in mind here that a "nafl" fast can be observed any day (except the six prohibited days of the year); therefore, fasting on 27th of Rajab is not prohibited in itself. What is prohibited is the belief that fasting on this day is more meritorious than fasting in other normal days. One should not fast in this day with this belief. But if someone fasts therein, believing it to be a normal nafl fast, there is no bar against it.

Sacrifice (qurbani) in the month of Rajab

In the days of ignorance (jahiliyyah) the Arabs used to offer the sacrifice of a goat in the month of Rajab. This sacrifice used to be called "Atirah' or 'Rajabiyyah'. This sacrifice was offered in the name of different so-called gods and their icons. In the beginning of Islam, this custom was retained, but the Muslims modified it by offering the sacrifice of 'Atirah in the name of Allah instead of the false gods. But finally, this custom was abandoned and the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam prohibited the offering of 'Atirah. In a tradition of Sayyidna Abu Hurairah, Radi-Allahu anhu, reported by both al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "Fara' is nothing and 'Atirah is nothing."

Abu Hurairah, Radi-Allahu anhu, has explained in the same tradition that 'Fara" was the first child of a she-camel. Whenever a she-camel delivered its first child, the Arabs used to sacrifice it in the name of their so-called gods, while the 'Atirah' was a goat used to be sacrificed in the month of Rajab. Since the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam stopped both these customs, 'Atirah is no longer a recognized practice.

'Umrah in the month of Rajab

Ibn 'Abidin, the well-known scholar of the Islamic jurisprudence, has mentioned that the people of Makkah (in his days) used to perform 'umrah in the month of Rajab. Perhaps they believed that performing 'umrah in this month is more meritorious than in other months. Then Ibn Abidin himself has rejected the authenticity of this practice, because no tradition of the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam is found to this effect. Conversely Sayyidah 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, has expressly negated the presumption by saying that the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam never performed an 'umrah in the month of Rajab (Sahih Muslim 1:409)

However, Ibn 'Aibidin has quoted a narration that 'Abdullah ibn Zubair, Radi-Allahu anhu, completed the renovation of Ka'bah shortly before 27th of Rajab, and as a sign of gratefulness he performed 'umrah and slaughtered some animals. But this report cannot form the basis of a recognized annual practice, firstly because the report is not very authentic, and secondly because it does not mention that Abdullah ibn Zubair, Radi-Allahu anhu, had adopted it as a continuing practice. At the most, he performed 'umrah once as a sign of gratefulness on the completion of Ka'bah. It does not mean that he performed it as a characteristic of the month of Rajab. Therefore, performing 'Umrah in this month is like performing it in any other month and no special merit can be attached to it merely because it has been performed in the month of Rajab.

The Salat of "Ragha'ib"

Another special mode of worship attributed by some people to this month is the Salat of Raghai'b. According to the custom of such people, this Salat is performed in the night of first Friday of the month of Eajab. The Salat of Raghaib is said to consist of twelve rak'ats to be performed in pairs with six salams, and in each rak'at the surah al-qadr is recited three times followed by the Surah-al-ikhlas. This type of Salat is also not based on any sound source of Shari'ah. Therefore, almost all the jurists and scholars of Shari'ah have held that the Salat of Raghaib is a baseless practice and it is not permissible to treat it as a recognized practice of this month. It is true that there is a tradition, narrated by Razin, the author of a book of hadith, which attributes the origin of this practice to the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam but almost all the scholars of the science of hadith have held it to be absolutely unauthentic. Therefore, no importance can be attached to it.

Distribution of Breads:

Another baseless practice in the month of Rajab is that the people bake special types of breads and, after reciting some verses and prayers on them, distribute them among their friends and neighbors. This custom has two different shapes.

1). In some communities, this custom is celebrated on 17th of Rajab on the assumption that Sayyidna Ali, Radi-Allahu anhu, was born on 11th of Rajab and the 17th of Rajab is the day on which his 'Aqiqa (Shaving of his head) was performed. In order to celebrate this happy event, the breads of some special type are prepared and after reciting Surah Al-Mulk on them, they are distributed among the relatives and friends. These breads are generally called "breads of Tabarak" because Surah Al-Mulk is usually recited on them.

This practice is baseless because it is never proved that Sayyidna Ali, Radi-Allahu anhu, was born on 11th of Rajab or that his Aqiqa was performed on 17th of this month and, as explained earlier, even if these events are proved to have happened in those days, their commemoration through these specific rituals is not warranted by the Shari'ah.

2). A more common practice of this type is observed on 22nd of Rajab whereby some breads and meals of a special type are prepared and distributed among the people. Since these special meals are usually placed in some bowls made of clay, the custom is usually known as "Koonda", an Urdu equivalent of such bowls. It is usually believed that the custom is designed to make 'isal-al-thawab to the soul of Sayyidna Jafar Al-Sadiq who himself has directed his followers to observe this custom and has promised them that whoever observes it, his desires will be fulfilled.

All these assumptions also have no basis at all, neither historically, nor according to the principles of Shari'ah. In fact, the date of 22nd of Rajab has no concern whatsoever with Sayyidna Jafar al-Sadiq, Rahimah-u-Allah. According to the historians, he was born on 8th of Ramadan 80 A.H. and died in Shawwal 148 A.H. No specific event of the life of Sayyidna Jafar al-Sadiq is proved to have happened on this date. The people believing in the custom refer to a coined story mentioned in an unauthentic book named "Dastaan-e-Ajeeb".

Briefly stated, the gist of the story is that a poor woodcutter lived in Madinah in the days of Jafar Al-Sadiq. He went abroad to earn his livelihood. His wife was employed in the house of the Prime Minister. Once she was cleaning the courtyard of the Prime Minister when Sayyidna Jafar al-Sadiq passed by her. It was 22nd of Rajab. He advised her to bake some breads of a special type and make 'isal-al-sawab to him. According to this story, he promised her that if her desire is not fulfilled after this practice, she can catch hold of him at the doom's day. On hearing this, the woman made a vow that if her husband will come back with a considerable wealth, she will observe the custom of "Koonda". On the same day her husband, who was in another country, found a valuable treasure in the earth and came back with it to Madinah where he established himself as a rich man and started living in a magnificent castle. When his wife told the story to the wife of the Prime Minister, she disbelieved her and because of this disbelief, she and her husband, the Prime Minister, were punished by Allah. He was removed by the king from the prime minister-ship and was imprisoned in a jail and was ordered to be hanged. While being in the prison, the wife of the Prime Minister remembered that she had disbelieved the story of Jafar al-Sadiq told to her by her maidservant and their misery might be the punishment of their disbelief. On this point, she and her husband repented before Allah and made a vow to observe the custom of "Koonda", if they are released from the jail. After they made such a vow, the whole scenario of the events changed suddenly. The king released the Prime Minister from the jail and reinstated him on his former position.

As it can be seen by any reasonable person, this story is totally forged on the face of it. The person who has coined this story did not even know that Madinah had never a king nor a Prime Minister. All the Muslim rulers were named as caliphs and had no Prime Minister at all. In the days of Umayyads, their capital was Damascus and in the days of Abbasids, their permanent seat was in Baghdad.

It is ironical that the story of such a woodcutter is not even known to anybody in Madinah, nor in any city of the Arab countries. No Arabic book has ever referred to it. It has no mention except in an Urdu book 'Dastaan-e-Ajeeb', the author of which is unknown. One can easily see that a custom based on such a fallacious and mythical story can never be an Islamic custom. Islam has always been far away from such superstitions.

Therefore, this baseless custom should completely be avoided by the true Muslims. Some historians have opined that in fact, this custom has been coined by some Shi'ites because the date of 22nd of Rajab is the date of the demise of Sayyidna Mu'awiyah whom they take as their biggest enemy. They took that date as a happy occasion and made the Sunni Muslims also to celebrate it on the pretext of the above mentioned story.

Be that as it may, it is evident that such customs have crept into the Muslim society by their long association with Hindus who commemorate different historical events of their religion in the like manner. The Muslims must be careful about these customs, because they are not only an invention of ignorance but also the imitation of non-Muslims in their religious rituals. No doubt the "'isal-al-thawab' to the soul of a deceased Muslim, and particularly to a pious person is not only permissible but also a commendable practice but the Shari'ah has not prescribed a particular date, nor a particular mode to do so. If someone wants to make "'isal-al-thawab" to Sayyidna 'Ali, Radi-Allahu anhu, or to Ja'far al-Sadiq, he can do it any day and by performing any act of worship, like Salat, fast, Sadaqah, dhikr etc. There is no reason why it should be restricted to a special type of meal or bread distributed on a particular date. What makes this practice worse is the fact that the people accustomed to this practice deem it as necessary as a fard (obligation); rather they treat it as more necessary than fard because they do not care to perform the obligatory Salat or to fulfill the rights of men obligated on them, but they are very strict and punctual to perform these activities. Moreover, if a person does not observe this practice, they reproach him and call him with bad names. Such behavior makes this custom a bid'ah which is condemned by the Holy Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam as a misguidance. Therefore, the Muslims must abandon all such practices and should not cling to it only because it has been the practice of their society for many years. A Muslim is supposed to follow the dictates of Shari'ah and not the practice of the society, if it violates any of its principles.

Conclusion

The upshot of the above discussion is that the Shari'ah has not prescribed any specific way to observe the month of Rajab or to perform a specific mode of worship or a ritual in any one of its dates. However, being a prologue to the month of Ramadan, it should be availed of for preparing oneself for Ramadan and one should pray Allah to make him reach the blessed month and to benefit from its unique merits.

Enjoy Fifa World Cup Highlights 2010

FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifier USA v/s Honduras
FIFA World Cup 2010 France vs Uruguay Highlights

Maria Sharapova Settles for Second Classic

Maria Sharapova Settles for Second at AEGON Classic

Unable to attain the goal in which she was shooting for, Maria Sharapova had to settle for second place in Birmingham on Sunday June-13.

The 23-year-old Russian tennis ace made it to the final match at the AEGON Classic grass-court tournament, but ended up losing to Li Na in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1.

And while she didn't end up winning, Miss Sharapova voiced her pleasure in being able to get in a few good matches before Wimbledon, which kicks off on June 21st.

Talking to press after the match, Maria said, "I came here to get as many matches as I could, and I did. It's nice to win the tournament, but sometimes it doesn't happen."

Enjoy Favorite Arabic Video Song

Arabic Songs - Nancy Ajram- Tal Ye ye.
its my Favorite Arabic Concert..
Enjoy Favorite Arabic Video Song.
country  hip-hop  pop  rap  rock  soul  unsigned  world  music 

Enjoy The official theme Song of the South African World Cup 2010

This is very nice and sweet song...........Enjoy The official theme Song,
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 Official Theme Song..................
Enjoy The official theme Song of the South African World Cup 2010
FIFA  World  Cup  South  Africa  2010  Official  Theme  Song ....

Enjoy Shakira FIFA World Cup 2010 Celebration Concert

Enjoy Shakira FIFA World Cup 2010 Celebration Concert
Shakira..Hips Don't Lie...FIFA World Cup 2010 Celebration -- 
Opening Ceremony: Live Concert in South Africa..

Enjoy Shakira-WAKA WAKA-FIFA World Cup-2010 Celebration

 FIFA World Cup 2010 Opening Ceremony:Shakira -WAKA WAKA -FIFA World Cup 2010 Celebration concert, Blazing lights, lush green field, rocking music, jaw-dropping football squad and prominent stars - the sweltering, breathtaking extravaganza of football is good to go! Add to this a larger-than-life opening ceremony and audience is sure to get a taste of the most magnificent sporting event of the year. FIFA World Cup 2010 carnival is all set to put the stage on fire, with Johannesburg acting as the key host city. The World Cup opening ceremony is anticipated to be a real treat to the soccer-loving souls.


This year, FIFA World Cup will have an extraordinary feat with players and audience enjoying a "2-day opening" that would start on Thursday night. Tonight, witness the biggest pop extravaganza in the continent's history with 1,581 performers across the globe. Shakira will perform the official 2010 World Cup song, "Waka Waka This Time for Africa". She will team up with a local South African group, Freshlyground, to sway the spectators with a heart-throbbing performance.

Also, rocking the stage in the grand ceremony will be distinguished artists, John Legend, Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, and Colombian heart-throb rocker Juanes. Top African musicians such as Amadou and Mariam, The Parlotones and Angelique Kidjo, will also be performing. Best part of the Thursday night concert is that the profit earned will be donated to "20 Centers for 2010", a charity campaign dedicated to enhancing public health, education and development across Africa. FIFA opted to keep the Friday's actual opening ceremony, before the game between the hosts and Mexico, performances somewhat a secret. This is mainly done to sustain the pinnacle of expectations and excitement.............

Historical Births Historical Birth of Famous People

Tuesday, June 8, 2010.............
..............Famous Births on 9 Jun
Historical Births
Historical Birth of Famous People
1508 - Primož Trubar, Slovenian Protestant reformer (d. 1586)
1580 - Daniel Heinsius, Flemish scholar (d. 1655)
1588 - Johann Andreas Herbst, German composer (d. 1666)
1595 - King Wladislaus IV of Poland (d. 1648)
1640 - Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (d. 1705)
1661 - Tsar Feodor III of Russia (d. 1682)
1672 - Tsar Peter I of Russia (d. 1725)
1686 - Andrei Osterman, Russian statesman (d. 1747)
1768 - Samuel Slater, American industrialist (d. 1835)
1781 - George Stephenson, English mechanical engineer (d.1848)
1810 - Otto Nicolai, German composer (d. 1849)
1812 - Johann Gottfried Galle, German astronomer (d. 1910)
1843 - Bertha von Suttner, Austrian novelist and pacifist, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (d. 1914)
1845 - Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto (d. 1914)
1849 - Michael Peter Ancher, Danish painter (d. 1927)
1851 - Charles Joseph Bonaparte, French politician (d. 1921)
1865 - Albéric Magnard, French composer (d. 1914)
1865 - Carl Nielsen, Danish composer (d. 1931)
1875 - Henry Hallett Dale, English scientist, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (d. 1968)
1882 - Bobby Kerr, Canadian sprinter (d. 1963)
1890 - Leslie Banks, British actor (d. 1952)
1891 - Cole Porter, American composer and lyricist (d. 1964)
1893 - Irish Meusel, American baseball player (d. 1963)
1898 - Luigi Fagioli, Italian race car driver (d. 1952)
1900 - Fred Waring, American bandleader (d. 1984)
1911 - George Webb, British actor (d. 1998)
1912 - Ingolf Dahl, American composer (d. 1970)
1915 - Les Paul, American guitarist
1916 - Robert McNamara, United States Secretary of Defense and president of the World Bank
1921 - Arthur Hertzberg, American Jewish scholar (d. 2006)
1922 - John Gillespie Magee, Jr., American poet and aviator (d. 1941)
1922 - Fernand Seguin, Canadian biochemist - Radio and TV animator (d. 1988)
1922 - George Axelrod, American screenwriter, producer, playwright and film director (d. 2003)
1925 - Keith Laumer, science fiction writer (d. 1993)
1929 - Johnny Ace, American singer (d. 1954)
1930 - Barbara, French singer (d. 1997)
1931 - Jackie Mason, American comedian
1931 - Joe Santos, American actor
1931 - Bill Virdon, American baseball player and manager
1934 - Jackie Wilson, American singer (d. 1984)
1936 - Mick O'Dwyer, Gaelic footballer and manager
1937 - Harald Rosenthal, German biologist
1938 - Charles Wuorinen, American composer
1939 - Ileana CotrubaÅŸ, Romanian soprano
1939 - David Hobbs, English race car driver and personality on American TV
1939 - Dick Vitale, American sportscaster
1939 - Charles Webb, author
1941 - Jon Lord, organist in Deep Purple
1943 - Joe Haldeman, science fiction writer
1945 - Luis Ocaña, Spanish cyclist (d. 1994)
1945 - Nike Wagner, German woman of the theater
1947 - Kiran Bedi, Indian Police Service Officer
1947 - John Gurda, American historian
1948 - Gudrun Schyman, Swedish politician
1951 - James Newton Howard, American film composer
1951 - Dave Parker, American baseball player
1952 - Uzi Hitman, Israeli singer (d. 2004)
1954 - George Pérez, American comic book artist
1954 - Gregory Maguire, American fantasy writer
1956 - Patricia Cornwell, American author
1959 - Christian Wulff, German politician, currently prime minister of Lower Saxony.
1960 - Steve Paikin, Canadian journalist
1961 - Michael J. Fox, Canadian-born actor
1961 - Aaron Sorkin, American writer
1963 - Johnny Depp, American actor
1963 - Gilad Atzmon, Israeli jazz musician and author
1963 - David Koepp, American screenwriter and director
1964 - Hiroko Yakushimaru, Japanese actress and singer
1964 - Gloria Reuben, Canadian actress
1968 - Niki Bakoyianni, Greek high jumper
1969 - Eric Wynalda, American footballer
1971 - Gilles De Bilde, Belgian footballer
1971 - John McKeown, Scottish musician (Yummy Fur, 1990s)
1971 - Rick Renstrom, American guitarist
1972 - Tomoe Hanba, Japanese voice actress
1973 - Frederic Choffat, Swiss film director
1973 - Laura Ponte, Spanish model and royal
1973 - Tedy Bruschi, American football player
1974 - Samoth, Norwegian guitarist (Emperor, Zyklon)
1974 - Tim Shaw, British radio personality
1974 - Randy Winn, American baseball player
1975 - Jeff Saturday, American football player
1975 - Otto Addo, Ghanaian footballer
1975 - Andrew Symonds, Australian cricketer
1977 - Roopa Mishra, Indian civil servant
1977 - Amisha Patel, Indian actress
1977 - Peja Stojakovic, Serbian basketball player
1978 - Michaela Conlin, American actress
1978 - Miroslav Klose, German footballer
1978 - Matthew Bellamy, British musician (Muse)
1978 - Shandi Finnessey, game hostess
1979 - Andrew Walker, Canadian actor
1980 - Mike Fontenot, American baseball player
1980 - Lehlohonolo Seema, Lesotho footballer
1980 - Udonis Haslem, American basketball player
1981 - Anoushka Shankar, Famous sitarist and daughter of Ravi Shankar
1981 - Vic Zhou, JVKV band member, Taiwanese actor, singer and model.
1981 - Natalie Portman, Israeli-born actress
1982 - Christina Stürmer, Austrian singer
1983 - Alektra Blue, American porn star
1983 - Danny Richar, Dominican baseball player
1984 - Masoud Shojaei, Iranian footballer
1984 - Wesley Sneijder, Dutch footballer
1984 - Kaleth Morales, Colombian singer and songwriter (d. 2005)
1984 - Yulieski Gourriel, Cuban baseball player
1985 - Sonam Kapoor, Indian actress
1985 - Sebastian Telfair, American basketball player
1986 - Adamo Ruggiero, Canadian actor
1986 - Kary Ng, Hong Kong singer and actress
1988 - Mae Whitman, American Actress
1993 - Danielle Chuchran, American actress

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World Famous Deaths News

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
.......Famous Deaths on 9 Jun......
1361 - Philippe de Vitry, French composer (b. 1291)
1563 - William Paget, 1st Baron Paget, English statesman (b. 1506)
1572 - Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre (b. 1528)
1583 - Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
1656 - Thomas Tomkins, Welsh composer (b. 1572)
1716 - Banda Bahadur, Sikh military commander (executed)
1717 - Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte Guyon, French mystic (b. 1648)
1834 - William Carey, one of the founders of the Baptist Missionary Society (b. 1761)
1870 - Charles Dickens, English author (b. 1812)
1875 - Gérard Paul Deshayes, French geologist (b. 1795)
1892 - Taiso Yoshitoshi, Woodblock print artist
1892 - William Grant Stairs, Canadian explorer (b. 1863)
1912 - Ion Luca Caragiale, Romanian writter (b. 1852)
1946 - Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, king of Thailand (b. 1925)
1952 - Adolf Busch, German composer (b. 1891)
1958 - Robert Donat, English actor (b. 1905)
1959 - Adolf Otto Reinhold Windaus, German chemist, Nobel laureate (b. 1876)
1961 - Camille Guérin, French scientist (b. 1872)
1964 - Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, Canadian-born business tycoon and politician (b. 1879)
1973 - Erich von Manstein, German military commander (b. 1887)
1974 - Miguel �ngel Asturias, Guatemalan writer, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1899)
1979 - Cyclone Taylor, Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1884)
1981 - Allen Ludden, TV game show host (b. 1917)
1989 - Rashid Behbudov, Azerbaijani singer and actor (b. 1915)
1989 - George Wells Beadle, American geneticist, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (b. 1903)
1991 - Claudio Arrau, Chilean-born pianist (b. 1903)
1993 - Alexis Smith, Canadian actress (b. 1921)
1994 - Jan Tinbergen, Dutch economist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1903)
1997 - Stanley Knowles, Canadian politician (b. 1908)
2000 - Jacob Lawrence, American painter (b. 1917)
2004 - Brian Williamson, Jamaican Gay Activist (b. 1945)
2004 - Rosey Brown, American football player (b. 1932)
2006 - Drafi Deutscher, German Schlager singer (b. 1946)
2007 - Frankie Abernathy, Former The Real World: San Diego castmate (b. 1981)
2008 - Algis Budrys, American writer (b. 1931)
373 - Ephrem the Syrian, Christian hymnodist
597 - St. Columba, Christian missionary (b. 521)
62 - Claudia Octavia, wife of Nero (b. 40)
630 - King Shahrbaraz of Persia
68 - Nero, Roman Emperor (b. 37)
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Coming Soon to Theaters list

               Coming Soon to Theaters, Opening Date June 11, 2010
A colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going "rogue," they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit.


 

Also Known As: The A Team
Production Status:     In Production/Awaiting Release
Genres:     Action/Adventure and Comedy
Running Time:     1 hr. 57 min.
Release Date:     June 11th, 2010 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking.
Distributors:   20th Century Fox Distribution
Production Co.:  Stephen J Cannell Productions, Scott Free Productions
Studios:   20th Century Fox
Filming Locations: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Produced in:  United States








The Karate Kid 
Jackie Chan stars as the martial arts mentor who teaches new kid Jaden Smith to stand up for himself against Beijing bullies.
 


 Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
At the Theatre Des Champs-Elysees, Igor Stravinsky premieres his The Rite Of Spring. Coco Chanel attends the premiere and is mesmerized. But the revolutionary work is too modern, too radical. The enraged audience boos and jeers. A near riot ensues. Stravinsky is inconsolable. Seven years later, now rich, respected and successful, Coco Chanel meets Stravinsky again - a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris after the Russian Revolution. The attraction between them is immediate and electric. Coco offers Stravinsky the use of her villa in Garches so that he will be able to work, and he moves in straight away, with his children and consumptive wife. And so a passionate, intense love affair between two creative giants begins.
Also Known As: Chanel & Stavinsky, l'histoire secrete
Chanel & Stavinsky: The Secret Story
Chanel and Stavinsky: The Secret Story
Coco & Igor
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky
Coco Et Igor
Coco and Igor
Production Status:In Production/Awaiting Release
Logline: Focuses on the love affair between pioneering French fashion designer Coco Chanel and avant-garde Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.
Genres: Art/Foreign, Romance, Adaptation and Biopic
Running Time:1 hr. 58 min.
Release Date: June 11th, 2010 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R for some strong sexuality and nudity.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co.: Eurowide Film Production
Financiers:  Cinemage, Wild Bunch, TPS Star, Studio Canal, Hexagon Pictures
Produced in:     France



Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work 
 A glimpse into the private dramas of comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers as she fights to keep her American dream alive.




Winter's Bone  
A teenager sets out to track down her father, who put their family's house up for his bail bond and then disappeared.
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