NEWS - JUNE 2004 « May (part II) - News index - June (part II) »

15 June - Madonna TV interview next friday Madonna will appear on US television ABC for an interview with Cynthia McFadden. EXCLUSIVE: Cynthia McFadden sits down with the queen of self-reinvention, Madonna, who's got a lot to say about faith, family values, growing older — and wiser." This Friday at 10 p.m. on ABC's 20/20. (source: ABC) 15 June - Madonna.com update The intro page of Madonna.com has been updated with another tour picture of a ravishing Madonna and one of her gorgeous dancers. The tour schedule now mentions both the Slane Castle date (August 29) and the second Manchester date (August 14). Both will go on sale next Friday June 18th at 9am GMT. For the Lisbon concert, no on-sale date is mentioned, just "soon". ~ You can find the full tour schedule, setlist and list of performers on on our tour details page. 15 June - More articles on Maverick settlement Here's what the major news agencies write on the Warner - Maverick settlement: ~ Warner Music Group (WMG) has wound up a very public and bitter legal battle with its biggest star Madonna, agreeing to buy her out of their Maverick Records joint venture founded 12 years ago. The financial details of the buy out were not disclosed, but some press reports said Tuesday Warner had paid 10 million dollars for Madonna's stake, far less than the 200 million dollars she had been demanding in court. Prior to the agreement, Madonna owned 60 percent of Maverick along with partners Guy Oseary and Ronnie Dashev. Under the deal, Warner buys out Madonna and Dashev, raising its stake from 40 percent to 75 percent, while Oseary is kept on as chief executive officer with his 25 percent stake. "This new joint venture agreement is clearly a win-win for both WMG and Maverick," said WMG chairman Lyor Cohen. "We have every confidence that Guy's creative genius in finding and developing new talent ... will make the label a vital part of the WMG family moving forward." After recording some early and highly profitable success with acts like Alanis Morrissette, Maverick has struggled in recent years, with WMG claiming in its lawsuit that the label had more than 60 million dollars since 1999. The agreement ends a nasty spat between WMG and the Material Girl who filed competing lawsuits back in March, accusing each other of mismanaging Maverick at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. At one point, Madonna, whose own records are released on the Warner label, accused the company of "treason." WMG was acquired from Time Warner for 2.6 billion dollars last year by a consortium of investors led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. (source: AFP) ~ Warner Music Group has agreed to buy Madonna out of Maverick Records, the label she co-founded 12 years ago, to end the legal battle that pitted the music conglomerate against their biggest star. Madonna's Maverick Records debuted with a flourish and included the multiplatinum debut of Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" in 1995. More recently, the company has scored hits with Michelle Branch. Madonna and partners Guy Oseary and Ronnie Dashev together have owned 60 percent of the company; Warner Music owned 40 percent. In March, Maverick filed suit against Warner Music and its former parent, Time Warner Inc., claiming breach of contract and alleging that they had misstated Maverick's profits and mismanaged the company, costing Madonna and her partners millions of dollars. (An investment group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. purchased Warner Music Group last year.) Warner Music filed a lawsuit of its own against Maverick, claiming the company had lost tens of millions of dollars. In an agreement announced Monday, Warner Music said it would buy Madonna and Dashev, Maverick's chief operating officer, out of their share of the label. Madonna will have no role in the company, while Oseary will keep his share and stay with Maverick as CEO. Neither side would discuss the financial terms. The deal does not affect Madonna's own recording contract with the Warner Bros. record label, which is a part of Warner Music and has been her home since 1984. She's sold more than 60 million records with the label. "It was an effective way of settling the lawsuit," lawyer Bert Fields, who represented Maverick, told The Associated Press on Monday. "It's clean and equitable, and it doesn't have anything to do with her record contract." "This new joint venture agreement is clearly a win-win for both WMG and Maverick, and we are pleased that Guy Oseary, one of the most successful A&R executives in the industry, is continuing his relationship with both companies," said Lyor Cohen, Warner Music's chairman. Oseary expressed optimism about his new arrangement with Warner Music. "The new independent spirit at Warner Music is a perfect fit for a stand-alone label like Maverick," he said. A representative for Madonna, who's on a sold-out concert tour, did not immediately return calls seeking comment. (source: AP) ~ Warner Music has bought out Madonna's stake in her Maverick Record label as part of a settlement in their lengthy legal dispute over the future of the 12-year-old joint venture, the company says. Warner Music said in a statement on Monday it had also purchased the share held by Maverick Chief Operating Officer Ronnie Dashev and signed a new multiyear contract with Maverick A&R chief Guy Oseary. The terms of the deal were not disclosed but Warner Music said it would have a majority stake in the venture. Maverick will continue to operate as a stand-alone label and would place greater emphasis on signing and developing artists, the statement said. In March, Maverick filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Warner Music seeking $200 million (110 million pounds) in damages and an end to the venture which is home to acts like Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette. Madonna and her two partners had tried to sell her 60-percent stake in the label to Time Warner for a reported $60 million but talks apparently broke down over the asking price. Industry sources said Warner had ultimately paid Madonna significantly less than $60 million. The dispute predated last November's $2.6 billion purchase of Warner Music by a group of investors led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. Warner Music Group Chairman Lyor Cohen said the agreement was "clearly a win-win for both WMG and Maverick". Oseary called Madonna and Ronnie Dashev "my family. and I thank them not only for having helped build Maverick but also for having defined who I am today." Madonna releases her own records under a separate recording deal with Warner Bros. Records. (source: Reuters) 15 June - Second Manchester date added We can announce that Madonna will be playing a second concert at the MEN Arena on August 14th 2004. Tickets go onsale on Friday 18th June at 9am. Ticket prices will be £84.50, £101.00 and £163.50 including booking fee. (source: Ticketmaster) 15 June - Madonna loses Maverick She might still be a Material Girl, but Madonna's no longer a Maverick. Ending a nasty legal battle over the future of her Maverick Records, Madonna and Warner Bros. have reached a deal that removes her from control of the label she cofounded 12 years ago. Madonna and her partners, Guy Oseary and Ronnie Dashev, teamed up with Warners to form Maverick, essentially a vanity label for Madonna to play music mogul. Madonna, Oseary and Dashev controlled 60 percent, while Warners owned the remaining 40. Despite some huge early success with Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and a roster that now includes Michelle Branch, Maverick has struggled of late. With the partnership deal due to expire this year, Madonna and her two pals reportedly tried to sell their stake in Maverick to Warner Bros. for $60 million. But those talks fell apart and in March Madonna & Co. filed a $200 million lawsuit accusing Warner Music and parent company Time Warner of breach of contract, gross mismanagement and creative accounting. Warners in turn launched its own lawsuit against Madonna, Oseary and Dashev, claiming Maverick was a poorly run black hole sucking to the tune of $66 million in red ink since 1999. Warners said Madonna and her partners would have to cough up close to $100 million if they wanted sole control of Maverick. Monday's deal scotches the dueling lawsuits. Terms of the payouts were not disclosed, but reports say that Warners bought out Madonna for less than the $20 million she initially sought. Under the new deal, Madonna will have no say in Maverick, but she will keep recording for Warner Bros., her home base since 1984. Warners also bought out the shares controlled by Dashev, who was Maverick's chief operating officer. Oseary will keep his shares and stay aboard as the label's A&R chief. "This new joint venture agreement is clearly a win-win for both WMG and Maverick," Warner Music boss Lyor Cohen said in a statement. In the same press release, Oseary thanked Madonna and Dashev and said he welcomed "the new independent spirit at Warner Music." (The label was acquired in November by an investor group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr.) There was no immediate comment from Madonna, who is in the midst of her re-Invention Tour in support of her underwhelming latest disc, American Life. Even without Maverick to worry about, Madonna still has plenty of extracurricular activities to amuse her. Aside from the touring, recording and child-rearing, she is getting ready to publish her next two Kabbalah-flavored kiddie books, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, due out next week, and The Adventures of Abdi, slated for release Nov. 8. (source: E! Online) 14 June - Kabbalah after Madonna's money, says Guy Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie admitted yesterday he thought the Kabbalah cult was only after his wife's money. The film director believed the religious group was targeting Madonna "for the simple reason that she is rich". But Ritchie, 35, is now a confirmed group member after meeting founder Rabbi Philip Berg. And he defended the sect of Jewish mysticism. He said: "Kabbalah is an extension of the way most of us try to live our lives. It's just about being a decent person. "Put it this way, I've never met a kabbalahist who is a c***." Ritchie also rejected claims it is a dangerous sect which reels in the rich and famous. He said Madonna, 45, was not asked to pay for "spiritual enlightenment". "After six years, she has never received any kind of bill from anyone." Madonna is rarely seen without the sect's trademark red string bracelet. (source: The Mirror) 14 June - Kiss me baby one more time *rumour* Madonna and Britney Spears want to recreate their infamous on-stage snog. Madge has asked Britney to sing with her on Wednesday at the first of six New York shows of her world tour — and insiders say the pair are on for a replay of their kiss. The original came in August when they stunned a celebrity audience at the MTV Video Music Awards by suddenly locking lips during a duet of Madonna’s song Hollywood. The pair loved the fuss it caused and have been eagerly discussing a repeat performance for the last month. But their plans suffered a setback last week when Britney hurt her knee falling during a video shoot in the Big Apple. Britney has promised Madge she’ll do her best to be fighting fit for Wednesday's gig. A source told me: “Britney was delighted when Madonna asked her if she could join her on stage. They got loads of reaction the first time they kissed. She agreed to do it immediately. Their people have been faxing and e-mailing non-stop to sort things out. Everything was confirmed last week. Britney was gutted when she had her fall. It was pretty serious. She had to have surgery and she will find out this week how long she’ll be out of action. But she's promised to do her best to be there on the night at Madison Square Garden. She just won’t be able to do strenuous dancing.” If doctors ban Britney from performing she has until September — when Madonna’s Re-Invention tour finishes — to sort out another date. Madonna has had her own health worries. Last week I revealed she had been struck down for the second time with exhaustion just two weeks into her gruelling tour. But now she is raring to go again. (source: The Sun) 14 June - Interview with Yakov illustrator Madonna.com had posted a Q & A with Gennady Spirin, illustrator of 'Yakov and the Seven Thieves', Madonna's third children book which will be released June 21st. Q - What was it like working on Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - The book was completed amazingly quickly. The idea was clear. The style parameters were set. I was able to render the characters without much difficulty - very naturally. Everything came together well. Q - How is Yakov and the Seven Thieves different from other books you've illustrated? A - This is the first time that I worked with a contemporary author. This is not a classic, world-renowned story, but the idea has deep roots. Q - What message do you hope children will glean from Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - I think that children and grown-ups should see this book as espousing the importance of compassion. It also puts forward the concept that often the prayers of some of the most seemingly "bad" people are dearer to God than the prayers of the seemingly "good" people. The thieves? Prayers demonstrate real openness before God, and stem from feelings of unworthiness. Q - What is your favorite part of Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - I must confess that I look at the book as a whole and, thus, I do not prefer one part of the book over another. Q - What is your favorite illustration in Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - I cannot select anything in particular and have never been able to admire my own work, even if I am satisfied with it overall. One's admiration for one's own work can only bring disdain from the great Masters. Q - What about your style do you feel lends itself to Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - The stylistic parameters for the book were discussed and set from the outset. This story takes place in Europe, in the 18th century. It could have been illustrated in any number of styles, but we decided on Baroque. It makes the book dressier, but at the same time preserves the dramatic element and the psychological characteristics of each of the characters. Q- What was your opinion of Madonna before and after reading Yakov and the Seven Thieves? A - I had, of course, heard of the author before commencing work on the book, but I am not a fan of contemporary music. I like classical music and jazz. However, my children are familiar with Madonna, and, overhearing that I was working on this book, they told me of her accomplishments and career highlights. Overall, she is a giant, so I felt somewhat uncomfortable initially. Irrespective of the Hollywood hoopla surrounding Madonna, it is not lost on her to notice simple, human actions, which is the centralmoral principle of the story. Q - What inspired you to want to illustrate children's books? A - I remember that as a child I absolutely loved to look at books with pictures. How delighted and excited my young soul was to see the elaborate letters and illustrations of a new story. I was drawn to stories by their illustrations. A whole world opened up to my youthful imagination. And to this day, that world beckons. Q - Which artists and illustrators have most influenced you and your work? A - Unfortunately, I cannot name just one person. My interests and tastes are broad and my work is influenced not only by other artists (and there is a legion of them), but also by different cultures, architecture, period costumes, and a mass of minute details and elements that have filled my life at different times. Q - How did growing up in Russia influence your work? A - Most positively. First and foremost, I am a Russian soul. I am Russian Orthodox. Russia is my Fatherland. The list of Russia's great leaders, religious icons, writers, composers, artists and entertainers is what inspires me, and I consider myself supremely fortunate to be a part of Russia's rich traditions. Q - What is the most valuable piece of advice you can pass on to young artists? A - To the young and not-so-young artists I can wish only great love. Love inspires great art, as well as life itself. Love what you do. Q - Your illustrations feature an amazing amount of detail. How long does it usually take you to complete a piece? What is your process like? A - In art we are not dependent on technology. It is the process itself that is most important, and the creative process cannot be timed. Sometimes, I can create an illustration in 2-3 days, but more often it takes a week or longer. About my creative process: I don't do sketches. That way, I am much more focused on the creative process and the final product, and, for me, this is more interesting, because I am not worried about the many changes that may be requested and the work then proceeds more naturally, by the grace of God. Of course, I draw on many types of cultural materials while I am working - books, architecture, interiors, furnishings, costumes, etc. Yes, it is true, I love detail - it is a necessary part of the whole. Q - How do your own children influence your illustrations? A - I work at home and I love when my children are home while I am working. I love to hear their voices. They are the first to see what I am working on and I can feel when they are not pleased with something I've created. I also know when they are very pleased - which is the best reward I can hope for. 13 June - X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition moves to Düsseldorf The X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition has moved from a successful installation in Munich to Dusseldorf at the NRW Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft. For more details on the exhibition which runs from 10-27 June visit the gallery website at www.nrw-forum.de (source: Madonna.com) 13 June - Slane Castle finally confirmed! After several months of will she/won't she speculation, MCD have announced that Madonna will definitely bring her Re:invention Greatest Hits World Tour to Slane Castle on Sunday August 29. Despite tabloid speculation that they might be as much as € 150, tickets go on sale at 8am on Friday June 18 priced € 88.50 which compares very favourably to the € 105 and € 120 charged last year by those other musical legends Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. It's also considerably cheaper than the average Stateside price for Madge tickets which is $200. Hotpress has learned that the Slane gates will be opening later than they normally do to accommodate locals going to mass, and that there will be at least three, possibly four support acts. With Meath County Council and the local Garda Chief Superintendent both green lighting the show, it looks like nothing can stop Ireland getting its first glimpse of the material girl. (source: HotPress) ~ We expect that the confirmation from Madonna.com will follow soon. 12 June - Madonna icon for women over 40 After reigning over the hearts of millions for quite some time, pop queen Madonna, has added another feather to her cap. The 45-year-old mom of two has been voted the best dressed woman by the Good Housekeeping magazine. The homemaker's bible declared Madonna the leading fashion icon for women over 40. "The great thing about Madonna is that she constantly looks good and constantly reinvents herself and sets trends," editor Lindsay Nicholson is quoted as saying by news.com. Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley was highly commended while fellow actors Helen Mirren and Judi Dench and model Jerry Hall were on the short list. Hall's one-time partner, crooner Bryan Ferry, was named Britain's best-dressed man, relegating soccer star David Beckham to second place. Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, the austere hosts of the television series What Not To Wear reproduced for an Australian audience recently by Channel 7 - were judged worst-dressed women. (source: sify.com) 12 June - Info on problems with Lisbon venue The official website of Lisbon's Atlantic Pavilion has been updated with the following notice - originally published in Portuguese: "Atlântico, Ltd. understands, respects and considers legitimate all the manifestations in support to the Madonna Concert at the Atlantic Pavilion. Considering the importance to respect the commitments assumed with all its customers - the one that have contributed to the credit and reliability of Atlântico in the market - Atlântico, Ltd proceeds with all efforts to allow not only the Madonna concert but also the Event of the Mana Church to take place, making possible for both to have a positive accomplishment. Having had knowledge that tickets for the Madonna concert are currently on sale on some websites, we still alert that those tickets are not valid - for the previously mentioned reason. While we thank everybody for understanding, be sure that - as soon as we have additional informations on this subject, they will be immediately made available through our website." (source: Atlantico, Ltd; translation: MadonnaTribe) 12 June - Madonna items in Rock Legends auction Kaz from Cooper Owen informs us that they'll have a Rock Legends auction next wednesday, June 16th, which will include the following Madonna items: - Lot 82 Madonna VIP laminate and ticket stub for her Brixton Academy gig, November 2000 A hologramed laminated pass and ticket stub for Madonna's highly publicised VIP gig at Brixton Academy, London on Tuesday 29th November 2000, one of her most important UK performances to date. (2) £80-120 - Lot 83 Madonna signed photo matted with a white label of 'Like a Virgin' A colour photograph signed Love Madonna in black marker pen, matted with a Japanese white label 45 rpm single for Like A Virgin on Sire Records P-1887. Framed and glazed. Overall measurements approx. 24 x 15 inch (61 x 38 cm) Sold with a Certificate of authenticity from UACC dealer number 249 £160-180 Commission bids can be placed online now at www.cooperowen.com and until 2.00pm BST on Wednesday 16th June. The auction will then be held live on eBaylive at 4.00pm BST. 11 June - Madonna audibles on Yahoo! Messenger On June 4th, Yahoo! Messenger,a popular instant messaging service, launched Madonna Audibles. Audibles are expressive verbal animations that you can send to your friends through Yahoo! Messenger. Madonna Audibles are the very first music Audibles to appear on Yahoo! Messenger. These audibles are caricatures of the Material Girl that display two distinct and popular time periods for Madonna - the 80's and 90's. When a user sends a Madonna audible, they have the option of sending song samples of either Who's that Girl or Ray of Light. Everyone can check out the Madonna audibles and send them to their friends by downloading the All-New Yahoo! Messenger at messenger.yahoo.com. (source: Madonna.com) 10 June - 15000 hours of tour footage *rumour* MadonnaTribe sources have informed that the crews directed by Jonas Ackerlund working on the documentary film about about the re-INVENTION tour are ready to film up to 15.000 hours of footage. From those "15.000 hours", that include interviews to fans and people attending the concerts, less than a couple of hours will make the final film. The film release is expected more or less 6 months after the end of the tour and a cinematic release is also being considered. This film, might be inspired by the famous Truth or Dare, but it's no way intended as a sequel to that successful project. "In bed with Madonna/Truth or Dare" is still today one of the most successful documentaries in film history and Australia's highest-grossing documentary until last year, when "Bowling for Columbine" by Michael Moore became the new highest grossing one. 10 June - Madonna faints after Anaheim show? It has been a long time since discussing Madonna's body became a truism: the incredible stamina and the formidable biceps on this modestly-sized woman, as well as the chameleonic malleability of her face, have solicited as much space in review columns as the consistent doubt over this divine blasphemer's talent. Madonna's status as the invincible diva is no longer at issue, and what is at issue even with her fans is how much longer this body is going to last as it is put to the test of the mind-bending dancing routines in the tour concerts. A Madonna fan would be heard saying, "She's a goddess," while the less favorably inclined would concede "She's incredibly fit, she's almost like a machine," and still both parties would part with a sense that Madonna's body is beyond physical demise. The third Inglewood concert had been postponed due to her stomach flu, which in itself seemed bizarre; the concepts 'Madonna' and 'malady' do not seem to go together. On June 3 in Anaheim, having cut the final part of the concert to just "Thank you," Madonna fainted backstage in full sight of those less fortunate who had cheaper tickets way above the stage. "Reinvention" is probably the single most-used attribute of Madonna's talent, which even the music snobs had to acknowledge, and therefore it is almost disappointing to find out that the name of her new 50-date tour is Reinvention. Unless this actually is the last tour, which, many believed, was the case with her 2001 Drowned World, a less eclectic as well as a less physically demanding performance. Kicking off with its three dates at Inglewood and two at Anaheim, the tour appears to be structured to demonstrate the richness of the past material. It features bold and unexpected covers of hits of much heat like Express Yourself, Material Girl, and Like a Prayer, that in their day infuriated nearly every parent in America. All of the controversial hits are now re-interpreted through stage design, costume, dance choreography and the background videos. Where appeals to the 'father figure' bordered on the incestuous and had a score-settling tone to them some 15 years ago, the same lyrics now acquire spiritual and human depth that is serene and reassuring. The Madonna who had chained herself in a sado-masochistic setting and who had given herself to kissing Black Jesuses with abandon - to name only some of the most insidious instances of defiance of everyone that her videos were replete with - sings John Lennon's Imagine and disappears under the stage with the words "No more war, No more wars." Even before she says it, you know that her new incarnation is that of a guru. Putting on a T-shirt which says "Kabalists do it better" in front of the audience for one of the songs, Madonna seems to have streamlined her awesome energy resources for the promulgation of a single worldview that exudes peace and harmony but that also undermines the image of agent provocateur that we have loved for so long. As with any of Madonna's shows, Reinvention is a confirmation of unprecedented show biz work ethic that is probably responsible for the widespread suspicion that Madonna may be only part human. Where the other part of this awesome formidable woman has come from we may never find out, but it is obvious that fans will have their compasses pointed to the blinding light of Her Stellar Highness for many years to come. (source: Daily Trojan) ~ Liz Rosenberg reacted to this story that Madonna didn't faint but she's certainly suffering from exhaustion. 10 June - Rumour update on lawsuit, future movies & music *rumour* DrownedMadonna & Madonna Villageposted following rumour update: THE Lawsuit: The latest wrangling has Warner possibly offering a settlement, to buy back Maverick. Nobody who works there wants this to happen. In that scenario Madonna and the other share holders would be bought out and Warner would keep Maverick, they would then have to offer Madonna a new deal, and it most likely would not include starting a new vanity label. Sony would have to offer a lot more personally to sign Madonna without Maverick. No one knows if they are prepared to start a new label branch for her, (they did for michael jackson) but nothing came of it. If Warner buys Maverick and Madonna fly's solo, look for Barry Diller to step in. He is one of the richest businessman in America and has a long history in Entertaiment companies. It is a huge possibility that he and Madonna will start a new entertainment company similar to the way Steven Speilberg, Jeff Katzenberg and David Geffen formed Dreamworks. THE movies: She is lookin to be in a couple of movies, like Revolver with Guy, but they will be small parts she won't star in any movies and carry them herself. Except for the Re-Invention movie. She has met with Quentin Tarantino about a musical, again everything is just discussion now, Don't know anything till now about that report from Sun tabloid about Scorsese's involvement. She won't start any major productions until the contract dust is settled. But Madonna has lots of lunch discussions about upcoming projects. Before the suit, Maverick bought about 100 or so scripts. All plans are on hold while the lawsuit progresses Jonas Akurland did a movie called Spun with a lot of stars, he is working on his follow up to that movie and Madonna may have a small part. Also Robert Rodriguez is makin "Sin city", Madonna may do a small part in that if they can fit it into her schedule. Madonna is a perfectionist and after the tour she will spend atleast 8 weeks with Jonas on editing the tour footage. Madonna wants to film from Slane Castle, but that may or may not happen, early 2005 will see theater release of Re-invention with video in latter half. There was talk of releasing the movie in late 2004 but that would put Madonna in direct competition with Michael Moore for Oscar noms, (when truth or dare was not nominated it caused a stir that resulted in the Academy changing their procedures) most likely release is January or March. THE music Madonna wants a multi media deal that includes tv production as well as film and publishing (we know she does it all) and will work on her new album in 2005 but it is way to early for her too decide producers. If Madonna leaves Warner, there will be a flood of compilations and remix albums that hit the market before any new album on another label will even have producers set up. 08 June - Madonna fan is waiting for a miracle Ron Luna's strict schedule is all off this week. He must start his daily regiment of 40 pills earlier. It takes an hour and a half, as it's hard for him to swallow. He must get his three bags of IV into his body at a different time than he's used to. Ron Luna is an AIDS patient, and he doesn't have much time left. He's going blind, can't sleep, and his legs ache all the time. You'd think they'd be the worst days of his life. "It's hard for me to get any kind of energy level," Luna said. "I need to sit here all day, and then I take a nap." But he says these days are among the best. Every day, Luna has been waking up and counting the days to the Madonna concerts. "I felt no pain, no problems with the world," Luna said. "It just took me away." Sunday night, Luna saw his idol, and he'll go again Tuesday. The cost was $300 a ticket -- money he doesn't really have. "These are my last dollars," Luna said. "I'm broke until next month." Madonna may not be the pop icon she once was, but she still has fans like Ron Luna, who says her shows have kept him alive. "She gives me hope, inspiration, and just pure joy." Luna said. "Pure joy." Friends are doing what they can to set up a meeting between Ron and the singer. They're waiting to hear back. Ron Luna is hoping for one last miracle. (source: CBS) ~ Stay strong Ron, our hearts are with you 08 June - Republican columnist bashes Madonna Isn't Madonna supposed to be controversial and independent? Then why did she cancel all three Israel stops on her "Reinvention Tour"? At least now we know how she's reinventing herself: as someone who plays it safe. The whole tour, in fact, plays it safe.µ It takes nothing to spout antiwar messages and to bash Republicans, President Bush and the U.S. military. Nor is there any longer anything provocative about getting naked and simulating heterosexual and lesbian sex. Antics that target "decent folk" aren't risky — she's made herself very rich over the years by selling that tired shtick. The truth is, Madonna hasn't pushed any envelope in a long time. Similarly, she understands that it's a lot safer to diss Jews than to diss Arabs. Jews only kvetch; Arabs might kill. To be fair, Madonna is still shameless. After all, she's snubbing the Jews after flaunting her study of the Kabbalah for years now. It gets more pathetic. Madonna told "Access Hollywood" that it's her manager who isn't letting her do the Israel shows, and that if she had her way, she would go. No, Madonna isn't one to get her way. Contrast this with Melanie Chisholm (formerly Sporty Spice), who played a concert in Tel Aviv in 2001 just months after Intifada II broke out. The Associated Press reported then that she told the sold-out crowd, "I am not at all afraid to be here. I have seen reports of what is going on in this country. I have fans here, and if they are living here and are OK, then I'm OK, too." In other words, the former Material Girl turns out to be more timid than a Spice Girl. (source: NY Post) ~ Notice that this article is written by a republican columnist, obviously angered by Madonna's war criticism 07 June - Yakov press release Callaway Arts & Entertainment is pleased to announce the release of Madonna's third book for children, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, on June 21, 2004. Madonna's first two children's books, The English Roses and Mr. Peabody's Apples, both debuted at No. 1 on the children's picture book best-seller list of The New York Times, and remained on the list for 18 and 10 weeks, respectively. International bestsellers, the books are hugely popular in countries as diverse as England, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Taiwan, Brazil, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Yakov and the Seven Thieves, written for readers aged six and up, is a 32-page jacketed hardcover. The book's ornate and evocative images were painted by Gennady Spirin, an award-winning and internationally revered artist, who has illustrated 33 previous children's books. Madonna says Yakov and the Seven Thieves "is a story about how all of us have the ability to unlock the gates of heaven-no matter how unworthy we think we are. For when we go against our selfish natures, we make miracles happen, in our lives and in the lives of others." Publisher and CEO of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, Nicholas Callaway says, "Yakov and the Seven Thieves again proves the amazing range of Madonna's storytelling talent. Her first book was set in contemporary England and the second in post-World War II America. Now, she takes us to a completely different cultural milieu-a small 18th-century town in Eastern Europe. We therefore selected a world-renowned Russian artist, Gennady Spirin, to illustrate this book, because his traditional artistic style perfectly complements the old-world setting of the story." Madonna's list of publishers continues to grow. Her children's books will be released in 38 languages, plus a Braille edition, and in more than 110 countries. Callaway Arts & Entertainment, headquartered in New York, is the originating publisher of Madonna's children's books and has licensed book rights through The Wylie Agency to 42 distinguished houses, including Gallimard Jeunesse in France, Penguin Books for Young Readers in the U.K., and Hanser Verlag in Germany. The book is distributed in the United States by the Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Callaway Arts & Entertainment, founded in 1980 by Nicholas Callaway, is best known for its hugely successful Miss Spider book series. The firm specializes in family entertainment across all media-book publishing, 3-D computer animation for film and television, and product design. The highest production standards mark the creation of Yakov and the Seven Thieves, which features premium paper and state-of-the art digital prepress and printing. There are over 50,000 retail stores carrying Madonna's books in the United States alone, including Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, BJ's, Books-A-Million, Borders Group, Costco, Hastings, Musicland Group, Sam's Club, Scholastic School Fairs and Book Clubs, Target, Toys "R" Us, Virgin Megastores, and Waldenbooks, among many others. Online stores include Amazon.com and bn.com. Yakov and the Seven Thieves is the third of five children's books by Madonna, each set in a different time and place, featuring a new cast of characters brought to life by celebrated illustrators from around the world. As with the previous two titles, it will be launched with a major international media campaign, including live television appearances and special events. MADONNA'S FOURTH CHILDREN'S BOOK, THE ADVENTURES OF ABDI, WILL BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON NOVEMBER 8, 2004. (source: PR Newswire) ~ Pre-order Yakov and the Seven Thieves and The Adventures of Abdi at Amazon. 07 June - Madonna 2.0 - well, 20.0 is more like it To count the many faces of Madonna would be futile. But, hey, since she's reinventing herself again on her latest "Re-Invention Tour," it's worth a go. Let's start with that sexy mole above the right side of her upper lip in the 1980s. When it disappeared, a growing gap between her front teeth took its place as her prominent facial feature. And it's just as sexy. Then there's the blond hair, and the brown, and blond, and brown. She seems to dye her hair with the moon's cycles. Sometimes she changes it up with platinum and black. Then she's back to blond. No, brown. OK, blond. Who cares? It's sexy. Madonna will be reinventing herself Tuesday and Wednesday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. The bejeweled Madonna of the'80s wore layers of rosaries and crosses around her neck and thick bracelets up her arms. The Madonna of late has moved to a simple gold chain around her neck with her name scripted at the base of her throat. Around her wrist is now a red ribbon to ward off the evil eye, a symbol of her study of the mystical Jewish principles of the kabbala. And while we're on the purely physical aspects of Madonna's reinventions during the years, let's thank her for the following: white lace, cone bras, corsets, fingerless gloves and lingerie. Sometimes she didn't need clothes at all. In 1992, when her "Sex" book scandalized the world, Entertainment Weekly published on its cover the famed photo of Madonna hitchhiking nude with a cigarette in her mouth, a purse in her hand and a huge question mark covering the X-rated portions of her body. The same year, Vogue put her on its cover in brown pants, a striped shirt and purple cap for the fall fashion issue, titling it "Madonna Gets Dressed!" Perhaps this began her reinvention as a clothed fashionista. Now we can thank her for geisha kimonos, cowgirl hats and military fatigues. The diva that is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, born Aug. 16, 1958, in Bay City, Mich., has been a step ahead of pop culture ever since she proclaimed herself the Material Girl on her second album, 1984's Like a Virgin. Since that time, she has had sexually explicit music videos banned from MTV and found her feminine side after giving birth to her first child, Lourdes. She's been married twice: once to American actor Sean Penn from August 1985 to September 1989, and again to British director Guy Ritchie, from December 2000 to the present. And there have been plenty of other famous relationships, consummated and not, in between: Prince, Michael Jackson, Dennis Rodman, Warren Beatty and Sandra Bernhardt. (You can't forget the ladies.) Her most recent famous tryst was with baby divas Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the MTV Music Video awards in August 2003 -- where Madonna again donned the top hat of the bisexual dominatrix and French kissed her two like-a-virgin brides. Madonna's two children are products of two of her most long-term relationships. Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, born Oct 14, 1996, was fathered by Madonna's personal trainer and late'90s boyfriend Carlos Leon. Rocco Ritchie was born to Madonna and Ritchie on Aug. 11, 2000. Madonna has left her Hollywood life behind and become a British maven. Despite this superficial biography, what marks Madonna's many reinventions of herself is her music, for, after all, she is foremost a musician. Madonna literally popped out in 1983, dancing and singing about lucky stars and holidays. Already placing herself at the borderline, she told us in 1984 that she was our material girl and warned that even though she was going to get raunchy, she would always be like a virgin to us. In 1986, she gave us a glimpse into the rebellion of her Catholic upbringing by singing Papa Don't Preach. Then she took us to La Isla Bonita and helped us all find the party. And the party continued through 1987 with Madonna, who wanted everyone to know they can dance. Then -- a reinvention. In 1989, Madonna woke up after the long party and went to church, proclaiming love was like a prayer, we should cherish it, learn to express ourselves, and reconcile with our overbearing fathers. Not wanting to leave the dance party behind forever, or let us forget she was a sex icon, Madonna vogued her way through 1990 and told us how she would justify her love. And, of course, she played hanky panky with us as Dick Tracy's seductress Breathless Mahoney. The sex was back! In 1992, Madonna released her erotica, giving us fever, going deeper and deeper, showing us where all life begins, and revealing her secret garden. And, like a good afterglow, she told us bedtime stories in 1994, giving us the rules of human nature and forbidden love. And -- just before sending us off to start her next reinvention -- she gave us something to remember in 1995, reminding us of what used to be her playground and finally taking her bow. Since then, she took on Argentina in Evita (1996), showed us her new motherly glow in Ray of Light (1998), reminded us it was all about Music (2000) and now has re-evaluated her American Life (2003). She has also written children's books. As she continues her Re-Invention Tour this year, Madonna dons military garb, shows footage of war and carnage on screens, and transforms her former lust for sex and parties to a deeper desire for faith, love and peace. And, like always, she takes us along on her journey. (source: Alameda Times-Star) 07 June - Madonna's family concert She is one diva who believes in keeping her friends by her side. Madonna had a "Friends and Family" rehearsal of her Re-Invention tour at The Forum in Inglewood , Calif , reports Star. Kabbalah compatriots Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Barbra Streisand were among the 300 select that also included Camryn Manheim, Josh Groban and his girlfriend, January Jones, a source was quoted as saying. (source: Times of India) 07 June - Remix album in July? *rumour* From Stereomover @ PeterRauhofer's forum: "Confirmed: The Remix album is happening in July! Peter's remixes for Erotica, Impressive instant, Mother and Father and the original Into the Groove are some of the tracks. New single out sometime soon, I believe. Those remixes from Daddy G and Akufen will probably see the light of day." (thanks to MIR) 07 June - Lisbon shows at risk? Portuguese medias are in a frenzy today about the possibility that Madonna's planned concerts there might be at risk. The re-Invention tour has two shows planned in Lisbon, the first one already announced for September 12, with tickets going on sale this week. According to several reports, it seems that Madonna needs the venue from 9 to 11 for rehearsing and to shoot an unspecified videoclip, but the Atlantic Pavillion is already booked by the Mana Church World Convention. The portuguese promoter of the tour, Ricardo Casimiro, is currently trying to do his best to solve this situation of conflicting schedules. Apparently he even offered 25.000 euros to the Mana Church, asking them to free the space and the company who runs the venue even offered a 25% discount to the church asking them to held their convention one week earlier or later. At the present time, reports are that the Church denied all offers, and chances are - as casimiro himself hinted to the press - that the Madonna show might not happen. Casimiro is also sad because the planned Madonna Live DVD filmed in Lisbon and possibly also a new video would have given the best publicity to his country all over the world. Stay tuned for more about this story. (source: MadonnaTribe) 06 June - Send in your own review Mad-Eyes is following the re-Invention tour very closely. We'd like to thank the fans who've helped us with this by sending in their reviews. But we need more! If you're going to see one of the shows, don't be shy and tell us about your experience! Which songs did you like best? How about the costumes, the scene, the choreography, the dancers,... ? We need to know everything! Send your comments in by using our contact form or if you have your own pictures, send them with your review to re-invention@mad-eyes.net. And soon your name and story will be online for everyone to read! 04 June - Madonna creates sexy childrens clothes After penning down a book for children, pop diva Madonna is creating her own line of sexy clothes aimed at girls as young as two. According to The Sun, Madonna has already finished making the clothes for her range, which includes miniskirts and see through tops. Some of the clothes are said to be inspired form her children's book "English Rose." Targeted at girls between the age-group of two to sixteen, the collection includes a range called "Sweet Heart" which uses see-through chiffon, the other range called "Faux Leather" will have biker jackets and ra-ra skirts bearing the slogan "Love." "Madonna was inspired by her daughter Lourdes. Although she's only six, Madonna lets her wear short skirts and make-up," said a source. (source: WebIndia123) 04 June - Madonna.com update Madonna.com finally got a new update. The intro page features the updated tour schedule a picture of the tour and links to remaining ticket sales. The news section features some press reviews (which featured on Mad-Eyes a WEEK ago ;-) and - most interestingly - there's a new set of tour pictures in the image gallery. 04 June - More news on remix/live/new albums *rumour* From StereoMover @ Madonna Village: "It has now been confirmed that "American Life-the club mixes" will see a release by the end of the summer (POSSIBLY in two volumes...though it will probably be a 2-disc set instead: one with remixes from AL, the other with remixes for "classic" tracks) and a new Madonna album will see the light in mid-2005. I'd reported otherwise, but as it turns out, some work (with Pat Leonard) has been completed. I don't know if it's all new stuff. The rumour of a live album is still going around. Either way, there will be new material released in the Spring of 2005. No other collaborators were mentioned." ~ Naturally, there's no *official* confirmation yet, so we'll have to wait for more details. 04 June - Madonna: Re-Invention, the movie Madonna is working on a new documentary set for a cinematic release in Spring 2005. Fans attending her MGM Grand Hotel show in Las Vegas last weekend were told a film is being made around her current Re-Invention world tour. The documentary is expected to be entitled "Madonna: Re-Invention" and focus on her relationships with her children, family and fans. A fan who attended the Vegas show told darkhorizons.com that he approached a film crew outside the venue, to say how much he had enjoyed Madonna's performance. He explained: "After my ranting, I was asked to sign a release paper and they took a head shot of me as well. I asked why, and I was told by the producer it was for a "documentary film about the latest tour". "So I asked 'Like a 'Truth Or Dare 2'?' He replied: 'Sort of.. But more about the fans, more about Madonna's life now & her kids'. He said it will be released in theaters no later than Spring 2005". Madonna previously chronicled life on the Blond Ambition tour in the 1991 film In Bed With Madonna. (source: Launch Yahoo!, MadonnaTribe) 04 June - What to expect from the tour WHO: Madonna , Madge, The Material Girl, the Queen of Pop — whatever you want to call her, she's one of the biggest pop icons of all time. Her many incarnations throughout the years — from sex provocateur to children's author — has kept her relevant and fresh. WHAT TO EXPECT: Though they'll be plenty of steamy, syncopated dance steps, don't expect too much raunch this time around. Madge, a married mother of two, seems more interested in spreading the message of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, than sex. Still, Madonna hasn't turned into a prude — they'll be plenty of corsets and lingerie-like attire, along with the elaborate staging and showmanship that has made her an acclaimed concert performer. SONGS WE WANNA HEAR: Vogue, Like a Virgin, Music, What It Feels Like for a Girl, Papa Don't Preach, Take a Bow, Secret — heck, just about anything in her expansive catalog. SONGS WE CAN DO WITHOUT: Nearly everything from last year's poorly received American Life. (source: Launch Yahoo!) 04 June - Madonna snubs Olson twins Oh, to be hot, young, rich and... snubbed? Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen got the velvet rope-a-dope at a recent Madonna concert in L.A., when they weren't allowed backstage to meet Her Madgesty. According to the Star, a source close to the singer says, "Madge has to approve all of the celeb meet-and-greets, and she did not approve them." Ouch! Oh wait, these days the Olsen girls demand that they be considered individuals, so make that, ouch-ouch! (source: E! Online) 04 June - Madonna imposes cursing fine on tour Madonna has imposed a cursing fine on anyone in her Re-Invention tour entourage found swearing. “Every time someone curses they have to pay a fine,” an insider told the New York Post. The 45-year-old singer’s rep Liz Rosenberg said, “That is correct. And by the way, she has paid plenty (herself). I think it is $5 a curse word.” According to the Post, Kabbalah devotee Madonna has already paid into the swear box several times - she was caught during rehearsals screaming at her dancers: “Get it right or get the f*** out!” (source: Daily News) 04 June - More San Jose tickets available Tickets in all price ranges -- $45-$300 (plus applicable service charges) -- are available for all three Madonna concerts scheduled for Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at HP Pavilion in San Jose. The seats were being withheld until stage construction and production were complete and were not previously available to the public, according to a news release from Clear Channel, the promoter of the show. Tickets can be purchased at bgp.com, the arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge tickets by phone, call (408) 998-TIXS. (source: Mercury News) 04 June - Win NY tickets with Z100 contest New York radio station Z100 is giving away pit tickets for Madonna's New York concerts. Enter the contest at their website. Here's what they say about it: "Tell us in 20 words or less why you are Madonna's most fanatical fan, for your chance to get in the Re-Invention Fan Pit! The Zoo will read entries all week, and will do surprise Madonna wake up calls, awarding winners with a pair of VIP tickets to sit in the Re-Invention Fan Pit, a special area in front of the stage!" Good luck! (thanks to Mad-Eyes reader John for bringing this to our attention) 03 June - Who's the real Madonna? It plays like a diva's nightmare. In the video for Britney Spears' Me Against the Music, pop's blonde du jour pursues her idol, Madonna, through a labyrinthine nightclub. Just as Britney corners her prey and pushes her to the wall for an alpha-girl kiss, Madonna vanishes. Phantasmic laughter floats past like ectoplasm as a confused Britney blinks into the klieg lights. The video was an extended metaphor for Madonna's relationship to her pop- idol offspring: No matter how fast Britney and her peers move, they can't catch up to the kabbalistic material girl. It's true that Madonna's latest album, American Life, didn't match the mega-sales of the House of Britney, but the fact that it went platinum at all is a testament to Madge's longevity -- as is her sold-out Re-Invention world tour, which hits San Jose's HP Pavilion for three nights next week. The tour's title explains its star's staying power. More than 20 years after the release of her debut album, Madonna's transgressive cachet has diminished, but she still stands the most durable pop symbol of her generation -- and potentially the next -- thanks to her talent for creating an identity that's forever in the process of disassembling itself. Many have imitated and paid homage to Madonna's fluid identity politics, and with the "Re-Invention" tour, she pays tribute to herself -- or rather her myriad selves. "Madonna is nothing but masks," says Georges-Claude Guilbert, author of "Madonna as Postmodern Myth: How One Star's Self-Construction Rewrites Sex, Gender, Hollywood and the American Dream." "People who regularly claim they have finally spotted the 'real' Madonna make fools of themselves. The 'real' Madonna does not exist -- or if she does, she does not have tea with journalists." The "Re-Invention" tour is less a concert than a greatest-hits revision of an icon who has survived by rewriting the rules as she goes. True to the contradictory nature of a materialist in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, a libertine turned children's book author, her new show juxtaposes religious scripts with eroticized warfare, an electric chair with an acoustic guitar. Celebrated and reviled for appropriating and reinterpreting the cultures of others, she is now rewriting her own iconography. For many fans attending her San Jose shows, Madonna's legacy of cultural poaching is precisely the draw. San Francisco fan Mick Hughes, 40, explains, "She was hitting it big the same time I was coming out, and she spoke to gay men. She embraced us. I remember when she did a show at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, kind of a memorial for Keith Haring, where all the proceeds went to AIDS charities. Besides the fact that the music's got a good beat, she just connects with gay men." "I feel it might be the last gasp before it all becomes embarrassing," adds Hughes' partner, Graham Dobson, who discovered Madonna when he saw her perform Lucky Star on "Top of the Pops" in 1984. "This might be the last real Madonna concert -- or at least the one I want to remember her by." For Holly Kindel, a San Francisco financial planner who has been a fan since age 17 but won't be seeing the new show, the time for seeing a "real" Madonna concert is already past: "From what I've seen, it doesn't look like anything particularly new," she says of the "Re-Invention" tour. "If you're going to claim you're reinventing yourself, you might want to do something about that. But what can Madonna do? Wear a gunnysack?" But Madonna's decision to recontextualize her history and musical catalog is more progressive than nostalgic, argues Freya Jarman-Ivens, co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection "Madonna's Drowned Worlds: New Approaches to Her Cultural Transformations (1983-2003)." "I would suggest we consider the reinvention as another strategic move forward, rather than as a change in direction towards the retrospective," she says. "She seems to have moved on from culture as her object of transformation, and on to herself instead." Having been dubbed a reinvention artist by critics throughout her career, Madonna is now taking charge of the label. "Appropriation of this term now is, for me, a typically sarcastic move and a clever way to use the 'abusive term' in her favor, to deflate it, as the black and queer movements have been doing for years," says Jarman-Ivens' co-editor, Santiago Fouz-Hernández. Guilbert agrees. "I believe she embarked 20 years ago on a postmodern cultural cruise, constantly rewriting -- with utmost care but always tongue in cheek -- past trends and past versions of herself," he says. "In this tour, Madonna is once more signaling her total control over her own iconic status, possibly making a pause before finding other cultural artifacts to recycle in her usual clever way. Madonna is the Quentin Tarantino of pop music, and I suspect they both have a lot more to say." Clever marketing stratagem or reflexive pop art? The "Re-Invention" tour is both. At once inventive and reinventive, Madonna uses this latest road show to put her many personae on the couch while she plays analyst, interpreting the dreams and fantasies that loaded each with its unique cultural charge. This can be called commercial narcissism, but it still betrays a depth of self- awareness that Britney and company have yet to discover. Madonna as Madonna theorist: It could be her most innovative identity yet. (source: SFGate) 02 June - Liz responds to Rabbi attack Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the former friend and advisor to Michael Jackson, has attacked Madonna, calling her a "slut" and a "vulgarian". In a startling essay for SomethingJewish.Co.UK, the Rabbi blasts Phillip Berg, the head of the Kabbalah Centre for letting the Material Girl be the religion's highest-profile spokesperson. "Earth to Phillip Berg: Do us all a favor and dump Madonna as your principal spokesperson", Boteach writes. "Sorry to be so crass, but Madonna is a slut. Yes, she may sing, and she may dance. But she is famous for being a slut. And no religion dare have a slut as its principal representative". He goes on to say:"[I]s the Kabbalah Center really so desperate that it is prepared to promote itself through a vulgarian whose main contribution to the culture is porn rock?" "I find Rabbi Boteach's comments regarding Madonna frightening", Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, told the Scoop. "His vile attacks on her character and as an artist are staggering for someone who professes to be a religious person... I suggest this man take a look at his own character and what problems he may have that would make him feel that he should make statements about a truly beautiful human being that he does not know in the slightest... Madonna's relationship with the Kabbalah and her commitment to (their) teachings has been a beautiful experience for her and the fact that Madonna wants to share her lessons... is yet another example of her truly generous and loving spirit." (sources: BigNewsNetwork, MSNBC) 02 June - New book: Madonna In Art Mem Mehmet informs us about a new Madonna art book, which will be released on August 15th. It contains 192 pages of Madonna-inspired art work by more than 100 artists from all over the world. You can find more info on this great piece on the website madonna-in-art. "Madonna has been all things to all people, all of them represented here together for the first time. This collection of paintings, drawings, graphics and photo-realistic portraits are amassed from over 100 artists from around the world, a testament to her amazing global impact. These artists have transferred this pop-culture chameleon from prints and celluloid to pencil and paint, a modern day icon forever captured on canvas. Just as Madonna has presented us with a myriad of images and creations, so too have the artists gathered here to form this collection. Each phase of her career is lovingly captured, each image presented in the same original style that Madonna has brought to her music and videos. Madonna has pushed musical and performance boundaries to the limit, in some cases the artists here have stretched their imaginations to portray her in their own inimitable styles, each page as different to the next as the stages of Madonna’s career. And as with the videos and stage shows here is bold colour, black and white, form and shape, light and shade and everything in-between. What better tribute could there be to a multi-faceted woman who has delighted the world for over two decades with glamour, fun, surprise and sheer professional artistry than this unique collection of portraits? All of the elements that have made Madonna one of the most endearing and enduring of entertainers are encased within the covers of this book. And what better tribute to someone who once said of herself – ‘I am my own experiment, I am my own work of art’." 02 June - Madonna in talks with Sony? *rumour* Fansite DrownedMadonna reports: "Madonna has already had conversations with other record labels and it seems there is no way she will be returning to Warners. During rehearsals she has been having meetings with Sony and that is where she will most likely go. They have Guy Ritchie under contract for his films and are dying to get Madonna. (you would think their experience with Michael Jackson has left them with a bad taste when dealing with Icons but not really). Sony doesn't even care that Swept Away made no money, they respect Guy and love Madonna, they are prepared to pay $100 million to buy Maverick outright, Madonna would still have her % in the company and they would offer Madonna a huge contract. Here is where the issue gets a little convoluted... Sony is also pioneering the "blue-ray" dvd or HD-DVD which is more crisp and clear than regular dvd's. They really want the Madonna concert for the new format and this is all history repeating, if you remember the Blonde Ambition tour did not come out on tape but was one of the largest selling Laser Discs of the time. In this case, the re-Invention Tour will not be released on DVD but exclusively on the new blue-ray (her documentary with Jonas Akerlund will however, similar to Truth or Dare and Blonde Ambition). The one caveat is Warner and the Maverick Lawsuit. Warner wants $170-$200 million for Maverick which Sony is not prepared to pay. Madonna also likes the fact that Sony has studios and offices in New York, Los Angeles and London, making business more convenient for her. Liz Rosenberg works for Warners and not Madonna but has already decided to follow Madonna whever she goes (she has already been asked, as well as other members of the team). Warner Bros studio never got involved with distributing Maverick's movies, but Sony wants those as well. They will also offer Madonna more money per cd and look at her and Guy producing more movies together through Maverick. It will be weird if Madonna goes to a new label because there will be no more hits or remix collection featuring her early and recent work, but we can expect warner to milk the machine with boxed sets and remixed albums when she is gone, (it is normal for them to dilute the market therefore shrinking Madonna's value). Seymore Stein started Sire back up and hired Mandy Moore. Sire Records got a percentage of the Madonna money since the beginning, without Madonna that money will be gone, therefore he started Sire back up and signed Mandy so he will still have an income. However, probably nothing will happen on these fronts for several months. The Warner lawsuit and value of Maverick must be decided beforehand, but the people in the know are already talking: In 2005 Madonna and Maverick will be at Sony." 01 June - Tour updates We added some press reviews of the Las Vegas shows and updated the tour diary. We still need your fan reports, so if you saw one of the shows, give us your comment! 01 June - Win a Madonna meet & greet with JIM tv Belgian TV channel JIM tv is organising a Madonna contest for Belgian fans. The winner will fly to New York for 3 days, stay in a luxury hotel and gets a VIP-ticket for the june 24 concert in Madison Square Garden. On top of that he or she will meet Madonna during a meet & greet session. All you have to do is send a text message (SMS) with the word 'Madonna' to 3010 (€ 0,50 per message). You will then have to answer some questions by SMS. The winner will be notified personally. The contest runs till thursday June 10th at midnight. Good luck! (thanx to Martin for reminding us) 01 June - Yoga is the secret of Madonna's health Fans of Madonna may have often wondered how the 45-year-old mom of two, manages to stay in shape and flaunt that superbly splendid body of hers. According to the BBC, the 'Frozen' star has a fitness level that would put teenagers to shame. And the secret of success is her passion for yoga and a commitment to a strict diet and exercise regime. Madonna is a fan of Ashtanga yoga, which is a more vigorous form of exercise and more physically demanding. "The effects of yoga are gradual and long-lasting," said Emma Evans, from the British Wheel of Yoga - the governing body for yoga in Great Britain. "What is wonderful about Madonna is that she inspires people to practise yoga and if someone is drawn to practise yoga, that can only be a good thing," she said. Leicester chiropractor Tim Hutchful said that suppleness and flexibility are within the grasp of the average couch potato by making a few lifestyle changes and understanding how our bodies work. And the younger you start, the better your chances of lasting results. Hutchful was quoted as saying, "Pilates and yoga are great for flexibility and I advise patients to take up this type of exercise." Yoga and Pilates tend to exercise, strengthen and lengthen muscles without adding bulk. (source: Times of India)

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