Mazda Motor Corporation (“Mazda”) today announced an agreement was reached with Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) to adopt the North American Charging Standard (“NACS”) for charging ports on the company’s Battery Electric Vehicles (“BEVs”) launched in North America from 2025 onward.
Mazda will drive adoption of NACS to provide customers with a broader range of charging options. This addition will provide Mazda BEV customers with greater charging convenience through access to more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America.
Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, “Human Centric”, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited American a cappella group Naturally 7 to perform in the Great Music 2023 in late September. The group will present their new songs created for this Hong Kong tour using their “vocal play” technique, which will surprise music lovers in the city with their wonderful and not-to-be-missed performance.
Over the years, Naturally 7 has been taking the world by storm with their unique form of “vocal play”. The group not only sings traditionally but also turns the human voice into drum set, guitar, harmonica, trombone and even the DJ scratching. Adopting styles like rap and R&B, the group transforms the human voice into an ensemble. In the concert, apart from presenting classics like “Fix You” and film songs, the group will also present new works to offer the audiences an auditory feast of the human voice.
Naturally 7 was founded by brothers Roger and Warren Thomas in 1999, and formed with five other singers at the brothers’ invitation. The group won Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, a significant award in the a cappella world. The group shared the stage and performed with numerous pop artists and groups, including Michael Bublé and Coldplay. It has been invited to perform at some of the biggest shows in the world, such as the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 and the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in 2017. The group has put on more than 1 000 shows across five continents in over 30 countries and regions.
“A Cappella Concert by Naturally 7” will be held at 8pm on September 28 (Thursday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. The performance will run for about one hour and 45 minutes, including an intermission of 15 minutes. Tickets priced at $200, $280, $350 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1582.html.
This programme also includes a workshop entitled “Vocal Infinity” (conducted in English). As speakers of the talk, members of Naturally 7 will introduce the development of the group and demonstrate their “vocal play” skills. Through interaction, the audience will be able to experience and explore the charm and possibility of the human voice. The workshop will be held at 7.30pm on September 27 (Wednesday) at the Recital Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $100 (free seating) are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
The LCSD will present the Great Music 2023 from September to November. Various internationally acclaimed musicians and ensembles will gather in Hong Kong to perform an array of exciting and diversified music programmes. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1576.html.
Local artists across Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the U.S. have designed custom signage for merchants to proudly display in stores, on their websites, and through social media to let their customers know they are always welcome.
The Artist Series is a collection of complimentary signage that includes decals, Were Open signs, and digital images designed by local artists and inspired by the phrase Always Welcome: Proudly Backing Our Community Together.
The number of places that accept American Express globally has more than doubled since 2017. Were backing new and loyal merchant members with more ways to welcome customers and beautify their storefronts, said Rachel Levy, Vice President of U.S. Merchant Marketing at American Express. Our merchants and their customers are appreciating the artwork and the message.
Today, the collective features signage from 15 artists that Amex-accepting businesses can now order or download by clicking here: Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Africa, and the U.S.
Scroll down to view the entire 2023 series
Mexico City-based painter, Lourdes Villagmez, is known for her bold acrylic paintings, use of vibrant colors, and deep connection to her Mexican culture.
Brooklyn, New York-based illustrator, Marcos Chin, creates pictures inspired by his rich personal experiences, friendships, and familial relationships.
Washington, D.C.-based illustrator, Sabrena Khadija, takes pride in creating work that helps others feel seen and inspired.
Sydney, Australia-based illustrator, Freda Chiu, uses bold colors, handmade textures, and humor to incite feelings of glee and child-like sincerity. Chiu is driven by a desire to help people feel seen and heard.
London, U.K.-based illustrator, Erin Aniker, creates art that is influenced by her community and the cultures that make up the city.
Tokyo, Japan-based illustrator, Hanna Kirishima, designs express hopes for a society where all can coexist and live comfortably.
Winnipeg, Canada-based illustrator, Blake Angeconeb, looks to art as a form of medicine and healing by creating a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Johannesburg, South Africa-based artist, Nene Mahlangu believes that everyone should have access to this wonderful experience of meaningful exchange, creating artwork that is welcoming to all.
Pretoria, South Africa-based artist, Michelle Ewany Opani creates artwork that captures the vibrant energy and life of the marketplace.
Johannesburg, South Africa-based artist and illustrator, Althea Botha describes this artwork as an ode to the force of our dreams and the vibrancy and warmth they create and emanate.
Johannesburg, South Africa-based artist, Mark Modimola is inspired by the African landscape and the cycle of gathering a symbol for transfer, ecology, life, and energy.
Vaal, South Africa-based illustrator, Hlulani Trevor Hlongwane designs graphics that capture the spirit of both rural and urban South Africa.
Stephen Hightower, President and CEO of Hightowers Petroleum Co. was recently nominated to the API Board of Directors on November 12 during its annual meeting held at The Cloister Sea Island in Georgia. This is a very prestigious nomination as API represents all segments of America’s oil and gas industry, supporting more than 11 million U.S. jobs and backed by millions of grassroots Americans.
Hightower said of the nomination, “It’s an honor, but a greater responsibility to contribute in a meaningful way, leading to opportunities for other entrepreneurs of color to follow!”
Hightower started HPC as a licensed Motor Fuel Dealer in 1984. With foresight and continuing innovation, HPC has developed into a “Virtual Marketplace” with the ability to provide gasoline, diesel, biofuels along with Crude, LNG, and bulk refined products across the globe. Today, HPC’s customer base includes Monroe Refinery, Ford Motor Co, Duke Energy, General Motors P.A.M. Transport, The Kroger Company, ATT, Fed Ex, UPS, Cliffs, The State of Ohio, Honda/TRC, Casers Entertainment, Vistra Energy, Waste Management, Nissan, JLL, United Rentals, Dominion Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad, Cincinnati Public schools and many others.
As a philanthropist, advocate of equality and community serviceman, Mr. Hightower has served on the boards of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Cincinnati Community Foundation, Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, National Park Foundation (appointment by the Secretary of Interior), SIGMA, National Petroleum Council (appointment by the Secretary of Energy) and the NBCSL and 21st Century CBCF.
API’s mission is to promote safety across the industry globally and to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and natural gas industry. The organization consists of over 600 members that produce, process and distribute a majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
API President and CEO Mike Sommers recently said of Hightower, “We are honored to have Steve Hightower join API’s Board of Directors in this critical moment for our industry. Steve’s experience, knowledge and vision for our nation’s energy future will be will be invaluable assets as we work to strengthen U.S. energy leadership and advance a lower-carbon future.”
Although API’s focus is primarily domestic, in recent years their work has expanded to include a growing international dimension, and today API is recognized around the world for its broad range of programs.
Featuring a special pre-recorded message,made specifically for the screening by Eva Longoria Spanish Drácula finds new blood, more than 90 years after its release … NPR (2022)
LOS ANGELES – Oct. 17, 2022 – PRLog — The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) and the UCLA Film & Television Archive proudly co-present the special virtual screening of classic film Drácula, the long-lost film shot on the same set as the Bella Lagossi classic, considered by many critics to be the better of the two films.
The in person free screening of Drácula featuring a specially created taped introduction by Eva Longoria will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at The Billy Wilder Theater located inside the Hammer Museum on 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024. Register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dracula-1931-tickets-406542227747): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dracula-1931-tickets-406542227747
During the transition from silent films to sound production, Hollywood studios faced a dilemma: How to export English-language films to lucrative non-English speaking foreign markets. Some studios, such as Universal, chose to make multiple versions of the same film featuring the same story told with different actors speaking their native languages. The most famous example of this approach is the Spanish-language version of Drácula in 1931, not only because it survives intact after being thought lost for decades, but also because it arguably rivals—some would say exceeds—the artistry of its counterpart, the 1931 Bela Lugosi film of the same name.
Drácula en Español starred Carlos Villarías (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898107/?ref_=tt_cl_t_1) as the caped vampire out for blood and Lupita Tovar as Eva, the object of Drácula‘s infernal desire.
The late Tovar reminisced about working the graveyard shift. “We shot all night long till next morning because we used exactly the same sets. As matter of fact, we had the same marks the English cast got; we stepped in the same place. The difference though was that director George Melford and Villarías would watch scenes shot during the day and make small improvements. They were able to set up better camera angles and add more exciting elements.”
Following the same basic plot as the English-language version, Melford brings more creepy webs and more ominous minions to proceedings leading to a longer runtime by about 30 minutes, but even so, he moves the terror along at a quicker pace. More than a historical curio, Drácula stands on its own as an atmospheric horror classic.
While Lupita Tovar (Mexican born Guadalupe Natalia Tovar) had already starred in such films as La Voluntad del Muerto (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Voluntad_del_Muerto) oposite Antonio Moreno, and the Cat Creeps, it was this 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula which brought her even more success as she went on to star in such movies as East of Borneo and the 1932 film Santa, the first film to have synchronized sound and image on the same celluloid strip. In 2006 Santa was shown in a celebratory screening by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Motion_Picture_Arts_and_Sciences) called “A Salute to Lupita Tovar” that featured a conversation between Tovar and film historian Bob Dickson. The event was in honor of Tovar. Drácula also brought Tovar love as this is where she met her husband, the film’s producer Paul Kohner.
More than just a Spanish language version of a classic horror film, Drácula, starring Carlos Villarías (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898107/?ref_=tt_cl_t_1) and Lupita Tovar, is symbolic of the immigrant struggle. It is a tale of cast and crew that had to work tougher hours, with less support, yet with equal expectations as the “day crew” and instead of simply delivering an acceptable product they over deliver and create an historic work of art.
DCP, b&w, 103 min. Director: George Melford. Screenwriter: Garrett Fort, B. Fernández Cué (Spanish-language adaptation). With: Carlos Villarías, Lupita Tovar, Barry Norton.
Special thanks to Guido Segal, program manager, Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles.
This program is made possible with funds from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the many contributors of LACLA’s programs.
About the UCLA Film & Television Archive
A division of UCLA Library, the Archive is internationally renowned for rescuing, preserving and showcasing moving image media and is dedicated to ensuring that the visual achievements of our time are available for information, education and enjoyment. The Archive has over 450,000 film and television holdings conserved in a state-of-the-art facility at the Packard Humanities Institute Stoa in Santa Clarita, California, that is designed to hold materials ranging from nitrate film to digital video at all preservation standards. Many of the Archive’s projects are screened at prestigious film events around the globe.
About LACLA
Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a California non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange through film by screening classic and contemporary films from Latin America and by USA Latinas and Latinos. LACLA also supports the film and media efforts of Los Angeles inner-city middle and high school students with its annual student film festival. https://www.lacla.org/
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