Michael Jackson returns to Disneyland in ‘Captain EO’
After months of repeated and emphatic denials, Disneyland has announced plans to bring back the Michael Jackson 3-D movie “Captain EO” starting in February.
Following the success of the “This Is It” concert film, Disney has decided to dust off the 23-year-old music video for a “limited engagement” at the Anaheim theme park.
The 17-minute “Captain EO” cost an estimated $30 million and featured a star-studded list of credits, including executive producer George Lucas, director Francis Ford Coppola and Anjelica Huston as the evil Supreme Leader.
The 3-D movie — featuring lasers, smoke and stars that extend into the audience — tells the story of Captain EO on a mission to deliver a musical gift to a wicked alien queen on a dystopian planet. EO’s rag-tag crew included his sidekick Fuzzbucket, security officer Major Domo and blundering shipmate Hooter.
Jackson’s EO character used music — specifically the original song “We Are Here to Change the World” — to defeat the queen and her whip-wielding henchmen.
Back in 1986, everybody wanted a piece of the hottest pop star in the world. So it was with much fanfare that Disneyland introduced “Captain EO,” starring Michael Jackson.
It was an association the family-friendly amusement park would eventually come to regret as the bizarre pop star became increasingly embroiled in controversy.
“Captain EO” opened in Disneyland’s Magic Eye Theater in 1986 and ran for more than a decade, quietly closing in 1997.
Identical versions of the film eventually opened at Epcot in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. All closed by 1998.
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/michael-jackson-disn-6065/
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Michael Jackson T-shirt, seen in Beat It video, on auction, sale expected for $25,000
THIS T-shirt is worn, stained and has a few holes, but auctioneers are still hoping it will sell for up to $25,000.
Worn by Michael Jackson in the 1980s video of Beat It, it is part of an auction of memorabilia of the late king of pop in Los Angeles today.
The sleeveless shirt, depicting cherubs and a heart, was given to Bradley Bennett, then 11, in 1983 after Jackson befriended him at the Jehovah's Witness Congregation in the San Fernando Valley.
Bradley visited Jackson several times at the singer's home in Encino and the youngster wore the T-shirt with pride when Jackson gave it to him just after the release of Beat It, the third single from the Thriller album.
The Beat It video showcased Jackson's innovative "mass choreography" where he wears the T-shirt.
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Other items at the Bonhams and Butterfields auction include a rug featuring Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, which was given as a wedding gift to the couple in 1994.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/enterta...pected-for-25000/story-e6frf9hf-1225812421870
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It was Lavelle Smith Jr who choreographed Michael Jackson's world tours. Now he's determined to keep those iconic dance steps alive
By Chitra Ramaswamy
In a dance studio in North London, a group of girls from Glasgow are doing their best to move like Michael Jackson. The air resounds with the squeak of trainers on laminate flooring and the creak of bending knees as the girls, in baggy tracksuit bottoms and matching vests rather than fedoras and white gloves, start gliding backwards along the floor like so many Billie Jeans on a conveyer belt to Motown. Like millions before them, they are attempting the Moonwalk. And like the rest of us, they.....
Long article - click here for the rest of it...
http://www.scotsman.com/features/It-was-Lavelle-Smith-Jr.5926503.jp
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Winchmore School pupil scoops Michael Jackson trophy
By Daisy Bowie-Sell »
A dance student showed he had all the right moves, after winning a trophy named after deceased pop singer Michael Jackson, at Winchmore School this week.
A dance student showed he had all the right moves, after winning a trophy named after deceased pop singer Michael Jackson, at Winchmore School this week.
Year 12 student Saul Nash was announced as the winner of the special prize, which was donated by the late singer's mother, Katherine, for his choreography based on the song, Smooth Criminal.
The trophy has been designed as a hand reaching for a star and will have Saul's name engraved in chrome and encrusted with crystals.
Jo Bargent, head of expressive arts at Winchmore, said: “It was a hard task making a decision on who will get the award. Saul has made a great contribution in every sphere of expressive arts. He is extremely talented.”
Saul’s name will also appear on the roll of honour in the school and will get to take the trophy home.
Saul’s name will also appear on the roll of honour in the school and will get to take the trophy home.
Tito Jackson, brother of Michael, visited the school earlier in the year and gave a talk to pupils about his career as a pop singer with the Jackson Five.
Headteacher Lesley Mansbridge added: “The school was delighted when Katherine Jackson offered to provide an award to the school in the name of Michael. It will inspire our pupils for many generations.”
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/..._right_moves_to_scoop_Michael_Jackson_trophy/
On this Day in Michael's life - he took a day off
