Drake joins Backstreet Boys in Toronto for surprise performance

Washington [US], July 4: Canadian rapper and songwriter Drake joined the Backstreet Boys as their temporary "sixth member" during the band's recent show at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto.

According to Page Six, fans went wild after Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson introduced the rapper as their surprise special guest, before the group performed a rendition of their classic '90s hit 'I Want It That Way'.

Drake took to Instagram and posted a 10-second clip that showed him crooning the song's iconic "'Cause I want it that way" verse. "When she says she's over men in this generation and asks why I live alone...," he quipped in the caption.

Meanwhile, a longer video shared to the Backstreet Boys' official Twitter featured Dorough segueing from the 1999 track to belt out a couple of lines from the chorus of Drake's 2013 hit 'Hold On, We're Going Home'. "Toronto, I want you to make some noise and I want you to sing this song as loud as you possibly can. This is one of the greatest songs in music history. I'll be on stage for it, I'll try to sing along too," Drake said on stage.

The six-person performance, a number that, as some pointed out, happens to echo Drake frequently referring to Toronto as 'The 6' in his songs, marked the evening's closing act. However, the Backstreet Boys will be circling the globe for their DNA World Tour through November, as per Page Six.

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Kajol, Suriya invited to become members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Mumbai [India], June 29: Bollywood actor Kajol Devgn and Tamil actor Suriya have made India proud yet again. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which hosts the Oscars every year has invited Kajol and Suriya amongst others to become a member of the Academy Class.

Swati Bhat

Taking to social media, the official Twitter handle of The Academy wrote, "It's time to announce our new members! Meet the Class of 2022." https://twitter.com/TheAcademy/status/1541860478116188160

According to an official statement of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization has shared a list of invitees announcing the new members of the Academy Class for the year 2022, extending 397 invitations to 'distinguished artists and executives'.

"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to 397 distinguished artists and executives to join the organization in 2022. Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity. This year's class of invitees includes 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners," read the statement. From India, the Bollywood 'Jhalli' girl Kajol Devgan has been honoured to become a member of the prestigious Academy Class, famed for her stunning performances in films like 'My Name Is Khan', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', and 'Fanaa'. The actor has ruled Bollywood in the 90s decade, opposite the famous Khans - Shah Rukh Khan, Salman, and Aamir.

Meanwhile, talking about Suriya, he has been featured in many notable Tamil films like the revolutionary 'Jai Bhim', 'Kaappaan' and 'Rakht Charitra 2'. Now the actor has paired up with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar for the Hindi remake of his 2020 Tamil action-drama 'Sorarai Pottru'.

Apart from Kajol and Suriya, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also invited talented artists like Jamie Dornan, Michael Greyeyes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Billie Eilish on board as well. In the scripting department, writers Reema Kagt who penned the Ranveer Singh starrer 'Gully Boy', and 'Dil Dhadakne Do' has been invited by The Academy. Indian-American producer, Aditya Sood who backed super-hit Hollywood films like 'Deadpool', and 'The Martian' has also been invited as well.

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Shri G.Kishan Reddy to inaugurate JYOTIRGAMAYA-A festival showcasing the talent of unsung performer

Shri G.Kishan Reddy to inaugurate Jyotirgamaya-A festival showcasing the talent of unsung performers from 21st to 25th June

Pritish Bagdi

Pic Courtesy: Official Twitter

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and on the occasion of World Music Day, Sangeet Natak Akademi is presenting Jyotirgamaya- a festival to showcase the talent of rare musical instruments from across the country, including street performers, train entertainers, performers attached to temples, etc. Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER , Shri G.Kishan Reddy will inaugurate the festival.

The festival is being envisaged with the noble aim of sensitising people about the need to safeguard the craft of making as well as the skill of playing rare musical instruments, and to give a voice to ‘unheard’ artistes who hardly ever see the limelight. This is a unique endeavour of Sangeet Natak Akademi to salvage the dying performing arts of India and the initiative will persist beyond the festivities of World Music Day.

Music flows in every street and corner of India. It is not uncommon to find wayfarers playing their flute and clappers under the open sky, come rain or shine, who are seldom thanked for the momentary escape they provide from the humdrum of everyday life. We also have a plethora of rare musical instruments that are slowly fading away from the public domain owing to their shrinking popularity and diminishing tutelage.

A hunt for ‘unheard’ talents was organised for the festival through a call to action. Entrants were requested to send a small clip of their performance along with their details. Prominent institutions of music, cultural centers, SNA awardees and eminent musicians were also requested to locate and identify such rare talent. After reviewing all the entries and considering the recommendations sent, a total of 75 performances were selected for the 5-day festival from 21-25 June 2022.

A 5-day workshop on the making of rare musical instruments is being conducted which will prove to be both educational as well as interactive. Artistes from all corners of the country will participate in this festival.

The Akademi has a gallery of musical instruments, masks and puppets in Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi. A live exhibition displaying the making of musical instruments by craftsmen will be open for each day of the festival. Entry is free for all.

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