Latest news with #Everywhere
RTÉ News
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Irish DJ on the best songs to play at a wedding
DJ and wedding singer Caz Whelan joined Lottie Ryan on RTÉ 2FM to share the best songs to fill a dancefloor. Listen back above. "I feel so, so grateful to have this job," says Caz Whelan, lead singer of The Cazettes. "You're literally playing to people on the best day of their lives, with all their loved ones, all their favourite people around. The energy is just magic." Having been involved in Dublin's music scene for a number of years, Caz found herself playing gigs of all kinds (she even played a funeral), but eventually found a gap in the market when it came to weddings. A self-professed "music nerd", she noticed that a lot of the weddings she was invited to had the same old playlists being used time and time again - and so an idea was born. Sitting down with couples ahead of the big day, Caz creates bespoke setlists to ensure that the dancefloor will be filled with guests from start to finish. When it comes to the first dance, the musician has seen it all, but says the most important thing is that the couple find a song that feels right for them. Whether they're doing a choreographed number or enjoying soft sway, she says that couples have chosen all sorts of songs, including: After All by The Frank and Walters, Highway to Hell by AC/DC, and You & Me by The Wannadies, and Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac. On average, the band will play for about two hours (30 songs), and the Dublin woman says she has about 300 songs locked into her brain, but is always happy to learn something new. Not only that, but once she's done singing, Caz can hop on the decks to DJ the rest of the night away. The songs she chooses to keep a dancefloor filled at a wedding are: Man, I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode Don't Stop Me Now by Queen All in all, a night of bespoke music can cost about €3,000, or more if the couple want to add saxophones and trumpets to the band, or if they want music to play throughout the entire day. "I could be there to do the ceremony, the drinks, the band, and the DJ," she explains. "We put so much effort into learning their special songs and curating it."
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular folk singer joins 'buddy' for surprise performance at Mass. show
Fans at the second show of Gracie Abrams two-night run at TD Garden in Boston were in for quite the surprise. Abrams was joined by Noah Kahan for a surprise performance of the duo's song 'Everywhere, Everything' on Thursday night, July 24, according to several TikTok videos. The song, which was Abrams' first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, was released in 2023 and included on Kahan's 2024 album, 'Stick Season (Forever).' 'Surprise guest at the @gracie abrams concert,' the caption on one video read. 'At the encore, @Noah Kahan came out performing 'Everywhere Everything' tonight in Boston.' Another video showing the performance was captioned, 'craziest. kick off. city. show. ever.' Kahan also posted an Instagram story that read, 'Loudest crowd ever best show welcome back to New England my buddy @gracieabrams.' Abrams concert was part of 'The Secret of Us Deluxe Tour,' named after her album of the same name that dropped last year. Containing the global smash hit 'That's So True,' the deluxe version of 'The Secret of Us' was released shortly after the original version. The gold-certified album became Abrams breakthrough project, charting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 where it has remained for 56 weeks to date. Before her Wednesday night concert, the Grammy-nominated artist surprised patients at Boston Children's Hospital. Abrams visited patients across the hospital and sang in the Seacrest Studio, according to a TikTok from the hospital. 'Gracie brought the warmest hugs and joy to patients, siblings, parents and staff,' the TikTok's caption read. 'We'll remember this day forever.' Abrams' next show on 'The Secret of Us Deluxe Tour' is scheduled for Saturday in Toronto, Canada. More boston ADL says it's tracking group that took credit for State House vandalism Ex-flight attendant sentenced for secretly recording young girls in plane bathrooms Waymo self-driving cars spark safety, job concerns in Boston Annual sand sculpting festival returns to Revere Beach this weekend Boston kicks Republic to the curb; will start imposing fines over trash strike Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pride weekend kicks into high gear with Dyke March, Pride Celebration
A year after the abrupt cancellation of 2024's Dyke March, the fun was more than back — along with a strident note of defiance. Tens of thousands of queer women and their allies thronged Dolores Park on Saturday for a party in the sun, filling the public space with bursting joy and laughter as they gathered to celebrate this year's Dyke Rally and March. Abi Everywhere, 36, was setting up early Saturday with her friend, Ren Hamm, 28, as a steady stream of revelers arrived. They had an inflatable unicorn mostly puffed up, blankets spread across the lawn and cheese plates and sparkling water ready for friends who would be arriving throughout the afternoon. Everywhere and members of her Burning Man community, Camp Beaverton, were among the thousands of queer folk congregating at Dolores Park for Pink Saturday and the Dyke Rally. 'It's a unique opportunity for our community,' said Everywhere, who grew up in a religious household in suburban Houston and couldn't come out until college. 'It's like a family reunion and a good way for the old guard to welcome the new folks.' The first Dyke Marches were held in 1993, with a parade in Washington D.C. in April of that year, and others in New York and San Francisco later that year. Over the decades, the event has drawn tens of thousands of marchers and revelers. Saturday's rally was set to go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with performances by musicians, comedians and a drag king, as well as speeches by San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson and Imani Rupert-Gordon, president of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. The march immediately follows, leaving from 18th and Dolores streets and traveling its usual route to the Castro and back to Dolores Park. A mile and a half away, at Civic Center Plaza, an equally large crowd was assembling to hear music, eat carnival food and celebrate queerness under the sun at the annual Pride Celebration. As the march began Saturday evening, hundreds lined the sidewalks along 18th Street as the Dyke March filled the street. Dykes on Bikes, a group of women motorcyclists, led the parade, followed by a truck filled with dancers and speakers blasting music. Some demonstrators held a sign reading 'Dykes for a Free Palestine,' surrounded by marchers carrying Palestinian flags. Other signs called for an end to deportations and called Immigration and Customs Enforcement 'cowards.' The two themes provided some dissonance, if not a contrast in vibes. Marchers near the very front of the parade danced and clapped and celebrated the event, while about 100 yards behind marchers shouted common pro-Palestinian chants. The festival, which is open to the public Saturday and Sunday, includes six stages with DJ sets, bands and singers, dance battles and other performances. Lara Starr, a Marin County resident, came to the Pride Celebration as part of Free Mom Hugs, a nationwide organization of people supporting LGBTQ events. Starr, who joined the group after her son came out as gay, said the volunteers are there to give hugs — or high fives or fist bumps — to bolster queer people, especially those who do not have support from their parents, as fill-in family members. 'Hydrate. Use sunscreen. Eat your vegetables. We are doing the full mom schtick,' Starr said. Another mom, Beth Stapleton, whose teenager is trans, said she had already hugged hundreds of people hours into the event. 'Some people really need it,' Stapleton said. The theme of resisting rising anti-LGBTQ hate ran throughout the celebration. At a booth on McAllister Street, volunteers with Headcount were offering chocolate to anyone who checked their voter registration. Luis Aguilar, a team lead with the Bay Area chapter of the voter registration organization, said that LGBTQ people face barriers to voting, especially trans people who have to show IDs, so he was particularly motivated to encourage voter registration at Pride. 'There's no other act of rebellion that's bigger than registering to vote and mobilizing a community,' Aguilar said. On the main stage, in front of San Francisco City Hall, performers were connecting discrimination experienced by LGBTQ people with that faced by immigrants. 'None of us are illegal. None of us are aliens,' said Anjali Rimi, board president of the Center for Immigrant Protection. Rimi said her organization works with LGBTQ immigrants seeking asylum due to threats and violence facing them in their home countries due to their sexuality. Kiki Lopez, an artist, also connected Pride with other political causes, including the call to free Sudan, Congo and Palestine. But, despite the political messages, the festivities were still fun. Back at Dolores Park, people lolled in the late morning sun, laughing with friends, sipping on tea, water and harder beverages underneath a cloudless sky. Others set up tents or sun shades as music from nearby speakers filled the air. Venders grilled hot dogs, hawked ice cream bars and drinks. 'I look forward to Pink Saturday as much as Christmas,' said Imani Brown, 42, who was there with her wife, Jenny Kline, and friend, Esther Crane. Brown sported a T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'She/Her/Daddy' — and had her own inflatable unicorn. 'I love this city,' she said. 'It's beautiful, diverse, and not special to be a queer, Black woman. ... It's wonderful, empowering.' The day felt particularly poignant for her and others amidst the current political climate, as jurisdictions around the country have passed legislation to curtail queer rights: On Friday, the Supreme Court had handed down a ruling siding with parents seeking to opt their children out of school instruction involving LGBTQ+ books. 'We're being terrorized by the U.S. government,' Brown said. 'This us us showing up and saying 'We can't be erased.'' Across the park, Aeryn M, 37, and Lauren Stanton, 40, stood under a tent at the 'Screen Door' handing out sunscreen, drinks and snacks to passersby. 'Joy is resistance,' said Stanton, who'd traveled from Long Beach for the party. 'If you're mad because we're thriving, die mad.' This article will be updated as the festivities progress.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
American brews crush the competition at 'Olympics of beer' world championship
The United States of America is home to some of the world's best beer and ciders. American brews claimed most of the top prizes in their respective categories at the 2025 World Beer Cup. Brewers along the West Coast led the way in this year's World Beer Cup — which has been dubbed "the Olympics of beer." The 2025 World Beer Cup attracted 8,375 entries from 49 countries. An international panel of judges rated beers across 112 categories to determine the medalists. Entries were evaluated based on style, color, appearance, aroma and flavor. California beers received 76 total medals – the most of any U.S. state – followed by Oregon (35), Washington (24) and Colorado (21). Texas rounded out the top five states with 13 awards. A total of 1,761 breweries or cideries participated in this year's event, which was in May. "The World Beer Cup competition continues to showcase the global industry's dedication to innovative craftsmanship, diverse flavors and technical excellence," competition director Chris Williams said in a statement. "This roster of 2025 winners represents the pinnacle of craft brewing and cideries, demonstrating what's achievable through dedication and passion." Juicy or hazy India pale ales (IPAs) had the most entries (290) – and the U.S. swept this category by winning gold, silver and bronze medals. Shifted Visions from an Orange, California-based brewery called Everywhere won the gold medal in this category. For more Lifestyle articles, visit How to Make Friends from Hana Koa Brewing Co. in Honolulu, Hawaii, took home the silver, while Riverside NEIPA from Guggman Haus Brewing Co. in Indianapolis won the bronze. Cider also made its debut in the 2025 competition – and one Oregon-based brewery stood out. 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, Oregon, medaled in four out of the five possible categories and earned six of the 15 total cider medals awarded globally, including three golds. The cidery, which launched in 2010, claimed gold for its Cidre Bouche in the tannic cider category, Raspberry Cosmic Crisp in the fruited cider category and 2019 Pommeau in the category for experimental, barrel-aged or specialty cider. It also tied for the most medals of any entrant in this year's competition across all categories. Fox News Digital reached out to the Brewers Association and World Beer Cup for comment.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- USA Today
'Don't know how we should behave': Is the US South LGBTQ friendly?
'Don't know how we should behave': Is the US South LGBTQ friendly? Show Caption Hide Caption Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue celebrating Pride Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue organizing and celebrating Pride, although some corporate support dwindles. LGBTQ+ travelers are taking extra precautions, especially in the South, due to a perceived increase in hostility. Resources like IGLTA, Everywhere is Queer, and LGBTQ+ friendly travel advisors can help travelers find inclusive spaces and plan safer trips. Despite challenges, experts and travelers emphasize the diversity of the South and encourage researching destinations and engaging with local communities. When Madeline Gregg and her wife, Bryn, drive to Florida for vacation, they consider more than just road safety. In certain parts of the South, the 33-year-old certified sex educator said, it feels less risky for her to get out and pump gas while her wife, who is transgender, stays in the car. 'We don't even have to talk about it anymore,' she told USA TODAY. 'It's just assumed.' The couple has also learned which businesses have family or gender-neutral bathrooms conveniently located along the route from their home in Louisville, Kentucky, including in states with restrictive bathroom laws. Even in the Melbourne, Florida, area – where they typically visit three to five times a year and Bryn's family has a beach house – they are cautious about showing public displays of affection. 'We want to enjoy where we are, and if we draw more attention to us, we probably won't enjoy it as much,' she said. As a native Kentuckian, Gregg is accustomed to those kinds of precautions. However, she is among a number of people who have found traveling in the American South more fraught as the federal government targets the LGBTQ+ community. Even within the region, though, LGBTQ+ visitors' experiences can vary widely. Here's what to know when considering a trip to the South. 'I don't know how we should behave' While the South is varied and diverse, the region tends to be less LGBTQ+ friendly than some other parts of the country. Six of the lowest-ranked states on Out Leadership's 2025 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, which gauges the impacts of government policies and attitudes towards the community, were in the Southeast. Gregg said there were previously some areas where the pair felt they had to be more aware during their Florida road trips, but after the 2024 presidential election, it was 'vastly, vastly different.' 'People were more inclined to say things,' she said. 'A lot more stares.' She remembers a passerby even made a disparaging remark about gender identity while they were walking their dog in Florida. The couple has only been to Melbourne in the last six months. The Greggs are not the only ones. Omie, who makes travel content with his fiancé, Davey, under the moniker Traveling Boyfriends, similarly feels a 'level of paranoia' when visiting the region more now than ever before. The 34-year-old said the couple visits the South at least once a year for work or to see friends and family. They asked to be identified by only their professional names due to privacy and safety concerns. They spend much of their time abroad, but are based in Chicago when they're in the U.S. 'Driving from Atlanta to Charleston, you go through places that you're just like, 'I don't know how we should behave,'' he said. 'Like, you have to almost act as friends. You have to look over your shoulder in some ways.' Davey echoed that. The 37-year-old, who is originally from England, said visiting New York comparatively 'feels very, very open, very accepting.' 'It doesn't feel to me like that mentality changes depending on whatever the political sway of the country is at that moment,' he said. 'The South is just not as familiar and feels more uncomfortable. It may be (that) part of that, if I'm being honest, is a bit of ignorance, because I don't know it as well … but also because ... there are stories almost every day of some level of more integrated hate around these parts of the U.S.' Tips for traveling in the South Even so, there are plenty of inclusive spaces to be found. 'The South is incredibly diverse and very nuanced,' said Andy Knowles, a travel advisor with Fora Travel based in North Carolina. He said travelers have to make their own risk assessments before visiting a destination, and recommended doing 'as much research as you feel comfortable doing' on the front end. Getting to know the legislation on the books is a good idea. 'You can't dictate the entire state's sentiment based on their laws, but I think that that is a pretty good starting point,' Knowles said. A queer-friendly travel advisor can help walk clients through the planning process, too. John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) suggested connecting 'with local LGBTQ+ groups or trusted travel networks, and choose accommodations and services known for their inclusivity and care. This way, you can focus on enjoying your trip and feeling truly supported.' Travelers can find a database of accommodations on IGLTA's website. Knowles also noted that Expedia has an 'LGBTQ welcoming' search filter. Gregg recommended reaching out to tourism boards or following them on social media. 'The whole reason that they're there is because they want people to come, so they want you to feel as safe as possible in their city,' she said. She and her wife have also used the Everywhere is Queer app to find welcoming businesses. Once there, they have asked for their recommendations, as well. LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the South Knowles said there are some 'really magical destinations for LGBTQ, travelers' in the region, including popular cities like Key West, Miami and Atlanta. 'New Orleans is, generally speaking, very diverse, very LGBTQ friendly, even in a state that's typically not,' Knowles added. He also recommended Savannah, Georgia, which has a thriving arts scene and more of a gay presence than some other Southern cities. Omie and Davey enjoyed a May trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. Tanzella also highlighted places like Tampa and Dallas, which 'have built warm, welcoming communities with year-round events and genuine allyship.' He advised travelers to look for 'signs of genuine commitment' from destinations, such as those that support LGBTQ+ events and community organizations and have clear anti-discrimination policies. 'Truly inclusive destinations don't just talk the talk during Pride Month, they show up year-round,' he said in an email. Still, during an April trip to San Francisco, Gregg was struck by the affectionate public displays of couples and the widespread use of rainbow flags. In contrast, she and her wife took down their pride flag back home in Louisville because passersby yelled slurs when the couple sat on the porch. 'It's extremely normal for us, but until you experience traveling to other places, you don't really realize how in the closet and how quiet you have to be in public in the South,' she said. She emphasized, however, it's important not to generalize, and attitudes and experiences can vary widely – even by neighborhood. 'I will say that the South has its stereotypes,' added Knowles, who was born and raised in California and moved to Asheville about three-and-a-half years ago. 'And I would just say, do not write off an entire region of the country based on some of the headlines that we see.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
