"This Is It" .. For the Michael Jackson Fans

Michael Jackson's " This Is It" : The Movie comes out October 28. The movie will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind the scenes look at the performer developing. It shows the months of 2009 [ April through June ] and his rehearsals for his sold- out concerts. The film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind- the - scene footage. The movie captures the singer, dancer, filmaker, architect, creative genius, and great artist at work in raw detail as he works to perfect his final show. Here is a sneak preview at the movie, This is It.

I personally, would go and see the movie when it comes out in theaters. However, I think that you have to be a real Michael Jackson fan to enjoy the movie to the full extent. If you're not, you will get bored because its not really a comedy or a horror, but its a documentary or just a clip movie with scenes of him rehearsing and directing for his upcoming concert in London.

Michael Jackson was and still is, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and influential artists of all time. He left an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Five of his solo albums were among the top sellers of all time including " Off the Wall" , "Bad" , "Dangerous", " Thriller", and " History". During his career, he sold around 750 million records worldwide, released 13 number one singles, and became one of alot of artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time. They also recognized "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time in 2006. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and recieved the American Music AWard's Artist of the Centure Award.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to Joe Jackson <>

Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.

The Art of Dance !

I personally love to dance. So I decided to help you as the reader understand the world of dance.

In general terms, dance is a human movement with an implied purpose such as the communication using body language. It is a specific form of movement. Specific dance styles have names that are recognized. The principle element of dance is the motion of the dancer's body. Another important element of dance is rhythm. Although moment is rhythmic it does not always need to be so. It usually requires the rhythm of music. In some forms of dance, the dancers create their own music. This can be done by stomping, clapping, ringing bells, etc. There are numerous ways of classifying dances. They may be classified by their specific purpose, such as social dancing, performance dancing , and erotic dance. Dances may also be classified according to function based on specific cultural activities such as religion, art, sport, recreation, etc. Dances may be classified by number of participants such as individually, as couples, and/or in groups.

Examples include waltz, foxtrot, and salsa.

The basic techniques originated during the 1920s continued to develop the Waltz throughout the 20th century. The romantic Waltz is one of the most popular ballroom dances of all time. This style is considered as the " mother of present day dances" and the " backbone dance " of the ballroom. The Waltz is the basis for many dances. It was originally developed in Germany and is popular all over the world. The Waltz is comprised of soft, round, flowing movements. The Waltz is a smooth dance that is characterized by its " rise and fall" action. The Waltz includes a step, slide, and slide in 3/4 time. Dancers should move their shoulders smoothly, parallel with the floor instead of up and down. They should strive to lengthen each step. On the first beat of the music, a step is taken forward on the heel, then onto the ball of the foot with a gradual rise to the toes, continuing on to the second and third beats of the music. At the end of the third beat, the heel is lowered to the floor to the starting position.

The foxtrot is a another form of ballroom dance performed by couples. The name of the dance took its name from the inventor , Harry Fox however, the dances' origin isnt't really known. The dance was premiered in 1914. Vernon and Irene Castle , team of ballroom dancers, lent the dance its signature grace and style. ^{W.C. Handy} " Father of the Blues" states that Handy's Memphis Blues was the inspiration for the Fox Trot. The dance was originally danced to ragtime music however, today the dance is danced by the same big band music to which swing is also danced. From the late teens throught the 1940s, the foxtrot was the most populat fast dance. The waltz and tango never overtook the foxtrot. After a while, the dance was developed into two derived forms , the Quickstep and the Slow Foxtrot. The Slow Foxtrot is performed to slower music. The Quickstep was developed to interpret music with a faster tempo. It is a fast moving dance based on walks and Chasses danced to music of four beats per bar at 50 bars per minute.

More info on dance and other types, see :

1. What is dance?
2. Types of Dance
3. Dance
   

.. And the Prize goes to !

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

The award to Mr. Obama just 37 weeks into his presidency stunned much of official Washington, and drew a range of reactions world-wide. "So soon? Too early," said former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the peace prize in 1983. "He has no contribution so far. He is only beginning to act." said John Bolton, who served as ambassador to the United Nations under former President George W. Bush: "It is indicative of the politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize process. This just carries it to the n-th degree." - The Wall Street Journal

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened. Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Stephens, however, says "Obama was a perfect pick for the prize, which he says has most often been awarded to those he calls Goodists, "people who believe all conflict stems from avoidable misunderstanding" and not to those who actually accomplished much in the way of keeping the peace."

    Other presidents that won the award include:

•      Theodore Roosevelt (1905) for helping end the Russo - Japanese War.
•      Woodrow Wilson ( 1919 ) for pushing to join the League of Nations.
•      Jimmy Carter Jr. ( 2002 ) for humanitarian efforts. 

For more information, go to :

1. Nobel Peace Prize Organization
2. The Daily Gotham on Obama