Michelle Obama News

With thousands of American combat troops about to spend another holiday season far from their families, COME HOME AMERICA has been crafted by acclaimed New York singer-songwriter MARCUS GOLDHABER as a new patriotic standard aimed at launching a movement to repair our increasingly damaged connections with those who've sacrificed during our decade at war.

Few Americans are aware that only 1% of our citizens serve in the Armed Forces. It's time for 100% of the remaining 99% to say thank you and learn more about the veterans who continue to give back through service. With Veterans Day fast approaching, HISTORY? announces a continuation of 'Mission to Honor,' its nationwide, multi-platform public affairs campaign dedicated to recognizing American veterans. Expanding each year, 'Mission to Honor' in 2013 will be the Network's biggest year yet, with high visibility on-air, online, in schools, in businesses and local communities. HISTORY will continue past successes, like Take A Veteran to School Day and Thank A Veteran At Work Day, which will incorporate a new PSA from First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Also new to 'Mission to Honor' in 2013 will be HISTORY's partnership with Team Rubicon, a veterans service group, and an enhanced #THANKAVET social media campaign.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival presented Stand Up for Heroes last night in New York City. The event, funded in part by the generosity of Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) and supported by founding sponsor GFI Group, Inc., brought together celebrities, military, business and government leaders, service members and their families for a night of laughter and performances from A-list musicians and comedians, as well as wounded veterans, to raise funds for programs that the Bob Woodruff Foundation supports. The amount raised last night was more than $5 million -- a new record for the Stand Up for Heroes Event, now in its seventh year. The funds raised will benefit organizations across the country vetted by the Bob Woodruff Foundation for their effectiveness and success. To date, $21 million has been raised by the Stand Up for Heroes events.

American Masters Season 28lLineup through April 2014 begins with a milestone: the series' 200th episode on PBS!

TV One announced today that News One Now, the first morning news program in history to focus on news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports, and culture from an explicitly African American perspective, will premiere on TV One Today, November 4, 9AM/ET.

Host Kerry Washington and Saturday Night Live directly addressed the show's recent criticisms for featuring no black women in its current regular cast on last night's Nov 2 episode, in which Washington played Michelle Obama, Oprah and Beyonce in one scene.

Sidewalk/Curb recording artist Morgan Frazier announces that her debut music video, 'Hey Bully' world premieres on act.mtv.com.

Queen Latifah stopped by last night's CONAN on TBS to chat about her new talk show. The singer called her new studio 'Big Sexy' and even has a section called the Michelle Obama Lounge. )Hint-hint, Madame First Lady.)

TV One announced today that News One Now, the first morning news program in history to focus on news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports, and culture from an explicitly African American perspective, will premiere on TV One Monday, November 4, 9AM/ET.

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon, the world's longest running musical revue, rings in the new year with two special performances on Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Tickets for these performances range in price from $65 - $190 and are available starting Monday, November 4 at 10 a.m. online at beachblanketbabylon.com, by phone at 415-421-4222, or in person at the Beach Blanket Babylon Box Office (678 Green Street, San Francisco).

Laura Benanti - the Tony Award-winning actress and singer, also known for her TV roles on 'Go On,' 'The Playboy Club' and 'Law & Order: SVU' - will follow the recent release of her debut album, In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention with a slate of projects through the next year.

KAREN FINLEY, the First Lady of Performance Art, will present an encore engagement of her critically acclaimed new work THE JACKIE LOOK at Baruch Performing Arts Center. It will be presented for one night only, Thursday, November 21, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Delta Rae released the official music video for their goosebump inducing single 'If I Loved You'this week. The six-piece band teamed up with their friends, Oscar nominated production team Dirty Robber, to make the video, which sees Delta Rae's Liz Hopkins, who sings on 'IILY,' take center stage. Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, their all-time favorite band, also played guitar on this re-recorded version, but is not in the video. Check it out below!

Kate Hudson and Ann Taylor toast to a wild, whirlwind holiday season. The brand's campaign was shot while Hudson was filming the movie 'Good People' and touring Europe with fiance Matt Bellamy, his band Muse, and her two sons.

The Nine Rivers Gala, the Rubin Museum of Art's annual New York benefit, will celebrate South Asia's incredible art, fashion and design. The event will highlight the Indian-influenced fashion of designer Naeem Khan, who will attend the event as the Museum's special guest. Naeem's intricately beaded and embroidered dressed have been worn by celebrities, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker Eva Longoria, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, and First Lady Michelle Obama. Runway models will wear the designer's fashions throughout the evening.

Apparel designer Maria Pinto has re-launched her career by with a Kickstarter campaign. Currently, she has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars in pledges for her new label M2057.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the soulful a capella ensemble, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, at the Byham Theater inPittsburgh, PA on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25. For tickets and information, visit www.TrustArts.org, call (412) 456-6666, or in person: Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

The Nine Rivers Gala, the Rubin Museum of Art's annual New York benefit, will celebrate South Asia's incredible art, fashion and design. The event will highlight the Indian-influenced fashion of designer Naeem Khan, who will attend the event as the Museum's special guest. Naeem's intricately beaded and embroidered dressed have been worn by celebrities, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker Eva Longoria, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, and First Lady Michelle Obama. Runway models will wear the designer's fashions throughout the evening.

WAT-AAH!, a premium brand of functional water for kids and teens, will once again use their connection with today's youth to promote healthy hydration and the Drink Up initiative led by the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and its Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama. WAT-AAH! introduces Atlanta based kid group and WAT-AAH! fans, Yung Day 1, and releases their first single and commercial, "Drink WAT-AAH!" (http://youtu.be/8iVG7U64wSo).

Tickets for these special performances range in price from $25 - $159 and are available beginning today, September 30, at 10 a.m. online at beachblanketbabylon.com, by phone at 415-421-4222, or at the Beach Blanket Babylon Box Office (678 Green Street, San Francisco).