Entertainment News

Yosemite Gateway Communities Voice Concerns over Yosemite Reopening Plan

MARIPOSA - On May 18, Yosemite National Park leadership shared its draft reopening strategy with the region’s gateway communities. The proposal would limit daily access to 3,600 vehicles, 1,700 day-use passes will be allotted and another 1,900 passes for those with overnight reservations within the park.

While the plan outlined by Park Service leadership is portrayed as adjustable and flexible, some local business leaders have expressed concerns that there is no commitment to a timetable to reassess the plan and lift restrictions to Yosemite National Park as health concerns are reduced. Local tourism officials are further concerned that the proposed park entry day-use reservation system will be continued even after health risks are eliminated. Additionally, shuttle service in Yosemite, which is critical for dispersing visitors around the park, will not operate in 2020.

First Four Acts Announced for the 2020 Big Fresno Fair

FRESNO - The Big Fresno Fair has announced its first round of entertainment - Becky G, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, supergroup Ezra Ray Hart (with lead singers Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra; Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray and Emerson Hart of Tonic) and The Isley Brothers will perform as part of the 2020 Table Mountain Concert Series line-up in the Paul Paul Theater, presented by Coors Light and Toyota.

The Fair will offer an exclusive online-only pre-sale to members of the Big Fair Fan (BFF) Club, the Fair’s FREE email newsletter, beginning on Thursday, March 19 at 9:00 a.m. until Thursday, March 26 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, any BFF Club Member who purchases a Fair concert ticket can also purchase a Fair admission ticket for 50% off; discounted admission and concert tickets must be purchased in the same transaction. Tickets will then go on sale to the public (online only) beginning Friday, March 27 at 9:00 a.m.

The Jack's Remember You: LA Rock n Roll Band Readies for 2020

LOS ANGELES - The road may be long, but The Jacks take it in stride as they continue pursuing their rock ‘n’ roll dream by playing live every chance they get. From acoustic kickback sessions and clubs in their hometown Los Angeles, to festivals and touring nationally as a support act, Jonny Stanback (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Tom Hunter (lead guitar, vocals), Scott Stone (bass guitar, vocals) and Josh Roossin (drums/percussion) are ready for the year ahead and the next stage, having spent “downtime” recording their second EP, Remember You (EDGEOUT Records/UMe), which will be available via all digital services on March 6.

Remember You includes “Just A Little Bit,” now available as an instant grat track on all digital services, HERE. The lyric video available HERE. That this song closes the EP serves as notice: The Jacks are simply revving up. “Just A Little Bit” opens with drums and bass joined by guitars and evokes out-on-the-open-road energy, shifting into high gear on the opening lyric, “I’ve been chasing something lately…” With nearly 500,000 streams, fans will recall an early version of “Just A Little Bit” earned the band its first signing offer (which they subsequently passed on so they could focus on songwriting), a decision that led to their deal with EDGEOUT Records, spearheaded by veteran music executive Tony Guanci, who signed an exclusive global deal with Universal Music Group/UMe.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Brings Even More Thrills to Disneyland Resort

ANAHEIM - The groundbreaking new Disney attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now open at Disneyland Park in California, adding to the immersive adventures available to guests inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.as the largest single-themed land expansion in Disney history, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is already proving wildly popular by inviting guests to live their own Star Wars adventures in a galaxy far, far away.

They join a climactic battle between the Resistance and the First Order in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and take control of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. And while exploring this expansive new 14-acre land, they can sample galactic food and drink, enter an intriguing collection of merchant shops and encounter some of their favorite Star Wars characters, including the resourceful and loyal astromech droid R2-D2.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announce 2020 Inductees

CLEVELAND - The 35^th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ceremony will be broadcast live for the first time on HBO on May 2^nd at 8 p.m. ET. Performances and special guests will be announced later.

The Ahmet Ertegun Award honors songwriters, producers, disc jockeys, record executives, journalists and other industry professionals who have had a major influence on Rock & Roll.