MOLINE, Ill. - No matter where you're from or where you've been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover's friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! The all-new Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend" visits iWireless Center on Thursday, March 13. Tickets for the performance are on sale now!

Chamki is from far away and she's visiting Sesame Street for just one day! Grover has a long to-do list for his friend, from kayaking to hot yoga, but Chamki is busy enjoying cookies with Cookie Monster, singing with Abby Cadabby, and doing 'The Elmo Slide.' Will an appearance from Super Grover get Chamki's attention? Join the fun and make a memory with your friends and family!

Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend" offers a fun-filled, interactive learning experience, including up-close and furry interactions on the audience floor! Like television's Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless tunes and lessons for all ages. The universal appeal of each Broadway-quality musical production continues long after preschool. Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly written script, and music they'll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as "Count Me In," and fun new parodies of "Hot and Cold," and "Moves Like Jagger."

What:      Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend"

 

When: Thursday           March 13              6:30 p.m.

 

Where: iWireless Center

1201 River Drive

Moline, IL 61265

 

Tickets: $14 and $20. A limited number of $30 Gold Circle seats and $48 Sunny Seats** are also available. A facility fee of $2.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply.

 

*The Sunny Seats package features premium show seating, pre-show photo opportunities, music, play, and a pre-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo!

 

For more information, call iWireless Center Box Office at 309-764-2000. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com. Become a fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.


John Primer, backed by his incredible Chicago based band, will be delivering real blues at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa on Friday, January 31, 2014. The show starts at 9:00 p.m., and admission is $10 per person, or $5 if you are a Mississippi Valley Blues Society Member.

John Primer is one of the driving forces in helping to keep alive the more traditional Chicago blues sound. Born in 1945 in Camden Mississippi John moved to Chicago in the early 60's landed a gig playing lead guitar with the likes of Junior Wells, Louis Myers, Jimmy Johnson, Lonnie Brooks, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt and many others. From there he joined Willie Dixon's band, The Chicago Blues All Stars in 1979.

Six months later he was asked to join Muddy Water's band after being referred by Mojo Buford. This turned out to be Muddy's last band (with Lovie Lee on piano) and it was a shock to Primer when Muddy died. Primer said, "Muddy was a great guy and I was ready to play with him as long as he wanted me to."

After this turn in Primer's life road, John joined forces with West Side bluesman Magic Slim, and together they heated up stages all over the world for over 13 years. Primer really enjoyed all those years saying, "We were like a family, like brothers." Finally, in 1996 with the encouragement of Maurice Holt, John set out on his own and in 2008 he produced with his own label Blues House Production and recorded a CD where one could find his entire musical career "Call Me John Primer".

This show is being presented by The Muddy Waters, and in support of keeping the blues alive, there will be an admission discount given to all Mississippi Valley Blues Society members. For more information check the website for The Muddy Waters at: www.themuddywaters.com; or email: info@muddys.info.

# # #

Davenport, IA- Seven young musicians will compete on January 12th for the opportunity to solo with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. For over 50 years the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra has held an annual Concerto Competition with the winner soloing alongside the youth ensemble. But this year the stakes will be higher with the winner performing their concerto at the inaugural Side-By-Side Concert on February 1 featuring all four Quad City Symphony Youth Orchestras, as well as the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The Side-By-Side Concert is sponsored by UnityPoint Health-Trinity. All proceeds from this concert go to benefit the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles.

The competition on January 12th takes place in Centennial Hall at 1:00 p.m. and is open to the public. The seven musicians competing are:

 

Katie Dircks

Viola
Davenport Central High School

Brennan Nelson
Trombone
Iowa City High School

Gabriela Nisly
Flute
Iowa City West High School

Molly Schebler
French Horn
Davenport Central High School

Robert Spurgeon
Cello
Home school in East Galesburg

Caitlin Thom
Harp
Pleasant Valley High School

Maggie Warner
Violin
Davenport North

 

The concerto winner will be announced following the contest on January 12th. The Side-By-Side Concert will be held at the Adler Theatre on February 1 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets for this concert range from $10-$25 with a $5 student rate. Tickets may be ordered by calling 563-322-QCSO (7276) or online at online at www.qcsymphony.com.

 

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Mom of 5-Year-Old Who Sings & Signs Shares Her Story

The video of a blonde 5-year-old exuberantly singing "Santa was his name-O!" during a kindergarten holiday concert while simultaneously translating in American Sign Language captured hearts around the world.

It made headlines and news broadcasts from the New York Daily News and the United Kingdom's Daily Mail to ABC News and network affiliates coast to coast.

Claire Koch's mother, Lori Koch, says she posted the video on YouTube because she thought it was "share worthy." Claire, who is not hearing impaired, has grown up with sign language because her mom and dad, Tom, are deaf. Still, her parents were surprised to see her signing every song for them.

"We don't use Claire to interpret for us - she did it because that's how she communicates with us," says Koch. "Fortunately, the days of parents having to rely on their children to interpret are gone. There's so much great technology available now for the deaf."

Koch works at Stratus Video/ZVRS, www.stratusvideo.com, the video relay services provider for the deaf and hard-of-hearing that's developing a lot of that technology.

"Video relay service allows people to make phone calls without relying on friends and family. Video Remote Interpretation opens up whole new worlds of communication possibilities."

So, how did little Claire's video go viral? Lori deconstructs the evolution:

• She uploaded her video to YouTube because it seemed "share worthy." Music videos are by far the most popular on YouTube - "Gangnam Style" by PSY is the all-time No. 1 most-viewed; Justin Bieber's "Baby" is No. 2. Humor does well, as do videos with incredibly unusual content. Super cute kids and animals can also attract attention. Lori's video combines almost all of those elements: The kids are singing holiday songs; little Claire hams it up with a humorous performance; and she's adorable. Seeing such a young child who is not deaf signing away so expertly may also qualify as incredibly unusual.

• A major world news event involving sign language broke. "The story about the fake fiasco at Nelson Mandela's funeral came up," Koch says, referring to the deaf "interpreter" who signed gibberish as he stood alongside global leaders. "That gave me the opportunity to get attention for my story. ... Claire's video put a positive highlight on a bad experience.

• Using the funeral interpreter as a news hook, Lori shared her video with influential people via social media. "I sent the video to some famous people, like Piers Morgan, and news outlets, via Twitter," she says.  That significantly ramped up her exposure, which included a retweet by Academy Award-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin, who commented, "This is too cute. Can you spot the child who has deaf parents?"

Lori says Claire was a bit overwhelmed by her 15 minutes-plus of fame, but enjoyed it.

"At school, some fifth-graders came up to her and introduced themselves by finger-spelling their names in sign language," Lori says. "She was really inspired by that."

As for her daughter's potential future as an interpreter for the deaf, Lori says, "I'd rather see her on the stage.

"She can be whatever she wants to be."

About Lori Koch and Stratus Video/ZVRS

Lori Koch is a business analyst for Stratus Video/ZVRS, which provide On-Demand Interpreting and video phone service for the deaf. The Z was the first to offer 24/7 availability and is utilized in government agencies and businesses across the country, including the Social Security Administration, Boeing Corp. and Wal-Mart.  More than two-thirds of Stratus Video's non interpreters are deaf or hard of hearing, all of its 250-plus contractors across the country are deaf, as are three of its eight company vice presidents.

Friday 12/27/2013

Mercury Brothers

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Mercury Brothers are cast from that exact mold of solid gold heart and pure soul blues music. From their slick classic James Dean look to their ripping tones and heavy grooves, The Mercury Brothers are an act you will not soon forget.

 

Saturday 12/28/2013

Mark Avey Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Ron La Puma on Lead Guitar/Vocals, Mark Avey on Rhythm Guitar, Bitz on Bass Guitar, Bryan West playing Drums, this band formed in the summer of 2013 as each member was pursuing a common musical interest in a harder blues/rock style. With originals and covers in the style of Gary Moore, Canned Heat, Grand Funk, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, and so on ...their music is a guitar based style and work on the new CD has already began. So if you enjoy your blues kind of on the rock side, with a dash of British flavor, catch them at The Muddy Waters on the 28th of December.

 

Sunday 12/29/2013

Lojo Russo

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Lojo Russo is described as a songwriter with a lot of lyrical power, a guitarist with powerful playing and a singer with one heck of a voice who performs with the energy and rocking empowerment of Ani DiFranco, the graceful folksiness of the Indigo Girls and the gritty blues of Susan Tedeschi". Russo has been making music along the Big Muddy since her days living in Twin Cities playing in jam bands, Celtic groups, freestyle funk folk and now in the Quad Cities as a solo touring artist. Like the river she moves from sweet folk to roots rock without missing a beat powerfully...effortlessly.

 

Monday 12/30/2013

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Fall in love with Monday's!!! FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 12/31/2013

New Year's Eve with the Candymakers

9:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

FREE Admission
The Candymakers will be the band to see to bring in the New Year at The Muddy Waters! Winner of the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge, the Candymakers will whet your palate with a tasty mix of Funk, Soul and Blues tunes that will have you up on your feet for the New Year! Although emulating the many talents of artists such as Ben Harper, Aretha Franklin & B.B. King, this band still produces an original sound that keeps fans craving more. Champaign toast, complimentary food, and party favors...come and celebrate with us! AND NO COVER CHARGE!

 

Thursday 01/02/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

jam sessions n. An informal gathering of musicians to play improvised or unrehearsed music. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions are hosted by John O'Meara and occurs every Thursday starting at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/03/2014

Kent Burnside Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Kent Johnson Burnside should not be missed by any Blues fan - he brings a new generation of blues to the world. His family name defines the unique Hill Country Blues sound created by his legendary grandfather, the late R.L. Burnside. However, Kent stands alone and on his own with the next generation to listen and enjoy. Kent is taking juke joint music to a whole new level.

 

Saturday 01/04/2014

Blackstones

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Blackstones combine a group of well-rounded, talent that can play anything from The Rolling Stones and the Black Crows to The Yardbirds and The Who. Don Gustofson - bass and vocals; Steve Judge - guitar and vocals; Tami Seitz - vocals; Eric Pobanz - drums; and the Joe Brown - guitar and vocals.

 

Sunday 01/05/2014

"Detroit" Larry Davison and Chris Avey

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

A combination of two seasoned Quad Cities blues musicians - mixing a little piece of Cajun vocals, sultry harmonica, and mind blowing stripped down blues. A night of the music you love with the musicians we love playing it.

 

Monday 01/06/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Yeah for Monday's!!! Time for FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 01/07/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Tuesday at The Muddy Waters: FREE Pool Games from open until close (12:00 pm-2:00 am) and Karaoke starts at 9:00 p.m.

 

Thursday 01/09/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Got a little talent and not a lot of self-confidence? The Muddy Waters Thursday Night Jam Session is the place to be to help bring your musical talent to the stage. We welcome all musicians. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions start at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/10/2014

Chris Avey Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Chris Avey, former lead guitarist and backing vocalist for blues icon Big Pete Pearson, leads the Chris Avey Band. Chris fuels the band with his stinging guitar attack and fiery vocals. Since striking out on his own with his band, he has released two CDs?the critically acclaimed Devil in my Bed and Preacherman. Chris's vocals and guitar are reminiscent of a younger, more fiery Coco Montoya, mixed with a dash of Tab Benoit. Blues Blast Magazine says "Blues with intensity and emotion. More energy than a power plant".

 

Saturday 01/11/2014

Mississippi Misfits

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admisson

The Mississippi Misfits are a trio whose members share a mixture of many musical influences. While Blues is their core, you will hear rock, soul, funk, New Orleans, and Latin flavors in their music. The Mississippi Misfits feature original material mixed with a variety of cover tunes. Their live performances are high energy and focus on crowd connection. They like to mix it up and keep things interesting by allowing the set list to have a variety of moods. Their intention is to stick to the blues but cover all of the bases.

 

Sunday 01/12/2014

Harper

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

$5 Per Person

An amalgamation of blues, rock, funk, soul and world music, Australian singer/ songwriter "Harper" creates a heady mix of roots, jam music through his creative use of the harp, and didgeridoo. Borrowing from western and world music, this musical visionary develops a highly original take on the roots genre". Harper is backed by his incredible Michigan based band "Midwest Kind".

Monday 01/13/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

"I'm gonna jump in the water, stay drunk all the time..."

The Muddy Waters Monday Night KARAOKE starts at 9:00 p.m. plus FREE Pool Games ALL DAY!

 

Tuesday 01/14/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

Only at The Muddy Waters EVERY Tuesday -

1. FREE pool games all day and all night

2. Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m.

Come and have a GREAT Tuesday with us!

 

Thursday 01/16/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Jam Sessions, only at The Muddy Waters-where you can come and play your music feeling like your right at home (except for the pillows - we don't offer pillows). Bring your friends and plan to have a good time!

 

Friday 01/17/2014

Curtis Hawkins Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Playing a variety of soul, funk, blues...this band has shown that they are capable of doing what it takes to make it in the local music scene. Based out of Galesburg, Illinois, members include Andrea Mendoza on bass, Ian Johnson on guitar/vocals, Jamie Hopkins on drums/vocals, and m3 on keyboards/vocals. You can find them playing original music off their "Keep Workin' The Blues" CD (available on iTunes) then turn around and bust out everything from rock-n-roll to funk-n-soul! Real music by real musicians.

 

Saturday 01/18/2014

Serious Business

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Serious Business has their own style and has gained momentum even since winning the semi-final round of the 2013 Iowa Blues Challenge. Serious Business expresses the type of blues one can only feel in the hearts and solos of its presence. Along with a fusion of Boogie, R&B, and Soul, Serious Business is always ready to rock the house.

 

Sunday 01/19/2014

4th Annual Chili Cook-off

1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

If you think you cook the best chili in the Quad Cities, come and prove it! But if you like to just eat chili, come and join us for the NFC/AFC Championship game and all-you-can-eat chili for only $5, with all proceeds going to the a non-profit organization of the Cook-off Winner's choice.

 

Sunday 01/19/2014

Dave Ellis

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Dave Ellis will be hosting the Funday Sunday Live Music Series on December 19. Dave plays guitar and keyboard, and sings, an eclectic mix of great classic songs and of course plenty of Buffett. It's all done with a great sense of humor and plenty of audience participation. No, Dave is not your ordinary lounge lizard!

 

Monday 01/20/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Fall in love with Monday's!!! FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 01/21/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

You can be the star at The Muddy Waters during Karaoke tonight starting at 9:00 p.m. Plus FREE pool games all day and all night long.

 

Thursday 01/23/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Got a little talent and not a lot of self-confidence? The Muddy Waters Thursday Night Jam Session is the place to be to help bring your musical talent to the stage. We welcome all musicians. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions start at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/24/2014

Mercury Brothers

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Mercury Brothers are cast from that exact mold of solid gold heart and pure soul blues music. From their slick classic James Dean look to their ripping tones and heavy grooves, The Mercury Brothers are an act you will not soon forget.

 

Saturday 01/25/2014

Two Peace

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Two Peace is a band out of Davenport, IA formed in early 2011. They are featured as a Reggae / Electronic / Hip Hop duo, but consistent announce themselves as just "coming to spread truth and positive vibes". This duo consisting of members Nick Harksen (Vocals/Keys/Production), and Jacob Hahn (Bass/Production).

 

Sunday 01/26/2014

Doc Anderson's "Back in the (Sun)Day" Party

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Doc Anderson is an in demand local D.J. and music aficionado (you may recognize his name from his radio show on KALA). He will be mixing up the party tunes on Sunday, January 26, flooding The Muddy Waters with music from the 70's and into today's era.

Monday 01/27/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

"I'm gonna jump in the water, stay drunk all the time..."

The Muddy Waters Monday Night KARAOKE starts at 9:00 p.m. plus FREE Pool Games ALL DAY!

 

Tuesday 01/28/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

There was a guy, who just love to sing,
He was very clever and could sing most anything.
He loved the karaoke down at Muddy's bar
hoping maybe someday he could be a star.

Join this guy and help him to become,

Lest someday he wake up just to be a bum.

Thursday 01/30/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Jam Sessions, only at The Muddy Waters-where you can come and play your music feeling like your right at home. Bring your friends and plan to have a good time!

 

Friday 01/31/2014

John Primer

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

$5 Per Person

John Primer is one of the driving forces in helping to keep alive the more traditional Chicago blues sound. John moved to Chicago in the early 60's where he landed a gig playing lead guitar with the likes of Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt and many others. Along with these blues greats, John had a stint playing as lead guitarist for Muddy Waters and following Muddy's untimely death, John played with Magic Slim & The Teardrops until starting touring on his own in support of his ten solo albums to date.

Bucktown Revue holiday extravaganza is tonight, Friday Dec. 20

The Bucktown Revue's annual holiday extravaganza show is 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, Dec. 20, at the Nighswander Junior Theatre.

Featured guests are the Deep Dish Divas from Cedar Rapids, a three-woman ensemble featuring tight vocal harmonies.

Also on the playbill are jazz singer Lionel Marcoux, Tonal Insanity quartet, 12-string guitar wizard Tom Rood, singer Sophia Pike, songwriter Mark Ridolfi, the Shoesmiths, and dapper and debonair Dick Sabbe.

The usual suspects will also be on stage, including the Barley House Band (celtic music), Milltown (bluegrass), pianist Jonathan Turner, singer Korah Winn,Wenonah Allen, Bill "Baxter" Klutho, Linda "Granny" Shoesmith and musical funnyman Steve "Dr. Stephano" Couch. Scott Tunnicliff is the master of ceremonies.

The Bucktown Revue is an old-fashioned radio variety program, performed live in front of an audience and recorded for webcast. In the tradition of such radio programs as "A Prairie Home Companion" and "The Grand Ole Opry," the family-friendly Bucktown Revue celebrates Mississippi River Valley folk music and culture through a combination of music, storytelling, poetry and humor.

The Nighswander Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport. General admission is $12 and available at the door. For information, email mgromkey@gmail.com. Be sure to sign up for email updates if you're not on the Bucktown mailing list.

Want to reserve seats? Send an email to mgromkey@gmail.com or call Mike Romkey, 563-940-0508.

* * *

Catch up with past shows
The Bucktown Revue website features photos and recordings of all the shows. Drop by for a visit today! And be sure to sign up for email updates if you're not on the Bucktown mailing list.

Culture tag

MAKE A NEW FRIEND!

Elmo, Abby Cadabby & Friends Arrive in Moline on March 13

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

 

MOLINE, Ill. - No matter where you're from or where you've been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover's friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! The all-new Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend" visits iWireless Center on Thursday, March 13. Tickets for the performance is on sale now.

What:      Sesame Street Live
"Make a New Friend"
When:     Thursday, March 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Where: iWireless Center 1201 River Drive

Tickets: $14 and $20. A limited number of $30 Gold Circle seats and $48 Sunny Seats** are also available. A facility fee of $2.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply.

*The Sunny Seats package features premium show seating, pre-show photo opportunities, music, play, and a pre-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo!

For more information, call iWireless Center Box Office at 309-764-2000. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com. Become a fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.

Mom of 5-Year-Old Who Sings & Signs Shares Her Story

The video of a blonde 5-year-old exuberantly singing "Santa was his name-O!" during a kindergarten holiday concert while simultaneously translating in American Sign Language captured hearts around the world.

It made headlines and news broadcasts from the New York Daily News and the United Kingdom's Daily Mail to ABC News and network affiliates coast to coast.

Claire Koch's mother, Lori Koch, says she posted the video on YouTube because she thought it was "share worthy." Claire, who is not hearing impaired, has grown up with sign language because her mom and dad, Tom, are deaf. Still, her parents were surprised to see her signing every song for them.

"We don't use Claire to interpret for us - she did it because that's how she communicates with us," says Koch. "Fortunately, the days of parents having to rely on their children to interpret are gone. There's so much great technology available now for the deaf."

Koch works at Stratus Video/ZVRS, www.stratusvideo.com, the video relay services provider for the deaf and hard-of-hearing that's developing a lot of that technology.

"Video relay service allows people to make phone calls without relying on friends and family. Video Remote Interpretation opens up whole new worlds of communication possibilities."

So, how did little Claire's video go viral? Lori deconstructs the evolution:

• She uploaded her video to YouTube because it seemed "share worthy." Music videos are by far the most popular on YouTube - "Gangnam Style" by PSY is the all-time No. 1 most-viewed; Justin Bieber's "Baby" is No. 2. Humor does well, as do videos with incredibly unusual content. Super cute kids and animals can also attract attention. Lori's video combines almost all of those elements: The kids are singing holiday songs; little Claire hams it up with a humorous performance; and she's adorable. Seeing such a young child who is not deaf signing away so expertly may also qualify as incredibly unusual.

• A major world news event involving sign language broke. "The story about the fake fiasco at Nelson Mandela's funeral came up," Koch says, referring to the deaf "interpreter" who signed gibberish as he stood alongside global leaders. "That gave me the opportunity to get attention for my story. ... Claire's video put a positive highlight on a bad experience.

• Using the funeral interpreter as a news hook, Lori shared her video with influential people via social media. "I sent the video to some famous people, like Piers Morgan, and news outlets, via Twitter," she says.  That significantly ramped up her exposure, which included a retweet by Academy Award-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin, who commented, "This is too cute. Can you spot the child who has deaf parents?"

Lori says Claire was a bit overwhelmed by her 15 minutes-plus of fame, but enjoyed it.

"At school, some fifth-graders came up to her and introduced themselves by finger-spelling their names in sign language," Lori says. "She was really inspired by that."

As for her daughter's potential future as an interpreter for the deaf, Lori says, "I'd rather see her on the stage.

"She can be whatever she wants to be."

About Lori Koch and Stratus Video/ZVRS

Lori Koch is a business analyst for Stratus Video/ZVRS, which provide On-Demand Interpreting and video phone service for the deaf. The Z was the first to offer 24/7 availability and is utilized in government agencies and businesses across the country, including the Social Security Administration, Boeing Corp. and Wal-Mart.  More than two-thirds of Stratus Video's non interpreters are deaf or hard of hearing, all of its 250-plus contractors across the country are deaf, as are three of its eight company vice presidents.

Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon and Simon Kinberg on Board to Produce New film of One of the Most Successful Novels of All Time

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After a highly competitive bidding process, Fox has acquired film rights to the iconic mystery novel "Murder on the Orient Express" from Acorn Productions Ltd/Agatha Christie Ltd, the UK based rights holding production arm of RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLJE). With more than two billion books sold, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time, and "Murder on the Orient Express"is one of her most popular novels. The 1934 novel features her internationally renowned detective, Hercule Poirot, investigating a murder on the Orient Express.

Though no decision on writers or casting have been confirmed yet, Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down, Gladiator), Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes) will be producing the film.

Miguel Penella, CEO of RLJ Entertainment, said, "Since acquiring a majority share of Agatha Christie's literary estate in February 2012, we have worked closely with Mathew Prichard, Agatha's grandson, to find the right studio and filmmakers to grow the Christie brand. We are excited to be working with Fox as well as Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon and Simon Kinberg to produce a new, star-studded adaptation of one of the most well-known mystery novels of all time."

Founded by Robert L. Johnson, RLJ Entertainment owns a 64% share in Agatha Christie Ltd, which manages Christie's extensive literary works including more than 80 novels and short story collections, 19 plays, a film library of nearly 40 TV films, and iconic characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Agatha Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, is Chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd.

"Murder on the Orient Express" was previously made into a 1974 film directed by Sidney Lumet. The film received six Oscar nominations, including best actor for Albert Finney as Poirot, and winning best supporting actress for Ingrid Bergman. The all-star cast of suspects also featured Lauren Bacall, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York.

Additionally, David Suchet portrayed the popular Belgian detective in all 70 television adaptations of Christie's Poirot stories, including "Murder on the Orient Express" in 2010. The final five Poirot television mysteries aired in the U.K. in 2013 and will debut in the U.S. in 2014. In Sept. 2013, Agatha Christie Ltd and RLJ Entertainment announced the first fully-authorized new Agatha Christie novel to be released in September 2014. Bestselling author Sophie Hannah is writing the novel featuring Hercule Poirot.

Hilary Strong, Managing Director of Acorn Productions, and WME negotiated the deal for RLJ Entertainment.

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLJE) is a premier independent licensee and distributor of entertainment content and programming in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia with over 5,300 exclusive titles. RLJE is a leader in numerous genres via its owned and distributed brands such as Acorn (British TV), Image (feature films, stand-up comedy), One Village (urban), Acacia (fitness), Slingshot (faith), Athena (documentaries), Criterion (art films) and Madacy (gift sets). These titles are distributed in multiple formats including DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, digital streaming, broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical.

Via its relationship with Agatha Christie Limited, a company that RLJE owns 64% of, RLJE manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot. And through its direct-to-consumer business, RLJE has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers.

RLJE leverages its management experience to acquire, distribute and monetize existing and original content for its many distribution channels, including its nascent branded digital subscription channels, and engages distinct audiences with programming that appeals directly to their unique viewing interests. RLJE has proprietary e-commerce web sites for the Acorn and Acacia brands, and owns the recently launched Acorn TV digital subscription service.

Acorn Productions Ltd is the UK based rights holding production arm of RLJ Entertainment, Inc (Nasdaq:RLJE) a premier independent licensee and distributor of entertainment content and programming in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia with over 5,300 exclusive titles. Acorn Productions Ltd manages the rights to Foyle's War and the Agatha Christie estate.

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and is outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 80 crime novels and short story collections, 19 plays, and six novels written under the name Mary Westmacott.

Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was written towards the end of the First World War, in which she served the VAD. In it she created Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective who was destined to become the most popular detective in crime fiction since Sherlock Holmes. It was eventually published by Bodley Head in 1920.

In 1926, after averaging a book a year, Agatha Christie wrote her first masterpiece. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was the first of her books to be published by Collins and marked the beginning of an author-publisher
relationship that lasted for 50 years and well over 70 books, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was also the first of Agatha Christie's books to be dramatized -- under the name Alibi -- and to have a successful run in London's West End. The Mousetrap, her most successful play of all, opened in 1952 and is the longest-running play in history.

Agatha Christie was made a dame in 1971. She died in 1976.

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