BROADWAY BY THE YEAR, FROM THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES TO MOULIN ROUGE #Theater

Starring…..

Tony Danza, Tom Wopat, Anais Reno,
Douglas Ladnier, and Danny Gardner
A One-Night-Only History of Jukebox Musicals and Musical Revues
Celebrating Songs From:
The Ziegfeld Follies, George White’s Scandals, The Jersey Boys, Beautiful, All Shook Up, Kismet, After Midnight,
Ring of Fire, and more!
CREATED, WRITTEN, DIRECTED, and HOSTED BY
SCOTT SIEGEL
MONDAY, MAY 23 AT 8PM

THE TOWN HALL / www.TheTownHall.org

(123 West 43rd Street)

The Town Hall presents Broadway By The Year: From The Ziegfeld Follies To Moulin Rouge on Monday, May 23 at 8pm. Created, written, directed and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening will continue Broadway By The Year’s 21st landmark season at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street).
In this second concert of the Broadway by the Year season, audience members will get a one-night-only history of jukebox musicals and musical revues. And the truth is, an extraordinary number of hit Broadway shows fit the description of these two kinds of shows. These oftentimes maligned genres have played an important role in the resurrection of songs, and styles from rock ’n’ roll (Jersey Boys,Beautiful, All Shook Up) to classical music (Kismet), and from country (Ring of Fire) to Rhythm & Blues (Black & Blue, After Midnight). And they have highlighted oftentimes forgotten composers, bringing their names back into the limelight, such as Eubie Blake with Eubie!and “Fats” Waller with Ain’t Misbehavin’.
The cast of Broadway By The Year: From The Ziegfeld Follies To Moulin Rouge includes: Tony Danza (Honeymoon In Vegas; TV’s Who’s The Boss); Tom Wopat (Annie Get Your Gun; Chicago), Anais Reno (Carnegie Hall, and concerts at Birdland), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll and Hyde; Sweeney Todd), and Danny Gardner (Flying Over Sunset; Dames At Sea). More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Broadway By The Year Dance Troupe, choreographed by Danny Gardner, will also be performing.
Tickets for Broadway By The Year are $57-$67. For tickets and information, please visit www.thetownhall.org or call 800-982-2787. The Broadway By The Year concert series is part of The Town Hall’s presenting season.

Two Classic Plays About Love, Not War #LoveNotWar #Theater

russian classic plays
Blueprint Productions presents Chekhov + Turgenev, two Russian classics presented in repertory, and scored in jazz: About Love, a musical play with songs, inspired by Ivan Turgenev’s novella, “First Love”; and Three Sisters, a sparkling new adaptation of the play by Anton Chekhov. Both productions are adapted and directed by Will Pomerantz, and feature an original jazz score by Nancy Harrow, performed nightly by a live jazz quartet. Chekhov + Turgenev plays a four-week repertory, May 10 through June 5 at The Sheen Center (18 Bleecker Street at the corner of Elizabeth Street, NYC) in The Frank Shiner Theater. The official opening is Thursday, May 19.
THREE SISTERS
Sat, May 14, 2PM
Tues, May 17, 7PM
Thurs, May 19, 8PM (opening)
ABOUT LOVE
Sat, May 14, 8PM
Sun, May 15, 3PM
Thurs, May 19, 2PM (opening)
“About Love” tells the compelling story of a young man who expects to spend a quiet summer with his parents in the Russian countryside, but soon discovers those three months will be the most consequential of his life, as he learns the difference between love and passion, and the ephemeral nature of life itself. About Love is inspired by Ivan Turgenev’s beautifully crafted short story, “First Love,” originally published in 1860. Turgenev was one of Russia’s first modern writers to achieve international acclaim with his novel, Fathers and Sons, and his play, A Month in the Country.
In Chekhov’s masterpiece,”Three Sisters”, Olga, Masha and Irina are talented, cultured young women who were raised in urban Moscow, but have been living in a small provincial town for eleven years. Within these less than vibrant surroundings, each pursues her dreams and passions amongst the soldiers garrisoned there, all the while yearning for a return to Moscow. In this world-premiere version, audiences will experience afresh what makes this writer so memorable and indispensable.
Russian classics
The company of Chekhov + Turgenev features John Ahlin, Silvia Bond, Essence Brown, Harrison Bryan, Manny Dunn, Nathan Hinton, Miles G. Jackson, Nehal Joshi, Amanda Nichols, Tom Patterson, Elizabeth Ramos, Tommy Schrider, Jean Tafler and Pilar Witherspoon.
Chekhov + Turgenev features a live jazz quartet nightly: music director Misha Josephs  on guitar, Ben Sutin on violin, Ryan Berg on bass, and Steve Picataggio on drums. The scenic design is by Brian Staton, lighting design by Allen Hahn, costume design by Whitney Locher and sound design by Sean Hagerty. Heather Arnson’s YesAnd Productions serves as General Management.
“Chekhov + Turgenev is a unique theatrical opportunity for audiences to experience, in rotating repertory, two writers who changed playwriting forever, and  whose influence still resonates today,” says  adaptor and director Will Pomerantz. “Both Chekhov and Turgenev strived to contain the entirety of the human experience in their work, and they did it with a combination of heart, humor and humanity that remains unparalleled.  The original jazz scores by beloved jazz singer and composer Nancy Harrow punctuate and underscore these timeless works. Both productions will share a company of actors who will delight audiences with their versatility, as they double the many singular roles created by these two celebrated writers.”

Montage – ABOUT LOVE.mp4 from About Love on Vimeo.

Chekhov + Turgenev is two Russian classics presented in repertory, and underscored in jazz: About Love, a musical play with songs, inspired by Ivan Turgenev’s novella, “First Love”; and Three Sisters, a new adaptation of the play by Anton Chekhov. Chekhov + Turgenev plays a four-week repertory, May 10 through June 5 at The Sheen Center (18 Bleecker Street at the corner of Elizabeth Street, NYC) in The Frank Shiner Theater. The official opening for both production is Thursday, May 19. Tickets are available online at SheenCenter.org, by phone at 212-925-2812, or in-person at The Sheen Center box office Monday to Friday noon to 5PM and one hour before performances. Tickets are $39 – $69. Premium seating is available. Rush tickets will be available at the box office an hour before any performance for $20. See calendar below for a complete playing schedule for About Love and Three Sisters:

STUDY: 70% of Women View Their Pets…..

puppy

This is one of my dogs after a surgery. She was always cold and her bladder leaked for about 2 weeks. My poor baby girl.

 

Did you know? 

STUDY: 70% of Millennial Women View Their Pets as Children

According to Rover.com, many women view themselves as “dog moms” rather than owners. A study conducted by Veterinarians.org found that 70% of millennial women who chose not to have kids view their pets as children and treat them as such.

I can tell you, as a mom of biological, foster, adopted, and step kids- I also consider myself a fur mom. I never say “I own my dogs” or that I am an owner. I absolutely refer to them as my fur babies or 4 legged kids. I adore my dogs, as many of you know, and we do foster care and rehab for dogs of all ages and sizes. We love going to dog events, my dogs that get cold have sweaters, my small one has a backpack and a stroller we use for long days out that she can’t handle, and we have all manner of treats, toys, dog lotions for sore paws and hot spots and whatnot.

They are absolutely up to date on shots, get their heartworm pills, flea and tick treatments, and anything else in between. I love them and want them to be happy and comfortable- just like I would for my kids.  Are they as loved or as important to me as my children? No, of course not. But they don’t give me any crapola, either! Ha.

So. What did the professionals find?

Key Findings:

  • 69% of respondents say that having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 52% say it’s easier to find care for their pet if they need to leave their home for an extended period of time.
  • 53% made a home purchase/renting decision based on whether there was enough outdoor space for their pet.
  • 33% of Millennial home-buying decisions were chiefly driven by the buyer’s dog (outranking marriage and kids as incentives).
  • 48% say the costs of caring for a pet are lower compared to children.
  • 42% of respondents say pets are less stressful.
  • 39% say that having a pet instead is less time-consuming.

pet parent

Birth Rates in US Survey Highlights

  • 42% of Millennial women who don’t plan to have children say the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision.
  • 41% say they don’t want to raise a child in the world’s current conditions.
  • 42% don’t feel there are enough programs and resources available (such as affordable healthcare and childcare) to help parents raise a child.
  • 49% believe people with children are more stressed than people without children.
  • Among Millennial women who don’t want children, 70% of those with pets view their dog/cat as their child.
  • Among these pet owners, 69% say having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 48% of those with pets also say the costs of caring for a pet are lower than those for caring for a child.

While many believed the COVID-19 pandemic would fuel a ‘baby boom’ as couples found themselves spending more time together under lockdown, the opposite turned out to be true. In fact, according to data published by the CDC, birth rates in the U.S. reached a record low in 2020, showing a 4% decline in the number of U.S. births from the year prior. This figure is not only double the average yearly decline since 2014, but represents the lowest number of births since 1979.

However, this downward trend in births was noticeable even before the pandemic. Women, especially Millennial women, have been increasingly delaying motherhood to pursue careers and continuing education. Others have married later in life, or have put motherhood aside temporarily in the face of economic uncertainty.

There are also Millennial women who have opted out of motherhood altogether. We surveyed 400 of these women to explore their views on motherhood, children, and how domestic pets like dogs and cats may be the new ‘stand-in’ for children for millions of Millennial women around the U.S.

This study also discusses other reasons Millennial Women have decided to opt-out of motherhood.  See the whole article here- there is a lot of food for thought. See it here- https://www.veterinarians.org/birth-rates-in-us/

2022 Chita Rivera Awards #Dance #PerformingArts

theater dance awards show NYC
Legendary Broadway performer and Tony, Academy, and Golden Globe Award winner Joel Grey (Cabaret, Wicked, Anything Goes) will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Chita Rivera Awards (www.ChitaRiveraAwards.com), it was announced today by Joe Lanteri, Founder and Executive Director of the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation (www.NYCDAFoundation.net).  The Chita Rivera Awards will take place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place, off Washington Square Park) on Monday, June 20 at 7:30pm. Lanteri produces the Chita Rivera Awards in conjunction with Patricia Watt.
It was also announced today that the Nominations Announcement has been rescheduled to May 17 due to Covid complications.
Carrying the namesake of one of the great dance icons of the American musical theater, the mission of the Chita Rivera Awards is to celebrate dance and choreographic excellence – past, present and future. The awards will honor the superb achievement of each nominee, while recognizing the immeasurable talents and passion of every theatrical choreographer and dancer. Additionally, through education and scholarships, the awards are committed to nurturing future generations, as well as preserving notable dance history.
Nominators will consider outstanding choreography, featured dancers and ensemble in shows on Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as, outstanding choreography in film, that opened pre-Covid as well as in the 2021-2022 season. Nominations for the productions under consideration this season will be determined by the designated nominating committee. There are separate nominating committees for Broadway, Off Broadway and Film. There is also an awarding committee for Broadway, which determines the final nominations that are received from the Broadway nominations committee.
Honorees of the Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theater Award, and Ambassador For The Arts Award as well as when tickets go on sale will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to honor Joel this year with our Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Joe Lanteri. “From Cabaret and George M! to Chicago and Wicked, Joel’s body of work has put him in “theater icon” status. We are proud to celebrate the man and his career.”
The NYC Dance Alliance Foundation College Scholarship Program will be the beneficiary of the event. Since the inception of the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, 4 million dollars have been awarded to over 400 dancers represented in 42 of the most prestigious college dance programs in the country.
ABOUT JOEL GREY
In a career that was launched in the early 1950’s, Joel Grey has created indelible stage roles each decade since. Grey made his theatrical debut at the age of 9 in On Borrowed Time at the storied American regional theatre the Cleveland Play House. He recently directed a production of the play at New Jersey’s Two River Theater Company for their 20th Anniversary Season. He made his Broadway debut exactly two decades later in Neil Simon’s first comedy hit, Come Blow Your Horn (1961). Since then, his Broadway credits include the Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Half a Sixpence, Cabaret (Tony Award), George M! (Tony nomination), Goodtime Charley (Tony nomination), The Grand Tour (Tony nomination), Chicago (Drama Desk Award), Wicked, Anything Goes, and Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Joel’s dramatic stage roles include Marco Polo Sings a Solo, Give Me Your Answer, Do! (Drama Desk nomination), New York City Opera’s Silverlake (directed by Hal Prince) and Larry Kramer’s seminal The Normal Heart at the Public Theatre, which he also subsequently co-directed with George C. Wolfe in its Tony Award winning Broadway premiere (Drama Desk Award, Tony nomination). Joel received the Academy Award, the Golden Globe and the British Academy Award for his performance in the 1972 film version of Cabaret (directed by Bob Fosse). He is one of only nine actors to have won both the Tony and Academy Award for the same role. Other film credits include Man on A Swing, Robert Altman’s Buffalo Bill and the Indians, The Seven Percent Solution, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Steven Soderbergh’s Kafka, Altman’s The Player, The Music of Chance, Michael Ritchie’s adaptation of The Fantasticks, Lars von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark and Clark Gregg’s Choke. Notable television appearances include “Brooklyn Bridge” (Emmy nomination), “OZ,” “Law and Order: CI,” “House,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Private Practice,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Warehouse 13,” and “CSI.” In 2010, Joel was honored for his illustrious television career by The Paley Center for Media in both NYC and Los Angeles. Joel is also an accomplished photographer. He has five books of photographs, Pictures I Had to Take (2003), Looking Hard at Unexamined Things (2006), 1.3 – Images From My Phone (2009), and The Billboard Papers (2013) and The Flower Whisperer. His work is part of the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. His memoir, Master of Ceremonies, was published in February 2016 (Flatiron). Joel most recently directed the acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish which won the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revival, the 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Revival, and a 2019 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award Special Citation. Joel is the father of Jennifer and James and the grandfather of Stella.
dance theater Broadway awards CHITA RIVERA
ABOUT CHITA RIVERA
A theatrical icon and one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents, Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. A versatile actress/singer/dancer, her most recent starring roles include The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway; the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood; the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer’s Life, a dazzling musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas. She trained as a ballerina (from age nine) before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Chita’s first appearance (age 19) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story brought her stardom, which she repeated in London. Her career is highlighted by starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink (Tony Award), Chicago, Jerry’s Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award), and the original Broadway casts of Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven and Mr. Wonderful. On tour: Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Can-Can with The Rockettes. Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009 and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. In 2019, Chita performed her solo concert at London’s Cadogan Hall; in 2018 she was honored as a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy; in 2016 she headlined at Carnegie Hall and in 2015, Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ To Do, a retrospective of her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS. Her current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her most treasured production is her daughter, singer/dancer/choreographer Lisa Mordente.
ABOUT THE NYC DANCE ALLIANCE FOUNDATION, INC.
The NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, Inc. (NYCDAF), founded in 2010 by Executive Director Joe Lanteri, is committed to broadening performing arts awareness while advocating education and high standards of excellence in dance. The Foundation invests in the next generation of professional performers by offering scholarships for secondary and college education. To date, over 300 talented teenagers have shared in nearly $3 million awarded directly through NYCDAF. Those recipients are represented in 42 of the most prestigious university arts programs in the country. Many have since graduated and are now represented on Broadway, as well as concert dance companies based in NYC and around the world. www.NYCDAFoundation.net

Saving the Tony Nominated Play “FOR COLORED GIRLS” – Behind the Scenes

Play Theater FOR COLORED GIRLS
Following the viral grassroots social media campaign and insider efforts to keep Broadway’s 2022 Tony-nominated production of FOR COLORED GIRLS from closing early, the show’s producer Ron Simons talks about behind the scenes and the show, as well as what it takes to save a Broadway production.
Ron is the most Tony Award-winning Black Producer in history. He is also leading the historic Broadway effort to bring in people of color to tell stories of Black history, culture, and experience.  The new closing date follows seven Tony nominations that the production received earlier this week, including Best Revival of a Play.
Regarded as Broadway’s “best-kept secret,” Ron is working to change theater forever at this pivotal point in history, as he shapes what stories are told on Broadway. At the same time, he works to open doors for more people of color to work as producers. Shockingly, there are only 6 Black producers working on Broadway, as well as himself working to change that statistic by mentoring people of color to discover roles behind the scenes. According to Ron, if we want more diverse stories, more representative casting, and more inclusive staff, it begins with producers.
Ron has helped lead the creation of Black Theater United’s “New Deal For Broadway,” setting out a manifesto that outlines reforms that are short-term — that were to be implemented before Broadway reopened this fall — as well as long-term over the next few years.
With over 20 years of experience, Ron Simons has a track record of pioneering diversity on the stage, including:
  • First Black Broadway producer to win 4 Tony Awards (also to earn 5 Tony nominations)
  • First Black producer to lead produce three black shows to Broadway
  • Produced first Black show with all creative leads as women of color (New Broadway production of For Colored Girls)
  • Producing the first TWO Black Broadway shows to feature Black producers, Black writer, Black director, and Black cast
  • Only Black producer to make four films premiering at Sundance (three in competition)
As CEO & President of SimonSays Entertainment, Ron Simons produced Tony award-winning and nominated productions including Jitney (Produced with John Legend, Won Tony for Best Play Revival), Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations (12 Tony nominations including Best Musical), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony Award for Best Musical), Porgy & Bess (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Tony Award for Best Play) and more. Ron’s legendary career as Broadway’s most influential and prolific African American producer focuses on inspiring narratives about underrepresented minority communities.
For additional details on Ron Simons’ storied career and Broadway projects, please visit www.simonsaysentertainment.com.

Japan Day Parade in New York City

george takei japan day

The first ever Japan Parade in New York City will be held on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 1pm.  The purpose of the parade is to celebrate, express and bring awareness to the friendship between NYC and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community. Actor, author, civil rights activist, and Influencer George Takei will be the Parade’s inaugural Grand Marshall.

The Japan Parade is affiliated with Japan Day, an annual event that has taken place in Central Park since 2007.
This year also marks the 150th anniversary of two important milestones for Japan-United States relations: the Japanese mission to the United States, led by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Iwakura Tomomi, as well as the United States’ introduction of baseball to Japan.
Beginning on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 68th Street, the Japan Parade will feature live performances by the cast of “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” The Super Live, Young People’s Chorus of New York City, Cobu, Soh Daiko, Japanese Folk Dance of NY, 10tecomai, Tate Haroryu, International Karate Organization Kyokushin-kaikan, and Anime NYC. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
George Takei will serve as the parade’s inaugural Grand Marshall, and Sandra Endo, news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News and feature reporter for Good Day LA, will serve as Emcee of the parade.
The Consulate General of Japan in New York initiated this project. Ambassador Mikio Mori said, “Japan and the U.S. have come a long way in our relations, from early official exchanges to economic and diplomatic partnership backed by multi-layered people-to-people exchange in recent decades. The Japan Parade is a symbolic evolution of this relationship, and a landmark culmination of Japan and New York’s friendship. We hope many will join us for this historical moment.”
“I am honored and proud to be the Grand Marshall of the inaugural Japan Parade,” said George Takei. “To see the Japanese community in New York celebrated is a beautiful thing and it will be exciting to see Japan’s friendship with New York on full display.”
“We are very excited to be presenting the very first Japan Parade in New York City,” said Japan Parade Executive Producer Kumiko Yoshii. “The diversity of the Japanese community is part of what makes New York special and we are very proud to show off our culture in this family friendly event. Bring the kids and experience a bit of the far East, right in your backyard. ”
“It is an honor to be the Chairman of Japan Day, Inc. for the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, “ said Japan Day Chairman of the Board of Directors, Atsushi Ueda. “We are making our best effort to create a memorable event to be continued on in the future to represent the Japanese Community. Participating groups will show Japan’s various attractions, such as culture, tradition, sports, music, cosplay, etc. for everyone’s enjoyment.”
The Japan Parade aims is to strengthen the solidarity of the Japanese-American community on these milestone anniversaries.

Initially, the parade was planned for 2020 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the first Japanese delegates’ visit to the U.S. in 1860, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, but was sadly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MORE ABOUT JAPAN DAY
The mission of Japan Day is to showcase the Japanese community’s appreciation toward their home city, New York, build a bridge of cultural understanding between the people of Japan and the U.S., and facilitate stronger grass-roots connections within the community. This is a family-friendly annual event designed by the Japanese community of New York. It all started in 2007 to promote a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and to say “Thank you, New York!” Throughout the years, this cultural event received official support from the Office of the Mayor. And with the help from the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy, we get to use the beautiful Central Park. Furthermore, the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Nippon Club, and many other Japanese and American corporations have been supporting us since day one. The event continues with the Japan Day Festival featuring a wide range of Japanese traditional and family-friendly activities, free samplings of popular Japanese cuisine, and powerful stage performances throughout the day.

First RoboSkin for Human-Like Sensing of Objects to Any Robot Part

BEBOP SENSORS INTRODUCES FIRST ROBOSKIN
FOR HUMAN-LIKE SENSING OF OBJECTS TO ANY PART OF ROBOTS:
LIMBS, FINGERS, FEET, HEAD, & TORSO

 

A NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR ROBOTS
Less than 1mm Thick Advanced Fabric-Based Sensor Skin
Exceeds Human Abilities for Spatial Resolution & Sensitivity
RoboSkin is the Only Tech that Fits Any Body Part of Humanoid Robot or Prosthetic

robot skin sensors
“Making Robots Feel Better”

BeBop Sensors, Inc. www.bebopsensors.com, the world leader in smart fabric sensor technologies, announced today the BeBop Sensors RoboSkin line of skin-like coverings for tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics. A true nervous system for robots at less than 1mm thick, RoboSkin is the only technology that fits all robotic body parts: limbs, fingers, feet, head, and torso, to make robots “feel” better. RoboSkin’s advanced fabric-based sensor skin can be shaped to any surface allowing quick tailoring to fit any robot, with spatial resolution and sensitivity that exceeds human abilities for a true partnership between humans and their robot helpers.

The Missing Component to Make Robots More Human – the Sense of Touch

Advances in robotics, such as vision and listening, are missing a key element — the sense of touch, essential for practical human/robot interaction. As robots are quickly becoming part of our world, they need to interact and learn by sense of touch and feel. Flexible, reliable, and highly proprietary, BeBop Sensors’ RoboSkin provides this essential touch factor, with technology based on BeBop’s fabric sensors, with millions of sensors in daily use throughout the world and over 30 U.S. and international patents.

Humanoid Robots — a World Designed with and for Humans

The Census Bureau predicts that for the first time ever, there will be more Americans over the age of 65 than under 18, with Japan having the oldest population with 30% over 65. In addition, “The Great Resignation” shows no sign of slowing down, with record numbers of people leaving the work force. Human-like robots are stepping up to this urgent need, augmenting humans in the workplace, hospitals, and homes; with roles in healthcare, as domestic help, in manufacturing, distribution, biohazards, and even in entertainment and companionship roles. A human shape ensures a robot should be able to perform any human task; to fit through any door and use every human tool. Robots do not need to have the environment made around their needs — robots can do jobs humans want to avoid.

Founder Keith McMillen said, “I have been working with roboticists refining our RoboSkin for 10 years. We are pleased we can make this important contribution to the worldwide effort to bring humanoid robots into our lives to help people live longer, healthier, and more enjoyable lives.”

RoboSkin is available immediately for a variety of applications in robotics and prosthetics, including biohazard, digital health, IoT, VR/AR, automotive, law enforcement, testing, and more. For more information, see the video: https://youtu.be/BWBUhcbEE50, website: www.bebopsensors.com.

BeBop Sensors

BeBop uses smart fabrics to create elegant sensor solutions for OEMs. Where things or people interact, BeBop Sensors comprehends force, location, size, weight, shape and presence across any size, resolution and geometry. BeBop technology is robust and proven with millions of sensors in daily use. Based in Berkeley, California, BeBop Sensors makes things knowable for product designers and visionaries. For more information and demonstrations, see the BeBop Sensors website www.bebopsensors.com.

About Keith McMillen, Founder & CTO, BeBop Sensors

BeBop Sensors’ Founder & CTO, Keith McMillen started and sold two companies in his 40+ years innovating in the sensor and audio market. Zeta Music revolutionized stringed instruments and was sold to Gibson Guitars in 1992. Octiv, started in 2000, received funding from 3i and Intel Capital and was sold to Plantronics (NYSE:PLT) in 2005. McMillen is the inventor on numerous patents, has released hundreds of profitable products and published dozens of scholarly papers; as well as winning a Guthman Award in 2010. He received a BS in Acoustics from University of Illinois at Urbana.

4 Tips to Improve the Style and Comfort of Your Wardrobe

No matter who you are or what your preferred style is, you can always look your best. Improving your wardrobe doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank to follow a whole new fashion trend, or wear something that you don’t feel comfortable in just because it’s considered stylish. 

Maybe it’s for a summer makeover, or maybe it’s just so that you can feel better about your clothes. But in any case, here are some tips that will help you to improve your wardrobe so that you can look and feel like your most stylish self.

white dress and jeans

Wardrobe Essentials

Everything needs a solid foundation, and your wardrobe is no exception. A solid foundation has a twofold meaning. First, your wardrobe should consist of a few pieces that go well with everything. A white t-shirt is a great option. 

These pieces can make up an outfit in their own right, or they can add contrast or a base to your unique style. You can wear them throughout the year with different items of clothing and you’ll feel comfortable and you’ll effortlessly achieve a stylish look. Even better, you don’t have to splash out on loads of different garments, because your foundation wardrobe essentials can be used again and again. 

Flattering Underwear

Another aspect of having a good foundation for your outfit is more literal. Your underwear plays a surprisingly important role in creating your silhouette and helping you to feel more comfortable. 

For example, a pair of cute white panties are a great staple. Unlike darker underwear, they can’t be seen through light-colored skirts or pants. They can also be comfortable and, if you get the right pair, you won’t get much of a panty line. Some types of underwear can even be slimming. 

As well as panties, you should wear a bra that fits properly and comfortably. This both looks and feels far better than an ill-fitting bra. 

Accessorize 

Your accessories turn an okay outfit into something truly unique and that stands out. By adding a cardigan, a scarf, some killer shoes, a bag, and a few signature pieces of jewelry, you can completely change your look. 

This is another way to get more out of your favorite clothes. A summer dress that you’d wear during the day can transform into a more glamorous outfit that’s perfect for a date night. All it takes is the right accessories and a little imagination.

Find accessories that speak to your personality and your taste, so that your look is something identifiable. 

Clothes that Fit

While it seems obvious, clothes that fit properly are clothes that look and feel so much better. There’s a difference between deliberately baggy or tight clothes and clothes that are simply too large or too small. 

This is something that many people find when they gain or lose weight. They either continue to wear or even buy clothes that are the wrong size, which is less flattering and more uncomfortable. Wear clothes that suit your current shape.