Queen Takes The Reigns at Medieval Times Castles Starting October 19

Knights jousting (image via Medieval Times' Facebook Page)

In a major break from Medieval Times' 34-year tradition of casting a king as the show's lead role, the company announces today that a queen is now in charge and sole ruler of the land. She is cast as a firm but kind ruler respected throughout the kingdom who inherited the throne at the passing of her father, the previous king.

The company's leadership developed the idea to cast a matriarch, based in part on guest feedback that they would like to see women having more significant roles.

"Where previously our female characters played in more supportive roles, we are now showing a woman fully in charge, a woman whose authority is sometimes challenged, but she quickly rises to the occasion as a strong leader, squelching opposition," says Jon Speier, Medieval Times senior vice president and general manager.

The Queen (image via Medieval Times)

Jousting, fighting, horsemanship, swordplay and a fresh, hot, four-course feast remain central elements of the dinner attraction. 

With the cast and script change come a series of other significant changes to the show:

• More than 700 new costumes for all nine castles' performers including horses, all of which are custom-designed and hand-made at a dedicated costume shop near Dallas Design District.

• 200 new suits of armor, shields, and helmets, all of which are custom-designed and hand-made at a dedicated armory in Florida.

• More than 350 team members and 225 horses train and rehearse new lines and fight scenes for three months while still presenting the current show. 

• It takes two months to teach a queen to ride an Andalusian stallion. 

• New music was composed by Dr. Daniel May, composer and jazz pianist who scored "Everest" and other films and who worked with Sting, The Moody Blues and others. He directed and recorded Medieval Times' new show composition in Kiev with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. He directed the choir in Ukraine with lyrics written by poet and choir member Solomia Gorokhivska, and a solo cellist and violin player from Pittsburgh, PA. 

• The audience experiences a live action film score that is precisely synchronized with every element of the show, from lights to fights; jousts to jabs; the Queen's entry to curtain closings; and more.

• The sound and light team spends 120 hours programming 300 new music cues and 500 new lighting cues. Several castles are installing and programming a new LED lighting system that offers 256 colors versus the old 14-color system. The system is powered by 10 miles of cable and an estimated million-dollar upgrade.

Medieval Times owns and operates nine castles in the U.S. and Toronto, Canada. The new show opens October 19, 2017 in Dallas, TX where more than six million guests have been entertained in the castle's 25 years.

About Medieval Times
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament was founded in 1977 in Spain. It launched in North America in 1983 and has since opened nine castles across the United States and in Toronto, Canada. It has been performed for 65 million guests in its 34 years. 

• For more, visit medievaltimes.com.

SOURCE: Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Bonus Video:

Legacy Recordings to Release "Stranger Things" Soundtrack

"Stranger Things - Music From The Netflix Original Series" - Album Artwork

 Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, today announced it will release Stranger Things - Music From The Netflix Original Series on Friday, October 27, timed to the launch of Season 2. 

• Pre-sale of the album begins today lnk.to/StrangerThingsSdtk. 

Available for digital streaming or downloading and on CD, the 30 track compilation album includes a range of beloved 1980s hits and classic tracks featured in "Stranger Things" and the highly-anticipated second season, "Stranger Things 2." The album features nineteen songs and eleven audio clips from the show. 

• A 12" vinyl edition of Stranger Things - Music From The Netflix Original Series will be released later this year.

Artists and original hit recordings appearing on Stranger Things - Music From The Netflix Original Series include Toto ("Africa"), the Bangles ("Hazy Shade of Winter"), Corey Hart ("Sunglasses at Night"), and more, along with unannounced titles from Season 2.

The multi-award-winning "Stranger Things" was most recently nominated for 18 Emmy Awards, including Music Supervision—the first year ever the category was recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

“Stranger Things” (image via Netflix)

"Stranger Things 2" returns globally to Netflix October 27th. 
Set in 1984, the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has been rescued from the Upside Down but a bigger, sinister entity still threatens those who survived. 

The second installment of the series also features Winona Ryder (Joyce), David Harbour (Chief Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), Joe Keery (Steve), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), and Season 2 newcomers Sean Astin (Bob Newby), Dacre Montgomery (Billy), Paul Reiser (Dr. Owens), and Sadie Sink (Max), among other stars.

Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, "Stranger Things" is a Netflix original series, directed and executive produced by the Duffer brothers and Shawn Levy of 21 Laps. Iain Patterson and 21 Laps' Dan Cohen executive produce. 

SOURCE: Legacy Recordings

Bonus Videos:

'You All Look The Same’: Non-Muslim Men Targeted In Islamophobic Hate Crime Because Of Their Appearance

Men with beards have been called terrorists. (via shutterstock.com)

By Imran Awan, Birmingham City University and Irene Zempi, Nottingham Trent University

There has been a 29% rise in recorded hate crimes in the UK in the past year according to new figures released by the Home Office, which also showed a spike in offences following the EU referendum.

The consequences of hate crime are widespread. While Muslims in Britain are increasingly subject to Islamophobia, some non-Muslims are also being targeted because they are perceived to be Muslim.

In new research presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims we looked at the experiences of non-Muslim men who reported being the target of Islamophobic hate crime.

We interviewed 20 non-Muslim men of different ages, race and religion, based in the UK. Our group included Sikhs, Christians, Hindus and atheists. Although their experiences were all different, they believed that their skin colour, their beard or turban meant that they were perceived to be Muslim – and targeted for it. We decided to only interview men in this study because we understand from our community work that men are more likely than women to be victims of Islamophobia due to mistaken identity.

Our findings backed up our previous research showing that a spike in hate crime is often triggered by a particular event. The men we interviewed, whose names we have anonymised here to protect their identities, described how they felt “vulnerable” and “isolated” after the EU referendum. Vinesh, a 32-year old, Indian British Hindu, told us:

People have been calling me names on Twitter like ‘You’re a p**i c**t’. I have also been threatened on Facebook like ‘Today is the day we get rid of the likes of you!’ I feared for my safety when I read this.

Some of the men noted how terrorist attacks including those in Manchester and London also triggered more Islamophobia. Others also noted how the Trump administration and its stance towards Muslims had promoted anti-Muslim sentiments globally.


In some cases, hate crimes are targeted at people’s homes or workplaces, with property damaged with Islamophobic graffiti because the perpetrators believe the victims are Muslim. In a recent case in Liverpool, “Allar Akbar” (sic) was painted on a Hindu family’s future home.

One 37-year-old man, called Paul, a white British atheist who is perceived to be a convert to Islam due to his beard, told us how he had been targeted:

I live on a rough estate. I had dog excrement shoved through the mailbox. They also threw paint over my door.

Nobody stepped in to help
Some of those we interviewed felt that their beard was a key aspect of why they were being targeted for looking Muslim. One 19-year-old, called Cameron, who is black British, said:

It’s happened to me ever since I grew a beard. I’m not a Muslim but people stare at me because they think I am.

Many of those we interviewed reported that they suffered anxiety, depression, physical illness, loss of income and employment as a result of being targeted. Raj, a 39-year-old British Indian, told us:

We live in fear every day. We face abuse and intimidation daily but we should not have to endure this abuse.

Such feelings of insecurity and isolation were exacerbated by the fact that these hate incidents usually took place in public places in front of passers-by who didn’t intervene to help. Mark, who is white and Christian and perceived to be Muslim due to his beard and Mediterranean complexion, said:

I was verbally abused by another passenger on the bus who branded me an ‘ISIS terrorist’ while passengers looked on without intervening. In another incident, I had ‘Brexit’ yelled in my face … I feel very lonely. No one has come to my assistance or even consoled me.

Identity questioned
The men we interviewed constantly felt the need to prove their identity, and differentiate themselves from Muslims in an attempt to prevent future victimisation. Many described it as emotionally draining. Samuel, a 58-year-old black British Christian, said:

My identity is always questioned because I look like a Muslim. It does make me feel low but I got used to it. As a black man with a beard you always get associated as being a Muslim terrorist.

The men we interviewed said they wanted much more public awareness about hate crimes and better police recording of these kind of offences. They also called for training for bystanders and people such as teachers who may need to deal with more of these situations. They also thought that an app, through which all types of hate crime could be reported in real time, could offer support for victims.

The rise in Islamophobic hate crime has made many Muslims live in fear. But this kind of hatred is pervasive, and can affect anyone perceived to be Muslim. “You all look the same”, one man was told after explaining that he wasn’t Muslim to somebody who abused him on the train. British society needs to get a better grip on understanding this often “invisible” form of hate crime and what to do about it.

About Today's Contributors:
Imran Awan, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology, Birmingham City University and Irene Zempi, Director of the Nottingham Centre for Bias, Prejudice & Hate Crime, Nottingham Trent University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

Ricky Gervais Launches New Show Exclusively on SiriusXM

Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius

Today SiriusXM announced that award-winning comedian and actor Ricky Gervais will launch a new show exclusively on SiriusXM. Broadcast from London, New York, and other destinations from around the world, "Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius" will premiere on October 24 at 11:00 a.m. ET. 

• The one-hour show will air weekly on Comedy Greats channel 94.

"I started out in radio, and SiriusXM made me an offer to return that I couldn't refuse," Gervais said. "With 32 million subscribers, editorial control, my own playlist and absolute freedom of speech, it's the perfect platform for me, and hopefully the listener too." 

"Ricky Gervais is undoubtedly one of the most uniquely talented comedians in the game," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "Whether he's starring in a beloved television show, delivering raucous stand-up before a crowd of 20,000, or skewering celebrities at an awards show, the bottom line is that Ricky is a compelling performer whose legion of fans is only growing. We're ecstatic that he's bringing those many talents to SiriusXM, where he'll tackle some of life's big mysteries, while he charms and enlightens our more than 32 million subscribers nationwide."

Ricky Gervais launched his entertainment career as a London-based radio host, honing his interview skills and sharing his love of music. Now one of the world's most popular and charismatic comedians will return to his roots and join SiriusXM, tackling more "sirius" topics with some of the most respected experts in their fields. Whether it's a conversation with scientist and author Richard Dawkins about religion and the afterlife, or rocker Noel Gallagher on hijinks with his bandmates and his musical influences, Gervais will have thought-provoking discussions about the topics he feels the most passionate about, namely music, science, art, and ethics.

• "Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius" will air Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. ET on SiriusXM Comedy Greats channel 94, and will then re-air the same day at 5:00 p.m. ET on Raw Dog channel 99.

Ricky Gervais in Extras

For two decades Ricky Gervais has been celebrated for his charm, razor-sharp wit, trademark laugh, and unapologetic sense of humor, with his stand-up tours routinely selling out arenas in every corner of the globe. 

He first became a household name in the United States following the critically-acclaimed run of "The Office" in the United Kingdom. Gervais co-created the original program and produced the wildly popular U.S. version before moving on to films and more television hits with "Extras" and "Derek."

During a highly successful career that spans the worlds of film, television, and music, Gervais has won seven BAFTA awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards, solidifying his position as one of the biggest names in comedy. Along the way he amassed a passionate fan base, including a large social media presence that comprises more than 12.8 million Twitter followers.

His fans can now get a weekly dose of Ricky on Comedy Greats channel 94, as well as via SiriusXM On Demand, through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online siriusxm.com/player. 

SIRIUS XM logo. (PRNewsFoto/SIRIUS XM Radio)

SiriusXM also recently announced that its 200+ channels, including Comedy Greats, are now also available for streaming to SiriusXM subscribers nationwide with Amazon Alexa. Go to SiriusXM.com/AmazonAlexa to learn more.

SOURCE: Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

Bonus Video:

New Book 'The Quantum Realm: Philly the Photon' Teaches Quantum Physics in a Fun and Easy to Understand Way

The Quantum Realm

Mark Montgomery announced today the upcoming release of his latest book The Quantum Realm: Philly the Photon. The Quantum Realm: Philly the Photon is an inspirational SciFi novella that addresses some of the key elements of Science and Quantum Physics and how it relates to the human experience. It will be released in paperback this December 2017. 

• It is currently available in hardback and eBook.

The story follows Sebastian, a boy filled with fear of things he cannot explain. When traumatized by a freak electrical storm, he develops a burning need to understand light. That night, he awakens inside a lucid dream, where he meets Philly the Photon, a light particle, who offers to guide him on a perilous journey through the Quantum Realm.

As Sebastian embarks on a journey through the unknown, he learns to overcome his fears and apply the fundamentals of quantum physics to alter his perspective on self and how he is connected to the very nature of the universe.

This journey will inspire, educate, and challenge your perceptions on relative reality. It will increase your ability to think critically, rationally, and encourage you to ask more questions. Young adults will find sanity and direction in these words, while adults of all ages will find nuggets of wisdom for personal application. 

Embark on a journey with Sebastian and visually experience the more elusive universal patterns that determine who we are as humans and how we are integrally and three-dimensionally connected to everything and everyone around us through the continuum of quantum events.

What Readers Are Saying:

"A fascinating adventure that takes Sebastian and the reader into the unseen world of photons, electrons and electromagnetic waves. Reading this book teaches you the basics and gives them meaning and relatedness, and it's not at all painful -- not for one moment…" – Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite

"Montgomery explains the scientific method through story and explanation in a way that's both fun and gripping… There are little gems of wisdom and a wealth of understanding within these pages as Sebastian tries to apply the method and find his own understanding." – K.J. Simmill, Readers' Favorite

"…a brilliant book that is such fun to read because you don't realize how much you're learning." – Sarah Stuart, Readers' Favorite

SOURCE: Mark Montgomery