USHER FIX

“SHE DON’T KNOW”

“I INVENTED SEX” REMIX

“CONFESSIONS” PART II

“U MAKE ME WANNA”

USHER GIVES A LITTLE DANCE LESSON (MUCHMUSIC CHANNEL)

OPENING (“CAUGHT UP”)

“BURN”

“LOVE IN THIS CLUB”

PICS

INTERVIEW (THE PROVINCE)

R&B/hip-hop heartthrob Usher heated up the resort last night with hit songs and new numbers.

True to form Usher performed his turn-the-lights-down-low numbers, tossing articles of clothing into the crowd to shrieks of delight.

But he also managed to keep the crowd — there not just for his concert but to celebrate the closing of the 2010 Olympic Games here — engaged.

He even got some clothing back at him as people in the crowd threw him the now famous red Hudson’s Bay Team Canada mittens.

Earlier, Usher told The Province that: “The Olympics are about unity regardless of race, gender or creed, so I consider it a blessing to be asked to perform at events such as this year’s Winter Games.

“To be amongst people from all over the world and perform for fans that may not have seen me live before is such an honour. I am happy to be here in Whistler and to perform for my Canadian fans as well as be an ambassador to music.”

Asking for the crowd’s indulgence he played a song from his new album Raymond v Raymond, “There Goes My Baby.”

Judging by the reaction of the thousands at the Medals Celebration Plaza, the album, due to be released March 30 after a long delay, is headed for the top.

Said Usher: “I am really excited about the new album as it speaks to the ‘duality of man’, which is why it’s called Raymond v Raymond. I think it will really connect with fans and will be a natural followup to Confessions and Here I Stand. There is something in it for everyone.”

His six stage dancers, two guys and four girls, helped keep the show moving, their liquid and sexual choreography perfect for the music.

Hits such as “Confessions,” “Hey Daddy,” “Love in This Club” and “Bad Girls” really got the crowd going, especially when he made it personal for his “Whistler girls.”

The crowd didn’t even seem to care when efforts to play the music video to “Hey Daddy” failed. The stage show was mesmerizing enough.

As the nightly fireworks signalled the end of the show, Usher took a moment to honour the athletes, including the Canadian four-man bobsleigh team who were awarded their bronze medals just minutes before he began his performance.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this event,” said Usher.

“We need to all thank the athletes.”

Source

Usher answering questions from MuchMusic fans at the GLC base of Whistler Gondola before his performance at the Whistler Olympic Medal Plaza.

More to come….

The names are different this time around. Lil Wayne, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers are in the cast; Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper aren’t. But the purpose of the new “We Are the World” recording remains the same: to harness the music industry’s star power for charity.

The video for the new “We Are the World” — recorded Feb. 1 at the same Hollywood studio where the first “We Are the World” was created, in 1985 — will debut tomorrow during NBC television’s 7:30 p.m.-midnight coverage of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. After that, downloads will be available at World25.org and iTunes.com, with proceeds going to Haitian earthquake relief.

The original “We Are the World” raised more than $63 million for famine relief in Africa. “While the need to assist Africa continues, today the country of Haiti is suffering immeasurably from the destruction due to the recent earthquake and is in immediate need of relief that will last long after the television cameras have left,” said Quincy Jones, who executive-produced the new recording, along with Lionel Richie and Wyclef Jean. “As artists, we have joined together on this 25th anniversary and in the spirit of ‘We Are The World’ to help meet that need.”

Reportedly, the new “We Are the World” will include a segment where some of the late Michael Jackson‘s vocals from the original recording are used, along with new vocals by his sister Janet. (Michael Jackson co-wrote the song with Richie.)

The song’s lineup includes Jennifer Hudson, Usher, will.i.am., Kanye West, Celine Dion, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Rob Thomas, Jamie Foxx, Carlos Santana, Sugarland, Enrique Iglesias, Zac Brown, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Brian Wilson, Pink, Musiq Soulchild, Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jordin Sparks and dozens more. For a complete list, visit the song’s official web site, World25.org.

Source

Usher, Feist and Our Lady Peace are but a few of the big names that will headline the Whistler Victory Ceremonies performances during the 2010 Olympics.

“Celebrations in Whistler will be rockin’ for 15 incredible nights during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games with this impressive lineup of top solo artists and bands — all playing outdoors under the stars in honour of the world’s best athletes and their triumphs,” said Christy Nicolay, VANOC’s vice president of sport production and Victory Ceremonies.

The ceremonies, which will be held each night from February 13 to 27 during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games at Whistler Medals Plaza, will also showcase high-profile artists such as punk rockers All American Rejects, hip-hop trailblazers The Roots and K’Naan, Canadian indie rockers Stars, Quebec singing sensation Pierre Lapointe, pop-rockers The Fray, as well as Hedley, Jet, OneRepublic and Deadmau5.

Gates will open nightly at 4:30 p.m. with a DJ and interactive games for the crowd, followed by a live simulcast of the nightly preshow held at BC Place in Vancouver.

The concerts will be held on a “turntable” stage that will accommodate both the medal ceremonies and the concert performances.

The medal ceremonies will be held for the winning athletes of the day at Whistler-area venues at 7 p.m., followed 30 minutes later by that night’s headlining act. The evening celebrations will end at approximately 8:30 pm.

Access to tickets for the ceremonies will be limited to residents living from Squamish to Mount Currie, and will be distributed to the public via a contest held for 11 days, starting on January 4th.

Entries can be made by visiting www.whistler.com, with a limit of one entry by e-mail address.

Tickets will have to be picked up by the winners in person at the Main Ticket Centre in Whistler no later than January 31st.

Source: Vancouversun.com