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Old Bay Vodka Wins Double Gold at prestigious 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition with Gold Medal Ratings from all Members of the Judging Panel Recognizes the Finest Spirits in the World.
GEORGE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY announces OLD BAY VODKA was awarded the Double Gold Medal in the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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The Double Gold Medal is awarded to entries that receive Gold Medal ratings from all 34 members of the judging panel who are well-established spirits industry experts.
“We launched OLD BAY VODKA last month after working for three years to create a great tasting spirit with the quintessential yet subtle flavors of OLD BAY,”
said Greg David
co-owner, GEORGE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY.
“The goal was to make a great tasting and balanced flavored vodka that is both drink and food recipe driven. Now, less than one month later, to receive the highest award in the most prestigious competition on an international level, is validation of the teams’ hard work and passion to bring a great spirit to life to share with the public. The perfect partnership between GEORGE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY™️, OLD BAY®, a brand of McCormick & Company, Inc., and McClintock Distilling – all MD based, paved the way to this success.”
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition Judging Process
OLD BAY® VODKA went through four days of highly controlled blind tastings by an experienced panel of judges that taste each spirit to decide if its medal worthy. The judges do not receive any information on the producers or price points to ensure each spirit is judged fairly, equally and without bias.
Related: The Nation’s #1 Selling hard seltzer launches White Claw Surf with New Flavors
The second round of judging, called the Medal Round allows for judging each entry on its own merit. While tasting, judges evaluate each product on an individual basis – not compared to other entries in the flight. During this stage, judges determine which entries are worthy of a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. Entries that receive a gold medal from all the judges on the panel earn a Double Gold Medal.
Old Bay Vodka’s Story
Crafted at McClintock Distilling in Frederick, Md., OLD BAY® VODKA is all natural, made from corn and six times distilled for maximum purity and smoothness. The vodka perfectly highlights the quintessential flavor of the iconic OLD BAY® spice blend.
“The idea to collaborate to craft OLD BAY® VODKA made perfect sense from the start,” said Greg David, co-owner, GEORGE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY™️.
Related: Sodastream partners with 2019’s #1 World’s Best Bar to Launch At Home Kit
“We already had national distribution with top liquor distributors and a sustainable supply chain. The next step was identifying a local craft distillery that we could trust and that shared the same commitment to quality, craftmanship and sustainability, we found all this in McClintock Distilling.”
“OLD BAY® has been a fan-favorite for over 75 years in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond,” said Jill Pratt, Chief Marketing Excellence Officer, McCormick. “Our fans are loyal and passionate when it comes to all things OLD BAY®. We’re thrilled to work with George’s to bring the one-of-a-kind flavor of OLD BAY® to fans in entirely new, exciting, and innovative ways.”
McClintock Distilling, named best craft vodka distillery in the country by USA Today, is a craft distillery located in Frederick, Md. The company mirrors the GEORGE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY™️ values as a locally sourced business with a focus on product quality, environmental impact, and community betterment. When approached about the opportunity to craft the first OLD BAY® VODKA, the McClintock team said, “absolutely” and built out a dedicated state of the art facility for production.
Bringing together expertise in flavor, spirits, and craft distilling – OLD BAY® VODKA combines the taste of the region with the smooth finish that’s easy to drink on or off the rocks or as a unique ingredient upgrade for classic cocktails and alcohol-infused recipes alike.
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OLD BAY® VODKA is seventy proof or 35% ABV. It is distributed by Breakthru Beverage MD and Breakthru Beverage DE.
For more information and recipes, visit OLDBAYVODKA.COM. Share your love of OLD BAY® by following the brand on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Drink like a Movie Star: Clarendelle, Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of 97th Oscars
Drink like a Movie Star: Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of 97th Oscars
Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Exclusive Wines Poured at the 97th Oscars Ceremony
Clarendelle and the family company Domaine Clarence Dillon announce the brand’s return as the official wine partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Wine for the Academy
The Academy Awards, renowned for their glamour and celebration of cinematic excellence, also feature a notable emphasis on fine wines during their events. A substantial amount of wine is served to accommodate the numerous attendees. For instance, during the 90th Academy Awards, over 2,400 bottles of wine were provided, equating to approximately 14,000 glasses.
Annually, the Academy hosts several official events where wine is prominently featured. The most notable of these is the Governors Ball, the official post-ceremony celebration, where distinguished wines and champagnes are served to winners, nominees, and guests. In addition to the main ceremony and the Governors Ball, there are various pre-show receptions and ancillary gatherings throughout the awards season, each offering curated wine selections to complement the festivities.
These events underscore the Academy’s commitment to providing a luxurious and celebratory atmosphere, with fine wines playing a central role in the experience.
For the third consecutive year, the prestigious family-owned wine company will exclusively pour exceptional red and white wines at the 97th Oscars® ceremony.
This partnership bridges the world of fine wine and film, elevating the Oscars experience for Hollywood’s biggest stars.
In addition to delighting guests at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Clarendelle and Domaine Clarence Dillon wines will be served at the iconic Governors Ball after the Oscars ceremony and the Official Oscars® Watch Party at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This year, Governors Ball attendees can enjoy a glass of our elegant and contemporary wines while winners have their Oscar® statuettes engraved. The wines will also be perfectly complemented with a legendary gastronomic menu crafted by Wolfgang Puck Catering for an unforgettable evening.
“Before joining the family business, I began my career as a screenwriter, so to have the opportunity to partner with the Oscars for the third consecutive year is truly an honor,” said President and CEO of Domaine Clarence Dillon, Prince Robert of Luxembourg. “This collaboration is a natural extension of my family’s longstanding commitment and deep connection to film and the arts.”
Domaine Clarence Dillon will introduce two new wines for the star-studded events:
- La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2021: A sought-after white wine of rare delicacy with only 1,000 cases produced annually, La Clarté brings together the qualities of a fine white Bordeaux wine with fresh citrus and white flower aromas, followed by a crisp and refreshing finish of lemony brightness.
- Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015: Château Haut-Brion became the first Bordeaux vineyard to be named after its terroir, making the estate the first luxury brand in the world. The exquisite red Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015 is similar in style and elegance to its elder and encompasses all unique attributes of a fine wine with an attractive profile – smooth yet powerful, tasty and full-bodied, with notes of ripe fruit leaving an impression of freshness and volume, without heaviness.
Among the returning wine favorites are:
- Clarendelle Bordeaux White 2023: A refined and elegant wine, offering bright citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit, balanced by the smooth sweetness of pear and lychee.
- Clarendelle Bordeaux Red 2016: A wine with fruity aromas of red fruit and blackcurrant alongside floral overtones balanced by great tannic power and delicious velvety texture.
- Clarendelle Amberwine 2021: A complex, well-concentrated and modern sweet wine distinguished by its freshness and harmonious balance of floral fruit and acidity with a smooth finish.
Founded in 1935, Domaine Clarence Dillon is a family-owned group renowned for its prestigious Bordeaux estates, including Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and Château Quintus. Under the leadership of Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the company has earned a global reputation for excellence in winemaking, joining Primum Familiae Vini, an international association of some of the world’s finest wine producing families. Domaine Clarence Dillon has long been a supporter of the arts, with Prince Robert’s background and screenwriting playing an essential role in merging the worlds of wine and cinema by bringing Clarendelle and Domaine Clarence Dillon to the biggest night in Hollywood.
For more information, follow on Instagram @clarendelle @chateauhautbrion_ @chateaulamissionhautbrion @chateauquintus @leclarenceparis.
Philly Orders The White Lotus Season 3 with Patrick Schwarzenegger Sipping Ketel One Family Made Vodka and Tanqueray Gin
‘Sip into The White Lotus’ with Patrick Schwarzenegger for Season 3 with Ketel One Family Made Vodka and Tanqueray Gin
Ketel One Family Made Vodka, one of the bestselling and top trending vodkas (Drinks International, 2025), and Tanqueray Gin, the seven-time winner of the bartenders’ choice of gin (Drinks International, 2023), have long been at the forefront of cocktail culture, consistently shaping and elevating the craft with their unwavering dedication to quality and innovation.
The Cocktail Culture of The White Lotus: Sipping in Style
HBO’s The White Lotus isn’t just known for its biting satire and stunning backdrops—it’s also quietly shaped the world of cocktail culture. Set against the luxurious resorts of Hawaii and Sicily, the show’s characters are often seen clutching artfully crafted drinks, turning simple sips into statements about wealth, indulgence, and escapism. In Season 1, tropical classics like the Mai Tai and Pineapple Daiquiri make frequent appearances, aligning with the show’s Hawaiian setting and nodding to the tiki cocktail revival. These vibrant, rum-based drinks not only complement the scenery but also subtly underscore themes of paradise lost.
Season 2 shifts to Sicily, and with it comes a more European drinking aesthetic. Think Aperol Spritzes, Negronis, and chilled white wines, evoking la dolce vita while masking the tension simmering beneath the surface. The show’s cocktail choices aren’t just background props—they reflect character dynamics and mood. For example, Tanya’s over-the-top drink orders often mirror her chaotic, lavish lifestyle.
Since its debut, The White Lotus has inspired bartenders and fans alike to recreate its signature drinks, blending TV-inspired nostalgia with real-world cocktail trends. Whether it’s a Mai Tai or a Spritz, every glass tells a story.
In an exciting collaboration with Max and HBO, the two iconic brands invite fans of The White Lotus to experience the timeless elegance and charm that define both the series and their curated cocktail creations.
In anticipation of the series returning on February 16, on Max and HBO, Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin introduce, ‘Sip into The White Lotus,’ a dynamic, multifaceted collaboration which includes series-inspired cocktails, Thailand destination giveaway, immersive events and engaging content.
“Our partnership with Max and HBO’s hit series The White Lotus is a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication. The show’s exploration of timeless hospitality aligns perfectly with the craftsmanship behind Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin, both of which are synonymous with the highest standards of quality,” said Julie Yufe, Senior Vice President of Vodka, Gin and Rum at DIAGEO North America. “The show is a cultural phenomenon, creating its own universe of intrigue and vibrancy. As consumers increasingly value experiences, we’ve been intentional about crafting fan-centric moments where our brands can create memorable occasions with every sip.”
Inspired by the show’s luxurious destinations, the partnership with Max and HBO kicks off with an original short film starring actor and entrepreneur Patrick Schwarzenegger, who whisks viewers away to a dreamy Thai escape. As Patrick mixes The White Lotus Vesper Martini—crafted with Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin to embody the captivating elegance fans expect from the show—he invites viewers to immerse themselves in the world of The White Lotus, exploring its story, characters, and the lavish setting of the highly anticipated new season.
“Being part of the cast of The White Lotus has been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to partner with Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray gin to bring fans closer to the unforgettable moments of season three,” said Schwarzenegger. “Just like these iconic spirits, The White Lotus is all about storytelling and savoring every experience. I can’t wait to watch the new season unfold while toasting The White Lotus Vesper Martini with friends and family.”
To toast to season three of HBO’s The White Lotus, Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin have crafted exclusive cocktails inspired by the season’s stunning Thailand setting: The White Lotus Vesper Martini and The White Lotus Punch.
The White Lotus Vesper Martini is an elegant twist on the traditional cocktail, featuring Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray London Dry Gin as its smooth, classic base. It delivers a refined, refreshing tasting sip with a sophisticated balance of dry and fruity notes. A French white wine aperitif adds crispness, while lychee liqueur imparts a delicate floral sweetness. The White Lotus Punch strikes a perfect balance between tart and tropical, making it the ideal cocktail for any getaway. With a vibrant blend of Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, it showcases tropical flavors of pineapple, mango, and lime. The gin lends a hint of herbal complexity, while the tropical fruits provide sweet, juicy depth.
The unique creations tap into a feeling of luxury familiar to a White Lotus guest while reimagining how fans can enjoy cocktails with a modern twist. Featured in The White Lotus limited-edition cocktail kits, these perfect accessories for viewing parties include everything needed to craft season three-inspired drinks at home. Fans 21+ can purchase the kits at https://www.cocktailcourier.com/pages/the-white-lotus-cocktails.
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The White Lotus Punch ¾ oz. Ketel One Vodka ½ oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin 1 oz. lime juice ¾ oz. mango syrup 2 oz. pineapple juice
Combine all ingredients into a highball glass filled with crushed ice and stir. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and serve. |
The White Lotus Vesper Martini ¾ oz. Ketel One Vodka ½ oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin ¼ oz. French white wine aperitif 1 bar spoon or teaspoon lychee liqueur 1 bar spoon or teaspoon butterfly pea tea
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lychee. |
Thanksgiving in Philly: perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Find Recipe Inside]
This Thanksgiving in NYC, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
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Philly Band ‘Get the Led Out’ brings a ‘High Energy Zeppelin’ concert to Penn’s Peak Saturday, May 6, 2023
Philly Band ‘Get the Led Out’ brings a ‘High Energy Zeppelin’ concert to Penn’s Peak Saturday, May 6, 2023
Penn’s Peak is proud to announce Get the Led Out, Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 8pm.
From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage.
Philly Band ‘Get the Led Out’ brings a ‘High Energy Zeppelin’ concert to Penn’s Peak Saturday, May 6, 2023
The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before.
Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-create the songs in all their depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed.
When you hear three guitars on the album…GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants…a high energy Zeppelin concert with an honest, heart-thumping intensity.
Dubbed by the media as “c,” Get The Led Out offers a strong focus on the early years. They also touch on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert. GTLO also include a special “acoustic set” with Zep favorites such as “Tangerine” and “Hey Hey What Can I Do.”
GTLO has amassed a strong national touring history, having performed at major club and PAC venues across the country. GTLO’s approach to their performance of this hallowed catalog is not unlike a classical performance.
“Led Zeppelin are sort of the classical composers of the rock era,”
says lead vocalist Paul Sinclair.
“I believe 100 years from now they will be looked at as the Bach or Beethoven of our time. As cliché as it sounds, their music is timeless.”
A GTLO concert mimics the “light and shade” that are the embodiment of “The Mighty Zep.” Whether it’s the passion and fury with which they deliver the blues-soaked, groove-driven rock anthems, it’s their attention to detail and nuance that makes a Get The Led Out performance a truly awe-inspiring event!
Tickets on sale Thursday, January 14th at 10:00AM at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.
General Admission w/ Reserved Rail Seating
Reserved Rail Seating: $39
Advance: $28.00
Day of Show: $33.00
About Penn’s Peak
Penn’s Peak, a beautiful mountaintop entertainment venue located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers. Enjoy a spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, concert bar/concession area and a full service restaurant and bar aptly named Roadie’s. Complete with a broad open-air deck for summertime revelry, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of nearby Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding, picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Choose Penn’s Peak for your next wedding, banquet or special event and treat your guests to an event truly “Above the Rest”.
Geographically convenient to residents of major population zones in Hazleton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg, the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and New York City, Penn’s Peak is an ideal location for any event. It is located only four miles from Exit 74 of the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
For more information on Penn’s Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.
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Rock superstars Incubus Annc hits East Coast July 31 – Aug 6 on Summer tour with Sublime with Rome and The Aquadolls
Rock superstars Incubus Annc hits East Coast July 31 – Aug 6 on Summer tour with Sublime with Rome and The Aquadolls
With more than 23 million albums sold, rock superstars INCUBUS are set to light up summer stages in concert with very special guests SUBLIME WITH ROME and THE AQUADOLLS beginning this July.
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Last year in 2021, Incubus marked the 20th anniversary of their multi-platinum and critically acclaimed album, Morning View. Additionally, they maintain their status as a streaming phenomenon, averaging 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and clocking over 1 billion-plus streams across all platforms.
The tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off in West Palm Beach, FL at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre and continues through the US making stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and more before wrapping up in Bend, OR at Hayden Homes Amphitheatre on September 3rd.
Tickets to the general public will begin on-sales March 18th at 10am local time HERE.
Related: One Republic’s “Never Ending Summer Tour” lands in SoCal August with NEEDTOBREATHE
TOUR ITINERARY
Sunday, July 24 – West Palm Beach – FL iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Tuesday, July 26 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Wednesday, July 27 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Friday, July 29 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Saturday, July 30 – Doswell, VA – AfterHours Concerts at The Meadow Event Park
Sunday, July 31 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Tuesday, Aug 02 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Heath Amphitheater at Lakeview
Wednesday, Aug 03 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Friday, Aug 05 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion
Saturday, Aug 06 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sunday, Aug 07 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
Tuesday, Aug 09 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Wednesday, Aug 10 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Friday, Aug 12 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
Saturday, Aug 13 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Sunday, Aug 14 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
Tuesday, Aug 16 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP**
Wednesday, Aug 17 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Friday, Aug 19 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Saturday, Aug 20 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Monday, Aug 22 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Wednesday, Aug 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Friday, Aug 26 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Saturday, Aug 27 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Sunday Aug 28 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Thursday, Sept 01 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Saturday, Sept 03 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Since first coming together in 1991, the Grammy nominated band, Incubus, have consistently elevated themselves and alternative music to new creative heights.
The California band’s sales have eclipse 23 million albums worldwide to date with multiplatinum and platinum certifications from around the globe. Consistently topping the Billboard charts, the band has had five consecutive Top 5 debuts.
Related: Pop super-group Big Time Rush with Dixie D’Amelio head on SoCal Tour.
Sublime With Rome was formed in 2010 by lead-singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez, bassist Eric Wilson, and drummer Carlos Verdugo.
The band previously toured in support of their hit 2019 album BLESSINGS with singles WICKED HEART and LIGHT ON making a splash at alternative radio. BLESSINGS is the band’s third studio album, and it was helmed by Rob Cavallo, the producer behind Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, and more.
In 2020 Sublime With Rome dominated the rock and alternative music charts as well as headlining shows in 5K+ capacity rooms and major festivals worldwide. With fan-favorite hits such as WRONG WAY, SANTERIA, BADFISH, WHAT I GOT, CARESS ME DOWN, 40oz TO FREEDOM and many more, the band’s concerts are pure sing along enjoyment from beginning to end.
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The Aquadolls formed in La Mirada, CA in January 2012. Lead singer and songwriter Melissa Brooks began recording bedroom demos of her songs and eventually released the album ‘We Are Free’ in early 2013, followed by the LP ‘Stoked on You’ in December 2014.
After a brief break from releases, the stars aligned in July 2018, and the new era of The Aquadolls commenced with Jacqueline Proctor on drums and Keilah Nina on bass. The band grew as a powerful threesome leading up to the release of The Aquadolls’ highly anticipated second album, ‘The Dream and the Deception,’ recorded and self-produced by Brooks and self-released October 28, 2018, on Aqua Babe Records.
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Following their sophomore album, the trio self-released the single “Suck on This” in summer 2019, followed by their 2020 viral cover of Lash’s “Take Me Away” (a track made famous via its inclusion in the 2003 Lindsay Lohan-starring Disney film ‘Freaky Friday’). They signed with California based Enci Records in 2021, and released a series of well-received singles (“Disappearing Girl” and “Cry Baby”), while playing festival dates such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Beach Life and Ohana Festival, opening for Jimmy Eat World and touring with the likes of White Reaper and more. The Aquadolls will release a new EP in 2022.
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First Time Author takes on Sex, Addiction, Redemption: ‘Twinkies & Beefcake’, a novel by T.H. Forest
Bullying, Sex, Addiction , Redemption: ‘Twinkies & Beefcake’, a novel by first time author T.H. Forest
Twinkies & Beefcake, a novel by first time author T.H. Forest, is a gripping tale of bullying, sex, addiction, redemption, and the longing for true love at any cost.
Available in Paperback, Hardcover and Kindle.
SYNOPSIS
Told in the first-person narrative, Robby, a sharp-witted and posh London teenager, spends his days with his best friend Dee, sharing secrets and yearning for sex and love, while also dodging the torment of bullies from his elite prep-school. When he meets the man of his dreams, he falls fast.
Maybe too fast.
Hailing from the dregs of Manchester, and twelve years Robby’s senior, Vas is gorgeous and irresistible, and swears he’s equally smitten with Robby.
But during their wild sexual exploration of each other, the cameras come out, as do the drugs, and the booze.
Soon, Robby is in over his head: addicted, porn-famous, and still yearning for love.
Amid family tensions, trips to rehab, and finishing university, Robby’s past finally catches up to him when a bully from secondary re-enters his life and everything is exposed. Robby is forced to contend fully with the trauma of his adolescence so that he can find, and be with, his soulmate.
Striving for happiness, inner-peace, and true love, Robby must decide if his sins can ever be overcome.
EXCERPT
“Where are you prancing off to princess?” Gareth, Marcus’ lead henchman, said in a chiding voice. I looked behind me and saw his large face sneering at me. “I saw you duck behind the building, you’re right to be scared.”
“I’m just off, I don’t want any trouble,” I mumbled, more fearful of Gareth than I was Marcus, who somehow kept his goons in line. I went from wanting to avoid him, to willing him to come back outside and call off his dog. I kept walking and suddenly felt the beanie snatched from my head. “Hey! Give that back,” I cried, smoothing my hair reflexively.
Marcus emerged from the store with a drink in his hand and looked between us. “Hey Gareth,” he smiled and opened his bottle. He took a sip and looked at me. “Where are you off to?” He asked me, his green eyes sweeping over my new outfit, the jeans and an Adidas t-shirt with my Duke + Dexter trainers. I saw him sniff the air. “Are you wearing perfume?”
Shit, why did I put on cologne? “It’s my birthday, I’m going to the mall,” I looked at Gareth. “I just want my beanie back.”
Marcus nodded his head at Gareth and held out his hand. I prayed that Marcus would do the right thing and give it back to me. He was handsome in a straight way, appealing to the masses of girls who followed him around, or he would be if he weren’t such a bully, because when he was being cruel he was not attractive. He put the beanie on his head.
“How’s it look?” He asked Gareth.
“Suits you,” Gareth shrugged. “You of course make it look hetero. This one makes everything look gay,” Gareth nodded at me derisively with his chin.
“Please Marcus,” I pleaded with my eyes, not feeling very hopeful.
“It’s your birthday today?” He asked, ignoring my pleas.
I nodded.
He looked at Gareth. “Why don’t you go inside and get the little princess here some champagne.”
Gareth snickered and went inside.
“Marcus, I’m late, I just want my hat,” I shifted on my feet, uncertain of his mood. “Late for the mall?” Marcus scoffed and shook his head. “I’ve got something for you for your birthday,” he said in a low menacing sounding tone.
“I’m meeting my boyfriend,” I said in a rush, not knowing why I blabbed.
Something passed over Marcus’ features and settled behind his eyes. “You’ve got a boyfriend?” he laughed meanly. “What does your fag-hag think about that?” He stepped closer to me.
He looked angry, not just playfully mean and I turned and fled before he could grab me, running as fast as I could down the stairs and away hurrying through the stiles, my eyes searching for any uniform I could find to hide behind. I shouldn’t have said anything about a boyfriend.
WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING
“The key psychological dynamic revealed for Robby
is the mistake many make in searching for self-confirmation and acceptance.
Robby suffers from deep seeded issues of insecurity and self-acceptance
caused by his being subjected to consistent bullying by his classmates.
These issues manifest in his near desperate eagerness to please, which ultimately results in his exploitation during his teenage years. The step for procreation is the acceptance and valuing of oneself. Once older and cycled through his past trauma through intensive rehabilitation and therapy, his role of parent, provider and husband brings him balance and self-awareness; the love and acceptance of his spouse, family, and closest friends, in a world which still manifests many reasons for suppression, is how he completes his long journey of self-identity.”
– Dr. Carol Hartman, DNSc, BS, MS.
