¡No te pierdas la fiesta de baile de la temporada! Consigue tus entradas de $25 ahora y deja que la música tome el control. ¡Es hora de ponerse de pie, actuar y sumergirse en el emocionante espectáculo de ON YOUR FEET! en Theatre Under The Stars.
¡ON YOUR FEET! es la inspiradora historia real sobre el corazón, la herencia y dos personas que creyeron en su talento (y el uno en el otro) para convertirse en una sensación internacional: Emilio y Gloria Estefan.
Utilice el código de promoción: ACTION al finalizar la compra para desbloquear esta oferta exclusiva. Si eres fanático de los ritmos vibrantes, las coreografías sensacionales o simplemente de una noche de fiesta inolvidable, esta oferta es tu boleto dorado para una aventura llena de ritmo.
CÓDIGO PROMOCIONAL: ACTION Oferta válida para boletos de $25 en las zonas de precios 3-5 en todas las presentaciones con el uso del código de promoción ACTION. Oferta válida hasta las 11:59 p.m. del domingo 21 de enero del 2024. No se puede combinar con otras ofertas ni aplicarse a boletos comprados anteriormente. Sin reembolsos. Todas las ventas finales. Para mas información visite www.TUTS.com/tickets
The latest data from the Commerce Department reveals that Americans continued their robust spending habits in December, marking a positive end to both the holiday shopping season and the overall year. The report, released on Wednesday, indicates a 0.6% acceleration in retail sales compared to November’s 0.3% increase. With consumer spending contributing to nearly 70% of the U.S. economy, this upbeat performance suggests that people maintain confidence and are willing to sustain their spending habits.
Noteworthy increases were observed across various retail sectors. General merchandise stores reported a significant rise of 1.3%, while sellers of clothing and accessories, as well as online retailers, both experienced a 1.5% increase. However, the furniture and home furnishings sector faced a decline of 1%, reflecting challenges in the housing market. Sales at restaurants remained unchanged in December.
Contrary to expectations, economists anticipated a slowdown in consumer spending during the final quarter of the year due to factors such as credit card debt, delinquencies, and reduced savings. Despite these challenges, along with higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions, and price increases, household spending has proven resilient. The strong job market and rising wages appear to be key factors fueling this sustained level of consumer spending.
As the economy navigates various headwinds, including the struggling housing market, the December retail sales report signals a positive outlook for economic growth in the coming year. Consumer confidence and spending habits continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the overall health of the U.S. economy.
Kensington Palace shared on Wednesday that Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, is on the path to recovery following a “planned abdominal surgery” conducted at The London Clinic the day before. Turning 42 earlier this month, the Princess is expected to remain in the hospital for ten to fourteen days before continuing her recovery at home.
In a statement released by Kensington Palace, it was revealed that the surgery was successful, and the Princess is unlikely to resume public duties until after Easter, based on current medical advice. The statement emphasized the Princess’s desire for normalcy for her children and the importance of maintaining the privacy of her personal medical information.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” the statement read. “Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
Expressing regret for the postponed engagements, the statement conveyed the Princess’s anticipation of reinstating as many as possible in the future. The announcement also clarified that the issue addressed in the surgery was non-cancerous.
Once discharged, Princess Kate is expected to recover at home in Windsor, where the Prince and Princess of Wales relocated in 2022. During her recovery, Prince William will reportedly reduce his public duties to provide support to his wife and care for their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Official duties for Prince William are expected to be put on hold during Princess Kate’s hospital stay and the early days of her home recovery.
The last public appearance of the Princess was on Christmas when she, along with Prince William and their three children, joined the royal family for their traditional walk to church at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk.
While Princess Kate had not yet returned to royal duties in 2024, Prince William made his first official outing of the new year last week at Headlingley Stadium in Leeds. During the event, he joined friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, who have been actively raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease research after Burrow’s diagnosis in December 2019.
Houston residents can indulge in the vibrant festivities of Mardi Gras without heading to New Orleans, as Galveston’s historic downtown gears up to host a spectacular celebration from Feb. 2 to Feb. 13. The Mardi Gras Entertainment District will be abuzz with parades, performances, and parties during the 113th annual revelry.
Highlighting the cultural diversity of the celebration, the live music lineup promises an eclectic mix. Attendees can groove to the tunes of alternative rock group Gin Blossoms, experience Latin sounds from Siggno, and enjoy country music by Eli Young Band.
General admission tickets, providing access to the concerts, start at $12, according to senior public relations manager Mary Beth Bassett. For a comprehensive entertainment lineup, ticket purchases, balcony access inquiries, and accommodation options, interested individuals can visit the Mardi Gras Galveston website.
The festivities encompass a variety of features, including numerous parades that will weave through the streets of the Entertainment District. The festivities kick off with the Party Gras Procession, commencing and concluding at The Tremont House. Led by a brass band, this parade honors special guests with the George P. Mitchell award.
Later in the evening, the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade will take to the streets, with participants dancing alongside the procession. This parade, renowned for breaking records in 2019 with 1,980 participants near the Mardi Gras Arch, promises lively entertainment.
The Mardi Gras Galveston parade, featuring nine festive floats distributing beads and trinkets, will close out the first night as it circles the Entertainment District. Revelers on the sidewalks can expect a colorful spectacle with beads flying.
Beyond parades and live shows, attendees can participate in or observe the Jolly Jester Jaunt, a 5K fun run where participants don Mardi Gras-themed attire. The run concludes with complimentary libations and a balcony party.
Additionally, the Beads for Needs program aims to give a meaningful purpose to the 3 million strands of beads thrown during the festival. These beads will be repackaged and sold in an online storefront, with proceeds benefiting students at Ball High School. The Galveston ISD Art Program will contribute by decorating specified containers for bead collection.
As the Mardi Gras Galveston celebration unfolds, Galveston’s historic downtown is set to transform into a lively hub of music, parades, and cultural revelry for residents and visitors alike.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has put forth four proposed academic calendar options for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The suggested calendars anticipate students commencing classes in early August and concluding in early June.
These draft calendars emerge following the approval, last year, of HISD becoming a District of Innovation. This designation exempts the school district from certain state education laws, allowing flexibility in areas such as class sizes, instructional days, and the hiring of uncertified teachers.
The proposed academic year start dates in the new calendars range from August 7 to August 14, showcasing variations in the beginning of the school year, spring break, and staff professional development. Superintendent Mike Miles and the Board of Managers are expected to engage in discussions over the next few months regarding these calendar options.
The HISD District Advisory Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday night to deliberate on the calendar choices and potentially narrow them down to two options. The official approval of the new academic calendar is anticipated at the board meeting on February 8.
Superintendent Mike Miles, advocating for at least 180 instructional days, expressed a preference for 185 days with classes starting in early August. He emphasized the potential impact on closing the achievement gap in line with his Destination 2035 plan.
Miles stated in a December release, “We are making the bold changes required to improve instruction and help students develop the competencies they will need to succeed in the future. Having the DOI designation is long overdue and will allow us to accelerate our work in important ways.”
Here is an overview of the four proposed options:
Option 1:
School year starts on Aug. 7, with students’ last day on June 3.
HISD teachers conclude on June 4.
Various induction and preparation periods for staff in July and August.
Spring break from March 10 to March 14, with additional days for professional development.
Option 2:
School year starts on Aug. 12, with students’ last day on June 4.
HISD teachers conclude on June 5.
Induction and preparation periods for staff in late July and early August.
Spring break from March 10 to March 14, with eight professional days.
Option 3:
School year starts on Aug. 14, with students’ last day on June 6.
HISD teachers conclude on June 9.
Induction and preparation periods for staff in late July and early August.
Spring break from March 17 to March 21, with eight professional days.
Option 4:
School year starts on Aug. 12, with students’ last day on June 4.
HISD teachers conclude on June 5.
Induction and preparation periods for staff in late July and early August.
Spring break from March 17 to March 21, with nine proposed professional development days, including a Thanksgiving holiday break.
In a recent preliminary proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Disney disclosed that CEO Bob Iger’s compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, totaled approximately $31.6 million. The filing also hinted at an upcoming annual meeting, the date of which is yet to be announced, where a contentious proxy battle is expected to unfold.
Iger, who resumed leadership at Disney in November 2022, received a compensation package that included $16.1 million and $10 million in stock and option awards, along with a non-equity incentive plan compensation of $2.1 million. The base salary for Iger stood at $865,000.
The proxy statement emphasized Disney’s stance against the nominations of Nelson Peltz and James Rasulo, proposed by Trian Fund Management, led by Peltz and supported by former Disney executive Ike Perlmutter. Additionally, the company opposed the nominations of Craig Hatkoff, Jessica Schell, and Leah Solivan, put forth by activist fund Blackwells.
Disney explicitly urged shareholders not to vote for these nominees and instead support the company’s own slate for election. The recommended slate includes Mary T. Barra, Safra A. Catz, Amy L. Chang, D. Jeremy Darroch, Carolyn N. Everson, Michael B.G. Froman, James P. Gorman, Robert A. Iger, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Calvin R. McDonald, Mark G. Parker, and Derica W. Rice.
The proxy battle appears to be intensifying, with activist investor Nelson Peltz persistently pursuing a seat on Disney’s board. Despite a previous retreat following Disney’s restructuring announcement, Peltz seems determined this time. The company has highlighted Perlmutter’s “longstanding personal agenda against” Iger, indicating underlying tensions.
In response to Peltz’s nomination, Disney cited concerns, stating that Peltz had not presented a single strategic idea for Disney during his two-year quest for a board seat. The company also raised doubts about Peltz’s lack of experience in a creatively-driven business focused on delivering unique customer experiences.
Similarly, Disney criticized James Rasulo as a candidate, pointing out his eight-year absence from executive roles in public companies. The company argued that Rasulo’s outdated perspective on the rapidly evolving media business and technology landscape could be detrimental to Disney’s strategic transformation.
The proxy statement further outlined concerns about Rasulo’s close relationship with Perlmutter and the fact that he was passed over for CEO in 2015, potentially hindering constructive collaboration with Iger and other Disney executives.
As the proxy battle unfolds, shareholder votes will ultimately determine the composition of Disney’s board. In a strategic move, Disney secured support from activist investor ValueAct Capital Management, pledging to back the company’s board nominees. The upcoming annual meeting promises to be a pivotal event, shaping the future leadership of the entertainment giant.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a premium credit card that offers flexible rewards on travel, dining, and other categories. The card also comes with several perks and benefits that can enhance your travel experience and protect your purchases. But is the card worth the $95 annual fee? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Generous welcome bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, the online portal where you can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.
You can also transfer your points to one of the 13 airline and hotel partners, such as United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott, at a 1:1 ratio. This can potentially increase the value of your points, depending on how you use them.
High rewards rate: The card earns 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. You can also earn 5 points per dollar on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points).
You can earn 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), and select streaming services (Apple Music, Apple TV, Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Paramount+, Peacock, Showtime, SiriusXM, Sling, Spotify, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV and Vudu).
You can earn 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are flexible and valuable, as they can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to various airline and hotel partners.
Travel and purchase benefits: The card has no foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when you travel abroad. The card also offers baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, and access to the Global Assist Hotline. Plus, you can get up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
You can also get up to $10 in Uber Cash monthly, which can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Additionally, you can get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel.
Cons of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card
Annual fee: The card has a $95 annual fee, which is not waived for the first year. This means you need to spend enough on the card and use the credits and benefits to justify the cost. If you don’t travel or dine out frequently, you may be better off with a lower-fee or no-fee card that still offers rewards on everyday spending.
Limited bonus categories: The card only offers bonus points on travel, dining, online groceries, and select streaming services. If you spend a lot on other categories, such as gas, entertainment, or online shopping, you may not earn as many points as you would with a card that has more diverse bonus categories. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.
Lower rewards value for non-travel options: The card’s rewards are best redeemed for travel, either through Chase Ultimate Rewards or by transferring to partners. If you prefer to use your points for other options, such as statement credits or gift cards, you may get a lower value per point. For example, 10,000 points are worth $100 in travel, but only $60 in statement credits or $70 in gift cards.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great option for travelers who want to earn and redeem flexible points for a variety of travel options. The card has a generous welcome bonus, a high rewards rate on travel and dining, and several perks and benefits that can save you money and enhance your travel experience. The card has a reasonable annual fee, but you need to make sure you use the card enough to offset the cost. If you are looking for a travel rewards card that can help you plan your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may be the one for you. If you are interested in the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, visit https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6j/HJ6WDTQ56W to learn more.
It was recently confirmed that Diddy would not be attending this year’s Grammys despite his ‘Love Album’ project being nominated.
Images via Getty/Shareif Ziyadat & Getty/Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images
50 Cent isn’t letting a single Diddy headline pass him by without offering some commentary of his own.
The latest example of this sees the Power executive producer responding to news that Diddy would indeed be skipping the upcoming Grammys ceremony following abuse allegations. Diddy’s The Love Album: Off the Grid is nominated this year for Best Progressive R&B Album; however, his reps recently confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he would not be in attendance.
“Wait puff I think you should go,” 50 wrote on Instagram this week, as seen below. “[T]hey not gonna give you no trophy LMAO get the fvck outta here.”
As noted above, this is far from the first time 50 has publicly mocked Diddy over the recent wave of allegations against him. In December, for example, 50 shared a series of IG updates aimed at Diddy, including one in response to what was then speculation about the status of the Bad Boy Records founder’s invitation from the Recording Academy.
“Every day there is something new,” 50 said at the time.
Diddy was sued last November by Cassie, who accused him of rape. That suit was quickly settled, though Diddy was later accused of assault by additional women. In a statement, Diddy denied the allegations.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he said in December. “I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”
Walmart is being sued by a man in Texas who’s asking to be awarded with either $100 million or the privilege of cost-free shopping for the rest of his life. Notably, the man in question previously pursued legal action against Walmart back in 2021, resulting in a quickly dismissed case.
Per a report from KXAS-TV, Roderick Jackson filed a pair of complaints in court in Arkansas earlier this month, where Walmart is headquartered. In the handwritten complaints, viewed by Complex, Jackson says he is “sewing [sic] for false pretense of shoplifting.”
One complaint’s cause of action is listed as the Civil Rights Act, while the other lists “other civil rights.” The alleged incident is claimed to have taken place at a Walmart in the Omaha, Nebraska area.
As for what Jackson is asking for in his legal action, that comes down to either $100 million in damages or “unlimited free lifetime shopping at any Walmart,” per one handwritten complaint. The latter demand is alternately worded as “lifetime shopping (free) at any Walmart stores” in the other complaint.
Worth noting is that Jackson previously filed a nearly identical lawsuit against Walmart back in 2021 based on the same allegations. That suit was quickly dismissed, a Walmart spokesperson noted in a statement to NBC News on Thursday. The rep added that Walmart will defend itself “against the allegations” once the company has been “properly served.”
Although this isn’t the first time legal action against Walmart has made headlines, the 2021 claims at the center of this latest story did not garner much attention in connection with the originally dismissed suit.
