After multiple rounds of voting and with more than 12 million votes cast, Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis has beat out Michael Vick to appear on the cover of Madden 2012. Some speculate that the win was a ploy to keep controversial Michael Vick off the cover, but it was really the fans who made it happen. With an overwhelming response from both Cleveland fans and Arkansas fans, it goes to show that Hillis has a loyal fan base from both his college and professional careers. Over a million votes were cast in the final round alone with Hillis receiving 66% of them, gaining him the victory.
However, this accomplishment comes with some caution. There is a “Madden curse” that all Cleveland fans are hoping ends with Hillis. In the past, those players who bear the cover of the Madden games fall victim to a season-ending, and sometimes career-ending, injury. Let’s hope that the Cleveland Browns can end this curse and end any other curses that may plague our city’s sports teams.
Congratulations to Peyton Hillis and here’s to a healthy 2011 NFL season for our Cleveland Browns.
Britni Elise is a star on the rise. If you live in Cleveland, you have heard her name, her voice, or have seen her perform on stage. She is making a name for herself in the music industry with her singles “Hello” and “Satisfied.” She has also released a new club hit called “Rock This.” Not only is she extraordinarily talented, but she is equally as beautiful. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to ask her a few questions regarding her musical career and some of her favorite things. Here’s what the talented singer had to say…
NEXT has always been a front-runner in Cleveland for men’s fashion but now they are putting emphasis on their softer side of style by creating an in-house brand that is feminine, flirty and most of all reasonable in price. Check out the looks below.
Every time Lady Gaga comes to town, Cleveland Monsters go all out. It’s a time to dress up in costume, make a statement, and celebrate everything that is Gaga. If you don’t believe me, check out the outfits we saw at last night’s concert. Some people are so creative! I was so proud to see Cleveland represent.
Spring equals bling this season at NEXT. The accessories below feature brightly colored jewels, metallic shapes, and some of them even cover more than one finger. Don’t let your fingers go naked.
Last week ruleofnext.com featured an interview with a musician by the name of Antoine L. Dunn. Antoine and his band are scheduled to open for Avant at the Ohio Theater this Saturday, April 30. In preparation for the show, Antoine invited me to listen to them rehearse. I was excited to get a private listening session of the set he plans on playing this weekend. I was given the location which was a rehearsal space on the West side of Cleveland.
The building looked like a giant warehouse. Antoine met me at the door and we proceeded down what seemed like a never-ending hallway lined with nearly 100 doors. As we walked past the multiple doors, I could hear a different genre of music coming from each room. I felt like I was in a musical zoo with the melodies just screaming to be unleashed. Antoine finally opened a door to the left to reveal a room that was no larger than twelve by twelve feet. Waiting inside was a keyboard player, a drummer, a bass player, a lead guitarist, three back-up vocalists, a violinist, and the empty keyboard that Antoine soon stood behind. After a simple introduction, the band started to pick up where their rehearsal had left off.
As soon as the music started, the room was filled with notes and sound. The strings resonated, the bass reverberated and the drums pounded. You not only heard the music in your ears, but you felt it through your entire body. The vibrations were inescapable. The set was fluid with the transitions from one song to the next seeming seamless. I loved how the music never stopped. I couldn’t help but groove to Antoine’s song “You’re Real,” which features a saxophone solo by his back-up vocalist Reuben Marcel. The live version of this song has a Reggae style which differs from the version featured on Antoine’s website. The band includes a violinist whose strings are featured on “It’s Over.” The minute I heard the song performed, it spoke to me. There was a sincere soulfulness that anybody who has experienced heartbreak can relate to. Antoine brings not only up-tempo songs that make you wanna move but also has honest ballads that move you.
The few hours that I spent with Antoine and his band transported me to another place. It was like time stopped outside of that room. I was so grateful to have the experience. It’s not every day that I attend a private listening session with an international musician. The experience is something I will never forget and will hopefully experience again soon. Fortunately for you, I brought my camera with me. Antoine was generous enough to let me capture the moment, even though the live performance is incomparable. If you don’t have your ticket yet for Saturday’s show, you need to buy one today. If the videos below are the rehearsal, I can’t wait to hear the live show.
“She Pleases Me” by Antoine L. Dunn
“I Just Wanna Say” by Antoine L. Dunn
I would like to thank Antoine L. Dunn and his band once again for allowing me to sit in on their rehearsal.
You can get tickets for the April 30 show by clicking here.
Cleveland artist, George Vlosich, is famous for using a childhood toy to create intricate works of art. He creates detailed pictures with careful turns of the knobs of an Etch-a-Sketch.
In honor of this Friday’s Royal Wedding, Vlosich has created a picture of Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. Word of this impressive work of art has made it as far as London’s Daily Mail and other publications in the UK. The picture, which was created in three weeks, was a composite of about 25 photographs of the famous couple.
See the progression and the final product below.
Story and pictures-courtesy of Yahoo! News. Read the entire article here.
It doesn’t take long to realize that NEXT is the place for shorts. Just take a look at these Spring looks featuring G Star Raw and 10 Deep. It’s time to do some Spring cleaning to that wardrobe so you make room for these new favorites. Check out this fresh gear for men available at NEXT.
Scroll over the picture to see which brands are featured.
Click on the photo to take a better look.
Special thanks to Marvelle for modeling these looks.
NEXT Beachwood is home to a variety of great footwear for men. This selection includes Wolverine 1000 Mile boots. These boots have been spotted on the feet of some very high-profile people. The great thing about these boots is that they can be dressed up with a suit, or made more casual with jeans (as seen below). You can’t go wrong with a versatile boot that can be worn at the office and in the club. Come to NEXT and get a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots so you look as stylish as these celebrities.
Scroll over the pictures to reveal the celebrity and the source of each picture. Click on the photos to get a better look.
Zdenko Zovkic, owner of Cleveland’s XO restaurant, celebrated his birthday this weekend at Fortress Nightclub. Check out the pictures from the party. You may see some familiar faces.
