Dr. Mark Chavez, a doctor implicated in the drug-related death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, has pleaded guilty to charges in a Los Angeles court. Chavez, 54, admitted to conspiring to distribute ketamine, a surgical anesthetic, which ultimately contributed to Perry’s tragic death in October 2023. Chavez, who operated a ketamine clinic, sold ketamine lozenges to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who in turn supplied the drugs to Perry. The 54-year-old actor was found dead in his backyard jacuzzi in Southern California, with a post-mortem examination confirming high levels of ketamine in his system, leading to his death due to “acute effects”…
Author: John Kakusu
The Bunker, a beloved music studio in Sunderland that has hosted iconic acts like The Clash, Björk, and Billy Bragg, is facing a pressing challenge as it requires £30,000 to repair a leaky roof. Built in 1890 as a bicycle factory, the venue has served as a community music hub for the past 42 years, providing music tuition and practice spaces for aspiring artists. Director Kenny Sanger expressed the studio’s urgent need for financial assistance, stating, “We are not really good at putting our hands out and asking for support, but we need help. We’d hate to leave, but we…
A vibrant new art exhibition, Journey of the Blue Sun, has opened, showcasing the stunning sculptures and installations of artist Saroj Patel. This marks her first solo show, where she uses her artwork to take visitors on a journey from a small village in India to a new life in the UK. The exhibition, featuring an array of textiles, sound, and video elements, highlights collaborative pieces created with women from the Sunrise Multicultural Project in Banbury. Patel, who resides in Oxfordshire, draws inspiration from the “powerful” stories her parents shared about their migration experience. Reflecting on her parents’ journey, Patel…
The hip-hop community in Belfast is grieving the tragic loss of two young and talented rappers, Adam Woods, known as Woodzy, who passed away in 2022, and Rich Smicks, who died in July 2024. Both were just 21 years old, leaving behind a legacy of music and a deep impact on their peers. Durt Burd, a 23-year-old rapper from west Belfast, who collaborated closely with Rich Smicks, expressed his heartbreak. “He was like a brother to me,” Durt Burd told BBC News NI. “All I can do now is try my best to carry on his legacy the way I…
The theatre world is mourning the loss of Gavin Creel, a celebrated Broadway and West End actor who passed away at the age of 47. Creel was best known for his award-winning performances, including his Tony Award-winning role as Cornelius Hackl opposite Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly! in 2017. Midler paid tribute to her co-star on Instagram, calling him a “radiant actor” and expressing disbelief at his passing, stating, “I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss.” Creel’s talent extended beyond Broadway, as he also left a lasting impact on the West End. He earned an Olivier Award for Best…
The New Adelphi Club, a cornerstone of Hull’s music scene, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special performance by the very first act to ever grace its stage. Guy Gibson, who played at the venue’s opening on 1 October 1984, will return for this milestone event. Located in a modest terraced house on De Grey Street, the venue has been a launching pad for numerous legendary acts over the past four decades, including Oasis, Radiohead, and Pulp. Reflecting on his debut performance, Gibson humorously admitted, “I can’t remember a great deal about it as I had a few shandies…
In a vibrant and soulful tribute, hundreds of people gathered for a New Orleans-style jazz funeral to honor the life of renowned jazz musician Jeremy Huggett, who passed away in September at the age of 57. A colorful parade, complete with a marching band and umbrella-waving mourners, filled the streets, celebrating the legacy of a man taken much too soon. Huggett had deep ties to Bristol’s legendary jazz venue, The Old Duke, where he began working at the age of nine and performed every two weeks for many years. His wife, Maria Huggett, described the celebration as a fitting reflection…
More than 100 individuals are preparing to sue rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for sexual assault, rape, and exploitation, with some alleged victims claiming abuse occurred when they were as young as nine years old. Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, representing the victims, stated that his team will aggressively pursue the matter and investigate any individuals or entities involved in the alleged abuse. According to Buzbee, the accusations span incidents between 1991 and 2023, taking place in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, with many incidents occurring after 2015. The allegations include claims of date rape at parties…
A British musical that started in an 80-seat fringe theatre in London is making a giant leap to Broadway next year. Operation Mincemeat, which launched in 2019 and steadily built a devoted fanbase, will begin previews at the John Golden Theatre on Broadway on February 15, 2025. What began as a small production at the New Diorama Theatre, an independent theatre in London, has transformed into an Olivier and WhatsOnStage award-winning sensation. The show has been met with growing acclaim since its transfer to the West End last year, playing to packed audiences at the Fortune Theatre, one of the…
The music world is mourning the loss of Martin Lee, singer, songwriter, and a beloved member of the iconic pop group Brotherhood of Man, who passed away at the age of 77. A statement from PA News Agency and shared on the band’s Facebook page confirmed that Lee died on Sunday from heart failure following a brief illness. Brotherhood of Man became international stars after winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with their hit song “Save Your Kisses for Me.” The track shot to the top of the charts in over 30 countries and remains one of Eurovision’s most successful…