Sebastián Yatra to Make Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade This Year with Special Appearance

Sebastián Yatra will be spending Thanksgiving in the Big Apple.

The 30-year-old Colombian singer will perform at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in his career.

Sebastián YatraHe’ll host a special performance with a holiday choir comprised of Macy’s colleagues with members from Big Brothers Big Sisters on the Winter Wonderland in Central Park float.

His first involvement with Macy’s was during the 2020 parade, when he was originally meant to perform on The LEGO Group’s Brick-Changer float. But due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to drop out and his spot was given to the Goo Goo Dolls.

But Yatra isn’t the only Latino/a artist set to be part of this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Natti Natasha and Liza Colón-Zayas will also make appearances during the parade.

Hosted again by Today‘s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker, the 98th Macy’s Parade lineup is being billed as the largest yet.

NBC‘Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to air live on Thursday, November 28 from 8:30 am until 12:00 pm ET/PT. It will also simulstream on Peacock and have an encore on NBC at 2 pm ET/PT.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast is produced by Silent House Productions.

Here’s a look at the artists/talents set to participate:

Stars
This year’s Macy’s Parade will feature Bishop Briggs, Kylie Cantrall, Chlöe, Dan + Shay, Dasha, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Ariana Madix, Joey McIntyre, Idina Menzel, Natti Natasha, T-Pain, Rachel Platten, Lea Salonga, The Temptations, The War and Treaty, Alex Warren and Sebastián Yatra. Dance sensation Charli D’Amelio and ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia will perform. Jonathan Bennett, Liza Colón-Zayas, Tom Kenny, Ginna Claire Mason and members of WNBA Champions, New York Liberty with Ellie the Elephant will also make special appearances. This year’s official national broadcast will include performances from Broadway’s Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen and The Outsiders as well as the Radio City Rockettes.

High-Flying Inflatables
This year, six new featured character balloons will debut, including Disney’s Minnie Mouse by The Walt Disney Company; Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf by The Lumistella Company; Gabby by DreamWorks Animation; Goku by Dragon Ball/Toei Animation; Marshall by Nickelodeon and Spin Master; and Spider-Man by Marvel.

Floats
This year six new floats will debut in the Macy’s Parade including Candy Cosmos by Haribo; Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon & Paramount; Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line; Pasta Knight by Rao’s Homemade; Masterfeast by Netflix; and Wondrous World of Wildlife by Bronx Zoo. New specialty units for the 2024 Macy’s Parade include Strikes Again by Go Bowling!™; The Garriage by Nickelodeon, a whimsical carriage modeled after SpongeBob’s pet snail; and The Grannies Car from BBC Studios’ Bluey. Towed by Ram Trucks, the official truck of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the debuting floats will join a lineup of fan favorites including Santa’s Sleigh. Universal’s Merry Moment by Universal Orlando Resort, complete with stilt walkers, drums and dancers will also delight crowds.   

Featured Performances
Featured marching bands include University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (Amherst, MA), Avon Marching Black & Gold (Avon, IN), East Tennessee State University Marching Buccaneers (Johnson City, TN), Flower Mound High School Marching Band (Flower Mound, TX), The Lake Hamilton High School Marching Band (Hot Springs, AR), Sioux Falls Lincoln High School “Patriot” Marching Band (Sioux Falls, SD), The Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School (Morrow, GA), Macy’s Great American Marching Band (United States), The Carolina Band of the University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) and (Morgantown, WV). NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY) will also join the festivities.

Closing out the entertainment lineup are performance groups including Circus Vazquez; Riverdance (North American Tour and Academy), AUM Dance Creations (Bridgewater, NJ), Black Haus Creative (New York, NY), BOSS Kids (New York, NY), Indigenous Enterprise (Phoenix, AZ), Kilgore College Rangerettes (Kilgore, TX), MOVE NYC (New York, NY) and 700 talented dancers and cheerleaders of Spirit of America Dance and Spirit of America Cheer.

Trailer Released for “Real Housewives of New York City,” Featuring First Look at New Cast Member Racquel Chevremont

Racquel Chevremont is making her Real Housewives debut…

Bravo has released the trailer for Season 15 of The Real Housewives of New York City, featuring the 53-year-old Afro-Puerto Rican art curator and model who joined the cast earlier this summer.

Racquel Chevremont, Real Housewives of New York City,If the trailer is any indication, the ladies of the Big Apple will see their friendships tested in the upcoming season.

In addition to Chevremont, the cast for RHONY Season 15 includes the return of Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Brynn Whitfield. Meanwhile, Rebecca Minkoff joins the series as a friend.

In the trailer, Whitfield is seen having a go at Hassan over her modeling career. Whitfield also throws shade at “friend of” Minkoff over where her fashion line is being sold. Lyons expresses she has a crush on newbie Chevremont, who are both openly out.

One of the scenes that pops from the teaser is Lichy having a conversation with her husband where she says, “You have been lying to me, and it’s f***ed up.” Although it’s not clear who Lichy is referring to, the trailer cuts to a scene with her crying and saying, “And it’s rocking me, and I’m just not OK.”

Ahead of the premiere of RHONY Season 15 on Tuesday, October 1 at 9:00 pm ET, Bravo is hosting a fan experience at the Chelsea Factory in NYC on Friday, September 20.

The pop-up will feature a picturesque autumn apple orchard setting and offer attendees a taste of Bravo’s hit show through a larger-than-life photo experience inspired by the stylish cast.

The Real Housewives of New York City is produced by Shed Media.

Maria Becerra to Perform in Times Square as Part of Univision’s “¡Feliz 2024!”

Maria Becerra will be ringing in 2024 in the Big Apple

New York City’s Times Square is gearing up to host its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, which includes the televised ball lowering during the countdown to the new year, with the 23-year-old Argentine singer and former YouTuber set to perform.

María Becerra,

The tradition, which has been celebrated for 120 years now, will boast Becerra and Mexican reggaeton artist Yng Lvcas will perform a medley of their biggest hits at the Center Stage.

Becerra will perform at 10:04 pm as part of Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024! program.It will air live on Univision and the Times Square New Year’s Eve webcast.

Meantime, Yng Lvcas will perform a medley of his hit songs as part of Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024! Program from 11:02 to 11:07 pm.

Mariah Carey to Embark on 13-Date “Merry Christmas One And All! Tour”

Mariah Carey is preparing to spread more holiday cheer…

The 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, has announced that she will be embarking on her Merry Christmas One And All! Tour starting in November.

Mariah Carey“Yes, the actual defrosting has begun!” the singer shared via Instagram. “Announcing the MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL Tour!”

Carey’s 13-date trek will kick off in California’s Yaamava Casino in Highland on November 15, and will make stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia and more before concluding in New York on December 17, just a week shy of Christmas Day, at Madison Square Garden.

For those looking to purchase tickets early, Live Nation’s presale begins on Wednesday, October 4, at 10:00 am local time. American Express card members will have early access to the presale Wednesday through Thursday, October 5, at 10:00 pm local time. General on sale for the shows begins on Friday, October 6, at 10:00 am local time.

Last year, the five-time Grammy winner performed four Christmas shows — two each in Toronto and New York City — in mid December. She also launched the Merry Christmas to All! holiday special, which was filmed in the Big Apple’s Madison Square Garden and aired on December 20 on Paramount+ and CBS.

Mariah Carey Tour Dates 2023

Ice Spice Among Honorees at Party Celebrating Variety’s 2023 New Power of New York Impact List

Ice Spice will be making a special appearance in New York City…

Variety has announced it will host its annual New York Party on Thursday, October 5, celebrating the 23-year-old half-Dominican American rapper/singer, this year’s cover star honoree,  along with the individuals profiled in Variety’s 2023 New Power of New York Impact List.

Ice SpiceThe New Power of New York Impact List recognizes 50 creatives, executives and entrepreneurs who are making waves in the New York entertainment scene. From film and television to music and theatre, these artists and visionaries personify the spirit of the ever-evolving city and show us what New York offers to the global industry.

The party will celebrate Ice Spice’s meteoric rise over the past year as one of the most exciting rappers in music.

Her recent collaboration with Nicki MinajPrincess Diana” made history, marking the first time that a track co-billed by two women topped the Hot Rap Songs chart, since it launched 34 years ago.

Her second collaboration with Minaj, “Barbie World,” hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and soundtracked the closing credits of Barbie, the summer’s biggest blockbuster, starring Margot Robbie.

“Variety’s annual New York issue is a love letter to the Big Apple and the creativity that it inspires – this year we are thrilled to profile Bronx-born Ice Spice on the cover of our issue,” said Variety’s Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh. “Our story by Steven Horowitz is not to be missed, as it explores Ice Spice’s meteoric rise in music, friendship with Taylor Swift and recent collaborations with Nicki Minaj.”

Renan Ferreira to Fight Maurice Greene as Part of Professional Fighters League’s Big Apple Semifinal Fights

Renan Ferreira is preparing for a battle in the Big Apple

The 33-year-old Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter will compete as part of the Professional Fighters League’s final two semifinal dates in its return to New York.

Renan FerreiraFerreira, a knockout artist, will take on Maurice Greene in the August 18 main event, a heavyweight semifinal.

A lightweight semifinal between Shane Burgos and Clay Collard will headline an August 23 card.

Both cards will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The men’s heavyweight and women’s featherweight division semifinals will be August 18, with the men’s lightweight and welterweight semis set for August 23. The August 23 main card will kick off with an amateur bout involving Muhammad Ali‘s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh.

The PFL previously announced the men’s featherweight and light heavyweight playoffs, scheduled for August 4 in San Antonio. The winners of the semifinal matchups will fight later this year for the PFL’s $1 million divisional championships.

Ferreira (10-3) is coming off a 50-second knockout of Matheus Scheffel on June 16 in regular-season competition. He has just one loss in eight PFL fights.

Greene (11-8), a training partner of Jon Jones, went 1-1 in the regular season. The 37-year-old New York native is a UFC veteran.

Burgos (16-4) got into the playoffs when the PFL suspended Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio for not fulfilling contractual obligations in a lackluster regular-season bout. Burgos, who is 32 and from New York, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Yamato Nishikawa on June 23.

Collard (23-10, 1 NC), who also has boxing experience, went 2-0 in the regular season, including a second-round TKO of Stevie Ray on June 23. Collard, 30, is 5-2 in the PFL.

Here’s a look at the upcoming PFL cards:

Aug. 18
ESPN card
Heavyweight semifinal: Renan Ferreira vs. Maurice Greene
Women’s featherweight semifinal: Larissa Pacheco vs. Olena Kolesnyk
Heavyweight semifinal: Denis Goltsov vs. Jordan Heiderman
Women’s featherweight semifinal: Marina Mokhnatkina vs. Amber Leibrock
Nathan Kelly vs. Damion Nelson

ESPN+ Card
Chris Mixan vs. Eddie George
Abraham Bably vs. Anthony Wint
Danilo Marques vs. Satoshi Ishii
Laureano Staropoli vs. Ben Egli
Kaytlin Neil vs. Maira Mazar
Louis Sutherland vs. Daiqwon Buckley

Aug. 23
ESPN card
Lightweight semifinal: Clay Collard vs. Shane Burgos
Lightweight semifinal: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Bruno Miranda
Welterweight semifinal: Sadibou Sy vs. Carlos Leal
Welterweight semifinal: Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Magomed Umalatov
Amateur bout: Biaggio Ali-Walsh vs. TBA

ESPN+ card
Alexei Pergande vs. Shawn Stefanelli
Mostafa Rashed Neda vs. Korey Kuppe
Abigail Montes vs. Michelle Montague
Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. David Zelner
John Caldone vs. Nathaniel Grimard

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Five-Year, $102 Million Contract with New York Mets

Edwin Diaz isn’t going anywhere…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher, a star closer for the New York Mets, has agreed to a five-year, $102 million contract, pending a physical, according to ESPN.

Edwin DiazThere’s an opt-out and a full no-trade clause plus a sixth-year option in the contract, sources said.

The Diaz deal is the first nine-figure contract ever for a closer, and for the first time, it takes the position into the $20 million-plus range.

Diaz, who made $10 million this year, earned the big payday after a dominant 2022 season that saw him finish with 32 saves, a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings for a Mets team that won 101 games.

New York’s bullpen finished 10th in the majors in ERA, and its top relievers in innings pitched (Adam OttavinoSeth LugoTrevor Williams and Diaz) were among the 131 players across the major leagues who were declared free agents Sunday, the day after the 2022 season ended.

Keeping Diaz is a massive move for the Mets to start the offseason, as one of baseball’s top free agents is now off the board.

Diaz was part of a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners in December 2018, one that saw him and veteran second baseman Robinson Cano go to the Mets for a prospect-heavy package.

Diaz had starred in Seattle, leading the majors with 57 saves in 2018 — which tied Bobby Thigpen (1990) for the second most in a single season in baseball history, trailing only Francisco Rodriguez‘s 62 in 2008.

But his early tenure in New York was anything but successful. In his debut season in the Big Apple, he had a 5.59 ERA (seventh worst among relievers), 15 homers allowed and -0.6 bWAR in 58 innings, as Mets fans routinely booed him while on the mound.

Diaz has righted the ship since, culminating with the dominant 2022. And he’s become a fan favorite in New York, with the hit song “Narco,” by Australian musician Timmy Trumpet, played at Citi Field every time he exits the bullpen before an appearance.

Cardi B Releases New Reebok Collection Inspired by the Bright Lights of the Big Apple

Cardi B is lookin’ to kicks it in the New Year…

Following the popular Reebok x Cardi B capsule collection that dropped this summer, the 29-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar is releasing another collection, this one inspired by the bright lights of her hometown of New York City at night.

Cardi B x ReebokThe drop, called Let Me Be…In My World Nighttime,” comes with a new metallic Cardi B Classic Leather sneaker, as well as an entirely new apparel line-up.

Filled to the brim with luxe materials and bright color blocking, from tight-fitted crops and tights to oversized cargo pants, the collection is “built to carry any hustler through the after hours of New York City nightlife.”

The inclusive sizes range from 2XS to 4X.Cardi B x Reebok

The “Let Me Be…In My World Nighttime” collection also features the Cardi B Classic Leather sneaker in several new metallic colorways.

The drop also features a variety of footwear available in children’s sizes.

Shop the whole Cardi B x Reebok collection here.

Endemol Shine North America Options Aaron Sanchez’s Memoir to Develop TV Scripted Projects

Art will soon imitate Aarón Sánchez’s life…

The story of the 45-year-old Mexican celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and philanthropist is headed for the small screen after Endemol Shine North America optioned his memoir.

Chef Aaron SanchezThe Banijay-backed production company is developing potential scripted projects with Sánchez, one of the judges of Fox’s MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, whose memoir Where I Come From: Life Lessons From a Latino Chef was released in 2019.

Endemol Shine North America Chief Content Officer, Sharon Levy is leading development efforts alongside Flavio Morales and Lisa Fahrenholt.

In his memoir, Sánchez shares his personal journey, as well as the story of his mother, Zarela Martinez, who took him and his twin brother from El Paso, Texas to New York City at a young age, while she chased her dream of owning a restaurant in the Big Apple.

After overcoming many obstacles, Martinez rose to success in the NYC restaurant scene and is now credited with bringing sophisticated Mexican cuisine to America. After losing his father at a young age, he was sent to work with renowned chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans at the age of 16. He is now the chef and owner of Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans.

He joined MasterChef, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America, in season 8, and also joined MasterChef Jr. as a judge in season 7.

He is also creative director of Latin lifestyle online platform Cocina and has starred in series such as Chopped and Taco Trip and written two cookbooks and launched the Cooking in Mexican from A to Z podcast with his mother and is also a partner in tattoo shop and museum Daredevil Tattoo in NYC.

“It’s more important than ever to tell genuine stories of what it’s like growing up bicultural in America. We want to share the nuances that are unique to Mexican-American culture and honor those roots, while also hoping audiences from different backgrounds connect to the similarities we share – the struggles, the celebrations, the food, the comedy, the survival instincts… the relentless pursuit of happiness,” said Sánchez. “I came up at a time when food was making its way into pop-culture and cooking in restaurants was our primary form of creative expression, so having this opportunity to develop in the scripted space is something I’m really looking forward to. And I couldn’t be more excited to do it with my Endemol Shine family.”

“America knows and loves Aarón from ‘MasterChef’ and his myriad culinary accomplishments, but most people don’t know the amazing journey and the obstacles that he and his mother overcame to become pioneers of Mexican-American cuisine in this country,” added Levy. “He has truly lived the American dream and we are excited to now be developing his unique story into a dramatic TV series and exploring additional opportunities with Aarón.”

Pedrito Martinez to Perform at This Year’s Love Rocks NYC Concert

Pedrito Martinez will bring some love to the Big Apple

The fifth annual Love Rocks NYC concert will feature a performance by the 47-year-old Cuban percussionist, drummer, singer, dancer, bandleader, songwriter, composer, and educator.

Pedrito Martinez

Martinez joins a lineup that includes Sara Bareilles, Jon Bon Jovi, Gary Clark Jr., Yola and more, according to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.

The benefit concert for God’s Love We Deliver, which was founded during the AIDS epidemic in 1985 in efforts to deliver meals to vulnerable people, will stream on Fans.Live from the historic Beacon Theatre on June 3.

Jeff Garlin, Michael Imperioli and Bernie Williams will host the show this year, with special guest Tina Fey.

Love Rocks NYC will not only support and honor the work of the nonprofit, which is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year, but also NYC frontline workers who have been tirelessly aiding the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interested parties can sign up to receive a free livestream link here, but a donation to God’s Love We Deliver of $20, which equals two meals, is encouraged.

The star-studded lineup for Love Rocks NYC 2021 will also include Joe Bonamassa, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Emily King, Ledisi, Tash Neal, Fantastic Negrito, Ivan Neville, Robert Randolph, Nathaniel Rateliff and Jimmy Vivino. More performers will be announced at a later date.