Michael Jackson Lives On In 'Immortal' Tour

Cirque du Soleil show pays tribute to late icon with world tour.
By Uptin Saiidi

A scene from "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" by Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Cirque-Jackson

NEWARK, New Jersey — Music, dance and acrobatics combine in celebration of Michael Jackson's iconic life in the "Immortal" World Tour. From trapeze artists to acrobats and even a world-champion pole dancer, guests at the Cirque du Soleil show can expect a high-energy tribute to the legend.

The tour stopped for two nights in Newark, New Jersey, this past weekend (its 40th stop) and will open Tuesday night (April 3) at New York's Madison Square Garden, where it will remain through Thursday. From there, it will continue across North America through the summer before heading to Europe in the fall.

Having already produced the Beatles "Love" show in Las Vegas, Cirque is no stranger to musical tributes.

"Immortal" serves as a sensory explosion that starts on the subdued side and progresses in both spectacle and energy. More than 60 artists perform to 32 songs in a presentation that feels much like a concert with an ensemble of circus-inspired acts elegantly melding together. The stage is two levels with a long peninsula extending into the audience, where the majority of the acrobatics takes place. MJ's famed choreographic style was present in nearly all the numbers, and the audacious task of the performers was well-received by the audience.

The progression of the musical numbers moved seamlessly. The energy kicked into high gear with Jackson-like characters performing "Fanatics Medley" as Jackson 5 — one of them in MJ's signature fedora and another as a gold-suited mime. Jackson's youth was remembered in "Childhood" during which a recording of Jackson's voice referred to his early stardom as he sang, "Have you seen my childhood?/ It's been my fate to compensate/ For the childhood I've never known."

While the moving screens, elaborate stage designs and detailed costumes were impressive, one of the most awe-inspiring moments was witnessing what the human body is capable of during the pole-dancing number. Felix Cane, a two-time world pole-dancing champion, maneuvered in the sky dancing on a pole — with no harness — appropriately performing to "Dangerous," as the audience was captivated by her every move.

Another highlight was "Human Nature," during which the back screens were dominated by Neverland graphics and an image of a young Michael sitting on the moon. In front of the backdrop, a half-dozen artists wrapped in multicolored LED costumes soared through the air in sync, representing the constellations.

"Beat It" got the crowd moving while they watched performers in MJ's signature accessories, including his famous glove and penny loafers, dance in dynamic movement. A rock-infused duel between an electric guitar and electric cello capped the song.

After an elaborate performance to "Black or White," as the night seemed to be over and the audience slowly started spilling into the aisles, the lights illuminated one last time for an encore to "Man in the Mirror." The artists appeared to take a bow in front of exploding fireworks.

Have you seen "Immortal"? Share your review below!

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• Michael Jackson

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Engineers Topics: Computer Engineering: The Evolution of ...

While computers are now an important part of the lives of human beings, there was a time where computers did not exist. Knowing the history of computers and how much progression has been made can help you understand just how complicated and innovative the creation of computers really is.

Unlike most devices, the computer is one of the few inventions that does not have one specific inventor. Throughout the development of the computer, many people have added their creations to the list required to make a computer work. Some of the inventions have been different types of computers, and some of them were parts required to allow computers to be developed further.

The Beginning

Perhaps the most significant date in the history of computers is the year 1936. It was in this year that the first "computer" was developed. It was created by Konrad Zuse and dubbed the Z1 Computer. This computer stands as the first as it was the first system to be fully programmable. There were devices prior to this, but none had the computing power that sets it apart from other electronics.

It wasn't until 1942 that any business saw profit and opportunity in computers. This first company was called ABC computers, owned and operated by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. Two years later, the Harvard Mark I computer was developed, furthering the science of computing.

Over the course of the next few years, inventors all over the world began to search more into the study of computers, and how to improve upon them. Those next ten years say the introduction of the transistor, which would become a vital part of the inner workings of the computer, the ENIAC 1 computer, as well as many other types of systems. The ENIAC 1 is perhaps one of the most interesting, as it required 20,000 vacuum tubes to operate. It was a massive machine, and started the revolution to build smaller and faster computers.

The age of computers was forever altered by the introduction of International Business Machines, or IBM, into the computing industry in 1953. This company, over the course of computer history, has been a major player in the development of new systems and servers for public and private use. This introduction brought about the first real signs of competition within computing history, which helped to spur faster and better development of computers. Their first contribution was the IBM 701 EDPM Computer.

A Programming Language Evolves

A year later, the first successful high level programming language was created. This was a programming language not written in 'assembly' or binary, which are considered very low level languages. FORTRAN was written so that more people could begin to program computers easily.

The year 1955, the Bank of America, coupled with Stanford Research Institute and General Electric, saw the creation of the first computers for use in banks. The MICR, or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, coupled with the actual computer, the ERMA, was a breakthrough for the banking industry. It wasn't until 1959 that the pair of systems were put into use in actual banks.

During 1958, one of the most important breakthroughs in computer history occurred, the creation of the integrated circuit. This device, also known as the chip, is one of the base requirements for modern computer systems. On every motherboard and card within a computer system, are many chips that contain information on what the boards and cards do. Without these chips, the systems as we know them today cannot function.

Gaming, Mice, & the Internet

For many computer users now, games are a vital part of the computing experience. 1962 saw the creation of the first computer game, which was created by Steve Russel and MIT, which was dubbed Spacewar.

The mouse, one of the most basic components of modern computers, was created in 1964 by Douglass Engelbart. It obtained its name from the "tail" leading out of the device.

One of the most important aspects of computers today was invented in 1969. ARPA net was the original Internet, which provided the foundation for the Internet that we know today. This development would result in the evolution of knowledge and business across the entire planet.

It wasn't until 1970 that Intel entered the scene with the first dynamic RAM chip, which resulted in an explosion of computer science innovation.

On the heels of the RAM chip was the first microprocessor, which was also designed by Intel. These two components, in addition to the chip developed in 1958, would number among the core components of modern computers.

A year later, the floppy disk was created, gaining its name from the flexibility of the storage unit. This was the first step in allowing most people to transfer bits of data between unconnected computers.

The first networking card was created in 1973, allowing data transfer between connected computers. This is similar to the Internet, but allows for the computers to connect without use of the Internet.

Household PC's Emerge

The next three years were very important for computers. This is when companies began to develop systems for the average consumer. The Scelbi, Mark-8 Altair, IBM 5100, Apple I and II, TRS-80, and the Commodore Pet computers were the forerunners in this area. While expensive, these machines started the trend for computers within common households.

One of the most major breathroughs in computer software occurred in 1978 with the release of the VisiCalc Spreadsheet program. All development costs were paid for within a two week period of time, which makes this one of the most successful programs in computer history.

1979 was perhaps one of the most important years for the home computer user. This is the year that WordStar, the first word processing program, was released to the public for sale. This drastically altered the usefulness of computers for the everyday user.

The IBM Home computer quickly helped revolutionize the consumer market in 1981, as it was affordable for home owners and standard consumers. 1981 also saw the the mega-giant Microsoft enter the scene with the MS-DOS operating system. This operating system utterly changed computing forever, as it was easy enough for everyone to learn.

The Competition Begins : Apple vs. Microsoft

Computers saw yet another vital change during the year of 1983. The Apple Lisa computer was the first with a graphical user interface, or a GUI. Most modern programs contain a GUI, which allows them to be easy to use and pleasing for the eyes. This marked the beginning of the out dating of most text based only programs.

Beyond this point in computer history, many changes and alterations have occurred, from the Apple-Microsoft wars, to the developing of microcomputers and a variety of computer breakthroughs that have become an accepted part of our daily lives. Without the initial first steps of computer history, none of this would have been possible.

By?Rebecca Blain

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A First Time For Everything: A Treadmill PDR & A Baby Shower | Ali ...

Hello! Happy Monday!

I?m back in my beloved NYC after a whirlwind weekend of traveling to Boston, New Hampshire and back to Boston?and then back to New York.

Overall the weekend was wonderful ??there was great food, good company and a love-filled (and cupcake-filled) baby shower for my sister-in-law.

Festive! Sandwiches! Cupcakes! Lots of green and yellow!

But on my end, this weekend also came with many firsts.

Examples?

• The first time my plane seatmate yelled at me for ?wanting to sit wherever I want? (which was in my assigned seat ??or wherever was convenient for her).
• My first double-digit treadmill run. (Kind of. More on that in a moment, but I?m counting it as an accomplishment.)
• My first visit home where I made my bed every morning, did my own laundry and didn?t leave dozens of empty water cups all around the house. My mom hates that. I think she is excited that I?m growing up and stuff.
• Possibly the first time I woke up, wanted to run, realized things hurt and told myself ?it?s smarter that I not run today so that I can hopefully run for the rest of my life.? My maturity blows my mind.
• My first time throwing/hosting a baby shower.
• The first time I went home, talked to my dad about things like finances and taxes and didn?t leave the house in tears. Again with the maturity and the grown-uppedness. Money makes me panic.

I will expand on these things, because I know you?re dying for more information, especially about my near-brawl on board a JetBlue plane.

My trip to the airport Friday night was flawless. I took the Long Island Railroad easily to Jamaica Station, boarded the oh-so-smooth AirTrain and got to speed through security thanks to an Extra Legroom seat. Very fancy indeed. I even had time to eat a pre-boarding sandwich.

And then I boarded the plane ? excited and oddly honored to be in Seat 1A ??and I stood in the aisle while the sprightly (false) old man and woman presumably in Seats 1B and 1C emptied out their 400 bags, got organized and buckled. I stood there waiting to scoot through to my window seat, which I could have cared less about. I said excuse me, the woman stared at me and snipped, ?Yes?? ?Oh I?m in 1A, the window seat. Since you?re already seated there and buckled, I can take the aisle. I don?t mind!? (Truly I didn?t. It?s a 37-minute flight from JFK to Boston.)

[Woman rolls eyes in the most dramatic of fashions. Ali is confused.]

?No no, ma?am, you sit wherever you?d like, really. I?ll just get up and move seats.?

It?s all very odd, she makes a big fuss, there?s a huge line waiting to board the plane, and then some dude waiting behind me as I try to squeeze out of the aisle yells at me, ?People are waiting to board you know!?

Drama drama drama. Plane travel brings out the very best in people.

Now that you know that really good story, I would like to add that I actually kept my cool, smiled politely, and took my seat. When the plane landed, the woman turns to me and goes, ?Don?t worry, I?ll hurry off the plane. I know you?re in some kind of rush.?

Oh.

OK.

So that was Friday.

My parents picked me up in Boston, we road tripped it up to New Hampshire, we laughed, we bonded, and I was tucked into my childhood bed sometime around 12:15 AM.

I asked my mom to tuck me in, but she took one look in my room, said, ?It looks like you?re already tucked,? and moseyed down to her room. Thanks, Mom.

Saturday was gym day at the Feller house! My dad is a Planet Fitness member in nearby Concord ??a whopping 30 minutes from home ??and I was excited to join him for his Saturday morning routine.

Here is my dad at Planet Fitness. I told him to take the photo seriously because it was "for the blog." He is very good at following rules, as evidenced by this very nice photo.

Now if you?ve read this blog for more than eight seconds, you know that I friggin? hate the treadmill. It?s hard work and it?s a mental battle for me, but mostly I just get really sweaty and really bored and I can?t wait for the run to end. It?s not what I would describe as a ?great time.?

Still, I wanted to get in some double-digit mileage on Saturday since my running has been sub-par during the never-ending flu/Crohn?s/hip/knee/shin splint/tuberculosis saga. And so, I said I would run 10 miles on the treadmill, and that?s exactly what I did, besting my previous treadmill PDR of 7 miles.

It?s up for debate, though, I suppose, because I didn?t actually run all 10 miles at once.

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION: Does my treadmill PDR still count?

I started off with seven miles. My plan was to ?take it slowly and easily,? so as not to further aggravate the various injuries or whatever, but I was bored and decided to continually pick up the pace as I ticked off the miles.

Treadmill Take 1: 7 miles in 55:42, with a picture to prove it.

My stomach was feeling lumpy ? that seems like an appropriate word ? so I hopped off the ?mill, made a quick locker room bathroom stop (more convenient than Central Park!) and did some tricep dips while my dad got his ab machine workout on.

And then I went back to finish up and knock out three more miles.

The plan was to do three "cool-down miles" which turned into three "get these done as fast as possible" miles.

Yes, you can see my reflection in the treadmill. Probably my best look yet.

I will say that as much as I?d rather run outside, I am a little bit proud of myself for sticking on the treadmill for so long. I zoned in, played my music as loudly as possible and tried to entertain myself with people watching.

I also just like hanging out with my dad, and even though we didn?t technically work out together, we did meet up by the arm machines for some fun. My dad took pictures. Again, ?for the blog.?

"How much weight am I supposed to put on? 40 pounds? Is this supposed to be hard? I'm on Steroids."

"I AM A BEAST. I AM LIFTING 40 WHOLE POUNDS. ARGHH!!!" I'm glad this photo exists.

"OK, this is better. Dad, do these gym lights make me look pale? No? That's just the color of my skin? OK."

I think you get the point by now. I lifted, and have four photos to prove it. Great blogging. Someone get me a Pulitzer?for blogging?and gym photos.

So I did some running, some lifting and, believe it or not, some stretching. I wanted to hang out at the gym forever because there were so many pretty yellow and purple machines, but I had a busy day ahead that involved outlet shopping.

That was a success. Everything in the world was 40% off.

Question: How do I get my landlord to give me 40% off my rent? I?m starting to border on ?past-due? territory and that scares me.

My mom also let me drive, which was not scary for anyone involved.

I used to LOVE driving?fast. But after about two seconds of living in NYC and relying solely on public transportation, I quickly forgot which pedal is for the brakes. Good skills, I know.

We spent the rest of Saturday doing baby shower prep work, and by that I mean my mom made banana bread and zucchini bread and I ate a lot of junk food. Also, my dad showed me his ?really cool new toy? which is a camera that takes pictures of ?motion? in the backyard.

This is New Hampshire, people. Get entertainment wherever you can.

While there were no cool photos of moose trekking through our backyard or bear fights in the pool, there was one really cool shot of exciting wilderness activity:

Yes, Dad, this camera WAS a good investment. Really awesome.

If you look closely, you?ll see a wild beast moving by the bird feeders. His name is David. He cannot be tamed. Do not feed him.

I woke up Sunday really wanting to do another run. It was crisp outside, I had my compression socks ready to go and I had spent lots of time icing various body parts on Saturday. But I took one step out of my bed, my entire left side hurt, and I said to myself: ?Self, do you really want to run today, or do you want to run forever??

So I didn?t run.

I?m trying to be smart. I want millions of pats on my back.

I did still break half a sweat though, thanks to some Exercise On Demand.

A bassinet is the perfect makeshift "chair" for glute exercises. And yes, my left IT band is sweetly bruised from the Graston therapy. I think it looks badass.

I did 8-minute abs, 8-minute ?booty blast? and some sort of Latin Dance Fiesta Party Boom Boom Clap. It was taxing.

REFUEL.

The highlight of the weekend, and the reason for this trip home, was to throw a baby shower for Michaela, my sister-in-law who is adorably pregnant with a baby due on May 22. I?ve never been an aunt before, so I took this all very seriously.

No cupcake left behind.

Also, we may have gone a little overboard with the presents. My dad was not super impressed when we told him we needed help packing the car.

You're good at numbers, Dad, but I think your real skillz are in "car packing."

The shower was at Michaela?s neighbor?s house outside Boston, and everything went perfectly. At least I think it did?I hope it did! I know that I ate a lot and there weren?t too many leftovers, so to me that is a sign of a successful fiesta.

Me and Michaela and a bear that will be bigger than the baby for at least five years.

Plus, the fruit water was a hit. I was psyched about that.

It was all very spa-like?with paper cups.

Eventually I had to leave the shower to fly back to NYC, which was uneventful, and last night I got to be reunited with Brian, who finally returned from his Italian vacation. Thanks for coming home, Bri! I?m glad we are still dating despite my unhealthiness.

And I know you?re wondering, ?But Ali, while you were home did you have time to scour your childhood home for more Third Grade Ali journals? They are so fascinating.?

The answer is a resounding YES.

Oh good. Crafts.

My parents have saved everything I?ve ever done. Lucky them.

But not just Third Grade Ali. We?ve got First Grade Ali, too, who thought her writing was original when, in fact, it was not at all.

No, Ali, you did NOT write "Where Is The Bear?" Nor did you spell any of it correctly. Nice try. Zero points for originality.

But I have to give some credit to First Grade Ali, because she was super into religion and culture.

Oh you're having trouble with the translation? It's a HANUKKAH star. Kind of. Also known as a "Demented Star of David."

This piece of art is currently being negotiated for a major sale at an Indian Museum somewhere. It was inspired by Sacajawea and also Pocahontas.

OK, we?re all caught up now, I think.

I have no grand tales of a morning workout today. Instead I slept in?and didn?t shower. Don?t worry, I?ll sweat later, and I?ll tell you all about it in explicit detail.

YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS CONVERSATION: Tell me one of your weekend firsts! First race? First unexpected PR? First time forgoing a workout in favor of extra sleep (I?m fine with it)? Tell me! I?m nosy!

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