Category: Voice

Everything You Need to Know About The Fourth of July

July 2, 2022

On July 4th, the United States of America will celebrate its Independence Day. If you were born in America or live there now, this is the perfect occasion to celebrate the country in all its glory. Not sure what the holiday means and how to celebrate? Western Union has got you covered! Take a look below to learn everything you need to know about the Fourth of July.

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The History

All the way back in the year 1776 on July 4th, the United States was formed. Back then there were not 50 states, but thirteen colonies that claimed their independence from Great Britain. One of the country’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration of Independence and the rest is history. The country grew and grew to where it is today and Jefferson would go on to be America’s third President!

The Meaning

The historic meaning behind this amazing holiday is one of freedom and independence. It is a special time for Americans to recognize how fortunate they are to live in “the land of the free,” as it is sung in the Star Spangled Banner, the United States’ national anthem.

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How To Celebrate

The Fourth of July is quite an exciting and spirited time in the United States! One of the biggest ways to celebrate is by watching a colorful firework display at your local park or stadium. These beautiful fireworks light up the sky with colors of red, white and blue and help make the Fourth of July celebrations memorable for the entire family.

Before the firework display however, the real fun begins! Many families will take a stroll to the beach or head to the park for a mid-day barbeque. Others might find themselves entering a watermelon-eating contest or visiting a local Fourth of July parade, full of live music, cyclists and fun!

Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks Near the Philadelphia Suburbs

 

What to Eat

We mentioned that many families celebrate with a big barbecue and it is a feast you will surely remember! Some typical dishes you might find at a Fourth of July barbecue are hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, with a side of corn on the cob and Coleslaw!

For dessert, this is a great opportunity to flex your creative muscles and cook up something fun and festive! Many will bake fruit cakes in the shape of the American flag, while another fun idea is to enjoy red, white and blue popsicles that are fun to look at and even better to taste!

No matter how you celebrate today, the Fourth of July is all about spending time with family, friends and loved ones. It’s important to celebrate your country’s Independence Day and recognize the significance of your culture and its history. If you are recognizing the Fourth of July, make sure it’s full of family, fun and fireworks, too! How does your country celebrate its Independence Day?

Much Like Me

April 12, 2014

Much like me, you make your way forward,
Walking with downturned eyes.
Well, I too kept mine lowered.
Passer-by, stop here, please.

Read, when you’ve picked your nosegay
Of henbane and poppy flowers,
That I was once called Marina,
And discover how old I was.

Don’t think that there’s any grave here,
Or that I’ll come and throw you out …
I myself was too much given
To laughing when one ought not.

The blood hurtled to my complexion,
My curls wound in flourishes …
I was, passer-by, I existed!
Passer-by, stop here, please.

And take, pluck a stem of wildness,
The fruit that comes with its fall —
It’s true that graveyard strawberries
Are the biggest and sweetest of all.

All I care is that you don’t stand there,
Dolefully hanging your head.
Easily about me remember,
Easily about me forget.

How rays of pure light suffuse you!
A golden dust wraps you round …
And don’t let it confuse you,
My voice from under the ground.

Aline Lahoud A Brilliant Female Vocalist

February 19, 2014

By Mihran Kalaydjian, CHA

Consultant, Strategist, and Writer

Amazing performance by Lebanese singer Aline Lahoud.

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Aline Lahoud is a Lebanese singer and the daughter of well-known singer Salwa Al Katrib and producer Nahi Lahoud. She was selected to sing for Lebanon at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kiev, where the nation had been due to make its debut in the competition. However, Lebanon abruptly withdrew from the contest.

Not only can young artist Aline Lahoud sing in several different languages, she has also proven herself as an actress. Between 1997 and 1999, Aline studied singing and dramatic art. By 2002, she had graduated from university with a BA in Communication Arts, majoring in Screenplay and Directing Studies. She supplemented her singing career by acting in plays and directing short films. In 2003 she worked as assistant director on a full length film, Mes Cousines et Moi.

Aline Lahoud is to take part in a talent show in France, but she is no stranger to the public. She was the artist that the Lebanese broadcaster Télé Liban has chosen to represent the country in its planned debut in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. The country had announced Aline’s participation with Quand tout s’enfuit on 3 November 2004. After a withdrawal due to financial constraints and a new confirmation of participation, Télé Liban confirmed withdrawal alleging that the it was not permitted to broadcast the performance of the Israeli participant, thereby breaching the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.

She won the international prize at the Megahit festival in Turkey, in collaboration with prolific songwriter Jad Rahbani. The Lebanese selectors looked towards recreating the same winning combination on the Eurovision 2005 stage in Kiev.

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It seems I was the last to know that a Lebanese would be competing again on France’s The Voice, but I daresay the Lebanese candidate this year is probably the best so far with Salwa el Katrib’s daughter, Aline Lahoud. Lebanese people were surprised that she sang a song they all knew, in her mother tongue. French people were bewitched by her good looks and charisma.

The judges were all fighting to get ahold of her. She ended up choosing Florent Pagny, contrary to what everyone expected her to do by going with Mika, who’s of Lebanese origins. I guess it was a big risk for her to sing a style that none of the judges was familiar with, in a language that they didn’t understand, but it paid off big time with her as Aline Lahoud’s audition quickly became the most discussed The Voice audition this year with about 5000 tweets/minute.

Amazing performance by an amazing star. Aline Lahoud enchanted the Jury of The Voice France. WOW

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