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Happy Anniversary to the MJTP Magazine New Directions
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Yes, It’s Christmas
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A Very Special Conversation with Frank Cascio
CLICK HERE to read Valmai’s transcript of her conversation with Frank Cascio. |
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Meeting Michael’s Friend
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A Very Michael Fan Fest By Valmai Owens - I really didn’t know what to expect from the Michael Jackson Fan fest. I had read beforehand that his costumes and other precious items would be on display, and I was excited about seeing them up close and personal, but in reality, I had not given any thought as to how I might react or feel, standing amongst Michael’s personal belongings—things he had worn and touched and loved. I was unprepared mentally and emotionally for the impact this would have on me. Read More |
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My Immortal Experience By Lauren Trainor - I have not attended a Cirque show in the past and didn’t know what to expect, although I was aware that there would be a great deal of acrobatic interpretation as well as exquisite dancing because, well, the show revolved around Michael’s music….That night, we entered an arena glowing with a soft blue light, very excited and filled with anticipation. People of varying ages, cultures, race and persuasions surrounded us with happy faces, and an obvious intention to honor and celebrate an artistic genius and an extraordinary person. One has to experience this homage to Michael to understand how faithful his friends were in capturing his essence in the spectacle and grandeur that his music demands. Read More CLICK HERE to see a very special Fan Fest Photo Gallery |
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My Friend Michael: A Review By Lauren Trainor - Frank Cascio invites us to see Michael through his eyes and heart; someone who witnessed and shared that unique life for over 25 years. My Friend Michael, An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man further opens that door of clarity in a loving, loyal and honest telling. Frank’s story is but one stepping-stone on the path to clarity about Michael Jackson, the person. The truth-telling has begun, written in hardcopy and bound with poignant memories and beautiful photos; glimpses of a quarter century–friendship filled with love, respect, disagreements, anger, misunderstandings and reconciliation. The ebb and flow of an ordinary friendship that spanned a quarter century, leaving memories and lessons to last a lifetime. This is a beautiful story, an homage to a special man beloved by the world and by his friend. Extraordinary. Read Lauren’s entire review HERE To read the entire Anniversary issue of Dot to Dot CLICK HERE |
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Believe Foundation: Changing Kids’ Lives The MJTP is proud E-Ambassadors of the Believe Foundation. “Believe Foundation provides high quality arts programming to underserved communities. Emphasizing the universal appeal of great art, [the Believe Foundation] seek[s] to inspire inner-city youth to become the artists and audiences of the future. In addition to afterschool arts programming and summer arts institutes, the Believe Foundation is the guiding force behind the creation of the Los Angeles School of Arts and Entertainment, a public charter school slated to open in the Fall of 2012" Valmai Owens recently interviewed the founder of Believe Foundation, Gregory Smith. She had this to say: “Not many people in the fan community know who Gregory Smith is. For myself, I was not aware of him until a few weeks ago when by accident I happened upon his Facebook page. There, I saw a picture of him taken with Michael Bearden which piqued my interest and curiosity. Having interviewed Michael in the past, and finding in him a true sense of honesty and integrity, I knew that anything he was involved in would be something I would have no question in supporting. As I read a description of the Believe Foundation and what it stood for, I knew I had stumbled upon something that to me was a direct extension of Michael Jackson’s humanitarian legacy and empathy for children. I contacted Michael Bearden immediately asking what, if anything, I could do to help; how could I support this foundation. In turn, Michael put me in contact with Gregory Smith, a man with vision, dedication and heart, and the founder of the Believe Foundation.” – Valmai Owens To read Valmai’s interview with Gregory Smith CLICK HERE Learn more about Believe Foundation on their website. You can also visit their Facebook page |
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Portrait Update From the time the very first dot was drawn on the MJTP
canvas, David Ilan has been drawing at the same pace that people have been
joining the Tribute. Since he only added dots when people joined, there have
been periods of quick updates and periods of slower updates. David has decided
to draw ahead and finish the portrait. This means that dots will be placed even
before people join. This is exciting because the portrait will be completed much
faster. People who join in the future will be able to claim their dot and see
the area where their dot has been placed right away. To see what the portrait looks like currently, CLICK HERE. |
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Michael Jackson – A Vessel of Love and Healing As Thanksgiving Day came to a close I sat down to relax for the evening in my favorite recliner with a soft blanket covering me. Since nothing was on TV I decided to pull out my phone and watch some videos of Michael on YouTube. I started by watching tributes fans have put together – each one heartfelt in their own way… Before I knew it I had spent two hours immersed in watching Michael, feeling an extraordinary amount of love the entire time. Read More |
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O-Bee Fundraiser Winners Announced! Congratulations to Jorge Alcarez. He is the first place winner of the O-Bee fundraiser. He will receive an autographed, black hat personally worn by Omer in many of his videos. Dot member Nicole Pagani was our second place winner. She asked that we donate her prize, an autographed poster of O-Bee, to a child fan of O-Bee and Michael’s. “I would be so happy to share this prize, knowing that a US kid would be cheered up by it!” Thank you to all dot members who donated. |
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Tribute
Tidbits Update on Joshua
The XFactor USA pays tribute to Michael
Jackson Paula Abdul talked about Michael before the show. CLICK HERE to read what she said. They also had Cirque du Soleil’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” on XFactor™. CLICK HERE to watch.
Connect With Us
Michael's Christmas Message On behalf of the MJTP Team, we'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and may your new year bring you great joy! Be safe, stay warm, please keep love in your heart, and know that you are loved!
Linda Higgins |
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By Valmai Owens - It is hard for me to believe that
twelve months have passed since we launched Dot to Dot and published
our first issue. The year has flown by—it has been one of excitement and hope,
as it has been challenging and often painful—but we are still here, most of us,
united in our efforts of advocacy and in the continuation of Michael’s musical
and humanitarian legacy. A new year is almost upon us, and I sense a change in
the air, a momentum that will carry us into new realms of possibility. 
By Kelly Gallagher - I can only imagine the joy and
love while Michael watched his own children open presents on this day. And can
we even comprehend the beautiful music that he sang, teaching his children
Christmas carols? This, perhaps compensating somewhat for the lost Christmas
holidays he wasn’t able to be a part of. It must have been amazing at Michael‘s
home during the season of “good tidings and joy“! If you look closely at this
special edition of the magazine, you will find tucked inside a beautiful video
of Michael celebrating his first real Christmas in 1993 with Elizabeth Taylor! 
It’s not often one gets a chance to sit down and have a
personal conversation with someone who was close to Michael, especially one who
was as close to him as anyone could be, for over 25 years of his life. Frank
Cascio graciously and willingly gave up three hours of his time to meet with me
and Lauren, on a chilly, Monday afternoon in L.A. Funny, gracious, intelligent,
humble and sincere, Frank gave us an insight into his unique life with Michael,
and into the man himself, but we also saw and heard with our own eyes and ears,
the truth, honesty and love behind his words. It is three hours I will never
forget.
By Lauren Trainor - John Lennon once sang, “Life is
what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Sometimes, the
unexpected taps you on the shoulder and as you turn around, so does your life.
June 25, 2009 was, for me, one of those moments. Life continued, but with an
added passion to learn more about a lost presence that I had forgotten was here.
How better to understand and process a life than through those who shared that
life. It can’t be found in fantasies of the many who imagine they know; those
who assume, project and guess at truth. And now, I was to meet someone able to
speak with clarity about Michael, the person, because he was there, a firsthand
witness to that unique life.
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Source: MJTP / MJ-Upbeat.com
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