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Dancing from Malta to LA: DeeDee pushes the local dance scene to the US

Dancing from Malta to LA: DeeDee pushes the local dance scene to the US
Oct 19 2022 Share

Deedee Clark is one of the top Maltese dancers and choreographers as well as the co-founder of the group The Unit Collective who is currently training in Los Angeles. 

She has been going back and forth from LA since 2019, with a pause during COVID-19. But as of the beginning of 2022, she has been consistently dancing at the prestigious Millennium Dance Complex, also known as the ‘studio with the red wall’. It is currently the most famous studio for Jazz Funk and Hip Hop in the world.

 

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A post shared by Deedee Clark (@deedee.clarkk)

Back in May, Deedee worked on a prestigious job that was held in Malta with choreographers Barry Lather (choreographer to Usher, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Carrie Underwood), Jason Young and Paul Kirkland, which helped drive her to start the process of getting her talent visa in the US. 

She’s become a familiar face in Malta, having worked with artists such as Emma Muscat, Ira Losco, Destiny, The Travellers, Maxine Pace, Brooke and worked on shows such as X Factor, Malta’s Got Talent, Eurovision and Isle of MTV whilst also teaching a weekly class at Alison White Dance Studio.

During her time in Los Angeles, she was fortunate enough to assist Hamilton Evans, Dana Alexa and Hero Thomas at Millennium Dance Complex. This meant she also got the chance to sit in on creative sessions with them in preparation for classes. 

It’s always been a dream of hers to dance in Los Angeles and once she peaked locally, it was her sign to go. She has worked on the biggest shows and with the biggest artists in Malta and although she has a passion for it, she wanted to keep learning and progressing as a performer so she took the leap. 

Although Malta has gotten better, the lack of appreciation towards dance (and many other art forms) is evident. Dancers like Deedee still need to go overseas to continue learning and to chase opportunities that aren’t widely available locally. 

 

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A post shared by Deedee Clark (@deedee.clarkk)

She has said that she misses home but that she is also very proud to be Maltese and amongst the dance community in Los Angeles.

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Photo source: Max Russ. DeeDee Clark IG

eBay bans sale of Jeffrey Dahmer halloween costumes

eBay bans sale of Jeffrey Dahmer halloween costumes
Oct 19 2022 Share

E-commerce giant eBay has started banning the sale of any costumes related to Jeffrey Dahmer following the release of the Netflix series ‘Monster’, based around the serial killer’s crimes. 

eBay confirmed that it will prevent customers from buying any items related to Dahmer as it is a violation of their violent criminals policy. 

It was confirmed by an eBay spokesperson being interviewed by ‘The Daily News’ that all Dahmer-related items are in the process of being removed. 

The digital marketplace holds a policy which prohibits ‘items closely associated with or that benefit violent felons, their acts, or crime scenes within the past 100 years.’ 

‘Listings that promote or glorify violence or violent acts, or are associated with individuals who are notorious for committing violent acts, are not allowed’. 

This is a policy held out of respect for the victims of violent crimes, whilst also promoting safety, trust and respect within its marketplace. The series itself received criticism for not taking into consideration how loved ones of the victims might feel over the series’ release. 

eBay started to receive the same criticism, with one Shirley Hughes, the mother of a deaf and non-vocal victim of Dahmer, saying it hurts to see online stores profiting from her son and other victims’ deaths. 

‘If Netflix hadn’t streamed the show, none of the families would be re-victimised and then there’d be no Dahmer costumes this year’ said Ms Hughes. Dahmer was convicted of killing 17 boys and young men in 1992, with some cases involving cannibalism and necrophilia. 

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TikTok to launch ‘adult only’ options for users over 18

TikTok to launch ‘adult only’ options for users over 18
Oct 19 2022 Share

Popular social media app TikTok revealed that it will be setting up an adults-only option which will be restricted to those over the age of 18. 

The app shared the news that it will also be pushing up the minimum age requirement from 16 to 18 if they wish to go live on the app. 

This is a move aimed at shielding underage people from inappropriate content, with a statement by the platform saying that this will be a new way for creators to choose if they prefer to only reach an adult audience. 

‘We want our community to make the most of the opportunities LIVE can bring without compromising safety. We believe these industry-leading updates can further protect the younger members.’ 

Users will, from now on, need to be over the age of 16 to send direct, private messages. As of yet, TikTokers with at least 1,000 followers older than 16 can livestream. 

This will however change on November 23rd. Users over the age of 18 will be able to send virtual gifts or access monetisation features. Despite these restrictions, sexually explicit content will still be outright prohibited so TikTok won’t be going the OnlyFans route. 

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Young Maltese activist’s speech for action against climate change receives widespread praise

Young Maltese activist's speech for action against climate change receives widespread praise
Oct 18 2022 Share

During the recent EU Bioeconomy Conference in Brussels’ Charlemagne building, Maltese EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador Hailey Ciantar delivered an impassioned advocating for immediate action against climate change.


“If we continue on our path of destruction, destroying the land we are standing on, our voices will go silent, because no one will be left to scream. We are leading the way to mass extinction and the clock is ticking.”

PN politician and MEP candidate Peter Agius took to Twitter to praise the young activist’s efforts and passion for a just cause, congratulating Ciantar for being an ‘inspiration to all’.

A total of 15 youth ambassadors took part in the EU Bioeconomy Conference, with Ciantar’s speech being amongst one of the highlights.

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