By DAN AQUILANTE

June 17, 2004 - - SHE may have adopted the new name Esther, but it was the same old Madonna electrifying Madison Square Garden last night.

In a barrage of video imagery, campy dance routines and hit songs, last night's opening concert of Madonna's six - show Garden series was more artistic regurgitation than reinvention - despite the title of this tour.

That isn't saying the tightly wrapped "Re - Invention" extravaganza wasn't fun eyeball candy. But in most ways, this show seemed to be the old Madonna in a new bustier.

While the lightning bolt of musical greatness didn't strike the stage during the nearly two - hour concert, Madonna razzle - dazzled her way into the hearts of the devoted audience with an entertaining theatrical revue that was elaborately staged, costumed and cast with a full dance troupe that included acrobats and even a Mohawked skateboard boy.

The 45 - year - old pop legend sang well and looked great. And when it came to her dance - oriented pieces, she was certainly at her most compelling.

Yet, she was at her best when she performed her bare - bones strum 'n' hum "Like a Prayer." Madonna accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, and it was the one song where a feeling of soul came across.

An unfortunate cover of John Lennon's "Imagine," the low point of the night, followed that. She complicated it by playing it beneath images of desperately ill and dying children. "Imagine," one of Lennon's best tunes, was such a downer, it felt as if Madonna pulled the plug on the show.

With all that's been made of her new - found Kabbalist leanings - which inspired her new name - and shadowy spiritualism, it was surprising how little of that made its way into this concert. She took a lesson from her own song "Papa Don't Preach." and didn't gab about finding higher ground. Yes, video images of Hebrew letters and pictures of the Sacred Heart Jesus popped up, but the projections were more graphic design than evangelism.

In fact, that was one of the biggest problems with this concert. The songs and the staging often had little to do with one another.

There was an anti - Republican undercurrent here, but Madonna smartly voiced no criticism of the president or his foreign policy in words. Instead, she let videos featuring the ravages of war convey her why - can't - we - just - get - along message.

As for the notion that Madonna couldn't sell out the Garden anymore, the reports of the demise of her career were greatly exaggerated. There wasn't an empty seat in sight.

Madonna is getting the hang of this kiddie book thing.

Yakov and the Seven Thieves (Callaway Editions) is the third instalment of Madonna's five - book series for the publisher and it's the best, mostly because there is nothing Material Girl - ish about it. (Her first book, the rather boring The English Roses, focused on a catty group of girls illustrated in a very fashion - forward manner.)

The fairy - tale artwork in Yakov, by Russian painter Gennady Spirin, brings authenticity to the story about a sick boy, desperate dad and wise old man in an eastern European village in the 18th century.

Madonna, who cites the influence of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, in all her books, says Yakov was inspired by the Baal Shem Tov, a Ukrainian teacher.

"It's a story about how all of us have the ability to unlock the gates of heaven - - no matter how unworthy we think we are. For when we go against our selfish natures, we make miracles happen, in our lives and in the lives of others," Madonna writes on the cover jacket.

While that's an exaggeration of how important and symbolic this book really is, the story moves along nicely and gets its message about redemption across without being too preachy. it's also appropriately written for its target audience of six - year - olds.

Yakov is the father of Mikhail, who is literally on his death bed. With few options left, Yakov goes to visit the mysterious old man who lives on the outskirts of the village and is rumoured to perform miracles. Unfortunately, the old man's first attempt to help the boy fails. He has an idea, though, to ask all the town's thieves, pickpockets and criminals to put their rather unusual talents toward a good cause.

Of course, being a children's picture book, there is a happy ending with a healthy Mikhail and reformed rascals.

And, it's worth noting that the only female scoundrel, Petra the Pickpocket, bears a striking resemblance to Madonna herself.

Watch Cynthia McFadden's exclusive interview with Madonna on 20/20 Friday night at 10 p.m.


Madonna's latest makeover - - motherhood and mysticism


Madonna talks with 20/20 about motherhood, mysticism, her latest children's book and her new concert tour. (ABCNEWS.com)
By ABCNEWS.com

June 16, 2004 Madonna, the master of self - invention, has come a long way since her "Material Girl" days. While she has no regrets about her moves on her climb to pop diva status, she tells ABC News' 20/20, "I brought a lot of chaos to people's lives, because of my selfish behavior."

In her latest incarnation, the wife, mother, children's book author and still - touring pop star says the ruling philosophy in her home is "pick up your s - - t."

Madonna may have made a career on rebellion, irreverence and sexually charged performance, but when it comes to her children, manners are important. "Even my children have to clean up their mess, clean up their rooms. Manners, thank you, please, take your dishes to the sink. I mean gratitude, being grateful, that is, that has to happen If it's traditional to be a decent human being, then I'm traditional," she told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden.

Madonna married film director Guy Ritchie in 2000. They have a son together, 4 - year - old Rocco, and Madonna has a 7 - year - old daughter, Lourdes, whose father is Madonna's former personal trainer, Carlos Leon.

Madonna says her favorite aspect of getting older is "getting smarter" and gives a rare glimpse of her private life with Ritchie. She tells McFadden she believes the key step to a successful marriage is "learning to apologize." She also shares one of the couple's daily rituals, saying that after her grueling performances, she goes in the tub and her husband talks to her about the day.

Call Me Esther

Madonna also speaks candidly with McFadden about her study of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbala, which she believes is "incredibly punk rock" and anti - establishment.

"Kabbalists believe in immortality. They believe that you can overcome death, overcome illness, whatever, so, it's incredibly good to be a rebel," she said.

Madonna also reveals that she has also taken on the Hebrew name of Esther, explaining that, "I was named after my mother. My mother died when she was very young, of cancer, and I wanted to attach myself to another name.

This is in no way a negation of who my mother is. I wanted to attach myself to the energy of a different name."

To Naughty Children Everywhere

Madonna also discusses her third and latest foray into children's literature, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, which hits bookstores June 21.

Madonna has dedicated the book to "naughty children everywhere," saying that, "Even the naughtiest person in the world, big or small, has the capability to do something good in the world."

Describing herself as "naughty child, number one," she espouses the power of prayer. "I pray every day and I believe that it is a very powerful way to communicate, to heal, to affect change."

20/20 will also air exclusive footage from Madonna's Reinvention tour, which comes to New York City's Madison Square Garden today.

From the Washington Post

By the time the skateboarder began riding a half-pipe ramp set up in the middle of the stage, there was no choice but surrender. The guy was soaring to the right, then to the left, just like they do in the X Games, and at that point anyone who wasn't already entertained into submission had to wave the white flag.

Still to come was a troupe of bagpipers, a tap dancer in white tails and a trapeze trio that swayed and contorted in unison. An hour into the Madonna concert at MCI Center on Sunday night, the realization dawned: Our Material Girl was never going to run out of material. Certainly not until she had wheezed new meaning into the word "concert." it's unclear what a night at the "Reinvention Tour" should be labeled, but the words currently available won't suffice. Madonna has created a new performance hybrid, one that lifts and blends elements of Broadway, Cirque du Soleil, Rock the Vote rallies, art installations, extreme sporting events, church sermons, disco dances and gun-spinning military drills. For a few songs, it even looked like a rock concert.

Here's the weird part: it's not a mess. it's actually kind of amazing. Pretentious and annoyingly preachy at moments, yes. Strangely devoid of titillation and almost tame by the standards of her naughty-naughty phase, sure. But measured in verve, nerve and technical wizardry, it's hard to leave this epic extravaganza feeling anything less than awe.

Just the seamlessness of it all is impressive. What's here - and what was repeated for a second evening last night - is a series of elaborate set pieces and costume dramas without a unifying thread, aside from Madonna's recording career.

You imagine that a horde of roadies, miles of wire and a bank of iMacs were needed to make the gears of this machine whir correctly, yet the whole thing unfolds, wheels into place and lights up without a hint of effort. Even Madonna doesn't seem to be sweating much, which is a miracle, and not just because the air conditioning at MCI Center was turned off for much of the show. (Safe bet that was the star's idea; she hates air conditioning.) She's onstage every minute except the time it takes to switch outfits.

The difference between this show and the last, the "Drowned World Tour" of 2001, was striking. That show seems standoffish compared with this one, in part because Madonna has finally worked through whatever issues prevented her from performing her earliest hits. "we're going to take a trip down memory lane," she said in one of the few asides to the audience. And we did. "Papa don't Preach," "Open Your Heart" and "Into the Groove" were revived, and Madonna treated those tunes like former friends with whom she wanted to party again.

As surprising, Madonna managed to sell a few songs from her latest album, "American Life," an absolute stinker that vanished shortly after its release last year. For the title track, she ran down a lengthy V-shaped catwalk that descended from the ceiling and allowed her to dance about 20 feet over the heads of fans near the middle of MCI. She ended that number by flipping the crowd the British equivalent of the bird. (It's the peace sign, only with the back of the hand to the recipient, if you're interested.) Either nobody realized it, or nobody minded.

Nobody seemed bothered by the antiwar, anti-Bush politics of the show, either. Every few songs, including a wistful take on John Lennon's "Imagine," there were photo montages of war-ravaged children, bombed-out villages and heavy artillery. At one point, a video showed a Dubya look-alike lovingly resting his head on the shoulder of a Saddam Hussein look-alike, as though the pair were waiting for a marriage license.

Gutsy? Not at this point, now that it's safe to stand against the administration and safe to rant about Iraq. Madonna would earn points for courage if last year, at the time of the U.S. invasion, she hadn't yanked the video for "American Life," which ridiculed Bush as a warmongering nincompoop.

No doubt Madonna was worried she'd get Dixie Chicked - that country threesome paid dearly for criticizing the president during a show last year - and maybe that fear was legitimate. But her finger-wagging Sunday night felt like catch-up, and it was turned into a "Miss Saigon'-style dance number that trivialized its own point of view. With the sound of a chopper thump-thumping in the background, her backup dancers, dressed as soldiers, crawled on their bellies as though in the middle of battle, then hugged each other as if saying goodbye.

Then the fellas danced around Madonna, now in her Patty Hearst get-up - camouflage pants, an olive army jacket, black beret. 'stop all wars," Madonna commanded, before she and the Madonnistas left the stage for a costume change. Will do, babe. Now play some of your hits, okay?

Sillier still, Madonna kept pushing Kabala, a Jewish form of mysticism that's become the rage with celebrities in search of spiritual feeding. Hebrew letters, without translation, flashed time and again, and Madonna sang the last several numbers, including "Crazy for You," wearing a T-shirt that read "Kabalists Do It Better.'

A veteran button-pusher, Madonna has apparently given up on the one button she pushed better than any other: sex. It makes sense that a mom of 45 would give up her bullet bra and skip the bedroom bump and grind that was a staple of her early arena shows. But "Reinvention" is filled with creepy screen images of naked bodies, all of them quivering and distressed through an editing technique that will be familiar to anyone who's seen a Marilyn Manson video. it's supposed to be arty, and at moments it is. it's also grim, especially if you're expecting a glimpse of the Madonna who made that porno picture book long ago. She's gone, and in her place is P.T. Barnum with a microphone and a glittering, age-appropriate corset. For a few tunes, Madonna even played guitar in front of her otherwise low-profile band, looking a lot like Sheryl Crow and strumming the bejesus out of the instrument.

Thanks to such interludes, the occasional darkness of "Reinvention" is overwhelmed by the dazzle of its expertly synchronized parts, not to mention Madonna's willingness to at least pretend to enjoy her audience again. She didn't come back for an encore, but she closed with "Holiday," amid cannon shots of confetti and a building filled with fans screaming so loud they seemed to forget the price of their tickets. And the best seats, for the record, sold for 3.

After reigning over the hearts of millions for quite some time, pop queen Madonna, has added another feather to her cap.

The 45 - year - old mom of two has been voted the best dressed woman by the Good Housekeeping magazine.

The homemaker's bible declared Madonna the leading fashion icon for women over 40.

"The great thing about Madonna is that she constantly looks good and constantly reinvents herself and sets trends," editor Lindsay Nicholson is quoted as saying by news.com.

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley was highly commended while fellow actors Helen Mirren and Judi Dench and model Jerry Hall were on the short list.

Hall's one - time partner, crooner Bryan Ferry, was named Britain's best - dressed man, relegating soccer star David Beckham to second place.

Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, the austere hosts of the television series "What Not To Wear" reproduced for an Australian audience recently by Channel 7 - were judged worst - dressed women. (ANI)

Music brings the people together for a special edition of Grapefruit

Grapefruit Promotions is pleased to present the Re - Invention Ball: the official Toronto launch party for Madonna's Re - Invention Tour and a fundraiser for Casey House.

The Ball starts spinning on Friday, July 16 at Tequila Lounge, located at 794 Bathurst Street (corner of Bloor and Bathurst). Doors open to media and special guests at 9 p.m., then to the public at 10 p.m.

DJ Aural and DJ Shane will take guests on a musical journey as they spin a career - spanning set packed full of hits, remixes, live tracks and classic album cuts. Grapefruit is also flying in Madiva - star of MTV, U.K. Television and peer of Madonna herself. New York's most infamous Madonna impersonator is sure to dazzle the crowd with some of her greatest numbers In addition to the theatrics, guests can also win posters, DVD's, gift certificates, clothing and an all - inclusive vacation package for two. Prizes for the event have been donated by Grapefruit's generous sponsors in support of Casey House.

Tickets can be purchased at Music Authority (95 Maitland St.) starting on June 18. Tickets are in advance and priced higher at the door. Tickets are very limited and are sold on a first - come first - serve basis.

For all the up - to - date information on tickets, sponsors, dates, Madiva and Madonna herself, please visit
http://www.shanepercy.com/madonna_event.htm

We wanted to remind you about the release of Madonna's newest children's book, "Yakov and The Seven Thieves". The book, which is beautifully illustrated by Gennady Spirin, comes out June 21st, but you can pre - order ahead of time and have it shipped directly to your door. You can also buy an exclusive t - shirt featuring the cover art, in both youth and adult sizes.

CLICK HERE TO PRE - ORDER

Below is a Q & A with Gennady Spirin

What was it like working on Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

The book was completed amazingly quickly. The idea was clear. The style parameters were set. I was able to render the characters without much difficulty - very naturally. Everything came together well.

How is Yakov and the Seven Thieves different from other books you've illustrated?

This is the first time that I worked with a contemporary author. This is not a classic, world - renowned story, but the idea has deep roots.

What message do you hope children will glean from Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

I think that children and grown - ups should see this book as espousing the importance of compassion. It also puts forward the concept that often the prayers of some of the most seemingly "bad" people are dearer to God than the prayers of the seemingly "good" people. The thieves? Prayers demonstrate real openness before God, and stem from feelings of unworthiness.

What is your favorite part of Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

I must confess that I look at the book as a whole and, thus, I do not prefer one part of the book over another.

What is your favorite illustration in Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

I cannot select anything in particular and have never been able to admire my own work, even if I am satisfied with it overall. One's admiration for one's own work can only bring disdain from the great Masters.

What about your style do you feel lends itself to Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

The stylistic parameters for the book were discussed and set from the outset. This story takes place in Europe, in the 18th century. It could have been illustrated in any number of styles, but we decided on Baroque. It makes the book dressier, but at the same time preserves the dramatic element and the psychological characteristics of each of the characters.

What was your opinion of Madonna before and after reading Yakov and the Seven Thieves?

I had, of course, heard of the author before commencing work on the book, but I am not a fan of contemporary music. I like classical music and jazz. However, my children are familiar with Madonna, and, overhearing that I was working on this book, they told me of her accomplishments and career highlights. Overall, she is a giant, so I felt somewhat uncomfortable initially. Irrespective of the Hollywood hoopla surrounding Madonna, it is not lost on her to notice simple, human actions, which is the centralmoral principle of the story.

What inspired you to want to illustrate children's books?

I remember that as a child I absolutely loved to look at books with pictures. How delighted and excited my young soul was to see the elaborate letters and illustrations of a new story. I was drawn to stories by their illustrations. A whole world opened up to my youthful imagination. And to this day, that world beckons.

Which artists and illustrators have most influenced you and your work?

Unfortunately, I cannot name just one person. My interests and tastes are broad and my work is influenced not only by other artists (and there is a legion of them), but also by different cultures, architecture, period costumes, and a mass of minute details and elements that have filled my life at different times.

How did growing up in Russia influence your work?

Most positively. First and foremost, I am a Russian soul. I am Russian Orthodox. Russia is my Fatherland. The list of Russia's great leaders, religious icons, writers, composers, artists and entertainers is what inspires me, and I consider myself supremely fortunate to be a part of Russia's rich traditions.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you can pass on to young artists?

To the young and not - so - young artists I can wish only great love. Love inspires great art, as well as life itself. Love what you do.

Your illustrations feature an amazing amount of detail. How long does it usually take you to complete a piece? What is your process like?

In art we are not dependent on technology. It is the process itself that is most important, and the creative process cannot be timed. Sometimes, I can create an illustration in 2 - 3 days, but more often it takes a week or longer. About my creative process: I don't do sketches. That way, I am much more focused on the creative process and the final product, and, for me, this is more interesting, because I am not worried about the many changes that may be requested and the work then proceeds more naturally, by the grace of God. Of course, I draw on many types of cultural materials while I am working - books, architecture, interiors, furnishings, costumes, etc. Yes, it is true, I love detail - it is a necessary part of the whole.

How do your own children influence your illustrations?

I work at home and I love when my children are home while I am working. I love to hear their voices. They are the first to see what I am working
on and I can feel when they are not pleased with something I've created. I also know when they are very pleased - which is the best reward I can
hope for.

Madonna's third book for children, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, illustrated by Gennady Spirin, will be released worldwide on June 21, 2004.

Special thanks to Callaway Editions

By Mark Guarino

The engine of Madonna's 21 - year career is reinvention. Look back and her lineage of videos and concert tours is lined with shifting selves - - from disco boy - toy all the way up to children's book author.

By naming her current tour "Re - Invention," the 45 - year - old is not so much trying anything new as she is, for the first time, collecting all her former selves and seeing if they can co - exist together.

Some call it nostalgia, but Madonna has never been that obvious. At the United Center Sunday, the first of four sold - out nights, she tried to make sense out of everything she's done in the past, but in the exhilarating collage, she demonstrated some previous lives live up to the present and a few do not.

Some reinvention was musical and on these songs, Madonna and her eight - piece band and core of dancers celebrated their durability. "Into the Groove," an early hit, was remixed with a more complex beat, rapping interludes from a recorded Missy Elliott and, strangely, a live bagpiper and drum corps. "Like a Prayer," part of her disco folk set, swelled with spiritual uplift with the help of a recorded gospel choir.

Unlike her dark and condensed "Drowned World" tour in 2001, this outing joyfully interchanged past with present. The best moments blurred images and toyed with mixed messages.

She and her dancers performed "Express Yourself," an infectious dance pop statement of individuality, dressed in military gear and twirling rifles. For "Burning Up," her earliest dance hit, and "Material Girl," Madonna posed as a serious guitar rocker, hitting chords and transforming the songs' adolescent whine into adult certitude.

The flow of imagery had its chinks when Madonna revisited weaker material - - notably "Hanky Panky," a vaudeville jazz send - up from "Dick Tracy." And no matter what you think of Andrew Lloyd Webber, his material ("Lament") doesn't sound good being sung when the singer is strapped to a fake electric chair.

Unlike the past, the show was not designed to provoke but was filled with more moments where she tried to present herself as a serious songwriter.

She slipped into that mode during the show's third act, a short acoustic set that ended with a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine." The choice may have been in protest, since Clear Channel Entertainment, her tour's producer and promoter, is the same company that banned the song from its 1,200 radio stations after Sept. 11.

But since she was singing in front of a backdrop of televised starving children, it's more likely she was using the song to signal her altruism. Her shrill rendition didn't do that. Instead, it felt like another reinvention, just that this one was empty and presumptuous.

The X - STaTIC PRO - CeSS exhibition has moved from a successful installation in Munich to Dusseldorf at the NRW Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft.

For more details on the exhibition which runs from 10 - 27 June visit the gallery website at
www.nrw - forum.de

Here is the official poster which is available to buy at the exhibition.

On June 4th, Yahoo! Messenger,a popular instant messaging service, launched Madonna Audibles. Audibles are expressive verbal animations that you can send to your friends through Yahoo! Messenger. Madonna Audibles are the very first music Audibles to appear on Yahoo! Messenger.

These audibles are caricatures of the Material Girl that display two distinct and popular time periods for Madonna-- the 80's and 90's. When a user sends a Madonna audible, they have the option of sending song samples of either "Who's that Girl" or "Ray of Light."
Everyone can check out the Madonna audibles and send them to their friends by downloading the All-New Yahoo! Messenger at messenger.yahoo.com