Entertainment News

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Singer Cee Lo Green said on Friday he did not want to be a judge on upcoming new TV talent show "The X Factor" because he saw little fresh in the concept.

But the 36-year-old American soul and R&B singer of recent hit, "Forget You," said yes to a job as one of four celebrity coaches on rival new singing show "The Voice" because it felt fresh and positive, he told reporters.

"I knew the name and I knew the parties involved," Green said of "X Factor" the new U.S. venture by former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, which comes to Fox television in the fall of 2011.

"But as an enterprise, I didn't see what made it distinctive enough. It kind of seemed like shows like 'Idol' had run their course.

"And I liked this one better," Green said of "The Voice".

Green joins Christina Aguilera, country star Blake Shelton, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine as the mentor-judges on "The Voice, which comes to NBC on April 26.

It is the latest in a string of TV singing contests in a crowded market dominated by the Fox network's 10 year-old "American Idol" -- the most-watched show in the United States.

Cowell has yet to complete his much-discussed lineup of judges for "X Factor" but has said he and record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid will be part of the panel.

"The Voice" brings a twist to the genre by having the judges turn their backs on contestant in order to judge only their voices. The four then vie with each other to persuade talented contestants to adopt one of them as a coach for later rounds.

Green described the show as "a great, fresh idea and something very productive and proactive."

In an apparent reference to "American Idol", executive producer of "The Voice" Mark Burnett said his show would feature none of the hopeless wannabes seen on other talent shows.

"Other shows have made great television of the comedy of allowing people to sing, who clearly can't sing. We made a conscious choice to not do that at all. Not one person who stepped on that ("Voice") stage was not good. You will not be seeing people step up for a joke," Burnett said.

"The Voice" will also occasionally see the celebrity coaches performing on the show. Producers played a clip for TV reporters showing Aguilera, Green, Levine and Shelton performing a rousing cover version of the 2006 Gnarls Barkley hit song "Crazy".

(Editing by Christine Kearney)

This team came together to create a musical powerhouse that's equipped to develop regional talent and catapult new artist to stardom. Contanek leads the pack and success has already begun.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 15, 2011

It was announced today, the new female rapper from the South CONTANEK reaches Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales Chart with her dance floor hit “Tootsy Pop”. The music from this young dynamic artist is exploding on dance floors throughout the South and Southeast and spreading across America. Contanek's chart topping new dance song has garnered her the number 6 spot on the Billboard chart this week. One might ask, who is CONTANEK?

Born in Columbus, GA, CONTANEK, is the hottest new female rapper out of the South. CONTANEK has been coined as "The God Mother"; the new upcoming Queen Of The South.  Writing all of her own lyrics and hooks, CONTANEK reps Georgia and she goes hard. Clubs and urban radio have embraced her, and “Tootsy Pop” can be heard on urban radio stations all across the US.

CONTANEK believes that “in order to be successful in the music business today, an artist must realize it takes business savvy and talent, and I'm willing to bring both to the table”. This female rapper definitely displays these qualities and more.

CONTANEK is the CEO of her own independent label DGF records and has teamed up with rapper, writer and CEO Johnnie Wesley ll aka Pinhead of FlipnFlava Records, both from Columbus, GA. This team came together to create a musical powerhouse that's equipped to develop regional talent and catapult new artist to stardom. Contanek leads the pack and success has already begun.

CONTANEK is currently the opening act for Trina in select cities through-out the South. Her newly released Maxi CD includes a video of the hot new single, "Tootsy Pop" this video is an instructional; where consumers can learn how to do the dance.

During the forth quarter of 2010 DGF/FlipnFlava records inked a world-wide distribution deal with the Chicago based distributor KES Music & Video Distribution. Through KES, product is made available to brick and mortar and digital retailers. DGF/FlipnFlava teamed up with National Marketing Advertising and Promotion Services aka NMAP to spearhead the labels marketing and promotion campaign.

For more information on Contanek or for Interviews please contact: Taylor Johnson 312-321-6256 or email: info(at)kesnetwork(dot)com

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Karvin JohnsonNational Marketing(312) 321-6256Email Information

Studio K (http://www.studiokorlando.com), an entertainment facility featuring the largest offering of dance and dance fitness classes for adults in Central Florida, and international fitness corporation, Anna-Rita Sloss Enterprises, LLC (ASE) (http://www.anna-rita.com), have partnered to announce that Studio K will serve as the official first location in the state of Florida to introduce the HOT HULA fitness® brand beginning May 2011.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) April 15, 2011

Studio K (http://www.studiokorlando.com), an entertainment facility featuring the largest offering of dance and dance fitness classes for adults in Central Florida, and international fitness corporation, Anna-Rita Sloss Enterprises, LLC (ASE) (http://www.anna-rita.com), have partnered to announce that Studio K will serve as the official first location in the state of Florida to introduce the HOT HULA fitness® brand beginning May 2011.

HOT HULA fitness® was developed by Anna-Rita Sloss. Born to Western Samoans living in New Zealand and after personally gaining weight, Sloss quickly began an exercise regime. She discovered the national fitness program, Turbo Kickè, created by renowned fitness personality and friend, Chalene Johnson. Sloss became a Turbo Kick instructor, and today, she develops fitness programs as well as continues to educate and to train adults and children. Her progress within the fitness industry led her to create HOT HULA fitness® in June 2009.

Since it’s release in August 2009, HOT HULA fitness® has grown from two classes to over 400 classes per month and taught by 300 instructors nationwide. The HOT HULA fitness® program provides participants with a total body workout in 60 minutes. The program isolates larger muscle groups, increasing muscular strength and definition to your core with specific emphasis on the abs, glutes, quads, and arms. Inspired by the dances of the South Pacific Islands, HOT HULA fitness® incorporates easy to perform movements set to the sounds of traditional Polynesian drum beats fused with Reggae music, resulting in a modern hip fitness workout.

“As a personal fan of Anna-Rita for many years, I am incredibly excited and proud to partner with ASE,” said Owner and CEO of Studio K, Kristin Weissman. “HOT HULA fitness® is a perfect addition to our studio line-up featuring 20 current styles of dance and dance fitness for adults in Central Florida. We strongly believe that HOT HULA fitness® will thrive within Florida, and to be the first studio selected within the state to feature and to train new instructors is an amazing honor. We look forward to bringing this new brand to each of the members we serve.”

Sloss will be instructing a Master Class open to the public at Studio K on Friday, May 20, 2011, and a certification training program in-studio on Saturday, May 21, 2011. For more information or to register for training, please visit: http://www.anna-rita.com/instructor-training or call: 407-238-0005.

“ASE is excited to team up with Studio K to provide HOT HULA fitness® in Florida,” said President of ASE Stella Escario-Doiron. “The Studio K team will once again prove that fitness is thriving in the sunshine state through the efforts of their innovative one-of-a-kind studio.”

About Anna-Rita Sloss Enterprises, LLC:

The mission of Anna-Rita Sloss Enterprises, LLC is to make a positive difference in a person's life every day by providing fun and effective group and home fitness workouts that ignite and support an individual's passion for dance, wellness and family, believing that everyone deserves a fun, healthy and balanced life. Since 2009, the HOT HULA fit

TFL Entertainment presents new single from OK-L.A. "She Da Baddest feat Super Jay" up-tempo club song accompanied by OK-L.A.s' "Lucy," a combination of smooth jazz and R&B.

Enid, OK (PRWEB) April 14, 2011

Jelani Ajamu Williams, creatively known as OK-L.A., was born in Los Angeles, CA, and raised in Enid, OK. These are the two major cities which have an extreme amount of contribution to the development of OK-L.A. This talented artist is setting the stage for success. With the dream of being one of the world's greatest MCs, OK-L.A. has had the opportunity to share the spotlight with some of the most successful musicians in the business. Founded by Leila Steinberg, Jelani OK-L.A. Williams recorded various songs as a group member of Swerve, produced and managed by Big Syke from Death Row Records. Under Big Syke's management Swerve released songs on various albums with Big Syke and the Outlaws such as Street Commando, Big Syke Daddy, thug Law Ch1. and Ch2. Since the break up of Swerve group members, OK-L.A. has written and recorded over 500 songs as a solo artist. From Jelani to Oklahoma to officially OK-L.A. With plans to buzz the hip hop nation with this exquisite library of music, we have an official statement from the artist himself: "It's My Turn/I'm Going In," says OK-L.A. This prominent freelance artist has taken over one city at a time from Lompoc to Lancaster, CA, back to Enid, OK. Currently OK-L.A. is formally represented by TFL Entertainment who plans to release this vast library of music one album at a time.

This former Thug Life Outlaw has gone solo. President of TFL Entertainment declares a meeting at the finish line. Represented by ThoroughBread Productions, OK.-L.A. released his first single march 7th, 2011, 'She Da Baddest feat Super Jay'. In stores now, check iTunes, Amazon, PureVolume, Jango Airplay, CD Baby, and Rhapsody for online availability. Also available at http://www.reverbnation.com/store/artist_1444503, download the latest OK-L.A. music for only $2.99. She Da Baddest ring-tone and clothing also available. Visit OK-L.A official store for more details. Mix-tape albums are being sold at http://www.whotune.com/okla . Unreleased songs available for download. OK-L.A is expected to launch a 2011 summer tour from Enid, OK, to Los Angeles, CA. Tour dates and venue locations subject to vary, visit oklanation at http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_shows/1444503 . You may also visit Facebook for details. A fan page is also available for your viewing pleasure at http://www.reverbnation.com/oklamusic. Join the Nation, get involved, you don't want to miss this.

OK-L.A. will be performing live August 29th at club Bora Bora in the Oklahoma City Hip Hop Festival, located at 2415 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 405-414-5788. Call venue for directions.

This Festival is a very unique opportunity that provides artists with the chance to perform for one of the industry's top executives, Amir Windom. Amir Windom has held executive positions at Bad Boy Records, Def Jam Records and Atlantic Records. Amir has assisted in developing the careers of some of today’s biggest stars such as T.I., Lupe Fiasco, Estelle, Bobby Valentino, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy and B. Rossi to name a few. Amir has helped sign 3 artists that have earned gold and/ or platinum status. Amir is also a music supervisor for Sony Pictures, where he helps create songs for Sony Pictures films. He’s worked on movies such as Spiderman 3, Why Did I Get Married, Why Did I Get Married 2 and Stomp The Yard 2.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to perform on a high profile event. In addition, artists will have the opportunity to participate in one on one consultations with Amir, where he will provide them with information key to the success of their career

Las Vegas resident Russell Pike has been involved in entrepreneurial pursuits in the Vegas entertainment scene for many years.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 14, 2011

Las Vegas resident Russell Pike has been involved in entrepreneurial pursuits in the Vegas entertainment scene for many years. It is with great excitement that he announces his intentions to back a Las Vegas based record label for emerging Rap and Hip Hop artists. Pike has worked with rap artists in recent years as a producer on their recordings. This taste of the business told Pike that Las Vegas’ talent pool needed a full time advocate for their success.

“Las Vegas is uniquely poised to become the center of the rap and hip hop world. The talent base in this city is unparalleled and sure to make an impact on the music industry. Our artists will stand up and let the world know Las Vegas is where it’s at,” Russell Pike said when asked for comment.

Russell Pike has long shown a commitment to the Las Vegas business community and been an advocate for furthering the arts and culture of the growing city. Pike feels the unique perspective the city endows on its residents creates an unique opportunity to leverage emerging artists as rising stars with a message to get out to the world at large.

The as yet unnamed record label will produce and distribute artists’ music as well as act as a booking agency for local gigs. It is Pike’s hope to partner with a larger booking agency for national gigs as the record label and its recordings grows.

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Sam JohnsonRP Media702-981-4655Email Information

LOS ANGELES – Jennifer Lopez isn't sure "American Idol" viewers will be calling in for finalist Haley Reinhart.

Lopez said the bluesy 20-year-old college student from Wheeling, Ill., didn't dial up her best performance with Blondie's "Call Me" from "American Gigolo" on the Fox talent competition's evening of film tunes Wednesday. The show's lone female judge was reluctant to criticize Reinhart because every eliminated finalist has been a woman this season.

"I don't want any of the girls to go home," lamented People magazine's most beautiful woman.

The show's other remaining female crooner, 16-year-old high school student Lauren Alaina of Rossville, Ga., fared better with Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" from "Hannah Montana: The Movie." Before taking the stage, "Idol" mentor and Interscope chief Jimmy Ivovine told Alania that he thought she was "a much, much stronger singer than Miley Cyrus."

"I love what you bring to a song, and I love more what a song brings to you," said Steven Tyler.

Paul McDonald and Scotty McCreery stayed in their comfort zones. McDonald, the 26-year-old performer from Nashville, Tenn., kicked off the show with Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll" from "Risky Buisness." McCreery, the 17-year-old high school student from Garner, N.C., kept it mellow with George Strait's "I Cross My Heart" from "Pure Country."

Stefano Langone's take on Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" from "Boomerang" incited Lopez to shout an expletive after the 21-year-old crooner from Kent, Wash., performed. Tyler was also silenced after Jacob Lusk, the 23-year-old spa concierge of Compton, Calif., sang Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" from "The Pursuit of Happyness."

"God bless you and your voice," boasted Tyler.

The judges provided a standing ovation to Casey Abrams, the 20-year-old film camp counselor of Idyllwild, Calif., after his jazzy rendition of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" from "The Boy with Green Hair." Ivovine originally pushed Abrams to perform Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" from "Risky Business," but Abrams took a stand with "Nature Boy."

James Durbin, the 22-year-old rocker from Santa Cruz, Calif., also faced off against Ivovine over his song choice of Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" from the film of the same name. The rebellion also paid off for Durbin, who was accompanied by guitarist Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society. His performance prompted Randy Jackson to repeatedly chant, "Durbin rocks!"

One of the eight finalists will be dismissed Thursday.

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Fox is a unit of News Corp.

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Online:

http://www.americanidol.com

CHICAGO (Reuters) – More than 2.6 million pregnancies a year end in stillbirth, a tragedy which mostly hits women in poor countries and accounts for more deaths than AIDS and malaria combined, researchers said on Wednesday.

A series of studies published in the journal Lancet by researchers from the World Health Organization and some 50 organizations in 18 countries offered the first comprehensive look at the impact of the problem around the world.

"Stillbirths are the last big invisible global health issue," Dr. Joy Lawn of Saving Newborn Lives/Save the Children, a lead author of the stillbirths series, said in an email.

"There are 2.65 million stillbirths a year - more than malaria and AIDS deaths combined -- and yet they are never mentioned in global health data or policy," Lawn said.

The studies found that 98 percent of stillbirths in 2009 occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and two-thirds in rural areas where midwives and doctors are often not on hand to offer skilled obstetric care.

The series of studies addresses stillbirth rates and causes in all countries, and challenges policy makers to act to cut the rate in half by 2020.

"Stillbirths often go unrecorded, and are not seen as a major public health problem," said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, assistant director-general for Family and Community Health at the World Health Organization.

"Yet, stillbirth is a heartbreaking loss for women and families. We need to acknowledge these losses and do everything we can to prevent them," Bustreo said in a statement.

WIDE VARIATION

The report shows wide variations among developed and developing countries, with rates as low as 2 per 1,000 births in Finland and Singapore to highs of 47 per 1,000 in Pakistan and 42 per 1,000 in Nigeria.

WHO defines stillbirth as a lost pregnancy after 28 weeks of gestation, or during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The most common causes are complications during childbirth, infections during pregnancy like syphilis, health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, fetal growth restriction, in which babies fail grow at the proper rate, and birth defects.

"Over half of the stillbirths occur when the woman is in labor," Dr. Elizabeth Mason of the WHO, who worked on the report, said in a telephone interview.

"These are really related to the care a women gets during labor," she said.

Many of the deaths -- 1.8 million or 66 percent -- are concentrated in 10 countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Afghanistan and Tanzania.

Rates of stillbirth vary within countries. For example in some Indian states they range from 20 to 66 per 1,000 births.

SLOW PROGRESS

Progress in combating stillbirth has been slow, dropping at a rate of 1.1 percent per year since 1995, lower than the 2.3 percent annual drop in deaths of children under age 5 or the 2.5 percent annual drops in maternal deaths.

While much of the burden is concentrated in poorer countries, high-income countries are not immune, with 1 in 200 pregnancies in wealthy nations resulting in a stillbirth.

Obesity, smoking and advanced maternal age are among the big risk factors in wealthy nations.

Rates vary in this category too. For example, Finland has a stillbirth rate of 2 per 1,000 births, compared to 3.9 in Australia and 3.5 in Britain.

In these countries, racial and ethnic disparities often play a role. In the United States, for example, stillbirth occurs two to three tim

Jennifer Lopez has been named People Magazine's most beautiful woman in the world.

The 41-year-old New York City-born singer, actress and current "American Idol" judge, joined former winners Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner and Beyonce Knowles to top the magazine annual list of the world's most beautiful people, the magazine said on Wednesday.

"I feel not worthy, you know? I feel happy and proud. Proud that I'm not 25!" she told People.

Lopez, who is married to singer Marc Anthony with whom she has twins, has a new album, called "Love?" due out in the United States in May.

Her single off the album, the dance pop hit, "On The Floor," has been topping singles charts around the world.

Asked by People whether she felt better now than aged in her twenties, she replied, "Yes . . . In my 20s, I just wasn't there in my mind and my soul and my spirit. It's just great to be in the position I'm in now and be able to share that with the world."

(Editing by Jill Serjeant)

LOS ANGELES – A 19-year-old "American Idol" studio audience member claims that she was barred from a front-row seat and told it was because of her weight, an allegation denied by the show's production company.

Ashley Kauffman, of Riverside, Calif., had complained to an audience coordinator at last Thursday's show that she was separated from friends who did get front-row seats, according to Manfred Westphal, a spokesman for producer FremantleMedia North America.

The allegations are "simply untrue," Westphal said Tuesday.

According to a FremantleMedia statement, Kauffman and five other friends were among the first to arrive for the show and were told that there were "six great seats" available, three in one row and three in another.

Kauffman was a guest of a Riverside high school dance troupe that has attended previous telecasts of the Fox show and received choice seats because of its enthusiasm for "Idol," Westphal said.

The group agreed to split up and Kauffman "did not sit alone or in the back of the house" as she alleged, FremantleMedia said. "In fact, she and her remaining party were seated just four rows behind their friends, directly in camera shot, in some of the best seats in the house."

Kauffman was in a row that included a VIP guest of judge Steven Tyler, Westphal said. They were a few rows behind the judge's table in a spot that has been featured on camera before, he said.

Hannah Solarzano, 19, said Tuesday that she was part of Kauffman's group, which traveled from suburban Riverside to Los Angeles for the show but hadn't met her before that night. Solarzano said she was seated next to Kauffman and didn't hear any insults being directed at her.

"Nobody started talking about the comment that was supposedly made to Ashley until she brought it up," Solarzano said. "I never heard those words except from her."

While she couldn't support her account, Solarzano said, it obviously stings to be labeled as overweight.

"You don't call a girl `fat,' ever. It's code," Solarzano said. "I understand how upsetting that can be. But, c'mon, honey, it's `American Idol.' You've got to move on from there. Big deal."

Solarzano recounted that she was singled out by a studio employee and told she couldn't sit in the front row because she was wearing shorts. Others in the group were taken aback, with one saying, "Oh my God, did you hear how she said that to you?" Solarzano said.

It worked out fine, she said. "I was three people away from Steven Tyler, so I wasn't complaining."

But Kauffman did, repeating several times that a male studio employee had told her she was moved back because she was fat and couldn't sit up front with the "skinny girls," Solarzano said.

When Kauffman subsequently complained online about her experience at the show, the audience coordinator that initially booked her group contacted Kauffman to discuss what had happened, Westphal said.

The coordinator told her there was no bias, that people of all "ages, shapes and sizes" sit in the front row all the time, and that Kauffman simply was being seated according to her ticket for the fifth row of the floor section, he said.

Attempts to reach Kauffman, including a message left at a phone number listed in her father's name, were unsuccessful Tuesday.

It's not unusual for cute young things to be seen gathered in a sort of "mosh pit" near the stage, gazing adoringly up at their favored contestant. That happened last week with deep-voiced country singer Scotty McCreery, 17, of Garner, N.C., who was swarme

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino has an exceptional lineup of entertainment and promotions throughout April including DJs Justin Case and Orpheus Digital at Club Warehouse, great hotel rates, the fun Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken game and REO Speedwagon.

Santa Fe, NM (PRWEB) April 12, 2011

New Mexicans have heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another that it’s time to get tickets to the REO Speedwagon concert at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino’s Tewa Ballroom. REO will play many of their hits including "Ridin' the Storm Out," "Time for Me to Fly," "Roll With the Changes" and “Keep on Loving You,” at Buffalo Thunder April 15, 8 p.m.

Recognized for their lush orchestration and power balladry, REO Speedwagon achieved commercial and critical success in the 1970s when they rode the top of the charts, selling 22 million albums in the U.S. and 40 million worldwide. They have had a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles including “Don't Let Him Go," and fan favorite "Take It On the Run." REO topped the charts again in 1984 with the well-known "Can't Fight This Feeling," off their “Wheels Are Turning” album. REO Speedwagon's music forged a path for bands like Kansas, Cheap Trick, and STYX, whom perform May 20 at Buffalo Thunder.

“We have an exceptional lineup of entertainment and promotions throughout April including DJs Justin Case and Orpheus Digital at Club Warehouse, great hotel rates, the fun Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken game and of course, REO Speedwagon,” says Kimberly Gonzales, Director of Marketing.

“We also invite everyone to take advantage of our great $59 room rates,” adds Gonzales. “And while they are here they can head down to our state-of-the-art gaming floor at THE most beautiful casino in the region.”

RED SAGE NEW CHEF DU CUISINE, NEW MENU, NEW SEASON Red Sage is pleased to announce their new Chef du Cuisine Michael Meisel, and his new menu. Meisel’s new signature dishes include organic house cured salmon; organic cast iron seared salmon with Morita spiced summer tomato sauce, bitter greens and slow roasted golden beets; oven roasted Alaskan halibut with sautéed shrimp, chorizo, corn, peppers and mushrooms with fresh tomatillo salsa; the delectable vegetarian Pueblo Garden; green chile pork enchiladas with Jalapeño bacon beans, yellow rice, house made crema, pico de gallo, avocado puree and the savory grilled beef tenderloin. RED SAGE RESERVATIONS: 505-819-2056. HOURS: Breakfast 7-11 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner 5 p.m.- close.

BUFFALO THUNDER RESORT & CASINO APRIL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE TEWA BALLROOM Friday, April 15, 8 p.m. REO Speedwagon Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m. King of the Cage Friday, May 20, 8 p.m. STYX Saturday, June 4, 2 Shows Jay Leno Thursday, June 30 Ron White Saturday, July 23 John Kay & Steppenwolf Saturday, August 13 Three Dog Night Saturday, September 10 King of the Cage Friday, Sept. 23 -Sunday, Sept. 25 SF Concorso

Tickets: Buffalo Thunder Casino Box Office, http://www.tickets.com, 800-905-3315.

PROMOTIONS Play Tic-Tac-Toe Against a Chicken Every Day April 9 – May 6, 12-10 p.m. Play Tic-Tac-Toe and win $50 FlashCash. Players must earn 30 points to play the epic match of man vs. chicken. The object of the game is still the same: the first player to get three marks in a row wins