It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Universal Studios Florida gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Universal, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well-”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very ”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of”
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Universal Islands of Adventure with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Palm Orlando or visit Universal Studios Globe, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Universal, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Universal, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Universal, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
While the documents don’t yet give any specifics about ride themes, they do say the maximum height for structures such as rollercoasters in the theme park area would be a whopping 115m (377ft).For those that find that hard to visualise, that’s taller than Big Ben, which stands at 96m, or 316 feet (and we’re rounding the heights here, people).The documents explain: “The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed Theme Park to compete with other attractions in ...
While the documents don’t yet give any specifics about ride themes, they do say the maximum height for structures such as rollercoasters in the theme park area would be a whopping 115m (377ft).
For those that find that hard to visualise, that’s taller than Big Ben, which stands at 96m, or 316 feet (and we’re rounding the heights here, people).
The documents explain: “The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed Theme Park to compete with other attractions in Europe.
“Although the Universal Orlando Resort does not currently have attractions up to this height, taller attractions are more common in Europe, where rides need to be taller to create the experience, as space is more constrained.
“Building attractions that are higher rather than over greater areas also makes the best use of land which is in line with planning policy.”
So how does that size up against other top rides across the world?
Well, it’s more than double the size of Universal Florida’s current tallest rollercoaster – the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which is 51m (167ft).
Currently, the tallest coaster in the world is the Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point in Ohio at an enormous 130m (427ft).
The European record holder is the towering 112m (367ft) Red Force at Ferrari Land within PortAventura World in Spain.
And the UK’s current giant is Hyperia at Thorpe Park, which is 72m (236ft).
The documents explain that visitors to the park can expect “blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars” as they come “face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains”.
And in a covering letter, Universal wrote: “First, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this stage, not least the people of Bedford, who have welcomed us and through their input during our pre-proposal engagement, helped us to craft a planning proposal that maximises the local opportunities that this unique project brings.”
Of course, we don’t know for sure that any of the coasters at Universal Studios Bedford will reach that dizzying max height – a graphic in the planning application’s Design and Access Statement shows a skyline concept and comparative heights (that’s Red Force pictured faintly on the far left, behind the dark black concept), which suggests they might not.
But here’s a look at some of today’s biggest and best thrill rides, both at Universal and beyond. You know, for fun.
Rides at the Universal Studios theme park near Bedford could be the tallest in Europe – according to the planning documents.
While the documents don’t yet give any specifics about ride themes, they do say the maximum height for structures such as rollercoasters in the theme park area would be a whopping 115m (377ft).
For those that find that hard to visualise, that’s taller than Big Ben, which stands at 96m, or 316 feet (and we’re rounding the heights here, people).
The documents explain: “The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed Theme Park to compete with other attractions in Europe.
Theme park lovers rejoice! A new theme park has opened in Orlando and rumor has it it's pretty epic. But how does this new Universal park compete with the other major parks in Orlando?Theme parks in Orlando continue to grow, and this time around, it’s something truly epic. The recent opening of Universal’s new theme park, Epic Universe, may just rival Walt Disney World in ways not previously seen. What used to be two or three days spent at Universal and the rest spent at Disney may now shift to full-week v...
Theme park lovers rejoice! A new theme park has opened in Orlando and rumor has it it's pretty epic. But how does this new Universal park compete with the other major parks in Orlando?
Theme parks in Orlando continue to grow, and this time around, it’s something truly epic. The recent opening of Universal’s new theme park, Epic Universe, may just rival Walt Disney World in ways not previously seen. What used to be two or three days spent at Universal and the rest spent at Disney may now shift to full-week vacations immersed entirely in Universal intellectual property (IP). But can this new park truly challenge Disney’s stronghold on Orlando tourism? And in what ways does Epic Universe embrace Disney’s legacy while attempting to elevate beyond it?
Beth Novak, an associate professor in Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies and an expert on theme parks and immersive storytelling, says the two giants are clearly influencing one another in an exciting and competitive way.
“The competition between Disney and Universal is actually good for fans. It forces both companies to innovate and create richer, more immersive experiences,” Novak said.
Universal, she explains, normally targets an older crowd, offering more thrill rides and intensity.
“Universal has always skewed older—more thrill rides, more intensity, a little more edge. Every fall they host their Halloween Horror Nights which have become iconic, and they're not afraid to lean into IPs like Monsters, which really shine in a spooky, immersive environment. But with Epic Universe, they’re balancing the thrill with story, and strategy with spectacle.”
According to Novak, who teaches a course on storytelling in theme parks—from immersion and technology to marketing and layout—one of the most compelling aspects of Epic Universe is its structure. Unlike previous Universal parks, which eschewed Disney’s famous "hub-and-spoke" model, Epic Universe embraces it with a twist. At its center is Celestial Park, with four immersive lands branching off: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Super Nintendo World.
“It’s a fresh structure for Universal, but with their own spin—lands are self-contained, immersive, and don’t blend. You have to return through the hub to enter another land. It's a design that enforces immersion rather than diluting it, and something Disney has done well for many years in their parks.”
Novak sees this layout as a serious leap forward, but the ambition extends far beyond layout. The park spans 110 acres, comparable to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, but it’s just a portion of the 750-acre area of land that Universal owns in which they could expand on. According to Novak, this speaks volumes to Universal’s long-term goal: to become the centerpiece of a full vacation experience, not simply a complement to Disney.
“What Disney does best is creates that ‘bubble’ that you don’t see the outside world. Universal is trying to replicate that now with Epic Universe, but in my opinion, they still have a way to go to truly create a space that takes visitors away from reality.”
Still, Universal is moving in that direction. They've invested in new resort infrastructure, transportation corridors and immersive storytelling. But this expansion also highlights one of the most pressing issues in the industry that Disney also suffers from: pricing and accessibility.
“It’s getting nearly impossible for a family to afford a trip to these parks. What used to be a magical experience has turned into a logistical and financial challenge. The industry is hitting a tipping point. People are starting to question the balance between the cost of a vacation and the value they’re getting. And so far, no one’s really figured out how to fix it.”
When Epic Universe was first announced, visitors had to buy multi-day tickets. Single-day passes are now available, but they come at a high cost with adult tickets costing $139 per day and children’s ticket costing $135 per day. Express Passes, once a luxury, are now necessary to avoid hours-long waits and can double the cost of admission. Similarly, perks like free transportation, FastPasses, and parking have all become paid extras as well.
This cost inflation isn’t exclusive to Universal. Disney, too, has introduced tiered pricing models and has removed previously included benefits like direct transportation from the airport, leading many fans to feel priced out.
And despite rising prices, both companies face backlash over underpaying their frontline staff.
“Of course, none of this innovation is cheap. Universal’s hiring a whole new fleet of employees to run the park. Disney’s facing criticism for undervaluing its cast members. Everyone’s charging more while delivering less ‘included’ value, and the industry's balance between profit and experience is starting to wobble,” Novak explained.
Disney excels at that immersive, child-focused experience, but Universal is raising the bar with its own tech-driven attractions. Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure showed they can innovate in thrilling, unexpected ways.
From a tech perspective, Epic Universe is a showcase of innovation. Attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge use augmented reality, while Mine-Cart Madness introduces a new “boom coaster” technology. These innovations speak to a generation of guests who want rides that are immersive, interactive and dynamic.
Even thematically, Universal is pushing creative boundaries. Dark Universe creates a creepy but elegant space that doesn’t rely on any single IP but incorporates various famous movie monsters like Dracula and the Wolfman.
“The new Monsters land is clever because you don’t have to love any specific horror film to enjoy it. They’ve leaned into atmosphere and world-building,” Novak added.
Meanwhile, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk taps into both nostalgia and timeless adventure.
“It might seem like a kids' franchise, but it's beloved by adults who were teens when the first film launched and the level of immersion is so rich that the IP almost doesn’t matter.”
The Harry Potter-themed land, originally planned to revolve around the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, pivoted to the Ministry of Magic, making it more aligned with what fans love most. And of course, Super Nintendo World arrived in Florida after success abroad, with fan-favorite design and interactivity intact.
In addition to the immersion within the attractions and lands itself, they have also added to the storytelling through new restaurants and bars that serve fun and themed food and drinks, adding to the experience and making for a captivating Instagram post.
According to Novak, this innovation war with Disney is far from one-sided and has been going on for years.
“When Universal launched The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney responded with Pandora and Galaxy’s Edge. Future plans for Disney also include a Villains Land and ‘Cars’ expansion at Magic Kingdom, as well as Animal Kingdom updates but Disney hasn’t announced an entirely new park and that’s what makes Epic Universe different, it’s not an update. It’s an entirely new world.”
And that new world may tip the scales. Disney has long mastered the art of keeping guests on property for three, five, and a lot of time seven days, but Universal hadn’t quite cracked that model until now.
Later this year, Novak will visit both Disney and Universal, including Epic Universe, and says she’s eager to see if Universal can replicate the emotional magic that defines Disney experiences.
“From a personal standpoint, I resonate more with the Disney IP and think it’s the magic of when tech and storytelling meet. Attractions at Disney like Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Beauty and the Beast Ride at Tokyo Disney give me that feeling—which can be rare. But if Epic Universe can bottle even a little of that, Universal’s about to up the ante for immersive experiences.”
Universal Music Group and UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music have announced the establishment of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship, in honor of the legendary founder of Motown Records, and in partnership with the UCLA Foundation. The scholarship,...
Universal Music Group and UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music have announced the establishment of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship, in honor of the legendary founder of Motown Records, and in partnership with the UCLA Foundation. The scholarship, endowed by UMG, will support high-potential students studying in the school’s Music Industry program. Each year, a student with exceptional promise and in need of financial aid will be named a Berry Gordy Scholar and receive funding for tuition, housing and other expenses.
“For more than 65 years, Berry Gordy’s name has been synonymous with artistry and the transformative power of music,” said UMG CEO Lucian Grainge (pictured above, right, with Gordy). “Through this scholarship, UMG is honoring his enduring legacy by investing in a new generation of young people who will help carry that spirit forward.”
UMG’s endowment “will help open doors for many more students and continue to pave the way for music to be a force for good and change,” Gordy added.
+ The National Independent Venue Assn. has named Audrey Fix Schaefer as board president. Schaefer is the longtime head of communications for I.M.P. and played a prominent role in the pandemic-era “Save Our Stages” act, replaces Andre Perry in the role.
“As Audrey assumes leadership of the Board, NIVA and our members are excited for her to continue the work she has led since our founding to elevate NIVA into an international brand, make us a part of critical national conversations relevant to our sector, and lead the way on state legislation,” said NIVA Executive Director Stephen Parker.
Schaefer added, “I’m remembering the words of NIVA’s co-founder and first president, Dayna Frank, who said in the throes of the pandemic, when nothing was certain, ‘First we survive, then we thrive.’ Together, we’re a force.”
NIVA also named two new members to its board: Courtney McClary Yug, director of operations at SBG Productions, and Gary Witt, CEO and co-owner of the Pabst Theater Group. Kira Karbocus, founder and principal consultant at Karbocus & Co., was appointed treasurer.
+ Sony Music Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston has joined the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s board of officers and trustees, while Jody Williams, founder of the publishing company that bears his name, was reelected to another year as board chair.
Executive officers reelected include Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill as president; Al Giombetti as executive vice president; David Ross as secretary; and Ernie Williams as treasurer.
+ Sony Music Publishing has announced the signing of Canadian singer-songwriter Noeline Hofmann to a global publishing agreement. The title track from her debut EP, “Purple Gas,” was featured by Zach Bryan as a duet on his latest album, “The Great American Bar Scene.”
Sony Music Publishing VP Scout Easley said, “Noeline is an exceptional songwriter, and she is already connecting with audiences in a profound way. Helen Lazenby and I are so excited to welcome her to the SMP family and to support her as she continues to make her mark.”
If anyone has earned a movie theater to be dedicated in their honor, it’s Steven Spielberg.The legendary director was feted on Thursday night at Universal Studios, where a state-of-the-art theater was dedicated to him. On hand were NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairwoman Donna Langley and a slew of A-list stars, there to celebrate his legacy. “It’s not just a place that is founded on his extraordinary legacy, but it is a place of future hopes and dreams of filmmakers, of storytellers who are going to take this company ...
If anyone has earned a movie theater to be dedicated in their honor, it’s Steven Spielberg.
The legendary director was feted on Thursday night at Universal Studios, where a state-of-the-art theater was dedicated to him. On hand were NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairwoman Donna Langley and a slew of A-list stars, there to celebrate his legacy. “It’s not just a place that is founded on his extraordinary legacy, but it is a place of future hopes and dreams of filmmakers, of storytellers who are going to take this company into the next 100 years, and the 100 after that,” Langley said.
The Steven Spielberg Theater is situated within The Commons, Universal’s new 84,000-square-foot building, designed as an homage to the roots of filmmaking by resembling a spinning film reel. It’s part of an eco-friendly redesign, called the Campus Project, in which Spielberg was involved.
Seth Rogen, Colman Domingo, Dakota Fanning, Jeff Goldblum, John Travolta, Vin Diesel, and writer/directors Ava DuVernay, The Daniels, Jon M. Chu, and Kevin Williamson were on hand. So, too, were Goonies stars Ke Huy Quan and Jeff Cohen. Spielberg’s legacy is such that you could single out just his work for Universal, and you’d have one of the most remarkable runs in movie history. Spielberg is credited with almost single-handedly creating the summer blockbuster era thanks to his Universal thriller Jaws, which premiered on June 20, 1975, and went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time at that point, with a domestic box office gross of $260.7 million. Going forward, summer would be the season that studios trotted out some of their biggest, splashiest tentpoles.
Spielberg has directed more than 30 feature films, including some of the most iconic titles of all time. For Universal alone, those include two sci-fi game changers, his 1982 blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and his 1993 stunner Jurassic Park. He followed Jurassic Park with another film for Universal, his 1994 drama, Schindler’s List, which won him his first Academy Award for Best Picture. He’s currently promoting the seventh film in the franchise, Jurassic World: Rebirth, which he produced and which opens on July 2.
At the dedication, Spielberg gave guests a big surprise—he revealed the first footage from his secret event film, his first genre film since his 2018 adaptation Ready Player One. All that’s currently known about the film is that it involves, in some capacity, aliens, and it stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and Eve Hewson, among others. The footage showed Blunt and O’Connor on the run from what appeared to be government agents.
Spielberg and Universal’s relationship has been a long one, spanning more than 50 years, and in that time, he has seen the studio change corporate ownership while the industry itself has continued to change and evolve. “It feels like we keep getting remarried, but tonight is probably more like a bris,” he quipped. He called the current era of Universal a “rebirth,” adding this: “I mean the rebirth of the belief in the people that work as a family, as a community, as a team to make good things happen,” he said. He closed his remarks with this promise: “I’m making a lot of movies and I have no plans…ever…to retire.”
Featured image: Martha’s Vineyard, MA – 1975: (L-R) [unidentified], Director Steven Spielberg, camera operator Michael Chapman and cinematographer Bill Butler on the set of the Universal Pictures production of ‘Jaws’ in 1975 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
574-232-8487
