Simon’s Cat Indiegogo Film Campaign Raises Over £88,000 In Under a Week

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Frostie

British animator turns to crowdfunding to make first colour enhanced extended film

The #1 UK animation channel on YouTube with over 500,000,000 views!

The lovable and mischievous Simon’s Cat first appeared online in the animated film ‘Cat Man Do’, which was a viral smash-hit on YouTube in 2008. Now boasting over half a billion views and 3 million subscribers, Simon’s Cat is the #1 UK animation channel on YouTube.

The Simon’s Cat animation studio is looking to fund a special extended-length, colour episode, based on the chaos that erupts on the day of a veterinarian appointment. For this they have adopted the Indiegogo crowd-funding platform.

Simon’s Cat creator Simon Tofield explains “In the messages we receive from fans, a film about preparing for and visiting the vet is definitely the most common request. It’s a deep subject to explore, rich with the potential of loads of humour which is why we feel we’d like to make this our first broadcast length episode in colour! I am so grateful to our fans for their wonderful support!”

Indiegogo’s UK’s Anastasia Emmanuel says “We’re delighted and proud to have helped the Simon’s Cat team achieve their ambitions with ‘Off to the Vet’. We’ve successfully helped fund the ideas of hundreds of creators, inventors and businesses across the globe. Simon’s Cat is definitely one of the most fun and memorable campaigns we’ve ever hosted. We can’t wait to see the final film!”

For more information visit:

www.igg.me/at/simonscat

www.simonscat.com

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/simon-s-cat-in-off-to-the-vet

How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur Book Review

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Penelope Deacon

The daughter of a friend of mine is in her second year at drama school. She’s good: can sing, can dance, can act – particularly in comedy. So, she has it all? Trouble is, so do so many of the rest of her year group. And so do all of those other aspiring actors in all those drama schools across the country. She’s beginning to ask how she can show she’s different, that she deserves to be remembered from one audition to the next. How she can avoid annoying someone whose off hand influence can close as well as open doors for her?

I’m going to give her a copy of this book. It may be the single most useful thing I ever do for her. How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur by Catherine Balavage is one of those practical, down-to-earth guides which doesn’t try to hide the obstacles and difficulties of choosing an actor’s life but does give solid and sensible, practical, advice on making the best impression and avoiding the worst pitfalls. Equally valuably, Balavage makes suggestions for networking, for working with others to help each other through teamwork (e.g. helping film each other’s showreels), working for nothing except getting your name out there, remembering names, and never, never, never forgetting to say thank you – even when you don’t land the part. She is upfront about the chances of success in acting: ‘Only act if you cannot do anything else. It is the hardest and most competitive industry you can go into. Your chances of success at making a full-time living for the rest of your life are small.’ And then she offers clear and straightforward, practical advice about how to shift the odds just slightly in your favour.

This book seems, at first glance, rather plain, with no images and most chapters simply divided into paragraphs with explanatory headings, or questions followed by responses. I like this format. It’s no-frills and underlines the fact that this is a handbook. A ready reference tool which will be highlighted and annotated by anyone who uses it regularly. The pages of useful contacts and Top Tips are invaluable. I also liked the interviews with others in the profession: the replies to questions overlap with each other in ways which reinforce what Balavage has already said. This reinforces my conviction that this author really is writing from experience and passing on advice distilled from her own hard work. Which I really hope my young friend will take.

[Editorial note: Catherine Balavage is an editor of this magazine]

Westfield’s Launch ‘We Are LDN Summer’ Campaign

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Frostie

To celebrate the launch of Westfield’s ‘We Are LDN Summer’ campaign, running 16 July – 31 August, visitors to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City will be treated to six weeks of London’s best in class of dance, music, art, food, children and fashion themed activity. Each themed week will showcase the capital’s finest free dance workshops, musical performances, art exhibitions, culinary demonstrations, children’s activities and style sessions along with competitions and offers from Westfield’s dining, entertainment and leisure retailers. Whether you’re out for a spot of shopping, enjoying a delicious meal or soaking up the sun, Westfield has all your summer bases covered.

MUSIC WEEK (21 – 27 JULY)

West & East London Talent, Various Stages, Daily

The very best of London musicians, choirs, writers and performers will be showcasing their talents across a variety of stages at Westfield London and Stratford City. The Mayor of London’s annual busking competition will also be taking place during this week so get front row to see the capital’s next big star!

DANCE WEEK (28 JULY – 3 AUGUST)

English National Ballet, 30 July at Westfield London, 31 July Westfield Stratford City 11-4pm

Children can experience the love of dance firsthand with this exciting workshop hosted led by the English National Ballet, featuring the enchanting tales of Coppélia, Swan Lake and Nutcracker.

Big Dance, Westfield London, Mon 28 July, Fri 1 Aug, Sun 3 Aug, 11-5pm

High energy performances and have-a-go workshops from Big Dance at Westfield including street, Brazilian, Jazz and swing.

IMD Legion, Westfield Stratford City, 3 August, 12pm

Check out East London dance crew, IMD Legion as they show off the talent that made them famous on Got To Dance, Nickelodeon, Ashley Banjo’s Street Crew and CBBC Fridays.

ART WEEK (4 – 10 AUGUST)

East vs. West Art, Westfield London, Daily

Curated in associating with Jack Jones of The London Collection, the exhibition brings together a selection of established and emerging artists to promote the cultural richness and diversity that West London has to offer. This exciting collection will feature a mix of contemporary painting, photography and sculpture.

Kids Arts, 6 August Westfield London, 7 August Westfield Stratford City, 11-4pm

Wednesday 6 August is a dedicated kid’s art’s day. Kids are invited to come down grab a painting easel, a beret and a paint brush and hone their skills.

Live Graffiti, Westfield Stratford City, Throughout the day

Check out the week long interactive live graffiti artwork supplied by Graffiti Life. Become part of the daily mural or get your own graffiti name tag giveaway!

FOOD WEEK (11 – 17 AUGUST)

Cooking Demos, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, Daily, See website for details

Enjoy free, daily masterclasses with L’atelier des Chef, the leaders in fun, energetic culinary classes.

Kids Cooking Day, Westfield London 13 August, Westfield Stratford City, 14 August, 11-4pm

Kids are invited to try and be the next Jamie Oliver at Kids Cooking Day. Kids can try their hand at making finger sandwiches and pies.

Foodie Festival, Westfield London, 16 – 17 August

Top off a week of gastronomy at Westfield London with a weekend foodie festival. Located in the al-fresco surroundings of The Southern Terrace, retailers and guest vendors will be sharing their tasty treats to shoppers.

KIDS WEEK (18 – 24 AUGUST)

Dinosaur Train, Westfield London: 19 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm,

Westfield Stratford City 20 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm

Beloved Nick Jnr programme, Dinosaur Train, is coming exclusively to Westfield! A UK first, Buddy the tyrannosaurus rex and his adopted pteranodon family will be entertaining their fans. Free wristbands collected from 9am.

My London Girl Lessons, Westfield London, Daily, 12 – 5pm

During kids week, retailer My London Girl will be holding free in-store arts and crafts such as dolly hair braiding, friendship bracelet making and decorating trinket boxes.

Kids Arts & Crafts, Westfield Stratford City, Chestnut Plaza, Daily, 11-5pm

East London themed kids workshops and activities organised by Iced Gems Events, including games, making and decorating bags, jewellery, ceramic plates, clothes, giveaways, competitions, and face paint. Fun for all ages every day!

The Kick Off, Westfield Stratford City, Outside Café Football, 21 August

Think you could do better than US goalie, Tim Howard and the 16 goals he saved? Try your penalty shootout skills with Café Football.

FASHION WEEK (25-31AUGUST)

Style Sessions, Daily, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City (see website for schedule)

For the forward-thinking fashionista or those after some styling advice, Westfield London will be hosting open style sessions from Westfield’s retailers and team of personal stylists.

PLUS, SAVE THE DATE FOR…

ABBEY CLANCY AT SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 July, 11am

As the official ‘feet’ of Scholl, Abbey Clancy will make her exclusive, star appearance to open the glorious indoor beach on the morning of Friday 18 July

SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 – 19 July, 10am – 7pm; 20 July 12pm – 6pm

The Scholl Express Pedi Beach is set to be the perfect pit-stop for your pre-holiday speedy summer pedicure. Let the Scholl pedicure team tend to your tired soles with a free express pedicure using the Scholl Velvet Smooth range to give you soft, beautiful feet in an instant.

ALEXA CHUNG BOOK SIGNING

Westfield London, The Atrium, 12 August, 12.30pm. Signing for 1.5hours

Fashion’s It girl, Alexa Chung, will be make an appearance to sign her aptly entitled book, It. A collect of writing, doodles and photographs, It has been a huge success with Alexa’s army of fashion and style followers.

BIG HOUSE

Big House, Westfield Stratford City Daily, 11-6pm, Sunday 12-6pm

Daredevil visitors to the Big House can hang from the window ledges by their fingertips with not a care in the world. Well, it will look like you can! The Big House is nothing but an optical illusion. Give it a go and share on social media to trick you friends!

Don’t forget to have your picture taken with the great big WEST and EAST letters to pledge your allegiance to #WestLDN or #EastLDN on social media.

Groundbreaking Festival For Girls To Be Headlined By Jessie J

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Frostie

Girls are the most powerful force for change on the planet

London will host Girl Effect Live, an event bringing together some of the UK’s best and brightest talent, to celebrate the potential of girls, to stop poverty before it starts

Jessie J will headline Girl Effect Live, an all-day festival taking place in London on Sunday 20^th July, which promises a day of celebration, creation and conversation about the power of girls to break the cycle of global poverty. It will bring together some of the UK’s best and brightest talent to spotlight girls as the most powerful force for change on the planet.

Girl Effect Live will take place in venues in and around London’s Brick Lane two days before the world’s first ever Girl Summit, hosted by the UK government and UNICEF. It will comprise a series of exciting and inspiring happenings during the day, and a gig in the evening to celebrate, incite and educate young people in the UK about the aspirations and opportunities of girls living in poverty.

The daytime schedule at the Vibe Bar kicks off at 13:00 and will feature a range of creative activities including spoken word performances from exciting talent including Dizraeli and James Massiah; comedy from female comedians: Mae Martin and Ava Vidal; SLAMbassadors UK workshops hosted by the champions of UK youth slam Megan Beech, Ollie O’Neil and Tiana Oldroyd; a live graffiti wall and exclusive Girl Effect nail art by Wah Nails – the acclaimed London-based nail salon. Visitors will also be able to purchase a limited edition ‘Girl Effect’ necklace by Tatty Devine.

Truman Brewery’s Dray Walk gallery will also play exclusive host to the ‘Girls Reframed’ exhibition: featuring exclusive pieces from renowned artists such as Jimmy C, Hattie Stewart, Magnus Voll Mathiassen, and Michela Picchi.

At Loading Bay there will be a girls-only immersive experience that brings to life the realities faced by girls living in poverty with artistic consultancy provided by Punchdrunk Enrichment.

As night falls the day’s festivities will culminate in what promises to be electrifying performances from Jessie J, supported by Sasha Keable plus special guests at Village Underground, celebrating the potential of girls around the world and the achievements of the day.

Jessie J comments: “Living in the UK, we’re fortunate that we have the opportunity to strive for and fulfil our full potential, but this isn’t the case for many girls living in poverty. I am involved in Girl Effect Live, because I want to take a stand with other girls in the UK to inspire, recognise and celebrate the amazing potential of girls everywhere.”

Girls will be invited to lend their voices in support of girls in poverty, by going to a video booth or speaking to the roving camera crew. Their voices will be edited into a film that will be taken to the Girl Summit where they will contribute to the efforts to end FGM and early, forced and child marriage within a generation.

The Girl Effect Live: Day event is completely free but capacity is limited at some events, so pre-booking is recommended. Tickets to the Girl Effect Live: Night event are priced at £10 and will be issued via an online ballot. Lucky ticketholders will also receive a limited edition ‘Girl Effect’ necklace from Tatty Devine.

For more information on how to register for the day event and the ballot for the evening music performance visit:www.girleffectlive.com.

To share your voice and help make a noise on social media about the event, the UK public are also invited to join in conversations on social media using #GirlEffectLive and via Girl Effect on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. There will also be coverage of Girl Effect Live throughout the day on SBTV.

Introducing stickybackplastics | Music Profile

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Frostie

stickybackplastics is all about about dark, bluesy, heavy hooks with a noise-rock undertone. Grinding riffs, brooding basslines. Epic vocals. Music to make your hair stand on end. The York-based alt-blues three-piece are- Roz Walker (guitar) and Heather Niven (vocals), alongside Dom Smith on drums.

The band came together with a simple desire to create music to soundtrack the world’s best and worst heartbreaks.

Stating their influences as Garbage, PJ Harvey and Portishead, the band are “driven by a shared desire to create great guitar and blues-driven rock music that emotes any type of emotion in the listener”.

Roz and Heather met at a way-too-grown-up garden party in deepest North Yorkshire, and quickly realised they had a great synergy for all things creative.

Vocalist Heather says: “There is something instant, forceful and immediate about singing, there is an excitement and passion like nothing I get from painting. Have you ever had goosebumps from looking at a painting? Music reaches a different part of you.”

Roz and Heather have been working together as artists for a number of years before their began exploring their collective musical potential. The track on the debut EP were built by Roz a number of years ago, and they’d been looking for a drummer to turn their work into a proper band. Following a number of meetings over the years between Heather and disabled entrepreneur Dom Smith within York’s vast creative network, a friendship grew that led to him becoming the drummer and perfecting the trio.

Their debut EP, a self-titled introduction to stickybackplastics recorded at The White Rooms, York, UK, is available on Bandcamp: http://stickybackplastics.bandcamp.com – fans just need to name their price

In the coming months stickybackplastics will be releasing an EP of remixes, followed by a new music release by the end of the year.

A Menacing Moggy- The Best Candle Ever?

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Frostie

We love cats at Frost, but that doesn’t stop us loving this menacing cat candle. With an imaginative inner the Pyro Pet candle unveils its eerie interior once burned.

It’s feisty feline appearance is the both beauty and brilliance in one, Kisa was made to kindle.

Made to melt, this candle peels away the prrr’fect pink to reveal a surreal skull, sculpted out of metal.

Almost Aztec in shape, the sharp and sleek design is strikingly beautiful conveying an innocent idea of the cat. The frame inside is almost frightening and portrays a pet of two halves.

Wondering why the Ancient Egyptians worshiped the Cat? We wouldn’t want to be on Kiza’s bad side…

Cunning & curious is this creative cat… the price of this pet? £24.95 from www.prezzybox.com.

Features:
· Approximately 20hours burning time
· Each candle is slightly different and will burn in its own unique way
· Put on a plate when lighting.

The Travelling Band Announce Third Album The Big Defreeze

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Frostie

Manchester five-piece The Travelling Band, famed for their wonderful live prowess and feel-good epic-folk, have announced the upcoming release The Big Defreeze. The album is hugely anticipated following a three-year gap since their last long-player, Screaming is Something, received both critic and fan adulation.

Despite a long gap between album two and three, The Travelling Band have experienced anything but a hiatus, instead taking the time to hone and enhance their already much loved trademark sound. The Travelling Band departed from their last tour in 2011 – which saw them enthral the United States at SXSW – and have since patiently crafted their own personal recording studio, forged a record label and also revolutionised their horizons through remix collaborations with mix legend and Grammy award-winner Chris Lord-Alge. This break between releases has seen The Travelling Band become musical artisans, hugely benefiting The Big Defreeze as a result.

Produced by Iestyn Polson (Patti Smith, David Bowie) at the ethereally iconic Church Studios, The Big Defreeze oozes with creative freedom and massive landscapes, embodying The Travelling Band’s album gap. Standout track Passing Ships is a marauding beauty that hops, skips and jumps amid a backdrop of pop perfection, deeply breathing in a glorious, vast headspace. Polson has expertly captured The Travelling Band’s eminent live act into a long-player that is second-for- second as equally explosive, giddy and wonderful as a Travelling Band gig.

The Travelling Band’s The Big Defreeze is personified by blissfully clean compositions that still harbour a rough and determined bite. Part E-Street Band and Faces submerged in 21^st century gleam and shine, The Big Defreeze will delight and mesmerize deeply-rooted Travelling Band fanatics and newcomers alike; reminiscent of an introduction to a person, whom you could have sworn you met before, whom you fall in love instantly.

The Travelling Bands’ third album The Big Defreeze will be released on Sideways Saloon/Republic of Music on August 25^th on limited edition yellow vinyl, 2 disc deluxe CD and digital formats.

The band will also set off in August for the following tour dates:

AUG

8 – CROPREDY FESTIVAL, NR. BANBURY

16 – UNDRESSED FESTIVAL, HALLE ST. PETERS, MANCHESTER

23 – GREEN BELT FESTIVAL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

30 – OFF THE TRACKS FESTIVAL, DERBYSHIRE

SEPT

7 – SC4M FESTIVAL, WINCHESTER

12 – THE INSTITUTE, KELVEDON, ESSEX

14 – SHREWSBURY FIELDS FESTIVAL

OCT

2 KENDAL, THE BREWERY

3 LEEDS, BRUDENELL

8 LIVERPOOL, THE KAZIMIER

9 EDINBURGH, VOODOO ROOMS

10 GLASGOW, BROADCAST

11 LETHAM, LETHAM HALL

22 LONDON, THE LEXINGTON

24 OXFORD, ARTS BAR (BULLINGDON ARMS)

25 BRISTOL, THE LOUISIANA

28 BRIGHTON, GREEN DOOR STORE

NOV

28 HURST GREEN, VILLAGE HALL

Soho Literary Festival Returns September 2014

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Frostie

Soho Literary Festival 2014

Stephen Fry, Michel Roux and Antonia Fraser headline at the Soho Theatre

Wednesday 24th September – Sunday 28th September

www.soholitfest.com

•An end-of-summer, long weekend of literary delights hosted in the Soho Theatre on Dean Street, in the capital’s liveliest district

•Stephen Fry to star in an exclusive event on PG Wodehouse on Friday 26th September.

•Interactive events such as the literary quiz with teams led by Rachel Johnson and Giles Coren, and a masterclass on matching wine with food led by Tom Parker-Bowles and Rowley Leigh.

•The 2014 line-up also includes Antonia Fraser, Michel Roux, Stephen Frears and Russell Norman

•Presented by The Oldie magazine and supported by Waitrose Cellar and Arts Council England

Soho Literary Festival, sponsored by Waitrose Cellar and supported by Arts Council England, marks its fourth anniversary on the London literary calendar in September 2014. With 36 unique events all taking place under one roof, the iconic Soho Theatre on Dean Street, the festival is set to take the capital by storm.

Visitors are invited to spend the weekend getting up-close and personal with their literary heroes, in the theatre’s three auditoria or mingling in the bar where regular signings will take place. The events and speakers have been carefully curated to inform and excite festival-goers with a programme encompassing art, music, food, comedy and plenty of author shenanigans.

Highlights include headline act Stephen Fry on the profound effects Wodehouse had on his life; panorama journalist Tom Bower delving behind the public facade of Richard Branson; Michel Roux and Russell Normanon the art of good service in restaurants; pre-eminent rock journalist Mark Ellen opening the festival to discuss forty years of life in the ludicrous music business; Britain’s most successful potter Emma Bridgewater in conversation with her illustrator husband Matthew Rice; and historian Peter Snow on the unknown tale of when Britain burned down the White House.

Further headline acts and returning favourites include an informative and humorous lesson on how to spot a psychopath led by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, an in-depth Q&A with the Oscar-winning director Stephen Frears, and the sell-out one-stop literary smorgasbord hosted by Craig Brown & Friends.

Confirmed Soho Literary Festival Speakers:

Stephen Fry, Michel Roux, Antonia Fraser, Brian Sewell, Simon Baron-Cohen, Virginia Ironside, Russell Norman, Tom Parker-Bowles, John Julius Norwich, Christian Wolmar Simon Jenkins, Loyd Grossman, Craig Brown, Peter Snow, Rachel Johnson, Mark Ellen, Giles Coren, Kerry Daynes, Harry Mount, Valerie Grove, Chris Yates, Ferdinand Mount, Marcus Berkmann, Antony Beevor, Stephen Frears, Rowan Pelling, Kate Harrison, Rosie Boycott, Imogen Edwards-Jones, Bill Knott, David Kynaston, Paul Burston, Jeremy Lewis, Lizzie Enfield, Emma Bridgewater, Rowley Leigh, Tom Bower, Tom Ward, Will Hodgkinson, Geordie Greig, Simon Garfield, Dan Cruickshank, Sam Leith, John Sutherland, David Hepworth, Jerry Brotton, Roger Bannister, James Le Fanu, Chris Mullin, Andrew Billen, James Pembroke, Sarah Boseley, Dave Runciman, Tim Bryars, Dr Tom Stuttaford, Jonathan Meades, Mikey Cuddihy, Tom Harper, Owen Jones, Oliver Kamm, Michael White, Dan Kieran, Nigel McCrery,, Matthew Rice, Jerry White, Irma Kurz, Katherine Whitehorn, Shaun Usher, Mark Lawson, Assem Malhotra, Abbie Ross, Mikey Silverman, Dick Traverne, Merryn Somerset-Webb, Martyn Vander Weyer.

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