The Kitchen Baby is about the author delivering his fifth child on the kitchen floor of the family’s Kent farmhouse without medical assistance. It also tells the story of how the author became a father. Five times! Through infertility, going broke and all of the problems that holding a relationship together brings. It is a story of triumph over adversity.
The Kitchen Baby is a well written and thoughtful book. Men really do not have much of a voice when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. True, they are not the ones that carry the baby for nine months and give birth, but they are still a large part of raising a child. That said, I do not think this book is just for men, women will enjoy it too.
More men should write books about pregnancy and fatherhood. It is an untapped market. Quite often men are just left to fend for themselves. Or course women are the ones that go through pregnancy and childbirth, but it takes both parents to raise a child. Men go through all of those sleepless nights too. No one should have to suffer on their own and fathers never get enough credit.
The Kitchen Baby is not just a book about the author delivering his fifth child in the kitchen of the family home, it is also about a man who didn’t want children becoming a father of five, even through fertility problems and the other obstacles that life throws.
The book flows very well and Kennedy is obviously a talented writer. He has a very natural and entertaining style. Angus does have a tendency to go off subject occasionally, but it does not harm the book and he is a good writer and the book works. It is entertaining and informative. I really enjoyed it and I recommend it for both sexes, whether they are parents or not.
These are record-breaking times for live music, with the world’s biggest artists regularly selling more tickets faster than ever for their smash global tours and concerts. Here at StubHub, we love nothing more than a record-breaker – which is why we’ve compiled the ten most impressive records ever set in the live music industry on one handy infographic. Ever wondered whose tours sell out the fastest? Or who pulls in the biggest crowds? What about the deepest ever concert – or highest in the sky? It’s all in here, along with a clutch of facts guarantee you’ll never have heard before, all courtesy of the good people at Guinness World Records.
Many of the artists you know and love are featured on this ingenious infographic, from pop legends like Robbie Williams to rock goliaths the Stone Roses and 30 Seconds to Mars. With 2013 set to be a huge year for live music, we’re looking forward to seeing these records and more broken by today’s top artists – be sure to share, like and retweet our infographic with your fellow gig-going friends!
Don’t forget to keep checking StubHub UK for all the latest concert listings and tickets for your favourite artists. As all tickets bought and sold with us are covered by our FanProtect Guarantee, you can always be sure that your ticket purchases are fully protected.
Walking through the streets of Edinburgh it’s clear to see why the city has been accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Scotland’s famously bonny capital, it blends modern and historic culture, and is renowned the world over for its annual festivals, from the highbrow performances of the International Festival to the giddy melting pot of indie theatre and music at the Fringe – all topped off with the world’s most famous street Hogmanay party, where revellers dance in the new year under a firework-lit castle. If you’re lucky enough to pay a visit, here’s our guide to getting the most bang for your cultural buck.
A perennial fixture on World’s Best Cities lists, Edinburgh is lauded as one of the most culturally significant places to visit and as well as being named a World Heritage Site, it’s also the very first City of Literature. This title is hugely significant for Edinburgh as it credits the city for its contribution to international literature. And it’s easy to see why – the city is simply bursting with beautiful libraries, independent bookshops and literary events, including the sellout International Book Festival that sets up shop against the backdrop of stunning Georgian architecture in the city centre’s Charlotte Square. It’s also home to a whole host of renowned authors who work out of and take inspiration from the city: Irvine Welsh, JK Rowling, Iain Banks and Ian Rankin are all celebrated contemporary authors local to Edinburgh.
Beyond literature Edinburgh has many other avenues of culture to explore. Art is another area that is bursting with activity in the city and with over 50 galleries peppered across Edinburgh’s historic cobbles, you’re truly spoiled for choice. See the Guardian’s online guide 10 of the best contemporary art galleries in Edinburgh for the pick of the bunch, although our favourite has to be The Fruitmarket Gallery. Nestled in the centre of the city just moments walk from the Castle, his gallery boasts a well-stocked calendar of exhibitions from both Scottish and international artists and art groups. The Scotsman Steps commission by Martin Creed has been the most popular exhibition in the galleries’ history and successfully brought contemporary art into the public eye, from the gallery to the steps of Edinburgh. The Stills Gallery on Cockburn Street and the Edinburgh College of Art exhibitions are also a fantastic place to see new upcoming artists in Scotland. For thought-provoking pieces on a grander scale, check out the weird and wonderful installation art at summer outside exhibition extravaganza Jupiter Artland.
Then of course there’s the Festival Fringe itself – the biggest and best performing arts festival in the world. It spans an entire month each August and welcomes more than 2,500 shows from countries all around the world. Over the past few years, theatre, dance and musicals have been fighting hard to compete with the overpowering presence of comedy at the festival, and is happily succeeding with diverse and ever-increasing menu of acts to whet any cultural appetite. But even outside the heady festival period, the performing arts thrive in the city (despite the recessions) with the Traverse, the Lyceum and the Festival Theatre all playing host to an eclectic variety of local and internationally-acclaimed theatre, dance and opera.
Modern culture is also happily evident in Edinburgh with a dynamic shopping and food scene bursting with independent boutiques, cafes, delicatessens on every corner. Try the upmarket shopping district of Thistle Street for the best gems, such as shoe emporium Pam Jenkins and Vogue-celebrated designer clothing boutique must-visit Jane Davidson , which offers a carefully-curated collection of international collections as well as exclusive Scottish luxury designers. Alternatively head down to “village within a city” Stockbridge for interior design and gift boutiques galore.
If you’re looking for cultural things to do in Edinburgh it’s a promise that you won’t struggle for choice, whether you’re interested in art, dance, literature or fashion, the city has something to offer in every direction – it truly is a city inspired by culture.
If you are having a flutter on the BAFTAs or Grammys read the latest odds from Frost and Paddy Power first.
BAFTA:
Best Film
Argo is still the film to catch and is a massive 1/4 odds on to scoop best film at Sunday’s BAFTAs. Paddy Power is also offering 1/2 that it does the double and wins Best Picture at the Oscars as well. As for the others:
– Lincoln – 9/2
– Les Miserables – 6/1
– Life Of Pi – 25/1
– Zero Dark Thirty – 40/1
Leading Actress
Leading Actress category is dominated by three main contenders – 8/11 Jennifer Lawrence, 9/4 Jessica Chastain and 11/4 Emmanuella Riva. The also rans include 33/1 Marion Cotillard and 40/1 Dame Helen Mirren
Leading Actor
And the winner goes to ‘Daniel Day-Lewis’ – never before have the bookmakers been so sure about the outcome of best actor setting unbackable odds of 1/40 – meaning for every £40 staked, you will win £1. For what it’s worth, Hugh Jackman is 10/1, Joaquin Phoenix 25/1 Bradley Cooper 50/1 and Ben Affleck 50/1
Best Director
Another category that’s all but said and done – Ben Affleck is miles ahead in the betting at 1/7, while second favourite Kathryn Bigelow is 7/1 and Ang Lee 15/2.
*GRAMMY:
Bring on the bling, but no buttocks of boobs please. Grammy performers have been warned to avoid ‘see through’ clothes and ensure all wobbly bits are ‘adequately’ covered. Yeah right.
Paddy Power is offering 4/1 for at least one pair of female nipples to be visible during the ceremony and have installed Rihanna at 13/8 as the most likely culprit to ‘to have missed the memo’.
Meanwhile ‘Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the even money favourite to win record of the year, ahead of 3/1 We Are Young by Fun, featuring Janelle Monae.
Mumford & Sons are the odds on favourites to scoop album of the year for Babel, while Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess look to have one hand each on the song of the year category for We Are Young.
Last but not least, The Black Keys are tipped to land Rock Album of the year:
Record of the Year
11/10 Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye Featuring Kimbra
3/1 We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
4/1 Lonely Boy – The Black Keys
8/1 Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
15/1 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
20/1 Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean
Album of the Year
4/9 Babel – Mumford & Sons
3/1 El Camino – The Black Keys
5/1 Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
10/1 Some Nights – Fun
12/1 Blunderbuss – Jack White
Song of the Year
8/15 We Are Young – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe)
5/2 Call Me Maybe – Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)
5/1 Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi, songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)
10/1 The A Team – Ed Sheeran, songwriter (Ed Sheeran)
12/1 Adorn – Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
Best New Artist
6/4 FuN
13/8 Frank Ocean
11/4 Hunter Hayes
8/1 The Lumineers
18/1 Alabama Shakes
Best Rock Album
1/2 El Camino – The Black Keys
3/1 Blunderbuss – Jack White
5/1 Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen
8/1 Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay
12/1 The 2nd Law – Muse
CBS Wardrobe ‘Obscenity’ Specials
4/1 Any onstage performer or award winner to wear see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples
6/1 Any onstage performer or award winner to have an organized cause visibly spelled out his T-Shirt
12/1 Any Foreign language to appear on performer or award winners outfits
Japanese sensations Siro-A are coming to Leicester Square Theatre this spring and you could win X2 tickets to see them perform live at the Leicester Square Theatre, plus a 1 night stay and dinner at the luxurious Hotel Russell.
A new generation of technodelic entertainment is coming to Leicester Square, London this February 2013. Often described as Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group, Siro-A perfectly fuse modern technology with mime, breath-taking optical illusions, movement and comedy all set to a pulsating electro beat. Spectacular entertainment fusing video mapping, laser lights and on stage DJ’s to create entertainment for the next generation. Read Frost’s review here.
This multi-award winning, electronic multimedia extravaganza presents its London premiere at Leicester Square Theatre from 1st Feb and shows will run until 22nd April 2013.
When I got sent the press release for Siro-A they were billed as ‘Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group’. It is high praise indeed considering how successful the Blue Man Group are.
There was buzz about Siro-A before the show even started and celebrities and paparazzi were both out in force. The show started with audience interaction, a hard thing to do with a British crowd, we tend to just sit there and be quiet, even if we think you are the most amazing thing in the world.
The show was a visual feast. Inventive, imaginative, stunning, fun and entertaining. Siro-A gave a performance that was not just good, but also highly intelligent. The audience loved them. They did not make one noticeable mistake all night and it was hard to work out how they managed most of the effects. The show is also funny and mixes real performers with projected images. The six talented people in the group are from Sendai, Japan, and this was their first performance in London.
Their use of lights and magic tricks add to the brilliant physical and dance skills that the group have. The VJing was also very ‘in’ and worked beautifully. VJing (visual djing) had been growing in popularity and the cool kids have known about it for years. I remember going to a VJing evening at the BFI in 2009.
If you want a good night then go along to the Leicester Square Theatre and catch this stunning visual feast. You can win tickets here.
SIRO-A
The multi-award winning, electronic multimedia dance theatre extravaganza presents its London premiere
1st Feb – 22nd April 2013.
“The lovechild of GamarJobat and Sirqus Alfon, this is a technical marvel. Conspiring to combine comedy, dance and technical wizardry with a healthy dose of thumping techno music, live performers superimpose themselves over projected material, … quality family entertainment”. «««« Three Weeks
Siro-A, is an exciting six strong performance group from Sendai, Japan, who have wowed audiences all over the world and are now, for the first time, bringing their unique performance style to London.
The name Siro-A, derived from the Japanese word ‘SIRO’ meaning white or colourless, means to belong to no group or impossible to define. And tough to define they are!
“At one point, I couldn’t tell the difference between live performer and projected image. This is a spectacular visual experience. This Japanese company overwhelm with staggering technological interactions between multimedia, performer and audience member.” «««« Broadway Baby
Often described as Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group, SIRO-A perfectly fuse modern technology with mime, breath-taking optical illusions, and movement all set to a pulsating electro beat, mixed live every night. Their visually stunning show performed to 30,000 people at the Shanghai Expo, has wowed TED.com audiences in Tokyo and won Mervyn Stutter’s “Spirit of the Fringe” award at the Edinburgh Festival 2011.
New is a spectacular piece of family entertainment, fusing video mapping, laser lights and on stage DJ’s. It’s an interactive, multimedia, physical/dance theatre show combining live electronic music and human body performances with video projection technology and optical illusions. It’s an explosion of light, sight, sound, and movement, seamlessly breaking language barriers with a non-verbal performance that can be enjoyed by all people of all ages.
“A brilliant, bright and beautiful show… some of the most manic and animated human performers you are likely to see anywhere. It’s mime, but not as we know it!” Total Theatre
Now for the first time SIRO-A bring their physical extravaganza to London to the main house of the Leicester Square Theatre from 1st Feb – 22nd April 2013.
SHOW: SIRO-A
VENUE: Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX
Fresh from her fantastic SuperBowl performance, Beyonce Announces The Mrs.Carter Show World Tour. She entertained the masses last night at the SuperBowl half time, and even teamed up with her Destiny Child members. She put in an amazing performance and now will be touring the world in case you want to see her at a venue near you.
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Starring BEYONCÉ
2013 Tour kicks off in Europe April 15th
North American Tour Begins June 28th
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour starring Beyoncé kicks off in Europe on April 15, 2013. With stops in twenty European cities, including Dublin, Ireland; Berlin, Germany; Paris, France and a four-night stint at The 02 in London, UK, this is Beyoncé’s first multi-city tour in over three years.
Beyoncé’s North American Tour begins on June 28 in Los Angeles, California. The tour will travel to over twenty cities throughout North America this summer, including Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center, Atlanta, Georgia, at the Gwinnett Center, Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center, Toronto, Ontario at Air Canada Centre, and Boston, Massachusetts at TD Garden.
On June 28, Beyoncé returns to Los Angeles, California as part of the BET Experience At L.A. Live at the Staples Center. She is set to headline the first of the three-night STAPLES Concert series. And continuing her successful run at international music festivals, following a headlining night at Glastonbury in 2011, she is confirmed to headline at the world’s largest music festival, Rock in Rio, on its first night, September 13 at the “City of Rock” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rock in Rio has set records for its massive crowds and its powerful media drive.
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour promises to be the entertainer’s most ambitious undertaking to date. It is expected to be bigger in scope than any of her previous shows. Slated to run for almost one year, the second wave of the tour is planned for Latin America, Australia and Asia.
Following her historic performance tonight at the Pepsi SuperBowl XLVII Halftime Show, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Beyoncé officially returns to a full-time touring schedule, her first since the I AM…WORLD TOUR in 2009, with a new, bolder state-of-the-art production.
Fans can join the Beyhive Blog for free at www.beyonce.com to access exclusive content, pre-sale tickets, VIP packages and more, including an exclusive MasterCard package to the Bey Stage. A limited number of tickets to The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour will be available early for purchase in the US and Europe.
Beyoncé’s last tour, the critically acclaimed and incredibly successful, “I AM…WORLD TOUR was ranked #1 on Billboard’s Hot Tour chart. The show thrilled more than 1.1 million fans at more than one hundred shows in 32 countries and six continents across the globe.
Beyoncé is one of the most widely recognized and highly respected women in pop culture. A solo recording artist, actress, philanthropist and businesswoman, she has released four #1 solo albums and has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including 16 Grammy Awards. Billboard named her the Top Female Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist of the 2000s decade. The Recording Industry Association of America also recognized Beyoncé as the Top Certified Artist of the 2000s.
The critics have consistently praised her energetic stage shows likening her to the best entertainers of the past with her own brand of sass and class that makes her the artist of the future. “Beyoncé has a breathtaking need to entertain,” said Ben Ratliff of the New York Times and Chantal Eustace of the Vancouver Sun summed it up writing, ‘Beyoncé twisted all the theatrics into her musical performance flawlessly, demonstrating her many talents as an artist.”
On February 16, HBO will premiere Life Is But A Dream, an intimate feature-length documentary film directed and produced by Beyoncé for Parkwood Entertainment. The film provides unprecedented access into the on and off-stage world of the entertainer.
The North American tour is promoted by Live Nation Global Touring and is produced by Parkwood Entertainment.
EUROPE:
April 15 Belgrade, Serbi Kombank Arena On Sale Mon. Feb 11
April 17 Zagreb, Croatia Arena Zagreb On Sale Mon. Feb 11
April 19 Bratislava, Slovakia Slovnaft Arena On Sale Fri. Feb 8
April 22 Amsterdam, Holland Ziggo Dome On Sale Fri. Feb 8
April 24 Paris, France Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy On Sale Mon. Feb 11
April 25 Paris, France Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy On Sale Mon. Feb 11
April 26 Birmingham, UK LG Arena On Sale Sat. Feb 23
April 29 London, UK The O2 On Sale Sat. Feb 23
April 30 London, UK The O2 On Sale Sat. Feb 23
May 01 London, UK The O2 On Sale Sat. Feb 23
May 03 London, UK The O2 On Sale Sat. Feb 23
May 07 Manchester, UK Manchester Arena On Sale Sat. Feb 23
May 11 Dublin, Ireland The O2 On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 12 Dublin, Ireland The O2 On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 14 Antwerp, Belgium Sportpaleis On Sale Fri. Feb 8
May 17 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 18 Milan, Italy Mediolanum Forum On Sale Fri. Feb 8
May 20 Montpellier, France Park & Suites Arena On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 22 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle On Sale Fri. Feb 15
May 24 Berlin, Germany O2 World On Sale Fri. Feb 15
May 25 Warsaw, Poland National Stadium—Orange Warsaw Festival
May 27 Copenhagen, Denmark Forum On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 28 Oslo, Norway Telenor Arena On Sale Mon. Feb 11
May 29 Stockholm, Sweden Ericsson Globe Arena On Sale Mon. Feb 11
NORTH AMERICA:
June 28 Los Angeles BET Experience/Staples Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jun-29 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-2 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-5 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-6 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-9 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-10 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-12 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center On Sale Sat. Feb. 16
Jul-13 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-15 Houston, TX Toyota Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-17 Chicago, IL United Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-18 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-20 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-22 Montreal, QC Bell Centre On Sale Sat. Feb. 9
Jul-23 Boston, MA TD Garden On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-25 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-26 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-27 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-29 Washington, DC Verizon Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Aug-2 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Aug-3 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Are you in the process of writing a novel? If so, the Jeffrey Archer Short Story Challenge sponsored by Kobo and Curtis Brown Creative is the contest for you! One lucky winner will be awarded the grand prize of free enrolment in an upcoming Curtis Brown online novel writing course.
How to Submit
Authors should submit a 100-word short. The short can consist of any genre of fiction, as long as it stays within the 100-word limit.
Submit Here< /strong>
Submission deadline: 15th February 2013.
What Happens Next
The Kobo Writing Life Team will select 20 semi-finalists whose submissions will be collected in a free anthology available on the Kobo site! (Author names and photos will be included here as well, so get ready for your close-up!)
Contest judge and bestselling author Jeffrey Archer will evaluate the 20 semi-finalist submissions and choose three finalists. The finalists will be announced by Jeffrey Archer himself at the Kobo booth at London Book Fair on 15th April 2013.
The three finalists will be requested to submit a 3,000-word excerpt of their novel-in-progress to be judged by Curtis Brown Creative and will receive written feedback.
The lucky grand prize winner will be awarded free enrolment in an upcoming Curtis Brown online novel writing course! The winner will be announced on April 29th, 2013.
Tutors and guest speakers of past Curtis Brown creative writing courses include Jojo Moyes, Tracy Chevalier, Tony Parsons, Harriet Evans and Anna Davis. Find out more about Curtis Brown Creative here.
Full Terms and Conditions
The Contest is open only to legal residents of the forty eight (48) contiguous United States, District of Columbia, the United Kingdom and Canada (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their respective jurisdiction at the time of entry (each entrant, an “Entrant”). Void in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and where prohibited by law. The Prize consists of free enrolment in one (1) Curtis Brown writing course. The voucher is valid until December 31, 2013.
