Beatlemania Heads To The West End

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The Fab 5 live on as Backbeat, the stage version of the award winning 1994 film about the early years of The Beatles, will have its West End premiere in the autumn. The play was written by Iain Softley, the film’s creator, and is directed by David Leveaux. It will open on 10 October 2011 (Previews will be in September) at London’s Duke of York Theatre, it will run until 24 March 2012. Tickets are already on sale.

The film starred Stephen Dorff as Stuart Sutcliffe, Ian Hart and Sheryl Lee. The film was co-written and directed by Softley. The stage play has its world premiere at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre in February 2010. It is set during the ‘Hamburg Tears’ in the early 1960s before the band become, as Lennon put it, ‘more famous than God’. It focuses on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe, who left the Beatles just before the became famous, after falling in love with Astrid Kirchherr, a German photographer, Sutcliffe handed his guitar over to Paul McCartney and died of a brain hemorrhage in Hamburg aged just 22. His portrait features on the album cover for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Casting got the West End show has yet to be announced.

Backbeat will includ some Beatle songs including ‘Twist & Shout’, ‘Rock & Roll Music’, ‘Long Tall Sally’ ‘Please Mr Postman’ and ‘Money’.

Producer Karl Sydow commented today: “Backbeat at the Duke of York’s Theatre will allow people the experience of being at the birth of the Beatles. It tells a story that many music fans may not know, set to a musical backdrop that absolutely defined the early Sixties. Next year will mark 50 years since the Beatles released their first single, and I am proud to be bringing their early days to life in the West End.”

Philanthropist author Philip Smith to headline at Canada's premier international event on microfinance

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Philanthropist author Philip Smith to headline at Canada’s premier international event on microfinance and financial inclusion (Sept 16 & 17)

Toronto International Microfinance Summit announced today that Philip Smith, successful American entrepreneur and co-author of A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and the Business Solution for Ending Poverty will speak at its Friday Gala and set the tone for the 2-day Toronto event. In its third year, the Summit brings together microfinance practitioners, business, international development agencies, NGOs and students to learn, interact and get involved. This year’s theme – From Microcredit to Financial Inclusion: Making a Difference in our World – is the focus of the signature events:

Gala – September 16 (Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street) to raise funds for international and domestic microfinance projects and a scholarship. Reception: 6:00 pm, Dinner & Program: 7:30 pm. Silent & live auctions, entertainment.

Conference – September 17 (Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place,105 Princes’ Blvd.) features experts who address the effectiveness of microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool and provide frontline insights from around the world. A NEW MicroMarketplace will showcase products of micro-entrepreneurs. Registration: 7:30 -9:00 am, Program & Lunch: 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

“Microfinance is an effective way to deal with poverty,” says Dr. Carol Golench, President of Toronto International Microfinance Summit. “When you consider that, worldwide, in 2009 over 92 million borrowers from nearly 2,000 microfinance institutions had an average loan balance of $527USD, you realize microfinance is addressing poverty in a significant way and transforming people’s lives.”

“Microcredit enables people to become givers, not takers,” adds Philip Smith. “Microcredit should not be seen as charity but rather as the opportunity poor people need to build a decent life. Through microcredit, donors can shed the old hand-out mentality and become true partners in progress with the people of the developing world.”

Over 30 event speakers include: Bob Annibale – Citi, Joyce Lehman – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Michael Bowles – Aga Khan Foundation, Kadita (A.T.) Tshibaka – Opportunity International USA, Stéphanie Émond – FINCA Canada, Dr. Tanjina Mirza, PLAN Canada, Jeff Rayman – UEnd: Poverty Foundation, Deborah Lindholm – Foundation for Women and Gordon Crann – Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit.

Once again, The MasterCard Foundation is providing financial assistance for the first 100 students to register for the conference.

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE for conference tickets is SEPTEMBER 2 . Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn. Watch the Microwalk on YouTube. Watch for our new mobile app.

For tickets, a full list of speakers and more information, visit www.microfinanceconference.ca.

Toronto International Microfinance Summit is Canada’s premier event focusing on domestic and international microfinance. Founded in 2009, this non-profit organization was inspired by Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit (RAGM) and Rotary District 7070 Microfinance Committee. The Summit’s signature Conference and Gala are run entirely by volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ages. Our vision is a world without poverty through microfinance. Our mission is to educate people on microfinance – a formidable poverty reduction tool, create a forum for dialogue and raise funds for domestic and international microfinance projects and educational scholarships. Formerly the Summit was known as Toronto Microfinance Conference & Gala.

The Avril Lavigne Foundation, Easter Seals Announce Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club

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Giving Kids & Youth with Disabilities the Opportunity to Express Their Individuality & Have Fun

The Avril Lavigne Foundation announced today the creation of the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, an initiative to support recreational programming for children and youth with disabilities, their families, and communities. The first four Easter Seals affiliates selected to receive an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant are Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; Easter Seals Capper Foundation in Kansas; Easter Seals Massachusetts; and Easter Seals Southern California.

Earlier this year, Easter Seals affiliates from across the U.S. and Canada were invited to apply for an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant. The grants’ initiative evolved from the collaboration between Easter Seals and The Avril Lavigne Foundation originally announced in September 2010 to identify and support recreational programs for kids with disabilities and their families and communities. Thirty affiliates applied for a grant. Following a review of the top 12 applicants, award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation selected four Easter Seals grant recipients.

“It was really tough to pick just four,” said Lavigne. “I was inspired by the creativity of everyone who applied and the exciting range of opportunities the Easter Seals affiliates presented. Recreational programs allow children and young people with disabilities to develop critical social and emotional skills and also just have fun. As great as these programs are, a lot of times when budgets are tight these will be the first programs cut. My goal is to help bring more resources to these great programs.”

The four initial grant recipients were chosen based on their overall impact and embodiment of the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s R.O.C.K.S. mission: R espect, O pportunity, C hoices, K nowledge, and S trength.

The unique programs supported by the grant will include a program to connect teens with disabilities with other kids in their community at Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; an art camp at Easter Seals Capper Foundation; an overnight camp at Easter Seals Massachusetts; and an afterschool music program at Easter Seals Southern California. To learn more about these exciting programs, please visit The Avril Lavigne Foundation website at www.theavrillavignefoundation.org.

“We’re so lucky to have such an incredible partner in Avril and The Avril Lavigne Foundation. She cares deeply about making sure kids and young people with disabilities have every opportunity to live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and find happiness. She’s also passionate about sharing a message of inclusion, that kids and young people with disabilities want to laugh, have fun with their friends, and just fit in – like all of us,” says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “We also know when it comes to Easter Seals, Avril was most inspired by our recreational programming – services where kids and teens with disabilities can just be kids through social events, music, theater, sports, arts, leisure time, hobbies, getting out in the community and camp. That’s what The Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals is all about.”

Avril Lavigne is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter. Though most of her philanthropic efforts have been private and anonymous, Avril has publicly supported a number of charitable organizations over the years, including Amnesty International, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, War Child, and YouthAIDS. Avril currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. Avril’s work with children who are seriously ill or who have disabilities inspired her to form The Avril Lavigne Foundation in 2010.

About The Avril Lavigne Foundation

Award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne created The Avril Lavigne Foundation in early 2010. The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S.: R espect, O pportunity, C hoices, K nowledge, and S trength in support of children and youth living with serious illnesses and disabilities. The foundation partners with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth living with a serious illness or a disability.

About Easter Seals

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For over 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com.

Venture Capitalists' Confidence Falls in Silicon Valley and China

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The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index® for the second quarter of 2011, based on a June 2011 survey of 35 Bay Area venture capitalists, registered 3.66 on a 5 point scale (with 5 indicating high confidence and 1 indicating low confidence). This quarter’s index dropped significantly from the previous quarter’s reading of 3.91 ending the upward momentum in confidence since its low point in Q4 2008.

This is the 30th consecutive quarterly survey and report and, thus, provides unique quantitative and qualitative trend data and analysis on the confidence of Silicon Valley VCs in the future high-growth entrepreneurial environment. Mark V. Cannice, professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of San Francisco (USF) School of Management, authors the report each quarter.

In his report Cannice writes, “While many of the participating venture capitalists continued to be confident in the future prospects of the high-growth entrepreneurial environment, an increasing number found reason for caution due to worrisome macro economic trends, seemingly inflated valuations, uneven capital availability, and regulatory constraints in the life science arena.” For example, Bob Pavey of Morgenthaler Ventures explained, “We are still in the early stages of an upturn…but there will continue to be many downs as well as ups. Some of the downs will be painful.” Similarly, Bob Ackerman of Allegis Capital contended, “The venture market is still regaining its footing,” adding, “A capital shortage in very early stage investing is overshadowed by exuberance in the social media sector.” However, Deepak Kamra of Canaan Partners stated, “Despite recent volatility, the exit window is still open for M&A and IPO’s, and will probably be open for quality companies for some time.”

Dr. Cannice concluded that while a general up-cycle in the venture environment persists, there is a risk that politically induced economic uncertainty in the U.S. and Europe could dry up liquidity in the financial markets and among corporate acquirers that could constrain the currently vibrant exit market.

In a companion study on confidence among venture capitalists in China, Cannice and his co-author Ling Ding, found confidence declining to near a six year low on concerns of bubble valuations, more difficult exits, and a slowing economy.

For the complete Q2 2011 report, please visit:

http://www.usfca.edu/uploadedFiles/Destinations/management/Docs/Cannice_SV_VC_Index_2011_Q2.pdf

Cowboys & Aliens Fails to Shoot Straight on Smoking

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Cowboys & Aliens Fails to Shoot Straight on Smoking with Its Youngest Movie Goers

Universal Takes One Step Forward, Two Steps Back with Major Smoking Scenes in Youth-Rated Blockbuster, Opening Today

Cowboys & Aliens, released today, will be reaching young theater audiences around the country with images of smoking that could motivate many of them to light up for the first time. Previous research has already confirmed a link between smoking images in movies and youth smoking initiation.

Universal Studios, spotlighted just two weeks ago in a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report as one of three movie companies that pared smoking in movies rated for youth by 96 percent, released the PG-13 blockbuster today, which features a cowboy hero, portrayed by Daniel Craig, who is seen smoking in key scenes.

“Just weeks ago, we applauded Universal for responding to this problem so responsibly by nearly eliminating tobacco from their G, PG and PG-13 movies,” said David Dobbins, Chief Operating Officer of Legacy®, the national public health foundation devoted to youth smoking prevention and adult smoking cessation. “This reversal confirms that without a uniform policy, young people will continue to see images of smoking that can inevitably cause them to smoke. It underscores how critical it is for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to take a much-needed leadership role and adopt a comprehensive policy on smoking by which all studios must abide.”

In a July 15, 2011 CDC report,[1] findings revealed that Universal, Disney and Warner Bros., had reduced tobacco incidents per youth-rated movie by 96 percent on average between 2005 and 2010. The data found that three other major studios — Fox, Sony and Paramount — had performed remarkably less well (42%).

In order to reduce youth exposure to tobacco imagery and level the playing field for all movie companies, public health groups like Legacy recommended that future movies with smoking be R-rated. The CDC’s report earlier this month underscored that point, saying, “Consistent with the effects of anti-tobacco use policies adopted by the three motion picture companies, expanding the R-rating to include movies with smoking could further reduce exposures of young persons to onscreen tobacco incidents, making smoking initiation less likely.”

So far in 2011, major Hollywood studios have released at least 15 youth-rated movies with tobacco imagery, all but two with PG-13 ratings: Fox: Monte Carlo , Water for Elephants; Sony: Country Strong, The Green Hornet, Jumping the Broom, Priest, Midnight in Paris; Paramount: Rango (PG); Justin Bieber (G); Universal: Cowboys & Aliens, Hanna, Larry Crowne ; Warner Bros.: Sucker Punch, Unknown, The Rite.[2]

Cowboys & Aliens, distributed by Universal (Comcast), was produced by DreamWorks with Reliance (India), Relativity and Imagine Entertainment.[3] It was shot in New Mexico on a reported $100 million budget,[4] with public subsidies.[5]

[1] Glantz S, Mitchell S, Titus K, Polansky JR, Kaufmann R, Bauer U (2011) Smoking in top-grossing movies – United States, 2010. MMWR 60(27);909-913

[2] UCSF CTCRE preliminary analysis of Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! Data (Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails.

[3] IMDbPro.com

[4] http://www.movieinsider.com/m4251/3/cowboys-and-aliens/

[5] http://www.nmfilm.com/filming/downloads/filmographyFiscalYear.pdf

NHS 'Letting Patients Die to Save Cash' Says Official Report

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A report by the Co-operation and Competition Panel (CCP), an independent watchdog that advises the NHS, claims that NHS managers are deliberately delaying operations, hoping that patients will die or go private in a ‘callous’ attempt to cut their budgets.

The report says that health service trusts will be ‘likely to impose greater pain and inconvenience’ by making those in need of care wait longer than necessary for surgery, the official report found.

By making patients wait for as long as four months, it is hoped they will remove themselves form the list ‘either by dying or by paying for their own treatment’.

NHS bosses are having to make £20billion of savings by 2014. The panel’s report claims unfair practices are ‘endemic’ in areas of England.

CCP chairman Lord Carter of Coles said: ‘Commissioners have a difficult job in the current financial climate, but patients’ rights are often being restricted without a valid and visible reason.’ 

Katherine Murphy, of independent charity the Patients Association, said: ‘It is outrageous that some primary care trusts are imposing minimum waiting times.

‘The suggestion that it could save money because patients will remove themselves from the list by going private or dying is a callous and cynical manipulation of people’s lives and should not be tolerated.’ 

The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansely has spoken out and accused NHS managers of risking lives by making patients wait longer for treatment in a ‘cynical’ bid to save money. Lansley said the report showed why the NHS needed to be reformed.

‘This is exactly why we need to put patients’ interests first,’ he said. ‘Too many primary care trusts have been operating in a cynical environment where they can game the system – and in which political targets, particularly the maximum 18-week waiting time target, are used to actually delay treatment.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: ‘This report illustrates exactly why we need to modernise the NHS and increase choice for patients.’

Richard Wright is On Tanget

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As the great Willie Nelson once told us “on the road again, just can’t wait to get on the road again”. That man spoke a lot of sense in that song but he also smoked a lot of cannabis apparently, so take anything he says with a slight pinch of salt. I know I do. Why am I quoting him? This makes no sense. Which would be fine if I was high but I don’t smoke weed. So anyway the confusion is back at Frost Magazine. For those of you who don’t know, cause let’s face it as Staind said; it has, in fact, been a while, I used to write a lot of nonsense on various things right here at Frost Magazine. And now due an underwhelming lack of public interest in those articles I am back to do some more. No need to thank me I know you didn’t ask me too. So let’s get down do it and do something America can’t do and raise the ceiling! That joke works better if it’s raise the roof but it’s not called the Debt Roof. If it was then the debt roof really is on fire. The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire. Anywho….

Let me introduce this little idea of mine. It’s called “on tangent” and basically I like to wander aimlessly wherever my mind takes me at that moment. There is never a moment when I can truly stay on topic. For example writing this now I have had to avoid slipping into a few lines on the topic chocolate bar. You see I will never be on topic and don’t go looking for a topic because there’s isn’t one. However I can promise that I can stay on tangent. There is to the best of my knowledge no chocolate bar called tangent. There is one in Sweden called Plop but none called Tangent. Plop is actually quite a tasty bit of confectionary. You see my issue. So here I present the first ever on tangent – I’ll keep these brief there is only so long you can read them before they become intolerable.

I thought we could start with something deep. The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Unless, of course, you’re a surgeon in which case that’s just not true at all. What I would like to talk with you about today is something that I believe is an important topic that deserves deep consideration. Why does Alexander Armstrong look quite so much like a Toby Jug? That’s not it but it just struck me, and I felt I should share.

Admittedly saying that was a tad pointless. Oh yes that’s right he shoots and he scores. Thank you thank you no need to applaud. I do quite like that quiz though it’s quite a good tea time watch. I wouldn’t mind going on pointless because I wouldn’t win and it would be pointless. I think we can all see the circularity in that. It would be the purest form of the quiz and I would have embraced the totality of the nature of naming the quiz pointless. Because my being on the show would be pointless and therefore that would surely make the lords of quiz naming happy. Although I have a feeling the name was initially rejected as the title for a Katie Price reality show. Or even just as the tagline to her life. I mean that would be a more honest title for one of those shows. Speaking of honest advertising here is a few potential company slogans if the companies involved decided to be a bit more honest about themselves:

1.We’re not ethical but you knew that – NewsCorp
2.We do terrible things but aren’t your trainers comfortable? – Nike
3.Evil vs tasty? Tasty wins – Nestle
4. Want to look like you care without trying too hard? Cadburys Dairy Milk
5. At this point we could probably sell you anything – Apple
6. Come on you don’t even watch Panorama – Primark
7.You don’t really understand it but everyone is else is doing it – Twitter

Speaking of advertising one of the adverts I saw for the new Alpha Romeo Mito made me angrily confused. Now car adverts is one of the places were rhetoric and the use of over the top language is common place and I can accept that for what it is. A ford focus won’t give you more focus. But this? Sorry Alpha this is lying! It runs on Adrenaline? It clearly won’t that’s so over the top stupid I can’t wrap my head around who said that was OK! It’s beyond my tiny mind and maybe that’s why I don’t understand it. But as the weeks role by here at Frost Magazine you’ll soon discover there are many things I don’t understand. And that’s ok. There is nothing wrong with saying I don’t understand. Nick Clegg says it every day when he looks in the mirror. And I can help Nick it’s called standing by your beliefs. Talk to Paddy Ashdown about it he might be able to help you out. You remember him right Nick?

So that’s all for this particular peculiar but always molecular edition of On tangent. I am aware that last sentence makes about as much sense as going to Lycos to do a search for Google but, you know, when you’re the type of person who does go to Lycos and type in Google you run with whatever you can think of. When I went to Lycos and typed in Google I just wanted it to link to a picture of a dog crying with the text “why do you mock me like this? It’s not right. You know where Google is. Why do you have to remind me things aren’t as good as we planned? I hate Google!” Thanks for reading until next time please occasionally use Lycos it will make its little tail wag.

PS – If Lycos had become the world powerhouse instead of Google would the popular phrase for doing an internet search have been “fetching”? It would have been better then “dogging it”

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt To Quit Acting: “We Had a Good Run”

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Angelina Jolie has revealed that she “doesn’t love” acting as much as she used to.

Jolie was in tears when she was honoured for her controversial war movie, The Land Of Blood And Honey, at the Sarajevo Film Festival. She was praised for her directing debut, which is about a Muslim woman and a Serbian man during the Bosnian war in the 1990s. However, Jolie also said that she and Brad plan to quit acting soon.

“As Brad and I get older, we’re going to do fewer films,” she said. “I’ve been working for a long time, he’s been working for a long time. We’ve had a nice run and don’t want to be doing this our whole lives.”

Jolie added: “I’ve never not been grateful to be an actor. But I think when I was younger, I needed [acting] more. I was trying to question things in life, so you find these characters that help you find things and grow. I’m older and I know who I am, and I’m less interested in the character helping me answer something than in being able to answer it for myself, as a woman, as an adult, with my family.”

Jolie was Forbes highest paid actress in 2009 and 2011, and she and boyfriend Brad Pitt are parents to six children, Maddox, 9, Pax, 7, Zahara, 6, Shiloh, 5 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 3.

She said: “Home is wherever we are. I’m very bad at staying in one place. I’m also bad at sitting still. There’s so much to explore in the world, so I love travel. If you can travel I think it’s the best way to raise kids.”