Siro-A Theatre Review

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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

DATE: 1st February 2013 – 22nd April 2013


BOOKING: 08448 733433 ONLINE: www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

Fresh From The SuperBowl Beyonce Announces World Tour

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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

Free Fitness Workout Videos For A Better Body In 12 Weeks

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Sick of your workout? Really want to get in shape? Frost has teamed up with the 2013 USN Makeover Challenge to bring you five free workout videos. They guarantee a better body in 12 weeks. Enjoy and let us know how you get on.

1. The Perfect Exercises to Firm up your Legs and Bums

The 2013 USN Makeover Challenge presents to you their legs and bums workout video. Taken from the highly proclaimed work out challenge, these exercises will tone your legs and bum in a routine that will take you less than half an hour.

2. Lose those love handles and firm up those Abs – exercises from the USN Makeover Challenge.

Taken from the 2013 USN Makeover challenge, these ab and love handle exercises guarantee results. The USN Makeover Challenge is a weight loss programme that will help you shape up and get fit fast.

3. Be Proud of your Arms with these must-do Exercises from the USN Makeover Challenge.

Taken from the 2013 USN Makeover challenge, these bingo wings and bicep workouts guarantee results. The USN Makeover Challenge is a weight loss programme that will help you shape up and get fit fast.

4. USN Present to you the Full Body Workout from their 2013 Makeover Challenge.

Fitness Challenges don’t come more rewarding than this. These full body exercises combine cardio and strength and are taken from the USN Body Makeover Challenge where the exercises and health benefits guarantee results.

5. The Best Circuit Training for your Body from the USN Makeover Challenge

These full circuit training exercises are taken from the USN Body Makeover Challenge and can be performed anywhere which is perfect for people always on the go. The USN Makeover Challenge is a proclaimed weight loss programme that will help you shape up and get fit fast through a series of exercises and diet plans.

For more information visit www.usn.co.uk

SkyCig Review. An Alternative To Smoking?

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Our writer, Mark, has been trying to quit smoking for a few years now, so we passed on Skycig to him and waited for the results. Here is what he said:

“I have been trying to quit smoking but have found it really hard. I liked how Skycig looks. The packaging if really stylish and the e-cigarette looks like a proper cigarette. So thumbs up for presentation.

The Skycig has different flavours and I am not a fan of them all, but there is plenty of selection and apart from the cherry one I like them. At first the e-cigarette is a little strange. It is like a cigarette but not. After a while I find something amazing happening though: I really cut down the amount of real cigarettes I smoke. I have not quit completely yet but I smoke Skycig instead. I can recommend it and will definitely keep using it.”

Many smokers yearn for a product which allows them to enjoy the physical act of smoking, without the obvious health implications (or unsocial outdoor restrictions!) associated with smoking traditional tobacco. The UK’s leading provider of e-cigarettes – SKYCIG – has the answer to this particular smokers’ daily dilemma, with the SKYCIG Freedom Pack. It provides customers with the most realistic smoking experience available, and is designed to be enjoyed virtually anywhere you see a ‘no smoking’ sign!

Designed to simulate the act of smoking tobacco, a SKYCIG e-cigarette contains just a small dose of nicotine, delivered in the form of water vapour, allowing you to enjoy the act of smoking, without the 4,000 harmful chemicals found in traditional cigarettes – making it an indispensable tool in the pathway to quitting!

Now with ‘push-to-charge’ technology, resulting in a longer lasting battery, the Freedom Pack conveniently allows customers to charge their e-cig on the move, without the complicated charging process of old.

With a selection of seven unique and great tasting flavours– Classic Tobacco, Tobacco Gold, Menthol, Vanilla, Cherry, Cinnamon, Crown Tobacco – and available in three varying strengths – Bold, Regular and Light – SKYCIG is a product which guarantees satisfaction, without compromising on taste or the user’s enjoyment of the product and experience.

With a cutting-edge and user friendly design, intended to mimic the look and appearance of a traditional cigarette, you can be sure to enjoy the product in style, knowing that it won’t stain your nails or teeth, or leave your clothes smelling like an ashtray!

SKYCIG costs up to 75 per cent less than traditional cigarettes.

Enter the Jeffrey Archer Short Story Challenge!

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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.

Watch Live Gael Garcia Bernal Q & A Today.

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TODAY – FILM STAR GAEL GARCIA BERNAL TAKES PART IN LIVE Q AND A AHEAD OF UK LAUNCH OF OSCAR-NOMINATED FILM ‘NO’

Gael García Bernal, the star of the Oscar-nominated film ‘NO’, will take part in a Q and A with Amnesty International to be broadcast live on YouTube at 3.45pm today, ahead of the film’s UK launch on 8 February.

The film documents the fall of the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and stars García Bernal as René Saavedra, an advertising executive who devised the campaign that brought democracy to the South American country in 1988.

The character René Saavedra is loosely based on the real-life advertising executive Eugenio García, who will join García Bernal in the live Q and A. They will be taking questions from the public submitted to Amnesty on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmnestyUK and on Twitter using the hashtag #AskGael.

The film features many of the individuals who were banned from appearing in the Chilean media during Pinochet’s era. The critically acclaimed film also won the Art Cinema Prize in Cannes in 2012.

The Q and A will be broadcast live on this link from 15.45 today:

Chile, like a large number of South American countries, has yet to fully address the human rights abuses committed by the nation’s authorities during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1973 General Pinochet led a bloody coup that overthrew the democratically-elected government of President Salvador Allende. During his 17-year rule, Amnesty believes 1,100 people were people forcibly disappeared, more than 2,000 were unlawfully killed and several thousands were tortured by the military forces.

Hundreds of people are still awaiting justice for the human rights abuses committed against them.

Diet Coke throws fashion party of the year for 30th Birthday

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– Sparkling celeb-studded bash celebrates iconic brand and new Diet Coke hunk –

Last night saw the fashion fabulous crowd of Diet Coke fans gather at London’s Sketch to celebrate the brand’s 30th birthday. Guests including Pixie and Peaches Geldof, Pearl Lowe and Danny Goffey, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Laura Whitmore, Zoe Hardman, Jamelia, Ben Grimes, Jade Parfitt and the Made In Chelsea cast enjoyed a sparkling night that looked back at the brand’s dazzling 30-year history and also saw the unveiling of a new Diet Coke hunk.

The biggest surprise of the night saw pulses race when Andrew Cooper, the new Diet Coke hunk entered the room to the famous Etta James “I Just Want To Make Love To You” soundtrack. Back, and sexier than ever, the new hunk ad is set to become one of the most talked about campaigns, and men of the year.

Event host, Hilary Alexander treated guests to a journey across Diet Coke’s 30 years, talking through the exciting campaigns and collaborations that have helped the brand become a cultural icon. She also officially opened a specially curated three decades themed exhibition, which allowed guests to view some of the most exciting moments from the brand including celeb-led campaigns ‘Just for the Elle of it’ (1987), Whitney Houston’s Diet Coke advertising campaign (1988), Paula Abdul’s ‘There’s just one’ (1992), the first hunk Lucky Vanous’ test shots (1994) and Heidi Klum’s Oscar dress from the Diet Coke Heart Truth campaign (2009).

Quirky designer and stylist Patricia Field was there and showcased her limited edition range of ‘Diet Coke City Collection’ bottles. These follow in the line of previous campaigns such as Moschino, Karl Largerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier and Diane Von Furstenberg, firmly cementing the brand as the ultimate fashionista accessory.

Music for the night saw style superblogger Bip Ling hit the decks, combining the ultimate party track favourites from the past three decades in a mega mix specially created for Diet Coke. VIP’s including Lilah Parsons, Jack Derges, Phil Clifton and Wretch 32, also enjoyed three-decade themed cocktails entitled ‘80’s Just For The Taste Of It’, ‘90’s Diet Coke Break’ and ‘00’s Love It Light’ all made using Diet Coke as well as decadent canapés.

Josephine de la Baume and Xiao Wen Ju Wearing Kenzo

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Josephine de la Baume and Xiao Wen Ju Wearing Kenzo | 2013 Sidaction Gala Dinner

Stylish girl and other half to Mark Ronson, Josephine de la Baume wears Kenzo to the 2013 Sidaction Gala Dinner.

She is wearing Kenzo’s Pre-fall 2013 Raindrops Structured Boatneck Wool Jacquard Cocktail Dress.