Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

Joe McElderry records title track for, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

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Joe McElderry records title track for new feature film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

The most anticipated 3D film of the year is opening in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on December 9th 2010.

X Factor winner Joe McElderry was approached by Twentieth Century Fox to record the specially written track, ‘There’s a place for us’, written by American songstress Carrie Underwood, which will feature in the film released later in the year.

Joe will also attend The Royal Film Performance™ and World Premiere of the film in Leicester Square on November 30th and also switch on the regents street lights on November 9th

Directed by Michael Apted, The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is the latest installment of the Narnia saga. Filmed in digital 3D, the exciting new chapter is set to be the biggest blockbuster of 2010.

Joe recently returned to the charts with his debut single ‘Ambitions’ since winning the UK hit show, The X Factor ,in 2009. His album, ‘Wide awake’, is out now.

Where goes the Sisterhood?

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Every Wednesday, for a few weeks now, I have been in pain. Not through an exercise class, but through watching those awful, bitchyl ‘women’ on the Apprentice. It’s excruciating TV at it’s most excruciating. The embarrassment, the disappointment I have in them; it’s actually almost too much to bear. The women I know do not act like this. The vast majority of them anyway.

Which leads me into the million dollar question: Where goes the sisterhood? I am an actor (They don’t like it when you use actress, I really don’t care), I am also a business women, a writer, a daughter, a friend. I do not have an actual sister. I am over expecting women to give me a hand up in my acting career. In business, maybe. In writing, very probably. I have had advice from other female writers. But the acting? No, there is far too few roles. They put so much pressure on us to be young and thin that it feels like we end up hating each other. The patriarchal society wins again – but only because we let it.

Which is a shame, as I think one of the reasons that I have the luck to be a working actor is because of how I relate to other people. I have given advice to a lot of women wanting to be actors. Both younger and older. Some of them do not even know what Spotlight is. For the non theatrical amongst you, Spotlight is an online directory of actors. Most castings come through it. If you are an actor who is not on Spotlight, success is about nil.

I can’t say I have felt the same back. I mostly feel that the more successful I become, the more other women hate me. Not just jealousy, I hate jealousy but it’s forgivable- No, actual hate. They hate me for being younger than them, thinner or for having a better agent. I did a bit part in a very popular show recently and one of the main actors, a female, incredibly famous, some might say an institution, was so horrendous to me I questioned my life choices. Why spend your life on a film set with assholes? I could be travelling around America, doing aid work, writing a book. But, no, I am having lunch when a millionaire, far more powerful than me, who is trying to get me to move from the seat I am on because she wants to sit there, and then huffs off with her cronies when I refuse. It’s Mean Girls – with middle aged women.

Then there is the younger women, or the ones my age. I went an audition only to see a (now ex) friend. It was the third or fourth time I had seen her at an audition in a few months. She looked horrified as I walked in the door. Loudly exclaimed: ‘Oh, YOU’RE here. You’re at EVERYTHING. ‘ and then stalked off. She then preceded to bitch about me to every other women there. I had no idea what she was saying, but none of them would talk to me. There is a bitter sweet end: I got the part.

All of this reminded of me of a quote that I recently read: ‘With men it’s their enemies that tear them apart, with women it’s their friends.’ It’s depressing because it is largely true. I have a young playing age. I still get cast as teenagers. And nothing is more cruel than a teenage girl. Except maybe an ageing actress.

I was recently told on a film set that: ‘You will not be beautiful forever, you will lose your beauty, everything will leave you, you will have nothing left. You will become just like me.’ by a mad foreign actor. I doubt I will end up like you love, as I am not bitter and full of hate. Thanks anyway.

This is not to bring all women down. I got my start in writing through females. I have had advice and friendship. I have an amazing circle of female friends. But it took until my 20’s for that to happen. And sometimes I learn the worst of them. I grow up amongst men. The women I tend to not get along with are sensitive. The male ego is more fragile, but sometimes it seems that you can’t say anything to a women without her taking it the wrong way. All my female friends are laid back, down to earth, genuine people. I love them dearly. My life would be grey without them. I am aware of my luck.

So what do the women of The Apprentice have to learn? That they are holding themselves back. Melissa Cohen blamed the two men on the boardroom who were ‘picking on her’ for her swift exit. Her lack of self awareness was astounding. She was fired because she deserved to be. Unless women stop fighting with each other, stop being competitive and bringing each other down, this will always be a man’s world. Because, after all, should we really be fighting against sexism and each other?

Catherine Balavage

SPOOKS, SPIRITS AND SMARTPHONES, Top 5 Paranormal sightings.

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Phone-paparazzi boosts ghostly sightings

With Halloween approaching, research has shown that having the latest technology at our fingertips has caused a surge in the number of paranormal images that have been recorded.

Tesco Telecoms has found that one in three people have noticed spooky goings-on in photos and video clips taken on their mobiles.

This spine-chillingly high figure is driven by the growing popularity of Smartphones which have high quality cameras and the internet and email at the touch of a button.

‘Digging-up’ some consumer research into Smartphone technology and consumer behaviour, Tesco Telecoms found that 78% of people felt that their phones made it easier for them to capture those weird, unexpected moments on the cuff.

Taking their findings to Paranormal Research UK, leading investigator Phil Hayes confirmed that they had seen a 70% increase in paranormal evidence captured by Smartphone cameras or videos.

The research group attributed this rise with the fact that people carry their phones with them everywhere they go, making it easier to record those eerie moments. They also confirmed that submitting evidence has become faster, as the email and social network function on internet-enabled Smartphones, allows material to be shared easily.

Further results from Tesco Telecoms’ spooky research showed that Brits are in fact a nation open to paranormal activity with more than half of the population believing in ghosts and poltergeists.

And despite one in five admitting that if faced with a ghost they would run away, over half of Brits said they would bravely stay put and try and capture the sighting with whatever technology they have to hand.

Frighteningly, almost 60% of those questioned had or knew someone else who had experienced paranormal activity, with one in two saying that they had experienced a shiver down the spine upon entering into a room.

Some of the scariest incidences reported included objects moving by themselves, transparent figures floating across the room and ghostly cackling coming from nowhere.

Some of the male respondents even cheekily cited their wives first thing in the morning as the scariest thing they’d ever seen!

Lance Batchelor, Chief Executive Officer of Tesco Telecoms and Tesco Mobile commented: “Halloween is the perfect time of year to keep an eye out for the ghostly and ghoulish.

“We’d recommend those brave enough to capture any spooky sightings should MMS or email their pics to Paranormal Research UK for investigation.

“Keep your camera phone on the highest quality resolution setting and use the recorder to capture the noise of any spectral sounds.”

Top five most believed-in paranormals

1. Ghosts

2. Aliens

3. UFOs

4. Past lives

5. Out of body experiences

By Catherine Balavage

Frost City Guides {Zurich}

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Zurich is known as a sterile banking city – don’t believe a word of it. True, Zurich plays home to one of the largest stock exchanges in the world and is the financial motor of Switzerland itself, but step back from the markets and share prices and you’ll find an arty and surprisingly vibrant city. It is very expensive however. Especially food and drink.

Zurich’s setting on the northern tip of Lake Zurich helps lend it an air of affluence and good living, while the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which face each other across the River Limmat, hint at the rich heritage of the Old Town. In addition, Zurich offers smart shops, upmarket clubs and good restaurants. I was told by a local that there were two sides. The golden side and the sneezy side. The Old Town is on the golden side – where the affluent people live. The weather is usually good on this side. The sneezy side is so called because it rarely gets any sun. This is where the ‘poor’ people live. Although, one feels, to be poor in Zurich is to well-off anywhere else!

We got a tram into the the old town. (8 Ch, all day on all types of transport) and walked around. Zurich’s Old Town. It is a beautiful and cobbled. Full of cafes and restaurants. Perfect for people watching.
The next day we made a picnic and went swimming in Lake Zurich. Picturesque, although I found the current very strong. Yes, I know it’s a lake!

While browsing in the elegant boutiques along Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe you can work out your credit card. Jimmy Choo , Louis Vuttion are just some of the designer stores there. And this being a financial city with negotiable tax, you can be certain that a couple of metres below, unimaginable treasures are lying in underground vaults.

There are over 50 museums and over 100 art galleries. The National Museum is worth the price of admission alone for a table-top mock-up of the Battle of Morat in 1476 using 6000 tin soldiers.

All in all, Zurich is a beautiful city. It is very small. It would be very easy to cover all of it in less than a week. I made a friend chuckle by saying it reminded me of Glasgow; Small, cultural, near water.

Transport is easy to figure out. Get a tram/ train map. It is usually very prompt, but there was one day I waited for hours because of a tram crash. The locals don’t all speak English, but they were quite helpful. Other helpful hints are; Switzerland’s currency is still the Franc. And spend coins in Switzerland. Banks won’t change them.

I recommend Zurich. It is a lovely city to spend a weekend.

Main information:
Zürich Tourismus
Zurich Main Railway Station, 8021 Zurich
Tel: (044) 215 4000.
www.zuerich.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-2030, Sun 0830-1830 (May-Oct); Mon-Sat 0830-1900, Sun 0900-1800 (Nov-Apr)
information@zuerich.com

Hotel reservations
044 215 40 40
hotel@zuerich.com

Passes:
The ZürichCARD, available for 24 or 72 hours,offers unlimited travel within the Zurich canton, free admission to over 40 museums, reduced admission to the zoo and a complimentary welcome drink at over 20 restaurants. You can buy the cards at the train stations, many hotels and some of the main VBZ ticket offices around town. There is a full downloadable guide to the ZürichCARD at

Transport times: Regular services from 5am until 00:30am
Friday and Saturday 1am until 4am.

Facts and figures:
Inhabitants city 383,565
Inhabitants canton 1.30m
Proportion of foreigners 31%
Currency Swiss Francs (CHF)
Colloquial language German ( Swiss German)
Other languages English, Italian, French

By Catherine Balavage

Get into Christmas spirit with Breast Cancer Care. At St Paul's church.

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Get into the spirit of Christmas with Breast Cancer Care’s Carols by Candlelight, at St Paul’s Church

Celebrate the festive season in style this December by attending Breast Cancer Care’s Carols by Candlelight at St Pauls Church, Knightsbridge.

Gather friends and family for some Christmas cheer and support the 46,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer annually, by helping Breast Cancer Care fund vital support services. The Carols by Candlelight will feature traditional and modern readings from celebrity supporters and Amanda Mealing will reflect on her personal experience of breast cancer.

Guests will receive a complimentary gift from Swarovski and be entertained by a special performance by the Westminster Under School Junior Choir before tucking into wine, mince pies and hot roasted chestnuts after the service.

When: Monday 6 December 2010 7pm (until 8pm)

Where: St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London

Tickets: £30

Bookings: Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/carols

For anyone wishing to continue the festivities; VIP guests and celebrity readers will host an intimate drinks reception followed by supper at the elegant Lanesborough Hotel near the church. Tickets to the Carol service and the dinner are £135.

Tickets to the supper are limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment by calling 020 7960 3554.

Anouska Hempel joins the world famous design team at yoo

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International design and branding company yoo is delighted to announce a new working relationship with Anouska Hempel. Respected in the design world for her hotel and residential projects, Hempel is the latest high-profile designer to join yoo – alongside Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders, Kelly Hoppen and Jade Jagger.

Collaborative design is at the core of the yoo brand. Entering its 11th year yoo remains an innovator in the style-led property sector with unique interiors, architecture and branding. ‘yoo inspired by Anouska Hempel’ will create Contemporary, Asian, Classical and Best of British designs for yoo, on soon-to-be-announced projects.

Chairman of yoo, John Hitchcox says, “Anouska will bring her famously glamorous, slick and high-end aesthetic, which has already proven to have an international appeal, into yoo’s established stable of designers. We are very much looking forward to working with Anouska Hempel to create living spaces with her beautiful and distinctive design stamp.”

Hitchcox has equipped yoo with a strong global identity, making his firm an international lifestyle brand synonymous with exceptional developments around the globe, and bringing the designs of Starck, Hempel, Jagger, Wanders and Hoppen new homes and new markets. yoo was one of the first brands to realise the power of collaboration in its residential design projects – an approach now used widely to capitalise on a growing market of design-savvy purchasers.

Anouska Hempel’s studio, Anouska Hempel Design, has established a strong international reputation for its skill in delivering glorious architecture and interiors including luxury hotels, restaurants, stores, private residences and yachts as well as products which include tableware and outdoor furniture. Hempel firmly believes in ensuring that every part of a design scheme is tailored to the needs of the most discerning client, with the highest expectations of quality and finish.

Anouska Hempel comments, “There has to be an amusement factor… a sense of wit, and human eccentricity… The four design styles for yoo symbolise the evolution of Anouska Hempel Design’s style and my passion for travelling and fusing different cultures. Anouska Hempel Design’s spaces are a successful marriage of exuberance and restraint; elegance and simplicity; creativity and tradition – adding up to spaces of the future, places filled with life, fantasies and desires.”

Appy Halloween. {Software}

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GetJar’s top five scariest apps to keep the horror alive this Halloween

Halloween has been celebrated for centuries by families all over the world, with traditions such as trick or treat and duck apple still being played to this day. But this year, mobile apps are playing a big part in Halloween celebrations.

GetJar, the world’s second largest mobile apps store after Apple, has over 75,000 mobile applications available to download for virtually every mobile handset. There are hundreds of spooky apps available to download for free – perfect for scaring even those with the most hardened of nerves, or simply for a bit of ghostly fun.

From noises of the eerie supernatural that holler when darkness hits and the full moon appears, GetJar has plenty of apps that can turn mobiles into the ultimate scare machine. Trick or treaters will be guaranteed to send shivers down the spines of friends, and might even result in an abundance of sweets and tasty pumpkin pie.

To get people in the frighteningly festive spirit, here are GetJar’s top five must-have Halloween apps:

Halloween Soundboard Scary Sound Effects – Be it brothers, sisters, mums or dads, this app is guaranteed to scare anyone close enough to hear the terrifying sounds of ghosts and ghouls.

Horror Attack – The most awaited prank has made its way to mobiles. Scaring friends has never been so much fun and really separates the men from the mice.

Dectectoplasm – Ever suspected that spirits may too be living in the house? This app helps detect kinetic activity or to put it simply, will tell if a ghost is also sleeping in the bed.

Soundbox Horror – Not for the faint-hearted, this app takes scary sound effects to the next level. Choose from spine-chilling screams, the sound of limbs being ripped off, deadly groans and more.

Oscar Wilde: The Canterville Ghost – Ghost stories and Halloween go hand in hand. Read the famous horror story from Oscar Wilde with friends and let imaginations run wild.

To find these ghoulish apps and more, visit www.getjar.com.