Radiation Cinema! | Atomic Age Sci-Fi Films and B-Movies: Sheriff Taylor and the Mirror of Love

Radiation Cinema! | Atomic Age Sci-Fi Films and B-Movies: Sheriff Taylor and the Mirror of Love: The Andy Griffith Show (CBS 1960 - 1968) Starring: Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife Francis...

Winners of the tenth European Border Breakers Awards

The winners of the 2013 European Border Breakers Awards, celebrating border breaking talents in European pop music, were announced today by Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth and the European music conference and showcase festival Eurosonic Noorderslag.

The winners of the 2013 awards are:

- Nabiha (Denmark)
- Ewert and The Two Dragons (Estonia)
- French Films (Finland)
- C2C (France)
- Emeli Sandé (Great Britain)
- Of Monsters and Men (Iceland)
- Dope D.O.D. (Netherlands)
- Amor Electro (Portugal)
- Juan Zelada (Spain)
- Niki and the Dove (Sweden)

"Music is a universal language that touches billions of people, regardless of age or background. Our winners have all succeeded in reaching out to audiences beyond their home country through their talent and energy. I hope the awards will inspire other artists to take their music beyond their national borders and break into new markets," said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

To be eligible for the awards, the artists must have enjoyed border-breaking success with their first international release in Europe between 1 August 2011 and 31 July 2012. The winners are selected by music market analyst Nielsen Music Control on the basis of record sales and broadcast frequency and according to votes by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio stations and festivals participating in the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).

Background
The winners will receive their awards in a televised ceremony hosted by TV personality and musician Jools Holland at Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, Netherlands, on 9 January 2013. The ceremony – including performances by most of the winning acts – will be broadcast by Dutch National Television (NTR) and will also receive European coverage through TV channels and radio stations.

One of the winners will also receive a 'Public Choice Award'. From 1 November until December 21 the public can vote for their favourite artist on www.ebba-awards.eu. By voting, they could win a trip to the award ceremony.

Former winners of the 'EBBA Awards' include Adele, The Baseballs, The Dø, KT Tunstall, Tokio Hotel, The Ting Tings, Lykke Li, The Scripts, Milow, Katie Melua, Mumford and Sons, Swedish House Mafia and Caro Emerald.

Now in their tenth year, the awards are funded by the EU Culture Programme and organized by Eurosonic Noorderslag, in partnership with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The awards are supported by Buma Cultuur, SNN, Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Province of Groningen, City of Groningen and European Music Office.

Eurosonic Noorderslag is Europe’s most important music conference and showcase festival, aiming to encourage circulation of European music. Eurosonic Noorderslag also is the organization of the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP). The ETEP boosts circulation of talented European artists among a network of European summer festivals. It creates opportunities for professionals in the European music business and ultimately contributes to the development of the European music industry.

The European music industry makes an important contribution to growth and jobs, accounting for a significant part of our cultural and creative industries, which provide quality jobs for up to 8.5 million people in the EU and contribute up to 4.5% to Europe's GDP. The total value of the EU recorded music market is around € 6 billion a year. The European recorded music market presents around a fifth of the total music market which is worth close to € 30 billion.

Website of the prize: www.ebba-awards.eu
European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/culture

Fantastic line-up for charity gig

We can now confirm the much anticipated line-up for the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer anniversary ball to be held on Thursday 11th of October at Café de Paris, London.

Nicknamed by his peers as the ‘singer’s singer’ Buddy Greco, one of the top Jazz pianist and vocalists of our time and singer of world famous song ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ which sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disk, is most well known for his appearances in the 60’s with the ‘Rat Pack’. Already well known on the UK music scene he has performed at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and toured the UK with over 30 dates from July 2010 with the Swinging Las Vegas Legends Show. On New Year's Eve 2011 he made a guest appearance on Jools Holland’s 'Hootenanny' singing ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ backed by the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Guests on the evening will be in for a real treat as Matt Cardle will perform ahead of his tour commencing on Sunday 21st of October at the HMV Institute, Birmingham. Matt will perform a never-before-heard exclusive acoustic set as well as a track for his new album ‘The Fire’ due for release in the next few weeks.

The James Whale Fund Ball will be hosted in the sumptuous surroundings of Café de Paris in London. Rich in history and boasting of entertaining London for over 88 years Café de Paris is a jewel in the heart of Piccadilly, complete with grand chandeliers and great sweeping staircases.

The night will also include DJ set by The Royals favourite DJ Crispin Dior, famous for performing at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding last year and Fabric, London’s resident DJ – “he’s the go-to-guy for the freshest music on earth”.

Broadcaster and Founder of the Fund James Whale said:

“It’s going to be a cracking night. We are honoured to have Buddy Greco and Matt Cardle perform. The grand setting that Café de Paris presents will provide the perfect back drop for guests to enjoy an evening not to be missed!”

• James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer is the UK’s leading kidney cancer charity and was set up in 2006 by broadcaster James Whale who lost a kidney to cancer. Today James continues to lead a full and busy life, as do the majority of people who are diagnosed and treated early.
• In 2009, 9,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with kidney cancer that’s over 24 people day!
• Kidney cancer is eighth most common cancer in the UK.
• www.jameswhalefund.org
• Tickets are £110 per person or £1,000 for a table of 10.
• To reserve your tickets or to make a table booking please call 01223 237044

British Actors Tamer Hassan & Shane Richie Show Racism the Red Card with Celebrity Soccer

Hollywood actor and British film icon Tamer Hassan, of movies such as ‘The Football Factory’ and ‘The Business’ and British Actor and ‘Eastenders favourite’ Shane Richie Show Racism the Red Card with Celebrity Soccer.

Hassan, will lead his new team ‘Tamer Hassan’s Celebrity XI ‘against ‘Shane Richie’s Celebrity XI’ to raise awareness for Show Racism the Red Card, the campaign that uses high profile footballers such as Luther Blisset, Jason Euell, Rio Ferdinand, Cesc Fàbregas and Sol Campbell to educate against racism.

The match will take place on Sunday, 23rd September 2012; 1 o’clock kick off at Bromley FC, followed by a dinner and celebrity auction led by Tamer Hassan, with donations from Danny Dyer, Salomon Kalou, Shane Richie, Luther Blisset, Rio Ferdinand, Darren Campbell and more.

Jeremy Dolke , Chairman of Bromley FC said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Tamer Hassan and Butterfly PR to the home of Bromley football club, for what we see as a exiting working partnership, the whole aim is to support charities up and down the country while providing top class entertainment whilst having lots of fun"

Donations from the event will go towards Show Racism the Red Card an anti-racism charity that produces anti-racism educational resources, which harness the high profile of professional footballers such to combat racism throughout society.

Ged Grebby, Chief Executive of Show Racism the Red Card said: “Show Racism the Red Card welcome a new partnership with the actor Tamer Hassan and Butterfly PR. It’s an exciting development for Show Racism the Red Card and as well as being a new high profile partnership carries on a great tradition of actors supporting our events and aims.

“I look forward to working with Tamer and Butterfly PR on the upcoming celebrity match, which I’m sure, will help raise the profile of Show Racism the Red Card and help to combat discrimination in sport.”

Hassan’s ‘Tamer Celebrity XI’’ team Danny Dyer, Lucien Laviscount, Jeff Brazier, Kirk Norcross, Steve Collins, James Argent, Patrick Monahan, Chris Newman, George Riley, Jason Euell, Gavin Ramajaun, Mario Falcone, Darren Byfield plan to beat Shane Richie Celebrity XI’ players which include Jake Wood, Chuck Vern, Gary Lucy, Paul Canoville, Perry Fenwick, Clarke Carlisle, Greg Lake, Frank Sinclair, Thomas Law, Bradley Johnson, more to be confirmed.

Actor, Hassan said: "I’m bringing together my celebrity team to raise media awareness and money for an incredible cause, combined with a sport I absolutely love. We promise to bring an entertaining game on the day."

Actor, Richie said "My team know how to put on a performance, we want to support this important campaign, bring on the game on, my team are ready to win the cup"

Pre Match Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for children and seniors, £30 for VIP’ entrance. Limited tickets are available at www.butterfly-pr.co.uk/LatestEvents Fans can purchase tickets online for lower prices or purchase general admission tickets on the day for £15 . Dinner and celebrity auction tickets are £50.

Music Performance on London Eye - watch a band perform over 400ft in the air

Exclusive London Eye Music Performance & Event at Union Chapel - London's No 1 Live Music Venue.

Have you ever wanted to watch a band whilst they perform over 400ft in the air, on one of London's most famous landmarks?

Folkestral band ‘Buswell’ have been given special permission to hold an exclusive performance in a capsule on the EDF Energy London Eye on 11th September 2012 at 6.30pm, and are inviting a few lucky members of the public to join them for this unique experience.

The performance on the EDF Energy London Eye is part of the 121212 Underground Orchestra Challenge, which involves Shaun Buswell forming an orchestra from strangers he meets whilst travelling on the London Underground. This show, along with a performance at award-winning venue Union Chapel on 14th September, are some of the exclusive public outings that the orchestra and Buswell will perform together throughout 2012, culminating in a finale at a top venue in London on 12th December 2012 (to be revealed at the Union Chapel show).

The EDF Energy London Eye event will feature 8-10 musicians, who will be performing Buswell’s unique style of Folkestral music with a mix of violins, violas, flutes, guitars, keyboards and percussion. The event will be filmed in Hi-Definition, giving the winners a chance to get an exclusive DVD of their experience.

Now is your chance to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the sights of London up high whilst listening to a live band.

Win tickets to be part of this select audience on a capsule on the EDF Energy London Eye whilst the band Buswell (www.buswellmusic.com) and members of the 121212 Underground Orchestra perform. Tickets are available to be won through a £1 raffle* via www.121212.org.uk/raffle with the proceeds going to Music Alive, a Wiltshire based charity which provides a safe and encouraging environment where disabled people can make and enjoy music in all its forms.

*Closing date is at 4pm on Monday 3rd September and the winning numbers for each draw will be chosen at random by Rogavi.com using a computerised system from all entries received by the closing date. The winners of the Raffle prizes will be notified by email and named on the Website. Unsuccessful ticket holders will not be notified. The winning tickets will only be valid on the EDF Energy London Eye for the capsule with Buswell at 6:30pm on 11th September 2012. Winners will need to arrive at the specified location near the London Eye by 6pm on Tues 11th September 2012. Travel costs to and from the location are not included.

Hollywood Nights Mark Wright and Hollywood Actor Tamer Hassan To Raise Money with Celebrity Charity Soccer

Hollywood Nights Mark Wright and Hollywood Actor Tamer Hassan Join Forces To Raise Money with Celebrity Charity Soccer.

Hollywood actor and cult British favourite of films like The Football Factory and The Business, Tamer Hassan and Hollywood Nights Actor Mark Wright have joined forces to organise a celebrity charity soccer event.

Hassan, will lead his team The Farnborough Celebrity XI against Mark Wright’s ‘Essex FC’’ to raise money for the children’s ward at Frimley Park Hospital.

The event will honour ex Wimbledon player, Kevin Cooper’s family friend Irene Grinham, who is fighting the dreaded liver disease, she has months left to live.

The match will take place on Sunday, 5th August 2012; kick off at 1 O’clock at Farnborough FC, followed by a gala dinner and celebrity auction led by Tamer Hassan, donations Joe Calzaghe, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Darren Campbell, Frank Lampard, STEPS memorabilia and so much more.

Money raised by the event will go towards Frimley Park Hospital children's unit who offer a wide range of facilities to care for children of different age groups including a dedicated teenage unit, funds will provide a once in a life time special opportunity to enable Irene Grinham to enjoy the remaining months of her life with her family.

Tamer is not taking this game lightly, using his competitive spirit to select only the fittest celebs with the skills to take on ‘Essex FC’ legends.

Actor, Hassan said: “I’m carefully choosing only the fittest celebs; each and every one of them has been put through their paces to make sure they are fit to wear the shirt. We promise to bring an entertaining game on the day.”

The Hollywood actor’s team includes sporting celebrities Lucien Laviscount, Taser Hassan (Actor and Model), Kevin Cooper (Ex Wimbledon player) TOWIE’s Mario Falcone, Tom Kilby, The Dream Idols, Eastenders actors Thomas Law, Sam Attwater, Jamie Borthwick and more will demonstrate their competitive spirit as they step on Farnborough FC ground next weekend.

Hassan said: “Irene’s story really touched my heart; I will always do what I can for charitable causes, I’ll be bringing my team of celebrities together to enjoy football. We are going to do our very best to raise money for Frimley Park Hospital and the beautiful Irene Grinham”

Wright said: “Looking forward to the game The Farnborough Celebrity XI better be ready for us. It’s for good cause, so I’m happy to bring my Essex FC to the game”

Tickets are £8 for adults, £5 for children and seniors. Gala Dinner and celebrity auction tickets are £30. Limited tickets are available http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk or at the gate. Fans can purchase tickets online for lower prices and to avoid disappointment. On the day tickets will be £10 for all.

Europcar searches Southern England for the latest karaoke singing sensation

Europcar, the leader in car hire services in Europe for leisure and business users, has launched a competition to find the best in-car karaoke singer in the UK. And shoppers visiting Bluewater on the 28th July 2012 will have a chance to record their entry at a special Europcar roadshow.

The car is the stage in the latest cutting-edge and engaging social media campaign from Europcar, which plays on the karaoke culture and builds on the huge popularity of talent shows. With so many singers and wannabe performers entering talent shows but failing to hit the big time, Europcar's Caraoke Competition provides a great opportunity for the more eclectic singers and entertainers to prove their worth and drive away in a cool Fiat 500.

The idea is to get people recording their favourite song from a list of 10 classics, including the hit by Europe, 'The Final Countdown' and 'Dancing in the Moonlight' by Toploader and then uploading their videos to Facebook. Then consumers will be encouraged to vote for their favourite videos and share them on Facebook using the YouTube API feed. The performance with the most votes will win the grand prize of a Fiat 500.

Whilst motorists can film their own videos in their own time, Europcar is making it even easier for Kent residents to join in the fun and show off their talents by hosting a special live roadshow at the Bluewater shopping centre on 28th July on the Ground Floor, outside Marks & Spencer, from 10:30 - 18:00. Budding karaoke performers will be able to record their own videos for immediate uploading to Facebook.

In addition to the grand prize, a series of weekly prizes will be given out until August 22nd including Amazon e-vouchers, Eastern Airways flights, an overnight stay plus dinner and breakfast at the exclusive Hand Picked Hotel, Garmin Sat Nav systems, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, Driving Experience packages and Spa Days at the luxurious 5 Star hotel resort Stoke Park. Weekly prize winners will be selected via a prize draw giving entrants more chances to win prizes.

"Our job, as market leader is to set the standard across the board," said Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group. "From car hire to social media strategies and campaigns our objective is to keep Europcar at the forefront of the marketplace by implementing innovative techniques that drive the business forward and change consumer expectations of car hire.

"Caraoke is a light-hearted campaign and we want Kent shoppers and motorists to get into the groove with us and have some fun. With talent shows becoming increasingly popular, Europcar is urging shoppers to come down to Bluewater and show-off their singing voices. A new car could be theirs, and it might be the big break they’ve been looking for."

Zone model fronts reality travel show selling world-wide

There's an exciting reality travel show called The Blueprint, hosted by the gorgeous model Stephen Friedman. It is a young, funky, fast paced travel show, which documents Stephen’s journey through the continents, starting with Africa. The show tracks Stephen, a celeb name in South Africa, as he takes the viewers on an adventure that focuses on finding the essence within a country, and visits the unknown hotspots where the locals hang out.

To get the real backpacker experience Stephen and the crew travel by public transport, keeping a video diary the whole way. Stephen is an accomplished surfer who has participated in the world tour, with one of his biggest achievements being the winner of the O’Neill Surf Rumble in Europe. He is also an international model with Zone in the UK, and was featured as one of Cosmo’s Hottest men alive, as well as Cleo magazine’s 2nd most eligible bachelor in South Africa. He has modelled for GQ, Nivea and FHM among other massive names.

This exciting new show has received interest from Fox in South Africa, and the producers are currently in talks with every major channel in the UK, including BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Produced by New Vision Pictures (http://www.nv.co.za/), reality show experts who have produced the hotly anticipated Mandela Granddaughters Documentary, it is set to be a worldwide hit, spanning 6 series and propelling Stephen into stardom!

Dejero selects Stream Communications for live Olympic broadcasts

• Stream SIM cards used for live broadcasts from London 2012
• CTV and News Limited using 3G to broadcast live from Olympics
• News crews can set up and be reporting within seconds from anywhere

Stream Communications, the machine-to-machine mobile network specialist, has been chosen by Dejero to enable live broadcasts by media outlets over the mobile phone networks during the London 2012 Olympics.

Combining Stream Communications’ enterprise quality 3G connectivity with Dejero’s LIVE+ Platform of cellular transmission products enables broadcasters to send live HD and SD video with high quality and short latency to television or the web during the Olympics. The system will be used by News Limited, CTV, and other groups to transmit live video from London to anywhere in the world.

Dejero’s LIVE+ Platform enables a small broadcast team or even a single reporter to arrive at a live event and be broadcasting within seconds, without the cost or complexity of satellite and microwave trucks. Dejero uses the mobile phone networks to facilitate live broadcasts and video transfer from wherever a reporter or cameraman is.

Non-UK broadcasters covering London 2012 will be using Stream SIM cards to transit video from across London, capturing the excitement of the event. Because Stream’s network is dedicated for machine-to-machine communications, Dejero’s broadcast clients will benefit from the most reliable and effective mobile connections over which to broadcast video.

Nigel Chadwick, founding Director of Stream Communications said: “Dejero is changing broadcasting forever. In the past, media outlets needed Outside Broadcast crews with expensive satellite links to beam live video back to the station. Dejero’s LIVE+ Platform means a reporter and cameraman can arrive at a news event and be broadcasting within seconds, without the need for trucks, transmission technicians, or dedicated towers.”

“Because our network is designed to be used for incredibly reliable machine-to-machine communications, Dejero and its customers can be certain that the Stream connection will be the best possible option for camera crews across London.”

“Our involvement in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics taught us to expect highly congested cellular networks from the hundreds of thousands of mobile phones in use around the Olympic venues,” said Todd Schneider, COO at Dejero. “After extensive laboratory testing, we chose Stream Communications as the best-of-breed network service provider for our LIVE+ Platform of cellular transmission products within the UK. Stream’s M2M SIMs will be used by Dejero customers around the world that are travelling to London to cover the Olympic Games.”

International Gaming Awards announce 2013 Judging panel

The prestigious 6th International Gaming Awards (IGA) www.gaming-awards.com have announced the Judging panel comprising of 26 industry experts - leading industry professionals, specialised journalists, analysts and consultants. The IGA ceremonies international credentials are underlined still further by a fascinating line-up of judges from USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.

The IGA Judging panel will judge entries in 20 categories, the winners will be announced on the night of the ceremony, which will take place on 4 February 2013 in London.

The 2013 Judging panel Chaired by Mr Andrew Love, Executive Chairman of the Ritz Club Casino and recipient of the IGA Outstanding Contribution Award. The IGA Outstanding Contribution Award through the years was presented to Dr Stanley Ho, Mr Bertill Knutsson, Mr Michael Boettcher and Mr I. Partouche.
More information about the Award on http://www.gaming-awards.com/Outstanding.htm

2013 IGA Judging panel newcomers include Manfred Bodner founder of bwin brand and Non Executive Director bwin.party, well know industry executive Mr Ed Andrewes, Lois A. Rice, CAE, Executive Director for the Colorado Gaming Association, Paul Armitage executive of the largest UK casino group- Rank, Richard Noble Chief Operating Officer of the Aspers Group, Ross Ferrar - CEO Gaming Technologies Association and Kimberly Arnold Chief Operating Office of The Innovation Group. The 2013 IGA presenting very strong Social Responsibility panel which includes Liz Karter- famous Psychotherapist, her book will be published this year, Stella Dalton from industry recognised organisation GamCare and Eric Bouhanna CEO & Founder of ADICTEL.

To view full list IGA Judges please visit: http://www.gaming-awards.com/judges.htm

The International Gaming Awards supported by most successful and innovative companies in the industry who bring outstanding entertainment experience to your customers. Our Sponsors- Playtech, Cammegh, BetSoft and Bally Technologies. More about our Sponsors http://gaming-awards.com/sponsors.htm

The judges will consider all the nominations and then draw up a shortlist for each award. When considering each nomination, the judges will take into account provided by nominee’s evidence. Nominees should, therefore, provide information, which they believe, makes their product or service truly outstanding.
IGA 2013 categories will be announced on 26 July 2012.

The aim of the International Gaming Awards ceremony is to support charity and to publicly recognize achievements of some of the people and companies over the year.
The IGA supports Care International and CHILDREN with Cancer charity.
There is no fee to take part; all we ask is that your entry be accompanied by a donation to our chosen charities.
Please donate generously. http://www.gaming-awards.com/Our_Charities.htm

KIng of Bollywood visits Chak 89

Chak 89, London’s award winning Indian restaurant had several visits by its favourite star and friend Shahrukh Khan. The king of Bollywood has been in the UK for the past 3 months for the shooting of Yash Raj’s new film, in which he stars alongside Anuksha Sharma and Katrina Kaif. While on set he visited Chak 89 on several occasions to have his dosage of traditional home cooked food.

Shahrukh is the brand ambassador of Chak 89 and who is also their most regular Bollywood client. Chak 89 was inundated with bookings as the word got out that Shahrukh was in town.

Shahrukh, with a few of his guests sat down at his regular table, which he has dedicated to himself every time he now visits Chak 89; even so much that he has signed the table with the words “my favourite table.” Looking in the mood to have a good time, he ordered his favourite Chicken Tikka for starters and the Chak Chicken Special as part of his main, while his guests tucked into an array of delicious traditional dishes from the menu.
Asked by one of the other Chak 89 diners, what was his favourite dish at Chak 89? He answered “I like all the chicken dishes here, they are all good, but my favourite is the Chicken Tikka and Chak Chicken Special, they are brilliant”

After his meal Shahrukh was good enough to do a meet and greet with other Chak 89 diners and staff, making it everyone’s special day. One diner was so excited he asked Shahrukh what he liked about Chak 89; Shahrukh replied, “I love the food at Chak 89 it reminds me of food back home and the service and staff are fantastic.”

After posing for photographs with diners, one of Chak 89’s waiters asked if he could send a message to Chak 89 owner and founder Frank Khalid, Shahrukh replied, “I always try to visit Chak 89 whenever I am in London and would love Chak 89 to open a branch in Mumbai or Delhi.” Now that is saying something! To actually have the king of Bollywood telling Frank Khalid that he would love see a branch of Chak 89 in Mumbai, wow!!!

Chak 89 is based in Surrey, London; it is known for its clientele of famous people, from the western and eastern world which makes Chak 89 a perfect place for spotting stars, together with its traditional Indian cuisine, elegant decor, service and ambience, it makes Chak 89 the ultimate dining experience which gives it a well-deserved and well earned “A Spice above the Rest” phrase.

FACTFILE:
Chak89 are not only the best Indian restaurant in London, but are also perfect for all types of wedding celebrations and a great Indian wedding venue, they can accommodate and cater for up to 650 guests in two adjoining banquet halls. They are also perfect for business conferences, or can bring the CHAK89 experience to you by allowing their Indian catering to stage your special day at any venue of your choice.

Rook & Raven gallery proudly presents 'Interface' | 5th July - 3rd August

Nick Gentry's 'Profile Number 6'

Rook & Raven Gallery proudly present ‘Interface’, a showing of five leading young artists working with alternative media and unequivocal style, bringing portraiture – the classical measure of art – into the ‘now’ with signature verve.

Nick Gentry has built an enormous following since his first exhibition with the early incarnation of Rook & Raven, back in 2010. His portraits on floppy disk and obsolete media encapsulate the flux and fickle nature of modern society and technology. Nick’s work is highly sought-after, with a constant of impressive auction results, worldwide exhibitions and media coverage; his artwork brings new meaning to the term ‘up-cycling’.

Cain Caser’s chaotic, mixed-media assemblages reflect flirtations with graffiti and rave culture in his younger years, as his bold, idiosyncratic palette suggests. Cain’s hyper-bold abstracts are conceived as portraits first off, yet occupy the gap between figuration and abstraction, exploiting the viewer’s tendency to see faces where none exist.

James Dawe is an artist and commercial illustrator from East London, working predominantly in mixed media collage and digital manipulation to create eclectic, neo-portraiture and digital assemblages. Having successfully managed the crossover from design into fine art, James’ impressive and ever-growing portfolio combines ad and media campaigns for the likes of Nike, GQ, Coke and Sky Sports.

Pam Glew has likewise become synonymous with her alternative portraits and flag paintings. Using unique dye and painting methods – often bleaching portraits into the fabric, instead of applying paint in the classical sense – Pam deconstructs and distresses vintage materials to create work that is truly original in style and execution, with frequent reference to the ‘golden age’ of cinema and celebrity. Her work has been showcased in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia, in over 80 group exhibitions and 5 solo shows, and is keenly collected worldwide. Her work ‘Rococo’ recently raised $20,000 at auction for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation.

Finally, they introduce Guim Tió, an artist from Barcelona working in mixed media, who we welcome to the UK for the first time. Guim has received a cult following for his reworked portraits and makes up a compelling lineup of artists all working in modern portraiture.

Interface opens to the public on the 6th July 2012, with a Private View and drinks reception on Thursday the 5th July - 6.30 until 9.30pm

W: http://www.rookandraven.co.uk/exhibitions/interface/
E: joseph@canoeinc.com

The buzz around the Golden Bee

Old Street, London has welcomed new rooftop bar Golden Bee. Set above the Shoreditch skyline, Golden Bee is a stunning new place where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a fantastic atmosphere. Situated right in the heart of East London, the stylish terrace offers a space to escape the rat race and enjoy the panoramic views of Shoreditch. And with music flowing from the speakers, embrace Golden Bee as your muse for your summer adventures.

With comfy chairs, sofas and two 60-inch screens ideal for watching the Olympics, Golden Bee is the perfect venue to drink and dance and forget the hustle and bustle of the world below.

With the summer months ongoing, and the sun beginning to make an appearance, the roof terrace is already proving extremely popular. However, with an undercover bar downstairs, Golden Bee is suitable for all weather conditions meaning that you can relax with a cocktail away from the rain and cold in a hive fit for a queen bee complete with shot glass ceiling lights.

Golden Bee brings an exciting and refined experience to Shoreditch. Set against a backdrop of East London, artistic features and modern décor, Golden Bee displays a sophisticated sense of style and flaunts individually along with its unique venue. A cut above the rest (literally), Golden Bee brings to you the heart of The City.

And what’s more. Golden Bee has collaborated with Sav Remzi, founder of Nuphonic Records and Love Box Festival and together they have developed a creative music program, which will play the latest house music every weekend.

London has been waiting for more rooftop bars after the success of Boundary Rooftop bar and the SkyLounge and we are sure Golden Bee will be a great success.

Stream Communications helps audiences follow Olympic flame

• Mobile network used to deliver live video from Olympic Torch Relay
• Coverage from more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK
• Stream Communications’ bonded 3G reduces need for expensive satellite equipment

From the moment the London 2012 Olympic flame arrived in the UK the BBC has provided coverage of the passage of the Olympic Torch as relays of 8,000 Torchbearers carry the symbol of peace, unity and friendship throughout the country.

In the spirit of the relay - to bring the excitement of the Games to everyone – the torch’s journey is being made available to all via a video stream and daily highlights on the London 2012 website and coverage on BBC news . To meet this unique news gathering challenge the broadcaster has opted to use 3G mobile networks to provide a feed from the Torch Relay for editing and broadcast.

For a 3G data connection to be viable for outside broadcast it must meet specialist requirements for high capacity, security and reliability. The broadcaster is deploying mobile SIM cards from all five 3G network including Stream Communications, a Machine to Machine (M2M) focused mobile operator. Stream’s contribution to the bandwidth is provided by a pair of Stream SIM cards.

The two Stream SIM cards, each with a 25GB limit, are bonded along with SIMs from other mobile operators and are optimised for maximum video quality. The accessible bandwidth could be as high as 30Mbps delivering broadcast quality images. The broadcaster is using the Stream SIMs, located in the specially modified camera vehicle, along with the four other network specific SIMs. Stream Communications has been able to provide high data limits without having to swap out lots of different SIMs in order to stay within agreed bundle sizes.

Nigel Chadwick, Founding Director of Stream Communications, said: “Standard 3G solutions have their limitations, especially when near large crowds with mobile phones, such as those lining the route of the Torch Relay this summer. The ability to bond 3G for greater bandwidth, together with our own enhanced network provision, supplies a flexible transport network for digital content from this historic event.”

The two bonded Stream SIMs provide broadcast quality video feeds from within an hour of 95% of people in the UK, Guernsey and Jersey. To achieve higher quality video simply requires the bonding of additional SIM cards. Stream Communications estimates just six bonded Stream SIM cards are more than capable of supporting a live 1080HD video stream delivering a satellite-equivalent broadcast experience.

“Outside broadcast depends on the resilience and quality of connection back to the studio. Streams’ enhanced 3G network and fair, cost effective tariffs offers a true alternative to satellite. Stream’s 3G network is proven to be secure, stable and reliable and perfectly suited to the challenges of outside broadcast. The Olympic Torch Relay reflects the start of a new and exciting era in outside broadcast opportunities,” said Chadwick.

Watch the Olympic Torch Relay live here until 27th July.

Greek families gain new entertainment channels on FreeviewHD

• HellenicTV from Vision TV Network available on Freeview Channel 110
• Drama, news, documentaries, sport, music and cinema broadcast live from Greece

Greek speaking residents in the UK can now watch twelve new television channels in the comfort of the living room by accessing the Vision TV Network. The HellenicTV package of 13 channels accessible through Freeview channel 110 delivers a full range of Greek entertainment, drama, news, documentaries, sport, music and cinema, originating from London, Greece and Cyprus.

To access these new channels, viewers require either the latest FreeviewHD enabled television set or a set top box which supports Vision247’s online video platform. Connecting the box or television to the internet through a broadband router or home hub device enables Vision TV Network to stream the television channels to your TV set, bringing the experience of watching Greek television to any UK household.

Once connected, Greek speaking viewers clicking to Vision247’s own channel, Vision TV Network, can view HTV WNN, RIKSat and ERT WORLD free of charge. Or they can subscribe to the full HellenicTV package of premium channels which can be easily navigated with the remote control. Subscription to HellenicTV gains viewers access to: news, Greek/Cypriot films, and TV series on THΛEAΣTY, HellenicTV 1 and 2; comedies, dramas, news, and entertainment on RIK Sat & Mega; SIGMA for children’s shows, sports, news and movies; 24/7 music videos on NRG music, HTV music and MAD; plus live proceedings of the Greek parliament on BOYΛH; and news, documentary and religious programming in 4e.

Select a channel to watch live, or catch up on previous programmes on demand. Digital interactivity also means that future channels and services can support live voting, viewer comments and purchases, all with a few clicks of the remote.

John Mills, CEO of Vision247, said: “For the first time we can provide live broadcast over the internet and onto FreeviewHD televisions for the Greek community in the UK. Bringing original broadcasting from Greece into the home is a great way to bring families together and maintain their cultural ties, no matter where they now live.”

Find HellenicTV on the Vision TV Network on the FreeviewHD EPG (electronic programme guide) Channel 110. Older devices, non-compliant or FreeviewHD devices not connected to the internet will receive on screen tips advising viewers on what to do in order to view the new internet delivered channels.

Details of the content of each channel can be found on the Hellenic TV site in English or in Greek.

Visit Vision TV Network for more information on subscriptions and how to get connected.

Like them on http://www.facebook.com/visiontvnetwork or follow them on Twitter @HELLENICTV

Armed Forces Day Live

British Forces Broadcasting Service: giving the nation the opportunity to come together to celebrate 2012's Armed Forces Day

Saturday 30th June, from 11am to 1pm, Information TV (Sky Channel 231 and Freesat 402) and streamed live from the Information TV web site www.information.tv

For the first time the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) will be offering viewers in the UK live coverage from the flagship venue for this year’s Armed Forces day National Event , which takes place in Plymouth on Saturday 30th June 2012. Coverage is also available live on BFBS Radio overseas and in the UK on DAB.

The UK's Armed Forces Day, now in its fourth year, is the annual opportunity for the nation to show its support and appreciation for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: serving troops, their families, veterans and cadets.

Armed Forces Day Live will be presented by Kate Gerbeau. She will be joined by historian and defence analyst Christopher Lee and British Forces News reporters for two hours of expert coverage of the main parade, Drumhead Service - a religious service in the field - and displays by Typhoon, Spitfire and Seafury aircraft, interspersed with messages of support from military commanders and senior politicians. Senior royalty are expected to attend the event in Plymouth while the Chiefs of Staff will attend regional events across the country

BFBS correspondents will broadcast live from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan and will also file special reports on the work of those serving their country in the front line in Afghanistan and in Sierra Leone, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Cyprus and the UK. Kate will interview a number of senior military guests on the significance of Armed Forces Day and the wider issues facing the forces at a time of transition.

Kate Gerbeau said: "Armed Forces Day is one of the most important days in the military calendar. 10 million people in the UK have family or professional links to the military and it is fantastic that they'll be able to share in this important national celebration. Importantly, the broadcast will also devote time to paying tribute to those who have died in the service of their country."

Armed Forces Day Live is being broadcast in the UK on Information TV (Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402) and online at www.information.tv It will also be broadcast worldwide to service men and women and their families overseas and on Royal Navy ships on BFBS 1 TV.

Art in the Dancehall

While many music genres have been celebrated for their intimate relation with art, dancehall and Jamaican soundsystem culture has for the most part been left out of the canon, despite its rich and vibrant artistic past and present, not to mention its undeniable influence on design and letterform in pop culture today. Art in the Dancehall, curated by Shimmy Shimmy and Al Fingers, and in association with the PUMA YARD and Jamaica50, aims to redress the balance, celebrating dancehall illustration and design from 1980 to the present day.

Early 1980s Jamaica was a changing place, politically and musically, with a new generation of deejays bringing in a brand new sound. Mirroring this change in the music were graphic designers and illustrators translating the energy, colour and playfulness of dancehall into images, painting a world of crazy characters in highly saturated colours. As an introduction to this foundation, Art in the Dancehall will feature cover art by seminal 1980s Jamaican artists Limonious and Jamaal Pete, alongside UK artist Tony McDermott and posters by Jamaica’s most celebrated poster designer, Sassafras. Exclusive to the show will be a previously unseen photograph of the prolific yet little-known artist Limonious, alongside preparatory artwork by Tony McDermott that has never before been exhibited in the UK.

This foundation will be complemented by the work of five young artists from four different countries (Jamaica, Israel, Germany and England) who are keeping the tradition alive: Robin Clare’s bright depictions of popular dances, Ellen G’s detailed illustrations and portraits of dancehall deities, Gabe’s bold black & white patterned take on reggae iconography, Peter Edwards’ zine covers and Daniel David Freeman’s hand-made recreation of part of the suit worn by Buju Banton on the cover of his Stamina Daddy LP. Launching on 27 June at the BASS Festival, Birmingham, the show will move with the Jamaican athletic team to London, where it will be exhibited at the PUMA YARD from 27 July to 12 August.

Birmingham (27 June–13 July): The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU Launch night: 27 June, 6:30–8:30 PM.

London (27 July–12 August): PUMA YARD, Boiler House, 150–152 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU Launch night: 30 July, 6:30–9:30 PM.

Art in the Dancehall: PUMA YARD:
W www.artinthedancehall.co.uk W www.puma.com/yard

Remarkable ratings for BBC Worldwide Channels with close to 5 million viewers watching live Diamond Jubilee festivities

London Calling, the superlative season of programming highlighting everything wonderful about the city as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games, began with live coverage of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, which achieved record-breaking results for BBC channels across the globe.

As the United Kingdom joyfully commemorated the 60 years Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne, millions of people across the globe tuned in to enjoy the spectacular festivities as they were broadcast live by BBC Worldwide Channels. Close to 5 million¹ viewers around the World watched The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations during 3-5 June, setting regional records for several channels during the broadcasts.

The broadcast was wildly popular in Singapore, positioning BBC Knowledge as the top factual channel and the most watched non-kids international channel among all Pay TV channels during 1-5 June². The live programming delivered BBC Knowledge’s best performance for Sunday-Tuesday, in terms of percentage of overall television share, since it was launched in 2007.

In South Africa, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Thames Pageant was watched by more people than any other programme on BBC Entertainment since January of 2011. In Australia, the Diamond Jubilee coverage was also a success, with two of the events clinching top ratings for STV programmes in their respective time slots and categories.

Likewise, people in Poland viewed the broadcast in large numbers, with two of the events earning the highest reach for individual programmes on BBC Entertainment thus far this year. Additionally, BBC Entertainment became the third most popular international channel in the cable satellite universe for its time slot³ during The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Concert. Norwegians also pushed BBC Entertainment to record numbers during the concert with the channel earning the highest ever share in Norway⁴.

To find out about the diverse BBC programmes being shown during the London Calling season, such as Olympic-themed programming like the hilarious comedy series Twenty Twelve, which will get viewers even more excited to watch the Olympics on TV later in the summer, please visit www.londoncallingbbc.com or your local BBC website.

Dionne Warwick confirmed for Breacon Jazz Festival

Five-time Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick is one of the star names at this year’s Brecon Jazz festival in August, a great family day out in Wales.

Orchard, new operator of the world famous festival, has announced a compact and powerful programme to bring a sprinkling of star names, jazz favourites, emerging and Welsh talent, Jazz Club nights, innovative collaborations and a party atmosphere to the streets of Brecon from August 10-12.

Dionne Warwick, who is celebrating 50 years in the business and 100 million records sold, will appear in concert in the Brecon Jazz Festival’s iconic Market Hall on Friday, August 10.

Another big name gracing the Market Hall stage is vibraphonist/vocalist Roy Ayers. This respected Jazz/R&B artist and renowned as the Godfather of Neo-soul will be making an exclusive UK appearance.

Welsh pianist Huw Warren is involved this year as artist-in-residence, in collaborations with Thomas Stronen and Peter Herbert. Jazz fans can look forward to performances by the likes of Neil Yates, Lighthouse, Trio Libero, Neil Cowley, Claire Martin, YolanDa Brown, Stan Tracey, Bobby Wellins, Alan Barnes, Kit Downes, Ginger Baker and many more.

In addition to the Market Hall, there will be concerts in Theatr Brycheiniog, emerging artists and home grown Welsh talent will largely perform in the Guildhall and there will be special events in Brecon Cathedral, providing a great family day out.

The town centre will be the location for some spectacular street entertainment and the Brecon Fringe is running an extensive programme of music in bars, venues and around the town throughout the weekend.

There is even a commemorative concert for Jed Williams, the founder and Artistic Director of Brecon Jazz throughout much of its 28 year history, promoting Jazz4Jed, a bursary set up in his name to benefit Jazz talent in Wales, along with workshops held in Christ College.

Mr Janczur again: “Brecon Jazz is a heritage brand with a great international reputation. If we can get close to recapturing the values, spirit and magic of the heyday of Brecon Jazz, we’ll have done our job. The musical line-up is exciting, we’ve had a great amount of goodwill from the town, the county and the Festival Fringe, so we’re now all set for a fantastic weekend in August.”

London Calling finds the grit amidst the glamour with compelling crime drama Luther

BBC Worldwide Channels continues to bring London to the World with the remarkable London Calling season highlighting the human element of the city of 2012 with all its quirks, charms, triumphs, and challenges. Turning to the darker side of the sprawling metropolis, the season is presenting the thrilling crime series Luther to audiences in participating regions.

Critically acclaimed for his role in the cult classic television series The Wire, Idris Elba has won a Golden Globe® for his portrayal of the troubled Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) John Luther. The series focuses on Luther’s struggles to keep his dark genius and the grisly subject matter of his career from consuming his life. As Luther wrestles with his demons, the distinctive psychological drama delves into the minds of the murderers he is charged with capturing.

Depending on regional scheduling, viewers will be treated to the first series consisting of six episodes and/or the second series with four episodes. The first series introduces viewers to the obsessive, nearly possessed, and occasionally violent approach Luther takes toward his work in the Serious Crime Unit. Set and filmed in the London, the cinematography parallels the brooding nature of the story line and the driven title character. Luther faces a sniper taking out police officers, a serial killer draining the blood from mothers, secrets from his past, hostage situations, corruption, and being framed for the murder of someone he loves.

In the second series, Luther is nearly destroyed by this grisly murder and the battle to clear his name. He returns to work, entering a different world in the police department. His former unit has been disbanded and he is placed in a new department in which he must rapidly assemble a new team, picking up his former partner Detective Justin Ripley (Warren Brown). Soon, they are grappling with their first case involving a masked stranger wandering London and committing truly appalling murders in a historic spots with ritualistic flourishes. Can the team catch him before he achieves his final, horrifying masterpiece?

Pulsating with dark energy, the series has met with positive reviews at home, with The Times calling it: “Taut, punchy, brilliantly filmed and acted with total conviction”. The Daily Mail said: “Beautifully done and deliciously intriguing – and the powerfully charismatic Elba is terrific”.

To find out about London-focused crime dramas like Luther and the engaging Sherlock series, along with information on other BBC programmes in the London Calling season, such as Olympic-themed programming like the hilarious comedy series Twenty Twelve, which will get viewers even more excited to watch the Olympics on TV later in the summer, please visit www.londoncallingbbc.com or your local BBC website.

Get The Hottest Ticket In Town And Have A Ball

With the French Open, Wimbledon, Ascot, the Tour de France and Goodwood Festival of Speed about to open this month everyone is trying to get these hot tickets. The world’s leading luxury concierge service Quintessentially Lifestyle can not only get access to tickets but also offer a lot of other great services surrounding sport.

 

Keep on track with the latest sports events and get into the full swing of things this month. Quintessentially Lifestyle name the top 5 sporting luxury experiences they can offer.

Quintessentially Gifts has a great service offering gifts associated with sport. The whole family benefits. Quintessentially Gifts suggest giving that teenage tear away a Damien Hirst Supreme Sports Skateboard Deck, or why not a Geoffrey Parker Garden Games Compendium for great family fun in the garden. To make those summer holidays more fun, a McQueen GTX Limited Jet Ski is the way forward.

Quintessentially Escape the bespoke, luxury experience and adventure company, offering the inaccessible, the rare and the unique. For motorsports why not join them on a super car tour across Europe or spend an unforgettable weekend at the wheel of a rally car in Rally Finland. Why not sample salmon fishing in Iceland, Deerstalking in New Zealand or shooting in the UK countryside, nothing is beyond Quintessentially Escape’s reach.
 
Quintessentially Lifestyle opens doors to a world of exclusive sporting events. Watch a football match from a VIP box. Experience the Tour de France or immerse yourself in a tennis match at Wimbledon with strawberries and cream. Quintessentially Lifestyle can organise the best seats in the house and bespoke and attentive service throughout the day.

Quintessentially Events are renowned for exclusive global events that include sporting events. The multi-award winning service can create bespoke corporate packages at these highly regarded occasions, birthday parties with a sporting theme or even charity events with unrivalled access and celebrity guests.

With London 2012 events, Quintessentially Villas offers awe-inspiring properties. What about a Swish 2-bedorom apartment in London just down the road from Wimbledon or Elkstone, a 5-bedroom property in Gloucestershire? Everything is close at hand, especially if you take advantage of Quintessentially Driven’s unparalleled services.

FACTFILE: Quintessentially (www.quintessentially.com) is the leading international luxury lifestyle company. Started in 2000 as a small London based concierge service, Quintessentially has experienced a complete transformation in a decade, and currently have offices in over 60 cities around the world.

The service provided to their discerning and HNW members is proactive and personalised, catering to every member’s need, from last minute restaurant bookings, travel arrangements, and access to private parties, as well as fulfilling every unusual request and successfully connecting businesses all over the world.

Quintessentially can offer access to the inaccessible and can make the seemingly impossible, possible. In a bid to ensure only the very best service is delivered across the luxury market, Quintessentially has also launched 32 luxury sister businesses comprised of experts in every luxury division. This includes real estate, travel, luxury retail, wine, art, flowers, private aviation and more (www.quintessentiallygroup.com).

Sunshine at the Royal Albert Hall with JLSnd more!

JLS ambassadors of Rays of Sunshine

Rays of Sunshine at The Royal Albert Hall

JLS, Pixie Lott, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Adam Lambert, Conor Maynard, Jaz Ellington Stooshe, and Spelbound will perform at the Rays of Sunshine Concert at The Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 7th June. The event will be hosted by Kiss Fm’s Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays.

JLS and Leona Lewis are ambassadors for Rays of Sunshine www.raysofsunshine.org.uk/, a charity which grants wishes for seriously ill children and teenagers in the UK aged 3-18.

JLS said: “JLS loves supporting Rays of Sunshine and has been privileged to meet hundreds of amazing children and teenagers through their work. Every one of these young people has inspired us with their strength and bravery. ‘The Rays of Sunshine Concert’ will be a moving event for the performers and an amazing night of entertainment for music fans everywhere.”

Leona Lewis added: “I love being an ambassador for Rays of Sunshine. Every day of the year the charity adds a touch of sparkle into the lives of brave and deserving children. The Rays of Sunshine Concert will bring hundreds of children together for a precious night of fun and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

Amongst the audience will be 1500 seriously ill children who have previously had their wishes granted by Rays of Sunshine.

These will include:
Isabelle (14) from Barnet who is living with Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the tibia. On the day of the concert Isabelle will be fulfilling her wish to go for a shopping spree at Lipsy in Brent Cross before coming to the concert at meeting Pixie Lott.

Wasim (17) from Harrow. Wasim had a liver transplant last year and was doing very well. Unfortunately, as a result of the transplant has developed a life threatening illness which is currently undiagnosed. Last year Rays of Sunshine fulfilled his wish to cook with Gordon Ramsay at Claridges Hotel. He also attended a recent reception hosted by Samantha Cameron at No 10 Downing Street.

Katie (10) from Lambhill, Glasgow is living with Neurofibromatosis (tumours) diagnosed in 2007. Katie’s greatest wish was to design a giant teddy bear and name it after her consultant, Jennifer. In August last year, Katie designed her giant bear complete with a pink spotty dress and pink bow in her hair!

The Rays of Sunshine Concert is sponsored by www.adot.com

KORG’s mini KAOSS PAD 2 is a budding DJ’s dream

Iconic electronic instrument brand KORG today announces the launch of the mini KAOSS PAD 2, a handheld effects unit that enables users to put a personal spin on their favourite tracks, whether on stage, in the studio or out on the street.

The launch of the mini KAOSS PAD 2 (RRP £155.99) heralds the beginning of a new era for music fans who, instead of simply listening to music on the move, can now reshape tracks into awesome-sounding DJ-style performances.

Check out this preview video to see how the mini KAOSS PAD 2 gives you the power to put your stamp on tracks like a pro DJ

As well as being a must-have for diehard DJs – confirmed KORG fans include Calvin Harris and Zane Lowe – this go-anywhere device puts powerful technology into the hands of anyone who wants to mix up their music collection without needing stacks of turntables and hidden trickery. The mini KAOSS PAD 2 offers intuitive control and instant creativity for newcomers and professionals alike.

Building on the runaway success of the original mini KAOSS PAD, this crowd-pleaser incorporates cool new effects from its bigger brothers, the KAOSS PAD and KAOSS PAD QUAD. Not only can external music sources such as iPods or even guitars be fed directly into this dynamic effects processor, but the mini KAOSS PAD 2 also boasts a built-in MP3 player and microSD card slot for playback, storage and exchange.

The slider in the centre of the unit provides immediate access to 100 effect programs, including vinyl break, loopers, filters, delays and reverb. These are controlled in real-time by stroking and tapping the touchpad, which opens up an extraordinary array of sound-warping possibilities.

The device rewards endless experimentation and exploration, with added features such as ‘hold’ which memorises a previous position; instant recall for favourite effects; BPM detection for seamless synchronisation, ‘FX release’ which gives the effect a natural fade-out and performance recording facility.

To make yourself heard, there’s a built-in speaker, a jack for external output into amps or a headphone socket for private enjoyment. Its Organic Electro Luminescent (OEL) screen means high visibility whether using the mini KAOSS PAD 2 in a club or bedroom, train or ‘plane.

The mini KAOSS PAD 2 is the latest addition to the KORG family of electronic instruments, used by an array of music industry professionals around the world and now available to people who want to make their own music quickly and easily, whether at home or on the move.

KORG was established in Japan in 1962 and is famed for creating the world’s best-selling synthesizer.
Its iconic range includes some of the world’s greatest synthesizers, digital pianos, drum machines, samplers, effects units, workstations, mini keyboards, guitar tuners and metronomes. Popular with professional musicians such as Damon Albarn and Calvin Harris, KORG is bringing its products to a wider audience of tech-savvy consumers. As part of this initiative, a number of iPhone and iPad apps have recently been launched to recreate the sounds of classic devices including the Electribe, MS-20 and Kaossilator.

Visit the website www.korg.co.uk for further information.

That's Entertainment News: The Bushcraft Show brings families into the countr...

That's Entertainment News: The Bushcraft Show brings families into the countr...: When: 2-4 June 2012 Where: Elvaston Castle & Country Park, Derbyshire The Bushcraft Show is set to entertain families from around the U...

The Bushcraft Show brings families into the countryside for an outdoors Jubilee weekend

When: 2-4 June 2012
Where: Elvaston Castle & Country Park, Derbyshire

The Bushcraft Show is set to entertain families from around the UK and abroad with a celebration of all things Bushcraft over the Royal Jubilee Weekend. Whether you’re a bushcraft enthusiast, or simply wanting to learn more about this fascinating topic, there is something for everyone!

At The Bushcraft Show you can meet and learn from Les Stroud, host of Discovery Channel’s Survivorman, the SAS legend John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman author of worldwide bestseller The SAS Survival Handbook and Tracking Expert - Perry McGee, son of the late Eddie McGee. Watch Swedish Mastersmiths from Gränsfors Bruks at work and try your hand at Forging and skills such as Open Canoeing, Foraging, Archery, Axe Throwing, Campfire Cookery, Tracking, Firelighting, Horse Riding, and Photography. See a host of Trade Stands, Bushcraft Demonstrations, Specialist Instructors, Expert Speakers and so much more.

With only three days to try all the activities at the show, it is set to be a fun-filled weekend full of adventure and discovery. You will be able to track animals in the woodland and find their prints and signs, learn about all types of plants and wildlife with one of the many bushcraft and wildlife experts, see a wonder of nature as a Land Rover is pulled by just a grass rope! There are activities running throughout the whole weekend and with most of them included in the price of your ticket it really is great value for money.

How would you like to meet an African Vulture with an 11ft wingspan? See Owls, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles and this magnificent Vulture fly through the sky at The Bushcraft Show 2012, from the country’s leading and largest mobile Falconry display team.

Younger visitors will also be able to get involved with outdoor pursuits such as archery, canoeing, woodland games, firelighting, knife skills workshops, shelter building, woodland crafts such as spoon carving and basket making, plus have-a-go on our catapult range.

For the adults, to finish off a busy day, local brewers, Tollgate Brewery is already brewing a tasty Bushcraft Beer and a variety of 'Woodland Beers' to tantalise your tastebuds. Tollgate Brewery produces craft beer and ale in the traditional manner - by hand with the finest ingredients, using English malts and a variety of hops from around the world. The show encourages local companies to get involved with the event to offer visitors to the area an opportunity to enjoy the taste of Derbyshire. Friar Tuck catering company will be providing delicious food throughout the weekend from barbequed corn on the cob with chilli butter to a tender buffalo burger.

Simon Ellar, Director of The Bushcraft Show said: “We are getting closer to the event now and the timetable is really exciting. We specifically placed the show during the half-term week to open up the event to families, as a father of four myself we have aimed to offer as many childrens activities as possible. Interest in bushcraft is growing fast, it is so much fun and if you can start from an early age, it only gets better!”

“Relocating the show from the Lake District to Elvaston Castle & Country Park, Derbyshire has proved a great asset to the show”, says event organiser Simon Ellar. “Being located in the Midlands, the show is now more accessible, by air road and rail, not too far from Derby and surrounded by many counties it makes it easier for visitors to travel to from around the country and Europe to get to the show.”

Elvaston Castle & Country Park is the perfect location for the Show with a nice big showground that is dry and level providing the perfect setting for the social area, classrooms, demonstrations, trade stands and field camping. Woodland areas bordering the showground provide woodland camping and the stage for woodland-based activities. The park has a Bridleway, Foot Paths, Cycle Routes and a super Nature Reserve with 6 Bird Hides, a Wetland Area, a Reed bed, Heronry, Butterfly Area, Dragonfly Area, Reptile Basking Area, Newt Pond and much more. You will of course see a wide variety of flora and fauna. The lake, not normally available for public access, will be available to us throughout the weekend.

Information about The Bushcraft Show – including: timetables, tickets, courses, catering, the full entertainment programme; and the all-important information about the wonderful new location – is available at: www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk or by calling 0333 4567 123 (option 0)

READER'S OFFER!
That's Entertainment and the promoters of the event can obtain a 10% discount on tickets to The Bushcraft Show 2012. Visit their website www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk where you will find a special discount code of TBSPR12!

The Bushcraft Show is run by Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine bushcraftmagazine.com

The National CV of Britain’ launches; take pride in our island’s pioneering past and be inspired for the future

Today a major new initiative, ‘The National CV of Britain’, highlighting all that Britain has achieved was officially launched at an event hosted by BT on the revolving deck of the BT Tower.

The National CV is a short history of Britain, which in its briefest form covers two sides of a single A4 sheet of paper or the electronic equivalent. The CV is inspiringly upbeat, yet rigorously accurate. It is forward looking, inviting the nation to ‘apply for the future’. In this year of the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics & Paralympics it is felt especially timely to celebrate the story of the Influential Islanders.

The National CV is believed to be the world’s first of its kind, so is a pioneering document in its own right. It has been created by a passionate group of citizen-scholars from multiple fields to inspire the nation and impart a more buoyant sense of belonging. As they say of themselves, ‘Our brief was to be brief’. Their work is informed with the unique visual language of highly original artist Frank Xerox and has its own original soundtrack by Steve Sharples, one of Britain’s leading contemporary composers.

BT sponsored the group to produce a version of the CV suitable for young people and the result is The Young Citizens’ National CV of Britain. This will be made available to schools as a digital two-pager with supporting resources for teachers. Supporting the claims in the CV is a vast ‘CVpedia’ database on a freely accessible website (www.thenationalcv.org.uk)

At the launch event, Dr John Hart, director of The National CV Group, and the other members of his team wore boaters (straw hats), as though on a pleasure cruise. Dr Hart gave a detailed description of The National CV Project. The National CV Group claim that Britain has made the most disproportionate contribution to civilisation of anywhere on Earth, whilst having under 1% of the world’s people at any given time in history. The keynote of the project is pioneering, Dr Hart said, which is displayed far earlier in British history than is commonly appreciated and across vastly more fields of human endeavour.

Dr John Hart said: ‘In this Jubilee & Olympics year the international spotlight will be upon us and we will need the utmost in self-belief. Self-deprecation, false modesty and understatement should be sent down a figurative flush toilet – the real thing was invented here of course, in the reign of Elizabeth I - in favour of inspiration and a more buoyant sense of belonging, which is our modern take on patriotism.’

Dr Hart added: ‘We had an advanced Megalithic Culture before civilisation got going in Sumer and Ancient Egypt; we have chalk hill figures like the Bronze Age White Horse at Uffington which are unique in the world; we have our own Noah’s flood story in a body of literature called the Welsh Triads; and we have an ancient king called Bladud who apart from founding the baths at Bath in the 800s BC, aeons before the Romans, made himself a pair of wings and flew to his death in them. We pioneered the sacking of Rome in 390 BC, invented Druidism and were the key players in the birth of Christendom, via the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine, who was half-British by dint of his British Christian mother Helen.

‘There are claims from historians of old that King Arthur put the ‘Merry’ into ‘Merry Christmas’, when he gave his overwintering troops in York permission to revel at Christmastide, while waiting for the next bout of fighting against the Saxons. Britain has an extraordinary record of pioneering accomplishment across the sciences, technology, literature, the arts and any number of other fields of endeavour. How many people know that Alcuin of York came up with the rules for writing sentences and paragraphs that are still used today worldwide? That was in AD 789.’

‘We were the key nation in the development of the modern world, bar none: one thinks of the scientific revolution (founding of Royal Society in 1660), the industrial revolution, the second agricultural revolution, the beginning here of the Age of Reason (Isaac Newton, John Locke and the coming of constitutional monarchs William & Mary), as well as constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. We discovered all of the three main subatomic particles (i.e. proton, neutron, electron) and a quarter of the elements of the periodic table – including the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen, and life-giving oxygen - while also splitting the first atom, naming the Big Bang and postulating antimatter, which has been found, and the Higgs bosun, which may or may not have been found. We decoded 31% of the human genome. We produced the first meteorological classifications of the clouds and wind.’

‘One recollects pioneering exports of tin (Bronze Age), wool (Middle Ages), coal (Industrial Revolution) and oil & gas (recent era), and one brings to mind Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Dickens, Darwin and a host of other innovative scientists, plus rivetting tales of Robin Hood, Lady Godiva, 007 and Harry Potter, pausing along the way to contemplate our invention of the elastic band, the fire extinguisher, the lifeboat and the anglepoise lamp. Yes, we did all this – and there’s more to come, be assured!’
 

 The National CV group have identified anniversaries in 2012 that tell the nation’s story:
• 60 years ago: Queen Elizabeth II (b1926) ascends the throne in
1952; Britain has the greatest tradition of queens regnant in the
world and the greatest tradition of monarchy; Winston Churchill
is prime minister; he had led Britain through its - and the world’s
- greatest trial in the modern era, the Second World War
• 100 years ago: stainless steel is invented by Henry Brearley in
1912, when he added chromium to reduce staining and corrosion;
death of Scott of the Antarctic - Britain has the greatest history
of exploration and discovery of any nation; birth of Alan Turing
(1912-54), the father of computer science and artificial
intelligence; his work helped Britain develop the world’s first
functional electronic computer in 1943, for wartime code
breaking
• 200 years ago: the first commercial use of steam railway
locomotives is by Mathew Murray & John Blenkinsop at a colliery
in 1812
• 300 years ago: Thomas Newcomen improves the steam engine,
1712; in the same year John Arbuthnot invents a national
personification, bluff country squire John Bull, who came to
feature a Union Jack waistcoat
• 350 years ago: sparkling wine is invented by Christopher Merret in
1662 (Dom Perignon’s own activities in this line in France, date
to 1668 at the earliest)
• 400 years ago: four centuries before the coming of the London
2012 Olympics the Cotswold Olympicks is started in 1612 by
Robert Dover; the first modern games was held at Much Wenlock,
Shropshire in 1850; it was organised by Dr William Penny Brookes
(1809-95), founding grandfather of the modern Olympic Games
and inspirer of Baron de Coubertin, the father of the Olympic
Games, who put on the Athens Olympiad of 1896
• 500 years ago: the world’s first modern navy is founded by Henry
VIII, where his warships are dedicated gun platforms rather than
conveyances for armies to have battles afloat; Henry uses his
new navy in 1512 to beat the French at the Battle of Brest
• 1000 years ago: Archbishop of Canterbury St Alphege (954-1012)
is murdered by Vikings

Richie Hawtin presents Enter. - Music. Sake. Technology. Experience.

RICHIE HAWTIN confirms he is to launch his first solo residency on the island of Ibiza – with the introduction of his new visionary ENTER. concept. Hawtin will take over Thursday nights at the award-winning club Space in Playa d’en Bossa for 12 weeks (July 5 to September 20), curating four rooms built on the principles of music, sake, technology and experience.

ENTER. is based on the following principles:

MUSIC.
Hawtin will play each and every week from the center of the ENTER. experience, within an augmented version of Space’s main room surrounded by new structural lighting installations and technologies. Hawtin will curate the entire ENTER. line-up featuring M-NUS artists, friends, collaborators and like-minded individuals on each floor including ENTER.Sake and ENTER.Air (Space’s rooftop terrace).

SAKE.
ENTER.Sake is the island’s first true Sake Bar experience - an intimate Japanese inspired room with surprise DJ sets from major guests starting each Thursday at 10pm. For the first time, the official pre-party is in the actual club itself. Hawtin, himself a trained Sake sommelier and a huge fan of Japanese culture, is personally importing the Sake from Japan, recruiting the staff and working with renowned mixologist on the special Japanese Sake & Shochu based cocktail menu.

TECHNOLOGY.
Each room within the ENTER. concept will be touched by technology; from live Internet feeds, to visualizations of music & sound, to the interactive installations of the transformed Sunset Terrace – now titled, ENTER.Interakt. This will be a new sensory experience beyond music involving cutting edge technologies and ideas.

EXPERIENCE.
Richie Hawtin points out:  “As electronic music continues to develop around the world it becomes more important to invite people into its very core, where music, technology and ideas interplay to create unique and wonderful new worlds. Ibiza is the perfect place to further explore my event concepts that have been developing since the early Warehouse parties I threw in Detroit and more recently with CONTAKT & Plastikman Live. It is my hope that by combining many different elements together I can heighten the experience of the audience and place a significant memory into their subconscious. Ibiza is the perfect location for continuing this long-term experiment and ambition of mine.”

http://enter.m-nus.com

Make music whilst on the move with Kaossilator 2!

Think music-making is just for superstars in studios? Not anymore. The pocket-sized KORG KAOSSILATOR 2 puts the power to create your own tracks in the palm of your hand.

KAOSSILATOR 2 is a mini synthesizer with an intuitive touchpad that enables you to easily build your own tracks without any musical training.
So if you’ve ever fancied yourself as the next David Guetta or Gorillaz, this is the pocket-friendly gadget of 2012.

It builds on the phenomenal success of the original KAOSSILATOR, which was loved by artists including Lily Allen, who said “I’ve been having so much fun with my KAOSSILATOR on stage and while travelling... It’s so easy to come up with cool beats and crazy sounds.”
This new version offers more features, more style and more flexibility than ever before, with an enhanced sound generator that lets you create synth and drum combinations across a range of genres, from R’n’B to D’n’B.

Packing 50 years of electronic music expertise into a sleek handset that’s only a little bigger than a mobile phone, KAOSSILATOR 2 is a pick-up-and-play powerhouse.

Designed to be exciting and easy-to-use, you create your sounds by stroking, tapping or rubbing the touchpad, then loop them into continuing patterns. You can even layer two loops together to make DJ-style mixes. What’s more, the built-in mic lets you add your own instruments or vocals, and you can save the whole thing onto a microSD card, as well as playing it back via the built-in speaker or headphones.

To help ensure you sound amazing, the scale functions even eliminate ‘wrong notes’.
Check out this video to see how a track can be created with the KAOSSILATOR 2... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmQeP3y1F2w

At about a quarter of the cost of a top smartphone, the battery-powered KAOSSILATOR 2 is the palm-sized synthesizer that allows anyone, anywhere to make the music they want.

KAOSSILATOR 2 (GBP £155.99 Sterling) is the latest addition to KORG’s incredible family of electronic music products, whose star fans include Calvin Harris, Muse and Little Boots.

To try out the KAOSSILATOR 2, get tips and advice, and find out more about KORG products, visit your local dealership. A full list is available at www.kaoss.co.uk.

KORG products are also available from a number of approved e-retailers. If you want to buy online, visit www.kaoss.co.uk to find recommended online outlets.
Product details in brief:
• Play the synthesizer simply by using your finger to stroke, tap, or rub the touchpad
• 150 built-in sounds cover every style of dance music
• PCM sound engine serves up realistic drums
• Scale Key and Note Range eliminates "wrong" notes
• Built-in Gate Arpeggiator with adjustable gate time and swing settings
• Loop Recording allows the creation of layered phrases with unlimited overdubs
• Dual Loop Recording banks allow DJ-Style mutes and cross-fades
• Record using the built-in mic; or use the mic input for recording of external input
• microSD/SDHC card slot for saving loops and recorded performances
• Easy-to-read screen uses high-visibility organic EL (OEL) display
• VALUE slider allows smooth parameter control
• Battery operation and built-in speaker for on-the-go enjoyment

KAOSSILATOR 2 is the latest addition to the KORG family of electronic instruments, used by an array of music industry professionals around the world and now available to people who want to make their own music quickly and easily, whether at home or on the move.
KORG was established in Japan in 1962 and is famed for creating the world’s best-selling synthesizer.
Its iconic range includes some of the world’s greatest synthesizers, digital pianos, drum machines, samplers, effects units, workstations, mini keyboards, guitar tuners and metronomes. Popular with professional musicians such as Damon Albarn and Calvin Harris, KORG is bringing its products to a wider audience of tech-savvy consumers. As part of this initiative, a number of iPhone and iPad apps have recently been launched to recreate the sounds of classic devices including the Electribe, MS-20 and Kaossilator.

Visit the website www.korg.co.uk for further information.

That's Green: National Trust launches new competition to capture...

That's Green: National Trust launches new competition to capture...: The National Trust has launched a new amateur photography competition called 'Your Space' which will celebrate green spaces and the life of...

Queen's message to the Arctic Convoys veterans / HMS Belfast / London

9 May 2012 became a very special and memorable one for British and Russian Second World War veterans, Londoners and visitors to the capital.

Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, the 1812 Overture, was performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and accompanied by live cannons salute from HMS Belfast during the open to the Public at no cost concert in Hay’s Galleria, near London Bridge.

Earlier that day the Tower Bridge was raised in honour of the Arctic Convoys as William-B boat passed under the bridge with the veterans onboard preceeding a privately held ceremony that took place on HMS Belfast, where British veterans of Arctic convoys, joined by their friends veterans from Russia, paid tribute to their shipmates with traditional toasts ‘Up Spirits!’ with Pusser’s Rum and ‘To Victory!’ with Russian Standard Vodka. The ceremony was attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko, Lord Alan West, Rear Admiral John Gower OBE Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, HM Lord-Lieutenant Sir David Brewer and the event’s organiser Eugene Kasevin.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester read out The Queen’s personal message from, which said: “As you gather on the seventy-first anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy [Dervish], we again remember and acknowledge the courage shown and the sacrifices made by British and Russian servicemen in the name of freedom.

In this year of my Diamond Jubilee, I am pleased to send my warm good wishes to those veterans who have travelled from Moscow, and their British comrades, in commemorating this historic occasion on HMS BELFAST today.

ELIZABETH R
9th May, 2012”

The events organiser Eugene Kasevin thanked the staff of HMS Belfast, who have been most generous with the hospitality and helpful in spite of ongoing restoration of the gun-way and HMS Belfast being closed to the public until 18th of May.

The Artic Convoys to Russia (1941-1945) were regarded by many as ‘suicide missions’ and described by Winston Churchill as ‘the worst journey in the world’. They voyaged through the dangerous, icy seas of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, braving fog, twenty foot waves, pack ice and bitterly cold temperatures, from Britain and Iceland to the northern ports of Arkhangelsk and Murmansk in the Soviet Union. Over four years, the convoys delivered four million tons of vital supplies to the Soviet Union, urgently needed for its battle against Hitler’s fascism.

The Victory Day London project started in 2007 and is dedicated to the brave sailors of the Arctic Convoys, their solidarity and the joint efforts of the Royal Navy, the British Merchant Navy and Russian Navy servicemen, whose actions were critical to victory.

The organiser thanks the British and Russian businesses, namely: Petropavlovsk Plc, BP Plc, VTB Capital, SCF Sovcomflot, Marsh Ltd, Forex Capital Markets Ltd., whose support made the event possible.

Photo Gallery: http://www.victorydaylondon.co.uk/?page_id=378

Video Feeds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSwRqMuGOiw (The Queen's message)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYdnoKMrwko (1812 Overture)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/multimedia/2012/05/120509_belfa... (BBC Russian Service)

Event: http://www.VictoryDayLondon.co.uk

GameHack winner Lightwood Games pledges to continue developing acclaimed multi-screen iPhone/iPad game

Lightwood Games have announced that the award-winning entry they created at the UK's first GameHack event will continue to be developed.

The two-person team won prizes for "Most Innovative Idea" and "Best Use of Mobile" at the hackathon event, held at Pinewood Studios on April 28th-29th. GameHack challenged participants to design and develop an original game in just 24 hours.

Lightwood's submission extends a simple "lights out" game concept in a unique way, using multiple iOS devices connected via Bluetooth to spread the playing area onto several screens. Up to 16 iPhones, iPads and iPod touches can be laid out in any combination to form a sprawling multi-touch playing surface.

Two to four players then compete to be the first to touch all the lights in their own assigned colour. Gameplay is a real-world social experience, which often involves intertwining limbs and digits with nearby opponents as you battle to reach lights in the far corners.

The app will be released as "Plasma Party" and a version has now been submitted to Apple for review.

"We were absolutely stunned by the number of 'wow' comments our app provoked at GameHack", said Lightwood's Chris Newman. "I'm truly flattered to have our effort recognised not only by the judges but also by fellow developers, many of whom spoke to us to insist that we must release this game. {{ It felt like we'd have an angry mob on the doorstep if we didn't carry on developing it! }}".

The first release of the app will be functionally identical to the version shown at GameHack, minus a few bugs that slipped through due to the competition's time constraint.

The Lightwood Games team are already working on an update to the game, which will include new game modes as well as the ability to use connected devices as a large, customisable, scrolling message board.

They're also looking beyond this game.

"We have quite a few ideas that can be implemented in a similar way to Plasma Party", said Newman. "We are also talking to other developers about the possibility of creating an SDK using this technique so that anyone can produce their own multi-screen games using our code."

GameHack was organised by TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, and BlueVia, the global developer platform from Telefonica. For winning "Best Use of Mobile", Lightwood received a £500 electronics voucher courtesy of BlueVia. The "Most Innovative Idea" award was sponsored by TechHub, with the prize being a year's membership to their community in London.

Resources:
Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toNHyJwne3U
Screenshot gallery: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.362269160487760.753...
Product page: http://www.lightwoodgames.com/plasmaparty.php
Developer's Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lightwoodgames
GameHack information: http://www.tiga.org/news/press-releases/winners-of-gamehack-...