Music News Australia: 03/19/12

Monday, 19 March 2012

Wish You Were Here Premieres At Entertainment Quarter Hoyts, Moore Park, Sydney

Teresa Palmer and Joel Edgerton

Cinema Release Date: 25 Apr 2012

Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith
Featuring: Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer, Felicity Price, Antony Starr
Producer: Angie Fielder
Country of Origin: Australia
Genre: Drama
Official website: www.wishyouwereherethefilm.com

Wish You Were Here is a psychological drama/mystery starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Price and Teresa Palmer. Four friends - husband and wife Dave and Alice, and Alice's sister Steph and her new boyfriend Jeremy - lose themselves in the fun of a carefree South East Asian holiday. However, only three return back to Australia. Dave and Alice come home to their young family desperate for answers about Jeremy's mysterious disappearance. When Steph, returns not long after, a brutal secret is revealed about the night her boyfriend went missing. But it is only the first of many. Who amongst them knows what happened on that fateful night when they were dancing under a full moon in Cambodia?

Wish You Were Here is produced by Angie Fielder of the award-winning, independent Australian production company Aquarius Films, in association with the acclaimed indie director's collective Blue-Tongue Films (Animal Kingdom).

Kieran Darcy - Smith and Felicity Price

Websites

Wish You Were Here
www.wishyouwereherethefilm.com

Hopscotch Films
www.hopscotchfilms.com.au

Hoyts
www.hoyts.com.au

The Entertainment Quarter
www.eqmoorepark.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Erin Brockovich Legal Eagle And Environmentalist Speaks At University of Sydney

Erin Brockovich, legal eagle and environmentalist spoke at the the University of Sydney earlier this evening.

I was delighted to attend, meet and photograph this extraordinary woman.

The Lecture...

Distinguished Speakers Program: Erin Brockovich

Paying it forward - Erin Brockovich 12 years on...

The Erin Brockovich phenomenon as born from its movie beginnings and consolidated by years of environmental advocacy is as strongly identified in Australia today as when the iconic movie was released in 2000. In a case that went on to become a Hollywood movie Erin spearheaded a legal battle that led to the largest legal settlement in US history for a toxic tort involving 600 residents.

In the lecture, Erin shared her unique experiences over the past twelve years and looks forward to the next twelve.

Now a successful author, international speaker and award winner Erin dedicates her time to advising several law firms in the US and exclusively to Shine Lawyers in Australia. For over 18 years she has continued to crusade for the rights of people and protection of the environment.

The lecture was presented as part of the Sydney Law School Distinguished Speakers Program 2012.

Erin Brockovich Biography...

Say the name Erin Brockovich and you think, strong, tough, stubborn and sexy. Erin is all that and definitely more.

She is a modern-day “David” who loves a good brawl with today’s “Goliaths”.

She thrives on being the voice for those who don’t know how to yell.

She is a rebel. She is a fighter. She is a mother. She is a woman. She is you and me.

It’s been 10 years since Julia Roberts starred in the Oscar-winning tour de force “Erin Brockovich”. The film turned an unknown legal researcher into a 20th century icon by showcasing how her dogged persistence was the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. Since then, Erin hasn’t been resting on her laurels… she continues to fight hard and win big!

This gutsy broad doesn’t apologize for who she is. She has always loved going head to head with the big boys and was never intimated by their bravado. She learned how to come out on top from her tight-knit mid-western family in Lawrence, Kansas. Erin was the youngest child of an industrial engineer father and journalist mother. Her parents always believed that she could do anything she set her mind to if she learned to focus her amazing energy.

After a few years roaming around at various colleges, Erin decided that she wanted to be a California girl. She first landed a job as a management trainee for K-Mart but when that didn’t make her swagger, she decided to study electrical engineering. But that wasn’t enough for the Kansas beauty… on a fluke, she entered the Miss Pacific Coast beauty pageant… and, not surprising, won the title.

When she realized that beauty pageants weren’t her thing, Erin, her husband and two children settled in Reno, Nevada. After divorcing, the single mother became a secretary at a brokerage firm where she met and married her second husband. But that marriage was short lived and the now mother of three was solo again.

Up until this point, Erin was the average divorced single mother trying to make a living… until she crossed paths with lawyer, Ed Masry, and changed the course of both their lives.

After being seriously injured in a traffic accident in Reno, Erin moved back to California’s San Fernando Valley, and hired Masry & Vititoe to represent her. They won a small settlement but she still needed work so she got a job at their law firm as a file clerk, it was while organizing papers on a pro bono real estate case that Erin first found medical records that would explode into the largest direct action lawsuit in US history.

Erin’s exhaustive investigation uncovered that Pacific Gas & Electric had been poisoning the small town of Hinkley’s Water for over 30 years. It was because of Erin’s unwavering tenacity that PG & E had been exposed for leaking toxic Chromium 6 into the ground water. This poison affected the health of the population of Hinkley. In 1996, as a result of the largest direct action lawsuit of its kind, spear-headed by Erin and Ed Masry, the utility giant was forced to pay out the largest toxic tort injury settlement in US history: $333 million in damages to more than 600 Hinkley residents.

The story and eventual film helped make the “Erin Brockovich” a household name. Over time, Erin realized that she could use her notoriety to spread positive messages of personal empowerment and to encourage others to stand up and make a difference.

Erin Brockovich has conquered all forms of media… Her first TV project was ABC’s 2001 special “Challenge America With Erin Brockovich” where she helped motivate and organize the rebuilding of a dilapidated park in downtown Manhattan. This show is best described as “Extreme Make-Over Home Edition” on steroids.

Then, for three seasons, Erin hosted the Lifetime series, “Final Justice With Erin Brockovich”. The show celebrated everyday women who triumphed when faced with overwhelming adversity.

Erin then dominated the world of publishing with her New York Times Business best-seller, “Take It From Me. Life’s A Struggle, But You Can Win”.

Because of her fighting spirit, Erin has become the champion of countless women and men. She is this generations, “Dear Abby” and in fact receives thousands of “Dear Erin” letters and emails each year from people who are begging for help and support in their own personal struggles. Erin proudly answers every one of them.

As President of Brockovich Research & Consulting, she is currently involved in numerous environmental projects worldwide.

Erin is one of the most requested speakers on the international lecture circuit and travels the world for personal appearances.

Erin Brockovich is a true American hero who’s icon status and “stick-to-it-iveness” only fuels her determination to expose injustice and lend her voice to those who do not have one.

She has requests for her help in ground water contamination complaints in every state of the US, Australia and other international hot spots. She is currently working on cases in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Illinois and Missouri.

Erin lives in Southern California with her husband, three children and 5 Pomeranians and admits to one guilty pleasure… shopping (Credit: Erin Brockovich)

Websites

Erin Brockovich official website
www.brockovich.com

The University of Sydney
www.sydney.edu.au

Shine Lawyers
www.shine.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical To Play Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

Today a rehearsal and performance of some of An Officer and a Gentleman took place at the ABC in Ultimo, just down the road from the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star, where the show will officially open to the general public on 18th May 2012.

The pitch:

A new musical based on the Paramount Pictures-Lorimar movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" written by Douglas Day Stewart

Music and lyrics by Ken Hirsch and Robin Lerner
Book by Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Director Simon Phillips
Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth
Set and Costume Designer Dale Ferguson
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Musical Director Dave Skelton
Associate Director Dean Bryant
Producers Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost

In association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures

Based on the hugely successful Academy Award-winning film, this new production has been adapted for the stage by the original screen writer, Douglas Day Stewart and co-writer Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music and lyrics by Kenny Hirsch and Robin Lerner. It will be produced by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost, and directed by Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical).

The talented cast that will bring this timeless story to life includes Ben Mingay (Jersey Boys) as Zack Mayo, the classic angry young man who grew up in a "sewer" and dreams of flying jets and parlaying this skill into a better life; Amanda Harrison (Wicked) as Paula Pokrifki, the young factory worker who dreams of becoming a nurse and finding a better life without selling out for it, like everyone around her; Kate Kendall (Next to Normal) as Lynette Pomeroy, Paula's best friend who is determined to marry a flier to escape her dead end life, no matter what it takes; and Alex Rathgeber (The Phantom of the Opera) as Sid Worley, the likeable Okie son of a Navy Admiral who is the class "superstar" at the Naval Academy.

A hit across the ages, the 1982 film has become a phenomenon in cinema history, recently listed by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten love stories in cinema history. Featuring the iconic hit song "Up Where We Belong" and a new score by hit song writer Ken Hirsch and Grammy nominee Robin Lerner this timeless tale of struggle, success, friendship and love promises to be the musical blockbuster of 2012.

An Officer and a Gentleman is a triumphant story of working class heroes surviving great tests; a classic modern day love story about a working class boy and girl who must overcome their upbringing and personal weaknesses to accept life and love.

His Story, Her Romance.

Websites

An Officer and a Gentleman - The Musical official website
www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au

The Star
www.star.com.au

Sydney Lyric Theatre
www.sydneylyric.com.au

Echo Entertainment
www.echoentertainment.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Sexpo in Sin City Sydney A Fun And Sexy Success; Adult Australia

Today, the final day of Sexpo in 'Sin City' Sydney at Darling Harbour was loads of fun.

We especially enjoyed the strip show with a male and female performer, with the Aussie lad squirting water or something over the media and audience at the climax of the show.

Some of the audience members were dressed up very sexy, and some bodypainted lasses and fetish displays caught our eye.

Not everyone wanted to be photographed or videotaped, but enough did to make it well worth our while. Our media pass badges seemed to get either a very hot or cold reaction, but it was usually very hot to say the least.

My partner seemed to think the ladies were better catered for than the guys, and I think it was a female friendly event, perhaps toned down a bit from previous years, perhaps due to legal requirements.

A jam packed expo centre saw hundreds of the creme of the adult entertainment industry strut their stuff, at a time when what adults do behind closed doors is as relevant as ever.

Industry names who attended Sexpo include: Fiona Pattern (EROS Association CEO), Bombshells Australia (including Michelle "Bombshell" McGee), Alexis Texas (adult actress), Nina Mercedez (adult actress, web entrepreneur, producer and fitness model), Belladonna (adult entertainer and producer), Ron Jeremy (adult actor), Vaughn Liley (xxx), HunkMania Australia and Suzie Q (adult entertainer and pole dancer).

Russell Gilbert, comedian, hosted most of the live stage shows and he was genuinely funny, and the audience lapped it up.

In a new twist, motor cross stunt riders (Quick Fix Harley Davidson Freestyle Team with Seth Enslow) put on a fab display to close the show off.

Sexpo appeared to be a big success, and it was a lot more fun than many more of the other media events we have attended lately.

Many thanks to the Sexpo organisers for helping make our visit so enjoyable.

Press Release...

.XXX is Upcoming Sydney Sexpo Sponsor - Mar 12th, 2012 06:26 PM

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL—ICM Registry is making its final preparations for this year's Sexpo in Sydney, Australia, which takes place March 15-18 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. Following the huge success of last November’s show in Melbourne, which saw record crowds estimated to be in excess of 85,000 attendees at the .xxx-sponsored event, ICM decided to boost their profile even more for this event by sponsoring the attendance of legendary adult performers Ron Jeremy and Nina Mercedez at this years Sydney show to promote .xxx.

Both during and after the Melbourne Sexpo, ICM saw a huge surge in traffic from Australia indicating the exposure and interest generated by the .xxx sponsorship of the event had a very positive impact. Domain registrations also increased from the region immediately following the Melbourne Sexpo, and Australian Registrars are second only to US based Registrars in terms of the number of .xxx registrations.

“As part of building our brand awareness, we decided to sponsor the attendance of Ron and Nina for this years show. We have several media events already lined up including TV and Radio raising awareness of .xxx in the minds of consumers which can only be good news for .xxx domain owners,” said Vaughn Liley, ICM Sales Director. “As part of our traffic generation initiatives, we will also be promoting many of the new and operationally live .xxx sites to the estimated 65,000 attendees in Sydney."

In addition, ICM has teamed up with Crazy Domains, an Australian based registrar, to offer special .XXX domain pricing during Sexpo. More details can be found by visiting the .xxx booth # 173 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Center between March 15-18.

What Is Sexpo?

SEXPO – Sexuality and Adult Lifestyle Exhibition is the worlds largest adult show. Sexpo boasts international performers in all aspects of adult entertainment. The aim of the exhibition is to provide a fun vibrant atmosphere for like minded people - to enjoy and find information on ALL THINGS ADULT.

Sexpo is not just about SEX, it is about sexuality and adult lifestyles. At SEXPO you will find hundreds of exhibitors, and there is something for everyone. If you are looking for that fun, different or even special gift for a friend or loved one. You will find it all at SEXPO.

Our entertainment is second to none, with our international pornstars, male and female HOT bodies, hypnotists, comedians, lingerie parades and our WORLD FAMOUS AMATEUR STRIP!

SEXPO provides all their patrons with the opportunity to mix in a bit of shopping and socialising with world class entertainment thrown in – what better way to spend a day/night out with friends or with your partner.