Friday, 18 May 2012

Jon Stevens plays Blue Beat club, Double Bay, Sydney

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Via Flickr:
Tonight New Zealand - Australian performing artist, Jon Stevens played the newly revamped Blue Beat club at Double Bay in Sydney's east, and he sounded and looked great.

We were pleased that he played the classic 'Reach out and touch somebody' early into the night of entertainment.

The support act was talented singer - songwriter Bonnie Anderson who did a good job of warning up the crowd.

Thank you to everyone involved in making tonight a success.

Profiles

Jon Stevens...

Most recognised for his work as the lead singer of Australian band Noiseworks, who had 4 Australian Top 10 albums, Jon also fronted Australian rock band INXS after the death of its lead singer Michael Hutchence and was part of two Australian productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Judas on both occasions, to high acclaim.

Jon Stevens has led a varied and remarkable career, standing strong through the successes and trials that have earned him a place as a respected performer. Through his solid studio recordings and incredible live performances, Jon has proven himself to be an adaptable, hard-working and inspiring artist. He has walked the boards of the world’s most prestigious stages and enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside the world’s best.

Bonnie Anderson...

Bonnie Anderson is a natural-born performer. Having grown up surrounded by musical family and friends, including her mother who is also a singer, Bonnie’s childhood paved the way for her talents as she spent family time playing music and singing. When she wasn’t surrounded by bands and musicians, Bonnie also took inspiration from her Godfather, world champion boxer Lionel Rose.

In 2007, Australian audiences fell in love with Bonnie’s incredible talent as the then 12 year-old won first place in Australia’s Got Talent. Rather than get swept up in the media bandwagon and subsequent offers of recording and management contracts, Bonnie made the decision to put her future career on hold and ‘just be a kid for a while’.

Bonnie is an incredibly focused performer with professionalism beyond her years, so in pursuit of her ultimate dream to be taken seriously as a singer-songwriter and professional musician, she has chosen to forego an easy fifteen minutes of fame in favour of focusing on the “big picture”.

Like any artist, she has learnt her craft by watching the ‘old masters’ at work and has already shared the stage with some of Australia’s greatest acts including Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Vanessa Amorosi, Kate Ceberano and Kasey Chambers. In addition to her vocal training, Bonnie also plays both piano and guitar. 2009 was a turning point for Bonnie and saw her tour with Australian icon, Jimmy Barnes, as a backing vocalist.

Now aged seventeen, the story is only beginning...


About Blue Beat...

Announcing Blue Beat, the new venue of Christopher Richards and Nicholas Rice.

Anyone familiar with Chris and Nick won’t be surprised that Blue Beat stands for quality music played by superb musicians, in a setting that gives audiences and musicians alike a memorably satisfying experience.

Blue Beat is founded on the same passion for live music that’s been at the heart of Chris and Nick’s previous venues. For those who don’t know, Nick’s history includes entertainment, promotions and venue consultancy, including key Sydney venues Bar Broadway and the Marquee nightclub. Chris is synonymous with The Basement, as manager, co-owner and booker. After nearly four decades he has strong connections with industry from festival directors to sound technicians, and he brings all this to Blue Beat.

“We think Sydney needs, and deserves, a venue that’s of its time, and caters for reasonably discerning audiences, in a way that puts the music centre-stage”, explains Rice. “But you might also just want to call in for a late-night drink or an after-theatre tapas and a place to talk.”

“So the Blue Beat philosophy is about an exciting journey through the world of contemporary music, around which we’ve built a venue that’s unpretentious but has great attention to detail”, says Richards.

Websites

Jon Stevens official website
www.jonstevens.com.au

Blue Beat
www.bluebeat.com.au

Bonnie Anderson official website
www.bonnieandersonmusic.com

Ralph Carr Management
www.ralphcarr.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Madame Tussauds Sydney Hosts A Night Of Glitz And Glamour With The Stars

Ray MeagherDawn FraserMichael Hutchence FamilyMichael Hutchence FamilyMichael Hutchence FamilyMichael Hutchence Family
Michael Hutchence FamilyLayne Beachley, Kirk PengillyMichael Hutchence FamilyMichael Hutchence FamilyLayne BeachleyLayne Beachley
Layne Beachley, Kirk PengillyKirk PengillyLayne BeachleyLayne BeachleyLayne Beachley FatherLayne Beachley
Madame TussaudsMadame TussaudsMadame TussaudsMadame TussaudsRay MeagherRay Meagher

Via Flickr:
Madame Tussauds Sydney, Australia: Strewth! Alf Stewart gets waxed

Madame Tussauds Sydney enjoyed having Ray Meagher aka "Alf Stewart" get waxed at Sydney's Madame Tussauds in Darling Harbour tonight.

The Home and Away veteran is understood to be the first local star to be announced as one of the Australian attractions to appear in the museum, which will feature more than 70 wax figures.

Meagher has submitted to hours of painstaking measuring to ensure his wax sculpture is as true to life as possible.

He will join a large contingent of Australian sportspeople, politicians and stars in the $14 million tourist attraction.

Merlin Entertainment Australia director Edward Fuller won't reveal which other Australian stars have been selected for the local exhibition, but he has said extensive research has been done to ensure the right mix of the famous and infamous.

"The key thing is that there will be a really strong line-up of local stars," Mr Fuller said.
A team of artists is working furiously to have the sculptures ready in time for the opening. Each wax model requires about 20 artists, from sculptors to painters, and can take up to six months to complete.

"The hair is all individually inserted into the head," Mr Fuller said, adding that capturing the "character and atmosphere" of the subject was the artists' goal.

To assist in this, many of the celebrities immortalised by Madam Tussauds' artists donate their own clothes to help create a sense of authenticity.

"That's the icing on the cake," Mr Fuller said.

"Not only can you get up close and personal to your favourite star but they're actually wearing the clothes they might have turned up to the Oscars in."

Madame Tussauds Sydney promo...

Step into the world of celebrity with over 70 of the world's best known personalities, our very own Aussie stars and a range of fun interactive experiences at Madame Tussauds Sydney. You can get on stage with pop stars, rub shoulders with the most powerful politicians, and even test your sporting skills against the greats. With a whole host of stars, legends and interactive experiences, Madame Tussauds Sydney really does add up to a red hot outing where the whole family can meet, greet, chat up, debate, hug and sing with their favourite celebrity.

Websites

Madame Tussauds
www.madametussauds.com

Darling Harbour official website
www.darlingharbour.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Music OZ Awards 2012

Sam/GMadamLuke RobinsonLuke RobinsonLuke RobinsonMadam
Lizzy Stanton BandLizzy Stanton BandLizzy Stanton BandLizzy Stanton BandLizzy StantonBrian Stanton
Brian StantonKiman PetersKiman PetersJoseph MaloneyJoseph MaloneyMusic OZ Awards
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Music OZ Awards 2012, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Each year, the awards highlight up and coming musical talent in 18 musical categories including singer, songwriter, alternative, blues, country and pop.

Celebrities...

Hots Sarah McLeod
Dallas Frasca
Pat Farmer
Kamahl
Mickey Avalon from the USA with Finalist Kid Mac
The Playboy Mansion Girls - Crystal Harris, Melissa Dawn Taylor and Ciara Price
Cam Tapp and Glenn Whitehall from The Voice
Gok Wan - UK TV Show - How to Look Good Naked
Melissa Wu - Australian Diving Team and Olympic Gold Medallist
Mark Gables - The Choir Boys
Fat Pizza Crew
Liam Burrows and Chooka from Australia's Got Talent
Amali Ward - recent Tour support for Seal
Jim and Dan from Art Vs Science


Background...

Musicoz is a national initiative dedicated to improving the quality of original music culture in Australia. Forover a decade Musicoz has been developing the music industry at the grass roots level by seeking out, recognising & encouraging the talents of unsigned and independent artists and providing them with much needed development support and opportunities as they carve out their careers.

Musicoz achieves these aims through:

Annual National Musicoz Awards Program

Covering 18 genres of music with over 5000 entries each year. Known in the media as "The Unsigned ARIAs", The Musicoz Awards give vital recognition, exposure to a national audience through our TV special of the awards being aired on national Television, as well as development opportunities to finalists and winners and the opportunity to work alongside well known artist surrounding the awards evening. These awards are the biggest and most credible awards for unsigned and independent music artists in Australia. Our media partners include: BigPond Music, YouTube and Facebook.

Musicoz Development Program

Ongoing mentoring, artist development and support throughout the year as they develop their potential. The Program Includes:

Comprehensive songwriting Feedback service

Support and advice on Publicity, promotion, advertising, management, contracts, touring

Advice on music royalties, Booking Agents/Venues and Venue Bookers

Production/Recording/Mixing/Mastering/Duplication development

Business plans/Timeline/Budgeting/CD launch

Professional consultation on Presentation and image

Artist product development including CDs, DVDs, Promotional material

Recording Project Management

A&R Consulting Service referrals

Musicoz provides a range of benefits including:

The opportunity for all artists in all genres to receive recognition and much needed publicity

The opportunity for all artists to receive developmental help mentorships from industry sponsors

Valuable work experience for students of entertainment industry training centres.

Employment opportunities within Musicoz events.

Valuable industry contacts through Musicoz activities

Success Stories

Porcelain - signed to Universal Music U.S.

The Jezabels

Art Vs Science

Sender-Signed to Sony/BMG Australia- Reached no 19 on the national ARIA charts

Bliss'n'Eso-Signed to Illusive Records Australia-Reached no 7 on the national ARIA charts

Sick Puppies-Now a sensation in the U.S and signed to Roadshow Music.

Blue King Brown-No 1 on the Australian Independent charts

The Sunpilots-No 1 indie band on Myspace, No 1 added band to commercial radio FEB 2008

The Fumes- Album of the week FBI Radio and The Drum Media

Felicity Urquhart- 2007 Golden Guitar winner and No.1 video on CMC.

Anthony Snape - Currently Touring the U.S

Gian - Signed to ABC/Warner Music

Stone Parade - No 17 ARIA charts, No 1 AIR charts May 2008

Plus many more

There is no other initiative across Australia that provides this form of support/benefits in the music industry.


Websites

MusicOz Awards
www.musicoz.org

Sydney Opera House
www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com