Sir James Dyson puts on Dyson product launch with a difference: Sydney, Australia

Sir James Dyson puts on Dyson product launch with a difference: Sydney, Australia...

Sir James Dyson, the British billionaire industrial designer (not to be confused with Tony Stark from Iron Man - Marvel Comics fame) who invented the dual cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner, has just finished hosting his fabulous launch event at the Sydney Theatre Co Ltd, Pier 4.

It's understood he took a fair swipe at "competitor) robot vacuums as "pathetic" with poor suction and no navigating skills. Yes, the others suck - but not in a good way.

A lot of the (product) attention was on his latest product, a tap that can also dry your hands in about 12 seconds. Dyson, who rocketed his company to nearly 4000 staff and $1.5 billion in annual sales, advised he would only launch a robot vacuum when he got it right.

New product snapshot - the Dyson hybrid dryer-tap...

Robot models launched in Australia recently include the $399 Robomaid, LG's Roboking range ($549-$1149) and Samsung's $999 Navibot. Dyson didn't name and shame but was dismissive of the current lot, criticising their navigation and efficiency which meant they offered poor battery performance and cleaning ability.

"They've got whiskers sticking out of them – whiskers don't clean anything they just disturb the birds," he told Fairfax Media.

"It's a difficult job and I'm not rushing out a gimmick robot to pretend to people we're cleaning the floor, we're not doing that we're doing it properly."

Robomaid is one of the robot vacuums on the market.

Despite coming up with his vacuum cleaner breakthrough in the late 1970s, it only reached the British market 10 years later, and Dyson is now a global market leader. A third of British homes now have a Dyson.

The company has also launched other innovations such as bladeless fans and an "Airblade" hand dryer that uses jets of air to scrape the water off the hands. The same sort of technology but with a far more advanced motor ("three times faster than any electric motor has gone before") powers the new hybrid dryer-taps.

Dyson has wrestled for years to prevent companies copying his designs, winning a $5 million damages award from Hoover in 2000. Now, the main offenders are out of Asia and Dyson thinks intellectual property protection is weaker because people are getting away with copying.

"Koreans and the Chinese are copying things and I think it's very bad," he said. "It's said by certain people that that increases competition, actually it decreases competition because all they're doing is copying the market leader."

He said the copycat companies could produce cheaper products because they haven't incurred all the development costs and associated risks.

"It's morally wrong, I think it's legally wrong and I think it hurts the consumers because the consumer doesn't get a choice," he said. "Intellectual property should be supported better; the law should be made stronger."

In October last year Dyson filed a lawsuit alleging a "spy" employee stole the blueprints to a £100 million ($149.7 million) technology and passed them to rival Bosch.

Dyson said western countries such as Australia and Britain need to focus on educating more scientists and engineers, as they are increasingly being overtaken by countries in Asia.

"40 per cent of all graduates from Singapore are engineers," he said. "For Britain, Australia, the US and other European countries to compete in any way they've got to heavily arm themselves with technology."

Classy event in Sydney...

It wasn't a cheap and nasty event, as is too often the case with product launches.  Dyson impressed with wit, goodwill and loads of great food and drinks, which looked and tasted 5 star. It was a great vibe and news media was treated with respect, friendliness and delicious treats.  How could we not share the story and photos far and wide across media and internet - which was no doubt another masterstroke by the colourful billionaire and his brains trust.  If you have the budget - Dysons' are well worth a close look.

Websites

Dyson Australia

www.dyson.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

EUROVISION WINNER TO PERFORM AT MARDIGRASLAND

BREAKING: Eurovision 2012 winner and human rights activist Loreen will perform at Sydney Mardi Gras’ epic after party, Mardigrasland, at Moore Park on Saturday 2 March.

Loreen joins a high energy line up for Mardigrasland alongside announced acts including Heather Small (M People), Delta Goodrem, The Presets and DJ Crystal Pepsi (aka Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters), as well as many other international and local DJs and acts.

Watched by an estimated 120 million people worldwide, Swedish singer Loreen’s dance track ‘Euphoria’ won Eurovision in a landslide.

The hit single ‘Euphoria’ has gone on to dominate the UK and European charts.

Speaking internationally as an activist, Loreen has said she is fully aware of the risks of “speaking out”, underlining her a natural affinity with Sydney Mardi Gras participants and supporters.

She also appeared at Stockholm Pride 2012, voiced support for the cancelled Belgrade Pride 2012 and met with human rights activists at Eurovision 2012.

Loreen said she can’t wait to see the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade up close and personal.

“Sydney Mardi Gras inspires the world to love one another through the power and beauty of diversity,” Loreen said.

“The festival says something great about Sydney – it reflects the accepting, open, diverse and colourful nature of the city itself.”

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik said Loreen was a great addition to the festival.

“Loreen has a fanatical fan base, has already gone global and with her first full album ‘Heal’ recently released she’s set to get even bigger again,” Mr Rolik said.

“I can see Australia continuing its love affair with Swedish artists, following our national obsession with ABBA and widespread adoration of Robyn.

“The feeling’s mutual, as Loreen herself names Australian musician Lisa Gerrard as one of her musical influences.

“We’re excited to have Loreen as part of Sydney Mardi Gras at this pivotal point in her career, and eager to hear her views on Pride and human rights.”

First release members and general entry tickets have sold out but remaining tickets to Mardigrasland are now on sale through Ticketek, for all the details visit www.mardigras.org.au

Loreen’s Eurovision win can be viewed at http://youtu.be/Pfo-8z86x80.

PRODUCTION BEGINS IN SA ON THE INFINITE MAN

Hedone Productions today announced principal photography will commence this week in South Australia on THE INFINITE MAN, a time travel comedy romance about Dean, an unorthodox scientist whose attempts to change the past and fix his relationship with girlfriend Lana reveal him to be his own worst enemy. 

The Infinite Man is the anticipated feature film debut of writer/director Hugh Sullivan whose short films have screened in official selection at the Palm Springs International Shortfest, Flickerfest and the Melbourne International Film Festival. As a winner of the Spirit of Youth Award - Moving Pictures in 2006, Hugh received a one-year mentorship with director Phillip Noyce. 

The Infinite Man stars acclaimed actors Josh McConville (Underbelly, Wild Boys, Redfern Now), recently crowned Best Actor at the Sydney Theatre Awards for his role in Griffin Theatre’s The Boys, and Hannah Marshall who received a Logie nomination for Most Popular New Female Talent (2011) for her role as Loretta Schembri in Packed to the Rafters, one of the highest rating shows on Australian television. AACTA award winner Alex Dimitriades (The Slap, Head On, Underbelly) also stars as Lana’s ex-boyfriend, the disgraced 1980s Olympian Terry.

The film is being produced by Hedone Productions’ Kate Croser (Danger 5, 100 Bloody Acres) and Sandy Cameron. Croser also produced My Tehran For Sale, which was filmed in Tehran and went on to screen in Official Selection at Toronto, Vancouver, Busan and Rotterdam International Film Festivals and won the IF Independent Spirit Award (2009). Cameron Rogers and Jonathan Page (Mary and Max, 100 Bloody Acres, The Babadook) are Executive Producing.

Producer Kate Croser says of the project ‘The Infinite Man promises to be one of the most original and inventive Australian films you will see, and so it’s exciting to now be in production and bringing the script to life’.

  

Producer Sandy Cameron adds: ’We’re thrilled to have attracted such a strong cast to the project and are really looking forward to showcasing the austere desert beauty of Woomera on the big screen.’ 

The Infinite Man is a Hedone Production in association with Bonsai Films with investment from the South Australia Film Corporation (SAFC) through their FilmLab funding initiative, and development assistance from Screen Australia.

FilmLab is a $4.2million development initiative of the SAFC, funded by the South Australian Government. FilmLab is designed to develop South Australian filmmakers who have a track record in short form to take the next step into long form film production, through an intensive and bespoke development program. The SAFC's approach, through FilmLab, is to create a partnership with selected teams of filmmakers and to cultivate an atmosphere of collaboration and creative energy.

Richard Harris, CEO of the SAFC says: "We are incredibly excited about The Infinite Man because while it is a hugely creatively ambitious film, this is exactly what the FilmLab is all about. It is the fifth film greenlit through the program, and once again demonstrates not just the depth of talent in the state but also the distinctiveness of each of these filmmaking voices. We are particularly pleased that we have been able to welcome director Hugh Sullivan back to Adelaide to make his much anticipated first feature, and wish all of the Hedone team the best of luck for their outback shoot."

Visit www.hedone.com.au for more details.

ILLAPU RETURN TO AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2013 FOR THEIR SIXTH TOUR Headlining Womadelaide and performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Listening to Illapu’s songs is like hearing the whisper of the wind from the Andes…as they create music with songs about love, life, justice and social issues….

ILLAPU was founded in 1971 by four brothers from Antofagasta in northern Chile. As freedom advocates they became well-known for their cultivated rendering of Andean folklore and Bolivian rhythms, a fusion that later developed into the Nueva Canción movement.   ILLAPU produce folkloric, explorative music with songs about love, life, justice and current social issues. They have.

ILLAPU have played throughout Latin America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Olympia Theatre in Paris and the Sydney Opera House.  In March 2013 they return to Australia for their sixth tour headlining WOMADELAIDE with concerts on both the opening and closing nights. ILLAPU will visit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane playing in Sydney for one night only on Friday 1 March Sydney’s Lyric Theatre.

In 1976 ILLAPU released what was to become a huge radio hit in both Argentina and Chile, and subsequently rose to fame for their guitar-based songs featuring strong vocals, pan flutes and enrapturing rhythms.

Exiled from their beloved Chile by the Pinochet Dictatorship, they lived in France and Mexico until their return in 1988 where they were cheered by throngs of fans, and performed to over 100,000 people. Since then, Illapu have continued to produce folkloric explorative music with songs about love, life and justice and have played all over the world from Latin America, Europe, Australia, Asia, New York to Paris.

“Their voices are wonderful without exception, with perfect harmony they give us words of love… these musicians give themselves to the music with endless happiness”… La Depeche

ILLAPU return to Australia for their sixth tour in March 2013 headlining Womadelaide and performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

TOUR DATES:

Sydney, Lyric Theatre                        Friday 1 March

Tickets:                                               $89 (Concessions available)

Bookings:                                            Ticketmaster

Melbourne, Dallas Brooks Hall           Saturday 2 March      

Tickets:                                               $89 (Concessions available)

Bookings:                                            Ticketek

Brisbane, Tivoli Theatre                      Thursday 7 March

Tickets:                                               $89 (Concessions available)

Bookings:                                            Ticketek

                       

Womadelaide                                      Friday 8 to Monday 11 March

www.illaputour.com

KillRockStar BigDog Entertainment present UK gothic black metal legends Cradle Of Filth live in Australia in 2013.

Cradle of Filth formed in Suffolk in 1991 and after a string of demo recordings released their debut album, ‘The Principle of Evil Made Flesh’ in 1994. The band have gone on to become one of the UK’s most successful metal acts, known for their dynamic symphonic style of gothic black metal, along with the dark poetic lyrics from the hand of enigmatic front-man Dani Filth.

The Manticore & Other Horrors, Cradle of Filth’s tenth studio full-length, can be likened to a bestiary, a collection of stories on Monsters; personal demons, Chimeras, literary fiends and world-enslaving entities to blame but a few, Manticore being the ravening title track. It is a song about a beautiful mythological horror that comes to be feared as the disfigurehead of foreign occupation in the Indian provinces.

The songs ‘Illicitus’ and ‘Pallid Reflection’ bare the sweet ingredients of vampirism and lycanthropy; the wicked ‘For Your Vulgar Delectation’ and ‘Frost On her Pillow’ are woven perversely into grim fairytales, whilst classic, monumental tracks like ‘The Abhorrent’ and ‘Siding With The Titans’ both extol tentacular Lovecraftian values.

The album itself possesses an altogether new atmosphere for the band, incorporating a heavier, faster NWOBBM (New Wave of British Black Metal) punk vibe that is both current and cruel, blended with ornate orchestration and the quirky immediateness of 2000’s Midian opus.

Recorded in eight  weeks at both Springvale and Grindstone studios (where it was also mixed by Scott Atkins), Suffolk, the album is testament to the longevity of The ‘Filth, as not only does it reek of Cradle’s (feared or revered) brand of delicious metal vamperotica, but this thoroughly modern album places the band firmly in fresh killing fields anew.

Singer Dani Filth had this to say on the new album:

‘This is our tenth commandment in metal. We have diversified and kept alive the spirit of this band and breathed it into something that I can proudly say, slays like an absolute motherf**ker. The Manticore is coming… Long live the filth!’

Cradle of Filth is set to spread their darkness upon the Great Southern land this May.

KillRockStar BigDog Entertainment by arrangement with X-Ray Touring present:

CRADLE OF FILTH

Australian Tour 2013

Thursday 9 May HiFi. Brisbane

Friday 10 May Palace Theatre. Melbourne

Saturday 11 May UNSW Roundhouse. Sydney

Sunday 12 May Metropolis. Fremantle

Tickets on sale Monday 25 February via usual outlets.

www.krbde.com | www.cradleoffilth.com

Tropfest 2013; Sydney, Australia: Red carpet and awards update

Tropfest 2013 on tonight: Sydney, Australia; Red carpet and awards update

Not many festivals can claim the title of being Australia’s most prestigious short film festival and largest short film festival in the world at the same time. Such is the stage of Tropfest – one of Australia’s most iconic cultural events.

From its humble beginnings in 1993 as a screening for 200 people in a Sydney cafe, Tropfest has grown its audience reach to approximately 150,000 people and expanded to global cities including Abu Dhabi, London, Toronto, Berlin, Bangkok and New York.

Open to anyone who wishes to enter, the annual short film competition provides unique platforms for emerging filmmakers through its events and initiatives. Past judges include high profile film personalities such as Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe and Keanu Reeves, just to name a few. All films are made especially for Tropfest and include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), which changes each year. The 2013 TSI is “Balloon”.

Free to attend, Tropfest is an outdoor celebration complete with live music and entertainment, public catering and bars, red carpet arrivals and the highly anticipated film screenings followed by an award ceremony.

Stay tuned right here at Music News Australia and Media Man for a full report including winners, and be sure to check out some amazing photos of the event at the Eva Rinaldi Photography website.

News Update...

11:00am – Gates Open

12:00pm – Trop Jr 2013 starts

3:00pm – Tropfest 2013 starts

3:20pm – Live performance – Round the Corner

4:15pm – Live performance – MEG MAC

5:15pm – Live performance – Clubfeet

5:50pm – APRA Tropscore

6:00pm – Red Carpet Arrivals

7:15pm – Live performance – Kate Miller-Heidke

7:30pm – Official Festival Program Commences

8:00pm – Finalist Films

1. Great Day

2. Let It Rain

3. Time

4. Scene 16

5. Monobrow

6. Inside

7. The Pledge for Mister Bunny

8. Ca$h Cow – a 63% true story

9. Cargo

10. Taser

11. Punctured

12. Better than Sinatra

13. Remote

14. The Hustle

15. A Man Walks Into A Bar…

16. We’ve All Been There

10:00pm – Judging Time Out

10:15pm – Award Ceremony and 2014 TSI Announcement

10:30pm – Live performance by RÜFÜS

After the festival come and celebrate at the official Tropfest After Party!

Where? Cake Wines Tropfest Pop Up Bar, 77 George St, The Rocks, NSW 2000

About Tropfest...

Tropfest is the largest short film festival in the world and the first truly international film festival. It is also the world’s most exciting platform for up and coming film makers to gain international exposure. 

Scores of films made for and screened at Tropfest have gone on to gain commercial distribution. And literally dozens of Tropfest filmmakers have had local and international careers launched as a result of their work being seen in front of thousands of people – including many of the most respected professionals in the film world. The festival is judged by a panel of distinguished industry professionals. Previous judges have included George Miller, Naomi Watts, Elijah Wood, Toni Collette, Salma Hayek, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann, Ewan McGregor, Darren Aronofsky, Will Smith, Bryan Singer and many others!

Tropfest was established to encourage production, not just exhibition. Consequently, an annual, randomly-chosen item (known as the Tropfest Signature Item or 'TSI') must be included in each film to show it was made specifically for the festival. We believe that practice makes perfect; only by honing his or her craft will a filmmaker continue to refine their story-telling abilities.

Our mission is to continue to develop the most exciting forum in the world for audiences to come together and celebrate premium short films; and to continue to offer filmmakers a bigger and better platform from which to launch their professional careers. 

Tropfest continues to expand internationally. The inaugural Tropfest Arabia was held in Abu Dhabi in November 2011; Tropfest New York and Tropfest Vegas will both be held in June 2012; and Tropfest New Zealand will be held in January 2013. Discussions are underway to bring Tropfest to more destinations around the world including Beijing, Paris, London and Singapore.

Websites

Tropfest (Australia)

www.tropfest.com/au

Tropfest

www.tropfest.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

RONAN KEATING ‘FIRES LIVE 2013’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST BRIAN MCFADDEN NEW SYDNEY DATE ADDED

Due to overwhelming demand, McManus Entertainment is thrilled to announce that a new Sydney date has been added to the Ronan Keating ‘Fires Live 2013’ Australian Tour.  Owing to the sell-out success of the previously announced concert at Sydney State Theatre on 4 March, a new show has been added at Chatswood Concert Hall on Tuesday 5 March 2013. Sydney audiences will now have three opportunities to see Ronan Keating live in concert, with the tour also including a date at Evan Theatre, Panthers Penrith on 9 March.

Tickets for the new Sydney date go on sale through Ticketek on Monday 18 February at 9am.

Ronan Keating will begin a national Australian concert tour on 1 March with very special guest, good friend and fellow Irishman, Brian McFadden. Along with three Sydney dates, Ronan and Brian will also play Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth, with tickets for those venues now on sale through various outlets.

As a solo artist Ronan Keating has sold more than 25 million records worldwide, alongside 30 million records with Boyzone. Add this to Brian McFadden’s sales of 40 million records worldwide and that’s a serious amount of records the two artists have sold between them.

Ronan’s soulful pop voice has won him millions of fans around the world and Australia is no exception. As one of the X-Factor’s most popular mentors, he considers Australia a second home. 

Apart from Ronan’s incredible work with Boyzone, he has had an extensive solo career. After Boyzone’s 1995 number 2 hit in Australia with Father and Son, Ronan burst back onto the Australian charts in 1999 with the Top 3 smash When You Say Nothing At All. This was followed with more hits, including Life Is a Rollercoaster, Lovin’ Each Day, If Tomorrow Never Comes and his latest single Fires. In 2009, Ronan released the poignant Songs For My Mother (recorded in memory of his late mother), which debuted at number 1 on the Australian ARIA album chart.

Brian McFadden is another Irishman who also considers Australia a second home. The popular judge from ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ will join good friend Ronan on his “Fires” tour. Australia first got to know Brian through popular band Westlife. Since leaving the band, Brian has gone on to carve out a successful solo career, reaching the top of the ARIA singles chart with Almost Here and Just Say So. In 2008 Brian released his top 5 album Set In Stone.  Brian will release his brand new studio album through Universal Music in on March 1^st titled, The Irish Connection.  The album will include some of Brian’s favourite tracks with some of his favourite artists, including his very good friend, and touring partner, Ronan Keating!

Proudly presented by McManus Entertainment, Empire Touring, TV Week and Mix

Tickets on sale via the below outlets

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ‘FIRES LIVE 2013’ TOUR DATES: RONAN KEATING AND BRIAN MCFADDEN

Friday 1 March                      Melbourne Palais Theatre                                                               www.ticketmaster.com.au                 136 100

Monday 4 March                   Sydney State Theatre                                                        www.ticketmaster.com.au                 136 100

Tuesday 5 March                 Sydney Chatswood Concert Hall                                     www.ticketek.com.au                          132 849

Thursday 7 March                Brisbane Riverstage                                                          www.ticketmaster.com.au                 136 100

Saturday 9 March                 Sydney Evan Theatre at Panthers Penrith                     www.penrith.panthers.com.au         02 4720 5555

Sunday 10 March                 Gold Coast Jupiters Hotel and Casino                           www.ticketek.com.au                          132 849

Tuesday 12 March               Perth Crown Perth Theatre                                               www.ticketek.com.au                          132 849

The Addams Family broadway musical comes to Sydney, Australia

Broadway Legend Jerry Zaks

The Addams Family Broadway musical comes to Sydney, Australia...

This morning The Addams Family (the musical) held a media call and rehearsed at the ABC Studios.

Dozens of news media including Music News Australia turned up and covered the highly acclaimed show.

From what we saw it looks like the musical lives up to the hype and this may be the best international musical which tours Australia this year.

Fun, quality and brings back memories from when many Australians used to watch the show in its television format. Mark it in your diaries.

Promo...

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Broadway's musical comedy based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will have its Australian premiere in Sydney on Saturday 23 March 2013 at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.

Playing the lovable and bizarre characters Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and of course, Lurch will be John Waters, Chloë Dallimore, Russell Dykstra, Teagan Wouters, Ben Hudson and Meredith O'Reilly. The cast playing the members of the "other" family are Tony Harvey (Mal Beineke), Katrina Retallick (Alice Beineke), & Tim Maddren (Lucas Beineke).

THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story and it's every parent's nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. For parents Gomez and Morticia, it's a shocking development that turns the Addams house upside down when they are forced to host a dinner for the young man and his parents.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is directed by Broadway legend Jerry Zaks.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Opens 23 March in Sydney.

About the show...

The Addams Family, Broadway’s smash hit musical comedy brings the deliriously delightful world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch to spooky and spectacular life.

Starring John Waters, Chloë Dallimore and Russell Dykstra, The Addams Family will make its Australian premiere in Sydney in March 2013 at the Capitol Theatre.

The Addams Family features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.

Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Running Time

2 hours and 35 minutes (including one 20 minute interval)

Age Appropriateness

The Addams Family is appropriate for children ages 7 and up.

Websites

The Addams Family musical official website

www.addamsfamilythemusical.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com