TREASURES OF THE HARD ROCK MUSIC MEMORABILIA EXHIBIT COMES TO HARD ROCK CAFE

*EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PREVIEW DAY*

Hard Rock Cafe Australia gives fans an up-close look at pieces of history from music superstars and legends with the never-before-seen “Treasures of the Hard Rock” traveling memorabilia exhibit. The exhibit features iconic items pulled from Hard Rock’s vault and combined to form the one-of-a-kind collection, “50 Years Of Rock And Pop Fashion.”

“50 Years Of Rock And Pop Fashion” highlights rock’s fashionable side and the clothing that has become just as much of an artist’s identity as the equipment they use. The tour features a selection of stylish items, including the pink waitress uniform worn by Britney Spears in her “(You Drive Me) Crazy” music video and Johnny Cash’s all-black suit which perfectly represents his legacy as the “Man In Black.” Also featured in the collection is Lady Gaga’s The Addams Family-inspired dress designed by Belgian designer Toon Geboers, and the jacket Ron Wood wore to his 60th birthday party in 2007.

“We have spent nearly two years, scouring our 77,000 piece collection, to pull together a collection that will wow our guests,” said Jeff Nolan, Hard Rock Historian and tour curator. “The collection showcases a unique part of music history and gives fans an opportunity to see that history first-hand.”

“Treasures of the Hard Rock” will be on public display at Hard Rock Cafe Surfers Paradise from 23 April, 2013 through 28 April, 2013. Hard Rock Cafe Sydney will host the public display of “Treasures of the Hard Rock” from 3 May through 8 May, 2013. For more information on pieces on display, tour stop locations and public viewing dates, please visit www.hardrock.com.

Monday 22nd April: “Treasures of the Hard Rock” Media Preview Day

11am-12noon – morning tea provided

Hard Rock Café Surfers Paradise

Cnr Cavill Ave & Surfers Paradise Blvd; Surfers Paradise

www.facebook.com/hardrockcafesurfersparadise

07 5539 9377

Thursday 2nd May: “Treasures of the Hard Rock” Media Preview Day

11am-12 noon – morning tea provided

Hard Rock Cafe Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney

www.facebook.com/hardrockcafesydney

02 9280 0077

Interview Opp: Jeff Nolan, Hard Rock Historian and tour curator

About Treasures of the Hard Rock

Hard Rock International is the world’s original curator of music memorabilia with the most far-reaching collection. The 77,000+ piece collection, which celebrates new and legendary music icons, is the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia. In 2013 Hard Rock developed “Treasures of the Hard Rock,” three traveling memorabilia exhibits each featuring a unique theme. The “Gone Too Soon,” “Music Gives Back” and “50 Years of Rock & Pop Fashion” collections will tour Hard Rock locations in the U.S., Europe, and points in between throughout the year, giving fans an up-close look at pieces of history from music superstars and legends

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 177 venues in 58 countries, including 141 cafes, 18 hotels and 8 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide.

Destinations include the companies’ two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida., as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Las Vegas, San Diego and Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include San Jose. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Aruba, Riviera Maya, Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. New Hard Rock Casino projects in development include Hungary and Northfield, OH. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com

Websites

Hard Rock International

www.hardrock.com

Hard Rock Surfers Paradise Facebook

www.facebook.com/hardrockcafesurfersparadise

Hard Rock Sydney Facebook

www.facebook.com/hardrockcafesydney

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

2 AUSTRALIAN RICKY MARTIN INSTORES CONFIRMED

SYDNEY - MAY 9 WESTFIELD PARRAMATTA at 6PM MELBOURNE – MAY 11 WESTFIELD SOUTHLAND at 12PM RICKY MARTIN RELEASES RICKY MARTIN: GREATEST HITS - SOUVENIR EDITION. OUT APRIL 12

Over 70 million albums sold, 95 platinum records, 6 #1 Billboard albums, 11 #1 hit songs, 2 American Music Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 8 World Music Awards, 10 Billboard Awards, 8 MTV Music Video Awards, with sold out concerts in more than 60 countries across the globe, and more than 3 decades in the music industry. Clearly when Ricky Martin puts his mind to something, he means business. He is the leading Latin Music figure of his generation - beloved by fans worldwide for his instinctive understanding of rhythm, passion for performing, and equal compassion for giving.

Now Australian fans can be part of this modern day legend, with an exclusive CD and DVD greatest hits souvenir edition released through Sony Music Entertainment out April 12. Ricky Martin: Greatest Hits - Souvenir Edition features 16 of Ricky’s biggest Aussie smash hits. With exclusive DVD footage and 2 extra tracks added. The Greatest Hits Souvenir Edition includes ARIA #1 hits such as; ‘Maria’ and ‘The Cup Of Life’ and of course the hugely successful ‘She Bangs’ ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ and ‘Shake Your Bon Bon’. The exclusive DVD footage includes behind the scenes on the ‘Life Album Documentary’ a collection of remastered videos and much much more. This will be an essential part of any Ricky Martin fan’s collection.


If you’re in Sydney May 9 or Melbourne May 11 you’re not going to want to miss out on this opportunity. Make sure you purchase a copy of Ricky Martin: Greatest Hits – Souvenir Edition and come and meet Latin music icon Ricky Martin at Westfield Parramatta in Sydney from 6pm and Westfield Southland in Melbourne from 12pm.

SYDNEY - MAY 9 WESTFIELD PARRAMATTA AT 6PM
MELBOURNE – MAY 11 WESTFIELD SOUTHLAND AT 12PM
RICKY MARTIN: GREATEST HITS - SOUVENIR EDITION.
IS OUT APRIL 12 INSTORE AND DIGITALLY

COMEDY SUPERSTAR STEVE CARELL HEADS TO AUSTRALIA FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CELEBRITY PREMIERE OF DESPICABLE ME 2.

On June 5, comedic sensation Steve Carell (aka “Gru” – the world’s most loveable villain) will join his mischievous minions at the Australian Premiere of one of 2013’s most anticipated sequels – Despicable Me 2.

Carell will be available for photo and press opportunities in Sydney from June 5-7.

Despicable Me 2 sees producer Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru, his adorable girls, and a host of new and outrageously funny characters. Voice talent newcomers Kristen Wiig and the legendary Al Pacino join the ensemble cast in the sequel, not to mention thousands of those hilarious unpredictable yellow minions…

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the world’s 9^th highest grossing film of that year.

________________________________________________________________________________

DESPICABLE ME 2 Australian Premiere, Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, Wednesday June 5

DESPICABLE ME 2 in cinemas JUNE 20

http://www.despicablememovie.com.au/

Despicable Me 2 sees producer Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru, his adorable girls, and a host of new and outrageously funny characters. Voice talent newcomers Kristen Wiig and the legendary Al Pacino join the ensemble cast in the sequel, not to mention thousands of those hilarious unpredictable yellow minions…

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the world’s 9^th highest grossing film of that year.

________________________________________________________________________________

DESPICABLE ME 2 Australian Premiere, Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, Wednesday June 5

  

BEN HAZLEWOOD AT ROSELANDS SHOPPING CENTRE

Ben Hazlewood will perform alongside Rachel Leahcar at Roselands Shopping Centre, Thursday 2 May from 7:00pm.

Ben is excited to be performing tracks from his brand new EP ‘Loveless’ at The Roselands Shopping Centre. Since launching last week, Ben’s EP has been incredibly popular, jumping into the top 40 Australian albums. As one of Australia’s most talented rising vocalists and song writers; Ben Hazlewood hasn’t stopped since capturing the nation’s attention on hit TV show The Voice.

Roselands is expecting huge crowds eager to experience Ben’s new musical offering and fans will have the chance to meet and greet the artist himself as Ben will be signing copies of his new album after his performance.

Made up of six dynamic tracks, the EP is a reflection of the vibrant and mature artist that Ben has developed into since being coached by famed US pop-rock musician, Joel Madden, on The Voice last year.

Knife Party TO RELEASE HAUNTED HOUSE EP ON MONDAY 6 MAY

On 6^th May inimitable and enigmatic Australian DJ duo Knife Party return with the Haunted House EP, their first release of 2013.  The new EP is the long-awaited follow-up to the Rage Valley EP, which included the mighty Bonfire and the chilling Centipede, both of which shocked dance floors and airwaves right across the globe. Bonfire quickly gathered cult status as it was used in the opening sequence of the recent series of the award winning seminal TV series Breaking Bad.  Shortly afterwards, the EP broke into the US Top Ten iTunes Chart, quite a feat for such uncompromising music.

Featuring three new tracks and a VIP version of fan favorite Internet Friends, the four-track Haunted House EP once again re-asserts their uncanny control of the dance floor.

By now Knife Party is a name with which anyone with even a passing interest in electronic music will be familiar with. In the two years since the mysterious duo emerged, their singular approach and ferocious productions have driven their rapid ascent through dance music’s ranks from unknown entity to dance floor conquering scene leaders, and festival headliners. The new Haunted House EP marks a welcome and typically uncompromising return from the duo, one that will undoubtedly serve to further affirm their formidable talents.

The Haunted House EP is the next chapter in the remarkable evolution of Knife Party. Having already amassed a list of achievements that others struggle to achieve over the duration of a career, Knife Party continues to ride their own unique trajectory with no sign of slowing down any time soon. Add to this a touring schedule that is already stretching well into summer, taking in festivals across Europe and the US whilst also finding time for their Las Vegas residency at the Wynn resort, and the year ahead looks like it may well be their busiest yet.

Tracklisting:

Power Glove

LRAD

EDM Death Machine

Internet Friends VIP

www.knifeparty.com

www.facebook.com/knifeparty

www.twitter.com/knifepartyinc

www.facebook.com/neonrecords

www.warnermusic.com.au

Jonathan Biggins and Clare Bowditch to host 2013 APRA Music Awards!

Date, Venue and New Category Announced!

The Australasian Performing Right Association's flagship event, the APRA Music Awards, will be held on Monday June 17 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins (arguably the Billy Crystal of Australian music award events) and the multi-talented Clare Bowditch, the 2013 APRA Music Awards marks the 31st year for this widely respected industry gala event, which celebrates the achievements of songwriters and composers over the previous twelve months.
The event will announce winners in the categories of: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Most Played Australian Work, Most Played Australian Work Overseas, International Work of the Year, Country Work of the Year, Blues & Roots Work of the Year, Urban Work of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Rock Work of the Year.
In response to feedback from members and the music industry, the APRA Board is pleased to announce a new award category this year: the Pop Work of the Year.
APRA CEO, Brett Cottle said, "The Pop Work of the Year Award will recognise excellence in songwriting in this popular, eclectic and now distinctive cross-over genre. Almost 65% of APRA members categorise themselves as songwriters in the Pop/Rock genre and songs that fit this category feature significantly in our own statistics and in recognised industry albums and singles charts. It's timely for our Music Awards to formally recognise and accommodate pop music as a genre in its own right and it will be an important milestone when we announce the first-ever winner in this category on June 17".
The 2013 APRA Music Awards will also present the recipients of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year Award, the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music (as determined by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors) and the coveted peer-voted APRA Song of the Year.
APRA members have now nominated and narrowed down Song of the Year nominations to a shortlist of 30 contenders. This list showcases the best of the industry, featuring compositions by newcomers such as Flume, Matthew Colwell (360) and Courtney Barnett alongside established songwriters such as Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, Sia Furler, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), Missy Higgins, Grinspoon, Troy Cassar-Daley and Birds of Tokyo.
If you missed the Top 30 Shortlist for the APRA Song of the Year please click here.
The nominees for the 2013 APRA Music Awards will be revealed on Thursday May 23rd.
CATEGORIES FOR 2013 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Song of the Year (voted by APRA Members)
Most Played Australian Work*
Most Played Australian Work Overseas*
International Work of the Year *
Pop Work of the Year*
Country Work of the Year*
Blues & Roots Work of the Year *
Urban Work of the Year*
Dance Work of the Year*
Rock Work of the Year*
The APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors determine the following:
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
*Determined by statistical analysis

For all information regarding category rules and eligibility please visit:www.apra-amcos.com.au.
2013 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Monday June 17th
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Clare Bowditch

Telstra Thanks Presents BON JOVI BECAUSE WE CAN - THE TOUR

Bon Jovi fans, you've been waiting for this day! We are excited to announce the dates for  "Because We Can - The Tour" hitting Australian shores this December 2013.

Fans will be treated to an unforgettable night of Bon Jovi's huge arsenal of hits, as well as new tracks form the band's latest album WHAT ABOUT NOW which debuted at #1 on the Australian Charts.

As the presenting partner of the Australian leg of the tour, Telstra is running a special pre-sale for its customers. The Telstra Thanks Pre-Sale, powered by BangTango, will run from 9am Monday 13th May to 8.59am Wednesday 15th May local time. For more information visit www.telstra.com/music.

General Public tickets on sale Monday 20th May at 12noon AEST.

Australian Tour Dates 2013

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on Saturday, December 7

tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au

AAMI Stadium, Adelaide on Wednesday, December 11

tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au

ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Saturday, December 14

tickets from www.ticketek.com.au

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Tuesday, December 17

tickets from www.ticketek.com.au

For Fan Club and Circle Packages go to www.bonjovi.com

The group's return to the road in 2013 has launched the latest chapter in an ongoing blockbuster run which has already secured Bon Jovi's status as the essential live rock band - having performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 35 million fans.

"Because We Can - The Tour" kicked off in February and is currently making its way across the globe with dates in the US, Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia.

See The Tour video here - www.youtube.com/user/daintytouring

See Jon's personal message here - www.youtube.com/user/daintytouring/JBJ

See you on the road!!

Blue Man Group Australian Show @ Sydney Lyric Theatre

BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a BLUE MAN GROUP experience.

Blue Man Group Australian Show

• Event Date:
  Saturday 10 August 2013
• On Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every week until 06 Oct 2013
• Place:
  Sydney Lyric Theatre
  Pyrmont, NSW

The Janoskians Australian Tour 2013 @ Enmore Theatre

Australian self-declared anti boy band and YouTube sensations, THE JANOSKIANS, are hitting venues this June with their unique brand of fear-of-nothing attitude.

Like everything they do, it all happens in real time and at break neck speeds; their potent repertoire of Janoskian Jackass meets Punk’d pranks, skits and music.

Building excitement around the tour, the boys launched a heat map experience encouraging fans to Tweet to Unlock Tour Dates by tweeting where they are from to help the band decide where to tour.


The Janoskians are the ANTI boy band. Although they are five teenage boys from Melbourne, Beau Brooks (19), Jai Brooks (17), Luke Brooks (17), Daniel Sahyounie (19) and James Yammouni (17) respectfully request that you, “Don’t call us a F&$%ING boy band!” This slogan and their trending #NotABoyBand hashtag have become battle cries for their army of fans around the world and all over the web.

Their rise to fame through their public disturbance videos on YouTube has surprised everyone, including themselves. They have amassed nearly 100 million total views across their channels and their brand of humour and fearlessness has made them the cool kids on the block for teens and tweens. Their meet and greets have become the stuff of legend, with thousands of screaming fans rushing to meet the boys at spontaneous twitter designated meeting areas. These guerilla style tactics only add to the boys’ unpredictable mystique and have created a very fresh “real time” relationship between themselves and their fans.

In early 2012, MTV saw what was happening online and quickly jumped into the fray shooting eight high quality, very funny episodes. At the same time, The Janoskians partnered with Sony Music Australia resulting in their first single ‘Set This World On Fire’, which went Top 20 on iTunes in 17 territories without any marketing, radio or promotion.

Now with a world tour, a new single ‘Best Friends’ available digitally from May 17 (Sony Music) and their ever-growing social media domination, the Janoskian world take over is in full effect.

Cyndi Lauper 'She's So Unusual' Tour @ Enmore Theatre

Iconic singer Cyndi Lauper returns to Australia to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her groundbreaking album with a nationwide tour of Australia. During the tour, which will commence on August 29 in Melbourne, Cyndi Lauper will perform the record-setting album She’s So Unusual in its entirety.

Recorded and released in 1983, She’s So Unusual, Lauper’s debut solo album, is a colorful portrait of a unique and multifaceted talent. The album features some of Lauper’s most well-known songs and perennial radio favorites including “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” “Money Changes Everything,” and “All Through the Night.” She’s So Unusual made Lauper a household name and also cemented her place in musical history as the first female artist to have four top 10 singles on a debut album. The release went on to sell over 16 million copies worldwide and won Lauper a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

“It’s been such an amazing year for me,” said Cyndi Lauper. “When I realized it’s also the anniversary of the album that started my solo career, I knew it was the perfect time to thank my fans for sticking with me through it all. I’m so excited to perform She’s So Unusual from beginning to end, song by song and I can’t wait to see everyone!”

For thirty years, Cyndi Lauper has been dazzling—and surprising—her fans all over the world. A multi-talented artist and one of music’s most beloved icons, she has racked up global record sales of over 50 million (and 14 Grammy nominations) and has won countless awards, from a Grammy and an Emmy to numerous honors for her tireless activism through her True Colors Fund. Lauper has released 11 studio albums, with her most recent, the Grammy nominated Memphis Blues, ruling the Billboard Blues chart for 14 consecutive weeks to become the best-selling Blues album of 2010. Overall, during her storied music career, Lauper has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards.

JUS†ICE TO RELEASE ACCESS ALL ARENAS ON MAY 10, 2013

Justice is set to release Access All Arenas, a recording of their show in the ‘Nîmes Arenas’ last July, which was part of their yearlong worldwide tour.  The album revisits their years of existence so far, giving us a taste of the wild effervescence and the energy of their lives. Access all Arenas is available on Friday 10 May.

Ten years ago, the track We Are Your Friends reached our ears and pushed a young French duo consisting of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay aka ‘Justice’ to the front of the electronic music scene. The duo was signed by Pedro Winter, owner of Ed Banger Records. Their debut record that followed, ✝, was an album of condensed jerky electro, disco reminiscences and heavy metal energy, with unstoppable tunes like D.A.N.C.E, Stress and Phantom, and its videos, allowed Justice to follow the 90’s French Touch and its filtered disco loop.

In 2012, Justice release their sophomore album Audio, Video, Disco using the combined musical vocabulary of rock and electronic to conjure a laid back, agricultural effort existing on the outer fringes of pop. Audio, Video, Disco was created in the duo’s home studio, with all instrumentation performed by the group themselves.

Since the release of their debut album in 2007, Justice have toured tirelessly, playing festivals and concerts all around the globe, from Australia (playing Parklife in both 2007 and 2012) to the United States, Europe and South America. The duo has played main stages at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Les Eurockéennes, Les Vieilles Charrues. As well as headlining all of the major Electronic Music Festivals, Ultra Music Festival, Sonar, and Melt.

The duo developed at a young age, a powerful stage design that they have polished and magnified throughout the years. Employing a wall of LED-filled Marshall amps, among other one-of-a-kind eccentricities, Justice are said to have one of the most ambitiously compelling stage productions today. Their show is a one and a half hour sonic and visual roller coaster.

www.facebook.com/etjusticepourtous

www.youtube.com/user/etjusticepourtous 

www.facebook.com/neonrecords

www.warnermusic.com.au

LIFE IMITATES ART: SENSATIONAL MUSICAL COMEDY RETURNS TO THE THEATRE ROYAL

They’re Playing Our Song

3 & 4 May – Theatre Royal, Sydney 

Photo credit: Kurt Sneddon/Blueprint Studios

The Broadway musical They’re Playing Our Song had its Australian premiere at the Theatre Royal in 1980 and will return in a brand-new production for a strictly limited engagement.

Two of Australia’s finest music theatre performers and real-life couple Danielle Barnes (The Boy from Oz, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and Scott Irwin (Hairspray, Les Misérables) star as the unlikely lovers Sonia and Vernon in a story based on the real-life relationship of composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager.

A wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist. When Vernon Gersch meets Sonia Walsk at his luxury Manhattan apartment, it signals the beginning of a whirlwind professional and romantic relationship for these two very different personalities. When it comes to making music, they are a match made in heaven. But is this relationship doomed, or will love strike the right note?

They’re Playing Our Song was written by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Odd Couple and Sweet Charity, Neil Simon, with music by Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line, The Way We Were) and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager (That’s What Friends Are For, Don’t Cry Out Loud).

They're Playing Our Song features such memorable songs as If He Really Knew Me, They’re Playing Our Song and Fallin’, making this romantic comedy an unforgettable evening of stellar musical entertainment.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION SHOW TIMES: 8pm Fri 3 May, 2pm 7 8pm Sat 4 May VENUE Theatre Royal, 180 King St, Sydney BOOKING Ticketmaster 136 100 www.ticketmaster.com.au TICKET PRICES Adults $59.50, Concessions $49.50, Groups $45

CAST
Vernon Gersch - Scott Irwin

Sonia Walsk - Danielle Barnes

CREATIVES
Book by Neil Simon

Music by Marvin Hamlisch

Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Producer - Christine Harris & HIT Productions
Director & Designer - Terence O’Connell

www.facebook.com/TheyrePlayingOurSong

TOUR SCHEDULE: http://hitproductions.com.au/Song2013.htm                                                     

‘THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE ETHNIC’ NSW, VIC & QLD SHOWS ON SALE NOW

From the producers who brought you the sell-out IL DAGO and Comicus Erectus tours, comes the next original instalment set to have crowds in stitches for all of the politically incorrect reasons - The Good The Bad And The Ethnic. With an all-star line-up of the best local ethnic comedy superstars, this brand new show is packed full of laughs and ground-breaking comedy. Hitting NSW, VIC and QLD from June 2013, tickets are on sale now from www.joeavati.com


Forget your run-of-the-mill stand-up comedy act, The Good The Bad And The Ethnic is like no performance audiences have seen before. This is a fast-paced show including sketches, video presentations, songs and brand new routines that have been polished to perfection over the past 12 months. Audiences can expect some surprises never-before-seen in this genre of comedy alongside some classic comedy that has become a feature of these well-loved productions. The Good The Bad And The Ethnic features a bumper-line up of the finest ethnic comedians including one of Australia’s top comedy exports Joe Avati; one of the most recognised faces on Australian television George Kapiniaris, known to most as ‘Memo’ from Acropolis Now; Turkish Australian comedy sensation Tahir, better known to most as ‘Habib’ of Fat Pizza fame; and the talented Rob Shehadie, better known as ‘Rocky’ from Fat Pizza and Housos. As some of the finest comedians performing today - each of these guys is worth the admission price alone!

“They had the audience in stitches.” Adelaide Now

“ Avati takes it (comedy) to new heights with his uncanny ability to continually reinvent the genre.”

 Herald Sun, Melbourne
“Tahir is brilliant! Really knows how to work an audience.” Sydney Morning Herald

“These boys should be made official ambassadors for breaking down racial prejudice by the very nature of their inclusive and joyous performance.” Rip It Up

This promises to be an amazing array of hilarious multicultural stand-up comedy; true fans and newcomers alike will enjoy an evening of top-notch entertainment.

Tickets on sale now from www.joeavati.com

Kelly Osbourne special guest at The Star - Celebrity magazine Cleo contributor whips up a storm at The Star, The Darling and Cherry Bar

Kelly Osbourne special guest at The Star - Celebrity magazine Cleo contributor whips up a storm at The Star, The Darling and Cherry Bar...

It's been a big couple of days and nights at The Star... formally known as Star City Casino. Every man, woman and their Cherry - pardon the pun and been banging on about it - Kelly Osbourne is in town. An oh, security is on their toes, if they were not before. Read on...

Media...

Kelly Osbourne, E! Fashion Police host and style icon, is coming to Australia to attend an exclusive VIP re-launch of CLEO magazine on April 30 in Sydney. The 28 year-old was recently announced as the hot new back page columnist for the iconic magazine. CLEO Editor, Sharri Markson, says Kelly is the right mix of fun, feisty, and fashion - everything CLEO embodies.

CLEO has undergone its biggest overhaul in its 40-year history. Under Markson’s leadership, CLEO has a greater focus on fashion, lifestyle, and ground-breaking investigative journalism, tackling issues that matter to young Australian women.

WHO: Kelly Osbourne, CLEO editor Sharri Markson plus a host of Australian celebrities including Zac & Jordan Stenmark (Models), Darren McMullen (The Voice), Stephanie Rice(Celebrity Apprentice/Olympian), Prinnie Stevens (Celebrity Apprentice/The Voice), Johnny Ruffo (Home & Away), The Collective, Justice Crew, Nikki Phillips (Model), Alex Perry (Designer), Luke & Scott (My Kitchen Rules), Sally Obermeder, Charlotte Dawson (Aust Next Top Model), Carissa Walford (Channel V), Didier Cohen (Model), Timomatic (X-factor), Laura Dundovic (Miss Universe), Mahalia Barnes(The Voice), Keiynan Lonsdale & Kate Peck (MTV).

News...

Kelly Osbourne's Twitter rant after Star City security staff asked to see identification...

Staying at The Star’s The Darling hotel, the American reality television star took to Twitter late last night to complain to her three million followers after being quizzed regarding her identification on entering the gaming room floor.

Today, she wrote: “Thank you #StarCasino for being so accommodating & dealing with last nights drama so graciously!”

The tweet was in contrast to Osbourne’s online spray at 10.15pm last night.

"In disbelief at how rude the security guard 'Sam' at the Star casino AU was to me & my friends for NO reason he is a first class twat!," she wrote, adding later: “All I did was show him my ID to get into the casino he called me a liar & treated me like i was a criminal!"

Osbourne is in Sydney on a paid visit to promote a column she writes for a local magazine.

She flew in from LA on Saturday with fiance Matthew Mosshart.

The Darling quickly became Sydney's hottest celebrity venue since opening in October, 2011, and has hosted some of the world's biggest stars without too much trouble.

Leonardo DiCaprio has stayed there, as has Justin Bieber, George Clooney, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift. Dozens of other big names are rumoured to have also had digs there, but not all talk about it openly. A few of 'The Voices' judges have also been spotted in and around The Star and its bars and hotel rooms.

At 10.15pm last night, KO: "In disbelief at how rude the security guard 'Sam' at the Star casino AU was to me & my friends for NO reason he is a first class twat!"

Osbourne is in Sydney on a paid visit to promote local magazine, Cleo.

She flew in from LA on Saturday with fiancé Matthew Mosshart.

Osbourne has 3 million Twitter followers.

"All I did was show him my ID to get into the casino he called me a liar & treated me like i was a criminal!" another tweet stated.

The Star is being sought for clarification, but don't hold your breath. Celeb, music and casino news outlets such as The Tele, Casino News Media, Casino Life and Woman's Day are following up the story with considerable passion.

As they say (slogan - tag line) at The Star 'There will be rumours... The Star and their parent co. Echo Entertainment were not kidding!

Websites

The Star

www.star.com.au

Cherry Bar

www.star.com.au/sydney-nightlife/Pages/cherry.aspx

The Darling

www.thedarling.com.au

CLEO Magazine

www.cleo.com.au

Casino News Media

www.casinonewsmedia.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

WENDY MATTHEWS SET TO MAKE A FIERY RETURN WITH NEW RECORDING DEAL.

2013 looks set to be a very exciting year. It marks the beginning of a new era for Wendy Matthews the singer/songwriter with a new recording deal with Fanfare Records and her new album The Welcome Fire, (her first album of all original material in 12 years) which is due for an August 2013 release. This time Wendy has written or co-written every track on the album, a first for the talented artist. Other writers on the project include Josh Pyke, Megan Washington, Mark Sholtez, Rod McCormick, John Castle, Kim Richey, Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.

The Welcome Fire is produced by Wendy Matthews and John Castle of Megan Washington, The Cat Empire, The Drones and Dan Parsons fame.

There are very few artists in Australia that can come close to Wendy Matthews and her stunning credentials; seven Arias, a massive 19 singles, seven top selling albums and most of all the love of her fans. Her career-defining album Lily sold over 500,000 albums and over 300,000 singles of her now signature song Day You Went Away when released in the mid 90’s.

On this exciting development, Dave Wilkins of Utopian Management said, “I was excited when Robert Rigby took a shine to The Welcome Fire. As a manager you look for partnerships and synergies. What better way to go than back to one of the true great partnerships in Australian record releases, when Wendy Matthews & Robert Rigby worked on Lily together.”

Wendy says of the signing, “I've had the luxury of taking a couple of years to write with some fantastic and diverse people for the first original album for me in 12 years, so I'm thrilled to have found a home with the Fanfare label. The last record was on my own little label and I learned much, but this feels like a true partnership and an exciting and new way of doing things.”

As an artist Wendy has an expressive voice that never fails to move those who hear it. Her music is an unhurried journey of clean melodies, infectious energy and simple grace.  In an age when grunge is thought to be hip and cynicism an attribute, Wendy has proven that commitment to beauty is still not only valid but applauded by the public ear. 

This is exemplified by the reality that Wendy’s music is now in more than 1 million homes in Australia – all her albums to date have multi-platinum status.

Wendy has an immense talent and capacity to capture and define a diverse range of styles in her music.  She takes songs from every genre and makes them her own, from jazz to blues, from rock to gospel, from soul to outright infectious pop and then, of course, there are the beautiful ballads.

Wendy is adept at reaching both frenetic youth and mature audiences alike.  If older ears are captured by her soul and unfazed class, a more cynical youth is convinced by her disarming ease of delivery, wooed by a voice of stunning emotive capacity yet void of sentimentality.

Born in Montreal Canada, Wendy joined her first band and left home as a teenager, busking her way across the USA to Los Angeles where she met Glenn Shorrock who invited her to tour with him in Australia in 1982. 

Wendy immediately became an in-demand session singer, appearing on many commercial jingles and backing vocals for the likes of The Models Out of Mind Out of Sight and became a semi-permanent member of the band.  She also sang on albums by Jimmy Barnes, Tim Finn, Richard Clapton and Icehouse.

In 1987, Wendy collaborated with Kate Ceberano on the ABC-TV soundtrack for the series Stringer.  You’ve Always Got the Blues was released the next year reaching the Top 5 national charts.  She then contributed to the Rockmelons and Peter Blakeley’s respective albums.  She helped form Absent Friends and sang on the number one hit Don’t Wanna Be With Nobody But You and the album Here’s Looking Up Your Address.

After touring with Absent Friends, Wendy went into the studio to record her solo debut.  The album Émigré (Double Platinum) spawned the hits Token Angels, Lets Kiss and Woman’s Gotta Have It and earned Wendy the Best Female Artist and Best Debut Single (for Token Angels) at the 1990 ARIA Awards.  Wendy was also voted Best Female Singer in the 1990 Rolling Stone Reader’s Poll.

This was followed up by the Triple Platinum album Lily with the mega hit Day You Went Away plus If Only I Could and Friday’s Child. 
In 1992 Wendy picked up the ARIA for Best Female Artist and Best Single and again in 1993 Best Female Artist.  The Day You Went Away was the ‘highest selling single’ of 1993 and the ‘single of the year’.

Wendy then followed up with another two studio albums The Witness Tree and Ghosts including the hits Love Will Keep Me Alive, Standing Strong, Then I Walked Away.  In 1999 to cap off an already outstanding career, Wendy released her first Best Of….Stepping Stones which not only included her former hits but also Nobody But You the massive hit from Absent Friends.

Not resting on her laurels, in 2001 Wendy released Beautiful View featuring the hauntingly beautiful title track and club favourite Like the Sun.

2004 saw the release of the mixed-up, chilled-out Café Naturale an eclectic suite of songs which immediately evoke a sense of familiarity. The Tropfest winning film Lamb by Emma Freeman features  the highly acclaimed video clip to the popular All I Need.

To support The Welcome Fire Wendy will embark on an extensive promotion tour followed by a national concert tour 2013/2014.