Cosentino Awarded the Merlin Award

Cosentino – Australia’s homegrown Houdini – has been awarded the prestigious international Merlin Award for the Most Original Magician 2012. No other Australian magician or illusionist has ever been bestowed this honour. This award only further establishes Cosentino as a recognised world-class act! 

The Merlin Award is presented to those magicians who have achieved the highest level in their craft, both on the national and international stage. The Board of Directors of the International Magicians Society and its 37,000 worldwide members vote on talent, showmanship, originality, skills and above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

“The Merlin Award is to magic what the Oscar is to motion pictures, what the Emmy is to television and what the Tony is to theatre,” says Max Toth, IMS Merlin Award Committee Chairman.

Previous winners of this award include the likes of David Copperfield, Sigfried & Roy, Penn & Teller and Criss Angel – putting Cosentino in impressive company.

Cosentino’s unique, award-winning style fuses traditional sleight-of-hand magic, grand illusions, dance and escape artistry into modern mind-blowing, heart-stopping performances that have earned him an international reputation as a master in the art of modern illusion.

Cosentino started his act at age 13 as a way to help speech and shyness issues at school. He finally got the chance to show off his skills on our TV screens in 2011 on Australia’s Got Talent. After astounding audiences with his unique and unreal performances, he breezed through to the finals and took home the illustrious title of Runner-Up. The rest is history. Cosentino has already achieved what many performers have only dreamed of – becoming a three-time award-winning magician in Australia, Guinness world record contributor, nominee for the prestigious ‘Helpmann Award’ and now winner of the celebrated international Merlin Award.

“He is a world class standard.” – Kyle Sandilands

                                                                                                         

Cosentino, the face of a new generation of illusion and intrigue, will be performing a live magic extravaganza filmed for a television special at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre for one night only on Saturday 17 March 2012. Tickets are disappearing at a supernatural rate! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this live television audience and experience a unique world-class performance from the world’s most exciting new illusionist. This is a history-making event that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Melbourne Regent Theatre: Saturday 17^th March 2012

Tickets on sale now

Phone 136 100 or visit ticketmaster.com.au

Il Divo Orchestra in Concert At Sydney Opera House

Il Divo (divine male performer in Italian) performed at the world famous Sydney Opera House tonight - Valentine's Day in Australia.

They are a multinational operatic pop vocal group created by music manager, executive, and reality TV star Simon Cowell. They are currently signed to Sony Music Entertainment.

The group was originated in the UK, however most people believe they were formed in Italy.

Il Divo is a group of four male singers: French pop singer Sébastien Izambard, Spanish baritone Carlos Marín, American tenor David Miller, and Swiss tenor Urs Bühler. To date, they have sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.

Sebastien told the press: "We're so excited to be kicking off our 2012 tour in Australia. Valentines Day, performing at the Sydney Opera House is going to be such a memorable start to a world tour... it really feels like coming home. It’s a country full of my favourite things: Tim Tams, Whale Beach, shopping on Chapel Street and one of the best zoos in the world. We can't wait to have the time whilst on tour to enjoy it all!"

Izambard, who married Melbourne publicist Renee back in 2008, also said he couldn't wait to spend time at the beach and have barbecues with his Australian relatives.

"It always feels like coming home for me," he said.

They have more than 25 million album sales globally, 150 gold and platinum discs and have more than 2 million concert tickets sold.

The idea behind Il Divo's creation came to Cowell after hearing Andrea Bocelli singing Con te partirò while watching The Sopranos.

They combine amazing voices, class and great looks.

The group is expected to continue to draw strong audience numbers while touring Australia.

Websites

Il Divo

http://www.ildivo.com/

Sydney Opera House

www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Live Nation

http://www.livenation.com.au/

Flourish PR

http://www.flourishpr.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Miranda Kerr David Jones Sydney - Organics Valentine's Day Event

Today - Valentine's Day in Sydney, Australia, world famous Australian model - Miranda Kerr made an in store public appearance at David Jones Sydney to promote her range of KORA Organics product range.

Hey, even super models are entitled to have their own business ventures also, and by all accounts Miranda's KORA Organics is a high quality, customer focused operation. Not only that, its a part family owned and operated company.

Miranda's mum, Therese, the top brass of the brand, was also on hand at today's event, however husband Orlando Bloom was not able to attend - understood to be currently working in Europe.

Miranda writes on her blog...

The KORA Team and I have put this blog together for the purpose of providing you with information on everything you might find interesting in the health and wellness industry. We are blessed to have renowned practitioners and others in all areas of health & wellness, natural medicine, nutrition, spirituality, exercise, supplements, organics, skincare, etc regularly contribute to our blog. Through the KORA Organics Blog I also get the opportunity to share information about my life; how I live, what I like to eat, where I shop, what foods and supplements I personally buy and like to take etc. My hope is to share with you my organic, healthy, natural life.

Here's some product blurb we know you've been waiting on...

KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr Rosehip Body Oil

Give the gift of luxuriously smooth skin this Valentine's Day with this Rosehip Body oil by KORA Organics. Miranda herself says, Valentines Day is all about spoiling one another and the KORA Organics Luxurious Body Oil is a beautiful gift and a great excuse for an all over body massage. It is available for purchase from KORA Organics, and to top it off, the first 150 people to buy 2 or more products in David Jones in the lead up to Valentine's Day will receive a custom made Valentine's Day card for Miranda to sign personally on the day - details can be found here.

Websites

Miranda Kerr official website

http://www.mirandakerr.net/

KORA Organics

www.koraorganics.com

David Jones

http://www.davidjones.com.au/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

The Great Gatsby Movie Set: Classic Cars Gallore Alas No Leonardo DiCaprio Today

Today it was almost all hands on deck at the old site of the White Bay Power Station in Sydney's Rozelle, as about half a dozen classic cars rolled up and down The Great Gatsy set.

Producer / director Baz Luhrmann (fully recovered from his hitting his head on the boom just before Christmas) was spotted, as was plenty of security officers, a few technical folks, a bus boy, a "dogs body" and a few good looking honey wagons. The only apparent news media anywhere within a stones throw was us.

It was great to see Gatsy back in our own backyard, last month doing shooting at Manly - the northern beaches region of Sydney, with the odd scene also being completed at Fox Studios, Moore Park. We should also mention that we're not convinced that the Blue Mountains location shoot ever happened, as it was a rumour that started on the Sydney sets, but make your own minds up when you watch the movie - due to hit the big screen in Australia this coming December.

We must say that the reconstructed upper class gardens, manicured lawns, complete with water fountain, that the Gatsy hands on crew put together look just fabulous. Water sprinklers were going at full blast on the lawn set to ensure the grass maintained its lushness - reserved for fine folks like the Gatsby's.

Dozens of shots of classic cars and bikes featured in the flick were secured today.

We were glad to hear that some of the movie cast and crew took time out to frequent a couple of local cafes in the area, with crew today ducking into Balamin's Cafe 2041, and last week even Leo and friends popped into a cafe at Lilyfield. Great to see Gatsby sharing the wealth with local business enterprise

Other Leo News...

Leo DiCaprio with Australia's Next Top Models At Sydney's Beach Haus...

If you blinked and missed it, we can report that Leo and a number of ANTMs were spotted at the exclusive Beach Haus nightclub at Kings Cross last Friday night.

Our spies think that Leo may have already moved forward from his Victoria's Secret model girlfriend Erin Heatherton. There was no sign of the said model. She's the lass who made a public appearance with DiCaprio last December last year at a UFC event at Luna Park

Australia's Next Top Model third-placed Simone Holtznagel was there, along with Montana Cox, Holtznagel was seen chatting to DiCaprio throughout the night.

Leo wore his baseball cap backwards, as per usual, and instead of hiding in the corner all night as hi often does, this time he hopped up on the couch for a brisk dance.

"He seemed pretty chilled. He was mostly texting on his Blackberry but Holtznagel was definitely the standout of all the girls trying to get his attention," advised a leak. "And she was one of the few girls he really spoke to."

Leo also spent some catch up time with good mate Lukas Haas, owner of the popular night haunt.

With girls gave plenty of attention to not only DiCaprio, but also Haas.

It's been said "Lukas and Montana left together. Leo was a little more discreet. He left unaccompanied just after 3am and a few minutes later Simone left too."

Websites

Bazmark

http://www.bazmark.com/

Leonardo DiCaprio official website

http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/

Warner Bros.

http://www.warnerbros.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Mardi Gras Fair Day At Victoria Park; Sydney, Australia

For many Sydney-siders Fair Day was a great way to kick off the official Mardi Gras season, with a fun and relaxed day at Sydney's Victoria Park.

Estimates indicate that about 70,000 people came to enjoy Fair Day.

The 2012 Fair Day featured a range of activities.

The main music stage offered up Maxine Kauter, Brendan Maclean, Mary Kiani, Gen Chadwick,  Shimtastic, Kristy Apps, Candy Royalle, Sloppy Joe, Miss Gaynor Tension and Blackcat Lounge - Queer Cabaret.

There was also the traditional Mr and Mrs Fair Day comp which was hosted by Charisma Belle, with judges Anthony Defina (Chelsea Bun), Glenn Hansen and Fiona Gamble.

Other entertainment on the day included Pot of Love, an interactive stall by artist Amanda King, Rainbow Reuse and performances from Mardi Gras Youth Festival participants.

Pet's of the four legged kind even showed up to join in the fun. Dogs and their owners competed in Owner/Dog Look-A-Like, Best ‘Pick Up’ Dog, Best Dressed Dog and The Famous Doggywood Obstacle Course.

The Gaydar Lounge, incorporating Gaydar Radio was popular with those wanting to chill, as was The Finlandia Lounge.

Victoria Park Camperdown is the place to be to take in the Mardi Gras Fair Day up till 8pm tonight.

Websites

Mardi Gras official website

http://www.mardigras.org.au/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

National Multicultu​ral Festival 2012; Festival Opens In Canberra, Australia - 10th February 2012

Today the National Multicultural Festival commenced in the nation's capital Canberra, with live music and fine food playing a significent part in the celebration.

More than 200,000 people are going to converge in Canberra's city centre this weekend for the annual celebration of multiculturalism.

The 16th festival features a record 350 stalls representing just about every nation on earth.

There are four stages and three platforms where much of the live entertainment will take place.

Tonight's opening concert starred Australian performing artist Anthony Callea, with Coloured Stone fronted by Bunna Lawrie getting a fantastic reception.

Music News Australia had the pleasure to interview Bunna after his performance and he said much of the meaning was about "hope, peace and a coming together of energies".

The food and dance spectacular on Saturday and Sunday will include an Indigenous showcase, Carnivale, Turkish bazaar, Greek glendi, Indian display and Chinese New Year celebrations.

Festival project manager Jancye Winter advised in excess of 300 groups and 70 diplomatic missions are involved.

"When you bring food and dance together, you find all of the community works very hard together. We see this particularly at this time of the year, that all of the community groups are working very cooperatively together," she said.

"By going around the stalls you will see the real diversity of all of the cultures here. It's a true celebration of Canberra's diversity."

Ms Winter says many of the visitors and entertainers travel from interstate and overseas.

"The festival brings in so many visitors and has an impact across not only accommodation but many of the tourist outlets, and indeed the shops in Civic enjoy a boost in retail because we bring people right into the heart of the city centre," she said.

Festival ambassador Wolfgang Blass immigrated to Australia from Germany in the 1960s, establishing the well-known Wolf Blass winery in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

He says the festival helps bring different sections of the communities together.

"We have to live together, we have to learn to live together and this multicultural event is going to bring people together," he said.

"Let's hope we all, in a united way, have a good time and enjoy the food that each culture is going to present."

Mr Blass says Australia is a lucky country that has come a long way.

"We are now a society entering a leisurely lifestyle," he said.

"Politically we don't have any big problems. There is no unrest in this country. We have a very strong sporting mind and it is important that we are free and have a strong democracy."

Mr Blass also emphasised that it was "time to party", and started that "Canberra really knows how to put on a party".

Mr Blass also shared the stage with Joy Burch MLA ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

So far the festival looks to have been a wonderful success.

Websites

Multicultural Festival 2012
www.multiculturalfestival.com.au

Australian Capital Territory Government Information Portal
www.act.gov.au

Australia.com
http://www.australia.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

MusicNews Australia
http://www.musicnewsaustralia.com/

COLDPLAY FORCED TO POSTPONE AUSTRALIAN VISIT

We regret to announce that, for personal reasons, Coldplay have been forced to postpone their scheduled visit to Australia this month. The band were due to play two intimate shows in Sydney, for 2Day FM and Sunrise, presented by Huawei Mobile.

Said the band: "We sincerely apologise to our Australian fans for having to postpone next week's scheduled trip. We miss you guys and we promise we'll make it up to you. In fact, stay tuned for a big announcement soon."

Madame Tussauds Sydney unveils first ever side-by-side wax figure with Dannii Minogue

DANNII, MEET DANNII

Madame Tussauds Sydney unveils first ever side-by-side wax figure with Dannii Minogue
Melbourne, Thursday, 9 February 2012: Today, Australia’s much loved TV personality, author and fashion designer, Dannii Minogue was introduced to her double in Australia’s first ever side-by-side wax figure reveal. Dannii is most recently known for her judging and mentoring roles on Australia’s number one show, Australia’s Got Talent and X Factor UK.

Dannii said “I am so appreciative of the many hours of hand-crafted work that has gone into my figure. This is real artistry. I’m just astounded by the accuracy, fine detail and remarkable likeness. This is such an incredible experience for me as it was a moment in time that holds such special memories when Kris and I had just announced my pregnancy. I can’t wait for my family, friends and everyone to come to the Sydney attraction and see ‘me’ up close. Be careful what you wish for – I think back to all the times I’ve been busy and needed to be in two places at once – wow, now it’s true!”

It took over 800 hours and 60 of Madame Tussauds’ most talented sculptors and artists to handcraft Dannii’s wax figure. Using techniques perfected over the 250 year tradition of Madame Tussauds, quite literally hundreds of Dannii’s measurements were meticulously taken, including the width of her eyes, the length of her fingers and breadth of her face, with each individual hair – including the eyebrows – inserted strand-by-strand.

Adorning the same outfit Dannii wore when she had momentously just announced her pregnancy at the National Television Awards in the UK in 2010; Dannii’s wax figure is dressed in a full skirted vintage black and white prom dress with towering scarlet red shoes.

“To see Dannii’s reaction as she saw herself in wax for the first time was absolutely priceless and now I just can’t wait for the reaction of her fans” said Kristy Enright, Madame Tussauds Sydney spokesperson. “It really goes to show the value of investment from Dannii herself to the painstaking hours invested by our sculptors. We’re thrilled to be able to announce that such a renowned and iconic personality will be joining our star studded line up at Madame Tussauds Sydney.”

Opening in May 2012 in Sydney’s iconic Darling Harbour, Madame Tussauds Sydney is the first of its kind to arrive on Australian shores. The attraction will feature an all-star cast of over 70 figures, including some of Australia’s home-grown legends and, the world’s best known A-list celebrities, as well as sports heroes, rock legends, world leaders and many more. . Dannii Minogue will be joining Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Ray Meagher and Amanda Keller as well as rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lady Gaga and Johnny Depp.

Madame Tussauds Sydney is the 13th Madame Tussauds in the world and the fifth in Asia Pacific - joining its highly successful sister attractions in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok.
Making-of footage and images of the making-of Dannii’s wax figure are also available upon request.
To find out more about Madame Tussauds, visit: www.madametussauds.com/sydney or www.facebook.com/madametussaudssydney

Costing $14 million and featuring 1,800sqm of space, the new Madame Tussauds Sydney in Darling Harbour is the latest addition to Merlin Entertainment’s Sydney attractions – Sydney Tower Eye, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney and Oceanworld Manly.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 75 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 16,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/ for more information.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS have made hard rock sexy again!

THE PRETTY RECKLESS have made hard rock sexy again!

Fronted by the multi-talented Tyler Momsen, THE PRETTY RECKLESS are blazing a trail throughout the rock world that is hard to ignore…“She is physically and vocally everything that a frontwoman could wish to be” – Kerrang!

THE PRETTY RECKLESS’ debut album ‘Light Me Up’ runs the gamut of emotions alternating at times between seething rage and a bruised vulnerability. It brims with a lust for life that grabs you by the balls and “not since Saint Joan of Jett first grabbed a guitar has hard rock sounded this sexy” – New York post

HEROES FOR HIRE have been taking over the airwaves with their infectious anthems ‘All Messed Up’ and ‘Secrets, Lies And Sins’ taken from their sophomore album ‘Take One For The Team’.   

Armed with an air-tight live show and irresistibly catchy sing-alongs HEROES FOR HIRE are firmly at the forefront of the Australian pop punk realm with Blunt Magazine declaring “we’ve all been hopelessly trying to fill the void that Fall Out Boy left in our collections. Enter Heroes For Hire.”

Coldplay arrive in Australia for promotional tour

Coldplay arrive in Australia for promotional tour

Multi award-winning British alternative rock act Coldplay will arrive in Australia for a two-day promotional tour today to spread the word about their new album, 'Mylo Xyloto'.

 

 

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 to Friday, February 17, 2012
Website: http://www.coldplay.com/
Fresh from performing at the 54th Grammy Awards and just over eight months since they were here for the 2011 Splendour in the Grass Festival, Coldplay will arrive in Australia today for a two day tour to promote their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto.

The tour will encompass two intimate performances in Sydney, where the multi award-winning act will perform to 30 competition winners at 2Day FM (today, Thursday, February 16) and at Sunrise & Huawei Mobile Present Coldplay Live, which will take place on Friday, February 17 and will be streamed live from Huawei Mobile's Facebook page.

Coldplay have taken home 7 Grammy Awards and sold more than 50 million albums throughout their career. Their latest record, Mylo Xyloto topped the charts in 34 countries worldwide (including Australia) and features the singles Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, Paradise, Charlie Brown and Princess of China.