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Sydney Festival Opens to Celebrate its 40th Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:34:00 +0000

SYDNEY, Jan. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sydney Festival's opening weekend took over the city in an explosion of exceptional theatre, dance, music, visual arts, opera and more. Over three weeks Sydney Festival brings the harbour city to life from January 7-26. In 2016, Sydney Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary and the final year for esteemed festival director Lieven Bertels.

Sydney Festival 2016 is comprised of 157 events, a staggering 89 of which are free. 383 performances will take place across 34 venues, featuring 902 artists from 22 countries with 11 world premieres, 20 Australian premieres and 8 Australian exclusives.

Exclusive performances opened the festival with Germany's famous Thalia Theater Hamburg making their Australian debut with Woyzeck, a stage adaptation by Robert Wilson, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan.Sydney Festival also presented a special keynote address by acclaimed playwright, director and visual artistRobert Wilson at Sydney Opera House.

A spectacular free performance from The Flaming Lips kicked off celebrations at the famous Summer Sounds in The Domain concert. The psychedelic band entertained thousands with frequent costume changes, confetti cannons, video projections, balloons, a dazzling lighting show and front-man Wayne Coyne surfing the crowd in an oversized hamster ball.

People of all ages were invited to help French artist Olivier Grossetete build a temporary city in Darling Harbour and at Sydney's new creative playground, the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve, in one of the largest community participation events presented in the festival's history. A gigantic 30m high cardboard building titledThe People's Tower was created and demolished in Darling Harbour, whilst construction started for the epic installation The Ephemeral City.

Headline artist Meow Meow returned to Sydney Festival with the world premiere of Meow Meow's Little Mermaid, which opened to outstanding reviews including a five star review from Limelight magazine. Award-winning actor-singer-author Alan Cumming also returned to Sydney with his hit new show Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs!

More events are set to come to Sydney Festival including the Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and composer Antonio Sanchez performing his fervent score live alongside the screening of hit movie Birdman (Or, the Unexpected virtue of ignorance) and Joanna Newsom, who will return to launch her new album Diversat the Sydney Opera House.

View the Sydney Festival 2016 program: sydneyfestival.org.au/

Levi Strauss & Co. Signs On As Official Partner Of Super Bowl 50 Host Committee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:26:00 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) announced today that the iconic Bay Area company will be an official founding legacy partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. As naming rights sponsor of Levi's® Stadium, the site of Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, the Levi's® team will work with the Host Committee to help bring football fans a variety of exciting experiences – from live music to interactive events – throughout Super Bowl Week. The Levi's® brand will also draw on its history of outfitting fans by releasing a limited edition Super Bowl 50 Collection, available for purchase in limited quantities during Super Bowl week, exclusively.

"As a company born and raised in San Francisco, we're excited to partner with the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee to bring this momentous event to our home turf," said Chip Bergh, President & Chief Executive Officer of Levi Strauss & Co. "We've been dressing fans for game day for 50 years and expect Super Bowl 50 to be an epic highlight. We look forward to providing fans around the world and visitors to the Bay an unforgettable experience."

As part of its partnership, the Levi's® brand will be the presenting sponsor of the Host Committee's main entertainment stage – The City Stage presented by Levi's® - which will be one of the featured destinations of Super Bowl City. Located in Sue Bierman Park inSan Francisco, The City Stage will showcase a wide variety of free live musical, cultural and performing arts entertainers. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winning superstar Alicia Keys will headline and close out the festivities on Saturday, February 6th. Additional performers and the stage schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Super Bowl City is being designed to showcase the best the Bay Area has to offer, with interactive games and activities that highlight the region's technological prowess, culinary excellence and cultural diversity.

"With Levi's® partnership, we're thrilled to be able to work with a company that has such a deep connection to the Bay Area and its values of innovation and generosity of spirit," said Keith Bruce, CEO of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. "Together, we look forward to providing our Super Bowl City guests with unique, engaging experiences that are right in style with the milestone Super Bowl 50."
As the Levi's® brand continues to expand its sportswear offerings, the brand will celebrate Super Bowl 50 by releasing a limited edition Levi's® Super Bowl 50 Collection. The collection will offer both men's and women's apparel marrying classic Levi's® fabrics and styles with NFL marks such as: Wool Varsity Jacket, Denim Satin Jacket, AFC Denim Satin Jacket, NFC Denim Satin Jacket, Western Shirt, Levi's® X New Era Leather Denim Cap and Levi's® X New Era Wool Denim Cap all featuring the Super Bowl 50 logo – giving fans another way to "Live in Levi's®" long after the big game.

The Levi's® X 49ers Collection first launched at the start of the 2014-15 NFL season with a collection of team apparel designed to pay homage to the San Francisco 49ers' inaugural season in Levi's® Stadium. This fall, the Levi's® NFL Collection was expanded to include six additional teams (Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Giants and New York Jets) to give more fans a chance to support their favorite team.

The Levi's® Super Bowl 50 Collection will be available to fans on January 30th at the Levi's® San Francisco flagship store at 815 Market Street and special locations around San Francisco including the Levi's® Lot in Super Bowl City, the NFL Shop at Moscone Center, the Levi's® Store at Valley Fair and the Levi's® Store at Levi's® Stadium. The collection will also be available to fans around the nation at www.levi.com.

As Super Bowl 50 approaches, the Levi's® brand will announce additional activities and experiences available to fans.

Barack Obama and Petro Poroshenko exchange handshakes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:23:00 +0000

United States President Barack Obama, left, and Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, right, exchange handshakes in front of Yukiya Amano, center right, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, at a luncheon for world leaders during the 70th annual United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters.

Get Hard - Official Trailer 2 [HD]

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:28:00 +0000

Get Hard - Official Trailer 2 [HD]

Key & Peele Super Bowl Special - Picks for the Colts vs. Patriots AFC Ch...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:15:00 +0000

Key & Peele Super Bowl Special - Picks for the Colts vs. Patriots AFC Ch...

NASA | 2014 Continues Long-Term Global Warming

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:14:00 +0000

NASA | 2014 Continues Long-Term Global Warming

Russell Westbrook "Execution" Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:13:00 +0000

Russell Westbrook "Execution" Interview

Robert Duvall

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:47:00 +0000

#457196136 / gettyimages.com

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 14: Robert Duvall attends 'The Judge' Rome Photocall on October 14, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/WireImage)

Robert Downey Jr. - The Judge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:41:00 +0000

#457196292 / gettyimages.com

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 14: Actor Robert Downey Jr. attends the 'The Judge' Photocall at Hassler Hotel on October 14, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images)

Germany to commemorate 25 years since 1989 revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:42:00 +0000

#457187634 / gettyimages.com

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 13: Visitors walk past mannequins dressed as a former East German border patrol at an exhibition about 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall at the Potsdamer Arkaden shopping center on October 13, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany has begun commemorating the 25th annversary of events that led to the collapse of communist rule in East Germany and ultimately the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Revolutions, left to run their course by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, swept across the former East Bloc in 1989 and toppled communist dicatorships, paving the way for elections and the establishment of democratically-elected governments. Commemorations in Berlin will culminate with events scheduled for November 9. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Talks About Catalan Self-Determination

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:34:00 +0000

#457192396 / gettyimages.com

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 14: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy speaks during a conference hosted by the Financial Times newspaper titled 'Restoring Competitiveness' at the Ritz hotel on October 14, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. Mr Rajoy has said that the calling off of the Catalan self-determination referendum was 'excellent news'. Later, Catalan leader Artur Mas, said in Barcelona that he would be going ahead with plans for an alternative self-determination referendum. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Uber Taxi app in Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:25:00 +0000

#457199166 / gettyimages.com

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 14: In this photo illustration the new smart phone taxi app 'Uber' shows how to select a pick up location at Puerta de Alcala Square on October 14, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. 'Uber' application started to operate in Madrid last September despite Taxi drivers claim it is an illegal activity and its drivers currently operate without a license. 'Uber' is an American based company which is quickly expanding to some of the main cities from around the world. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

Light Plane Crashes In to Home In Melbourne

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:22:00 +0000

#457186822 / gettyimages.com

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 14: A general view of the wreckage in the suburb of Chelsea on October 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. Police have stated that one person has been killed in the crash. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

Leipzig Ebola patient dies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:03:00 +0000

#457192640 / gettyimages.com

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - OCTOBER 14: Ageneral view outside the Klinikum St. Georg hospital on October 14, 2104 in Leipzig, Germany. Hospital officials have announced that a 56-year-old ebola-infected Sudanese UN employee, who was flown to Leipzig from Liberia on October 3, died earlier today. The case is the first death from ebola in Germany since the recent outbreak in west Africa began. (Photo by Jens Schlueter/Getty Images)

Hong Kong protests enter week three as both sides refuse to compromise

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:00:00 +0000

#457182222 / gettyimages.com

HONG KONG - OCTOBER 14: Police officers remove barricades of pro-democracy protestors in the Admiralty district on October 14, 2014 in Hong Kong. Pro democracy supporters continue to occupy the streets surrounding Hong Kong's Financial district after talks broke down with the government. Protesters continue to call for open elections and the resignation of Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. (Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

Stock Market opens after one day after dow plunges over 200 points

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:57:00 +0000

#457200598 / gettyimages.com

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during early trading on October 14, 2014 in New York City. In morning trading the Dow was up over 50 points following a drop yesterday of over 200 points as investors grow concerned about the global economy falling back into recession. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Prime Minister David Cameron Meets With Pensioners To Discuss Pension Reforms

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:33:00 +0000

#457196514 / gettyimages.com

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Prime Minister David Cameron talks to pensioners and older working people at Age UK headquarters on October 14, 2014 in London, England. Parliament will be debating the Pensions Reform Bill later today. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Amal Alamuddin Clooney advises on return of Parthenon Marbles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:31:00 +0000

#457197476 / gettyimages.com

ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 14: Lawyer Amal Alamuddin, right, shakes hands with Greek Culture Minister Kostas Tassoulas during their meeting in Athens on October 14, 2014 in Athens, Greece. Lawyers Geoffrey Robertson and Amal Alamuddin are on a four-day visit to meet with government officials and advise on the return of the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles. Alamuddin's husband, actor George Clooney, campaigned for the Marbles' return when promoting his film 'The Monuments Men'. (Photo by Thanassis Stavrakis - Pool/Getty Images)

Catalan Leader Artur Calls For An Alternative Self-Determination Referendum

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:28:00 +0000

#457193388 / gettyimages.com

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 14: President of Catalonia Artur Mas faces the media during a press conference at Palau de La Generalitat on October 14, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Artur Mas calls for an alternative Self-Determination referendum after the Spanish Constitutonal Court suspended the original referendum. The President of Catalonia demands a high turnout to vote on November 9. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger on QVC: "Get to the Chopper!" - The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:10:00 +0000

Arnold Schwarzenegger on QVC: "Get to the Chopper!" - The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Damon Albarn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:48:00 +0000

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 12: Damon Albarn performs as part of the NPR showcase at Stubbs Bar-B-Que on March 12, 2014 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Joan Collins attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:00:00 +0000

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Joan Collins attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Luke Evans attends The Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:56:00 +0000

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Luke Evans attends The Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Laura Whitmore attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:36:00 +0000

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Laura Whitmore attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Tess Daly attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:34:00 +0000

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Tess Daly attends the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)