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Astunning engraved mirror depicting the world-famous Black Sabbath ‘heavy metal’ bench on Birmingham’s golden mile in fine detail has been unveiled at a new art exhibition. Artist Paul Riding’s work, which includes embedded lighting to highlight the bench, is one of dozens of artworks in the City of Life exhibition on the walls of Velvet Music Rooms on Broad Street. The display has been put together by Birmingham Art Zone, a group that includes some of the city’s brightest budding artists. Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, helped to arrange the exhibition after initially seeing a new painting by Paula Gabb that looks down on the canal over the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street. He then met with Paula and the wider leadership team of Birmingham Art Zone who prompted their members to capture more images of the Westside area, the results of which are now in the exhibition.Paula,the founder of Birmingham Art Zone, speaking at the launch of the exhibition, said: “This is so exciting, as being able to show our art off in such a wonderful venue as this will enable us to reach out to people I wouldn’t have dreamt about. There are some great pieces of work for everyone to enjoy, and we’re particularly proud of the stunning engraved mirror that Paul has worked so hard on, as we know how important Black Sabbath’s ‘heavy metal’ bench is to music fansCo-ownerworldwide.”of Velvet Music Rooms, Dani Hadley, said: “This is an absolute first for us, and the enthusiasm and creativity that’s been injected into our venue is contagious and great to be around.” The City of Life exhibition is now on the walls of Velvet Music Rooms until September, and all the artwork is available to buy. As well as Paul Riding and Paula Gabb, other artists whose work is displayed includes Rachel Akers, Kirk Andrews, Amy Carroll, Chris Fothergill Sonal Gajbe, Tim Griffiths, Chris Hammond, Dan Lopez, Angela Ortenzi-MacColl, Helen Owen, Helen Roberts, Natt Wallbank and Emma Woolley.
Black Sabbath honoured with stunning engraved mirror of heavy metal bench
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hree-time StallionsuperstarAward-winningGrammyMeganTheehasannounced plans to headline a U.K show at the legendary London venue O2 Academy Brixton, on Wednesday 24th August 2022. This upcoming show will see the multi-platinum-selling musician deliver her signature hot girl summer anthems and A-list collaborations that include Cardi B, Dua Lipa, Beyonce, Shenseea and many more.
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The announcement also comes after the release of her scorching single, “Plan B,” which sees the Houston native spitting bars over an iconic sample of Jodeci’s “Freek’n You (Remix)” with Wu-Tang Clan. Earlier this year, Megan also teamed up with Dua Lipa for a powerful collaboration on “Sweetest Pie.” Most recently, Megan shined at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, where she won the “Top Rap Female Artist” award for the second consecutive year. She was also recognized by The Webby Awards and received the 2022 Special Achievement Award for artistry and advocacy efforts. Since the release of her critically acclaimed and Gold-certified debut album, Good News, to earning two global record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits with the “Savage Remix” featuring Beyoncé, and “WAP” with Cardi B, Megan has proven unstoppable. Megan has been recognized for her musical achievements with three GRAMMY wins, including Best New Artist and five BET awards.
Megan Thee Stallion announces her UK show at the O2 Academy Brixton
YOUNG PEOPLE from across the country performed on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage as part of the RSC’s annual schools’ Playmaking Festival. Running in July, it was the first ‘in person’ celebration of its kind in nearly three years. Divided into two parts: young performers from Cornwall, Blackpool, Hull, North Staffordshire, Cumbria, County Durham and Suffolk performed their interpretations of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Ten schools and one local college perform on stage. Over two terms, the pupils worked with a team of RSC Director Mentors, plus creatives and RSC’s Theatre Partners practitioners to rehearse a segment from the play. The schools work with the same creative team to create a unique collaborative performance. All who took part are part of the RSC’s Associate Schools’ Programme or RSC’s Stratford Schools’ Partnership. An online Playmaking Site, designed by artist Cathy Mager, also celebrates the performance work created throughout 2022. Final performances took place in front of family, friends, local children and other Associate Schools (a partnership programme with regional theatres and schools across England) on the RST stage.
Singer-songwriter Miguel Maestre has released a new 2022 track dedicated to his hometown and its unmistakable festival vibe; the song is aptly titled ‘Toronto’. Although born in Canada, Miguel was raised by two Trinidadian parents who kept his heritage as well as Caribbean music at the centre of his life. After years on the Soca and Parang circuits, he pays musical tribute to his Canadian-Caribbean upbringing with his latest offering ‘Toronto’. The new single highlights the unique facets of its namesake city and the festive, cultural norms of its population, especially during the lead up to North America’s largest Caribbean festivalToronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana). Maestre says: “This is for all Soca fans, all masquerades, lovers of carnival, and all our Caribbean people in Toronto. “It’s a special song because it features our Toronto Carnival and all those who partake in it. I wrote this song because I felt the city needed a Soca anthem to call its own, something that we could be proud of, sing along to and be a part of.” ‘Toronto’ was written by
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ASTON MERRYGOLD kick starts a new chapter in his solo career by sharing his new single ‘How Many Times’. Aston has been busy since releasing his previous solo track ‘Emergency’ last summer. As well as working on his own music, he played to a combined audience of 350,000 people during JLS’s phenomenally successful reunion tour and returned to the charts when their ‘2.0’ album hit #4. The superstar charisma that Aston exudes is a big part of ‘How Many Times’. It possesses the kind of thumping bass-heavy production that fits perfectly into this summer. He says, “‘How Many Times’ is not your typical kinda love song, it’s one with a twist. “Inspired by a passionate argument, the pop anthem gets lyrically deep with a jump for the summer. I love this song and I just hope that it resonates with people and the realness of love in“This‘22. is the first of a stretch of songs I have coming, and I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.” After a star turn as Robin on series two of ‘The Masked Singer’, Aston recently returned as a special guest judge for the show’s first ever live tour. He co-wrote many of JLS’ big songs, including ‘Love You More’, ‘She Makes Me Wanna’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’- all of which featured on their greatest hits collection ‘Goodbye’.
Aston Merrygold Returns
MIGUEL ‘TORONTO’SIZZLINGDELIVERSMAESTRENEWSINGLE
With The New Single ‘How Many Times’
Hundreds Of Students Perform
On TheatreShakespeareRoyalStage
Iconic US brand ‘Slim
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A delighted Rai Singh, Creative Director at Pushkar, comments: “Hospitality is facing ongoing daily challenges but winning this award has given us motivation to succeed. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout these difficult times and long may Pushkar’s journey continue.”
Chickens’ arrives at Leicester’s Highcross
Pushkar voted (L-R) Rai Singh Pushkar's Creative Director, Daniel Ciprian Didin Bar Manager
On a mission to serve the best freshly prepared, cooked to order chicken in town, iconic US brand Slim Chickens has arrived in Leicester, opening in Highcross shopping centre. From testing chicken recipes in a garage, Tom Gordon and Greg Smart went on to open the first Slim Chickens in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2003 with the ambition of creating magnificent, freshly cooked chicken for guests, fast. Over a decade and thousands of happy guests later, the business has grown to over 100 sites in the US alone, and is now taking the UK by storm.
Renowned for its Southern US hospitality, diners can expect the brand’s signature buttermilkmarinated, hand-breaded and cooked-to-order premium chicken. House specialties include crispy tenders and buffalo wings, alongside a whopping range of 14 house-made dipping sauces in innovative flavours including Slim’s signature sauce, Blue Cheese, Honey BBQ, Sriracha Garlic and, for those brave enough, the fiery Inferno. Also, on offer is a wide selection of fresh chicken sandwiches, wings, salads and wraps as well as sides such as fried pickles and mac & cheese, and hand-spun shakes in flavours such as Oreo, popcorn and caramel. For those enjoying the comforts of their home, Slim Chickens will be offering delivery via Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats or simply go online for click & collect.
Pushkar voted best restaurant in the Midlands at the 2022 RestaurantAsianAwards BandIndianpremierirmingham’sfinediningrestaurantcocktailbar, Pushkar, kicked off its summer in style after being voted ‘Best Asian Restaurant in The Midlands’ at the 2022 Asian Restaurant Awards. Winners of the Awards were recently revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at the Manchester Hilton, with over 500 leading restaurateurs, chefs, food writers and VIP guests in attendance. Over 100,000 public votes determined the shortlist of the nation’s favourite Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants and takeaways. The Asian Restaurant Awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF) which represents the nation’s 30,000 Asian and Oriental restaurants.
BALLCHROMATICAKICKSGAGAOFFTHETOUR
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LADY
Lady Gaga started her summer stadium tour with a sold-out show at Merkur Spiel- Arena, Germany. She marked the first ever public live performance of her #1 selling, critically acclaimed, and Grammy-winning 2020 album, Chromatica, her 6th consecutive #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. The show included fan favorites from the latest album including ‘Rain on Me’, ‘Stupid Love’ and ‘Alice’, as well as hits from her massive and iconic discography such as ‘Bad Romance’, ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Shallow. The highly successful Live Nation-produced tour continues across Europe, Asia, and North America for 19 more shows with stadium stops in Sweden, France, the Netherlands, England, Canada, the U.S. and Japan, see full routing below. Fans can also access VIP Packages, including premium tickets, VIP parking and exclusive access to a pre-show lounge, special entry, and more.
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THE FIRST IMAGES of Birmingham’s newest wine bar, Vinoteca, were released ahead of its official launch last month. Located within the iconic Paradise development at Two Chamberlain Square, Vinoteca will be the city's largest wine venue, with 150 covers set across the 4,500 sq ft space. The venue will cater for private tastings, parties, corporate functions and more, with a drinks list of over 200 wines, including organic and bio-dynamic varieties, from all over the world served by the glass orOpeningbottle. just in time for the summer-heatwave, the venue boasts its own personal terrace, offering an additional 40 seats directly on the square overlooking the Chamberlain Memorial Fountain. With a modern-British food menu, with a European twist, offering bar snacks, small plates, sharing platters and seasonal mains, guests can enjoy table service for full meals, or take a seat at the bar for a relaxed drink experience. Head chef, Agoston Katona will also design a weekly set lunch menu that is exclusive to the Paradise venue, showcasing ingredients from sustainable and local producers. For the full Vinoteca experience, guests can also explore ’wine paddle’ tasters, such as the ‘Acid Hound’, or ‘Pink Punk’, which each look to offer a discovery into the flavours and stories behind a carefully-curated collection of wines. Working closely with producers across the world to select exciting and interesting wines to suit every budget and taste, founders, Brett Woonton and Charlie Young, have a mission to ‘redefine the wine bar’.
BUDJERAH REVEALS NEW SINGLE ‘READY FOR THE SKY’
A potent combination of smoldering soul, R&B stylings and deep grooves, Ready For the Sky showcases Budjerah’s smooth and agile vocals - and an evolution of his sound. Budjerah has this to say of the single, produced by his musical confidante, Chris Collins “Ready For The Sky was written back in 2020 - when everyone really wanted to go out and have fun again and I wanted to talk about that ambitious feeling I had of being ready to go back into the world.” The single is Budjerah’s first new music since the release of his acclaimed second EP Conversations in April. Since the release, the music visionary commences his global assault, most notably featuring on a remix of Ed Sheeran’s single 2Stepin May. Alongside headline shows north of the equator, he also performed as special guest for Vance Joy on his global tour, and sets at The Great Escape throughout May and June. Next, he will perform at Byron Bay’s Splendour In the Grass and then A More Perfect Union - a festival created by Gang of Youths, Jungle Love Festival, and as special guest for Vance Joy on the Australian leg of his world tour.
Fresh Foranthemictoday&Escape,threeNewEngland,audiencestoperformingfromrapturousinLosAngelesandYork,whichincludedsetsatTheGreatasold-outJazzCafésupportdateatKOKO,BudjerahrevealshisnewsingleReadyTheSky.
First Look Inside BiggestBirmingham’sWineBar
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NEWCOMER IMEN SIAR is proof that greatness can be found in the most unlikely of places. The 23-year-old dreamed of a music career while working in Nando’s in South London, her only creative outlet being to post videos of her singing into a mop during breaks from work. Now Imen Siar continues her inspiring ascent as she shares her debut single ‘Lonely People’. ‘Lonely People’ is a brilliantly beguiling introduction to Imen’s talents. The song’s strengths are undeniable - Imen’s stunning, world class vocal gift delivers an instantly memorable song that conveys a universally relatable theme in the most direct way possible. Imen Siar Releases Her Debut Single ‘Lonely People’
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The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games kicked off with a showstopping Opening Ceremony at the newly redeveloped Alexander Stadium – which told the story of Birmingham’s embrace of generations of Commonwealth communities - with athletes welcomed with a theatrical narrative exploring the rich and diverse history, culture and identity of Birmingham and the West Midlands. The region’s manufacturing, industry, innovation and cultural revolutionary history was also shown to millions around the world. Music Director Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness brought together celebrated artists and up-and-coming talentfrom British music icons Duran Duran to Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommii, acclaimed saxophonist Soweto Kinch, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, r’n’b stars Indigo Marshall and Gambimi, Grammy-award winning percussionist Lekan Babalola, vocalist Ranjana Ghatak, shawm player Jude Rees, bagpiper Chris Crouch, Djembe player Abraham Paddy Tetteh, The Destroyers, Critical Mass, accapella group Black Voices and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Mass Choir. The show opened to the beat of African Sakara drums, as the 72 Commonwealth representatives were summoned to the 2022 Games - their arrival being signified by hordes of miniature houses floating down from the sky. Masterminded by renowned Artistic Director Iqbal Khan and set as the most attended edition of the Commonwealth Games ever to take place in the United Kingdom and broadcast live across 134 countries around the world, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall represented the Queen at the event, arriving in a blue Aston Martin DB6 Volante in front of almost 30,000 spectators as a giant raging bull and a Union Jack made from 72 cars, were just two of the staggering highlights. Birmingham-born comedian, Joe Lycett – pointedly controversial, though he was - then introduced the array of dancers and creative artists to the stage, before highlight acts, including by Steve Williams
KICKSSHOW-STOPPINGOFFBIRMINGHAMCOMMONWEALTH
A delighted Ian Reid, Birmingham 2022 CEO, added: “The demand for tickets for the Games has been fantastic and we’re thrilled to have sold a recordbreaking 1.3 million so far, which will make for an incredible atmosphere at all our venues.”
internationally renowned comedian, actor and educator, Dudley-born Sir Lennie Henry, was introduced. He said: “What an Opening Ceremony. I’ve had the wrong kind of mushrooms on my toast this morning. “I love that every Opening Ceremony is more mental than the last one. The creative meetings to plan them must be absolutely insane. I want in.”
Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, simply declared: “I am proud to be called a ‘Brummie’." The activist gave a powerful message as she told the crowd: “Teams from 72 countries and territories join the people of Birmingham to celebrate friendship across borders. “For all of the Commonwealth athletes here, remember that every child deserves the chance to reach his or her full potential and pursue their wildest dreams.”Birmingham Royal Ballet and Elmhurst Ballet School, as well as from Ginny Lemon, ‘Charlie Chaplin’ also made special appearances, as a 10-metre high Bull - representative of Birmingham’s historic Bullring Market. And with the Friendly Fire Band’s catchy ‘It’s a Brum Ting’ burned in people’s mind-sets, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will never be forgotten!
SHOW-STOPPING
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He went on, after the Opening Ceremony: “There are still some tickets left and selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the largest sporting event to take place in the UK since the 2012 Olympics and witness sporting history being made here in the West Midlands.”“Excitement for Birmingham 2022 is rocketing,” Commonwealth Games Minister, Nigel Huddleston, added. "With the eyes of the Commonwealth on this great city, these historic Games will bring people together through world-class sport and culture, grow the regional economy, and leave a lasting legacy for the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands."
COMMONWEALTHBIRMINGHAMCEREMONY2022GAMES
BUGSY MALONE ROCKS THE REP
It's been a mere 46 years since Alan Parker's original Bugsy Malone made it to cinemas, and now with Birmingham REP, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Kenny Wax coming together to create this masterpiece, time has done wonders for the production. With a total of 39 performers across three rotating casts of 25, the story of rivalrythe between Dandy Dan and Fat Sam, narrated by the wife of the latter is expertly told. If you haven't seen the original, imagine suited and booted mobsters, but instead of bloodbaths, you've got cream shooting tommyguns and pies, where the 'dead' mobsters get back up, and with a mournful "Oh man!" trudge off stage to start over again.Our show saw Gabriel Payne as the titular Bugsy, with Fat Sam and Dandy Dan played by Albie Snelson and Desmond Cole respectively, and what characters they all were. Adding the glamour were Jasmine Sakyiama's Tallulah, and Blousey played by Mia Lakha. Between this fantastic cast, who were hilarious, and with comedic timing, acting prowess and singing voices belying their age, the stage came to life, surprising many in the audience.
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If expectingyou're a half-soaked cast of children, you're in for a rude awakening, as these children and teens are phenomenal in their roles, and will have you eating out of the palms of their hands.
Jon Bausor's set design adds to the elegance and class of the production, easily and impressively taking us from dingy back alleys, to a bright and bubbly speakeasy in a matter of seconds. It was truly a wonderful evening, and as the show runs at The REP until August 14th, you've got time to get your tickets and witness the masterpiece for yourselves.
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Highlights Growth And Importance Of The Diaspora In The UK GHANA PARTY IN THE PARK 2022 by Steve Williams
elebrating its culture, history, food, fashion, beats, and much more, the ‘Ghana Party In The Park 2022 UK’ festival was everything it was set out to be, as thousands from the diaspora’s community converged onto Cockfosters’ vast Trent Park to celebrate all things Ghanaian, in particular, and all thing African, in general! With this year’s annual event attracting crowds from near, far, and even further afield, there were endless opportunities to enjoy live music, spectacular costumes display, parade, cultural dancers, fashion show, arts and crafts and traditional freshly cooked Ghanaian or African food. Said to be one of the biggest festivals of its type, outside of Ghana, this proved a fantastic day celebration, as Ghanaian nationals – mixing with thousands of non-Ghanaian, who were made very welcomed to be ‘Ghanaian’ for the day, the family-friendly day out for all saw the likes of international African-Caribbean food producers, Tropical Sun Foods, Unity Link Money Transfer, MTN Homeland money transfer, Chinese Travel Centre, care providers, Douglas Court Accra and One Stop Shipping & Removals amongst a host of stall holders, sponsors and supporters on a magical day that put Ghana at the front of people’s mind-set –on the day and for the future. Hosted by the Akwaaba Group and supported by the Ghana High Commission UK & Ireland, Ministry of Creative Art and Tourism & Culture, attracting visitors from the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Ghana itself, this outdoor festival, held in London - with music coming from the likes of Camidoh, Gyakie, Darkovibes and Kelvynboy Storm and many more from home and abroad. There was also plenty of fun for children with a funfair, bouncy castle, face painting, picnics, dance competitions, arts and crafts and plenty of food available for all, with businesses able to meet, greet and network with all and sundry!
“For this year’s Ghana Party In The Park, it was yet another great opportunity to show future investors the breadth of opportunity that there is in Africa – especially in Ghana,” added Minister Councillor/Head of Trade & Investment, Papa Kow Bartels. “This event always pushes the flag of Ghana very high”. “Let’s continue to invest in Ghana”. With up to 8,000 people in attendance this year, the growth of Ghana Party In The Park, Ghana itself, and the Diaspora as a whole, shows no bounds – in whatever field!
Of the event, Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafa, said: “We were grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the Ghana Party In The Park – especially with such a high participation this year.”
l Macmillan Cancer Support was one of the charities and communities that benefitted from Eden support
One of the South of England’s biggest car dealer groups, Eden Motor Group, is continuing to raise thousands for charity and support local communities, with over £30k raised in the past 12 months and similar ambitions for the rest of this year. Following a big charity and community supporting 2021, it’s a key driver of Eden Motor Group owner and CEO Graeme Potts to maintain valuable support for good causes, something Eden is very passionate about. Eden recently presented a cheque for £18,400 to MacMillan Cancer Support, raised from the group’s famous coffee mornings, which will take place again on September 30. This will be taking place at Eden dealerships in: Banbury, Basingstoke, Bicester, Bracknell, Branksome, Camberley, Christchurch, Exeter, Fareham, Fleet, High Wycombe, Honiton, Newton Abbot, Newbury, Oxford, Reading Vauxhall and Reading Hyundai, Stratford, Swindon, Taunton, Torbay Vauxhall and Torbay Hyundai, and Wokingham.
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The group has also sponsored many local football teams within Eden’s local communities, such as Torbay Police FC Youth Team, and Okehampton Argyle Youth Under 9s.
FAMILIES ARE watching their pennies like never before thanks to spiralling inflation and the ever-increasing costof-living, but for those wanting a fantastic full day out during this year’s school holidays, The British Motor Show 2022 offers affordable value like nothing else. £37 for a family of four gets you the most exciting, interactive, intensive and action-packed day out for all ages, all for the same price as a takeaway, a drive-thru burger meal, a two-hour trip to the cinema, a single person ticket to a theme park or a video game…. And that’s not all. Having wowed crowds in 2021 with the breadth and scope of familyfriendly activities on offer, the entertainment has got even more engaging for 2022. Following the success of the Show’s Car Football in 2021, this year will host the CARmonwealth Games. Over the four days of the show they’ll be putting two teams of celebrity drivers against each other in a series of athleticsthemed challenges including the 4 x 100 Relay, Long Jump and Tug Of War to see who is best at automotive-themed challenges, olympians or stars from the automotive world. It’s guaranteed to create a fair amount of competition and no end of thrills (and likely spills). The feature will take place at the end of each day at the show and is sure to be one of the most popular sessions of the day in the cinch Live Arena, hosted by TV motoring pundit Mike Brewer and Olympian Iwan Thomas. The live action is designed to appeal to all ages, but it’s a particular favourite of the younger generation who love the noise of the supercars, the squeal of burning rubber in our stunt displays and the excitement of the under-16 motorbike display team. The two live arenas will keep the family entertained all day. Then there are the supercarsThe British Motor Show will be one of the only places that your youngsters will be able to get up close to some of the amazing exotica that they see on the internet, plus we’ll have a number of their favourite influencers with us over the weekend, including Yianni, Sam Hard, Petrolheadonism and Ratarossa. Imagine the look on their faces when they meet their favourite influencer or celebrity face toface.The British Motor Show 2022
“We know how important it is to provide these teams with a kit that they can play proudly in each week,” said Graeme Potts.
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Morgan ChiefThomasCompanyMotorAppointsKieseleAsCommercial Officer
Eden colleagues were also heavily involved in a high-profile charity football match in aid of Sophie’s Journey, which raised £25k in support of children with cancer. Members of the Eden team were part of the “Sophie’s AllStars” team, who fought to win the trophy again this year, challenging some Portsmouth Football Club legends such as Alan Knight, Todorov, and Linvoy Primus. Also joining the day was former Manchester United legend, Owen Hargreaves.
CHARITIES AND COMMUNITIES
BENEFIT FROM EDEN SUPPORT Morgan Motor Company has today announced the appointment of Thomas Kiesele as Chief Commercial Officer. Reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer, Massimo Fumarola, Thomas will be responsible for the sales and aftersales functions of the business, helping to shape a strategy that develops commercial opportunities for Morgan globally. Thomas brings 30 years of automotive industry experience to Morgan, having worked for some of the world’s leading premium and luxury automotive brands.Hejoins Morgan following the successful introduction of Super 3 – the latest addition to the company’s model range –which joins Plus Four and Plus Six.
OVER THE LAST few weeks, Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, has seen demand for air conditioning recharges more than triple as car owners have battled the unprecedented heat. Despite lower traffic volumes, with drivers heeding advice not to travel if possible, last week Kwik Fit saw overall demand for air con services reach 354% of the equivalent figure for last year. Last Sunday, a group of the company’s centres covering the South East and East of England saw demand at more than ten times (1,090%) the same day last year. The combination of the intense heat and the fact that around five million people who normally travel abroad are spending their summer holiday in the UK this year has focused many more drivers’ minds on ensuring their cars are as comfortable as possible in the hot weather.
Aston Martin’s iconic wings are taking flight into an intense new era, with the British ultra-luxury marque today launching a bold new creative brand strategy and global marketing campaign to further accelerate its growth amongst new audiences. Celebrating the company’s position as makers of the most exquisitely addictive performance cars and centred on the brand idea Intensity. Driven. the creative identity builds on Aston Martin’s strong, established reputation for combining luxurious craftsmanship and sophisticated design with high-octane emotion and intense driving pleasure, as defined by breath-taking new models such as DBX707, V12 Vantage and the uncompromising Aston Martin Valkyrie. The strategic repositioning is the largest investment in Aston Martin’s brand for more than a decade and strengthens its position at the pinnacle of the performance ultra-luxury segment. It builds on Aston Martin’s growing appeal to a wider, affluent global audience strategically targeted by the brand, whilst underpinning its core values. In addition to the new visual and verbal expression, the radical redesign includes a contemporary update to the iconic wings, created by the manufacturer’s world-renowned design function in collaboration with acclaimed British art director and graphic designer Peter Saville. In physical form, the new wings design is hand-crafted by artisans in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter and will be applied for the first time on Aston Martin’s next generation of sports cars, which will further enhance Aston Martin’s focus on ultra-luxury, performance and driving intensity. It is the first major update to the marque since 2003 and only the eighth time in Aston Martin’s 109-year history that it has been significantly adjusted. To mark the launch, Aston Martin has released behind-the-scenes photography of the unique jewelling process at Vaughtons studio in Birmingham, the 203-year-old silversmiths firm famed for crafting the Football Association Cup and medals for the 1908 London Olympics. your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com
THE FIRST all-electric award winning Nissan ARIYAs have landed at the Port of Tyne this weekend marking the next phase of its journey towards use on UK roads. The next step for these vehicles will be a final quality control check before being sent to dealerships ready for customer test drives and first customer deliveries. The first ARIYA off the boat at the Port of Tyne was an ARIYA Advance with a 63kWh battery, Akatsuki Copper paint, Pearl Black roof fitted with an optional Sky Pack (electric opening sunroof with power sunshade). The entry level ARIYA boasts an impressive level of specification as standard, including the Monolith 12.3” dual TFT screens, ProPILOT with Navi-Link, e-PEDAL step, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto as well as heated front seats, steering wheel and windscreen. The next shipment is just a few weeks away which is carrying the many of the customer pre-ordered vehicles.
Aston Martin takes off into new era
First ARIYAs Land on British Soil
ForDrivesHeatwaveChargeAirCon
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Capella 2022 was a musical phenomenon that made a joyful return to the Cayman Islands for the first time since 2017. From dance pop, pop ballard, R&B, reggae fusion to lovers’ rock, Capella Music Festival Cayman was just what the doctor ordered in time for the summer. One of the biggest live events made a welcome return out of the lockdown for music fans. The lifting of the global pandemic lockdown appears to have set loose a tsunami of bottled-up social interests. In every sense, the varied genre of music was on display in a celebrated atmosphere of communal joy and exceeded all expectations. After two years, concert fans were thrilled for many reasons from socialising coupled with escapism that events of this nature create experiences and become a major part of a cultural fix almost resembling a communion of culture for them. It was a literal release from the long days, hot nights and blazing sunshine on Festival Green makes the best backdrop for Capella as the music event kicks off on a high. This outdoor festival was the perfect setting for dance and music lovers, mingling, eating, drinking and the occasional meeting of old and new friends. It is safe to say that music tourism by definition attracts visitors which boost the local economy both on and off long after the festival is over. Noticeably, in addition to the international artist flown in on island, tourists from neighbouring Caribbean regions and internationally would not have missed this festival this past weekend enjoying the activities with locals instilling a sense of community pride. The Cayman Islands encircles three islands in the western Caribbean Sea having plenty of other things to draw visitors to, the stunning beaches, resorts, scuba and snorkelling sites and the network of culinary vibrant flavours is considered a haven for foodies offering a farm and sea to table ethos. Cayman Islands is known for its fine dining and many sought-after restaurants are the treasure for most. The almost all-day function spotlighted an impressive list of entertainers of both local and international talent - arguably the best for the festival return. Thousands flock to Camana Bay’s Festival Green on Saturday, July 16th, 2022 to the sound of reggae at the outdoor festival attracting music lovers which was well anticipated. The atmosphere, location, atmosphere, the quality of the concerts matters The event proved that after nearly five years of hiatus, the last being in December 2017, the return for the first time had our music thirst quenched as patrons had a deeply engaging and eclectic mix of local and international music unifying legendary artists. Patrons evidently absorbed in the beats and melodies of choruses. The festival did not disappoint one bit with show stopping entertainment by a packed line up of award-winning stars. Maxi Priest, Wyclef Jean, Maxi Priest, Charli XCX, Michael Bolton and the reggae icon Beres Hammond. As the crowd swayed from side to side in rendition of many familiar songs they got totally amped-up with hits taking us on a ferris wheel ride down memory lane for many as the crowd was utterly enthralled. Local artists Sheena Lee, Rico Rolando and Erica Assai were just as brilliant and held their own on stage as the crowd rocked from side to side to their beats. In between musical sets, patrons relished in the air conditioned VIP lounge to freshly made nibbles and delicacies with a fountain of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic and water options to quench our thirst. Whilst sometimes a sad reality, many festivals can fall short when it comes to vegan and dietary needs. It was a breath of fresh air and choice that VIP patrons had a fair amount of plant based and vegan grub as we danced to our favourite tunes. The culinary team incredibly delivered as it was obvious as patrons sunk their teeth delightfully into the mouthwatering food satisfying minor hunger pangs. How have music festivals evolved with varied choices of food? It’s promising. The perfect backdrop was, to seize the summer sunshine, set the tone for music and dance your heart out to your favourite chune. Still filled with amazement, Capella’s rich vibrancy became increasingly admired enough for what it needed to be, rollicking and bona fide shout-out to our favourite jams. It was such an incredible energy, almost like a pilgrimage exploring the musical atmosphere. And like water, the notes of each song have also started to make things grow – our profound love for the music and artistry proven as it draws an overflow of crowd. Remains an art of many of its devotees that celebrates the heroic genius of the artists and music industry.Musicis life. In particular, reggae is a cultural bombshell not only to Jamaica but to the world at large. Reggae spans far and wide, and has an effect on contributing to counterculture movements that is relatable to many. This was very indicative of the ‘I feel good’ international undisputed king of lover rock Beres Hammond who closed the festival went out in flames – it was commented that his performance needed water, lots of it to put out the fire. The patrons went mad literally and shouted his name uncontrollably. With a honeyed voice, his voice was clear and full of awe. Beres had us wrapped up in his arms and together the reggae revival was formed to uplift, unite and bring social awareness in one night. Whoa, what a night, what a night, what a night. The music is widely noted for its propulsive percussion, mesmerising bass lines and fast upstroke rhythm. It tells a story about race of people, artistic property, influence and mystique wrapped in an enigma. It feels like an awakening after his songs, dance and carrying on, finally coming to a light at the end of the tunnel that we've all been wanting for so long. The Capella Musical Festival wasn’t without flavour and rhythm, distinctive tempo, harmonically sophisticated in nature - what a lasting impact you left on us.
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AFTER THE DROUGHT, OUR MUSICAL THIRST WAS QUENCHED By Dee Burrowes
The Phoenix Newspaper - August 2022 - Page 31@PhoenixNewsUK CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS ENTERTAINMENTwww.streetcredmagazine.com Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com
Three generations of reggae legend Bob Marley's family was at a show in Birmingham - 50 years after the singer's first performance in the city. Grandson Skip Marley was set to perform at Birmingham Town Hall watched by the late star's former wife and backing singer Rita and his daughter Cedella. The show featured new interpretations of Marley classics from the Chineke! Orchestra, joined by Skip and others. Trevor Nelson presented the event – which will be aired by the BBC at a later date. The show forms part of the BBC's coverage of the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence and also celebrations marking the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Skip said: "I've been looking forward to performing with Chineke! to honour my Grandfather's music. To perform live in the UK where my grandfather's music connected so deeply was always going to be very special." Marley died from cancer 41 years ago, aged 36.
Stephen Fry performed at the very first Lichfield Festival in 1982 with Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson in their Cambridge Footlights days.
Stephen Fry Records Child's Winning Story
Reggae legend Bob Marley's memory honoured grandson,bySkip JAMES PETERS (9) from Rugeley was announced as winner of Lichfield Festival’s children’s story writing competition. His winning entry ‘Endless Journeys, Endless Adventures’ was recorded by the actor, broadcaster and writer Stephen Fry. In James’s winning story, a tin can dreams of the ‘endless adventures’ it might have through recycling. James, who is a pupil at Hob Hill Primary School, Rugeley, said: “Wow! It’s so amazing to hear Stephen Fry reading my story. I couldn’t believe it! I hope my story makes people want to recycleLaunchedmore.”by Lichfield Festival as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the competition challenged children to write an original short story on the theme of Green Journeys, real or imaginary, or to think about how they might change and save the world. The competition was sponsored by EQUANS, who are re-developing Rugeley Power Station, leading the way in low carbon solutions to bring a greener future for us all.
Damian Thantrey, Director of Lichfield Festival said: “James’s story stood out immediately when we read it: funny, engaging and with a clear ‘journey’ – not easy to do in such a short story."
BIRMINGHAM BAND FEATURED IN CHANNEL 4 CYBER THRILLER
l Photo Credit Asians UK
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DUE TO AN imminent Pakistani film release, the UK has recently hosted renowned Pakistani actors and actresses, two of whom are soon to be widely recognised role models for the British Asian communities.Withthefilm ‘London Nahi Jaunga’ release this Eid, the cast, Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Kubra Khan, and Vasay Chaudhry visited the UK for a 3-city tour: London, Bradford, and Birmingham. Mehwish Hayat is currently starring in the Ms. Marvel series, she made her entrance in episode 3, as Aisha. Humayun Saeed will be appearing in the Netflix Series ‘The Crown’ as Diana’s love interest. Humayun and Mehwish are already renowned artists within the Pakistani communities and are soon set to become role models for the wider British South Asian’s. Asians UK, the UK’s awardwinning ethnic audience engagement platform hosted the cast a press conference in Birmingham. Following the recent visit by Jonny Depp, they felt the only suitable venue had to be Varanasi. Mehwish Hayat said: “I have had a wonderful time; we are always in awe of the love and support that our UK fans have for us. Any opportunity to visit and meet them is always an absolute pleasure” Humayun Saeed shared: “Following the success of ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’, the highest-grossing Pakistani film in the UK, it’s very exciting to bring the sequel ‘London Nahi Jaunga’, once again filled with love, tears, and laughter.” London Nahi Jaunga is a romantic comedy filled with aromatic connotations of all things South Asian, including vibrant locations, cultural settings, and music that you’ll have on repeat.
Saeed Who Will Play Diana’s Love Interest In The Crown, Tour
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From national gigs and now to mainstream TV, the indie rock band WOUNDED SPiRiT are making waves. The 6 piece indie rock band originally formed in West Bromwich in 1989, and after 16 years apart are going from strength to strength with their diverse musical style. In 2019 they were winner of Best Album at the Black Country Music awards, to then releasing a further album U Me and the Ocean and now have music featured in Channel 4’s star studded new show. The track OUTSiDE is featured on episode 2 of cybersecurity thriller The Undeclared War, the drama follows the GCHQ secretly working to ward off a cyber attack on the country’s electoral system featuring Simon Pegg and Adrian Lester. OUTSiDE is the perfect blend of bright vocals, diverse sounds and strong expression to backdrop this tense show. The band prides themselves on their unique sound that encapsulates a rich mixture of love, sadness and hope. Steven Scaife lead guitarist of WOUNDED SPiRiT, said: “To be associated with such a great show is pretty special for us, it's something that can never be taken away.”
Ms. Marvels Aisha & Humayun
The UK for London Nahi Jaunga
DAZN acquires Soccer Champions Tour 2022 Rights In Japan, Italy And Canada
UK SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OFFERED 5000 COPIES
NLP Ltd pleasedHippodromeBirminghamandaretoannounce auditions will be held in Birmingham for the new production Tales from Acorn Wood Live. Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling book, the story is being brought to life on stage for the first time this autumn.
Packed full of toe-tapping songs and puppetry, from the producing team behind Rod Campell’s, Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa Live, Tales from Acorn Wood Live will tour the UK from Monday 24 October, then play over the Festive Season in the Patrick Studio at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 31 December, and then opens the Spring UK tour at the Lowry, Salford, in 2023. The producers are also thrilled to announce they have engaged acclaimed Midlands based choreographer Johnny Autin as Puppet Director. Johnny and the team will be holding workshop auditions at Fabric in Birmingham on Thursday 21 July, and are particularly keen to find West Midlands based talent with strong acting and puppetry skills. Together with Johnny, NLP have assembled a world class creative team, including Director, Brad Fitt, acclaimed Production Designer, Ian Westbrook, who has designed numerous Birmingham Hippodrome pantomimes, alongside Motion Graphic Designer, Louise Rhoades-Brown. Props and puppets are being designed and created by West Midlands based Debbie Mingham of Entify. The creative team is completed with Musical Director Composer, Miles Russell. The search is on for professional Actor/Puppeteers with extensive puppeteering experience, who are creative, with an ensemble spirit, who possess excellent comic timing, a strong singing voice and with experience in physical theatre. Actor/Puppeteers will have a varied track covering a range of animals and are integral to the success of this production. The producers are actively seeking to hear from individuals based in Birmingham or the West Midlands especially but not exclusively, and those from the global majority and underrepresented communities.
Search For Midlands Based Talent For Birmingham Hippodrome’s Festive Family Studio Show
DAZN GROUP, the leading global sports entertainment platform, today announces that it has secured rights to broadcast the upcoming Soccer Champions Tour 2022 in Japan, Italy and Canada, taking place from 23-31 July. Rights are exclusive in Japan and Italy, and non-exclusive in Canada. This deal, brokered by IMG, underlines DAZN's strategy to become the leading broadcaster of engaging sports with passionate international fanbases, delivering consistency of quality to rights holders seeking access to a global market. From 22 to 30 July, streamed live and on demand on DAZN, audiences in Las Vegas, Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles was set to be part of the passion of football at the highest level, as European football returns emphatically to the USA. Five of La Liga, Serie A, and Liga MX's most storied clubs descended on America's Southwest and West Coast this summer – for an unforgettable showcase of legends and champions, new signings, the brightest stars of the game, and rivalries both new and classic. DAZN also offers a premium portfolio of live sports and original programming, including the world's biggest football leagues and competitions such as UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women's Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A. As the global leader in digital sports entertainment, DAZN is building a daily destination for sports fans that is a 'onestop-shop' for watching and engaging with sport and related products and services, by offering recreational betting, news, e-commerce, and gaming alongside its live sports offering. DAZN is creating a single, frictionless, immersive, and interactive platform to provide a sports fan with everything they need. A global leader in sports, media and events, IMG was appointed by AEG to sell the worldwide broadcast media rights to the Soccer Champions Tour.
Curve Games and Denki have pledged to offer 5000 free copies of Autonauts vs PirateBots to educational bodies across the UK on a first-come, first-served basis as part of the Autonauts Codes for Education (ACE) initiative. The ingenious family-friendly video game launches next week and is proven to educate players on the fundamentals of programming. Teachers, tutors and lecturers will be able to claim 30 free Steam copies of the game on PC for their institution by providing their professional email and photo ID via this form: http://bit.ly/AVPB_ ACE Based in Dundee, Scotland’s gaming epicenter, Denki is the development studio behind the BAFTA Award-winning original Autonauts and its forthcoming sequel. Denki’s Creative Director, Gary Penn is an industry legend having worked on the original Grand Theft Auto whilst Creative Manager at DMA Design, the studio responsible for Lemmings. Gary Penn, Head of Development, said: “Autonauts vs PirateBots is a game for everyone, but it also doubles up as a learning tool.
Endorsing the campaign is Chris van der Kuyl, a visiting professor of digital entertainment at University of Abertay Dundee, awardee of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Dundee, and an honorary Doctor of Business degree from Edinburgh Napier University and Doctor honoris causa from the University of Edinburgh. Responsible for the multi-million selling and multi-award winning Minecraft Console Editions also co-founder of 4J Studios, Chris explained: “Video games are a great way to entertain ourselves, have fun together, and to relax – this is all the more reason why their intersection with education is something that needs to be taken seriously/” Whilst games like the Nintendo DS title, Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training, were designed to improve mental arithmetic, more recently commercially successful games like Minecraft and Roblox have been utilised to teach chemistry, computer-aided design, maths, and computerAutonautsscience.vsPirateBots marries an utterly charming artistic vibe with an innovative and intuitive ‘show-and-tell' Scratch-style coding system to make unique automation gameplay accessible to all. The game launches via Steam on Thursday 28 July 2022 and is the follow-up to the multiaward-winning title Autonauts where players must build, create, and automate to establish a thriving settlement, crafting bots and programming them to build an ever-evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry, andAutonautsenlightenment.vsPirateBots merges the adorable art style of Autonauts with the feel and pace of an RTS with players tasked to defend their settlement using a Bot army to combat invading pirate enemies. OF VS PIRATEBOTS
AUTONAUTS
The Phoenix Newspaper - August 2022 - Page 33@PhoenixNewsUK CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY August 05 Eleven Fifteen 05 The Official 60th Jamaican Independence Celebration 11 Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley 12 Kitchen Party Club 19 King Atomic 21 The Gaslight Anthem 26 Dope Lemon 28 The Ocean O2 INSTITUTE August 10 Combichrist 13 Man Made Hell 17 Flogging Molly 26 Psychedelic Porn Crumpets 30 Q + Montell Fish 31 Lime Cordiale NEC August 18-21 The Festival of Quilts 26-29 Insomnia Gaming Festival #i69 RESORTS WORLD ARENA August 26 Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan UTILITA ARENA August 20 Diljit Dosanjh 23 PAW PATROL LIVE 29 Neha Kakkar TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL August 02 CBSO: Happy Birthday John Williams! (SH) 03-05 Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler (SH) 23-28 Zog and the Flying Doctors (TH) AUGUST Gig Listings ENTERTAINMENTwww.streetcredmagazine.com Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com
“Teachers have contacted Denki to let us know that they are using the original Autonauts to teach students the logic behind coding, especially as it encourages creativity and discussion with other players. It may look simple on the surface but there are tons of programming challenges disguised beneath this infectious sim, which is why we’ve decided to gift 5000 copies to schools, colleges and universities across the UK.”
Lulu's ‘For The Record’ tour heads for Telford
Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock Stuns In White
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The show will feature stories from Lulu’s remarkable career – from being friends with The Beatles to marrying a Bee Gee, from winning the Eurovision Song Contest to enjoying a colossal hit with Shout, from her relationship with David Bowie to the wonder of Relight My Fire, her Number One with Take That. There’ll be exclusive photography and video footage as well as incredible songs from a pop icon, whose star continues to burn bright.
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK enjoyed a family holiday in Jamaica alongside her fiancé Andre Grey and their twins. The Little Mix star was absent from social media since their arrival on the island, but the 30-year-old couldn't help but tease her fans with a post alluding to her rumoured wedding.
"Just Marri... kidding," LeighAnne jokingly captioned a carousel of photos showing her looking stunning in a long white dress, no doubt laughing at reports that she is set to tie the knot during her holiday. Fans were quick to react, with many still convinced that the couple are set to tie the knot soon.
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"Girlieeee we all know you're having the most extravagant wedding!!!" one wrote, whilst a second added: "Leigh don't play like that." A third added: "You practicing for the big day." "Giving me a heart attack," remarked a fourth. The couple might not have been celebrating their big day any time soon, but they did mark another occasion whilst in Jamaica, Andre's 31st birthday. Taking to Instagram last week, the 30-yearold star shared several photos of her fiancé with their twins and wrote: "Happy Birthday Super Dad! You were born to do this." On her Instagram Stories, Leigh-Anne also shared a beautiful photo of the family of four posing underneath a big balloon arch with a "Happy Birthday" sign hanging from it. The couple got engaged in 2020 on their fourth anniversary. They announced the news on Instagram, revealing that the footballer had proposed in their garden. A year later, the couple welcomed their twins. "We asked for a miracle, we were given two... Our Cubbies are here [heart-eye emoji] 16/08/21" the singer wrote on a photo of the soles of the twins' feet. The gender of the babies are yet to be revealed.
Maxi Dress With Fiance
rom Shout to James Bond, from To Sir With Love to The Eurovision Song Contest; Lulu is a bona fide British music legend. On the eve of the 60th anniversary of Shout, she’ll be touring the UK for the first time since Autumn 2019 with her most intimate show to date. For The Record will combine remarkable stories and stunning clips with song. The show will be a chance to get to know the star, who has entertained legions of fans across 60 glorious years. The tour will start on April 15 2023 at Eastleigh Thornden Hall before visiting Scotland, Wales and all corners of England with 31 dates in Spring. It will resume in Scotland on October 4 for a further 30 dates, ending at Cheltenham Town Hall on November 12th. Lulu said: “I’m excited to be sharing my story and my music with my first tour in four years. It’s been an incredible story and I’m looking forward to telling that in For The Record."Thisis a completely different show to anything I’ve ever done before.”
