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MUSIC FASHION FILM GADGETS HOLIDAY EDUCATION HEALTH AND FITNESS
NOVEMBER 2021
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THE BRITISH VOCALIST IS BACK WITH A GREATEST HITS ALBUM AND 2022 TOUR DON'T FORGET - STREET CRED PODCAST EPISODE 3 - 1ST NOV - 6PM
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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT
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El Gouna celebrating the best of Arab productions
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he fifth edition of El Gouna Film Festival kicked-off in Egypt as a host of stars graced the red carpet at the festival plaza. Disaster nearly struck this year's event after a fire ripped through the red-carpet area around its main open-air auditorium, some 36 hours before its opening ceremony. Emergency services were quick to respond and there were no major casualties. Locals worked through the night to repair the damage. Festival organisers extended
their gratitude to the Civil Defence Forces and the Red Sea Governorate for their tremendous assistance, in a statement released later. Samih Sawiris, founder of the film festival, said that he had never been so proud, adding: "I have seen those 1,600-andsomething people work nonstop - most of them even didn't sleep. As a result, you could see that you could have hardly seen that there was one of the biggest fires in Egypt in the last few years." Celebrating Arab productions, El Gouna – which took place in
the Red Sea resort town of El Gouna - showcased 52 feature films from 36 territories and another 23 short films from a further 34 countries. A total of 16 films competed for the festival’s Golden Star award for the best narrative film as well as other prizes. The festival, the most successful in terms of audience numbers and experiences of the cinema professionals in attendance, saw packed screenings for ‘Feathers’ and Mohamed Diab’s Venice Horizons title ‘Amira’ while regional cinema professionals
were out in force for the CineGouna project platform. It was one of the biggest MENA industry events since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Other highlights included a masterclass with US director Darren Aronofsky and a cinema concert conducted by Ahmed El-Saedi, the music director and principal conductor of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, featuring the music of films such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ ‘Out Of Africa,’ ‘Amadeus’ and ‘The Mission’.
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FINALLY RETURNS FOR 2021 C
elebrating their 25th LIVE event in 2021, the fabulous Festive Gift Fair has been the #1 event for Christmas shopping in the heart of England for over two decades. Missed by thousands last year, this ever popular 4-day event is back again in November and looking forward to re-uniting 300 stallholders with 1,000’s of highspirited shoppers. Once again offering a fabulous choice of gifts, decorations, food and drink in a jolly atmosphere with live music and festive entertainers. Dedicated to Christmas shopping and catering for all your needs over the seasonal period, the busiest and most established Fair in the Midlands has lots to offer in 2021 ...
FABULOUS FOODIE SECTION
Companies NEW to the fab foodie section this year are Whistler’s Storm – the newest
alcoholic tea brand to hit the market. Campbell’s Chutneys – handmade mustards, marmalades, pickles and preserves. Limpopo Biltong – The snack The Lions could not handle! Schokolat Scotland – unique chocolate gifts made to look like teapots, tools and so much more! Back by demand are favourites including Ace Tea London, The Tipsy Tart, Popcorn Kitchen, Cheshire Cheese, Condessa Welsh Liqueurs and Georgie Porgies Puddings.
GIFTS IN GENERAL
So many wonderful new companies this year it’s been difficult to select just a few! NEW in 2021 include Rebel Records and Toys – music vinyls, cd’s and music memorabilia. Big Chief Studios - licensed character collectables Star Wars, Doctor Who, Only Fools and Horses, Dad’s Army, James Bond, Mr Bean etc.
Wish Upon Threads Embroidered apparel inspired by characters from hobbies and films. Popular favourites returning include Football Stadium Photography, Kensington Collection, MacDonald China and The Perfume Shop.
DÉCOR FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON AND BEYOND!
Always popular, joining us again are favourites including Delightful Decorations, 1 Stop Christmas Shop and The Rugshack. NEW include At Home for Christmas – Christmas wreaths. Finishing Touches – Christmas rugs and cushions. Step Into Christmas – everything LED from Lanterns to fairy dolls! Foy & Co Interiors – luxury cushions and throws.
FOR THE KIDS (YOUNG & OLD!)
More companies than ever before…, seems like the kids are
going to get spoiled this year!!! NEW include Maria Valentina Baby – trendy clothes and shoes for baby and children. Christmas Board Games – Christmas Eve The Race To Help Santa!, Grace’s Book Adventures – kid’s books and colouring activity sets. Be inspired and get your festive preparations off to a flying start at the Festive Gift Fair. With ticket prices so affordable bring friends and family with you for a funfilled day Christmas Shopping. Tickets are available on-line from just £6 per adult (plus fulfilment fee). The Fair is open daily 9.30am5pm from Thursday 18th – Sunday 21st November at the NEC, Birmingham. For much more information, including videos, show highlights, exhibitor list, show offers and all the Live Performers, check out www.festivegiftfair.co.uk
COMPETITION The Festive Gift Fair have given us 10 pairs of tickets for this years event. For your chance to win a pair of tickets to use on any day that the Festive Gift Fair is at Birmingham's NEC, answer this question!
According to the well known Christmas Song, what are roasting on an open fire? a) Marshmallows b) Chestnuts c) Chocolates Just email your answer, with your name, address, and contact number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com with the subject “Festive Gift Fair 2021”. Competition closes at 23.59 on 14th November 2021. There is no cash alternative.
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Food & Fine Dining BBC Good Food Nation survey reveals influx of kitchen gadgets B BC Good Food Nation, the annual national survey carried out by BBC Good Food, has revealed spending so much time at home during the pandemic has led to an influx of kitchen gadgets, with over half (52%) of people surveyed having bought new cooking or kitchen equipment in the last year. Coffee machines were the most popular gadgets, bought by 13% of people surveyed, and they were the most used purchase, with barista-style coffees being made an average of 5 times a week. The next most popular were air fryers (12%), slow cookers (11%), and smoothie makers (8%) – linked to the onein-four people (26%) who said they prioritised eating healthily over the past year. BBC Good Food Nation also reveals a dramatic shift in our drinking habits over the past year. Almost half of people surveyed (48%) have been drinking more water since the pandemic began, with just over a fifth (21%) saying much more water. The rise in popularity of
alternative milks continues with a fifth (20%) of people surveyed say they have been drinking more alternative milks since the pandemic began. And when it comes to alcohol, almost equal numbers of people saying they are drinking more alcohol (20%) and drinking less alcohol (23%). Christine Hayes, Editor in
Chief of BBC Good Food, said: “Spending time in the kitchen, preparing meals that sustain us and support our health and well-being has been a mainstay for many people throughout the pandemic – it’s great to hear that 40% of people say their kitchen is their happy place.” Top findings – BBC Good
Group Turning Their Food Waste Into Electricity In All Of Their Restaurants
AN INDEPENDENT restaurant group, based in Cheltenham, is starting off their green initiative by making sure none of their waste is sent to landfill. The Gloucestershire group, JM Socials, has made the switch to zero landfill - as part of a sustainability plan. On top of regular plastics, paper and tin recycling, the group will be using a waste disposal company that turns food and packaging waste
into electricity. They do this through an incinerating process by capturing carbon and transferring it into energy. They're now running this green initiative throughout each of their Cheltenham restaurants Holee Cow, Holee Cowless, Holee Clucker, Prithvi, Bao + BBQ and Bhoomi Kitchen (also in Oxford). One half of the JM Socials duo, Michael Raphel said: “This is a great opportunity for us to start
Food Nation 2021 • Over half (52%) of people surveyed have bought new cooking/kitchen equipment in the last year. • A coffee machine (13%) was the most popular gadget bought and the most used – with coffee • machines bought in the last year being used almost 5 times a week. • Over a quarter (27%) people surveyed said they don’t have enough appliances/cupboard space to • accommodate how much they now cook. • 40% said their kitchen is their happy place in their home. • Almost half (48%) people surveyed have been drinking more water since the pandemic began, • with just over a fifth (21%) saying much more water. • A fifth (20%) adults surveyed have been drinking more alcohol since the pandemic began. • And over a fifth (23%) have been drinking less alcohol since the pandemic began.
our new sustainability journey. It's clear that switching to zero landfill is the best first step in our plan. “We've lined up a series of sustainability projects, and these should be announced in the near future. We're really excited to continue on this new green path and we hope that other businesses will follow suit.” JM Socials, started by Michael Raphel and Jay Rahman, are set to open two more sites from the end of this year: Circo Brasserie and For The Saints, an espresso bar in Montpellier.
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l Pushkar won 2 gongs at the English Curry Awards
Birmingham Restaurant Scoops Double Award At English Curry Awards BIRMINGHAM’S PUSHKAR Cocktail Bar & Dining scooped the 'Best of Birmingham' and ‘England’s Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’ awards at the 10th English Curry Awards 2021. The 10th English Curry Awards took place at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport-NEC, in a celebration of the English curry industry. Guests from across the country celebrated the best in the curry industry and awards saw curry houses across England recognised for their graft, dedication and hospitality. The black-tie event was hosted by DJ and radio presenter, Tommy Sandhu, who announced that Broad Street-based restaurant, Pushkar Cocktail Bar and Dining, had won the ‘Best of Birmingham’ and
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‘England’s Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’. Rai Singh, Creative Director at Pushkar commented: “We’re delighted to be crowned The Best in Birmingham, and to also have the crown for Fine Dining Restaurant Of The Year competing against restaurants across the whole of England is the icing on the cake. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.” CEO of Oceanic Consulting, Irfan Younis, said: “We are honoured and delighted to have such great finalists and winners representing the English curry industry and enhancing its reputation nationally and internationally. We were very happy to welcome the guests and celebrate with them. Congratulations to all finalists and winners!”
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HANGING OUT WITH HIGGINS
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MONTHLY COLUMN steve@stevehigginsproductions.com www.stevehigginsproductions.com
DETERMINATION – THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT! W hat would make a chronic asthmatic, with a serious back injury, decide to test fate and allow her mind and passion to lead her against all odds? This asthmatic had long avoided all sports because of that chronic condition but became heartbroken when her physicians told her that she had to do back surgery. She said to herself “Heck, No!”, then decided instead to do her own research! Shernette Levy is no stranger to hard work and a focused mind set on accomplishing her goals. Whether as a student at Excelsior High School in Jamaica or in her MBA classes in South Florida, she always had grit and
determination, only to be outdone by her own straightforwardness (a.k.a ‘feistiness’ in Jamaican parlance). Shernette met a wholistic practitioner, who advised her to “strengthen my core, which would assist with strengthening my back muscles and help alleviate the pain”. That she did and was making wonderful progress. In fact, she returned to working out at the gym, lifting weights dieting, and in going through her routines, she started seeing a transformation of her body. Well, she loved what she saw and got hooked! The global pandemic caused some of us to reflect on our lives, making us even more determined to pull from within for a cause. For some however, it fueled
depression, and Shernette was no exception. She still had to take care of her injured back, gyms were closed, and she was not even able to leave her house. Things started looking up however, when she became part of a newly formed online exercise group that kept her busy again! A few months later, she was so impressed by her progress that she started inquiring into the possibility of an older woman entering the sport of bodybuilding and was amazed at how many women were actually in this sport. But the audacity of it all- After all, she is all of 50 years old! Well, she found a Jamaican owned gym, and the rest is history. To date, Shernette has competed
in seven NPC body building competitions and have amassed trophy wins in every show in which she has competed. Last weekend (October 16th, 2021), Shernette competed in the Ultimate Grand Prix in Boca Raton, Florida where she won first place in both Masters 40 (open to women who are 40 years and older) and Masters 45 (open to women who are 45 years and older). Additionally, she placed third in Open Class F (She was the oldest competitor among women in their 20s). She walked away last weekend with two swords, two rings, and three medals; a sword, a ring and a medal are presented to the first-place winner of each category.
l Shernette Levy A year ago, Shernette performed very poorly at this same show and was so disheartened. However, she took the feedback for areas of improvement to her trainer and let that loss fuel her drive to achieve her desired objectives. Her 2022 goal is to compete for a professional title and win her Pro-card. Her bodybuilding journey has not been easy, it takes a special kind of dedication and determination to achieve your desired results. There are early mornings, late nights, meal plans, etc. Success is not for the faint of heart! Follow Shernette on Instagram or on Facebook!
MUSIC UNITES JAMAICA FOUNDATION
F
or a country so tiny, Jamaica’s influence on the world is nothing short of legendary. We know about Jamaican athletes burning up the tracks in sprint events at the Olympics and World athletic metes and the repeated unbeaten world records. This little dot on the map ‘led’ the charge against apartheid early in the day while Nelson Mandela was in prison, decried social injustice in the world, promoted love for your Brother
as well as positive life lessons; Like many cultures, our stories are told through our music. But are we aware of Jamaica’s classical, patriotic, or church music? Or our composers and those who work tirelessly to promote their work? Meet Austrian-Jamaican musician Rosina Moder (Ashbourne)! Rosina, Austrian by birth, left her homeland in 1985, inspired by close friends Monte Alexander, Lance Lumsden among others to visit Jamaica. Her friend, a US Diplomat
posted in Jamaica, contacted the Director of the Institute of Jamaica, Vivian Crawford, and soon, an Ash Wednesday musical Concert was organized at the St Andrews Parish Church in Kingston. Peter Ashbourne was on the violin and Paul Bicknell on piano. Some time after that soldout performance in Jamaica, Rosina returned home. She was at the high point of her career in Austria, being a recorderlecturer at the Universität Mozarteum - Carl Orff Institut Salzburg, Austria. She specialized in the interpretation of Baroque music under the tutelage of her professor Nikolaus Harnoncourt. At the urging of Olive Lewin, Pamela O’Gorman (then school of music Director) and others, Rosina returned to Jamaica and got busy with Music workshops at the Jamaica School of Music, Mico Teacher’s college, and taught voluntarily at the SOS Children’s Villages (Kingston
& Montego Bay). Rosina noticed that in Jamaica, one heard of “music arrangers”, not necessarily “composers”. This struck a nerve, as she did get married to the very talented composer, Peter Ashbourne. She also befriended JamaicanGuyanese composer, Historian and journalist, Clyde Hoyte, who wrote the beautiful Christmas carol “Jamaica Noel” and Samuel Felsted. Well, she decided to do something about promoting Jamaica’s composers. In 1994 she founded RCM Music Foundation, and in 2009, selected a board and registered an NGO under the name “Music Unites Jamaica Foundation”. Their mission“We seek to expand the awareness of Jamaica's longstanding musical heritage through music workshops and free concerts island wide. We aid in the sourcing of scholarships and instruments for talented students with financial
constraints. We are committed to the research, preservation and promotion of the works of Jamaican composers of Classical, Patriotic, and Church music, as well as music written for Theatre, Dance, Film and Media. Inter-cultural exchange activities and the administration of the Samuel Felsted Chamber Orchestra are also part of our mission”. Special mention: Peter Ashbourne was instrumental in the development of Karen
Smith’s singing career. She was one of the most loved Jamaican singers ever, by people from all walks of life. A scholarship fund was established in an effort to honour her and keep her name alive. This scholarship will be awarded to a student of the Jamaica School of music student. Visit https://www. musicunitesjamaica.com/ and please donate!!!!
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Sam Fender announces 2022 Spring UK Arena Tour
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am Fender has announced details of a new UK arena tour for Spring 2022. The nine shows, Sam and his band’s biggest to date, kick off at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on 20th March, and ends with a homecoming show at Utilita Arena, Newcastle on 5th April. The run includes a night at the SSE Wembley Arena on 1st April. Sam will also play a Summer open
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air show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester on 6th July. Pre-sale tickets available from 9am Wednesday 13th October. For early access, pre-order the new album before 5pm Tuesday 12th October. Tickets are on general sale from 9am on 15th October. The remainder of Sam and his band’s (the eclectic six-piece from Tyneside) long since sold out rescheduled shows will conclude this November, with two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace, and
IS BACK WITH GREA
A shows in Glasgow, Cardiff, Leeds, and Newcastle. His return to the live arena this Summer has been explosive, seeing Sam play to hundreds of thousands of fans on festival stages and at his rescheduled headline dates right across the UK. He released his eagerly anticipated and already acclaimed second album, Seventeen Going Under, yesterday (Friday 8th October).
fter announcing details of a ‘Greatest Hits’ tour which commences in March 2022, James Morrison is excited to announce details of his first ever ‘Greatest Hits’ album, which will be released on 11th February 2022. He today launches the album by sharing his new single ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?’, which is one of two new songs that appear on the collection along with ‘Don’t Mess With Love’. Listen HERE. Watch the video HERE. In a twist on the ‘Greatest Hits’ format, James Morrison returned to the studio with his long-term producer Mark Taylor to record new versions of thirteen of his classic songs alongside his regular live band. James calls on fifteen years of experience to breathe fresh life into the songs. Not only has his voice matured - with a richer, deeper, more soulful timbre - but his live performances have uncovered other layers to the material, in many cases emphasising different elements to the original recordings. And just like fans will find their interpretations of his lyrics changing as time passes, so does James. He was just 21-years-old when he first hit the limelight, and he has experienced so much in the intervening years: a long-term relationship, children, the loss of family and friends, huge career highs, and moments of selfdoubt. All of those things have inspired him - sometimes directly, others subliminally to interpret his original lyrics in new ways, and he’s never sounded better as a result. James Morrison commented, “It’s been fifteen years since I started releasing music, and many of my songs over time have taken on a new life of their own: new emotions, new meanings and new feels both from the way I perform them and in the way my band has played them. I’ve also become a better singer and inhabit the songs in a different way now. "I wanted to reflect all of that on this ‘Greatest Hits’ with reworked versions. I love all the original recordings They brought me to where I am today, but I see these new versions as their older siblings, and I really love them too. I’m so pleased with what we achieved here.”
The new single ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?’ shows that his songwriting talents are as strong as ever. The rugged soul of James’s voice hits the essence of the song’s pained subject matter, while its instrumentation captures the turmoil of its emotions. Opening like a 21st century Motown track, it then rockets to life with huge thumping beats that place it directly in the present day, without losing any of the warmth that’s a key hallmark of his style. James’s powers of reinvention take on varying forms throughout the ‘Greatest Hits’ album. Stripped of its popleaning production and Nelly Furtado’s featured vocal, ‘Broken Strings’ is a far more sombre experience that gains a deeper emotional impact. His breakthrough ‘You Give Me Something’ has a more nuanced live feel, not only within the music but also with his now huskier, bluesy tone, while ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ takes on a fervent, gospel-tinged energy. And ‘You Make It Real’ is a particularly stellar example of James channelling all of the ups and downs that come with longterm relationships to sing a love song that comes straight from the heart. Both versions of the songs co-exist very naturally together. The originals still have the freshness that they first had, but now they have a wealth of memories attached to them. Meanwhile, the newer versions show that a great song can evolve very organically over time, especially as an artist’s ability grows in tandem. ‘Greatest Hits’ is now available to pre-order here. James Morrison’s official website offers signed copies of the album on CD and cassette, as well as a signed printed lyric sheet. There are also a selection of bundles compiling your choice of those three items as well as a new t-shirt design. HMV offer an exclusive CD which adds two bonus tracks, while an exclusive signed Amazon version of the album on CD and cassette is also available.
The ‘Greatest Hits’ album recalls many of the landmark moments of James Morrison’s career, with new versions of all five of his Top 10 singles included. His #1 albums ‘Undiscovered’ (5 x Platinum for 1.5 million sales) and ‘The Awakening’ are both strongly represented, but it also includes selections from ‘Songs For You, Truths For Me’ (#3), ‘Higher Than Here’ (#7) and ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ (#14). After winning the BRIT Award for British Male Solo Artist early in his career, James was recently invited by the iconic songwriter Diane Warren to feature on her current album ‘The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1’ with Leona Lewis. It represents James’s second big collaboration of 2021 after his songwriting hero Paul Weller asked him to duet on ‘Broken Stones’ as part of his Live From The Barbican show, a collaboration with Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Their performance was released as the lead single from Weller’s upcoming album ‘An Orchestrated Songbook’, which will be released on December 3rd. He has also previously worked with Gary Barlow, Nelly Furtado, OneRepublic and Joss Stone.
l Photo credit: Parri Thomas
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EATEST HITS ALBUM BACK ON THE ROAD
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astille have announced the first leg of the, ‘Give Me The Future tour 2022 - a headline tour for April 2022 with a run of shows across major cities including London’s The O2, Manchester AO Arena and Birmingham O2 Academy. The shows will give fans the opportunity to hear the band’s hugely anticipated fourth album, Give Me The Future for the first time live. Dan Smith says, “We’re all massively excited to head out on tour with this new album that we love. After everything that’s happened over the last couple of years, we’re
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buzzing to play for everyone at these brilliant venues and can’t wait to have some fun back on the road again… here’s to gigging in 2022.” ‘Give Me The Future’ is set for release on February 4th 2022 and explores both the opportunities of new technology and the dark side of lives lived online, it’s as playful and fun as it is thoughtprovoking, as dystopian as it is dancefloor-friendly, and as electronic as Bastille have ever been. The album takes us into a sci-fi wonderland free from restrictions – each song a different danceable dreamscape, a place where you
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can travel back and forward in time to be anyone, do anything and embrace a new wave of technology which enables us to get lost inside our imagination The Brit winning four-piece have built their reputation as one of the world’s most captivating live bands. Over the summer the band headlined not one but two UK festivals -Latitude and Standon Calling, and played a further two sold-out shows at Hampton Court Palace Festival. With over 11 million records sold, 6 U.K. Top 40 singles, and 1.5 billion video views, Bastille continue to be one of the world’s most streamed bands.
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ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS
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ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE
The UK’s First Flying Taxi Hub Set To Be Built In Coventry THE WORLD’S first urban airport dedicated to electric airtaxis and drones has received funding from the UK government. Called Air-One, the transport hub is set to open - as part of Coventry’s ‘City of Culture’ celebrations - in November. Its creators, a new company called Urban Air Port, will use the event to demonstrate how an off-grid, hydrogen-powered urban airport would work. In essence, the site would provide a space for the charging and loading of drones that would ferry deliveries around the city. This could ease congestion in city places packed with delivery vans and therefore improve air quality. The project also has ambitions to host electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), which could shuttle passengers into the city centre and back. Urban Air Port aims for the Air-One to be a hub at the heart of a network of drone traffic corridors – with one of the proposed ‘highways in the sky’ being the 15km route between Coventry and Kenilworth, which is currently being mapped out.
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T
he desire for selfexpression is fundamental to the human condition. It is one of the principal reasons clients are drawn to Rolls-Royce, which offers matchless opportunities to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible and challenge established convention. Our Black Badge series of motor cars captures this spirit in extremis. And today, we look at how individualism, iconoclasm and even outright rebellion pervaded the marque’s history from its inception and continues to inform the unique offer Rolls‑Royce extends to its
contemporary clients. Although their backgrounds could hardly have been more different, the company’s founders both successfully challenged norms and conventions that might otherwise have bound them to unthinkable mediocrity. Henry Royce overcame poverty, deprivation and a lack of formal education to become a world-class engineer who created ‘the best cars in the world’, eventually being ennobled for his achievements. Cambridge-educated The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls was born an aristocrat: he could have chosen a life of ease, indolence and privilege, but opted instead
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for the grease, grime and frequent peril of early motorracing and aviation, becoming a leading pioneer in both fields. Today, we would call them ‘disruptors’ – outliers, visionaries and subversives who shape the world by doing things in ways no one else ever dreams – or dares – to try. No wonder then, that the marque has always proved so beguiling to others who share their rebellious nature. The Black Badge family of Rolls-Royce motor cars, launched in 2016, is the ultimate expression of this spirit of individualism, self-expression, creativity and iconoclasm.
And while clients have a virtually unlimited choice of exterior finishes, one colour above all still consistently exerts a special fascination and powerful allure when applied to our motor cars – just as it has throughout the marque’s long history. Black. The colour black has long been associated with power, strength and authority. It is intense and substantial. Black also speaks of elegance and confidence. Over the decades, there have been many notable examples of bespoke Rolls-Royce motor cars finished in black.
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Conrad Energy Signs 104MWh Battery Energy Storage Order CONRAD ENERGY, the UK’s largest flexible power producer, and GE Renewable Energy have announced the signing of a major framework agreement for the design, manufacture, and supply of GE’s battery energy storage system in the UK. This agreement reflects the commitment of Conrad Energy and GE to supporting the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy and is the next step for Conrad Energy in the build out of their growing 500MW battery pipeline “Battery storage systems are starting to play an increasingly important role in enabling the proliferation of green energy across the UK,” says Steven Hardman, Conrad Energy’s Managing Director. “Their ability to not only store energy but provides grid stability products such as frequency support, contribute to ongoing energy security as the UK creates a future fit power infrastructure.
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MOTORS
150,000 Motorists Now Insured
ZEEKR 001 GOES INTO PRODUCTION
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he most anticipated electric vehicle of the year has entered into production. The first production-ready ZEEKR 001 rolled off the production line earlier today at a special ceremony in ZEEKR’s Intelligent Factory in Ningbo, China. The ZEEKR Intelligent Factory is one of the most advanced vehicle facilities created to date thanks to a 5G+ system that allows for agile and transparent production management. Areas such as the welding section are fully automated with
over 300 robots carrying out the work with limited human intervention thanks to the factory utilizing an industrial grade 5G+ intelligent internet system that allows production to be planned, tracked and checked in a fully transparent manner. In addition, the ZEEKR production process allows for continuous self-optimization, ensuring the quality of each ZEEKR product. For example; the welding production line adopts monitoring systems such as glue application visual guidance, online measurement, and ultrasonic self-inspection, and
uses intelligent self-adaptation for welding control to continually improve the welding process. The ZEEKR 001 was first unveiled in April 2021 prior to the Shanghai Auto Show. Based on Geely Holding Group’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), the vehicle is able to create 400kw of power with max torque of 768 Nm through a twin motor system capable of sending the 001 from 0-100kph in just 3.8 seconds and from 100-0 kph in just 34.5 meters. The 100kWh Z-Battery is able to charge from 10% to 80% within 30 minutes.
Birmingham City Council And ESB Energy Launch New Electric Vehicle Charging Network BIRMINGHAM’S first ESB Energy multicharging hub for electric vehicle (EV) users has been officially opened at a flagship site located on Navigation Street. The hub includes four rapid (50kW) multi connector chargers and two fast chargers (22kW), allowing eight EVs to charge at any one time. Last year, Birmingham City Council announced that it had secured funding through the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) to roll-out 100% renewable energy electric vehicle
charge points across the city. The site on Navigation Street is the first of 394 fast and rapid charge points that will be rolled out across the city over the next two years by EV infrastructure provider and specialists ESB Energy. The Council’s Route to Zero Action Plan, published last year, identified electric vehicle charging as a key priority action, with an ambition to have more than 9,000 charge points installed in Birmingham by 2030.
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OP TUTELAGE – a national policing initiative where police forces issue advisory letters to drivers that appear to have no motor insurance - has encouraged over 150,000 motorists to drive insured. The initiative, led by the NPCC’s National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) and supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), was introduced in January 2020 to help reduce uninsured driving levels across the UK. By using MIB’s Motor Insurance Database (MID) – a central record of all active motor insurance policies in the UK - police forces can quickly identify any vehicle that appears not to have insurance and send the registered keeper an advisory letter. Results have been highly successful with 151,464 drivers correcting their insurance status to date following over 215,000 advisory letters issued thus far, which equates to around 3 in 4 people.
BEAULIEU UNVEILS NEW BOND EXHIBITION FOR NO TIME TO DIE
NO TIME TO DIE filmmakers gathered at Beaulieu as Lord Montagu made a Bond-style entrance by driving into the National Motor Museum in an Aston Martin DB5 to launch the new Bond in Motion – No Time To Die exhibition. Dressed in a black tie and dinner suit, Lord Montagu unveiled the display of the iconic cars, gadgets and costumes from No Time To Die with the film’s Special Effects Supervisor, Oscar-winning Chris Corbould. Guests and Beaulieu visitors saw the first glimpse of Bond’s iconic silver birch Aston Martin DB5, as Lord Montagu pulled back its cover to reveal the stunt
car’s sensor-activated machine guns and rolling LED number plate. Tim Browning also stood with fellow guests beneath the submersible glider he designed for the movie. The glider, named ‘Stealthy Bird’ by Q, now perches in its new home overlooking the exhibition. Lord Montagu said: “Exhibiting Bond cars in the National Motor Museum is a great way of combining our subject – the history of motoring right up to the present day – with one of the best known themes from the world of entertainment. "I am delighted that Eon have given us the opportunity to stage
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this exhibition as I feel sure it will be very popular with our visitors.” Chris Corbould said: “The Bond in Motion – No Time To Die exhibition sums up everything we did in the film. "The original vehicles are all there in one place to see – from the classics to up-to-date and even state-of-the-art cars. It’s a wonderful collection.’’ Bond in Motion – No Time To Die follows in the footsteps of Beaulieu’s popular Bond In Motion exhibition, which opened ten years ago showing 50 original vehicles from 50 years of Bond.
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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THE SOUND SYSTEM CULTURE LIVES ON Y ou do not realize the importance of sound system culture, the true importance of it and how it has been a platform for many stars of today. Joining us on our podcast is the internationally successful and Birmingham’s very own Winston Mexican, founder of Luv Injection Sound and comedian John Simmit who celebrates 29 years of putting bums on theatre seats. You will hear in the interviews the relevance of sound system and how for many it was their social media and only way to be heard. Log onto the Street Cred Magazine podcast and get a true insight into the world of old skool before the YouTubes, the facebooks, the MTVs. How to be heard and seen was on the streets! Music truly is power
and we are honoured to have these legends of Birmingham share their stories about the culture and how relevant sound systems were to their lives. Nothing beats the real old skool, it’s a true feeling and so good to know that there are still people highly successful doing things the old fashioned way. Speaking of old fashioned, even down to the CD’s nothing beats when you buy an album, take the music and place into the player and let it roll. Pr reading the lyrics on a vinyl. Seems its all still here and even stars like Craig David, Elton John and Sting are realizing that this is missed by many to have a CD for your memories and collectors item. Hardcore promo by celebrities are pushing to get music lovers to have physical copies of music. The old skool lives.
l PMark Dwayne with the founder of Luv Injection Sound, Winston Mexican, and right, legendary comedian John Simmit
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The Phoenix Newspaper - November 2021 - Page 35
Page 36 - The Phoenix Newspaper - November 2021
ENTERTAINMENT Aakash Odedra Company’s Virtuoso Solo Show Returns
RISING is the solo show that launched the extraordinary performer and choreographer Aakash Odedra onto the dance scene. On November 17, it will return to Birmingham Hippodrome where Odedra is also an Associate Artist. First performed in 2011 at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio, Rising notably featured solo works by three of contemporary dance’s biggest stars; Akram Khan, Russell Maliphant and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui – alongside work by Odedra himself. As critic Judith Mackrell said at the time, it was: “the dance equivalent of a redcarpet event”. Each of the choreographers used Odedra’s background in the classical techniques of Kathak and Bharatanatyam to explore process, aesthetics and a new way of looking at the solo dancer. The result was an exceptional contemporary programme which won Odedra his second Bessie nomination for Outstanding Performer and a Dora Award (Canada) for Best Male Performance.
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Coventry University host Korea Day Festival
C
oventry University and the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) staged an exciting programme of fashion, dance and music to celebrate Korea Day last month at the university’s Coventry city centre campus. The Korea Day Festival, which celebrates the friendship and understanding between Korea and the UK, was hosted by Coventry University’s Korea Centre kicking off at Square One inside The Hub building. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, His Excellency Gunn Kim, opened the event alongside Ian Dunn, Coventry University’s Provost. Hosted in collaboration with Korean societies in the UK, the day-long celebration of Korean culture, from the traditional to the contemporary, comprised live performances, great food and Korean cultural experiences, with attendees being treated to a Hanji Hanbok Fashion Show (traditional Korean paper costumes) supported by the Jeonju Fashion Association and performances by Y Dance Project, KDSCU (K-Pop Dance Society Coventry University) and Korean Senior Citizens UK, before renowned Royal Opera House stars Haegee Lee and David Junghoon Kim take to the stage. A Korean Day Festival Art Exhibition was launched, with
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works from artists including; Young Sook Park, Chan Hyo Bae, Mee Kyoung Shin, Dong Won Lee, Kum Young Kown, Byung Chan Kim, Hyun Jung Koh and Young Hun Ham. The exhibition will be on display until October 30 at CU Coventry. Ian Dunn, Provost, Coventry University, said: “We were delighted to host the Korea Day
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Festival together with the Korean Cultural Centre to celebrate Korean culture in Coventry at a time that we are also celebrating being the UK’s City of Culture for 2021. The event was open to all and we looked forward to welcoming everyone who attended.” His Excellency Gunn Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of
Korea to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, said: "I was delighted to be invited to the Korea Day Festival. “The event gave everyone a chance to learn about Korean culture through various performances. I hope everyone who attended the festival fully experienced the charm of Korea."
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