Colors: Red Color

The Accor Group, the world's largest hotel group, has chosen the formula proposed by Bottega for the BOKAN 38th & 39th Rooftop Bar , the quintessence of luxury, located in the Novotel London Canary Wharf in the financial district of the emerging south London, not far from the center of the British capital.

The large space, called Bottega@Bokan, occupies the entire 39th floor of the skyscraper, offering customers a dual experience: the breathtaking view of the London skyline and the tasting of Italian wines and spirits.

The care of the furnishings and the attention to detail, together with the layout of the tables and the quality of the service, make the time spent in this exclusive location an experience that involves the five senses in the sign of relaxation and refinement.

The collaboration between BOKAN and Bottega has an ongoing character and is directly inspired by the Prosecco Bar format. Specifically, a selection of Bottega wines is served, including the prestigious Proseccos with a refined packaging and the great reds from Veneto and Tuscany. In addition to them, there are "signature cocktails", whose ingredients include Bottega's distillates and liquors. Everything is accompanied by Italian dishes or some evergreen of the international cuisine.

Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega S.p.A., states. "Our presence on the BOKAN 38th & 39th Rooftop Bar fills me with pride. From the large windows you can clearly see the course of the Thames, the Tower of London and the silhouette of the famous City’s skyscrapers. The collaboration with Accor represents an important milestone for our project and is at the same time an incentive to maintain and further improve the quality of our products and our service. I would like to thank our staff that even in the hardest days, marked by the lockdown, continued to believe in the potential of the Prosecco Bar format and its exclusive mission: to bring to the world the quality of our cuisine and our wines, as an expression of the best Made in Italy".

The Prosecco Bar format was launched in 2014 aboard Viking Group's Cinderella ship, which operates on the Baltic Sea. Over the years, it was then introduced inside the international airports of Rome Fiumicino, Dubai, Birmingham, Bologna, Milan Malpensa and the two Bulgarian stopovers of Burgas and Varna, in Guernsey (Channel Islands) on the terrace of the Slaughterhouse, inside the Grand Hyatt Hotel of Muscat in Oman, in the Seychelles islands on the beach of the Hilton Labriz Hotel (Silhouette Island), in Tokyo on the terrace of the Anchor Gate Hotel, in the English racetracks of Bath and Windsor and, with a different formula, at the Belluno station.

"Prosecco Bar" is a concept created by Bottega with the aim of enhancing the excellence of our country and gratify the palate of the typical consumer. Specifically, the philosophy of the Venetian bacaro is re-proposed, that is, an informal osteria, where food is presented both as "cicheti", that are appetizers to be eaten at the counter, and as more structured dishes to be served at the tables. The matching with Prosecco, preferred for its versatility, and with other Italian wines closes the circle and contributes to make every moment, short or long, spent in a bacaro, a pleasant experience which enriches the spirit and refreshes the soul.

Bottega Prosecco Bar is therefore an evolution of this philosophy that, extrapolated from the Venetian reality, can be reproduced all over the world. The main axis of the project is the "Perfect Match", that is the ideal matching between the typical foods of Italian regional cuisines and the different wines proposed by Bottega. Therefore it is not a selection of starred recipes difficult to reproduce, but a homogeneous ensemble of traditional dishes, capable of giving great satisfaction to palates of every latitude. The wide range of wines, which includes Prosecco, sparkling wines of fine grape varieties, prestigious reds (Amarone, Brunello di Montalcino, Ripasso, Bolgheri), dessert wines, the selection of white and barrique grappas, together with the wide range of fruit and cream liqueurs, make Bottega a leading player in the beverage scene and make it a solid partner that is appreciated for its ability to offer different products with consistently high quality standards.

here were smiles all around as Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum finally welcomed back visitors on Saturday, May 29th after 432 days of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With pre-booked reduced capacity slots in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, the re-opening weekend was hugely successful with over 2000 visitors being welcomed back.  Further slots are available to book across the half-term week as the museum is open every day of the holiday from 10am to 5pm.

Thinktank Science Museum’s re-opening gives visitors their first opportunity to explore a world of wonder at the museum since it closed in March 2020, and to celebrate the occasion a brand-new gallery, Our Changing Planet exploring how humans have impacted the natural world, is now open to the public.

Laurence Butler, Museum Manager at Thinktank Science Museum said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to be able to finally open our doors again after 15 months of closure. To hear children and families enjoying the museum and bringing it back to life has been thrilling and it was obvious that visitors were loving the chance to be back!

“We’ve had so many people say they were glad to return and many clearly delighted to be able to do something normal following months of lockdown and isolation.  It looks like we are going to sell out for the half-term week so if you are planning on visiting make sure you book in advance!”

Thinktank Science Museum is open every day from 10am – 5pm until Sunday 7 June. From 7 June it will open Wednesday – Sunday between 10am and 5pm.

Three University of Wolverhampton graduates and a former Drama lecturer have collaborated to create a new all-female play which is currently being shown at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton.

The Gazebo Theatre creative team, including three graduates from the University’s School of Performing Arts, is known for sharing of History and Herstory and celebrating diversity, particularly in relation to “lesser known” stories.

Re-scheduled from its original Spring 2020 date, the Arena Theatre and Gazebo Theatre will live stream the new show, ‘WANTED’, on Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th and Saturday 5th June 2021 at 7.30 pm.

Pamela Cole-Hudson, Artistic Director and CEO of Gazebo Theatre, studied Theatre Studies and Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton and graduated in 1998. She is one of the writers of WANTED and plays one of the characters in the play.

Pamela has worked at Gazebo for the past 20 years, writing, directing, producing and acting in a range of productions, leading a team of 21 staff at Gazebo as well as previously guest lecturing on the Drama Course at the University. 

Victoria Tew studied for a degree in Drama as well as a Master’s degree in Contemporary Theatre and Performance, graduating in 2015 and 2018. She is the Assistant Director and lead editor on WANTED. A freelance creative, Victoria specialises in videography and editing at Gazebo Theatre, Themis Creative and Transition Stage Company.

Fran Richards studied for a degree in Drama and graduated in 2013 with a first-class honour's degree and the Yasmin Vardimon award for excellence in Physical Theatre. Fran was the Tour Booker and Marketing lead on WANTED. An experienced creative practitioner, Fran has worked with Shakespeare Schools Foundation, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham REP and on projects like Commonwealth Games 2022.

 Therese Collins, a former University Drama lecturer, is one of the writers of WANTED and plays Dr James Barry in the play. Therese has had 23 plays professionally produced and has worked with Pentabus, Hanyong Theatre and Birmingham REP’s tour of Anita and Me and will be appearing in a new BBC drama, ‘My Name is Leon’, due to air next year.    

Following a successful bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council’s Culture Recovery Fund, the Arena Theatre has installed state-of-the-art equipment into its main auditorium to enable the venue to continue to provide the best small-scale theatre the region has to offer. 

Gazebo Theatre Artistic Director, Pamela Cole-Hudson, said: “Gazebo Theatre is proud to have produced this important work which is educational, entertaining and most importantly thought provoking. WANTED may be by women and about women but we believe we have created a piece of theatre that truly is for everyone.”   

Writer, Performer and Director, Tonia Daley-Campbell, said: “We wanted to tell a story about women who have been ‘WANTED’, wanted by the police, by authorities and essentially locked up for acting upon what they believe is right. If you’re interested in history, if you’re interested in storytelling and if you are interested in history – this is the show for you!”  

Writer and Performer, Therese Collins, said: “It is a collaboration and culmination of 5 people who all bring very special aspects, energies and life journeys. I would say this play is for anyone who is open minded and excited to learn. Expect an energised, empowering, beautifully written piece of performative drama." 

For 42 years Gazebo Theatre has been delivering a comprehensive range of high quality and innovative theatre productions and arts programme for its audiences including new shows, site specific work, workshops and short films. Gazebo Theatre has a reputation for telling the stories of historical figures in an innovative, unique and engaging way.  

WANTED is written and performed by Pamela Cole-Hudson, Tonia Daley-Campbell and Therese Collins, the trio wowed audiences in former production ‘THE SISTREN’ and now return to the stage accompanied by Karendip Phull and April Nerissa Hudson, to again explore what women from the past can teach us about our lives today, played out in Gazebo’s inimitable style; powerful drama littered with humour, honesty and heart.  

Arts association and independent film makers Abundant Art has released a new documentary charting the effects of the pandemic on the performing arts.
 
MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK #2020 follows three dancers, as they navigate the succession of lockdowns and the sudden shutdown of their working lives - each one at a different stage of their professional development, each one experiencing that development grind to a halt.
 
So many times, during the pandemic we heard art being labelled as non-essential. 
 
It may be too early to really assess the effects of such misplaced messaging on our society as a whole; as damaging the perception of art puts our ability to project ourselves in the future at a considerable risk, weakening the social fabric and alienating us from our true identity. 
 
In a context where the functional took centre stage, this beautifully understated film performs a task that only art can deliver upon. It provides a fitting allegory to what our collective experience has felt like over the past year.

 

The dancers featured (in order of appearance) are:

Lewis Sharp: who will be continuing his MFA in Dance Performance studies from September from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He is currently also a part of Studio 3 Arts' Groundbreakers Leadership programme.

Krystal Dawn Campbell: who will next be on stage 12th July at Camden People's Theatre and 26th July at The Omnibus Theatre, performing a small work in progress called Dirty Laundry


Aishani Ghosh: who is getting back to face-to-face classes at university, London Contemporary dance School at The Place.


The footage was taken by the dancers themselves and has the authentic feel that only undoctored films can convey, with no attempt to dress up the scene as something it is not. 
 
The challenges the protagonists are faced with are somewhat different for each of them as the dancers open up to us, giving a personal perspective on their life, that is strongly contrasted by their in-character performances, that punctuate the film. 
 
Despite the innate technical limitations of such format, the film slowly induces the viewers to tune in to the rhythm of the modern dance performances, allowing the twists, breaks and turns of a modern dance routine to provide structure where there had appeared to be none.
 
Dance becomes the key to unlocking what first may appear as chaos. Elegance of movement, energy and a sense of ever-threatened balance, provide a welcomed framework not just for their performances, but also for the way they approach their respective personal lives, during the pandemic. 
 
Despite the fear that surrounds them, they find the warmth to cultivate their emotions, to find better connections with their families and their communities. 
 
They prove themselves to be essential workers in their own way - as art; the very thing that society seems to have turned away from, gives them the means to forge meaning from the chaos.

Global music star Ed Sheeran has thrown his support behind an England song recorded by a diehard football fan and rapper ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament. T8PES, who releases This Is Football across streaming services on Friday 4 June 2021, counts the best-selling singer-songwriter amongst his friends and fans. 

Sheeran said, “I love this England tune from my old mate T8PES. England’s gonna bring it home – make sure you check the song out!” Described as a ‘people’s anthem’ by Birmingham artist, youth worker and Aston Villa fan Jimmy Davis, who records and performs under the moniker T8PES, the track is a rousing call to arms for fans to get behind Gareth Southgate and team progress through the major sporting event.

Unlike previous international tournaments, the FA has not endorsed an official single ahead of the delayed championships as yet. As bookies slashed the odds of England winning the tournament – moved to June 2021 following the global pandemic – to clear favourites, the song comes at the perfect moment to rally support following a difficult year for sports and music fans alike.

T8PES said: “The last 14 months have been a rollercoaster for musicians, footballers and their fans. It’s a dream to be combining two of my biggest passions – I’m putting This Is Football out there for supporters of all teams to unite under one song and help cheer England all the way to the final. The great England songs of the past like Three Lions and Vindaloo were not official so I'm hoping the country takes this tune to their hearts as we all get behind the team.

"After the year we have all had, the Euros could be a joyous explosion and This Is Football will be part of it.” The track features a myriad of musical styles, including rapped verses from T8PES, guest vocals from emerging local talent Wolverhampton indie singer Jack Cattell and Hertfordshire pop artist Zoe Philips, as well as the brass section from UB40’s favourite tour support band Kioko.

Jimmy said: "This is 2021 and women's football is thankfully now part of our culture so it would have been unthinkable to release a song with just blokes on it. Zoe's vocals give the track a fantastic feel of euphoria which is hopefully what we will all be feeling when England go all the way!" The track’s cross-over appeal could see it rocket up the charts as England progresses through the tournament which starts on June 11.

Villa-supporting T8PES has penned football-based lyrics and freestyles about the ups and downs of the beautiful game in his weekly Premier League Wrap Up which led to MUTV asking him to perform on the channel. And whilst his great grandparents hailed from County Mayo in Ireland, T8PES is a diehard England fan. The 39-year-old has watched every England game in European and world tournaments since the age of 9 when he was holidaying in Italy during Italia ‘90.

“I’ve wanted to write a football song for as long as I can remember. I’ve tried before but never quite hit the mark. I even remixed one of my songs into a footy-related track but it just didn’t really work. The fact that I’ve managed to nail it and write an England song this time around makes it even more special.”

Jimmy's personal story is one of triumph over adversity overcoming drug addiction, petty crime and homelessness to become a music star and a mentor to a generation of youngsters in his native Birmingham as a youth worker. His career highlights over the last two decades include performing with Ed Sheeran at Glastonbury in a long term collaboration which the global star has credited with contributing to his spectacular success.

This Is Football is out across all streaming platforms from 0001 Friday 4 June 2021.

Alanis Morissette announced new tour dates for her 2021-2022 world tour to celebrate 25 years of Jagged Little Pill.  The 35-date US tour will kick off August 12, 2021 in Austin, TX. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will hit cities like Dallas, Nashville and Denver before wrapping in Los Angeles, which by popular demand, will include a two night special at The Hollywood Bowl on October 5th and 6th. 
 
On this special anniversary tour, Alanis will perform her iconic album Jagged Little Pill in its entirety, as well as a variety of hits including tracks from her latest album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road. The tour has also added some new stops including, Kansas City, MO, Denver, CO, San Diego, CA and Las Vegas, NV. The tour will then travel to Europe stopping in various countries including Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy and Spain, before wrapping in the UK with 2 nights at the O2 Arena in London. The Australia, New Zealand and Philippines leg of the tour has been moved to November 2022.
 
Alanis also released a new duet with Willie Nelson of his song, “On The Road Again” via Epiphany Music. Get it here! 

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