McPhee says ‘goodbye’ to Symphony by the Sea

After seven years of great music and community involvement, Jonathan McPhee is saying "goodbye" to Symphony by the Sea at the conclusion of its 27th season. McPhee will conduct two performances featuring cellist Wendy Law. Each concert will be followed by a champagne reception for audiences to extend best wishes to McPhee. All audience members invited.

The concerts and receptions will take place Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m. at the Old North Church in Marblehead, and again at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at the Governor's Academy in Byfield. Tickets for both performances are available online, by calling Symphony by the Sea at 978-745-4955, or at the following ticket locations: Arnould Gallery, 111 Washington St., and Comina, 12 Atlantic Ave. in Marblehead; Ted Cole's Music, 30 Church St. in Salem; Borders Books, Route 114, Peabody; The Book Rack, 52 State St., Newburyport. Tickets are $30.

Cellist Law has appeared as soloist with renowned orchestra including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Russian Philharmonic and Juilliard Orchestra. She has performed throughout North America, appearing in such venues as Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Jordan Hall, Boston.

The opening work will be the overture to Mendelssohn's "Son and Stranger," a work written to mark the silver wedding anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn's parents. To brighten the occasion, 20-year-old Felix decided to write a piece of music in their honor, a one-act "liederspiel" (a musical skit mingling spoken lines with songs).

The concert's second piece is Mozart's "Linz Symphony." On the morning of Oct. 31, 1783, Mozart and his wife Constanze arrived in Linz on their way back to Vienna from Salzburg, where they had just spent three months with Leopold, Mozart's father, trying with little success to soften his disapproval of their marriage. Passing through Linz, they were hosted by a certain Count Thun, an ardent lover of Mozart's music. The count invited the couple to stay at his castle, extracting from Mozart the promise that in four days he would conduct the count's orchestra in an all-Mozart concert.

On the evening of the 31st, Mozart wrote to his father, "Because I have not a single symphony with me, I am working at breakneck speed on a new one, which must be ready by Nov. 4." Mozart made his deadline, and the performance came off on schedule.

The concert's third selection is Béla Bartók's "Romanian Folk Dances." Béla Bartók was considered by many to be a musical ethnologist. Béla Bartók was passionately interested in the folk music not only of his native Hungary but of all the Balkan countries as well. The six short "Romanian Folk Dances" were published in 1915.

The concert's final piece features Law in Tchaikovsky's "Rococo Variations." Composed in 1876, a few months before the "Fourth Symphony," Tchaikovsky's "Opus 33" is an attractive, melodic virtuoso piece that stands today as a staple of the cello repertoire.

John in Singapore

AFTER the much-hyped The Police gig drew a bumper crowd and smashed box-office records in Singapore in February, another big name hits the island nation.On May 7, legendary Sir Elton John and his band will play in Singapore as part of The Rocket Man tour at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Regional promoter Live Nation presents the concert and tickets will go on sale tomorrow.

The flamboyant John will be performing with his long-time band, Davey Johnstone (guitars, mandolin, vocals), Guy Babylon (keyboards), Robert Birch (bass, vocals), John Mahon (percussion, drums, vocals) and Nigel Olsson (drums, vocals).

The extraordinary career of John has spanned more than three decades and he has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, making him one of the most popular British artistes of all time.

On this tour, John heads out on the "greatest hits" spin around the globe and his numerous classics include Your Song, Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle in the Wind, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Philadelphia Freedom, Tiny Dancer and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.

The release of Rocket Man compilation last year also marked a huge anniversary for John – on March 25, 2007, he celebrated his 60th birthday while breaking his own record with an unmatched 60th concert at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York. No other entertainer has come close to matching this record.

The superstar has also won numerous awards which include the best British male artiste Brit award 1991, inducted into Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (1994), five Grammy awards (1986-2000), Grammy Legend award (2001), and 11 Ivor Novello awards (1973-2000). John's The Rocket Man tour starts at 8pm on May 7 at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The next big Gang

SOUTHEAST Asia’s main talent search series Gang Starz returns to TV3 on April 27.

Gang Starz 2 will see its “live” weekly concerts begin on May 11 for 13 consecutive weeks.

This time, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand join Malaysia and Indonesia in the regional race to crown the most outstanding new ASEAN pop band.

The first season of Gang Starz last year saw Indonesian R&B trio The Lima comprising Arif, Bony and Tora emerge as champions.
Media Prima Bhd Television Networks chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan said that while the process for determining the winners remained the same as last year â€" 50 per cent based on professional judges’ marks and the remaining half based on Malaysian viewers’ Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes â€" judging standards were more stringent in the new season.

He added the competition is getting stiffer as Thai, Filipino and Singaporean singers are in the race for the grand prize (RM100,000 and a recording contract).

Rocker Faizal Tahir, whose three-month suspension from live concert performances (because of a chest-baring stunt on 8TV in January) ended last Tuesday, returns as the talent search’s host.

However, co-host Putri Andreanna Syigim Mohamad Razalli has been replaced by her fellow Hot FM presenter Fara Fauzana Mohd Fadzil, the reigning Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian Popular Female Television Presenter.

Another Hot FM presenter, Kartini Kamalul Ariffin, who is also the co-host of women’s issues series 3R, joins as a third co-host.

Farid said the show would be divided into four slots namely, the Gang Starz Concert at 9pm on Sundays, Aksi Gang Starz at 5.30pm on Sundays, Blog Gang Starz at 7.28pm Mondays to Fridays and Teropong Gang Starz at 8.30am Mondays to Fridays.

The weekly concert will see the group which obtains the lowest marks eliminated, while 30-minute Aksi features the challenges faced by the contestants in preparation for the concert.

Blog, which runs for 20 minutes, features the contestants’ daily activities Teropong features the latest updates on the show.

Web surfers may get more updates on the show in the blog, SuperStarBabe and they may join the Gang Starz group on Facebook and www.gua.com.my.

Faizal and Fara will co-host the concert while Kartini (or Tini) will present Aksi.

The permanent jury comprises singer and composer Mohd Faizal Maas or Ajai and Singaporean hip-hopper, actor and television personality Sheikh Haikel, while the team of advisers which guides participants comprises composer and lyricist Azhar Abu Bakar or Azmeer, singer Damien Seet of V. E. and choreographer Sazlan Mat Adnan.

Azmeer and Damien coach the contestants in their vocals and performances while Sazlan takes care of their choreography.

The other advisers are Helen Yap (music director), Hanizam Abdullah (communications), Dr Fazley Yaakob (motivation adviser) and Faizal Hamid.

Farid said auditions were held nationwide for two months beginning January in George Town, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur, as well as in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

A total of 12 groups are participating in the contest. They are Malaysia’s One Nation Emcees, Akasia and South Trio, Indonesia’s 3 Voices, D’Reborn and D’Raz, Singapore’s Brown Tone and Faith, the Philippines’s Paragon Child and 3.5 and Thailand’s PZG and Step.

“The programme’s popularity has been proven since it attracted more than 18,000 supporters at its first season’s finals in Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam,” said Farid, adding that the finals also became one of TV3’s top 20 programmes for 2007.

Gang Starz was also shortlisted for the Asian Television Awards in Singapore last year.

Farid said Gang Starz 2 would also be screened in the Philippines, in delayed telecasts.

“The groups from our neighbouring countries will spend four months in Malaysia preparing for and participating in the show.”

Yap said she was confident that the second season of Gang Starz would be more entertaining and exciting as the participation of singers from Thailand and the Philippines would inject greater musical diversity.

Sheikh Haikel said the entry of Thai and Filipino singers would help ASEAN music enthusiasts share ideas on improving their respective music industries and boost performance standards in each participating country.

Faizal said he was happy to return as the show’s host as he was passionate about helping discover the next big regional act.

“There is an immense pool of raw talent in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Gang Starz will give the local and regional music industry world-class acts,” he said.

First solo concert for Sabah-born

KUALA LUMPUR: He may be making waves in Taiwan right now, but for singer Gary Chaw Ge, he only had one destination in mind for his first-ever major solo concert â€" Malaysia.

The 29-year Sabah-born Chaw will kick off his upcoming five-stop Gary Chaw Asia Live 2008 concert tour at the Putra Indoor Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 28, with the remaining stops being Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.

Announcing the news during a video conference from Taipei yesterday, Chaw said that there was never a doubt in his mind that his debut concert would be anywhere else but Malaysia, despite the fact that many of his peers had opted to hold their solo concerts either in Hong Kong or Taipei first.“I’m a Malaysian, and it’s always been my dream to hold my debut concert in Malaysia. To me, it doesn’t make sense to hold the concert anywhere else,” he said.

Although he was reluctant to reveal details about the concert, he did say that it would be produced by a top producer from Hong Kong and would also feature a guest artiste performance.

Chaw released his debut album Blue in 2006, and has since proven to be one of the most popular Malaysian male artistes based overseas, releasing two more albums including his latest, Super Sunshine earlier this year.

Last year, he was chosen to perform in a show commemorating the tenth anniversary return of Hong Kong to China, the only Malaysian to perform at the show.

Grand-Flo enters Vietnam tracking solutions industry

KUALA LUMPUR: Grand-Flo Solution Bhd has established a presence in Vietnam, with its Thai-listed associate Simat Technologies Public Company Ltd acquiring a 40% stake each in Sino Company Ltd, a tracking solutions provider, and High Rich Trading & Service Company Ltd, a barcode labels manufacturer, for a total of RM2.4 million cash.

In a statement yesterday, Grand-Flo said the acquisition marked the group's fourth direct presence in the Southeast Asian region after Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Simat is a 36.75% associated company of Grand-Flo.

Grand-Flo, an integrated tracking solutions provider, signed the sale and purchase agreement in Bangkok yesterday. Signing on behalf of Simat was its chief executive officer Thongkam Manasilapapan, while Nguyen Quyet Thang, president of Sino and High Rich, signed on behalf of the acquired companies.

Grand-Flo's group president and managing director Derrick Tan said: "There is a growing demand for tracking solutions in the country. Among the main factors driving this growth is the increasing inflow of foreign direct investment into Vietnam, backed by more multinational companies setting up their facilities there."

"More noteworthy, too is that Vietnam is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative manufacturing hub to China. This is evident from the increasing number of customer requests through our local clientele to provide tracking solutions in Vietnam," he added.

Tan said the foreign direct investment inflow for Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam, was expected to reach US$14.5 billion (RM46.4 billion) in 2008, growing 11.5% from last year's estimated US$13 billion.

"This acquisition enables us to not only leverage on the acquired companies' knowledge of the Vietnam tracking solutions industry but also tap into their distribution channel, ensuring an instantaneous entry into the Vietnamese market at a low entry cost. With this acquisition, we are a step closer towards becoming a truly regional player," Tan said.

Under the agreement, Sino and High Rich will provide a combined profit guarantee of about RM2.2 million over two years. Tan said with a total valuation of about RM6 million for both companies, it worked out to an earnings multiple of about 5.5 times.

He added that the acquisition would be financed by Simat's internal funds, which will be paid in three tranches within two years.

Thang said "This partnership with a reputable entity like Grand-Flo is certainly a significant development for us, as we stand to gain from the technological knowhow of the parent company, giving us the competitive edge over the other local tracking solution players."

"Traditionally, we have been strong in the manufacturing sector. With the partnership, we will be able to tap into the group's wider regional customer base in other industries such as electronics and FMCGs (fast moving consumer goods), and more importantly their broader product offerings."

The 2008 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival

On the heels of the success of the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, founder and director Lee Brian Schrager and Southern Wine & Spirits of New York are pleased to announce the inaugural Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine magazine. The festival will take place this Columbus Day weekend, Friday, October 10th – Sunday, October 12th, in New York City's legendary Meatpacking District and will benefit the hunger-relief programs Food Bank for New York City and Share our Strength.

Since its inception eight years ago, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has become one of the most prominent events in the country featuring the biggest and brightest names in the food and beverage industry. Its tremendous success rests upon the close working relationship with members of the South Beach community and local business owners. This year's festival raised close to two million dollars for Florida International University's School of Hospitality and its Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

"Creating a sister event to South Beach in one of the greatest food cities in the world is such a rewarding endeavor. New York is home to some of the most celebrated chefs, many of whom have participated in South Beach. The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is an opportunity to recognize this contribution and pay homage to the city of New York," explains Schrager of Southern Wine & Spirits. "The Meatpacking District holds such great history. It also features some of the most fashionable boutiques, celebrity chef restaurants and exciting nightlife. As the festival evolves, we seek to continue and foster relationships with neighborhood businesses as well as important community-based organizations such as Friends of the High Line."

The weekend kicks-off Friday evening with Meatpacking Uncorked, a neighborhood block party featuring the area's great restaurants, retailers and live entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, guests can sample delicacies from their favorite New York City restaurants as well as wines and spirits at the Grand Tasting on Pier 54. In addition, culinary demonstrations, wine seminars, book signings and opportunities to meet renowned food personalities will take place throughout the neighborhood. Building upon the success of 2007, the festival will also include the tradition of SWEET presented by Ferrero Rocher on Saturday night which showcases delicious creations by select Food Network stars and New York City's pastry chefs, chocolatiers, bakers, confectioners and cheese makers.

David Rabin, President of the Meatpacking District Initiative (MPDI) concurs, "When we began MPDI 5 years ago, we hoped that one day we'd grow into an organization that could work on projects like this festival...we are thrilled to be working with Lee Schrager and believe that the MPDI is the quintessential 24/7 NY neighborhood to play host to this event."

MagicBricks.com's Grand Success at the Jaipur Property Bazaar

The Jaipur Property Bazaar'08, an exclusive property fair by MagicBricks.com – India's No. 1 Real Estate Portal, was held at the Birla Auditorium, Jaipur on 15 -16 of March 2008. Over 30 projects were showcased by more than 10 of the major developers, builders, and real estate agents participating at the event.

The exhibition had something for everyone of the thousands of visitors –real estate projects both ready and under construction, residential and commercial properties were on offer all under one roof.

A very pleased Mr. Anand Kumar a businessman from Jaipur said, "There were lots of property options on display at the MagicBricks.com Jaipur Property Show, and for individual buyers like us it was a wonderful opportunity to evaluate different options all under one roof before buying our dream home."

"I found it a good idea, MagicBricks.com has a developed a great concept with this property show inviting all property seekers and sellers to come and meet face to face, it really helps. All in all a MagicBricks.com put together a good show." added Mr. Rajat Shekhawat, another property seeker at the event.

Reputed names that participated at the event included market leaders like BDI Group, My Liberty Homes, Yaduvanshi Developers, Jain Realtors, Tivoli Holiday Village, Gold Dreams Builders & Developers, Ansal API, Homz 'R' US, Octagon, Dream City Projects amongst others.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Padm Vijayvergiya, G.M Marketing, BDI GROUP said, "The Property Bazaars organized by MagicBricks.com have always been very successful events and, we received a good response from property seekers. The recent Property Bazaars where we participated, covering North India, were professionally managed, well-organised events. We look forward to continuing and developing our rapport with MagicBricks.com and participating in the future events as well."

Mr. Aditya Choudhary, Managing Director, Utopia Buildcon remarked, "The property bazaar organized by MagicBricks.com was a very successful event and, builders and developers like us received good response from property seekers."

"The property fair organized by MagicBricks.com was a big successes, they brought genuine buyers with their strong media plan and excellent event management. Their event attracted many walk-ins for us. We look forward to the forthcoming fairs of MagicBricks.com across India and abroad." added Mr. Rohit Suri, CMD, My Liberty Homes.

As the city prepares to invest in the booming real-estate market, investors and individuals arrived at the fair in search of new projects, ideas and opportunities, and got what they were looking for!