October 31, 2011

33 Postcards Movie Premiere At Randwick Ritz Sydney, by Eva Rinaldi



Tonight saw 33 Postcards enjoy its premiere at the Randwick Ritz, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The night was not only a movie premiere but also an event somewhat designed to raise awareness and funds for educational and arts programs, tied into the film.

33 Postcards enjoyed strong media support by popular radio station 2UE and benefiting Sydney Children’s Choir and their Bursary Program, giving disadvantaged kids musical and educational opportunities that would have otherwise likely been out of their grasp.

The acclaimed cast and crew of 33 Postcards enjoyed drinks and bites with their fan base, insiders, and entertainment media, and also lapped up performances from the Sydney Children’s Choir and Chinese Lion Dancers.

Then it was time for the Australian theatrical premiere of the flick.

The film was shot in both China and Sydney, Australia in 2010. It's the story of Chinese orphan Mei Mei (Zhu Lin) who for a decade of dreams about embracing her Australian sponsor Dean Randall (Guy Pearce). It's not until she reaches 16 years of age, when her orphanage travels down under to Australia to attend a Choir Festival, Mei Mei takes the opportunity to look him up. What she finds however is a far cry from the idyllic life he depicted in his postcards. Initially mismatched, together they begin a journey in search of belonging, family, redemption, love and acceptance. It's trial, tribulation, and living to fight and survive another day.

Dean is actually a convict in prison for manslaughter, so you can imagine the issues that brings on.

33 postcards won the Community Relations Commission Award at Sydney Film Festival and Victor Dominello MP NSW Minister aptly stated "33 Postcards, inspired by real life stories, explores how two individuals come together despite two different cultures, ages and unexpected circumstances." This evocative film portrays sensitively how people of vastly different cultural backgrounds can interact effectively in our society." 

This is an unique and touching story that is rarely told about the relationship that some Aussies have with Chinese Orphans.

It's not quite for everyone, but if you like a story of survival, beating the odds and the world coming together as one sort of thing, this is likely for you.

Well done to everyone involved in making the event a success.

Stars:

Guy Pearce, Zhu Lin, Claudia Karvan, and Lincoln Lewis

Produced by: Australia-China co-production












 
 

Websites

33 Postcards

Randwick Ritz

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

October 27, 2011

New Motion Party At Luna Park Sydney, by Eva Rinaldi - 27th October 2011



In the latest of big music gigs to hit Sydney the New Motion Party has gone off with a bang.

We're pleased to report that it was not a train wreck, nor a car accident (sponsored by Hyundai), as if you could have missed the advertising.

Tonight's celebrity list included included Marvin Priest (son of Maxi) and Aloe Blacc.

Make no mistake, Marvin was there to perform to the best of his ability.

He's currently got two of the biggest club anthems on the ARIA charts and you might have guessed that he's the son of reggae legend Maxi Priest.

It's the first time the London-born legend in the making has been to Luna Park.

He joined hip hop-jazz artist Aloe Blacc ('I Need A Dollar').

"I’m excited - I’ve got a new summer anthem to play," Priest said.

We were pleased to find out that Priest has called Australia home for the past two years, soaking it up when he on tour with his famous father.

"I love how relaxed and chilled out Aussies are - they’re just mad cool," he said.

Priest performs what can be described as soul-infused urban club anthems.

He's set to release his debut album Beats & Blips via Island Records on 25th November.

His first single was 'Own This Club' and it climaxed #6 on the ARIA singles chart and went double platinum.

Probed about his success Priest said "I’m blown away by it, I’m happy and excited but it’s what I’ve always wanted, I’ve put in my years and I need to do music."

Priest is happy to see that Australia is really starting to embrace high quality urban dance producers.

Well done to everyone involved with the New Motion Party, and we look forward to continuing to track the success of the artists who performed tonight.

 
 







Websites

Luna Park Sydney

The Crystal Palace

Aloe Blacc

Hyundi (Australia)

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Splash News

US Reality TV Star And Fashion Expert Jeannie Mai in Sydney, by Eva Rinaldi - 27th October 2011



'How Do I Look' was the topic of conversation at King's Cross Barrio Chino tonight.

US reality television star Jeannie Mai and host of the 'How Do I Look' show was the main attraction.

The red carpet came out as Jeannie and a few familiar Sydney faces did their walks and poses.

Then there was the cocktail party which as everyone knows is where lots of gossip gets repeated and people gather around, just making sure they didn't miss out on any goss.

The new show will premiere on Australian pay TV on Thursday 3rd November on the 'Style' channel.

Come November it's tipped new water cooler conversations by females across Australia will do doubt cover 'How Do I Look'?









Websites

Jeannie Mai official website
iheartjeanniemai.com <http://iheartjeanniemai.com/

How Do I Look? website

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Splash News

October 26, 2011

Stevie Wonder Media Frenzy Star City Lyric Theatre; Red Carpet Report, by Eva Rinaldi - 25th October 2011



We know you have heard of Star City Casino, recently rebranded as The Star, but wait for it... introducing you to The Lyric Theatre.  It falls under parent company Echo Entertainment these days.

Stevie Wonder was the headline act tonight, as he performed to an intimate audience of 2000 patrons, paying between $225 to $455 to see the music legend close up.

Around the corner on the red carpet, news media waited for the celebs. The name listed included Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall, Kate Richie and Stuart Webb, Wendell Sailor and wife Tara, Ricki-Lee Coulter and boyfriend Richard Harrison. Does anyone know how much the celebs are getting paid to turn up to Star invites, or is it just a win - win, all done to generate positive media buzz?

Finally, after what seemed like hours for Russell Crowe and beautiful wife, Danielle Spencer did the red, fresh off dinner at the revamped casino aka integrated entertainment complex.

For the record, Stevie Wonder did not do the red carpet. Promoters across Australia, if not the world, are attempting to find out how much money Mr Wonder is making for his intimate appearances at The Star, and that's likely to be something that is kept well under wraps for a while yet.

The Star may be a bit of a media darling at the moment, but nothing lasts forever. The Star would do well to go out of their way to also impress news media who have been quite supportive of the Echo Entertainment owned complex, since they first announced it was going to get a massive makeover.

We've heard that the next trump card for more news headlines will be the official opening of The Darling, the 5 star boutique lifestyle hotel and spa.

Just how long it may take The Star to recoup its almost billion dollar casino revamp investment is unknown, but Echo Entertainment looks to be in this for the long haul, so good on them.






 
 

Websites

The Star

Echo Entertainment

The Darling

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Casino News Media

Splash News

Australia's Next Top Model; Montana Cox wins, by Eva Rinaldi - 25th October 2011


 


Australia's wait is finally over.

Australia's Next Top Model is the ultra talented and beautiful Montana Cox.

The sweet 18 model said she was both surprised and delighted when it was announced Cox was in fact the season 7 winner of the reality television series at the world famous Sydney Opera House.

"I did not think I would get this far", she told the press.

Cox was the fashion biz favourite throughout basically the whole competition and went on to also win the public vote via SMS.

"It was really good to have that support from the industry," she said.

"It gave me a lot of confidence."

The brunette bested runner-up, my favorite, Liz Braithwaite from Bris Vegas and third placed Simone Holtznagel from Wollongong.

Thank god the event was smooth sailing, with no repeat of last year's rather controversial close when Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong contestant as the winner. Even models who progress to high level media identities are not quite perfect.

Foxtel's Fox 8 will show series eight of Australia's Next Top Model in 2012.

It's understood that tonight's 1 hour broadcast did impressive ratings and most advertisers and sponsors were extremely happy with the end result.

What will Australia's teen girls talk about now? Don't worry, there will be something, and of course the New Zealand equal of Top Model is coming up soon too, just to make sure we all get our fix of thin (and healthy) models.

















Websites

Australia's Next Top Model

Sydney Opera House

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Splash News

Splash News Online

October 23, 2011

Taekwondo Championships At Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre YMCA, by Eva Rinaldi - 23rd October 2011

Lui Cantali



Today was our first close up look at the martial arts sport known as Taekwondo.

Taekwondo is a martial art traced back to Korea and is the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae (means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon ) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "art". Taekwondo may be translated as "the art of the foot and fist" or "the art of kicking and punching." Today there was generally more kicking than punching (and no punching to the face, as per the rules).

Today saw the venues youngest players to date compete: Samuel Cantali (4) and Lui Cantali (6). They have both been practising for about 3 months, but today was the first time they have ever competed in such a high level event.

We journeyed out to the Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre YMCA at Riverwood, in Sydney's South West.

It was great to see the former NSW Premier Morris Iemma had also taken the time out of his Sunday to visit the building bearing his name.

A crowd of about 200 was on hand to witness the fights and we understand that approximately 26 matches took place today, with some 50 or so "players" competing.



Isaac Mansour          Morris Iemma        Lui Cantali









Some results...

Isaac Mansour Def Samuel Cantali 7 - 4

Abraham Lekkas Def Karim Mansour 14 - 4

The competitors and their families had fun, and it was a nice touch to see all players getting a medal around their necks' just for competing.

The amenities were excellent and the staff very helpful.

Well done to everyone involved in making the event a success.

Websites

YMCA Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre

World Taekwondo Federation

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

October 21, 2011

Elle Macpherson new face of Invisible Zinc Myer Sydney, by Eva Rinaldi - 21st October 2011

Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson has scored her latest product endorsement, Invisible Zinc, letting the cat out of the bag at Myer Sydney today.

The famous super model is in Australia for both business and family matters (her father Peter Gow fighting a battle with cancer).

Elle looked great as she appeared in the popular Cosmetics Hall.

Friend Melissa Hoyer interviewed Elle on topics such as beauty products, lifestyle and what's she's learned about Suncare. Yes, of course Invisible Zinc got a mention by name, and the news was all good.

Myer group general manager Judy Coomber was very pleased about how everything went.

Elle, thank you for stopping by and letting us get some great shots, and all the best with your exciting business ventures and family matters in Australia.









          Elle Macpherson

Websites

Myer

Elle Macpherson official website

Invisible Zinc

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Splash News

Splash News Online

Def Leppard go hard in Sydney Australia - 20th October 2011

 

Def Leppard have still got it.

Rolling Stone Magazine, the music and entertainment bible, may have labeled the British rock group the "unluckiest band in the world", but the fans and media tonight sure felt lucky to experience them live.

They headlined the Sydney Entertainment Centre tonight, and support group, Heart, showed they had plenty of that. It was Heart's first Australian tour believe it or not and Ann and Nancy Wilson sounded fantastic.

We understand Def Leppard are just coming off a rest, having spent more than a decade on the road.

One may have thought that DL may have slowed down quite a bit, but this wasn't the case. The boys - Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Rick Allen and Vivian Campbell fronted by Elliot, we're here to party big time.

They offered up loud, monster rock, helped along with fist pumping and strong crowd support, joining in for much of the fun.

The track list included Rocket, Animal, Let’s Get Rocked Two Steps Behind.

Base man Savage and the strong one-armed drummer Allen led the open.

The number that many of the crowd had come to see was Pour Some Sugar On Me, with fans going nutso.

Like fellow rock gods, The Rolling Stones, age has hardly put a dent in their performance or sound.

The Sydney Entertainment Centre has been the Sydney home to a lot of great rock bands over the past year and Def Leppard need not play second fiddle to anyone. Heart gave it their all too. Rock on.









Def Leppard



Heart
 
 
Websites

Def Leppard

Heart

Sydney Entertainment Centre

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia