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Laureus Legends announce pioneering Model City Hong Kong ahead of showcase Sevens event

They have set world records, won Olympic gold medals and lifted the Rugby World Cup, and today an illustrious group of Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors joined together to celebrate Laureus’ charity partnership with the Hong Kong Rugby Union ahead of this weekend’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Laureus Sport for Good became the first […]

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They have set world records, won Olympic gold medals and lifted the Rugby World Cup, and today an illustrious group of Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors joined together to celebrate Laureus’ charity partnership with the Hong Kong Rugby Union ahead of this weekend’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Laureus Legends announce pioneering Model City Hong Kong ahead of showcase Sevens event
Laureus Legends announce pioneering Model City Hong Kong ahead of showcase Sevens event

Laureus Sport for Good became the first ever official charity partner of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2018. The ongoing support of this incredible event is helping Laureus to improve the lives of children and young people. In partnership with HKRU, funds raised at this year’s event will help support Laureus Sport for Good’s work both in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. To date, the partnership between the Union and Laureus Sport for Good has raised $1,135,000 HKD.

In Hong Kong to help support Laureus’ long-term plans were track and field legend Michael Johnson, Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Li Xiaopeng and Rugby World Cup winners Bryan Habana and Nolli Waterman. Also supporting the partnership were Hong Kong Laureus Ambassadors Asian Games silver medal winning swimmer Lee Ying Shih Vivian and triathlete Daniel Lee Chi Wo.

The Laureus legends visited the Sevens Central fan activation zone in Hong Kong to engage with young female rugby players from the Laureus-supported Childfund Pass it Back programme from Laos and Vietnam, along with local sport for development organisations Operation Breakthrough, InspiringHK and Deaf Rugby. The interaction between the sporting legends and programme participants was a powerful demonstration of using sport as a driving force to enhance the lives of children and young people.

The engagement is one of several planned in what is a day-long celebration of the HKRU’s community outreach with numerous clinics held for members of Hong Kong’s schools, community groups and the HKRU’s wheelchair and deaf rugby programmes.

Funds raised throughout Sevens week in Hong Kong will also help support the development of Model City Hong Kong, a pioneering initiative Laureus has brought to New Orleans and Atlanta in the USA and London in the UK, and is now bringing for the first time to Asia.  Based on research Laureus has carried out in Hong Kong, combined with focussed discussion groups with various stakeholder groups conducted over the week before the Sevens, Model City Hong Kong will focus on using sport as a tool to support mental health and well-being. Results of the research will be released at the end of April.

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The focus will be on building coalitions between like-minded organisations, such as educational institutions, social services and other local stakeholders, working together to create long-term measurable and sustainable change in mental health and well-being of children and young people through sport. Laureus also intends to host a Sport for Good Forum in Hong Kong later in 2019, to facilitate knowledge-sharing in the region.

Laureus Sport for Good will also benefit from a new initiative as part of the HKRU’s Green Sevens campaign, which will see the introduction of a reusable cup made from fully recycled plastic inside the stadium. Sevens fans can donate their $10 deposit for the reusable cup to Laureus and the Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation by placing their reusable cup in the ‘cup for charity’ barrels at the end of each day. Over 250,000 reusable plastic cups have been purchased for use across the event.

Laureus Academy Member Michael Johnson, said: “We are so thankful for the generous support we have received from the Hong Kong Rugby Union over the years, and specifically since 2018 in our role as charity partner of this special event.

I have learnt about the issues facing young people in Hong Kong, specifically around mental health awareness and support. Through the long-term engagement of the Model City Hong Kong programme, we want to help community organisations in the area make a real difference to the lives of young people. For me, that’s what sport is all about.

Laureus Academy Member Li Xiaopeng, said: “As a resident of Hong Kong, I’m aware of the challenges and issues young people here face. Our long-term partnership with the Hong Kong Sevens enables us to support organisations who are doing such an incredible job in tackling these issues head-on.

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As Academy Members, we are passionate about Laureus Sport for Good, and after spending time with the young people from Pass it Back, Operation Breakthrough, InspiringHK and Deaf Rugby, it’s clear to me that sport really can help enhance the lives of young people in Hong Kong and beyond.

Robbie McRobbie, CEO of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, said: “We are passionate believers in the power of sport to bring lasting change to young people’s lives. The long standing relationship with Laureus Sport for Good and our own Hong Kong Rugby Union Charity is a natural partnership in shared values. I am excited that the HKRU will be working alongside Laureus to help bring its Model City research and intervention to Hong Kong. Children and young people growing up today face intense pressure from many sources not only in Hong Kong but globally, Model City Hong Kong’s emphasis on helping support mental health and well-being through sport will provide another resource in addressing this particular challenge to young people in Hong Kong.

Laureus currently supports three sport for development programmes who use sport to improve the lives of young people in Hong Kong and a further 13 programmes in seven countries across Asia. Globally, Laureus Sport for Good supports more than 160 programmes in over 40 countries, offering both funding and knowledge-sharing. Each programme Laureus supports is measured against charitable standards set out by the United Nations, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation was established in 2013 and since then has lead the way in the area of “sport-for-change” in the Hong Kong community. Foundation programmes use sport as a medium to tackle social problems and effect change, focusing on the areas of social inclusion, health, disability, education and youth crime. For more information please visit: http://www.hkrugby.com/pages/community.

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MICHAEL MCINTYRE CONFIRMS SOUTH AFRICAN DATES FOR HIS “MACNIFICENT” COMEDY TOUR

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Michael McIntyre remains one of the top-selling comedy tours ever in SA and will perform September 2024, on Thursday 12th at Sunbet Arena at Times Square, Menlyn and Friday 13th at GrandWest, Cape Town.

Much has happened in the five years since his last tour and Michael will be making mirth from the madness of it all. Michael is the host of two of the BBC’s most successful entertainment shows, the BAFTA-winning Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and The Wheel, which he devised and also hosts for NBC in America. His previous tours have sold over four million tickets and broken box-office records around the world. Michael’s return to stand-up is not to be missed!

Age restriction: STRICTLY 14+. Children younger than this will not be admitted even if accompanied by an adult Tickets available at TicketPro.co.za.

Pre-sales from 10 am THURSDAY 28th March.

Follow Real Artist Management on Facebook for access to pre-sales for Michael McIntyre with a code MACNIFICENT for the Menlyn and Cape Town shows.

General Public on sale from 11am Tues 2nd April – i.e. no code required

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Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) Movie Premiere: Where Cinema Meets Couture

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BEAST OF TWO WORLDS AJAKAJU ENIOLA AJAO 3

On Sunday, March 25, 2024, the Nollywood industry saw a historic moment as the much-awaited debut of Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) took center stage at Film House Cinemas, Circle Mall, Lekki. The film’s grand premiere, which was produced by Eniola Ajao in association with Anthill Studios, was a momentous occasion in the history of epic blockbuster movies.

Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) had its much-awaited debut attracting a star-studded cast of industry professionals. A bit of star power was added to the premiere by the presence of well-known people like Toyin Abraham, Mercy Aigbe, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Iyabo Ojo, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Gbenga Adeyinka, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Denrele Edun, Rukayat Lawal, Wasila Coded, Wumi Toriola, Phyna, Peju Ogunmola, Dayo Amusa, Iyabo Ojo, Antar Laniyan, and others.

Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) opened with a grandiose fashion show that went above and beyond the usual moviegoing experience. The red carpet was a glistening display of avant-garde and opulent looks that added even more excitement to the evening’s festivities.

Directed by Odunlade Adekola and Adebayo Tijani, “Beast of Two Worlds” looks at the life of a desperate king facing banishment due to his three wives’ inability to produce a son, he takes a new wife from another world who promises him an heir but her arrival brings unforeseen chaos to the kingdom forcing the king to confront his fears and fight to secure his dynasty future.

The cast includes Odunlade Adekola, Eniola Ajao, Sola Sobowale,  Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Balogun, Ibrahim Chatta, amongst others.

Beast of Two Worlds is set to show nationwide in cinemas from March 29, 2024, and distributed by Film One.

Watch the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17aQ8ibDXVg 

About Beast of Two Worlds

Beast of Two Worlds looks at the life of a desperate king facing banishment due to his three wives’ inability to produce a son, he takes a new wife from another world who promises him an heir but her arrival brings unforeseen chaos to the kingdom forcing the king to confront his fears and fight to secure his dynasty future. 

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Electric Forest Announces Additional Artists for Sold Out 2024 Edition

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2024 ElectricForest Billing Refresh 1080x1350 WEB

New Additions Feature Seven Lions, Sara Landry, G Jones, Hiatus Kaiyote, ODD MOB & OMNOM present HYPERBEAM, Layton Giordani, Boogie T, Cannabliss, Levity, Chaos in the CBD, Emo Nite, Brandi Cyrus + Many More

Taking Place June 20-23 in Rothbury, Michigan

Limited Wristbands Back On Sale Friday, March 29

https://www.electricforest.com

Today, Electric Forest announces 40+ additional artists joining the lineup for its sold out 2024 edition. Taking place June 20-23 in Rothbury, Michigan, Electric Forest remains one of the world’s most interactive festivals, fostering an immersive atmosphere of connection and discovery upheld by the pillars of community, creation, and inclusion.

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Electric Forest’s new lineup additions include melodic bass maestro Seven Lions, experimental bass veteran G Jones, high priestess of hard techno Sara Landry, and Grammy-nominated band Hiatus Kaiyote. The billing expands with techno new school selector Layton Giordani, post-punk revivalists Emo Nite,Nashville’s Brandi Cyrus, Kiwi brother-duo Chaos in the CBD, multi-instrumentalist live legend Boogie T,  Chicago’s rising electronic trio Levity, and the new collaborative project of tech house sensations ODD MOB & OMNOM present HYPERBEAM.

Electric Forest’s latest additions join a stacked roster of headliners including Forest favorite Pretty Lights, the bone-rattling sounds of Excision, and Cyclops Recordings founder Subtronics. A variety of rare collaborative artist sets are also on deck, including EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla + John Summit), LSZEE (CloZee + LSDREAM), and Big Gigantic and NGHTMRE teaming up for their Gigantic NGHTMRE project.

Jam fans can rejoice as The String Cheese Incident returns to perform two Incidents, plus sets from fellow torchbearers of the genre The Disco Biscuits and Umphrey’s McGee. Some of the more unexpected names on the lineup include Grammy-winning singer Nelly Furtado and famed Atlanta hip-hop artist Ludacris, each bringing their iconic sounds to the forest. The list of headliners is rounded out by Belgian techno queen Charlotte de Witte, a solo set from John Summit, and performances by Black Tiger Sex Machine, Ben Böhmer, and Knock2.

This year, Electric Forest will continue its offering of elevated culinary experience add-ons. Highlights include breakfast with a side of sass at the Drag Brunch, a four course meal inspired by the Forest, seasonal produce, and mystical creatures at Forest Feast, Buena Vida, an Agave spirits interactive cocktail tasting experience, and Wig Out Pig Out, a wig wearing authentic BBQ. Additional offerings include Brie Our Guest, Champagne French Fry, The Gouda Life, Forest Food Tour, and Good Life Brunch with Chef Sarah.

Fans will also be able to purchase exclusive guided tour experiences, allowing them to explore Sherwood Forest or experience the Dream Emporium before festival gates officially open. The exclusive tours will give fans an exclusive sneak peek at the new art, installations, and surprises the Forest has to offer while learning about the artists, history, and production process of the festival directly from the Electric Forest team. Sherwood Forest tours will conclude at TheWoodlands Bar for happy hour and are extremely limited capacity.

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Electric Forest also recently announced the full programming for its beloved Plug In Programs, offering fans the unique opportunity to contribute and collaborate directly with the festival’s production teams. Highlights include the Art Installation Sponsorship Program, allowing artists to bring their creations to life in the forest, The Brainery which offers educational workshops and classes, The Wish Machine which grants a wish in exchange for inspirational and charitable deeds done in the community, and the Electric Forest Radio On Air ExtraordinAIRE Program for aspiring radio personalities, show hosts, behind-the-scenes technicians, fan interviewers, and more.

Since 2011, Electric Forest has remained committed to the constant reimagination of what a festival experience can be. It’s this thoughtful and innovative approach to production and programming that has helped foster one of the world’s most dedicated festival communities. It’s a place where acceptance, safety, and self-expression are the most valuable currency, surprise and wonder hide around every corner, and no two journeys are the same.

Wristbands for Electric Forest 2024 are currently sold-out, but limited wristbands will go back on sale this Friday, March 29 at 12pm EST. More information can be found at ElectricForest.com.  Add-Ons, Vehicle Passes, Early Arrival, Group Camping, Shuttles, Lockers, and more can be found here.

The complete list of Electric Forest 2024 artists is available below.

Electric Forest 2024 Lineup (A-Z)

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ACRAZE

ALLEYCVT

ATLiens

AYYBO

Baggi

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Barclay Crenshaw

Ben Böhmer

Black Tiger Sex Machine

Boogie T

Brandi Cyrus

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Calussa

Cannabliss

Cannons

Caspa

Cassian

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Chaos in the CBD

Charlotte De Witte

Chase & Status

Coco & Breezy

Cuco (DJ Set)

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Dimension

Dirtwire

Dixon’s Violin

DJ Susan

DJ Tennis

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DRAMA

Dumpstaphunk

Eggy

Emo Nite

Equanimous

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EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla + John Summit)

Excision

G Jones

Gigantic NGHTMRE

Green Velvet

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Hamdi

Hiatus Kaiyote

INZO

it’s murph

Jenna Shaw

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JJUUJJUU

John Summit

Juelz

Kenny Beats

Kiltro

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Knock2

Layton Giordani

Levity

Le Youth

Lettuce

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LEVEL UP

Levity

Libianca

Little Stranger

LP Giobbi

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LSZEE (CloZee + LSDREAM)

Luci

Ludacris

LYNY

Maddy O’Neal

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MÆSØNIC

Major League Djz

Mascolo

Marsh

Matroda

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Mau P

Michaël Brun

Mojave Grey

NEIL FRANCES

Nelly Furtado

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Neoma

ODD MOB & OMNOM present HYPERBEAM

ODEN & Fatzo

Only Fire

PAPERWATER

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Peach Tree Rascals

Polyrhythmics

Pretty Lights

Próxima Parada

Ranger Trucco

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Rawayana

Redrum

Sammy Virji

Sara Landry

Seven Lions

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Shae District

Slayyyter

Subtronics

Sultan + Shepard

Super Future

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SWAYLÓ

The Disco Biscuits

The String Cheese Incident

Thought Process

Tripp St.

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TSHA

Umphrey’s McGee

Unusual Demont

venbee

Vini Vici

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VNSSA B2B Nala

Westend

Whyte Fang

Will Clarke

Wooli

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Zen Selekta

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Diddy reportedly sells off all his Revolt TV shares to anonymous buyer amidst home raids

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One day after Homeland Security descended upon his residences in Los Angeles and Miami, Diddy has reportedly relinquished his Revolt TV shares. (more…)

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Titanic’s door frame prop that helped Rose stay afloat sells for $718,750

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The floating piece of wood that kept Titanic’s Rose alive has been sold for $718,750 (£569,739) at auction. (more…)

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs breaks silence after federal agents raid his homes

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ team breaks their silence just over 24 hours after Homeland Security raided his homes. (more…)

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