Israel earned the right to host next year’s Eurovision in May when Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the 2018 contest in Lisbon. — AFP Photo Viet Nam News GENEVA — Tel Aviv will host the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time next year, beating out bids by Jerusalem and Eilat, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said Thursday. Israel earned the right to host next year’s Eurovision in May when Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the 2018 contest in Lisbon with a song inspired by the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment. EBU said the decision to chose Tel Aviv was taken by the contest board, which had asked Israeli public broadcaster KAN to present at least two potential candidate cities for the annual competition. "All the bids were exemplary but in the end we decided that Tel Aviv provides the best overall setup for the world’s largest live music event," EBU chief Jon Ola Sand said in a statement. "We are excited to bring the Contest to a … [Read more...] about Tel Aviv beats out Jerusalem to host 2019 Eurovision Song Contest
Music
Traditional German folk music to be played on Hà Nội’s pedestrian street
Big band: The event held in Hà Nội is expected to contribute to the deeper international friendship between Germany and Việt Nam. — Photo reissner-band.deViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Germany’s Reißner Big-Band will play Bavarian folk music on the pedestrian street in Hà Nội on August 11. The musicians of Reißner will carry with them their instruments, including tuba, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, as well as a joyous mood. With a variety of traditional instruments and vast repertoire of songs, Bavarian folk music represents a unique tradition within the cultural landscape of Germany. Bavarian culture is a deeply rooted tradition of music, costumes and way of life. Bavarian folk music is made famous worldwide through folk festivals such as the Oktoberfest in Munich, and played at weddings in Öland and in the city. The event held in Hà Nội is expected to contribute to the deeper international … [Read more...] about Traditional German folk music to be played on Hà Nội’s pedestrian street
Paul Simon to mark touring retirement with new album
US singer Paul Simon, the former half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel, performs at a November 2016 concert in the Spanish Basque city of Barakaldo. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News NEW YORK — Folk rock legend Paul Simon on Thursday announced an album with fresh takes on previously released songs as he prepares to retire from touring. The former half of Simon and Garfunkel, who pioneered world music fusion in the 1980s, previously said that he will stop touring after a September 22 concert at Forest Hills Stadium in the New York borough of Queens, where he grew up. Preparing for his live finale, Simon said he will on September 7 release a 14th solo studio album, In the Blue Light, in which collaborators joining him to reinterpret his songs. "It’s an unusual occurrence for an artist to have the opportunity to revisit earlier works and rethink them; to modify, even completely change parts of the originals," Simon, 76, writes in the liner notes, according to a statement … [Read more...] about Paul Simon to mark touring retirement with new album
Justin Bieber engaged to model Baldwin: reports
Singer Justin Bieber (second right), pictured in 2016, is better known for his off-stage antics. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News NEW YORK — Trouble-prone pop star Justin Bieber will be a married man after popping the question to model Hailey Baldwin whom he has dated for one month, reports said on Sunday. The 24-year-old Canadian heartthrob, who has become better known for his off-stage antics, proposed to the 21-year-old over dinner Saturday night at a restaurant in The Bahamas, the celebrity news site TMZ said. The site quoted witnesses at the restaurant, who said that Bieber’s security team asked them all to put their phones away for the proposal. A representative for Bieber did not comment but relatives of the couple suggested that the news was true. "Proud is an understatement! Excited for the next chapter!" the singer’s father Jeremy Bieber wrote on Instagram with a picture of his son. His mother, Pattie Mallette, simply tweeted: "Love Love Love Love Love … [Read more...] about Justin Bieber engaged to model Baldwin: reports
Jane Birkin recalls memories as she brings back Gainsbourg
Viet Nam News QUEBEC CITY — With her distinctly breathy, coquettish voice, Jane Birkin 50 years ago emerged as the muse to her late partner Serge Gainsbourg. Birkin has revived the legendary French songwriter’s music by singing accompanied by a full orchestra – a format that would have pleased Gainsbourg, who frequently brought in classical motifs. Birkin, who took her Gainsbourg Symphonique Saturday night to Quebec City’s giant summer festival, the Festival d’ete de Quebec, explained some of the memories behind the songs: Je t’aime... moi non plus When Birkin first met Gainsbourg in 1968, the songwriter was heartbroken from a failed romance with film icon Brigitte Bardot. Birkin, a fledging actress from England, had just arrived in France after divorcing composer John Barry. Je t’aime... moi non plus – which means, awkwardly, "I love you... neither do I" – became infamous for its raciness including recorded groans of erotic … [Read more...] about Jane Birkin recalls memories as she brings back Gainsbourg