SHOW IDOL COMES TO MERSEYSIDE

THIS September will see one of Merseyside’s biggest open auditions in a bid to find the best of the region’s talent to star in a brand new Roaring Twenties extravaganza that rolls into town this year.

JD Parties, the event specialists are launching Show Idol, an open audition to find the most talented singers, actors and dancers in the area.

The winners will appear in the Roaring Twenties Christmas and New Year events coming to the spectacular grounds of Knowsley Hall later this year.

The Roaring Twenties event, which will play host to a staggering 1,200 per night over an electric programme of 15 shows, has been a springboard for upcoming talent such as female vocalist Stevie Tate-Bauer who has gone on to play Rusty in Footloose, on London’s West End.

The Stanley Theatre (Academy 2) at the University of Liverpool will open its doors on 5 September 2007, for a full day of open auditions. Expectations are high with hopefuls needing to excel in a range of disciplines including; singing, acting and dancing. A panel of judges will choose the winner, the panel will include Paul Walsh from the Showstoppers Agency – Showstoppers Worldwide Entertainments who has over 22 years of experience in the field.

The winners will join the rest of a cast for a set of whirlwind rehearsals in preparation for the Roaring Twenties extravaganza set to light up the region this festive season as well as a paid contract with Showstoppers Worldwide Entertainments for this period.

JD Parties is known for creating magical experiences for their guests – previous events have been staged at Tatton Park in Knutsford on the outskirts of Manchester and at Millennium Point in Birmingham, over the last 13 years they have entertained a quarter of a million guests.

Emma Kelsey, General Manager of JD Parties says:- “This is our first time in Merseyside, so we really wanted to get some local talent involved. All our performers are multi-talented, as well as singing and dancing skills, the winner must have a great personality.”

Audition times on 5 September 2007 are as follows:-

* Dancers 10am registration

* 10.30am – 12 noon dancers audition

* 12 noon singers registration

* 12.30pm- 3.30pm singers audition.

* All singers must bring backing tracks on CD with two contrasting songs 1 musical theatre and 1 swing style but must be able to show the range of the voice.

* 4.30pm – 5pm call backs for singers to show harmony work and movement.

· Male dancers Min hgt 5'10 must be strong in all styles and double work (no tap)

· Miss Tallulah - white female required to play this glamourous character role. Must be small and petite with a large vocal trange and strong chest belt Excellent salary

· Leroy Brown - larger than life character with a good character face and must be able to sing in a swing style along with the ability to sing musical theatre and pop Excellent salary

· Joe singer/dancer - Good character role must have a strong voice and strong movement ability excellent salary

· Two week rehearsal period 17 November 2007 - 30 November 2007 - PAID

· 3 WEEK SEASON 30 November - 23 December 2007 EXCELLENT WEEKLY SALARY

* Please note all artists must have their own accommodation and transport for this contract as no accommodation is provided.

SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 41 - 2/3/4 NOVEMBER 2007

THIS event is now fully SOLD OUT!!! It is now one of Europe’s best loved indoor music festivals is celebrating 20 glorious years with a staggering 40 events to date! Back to rock the rafters of the North West of England this coming November, Southport Weekender continue to celebrate 20 glorious years of putting on events! Having sold out 4 months in advance for the amazing big 40 event back in May featuring the crème de la crème of artists including Angie Stone, Brand New Heavies, Roy Ayers, Incognito and more, Southport Weekender 41 looks set to be an equally incredible event. Having already sold out in July, it’s a testament to it’s ongoing success and popularity.

Attracting 5000 + happy party folk to the indoor Pontins holiday complex in Southport, its dubbed as the UK's friendliest party. Founded by hedonist, Alex Lowes along side cohort Dave Gardner, since it’s beginnings in 1987 at a caravan park in Berwick–Upon-Tweed as a soul music weekender, Southport, now 20 years old, stands as the most musically diverse music weekender in the UK party calendar. Regularly attracting an intimate friendly crowd of dedicated dancers and discerning music lovers, Southport features four purpose built arenas featuring state of the art lavish production and quality sound, each covering all genres of the most exciting soulful music from around the globe with DJ’s, Live acts and PA’s.

The Southport Weekender team said:- "It is a fantastic result and shows just how good for the area is. The event now t brings in so many people from all over the world, from A-list celebrities to dustbin cleaners, all mixing on the dance floor with only one thing in mind, to have a good time and enjoy the music. In no other town in the UK could this be achieved. Southport is the best place to be for an event and the fact we have sold out yet again in record time is yet more proof. We would like to thank the people of Southport yet again for their Support and offer Liverpool, the nearest city a happy 800th Birthday."

Hidden treasures revealed

THE city of Liverpool last week launched a national pilot which will extend the event beyond its usual 4 day run.

Between now and 30 September 2007, over 250 of Merseyside’s most famous sites will open their doors to the public – ranging from The Athenaeum to Anfield Cemetery. There will also be a full programme of associated events, including tours, walks and family activities.

Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council and deputy chair of the Liverpool Culture Company said:- “Heritage Open Days is an opportunity to take a closer look at some of our most iconic architecture and learn more about the city around us.

We’re delighted to be taking part in the national pilot during our birthday year, giving people even more time to soak up some history at venues across Merseyside.”

Heritage Open Days offers free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. It is co-ordinated nationally by the Civic Trust with support from English Heritage and an army of 30,000 volunteers.

The Merseyside programme is organised by the Liverpool Culture Company, all Merseyside boroughs and the Civic Trust.

Full listings for Heritage Open Days events are available at liverpool08.com.

During the month Liverpool will also host a major local history fair and conference. The Big History Show takes place at St George’s Hall between 14 September 2007 and 16 September 2007.

GRAPHIC WARNINGS HERALD END OF 'SEXY SMOKING'

GRAPHIC pictures on cigarette packs intended to highlight the dangers of smoking are aimed at ending the 'sexy image of smoking, says the Southport Euro-MP who introduced the legislation.

The Government will announce today that images highlighting the dangers of smoking will be printed on all tobacco products sold in the UK by the end of 2009.

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies tabled the amendment to the EU's 2001 Sale of Tobacco Directive that allows governments to introduce the picture warnings on cigarette packs. He won cross-party support in the European Parliament for amendments he tabled to the legislation, eventually persuading EU ministers and the European Commission to accept the idea.

The Commission had issued 42 photographs and designs, three to accompany each of the 14 written warnings that currently appear on cigarette packs. After a public consultation 15 images have been chosen for use in Britain.

Mr Davies says his aim has been to curb the peer pressure which leads to young people taking their first smoke, often before they are 16 years old.

Mr Davies said:- "Manufacturers have always tried to present smoking as something that is adult, cool and sexy. Once hooked the addictive properties of nicotine make it hard to give up. The aim of these pictures is to ensure that there is no chance at all of cigarettes ever again appearing glamorous.

Adults should be free to smoke in private, but Government health policy should aim to make sure that people are well informed about possible dangers from all drugs, and tobacco is the biggest killer of all."

Last May, Belgium became the first EU country to introduce the compulsory requirement that the images be used to supplement health warnings on cigarette packs.

The idea came from Canada, where since 2000 cigarette packets have carried pictures to highlight the health risks of smoking. Research shows that the illustrations significantly increase the impact of written messages, with 44% of Canadian smokers claiming that they have increased their motivation to stop smoking.