Student News Media

Monday, March 5, 2012

American Reunion Cast Eat Pie At Harry's Cafe de Wheels, Sydney, Australia

Tara Reid

Jason Biggs

Earlier this morning in Sin City Sydney - outside the famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels to be precise, the cast of 'American Reunion' (better known as 'American Pie') congregated to help promote the Australian release of the latest instalment of their movie.

Fans and media gathered and most agreed that it was a breath of fresh air to have a movie premiere outside in such nice and hip surroundings, rather than at a cinema, which is the norm.

It was a marketing masterstroke to team up the 'American Pie' film franchise with Harry's Cafe de Wheels (which is Australia's most famous and respected meat pie brand... since 1945). Harry's pies are 100% pure beef. Harry's director Michael Hannah was on hand also to inform, educate and entertain the well behaved media pack, and kindly posed for a few photos while we waited for the Hollywood movie stars.

Some of the Pie cast has been "down under" before. Pie actress Tara Reid has experienced Australia before and got to know Australian advertising industry legend John Singleton quite well a few years ago thanks to Singo's Magic Millions racing carnival on Australia's Gold Coast, but we didn't see Mr Singleton today so we suspect "Singo" is currently in a relationship.

'Pie' stars including Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott and Tara Reid arrived in black limos before checking out Harry's and posing for photographs, with a couple of the lad's even taking in a few bites of pie with compliments like "f*ing beautiful" coming thick and fast.

'American Reunion' has been described by a number of media agencies and film critics as the "raunchiest" since the the original 1990s flick.

Public thank you to the great folks at Universal Pictures who were so helpful today, as well as to Michael and the team at Harry's who gave us two cool t-shirts.

We look forward to our next bite of pie, be it Australian or Americans - whatever comes first.

Jason Biggs, Tara Reid

The American Pie Reunion Cast

Tara Reid, Eugene Levy

Jason Biggs

Tara Reid

Mena Suvari

Chris Klein, Mena Suvari

Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Michael Hannah

Chris Klein

Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Seann William Scott, Jason Biggs

Websites

American Reunion official website

http://www.americanreunionmovie.com/

Universal Pictures

http://www.universalpictures.com/

NBC Universal

http://www.nbcuni.com/

Harry's Cafe de Wheels

http://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Mardi Gras Sydney 2012; Kylie Minogue On Parade and After Party 2pm show

The weather in Sin City Sydney was wet, but spirits were sky high.

Expectations were high and this years Mardi Gras delivered.

The massive crowd was really well behaved and all of the police officers we encountered were very friendly and helpful.

Mardi Gras was broadcast worldwide via the internet (powered by Optus) for the virgin time, and about 300,000 spectators crowded along Oxford St and took in the almost 3-hour long show.

There was a wonderful spread of floats and all manner of glitter and sexy creations, with feathers boas, lots of colour, sequin and skin being all the rage.

It's understood that in excess of 9100 friendly folks marched to Taylor Square. Some of our favs included Marilyn look-a-likes, cheerleaders, butterflies and polished up police.

Dykes on Bikes and Love Muscle were both also very popular crowd pleasers.

We counted about 20 of the 120 floats promoting marriage equality, pushing this year's theme of "Infinite Love"

Many politicians got behind the cause, with Federal MPs Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, and State MPs Carmel Tebbutt, Penny Sharpe and Linda Burney all marching in Rainbow Labor’s marriage equality float. State MP Bruce Notley-Smith, who also spoke at the media media conference was on the GLBTI Liberals float.

Many people feel that the amazing Kylie Minogue-themed float was the best. It was designed for Kylie to spec.

Kylie made her first appearance at the Sydney Mardi Gras since 1998.

Minogue, 43, said the event holds great memories for her having attended twice before.

"It’s such a great way to celebrate the relationship between the gay community and myself and everything we have been through together," she said.

"The city feels alive, it's something that is great for Sydney, great for Australia and I am so honoured to be a part of it.".

It was mainly Kylie that also drew a massive crowd to the party at Hordern Pavillion - Royal Hall of Industries - Moore Park.

News Updates...

Kylie Minogue news...

Yes, Kylie is returned to Mardi Gras Sydney tonight. Earlier in the day she put out to the universe: "Please dear, dear Sydney, just keep the rain away while we party, Kylie told Fairfax Media "A lot of effort is still going into the performance on Saturday night and, personally, I'm excited to see the parade and feel the spirit of the city, the spirit of the people and to be part of that is a beautiful thing." Her upcoming appearance at the Mardigrasland Party in the Entertainment Quarter is sold out. Its been 14 years since she graced Mardi Gras and said her 2012 return "just felt right". "It's hard to believe I've been in music for 25 years, and in showbiz even longer," she said. After Mardi Gras, she will present her music in a more stripped-back setting as part of the ongoing K25 celebrations.

Kylie! Australia's pop queen performed at the Mardi Gras party. It as a 20-minute medley of songs stretching from her first album to her most recent, Aphrodite. Minogue's song arrangements are completely tailor-made for the show which took place at the Royal Hall of Industries. Kylie's show began at 2pm, suggesting she's still quite the night owl and party animal. 16 amazing talented dancers supported the pop princess as she wowed the crowd.

Political and People Power outcomes on the way?...

Last year, Barry O'Farrell announced that he would allow a conscious vote for NSW Liberal members on the issue of gay marriage.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard allowed the same for her Labor Party members in 2011, resulting in the party voting in favour of the move.

Greens senator Sarah Hansen-Young, who confessed she was "not a virgin" of the Mardi Gras, said the parade was an opportunity to celebrate how far the Marriage Equality Campaign had come in parliament.

"We have several bills in parliament," she said.

"Tony Abbott now has to step out of the way and let his party catch up with the people."

The parade is an annual event by the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which aims to raise the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities.

Ms Hansen-Young advised the Mardi Gras was an important event not just for those involved but for the nation.

"It (the parade) has grown to the point where it's not just the Sydney community but the whole Australian community saying yes, let's celebrate diversity," she said.

Well done to everyone involved in the preparation of Sydney Mardi Gras.

Websites

Mardi Gras

http://www.mardigras.org.au/

Mardi Gras TV

http://www.mardigrastv.org.au/

Kylie Minogue official website

http://www.kylie.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Friday, March 2, 2012

Jersey Shore News: Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino meets Australian fans

Last night in Sydney, Australia, Jersey Shore's Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and his brother, greeted Australian fans.

It was approximately midnight when brother of "The Situation", greeted fans at the Shangri-La Hotel. He told fans "Joseph and Antonio" that "Mike was tired and was sleeping, but would be down to meet them in about an hour", and Mike didn't disappoint.

Later than night Mike would head off to Kings Cross nightclub Trademark.

Fans waiting at the Shangri-La Hotel would see a little unscheduled action and excitement before Mike would appear.

A hotel manager seeing that a modest size group of fans, no more than 8, was waiting, told the group that if they didn't leave police were called, and less than ten minutes later not one but three police cars were called to the location. Fans and their parents told the police that they were fans and were just waiting for the opportunity to see and speak to Mike, and the police were fine with that. It was quite surprising that police were called in the first place as its understood that the Jersey Shore star is media friendly, appreciates his fans, and that his media manager was also on location.

For those unfamiliar with the mega popular reality TV program, season 4 of Jersey Shore was the most watched series ever on MTV Australia, with the premiere episode earning highest debut for any show in the channel’s history.

Season 5 saw the housemates back on their home turf of Seaside Heights. That's where the fist-pumping magic all began and a pop culture phenomenon was born.

The show will premiere on MTV Australia on Wednesday, 21 March.

We wish the cast and crew well as the reality TV franchise folks enjoy some time in Sydney.

Australian dates and locations where you might just catch them...

Sydney - Friday March 2nd at Trademark Hotel

Melbourne -- Saturday March 3rd at Eve Bar

Melbourne -- Saturday March 3rd at Love Machine

Gold Coast -- Sunday March 4th at Vanity Nightclub

Websites

Jersey Shore

www.mtv.com/shows/jersey_shore/season_5/series.jhtml

MTV Australia

www.mtv.com.au

MTV Australia - Jersey Shore Season 5

www.mtv.com.au/shows/jersey-shore-5

Mardi Gras Sydney Australia 2012 media event, Parade tonight despite weather

The weather in "Sin City" Sydney may be wet, but spirits are high.

This morning Mardi Gras Sydney held its press conference at Sheraton on the Park.

The following speakers were present and addressed the conference of 200 people...

Damien Eames (MC) Party Director Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Peter Urmson - SGLMG Chair

Michael Rolik - SGLMG CEO

Bruce Notley-Smith - Member for Coogee

Ignatius Jones - Artistic Director - Sydney Mardi Gras Parade

Shelley Argent OAM - Chief of Parade

News Updates...

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) are thrilled to announce that high-profile LGBTQI campaigner, marriage equality crusader and much-loved Queensland mum, Shelley Argent OAM, will be Chief of Parade for the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras.

Mrs Argent is the national spokesperson for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and a prominent campaigner for marriage equality and to stop bullying in schools. She has appeared on Australian Story and been awarded an Order of Australia and QLD Senior Australian of the Year for her work.

The appointment has been graciously accepted by Mrs Argent who is said to be honoured.

"This is an acknowledgement of all those parents and families who are supportive of their gay and lesbian loved ones, Argent said. "It also shows me that the community supports and appreciates the work I do."

Kylie Minogue news...

Yes, Kylie is returning to Mardi Gras Sydney tonight.

"Please dear, dear Sydney, just keep the rain away while we party, Kylie told Fairfax Media "A lot of effort is still going into the performance on Saturday night and, personally, I'm excited to see the parade and feel the spirit of the city, the spirit of the people and to be part of that is a beautiful thing." Her upcoming appearance at the Mardigrasland Party in the Entertainment Quarter is sold out. Its been 14 years since she graced Mardi Gras and said her 2012 return "just felt right". "It's hard to believe I've been in music for 25 years, and in showbiz even longer," she said. After Mardi Gras, she will present her music in a more stripped-back setting as part of the ongoing K25 celebrations. On Thursday night, she attended the Sydney Mardi Gras VIP party at Sheraton on the Park, but no Kylie at today's media call, but lots of discussion about her of course, with police sniffer dogs, Dykes On Bikes and the Love Muscle float all enjoying healthy discussion.

Kylie! Australia's pop queen will not only perform at the Mardi Gras party, but it will be a 20-minute medley of songs stretching from her first album to her most recent, Aphrodite.

Minogue's song arrangements are completely tailor-made for the show, to be held in the Royal Hall of Industries at an unspecified time during the night, backed by 16 dancers, all Aussies. The songs are a surprise. RuPaul is confirmed.

Well done to everyone involved in the preparation of Sydney Mardi Gras.

Press Release...

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) are proud to announce today, Optus as the Official Digital Rights Partner for the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras Season.

The Sydney Mardi Gras Parade will be shown online, in high definition on, SGLMGs new dedicated website mardigrastv.org.au , powered by Optus, making the world- famous Parade accessible to a global audience for the first time ever.

This is a game changing opportunity for SGLMG and Optus to transform Sydney Mardi Gras 2012, and deliver a digital experience to the world.

The Sydney Mardi Gras festival will be showcased to a world-wide audience, for the first time at mardigrastv.org.au. The 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras festival is already shaping up to be extra exciting. SGLMG along with strategic partner Destination New South Wales are bringing pop star Kylie Minogue to Sydney to share Sydney Mardi Gras so it is sure to be a show stopper of a year.

Mardi Gras TV will feature exciting content from the three- week festival, high profile artist interviews, official K25 celebrations with Kylie Minogue, and behind-the-scenes highlights that will capture the heart, celebration and soul of Sydney Mardi Gras. Additionally, a special one-hour package of Mardi Gras Parade, will be available to watch from 7.30 pm on Sunday 4 March on mardigrastv.

mardigrastv.org.au will be live from Monday 27 February bursting with competitions, compelling stories and exciting content. You can also access mardigrastv anywhere, anytime, on any device if you want to see all things Mardi Gras on the run! There is no cost to and no log-in requirement to access mardigrastv.org.au. This is on demand, available anytime, anywhere with internet connection.

We are ecstatic that this partnership between Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Optus provides us with an amazing opportunity to share our LGBTQI Parade with a wider audience, says SGLMG CEO Michael Rolik. The digital medium is in-line with current viewing trends and means that people from small regional towns in Australia through to the biggest cities in the world can share in the unmatched excitement that comes with Parade. It will allow our community's diversity and unified message of equality to shine across the world and we couldn't be more pleased.

Located at http://www.mardigrastv.org.au/, the website will allow visitors to instantly access the Parade package the day after the Parade has finished without the need to register or log into the site. This will be live on Sunday March 4th at 7.30pm (EST)

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has enjoyed a great relationship with Optus over the past few years, says Rolik. From a time where the company's gay and lesbian employees marched in the Parade on foot through to the company's Wizard of Optus float last year. They have been a great supporter of our organisation, and this partnership further cements that.

Michael Smith, Managing Director, Optus Consumer said, We are excited to be bringing the world renowned Sydney Mardi Gras to the world stage for the first time. This unique opportunity is an example of how Optus continues to innovate by bringing exciting digital content to our customers through a range of devices and platforms. It builds on our digital partnership with the ARIAs, which saw us bring exclusive behind the scenes content to our customers via mobile, as well as our digital partnership with Football Federation Australia.

http://www.mardigrastv.org.au/ will remain online and active for some time after the Parade so audiences who missed out on the first screening can relive all the excitement that is uniquely Sydney Mardi Gras any time.

The digital rights partnership and mardgrastv concept was developed by Sydney Mardi Gras sponsorship agency, mixitup, a independent brand entertainment company.

Websites

Mardi Gras

http://www.mardigras.org.au/

Mardi Gras TV

http://www.mardigrastv.org.au/

Kylie Minogue official website

http://www.kylie.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Mike "The Situation" and Marc Sorrentino sign autographs at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Michael Sorrentino AKA Mike The Situation from MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” makes his first-ever trip to Australia this month, appearing at the Trademark in Sydney, to meet his Australian fans.

Season 4 of “Jersey Shore” was the most watched series ever on MTV Australia, with the premiere episode earning highest debut for any show in the channel’s history.

Season 5 finds the housemates back on their home turf of Seaside Heights – where all the fist-pumping magic began and a pop culture phenomenon was born — and premieres on MTV Australia on Wednesday, 21 March.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Dannii Minogue launches book Dannii: My Style at Dymocks, Sydney, Australia

Earlier this evening famous Australian singer and model plus Dannii Mingoue launched her new book, Dannii: My Style.

Dannii drew a crowd of hundreds to Dymocks' George St for a book-signing and photograph session.

Minogue, all over Aussie TV at the moment in her role as Australia's Got Talent judge braved the wet weather to do the store appearance, whilst juggling a number of professional responsibility's, not to mention being a busy mum.

Dannii has enjoyed a wonderful career - television, acting, modelling and more, and the book shares lots of that with the reader.

The book shares her fashion sense and style "secrets", illustrated with a number of fan photos of Dannii.

She certainly look a picture of health, much of which is due to great dieting...watching what she eats of course.

Just a few weeks ago Danni had her wax figure done for Sydney's new Madame Tussauds museum at Darling Harbour. Will sister Kylie also get hers done - we suspect so.

Well done to everyone associated with the success of the launch.