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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain
STANDING in front of a West End musical director, a professional vocal coach and a class full of singing enthusiasts, I begin to question all the life choices I've made that have got me here. I don't often get nervous, but I'm now expected to start singing – aloud, and in a room full of people! Advertisement 7 Sunbathing meets singing in Spain 7 Huerta Belinda villa is a majestic mansion Credit: Olly Hewitt I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show. I love musicals – I've seen Jersey Boys, As a sound therapist, I know that belting out your favourite songs releases feel-good endorphins that can help to boost your immunity and lower stress levels, and that singing in a group amplifies these benefits. But, even with that knowledge, I've never actually sung in public, not even karaoke. Advertisement Joining the cast This six-night retreat is hosted at a sprawling mansion-style villa, Huerta Belinda, complete with an A-lister-worthy pool, intricately tiled courtyards and views of Morocco. Stepping in, I feel like I've made it to the judges' houses on The X Factor, and that either Nicole Scherzinger or Simon Cowell will walk through the door any minute. Once we're past introductions, musical director Steve Moss of Les Misérables and And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Our days are filled with vocal warm-ups, ensemble singing, smaller group vocal tech sessions, where we learn about things like breath control and posture, and one-to-ones to improve individually. A performance director also chats to us about staging and 'acting through song'. Exploring the Beautiful Costa de la Luz Each day of vocal work starts at 10am, ends in the early evening and also features group rehearsals for the live public concert we're working towards. There's some downtime to sit by the pool and soak up the sunshine, have a massage (for an additional cost) or use the sauna, but most of us end up using the time to try to memorise the lyrics. Advertisement The idea is to be 'off book' for the show. Of course, all that singing builds up quite the appetite and, luckily, all meals (except one when we go to a quaint local hotel for dinner) are included. Think continental breakfasts with eggs in the morning, mezze-style buffets at lunch and huge, hearty paellas, casseroles and roast chicken with veg for dinner. There's also an endless supply of crisps, biscuits and cakes to snack on throughout the day, as well as sliced ginger, lemon and hot water on tap for throat-soothing teas. Advertisement Sing for your supper Like any good ensemble cast, we are made up of a wide range of people – men and women, aged from 23 to 50-plus, with a doctor and teacher in the mix. More than a handful have sung at previous retreats – one lady is on her fifth visit – and inevitably, there's an open-mic session in the main living room after dinner each evening to show off what we've learned each day. 7 Huerta Belinda is a tranquil villa Credit: Olly Hewitt 7 The rooms at the singing retreat aren't too shabby Credit: Giles Bracher Advertisement This place is a karaoke fan's dream come true! If I'm honest, my first one-to-one session feels like an extreme version of rejection therapy. Luckily, Steve happens to be one of the most charming people I've ever met, so I'm not even offended when, in between kind words and gentle encouragement, he tells me I need about 20 more lessons to become a half-decent singer! Still, I leave the session feeling in awe that I'm learning from an industry leader at the top of their craft, and I'm excited to see where this experience will take me. Advertisement As the week goes on, we're also treated to an outstanding guest masterclass with West End star and vocal wizard Luke Bayer. After the session, everyone is left buzzing with energy from his tips and direction, especially when he ends it with a bonus private performance of Dear Bill from the musical Operation Mincemeat. This is Me It's soon Friday night, the soundchecks have been done, the lights are up and the glass-walled garden room of the villa is teeming with locals. MD Steve becomes our conductor, a round of applause welcomes us to the stage and, fuelled by adrenalin, everyone pulls it out of the bag as we perform several hits from the film, as well as an encore of Someone In The Crowd from Advertisement 7 Farzana Ali gets vocal Credit: Farzana Ali 7 Tuck into authentic Spanish paella The four strongest singers also perform solos. I'm so proud of myself and my new pals that, under the bright lights, I resolve to join a choir so I can continue singing when I get home. Advertisement That night's open-mic session is even more jubilant. Emboldened by my time on stage, I agree to be a backing singer for guest tutor Luke as he belts out And You Don't Even Know It from Everybody's Talking About Jamie. We have so much fun and I can't believe I've gone from never singing in public to sharing a mic with a West End stage lead. Read more on the Irish Sun I've been to many retreats, but this one has helped me to connect with myself in a way I didn't realise I was even seeking. Advertisement From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage! FYI Six-night Sing, Eat, Retreat breaks cost from £995, including all tuition, most meals, soft drinks, wine and beer ( Return UK flights to Gibraltar, a 35-minute drive away, cost from £51. 7 Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress, who got married in 1997, husband died in plane crash in 2000, worked with Shah Rukh Khan
In Film industry, there have been actors and actresses who have reached an enormous height of success, but due to tragedy or some unwanted circumstances, they were not able to revive themselves. But there was this one actress who demonstrated remarkable resilience, choosing to reinvent herself after a personal setback. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start anew. The Vidya Sharma Of Bollywood Some of you might have guessed the name of this actor, while some of you may still be scratching your heads. Let us give you a slight hint, this actress was the niece of prominent Bollywood star Smita Patil who featured with many stalwarts of Indian cinema. Now, if you haven't guessed it yet, let us raise curtains for you. Here we are talking about Vidya Malvade, who began her professional life as an air hostess after studying law. In 1997, she tied the knot with Captain Arvind Singh Bagga, who was a pilot with Alliance Air Company. Tragically, in 2000, Arvind lost his life in a plane crash in Patna. The sudden loss plunged her into a deep state of shock, and she even made a suicide attempt to end her life. However, with the support of her family and inner strength, she chose to stay and give herself a second chance. Vidya And Her Second Innings Turning towards yoga and meditation for healing, Vidya started her second innings in modeling and then acting. Her debut came with Vikram Bhatt's action-thriller Inteha in 2003, but it was her role as Vidya Sharma, the captain of the Indian women's hockey team, in Shah Rukh Khan's Chak De! India, which brought her enormous success. Despite the film's success, Vidya faced challenges in her career, with several projects being stalled or not performing well at the box office. However, she continued her journey while exploring opportunities in web series and television. Vidya's Life Blossomed Again With Love In 2009, Vidya found love again and married Sanjay Dayma, who was a screenplay writer from Bollywood and best known for his work in Aamir Khan's Lagaan. Beyond acting, Vidya is also a certified yoga instructor and a motivational speaker, promoting physical and mental well-being. The actress made her last appearance on Netflix' romantic drama web-series 'Mismatched' opposite actor Ranvijay Singh Singha.
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Friday on My Mind: Blasts from the past with ‘Deux femmes en or' remake, Murray Head and Barry Manilow
Entertainment And Life By Friday on My Mind is a highly subjective, curated rundown of five of the cooler things happening in Montreal on the weekend. Deux femmes en or Playing in Montreal cinemas all weekend. Deux femmes en or is that rarest of Québécois films — it's a smart, very funny auteur film that is also a real crowd pleaser. This is not something that our local French-language cinema produces all too often — and when it happens, it usually turns into a big hit. Think Les invasions barbares or C.R.A.Z.Y. or Monsieur Lazhar, films that were hot at the box office here and made a major impact outside la belle province. Just to be clear. I'm not saying Deux femmes en or is as epic as those three films, which happen to be three of the best features made here during the past 50 years. But it is very, very good. On the phone a few days ago with director Chloé Robichaud, I told her that I thought her film was going to be real popular around these parts. Deux femmes en or is a most unusual film. Kind of meta, if you will. It was adapted by screenwriter Catherine Léger from her play of the same name, which I saw and loved at La Licorne two years ago, and the play in turn was inspired by the 1970 film, also titled Deux femmes en or. The original movie was savaged by the critics but was a phenomenon at the box office, selling more than 2 million tickets. It was part of a wave of erotic Québécois films at the time that were pushing the envelope of what could be seen on the big screen. The flick was the story of two bored housewives in the suburbs of Montreal who start having casual sex with guys, including deliverymen and repairmen. Léger's play and screenplay for the new remake brings the story into the present, giving it a high-IQ 2025 feminist perspective. Oh, and it's also often side-splittingly funny. This time round, the two women, Violette (Laurence Leboeuf) and Florence (Karine Gonthier-Hyndman), are just as frustrated and just as willing to embark on amorous adventures outside of their couples. But that's where the comparison ends. Robichaud's film tackles all kinds of contemporary issues, including depression, wilting libido, social media and #MeToo, and it's all from a female point of view, written and directed by women. 'I looked for similar kinds of films in contemporary cinema and I can't say I found many,' Robichaud said. 'Even just a film, especially a comedy, with two female leads. You don't see that often. I'm not saying it's a revolutionary film, but it is about women having the freedom of choice, and I haven't seen that often in recent cinema.' We also don't really see female sexuality often explored in mainstream cinema, I add. 'You also don't often see women who can have sexual desires and not feel guilty about it,' Robichaud said. 'I think the film can be liberating.' And the filmmaker has no issues if people think of her movie as a comedy. 'For me it's a dramatic comedy,' Robichaud said. 'It's a feel-good movie. What I like is that for some people it's just a comedy, and others say it really caused them to reflect about their lives.' Amy Millan Sunday at 4 p.m. at Phonopolis Records. Montreal singer Amy Millan, who is also in iconic local band Stars, launches her first solo album in 16 years on Friday, and she will be making an in-store appearance at Phonopolis, the so-hip-it-hurts vinyl record emporium on Bernard Ave. in Mile End on Sunday. She will do a short performance and will be signing albums. The record, called I Went To Find You, is fab. Her 'real' Montreal solo show will be Oct. 15 at Sala Rossa. Phonopolis Records is located at 207 Bernard Ave. W. Murray Head Friday at 8 p.m. at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. Murray Head, who is on his farewell tour, is another of those odd artists who is something of a footnote everywhere else in the world but for Quebecers of a certain age — guilty as charged! — he was a big part of our youth. His song Say It Ain't So, Joe was a staple on Montreal FM radio in the late '70s and bombed everywhere else. When I interviewed him 20 years ago, he still remembered the review of that song in London magazine Time Out. Their review was short and to the point: 'Say It Ain't So, by Murray Head: It Ain't So.' Hey, we're a distinct society, apparently. Tickets: Barry Manilow Friday at 7 p.m. at Bell Centre. If I am perplexed by the popularity of Murray Head ici, I am downright mystified by the success of Barry Manilow around the world. I just never got Mandy or Copacabana (At the Copa), but hey, each to their own, I guess. I'll take Say It Ain't So, Joe if the choice has to be made. This is apparently Manilow's last-ever show here. Tickets: Porchfest Verdun Saturday at various porches around Verdun. N.D.G. does not have a monopoly on Porchfest, and that's a good thing. There's also one in Hudson (Saturday Sept. 13), and Verdun is hosting theirs on Saturday. The concept is the same — locals playing music for free on their porches. The weather forecast ain't great, but it can't rain all day, right?
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning as 180 MILLION passwords ‘exposed' including Gmail, Netflix and PayPal accounts in huge data dump
A DATA dump containing more than 180million private login details from popular online services has been uncovered by a security expert. The huge haul reportedly includes credentials and passwords for accounts including Facebook, 2 Login details for platforms like Netflix were reportedly among the data dump Credit: Getty 2 Experts believe cyber criminals used an infostealer malware to obtain all the info Credit: Getty Others range from Roblox and Microsoft, to Apple and Discord. Login information for banks, health platforms and even government portals were also exposed. Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler sounded the alarm after finding the publicly exposed database which was not The expert believes the breach may have come about because of common infostealer malware. Read more about passwords Infostealer malware sneakily captures sensitive details from infected systems. They tend to sniff out usernames and passwords stored on things like web browsers, email software or messaging apps. "Many people unknowingly treat their email accounts like free cloud storage and keep years' worth of sensitive documents, such as tax forms, medical records, contracts, and passwords without considering how sensitive they are," Fowler wrote. "This could create serious security and privacy risks if criminals were to gain access to thousands or even millions of email accounts. Most read in Tech "From a cybersecurity perspective, I highly recommend knowing what sensitive information is stored in your email account and regularly deleting old, sensitive emails that contain PII, financial documents or any other important files. "If sensitive files must be shared, I recommend using an encrypted cloud storage solution instead of an email." 6 Essential Safety Tips for Online Shoppers The exposure serves as an important reminder that users must routinely change their passwords. It's not clear how long the database was left for anyone to see, but it's now been taken down. There's also no indication about who may be responsible for the large collection, which had a total of 184,162,718 records. Fowler reported the database to the web hosting platform World Host Group. The company's CEO told "The system has since been shut down. Our legal team is reviewing any information we have that might be relevant for law enforcement." TIME TO TRY PASSKEYS? Here's what security expert Chris Hauk, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Pixel Privacy, told The Sun... 'Passwords are both hard to remember and in most cases, easy to guess. "I would venture to say that most users (especially older users) will reuse passwords, simply because of all of the websites and apps that require sign-ins. "While password managers do help, they are at best, a stopgap measure and do not offer full-ranging security for your login information. "Passkeys offer the advantage of eliminating the need to enter an email address and password to log in. "This is especially handy when users are logging in on an iPhone or Android device. "Passkeys have multiple advantages over passwords. Passkeys cannot be shared or guessed. "Passkeys are unique to the website or app they are created for, so they cannot be used to login elsewhere like a reused password can. "Plus, passkeys cannot be stolen in a data breach, as the passkeys are not stored on the company's servers. "But are instead are a private key stored only on your device, where biometric authentication (like face ID or Touch ID) is required to use the passkey.' Image credit: Getty
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel ‘Entirely Committed to Making a Full Recovery,' Daughter Alexa Ray Says
Following news of Billy Joel's battle with a brain disorder, the Piano Man's daughter Alexa Ray Joel turned to social media to thank his fans for their support as well as share a hopeful prognosis for her father. 'I just wanted to thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of love and support amid the recent news of My Father's health diagnosis,' Alexa Ray wrote in an Instagram post Saturday. More from Rolling Stone What's the Brain Disorder Forcing Billy Joel to Cancel His Tour? An Expert Explains Billy Joel Cancels All Concerts After Brain Disorder Diagnosis Metallica, Billy Joel Docs, Miley Cyrus Visual Album Lead 2025 Tribeca's Music-Heavy Lineup 'My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known… and he's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.' On Friday, Joel canceled all the concerts on his schedule after revealing a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles. 'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,' a statement from Joel's team said. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.' The genuine care, empathy, and concern from everyone means so much to him… it means a lot to me, too,' Alexa Ray added before quoting her father's song 'Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel),' ''Someday We'll All Be Gone / But Lullabies Go On And On / They Never Die / That's How You And I Will Be.' The music continues…' Alexa Ray's mother and Billy Joel's ex-wife Christie Brinkley also sent well-wishes to him on social media, writing, 'The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery… you turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison .. I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone in that room when I say please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you're OUR piano man. And we're always in the mood for your melodies And we all hope you're feeling alright!' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
