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Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Concert review: Rain doesn't stop the party as Cake close Calgary Folk Music Festival
The rain returned to Prince's Island Park Sunday evening just as headliners Cake broke into Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle, the 1993 single from the California band that began their journey as unlikely rock stars. Article content Roughly half-a-dozen or more songs into the evening, lead vocalist John McCrea looked out into a sea of bopping, sloshing fans in rain-slicked ponchos and asked 'Is it sorta raining out there?' Article content Article content Three days of wet weather had turned much of Prince's Island Park into a muddy mess on Sunday evening, but it would be hard to find anyone in attendance who wasn't wearing a smile during Cake's set. It might be one of the most entertaining, f finales of any folk festival in recent memory. Thirty years after the band hit the mainstream with its unique brand of 'quirk-rock,' McCrea remains one of the most unusual frontmen since David Byrne. These days, he gives off a vibe that suggests a goofy, near-retirement grade-school science teacher letting his hair down on a field trip. But there is no denying his magnetic appeal. Article content Article content After a comically long and epic intro of piped-in triumphant music, the band appeared on stage and eventually kicked off the set with the clever Frank Sinatra and Sheep Go the Heaven. The latter became the first of many endearingly odd singalongs. It happened again with an extended run through the catchy Sick of You and Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, their 1996 English-language cover of the Cuban favourite. McCrea even managed to turn the 2024 single Billionaire in Space, the first new music Cake has released in more than seven years, into a singalong despite the fact that it likely has not be widely heard yet. Steve Berlin, saxophonist for one of Saturday night's headliners, Los Lobos, joined the band for their 2007 cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs and audience enthusiasm hit a frenzied peak when the band played hits such as The Distance and Short Skirt/Long Jacket. On the surface, the band seems like an unlikely stadium act. But those disco bass lines, blasts of trumpet and catchy hooks remain endlessly endearing. Article content Article content It was a nice send-off for audiences after a mucky few days of inclement weather. Article content The festival survived what artistic director Kerry Clarke called 'the soggiest event we've had in years if not decades,' with a sudden thunder storm and downpour halting the music temporarily on the main stage on Saturday. Article content But the show otherwise went on Saturday, with main stage acts Madeleine Peyroux, Le Mamans du Congo X Rrobin, Los Lobos and Steve Earle shaving five to 10 minutes from their sets to accommodate the delay. In the end, the evening came to an end only half-hour after the planned 11:30 p.m. finish. Article content 'We've had bad rain, but probably the worst was 25 years ago where it poured all day,' says Clarke. 'There's always rumours of rain at our festival. In the afternoon the skies open up for half an hour and then it's clear. It's my fault, last year I was complaining about how dry the site was and how there was no grass.'
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
'Folkies have a plan': Calgary Folk Fest crowds prove weatherproof amid rain, mud and record cold
Article content Article content Environment Canada's Sunday forecast called for more showers and a risk of thunderstorms, with highs in the mid-teens. By Sunday afternoon, temperatures hovered at around 14 C as fans in boots and ponchos navigated puddles near the main stage, hoping a break in the rain would persist for the evening headliners. Article content First-time attendee Gail Dunlop came prepared with a poncho, mittens, blanket and umbrella, and said she wouldn't let a little rain stop her from enjoying the festival. Article content 'We're planning to stay right till the end,' she said. 'The weather doesn't seem to be bothering anybody. Everybody's excited and smiles.' Article content Article content Organizers said festivalgoers 'know what they're in for' as they come out to the festival prepared for any weather conditions. Article content 'Folkies have a plan,' Leishman said. 'They'll do the morning shift, and then they go back to their cars and they change into dry clothes (so) they're all set for the afternoon and the evening.' Article content Article content Article content Near the main stage, a group of Edmontonians arrived at the festival early Sunday morning to claim prime spots to see American rock band Cake, the festival's closing headliner. Wearing matching sunglasses while hunkered down on tarps, the group didn't seem put off by the weather, nor the massive mud puddle forming nearby. Article content 'We're definitely coming back (to Folk Fest),' said Liv Nicholls. 'This is like the coolest thing ever. It's so much more chill than other festivals we've been to. Article content 'It's a really fun experience.' Article content Article content
New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
PM's fuel cut and RM100 aid hailed as lifeline by e-hailing drivers, consumers
KOTA BARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's move to cut fuel prices and offer a one-off RM100 cash aid has been hailed as a lifeline by e-hailing drivers in Kelantan and consumer advocates, who say it brings much-needed relief amid mounting living costs. Full-time drivers Daniel, 27, Arif, 24, and Mustakim, 21, said every sen counts. "The RM100 may seem small to some, but for us, it goes a long way. It is a much needed boost that helps us keep going," Daniel told NST. Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) praised the decision to reduce the price of subsidised RON95 petrol from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre under the new targeted subsidy mechanism. Its president, Yusrizal Yusoff, said the public now awaits clarity on who qualifies. "Those left out of the scheme may end up bearing market prices. For those who qualify, this is a vital lifeline — fuel is a basic necessity," he said. Daniel, a full-time e-hailing driver, said fuel is one of his biggest operational costs, alongside expenses for vehicle maintenance. Meanwhile, Arif said, "We hope this is just the beginning, and that more initiatives to support the rakyat, especially those in the gig economy, will follow." Mustakim, the youngest of three siblings, said he would use the RM100 to buy daily necessities for his home. "I'll get groceries for my mother's kitchen — especially sugar, milk, and vegetables," he said. () Among the initiatives are all Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 credit via their MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme and under a new targeted fuel subsidy mechanism, Malaysians will enjoy RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre. This is expected to benefit around 18 million drivers and riders, including youth and gig workers. Meanwhile, consumer activist Yusrizal said the association welcomed the government's announcement, describing it as a move that puts money back into the people's wallets through fuel savings. However, he urged the government to take a careful and inclusive approach when finalising the subsidy mechanism, warning that any missteps could trigger a domino effect that might unintentionally impact other sectors of the economy. The full details of the new subsidy mechanism are expected to be announced by the end of September. The initiatives are projected to benefit around 18 million vehicle users, including youths and gig economy workers. Commenting on the RM100 aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme which will be distributed to all adult Malaysians from Aug 31 to Dec 31, Yusrizal said it would provide immediate relief, particularly for the low and middle income groups. He advised recipients to use the aid wisely. "This one-off aid can at least help them purchase essential items. For many, this might feel like a routine form of assistance because they have received similar handouts before. But even so, it helps, even if only a little," he said. Yusrizal also welcomed the restructuring in electricity tariffs, which is expected to benefit 85 per cent of consumers starting this month. "The reduction is based on a restructuring of the tariff calculation. While it will lower the cost of living for most, those with high electricity usage may still see an increase due to certain unavoidable cost components. "Nonetheless, we welcome the move as a step towards easing the financial burden on the rakyat," he said.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Begging for survival
By now, with so many artists in the entertainment industry having gone public about production houses' inability to compensate them on time, it will surprise nobody to learn that for an actor in Pakistan, relying on paid work remains a pipe dream. Last week, it was director Mehreen Jabbar who poetically but bluntly remarked that artists have to chase their employers "like beggars" to be paid; now, veteran actor and screenwriter Mohammad Ahmed has entered the fray, backing Jabbar's every word with crystal clear precision. Joining the chorus "Mehreen has spoken very clearly about the system and the drama industry, and it makes me so glad," began Ahmed in a video posted on his Instagram handle. "She said plainly what I have been quietly saying for years. The truth is, [production houses] expect us to be punctual and stick to whatever is outlined in our contract – and yes, we do this." Having begun his showbiz career as a screenwriter in 1995 with Tum Se Kehna Tha and taking on acting roles over the years, Ahmed will be familiar to viewers from television dramas Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Sunn Mere Dil last year. With thirty years devoted to showbiz in some form or other, here is a professional who is familiar with the inner workings of the entertainment industry – and with that familiarity comes a strict personal code of ethics. Giving personal examples of the respect he has for his coworkers, Ahmed continued, "I don't think anybody can truthfully say that I have never been late to a set, nor have ever skipped a day of shooting, or left town and disappeared for days on end. I have tried my utmost to be professional and ethical." The Cake star swiftly pointed out, however, that his employers do not reciprocate or adhere to this same level of professional ethics – certainly not when money is involved. Having devoted decades to the industry and now being left with a bedrock of well-earned bitterness to show for it, Ahmed minced no words as he noted, "When it comes to payment schedules, other than the odd production house, I have never seen people being paid on time. A delay of three to four months is extremely normal." Backing up Jabbar's beggar analogy, the unimpressed actor continued, "You have to pretty much clasp your hands together and beg them to pay you. Then they dispense a cheque your way, all the while giving the impression that they are doing you a massive favour, just because they have deigned to pay you. In every project, I feel their aim is to make actors beg for money. It destroys your dignity." Shining a harsh light on the very real need for timely payments in an increasingly difficult financial climate rife with bills and inflation, Ahmed took issue with the ideal notion that an artist's work is above money. "Money is everyone's biggest need," stressed the actor as though pointing out the obvious. "Especially for those people who have no form of income other than showbiz. A production house will make you do a 15 – to 20-hour shoot, but when it comes to giving you a cheque, they either refuse to pick the phone or give you a ridiculous reason for not doing so." For Ahmed, there is only one silver lining in this dire state of affairs: the fact that he is no longer alone in calling out production houses. "Thank you, Mehreen, for saying what you did," he said, a note of warmth entering his voice. "I'm glad that people have started speaking up." Rising dissent If Ahmed sought comfort in Jabbar's slam-dunk takedown of production houses, actor Faizan Khawaja in turn found solace in Ahmed's no-holds-barred summation of the entertainment industry. The Dulhan actor has been absent from screens in recent years, and he propped up Ahmed's scathing verdict in an Instagram Story to explain just why. As a bonus, Khwaja also used Ahmed's words as an eye-opener as to why we are now witnessing an increasing number of news stories of actors spending their last years in poverty. "To all those people who aren't in the media who keep asking me why actors die alone and poor, here is your answer," began Khwaja. "Finally someone had the guts to call them out publicly. And to all those people who keep messaging me saying, 'Why have you stopped working? Why don't you appear on TV?' Well, honestly, some of us don't have the patience to endure such bull**** treatment." With both Jabbar and Ahmed having painted a picture of actors begging for money (a picture that those who have spoken up insist is accurate), Khwaja added that he would rather walk away from a career on camera than sacrifice his self respect. "I'd rather not act than beg for my dues and give another human to flex his managerial position on me," he finished. Khawaja, Ahmed and Jabbar are only the most recent actors calling out the entertainment industry's financial abuse. Last year, Dunyapur stars Khushhal Khan, Ramsha Khan also took to either an interview or Instagram to slam the lack of ethics displayed by production houses. "It's disrespectful not to pay on time because we're there on time," Khushhal had stressed in an interview with the BBC Asian Network last year, a comment that was subconsciously echoed in Ahmed's latest video. "We're giving 110 per cent every single day. The least we expect is to be paid on time." In the same interview, Ramsha added that being financially compensated was a necessity. "I have to pay my bills, man," she had remarked. Unlike Ahmed and his commitment to appearing on set, however, Ramsha illustrated that she had hit upon the perfect solution. "You either clear my cheque or I'm not coming on set," she had noted. Can there be a shift in the way an actor's rights are respected? Will production houses ever be held accountable? Jabbar had bluntly commented that she had witnessed no change in her thirty years in the industry. But perhaps now, with veterans and newcomers alike raising their voices, artists could be closer to a change today than they were thirty years ago.
Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Jennifer Aniston and hypnotist love interest Jim Curtis seen getting cozy in Big Sur a month before Mallorca vacation
Jennifer Aniston and Jim Curtis got cozy in California weeks before their Spain getaway. A Page Six spy spotted the actress, 56, and the hypnotist at the Ventana Big Sur luxury hotel last month. The 'Friends' alum cuddled up to her rumored new beau while dining at the resort's restaurant in June. Aniston's rep has yet to respond to Page Six's request for comment. This weekend, the pair spent more time together in Mallorca with the 'Morning Show' star's pal Jason Bateman and his wife, Amanda Anka. While Curtis' relationship history is not known, Aniston was previously married to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux. Aniston introduced Curtis to her friends in photos obtained by the Daily Mail, and the foursome partied on a yacht later that evening. The Emmy winner, notably, is one of the self-proclaimed coach's half a million followers on Instagram, and she regularly 'likes' his uploads. The 'Cake' star also featured Curtis' book 'Shift Quantum Manifestation Guide: A Workbook for Coding a New Consciousness' in a May slideshow. The Golden Globe winner has remained amicable with her exes, famously hugging Pitt, 61, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2020. She and Theroux, 53, even text and FaceTime each other, the 'Leftovers' alum told Esquire in 2021. 'We don't talk every day,' the filmmaker, who recently wed actress Nicole Brydon Bloom, clarified at the time. 'It would be a loss if we weren't in contact, for me personally. And I'd like to think the same for her.' The exes were photographed reuniting for dinner in 2023 — and Theroux has publicly supported Aniston on multiple occasions over the years, from her fertility struggles reveal to her heated back-and-forth with JD Vance over 'childless cat ladies.' Since their split, Aniston has not gone public with any romances until Curtis. While she did send tongues wagging in March for going out to eat with Pedro Pascal, a source insisted to Page Six that their bond is 'strictly platonic.' Originally published as Jennifer Aniston and hypnotist love interest Jim Curtis seen getting cozy in Big Sur a month before Mallorca vacation
