Latest news with #EstherAbrami
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES: THE LEGO GROUP UNVEILS SUMMER FUN WITH FREE MUSIC CREATIVITY WORKSHOP
The Final Workshop of the Summer Will be Held at Select LEGO Stores Across North America from 8/16-8/17 & is Available Online ENFIELD, Conn., July 8, 2025 /CNW/ -- The LEGO Group today announces its third and final Creativity Workshop of 2025, celebrating Summer Fun with Music. Part of the ongoing Creativity Workshop series, this session is designed to ignite imagination and nurture valuable social skills through engaging online and in-store experiences for young creators aged 6–12, just in time for summer break. The upcoming workshops present options for both virtual and in-person participation, all free of charge. The online workshop, hosted by acclaimed French violinist Esther Abrami, inspires children to explore the joy of music through LEGO building. Families are invited to join Abrami as she guides them to build their own music-themed creations – including a music stage, musical notes, and a speaker, encouraging them to celebrate summer, creativity, and self-expression. This is coupled with live, hands-on events at select LEGO Stores across North America that invite young creators to build their own microphone with the help of expert Brick Specialists. Both guided, interactive experiences are designed to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster a deeper appreciation for music. Here are more details on the two ways to get involved: Creativity Workshops – Held at select LEGO Stores on Saturday, August 16 th and Sunday, August 17 th, these sessions invite young creators to explore music by building their own music-themed creations with expert guidance from Brick Specialists. Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance at T&Cs apply. Creativity at Home Online Workshops – Led by French violinist Esther Abrami, the Creativity at Home Workshop is now available to watch here. Abrami will demonstrate how to create music-themed builds – a music stage, LEGO-inspired music notes and a speaker to celebrate the joy of Summer Fun. Join the fun starting today at Esther Abrami comments: "Music has the power to connect us and bring so much joy, especially during the summer months when everything feels lighter and more playful. I'm absolutely thrilled to partner with the LEGO Group to inspire young creators to combine their creativity with their love for music. It's such a wonderful way for them to express themselves, build confidence, and have fun at the same time. Seeing children use their imagination to create something unique that reflects their personality and passions is truly special. It's these moments that spark a lifelong love of learning and creativity." The Creativity Workshops are part of the LEGO Group's commitment to championing and standing up for girls' creativity, with different themes throughout the year including Friendship, Botanicals and Summer Fun. To watch online now and purchase a ticket to attend an in-store Creativity Workshop at a LEGO store near you, visit About the LEGO Group The LEGO Group's mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine. The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean "Play Well".
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
BAFTA TV Awards viewers ‘disgusted' as beloved star is snubbed from In Memoriam segment – but there's a good reason
BAFTA TV Awards viewers have been left feeling 'disgusted' as a beloved star is snubbed from the In Memoriam segment - but there's a good reason. The star-studded ceremony was held at the Royal Festival Hall and hosted by Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming. 5 5 During the ceremony, French violinist Esther Abrami performed the song 'Apple Tree', as a tribute was paid to the TV careers of several actors, presenters and other notable figures. Among them were TV doctor Michael Moseley, EastEnders and The Bill star Roberta Taylor, Going for Gold host Henry Kelly, Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, and Dr Kildare and Shogun actor Richard Chamberlain. Coronation Street actor Timothy West and Man About the House star Brian Murphy were also included - after their omission from the Bafta's earlier this year sparked criticism reported The Independent. But fans were left unimpressed as they noticed that Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star Dame Maggie Smith, and star of stage and screen Dame Joan Plowright had been missed from the list. 'No Maggie Smith?? Feels like quite an oversight,' said one person on social media. Another added: 'They left out Dame Maggie Smith from the list of those who died during the last year. DISGUSTING. SHAME on you." "No mention of Dame Maggie Smith when remembering those who died in the last year. Shame on BAFTA," stated another. A furious viewer wrote: 'Bafta TV Awards snubbed Maggie Smith and Joan Plowright, even if they are know mostly for film/theatre. 'They did a lot of TV, especially in the early days when they did plays on TV and period dramas especially Shakespeare. "Maggie Smith was in iconic Downton Abbey. Plowright has a Golden Globe and Emmy for TV!' Celebrating Dame Maggie Smith: A Life on Stage and Screen Another angry fan said: "No Maggie Smith tribute!! That's outrageous!" However, there was apparently good reason for them not to appear in the segment, as they had both received special tributes at the Bafta Film Awards In Memoriam segment earlier this year. Actors who are more closely associated with television and known for their TV achievements are usually honoured at the TV event, while those whose roles are more aligned with movies are honoured at the Film Awards. Dame Maggie Smith died in September 2024, aged 89 after an incredible sixty year career. She won two Oscars: for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979. She also played many brilliant characters from the formidable school teacher Jean Brodie, to Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series to Violet Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey. Dame Joan Plowright, who retired in 2014 after becoming legally blind, died in January this year. She was best known for her roles in Dennis the Menace, 101 Dalmatians and The Entertainer, as well as Enchanted April, which earned her an Oscar nomination in 1993. She was also married to industry veteran Lord Laurence Olivier. 5 5
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BAFTA TV Awards 2025: Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo put on a loved-up display on the red carpet as they joke around with Laura Whitmore
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo put on a loved-up display on the red carpet of the BAFTA TV Awards 2025. The awards ceremony with P&O Cruises is taking place at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Among the early arrivals on the red carpet were former Made In Chelsea stars Jamie and Sophie. Sophie looked sensational in satin ruched light pink gown, which featured a high leg split, one shoulder sleeve and cut-out at the bodice. She paired the stunning gown with gold strappy heels, while Jamie looked dapper in a black shimmery suit with a navy shirt and bowtie. The pair were seen joking around with Irish presenter Laura Whitmore on the red carpet as the former Love Island host interviewed them. The star-studded evening will see a slew of celebrities take home awards celebrating excellence in TV, as well as a line-up of standout performances. Global music stars Jessie J and Tom Grennan are both set to put on a show at the ceremony, with powerhouse Jessie singing The Award Goes To as her first TV performance in six years. Meanwhile, multi-platinum popstar Tom will play his brand new track Full Attention, in a TV exclusive. Both performances will air during the awards ceremony on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 11 May at 7pm. In addition, BAFTA has confirmed award-winning concert violinist and social media sensation Esther Abrami will be performing Apple Tree for the In Memoriam tribute. Speaking about her performance, Jessie J said: 'I haven't sung on British television in years. What a way to come back, it's an honour. But who will the award go to, that's the question.' Meanwhile, Tom added: 'It's a real honour to have been invited by such a prestigious event as BAFTA to perform in front of so many esteemed actors and creatives.' For the first time, Scottish actor, writer, producer and presenter Alan Cumming will host the glitzy ceremony. Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards & Content at BAFTA, said: 'We're delighted that Alan Cumming will be hosting this year's BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. 'He will definitely bring a playful sense of mischief and fun to the ceremony, so audiences should expect the unexpected at Britain's biggest celebration of TV on Sunday 11 May.' Elsewhere, the nominations for the BAFTA Television Awards 2025 P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award have been announced. From Gavin and Stacey, to The Traitors and Bridgerton, six of this year's most acclaimed TV shows are set to battle it out for one of the ceremony's biggest accolades. The category is the only award in which the public will be able to have their say and vote for their favourite scene. Last year's BAFTA Television Awards delivered an average audience of 2.7 million on BBC One and iPlayer, whilst social media coverage of the night received over 7 million views. In terms of other nominations, Strictly Come Dancing has been snubbed of a nomination for the first time in the show's 20-year history. The BBC favourite had been nominated in the Entertainment Programme category every year since the rebooted version of the show launched in 2004. Meanwhile, Netflix phenomenon Baby Reindeer led the pack with an incredible eight nominations after it proved a global success following its release last year. Richard Gadd who wrote and starred in the series about his own experiences of being stalked is up for Leading Actor, while his co-star Jessica Gunning is in the running for the Supporting Actress award. In the Limited Drama category, Baby Reindeer will face ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which was based on one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history, where hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly accused of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a defective IT system. Mr Bates vs The Post Office received a total of six nominations, while Disney series Rivals and Apple TV's Slow Horses also had the same amount of nods. Ant and Dec, The Traitors and Stacey Solomon's Sort Your Life Out are among the nominees for best entertainment performance. The best leading actress nominees are Anna Maxwell Martin (Until I Kill You), Billie Piper (Scoop), Lola Petticrew (Say Nothing), Marisa Abela (Industry), Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) and Sharon D Clarke (Mr Loverman). David Tennant (Rivals), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Lennie James (Mr Loverman), Martin Freeman (The Responder) and Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) take on Gadd for the best actor accolade. A total of 21 out of 44 nominees in the performance categories have received their first BAFTA Television Awards nomination. Soap star Danny Dyer is among the group who have received their first Bafta nomination in the best male comedy performance category for his role in Mr Bigstuff. In the prestigious best drama category, crime dramas Blue Lights and Sherwood will take on superhero series Supacell and acclaimed period drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Jane Millichip, CEO of Bafta, said: '2024 was a standout year for television, testified by the 134 brilliant programmes nominated by BAFTA members. 'The power of television to drive national conversation, to tap into the stories of public interest, and to inspire societal change, is second to none. And to do this through every genre is even more impressive. 'The drama of sport, the truth of fiction, the humanity of documentary, the poignancy of comedy, serious entertainment – this year's nominees reflect every aspect of the human condition. 'UK television is at the top of its game, and it is a privilege at Bafta to showcase the work of our incredibly talented nominees at the Bafta Television Craft Awards and Bafta Television Awards with P&O Cruises. Tune into BBC One and BBC iPlayer on May 11, not only to find out who wins, but to inspire your next watchlist.' And the official wine sponsor of the evening, Casillero del Diablo, will once again be the drink of choice for winners, nominees, celebrities, and VIP guests alike.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Violinist spotlights women in new album
French violinist Esther Abrami puts female composers in focus on her new album Women, paying tribute to their often-overlooked contributions to classical music. From Oscar winners Rachel Portman and Anne Dudley to historical composers Ethel Smyth and Pauline Viardot, 14 women feature on the record, which was released on Friday. Abrami, a graduate of London's Royal College of Music, describes her third album as "a collection of music and stories from women across the centuries, starting from the Middle Ages all the way up to today". "In 15 years of studying music, I didn't play a single piece written by a woman," she told Reuters. "If I ask anyone who's not into classical music to name me one woman who composed classical music, they're usually unable to. If I ask them to name one man who composed classical music, everybody can at least give you one name. So I think that's kind of what inspired it, I want things to change." On the track list are arrangements of original compositions including March of the Women by Smyth, featuring the voice of fellow women's suffrage activist Emmeline Pankhurst, as well as Wiegala by Jewish poet Ilse Weber, who composed songs for children while at the Theresienstadt camp during World War Two. "I chose pieces that touched me," Abrami said. "(These women) are incredibly inspiring and I hope they can also inspire young girls to want to compose music themselves." Modern touches include Miley Cyrus' hit Flowers and Abrami's own composition Transmission, inspired by her grandmother, who was also a violinist. Abrami, who has a loyal social media following, has long championed the voice of women in classical music, interviewing various figures on her podcast Women in Classical. "I think it's refreshing to hear different pieces of classical music, different composers," she said. Reuters
Malay Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Violinist Esther Abrami pays tribute to female composers in album ‘Women'
LONDON, April 24 — French violinist Esther Abrami puts female composers in focus on her new album 'Women', paying tribute to their often-overlooked contributions to classical music. From Oscar winners Rachel Portman and Anne Dudley to historical composers Ethel Smyth and Pauline Viardot, 14 women feature on the record, which will be released on Friday. Abrami, a graduate of London's Royal College of Music, describes her third album as 'a collection of music and stories from women across the centuries, starting from the Middle Ages all the way up to today'. 'In 15 years of studying music, I didn't play a single piece written by a woman,' she told Reuters. 'If I ask anyone who's not into classical music to name me... one woman who composed classical music, they're usually unable to. If I ask them to name one man who composed classical music, everybody can at least give you one name. So I think that's kind of what inspired it, I want things to change.' On the track list are arrangements of original compositions including 'March of the Women' by Smyth, featuring the voice of fellow women's suffrage activist Emmeline Pankhurst, as well as 'Wiegala' by Jewish poet Ilse Weber, who composed songs for children while at the Theresienstadt camp during World War Two. Weber died in the Auschwitz death camp but her husband, who had hidden her music before their deportation, retrieved it after the war. 'I chose pieces that touched me,' Abrami said. '(These women) are incredibly inspiring and I hope they can also inspire young girls to want to compose music themselves.' Modern touches include Miley Cyrus' hit 'Flowers' and Abrami's own composition 'Transmission', inspired by her grandmother who was also a violinist. Abrami, who has a loyal social media following, has long championed the voice of women in classical music, interviewing various figures on her podcast 'Women in Classical'. 'I think... it's... refreshing to hear... different pieces of classical music, different composers,' she said. 'Even (for) me as a classical musician, when I thought I knew kind of everything about it... at least the main composers, to realize actually there's a whole part of history that you don't know yet. That's super exciting.' — Reuters
