Latest news with #FIJI
Scoop
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Homecoming Festival Fiji To Proceed As Planned In Honour Of Late Founder George ‘FIJI' Veikoso
Press Release – Homecoming Fiji This years Homecoming will stand as a powerful tribute to FIJI honouring his legacy and lifelong dedication to music, culture, unity and the spirit of Fiji. The team behind Homecoming Festival Fiji confirms that this year's event will proceed as planned on September 5th, 6th and 7th at King Charles Park in Nadi in honour of FIJI. In the wake of the heartbreaking passing of our beloved founder and dear friend George 'FIJI' Veikoso, we have made the collective decision alongside the family and estate of George 'FIJI' Veikoso to continue on with Homecoming Festival and carry forward his vision and dream for the Festival. This year's Homecoming will stand as a powerful tribute to 'FIJI' honouring his legacy and lifelong dedication to music, culture, unity and the spirit of Fiji. We invite fans, friends, and the wider community to come together in celebration of his life, vision the extraordinary, unmatched impact he had across the Pacific and global music landscape. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up announcement on Thursday 14 August. We want to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support during this difficult time. FIJI's vision continues to guide Homecoming Festival, and we are proud to honour his legacy and remain deeply committed to delivering an unforgettable experience in his honour.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Homecoming Festival Fiji To Proceed As Planned In Honour Of Late Founder George ‘FIJI' Veikoso
The team behind Homecoming Festival Fiji confirms that this year's event will proceed as planned on September 5th, 6th and 7th at King Charles Park in Nadi in honour of FIJI. In the wake of the heartbreaking passing of our beloved founder and dear friend George 'FIJI' Veikoso, we have made the collective decision alongside the family and estate of George 'FIJI' Veikoso to continue on with Homecoming Festival and carry forward his vision and dream for the Festival. This year's Homecoming will stand as a powerful tribute to 'FIJI' honouring his legacy and lifelong dedication to music, culture, unity and the spirit of Fiji. We invite fans, friends, and the wider community to come together in celebration of his life, vision the extraordinary, unmatched impact he had across the Pacific and global music landscape. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up announcement on Thursday 14 August. We want to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support during this difficult time. FIJI's vision continues to guide Homecoming Festival, and we are proud to honour his legacy and remain deeply committed to delivering an unforgettable experience in his honour.
Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fringe reviews #5 : You sit down at the Cube Stage and wake up in the beer tent
THE DIRTY BUCKET COMEDY SHOW No Cheat Codes Productions Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (Venue 24), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐⭐ This later-night (9 p.m. throughout its run) standup comedy show features a rotating cast of comics who take some thematic cues from slips of paper dropped into the dirty bucket of the show's title — so depending on who's performing and the calibre of the subject matter provided by the audience, the show could go in a number of directions. Opening night was hosted by Mike Green and featured shorts sets from him, Benji Rothman, Emmanuel Lomuro and Jordan Wellwood, who all did good work with the subject matter provided. The subject voted best of the night wins a prize — 'Winnipeggers on the Epstein list' took top honours on opening night (disclosure: this reviewer's suggestion) and led to a couple of hilarious moments. The comedy had some edge to it, but was hampered slightly by the sometimes odd or uninspired suggestions, which also impacted the 45-minute-long show's flow. For the comics to truly shine, fringe-goers best bring their raunchiest ideas for the dirty bucket and see what kind of magic they can cook up. — Ben Sigurdson FIJI Theatre by the River Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (Venue 10), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Equal parts disturbing and endearing, Fiji might be the most twisted rom-com you'll ever see. Winnipeg-based Theatre by the River, known for producing 'theatre that gets you talking,' delivers a sharp, high-stakes staging of this 60-minute dramedy. What begins as a seemingly awkward hookup quickly takes a dark and unexpected turn in a story inspired by a grisly early-2000s true-crime case. The heartfelt and darkly funny show premièred at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2021 and is captivating enough to be expanded into a full-length mainstage production. Chris Sousa and Chase Winnicky share undeniable chemistry, skilfully shifting between macabre discussions and playful banter. Both actors are charming and talented, but it's Winnicky's scene-stealing a cappella rendition of Tiffany's I Think We're Alone Now, paired with his lovable performance, that will make you want to just eat him up. And in a show like this, that's only partly a metaphor. — Jeffrey Vallis IAGO VS HAMLET Rod Peter Jr. MTC Up the Alley (Venue 2), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ British Columbia-based fringe stalwarts Jon Paterson and Rod Peter Jr. have honed the popular Iago vs. Hamlet into a well-oiled, delightfully funny 45-minute (not 60 as advertised) mashup of some of the Bard's best-known lines delivered by two of his most fascinating characters. In the fast-paced comedy, Iago (Paterson) and Hamlet (Peter Jr.) bump into each other in a warehouse space they've each purportedly rented, which has clearly been double booked, leaving the two moody leading men to verbally spar before seemingly hatching a plan to sort out the prince's family problems. Hamlet and Iago each have ulterior motives, of course, which they share in asides to the crowd (although, hilariously, they can hear each other's schemes). Paterson, in particular, shines as Iago; Peter Jr. is quite good as Hamlet as well, but his delivery is at times a little hurried. Still, there are plenty of laughs throughout, particularly for Shakespeare fans, and an epic, uproarious final duel is worth the price of admission alone. — Ben Sigurdson OVERSET FOLLOWS:POOL (NO WATER) Kinetica Creative Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐⭐½ Winnipeg's Kinetica Creative takes a deep dive into artistic obsession and the lengths one will go to achieve 'success' in this darkly conceived drama by Mark Ravenhill. Four artist friends (Destiny Klassen, Ciera Durrant, Lauryn Mestito-Dao and Mateo Cardona) take turns narrating their tale of the privileged 'Pool Girl' (Sydney Pacheco), who suffers a catastrophic injury after plunging into a drained swimming pool. As the narrative unfolds, each character reveals their inner demons, including jealousy, resentment and addiction. The ensemble, directed/choreographed by Katelyn Mestito-Dao, works well as a cohesive unit, with actors crisply delivering their staccato lines in the 65-minute (billed as 75) show with conviction, further underscored by effective dance-like movement. However, a few wonky things threaten to submerge the plot, including how the Pool Girl could so miraculously recover from her near fatal accident. But these foibles are forgiven after Cardona's Dylan sums up, 'We took a wrong turn into art and ruined our lives,' the play becoming a cautionary tale for the siren call of temptation in our own, all-too-fallible lives. — Holly Harris THE RAUNCHY ROMP WITH THE RAGING QUEEN François le Foutre Asper Centre for Theatre & Film, U of W (Venue 10), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ The 'most fearsome fruit in all of France,' François le Foutre, makes his fringe debut in this one-man adult comedy. Jam-packed with double entendres and sexual innuendo, the show brings audience members onstage to act out swashbuckling scenes. But heavy reliance on audience participation can backfire, and with only 10 people at the afternoon matinee, the performance wrapped after just 35 minutes (billed as 60). Le Foutre explained the show changes each time, with rotating readings and excerpts shaped by the crowd's energy. The Texas-based performer's physical storytelling — adapted from his self-published romance-adventure series The Seamen Sexology — may be better suited to busking at Renaissance street fairs, where he typically tours his act. Still, this is the kind of show you might enjoy with a group of friends looking for easy laughs, raunchy antics or the chance to get humped on stage by a gay pirate. — Jeffrey Vallis REVIEWING THE FREE PRESS 2 Happy Capybara Productions Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (Venue 24), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Benji Rothman is back again to gently pillory the Free Press and its fringe reviews in his 45-minute show that's in turns funny, sharp and surprisingly endearing. In Reviewing the Free Press 2, he offers modest updates to last year's slide show and monologue detailing gaffes the Freep has made in the past, the inconsistencies/bias in the paper's fringe reviews, and the sometimes-ridiculous nature of reviews in general. One of the additions to the show, of course, is last year's 3 1/2-star review from arts and life editor Jill Wilson. (And yes, Jill, the projection height has been adjusted.) So, assuming this review will appear in the slide show of shame in Reviewing the Free Press 3 (or maybe even sooner): Rothman's delivery and timing work well (brief technical glitch on opening night aside), earning plenty of laughs from the small but engaged crowd. While some of the review snippets highlighted were cherry-picked a little fast and loose to fit his argument about the inconsistent nature of reviews, it doesn't change the fact that he's mostly right. — Ben Sigurdson ROB AND JENNY'S FIRST DATE Dark Horse Theatre John Hirsch Mainstage (Venue 1), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐ ½ Longtime friends Rob and Jenny, finally unattached to others, have decided to get together, hitting La Grenouille for their first date. Over the course of the next 70-ish minutes it's one calamity after another. Front and back of house are disasters from top to bottom, from cantankerous outgoing server Diego (the slyly funny Mike Seccombe) to Simon, the stuffy manager, to the over-the-top French chef Gaston. More bad news: feared restaurant critic Liselle shows up with her date Jasmine, who has dated both Rob and Jenny. Awkward. Unfortunately 'awkward' is the best description of the production, which could stand to be tightened up to an hour and can't seem to decide what it wants to be. The restaurant staff's interactions with the diners provide some clever laughs, but by contrast the over-the-top physical comedy from the nervous, bumbling Rob (think Jack Tripper from Three's Company) feels misplaced. Jenny's innuendo-laden dirty talk and some offstage raunchiness hint at something sexier, but is contrasted by tender, well-timed wisdom and heartfelt reflections by Ambrose, a fellow diner (played touchingly by Dave Pruden). Many of the components are good, but they don't come together to form a satisfying whole. — Ben Sigurdson SHAKESPEARE: SAY IT! Schindel Says Productions Rachel Browne Theatre (Venue 8), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐⭐ Vancouver-based performer Dana Schindel sells her interpretation of Romeo and Juliet as a 'goofy, fun time' — and for the most part, she's not wrong. In this bare bones staging of the pared-down text, handpicked lines from Shakespeare are projected onto the wall for the audience to shout out from their seats, with a handful of pre-assigned audience participants featured in character roles. It's the kind of interactive concept that might work well in a high school theatre class, but during the 45-minute performance, the balance occasionally tipped too far toward the audience, who ended up doing most of the work. In several moments, Schindel's audience soloists even outshone her. That said, it's easy to root for the earnest and affable Schindel in her playful fringe debut. She takes her role as director and guide seriously, keeping the crowd engaged even if the mid-show dance break drags on longer than it needs to. — Jeffrey Vallis SMALL FISH Small Fish Rachel Browne Theatre (Venue 8), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ Small Fish is a very silly fishbowl brimming with queer humour and joyful absurdity. Created and performed by Ottawa comedy pals Glenys Marshall and Maggie Harder, this hour-long revue features super sexy standup and sweet, sweet keytar music. But the sketches are where things get weird. Good weird. Marshall and Harder have a comfy onstage chemistry that shines during bits about superheroes, the homoerotic magnetism of in-ground pools and disappointing gift horses. Familiar tropes are turned on their heads and stretched beyond recognition. It's the kind of comedy that leans into cringe and somehow lands at wholesome. There are also moments of prop work so smooth they feel like sleight of hand. The action is supported by simple but effective backdrops and sound. Whether doling out regional jokes gleaned from Google or singing about long lost tampon strings, Small Fish is inventive and endearing. — Eva Wasney STACEY-JEAN: LIFE LINES SJeanSProductions MTC Up the Alley (Venue 2), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐ ½ Winnipeg's own Arlene Libich debuts her new work, a monologue chronicling the early life of character Stacey-Jean Sandbury. The 40-minute performance sees Libich take centre stage and pick colourful images off a clothes drying rack, describing how they represent Sandbury's life — from memories of long drives in the countryside, to recalling her mother's struggle with mental illness, and her own rejection in social circles. While the memories are vividly described, Libich's monotone delivery falls short of captivating the audience. She dutifully follows notes written on the back of the images, and at times, continues reading as she turns away from the audience to reach for the next chapter of her life. Despite a complex and challenging childhood, Sandbury finds success professionally and online helping others. It's an interesting premise with an uplifting ending that is wrapped up too quickly. The performance could be refined with stage markings to ensure our protagonist doesn't find herself out of the spotlight as often as she did. — Nadya Pankiw
Emirates Woman
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Emirates Woman
Tired of ordinary luxury? Dubai's Wheely now has on-demand Maybach rides
Life by Aminath Ifasa 33 seconds ago In a city where luxury is measured in exclusivity, Wheely has just raised the bar. The Swiss-British chauffeur service has unveiled W heely Luxe , its most refined tier yet, granting members in Dubai something unprecedented – the ability to summon a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class at will. Until now, the Maybach, synonymous with uncompromising elegance, was reserved for private ownership or bespoke bookings. Wheely changes that, becoming the only platform to offer it on-demand, transforming even the shortest commute into a statement of discernment. The experience is designed for those who consider travel an art form. The experience goes beyond the Maybach's known comfort. With Wheely, t he cabin, a cocoon of hand-stitched leather and polished wood, is subtly scented with Aqua di Parma. Each ride comes with chilled FIJI water and San Pellegrino sparkling water, kept cool in built-in refrigerators, while Colonia-scented hand cream and plush cleansing towels complete the sensory experience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wheely (@wheely) 'These aren't just amenities – they're essential touches for those who appreciate true refinement,' says Omar Maatouk, Wheely's Middle East General Manager. The service also includes practical luxuries like USB-C and Lightning chargers, plus folding tables for on-the-go productivity. 'This isn't just about transport. It's about delivering a new standard of private travel, where every element is considered', says Maatouk. The launch follows Wheely's recent introduction of an SUV class for business travelers, but Wheely Luxe is a different proposition. This one is aimed at those for whom luxury is not just a preference but a prerequisite. The membership remains tightly curated, ensuring that access feels as exclusive as the experience itself. Wheely's tiered services include Luxe (Maybach S-Class), Business SUV (GMC Yukon), New Business (BMW 5 Series), First (Mercedes S-Class), and XL (Mercedes V-Class), along with airport pickups and Chauffeur for a Day for members. Their exclusive Membership program rewards frequent travelers with global access to premium services, available after 15 journeys or by invitation. In a market saturated with superlatives, Wheely has found a way to make luxury feel personal again. And for Dubai's most discerning travelers, the Maybach is now just a tap away. Learn more about their membership program on For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images & Feature Image: Supplied
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
University documents detail reported hazing and alcohol violations by OU fraternity 'FIJI'
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — The Nu Omega Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, commonly known as 'FIJI,' suspended all activities last fall after reported hazing allegations. News 4 obtained documents from the University of Oklahoma detailing multiple violations. However, the organization has been given the green light to resume operations, per an agreement the fraternity reached with the university. PREVIOUS STORY: OU fraternity temporarily suspended after investigation into reported hazing In the documents received via an open records request, the investigation began during the Fall 2024 semester. In the report, university officials interviewed 42 people in the chapter. A drinking game that new members participated in called the 'Sidewalk Slammer,' involved a Four Loko and a 40-ounce malt liquor beverage that was taped to an individual'shands. The goal of the game was to consume half of the 40-ounce malt liquorbeverage and pour a Four Loko into the bottle, according to the documents. The documents also said new members were passed 'dip sandwiches' to eat. The sandwiches were made of bread covered in tobacco dip spit and filled with tobacco dip. News 4 went to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house Friday for comment and no one answered the door. Students on the OU campus weighed in on hazing and the investigation. Norman woman working to retrieve stolen car after police chase 'It's kind of childish. I think, you know, we're in college. I think we're a little above that,' said Cale Palmer. 'That's kind of where people find their identity, and when hazing is a part of it, they almost like, wear that with a badge of honor,' said Lucy Westemeyer. During the investigation, FIJI requested a formal hearing that started but then stopped due to negotiations with the Office of Student Conduct and the international headquarters. On January 10, 2025, the suspension of activities was lifted. News 4 obtained a statement from the international headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta: The chapter has resumed operation under the authority of a graduate trusteeship and in accordance with an educational agreement with the University. Rob Caudill, Executive Director 'If they are facing such allegations and they were supposed to be suspended until 2028, they might think it's okay to repeat this behavior, since they're not really facing the full consequences of what they were given by the university,' said Alyvia McNeal, a student. At the state level, Republican Senator Brian Guthrie (R-Bixby) introduced a bill that, if passed, would require universities to report any hazing violations to police. Currently in Oklahoma, if convicted, a person can receive a misdemeanor and possibly be fined up to $1,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
