Latest news with #Montell
Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Electric Picnic invites budding musicians to perform on festival's newest stage
The largest festival in the country, which already sold out months in advance, will take place in Stradbally, Co Laois, from August 29 to 31. While the headliners include global stars like Hozier, Chappell Roan and Fatboy Slim, musicians of all abilities have now been urged to apply toperform 'solo or ensemble, with up to 4 musical accompaniments' at the festival's newest stage. Curated slots at the piano will run throughout the weekend, with organisers inviting musicians to submit their details and a short video or audio clip demonstrating their talents. There will be space for more spontaneous performances too, but for those who successfully land a spot on the schedule, the space will be equipped with a high-quality 4 channel PA system with a microphone to support live vocals and three additional instruments. The deadline to apply is Monday 18 August, with winning entrants contacted by Thursday 21 August. Meanwhile, voting to name the new piano stage is now open, with festival organisers enlisting Ireland's electoral commission An Coimisiún Toghcháin to tally the votes. "Electric Picnic is now accepting applications from pianists, singer-songwriters, and musicians eager to become part of the festival,' said festival director Melvin Benn. "Whether you're a seasoned performer or simply someone ready to share music with the world, this is your chance to be part of something special.' Anyone who casts their vote will be in with a chance of winning two tickets to the festival – or VIP upgrades if they already secured tickets to the sold-out event in Stradbally later this month. There are eleven options on the ballot, including 'People's Piano', 'Electric Keys', 'The Ivory', 'Chromatic', 'The Picnic's piano', 'Keys at the Picnic', 'The Picnic Piano', 'The Ivory & Ash', 'The Crescendo Stage', 'Wild Keys' amd 'The Grand Stretch'. The poll closes on August 22, with voting now open on the Electric Picnic website. An Coimisiún Toghcháin executive director Art O'Leary said voters will also have the opportunity to check the register ahead of the upcoming presidential election after casting their vote for the new stage. "Once you cast your ballot for the new stage name, continue on and ensure you're registered to vote ahead of the upcoming Presidential election at - it only takes 3 minutes,' he said. Around 80,000 people are expected to descend on the 600-acre Stradbally Estate this summer, with a new wave of acts like Suki Waterhouse, Biig Piig, Maribou State, Montell and Barry Can't Swim to join them. The first five headline acts were revealed in March, with Hozier returning to the festival on Friday alongside Chappell Roan, who has soared to mega-stardom and recently won a Grammy. Other acts who will be taking to the stage include Conan Gray and Irish stars like Amble, Kingfishr, Bell X1, Maverick Sabre, The Academic and Aaron Rowe.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland-to-Auburn railway trail project advances in Legislature
May 27—AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday resoundingly supported a plan that would replace an abandoned rail line connecting Portland and Auburn with a multiuse trail. While lawmakers endorsed the plan in a preliminary 118-26 vote that indicates it will be approved, the project would still need to be funded before any work could begin. Opponents said it would cost about $1 million per mile. Critics of the plan argued Tuesday that the rail infrastructure, which provides a key connection between the Portland waterfront and Montreal, should be preserved in case funding becomes available for future rail service. But proponents argued that restoring rail service has so far proven unfeasible, and that a multiuse trail would provide a safe and healthy alternative for cyclists and pedestrians. The proposal, which faces additional votes in each chamber, divided House Democrats, 13 of whom voted against it. Rep. Karen Montell, D-Gardiner, opposed the proposal, arguing that the trail should be built alongside the existing rail line, rather than replace it. She said a state law requires the preservation of railways to preserve rail corridors for future rail use and limits other activities to temporary, or "interim," uses. "It is my opinion that removing rail tracks would not fit the definition of interim," Montell said, adding that other portions of the rail line are used for freight. "A more sensible solution would be to build a trail along this rail line. ... Rails and trails together could create more economic growth ... than just trails alone." Proponents of LD 30 noted that the proposal won the support of communities along the route. Rep. Amy Kuhn said the project was also recommended by a rail use advisory committee, which included representatives of affected communities and stakeholders. Kuhn said efforts to override the recommendations would subvert a process put in place by lawmakers to consider such proposals. She said the advisory group, which spent months receiving public feedback and studying the proposal, exists to balance the needs of trail and rail proponents, each of which have strong advocates. Kuhn argued against a proposal from Montell that would prohibit the use of state funds for the project and allow a business to delay the project by submitting a proposal to use the rail line. "It is very concerning to me that after a thorough and thoughtful process, which was commanded by the state, that a majority report of community stakeholders can be overturned by a last-minute amendment," Kuhn said. Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, said the proposal does not include any state funding. "This is a many years-long project that's before us that will include significant fundraising, if it's able to move forward," Crafts said. Lawmakers also endorsed a similar project for converting about 29 miles of rail line between Gardiner and Brunswick and a 12-mile stretch along the Calais branch into multiuse trails. They voted against LD 487, a proposal that would have authorized the Maine Department of Transportation to seek federal funding to begin studying an extension of passenger rail service from Portland to Orono. Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, said adding more multiuse trails could help address the number of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities by giving people safer commuter routes. He said LD 29 would represent "a major advancement for public health and safety." "Make no mistake — the best and highest use of these failed rail lines are these trails," Ankeles said. "If we fail to adopt this report, we will not get rail with trail. What we will actually get is a guarantee that nothing will ever happen at all on these lines except decay, abandonment and the squandering of potential in Washington, Sagadahoc and Kennebec counties. In short, economic blight." Copy the Story Link
Edinburgh Live
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly's Montell Douglas declares 'love' for pro partner who 'looked after' her
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Montell Douglas has opened up about her "love" for her former Strictly dance partner and explained how they "really were a team". The Olympian shared insights into the "nurturing" dynamic she shared with her professional partner, Johannes Radebe, when they took to the Strictly dance floor in the BBC dance contest's 2024 series. She described how the South African dancer "protected" her during her time on the show. And, although the pair lost out on the Glitterball Trophy and finished in sixth place, their friendship has endured. Looking back at her experience, Montell explained how the pals "guided each other" through the show. She also detailed how the 38-year-old dancer took care of her. (Image: BBC) Montell told Closer: "We guided each other, which was really great. We really were a team. Sometimes, he took the reins, sometimes I did - we leaned on each other. "And it was like that throughout the whole experience. He really protected me, which is what I love from the friendship. He's really nurturing anyway as a person, and he looked after me and it made my experience." Montell confessed that without Johannes, it would've been a "very different experience" for her, particularly when considering what they went through, adding she's "glad" that it's continued and been "consistent" ever since. It wouldn't be the first time the athlete has gushed over Johannes. Speaking to Closer magazine in November, she described her friendship with Johannes as "lovely". She dubbed him the man she "never knew" she needed in her life, describing how they shared "banter" and would laugh at each other in the training room, "at ourselves". (Image: BBC) Montell said: "When things aren't clicking and you feel frustrated, we just have a laugh. I feel really honoured and grateful; every moment I'm just like, 'OK, this is the best feeling'. " Johannes first partnered up with Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley in 2019, later uniting with Ellie Taylor, tennis star Annabel Croft and Montell, who is also a Gladiator, last year. Montell was born in South London and first qualified for the Olympic team in 2007, competing in the European Athletics Indoor Championships and the World Athletics Championships, reports the BBC. She scooped second place in the Women's 100m at the British Championships before picking up a UK record at the European Athletics Final. Montell represented Team GB at the 2008 Olympics. Speaking to the Independent about her lifestyle, she said: "Strength to me is definitely a feeling opposed to me doing something. I feel at my strongest when I am doing what I love and am able to function really competently in my daily life." Montell added that she feels like she's at her strongest when she achieves a "seamless" lifestyle, which involves sufficient sleep and "eating better".
