Latest news with #dreamers
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Cabaret star Rick Lau on his journey from a Chiu Chow corner shop to the stage
I WAS BORN in February 1970. An Aquarian. They're dreamers, they're not practical, but they're charismatic and people like them a lot. I have four siblings, so with my parents there were seven of us living in a 220 sq ft flat in in February 1970. An Aquarian. They're dreamers, they're not practical, but they're charismatic and people like them a lot. I have four siblings, so with my parents there were seven of us living in a 220 sq ft flat in Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate . It was a typical Chiu Chow family. Chiu Chow people love to have small businesses. We had a si do, a corner shop, and that was pre-supermarket days, so it was always busy. I remember the whole family had to work in that shop. My responsibility was slicing bread. I was in primary school then and it was a happy time because I could snack on whatever I wanted. My favourite was Toblerone and Maltesers. An endless supply. Advertisement MY PARENTS HAD COME over in the 1960s from China in that migration wave from (the over in the 1960s from China in that migration wave from (the Chaoshan region of Guangdong province). The radio was always on in the shop. I listened to a lot of the Top 40 countdowns; that was how I was exposed to American music. We didn't have a television until I was in Primary Five or Six. I remember one Chinese New Year they were playing Barry Manilow in concert and at the time I didn't know who he was. All I remember was this tall, lanky guy with long blond hair, playing the piano and singing 'Even Now', and all the girls were screaming. I remember thinking, 'I want to do that. I want to sing in front of people.' Rick Lau was the youngest in a Chiu Chow family living in Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate. Photo: courtesy Rick Lau I WENT TO SCHOOL at Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College, in Ho Man Tin. I played badminton for the school team. I went to Australia for Year 12, to Adelaide, where I lived with my sister. Then I studied computer science at the University of New South Wales, in Sydney. As a Chinese boy, you have to do what your parents tell you, and that's why I did computer science and became an IT consultant for six years. But, you know, once you've done that, perhaps you're free to do what you want. WHEN I WAS an IT consultant in Sydney, I started doing amateur productions of musicals. My first was Oklahoma. I was the only Chinese in it and I played an American cowboy. Then I did The Count of Luxembourg. I also did a pro-am production, so we didn't get paid as actors but the production team were paid. That was Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures, about the Westernisation of Japan, and it inspired me, because it was the first time I was in a lead role. After that I started thinking about whether I could do it as a career. Rick Lau as Mimi Moore the flight attendant in City Contemporary Dance Company's Home Sweat Home, which premiered in 2021. Photo: Eddie Wong WHILE I WAS thinking about that, a friend took me to a clairvoyant. They look at you and your guardian angels, and the guardian angels give the clairvoyant messages and he or she will relay them on to you. So I sat down, and before I'd said anything, she said to me: 'I could see you on stage in elaborate costume on a beautiful set. You were singing your heart out and the audience was mesmerised.' For me, that was like a message from the universe. So, two weeks later, I handed in my resignation. Luckily, I got into drama school – the National Institute of Dramatic Art, in Sydney. I did musical theatre. That was when I was 28. Now one of my life mottos is: leap and the net will appear. I've co-created seven cabarets with Tony Taylor, one of my mentors, who was my teacher at drama school. He taught me so much about cabaret because he came from a vaudeville tradition and was a great comic actor. He taught me about comic timing and storytelling through songs. Advertisement I WORKED AT a call centre for a year or so. Then I got into a musical – Naked Boys Singing! We had to be naked on stage singing, in Sydney. The second show I got was Hair, where at the end of act one, everyone was naked facing the audience. It was great training. I was young so I wasn't self-conscious. I wouldn't do it now!
Globe and Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Revolutionize Space: Sound Meets Stunning 3D Holograms
Tired of boring speakers? Meet the future of entertainment: Eunoia Design's 3D Holographic Fan LED Speaker! Powered by 149 high-brightness LEDs (2100cd/㎡), this speaker projects vivid, lifelike 3D visuals that float in mid-air. Think dynamic geometric patterns, playful cartoons, or even your memories—all popping off without a screen. Dive into a library of pre-loaded 3D animations (updated monthly with new themes, from sci-fi to seasonal magic). Upload your photos, animations, or personalized messages—turn family pics, art, or inside jokes into floating holograms. Sync effortlessly via Bluetooth, then sit back as your unique display comes to life. Don't let the visuals steal all the spotlight—dual 5W speakers deliver rich, balanced audio: crisp trebles, warm midranges, and punchy bass that elevates every playlist, podcast, or party vibe. Whether you're setting the tone for a quiet night in, wowing guests at a party or gifting a tech lover something truly unique, this speaker transforms any space into an experience. Behind it all? Eunoia Design —a team of creators, engineers, and dreamers obsessed with blending form, function, and joy. We believe great design shouldn't just work—it should delight.
Arab News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Dream Hotel'
Author: Laila Lalami Reading Moroccan-American novelist Laila Lalami's 'The Dream Hotel' was an eye-opening experience that left me simultaneously captivated and unsettled. The novel weaves a story about one woman's fight for freedom in a near-future society where even dreams are under surveillance. The narrative centers on Sara, who, upon returning to Los Angeles International Airport, is pulled aside by agents from the Risk Assessment Administration. The chilling premise — that an algorithm has determined she is at risk of harming her husband — immediately drew me in. Lalami's portrayal of Sara's descent into a retention center, where she is held alongside other women labeled as 'dreamers,' is both fascinating and disturbing. What struck me most was how Lalami explores the seductive nature of technology. I found myself reflecting on our current relationship with data and surveillance. The idea that our innermost thoughts could be monitored and judged felt unsettlingly familiar. As Sara navigates the oppressive rules of the facility, I felt a growing frustration at the injustice of her situation, which echoes broader societal concerns about privacy and autonomy. Lalami's writing is lyrical yet accessible, drawing readers into the emotional depth of each character. The interactions among the women in the retention center are especially poignant, showing how strength can emerge from solidarity. As the story unfolds, I was reminded of the resilience of the human spirit, even under dehumanizing conditions. The arrival of a new resident adds a twist, pushing Sara toward a confrontation with the forces trying to control her. This development kept me invested in seeing how she would reclaim her agency. 'The Dream Hotel' is more than a compelling narrative; it is a reflection on the complexities of freedom and the influence of technology on our lives. It left me considering how much of ourselves we must guard to remain truly free. In conclusion, Lalami has crafted a thoughtful and resonant novel that lingers after the final page. It is well worth reading for those interested in the intersections of identity, technology and human experience.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Moo's Craft Barbecue owners share their immigrant family's history amid ICE operations
The owners of Moo's Craft Barbecue said it's hard not to take the ongoing ICE operations personally, given that their families struggled to become U.S. citizens. "Moo's Craft Barbecue wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our loved ones who came to this country and paved the way for me, for him," owner Michelle Munoz said. Michelle and her husband Andrew Munoz own the restaurant. They both come from immigrant families who worked for years to become citizens. "I think about being that little girl living in an apartment with aunts and uncles and a mom trying to make it," Michelle said. "I can't even fathom my aunt, uncle or mom being ripped away." In an Instagram post, Michelle shared her family's immigration story from Mexico. "We're not threats," she said. "We are the dreamers, the doers, the workers and the heart of this city." Michelle added that she never forgets her family's sacrifices that allowed her to succeed today. Andrew joined her by saying that immigrants are the backbone of the restaurant industry and an important part of Los Angeles. "It's just sad to see immigrants painted a certain way when we know it's not the truth," he said.
