🇫🇷 French Eurostars celebrate World Cup 2018 triumph

FRANCE – In 1998 Israel won the Eurovision Song Contest followed by the French triumph in World Cup. History repeats itself as in 2018 exactly 20 years after the previous factoid, Israel wins again the Eurovision Song Contest and France repeats the World Cup triumph. It was natural to see the Instagram celebrations by various French Eurostars.

France is World Cup champion for a second time in its history after a 4-2 win over Croatia — but with two goals scored in very contentious fashion in a two-goal win, could Croatia feel rightly aggrieved by the result?

Croatia had the chance to secure a fairytale win over mighty France, and flew out the traps early doors to pin Les Bleus back for the opening 15 minutes.

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Slovenia 2018 🇸🇮 Moj profil: brand new song and video by Lea Sirk

SLOVENIA – Lea Sirk started her musical education at the age of five in Koper, Slovenia. Between 2001 and 2007, Lea participated at numerous national and international competitions, where she regularly finished amongst the top positions. Lea finished her secondary school while studying the concert flute.

Lea studied at the Conservatory of Music in Geneva and has played in various orchestras and participated in different seminars across Europe. Lea Sirk completed her undergraduate studies early and with honours. She also finished her master studies with honours two years later and became a Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance.

During her studies, Lea Sirk also established herself as a singer. In 2005, Lea received the award for the most promising young singer at the International Music Competition Cologne.

She began participating regularly at various festivals, as well as EMA, the Slovenian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest (2009, 2010). Her participation in the show Znan obraz ima svoj glas (Your Face Sounds Familiar) left an indelible mark on viewers, as Lea was the most convincing through her transformations into famous world performers, including the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Salvador Sobral.

As a backing vocalist, Lea already performed already at the Eurovision Song Contest, namely in 2014 in Copenhagen with Tinkara Kovač. Lea is also a studio musician and music arranger and has performed on numerous grand stages and recorded with numerous Slovene musicians.

Lea, a mother of two girls, has been building her soloist singing career in parallel with her other responsibilities, with a sense of determination. She won at EMA 2018 where she became the Slovene representative at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with her song Hvala, ne! which she wrote alongside Tomy DeClerque.

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Israel 2018 🇮🇱 Netta films commercial clip in Kyiv – watch exclusive footage

ISRAEL – The Israeli singer was spotted by locals and allowed fans to take selfies with her and even film the shooting process, as reported by TSN. The video is a commercial for Israeli Partner TV.

One of the known locations for the clip is that the Museum of History of Ukraine in the center of Kyiv. The singer was seen sitting on a sofa with a Hollywood-style blockbuster action.

Reports along with photos of Netty in front of the National Museum of history of Ukraine quickly spread on the social network Facebook and was picked up by the Ukrainian media.

In shocking scenes the artist appears seated on a sofa, which rotates around its axis. This time around it is the unfolding events, reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster.

It is noted that the clip of the singer will not be less crazy than everyone else.

Team Netta was also filming in a park in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region, using the same sofa. TSN sources said Wednesday is the last day of shooting, this time in Kyiv’s Borshchahivka district. The star singer will fly back home later on the evening of July 11th.

Universal Music recently sent a pre-suit notice to the writers of “Toy” saying it was copied from The White Stripe’s 2003 hit, “Seven Nation Army.” If the claim is proven in court, it could disqualify Toy’s eligibility to participate in Eurovision and strip Israel of its win and hosting rights for the 2019 tournament, Hadashot TV reported.

But Barzilai told the station she found the situation “funny.”

“When I got Toy I had many feelings. but I couldn’t ignore how fresh, innovative it was. It didn’t sound like anything else,” she said.

Soon :) @partner_il

A post shared by netta barzilai (@nettabarzi) on

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🇸🇪 Sand: Molly Sandén’s choice as first since out of her new album

SWEDEN – Sandén represented Sweden at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, singing “Det finaste någon kan få”. She came third, which remains Sweden’s best result. She appeared in SVT’s New Years’ celebrations on 31 December 2006, which was broadcast live from Skansen. She also won the talent competition, Stellar Shots. She performed a duet with Magnus Carlsson in the song “Julens tid är här” (“Christmas time is here”), on his Christmas album Spår i snön in 2006.

Sandén also met Markoolio and sang with him during this period, on his new album called Snow at Christmas rock. In summer 2007, Sandén participated in Diggiloo along with Lasse Holm, Linda Bengtzing, Lotta Engberg, Tony Roche, Charlotte Perrelli, Thomas Pettersson, Jan Johansen, Niklas Andersson, Lasse Berghagen, Benjamin Wahlgren and Magnus Johansson.

She sang a duet with Ola Svensson on a Swedish version of “You Are the Music in Me” from the Disney film High School Musical 2. They also sang in the Lilla Melodifestivalen final ahead of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. The previous year, Sandén was chosen to present the Swedish votes during the contest.

Sandén appeared on Så ska det låta on 11 April 2008 with Magnus Bäcklund. In summer 2008, she participated again in Diggiloo with Lasse Holm, Linda Bengtzing, Lotta Engberg, Thomas Pettersson, Måns Zelmerlöw, Nanne Grönvall, Stefan and Kim and Magnus Johansson. A compilation CD was released and included her performances of “Hallelujah” and “Gabriellas song”. Her cover of Dea Norberg’s song “Den underbara dagen du kommer hem” was used in advertisements for the fast food chain Sibylla in 2008.

Also in 2008, Sandén participated with Janne Schaffer, Jan Johansen, Johan Boding and Sara Löfgren in Sun, Wind & Water, a tribute to Ted Gärdestad. The same year, she and Brandur released a Swedish version of the song “Right Here, Right Now” from High School Musical 3. She participated in the celebrity dancing competition Let’s Dance in 2010, which was broadcast on TV4; she was placed fourth.

In the 2009 Melodifestivalen, Sandén qualified for the grand final with her song “Så vill stjärnorna”, but finished last with only two points, which were awarded by the international jury.

Sandén entered the Melodifestivalen again in 2012, again qualifying for the final with her song “Why Am I Crying”, for which she came in fifth place. In August 2013, Sandén announced the premiere of her online clothing brand, ‘My by Molly’. In November 2015 it was announced that Sandén was to participate in the Melodifestivalen for a third time in 2016. She performed in the fourth heat in Gävle on 27 February with the song “Youniverse”, which she co-wrote with her boyfriend, Danny Saucedo, and John Alexis. She qualified from the semi-final to the final on 12 March. In the final she placed sixth with the juries and televoting, and also placed sixth overall.

Sandén has been in a relationship with Swedish singer Danny Saucedo since February 2013, and they got engaged in 2016. On 28 September 2012, she announced that she had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after collapsing while on a trip to Barcelona, Spain.

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🇲🇹 Ben Camille and Christabelle in Miss Universe Malta 2018 pageant

MALTA – Francesca Mifsud, 22, was crowned Miss Universe Malta following a contest on Friday night. Ms Mifsud, from Żejtun, who was up against 24 other contestants, also won the Best Physique award. A law student, Ms Mifsud had placed fourth in the 2016 contest. Lyann Iles from placed second, while Marilena Gauci from Mellieħa placed third. The winner will now represent Malta in the Miss Universe contest in New York. The contest organised by Glow Promotions was presented by Ben Camille (who will host thE x-fACTOR Malta through which. the country will decide its participation for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest) and Sarah Zerafa. Christabelle, the 2018 Maltese representatives was member of the jury.

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Cyprus 2018 🇨🇾 Eleni slays at Haoman17 and celebrates Netta’s victory

ISRAEL – After a big disappointment for not participating in the Israel Calling 2018 pre Eurovision party, Israeli fans managed to cheer for #QueenF in Tel Aviv. On July 13th more than 1,500 people attended her performance at HaOman17 Club in Tel Aviv, a city that is. highly tipped to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Eleni cheered along the fans saying that she is celebrating tonight the well deserved victory of Netta in Eurovision 2018 ending speculations that the two artists don’t get along. She also promised to return to Tel Aviv. Why not? after all she is collaborating for a thee past few years with Eurovision winner composer, Doron Medalie.

with special thanks to Ilan and Michael for their contributions

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Hungary 2018 🇭🇺 Hol Voltál: brand new song and video by AWS

HUNGARY – AWS is a Hungarian metal and post-hardcore band formed in 2006 by Bence Brucker, Dániel Kökényes, Örs Siklósi, and Áron Veress. Originally, their name was an acronym for Ants With Slippers, but now the band is just known as AWS (often humorously explained as an acronym for a random phrase).

Their music is characterized by diversity, powerful performances, and sudden changes, which utilizes metal, psychedelic rock, alternative and post-rock styles. Up to now, they have released three singles, three albums and seven video clips. Their music videos often have juxtapositions of images of violence and celebrities in order to bring light to problems that the world faces, exhibiting what they call being “anti-celebrity”.

They represented Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, with the song Viszlát nyár.

Since the formation of their band, they have played in festivals such as Sziget Festival in 2010 and have even toured beyond Hungary in places such as Austria, England, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain. They won the MTV Brand award for New Winning Band. They have toured with Blind Myself.

On 6 December 2017, it was announced that AWS will compete in A Dal 2018, the Hungarian national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal with the song Viszlát nyár, and got 45 points in the heat and qualified to the semifinals in first place, tying with Gergely Dánielfy.

After coming first in their respective semi-final, they advanced to the finals and won the competition and as a result, represented Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. They participated in the second semi final and qualified to the final, reaching 21st overall.

During their stint at Eurovision Song Contest it was announced that AWS are invited to play at Wacken Open Air in August 2018.

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🇬🇧 Tony Award winner, Frances Ruffelle is Back at Crazy Coqs

UNITED KINGDOM – Tony Award winner, Frances Ruffelle is Back at Crazy Coqs. Frances is best known for creating the iconic role of `’Eponine” in Les Miserables. Currently starring in her latest critically acclaimed one woman tour de force Frances Ruffelle LIVEs in New York! at Manhattan’s hip new Green Room 42, Frances is thrilled to be making this rare London performance.

“One of the best shows I have ever seen. A sensual coquette who will steal your heart” – Betty Buckley
“Frances never ceases to surprise and amaze me, I can’t wait to see what she does next” – Alan Cumming
“Fun, reckless and WIlD” – Patti LuPone
“The superbly intoxicating Frances Ruffelle. This is seriously the best show I have seen all season, bar none!” – The Times Square Chronicles
“The best live performance you’re like;y to see for quite sometime” – Manhattan Digest
“Frances Ruffelle performs with grace and fire, subtlety and extravagance, delicacy and excitement-sometimes all at once.” – Tim Rice

Back at Crazy Coqs prose by Frances Ruffelle and Gwyneth Herbert. Additional lyrics by Frances Ruffelle. Music arranged by Gwyneth Herbert with additional arrangements by Jude Obermüller and David Barber. She represented the UK back in 1994.

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