Cher overcomes costume crisis to kick off tour

Pop superstar CHER overcame a crisis in the costume department to kick off her tour in Phoenix, Arizona as scheduled on Saturday night (22Mar14).

The 67-year-old singer has hit the road for her Dressed To Kill trek, which is slated to be her last ever tour, but she was left battling a number of problems ahead of the launch.

Cher was still undergoing costume fittings just hours before showtime and she burst into tears when she realized her clothes and shoes didn't fit properly, while she also had problems with her wigs and only finalized her choreography on Friday (21Mar14).

In a series of posts on Twitter.com, she wrote, "B4 (before) showtime I was being fitted 4 (for) costumes! Shoe man is punk, No boots, shoes! Learned new choreog (choreography) yesterday. New wigs 2Nite (tonight)! Killed ourselves... No costumes, no shoes, no monologue, hrs (hours) of fittings, nothing fit... right b4 (before) show I was making notes & crying. It wasn't smooth, but it was fun... Very proud of my crew!... It was miracle... Everything was so last min (minute).Some wigs weren't perfect, but some just needed change. Never had costumes on till 2nite (tonight)."

Cher also admits her performance was far from perfect, adding, "I made a new mistake about every 4 min (minutes)... you know... like my fkng (sic) iphone."

The Believe hitmaker was left heartbroken during preparations for the tour when her longtime costume designer, Bob Mackie, stepped down from his role due to other commitments.

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7000 people entertained at Children's Day

Her feet couldn't touch the stirrups but that didn't stop 2-year-old Lola Raeburn enjoying a pony ride during Children's Day celebrations.

The Papamoa tot and her family were among the 7000-strong crowd who yesterday enjoyed a day of more than 30 free activities at Tauranga's Historic Village as part of the national day.

Families took the opportunity to introduce their children to everything from karate, cheerleading and magic shows to arts and crafts, pony rides and face painting at the Tauranga City Council event, with organisers saying they couldn't believe how big the crowd was.

TCC City Events team leader Penny Mitropoulos said the event normally attracted a crowd of around 5000, but upwards of 7000 showed up yesterday.

"It is full on, very exciting for the children," she said.

"Each year we get more support. We could not do this without the community's help."

It was a day of firsts for many, including 6-year-old Flynn O'Connell who decided he wants to be "a ninja" after trying out karate at one of the stalls.

"A ninja or a soccer player. It depends on what mum says," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Papamoa mum Fiona Payne took her four children along for the first time and said it was great to have a day out as a family without worrying about the cost.

"We have just had a ball," she said.

"It's a cheap day out for the whole family and it is super exciting."

Four ponies from Trinity Valley were kept busy all day, with a non-stop queue forming from 11am, according to Trinity Valley's Carla Townsend.

"The first time those little faces see a pony and get to jump on for a ride is just amazing," Mrs Townsend said.

"Last year we had two ponies but this year we doubled it because the crowds just keep getting bigger each year."

A team of volunteers from The Incubator set up a freak show featuring bearded ladies and body parts, which also drew the crowds all day.

The Incubator director Simone Anderson said the team wanted to do something a little bit different to celebrate Children's Day.

"You can't get much different than a good old-fashioned freak show," she said.

Harriot's amazing Carnival costumes for children

TWENTY-TWO years ago Susan "Marion" Harriot walked into the Eccles Village Anglican school with a burning idea to form a children’s mas band.

Several creations, trophies and accolades later and the passion to produce children’s costumes has once more led to her designs being in the finals of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) Junior National competition.

Sitting in her mas camp under the home of her 67-year-old mother Noreen Mills in Whiteland, three generations of the family were together to create mas.

Harriot's daughter, Colleen, who was second in the NCBA's Junior National competition back in 2001 stuck sequins on her six-year-old daughters’ individual costume for the same event.

Harriot's mother, Noreen Mills, was assigned to covering shoes and chest pieces.

Her sister Patsy Mills-Gaynor sat under a bright light and barely raised her head as she worked on a costume while one of the section leaders left the mas camp with papers and instructions from Harriot.

To the music of calypsonian Sparrow in the background, Harriot, 50, recalled that it was over two decades ago that she spoke to the principal of Eccles Village primary to have the school participate in the national carnival competition.

When he realized she was serious about the move, he gave his full support.

This led to the band "Carnival is" which included sections Pan, Tourists, Heat and Maracas Bay.

The section "After Christmas", Mills added, was the "parang section" which was done in green and red.

At that time the children used the money they saved from "Junior Corp" to pay for their $60 - $75 costumes.

Having parents pay a small sum for costumes is a feat Harriot still attempts to preserve.

Working 15 hours shifts alongside her wire-bending brother Patrick Mills, this year the band produced "Gems of the Caribbean", portraying mas in the countries along the archipelago including Crop Over in Barbados, Jab Jab in Grenada and Bacchanal from Jamaica. Other sections highlight natural wonders in some of the countries including Kaieteur Falls in Guyana and beaches from the 365 that surround the island of Antigua.

From the band, Legèn Julian was selected a finalist in the queen's section of the NCBA Junior Nationals and Denzil Jennings who won first prize in this year's Red Cross Junior Kings category was also selected a finalist in the NCBA's junior competition.
Weeks ago, the band also won first place in the medium band section, best school band, the Junior King title and most original band at Guaracara Park, Marabella.

But while Harriot's dream is to have one of her grandchildren collect first prize in a national title, the mother of four said one of her greatest joys was back in 2007 when her son won the Junior King prize at Red Cross. It is a competition she described as the crème de la crème of junior carnival.

"To win at this competition, you feel as though you won the world."
She said that even winning a special prize at this competition shows that, as a mas-maker, you have potential.

Although some of her pictures and published keepsakes of her accomplishments were destroyed by water, Harriot shared with the Express the pictures from newspapers and magazine covers that remained. She easily called out names of sections of bands from years gone by.

Her mother input also added to the memories.
And even as her asthmatic condition tried to take a toll on her, Harriot's desire to create the best production possible was not daunted.

But her love is still met with other limitations.
Mills said that sponsorship has always been a challenge. Over the years she had to depend on the generosity of neighbours who provide water and other soft drinks for the children. This year a businessman in the area provided part sponsorship to the band.

Also, she said, the size of the band, as she headed into a competition, depended on the parents’ willingness to have their children available for mas on the given day. Harriot said if parents had parties they wanted to attend the day before the competition, chances are their children would not participate in the mas.
But she pushes on.

And when Carnival is over, Harriot is on to more designing. This time bonnets for Easter. She is also heavily involved in Best Village Competition where she is also bringing in the trophies.

How to stay safe on Purim

While Purim is a happy holiday that celebrates our deliverance from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, costumes and fireworks can sometimes be dangerous.

Many parents have already purchased their children’s holiday costumes, some of which are fire hazards, and are unaware of the dangers posed by illegal explosives, noisemakers and makeup.

Purim, the holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, is celebrated with costumes, candy, parcels and parties.

Prof. Yehezkel Weissman, head of the emergency unit at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, said that every year, before Purim and on the holiday itself, many children suffering from injuries are brought in, even though the accidents are preventable.

Weissman cited some of the things one should look out for and how to handle the injuries they can cause.

Caps from toy pistols should be avoided, as they can cause severe injuries to eyes, ears and skin. If hurt from an exploding cap, wash the affected part of the body in running water, bandage it and go to an emergency room quickly for urgent care.

Children under the age of seven should not have access to small candies, nuts and other hard edible or inedible objects. Watch out especially for small pieces of plastic, which can be inhaled into the lungs.

Avoid unlicensed makeup or homemade costumes – make sure they aren’t flammable or reduce the child’s line of vision. Bought costumes must have the Israel Standards Institution’s seal of approval.

Do not allow young children to use or be exposed to chemical sprays that are liable to hurt their eyes. If their eyes are hurt, wash them with tap water and promptly take the child to a medical facility for treatment.

And finally, limit the amount of your children’s sweets consumption. Don’t allow them to “take possession” of candies, cakes and chocolate and finish them off all at once.

The Health Ministry, which aims to promote healthy habits through its Efsharibari program, advises giving cut fruits, muffins with dried fruits and tea instead of fattening and teeth-destroying sweets and cakes. Homemade granola, unsweetened yogurt and dried fruits are recommended for children over the age of seven. Bite-sized pieces of vegetable pies, whole-wheat crackers and other healthy snacks are recommended for Purim parcels.

Round pieces of chewing gum, hard candies and “Haman’s hats” filled with nuts should not be given to younger children.

Magen David Adom reported that two children’s eyesights have already been damaged from illegal explosives – one boy lost his eye completely.

Anything that explodes or shoots small objects is illegal and should not be given to children, MDA said. Do not put caps in pockets, as they tend to explode even if hardly touched. Do not let costumed children get near a fire of any kind. Masks, if worn, should have large enough openings for children to breathe and see where they’re going. Never allow children to cross streets if they’re wearing a mask or a costume that limits their movement.

Adults should avoid excessive drinking and refrain from driving if they have been drinking.

Children and teens should not be given alcohol. Two years ago, said MDA, an eight-year-old boy lost consciousness after drinking alcohol, and violence may result as well.

Beit Chaverim sets Purim festivities

Beit Chaverim Synagogue will celebrate Purim with services on two days, a traditional children's costume parade and other entertainment at the 85 Post Road West synagogue.

A Maariv service is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, followed by a reading of the Megillah, the story of Purim, the synagogue said. A children's program with ice cream sundaes will follow, along with a cocktail party for adults.

On Sunday, March 16, a Torah service will take place at 9 a.m. and a Megillah reading at 10. The costume parade will follow, along with "Purim Shpiel," an original skit written by Beit Chaverim Rabbi Greg Schindler and performed by synagogue youths, the congregation said. Festivities conclude with a Purim lunch and children's face painting.

All activities are free, but reservations are required for the Sunday lunch. Children also must be registered to participate in "Purim Shpiel," the synagogue said.

For Sunday lunch reservations, call the synagogue at 203-227-3333. To register a child to participate in "Purim Shpiel," email Patrice Stanley at beitchaverimsyn@optonline.net.

Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent costume scared her son Pax to tears

Humanitarian extraordinaire, devoted mother of six and phenomenal actress Angelina Jolie will be portraying one of Disney’s iconic villains, Maleficent, from the classic children's film Sleeping Beauty. Jolie has embraced the role flawlessly to where her children are scared of the Maleficent costume.

According to US Magazine, when her 10-year-old son Pax saw Jolie, 38, in costume, he was upset, in tears and was trying to run away. Jolie thought he was playing around until she saw the tears in his eye.

"I had to take off pieces [of the makeup] in front of him to show him it was all fake and not freak out so much," Jolie said.

Pax was not the only child afraid of the costume. Maddox, 12, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 7, and Knox, 5, couldn’t handle seeing their mother as the classic villain. The only child that wasn’t scared of Jolie’s nefarious role was Knox’s twin sister, Vivian. Vivian is in the film as she portrays the young Princess Aurora.

Since they were so shaken up by Jolie’s costume they asked her not to play the role of Maleficent. Jolie convinced them otherwise by portraying Maleficent in a different light. Jolie succeeded and it led to Pax and Zahara having a cameo appearance in the film when Maleficent places a curse on Aurora.

In regard to her children having cameo roles in the film, Jolie said, “We think it's fun for our kids to have cameos and join us on set, but not to be actors. That's not our goal for Brad [Pitt] and I at all."

Jolie also talked to Entertainment Weekly about her double mastectomy she received in 2013.

"I'm very happy I made the decision," Jolie said. "I was very fortunate to have great doctors and very, very fortunate to have a good recovery and have a project like Unbroken to have something to be really focused on, to be getting healthy for, and to be able to just get right back to work."

Maleficent is set to hit theaters on May 30.

“Kiddies Carnival” in Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria 2014

Carnival is not just for grown-ups. Children too, take the pleasure of taking to the streets and letting themselves be carried by the joyful blur of carnival. In the coming edition of the 2014 Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, children will get their chance to strut their stuff on stage in costume just as fabulous as the grown-up versions.

The Seychelles Tourism Board, the main organizer of Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, has introduced a “Kiddies Carnival” or children’s carnival to spice up the traditional family fun day organized for Sunday, April 27, the last day of the carnival.

The Seychelles Tourism Board has brought on board Lima Calbio, the well-known entertainer from Trinidad and Tobago, to work on the “Kiddies Carnival.”


The “Kiddies Carnival”” is open for school children only, aged 5 to 12. All schools will be given a theme to work on. They will make their own costumes with locally-made fabrics. On the day of “Kiddies Carnival,” they will show their moves across the stage in their brightly-colored costumes before a panel of judges and also the local and international media present to cover Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria. Colorful costumes, biggest band, and teams which portray the real carnival spirit will be awarded with prizes. Lima Calbio said she will work closely with the schools to make this first Seychelles “Kiddies Carnival” possible.

“Children need to be embedded with the spirit of developing their creativity. “Kiddies Carnival” is a good example where we will make it inexpensive for schools to come out with fascinating costumes,” Calbio added.

Kiddies carnival is encouraging children to promote the concept of recycling materials. Nathalie Didon, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said that “Kiddies Carnival” is promoting an environmentally-friendly approach among the children.

“What we’re anticipating is to promote an environmentally-friendly approach to carnival, where school children will be parading by making use of the three Rs - reduce, recycle, and reuse - to prepare their costumes. ‘Kiddies Carnival’ is also there to inculcate the culture of Seychelles carnival in our children,” Nathalie Didon said.

The venue of “Kiddies Carnival” is yet to be determined. However, Lima said that she is working on her “jumpin’up” and “wave” concert for children, as a build-up to “Kiddies Carnival.” Dates and venues of the concert are not yet confirmed, but Lima said that it will take place a week before the official opening of Carnival International de Victoria. Lima said the popular Petit Amour Villa is on board to sponsor flags to a children’s concert for which she is calling on other sponsors to support the “Kiddies Carnival.”

PHOTO (L-R): Nathalie Didon, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Lima Calbio interviewed by Seychelles press on “Kiddies Carnival.”

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
Source: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture