music

The ghosts of the past

by
The ghosts of the past

In 2011, Simon Reynolds observed pop culture’s fascination with its past, suggesting it could threaten the future of music culture by stifling originality. The Beatles released a “new” song titled “Now and Then” in November 2023, featuring a lead vocal track by the late John Lennon from the late 1970s, archival guitar tracks from the late George Harrison, and new contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The song, produced with artificial intelligence, topped charts in the United States and the United Kingdom, becoming the fastest-selling single of 2023. Critics have mixed opinions, with some seeing it as a genuine addition to the Beatles’ catalogue and an act of closure, while others view it as indicative of a cultural fixation on nostalgia that limits the emergence of new ideas.

Music and storytelling at the gallery

by
Music and storytelling at the gallery

The event at the AG Leventis Gallery, taking place on Friday and Saturday, will feature a live narration of Stratis Doukas’ tale “Story of a Captive” accompanied by live music. It is inspired by the exhibition “From Asia Minor to Cyprus: Heyday – Catastrophe – Displacement – Rebirth”. Narrator Marina Katsaris and musician Giannis Koutis will perform to a limited audience. The event includes four presentations, two each on Friday and Saturday at 7pm and 8.30pm, within the exhibition space. A guided tour related to the life and music of Asia Minor will precede the performance. The story revolves around the true experiences of a Greek soldier’s captivity, adventures, and rescue, with music played on traditional instruments from Asia Minor. The event is in Greek and tickets are priced at €15.

Liar to represent Cyprus at Eurovision (photos)

by
Liar to represent Cyprus at Eurovision (photos)

Cyprus’ entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in May in Sweden is “Liar,” performed by Silia Kapsis. The song, written by Demetris Kontopoulos and Elke Tiel, will represent Cyprus at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. The song addresses fake societal situations, including body shaming and various forms of oppression. The music video, directed by Kostas Karydas, features choreography by Guy Groove and Kelly Sweeney and aims to inspire liberation and joy.

Where to catch live music this week

by
Where to catch live music this week

– The last week of February, which includes an extra day this year, features several live music events on the island.
– Island Seeds, a local band, will perform at Prozak in Nicosia on February 28 at 8.45pm, presenting original songs and covers.
– Stamatis Kraounakis will have a concert at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre on February 28 at 8.30pm, performing old and new songs.
– Phillip Dyson will present a piano night at Technopolis 20 in Paphos on March 1 at 8pm, featuring classical, ragtime, and early jazz music.
– OnTour will perform at Ravens Music Hall in Limassol on March 2 from 10pm to 2am.
– Speak in Whispers, a metal band, will play at Savino Live in Larnaca on March 2 at 11pm.

Our very own Marios Tokas

by
Our very own Marios Tokas

Marios Tokas was a significant figure whose presence remains vibrant in both the present and future. A book titled “Marios Tokas – Unknown Aspects of His Life,” written by his brother Nikos, was presented at a crowded event at the Journalists’ Club in Nicosia, which exceeded expectations. Marios Tokas was known for his kind-hearted and genuine smile, strong principles and values, and deep passion for his homeland, Cyprus. He was deeply versed in the art of unification, a quality that was celebrated at the event, which attracted people from various walks of life and ideologies, all united by their love for him.

The Heritage Private School

by
The Heritage Private School

The Heritage Private School and Institute is located along the Limassol to Troodos road in Cyprus, offering views of the mountains and sea. It serves over 1,500 students aged 2 to 19 from diverse cultural backgrounds. The school is approved by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and is academically selective, aiming to provide a high-quality education comparable to reputable UK private schools. Instruction is in English, following the Cambridge International Primary Programme and the National Curriculum for England. Students can earn qualifications such as Cambridge International Checkpoints, IGCSEs, A Levels, and a formal School Leaving Certificate (Apolytirion) at the end of Year 13. The Heritage is a Cambridge International Fellowship Centre and a center for Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel International Examinations, as well as ICDL. Most students advance to universities in the UK, Europe, the USA, and other parts of the world, including prestigious institutions like the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, MIT, Berklee College of Music, Johns Hopkins University, and Sciences Po.

The school incorporates technology into the curriculum, including an iPad 1-1 program, and collaborates with Engino® in the Early Years and Primary School to integrate STEM principles and develop robotics and computer programming skills. Outdoor learning is emphasized, especially in the School Forest. The Secondary School offers a Gifted and Talented Programme for identifying and nurturing gifted students.

The school’s ethos focuses on academic excellence, personal and social development, respect, collaboration, and self-discipline. It has a well-qualified staff, a School Counsellor, and a Special Education Needs Coordinator to support student mental health and learning. Over 100 after-school clubs and academic Institute classes are available, along with sports teams, drama and music classes, a school choir, and an orchestra. The school participates in various EU educational and community projects, Model United Nations Conferences, and offers the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme.

The Heritage Private School holds the British Council International School Award (ISA) since 2008, is the only APSnet UNESCO certified private school in Cyprus, and one of two PASCH accredited schools in the country. It has received 11 Cyprus Education Leaders Awards, eleven CY GPP environmental awards, and several Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel Outstanding Learner Awards. The Executive Head was a member of the Cambridge International Education Advisory Board.

A Little Nightmare knocks stuffing out of staid classical music

by
A Little Nightmare knocks stuffing out of staid classical music

Classical musicians Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo will perform their show “A Little Nightmare Music” in Cyprus on April 11 at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre. The show combines humor with classical music and popular culture and has been successful on YouTube with over 35 million hits. Early bird tickets are available until February 23. The program includes classical pieces and works such as “From Mozart with Love,” “Rachmaninoff by Himself,” and “A Very Blue Danube.” Igudesman has collaborated with Hans Zimmer and Bobby McFerrin, while Joo has worked with Vangelis and arranged Billy Joel’s classical compositions for a Billboard chart-topping CD. The show incorporates comedy and theatrical elements, with various mishaps occurring during the performance. It is designed to appeal to a wide audience, from classical music fans to those less familiar with the genre.

What makes something , ‘cute’?

by
What makes something , ‘cute’?

The text is an article by Hui-Ying Kerr, an Associate Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, discussing a new exhibition at London’s Somerset House that examines the phenomenon of ‘cute’. The exhibition features a section celebrating the 50th birthday of the Hello Kitty brand with a glittering kitty disco and showcases a variety of products adorned with the Hello Kitty theme. The show explores the concept of ‘cute’ across different times and places, demonstrating its widespread appeal and versatility. It includes sections titled ‘cry baby’, ‘play together’, ‘sugar-coated pill’, ‘monstrous other’, and ‘hypersonic’ that attempt to categorize ‘cute’, but the term resists a strict definition. The exhibition also plays with scale to create immersive experiences and includes works by hyper-feminine singer and visual artist Hannah Diamond. The curator, Claire Catterall, suggests that the exhibition hints at the meaning of ‘cute’ rather than dictating it, leaving visitors to ponder its impact on society and its manipulative nature. The article concludes with Kerr’s personal reflections on the exhibition.

What, ’s on this weekend

by
What, ’s on this weekend

The text describes various musical and artistic events taking place over a weekend:

1. The Nicosia International Festival will have three performances at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre:
– Nefeli Kentoni will present “Katabasis” in English on Friday.
– Avgi Stavrou will present her new album on Saturday.
– The Strovolos Municipality – European University Cyprus Symphonic Band will hold a family party concert on Sunday with over 35 musicians performing various genres of music.

2. The Swedish symphonic metal band Therion will perform at Pavillion in Nicosia on Friday.

3. The local band OnTour will perform at Ravens Music Hall in Limassol on Saturday night.

4. Cypriot pianist Martino Tirimo will play classical music at Rialto Theatre in Limassol on Sunday evening.

5. The Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi village will host the VivArt’s – String Quartet festive concert “Tempo di Valse” on Sunday, featuring waltzes, polkas, and festive concert music.

6. New art exhibitions will open around the island, and a performance and video-dance exhibition by Mélissa Garcia Carro and Pascal Caron will take place at the State Gallery of Contemporary Art in Nicosia on Saturday evening.

The cultural agenda of the weekend

by
The cultural agenda of the weekend

Some cultural events to choose from for the first weekend of February include: – The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra presenting the musical story of "Peter and the Wolf" in Limassol. – The play "Her Mother" touring in Paleochori. – An art exhibition titled "Uncomfortable Poses" by artist Michael Slusakowicz at 125 Space in Limassol. – The play "Cleansed" at the THOC New Stage in Nicosia. – The play "Aphrodite in Fur" at the Chora Theater in Nicosia. – The music group "Trio Rondine" performing at Kafenio Prozak. – The comedy play "The Fired" at WhereHaus 612. – The art exhibition "The Iron Circle of Life" by Vaso Thouppou at the Apokalypsis Gallery.