Health scare inspires dancer’s new work


One of New Zealand’s most respected dancers and choreographers is working on a new full-length work inspired by a near-death experience.

Neil Ieremia, founder of prestigious contemporary dance group Black Grace, said a recent health scare had changed his priorities and inspired him to create new work.

“It’s not so much about death, it’s more about life. When you come face to face with death, as I did this year, you start thinking about all the things that contribute to your life and to living,” he said.

“I had to have a procedure done that bought me pretty close to the edge, but I’m alright.

”It was one of those things where you take a major risk when you have these things done. I have two beautiful children and a wonderful partner so the idea of losing them is just one of those moments. I thought: ‘If I live, I’m going to make a dance about this’.”

The new work, called

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What are the Foo Fighters trying to say?


The Foo Fighters are getting New Zealand fans excited by hinting that they might bring their new album tour Down Under.

The Seattle rock band has been posting geographical co-ordinates on its Instagram and Facebook pages in the past few days, and the latest co-ordinates match the location of Auckland music store Real Groovy.

The rockers, in a post on their Facebook page in May, hinted that they would be returning to New Zealand for their new album, Album 8.

The Foo Fighters’ latest album is due out in the United States autumn.

Real Groovy retail assistant Colette Waaka said the band had not made contact about any plans to perform or appear at the store.

However, many touring bands visited the store and she would not be surprised if the Foos stopped in if they performed in Auckland.

The last time the US rockers, headed by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, came to New Zealand was in

2011.

The band’s official Facebook page addressed Australians and Kiwis today, plugging its new merchandise.

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– Stuff

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‘Apparently kid’ turns viral superstar


The Wayne County Fair in the US state of Pennsylvania already has its share of attractions, from GET-R-DONE Lawnmower racing to Rosaire’s Royal Racing Pigs.

Now it also has its own viral superstar in the boy who has become known as the “apparently kid”.

He’s cute, wise beyond his years, and uses awkward words, all the right ingredients for internet stardom and US breakfast TV.

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Jay-Z’s ‘mistress’ raps Beyonce insults


There are so many rumours swirling about how Beyonce and Jay Z’s marriage is on the rocks the gossip magazines are running thin on space.

Now a rapper named Liv – who is also one of Jay Z’s rumoured mistresses – has released a new diss track attacking the rapper’s wife.

The clip, titled

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A few good things I’ve noticed just recently

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Wayans hits back at being branded a racist


Comedian Marlon Wayans has hit out at critics who have labelled him racist and insists he will not apologise for posting a photograph on social media of Australian singer Delta Goodrem, whom he labelled “the most UNRHYTHMIC WHITE WOMAN”.

The

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Malia Obama dances to Lorde at Lollapalooza


Let’s face it, being the daughter of famous people can be a real drag sometimes. You can’t go anywhere without being papped, your parents are constantly worried about your security, and if you’re a teenager — it practically means the only people you ever get to hang out with are other (mostly bratty) famous kids.

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Review: Latta ‘hands-on’ over education


In the second instalment of Nigel Latta’s new series, Latta shared a much more positive outlook on New Zealand’s education system than his heavily discussed economy and equality themed series premiere episode last week.

Last night’s episode was far more hands-on. Latta visited two Auckland schools in his search for answers on the workings behind NCEA along with the proof that it is a system that is working, contrary to its naysayers and critics.

Interestingly, Latta sought far less commentary from experts and presented vastly fewer statistics compared to last week, in favour of letting the students and teachers themselves do the talking.

Latta frequently recalled his time at school which was centred around the “sit down, shut up and regurgitate” method of teaching and learning. He openly admitted he found school boring and dull, and was amazed at the influence technology has had on the engagement and motivation of students in the classrooms of today.

While Latta demonstrated a magic trick that had the kids at his desk in awe, surprisingly he made no mention of single-sex schools, the difference in learning between boys and girls, and how varying personality traits, learning styles, and disabilities are being catered for today when compared to years gone by.

Latta concluded that he was sold on the new ways young New Zealanders are being educated. He did not believe that a decile rating would impact the quality of education a child receives, and that NCEA is a system that is working very well, and providing a better deal for students.

While his hour on the outlook of the economy and equality last week painted a worrying picture, it was pleasing to see a subject Latta believes we should be upbeat, positive, and proud about.

As Latta is not afraid to share his own opinions and provide evidence and commentary to back them up, I’d recommend doing some further research of your own if you don’t believe Latta’s findings paint the full picture.

I’ve once again been careful to leave my personal opinions out of this piece because I believe it should be up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

It’s very refreshing to see high quality investigative documentaries on our screens. I’m looking forward to next week’s episode in which Nigel Latta examines New Zealand’s drinking culture. I’m betting he won’t have many positive things to say.

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You can read Jimmy’s review of last week’s episode here.

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Pro-gun message in kids’ picture book


A new “wholesome” picture book by two Michigan-based authors aims to show children the benefits of having parents who openly carry handguns.

The authors of

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Jennifer Lawrence splits from boyfriend


Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult apparently called things off back in May.

Us Weekly reported that The Hunger Games star is now single after breaking up with her X-Men co-star Nicholas, who she’s dated on and off since 2011.

British newspaper The Sun is now claiming things actually came to an end a few months ago, due to their hectic work schedules and the long-distance nature of their relationship.

Apparently things came to a head when 23-year-old Lawrence chose to attend a Dior show in Paris rather than take a day off to head to Wireless musical festival with her 24-year-old beau.

“Nicholas was pretty upset she opted out of seeing him as they rarely ever got to hang out,” a source told the publication.

“They split on decent terms. They know that at the end of the year they’ll be back on set together for the next X-Men film.”

Lawrence met the Skins actor while filming 2011’s X-Men: First Class, in which she played Raven/Mystique and he took on the part of Hank/Beast.

They broke up in 2013, but rekindled the romance later that year on the set of X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Next instalment Apocalypse is due out in 2016 and currently in pre-production. Fans of the Hollywood couple could be hoping that a reunion is on the cards when it starts shooting.

Meanwhile, Hoult has been keeping himself busy with sci-fi drama Equals, which also stars Kristen Stewart.

The Twilight actress plays his onscreen love interest and there are rumours they could also be more than friends off screen.

Neither have commented on the speculation, but Hoult did recently gush about his co-star.

“It’s always a weird position to be put in any film where the director chooses two people and is saying, ‘Hey, potentially in this world I’m creating, you two could fall in love,'” he said.

“Sometimes [this kind of situation] feels forced and tricky and awkward, but the kind of environment [director Drake Doremus] created was straightforward and easy. Kristen is a great actress, and that just makes it very relaxed and my job very easy.”

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– Stuff

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