- marc thom -
It's all kicked off Down Under! Kiwis host dazzling fireworks display to open World Cup - now can England's rugby match it?
Last updated at 8:51 PM on 9th September 2011
A dazzling array of colours from a spectacular fireworks displays lit up the waterfront in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday as the country's largest city launched the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
A joyous opening ceremony featuring hundreds of dancers and singers as well as a reported three tonnes of pyrotechnics helped mark the start of the country's biggest ever sporting event.
Around 60,000 rugby fans had packed into Auckland's Eden Park to witness the official start of the tournament.
Explosive: Fireworks explode across the Auckland night sky to herald the launch of the World Cup
Spectacular: Boats in Auckland harbour are lit up by flood of fireworks
Kia ora! The Kiwi's put on a dramatic show as they prepared to host the tournament for the second time
Lighting up the sky: More of the reported three tonnes of spectacular fireworks help get the tournament off to an explosive start
The showpiece event featured a stylized sequence in which a young boy in a rugby jersey smashed through crowds of would-be tacklers who fell at his feet like skittles.
Meanwhile dancers and singers, some dressed in traditional Maori attire, helped kick off the tournament.
Other stylish celebrations during the flamboyant ceremony aimed to celebrate the game, as well as the Maori landscape and cultures of the Pacific.
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First Kiwi Prime Minister John Key and chairman of the IRB Bernard Lapasset addressed the crowd ahead of the opening match between hosts New Zealand and Tonga.
New Zealand also hosted the first ever Rigby World Cup in 1987, and the lavish ceremony today was a far cry from the low-budget affair 24 years ago.
The stage is set: Hundreds of dancers were involved in the ceremony, watched by 60,000 fans at Eden Park
Dazzling show: A colourful lights show featuring more dancers helped establish a party atmosphere in Auckland
Cultural: the dazzling opening ceremony aimed to show the world about traditions in the Pacific and New Zealand
Ethan Bai performs during the part of the ceremony which saw a youngster sprint down a rugby field through tackles
These stylish dancers added a classy touch to the opening ceremony proceedings in Auckland
Maori welcome: The ceremony was colourful and energetic
In the center of Auckland, thousands of New Zealanders showed their national pride by waving flags draped in Kiwi colours in a display which brought traffic to a standstill in the afternoon.
Cars came to a halt and blared their horns in Queen Street, Auckland's main thoroughfare, as fans hung out the windows screaming support for their national teams.
Flags hung from office and apartment windows as their occupants poured into the streets.
By far the noisiest crowds after New Zealand's were the Tongans, whose team faced off against the All Blacks at Eden Park, home of New Zealand rugby, after the official opening ceremony.
Schools and businesses closed early so Auckland residents could beat the traffic home or join the mobs in the city center.
Traditional opening: More Maori dancers give a demonstration of Pacific culture as part of the opening ceremony
The thousands of home fans inside Eden Park were certainly not disappointed with the opening match, as the All Blacks beat their Polynesian neighbours Tonga 41-10.
The celebrations came at the end of a perfect spring day in Auckland, when leaders from around the Pacific wrapped up four days of talks as part of the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
At a closing press conference, Prime Minister Key said preparations couldn't have gone better.
'We're really pleased with the weather - it's been a magnificent day in Auckland,' said Key.
Challenge: All Blacks perform the Haka after Tonga had laid down the gauntlet
Fans-tastic: All Black supporters enjoyed the action as their side ran out comfortable victors in the tournament opener with Tonga
Party atmosphere: Thousands crammed into Auckland's city centre for the opening ceremony in a mass showing of New Zealand national pride
'New Zealand's done everything it can to be prepared - you can feel the atmosphere out there.'
Asked which nation he had adopted as a 'second team' as New Zealanders had been asked to do, he quipped, 'I'm adopting Tonga because I want them to come second tonight.'
Gates to Auckland's waterfront, which the government has nominated 'party central' and erected a purpose-built venue dubbed The Cloud after it wavy white roof, shut about an hour before the official opening ceremony.
Trains, buses and ferries in the city were stopped or delayed as the authorities said it had reached capacity.
Sally Woodfield, spokesperson for the Real New Zealand Festival, which is organizing a series of events around the country for the tournament, said in The Cloud that she could not estimate the numbers at the venue.
'There's been nothing like this in New Zealand before, but it's gone off amazingly well,' said Woodfield.
England and Scotland kick off their campaigns in the so-called 'group of death' Pool B tomorrow. Scotland play Romania at 2am BST before England take on Argentina in Dunedin at 9.30am.
The other home nation Wales start their campaign against South Africa at 9.30am on Sunday after Ireland play USA.
Hosts New Zealand, seeking their bid for a first World Cup crown since 1987, play their second match of the tournament against Japan at 9am on September 16.
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For a wee country the kiwis did a pretty good job of the opening ceremony.
- JJ, London, 10/9/2011 02:07
Perhaps the 400,000 Kiwi's living in Australia would like to return to New Zealand, but they won't as the life style and standard of living in Australia is that much higher. New Zealand likes to paint itself as an independent country, but when it comes down to it they are completely dependant on Australia. It should have become the 7th state of Australia when it was invited to do so back in 1901. - True Blue, Melbourne Victoria Australia, 10/9/2011 01:16 Jealous much? I didn't realize Australia was totally self sufficient and had no need to trade with other countries. No wonder you have such a superiority complex.
- Julia, New Zealand, 10/9/2011 02:00
Perhaps the 400,000 Kiwi's living in Australia would like to return to New Zealand, but they won't as the life style and standard of living in Australia is that much higher. New Zealand likes to paint itself as an independent country, but when it comes down to it they are completely dependant on Australia. It should have become the 7th state of Australia when it was invited to do so back in 1901.
- True Blue, Melbourne Victoria Australia, 10/9/2011 01:16
I hid in my flat, can't stand rugby and all the hype.
- Megan, Auckland, NZ, 10/9/2011 00:27
"British people are not as stupid as you may think" Actually, given that comment from Peter Venner they are!
- Colin, Wellington, NZ, 10/9/2011 00:20
"now can England's rugby match it" - why favour England, DM? What about Scotland, Wales and Ireland? Wouldn't it fit in the headline box?
- Keen'n'Eager, OnAPlane, 09/9/2011 22:59
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a remix of a favorite of mine... love it!
[EVENT] HOMESEXUAL WHITE w/Sophie Ellis Bextor [02.10.11]
PART 2
SUN 2ND OCT HOMESEXUAL WHITE
Supporting The Mardi Gras Big Gay WeekendHomesexual : White
presented by In The Dark, Gaydar.com.au & DJ Warehouse
Featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor Live & ExclusiveSunday 2nd October 2011 – 11pm till 6am
Featuring extended DJ Set by Jayson Forbes
Starring A HUGE Homesexual production show featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor (check out our videos here)
Music by Alex Taylor, Adam Love, Dan Murphy, Kitty Glitter, Dom Desousa, Justin Scott & More TBA
Home The Venue, Darling Harbour, Sydney 2000Note. White dresscode not compulsory, anything goes
Sophie Ellis Bextor – the woman who carried our her Murder On The Dancefloor, is heading to Australia.
The porcelain-skinned British beauty will perform a special show featuring her greatest hits at Homesexual on Sunday, October 2 at Home The Venue.
The singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ first came to prominence in the late 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving widespread success in the early 2000s. Her music is a mixture of mainstream pop, disco, nu-disco, and 1980s electronic influences.
In 2000, Ellis-Bextor collaborated with Italian DJ Spiller on adding vocals to his then-instrumental club track Groovejet, her first recorded work since that with Theaudience. Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) entered the UK charts at number one, just beating former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham on her first solo outing to the top spot.
In 2001, Ellis-Bextor released her debut album, Read My Lips. It reached number two on the UK charts and spawned four top-twenty hit singles.
Her rework of Cher’s Take Me Home reached number two, as did Murder on the Dancefloor, which became Ellis-Bextor’s biggest single and was on charts for twenty-three weeks.
Murder on the Dancefloor became Europe’s most played song of 2002 and Read My Lips was re-released that year with two new songs (and a live version of Groovejet) and Ellis-Bextor won the Recording Artist Award at that year’s Showbusiness Awards. Her third single, Get Over You/Move This Mountain, was released in June 2002 and reached number three. The fourth single, Music Gets the Best of Me, rose to number fourteen in December.
General Tickets $52+bf buy
VIP Tickets $95+bf buy – (Viewing Balcony Access, Express Entry, Free Coat Check)
Weekend Pass $70+bf buy – (Saving you $30)
Wknd Pass = Glitter Ball Sat 1st Oct + Homesexual White Access Sun 2nd OctBuy Tickets Online by clicking here
or if you prefer to pay cash from Soleil Tanning, 1/132 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst – (02) 9331 8899
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 6th, 2011 at 4:16 pm. It is filed under events, news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
VA – Ministry of Sound – Clubbers Guide to Spring (Australian Edition) (2011)
2 CDs | Genre: Dance | Release: 2011 | MP3 320 kbps | 352 MB
Tracklist:
DISC ONE (Mixed by Goodwill)
1. Example – Changed The Way You Kiss Me
2. Calvin Harris feat. Kelis – Bounce (Michael Woods Remix)
3. The Potbelleez – Midnight Midnight (Stafford Brothers Vocal Remix)
4. All The Lights – Chasing Colours (Ian Carey Remix)
5. Luciana – I\’m Still Hot (R3hab Remix)
6. Adele – Set Fire To The Rain (Thomas Gold Remix)
7. The Wombats – Techno Fan (Afrojack Remix)
8. Laidback Luke – Natural Disaster
9. Albin Myers – Air Drums
10. Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Alive
11. PNAU – Solid Ground (Tim Mason Remix)
12. Adrian Lux feat. Rebecca & Fiona – Boy
13. The Aston Shuffle – Drop
14. Ridney – Always With You
15. Goodwill & Carl Kennedy – Home
16. Sharam Jey pres. Soundz Fresh – LetGGe’1/4Ga”o’s Get It On (Sebastien Drums & Ryan Adans Remix)
17. Dirty Secretz – Discopolis
18. Ray Foxx – The Trumpeter
19. Friendly Fires – Live Those Days Tonight (Tim Green Main Remix)
20. Azari & III – Hungry For The Power (Jamie Jones Ridge Street Remix)
21. Danny Daze feat Louisahhh! – Your Everything
DISC TWO (Mixed by Anna Lunoe)
1. His Majesty Andre – Untitled Vinyl
2. Sneaky Sound System – We Love (Aston Shuffle Remix)
3. Teenage Bad Girl feat. Rye Rye – X Girl (Bart B More Main Mix)
4. Soho Spiv feat. Danny Freddy – Hands In The Air
5. autoKratz – Becoming The Wraith (Savage Skulls & Douster Remix)
6. The Subs – DonGGe’1/4Ga”o’t Stop (The Aston Shuffle Remix)
7. Green Velvet feat. Rossoul – Millie Vanillie
8. Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend (Azari & III Remix)
9. Toni Toni Lee – 2 Phreeky (Diamond Lights Remix)
10. Beni feat. Sean deLear and Turbotito – It\’s A Bubble (DJ Sneak Remix)
11. Zombie Disco Squad – Pinky
12. Jon Giovanni – Bamboo
13. Anna Lunoe & Them Jeans – Voodoo
14. Style Of Eye – Sexx
15. Swedish House Mafia – Save The World (Style Of Eye & Carli Remix)
16. Vato Gonzalez feat. Foreign Beggars – Badman Riddim (Jump)
17. Swick feat. Marsepan – Flick It Up (Will Bailey Remix)
18. Crookers pres. Dr. Gonzo feat. Wax Motif & Neoteric – Springer
19. Wretch 32 – Traktor (Mike Delinquent Go Harder Dub)
20. Cee Lo Green – I Want You (Redlight Remix)
21. SBTRKT – Wildfire
22. Skream feat. Sam Frank – Where You Should Be
23. DJ Fresh – Louder
Short preview, LoFi Quality (128 kbps):
The market is tanking, we’re treading water in expensive wars, unemployment is high, people are eating garbage, school is failing us, our government is dysfunctional, pollution is rampant, kids are hooked on drugs, and our prisons are packed. Many things are going horribly wrong with this world, and I’d even say that some metrics we might judge ourselves by are at an all-time low.
If you focus on these things, and by that I mean "watch the news", you might reminisce about a better time. You might think of the booming markets of the 1980s, the relatively peaceful 2000s, or even the pollution-free 1500s. You could yearn for the fifties when kids listened to their parents, ate their vegetables, and could count on a solid career right out of college.
But that’s just one side of the coin, and a one-sided coin isn’t worth much of anything.
We have technology that would have passed for magic during our great-grandparents’ lifetimes. Life expectancy is near an all time high. For a nominal fee, I can talk to someone on the other side of the globe in real-time.
For the same amount of money the average American makes in just a few days, it’s possible to travel in a few hours a distance that previously would have taken weeks. And you don’t have to worry about getting cholera on the way anymore.
Unlimited knowledge about our world, our past, and ourselves is available for free. More people than ever have access to it. As a group, humanity knows more about our world than any generation ever has.
It’s unrealistic to expect that every single category of life will continuously be at an all-time high. That’s just not how things work. Some areas will lag, or even falter. Others will shoot ahead, but we’ll adapt so quickly we don’t even notice (how impressed are you that you have color screens on things?). Like so many things in life, our appreciation of what we have is left squarely in our own hands. The world is a horrible place if we only focus on the bad. If we focus on the positive, it’s nothing short of heavenly. And if we take a balanced and objective view, it’s still spectacular.
We have problems, but they offer us the opportunity to struggle for progress, which is perhaps the most satisfying human experience. Like every other "impossible" problem we’ve solved, we’ll conquer most of what seems so horrible today. Along with that will come deterioration in other areas, but overall the tide rises with time.
We are unbelievably lucky, even though we lose sight of this fact sometimes. The only better time than now is the future, so let’s be thankful for this amazing world we have, and be justifiably optimistic about what’s coming next.
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