September 18th, 2008 pkuan
We have been waiting for the great band Linkin Park for long, however, they have been forced to cancel their upcoming Music for Relief Concerts in Mainland China, Macao and Taipei as lead vocalist Chester has sustained a back injury and is under doctor’s orders to refrain from the traveling.
Linkin Park sincerely regrets this unavoidable cancellation and apologizes to their fans for any disappointment caused; however, being the fans of them, we really hope Chester can recover at very soon so they must perform as perfect as they are in the next Asia tour!
For those who has bought the tickets, please visit the box office of The Venetian Macao to check refund methods; or call (853) 2882 8818 / (852) 6333 6660; or simply send email to events@venetian.com.moAmerican rockers Linkin Park are coming performing at Venetian Macao’s Cotai Strip CotaiArena on October, 21, 2008. After performing in Shanghai, Wuhan, Taipei and Beijing, Macau is the last stop in Asia tour this year.
They have sold 50 million albums and won 2 Grammy Awards since their formation in 1996. Their first album, Hybrid Theory, was broadly accepted by the music fans and shortly they became one of the hottest bands in the world.
Many of their Macau fans are very excited about their arrival. Not many other bands have been able to produce a unique musical style quite like them - mixing and match rock, rap and metal elements “nu rock and rap rock”genres.
7 years ago, when their debut album first arrived in Macau, we could hear their songs like “In the end”, “Pushing me away” playing in every corner.
When we went to local band performances in Macau, we had to put up with many vocalists trying hard to replicate Chester Bennington’s unique style of singing, which was melodic growling and screaming. Us poor concert-goers had to sit through many young boys try but fail miserably.
7 years later, Linkin Park comes to CotaiArena at The Venetian Macao with their latest songs from the new album Minutes to Midnight.
The ticket price is only from MOP380 to MOP880, and we hear that many of the standing tickets are already sold out.
Current Band Members:
Chester Bennington - vocals (1999 – present)
Rob Bourdon - drums, percussion (1996 – present)
Brad Delson - lead guitar (1996 – present)
Dave “Phoenix” Farrell - bass guitar, back-up vocals (1996 – 1999, 2001 – present)
Joe Hahn - turntables, programming, samples (1996 – present)
Mike Shinoda - emcee, vocals, guitar, keyboards (1996–present)
Albums:
- Hybrid Theory (2000)
- Meteora (2003)
- Minutes to Midnight (2007)
Tickets are in four price categories: A Reserve (MOP$880), B Reserve (MOP$680), C Reserve (MOP$580) and D Reserve (MOP$380) can be booked online at Venetian Macao ticketing, by phone on (853) 2882 8818, or in person at Sands Macao Lobby and Cotai Strip® CotaiArena™ Box Office.
September 17th, 2008 pkuan
The 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest kicked off last week at the waterfront next to the Macau Tower. As expected, the outdoor area around Macau Tower was jam packed with crowds jostling for one of the best views in the house. It was a prime spot not only because of its proximity to the fireworks, but also because a sound system also broadcast a synchronized soundtrack.
We managed to escape the crowds by joining The Food and Fireworks Fiesta, which was a sumptuous spread of Italian food and desserts served in a specially cordoned area by the Macau Tower. At MOP268, you not only get prime seats to watch the fireworks, but freshly prepared Italian pastas, roasted meats, salads, cheeses and a whole spread of decadent desserts like chocolate tart, crème caramel, ice cream and fruits.
Entertainment wise, there is a band to keep you entertained while waiting for the fireworks display at 9pm and 10pm. There is even a shiny yellow Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and Italian Vespa scooter for photo opportunities.
The Food and Fireworks Fiesta will continue for the rest of the Fireworks Festival.
Germany kicked off the Fireworks Festival, but failed to synchronize themselves effectively with the music. Korea’s display at 10pm wowed the crowds with their flashy perfectly timed displays set to classic favorites and modern pop tunes.
On Saturday night, we watched the fireworks from the opposite direction – at the Crystal Club on the 38th floor of Crown Macau in Taipa. If you’re looking for a classy and exclusive location, to enjoy the fireworks, Crown is for you. However, Crystal Club doesn’t accept reservations, and you’ll have to get in early for reservations at their other F&B outlets which do.
Alfresco Italian Food and Firework Festa buffet
20, 27 September & 1 October
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Price: Adult MOP$268
Children MOP$168
(Subject to 10% service charge)
For more information, please go to Macau Tower website.
September 11th, 2008 pkuan
The 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest on 13, 14, 20, 27 and October 1 are a chance for you to enjoy both. There will be 2 free displays at 9pm and 10pm each lasting about 18 minutes.
It promises to be an aural and visual spectacle as sound systems will be in place at the waterfront in front of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza.
Professional teams from Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and China will be on hand to ensure the celebrations kick off with a bang. The competition is known for bringing out the artistic and creative side of fireworks – last year, crowd favorites were fireworks which exploded into hearts and smiles, and lasted long enough for the crowd to take several photos.
Star performers this year include:
Tamaya Art Pyro Technics from Japan won the championship in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest in 2004 and 2005. They perform more than 150 fireworks shows a year in China, the United States and Europe.
Macedo & Companhia Pirotecnia, Lda. of Portugal, who won the contest in 2000, was listed on the Guinness Book of World Records for launching the largest fireworks display consisting of 66,326 fireworks shells on December 31, 2006.
As 2 dates of the contest, September 14 and October 1 fall on Mid Autumn Festival and China’s National Day, it is a double cause for celebration.
As the fireworks display will take place at the sea area in front of the Macau Tower, in central Macau, you can chose to dine in restaurants within Macau Tower including:
However, if even if you can’t get high up, there are still alternatives which offer good views of the action. Many shutter bus set up tripods across the bridge in Taipa, or choose to seat down in Bee Vee restaurant (nearby Ocean Garden) Tel: +853 2881 2398.
To enjoy tasty local cuisine, and the fireworks, book an outdoor spot near Sai Van Lake, just across from the Macau Tower, where there are several famous restaurants offering Macanese and Portuguese specialties.
Ali’s Curry House Address: Avenida da Republica 4/K Tel: +853 2855 5865
Henri’s Gallery
Café Sai Wan On Kei Address: Pç Lobo Ávila 28A Tel: +853 2838 7108
Restaurant Tennis Civil Address: Avenida da Republica 14/1 Tel: +853 2830 1189
Another vantage point for those who want to have a cool drink and enjoy the fireworks is at one of the bars along the stretch known as the “Lan Kwai Fong” of Macau, near the Kun Iam Statue, where a sound system will be installed to synchronize with the fireworks action. Wong Chiu like:
Moonwalker
mp3
Casablanca Address: Dynasty Plaza
House Address: Dynasty Plaza
Fireworks Display Contest
Date:13, 14, 20, 27 & 01Oct08
Time: 9:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
Admission free
Venue: Sea area in front of Macau Tower
Organizer: Macau Government Tourist Office
Telephone enquiries: (853) 2833 3000
Displays last approx. 18 minutes, with two displays per evening.
More information and program download, please visit
Macau Government Tourist Office
Fireworks Carnival 2008
Date:13, 14, 20, 27 & 01Oct08
Time: 5:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.
Admission free
Venue: Adjacent to Macau Tower
Organizers: Macau Government Tourist Office, General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau
September 10th, 2008 pkuan
The resurrected Miss Macau pageant crowned its first winner in 11 years last Sunday. As a 2007 IFT (Institute For Tourism Studies) graduate, Florence Loi, 23, should be well equipped to market Macau to the world as her new beauty queen!
As part of their presentation to convince judges of their eligibility to be the face of Macau, the contestants had to wax lyrical about Macau’s signature snacks, including the Portuguese Egg Tart and Pork Chop Bun.
The second runner up Ana Kuan Barroso, a Macanese of mixed Portuguese and Chinese heritage, was a crowd favourite, so it wasn’t surprising that the Macau Polytechnic Institute student bagged 2 subsidiary awards.
They are:
Most Stylish and Glamorous Hair Award
Most Popular Miss Macau
Coming third in the pageant was Cherry Ng
September 4th, 2008 pkuan
So after 11 years, a new Miss Macau is finally going to be crowned this Sunday at CotaiAreana at The Venetian Macao.
The 10 finalists are below, and the general consensus from people I’ve been speaking to has been:
“Is that the best they can do?”
“Not pretty”
“So ordinary”
“Wait, isn’t that a man??!”
Sure, it’s easy to stand back and point fingers, but to actually get up there and bare your soul to the public, not to mention your body in a swimsuit is not easy for any girl without formal training.
We should applaud them if anything, for their courage. Beauty pageants are a strange thing. If you represent your country in an international sporting (think of the recent Olympics), music event, or film, you get the respect and support from your countrymen and women. Miss Macau will eventually represent this SAR on a an international stage, at an event that will be broadcast worldwide.
In terms of exposure for the country, they are just as eligible for support, yet, I doubt Miss Macau is going to have a whole bunch of Facebook groups dedicated to her and her her journey to the international finals.
In fact, many beauty pageant contestants in Asia have to battle constant criticism about their looks and intellect, and the stereotypical assumptions that they must be vain and stupid.
This is in a major contrast compared to beauty pageant contestants in India, where a pageant queens are stars and Latin America, where the women have been often quoted as “a national treasure”.
In India, girls with “pageant potential” start their training from young. Classes held by pageant trainers cover subjects including dressing, deportment, manners and how to generally come across as a good ambassador for their country.
I don’t believe Macau has the habit of grooming potential pageant queens from young - and after 11 years, any pageant trainers would probably have changed careers or starved to death by now. Most of these girls were probably still playing with Barbie Dolls and My Little Pony.
Indian superstar Aishwarya Rai’s career took off when she became 1994 Miss World. To me, she has always been the ultimate beauty, even if she doesn’t fit the Kate Moss mold.
In Venezuela, the local winners can bag themselves prizes like an apartment, car and even free plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry services, to make them even more gorgeous. They often go on to lucrative endorsements, acting careers and marry celebrities.
In the United States, many girls dream of representing their country in a beauty pageant.
As a result of the support and admiration the girls in these countries get, more of them are likely to enter the competition, leading to a greater talent pool to select girls from. But who would want to represent their country only to be unappreciated at ridiculed? Perhaps there is a girl out there who could make the finals. But it is unlikely she’ll ever consider joining the contest without the support of the public.
If anyone thinks that the girls below aren’t exactly supermodel standard, well I’d agree. They aren’t your typical stick-thin and lanky clotheshorses. But then, people confused modeling contests with beauty pageants. Pageant queens are supposed to show poise, speak well, show sympathy and intellect and come across as likable - well, in order to be successful.
Successful models on the other hand, have to have symmetrical features which can adapt to suit different trends and figure which flatters most styles of clothing (read, skinnier than your average beauty queen).
They don’t particularly have to be well versed or liked, or well behaved off the runway.
It’s like comparing an actor to a model - both are attractive but require a different set of criteria and skill.
So anyway, here the girls are.
Good luck to them, and may they make Macau proud!
Entry No.01
Vanessa Chan
Age 26
Entry No.02
Kelly Qu
Age 24
Entry No.03
Sonia Hoi
Age 23
Entry No.04
Milna Leong
Age 24
Entry No.05
Ana Kuan Barroso
Age 20
Entry No.06
Iris Chan
Age 22
Entry No.07
Cherry Ng
Age 21
Entry No.08
Florence Loi
Age 23
Entry No.09
Martina Wat
Age 19
Entry No.10
Annie Loi
Age 22
Miss Macau 2008 at CotaiArena Sunday September 7.
7.45pm
MOP100
The Venetian CotaiTicketing
For more information:
Phone: +853 2871 5190
Email: alwyn.lee@suninnovation.com
