Sunday, 31 January 2016

Rock star David Bowie leaves $100m in will

Rock star David Bowie left an estate valued at about $100m (£70m), according to his will which has been filed in New York.
Half will go to his widow, Iman, along with the home they shared in New York. The rest is shared between his son and daughter.
It was also revealed that Bowie had requested that his ashes be scattered in Bali in a Buddhist ritual.
David Bowie with wife, Iman, in October 2006
David Bowie married Iman, a model and actress, in 1992


..
The singer died of cancer on 10 January, aged 69.
The will was filed in a Manhattan court on Friday under Bowie's legal name, David Robert Jones.
The star's personal assistant, Corinne Schwab, was left $2m and another $1m went to a former nanny, Marion Skene.


David Bowie with son Duncan Jones in 2009Image copyrightGetty Images
Image captionDuncan Jones, a film director, is David Bowie's son from his first marriage

Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, and daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, both received 25% of the estate. Alexandria was also left a home in upstate New York.
In the will, written in 2004, Bowie asked that he be cremated in Bali but if that was "not practical", then his ashes be scattered there anyway "in accordance with the Buddhist rituals".
Bowie's body was cremated on 12 January in New Jersey, according to a death certificate filed with the will.

Buddhist rituals after cremation

  • Practices vary according to the different Buddhism traditions, and the choice of rituals is regarded as a highly personal matter
  • After a cremation, relatives of the deceased often choose to enshrine the ashes in a columbarium or pagoda, bury them, or scatter them at sea
  • The family may invite monks to chant, or conduct a simple ceremony themselves
  • Donations are often collected and given to charity
  • Buddhist teachings focus on the impermanence of life, and say death will lead to rebirth
Source: Buddha Dharma Education Association

At the time it was reported that no family or friends were present at the ceremony, in accordance with his wishes.
It is not known whether his ashes have been scattered.
Bowie had released a new album, Blackstar, just two days before his death, which has been retrospectively interpreted as his epitaph. The album is in the number one spot in the UK charts for the third week.

Saturday, 30 January 2016

London Theatre and Shows - The Latest Special Offers


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Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre - Sheridan Smith

Funny Girl, starring multi award-winning stage and screen star Sheridan Smith, transfers to the Savoy Theatre following its sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
This musical classic tells the fascinating bitter-sweet story of Fanny Brice (Smith), whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”.
This bold new production, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, a book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart, with revisions by Harvey Fierstein, is directed by Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch & Spring Awakening on Broadway) and promises to be the must-see musical of 2016.

Funny Girl Tickets

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2 or 3nt 4* Luxury Iceland, Spa Access, B'fast & Flights £169

From £169pp (from Weekender Breaks) for a 2nt 4* luxury Iceland break inc. flights (London or Manchester), breakfast, spa access, or from £249pp for 3nts - save up to 42% - View Details - Buy Tickets
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Friday, 29 January 2016

Zoolander - No2 - Film Synopsis - Film Poster - Film Trailer

Being really, really, ridiculously good-looking isn’t easy - just ask Derek Zoolander. The world’s former number one male supermodel and inventor of Blue Steel has been there, done it, and worn out the designer t-shirt.
Despite being brainwashed into the attempted assassination of the Malaysian Prime Minister, the VH1 three-time Male Model of the Year somehow managed to foil the plans of fiendish fashionista Mugatu, coming through the ordeal relatively unscathed.
He even formed a close bond and lasting friendship with rival model Hansel.
Fast forward 14 years and the vacant pair head off to Europe for a prestigious fashion show. Here, they rub shoulders with the likes of Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and similar other A-listers who all seem to be much more relevant and current than they are – what happened?
However, behind all the glitz and glamour, a sinister force is waiting in the wings, ready to attack and steal their thunder. Is Mugatu back to wreak havoc?
Despite a moderately successful box office run back in 2001, Zoolander quickly earned itself a cult-status, selling truckloads of DVDs around the globe to become one of the most quoted comedies of the millennium.
Fans have been waiting patiently for Zoolander 2, and Derek and Hansel’s appearance at the 2015 Paris Fashion Week sent Twitter into meltdown. The boys are back in town.

British Newspaper Archive - FLASH SALE - 50% discount

FLASH SALE!!! This weekend only, we're offering a 50% discount on 12 month subscriptions. This offer must end at midnight on Sunday evening, so reach out to your readers now! 
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Museum of London - Forget Valentines - fall in love with the real London

FORGET VALENTINE'S!
Let London captivate you with remarkable stories from The Crime Museum Uncovered and new displaysTattoo London and Under Londonplus see the Thames in a new light with unusual events from a nocturnal pirate party to a boat tour with a difference.


NEW THIS MONTH
CRIME INVESTIGATIONS
What is it really like to be a detective? Join journalist and Crime + Investigation presenter, Dermot Murnaghan, on Tue 2 Feb as he chairs a panel of experts discussing real-life cases featured in The Crime Museum Uncovered and the processes of modern investigation. In partnership with Crime + Investigation.
UNDER LONDON
Join acclaimed photographer, Simon Norfolk, on Mon 15 Feb as he explains his personal journey to create the stunning archaeological images now on display at the Museum of London.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Keep the celebrations going and kick off February half term on Sat 13 Feb with a celebration of the Year of the Monkey at the Museum of London Docklands. Learn traditional dancing and crafts and hear enchanting folktales.
A SWASHBUCKLING SLEEPOVER
Yo ho ho! February half term at the Museum of London Docklands includes a brand new pirate themed sleepover for children aged 7-11 years. Track down treasure by torchlight, enjoy hands-on activities exploring the lives of pirates from London’s past, and sleep in 200 year old building on Sat 20 Feb.
TOUR THE THAMES
Immerse yourself in the myths and dark stories of the river on a boat trip down the Thames on Sat 20 Feb. With expert talks on crime, death and myths and warming refreshments.
MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS GHOST TOUR
Hear haunting tales of the docklands and discover dark and notoriously haunted areas, not usually open to the public, every Tuesday throughout February.
TATTOO LONDON
ON THE BLOG
A new exhibition getting under the skin of London's vibrant tattoo culture opens today at the Museum of London. Meet the artists in a series of blogs.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Curator Jen Kavanagh and art historian Dr Matt Lodder introduce the history of professional tattooing in London. 
BOOK AHEAD
Tattoo London Art Macabre life drawing salon

An evening exploring the tattooed body with a life drawing salon session led by Art Macabre. Draw the models' tattooed bodies, explore the traditions and tales behind their designs and experiment with what it’s like to draw your designs directly onto the models themselves.

In response to overwhelming demand The Crime Museum Uncovered will be open late on Fri 4 Mar, Fri 1 Apr, and will be open for extended hours on Sat 9 and Sun 10 Apr, the final weekend before closing to the public.
PARTNER PROMOTIONS
Until 28 Feb 2016
Jewish Museum London
★★★★ Londonist
★★★★ The Independent
This exhibition explores the provocative and complex subject of blood.
Shakespeare Woz Ere
City of London     
Make the most of a wonderful and varied programme of events in the City of London and Bankside, to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
   
Feed your mind with free Lunchtime Lectures lectures this spring. From battle police to military fashion − there’s a range of fascinating topics on offer.