Saturday 1 November 2014

Sweet, funky sounds from four strings

I was a bit unsure about the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra before I saw it live for the first time at a New Zealand Music Month gig six or so years ago.Until then, I'd thought of the ukulele as the uncool instrument...


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Cheryl Fernandez-Versini vamps it up for X Factor - but Mel B is far from scary





CHERYL Fernandez-Versini vamped it up for X Factor's Fright Night this evening.


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It's a nightmare come true

Sky's new sci-fi/fantasy/horror-centric channel The Zone launches tomorrow, and one of its flagship shows is a TV adaptation of the George Clooney 1998 vampire/crime thriller From Dusk Till Dawn. Unlike most TV series based on...


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Destiny: Bungie reveal new experimental story mechanism for The Dark Below DLC





BUNGIE have revealed a new storytelling mechanism will be in place for gamers who buy Destiny's December DLC, The Dark Below.


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Concert review: Elbow, The Powerstation

Guy Garvey arrives on stage, smiles and toasts the packed Auckland crowd for the first of many times. If he had time to hug everyone there, he probably would.Yes, there's something warm and welcoming about an Elbow concert, kind...


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Concert review: Lorde, Vector Arena

I thought I was sick of Lorde, but I'm definitely not anymore.The 17-year-old Kiwi star performed the final show of her Pure Heroine tour last night at Auckland's Vector Arena, and she absolutely crushed it.Lorde stepped into...


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Halloween week on Strictly means creepy costumes - and some downright scary performances





HALLOWEEN week on Strictly Come Dancing saw a selection of spooky dances – not to mention some particularly creepy costumes.


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Stiff-necked Downton Abbey stars drive starched-collar boom

The world's last remaining starched-collar laundry is enjoying a business boom thanks to the success of Downton Abbey .The Barker Group laundry in Bournemouth is seeing such high demand that it produces 80,000 of the collars every...


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Martin Henderson is the crime suspect

When Living catches up with Martin Henderson for a chat outside a Brisbane restaurant as dusk begins to fall, the 40-year-old actor's face is sporting a number of bruises and lacerations, and he sounds bone weary.It turns out...


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At 80, MacLaine comes to terms with work, life

LOS ANGELES (AP) Shirley MacLaine pulled no punches when asked about her take on life at age 80."Well, I'm a lot closer to dying," she said, with a chuckle.Maybe so, but there still seems to be a lot of life left for both the...


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TV pick: Happy Valley

Catherine Cawood, played by veteran British actress Sarah Lancashire, is a strong-willed police sergeant battling the drug-laden crime scene of the Yorkshire valleys in this six-part drama. Her no-nonsense-do-it-yourself-and-make-the-best-of-things...


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TV pick: Our Big Blue Backyard

This new local documentary series dives into our extensive watery surrounds, aiming to tell some of the many astounding stories of New Zealand's native marine animals. Spanning six marine environments, each episode is structured...


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At 80, MacLaine comes to terms with work, life

LOS ANGELES (AP) Shirley MacLaine pulled no punches when asked about her take on life at age 80."Well, I'm a lot closer dying," she said, with a chuckle.Maybe so, but there still seems to be a lot of life left for both the vibrant...


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Outspoken Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood hits out 'boring' X Factor





STRAIGHT taking Craig Revel Horwood is known for giving Strictly contestants a good dressing down but now it seems that no one is safe as the judge hits out at X Factor, Donny Osmond AND Bruce Forsyth.


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It's all about Auckland, says Lorde

Kiwi singing sensation Ella Yelich-O'Connor brought the curtain down on her 86-show tour last night, thanking the Queen city for its musical inspiration.Thousands of fans packed Vector Arena to hear Lorde's final performance on...


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Film premiere snub raises ruckus

The New Zealand actors who starred as dwarves in the Hobbit trilogy have been snubbed by film bosses who won't take them to the movie's world premiere in London. The Hobbit
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Running out of the kitchen

Celebrity chef Josh Emett will swap a steamy kitchen for a hot run when he's among 6000 runners in the inaugural Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon.The Michelin-star chef says he's "super excited" to be taking part...


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Docs save little girl's heart with raincoats in MIRACLE surgery





A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl has started school after surgeons repaired her heart with material that would usually be used to make raincoats.


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Police probe ex-CBC host in sex assault case

TORONTO (AP) Police are investigating a prominent former Canadian Broadcast Corp. radio host on sexual assault charges after three women came forward to complain.Toronto police sex crimes Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said Saturday...


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'I'm in it for the long game' Benedict Cumberbatch wants to work into his late seventies





HE MAY be the man of the moment but Benedict Cumberbatch has announced he plans to be around a whole lot longer than that.


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Game of Thrones inspiration: Natalie Dormer shocks in gruesome cut-throat Halloween dress





SHE spends all day dressed in medieval costume so you would think Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer would take the opportunity to wear something more modern at a celebrity Halloween party.


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Emma Watson opts for casual chic as she leaves LA after wowing at the Britannia Awards





ON THURSAY night Emma Watson was the picture of glamour as she attended the star-studded Britannia Awards in Los Angeles.


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Heidi Klum makes a spectacular metamorphosis into a butterfly at her Halloween party





HEIDI Klum is undoubtedly the Queen of Halloween and this year she pulled out all the stops in an incredible butterfly costume.


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Motoring Review: New easy rider from Lexus





LEXUS was quick off the mark with its first crossover.


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Set off fireworks: The best knits for Bonfire Night





TURN heads on Bonfire Night in super-soft chunky knits


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Emmerdale's Sammy Winward: 'I would like a happy ending for Andy and Katie'





WILL Emmerdale’s Katie Addyman seduce Robert Sugden in order to get her hands on Home Farm? It’s a tempting offer, admits actress Sammy Winward


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Marcus Wareing: 'I have high standards but that's how it should be'





THE popular series returns this week, with a tough new Michelin-starred chef at the helm…


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Why I’m never buying mascara again





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T.J. McNamara: Witty work to ponder

Six big paintings by Chris Heaphy at the Gow Langsford are characterised by elegant wit but this is not at the expense of a thoughtful purpose. The images are all in silhouette but the two-dimensionality does not take away from their...


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What happens when two strangers meet

It had all the hallmarks of a blind date: a meeting in a Melbourne cafe between two strangers who wanted to make a connection - except it wasn't a love connection.This was a kind of job interview. Actor-writer Natalie Medlock and...


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How the west was won

When Te Uru in Titirangi opens today, visitors won't just be looking at the art. With its playful staircases, five rooms and unique bush and harbour views, the new space the reincarnated Lopdell House Gallery is an artwork in itself."None...


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Janet McAllister: Bookbinding is a finely tuned craft

Step one when creating a fine bookbinding: read the book. At least, says British master bookbinder Dominic Riley, in Auckland last week for the first Association of Book Crafts (ABC) conference, that's what you're supposed to do....


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Frances McDormand: Olive and kicking

Frances McDormand is happy. She is so happy in fact that after more than a decade of no interviews she's come out to discuss Olive Kitteridge , the four-hour HBO mini-series that she calls "her baby" and "the culmination of everything...


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Concert review: Orchestra saves best WWI concert for last

On paper, the programme for the last of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Remembering WWI concerts looked good; in performance, it soared to the superb.The septet of Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale reflects the financial restraints...


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For whom the bells toll: WWI drama highlights horror of fighting from both sides





FILMING new First World War drama The Passing Bells was a real eye-opener for its young stars…


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Countrywise presenter Liz Bonnin: 'Too many species need help'





YOUR countryside needs you. Now Liz and her fellow Countrywise presenters Ben Fogle and Paul Heiney explain why


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'I was sick to my stomach,' says Vanessa Hehir on love scenes with her husband





WATERLOO Road actress Vanessa Hehir reveals what it was like to have an onscreen affair with her real life other half


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Paul O'Grady mourns friend Lynda





TV host Paul O’Grady has paid a touching tribute to his late friend Lynda Bellingham and spoken of his regret that he won’t be attending her funeral on Monday.


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Dognapper Judy Murray reveals her dark side





JUDY Murray has promised a Halloween horror show when she takes to the floor tonight on Strictly Come Dancing.


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Dementia breakthrough: Cancer drug that fights Alzheimer's disease





A CANCER drug has been found to help ­protect brain cells from the ravages of ­Alzheimer’s disease.


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60 years of Tony Hancock: Alan Simpson recalls working with comic





THE comedy scriptwriter Alan Simpson vividly remembers the time he and his writing partner Ray Galton first met the man who was to set them on the road to fame and fortune


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Cosy and elegant: The best accessories for autumn





THERE'S something for every budget in this week's must-haves


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Bathing beauty: Create a spa-like sanctuary at home





TURN your bathroom into a soothing haven and give yourself the A-list pampering treatment


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Ring the changes: 10 of the best telephones





WHICH retro phone is right for you? A 1930s handset, an Eighties power device or a futuristic ring...


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Whatever happened to… The Exorcist's Linda Blair?





ACTRESS Linda Blair opens up about her road to fame and her career after the hit movie


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'Being a mum helps me to stay in shape,' says The Xtra Factor's Konnie Huq





BABY oil, lip gloss and not following fashion - presenter Konnie Huq, 39, shares her style and beauty secrets


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