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Published: 02 September 2004

The Magical All-Female Quartet
Bond Asian Tour Live in Hong Kong

Breaking the rules of classical music, Bond adds a new dimension to classic tunes.  Wild and sexy, the all-female string quartet’s signature edgy performance style has captivated young fans all over the world.  Whenever Bond performs live, the sheer energy of their cutting-edge music touches all those who are present.  In May this year, the group’s concerts in Japan were such an incredible success.  Come October, fans in Hong Kong will be treated to the electrifying sounds from the Classical Spice Girls’ music.

Their new release Classified has received rave reviews from music lovers and the media alike.  The lead track “Explosive”, a sequel to “Victory”, with guest performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, merges classical, elegant melody with vibrant beats and instantly conveys an ecstatic feeling.  You just cannot resist indulging in Bond’s sea of beautiful notes.  Now a classic, their debut album Born went Platinum and Gold in more than 20 countries whereas the second album Shine stayed number 1 in the US Classical Crossover chart for 5 weeks straight.  The long-awaited new album Classified, produced by maestros Tonci Huljic and DJ Young, is sure to give fans a fresh impression.

Bond has brought about a phenomenal classical string music sensation in Asia.  With a plethora of female string groups appearing after Bond’s unparalleled success, it is evident that Bond is the leader in classical crossover music. 

To gear up for the Hong Kong leg of Bond’s Asian Tour, Commercial Radio will organise a competition to recruit talented violinists and cellists.  The winners will have a chance to perform in radio shows.

Bond’s music has been featured in numerous TV programmes, major events and in this year’s Athens Olympic Games.   The Spanish tune “Fuego” and the classic Bond track “Viva”, for instance, are some of the popular pieces used in the swimming events.

Bond, the magical all-female quartet will perform live on 10 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  Hurry up and book your tickets now.

Date & Time: 8:00pm, Sunday, 10 October, 2004
Venue: Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Ticketing:  HK Ticketing, www.hkticketing.com
Enquiry hotline: 31 288 288

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Published: 28 August 2004

THE 30 YEAR WAIT IS OVER!
THE LEGENDARY U.S. BAND EAGLES CONFIRM OCTOBER DATES IN HONG KONG AS PART OF THEIR “FAREWELL I” WORLDWIDE TOUR

Lushington Limited is thrilled to announce the first ever live dates in South East Asia for the highly acclaimed Eagles, with a one night extravaganza at the Hong Kong Coliseum on the 20th October. Tickets from HK$588 to HK$2,750 will go on sale at all Urbtix and Tom Lee outlets on the 20th August.
The Eagles - Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit - will perform songs spanning their award winning 30 year career including tracks from the best selling album of all time, Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975. In concert, fans will not only be treated to classic Eagles’ hits such as ‘Hotel California’, ‘Desperado’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, and ‘One of These Nights’, but also to Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Joe Walsh solo projects.

The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five #1 U.S. albums and singles and four Grammy Awards. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, Hotel California, and Their Greatest Hits Volume 2 have sold 28, 16, and 11 million albums respectively, making them the only recording artists in musical history to have three albums that have sold more than 10 million units. In 1998 the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The Coliseum show will be configured for 12,000 fans with an end stage at floor level and side and rear seats also available to meet the anticipated demand. The band will travel with its entire production and 75 man entourage of management and specialists which will include its own camera team, screens and video production to ensure all fans won’t miss a moment of the onstage action.

Catch Eagles performing all their classic hits in Hong Kong on the 20th October.

EAGLES – LIVE IN HONG KONG
Date:  20th October 2004
Venue:  Hong Kong Coliseum
Time:  8:00pm
Sale Date:   20th August 2004
Tickets:  HK$988, HK$1,500, HK$2750 (front view)
  HK$588, HK$750 (rear view)
Bookings Hotline:  (+852) 2734 9009
Group Bookings & Enquiries: (+852) 2838 8384

Details

Published: 28 August 2004

The exceptional artiste ALICIA KEYS confirms October dates in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Lushington Entertainments is thrilled to announce the arrival of the extraordinary musical talent, Alicia Keys, to South East Asia for the first time, commencing with a one night spectacular at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on the 3rd October, followed by Singapore on 7th October. Tickets are priced HK$388, HK$588, and HK$788 and will go on sale at all HK Ticketing and Tom Lee outlets on the 26th August.

Blending diverse influences including R&B, hip-hop, jazz and classical piano, Alicia will deliver a positively stirring live performance featuring hits from her current platinum selling album The Diary of Alicia Keys and her amazing debut album Songs In A Minor.

A rare artiste among her own generation, a singer, songwriter and extraordinary pianist who combines classical training with an old school sensibility and a direct relationship with today's mix of hip-hop and R&B, Alicia relates to music much in the way legends like Stevie Wonder and Prince have always done, seeing their work as a continuous, ongoing journey.

Her official website says she possesses an "Old Soul," and the hard facts seem to back up the implied claim of wisdom and experience that transcend Alicia Keys' youth.

A true musical prodigy whose multi-dimensional talents emerged at the age of 5, Alicia was writing songs when she was 14, with seven years of piano lessons under her belt. In later years she appeared on movie soundtracks including Shaft and Men In Black. In 1998, at the age of 17, she signed a deal with Arista Records, when the company triumphed in a bidding war over other labels.

Alicia Keys’ extraordinary debut, Songs In A Minor, has sold in excess of 15,000 copies in Hong Kong, and 10 million worldwide, earned her countless awards including 5 Grammys, and secured her place as one of the most important new arrivals on the global recording scene.
Her follow up album, The Diary of Alicia Keys has reached platinum status in Hong Kong, selling 20,000 copies. The album debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Album chart, and has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA, having sold in excess of 5 million albums worldwide after only 6 months.

Catch the phenomenal Alicia Keys in a one-night spectacular at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on the 3rd October.

ALICIA KEYS LIVE IN HONG KONG
Date:   3rd October 2004
Venue:   Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (Hall 3)
Time:   8:00pm
Sale Date:   26th August 2004
Tickets:   HK$388, HK$588, and HK$788
   ALL HK TICKETING & TOM LEE OUTLETS
Bookings Hotline:   (+852) 3128 8288
Web bookings:   www.hkticketing.com

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Published: 20 July 2004

After three spectacular weeks here in Hong Kong, involving 25 bands in a series of brilliant nights at packed venues, we have begun the Semi-Finals of the Hong Kong leg of the World Battle of the Bands. We have been staggered by the quality of some of these bands and the song writing talent coming through - Audiences have been filling both venues showing that there is indeed a thriving music scene, bubbling away here in Hong Kong. All in all, it is proving to be a huge success!

The World Battle of the Bands is a global competition seeking out the hottest unsigned bands of four countries spanning the Pacific Rim. Competitions start in Hong Kong and follow on to the United States, Australia and New Zealand - with the winners of each respective region flying to Auckland this December for the World Final. It’s a chance for emerging Hong Kong bands to showcase themselves and their original material before a diverse audience and star-studded, influential and international judging panel. Check out: www.worldbattleofthebands.com.

This week the pace increases as Semi-Finals take place in the two venues of Wanchai and Central, gearing up for the Hong Kong Final at the Hard Rock Café in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 3rd. We invite the Hong Kong public to come and check out these shows – it’s proving to be a great night out with four and sometimes five bands taking over the stage for the evening.

After the final, the Hong Kong winners will have five months to practice. They will be invited to play on the main stage of the Rockit Festival in Victoria Park in October, in between two headlining acts. Then they are being flown to New Zealand to battle against the other countries in December for the World Final. There are precious prizes for the world winners: as well as recording a single with Intergalactic Records, they’ll be earning precious recording equipment not to mention the global glory... Hong Kong winners will also be receiving cash prizes from the Tom Lee Music Company.


EVENT HISTORY:
It all started with the New Zealand Battle of the Bands…

The New Zealand Battle of the Bands (as it was formerly known) is a respected, nation-wide music event that has grown significantly in popularity and size over its 11-year history. It has now become the largest music contest in New Zealand. The event provides a platform for emerging bands to present themselves to a larger audience, as well as to industry figures. It forms a middle ground between artist’s first performances and resulting careers in the music industry. It equally gives the music industry an amazing opportunity to spot the hottest emerging, unsigned acts.

For the winning band, the glory aside, it’s a chance to win musical equipment and gain exposure: they will be given recording time and the New Zealand release of their recordings. This single / EP, is released through NZ Independent record label, Intergalactic Records (Member of IMNZ). There is the added bonus of being able to travel to the country’s cultural capital, Auckland, for the national final where they have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of an experienced and professional judging panel.

Many sponsors support the New Zealand Battle of the Bands by contributing to the prizes and promotion. These include: Marshall, APRA, NZ Rockshops, Software Images, Area 51 Studios as well as media partners - The Rock and Juice TV, some select regional radio stations, Rip It Up, NZ Musician and more. (Several of these sponsors have supported the event for a number of years.)

International Expansion of the Event

In 2004 the event was re-named the WORLD BATTLE OF THE BANDS.

In 2004 the decision was made to spread the magic of this event to encompass the world. This is Phase One – The Pacific Rim. Next year we plan to expand the competition into China and South East Asia as well as other parts of the world. In a time where the televised media and internet make us a global village, this is the time for bands from every culture to share the same stage and a united, global audience. The World Battle of the Bands involves various nations with winning bands from each country playing off against each other, competing to be the World Winner.

Initially inspired by several entry forms submitted from bands based outside of New Zealand, as well as reaching a point in NZ where the event has gone national; this international growth opens the door for the event to become a world-wide established brand reaching an even larger audience.

2004, ‘Phase 1 - Pacific Rim’ will begin the international growth, with NZ, Australia, Hong Kong and Los Angeles being the first regions invited to join in. These regions have been selected due to geographical location to New Zealand as well as existing business destinations of the organisers.  Although other regions are a possibility, it has been decided to limit 2004 to 4 regions only, with more countries / cities to be added in 2005.

Each of the four’s countries, throughout various venues, will host heats, semi-finals and regional finals to determine the competitors for each National Final. The Winning band from each country will fly to Auckland, New Zealand to compete in the first ever, WORLD FINAL.


JUNE / JULY / AUG   - HONG KONG

JULY  / AUG    - LOS ANGELES

JULY / AUG / SEPT    - NEW ZEALAND

OCT / NOV     - AUSTRALIA

DEC      - WORLD FINAL - NEW ZEALAND

Details

Published: 16 July 2004

Fuel the Olympic Games with hottest Tabasco Global Cuisines

There's an enchanting chemistry between warm weather and hot/spicy food, therefore in order to keep the summer spirit, from July 19 to Aug 31, Caramba will be featuring 'Fuel the Olympic Games with the hottest Tobasco Global Cuisines' with our chef innovation creation of 5 different dishes using different Tabasco sauce, definitely make your mouth water.

Marinated 8 oz. U.S. pork chop with Chipotle Tabasco, served with black pepper sauce, steamed greens & mashed potatoes ($135)

Stuffed chicken breast with spinach & mushroom, served with Garlic Tabasco butter sauce, steamed greens & mashed potatoes ($135)

Achiote grilled rib-eye steak, served with Habanero Tabasco, pineapple salsa, herb potatoes & guajillo cauliflower ($135)

Pan-fried fillet of seabass with Green Tabasco mustard cream sauce, served with herb potatoes & guajillo cauliflower ($135)

Linguine pasta tossed with scallops, bell pepper, garlic & Red Tabasco tapenade ($135)