New Wave 2007 - Kostas Martakis wins the Audience Choice Award

Greek musician Kostas Martakis is the winner of the Audience Choice Award at the 2007 New Wave international music festival, in the Baltic resort of Jurmala, Latvia. (Photo ITAR-Tass)

source:newscom.com

Annet Artani back in ESC 2008 ?

Eurovision Cyprus reports:

Before few days Annete was reported from a greek television channel for her experience in Eurovision! Although she talked for Evridiki and generally for the cypriot future in Eurovision! As she correctly explained Cyprus has no friends, except mother Greece, nowadays a big reason to lose the game of Eurovision.

She talked about Evridiki and her performance and she said they were both excellent but they both didnt pass!

read more here

Two semifinals for Eurovision 2008?

esctoday.com reports:

The EBU has announced that during the Debriefing Meeting of the Reference Group earlier this summer it was proposed and discussed that the two semi final format could be introduced in 2008 and not in 2009 as originally discussed at the HoD meeting in Helsinki last March.

The proposal includes that all participating countries apart from the winner and the Big Four will have to go through the two semi finals starting from the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. This means that the result of the 2007 contest will not influence the 2008 contest.

The final decision though will be taken by the TV committee during its scheduled meeting in Verona, Italy on September 28. The Reference Group intends to propose this format after receiving feedback from the participating members.

Read also: More news about the 2008 format

source:esctoday.com

60 SECONDS Interview : Verka Serduchka

Drag queen Verka Serduchka is a comedy phenomenon in the former Eastern Bloc. The brainchild of Ukrainian comedian Andrey Danilko, Verka plays sell-out gigs in the former Soviet Union. He was a sensation at this year's Eurovision Song Contest but was pipped at the post by a Serbian female Billy Bunter lookalike. His song, Dancing Lasha Tumbai, is out now.

What are the highs and lows of being a Ukrainian drag queen?

It’s not an easy way to be a Ukrainian star. It’s not an easy way to be a star at all. Occasionally there are people that bother me because I’m too successful. I wasn’t very much loved in the Ukraine before Eurovision and after that there isn’t much love for Verka in Russia either. There was a black PR campaign against me. They said I sang ‘Russia goodbye’ but I was singing ‘lasha tumbai’. It was a huge black PR campaign from the Russian TV stations saying Verka Serduchka f**ked Russia up.

Were you disappointed you didn’t win Eurovision?

After my performance on Eurovision, I knew I would take second place. The Serbian woman [Marija Seritovic] was pretty good, though. There are a lot of benefits to coming second. The winner has to go to six countries and work for free for Eurovision. I do the same tour but I get paid for it.

read more HERE

source:metro.co.uk

New Wave 2007: Natalia Gordienko from Moldova wins

With 312 point Natalia Gordienko from Moldova wins the sixth edition of New Wave Festival.

The final results are: (1st day + 2nd day + 3rd day)

1 - Natalia Gordienko (Moldova) - 100 - 105 - 107 = 312
2 - duo Barcelona (Ukraine) - 106 -101 - 101 = 308
3- Erglis (Latvia) - 103 - 101 - 104 = 308
4 - Marina (Poland) - 100 -97 - 107 = 304
5- Polina Smolova (Belarus)- 100 - 95 - 106 = 301

6- Rin'Go (Kazakhstan) - 95 - 100 - 106 = 301
7 -Kostas Martakis (Greece) - 94 - 103 - 102 = 299
8 - Francisca Urio(Germany) - 98 - 100 -101= 299
9- Masha Novikova (Russia) - 98 - 98 - 101= 297
10 -Natasha Vinokurova (Russia)- 93 - 103 - 100 = 296

11- Anastasia Kochetkova (Russia) - 97 -96 - 98 = 291
12- Vasily Lazarovich (Ukraine) - 94 - 96 - 99 = 289
13 -Mihai Traistariu (Romania) - 81 - 107 - 99 = 287
14- Chioma (USA) - 93 - 100 - 93 = 286
15- Issa Samer (Czech Republic) - 91- 92 100 = 283
16- Eleonora (Georgia) - 89 - 96 - 94 = 279
17- Kate (Czech Republic)- 92 - 89 - 94 = 275
18- Alessandro (Italy) - 95 - 88 - 91= 274

source:newwavestars.com

New Wave 2007: third day; Natalia Gordienko - video

New Wave Festival 2007 (Day 3): Natalia Gordienko

New Wave 2007: third day: Kostas Martakis - video

[UPD]Kostas Martakis, winner of the Audience Choice Award

Kostas Martakis - photos

New Wave 2007: New Wave Festival 2007 (Day 3): Kostas Martakis





source:RTR;oikotimes.com.youtube.com

New Wave 2007:Third day. Mihai Traistariu -Video

Mihai Traistariu - "Say something" (songwritter Laurentiu Cazan)





source:RTR;oikotimes.com;youtube.com

New Wave 2007: The results of the third day of the Festival

The second competing night held on 27 July at Dzintari concerthall in Jurmala, Latvia had the following results for the finalists of the New Wave 2007 festival:

1-Mihai Traistariu (Romania) - 107 (video)
2- Natalia Gordienko (Moldova) - 105 (video)
3-Natalia Vinokurova (Russia) -103
4-Kostas Martakis (Greece) - 103 (video)
5-duo "Barcelona" - (Ukraine) - 101
6-Erglis (Latvia) -101
7- Rin' Go (Kazakhtan) - 100
8- Francisca Urio (Gemany) - 100
9- Chioma (SUA) - 100
10- Masha Novikova (Russia) - 98
11-Marina (Poland) - 97
12- Vasiliy Lazarovich (Ukraine) -96
13- Anastasia Kochetkova (Russia)- 96
14- Eleonora (Georgia) -96
15- Polina Smolova (Belarus) - 95
16 - Issa Samer (Czech Republic) - 92
17- Kate (Czech Republic) - 89
18- Alessandro(Italy) - 88

source:newwavestars.com

New Wave Festival 2007 (Day 2): Kostas Martakis - video

New Wave Festival 2007:Kostas Martakis



New Wave 2007: Live report from the third day

New Wave Festival 2007:(Day 2): Mihai Traistariu -video

New Wave Festival 2007:(Day 2): Mihai Traistariu


source:oikotimes.com

New Wave 2007:Live report from the second day

Yesterday night RTR aired the second day of the New Wave 2007.

Read the live report made by oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus.

Oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus site will cover the event exclusively for the web so stay tuned.

New Wave 2007: The results after first day of the competition

Two unforgettable concerts could be watched by the audience in the "Dzintari" concert hall on July, 26.

The program called "Boys' party" made the first part of the show. Alla Pugacheva sang before the concert program of the "Boys' party". Alexander Serov, Igor Nikolaev, Gianni Fiorellino, Valery Leontiev, Sergey Lazarev, Philip Kirkorov, Mike Mironenko, Valery Meladze, Leonid Agutin, Vladimir Presnyakov, Intars Busulis, Lev Leshchenko and the chorus of the "Boys' party" performed afterwards.

Then a special part of the concert began - it was the first day of participants' performances!

The young artists sang world-famous hits.

The highest mark given by the jury was 11.

As a result the contestants received the following marks for their performances:

1-"Barselona" - 106

2- Erglis - 103

3- Marina - 100

4- Polina Smolova - 100

5 - Natalia Gordienko - 100

6- Masha Novikova - 98

7- Francisca - 98

8- Anastasia Kochetkova - 97

9- Alessandro - 95

10 -"Rin`Go" - 95

11- Kostas Martakis - 94

12- Vasily Lazarovich - 94

13- Chioma - 93

14- Natasha Vinokurova - 93

15- Kate - 92

16- Issa Samer - 91

17- Eleonora - 89

18- Mihai - 81

source: newwavestars.com

Read the live report

New Wave 2007 - Casting of lots - video

On 21 July was held the first casting of lots in one of Latvian golf-clubs "Venturi" where the order of contestants' performances on the second day of the contest program was determined.

According to the rules of the casting of lots, every contestant had to hit a ball into a hole on the golf course.






source:youtube.com

Oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus site will cover the event exclusively for the web so stay tuned

Formal opening of the "New Wave 2007" competition

The formal opening of the Sixth international competition of young singers of popular music took place in the "Dzintari" concert hall late on July,25.

Stars came in exotic cars before the beginning of the concert program. The audience of the concert hall greeted their idols: Alla Pugacheva, Philip Kirkorov, Igor Krutoy, Raymond Pauls, Christina Orbakaite and many others were among the guests.

After all the stars had gone along the red carpet, the audience could watch the opening ceremony. "I proclaim the "New Wave" competition opened!" - the Muse of the contest Alla Pugacheva said. The audience welcomed the co-members of the jury Raymond Pauls and Igor Krutoy with a standing ovation.

Lera, Ksenia Sobchak, Sergey Lazarev and Pavel Volya conducted the concert program.

Such celebrities as Alla Pugacheva, Michael Bolton, Valery Leontiev, Sofia Rotaru, Filip Kirkorov, Valeria, "Diskoteka Avaria", Sergey Lazarev, Vladimir Vinokur and sisters Tolmachevs, Dima Bilan, Nikolay Baskov performed before the audience.

Not only did the masters of the ceremony invite the stars to sing, but they also asked them to define the serial number of contestants' performances on the first day of the competition.

The casting of lots on the first day of the "New Wave" contest has become traditional. This time a ship with red canvas was the key object of the procedure. The celebrities took a number from the vessel and announced the number of a contestsnt's performance.

When it turned out that Nastya Kochetkova was the 13-th to perform, Alla Pugacheva said: "Good luck, Nastya!"

read more here

source:newwavestars.com

First picture of Serebro

Verka the "Ukrainian Cinderella" 2nd in Finnish charts

esctoday.com reports:

This year's Ukrainian Eurovision Song Contest representative may be suffering from deja vu this week, after reaching 2nd place in Finland for a second time this year!

After finishing behind Serbia's Marija Serifovic at the Eurovision Song Contest, the crazy charactrer from Ukraine has entered finland's music charts... at number 2!

Verka's Eurovision Song Contest entry, Dancing lasha tumbai was released last week and was pipped to the number one spot by local act Tea with their song Tytöt tykkää. T

The Eurovision Song Contest entry is proving a more commercially successful song than the competition winner, Marija Serifovic and her entry, Molitva.

read more here

sources:esctoday.com;yle.fi

related: Verka Serduchka is ready to hit French charts;

Verka hits Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Helena Paparizou (2005) in Sweden

Eurovision Cyprus reports:

Helena Paparizou, is now in Sweden for her Summer Holidays in her home land. Also recording new songs. As she says, "I donΆt want to work this year in Athens stages, because I want to relax, from Eurovision 2005 I am always on foot".

read more....

Ruslana in protective gear of security staff

ruslana.com.ua reports:

On 16 July fifteen carriages of a train with highly poisonous yellow phosphorus derailed in the region of L’viv. Six of them caught fire.

Ruslana (2004) went to the location of emergency.

"In my estimation, the staff at the location of the accident is working professionally and well-organized. I went there out of different reasons. First of all to get information about the situation first-hand. The second reason is connected with the major Ukrainian-Polish project, devoted to the Euro 2012. I am a co-organizer of the event on the Ukrainian side. Within the frames of the event meetings of the delegations of the Ukrainian and Polish football federations are being held, and on 22 July a major cultural event will take place, a joint concert of stars from both countries. The third reason - many friends of mine live in the area and I would like to support them."

read more here

source of news and photo: Ruslana Official Website

Environmental awareness for Sakis Rouvas (2004)

oikotimes.com reports:

Sakis Rouvas, who represented Greece in 2004 and was the co-host of the Eurovision edition held in Athens in 2006, points out the importance of creating a strong environmental awareness.

A series of events has been organised by "Act" company in order to promote the need for people to be environmentally aware. Sakis Rouvas had a live concert on July 20 in respect of these events, where he sung many of his hits, as well as a new version of his latest success "Ola gyro su girizun" ("Everything spins around you").

The events will continue until July 27.

ERT launched EDC website

ERT launched a website for the Eurovision Dance Contest at http://eurovision.ert.gr/dance where you can find out the latest information.

Photo and video galleries on oikotimes.com

source:oikotimes.com

Lordi Goes From Zeroes to Heroes

Last year, Lordi, a Finnish group whose members costume themselves as literal monsters of rock, got exposure on a slew of cable-news channels after winning the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest — the de facto World Cup of tunesmithing, which has been around for more than half a century.

Not that all of the coverage was flattering. On MSNBC, for instance, Countdown host Keith Olbermann played the triumph as a joke during his defiantly daffy "Oddball" segment. Still, Olbermann did acknowledge that the "guy singing has got more talent in one rotting corpse finger than that Taylor what's-his-face has in his entire body."

The vocalist in question is Mr. Lordi, and he admits that the band's Eurovision odyssey was bizarre even by his standards. When the Lordi song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" (included on the Arockalypse CD) was chosen as Finland's official Eurovision entry, controversy erupted. Finnish leaders were asked to veto the selection, but according to Mr. Lordi, "They said there was nothing they could do [because] it's a fucking song contest!"

Read more ......

source:Denver Westword;photo:Solarfilms.inc

New Wave 1st day winners are Barcelona; Greece ranked 8th

The first day marked by voting after each contestant performed.

Ukrainian participants Barcelona ranked 1st this afternoon while Greece ranked 8th. Romania's Mihai Traistariu also ranked low.

Read the live report of the first day of New Wave Festival.

Oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus site will cover the event exclusively for the web so stay tuned.

You can listen to the songs and vote for your fav here

sources:oikotimes.com; eurovision-cyprus.ueuo.com;newwavestars.com

Video - Dima Bilan - Number one fan

On 12 July on MTV was the premiere of the newest Dima's video "Number one fan"

The shooting took place in London in the middle of June. The director of it is the leading British master – Trudy Belinger, who is famous by her works for Sugarbabes, Kate Moss ,Girls Aloud, Sophie Ellis Bexton and other top English artists.

It was the very first experience of working with Russian artists for her and the results were satisfying both for her and for the super professional crew who were cast specially for Trudy.

The choreographer was Paul Roberts who worked with Enrique Iglesias, Sugarbabes, Blue, Paula Abdul. The leading make-up artist and stylists of such brends as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci were in charge for the artists’ appearance.

Oksana Lavrentieva, who is known to the audience by the video «Nevozmozhnoe vozmozhno», got the main role. There were passionate dances in the shower, crowds of the paparazzi following the main characters in the video. Also there were street dances in which Dima’s crew, 8 British dancers and 150 company-keepers from London took part.

Enjoy the video!!!

Dima Bilan - Number One Fan







Source:Dima Bilan Official Website
youtube.com

Serebro in the gym - Photos

Georgia launches Junior Eurovision Song Contest official site

After the withdrawal of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia first time in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest have launched the official site to inform the public of the process for the selection of their representantives to the contest.

The site is both in Georgian and English and it can be accessed here.

Mihai Traistariu at Grammy Awards 2008?

Mihai Traistariu the Romanian representative of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 is now closer to an American career more than ever, especially because his manager is negotiating with Harord Wellington, a very well known American manager, for Mihai to perform live at the Grammy Awards 2008.

The chances are high because the Americans have already shown interested in Mihai’s voice and performance as the artist himself stated in a recent interview:

“It is very possible to see me in the Grammy Awards in February next year. My manager Mr. Catalin Moraru discussed about this with Mr Harold Wellington. Harold is a manager from Portugal, very famous all over the world having connections with the international music business. Travelling throughout Europe, he just made a stop in Bucharest and talked about it with Catalin, my manager.”

The Grammy Awards will take place on the 10th of February in the Staples Center stadium in Los Angeles California.

The nominations will be announced 2 months before the Awards and Mihai is very possible to be in the “Newcomer” category. If Mihai does participate, he will be the only Romanian artist that will have the chance to sing with Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

Mihai is now in Jurmala, Latvia representing Romania at the International Competition New Wave 2007.

Sources: Atac ; eurovisionnews

The order of contestants' performance at New Wave festival

Watch the video

On 21 July was held the first casting of lots in one of Latvian golf-clubs "Venturi" where the order of contestants' performances on the second day of the contest program was determined.

According to the rules of the casting of lots, every contestant had to hit a ball into a hole on the golf course.

A ball with a number that signifies the index number of performance was hidden inside of each hole.

Alessandro from Italy began the game accompanied by a storm of applause by those watching the spectacular sight and hit the ball into a hole where number 7 was hidden.

The casting of lots marathon was afterwards continued by other contestants with incredible excitement: some of them could hit the ball into a hole only after striking seven or eight times, whereas others were especially good at learning to master a club.

For instance, Anastasia Kochetkva from Russia, Kate from the Czech Republic and Kostas Martakis from Greece could get their balls with numbers in three strokes!

A photo gallery you can see here

After the impromptu game of golf was over, the contestants were invited to an open-air buffet-dinner.

Igor Malyshkov, the owner of the golf club delivered the 18 contestants presents and souvenirs on behalf of the club.According to the results of the casting of lots, the order of contestants' performances on the second day of the competition is as follows:

1 - "Rin`Go" (Kazakhstan)

2 - Issa Samer (Czech Republic)

3- Polina Smolova (Belarus - Eurovision 2006, semifinal)

4- Eleonora (Georgia)

5 - Vasiliy Lazarovich (Ukraine)

6 - Chioma (USA)

7 - Alessandro (Italy)

8 - "Barselona" duo - Vladimir Tkachenko and Galina Gavrilko (Ukraine)

9 - Erglis (Latvia -Eurovision 2007 - Bonaparti.lv)

10 - Francisca (Germany)

11- Marina - (Poland)

12- Anastasia Kochetkova (Russia)

13- Kate (Czech Republic)

14- Kostas Martakis (Greece)

15- Natalia Gordienko (Moldova - Eurovision 2006, duo with Arsenium)

16- Masha Novikova (Russia)

17- Natalia Vinokurova (Russia)

18 - Mihai Traistariu (Roumania - Eurovision 2006)

photo:Dinara Nikiforova/meeting.lv

Source of news: New Wave 2007

Greta Koçi says she wants to bid for Belgrade's Eurovision

oikotimes.com reports:

Frederic Nodci might came 17th in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest Semifinal last May in Helsinki but for sure Eurovision seem to attract big local names for the next edition of the Eurovision contest due to take place in Belgrade on May 2008.

Greta Koçi said to Revista Albaniac that she would be more than interested to enter for Albania in Eurovision. She said she will bid for the upcoming contest for sure.

Read more HERE

UK:Bill Bailey to enter Eurovision

Musical stand-up Bill Bailey is to put himself forward for the United Kingdom's next entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

"What the public wants, the public gets. And it seems that the question on the lips of the nation at the moment is: "Will Bill be entering Eurovision?" - Bill Bailey

Interest arose from several internet petitions, asking Bailey to enter the contest.

One attracted over 300 signatures. As a result, apparently Bailey has decided to put himself forward for the 2008 contest.

He is also going to let his fans decide which song he will use.

Bailey has always had a love of music. He used to be part of a band called, The Famous Five, which consisted of only four members. Later, he formed a musical double-act with Martin Stubbs called The Rubber Bishops. Stubbs later quit the act, and Bailey teamed up with Sean Lock in an Edinburgh show called Rock in 1994.

A year later, he went solo with his show Cosmic Jam.Apart from his stand-up tours, Bailey is now best known for being a team captain on the musical panel game Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as a regular panellist on QI and for playing Manny Bianco in the sitcom Black Books.

The 2007 UK Eurovision entry was decided by a TV phone vote. The chosen band, Scooch, finished 23rd out of 24 entries.

source: The British Sitcom Guide

Elitsa and Stoyan join African duo in an ethnic project

Bulgarian representatives at this year's Eurovision final Elitsa and Stoyan and an African drum duo presented their new joint ethno project in the framework of July Jazz Fest in the town of Smolyan.

"The composition, called "Meeting on Three Continents", combines Bulgarian folklore motifs with typical African ones", the soloist of the Bulgarian duo Elitsa explained.

There have been used several unknown for the Bulgarian audience percussion instruments - balafon, skin covered hand drum, called djembe and ngoni.

"We hope that we will be given the opportunity to promote the project before the tribe of our African colleagues in Burkina Faso," Elitsa said.

Some of the ethno project's compositions are planned to be included in an album.

source:Sofia News Agency

UK: Making Your Mind Up, also in 2008

belgovision.com reports:

More than four months after the final of Making Your Mind Up 2007 took place, BBC has revealed the complete results of the British Eurovision Song Contest selections for Helsinki. Meanwhile, the British broadcaster also announced to us the Making Your Mind Up format at least until 2009.

Dominic Smith, head of Entertainment at the BBC, revealed the complete results of this years Making Your Mind Up in a reaction to Esctoday.com. In the second televoting round, Scooch received 53% of the televotes while French-born Cyndi, who was first announced as the winner by Terry Wogan by mistake, got 47%. In the first round of voting, Big Brovaz came third, Hawkins & Brown fourth, Liz McClarnon fifth and Brian Harvey sixth.

read more....

Marija in concert in Herceg Novi (Montenegro)

MarijaSerifovic.net reports:

In the course of the promotional campaign of the new mobile phone operator in Montenegro - "Mtel", Marija gave a solo concert in the city square in Herzeg Novi in front of more than ten thousand people.

During the concert which lasted nearly two hours Marija created a fantastically excited atmosphere in the audience by her powerful way of singing.

Although she arrived to Montenegro the same day Marija had not a lack of energy.

Due to her huge positive energy Marija made a perfect contact to the audience from the first beats of the song "Molitva" which she powerfully maintained for the entire time of the concert till the end.

At the same time this was a gratitude concert for all citizens of Montenegro who gave Marija 12 points at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Marija Serifovic_Nije Mi Prvi Put in Vitebsk

source and photo:Marija Serifovic Website

Dana International wins the OGAE Israel preselection

Dana International is the winner of the OGAE Israel selection for the OGAE International contest of OGAESC 2007 with the song Hakol Ze Letova t Dana International ranked 1st with 261 pts while Sarit Hadat (2002 Israeli entrant) came 2nd with 189 points.

Listen the song here

source:OGAE Israel

Winning Eurovision song Molitva finally on single

belgovision.com reports:

Two months after the victory of Serbian singer Marija Šerifović at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki, her winning song Molitva finally seems to get a single release.

So far, the disc with no less than nine versions of the song is only scheduled for release on the German market.
The single to be released on the German market next week contains the original Serbian version, an English, a Russian and a Finnish version of Molitva, but also several remixes and an instrumental version of the song. So far, Molitva reached the bottom of the charts in a couple of European countries based on downloads only.

Marija Serifovic - Molitva

01. Molitva (ESC Serbian version)

02. Destiny (ESC English version)

03. Molitva (ESC Russian version)

04. Molitva (Magnetic club reload mix Serbian version)

05. Destiny (Magnetic club reload mix English version)

06. Molitva (Magnetic club reload mix Russian version)

07. Molitva (Snakebytes alternative radio edit, Serbian version)

08. Rukoilen (ESC Suomi version) 09. Molitva (Instrumental)

Helena Paparizou in Top 40 Swedish Charts

oikotimes.com reports:

Helena Paparizou, who famously gave Greece their first ever victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005, has seen her new single go straight into the top twenty in the country of her birth- Sweden.

Her new song ''Three is a magic number'' has gone straight in at number 18, two above ''Cara Mia''- the last surviving Melodifestivalen song in the top twenty.

Ukraine and Sweden reveal dance styles & music

esctoday.com reports:

Sweden
The first dance to be performed by Cecilia Ehrling and Martin Lidberg is a Paso Doble.

The song they have chosen is a well-known classic from the 1980s: The final countdown by Europe.

The second dance will be a so-called disco fusion, which has been very popular in Sweden lately: it combines no less than nine different dance styles: Cha cha, Samba, Jive and Rumba as well as Street Dance, Hip Hop, Break Dance, Disco and Bugg, which has been added since the second dance has to include typical national elements. The song is called Disco Inferno and was originally performed by The Trummps.

Ukraine
Yulia Okropiridze's and Ilya Sydorenko's first dance will be a Quickstep. The song they have chosen is Istanbul (not Constantinople) by The Trevor Horn Orchestra; it appeared on the soundtrack of the film Mona Lisa smile. Their second performance will be based on a Showdance. The song is Ukrainian composition called Gop-tsya, it was written by Vopli Vidoplyasova.

Verka Serduchka is ready to hit French charts

oikotimes.com reports:

Verka Serduchka, is continuing his/her European success by preparing to hit the French charts.

His single, and Eurovision entry, ''Dancing Lasha Tumbai'' will hit French shelves on July 30, and is already starting to air on music channels and radio stations.

''Dancing Lasha Tumbai'' has been a huge success for the Ukrainian Drag Queen, with it charting at #6 in Sweden, and #28 in the United Kingdom- the first time that a Eurovision entry that didn't win, and wasn't from the UK, had charted on the isles since 1974.

Free tickets to Eurovision Dance Contest

The first ever Eurovision Dance Contest is being held at BBC Television Centre, in London, United Kingdom and we are looking for an enthusiastic international and UK audience to join us for the 2 hours and 15 minutes LIVE SHOW on Saturday 1 September, at 20.00 (BST).

Please note the following:

Only 1 pair of tickets will be given per booking
You must be over the age of 18
You will be issued tickets only – no hotel or flights are included in this offer
As an international visitor, you will be guaranteed entry

Ticket application form

source:eurovision.tv

ROMANIA:Mihai Traistariu at New Wave festival

Oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus site will cover the event exclusively for the web so stay tuned.

[UPD] The order of contestants' performance at New Wave



The final for the International Competition Of Young Singers of Popular Music the " New Wave" will start in 3 days.


Mihai Traistariu (Eurovision 2006) is one of the finalists of the Sixth International contest of young singers of popular music "New Wave 2007"

Mihai who arrived at the contest from a Roumanian city of Constanta, has already won five Grand Prix at musical contests in Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Moldova and was the fourth at the "Eurovision - 2006" contest.

He enjoys playing chess and he dreams of being able to live forever. He likes freedom, but he doesn't like solitude.

The finalist of the "New Wave 2007" contest has already got 10 solo albums.

He would gladly act in a comedy, in a horror film or in a sci-fi movie. He did not come from a rich family and he is proud of having made an international career with his own efforts.
He likes the music of Rumanian composers.

The best place for spending a holiday for the artist is Los Angeles. The first kiss at the age of 17 was the funniest experience in his life. He has been playingthe piano since he was seven and he began singing at the age of 16.

He noticed his talent for music himself. He would sing a duet with C.Dion or with M.Bolton with great pleasure.

The artist is not an excellent cook, but the eastern salad that he makes is always very delicious. When he was a child, his friends called him "MISHA". If Mihai were a sponsor, he would invest money in the projects concerning research into span of life and the problem of treatment of oncological diseases.

If the singer had to work in a circus, he would have a success both as an illusionist and as a tamer. He has a good command of French and English. He made his first money performing on stage eight years ago.

He dreams of getting a cell phone number of M.Carey - the artist is inlove with this celebrity. He would be happy to get a small animal as a birthday present. As a child he used to dream of becoming famous. He won 100 euro in a lottery once.

Mihai is sure that it's better to celebrate New Year at home, but to his deep regret he has to make the audience happy performing on the festive night.

If he became a president, his first decree would be called "Smoking is banned". Mihai is fearless, there is nothing in life that could frighten him. He never leaves homewithout a medicine against loss of hair, the schedule of his next concerts, pyjamas, an excellent soap and a toothbrush.

He would gladly make a journey to the future. The singer's motto is "There is nothing impossible". From time to time he gets amazed at the interesting facts he can find about himself in Internet.

Moscow seemed magnificent to the contestant;Mihai is speculating: could it look like Mars?! The idea of becoming a number 1 singer inspires him to work. He is taking part in the "New Wave" contest in order to win.

From his new album "Love is" listen Mihai singing a song both in Chinese and Spanish language.

Mihai Traistariu - Ni kuai le ma



more on NEW Wave Festival Latvia, Jurmala 25 - 30 July 2007


Sources:New Wave 2007
TVR2/Plaja lui Maruta

Serebro 1rst rehearsal - VIDEO

Serebro rehearsal in Helsinki 2007

Switzerland launches 2008 campaign

esctoday.com reports:

Switzerland have become the second country to formally begin their search for their entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, to be held in Belgrade, Serbia.

Once again the Swiss selection is open to singers and bands of all nationalities, with the rule that they must have released a CD in the past, and be able to provide evidence of its placing in a national chart.

Interested artists should also send a photo, a DVD video clip, a list of live singing performances on television, and a guarantee to be in Belgrade during Eurovision week.

It seems very likely that the Swiss broadcasters will once again select their representative internally. Read more...

Lordi at Ozzfest

Saturday's Ozzfest at Hyundai Pavilion is likely to attract a big audience of metal fans who got free tickets over the Internet, but there will be fewer big name bands on stage.

The up-and-comers are ready to do whatever it takes to climb to the top of the metal heap. And none are more serious this year than Lordi.

The Finnish band has become hugely popular in Europe thanks to a bombastic stage show, elaborate monster makeup and, in no small part, an old-school metal that's accessible and hook-rich.

"We are not Satanists," said Amen, just a tinge of irritation in his voice. "People who do not understand horror movies, do not understand Kiss or Alice Cooper, won't understand us. What can I say about those kind of people? I don't even have words for them."

Read full article HERE

source and photo: The Press Enterprise

Greece: press conference for Eurovision Dance Contest 2007

oikotimes.com reports:

The Greek national broadcaster holds a press conference for the 2007 Eurovision Dance Contest which will take place in London (United Kingdom) on September 1st.

The press conference will take place on Tuesday July 24th at 11:00 CET. It is the first time ERT publically speaks on Eurovision Dance Contest after the news reached the web areas on the national participants who were selected in March.

read more HERE

Sarbel in Cyprus

Eurovision Cyprus reports:

The Greek Entrant in Eurovision 2007, Sarbel, will visit Cyprus in the upcoming days to give three concert's for the Cypriot Anti-drug Contact.

It's the first time for Sarbel to give concert's in Cyprus, origin place of his father.

Stay Tuned on ESCCY for more informations

New Wave - Final in 6 days

“COSMOS” - First prize winners of the “New Wave 2004 competition

"Dear participants and guests of the "New Wave"!Is there any other place where you could swim in the warm Baltic sea and at the same time watch the performances of the greatest pop music stars in a concert hall?

It may happen only here, in Jurmala at the "New Wave" contest. For this reason our vocal group "Cosmos" is delighted to greet you at home and we are happy that our participation in this musical festival has become traditional in the recent years.

The support of the audience helped us to win when we first performed here being contestants. We would like to experience it again and again. This year the organizers of the contest took care of the fascinating program wishing to make you enjoy it, while we, in our turn, took care of the nice weather, warm sea, smiling people, good beer and other things that could give pleasure to you.

We hope therefore that these days are unforgettable and filled with positive emotions.

Ever yours,Cosmos vocal group"

read more about New Wave Competition HERE

source: newwavestars.com

Belgovision Tube

from belgovision.com:

The introduction of You Tube started a real hype on the internet. Also the videos on belgovision.com You Tube page have been watched more than 375.000 by now!

Today, Belgovision.com launches a weekly item in which a You Tube video gets put in the spotlight. Eurovision @ EuroGames winner Peter Simcic kicks off Belgovision Tube.


Have you also found an interesting video on You Tube that is topical and related to the Eurovision Song Contest in one or any other way?

Submit the link by using the form on belgovision.com contact page and maybe your video will get in the spotlight next week!

Verka Serduchka is going to the parliamentary election

Ukrayinska Pravda reports:

Guardian Angel for the Next Parliament?

"Verka Serduchka is going to the parliamentary election! We can greet Ukrainian politicians with the revival of their not-so-boring lifestyle. "

"Vera can elegantly dump every one of them into dirt with popular frankness. If the initiators of creating Verka Serduchka Bloc (abbreviated VSB) will move their idea to the stage of active election campaign then we’ll observe in fascination how “respectable politicians” run away in a hurry from a 3rd class carriage conductor not to get into one TV program with her."

"Andriy Danylko started a win-win game for himself. The apogee of the success of Verka Serduchka commercial image would have been the victory at the Eurovision. It didn’t turn out that way. Therefore, new informational reasons for rotation are needed."

Read full article HERE

related: Verka Serduchka runs for Parliament

Anna Vissi & Tereza in Paris

esctoday.com reports:

Next Autumn, Paris will host two concerts given by former Eurovision Song Contest artists. On October 10th, Anna Vissi (Greece 80, Cyprus 82 and Greece 06) is performing at "Le Grand Rex", a famous music hall of the capital-city. On the day before, she will sing in Brussels (Belgium), at "Le Cirque royal".

On November 16th, another Euro-veteran, and twice contender for the Eurovision Song Contest crown, is expected at L'Olympia, the most famous Parisian concert hall. Tereza Kesovija (Monaco 66 and Yugoslavia 72) will be accompanied by the Great orchestra of Croatia.

This is not the first time that the Croatian artist has given concerts in France. She recorded a number of records in France, from the mid-60's to the early 80's, including a French version of her 1972 Yugoslavian entry, under the title "La musique et toi". Another interesting fact is that she published a vocal version of the "Te deum" of Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the Eurovision Song Contest hymn.

More information and possibility to buy tickets on fnac.com ("Spectacles" section) here or on www.terezakesovija.org

X!nk sings theme song Junior Eurosong 2007

belgovision.com reports:

In 2003 they won the very first edition of Eurosong for Kids in Belgium. Four years later Jonas, Thomas, Niels and Philip from X!nk are back in the Belgian Junior Eurovision Song Contest selections. Not as participants but with the theme song of Junior Eurosong 2007.

Belgovision.com spoke with X!nk!

"VRT had invited us to write the theme song," the boys of X!nk start elaborating on their role in Junior Eurosong 2007. "And because VRT supported us so much a couple of years ago, we wanted to do something in return." X!nk succeeds Gene Thomas, who wrote the theme song of Eurosong for Kids last year. It has recently been silent around X!nk, but that will change soon! "You can say we took some rest, but since the end of last year, we have been busy writing new songs," says Jonas, the lead singer of X!nk. "Our new single should be released at the end of July or in August. We are still writing new songs for a new album. That will take some more time." ...read more.....

“Gelosia" with Sónia Araújo

oikotimes.com reports:

Sónia Araújo, Portuguese “Vip” representing Portugal in Eurovision Dance Contest, will join the stage with other TV-hosts and artists in the end of July. “Gelosia” is the name of the show, a kind of “Dancing with the stars” held in Lisbon (S. Jorge Theatre) next 27, 28 and 29 July.

The show is produced by the choreographer Marco de Camillis, the same producing Sónia in Eurovision Dance Contest. Eight professional dancers and eight stars will dance together different styles, like Tango, Jive, Rock n’ Roll or Funky. Just after this show, Sónia Araújo begins her trainings to Dance Contest with her couple, Ricardo Silva.

CyBC's team for the 2008 edition of JESC

sources:oikotimesc.com; Eurovision Cyprus

CyBC has just begun the preparations for the Junior Eurovision 2008, where it is going to take place in Cyprus. The Junior Eurovision 2008 it is going to be the biggest event that CyBC host in the history and wants the help of professional companies around the Europe. In the upcoming days, CyBC it is going to reveal the names of companies who it will collaborate.

Mr. Kleitos Kleitou (director of CyBC, and also director of Cypriot Entry in Helsinki this year) it will be the director for the Cypriot National Final for the selection of the Cypriot Entry for Rotterdam.

Mr. Kleitou it will be also the director for the Junior Eurovision 2008. Ms. Despo Karpi it will be the producer of the show and Mr. Munro Forbes, collaborator of CyBC for 2 years now, will be the executive producer. These titles have been approved by the EBU who it has watched works of team, from previous competitions in Cyprus and it agrees that they can undertake this big project.

Sarbel in Australia - Photos

Eurovision Nominated at NTA Awards

esctoday.com reports:

The Eurovision Song Contest and the United Kingdom's presenter, Terry Wogan have been put on the nomination shortlist for the United Kingdom's National Television Awards shortlist. Sir Terry's copresenter at Making your mind up, the country's national final, Fern Cotton is also nominated.

The Eurovision Song Contest has won a place on the shortlist for 'Most Popular Entertainment Programme' for the second year running. Although it did not reach the final shortlist last time, the show's ratings increased this year and it stands a chance of success.

Terry Wogan is shortlisted for 'Most Entertainment Presenter', against Fern Cotton, his co-presenter at the national final, Making your mind up. Paddy O'Connell and his cohost Sarah Cawood on the British broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest semi final miss out. One other Eurovision name competing for the award is popular chatshow host and host of the upcoming Eurovision Dance Contest, Graham Norton.

The public are invited to vote for their favourites across 11 categories and the finalists will be shown during the NTA Awards show on October 31st and to be broadcast on ITV.

You can vote here