No Eurovision for Austria

Austrian broadcaster ORF will not be sending a representative to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008. ORF say political voting and an unclear concept for the two semifinal concept are the reasons for their withdrawal. As long as politics rule the Eurovision Song Contest, ORF won't return to the competition.

ORF programme director Wolfgang Lorenz states that the Eurovision Song Contest is a clear sign of the complicated nature of a united Europe. "We have already seen in 2007 that it's not the quality of the song, but the country of origin that determines the decision," Lorenz says. "As long as the Eurovision Song Contest is a political parade and not an international entertainment programme, ORF has no desire to send more Austrian talent to a competition in which they have no chances. Should the situation change, we will be happy to take part again," Lorenz concludes.

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Austrian dances and songs for London chosen

Kelly & Andy Kain, who will represent Austria in the Eurovision Dance Contest on 1st September, have decided that they will perform a Jive as their first dance and a Paso Doble as their second. Furthermore, the two songs they have chosen have now been confirmed.

For the Jive, the song chosen is Boogie woogie bugle boy, a classic which was among other recorded by The Andrews Sisters and Bette Midler. The song which will be played for the Paso Doble performance is a more modern one: The black pearl, which appeared on the soundtrack of the film Pirates of the Carribean. Since the second dance of the evening is supposed to contain elements inspired by the culture of the competing country, the Paso Doble will also contain some elements of the Vienesse Waltz.

source:esctoday.com

Andy and Kelly Kainz to dance for Austria

Austrian broadcaster ORF has confirmed that dancing couple Andy and Kelly Kainz have been selected as the pair to represent Austria at the first ever Eurovision Dance Contest, which takes place in September 1 in London.

Both dancers have previously won Austria's version of 'Strictly Come Dancing', 'Dancing Stars'- Andy winning it with Marika Lichter and Kelly, who's one it twice, with Manual Ortega (Austria 2002) and Klaus Eberhartinger respectively.

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source:oikotimes.com

Austria

source: escforever.com (youtube.com)

Eric Papilaya - Get a Life - Semifinal

source: youtube.com