Celebrity and Star News

If you’re looking for the right mix of latin, jazz, soul, reggae and pop, new British band Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers are the talk of the town. Introducing a sophisticated and fresh sound to the market, Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers are already creating a niche for themselves with their unique and distinctive style of music.

The group, which was recently formed in 2010, has already established a strong fan base not least for the sultry vocal appeal of lead singer Alexandra Legoiux. Fatea Magazine comments: “Alexandra possesses a voice that oozes sex appeal, the sort of voice that’ll bed you and then take your wallet as it walks out of your flat in the morning (and nick your neighbour’s milk on the way past).”

Music reviewer Heath Andrews rates the band a spectacular 4.5 out of 5: “There’s a thin line that separates the seductively sexy from the overtly trashy. Alexandra Legouix knows where that line is and with the backing of her band, The Sunflowers, she explores the limits of the seductive side without pushing it too far. Her lovely, slightly husky, intensely sultry voice would stand well on its own, but is instead paired up with some marvelously exotic Latin arrangements. These sounds match the sensual lyrics to form an EP that oozes musical talent as much as it oozes sex appeal. The extended title states that Legouix won’t bite unless you want her to, but after a couple seconds into “Lola” her teeth are already there, and you won’t object to it either.”

Speaking about her band, Alexandra remarks: “I spent years trying to find my niche. I tried fronting function bands, rock bands, blues bands and eventually I just thought right, that is it, I HAVE to create something that is truly me and I will find musicians who believe in the music and the style. Then I met Martyn (Nero) by chance at a gig and we clicked musically and personally and that was it. He understood my passion for this new style and he brought more ideas to the pot than I could have dreamt of. Since then, as a team, we have worked hard developing this style and the music and we are now lucky enough to have three other amazingly talented ‘Sunflowers’ who are as passionate about the music and the future of the band as we are. I have gone from feeling very ‘solo’ to very much part of a creative unit and I literally love it!”

The band has already garnered substantial media attention over the launch of their upcoming debut album. September will see the release of Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers album ‘This One’s for You’ with a total of 15 songs.

The music created by Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers is one that appeals to everyone. It’s sultry, flirtatious and tempting vocals can instantly draw you out and transport you to an ethereal world. It’s this magic that captivates the audience and propels the band towards newer heights.

“We go down very well with the European audience,” explains Alexandra. “I think the sun helps with our music! Although I was recently told by a fan that he was listening to our songs in the car when it was raining and it really lifted his mood and he could pretend he was in a beach bar somewhere exotic and that was great. That’s exactly what I want our music to do to people!”

Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers will be performing at the following events over the next few months:

• Big Day Out (South Hill Park, Berkshire) – 15 September
• Earl’s Court – 22 September
• Stratford Food Festival (Stratford upon Avon) – 23 September
• Wokingham Jazz Club – 5 October
• Oxjam Chiswick Takeover Festival – 20 October
• Jagz (Ascot, Berkshire) – 16 November
• The band have a monthly residency at Bart’s, Chelsea

To support Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers to raise money, create videos for their upcoming album and help build press materials, please view this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlQoIrC1Syc

To read more about Alexandra Legouix and the Sunflowers, please click here. To listen to their music, click here.

To know more about Alexandra, please click here.

King of laughs Jerry Seinfeld is back and this time he’s driving around celebrity comedians in vintage cars getting coffee. Coming to a computer screen near you on 19July, a teaser video for ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’ is already gathering steam as the web series promises the likes of Alec Baldwin, Michael Richards, Larry David, Colin Quinn and Ricky Gervais as guest stars.

Among the classic vehicles that Seinfeld drives around for his web series are the Triumph TR6, Challenger, and a Volkswagen Beetle, according to a Reuters report. The interview-based show is Seinfeld’s first foray into online entertainment and is a highly-anticipated return for the star of the hit US comedy ‘Seinfeld’.

‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’ is produced by Crackle, the digital unit of Sony Entertainment Limited. Although a spokesperson hasn’t been available for comment, the short trailer for the show has already got fans talking with almost 4000 Facebook followers over the weekend.

One excited fan commented: “Seinfeld is definitely a car guy, and a brilliant comedian, fingers crossed he can make it work, we could all use to laugh more (esp. after the pricing on the 991…).”

Seinfeld, whose career took a backseat following the end of his popular sitcom ‘Seinfeld’, has had a few appearances in shows like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and a some voiceover projects. The stand-up comic has also dabbled in production in the short-lived NBC reality show ‘The Marriage Ref’.

Although the web teaser doesn’t reveal much but only translates the name of the show onscreen, it would be refreshing to catch comedians as they are off-screen. We’ll have to wait till 19 July to find out what comedians getting their coffee in cars are all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pe7J-8qIPY&list=PL5EB5379F99C107A4&index=1&feature=plcp

11 times Formula 1 race winner Jacques Villeneuve has signed on for the Townsville 400, the next round for the iconic V8 Supercars championship. The event scheduled for next month will see the former Canadian Formula 1 champion battle it out with race champions Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom as they make the 15,000 km trip from Montreal to Australia.

The race will take place over three days starting on 6 July with Villeneuve representing the Pepsi Max Crew team. The one-off one race deal to fill in for injured Greg Murphy may result in more races, according to reports.

The 1997 F1 champion who is keen to test himself spoke exclusively to the Daily Telegraph explaining his interest in the race. In a move that could put the Australian sport on the global map, the fast car driver declared that he is open to offers to join the series from next season: “I like the V8s because it is not a support series, it is the real thing; the main attraction. So yes, going to race in the series full-time is definitely something I would be interested in.

“The last few years I have been focused on NASCAR but I would certainly be interested in shifting that to V8s and at the moment I have nothing locked in for next year.

Reports claim that the Canadian automobile racer received the surprised phone call for his inclusion in the Townsville 400 last Friday. He immediately said yes.

Villeneuve is no stranger to the V8, having competed in the 2010 Surfers Paradise event as an international guest driver. He finished in fifth place.

It was a star-studded opening at Disney’s recent Cars Land located at California Adventure theme park. A five-year revamp and more than $1 billion later, the new theme park looks on the way to joining the ranks of sister park, Disneyland.

California Adventure’s re-haul includes the inclusion of key Disney characters from the company’s $7.4 billion acquisition of Pixar Animation Studio. Along with Toy Story, Monsters Inc, and A Bug’s Life, the theme park will also feature a brand new 12-acre Cars Land. Cars Land adds another feather to the ‘Cars’ franchise, and is expected to be a key attraction of California Adventure.

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said the addition of Cars Land at California Adventure represents ”a great example of why Pixar and Disney are together.”

According to Mr Iger, Cars Land ”represents a wonderful physical embodiment” of the franchise’s films and also serves as ”an example of our ability to take our characters and stories and bring them to life in new and unexpected ways”.

There was no dearth of celebrity presence at the opening of Cars Land as TV and Disney stars thronged the red carpet. Modern Family stars Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland sizzled on the red carpet in sophisticated outfits far beyond their years. Ginnifer Goodwin, of He’s Just Not that Into You and Once Upon a Time fame, looked striking as she made her entrance in a white blouse, black skirt and pink striped wedges.

Other stars to attend the Cars Land opening included American singer Jessica Sanchez, Disney star Bella Thorne, celebrity dancer Derek Hough, and Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer.

Cars Land features three rides – the Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Flying Tires and has plenty of automotive references to boot. The park, modelled after the fictitious desert town of Radiator Springs, also boasts a string of themed shops and restaurants to replicate the feel of the films.

Kathy Mangum, executive producer of Cars Land, said: ”We want guests to think they are on this great road trip and, in a way, almost like they are going home. Cars Land will feel very familiar in so many different ways. I can’t tell you how many people have seen it and said ‘I can’t believe I am in Anaheim.”

Cars Land opens to the public today, 15 June 2012.

Australian celebrity medical entrepreneur, Geoffrey Edelsten, has reported a theft at his property and the items stolen include supercars worth a staggering A$1.3 million. The celebrity doctor, and former owner of Australian football club Sydney Swans, reported the theft of two supercars and a BMW at his Exhibition Street luxury apartment block in Melbourne.

The Australian doctor who is well known for his penchant for expensive cars reported a black and gold Lamborghini Aventador, a blue Mercedes SLS “Gullwing”, and a turbocharged BMW 335i missing from his high-security car park. The A$750,000 Lamborghini and the A$500,000 “Gullwing” are two of the most expensive and rarest cars in Australia. The A$100,000 BMW is believed to belong to Dr Edelsten’s wife, Brynne.

The extent of how rare these cars are can be demonstrated by taking into account that Lamborghini has only sold 24 cars this year while only 12 “Gullwings” have been sold in Australia in 2012. The “Gullwing” famous for the manner in which its doors open – upwards above the car’s roof – is one of the most powerful cars in the world.

The automotive theft, reported on Sunday 3 June, is blamed on a security breach that allowed the thieves to make off with Dr Edelsten’s prized possessions. It is believed that the theft was carried out over two days.

Police have since then recovered the Lamborghini and are confident of finding the other two cars. Speaking to Australian newspaper The Herald Sun, Dr Edelsten said: “Naturally, I am most distressed but pleased that the police have recovered one vehicle, and are confident of retrieving the other two.”

The society doctor’s love for expensive cars translates into a stable of powerful engines worth more than A$6 million. The star-studded automobile line-up includes two Bentleys, two Ferraris, two Chevrolet Corvettes, two other Lamborghinis, a Maserati, two more Mercedes and a Rolls Royce Phantom, the most expensive car on sale in Australia with prices starting at more than A$1 million.