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Outernet Live, Largest New London Live Events Venue For 80 Years, to Launch in Summer

Outernet Live, Largest New London Live Events Venue For 80 Years, to Launch in Summer

The first newly built large live events venue in central London for 80 years is set to open this summer.

Outnet Live is a state of the art 2,000-capacity venue. Part of Outernet London, an immersive media and culture district set to open later this year, it will host live music, dance, immersive theatre, awards shows and brand experiences.

Green Light Development founders Robert Butters and Karrie Goldberg will manage and operate the venue as joint venture partners. It is already open for bookings.

Before co-founding Green Light Development, Butters was CFO and VP for business development at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and SVP of business development at SFX (now Live Nation).

Goldberg is also the founder and CEO of venue and talent booking agency The Kagency and has programmed and managed spaces for artists including Beyoncé, Madonna and Lady Gaga as well as high-end brands such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton.

They’ll be joined by the venue’s new chief operating officer Tristan Hoffman, who’s previously worked on venues in New York and London, including BB Kings Blues Club in Times Square, artistic director Leo Green, a concert promoter who most recently served as Live Nation’s director of live events, operations manager Octavia Harwood, who joins from a five-year run as head of venue management at the O2 Arena and beverage director Shannon Tebay, who comes from Savoy Hotel’s American Bar.

As part of the venue, the 12 Bar Club will also be revamped with an increased 350 capacity.

“This area of London has an amazing tradition of brilliant venues but many of them have sadly gone,” said Philip O’Ferrall, CEO and president Outernet Global said. “To open Outernet Live as part of our wider culture and music district makes us all immensely proud. It is absolutely vital that artists and fans have a place to go in the centre of our city to perform and enjoy live music and we will welcome many other types of events to our venue as well. When you factor in the incredible things we can do with the Outernet screens we move to another level and our offering is something that really can’t be found anywhere else in the world. We love the history of Denmark Street and embrace what the future holds.”

Butters and Goldberg said: “We have two amazing venues that sit at the heart of London’s first music, media and culture district. Launching Outernet Live is going to be very special as we combine a world class venue with the power of the wider Outernet campus.”

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Long Beach’s Queen Mary plans to host events again after 2 years, includes summer music festival

Long Beach's Queen Mary plans to host events again after 2 years, includes summer music festival
LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — After a 2-year hiatus, the Queen Mary in Long Beach plans to host events again, including a summer music festival at the ship’s waterfront.

The festival will be outside the ship so that no dancing will occur onboard.

Due to critical repairs, the ship has been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city started making repairs in January and is investing $5 million into the Queen Mary to reopen it this year.

SEE MORE: Repairs to Queen Mary begin in Long Beach

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Birthday catch-up: parents plan kids’ spring parties after 2 years of modified events

Birthday catch-up: parents plan kids' spring parties after 2 years of modified events

Sahar Jurdi had been planning a special first birthday party in March 2020 for her first-born child — complete with an elaborate cake the baby was to smash in a joyful fit in front of friends and family — when the pandemic halted her preparations.

As the calendar turned on Oliver’s second birthday last March, public health measures again dampened plans for a sizable celebration. But now that gathering restrictions are lifting across Canada, the Toronto mother is hoping to catch up on two missed parties with a big bash.

About 20 kids from Oliver’s daycare are expected to attend the event in Jurdi’s home in a couple of weeks, with an actor dressed as Winnie-the-Pooh and a bubble show booked for entertainment.

“We’re transforming the basement into a playground,” she said. “We’re making up for two years of no celebrations.”

Ontario lifted capacity restrictions for all indoor settings on March 1, as public health indicators for COVID-19 appeared to show the Omicron wave declining.

As restrictions ease and spring welcomes new optimism, many parents are feeling the urge to throw plentiful parties for their March and April babies after two previous birthdays modified by the pandemic.

But others still seem hesitant to plan large gatherings.

Elvine Assouline, CEO of party-planning service the Fun Master, said bookings for in-person parties still aren’t at pre-pandemic levels for his Toronto-area business, which specializes in children’s events.

Assouline quickly pivoted to virtual services when the pandemic began. Two years later, he said many parents are still opting for online alternatives.

Though he’s received many inquiries about spring dates since restrictions lifted, Assouline said he noticed that same trend throughout ebbs of other pandemic waves.

“We do see some fatigue for virtual parties because I think everyone is sick of Zoom. So if they can have it in person, they will,” he said. “But also we have a lot of questions about our cancellation policy.

“People are comfortable planning as long as you tell them: ‘If things change, we can reschedule or shift to something virtual.'”

Assouline understands the sentiment some parents have to go bigger and bolder with celebrations this year, but he said he hasn’t seen a noticeable turn, adding clients have always had varying price ranges and ideas for what they want for their children’s events.

“I don’t see a shift saying: ‘Hey, I want to spend more money this year because I didn’t last year,'” he said. 

“There’s really no such thing as catching up on birthdays…. You just have to move forward and try to plan something cool for their (current) party.”

Kristy Frasier, a mom to an almost nine-year-old girl in Toronto, isn’t sure how she’ll celebrate her daughter’s April 15 birthday.

Frasier, who has an immunocompromised brother, wants her daughter to have a big party after missing out on fuller festivities for her seventh and eighth birthdays. But health remains a concern.

“I’ve been obsessing over it lately because I don’t know what we’re comfortable with yet,” said Frasier, who’s deciding between a large pizza party at a trampoline park, or a smaller get-together without food. 

Frasier had planned a modest family party for her daughter’s eighth birthday last April, but the rising Delta wave forced her to turn the event into a “brief interaction” outdoors instead. 

Her daughter’s first pandemic birthday in 2020 was marked by a video call with friends and family, who dropped off gifts at Frasier’s doorstep.

“She’s been really good. She understands things can’t be the way that she would like them to be,” Frasier said. “But normally she’s more of a party-person, so she’s been (asking) for the last little while: ‘Can we please have a party? Can we? Can we?'”

Dr. Sheri Madigan, a clinical psychologist and child development expert at the University Calgary, said birthday parties can be exciting milestones for kids, but parents shouldn’t feel pressure to make up for celebrations lost to the pandemic.

She noted that some children’s comfort levels with loud, large-scale events may have changed after two years of not experiencing them.

“Kids aren’t going to remember big birthday parties, but parents are probably going to feel the sentiment that something was organized and I do think that’s important,” she said. “But we need to take the kid’s lead in terms of what they’re ready for.” 

Jurdi knows her three-year-old won’t remember the subdued parties that marked his first two birthdays, but she was still sad to miss out on those memories for herself. 

She also feels the pandemic has made it harder for Oliver to have other social experiences, including travelling overseas to meet relatives.

“Keep in mind he’s only three,” Jurdi said. “But for a three-year-old before COVID, life was pretty different.” 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2022.

Melissa Couto Zuber, The Canadian Press

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Weyburn Young Fellows planning events in celebration of 100 years

Weyburn Young Fellows planning events in celebration of 100 years

The Weyburn Young Fellows celebrate 100 years this May 21st at a golf and dinner event for past and present members. 

The local service group has generated $2.4 million for the community over the past century.

Anniversary celebration committee member, Ryan Janke, said they had about a hundred people in attendance for their 90th anniversary in 2012, and they hope to surpass that this time.

“This time, hopefully fingers crossed as we’re post pandemic here, so that’s going to create some travel challenges for everybody, but we put it on a long weekend to make it as easy as possible for members who don’t live in Weyburn anymore to get back,” he explained. “So my hope is that we’re between 100 and 150. Although total invitees is probably quite a bit higher than that, it’s hard to say how many people have come to the club over the years.” 

Janke said past and present members are encouraged to bring their significant others to make it more of a ‘family’ event.

“We’re having it at the Weyburn Golf Club for the golf portion and then the banquet will be held at the Weyburn Curling Club,” he noted. “We’re hopefully going to have a breakfast in the following day as well, just so that everybody ca get out and do a few things. We’re trying not to monopolize the entire weekend either, because I know a lot of former Young Fellows don’t live in Weyburn anymore, and this is an opportunity to get back and catch up with the community outside of the club.”

He said a public event is also in the works. 

 

“In terms of big summer events, we do have one announcement coming up soon, so keep Canada Day weekend available in town and hopefully more on that soon.” 

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Fineqia Presents Ottawa’s South Asian Fest Wins the Best Food Event & Festival Award by Faces Magazine Two Years in a Row

Fineqia Presents Ottawa's South Asian Fest Wins the Best Food Event & Festival Award by Faces Magazine Two Years in a Row

LONDON, UK, Feb. 28, 2022 /CNW/ – The Ontario South Asian Community Association’s (OSACA) annual showcase event, the South Asian Festival (www.southasianfest.net) wins the 2022 Ottawa Award for the Best Food Event and Festival, second year in a row. The festival, which was presented virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, is the largest festival in North America to celebrate and showcase South Asian heritage and culture.

Nominated for and voted online by the public, the awards are presented by Faces Magazine, an Ottawa-based premium lifestyle print and online publication. This was the 12th annual Ottawa Awards to recognise accomplished businesses and individuals across 300 categories in Canada’s capital city.

The Virtual South Asian Festival is presented as thematic episodes, with the second episode featuring Canadian-born South Asian musician Tesher, known for his viral hit “Jalebi Baby”, featuring international star, Jason Derulo. Along with millions of of TikTok challenge videos, Jalebi Baby has over 172 million views on YouTube and 90 million spins on Spotify.

OSACA hopes to bring SAF back to an in-person event, a 10-day family-oriented festival, open to all communities, sponsored by Toronto-Dominion (TD) Canada Trust bank, North America’s sixth largest bank by branches, as its title sponsor as well as Fineqia International Inc. (“Fineqia”) (CSE: FNQ) (OTC: FNQQF) (Frankfurt: FNQA)

Financial support was also provided by the Government of Canada’s Department of Canadian Heritage via its Multiculturalism program, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, the City of Ottawa and the Rangar family.

“This festival is very dear to our hearts and to our community,” said OSACA’s Director Bundeep Singh Rangar. “Although it is bittersweet that we have missed out on so many events due to the pandemic, it is with great pride and joy we continue our beloved founder’s legacy in this alternate format, stay tuned for additional episodes of HunsTV!.”

The South Asian Fest (SAF) was started by Bundeep’s brother, Hunsdeep (Huns) Singh Rangar 15 years ago who suddenly and tragically, passed away in June 2019¹ leaving the family and community with an unfillable void.

Along numerous tributes across the country and the Parliament, Hunsdeep received the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA)’s radio category award at its 41st anniversary awards in 2019. In 2021, a prominent property developer, the Minto Group, named a park in Avalon, a suburb Hunsdeep called home, commemorating his work within the community.

“Hunsdeep’s selfless dedication to bringing people together, organizing community events, fundraising for local causes and sharing his love for our city deserves to be celebrated and will live on as a source of inspiration to us all,” said Cumberland Ward Councillor Catherine Kitts. “I know the Hunsdeep Rangar Park will be a beloved addition to Avalon and a wonderful opportunity for visitors to honour his incredible contributions to our community.”²

Bundeep took over his activities and responsibilities, including the operation of the South Asian Festival, in August of 2019, as Director of OSACA, the driving force behind the South Asian Fest.

The South Asian Fest was supported by the Ottawa’s South Asian community to honour Huns and fulfil the desire of his family and friends to maintain his legacy. A signature radio program Huns had started nearly 20 years ago, is also being continued by his mother Vinnie and Bundeep. It was rebranded from Mirch Masala Radio to Radio Huns (www.radiohuns.ca) in August 2020 to commemorate Huns’s birthday. It airs online and on CHIN 97.9 FM radio in Ottawa every Monday – Saturday, from 5pm – 8pm EST featuring internationally renowned Bollywood Top20 countdown on Fridays, with Sharma G.

The Virtual South Asian Festival features; Hon. Jim Watson, the Mayor of Ottawa, former Minister of Employment and Social Development Mr. Pierre Poilievre, His Excellency Ajay Bisaria, the High Commissioner of India along with Radio Huns hosts Vandana Kaushal Kuricha, Dj Meetaballs, Dj iLon and HOT899’s premiere host Kenny B filming both in London UK and various notable sites in the city of Ottawa including City Hall, the TD Place and the rooftop of LIV Apartments overlooking the city.

OSACA’s TeamHuns members include Jagdeep Singh Perhar, Becky Dipa Khan, Lovejot Singh Deo, Farid Pirzada, and Ilon Tyan, who produced and directed the episodes along with Bundeep Singh Rangar.

For more information and to view the available episodes, please visit www.southasianfest.net.

About OSACA

The Ontario South Asian Community Association (OSACA) was founded in 2009 as an Ottawa-based, Not-for-Profit Corporation with a mandate to promote Cultural Awareness through an Annual Event showcasing South Asian Talent in the National Capital Region targeted towards the Canadian Mainstream.

About Fineqia International Inc.

Fineqia International is a listed entity in the Canada (CSE: FNQ), US (OTC: FNQQF) and Europe (Frankfurt: FNQA). Fineqia International outlines the Company’s corporate governance, culture, processes and relations by which the Company and its subsidiaries and investments are controlled, directed and governed. Fineqia International oversees and ensures the overall success, planning and growth of the Company and all of its subsidiaries.

Fineqia provides a U.K. relegated platform and associated services to support and administer debt and equity security issuances such as corporate mini-bonds. The Company’s strategy involves investments in and acquisitions of companies developing and propagating blockchain based financial solutions, adjunct to its core business of placing debt and equity securities. Fineqia brings an issuing company’s debt or equity offerings to the market by distributing and marketing securities for subscription by investors such as accredited investors, high net worth individuals, family offices and fund managers. Fineqia does not provide investment advice and instead seeks to provide transparency by objectively outlining the potential risks and returns of various financing opportunities.

For more information, visit www.fineqia.com

Vinnie Rangar, Hunsdeep Singh Rangar and Huns' daughter, Neela Rangar (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Vinnie Rangar, Hunsdeep Singh Rangar and Huns’ daughter, Neela Rangar (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Vinnie Rangar at the Hunsdeep Singh Rangar Undergrad Clubs and Societies Room, HunsClub, at the Carleton University (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Vinnie Rangar at the Hunsdeep Singh Rangar Undergrad Clubs and Societies Room, HunsClub, at the Carleton University (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Episode 2 Host and Radio Huns DJ, Dj Meetaballs with Indo-Candian international recording artist and Virtual TD South Asian Fest headliner, Tesher (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Episode 2 Host and Radio Huns DJ, Dj Meetaballs with Indo-Candian international recording artist and Virtual TD South Asian Fest headliner, Tesher (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

TD South Asian Fest wins 2022 Ottawa Award as Favourite Festival (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

TD South Asian Fest wins 2022 Ottawa Award as Favourite Festival (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Pierre Poilievre (MP) with producer Ilon Tyan behind the scenes of Episode 1 of TD Virtual South Asian Fest (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Pierre Poilievre (MP) with producer Ilon Tyan behind the scenes of Episode 1 of TD Virtual South Asian Fest (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Vinnie Rangar and Bundeep Singh Rangar in Episode 1 of Virtual TD South Asian Fest (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Vinnie Rangar and Bundeep Singh Rangar in Episode 1 of Virtual TD South Asian Fest (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Festival founder, late Hunsdeep Singh Rangar with brother Bundeep Singh Rangar (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Festival founder, late Hunsdeep Singh Rangar with brother Bundeep Singh Rangar (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

TD South Asian Fest presented by Fineqia (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

TD South Asian Fest presented by Fineqia (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Fineqia International Logo (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

Fineqia International Logo (CNW Group/Fineqia International Inc.)

SOURCE Fineqia International Inc.

Cision

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/28/c1057.html

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After two long years Delta special event venues flooded with enquiries

Delta businesses have been dealing with a flurry of interest since B.C. health officials dropped COVID restrictions last week on indoor gatherings such as weddings and special events.

“The phones are ringing off the hook with new event inquiries,” said Sue Carlile, general manager of Tsawwassen Springs, which features a ballroom, Pat Quinn’s Restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. “People are anxious to book their events that have been postponed for two years. Our spring and summer are already quite busy with events in the ballroom.”

Russell Pohl’s Mr. Mom’s World Catering oversees operations and bookings at East Delta Hall. The historic Ladner Trunk Road venue has been under repair since a water pipe break back in December resulted in some significant damage. It will be bustling when it re-opens.

“Once we get totally re-opened, which I would say would be mid-May, from that point on we around 85 percent booked,” said Pohl. “Our inbox has been inundated. I would say we’re already 10 to 15 percent booked for next year alone.”

Over the past 24 months, Pohl pivoted his business to create programs featuring his Ukrainian specialty foods. It’s become so popular that he plans on continuing the sales in some form even when the hall is buzzing with events again.

“We’re extremely blessed that we had the opportunity to be able to do that. Many caterers didn’t have that option,” continued Pohl. “This may seem really corny and all that kind of stuff, but we built a lot of projects. For instance, our (mobile) meal program, then we did more wholesale things. I think we’re going to keep the majority of those programs because we feel extremely blessed by the community that continued to support us.”

As full capacity events are being rapidly booked, the scramble is on to find more employees. It’s no easy task when many left the industry two years ago.

“Yes we anticipate the hiring process to be quite challenging with the labor shortage,” added Carlile. “We are presently training new culinary staff and will be hiring and training staff for our ballroom events.”

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Exhibition Company has events every weekend; this year’s Fair a tentative go

Exhibition Company has events every weekend; this year’s Fair a tentative go

The big event this upcoming weekend will be the Moose Jaw Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show Series on Feb. 19 and 20. George Fowler, general manager of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company, is cautiously optimistic that with restrictions lifting, events will continue to pick up

The big event this upcoming weekend will be the Moose Jaw Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show Series on Feb. 19 and 20. The judge will be Cindy Klassen from Saskatoon.

George Fowler, general manager of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company, is cautiously optimistic that with restrictions lifting, events will continue to pick up.

Proof-of-vaccination requirements and uncertain public gathering rules led to event cancellations in January and February. Events groups didn’t want to take the risk of putting a show on, only for low attendance to hamstring them.

Upcoming events

The Moose Jaw Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show Series is on Feb. 19 and 20. Each day’s show will start at 8:00 a.m. with courses designed by Don Dorsch and Sam Harland. More information on registration and rules can be found at www.moosejawex.ca.

The next weekend will feature the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company’s Groundhog Special Schooling Show on Feb. 26 and 27. The show was delayed from the actual Groundhog Day weekend due to public health concerns. A wide variety of classes will be shown, including hunter, jumper, equitation, showmanship, horsemanship, and barrels.

The beginning of March (when the provincial mask mandate expires) will see the South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association’s annual Moose Jaw Gun Show coming to the exhibition grounds on Mar. 5 and 6. The event typically draws hundreds of vendors from across southern Saskatchewan, with thousands of attendees perusing guns, knives, bow hunting gear, and ammunition.

Gun show organizers are looking forward to admitting participants without asking for proof of vaccination, although Fowler notes they’re always careful. “We don’t want to get too carried away, and then all of a sudden discover that, you know, we have another variant and they have to bring back in rules.”

On Mar. 12 and 13, there is a dressage show scheduled. Dressage is an Olympic-level combination of sport and art in which a horse and rider must perform a memorized set of movements exactly. Competition is done one at a time. Movement must appear smooth and effortless, with horse and rider communicating precisely in a kind of dance.

On Mar. 19, the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association will be holding a competition. Horse and rider must complete a cloverleaf pattern around a triangle of barrels in the fastest time possible. The fast-paced rodeo sport is known to draw plenty of spectators.

The following weekend, Mar. 26 and 27, the Moose Jaw Dog Club will have an agility show. Spectators can watch dogs racing around the Golden Mile Arena with various levels of skill and enthusiasm. Top competitors will obey commands from their trainers instantly as they weave through poles, up and down ramps, over jumps, and through tunnels.

Fowler said the Exhibition Company is moving forward with plans for the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair and Parade from June 23 to 26. The event has been cancelled for two years due to COVID. “We’re just booking for entertainment at this point,” Fowler said. “We’re hoping everything comes together this year that we can actually host the event.”

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Ten Years Hence Lecture: Space Threats and National Security // Department of Political Science // University of Notre Dame

Ten Years Hence Lecture: Space Threats and National Security // Department of Political Science // University of Notre Dame

Space Threats and National Security is presented by Lt. General William Liquori, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis, United States Space Force. As the Chief Strategy and Resourcing Officer, Lt Gen Liquori has overall responsibility for the strategies, requirements, and budget of the United States Space Force.

This lecture is via Zoom only. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

Free and open to students, faculty, staff and the Notre Dame community. Registration is required in advance to receive the Zoom link.

This is the third of seven lectures in the Ten Years Hence speaker series that will explore Life Beyond Earth. For a listing of all the lectures, visit the Ten Years Hence website.

Ten Years Hence is sponsored by the O’Brien-Smith Leadership Program.