‘Amour’ Leads National Society of Film Critics Awards; Day-Lewis, Riva Among Acting Winners

Source:  Indiewire

The National Society of Film Critics chose Michael Haneke’s ‘Amour’ as their best picture of 2012. The film narrowly topped Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “The Master” for that prize, while its director beat out Anderson and Kathryn Bigelow to win the best director prize as well.  Read more ..

Current Tv’s Future

Source:  Current TV

“We are proud and pleased that Al-Jazeera, the award-winning international news organization, has bought Current TV,” said Al Gore, co-founder and chairman, and Joel Hyatt, co-founder and CEO. “Since its founding in 2005, Current has grown into a national network available in nearly 60 million homes, offering thought-provoking commentary and Emmy and Peabody Award–winning programming. Current Media was built based on a few key goals: to give voice to those who are not typically heard; to speak truth to power; to provide independent and diverse points of view; and to tell the stories that no one else is telling. Al-Jazeera, like Current, believes that facts and truth lead to a better understanding of the world around us.”  Read more..

Funjet Vacations launches “Year to Funjet” Sale for travel through summer 2013

Source:  Cision

Milwaukee, Wis.– The start of 2013 marks the beginning of peak travel booking season, along with the time when many consumers are making New Year’s Resolutions. To

help customers accomplish some of the most popular goals of spending more time with loved ones and saving money, Funjet Vacations has launched the “Year to Funjet”, Sale offering big discounts on vacations in the most popular destinations.

The sale runs January 4—January 24, 2013, for vacations through August 31, 2013, and includes special offers with a focus on reconnecting with loved ones and saving more money, all while experiencing the unforgettable. Travelers will be save up to 65% off and receive hotel inclusions such as room upgrades, kids free deals, spa credits and golf discounts.

These deals can be found at various top hotels in destinations including Aruba, the Bahamas, Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Hawaii, Jamaica, Las Vegas, Los Cabos, Orlando, Panama, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana and more.

In addition, the “Year to Funjet” Sale will feature promo code FJVSUMMER1, which will provide bonus savings of up to $150. This promo code applies to all destinations for travel April 1—August 31, 2013.

Travelers to Hawaii will also receive up to 30% off their car rental, while U.S. travelers will save up to 15% off car rentals.

“People are really starting to think about and book their spring break vacations,” says Mike Going, president of Funjet Vacations. “Now that the weather has turned cold and the holidays are over, everyone is ready for a warm, sunny vacation – which means that hotels and flights book up very quickly in January and February.”

Because January is the peak booking month for spring and summer vacations, Going recommends that customers book their travel right away to get the best deals on desired flights, hotels and travel dates.

Vinterjazz

Source:  Cision

17 days of international jazz festival to embrace Denmark in February  

The Winter Jazz Festival (or in Danish: Vinterjazz) is set to sweep all over Denmark for the 13th time on February 1-17, 2013. Vinterjazz is once more

pushing its boundaries further with a record-breaking number of concerts totaling approximately 300 concerts all over Denmark. This year’s program presents a quite extravagant selection of International and Scandinavian musicians – as well as the finest and most progressive names from the modern Danish jazz scene.

This festival was founded by the Danish jazz association JazzDanmark in 2001 and is a unique celebration of live jazz and an annual kick-start of the jazz season. Not only is this a nationwide festival with high quality jazz, Danish as well as international stars.  It also brings together more than 60 venues ranging from local organizers, experimental labels, re-known jazz clubs to the concert halls of the like of The Royal Library, Jazzhouse, The National Art Gallery and The Royal Play House in Copenhagen. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival organizes Vinterjazz.

This year’s program features a number of international jazz meetings: Polish superstar pianist Leszek Moždžer teams up with Swedish bass player Lars Danielsso for two concerts, Marc Johnson (US) presents his new album ”Swept Away” alongside Eliane Elias (BR), Weather Report-drummer Peter Erskine (US) is giving several concerts with a special project with Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Danish guitarist Jakob Bro gathers his great trio with Thomas Morgan (US) and ECM-drummer Jon Christensen (NO), while Reuben Rogers and Greg Hutchinson is playing with their new setting feat. Tomas Franck (US/SE/DK).

Transcending the core of modern jazz this edition of Vinterjazz also draws lines to folk, world, electronic, rock and classical music. Electronic jazz outfit Get The Blessing (UK) features members of Portishead, Becca Stevens (US) plays original jazzy folk tunes, Uri Caine with the Copenhagen Phil is rewriting Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, the powerful Scandinavian trio The Thing (SE/NO) is still rocking at it with Mats Gustafsson as lead-out man – as well as Congolese phenomena Bajoli (CD), singer Kira Skov, and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg in new caleidoskopic collaboration with electronic musician Mike Sheridan.

Other international high lights include: Jason Moran Bandwagon (US), Roscoe Mitchell (US), Lars Jasson (SE), Dorato Schmitt (FR), Evan Parker (UK), Marilyn Mazur + Tritonus Koret (DK/US) and Kreisberg/Hoenig/Hess/Haxholm (US).

Vinterjazz 2013, February 1-17
→ 60 venues from all across Denmark
→ A total of 300 concerts
→ Founded in 2001
→ A one-of-a-kind jazz festival that takes place nationwide
→ Enables more Danish and International groups to go on tour
→ The annual kick start for many jazz clubs and musicians
→ Puts a focus on jazz outside the prime season
→ Presale tickets available at different tickets vendors – to be found via jazz.dk

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