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“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” – Documentary on Netflix: the difficult life of a woman who has achieved the impossible.

“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” is a documentary directed by Lucy Walker.

In Connecticut, USA, a woman lives and works in a supermarket and leads a life like any other life of an American: she has a daughter and lives humbly, working about eight or nine hours a day. As she herself says: it’s like a prison and, when she finishes, it looks like someone has bailed her out.

But Lhakpa Sherpa is also a world-record holder and became in 2016 the first Nepalese woman to ascend and descend Everest. Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest no less than ten times, also a world record holder.

A mountain that is a symbol, a world-class climber with an obsession: climbing.
“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” is a documentary about an ascent in 2022 by Lhakpa Sherpa, a Nepalese woman who belongs to the Sherpas, a community whose individuals all share the same surname and whose name is chosen by the day they were born. Lhakpa is the name given to those born on Wednesday.

“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa”: a documentary about Lhakpa SherpaMountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa

“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” is a documentary that wants to go beyond mountaineering and delves into Nepalese culture through the life of this woman, who will tell us anecdotes from her childhood, allow us to meet her family in the United States to finally accompany her on her ascent to Everest.

Lhakpa Sherpa is very communicative and does not hesitate to tell us curiosities about her life, her childhood and Nepal. Thus, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” becomes a documentary full of tenderness, kind and familiar of a woman who, despite holding several world records, lives as a person with all the difficulties.

However, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” does not delve into the tragedy or the circumstances of the separation with her husband, no. Lhakpa Sherpa leaves us with a clear message of constant overcoming and facing difficulties with fortitude and admirable calmness.

Our opinion.

“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” is a charming documentary that seeks at all times the feeling and closeness to the main character. It is a documentary about mountaineering that goes beyond its own nature and delves into the Nepalese culture and the personal life of this admirable woman who, once again, faces an impossible climb for many.

Where to Watch “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa”

Netflix

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates 8th anniversary at the Palace Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates its 8th anniversary at London’s Palace Theatre today, 30 July 2024, where it is currently booking until 6 April 2025.

Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has now been seen by over 1.7 million people in the West End and over 11 million worldwide.

There have been 2740 performances of Part One and Part Two combined, totaling 6432 hours of performance from the 46 strong London cast.

Over the last eight years 256 cast members have performed in the original London two-part multi award-winning production at the Palace Theatre along with 215 people who have worked backstage to continue to bring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to life each performance.

Writer Jack Thorne said “Making Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was a beautiful experience, working with John and our talented creative team and cast has been a wonderful journey. It really has been a team effort from every person involved in the show, and we are all proud to still be here 8 years on”

Director John Tiffany added “We have been on an incredible journey over the last 8 years, from opening the original production at the Palace Theatre in 2016 to taking the show to audiences worldwide. We have collaborated with many wonderful artists over the years, both on and off stage, all of whom have worked tirelessly to bring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to our fantastic audiences each and every performance”

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

The cast comprises David Ricardo-Pearce as Harry Potter, Polly Frame playing Ginny Potter and Ellis Rae as their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge plays Ron Weasley with Jade Ogugua playing Hermione Granger along with Taneetrah Porter as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd plays Draco Malfoy, with Harry Acklowe as his son Scorpius Malfoy.

They are joined by Ishmail Aaron, David Annen, Nairn Archer, Darrell Brockis, Robert Curtis, Toby De Salis, Odelia Dizel-Cubuca, Rory Fraser, Jemma Geanaus, Harry Goodson-Bevan, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, David Ijiti, Chris Jarman, Sally Jayne Hind, Emma Louise Jones, Kathryn Meisle, Ian Redford, Abigail Rosser, Clancy Ryan, Tonny Shim, Adam Slynn, Sara Stewart, Benjamin Stratton, Maia Tamrakar, Alex Tomkins, Jake Tuesley, Sam Varley, Jess Vickers, Wreh-asha Walton, Katie Wimpenny. Abigail Austin, Oliver Dawson, Layla Duke, Honor Hastings, Aubrey Hayes, Aljosa Radosavljevic and Ethan Webster alternate two children’s roles.

Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remain priced from £15 per part. The regular performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two.

The access performances currently on sale are as follows – British Sign Language on Saturday 21 September 2024, Audio Described on Saturday 9 November 2024 and a Captioned Performance on Saturday 16 November 2024.

We are excited to announce that this year’s Back To Hogwarts celebrations will include the opportunity to win a place at a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child workshop where people will learn the iconic Wand Dance from the show. The workshop will be run by the production’s Resident Movement Director, Tash Holway, on the morning of 1 September at a Central London venue. To be in with a chance to win a place, enter at harrypottertheplay.com/backtohogwarts/

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG and Lotte Hines CDG. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best New Play. There are four productions running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo, with a North American tour starting in September 2024 at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre.

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Bharti Kher to launch monumental new outdoor commission at the Hayward Gallery

From Thursday 12 September 2024, the Hayward Gallery will present Target Queen, a mesmerising and colourful large-scale new commission by British-Indian artist Bharti Kher. Marking the first time that Kher’s ambitious outdoor work has been presented by a London institution, Target Queen will be positioned across the Hayward Gallery’s eastern and southern facades, celebrating and playfully interacting with the iconic architecture and cultural playground of the Southbank Centre.

Target Queen will feature supersized bindis, which are traditionally used by South Asian women as powerful cultural and spiritual symbols denoting the third eye. With these symbols at the heart of Kher’s artistic vision, the target-like motifs in Target Queen will each measure three metres in diameter and will cover two sides of the Hayward Gallery. Kher’s mural will also transform the bindi into a powerful emblem of the goddess, embedding both spiritual resonance and a welcoming and compassionate feminine energy into the Brutalist building.

Since the artist first incorporated bindis into her work in 1995, they have evolved into a signature motif, rich in narrative and aesthetic significance. For Kher, bindis embody a deep cultural identity, representing “a third eye – one that forges a link between the real and the spiritual conceptual worlds”. The circular shapes, reflecting Kher’s painterly approach, investigate how language and gesture can be communicated through colour.

Target Queen takes inspiration from Kher’s 2007 diptych of the same name. In this commission, Kher reimagines the concentric circle, a potent motif that not only reflects a cosmic vision but also explores the cyclical nature of life, capturing the interplay between creation and dissolution.

Kher’s practice is renowned for how it explores the boundaries between humanity and nature, ecology and politics. Her sculptures are often crafted from found objects that carry their own histories. These objects are precariously assembled, often hung, propped and suspended, and are stripped of their conventional meanings, leaving them open to misinterpretation and enchantment. The resulting works are alluring, abstract compositions that challenge and captivate, reflecting a world filled with abstract beauty and latent magic.

The commission will be viewable from Belvedere Road and Waterloo Bridge as part of the Southbank Centre’s commitment to making 40% of its programming free to all. 

Bharti Kher says: “My outdoor work is a key part of my practice, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with a space as renowned as the Hayward Gallery to present this work for the first time at a London institution. Target Queen will be a bold, vibrant and powerful artwork that calls for greater representation of femininity and divinity, also as an exciting exploration of how the two intersect.”

Rachel Thomas, Chief Curator at the Hayward Gallery, says: “The Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre is renowned for staging ambitious and pioneering artworks, both inside and outside gallery walls. We are delighted to be working with visionary artist Bharti Kher whose transformative work, Target Queen, will grace our building with profound beauty and imagination. Kher’s art recontextualises the traditional target motif into a symbol of the divine feminine, blending cultural narrative with aesthetic innovation. Target Queen will bring enjoyment to all who see it, be it commuters or tourists travelling across Waterloo Bridge, or visitors to an event on our site”.

Target Queen is supported by the Hayward Gallery Commissioning Committee and Hauser & Wirth Gallery.

Target Queen launches alongside Bharti Kher’s solo exhibition Alchemies at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (on until Sunday 27 April 2025).

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Prioritizing Eye Health: How to Achieve Summer-Ready Vision

If you’re looking to safeguard your health this summer, don’t forget about your eyes. One thing you’ll want to be wary of is dry eye syndrome, which is caused by the summer season’s hot and dry air and can lead to pain and discomfort.

If you’re hitting the beach or playing outdoor sports, you may also run the risk of getting eye infections or similar injuries. More importantly, though, you need to remember that your eyes are especially vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays, which can fully penetrate them and slowly cause damage over time. That can increase your risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and eye cancer—all of which can cause blindness. Since many also spend increased time outdoors during this season, more eye injuries are recorded during the summer months.

Fortunately, you don’t need to let the heat and sun ruin your summer experiences. Simple, cost-effective methods can easily help your eyes stay healthy and comfortable, and The Lancet reports that 90% of all cases of vision loss are preventable. Want to know what you can do to achieve healthy, summer-ready vision? Prioritize your eye health and try these tips to get started. 

Shield your eyes

One of the best and most direct ways you can prevent sun- and impact-related eye damage this summer is by donning sunglasses. Make sure they provide 100% UV protection for the best effect. Opting for sturdy, oversized frames will also help protect more of the eyes and the surrounding skin from things like dirt, sand, and sports balls from entering or hitting them. You can even buy sunglasses based on the type of summer outings you like best. The iconic Ray-Ban Aviators can be great for casual city tours, the likes of Costa’s Kailano are specifically designed for fishing and beach trips, and stylish designer shades like Versace’s Biggie will fit right in with your attire for summery destination weddings. Since you can choose your perfect pair from today’s vast catalogs using features like virtual try-ons and free shipping, there’s no reason why you can’t nab sunglasses that look great while protecting you from the sun and other foreign objects. 

Leverage additional coverage

Even though you’re wearing sunglasses, you may still want to take extra measures to protect your eyes from all angles. That’s especially true if you need to head outdoors at noon when UV levels are at their peak: the sun will still hit your eyes because it’s shining directly overhead. That’s why you’ll want to leverage the additional coverage provided by the many sun hats available on the market today. 

Of course, heading to H&M to buy a cheap baseball cap could do the trick. However, you may prefer wide-brimmed models like the Furtalk Foldable Beach Sun Hat. This will protect both your eyes and the skin at the back of your neck, perfect for hitting two birds with one stone—on top of being made of that lightweight straw material so fitting for summery aesthetics. Like sunglasses, you can buy sun hats and style them in different ways, too. That means that whether you choose to pair that straw hat with a flowy summer dress or your everyday cap with a crop top and shorts, there’s a hat out there for you that will help shield you from the sun without compromising on your personal style. 

Ensure maximum hydration

Proper hydration is key to preventing dry eye syndrome, which you may be more vulnerable to if you have seasonal allergies or wear contact lenses. It’s always great to start by drinking eight glasses of water a day, but you can also buy eye drops to directly replenish your eyes’ tear film. 

Though there are plenty of options available, those with essential moisturizing properties work best. One example is Santen Asia’s Cationorm, which uses cationic nanoemulsion technology to specifically target dry eyes caused by contact lens wear and environmental conditions. Because this emulsion uses a more advanced formula comprising both aqueous and oily phases, its effects will last for longer no matter what you’re doing this summer—unlike typical over-the-counter eye drops that evaporate quickly. 

Apply sunscreen carefully

To avoid pain, discomfort, and—in the worst-case scenario—infections, you’ll want to apply sunscreen away from your eyes. Though we’ve noted that this product is vital for preparing your skin for the summer, it can thoroughly irritate your eyes once it comes into contact with them. That said, avoid the eyelids and under eyes when slapping sunscreen on. You may also want to consider using a physical sunscreen like the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ rather than a chemical one, as it will stick to your skin better and won’t run into your eyes. If you’d still like to add skin protection to this area, consider using dedicated eye creams with SPF protection, like Supergoop!’s Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40.

When preparing for the summer, go beyond sunscreen. Try these tips to prioritize your eye health and enjoy your outings with healthy, summer-ready vision.

For more posts on everything from health to fashion, feel free to peruse our other articles here on Martin Cid Magazine. 

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Flamenco Latino in Concert, part of the 2024 Más Allá Series – August 1, New York

Flamenco Latino in Concert, part of the 2024 Más Allá Series – August 1, New York

Join Flamenco Latino for Flamenco Latino in Concert on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 7:30pm – 9pm at Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica NY. Tickets cost $20, and group discounts are available by calling (347) 771-2440. The performance is a part of Flamenco Latino’s 2024 Más Allá Series, which runs from Wednesday, July 24 to Saturday, August 24, 2024. The annual Más Allá (“Way Beyond”) Series, which has been a part of Flamenco Latino since 2015, represents the company’s most creative, innovative offering within the world of Flamenco dance and music. For more info, visit https://www.flamencolatino.com/. For tickets, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flamenco...

Flamenco Latino’s 2024 Más Allá Series is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Flamenco Latino Phopto credit: Eric BandieroAbout the Artists

Aurora Reyes is a dancer, choreographer, singer, and co-founder & artistic director of Flamenco Latino who has been dancing flamenco for 40 years and choreographing for 23 years. Her Spanish heritage, of Valencian and Galician descent, originally drew her to flamenco, and she has performed in both Spain and New York. Aurora’s extensive collaboration with composer and singer Basilio Georges has produced flamenco heelwork, which authentically replicates the rhythms played in Latin music by the congas, bongos and timbales. As the primary choreographer of Flamenco Latino’s repertoire, Ms. Reyes’ work fuses her wide knowledge of traditional flamenco with dancers and musicians of diverse traditions.

Ms. Reyes’ choreography of the flamenco mambo El Yoyo fused traditional steps from both idioms in collaboration with company member Yvonne Gutierrez, and was performed at The Duke Theatre on 42nd Street in 2002. She set Danzón choreography and commissioned renowned Salsa dancer/choreographer Eddie Torres to set the Mambo-Cha section that she adapted for Mas Allá que el Danzon Cha, performed at Pace Schimmel Theatre in 1999.

Since 2018, she has cultivated a corps of up-and-coming dancers through five seasons with the Queensboro Dance Festival, including an exploration of blues and flamenco in 2020’s Hand Me Down My Walkin’ Cane. She choreographed several numbers in the 2021 Danisarte production Lorca Siempre, and expanded and reworked them for Flamenco Latino’s 2021 Mås Allá Series. Choreographed works performed at Flamenco Latino Dance Studio Theatre include La Rumba Cubana y Flamenca (2012), Flamenco Gumbo I (2015) and Flamenco Gumbo II (2016).

In the 1980’s, Aurora danced in Madrid’s famous flamenco show Tablao El Corral de la Pacheca and toured the U.S. with the celebrated dance company Jose Molina Bailes Españoles. She has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Angel Gil Orrios, director of Thalia Spanish Theatre, singing, choreographing and acting in all 3 of Mr. Gil’s Picasso productions including Deseo Cogido por El Rabo, Las Cuatro Niñitas, and El FlamenConde de Orgaz. Additionally, she choreographed Angel’s flamenco/tap musical Amor Latino, based on Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. Aurora also choreographed original works for five seasons for Andrea Del Conte’s Danza España /The American Spanish Dance Theatre, and flamenco tablao scenes & Entremedio sections for Knoxville Opera’s 2005 production of Carmen.

Her extensive teaching experience includes Flamenco and Salsa residencies with Young Audiences of NY and Community Works (1999-2013), and as an adjunct instructor in World Dance/Latin Styles at Stony Brook University from 1995-2002.

Basilio Georges is a flamenco guitarist, singer and composer, and co-founder and executive director of Flamenco Latino, who has shared both artistic and managerial responsibilities for the organization. His heritage is Greek Orthodox on his father’s side and Russian/Jewish on his mother’s side. His early professional career includes working in NYC as both a jazz and salsa musician. He began studying flamenco in 1977, and his first touring work was with Jose Molina Bailes Españoles from 1983-85. He honed many accompaniment skills playing for classes in Madrid dance studios and played for many local singers at various flamenco peñas in Madrid and Sevilla during the 1980s. Most recently, he has composed music for dancers and actors in Danisarte’s “Lorca Siempre (Lorca Forever) 2021. He has also composed and recorded music for Aurora Reyes choreographies for the Queensboro Dance Festival, 2017-2024. Basilio wrote the music and arrangements for the 2009 Thalia Spanish Theater production “Amor Latino” and collaborated director Angel Gil Orrios, to mount the only staged versions of two of the 3 plays written by Pablo Picasso. These were “Las Cuatro Niñitas” and “FlamenConde de Orgaz” produced by Thalia in 2003 and 2008. From 1987-2000 he composed and arranged for Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo, Andrea Del Conte Danza España. His most recent CDs include “Retrospectiva Vol. 1: It’s About Damn Time” and “Cante Flamenco in Nueva York” with Luis Vargas, and is working on “Acabo de Empezar,” to be released in 2024.

Omar Edwards is an African American tap dancer, entertainer, and musician who has been dancing since age of 12. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Omar draws his art from 23 years of experiences and formal training with masters like Henry Letang, Jimmy Slyde, and Marie Brooks. In 1994, he earned national acclaim when he and partner Daniel B. Wooten Jr. won the grand prize on “Star Search.” The same year he began an international tour of the hit show “Black and Blue” and later became a featured dancer in the Broadway show “Bring In Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.” During this time, he evolved a lyrical style of rhythm dancing and became a high-thinking philosopher of tap dance, resurrecting earth-stomping rhythms into their highest spiritual dimensions. Tap dance for Edwards is a spiritual journey.

Omar Edwards later produced experimental works, which in the sheer audacity of their conception, distinguished him as a wildly imaginative and free jazz artist. At Minton’s, the infamous be-bop after-hours jazz club in Harlem, Edwards would show up with his band, Seven Less, and a large black box. He designed a box that the audience could not see him enter or leave. The box covered him from his head to his knees. Only his feet were visible. In this way Edwards challenged audiences to focus attention on disembodied sounds. He continued making appearances with his black platform box at open microphone jazz clubs such as the Iridium, Smoke, Showman’s, and Saint Nick’s Pub. Omar Edwards’ career spans the world of music, dance, television, theatre, and film. In 1998, he recorded “Tap Dancin is Music,” being the first of his generation to release an album where the dancer is the leader of the band. TV appearances include starring as the “Sandman” on “Showtime at the Apollo” for seven years. He appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was featured in the musical movie “Camp.” Concert credits include performing with Alicia Keys live at the Hollywood Bowl and with Savion Glover live at the White House. Omar has taken his concept, which he now calls “Afro Feet: Music and Beyond,” on tour throughout Europe and Asia. The performance at JCAL will mark his third season of collaboration with Flamenco Latino.

Paige “Queen TuT” Stewart is from Queens, New York. Working as a dance teacher at various public schools, dance schools and arts centers as well as all over the Tri-state area instructing the youth in the movement &and dance. Her passions are a combination of spoken word poetry, physical poetry, and a love of performing. She maintains a well-rounded worth ethic and encompasses a dedication that can’t be matched. Diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of twelve, she continues to move through the oncoming challenges as well as continues to inspire and evoke passion through everything she does. The 2024 Más Allá Series will represent Paige’s second year of collaboration with Flamenco Latino.

Fascinated by the love of her favorite hip hop dance technique “Tutting,” she has dedicated her training around popping dance styles. The Tutting style was originally practiced by young funk dancers and is derived from the positions people were drawn in the days of the Ancient Egyptians. It is these positions seen in these portraits that have been adopted by dancers today. So, when you “tut” you change the angles of your arms according to the beat. Those who are more experienced pop when changing from angle to angle thus refining the style. Tutting is still a greatly respected move and “King Tut” aka Mark Benson is widely acclaimed for pioneering the style. Not to be confused with King TuT as deep as the history is, Paige’s style is way simpler. Paige explains, “Queen TuT signifies the divine right to master my craft. Any of us can be a King or Queen of our craft. What is yours?”

About Flamenco Latino

Since inception in 1979, Flamenco Latino’s professional company has explored and developed the genre known as Ida y Vuelta. This “Round Trip” genre was born during the late 18th century, when Spain and other countries in Europe were influenced by Latino dance and music, most notably the Cuban Habanera and Rumba, which led to flamenco tangos, tanguillo and rumba.

Flamenco Latino’s recent Más Allá Series has pushed flamenco boundaries. Through the series, Flamenco Latino has encouraged the infusion of traditional Flamenco dance structures with jazz, blues and salsa, and welcomed the collaboration of such tap dancers as Omar Edwards. Since 2018, Flamenco Latino has presented its Series in collaboration with Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning.

For the past 30 years, Flamenco Latino’s interpretation of Ida y Vuelta have included explorations of flamenco guajiras and many rumba styles, such as Peret, Bambino and the Gipsy Kings. The company’s offerings over time have included many unusual amalgamations referencing mambo, cha-cha, danzon, bomba y plena, cumbia and merengue. Drawing on Basilio Georges’ early professional career as a jazz musician, the music has reflected many jazz harmonic and improvisatory concepts.

Flamenco Latino’s exciting and innovative repertoire has been presented at Pace University and New York’s The Duke Theater, and through touring from 1997 to 2006. The company collaborated with Thalia Spanish Theatre from 2003-2009, in Amor Latino, a musical involving both tap and flamenco, and in a special interpretation of Picasso’s art through plays written by the artist as directed by Angel Gil Orrios.

From 2006-2016, Flamenco Latino ran a Studio Theater space in Midtown Manhattan, offering classes in dance, guitar, cante and palmas for adults and children, presenting performances and recitals, and producing workshops with artists from Spain.

Flamenco Latino currently offers both live and online classes and performances. Classes are held at studios in Jackson Heights, Queens, and in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.

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River of Hope arts project enables young people to express concerns about the climate crisis

Creative arts-based learning project River of Hope, spearheaded by the Thames Festival Trust, will partner with further festivals and organisations this year to allow more young people to express their feelings about the climate crisis. River of Hope provides an amazing opportunity to connect with the local environment; young people take part in an out-of-school river visit and then create artworks under the guidance of inspirational professional artists. The project also benefits teachers by providing them with artist professional development and access to online resources to encourage them to include climate change topics within their curriculum teaching.

In 2024, the project will directly engage over 3,500 young people nationally and internationally. The magnificent artwork and poetry created by the young people can be viewed online as part of an interactive gallery as well as in person at various festivals and events. From 2023 to 2025, River of Hope will work in 7 UK regions: Leeds, Newham (London), Tees Valley, Norfolk, Norwich, Dorset and Plymouth, and also in France (Rouen) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa and Arba Minch).

The output this year is:

From 2nd – 4th August 2024, an exhibition will be displayed in partnership with Stockton International Riverside Festival in the Tees Valley displaying installations created with artists BloomInArt.An exhibition on 21st September at Cody Dock and 22nd September as part of Thames Day will display the output from Newham, created as part of Thames Festival Trust and the Totally Thames Festival, with participation from ten primary schools and Cody Dock along with artist Fiona Grady.On 26th October, at Tamar Festival in Calstock, the works created by eight primary schools, five secondary schools, the Environment Agency, Tamar Community Trust and

the National Trust, in partnership with the Tamara Landscape Partnership and artists Ione Rojas, Shona Watt, Emmie Readman and Fotonow, will be displayed.

And the year will culminate with a project in Ethiopia in partnership with the British Council with participation from thirty primary schools aided by artists Martha Hardy and Zeny Zerfu.

Marina Gautier, Global Programme Lead Schools at British Council, comments: Through Schools Connect, the British Council’s international programme for schools, we are delighted to support the work of the Thames Festival Trust. Together, we are working with schools to bring an international perspective to learning, supporting young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to respond to global challenges, now and in the future.

Kate Forde, Head of Education and Engagement at Thames Festival Trust, comments, River of Hope has given teachers and young people the opportunity to embark on a creative journey where they have been immersed in nature and have been able to express themselves through new artistic processes. It has pushed teachers out of their comfort zone and as result provided some lovely surprises! We hope that this project has given them a glimpse of how powerful the arts can be at connecting us to other cultures and delivering important messages about climate change and the future of our planet.

A 2021 survey of over 4,000 young people by environmental organisation Hubbub suggests that a significant percentage of young people are neither knowledgeable about, nor engaged with climate change. The survey suggests that 30% feel that climate change is not a problem relevant to them. River of Hope focuses on raising awareness of environmental issues amongst these young people and giving them voice and agency in navigating the climate crisis through art and creativity.

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Poetry and Art in Conversation at Catharine Clark Gallery. Curated by Amy Trachtenberg

Catharine Clark Gallery presents an evening of poetry in dialogue with visual art. Beginning at 6:00 PM, guests can experience Amy Trachtenberg’s solo exhibition ‘Listening Chamber’ before the poetry readings commence at 6:30 PM. Acclaimed poets Forrest Gander, Norma Cole, and Robert Glück will each present a 12-15 minute reading, featuring poetry that resonates with themes in Trachtenberg’s visual art. The evening also features artist Ashwini Bhat, discussing her contributions to the concurrent group exhibition ‘The Sky You Were Born Under: Sharing Stories Through Abstraction.’ This rare confluence of literary and visual art offers a nuanced perspective on contemporary artistic dialogue.

Doors open: 6:00 PM
Reading begins: 6:30 PM
Event concludes: 8:00 PM
Location: Catharine Clark Gallery, 248 Utah St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Contributing artists and poets: Amy Trachtenberg, Ashwini Bhat, Forrest Gander, Norma Cole, and Robert Glück

Twice promised, 2015-2024. Acrylic, oil stick, and colored pencil on canvas dimensions: 72 x 60 inches

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Scholarships and Funding Opportunities for Art Students at UK Universities

The UK is a great place for artists to pursue their art degrees. There are lots of interesting and wonderful things to explore during arts degrees in the UK. On the other hand, to study arts degree in the UK is very expensive. Therefore, it seems many art students want to study in the UK institutions which are regarded as the best universities in the UK. But l must confess, it is costly and not a one-day journey. Navigating these opportunities can be complex, and that’s where UK Writings is an efficient essay writing service that can assist students in writing compelling scholarship applications. UKWritings.com is relevant to this topic as it helps students articulate their artistic vision and achievements clearly and persuasively, increasing their chances of securing much-needed financial aid.

Finally, l will show various options and different ways that art students can apply to study in the UK for awarding scholarships and funding.

The UK University System for Art Students

Before into the list of funding opportunities for you, please allow me to introduce you to the UK university system, for UK art students.The UK has some of the finest art schools and universities in the world, offering a variety of courses in fine arts, design, photography, animation, and other creative arts, with carefully structured coursework, superior facilities and industry connections.

Most undergraduate degrees at UK universities take three years to complete, and this includes many art degrees. Some art and design courses start with a foundation year in the first year of the course, so the length of the degree is actually four. Postgraduate degrees, such as master’s degrees, are one or two years long.

The overall cost of studying visual art in the UK varies greatly depending on what school and what programme you are on. Tuition for an international student studying in the UK can cost between £10,000 to £38,000 per year. After paying the tuition fees, students can look at £10,000 plus more depending on how they choose to live.

Types of Scholarships Available for Art Students

UK art students are generously provided with different types of scholarships. These can be divided into 3 groups such as: Merit-based Scholarships; Need-based Scholarships; and Specific Art Discipline Scholarships. UK essay services reviews can guide art students in choosing reliable writing assistance, helping them successfully apply for scholarships and funding opportunities at UK universities.

Governments or universities offer scholarships, which are given to students who show great academic or artistic skill. These scholarships ask applicants to produce a portfolio of their work, or carry out an art competition, in order to prove their talent. Universities and art schools compete to recruit gifted students from all over the world for these scholarships.

Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded according to the student’s financial condition. Such scholarships are provided by many universities in the UK to those students who are not able to afford the cost of studying in the UK without any financial help. Such scholarships are awarded after considering the financial condition of the students either by asking for the income proof of the student’s family or other financial documents.

Niche art scholarships are targeted to prospective students’ chosen majors such as painting, sculpture, graphic design, digital media, advertising, or related fields, and are usually sponsored by professional art associations, art foundations or companies in the creative industries.

University-Specific Art Scholarships

There are also many UK universities that have specialist awards designed for art students. These can be extremely competitive but often provide lots of financial assistance, as some of the scholarships found on these university websites demonstrate:

The Royal College of Art, which is one of the most prestigious art and design universities in the world, has many scholarships available, including the RCA Excellence Scholarship, for home and international students, which covers full tuition fees, and the RCA Global Talent Scholarship, for international students, which covers some of the tuition fees.

Since it is made up of several different art colleges, some of the scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students are for students from outside the European Union: For example, the UAL International Postgraduate Scholarships provide £50,000 for exceptional international students who want to study at UAL for a master’s degree at one of the six UAL colleges.

For a Scot entering first-year undergraduate study at Glasgow School of Art, an attractive option is the Mackintosh Scholarship. This merit and need-based scholarship pays full tuition and provides a stipend for living expenses.

External Scholarships and Funding Bodies

As well as university scholarships, there are also external scholarships you can apply for. These are often run by other organizations and foundations, which usually have their own application deadlines, so the funding is worth researching and planning ahead for.

For example, the British Council offers scholarships for international students studying in the UK called the GREAT Scholarships. These are not exclusively for art students, but are open to students from specific countries who are applying to any area of study, including the creative arts.

With its local arm, the Leverhulme Trust, funding grants and scholarships across the academic spectrum, the Arts Scholarships programme sponsors those who wish to enhance their creative practice through original study.

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grants are given to young artists working in representational art, and are available worldwide (the Foundation is based in Canada). These grants support young artists at the start of their careers, most of whom are just out of art school. They enable you to explore a subject that you would not have been able to otherwise, providing a springboard for your career.

Government-Funded Opportunities

Art students in the UK are also eligible for some funding, although these are primarily for UK and EU students. International students may also qualify for any programmes or partnerships.

Student Finance England loans the money to eligible students to pay for tuition fees and living costs. It’s only available to students from the UK, but some EU students can qualify if they have the right residency status.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), doctoral and master’s study is supported by these studentships, which can be very helpful for those students studying for research degrees in the arts.

Funding TypeProviderEligibilityCoverageMerit-based ScholarshipRoyal College of ArtUK and International StudentsFull tuition feesNeed-based ScholarshipUniversity of the Arts LondonInternational StudentsPartial fundingDiscipline-specific GrantElizabeth Greenshields FoundationYoung artists worldwideVariable grant amountsGovernment LoanStudent Finance EnglandUK and eligible EU studentsTuition fees and living costsResearch StudentshipArts and Humanities Research CouncilUK and eligible EU studentsTuition fees and stipendFunding Opportunities for Postgraduate Art Students

Although most of the discussion focuses on undergraduate funding, many more specialist opportunities exist in postgraduate art courses in the UK. Master’s and doctoral programmes in art are expensive. However, the more specialized requirements usually also imply a greater diversity of funding options.

In the UK, I was able to eventually secure a scholarship for postgraduate art students to study an MA. Several UK universities offer these kinds of scholarships, such as Goldsmiths, University of London, which offers the Stuart Hall Scholarship for Master’s students on the MA in Cultural Studies and MA in Visual Cultures, and related pathways. The scholarship fully covers the cost of tuition fees, with a grant provided as a stipend for living costs.

Funding bodies such as the above-mentioned Arts and Humanities Research Council provide large amounts of money for postgraduate research in the arts, in the form of studentships (a scholarship that covers course fees plus usually a generous living allowance) that are very competitive.

Some non-governmental organizations and foundations do grant larger sums of aid to postgraduate art students. The Eaton Fund, for example, funds postgraduate fine art students studying in the UK.

Maximizing Your Chances of Securing Funding

Achieving funding for arts studies in the UK can be challenging, and there are strategies students can use to maximize their chances of success:

Apply for many scholarships: Diversify your portfolio of opportunities. Apply for as many appropriate scholarships as you can to increase the probability that you’ll have funding.Make connections: Go to openings, events and workshops to meet other artists. They might be able to inform you about lesser-known funding opportunities or provide you with a grant themselves.Build your Internet presence: a professional website or digital social media presence featuring your work can attract the right sponsors or patrons.Think collective endeavors: Collaborating with other artists and/or organizations on projects may sometimes provide access to funding opportunities that you might not have on your own – ie, grants for collaborative works or community art initiatives.Keep an eye on funding trends: Be aware of the latest art world and funding trends. Perhaps a scholarship or grant programme is being opened due to shifting priorities in the art community or the higher-education community.Contact university financial aid offices: They should have the most current information about grant money and how to apply.The Future of Art Education Funding in the UK

However, from 2018, the landscape of higher education changed, and with it the issue of funding for UK art students. The creative industries are estimated to contribute £84.1 billion to the UK economy; so it’s possible that art education will receive more financial support in future.

Some universities, for example, have begun to explore an alternative funding model to paying upfront tuition fees, such as income share agreements whereby a student would repay a percentage of their income earned over a period of time, rather than paying a fixed amount over three years. They remain a relatively rare model in the UK, but could open up new forms of opportunity for art students in the coming years.

Furthermore, there is an emerging push for interdisciplinary studies, which could lead to new grant opportunities for artists willing to integrate their creative skills with other fields such as technology, business or environmental science.

Conclusion

The cost of studying art in the UK can be eye-wateringly expensive, but there are plenty of scholarship and bursary opportunities for talented and driven students. Here is a selection of artistic scholarships and funding on offer from universities and beyond.

The first thing you have to do to get funding is to research thoroughly, prepare your application carefully, and persevere. Applying early, adapting your application to the scholarship, and demonstrating your special talents will maximize the chances of gaining the funds necessary to complete your degree in the UK.

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The series “Elite” on Netflix, known for captivating audiences with its thrilling narrative centered around teenagers, is concluding with an eagerly awaited eighth season

“Elite” is a Netflix series starring Itzan Escamilla, Omar Ayuso and Miguel Bernarddeau. It is created by Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona.

As “Elite” enters its eighth and conclusive season, it preserves the captivating elements that initially drew audiences worldwide: the thrill of provocation, open discussions of sexuality, the vibrant essence of youth, the exploration of social issues, and the unraveling of mysteries. Although the prolonged exposure over eight seasons might have slightly diluted its pioneering spark and freshness, the prospect of reuniting with familiar faces at this elite institution for a select few is expected to be a significant draw for fans.

Detailing the eighth season

The discovery of another body introduces a new mystery within a recognizable setting of rich and daring students who thrive on defying societal norms and challenging the viewers’ expectations.

The collaboration between Netflix and the Spanish film industry has yielded a remarkable variety of content, spanning from lighthearted teenage romances to enthralling thrillers, all marked by their fearless provocativeness and the strength of their on-screen performances.
“Elite” continues to reflect these characteristics, focusing on leveraging its strengths to provoke strong viewer reactions without necessarily forging new narrative directions. Centered around an elite high school filled with wealthy students and a few scholarship recipients, the series navigates the inevitable clashes, romances, and drama that arise, providing a classic yet engaging storyline.

Albeit occasionally perceived as repetitive until this point, the series concludes on a high note with a final season that introduces new elements and resolves longstanding mysteries. This last season offers a deep sense of satisfaction and closure to its devoted fanbase, who may find themselves both longing for more and content with the series’ conclusion. The final episodes will be available starting Friday, July 26, exclusively on Netflix.

Where to Watch “Elite”

Netflix

The post The series “Elite” on Netflix, known for captivating audiences with its thrilling narrative centered around teenagers, is concluding with an eagerly awaited eighth season appeared first on Martin Cid Magazine.

“Non Negotiable” Movie on Netflix: A highly comedic thriller about kidnappings and corrupt politicians and lying marriages

“Non Negotiable” is a Mexican thriller movie starring Mauricio Ochmann, Leonardo Ortizgris and Tato Alexander.

“Non Negotiable” is a fun Mexican movie that skillfully mixes thriller with comedy, with a lot of comedy. Corrupt politicians who are kidnapped give a lot of play, especially if you take life as a joke as Juan Taratuto, the film’s director, does.

Without changing your life or offering you great truths, “Non Negotiable” entertains and, above all, it will make you smile with that Mexican sense of humor that we love.

Plot

The President is kidnapped and everything revolves around a negotiator, a compulsive liar who will have to solve a personal problem: his wife has also been kidnapped.

The kidnapper asks for money, but not for himself, but for institutions, hospitals and health centers. The kidnapper is, apparently, a vigilante who denounces the corruption of the President.

About the movie

Very funny, especially if you like that ironic and intelligent sense of humor that knows how to laugh at everything. A movie based on an entertaining premise, good dialogues and a great actor named Mauricio Ochmann, who knows how to carry the movie.

An actor’s movie in which everyone is good thanks, above all, to the dialogues: Leonardo Ortizgris, Tato Alexander and Enoc Leaño playing the corrupt President.

A comedy that takes place in a single night and during a kidnapping: there are no big chases or shocking action sequences, the film has no blockbuster aspirations and is content to entertain, amuse and, incidentally, record that, whichever way you look at it, you find a corrupt politician.

There are a couple of sequences with which you will not be able to stop laughing, although the film leads us more to smile than to laugh: it is Mexico laughing at Mexicans and with that self-conscious, ironic and intelligent sense that we like so much.

Our opinion

A simple, simple but effective film that knows how to laugh at everything and take this thriller in a relaxed and friendly way.

Good performances for a film that, even if it is not going to change anything, leaves its small footprint to make us smile on this Friday.

Enjoy it.

Where to Watch “Non Negotiable”

Netflix

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