Michael Jackson's "This is it"

This week - some months after Michael Jackson's untimely death on 25th June - we are going to see "This is it", a documentary film about the late King of Pop's preparations for a series of comeback concerts.
Although I haven't seen the film yet, from what I've read, his concerts could have indeed restored his reputation as the world’s greatest entertainer. According to some news, "This Is It" shows
. Michael Jackson in excellent form; voice and moves tops;
. Jackson's charisma is ever-present, and staffers light up when he rehearses;
. the musician's craftsmanship, the value of taking time to get it right.
. It also provides a glimpse of Jackson's humanity.

These are strong reasons for us to go to the cinema, aren't they? Whether you liked him or not, one has to admit he was a great entertainer / performer / musician...
I do not intend to bother you today with too much info on Michael Jackson as I'll be posting again after the film. Right now, let's just see the trailer.

"WHAT THE DICKENS?" by Interacting

Another year, another theatre play by INTERACTING and another stunning success!
Laugh while you learn is their motto and couldn't really be more appropriate. Indeed, it's already the fourth time / year they have come to Soure to delight us - teachers and students of Martinho Árias - with a funny and educational theatre play and let me tell you that, this time, there were ONLY 210 students and seven teachers. What about that, hem?
This year's play - as the title suggests - had to do with Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era and one of the most popular of all time. Charles Dickens published over a dozen major novels, a large number of short stories (including a number of Christmas-themed stories), a handful of plays, and several non-fiction books. Some of his most popular novels are "The Adventures of Oliver Twist", "A Christmas Carol", "David Copperfield", "Hard Times", "A Tale of Two Cities", "Great Expectations" to name just the most famous ones. And what did the two actors on stage do? They used many of the characters to play different roles and to ask for your participation ;)
Also important when talking about Charles Dickens is, of course, Dickens London - the time of the industrial revolution - when it was both a city of change and of stark contrasts.
But what about the title (of the play) itself??? Charles Dickens had, as a contemporary critic put it, a "queer name" and the name Dickens was used in interjective exclamations like "What the Dickens!" as a substitute for "devil"...

If you are curious about Charles Dickens and Dickens London, click on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_dickens
and if you would also like to get some more info on Interacting, please click on
http://www.interacting.info/index.html
where you will find not only lots of information about their projects but also news. However, if you wish to get in touch with this Educational Theatre Company, you can write to them on
hello@interacting.info
and even plan a drama course in Ireland. Have you ever thought about that????

On behalf of Patrick Deas (the person in charge of Interacting), you are to be congratulated on your good behaviour and excellent contribution for the success of another play.

Now ENJOY and then take a minute or two to write down your comment / your opinion on this particular activity.

World Food Day

Today is the day - The World Food Day!

My suggestion for today / your task (if you wish) is to

1. describe the picture below and / or

2. write down a caption.

Now have a look!