POP superstar Madonna has been hailed as a solution to Edinburgh’s tram chaos.

Tram bosses hope a flashmob by the singer’s fans with help lift the fortunes of businesses suffering because of roadworks.

They are asking fans heading to Madonna’s gig in the city’s Murrayfield stadium on July 21  to take part in an spur-of-the-moment boogie to the Queen of Pop’s hits.

Fans flocking to Madonna’s gig are urged to join the flashmob. The publicity stunt is being funded out of £70,000 released by tram bosses from a contingency fund to pay for a publicity drive for the area.

But traders had asked for a simper solution to their business woes – signs to let the public know they are open.

Instead the simple option has been shunned in favour of the flashy dance event.

Grant McKeenan, who runs a shop in the Haymarket area of the city, said: “My biggest complaint is that there are no signs in Haymarket or Princes Street saying ‘business as usual’. In fact the only signs up are those that tell you to avoid the area.

“I’m hugely sceptical about these flashmobs, and I hope they’re not spending money on this nonsense.”

Michael Apter, a businessman who acts as Chairman for the West End Association, said better signage would be preferred to the trendy event.

He said: “We’ve been asking for directional signage explaining where the works are since Christmas and we are still waiting for that.

“Stores are closing every day, people are losing their jobs, losing money left, right and centre because of the works.

“we do need a stream of activities and promotions  and the adverts on busses and railways are welcome, but there are some basic things the council could do to help but seem incapable of doing, such as putting up a few signs.”

A £175,000 scheme to entice shoppers back to the areas hit by tram chaos has been derided by traders.

Last month Tram bosses took over a vacant sweet shop, thought to have closed due to the works, and are spending £160,000 turning it into an information centre.

Lesley Hinds, the city’s transport leader-elect, said: “I would encourage businesses to work with council officials to help build the best possible case for a review in rates.”

Dave Anderson, the director of city development with Edinburgh council, said: “We have listened to what local traders say they need through the West End Focus Group and we look forward to delivering this creative programme in the coming months.”

As part of the promised package, tram bosses  will also promote the West End through Facebook and run an ad campaign.

Ads will run on local buses and on Scotrail trains as well as in newspapers, magazines and on the radio.

Bosses also plan to distribute a “West End Passport”, a booklet telling visitors what the area has to offer.

Deadlinenews

Madonna has revealed her 11-year-old son Rocco is teaching her to breakdance and has introduced her to dubstep music.

The 53-year-old pop superstar has mastered numerous dance moves throughout her four-decade spanning career but she is struggling to copy Rocco's street-inspired shapes.

When asked if she teaches her 11-year-old son to breakdance, she replied: ''No, he shows them to me. But I'm pretty bad. My son loves breakdance!''

Madonna admits her kids - Rocco, Lourdes, 15, David, six, and Mercy, seven - keep her up-to-date on current music trends and she is a big fan of Dubstep.

She revealed: ''I love dubstep. My children have a very good taste. My children play new music to me.I play music from the 80s to them as well. For example Kurtis Blow. B-Boy music!''

As well as playing 80s music to her children, the 'Girl Gone Wild' singer has also introduced her brood to iconic French musician Edith Piaf.

She said: ''I play soundtracks to them. And stuff from the past, like Edith Piaf. We help each other mutually when it comes to music.''

'La Vie en Rose' singer Edith - who shot to fame in the 40s and 50s - is considered one of France's most culturally important figures and she had a turbulent personal life which saw her battle morphine and alcohol addictions.

Contactmusic

Three more rehearsal pictures have been added to Madonna's Facebook, taken by Guy Oseary:

Phillip Boutte Jr. is a designer currently working with Arianne Phillips on the MDNA costumes, he wrote some tweets on the MDNA tour:

Lol. I see that! I can't let the cat out of the bag. All I can say is that she is working really hard to deliver a great show!

Long days of rehearsal but I could watch this show over and over and Over and OVER Now DRIVE BITCH!!!

Very soon. I am not allowed to say much. Just know that this tour will blow your mind. Madonna is in top form!

I will post as soon as it is safe. I don't want to get shot in the head. BANG BANG! #gangbang

From Arianne Phillips' Twitter:

SUPER EXCITING today is day 1 of dress rehearsal.Lets turn this baby out !

Madonna has uploaded three new tour rehearsal pictures on her Facebook:

Although hugely popular in India, Madonna has somehow never performed for her fans here. Talking about what’s kept her away from the country, she says, “I haven’t got the chance to tour India, but I would surely love to.”

Ask the international pop icon if she has considered collaborating with India’s very own global musician, AR Rahman, and she says, “I would like to work with him when the opportunity comes, and things work out. Only then we will be able to decide on the music.”

On her last trip to the country in 2007, the musician had visited Jodhpur and Udaipur with her then-husband Guy Ritchie and her children. Reports had claimed that she even extended her trip by a few days because she loved the desert state so much.

“I really did. I had gone with my family and friends and I completely fell in love with the culture and traditions of Rajasthan. I also heard a few folk songs and saw some traditional dances,” she reveals.

Although at one time the Like A Virgin singer was married to a filmmaker, she hasn’t watched any Bollywood films. “But I know they are very colourful and have huge dance sequences. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them,” she says, before talking about desi music, “I haven’t heard a lot, but I’m familiar with Indian music.”

Madonna’s recently released 12th album debuted at number one across charts in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Italy and Spain. Called MDNA, the compilation even has a few collaborative tracks with American musician Nicki Minaj and Sri Lankan artiste M.I.A.

Talking about the ‘trippy’ title, she says, “MDNA mainly signifies my name. It also represents Madonna DNA. I’m happy that it has done well. Even today, I’m anxious to know everyone’s response to my work.

Hindustan Times

Organisers of Madonna's debut concert in the UAE are leaving no stones unturned as the pop queen prepares to wow more than 50,000 fans

   
DUBAI: Organisers of Madonna's debut concert in the UAE are leaving no stones unturned as the pop queen prepares to wow more than 50,000 fans over two nights on June 3 and 4 in Abu Dhabi.

Flash Entertainment announced on Wednesday it was doing ‘extensive refurbishment work' to the newly named du Arena (formerly Yas Arena), to enhance every aspect of the venue for the MDNA Tour, one of the biggest it has hosted.

"This is one of the most significant events in the history of regional live entertainment. With over 50,000 people coming to Yas Island to enjoy the concerts and cross-Island parties, we really felt now was the time to enhance the venue and focus on every little detail, from parking and entrances, to walkways and sight lines," said Flash Entertainment's Mira Sadek in a statement.

"Since March, work has been constant and we're sure people are going to appreciate the changes."

Cooling domes, misting machines

Keeping the June weather in mind, multiple cooling domes and misting machines will be installed around the venue and water sold at special prices, Flash said, advising fans to wear light clothing.

Grass has been relayed, gravel removed and tarmac walkways laid down throughout the arena, it added. A central public plaza area featuring merchandise, retail and entertainment has also been installed along with multiple new entrances.

Airconditioned lounges

VIP ticket holders will get dedicated walkways, air conditioned lounges, food and beverage and a dedicated DJ playing in the lounge before Madonna takes to the stage.

Madonna's cantilever stage, at 23 x 54 metres, is of a size and scale never before seen in the UAE, Flash said. It includes a catwalk, a complex pyrotechnic and lighting system with giant LED screens mounted at the back.

Tickets still available

The tickets to Madonna's June 3rd concert in Abu Dhabi were snapped up at supersonic speed, but there's still some ray of hope left. Organiser Flash Entertainment has announced that tickets for the Queen of Pop's second UAE date — June 4 — are still available, starting at Dh495.

One of this region's biggest pop-acts ever, Madonna's concert is tipped to attracts fans from all across the globe.

Tickets priced at Dh495 (general admission standing), Dh695 (Grand stand: reserved seating), Dh 1,095 (Golden circle: standing close to the stage) and Dh2,295 (VIP Hospitality package including private entrance and golden circle ticket) are available at www.thinkflash.ae or at Virgin Megastore outlets in Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall. Travel packages are also available at www.etihadairways.com.

Gulfnews.com

Added another three editions to our MDNA discography, both editions from Argentina and the regular version from Poland.

The 2 track cd single has been added to the Girl Gone Wild discography.

PDF files can be downloaded through this LINK

W.E. is currently being shown in French theatres, so we added a few more items from France to our W.E. archives, including cinema ticket, W.E. pack and a French article

Thanks to: Fred