Austria's JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest with pop-opera song ‘Wasted Love'
Israel's Yuval Raphael came second at a competition overshadowed by the Gaza war.
The world's largest live music event reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final in Basel, Switzerland that offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas, at a celebration of music and unity ruffled by discord over Israel's participation.
JJ beat 25 other competitors during Saturday's grand final. Estonia's Tommy Cash came third with 'Espresso Macchiato,' and Swedish entry KAJ, who had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode 'Bara Bada Bastu,' came fourth.
Acts from 26 countries — trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals — performed to some 160 million viewers for the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display was spared by musicians who had 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner.
The show offered a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. Lithuanian band Katarsis delivered grunge rock, while Ukraine's Ziferblat channeled prog rock and the U.K.'s Remember Monday offered country pop.
Italy's Lucio Corsi evoked 1970s glam rock, while Icelandic duo VAEB rapped about rowing and Latvia's six-woman Tautumeitas offered gorgeous, intertwined harmonies.
There were divas aplenty, including Spain's Melody, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, participating in Eurovision for a second time after a 30-year gap, with 'GAJA,' and Malta's outrageous Miriana Conte, who performed 'Serving' – a song whose previous suggestive title and lyrics were changed on the orders of contest organizers – on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips.
Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of Eurovision, said the competition has become more diverse over the years, both musically and linguistically. There are songs in 20 languages this year, including Ukrainian, Icelandic, Albanian, Latvian and Maltese.
'In the past it was about having a catchy, innocuous pop song, usually in English,' he said. But 'in recent years the formulaic approach to a Eurovision entry hasn't succeeded.
'An entry needs to be memorable and it needs to be authentic in order to succeed these days.'
This year's contest was roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Dozens of former participants, including Switzerland's Nemo, have called for Israel to be excluded, and several of the broadcasters that fund Eurovision sought a review of the country's participation.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests both took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden, where tensions spilled over backstage and Dutch competitor Joost Klein was expelled over an alleged altercation with a crew member.
Hundreds of people marched through Basel just before the competition, waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'Boycott Israel.'
Earlier, a group of Israel supporters gathered in Basel's cathedral square to root for Raphael and to show that 'Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland,' Zurich resident Rebecca Laes-Kushner said.
She said that 'it would be such a strong statement against antisemitism,' if Raphael won.
'This is supposed to be about music, not about hate,' she said.
The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, which runs Eurovision, tightened the contest's code of conduct this year, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of 'universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity' and its political neutrality.
After a controversial ban in 2024 on flags, apart from national ones, being waved in the arena, this year audience members can bring Palestinian flags or any others, as long as they are legal under Swiss law. Performers, though, can only wave their own country's flag.
Eurovision director Martin Green told reporters that the organizers' goal was to 're-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world.'
'All 37 delegations, in difficult times, have behaved impeccably,' he said.
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San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
From Iceland to the Bay Area, Anna Thorvaldsdottir maps the music of a changing world
Icelandic composer Anna Thordvaldsdottir's music rumbled through Davies Symphony Hall in May when the San Francisco Symphony presented the world premiere of her explosive cello concerto 'Before we fall.' Bay Area audiences will have another chance to hear Thordvaldsdottir's mighty sonic world brought to life at the Cabrillo Festival when 'Catamorphosis' receives its West Coast premiere from the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Cristian Măcelaru on Aug. 9. On the same program is Lou Harrison's Concerto for Violin with Percussion Orchestra and the world premiere of Brooklyn-based composer Darian Donovan Thomas' 'Flowercloud.' 'Catamorphosis' (2020), is a dramatic, existential work that explores our relationship with the world around us. According to program notes on her website, the piece is 'characterized by the orbiting vortex of emotions and the intensity that comes with the fact that if things do not change it is going to be too late, risking utter destruction – catastrophe.' Thordvaldsdottir has been commissioned by many of the world's top orchestras, including the Berlin, New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, but her work was once seldom played on Bay Area stages. That changed when conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen brought her 'Metacosmos ' to San Francisco in 2019—after conducting its world premiere in New York the year before—as part of his first concert with the San Francisco Symphony after being named its music director designate. Thorvaldsdottir's musical training began as a cellist. Later, she studied composition at the Iceland Academy for the Arts then moved out to California for four years to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of San Diego. 'It was a wonderful place to be and a very creative environment,' she said. 'And I've always loved coming back. California was so different from Iceland—that was the only place I'd lived before I moved—so it was spectacular.' Q: You've written that the inspiration behind 'Catamorphosis' was the fragile relationship we have to the Earth. Since you first wrote it, has your perspective changed? A: I don't usually talk so explicitly about direct inspirations. But in this case, it was just such a big part of the overall aura and the urgency of the piece. How it moves and the battles it fights and also the hope that it attempts to show. I also just wanted to say, "Hey, this is what I was thinking about." A: (But) inspiration is only the beginning and then it's a lot of technical work about the music. So nobody needs to know anything. And they find something for themselves, ideally. Q: A few years ago, you said in an interview that you literally draw out the music before you put it into notation. How does that help with your process? A: This is really a mnemonic device for me, because when the mind is starting to find the ideas and the aura and the atmosphere for each piece—lyricism, harmony, all these things that come together to be the music. It's so quick for me to draw it out. Sometimes it's words, sometimes it's very graphic, always very textual because it really depicts what it is that I'm hearing to remember the music. Q: Do you ever forget a compositional idea prior to writing it down? A: Well, probably, but never so that I've missed it. But the thing is, it's so magical. The mind keeps working and I believe that then you just turn it into something better, in a way. You may not lose it, but you may kind of change it without even knowing. Q: Does writing come to you in bursts of inspiration, or do you write until you've reached a goal for the day? A: With the actual music making you go from nothing to the idea of a piece. A lot of that happens in my mind and with the sketching, because I never sit down with a paper and pencil and the notation paper unless I know exactly what I'm writing. So much of it happens with myself living with the music in real time in my head and singing, because you can't be doing a million different other things when you're finding the music. I never use an instrument because I usually am writing for a lot of different instruments and I can listen to them in my mind.' I'm obsessed with structure and I always need to be checking myself. So this is what I do in my head and with the sketches — for me it's a map. Q: Do you prefer pencil and paper or computer? A: I'm still on paper, always, first. But that's also because it has so much freedom. You can have big, big pieces of paper, whereas a computer screen can only be [so] big. And [I don't want] a program telling [me], "no, this is not possible." In the end, when I put [the music] into the computer, I find ways to communicate some things that are not so straightforward in the notation. A: As you said, I was not a part of the production or making the film at all, but I got sent part of the script a year and a half before the movie came out. I was very curious, so I just asked a couple of questions and then, and because they were asking if it was okay to use my piece, I learned [that it] was one of the first scenes that he wrote [for] the movie. I thought, yeah 'that's incredible like using my art and myself, perhaps, to make your own art.' So I wasn't involved, but I really liked the movie. I saw it.
Buzz Feed
7 days ago
- Buzz Feed
36 Cute And Fun Gifts That Would Make Eeyore Smile
A Lego daffodil kit for decor they can build themselves. The 216-piece set comes with everything they need to build four stems, and at less than $10, it's a steal compared to most Lego kits. A pair of darling ice cream bowls with squeal-worthy, flower-shaped bases. Warning: Their ice cream might melt into soup as they take one million photos of the bowls in action. The Clown Egg Register — a silly collection of clown likenesses painted on eggs. Back in the day, Clowns International painted the faces of its members onto eggshells to keep a record of everyone's signature makeup. Like snowflakes, every clown is unique! And like eggs, your recipient will be cracking up when they see the 150+ mini renditions. A DIY plush keychain kit with materials to make three magical little critters. It's easy enough for kids as young as six to enjoy, making it a great time killer on rainy days or an ice breaker if you're babysitting. Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates in soothing pastel colors to give their knickknacks the vinyl record treatment. Listen, they don't have to throw away their mountain of pilfered condiment packets, but they'd look a lot nicer in one of these. Plush, high-quality versions of Frog and Toad they'll want to bring on all their whimsical adventures. They'll be like, 'This morning, when I woke up, I felt good because the sun was shining. I felt good because I have these little dudes as my friends." And a microwaveable, lavender-scented weighted plush providing gentle relief for anxiety, cramps, or really-needing-a-warm-hug syndrome. Pop the new friend in the microwave or freezer to enjoy the soothing effects. A fanciful mushroom kitchen timer, which is so much more endearing than using their phone or screaming at Alexa. It also has a glowing 4.4-star rating on Amazon, which is kinda unheard of for novelty timers. Cynthia Hart's Victoriana Cats — an ornate sticker book featuring *very* fancy kitties that would make any aristocrat swoon. There are 300 stickers, plus pages of adorable illustrations they can embellish with more cats. A paw-shaped chair cushion, because who doesn't want to be lovingly cradled in a kitten's paw? A bear-y nice under-eye stick formulated with skincare darling niacinamide, along with soothing Icelandic mineral water and seaweed extract, to soothe puffiness and dark circles. If a beauty item isn't shaped like an animal, is it even worth getting? A pair of fruit-shaped hand towels that reviewers say are super soft and dry quickly. Personally, I'm eyeing the peach variation, but the orange and pineapple versions are super cute too. A pair of chandelier earrings for an over-the-top, iconic look that will make everyone's eye light up when they see their earrings light up. These don't just look swanky: They're made with flexible oxidized silver and clear Czech teardrop crystals. A set of mushroom bookmarks because I know I'm not the only one who wants to live in a fairytale home. Since the silicone mushies are flexible, they can even pop them in the middle of their book to save their spot mid-page. A Monchhichi fruit beanie plush they can display on their desk, bedside table, or anywhere else they might need a friendly face. The Japanese toy was designed to "inspire friendship, love, and happiness," making it a great throwback gift for someone you care about. A pack of strawberry candles that do a very good impression of the real thing — they even smell like fruit when burned! Imagine these on a strawberry shortcake instead of birthday candles. Incredible. A mini brass ruler keychain so they're never left wondering how tall a bud vase or if Stuart Little's car is the regulation 6 centimeters away from the mouse fire hydrant. A cutie pie planner to help them be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. There's room for appointments, errands, and people to in due time. A miniature Otamatone keychain for playing little ditties on the go. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a date and wished I had my little music note instrument so I could serenade them. This version has classic (public domain) tunes that they can play along with by pressing the button in rhythm to the song. A pocket library complete with mini books (including classics like It, The Hobbit, and Catcher in the Rye). They can give it a shake to satisfy their lust for destruction, then meditatively put the times back on their shelves when they need a little screen break. An adorable ladybug pin in case they need to manufacture some extra luck. They can pop one on their lapel, hat, tote, or wherever else needs a tiny companion. A set of vintage-inspired spoons — if these aren't cottagecore, I don't know what is. They can set them out at their next tea party and let the compliments roll in. Praise for good taste? Sweeter than two lumps of sugar. A pair of the *iconic* Kaco pens (known for their adorable heart tops) in your choice of Pantone color. They have every Color of the Year going back to 2000, so you can pick a year with sentimental just their fave color. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel to display their tiny masterpieces. It's perfect for adults and teens looking for a quick project and kids working on their fine motor skills. A magnetic goose holder if they're alwaaaays forgetting their keys. They can use it to hold up anything magnetic (I'm envisioning maybe a mini metal basket filled with knickknacks) — some reviewers have been arming theirs with knives. A set of cowboy straw toppers that add a little "don't mess with Texas" vibe to their water bottle by protecting the drinking straw from strangers bumping into it. Look how cute this bottle looks with a lil' hat on! It thinks it's people. :') A wind-up toy shaped like a cat riding a robot vacuum. We've all seen the videos — it's time to recreate it at home. A "Gracula" garlic crusher that ironically helps them with one of the most tedious chores in the kitchen. Just throw in the peeled cloves, twist, and feel grateful they Let the Right One their kitchen. A tin of emergency googly eyes sure to help out your friend whenever they're in a pinch during a prank war. The pack comes with three different sizes, so get ready for everything in their home to suddenly start staring back at you. An alarmingly adorable capybara night-light to keep them company on sleepy summer evenings. They can bop their new silicone friend on the head to toggle through seven different colors and three dimness settings. And if you opt for the flower version, it comes with two different buds to hold. 🥹 Teeny-tiny onigiri vases who look thrilled by the opportunity to hold their new clippings and flower buds. Each smiling rice ball is handcrafted, so they're all unique. A miniature wacky waving inflatable tube man in case they wanna grow up to be a used Hot Wheels salesman and need something to draw in new customers. A Miffy humidifier that — OK, everyone stop squealing! I know it's cute! Anyway, this lil' gadget doubles as a night-light and is super easy to clean and refill. They can place it next to their plants, by their bedstand, or truly anywhere because it's so small and portable. An opossum toy who somehow managed to not only get a driver's license but also find a street-legal peanut to drive into town. Congrats, 'possum! An expanding file folder they can fill with up to 200 pieces of paper and free up sooo much desk space. As an accordion folder follower, I have to say these things are top-notch for organizing everything from restaurant menus to ticket stubs. And Eeyore washi tape to add some gloomy charm to their stationery, letters, or photo albums. While not sticky enough to keep a donkey's tail on, it works great for adding little accents around the house. You to your friend: Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
USA Today
7 days ago
- USA Today
Fine dining is booming in Florida. These cities lead the way.
SOUTHEAST | FLORIDA There was a time when travelers came to Florida for a few great culinary hits: Key lime pie, stone crabs, Cuban sandwiches or juicy, handpicked oranges from a roadside stand. Fine dining, for the most part, was not a priority. Not anymore. The Sunshine State has undergone a culinary boom. Migration to Florida has swelled in recent years, bringing young professionals, including chefs and restaurant owners, with it. Miami, Orlando and Tampa, in particular, have raised the bar, boasting Michelin-starred restaurants encompassing everything from sushi omakase to Scandinavian fine dining. Mmmmiami Miami hosts an impressive 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, and chef Shingo Akikuni says the boom can be attributed to restaurateurs offering 'fresh ideas and innovative experiences.' His Michelin-starred Coral Gables restaurant, Shingo, offers a 14-seat sushi omakase experience. Each night, an 18-course meal is artfully presented by chef Akikuni, who has some fish flown in from Japan. Also imported is the restaurant's interior, which was designed and constructed in Kyoto before being shipped to South Florida. The city's two-Michelin-starred restaurant, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Miami, is tucked into the Design District and has perfected French dining with gorgeously plated crispy duck, Icelandic halibut and lamb saddle. You can watch the chefs work from a counter facing the open kitchen. Stubborn Seed was one of the first Miami restaurants to earn a star in 2022 and has held the rating for the last two years. The tiny spot, helmed by season 13 Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, has a rotating menu that draws from Florida's native bounty. Its eight- and 11-course tasting-only menus are guided by the seasons, but Wagyu beef tartare, homemade ricotta gnudi and striped sea bass are signature dishes. Magic Foodie Kingdom Orlando has started to shed its image as a theme park-only destination, and the city has several Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants to build your trip around. Four Flamingos, a Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, is a color-blasted, tropical-themed offering from the Top Chef All-Stars winner. There's a smorgasbord of seafood options: smoked salmon croquettes, Florida shrimp, stuffed lobster. For dessert, save room for the Baked Florida: A Key Lime pie topped with flambéed meringue. BACÀN, helmed by chef Guillaume Robin, is a gorgeous homage to South and Central American flavors in a sleek dining room adorned with vivid art. Start with the El Cantarito a punchy mix of tequila, grapefruit, lime and orange juice that serves as a tasty prelude for the charred octopus, pork belly asada and lobster tostada starters. The mains are an amalgamation of Caribbean and Latin flavors, and the standout is the crispy Florida snapper seasoned with Guyanese curry and accompanied by mofongo. The Michelin-starred Knife & Spoon at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is farm-to-table excellence. Chef Tyler Kineman draws his ingredients from a handful of local farms and has a tightly curated menu of seafood, pasta and chicken dishes. But the specialty is steaks, dry-aged for up to four months. Bay of Bounty Tampa continues to serve up culinary ingenuity. The Tampa EDITION, the city's first five-star rated hotel, opened in 2022. With it came Lilac, a Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef John Frase serving caviar and Maine lobster as starters. Everything here feels well thought out: diver scallops on risotto and spice-braised rabbit are part of the four-course tasting menu and served in a glossy, emerald green dining room. Ebbe, a Scandinavian restaurant, earned its Michelin recognition last year. Inside, meals are served on a marble countertop in a minimalist, stark space. The menu changes with the seasons, but chef Ebbe Vollmer's signature dish is beets cooked in brown butter. Another 2024 Michelin winner is Rocca, where chef and owner Bryce Bonsack serves Italian fare in a relaxed atmosphere inspired by his pilgrimage to Italy. Beyond the handmade gnocchi and tagliolini, one of the draws here is the mozzarella cart — fresh mozzarella kneaded tableside.
