Latest news with #Ballance
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Brace Yourself, Mind-Blowing Tech And Crazy Experiments; STEMFest Is About To Take Over Tauranga!
A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. Its a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. Tauranga, New Zealand – Get your tickets! The highly anticipated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Festival is returning to Tauranga on Sunday 28th September 2025 in Durham Street. This free, family-centric event is a must-attend for the community, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region and all of Aotearoa New Zealand. After winning multiple awards it is recognised as one of the major STEM events in the Southern Hemisphere. Imagine a day where thousands of families gather at an indoor and outdoor festival that spans a block of the CBD, to explore eGaming, robotics, aviation and marine science and so much more. A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. It's a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. This year Ballance Agri-Nutrients has been confirmed as the Headline Sponsor for Tauranga STEM Festival 2025! The organisers are on a mission to create an unforgettable experience that will resonate with families and students for years to come. Rebecca Drake, STEMFest 2025 Ambassador and Project & Innovation Lead at Ballance, will be the voice of the festival – sharing exciting updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the buzz leading up to STEMFest 2025. 'As someone who grew up and went to school in Tauranga, I wished I had the same opportunity to see science and technology as something fun and available to everyone, which STEMFest offers. ' Rebecca Drake, STEMFest Ambassador 2025. The festival has also secured much needed support from Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund. Other confirmed sponsors include: the University of Waikato, Beca, Downtown Tauranga, and Basestation. STEMFest will feature: Over 50 Interactive exhibits and demonstrations from local scientists and engineers Engaging hands-on workshops tailored for all ages Informational activities promoting local STEM education programmes and career pathways Inspirational talks and presentations from industry professionals STEM based businesses are invited to be part of this powerful community event to inspire the next generation and build the future workforce, one discovery at a time. Join STEMFest and help bring science to life.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Brace Yourself, Mind-Blowing Tech And Crazy Experiments; STEMFest Is About To Take Over Tauranga!
Tauranga, New Zealand – Get your tickets! The highly anticipated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Festival is returning to Tauranga on Sunday 28th September 2025 in Durham Street. This free, family-centric event is a must-attend for the community, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region and all of Aotearoa New Zealand. After winning multiple awards it is recognised as one of the major STEM events in the Southern Hemisphere. Imagine a day where thousands of families gather at an indoor and outdoor festival that spans a block of the CBD, to explore eGaming, robotics, aviation and marine science and so much more. A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. It's a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. This year Ballance Agri-Nutrients has been confirmed as the Headline Sponsor for Tauranga STEM Festival 2025! The organisers are on a mission to create an unforgettable experience that will resonate with families and students for years to come. Rebecca Drake, STEMFest 2025 Ambassador and Project & Innovation Lead at Ballance, will be the voice of the festival - sharing exciting updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the buzz leading up to STEMFest 2025. 'As someone who grew up and went to school in Tauranga, I wished I had the same opportunity to see science and technology as something fun and available to everyone, which STEMFest offers. ' Rebecca Drake, STEMFest Ambassador 2025. The festival has also secured much needed support from Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund. Other confirmed sponsors include: the University of Waikato, Beca, Downtown Tauranga, and Basestation. STEMFest will feature: Over 50 Interactive exhibits and demonstrations from local scientists and engineers Engaging hands-on workshops tailored for all ages Informational activities promoting local STEM education programmes and career pathways Inspirational talks and presentations from industry professionals STEM based businesses are invited to be part of this powerful community event to inspire the next generation and build the future workforce, one discovery at a time. Join STEMFest and help bring science to life.
Cosmopolitan
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Short Haircuts for 2025: Bob vs. Pixie Styles
Everyone seems to be getting a major haircut right now. Sofia Richie just debuted a sharp bob, and Selena Gomez went for a short, shaggy one. Then there's the pixie—Emma Stone and Taylor Russell are both wearing the cool-girl cut as of late. So, it's official: short cuts are the biggest summer hair trend. I haven't had short hair since I was three, but suddenly I'm in a quarter-life crisis and need my hair above my shoulders (I blame Leslie Bibb's White Lotus bob). If you're feeling the same craving for a big chop, I'm breaking down the key differences between bob and pixie haircuts—including how to choose a length, how to maintain it, and how to make the cut feel intentional (and not impulsive). Ahead, everything you need to know about bob hairstyles vs. pixie hairstyles. Plus, expert tips from celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance to help you avoid any post-salon regret, and tons of celeb bob and pixie cut inspo to help you choose your fighter. While both styles are short, the biggest difference comes down to length and how the cut accentuates your face shape. "A pixie is short, cropped close to the scalp, often showing off the ears and neck," says Ballance. "It tends to feel bold, and face-framing in a striking way." Because of how much it opens up the face, a pixie can feel like a dramatic, edgy transformation—especially if you're coming from longer lengths. A bob, on the other hand, still qualifies as a short haircut but offers more versatility in length and styling. "Bobs hit somewhere between the jaw and collarbone and can be tailored to feel classic, soft, or super modern," Ballance explains. You'll see bobs that are blunt and angular, tousled and beachy, or softly layered for movement. Ballance recommends thinking of it like this: pixies show off your features by cutting shorter lengths and opening up the face, while bobs give you more room to play with style and texture. Pixie styles are cropped, like, super cropped. These cuts typically sit above the ears or right at the cheekbones, depending on the exact shape and how much length you leave on top. Some pixies are super tight and short, while others are slightly grown-out and tousled. They're ideal if you want a haircut that feels expressive, with zero effort required for ponytails or updos. It's definitely the bolder choice of the two, but when tailored right, you get a modern, low-maintenance cut that shows off your face. "Bobs have a little more freedom and can fall anywhere from the jawline to the shoulders," says Ballance. That flexibility is what makes them such a popular go-to for short hair first-timers. Unlike a pixie, a bob still gives you enough hair to tuck behind your ears, style with a curling wand, or clip back with accessories. There are countless bob styles and lengths to choose from, and you can add bangs, create face-framing layers, or keep it all one length for a sleeker finish. This cut gives you a change with short hair, without the full commitment of a pixie. "With a bob, there's a lot of freedom to customize, as there's more length to play around with—think curtain bangs, blunt micro fringe, face-framing layers, invisible internal layers. It's a stylist's playground," explains Ballance. Basically, if you like having styling options and want a cut that works with hot tools, waves, or updos, bobs have a lot of range. Pixie cuts can be versatile, just in a different way. "Pixies can have layers too, but they're more about sculpting the overall silhouette than layering for movement." You'll rely more on product—think texture sprays, waxes, or creams—to shape and define your look. If you want a short cut with minimal styling, a pixie is your best bet. Short hair and curls can absolutely coexist, but the approach matters. "I love a curly pixie, especially when the shape is customized to the curl pattern." says Ballance. "You can work with natural texture to create something super flattering and low-maintenance." Pixies that are shaped to enhance your curl type can look chic, defined, and effortless. Curly bobs can look amazing too, but they do come with a learning curve. Because there's more length, you have to be careful about how layers are cut and how the movement is distributed. "You want to avoid altering the amount of weight too much, as this can cause them to get puffier and wider," explains Ballance. Aka: go to a curly hair specialist. Let's talk about maintenance, because both cuts require trims, just at different paces. A pixie is definitely more high-maintenance. Since the shape relies on ultra-clean lines and proportions, regular upkeep is super important. "Trims every four to six weeks are key to keeping the shape fresh and intentional," says Ballance. "The shorter you go, the faster you'll notice grow-out." Bobs are a little more forgiving, especially if you opt for a more lived-in or layered style. But they're not totally low-maintenance either. "You can go six to twelve weeks for a bob, depending on your texture and how structured or lived-in you like it. With both, regular shaping around the face and bangs area goes a long way," he says. If you're not into frequent salon visits, you might want to opt for a bob that can grow out more gracefully. If you enjoy keeping your cut sharp, a blunt bob, or the pixie will be ideal. Okay, now that you've done some research, here are some of our favorite celebrity bob moments to give you visual inspo for length, shape, and vibe. Zendaya Gracie Abrams Ayo Edebiri Kendall Jenner Need something to show your hairstylist exactly how you want your pixie cut shaped? Here are some of the best celeb pixie cuts worth saving to your camera roll. Tyla Emma Stone Taylor Russell Kris Jenner Marc Ballance is a celebrity hair stylist based in New York City whose clients include Nick Jonas, Bad Bunny, and more. He's a pro when it comes to all things cuts and styling. Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about everything from beauty trends and product launches to celeb interviews and personal essays. She's obsessed with all things skincare and tapped the rest of Cosmo's beauty team for all their best face mist recs. Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You'll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it's usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles' entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Axios
10-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Durham's influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company
Merge Records, a Durham music label that has become influential in the independent music scene over the past 35 years, has sold a 50% stake in the company — a move that the label hopes will provide more distribution resources for its artists. Why it matters: Founded by Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance as a way to release the music of their own band, Superchunk, Merge has become a powerhouse in the industry, putting out records by bands like Arcade Fire, Spoon, Neutral Milk Hotel and the Magnetic Fields. It's also an important incubator of the Triangle's own music scene, bringing its artists through the area's venues and giving local bands like Hiss Golden Messenger, Rosali and H.C. McEntire a launchpad to new audiences. Driving the news: On Tuesday, Merge announced it had sold a 50% stake in the company to Indiana-based Secretly Group, which owns several other record labels, like Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar and Secretly Canadian. Zoom in: Merge will continue to operate as a standalone label in Durham as part of the deal, with McCaughan continuing to serve as label president and head of A&R (Artist & Repertoire). Ballance, however, will be leaving the music business following the deal. In a statement, Secretly co-founder Phil Waldorf said his group reached out to Merge about a new partnership when it first heard Ballance was looking to leave the business. What they're saying: "It was never my goal to start a record label when I was 21 and run it for the rest of my life," Ballance said in a statement, noting she has other creative endeavors she would like to pursue. "Merge Records started as a literal bedroom label, in my bedroom, and lived there for a few years before we were able to give it some space of its own," she added. "It has always been a labor of love. I am going to miss it and all the people and bands tremendously." Between the lines: The deal gives Merge access to Secretly's worldwide distribution networks as well as access to more resources for operations like accounting, artist royalties, business affairs, licensing, IT and HR. Representatives for Merge were not immediately available for an interview, but last year McCaughan told Axios running a music label has become even more complex in the era of streaming. "What's still great about having a record label is the artists that we get to work with and hearing someone's new album when it's finished," McCaughan said last year. "But, you know, the business of trying to get those bands heard by the most people and trying to sell records enough so that those artists can make a living or even just break even on tour has become really frustrating," he added.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Former cricketer Azeem Rafiq accuses England newspaper of 'downplaying racism,' blaming him for Gary Ballance's troubles
English-Zimbabwean ex-cricketer Gary Ballance was among the players accused of racially targeting Azeem Rafiq and other players of Asian origin at Yorkshire. A recent article on British daily The Telegraph, however, claimed Ballance 'lost more than any of the accused in that whole saga', which did not go down too well with Rafiq. read more Azeem Rafiq had accused former England and Zimbabwe batter Gary Ballance among several other players of racist behavior at leading county club Yorkshire. Image credit: X Azeem Rafiq has accused a leading British newspaper of attempting to 'downplay racism' by defending Gary Ballance and suggesting that the English-Zimbabwean former cricketer had been 'cancelled' in the racism scandal that had rocked English cricket recently. Pakistan-born English cricketer Azeem Rafiq had in September 2020 publicly aired his grievances regarding racism and bullying in Yorkshire, the leading County club that he had played for in a professional career spanning two decades. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ballance, who had played a handful of matches for his native country Zimbabwe after representing England in 23 Tests between 2014 and 2017, was among the players accused of racist behavior at Yorkshire with the southpaw later admitting to the offence at a hearing. The 35-year-old, who had retired from all forms of the game in 2023, is currently serving as assistant coach to the Zimbabwe team that is facing England in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham that got underway on Thursday. Rafiq slams 'pathetic attempt' to portray Ballance as 'cancelled' And two days before the Test got underway, The Telegraph's Nick Hoult wrote an article on the former middle-order batter headlined " English cricket cancelled Gary Ballance, this is what happened next". 'Implicated heavily in the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, Ballance arguably lost more than any of the accused in that whole saga. 'Having departed England to rebuild his shattered life he returns to Trent Bridge as Zimbabwe's assistant coach,' read the caption of the post on The Telegraph's X account that carried a link to the piece. Rafiq, who had the entire nation's attention fixed on him at the height of the racism row with the matter even reaching the parliament, hit back at the newspaper for what he felt was an attempt to portray Ballance as the victim in the saga. 'Another pathetic attempt by Nick Hoult & Telegraph to downplay racism,' the Karachi-born former cricketer wrote on X quoting the original post by The Telegraph. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Ballance who admitted & apologised yet Nick seems to suggest he was 'cancelled' 'It's all a continued attempt justify the language used 'Embarrassing - keep trying Nick truth won't change,' Rafiq added.
