Latest news with #LaRoche
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Creative NZ head Gretchen La Roche on muscial journey and growing up in Gisborne
She has worked at the organisation twice before, but was most recently executive director at Christchurch's Court Theatre. There, she oversaw a complete turnaround in workplace culture and the opening of the theatre company's new $61 million home, its first purpose-built space in 54 years. La Roche has an undeniably impressive CV; only a small portion of her achievements have been listed so far. But it all started in Gisborne, when she asked her parents for a saxophone and was given a clarinet. 'I come from a really musical family and a long, long line of music on all sides,' she said. Her father, Ian Dunsmore, founded the Gisborne International Music Competition, which attracted competitors from across the globe until it ended after the Covid pandemic. La Roche was taught how to play the clarinet by a music teacher who lived just down the road. 'She had this great way of making you feel quite joyful in the lessons, even though I was really terrible,' she laughed. 'And I wasn't very good at practising.' La Roche is charmingly self-deprecating about her clarinet ability, but an old concert preview from long-time music critic William Dart offers some insight to the contrary. 'Her performance of Michael Finnissy's Marrgnu a few years ago, suspending columns of glistening arpeggios in mid-air, left me grasping for superlatives,' he wrote. Her success, she said, is built on a line of some 'long-suffering teachers'. She went to Gisborne Central School, Gisborne Intermediate and Gisborne Girls' High School. 'I know there were probably times when I tried their patience, and I'm grateful that they put up with me for as long as they did.' While she did eventually have to leave Gisborne – as one must do when pursuing a career as an orchestral musician – she feels her upbringing gave her ingredients vital to her success. 'I feel so proud to have grown up in Gisborne … for me, it was a community that afforded huge opportunity,' she said. 'People were really keen to help me realise ambition, vision and hopes and really stood alongside me, behind me, encouraged me and opened doors for me.' In Gisborne, we know how to get things done and find solutions through necessity, even if that means not always playing by the rules, she said. 'And thank goodness too that there's a strong history of really inspiring and strong women from Gisborne and up the coast.' La Roche spent four years at the University of Auckland, followed by further studies at London's Royal Academy of Music. After graduating, she spent most of her time performing and spent many years as principal clarinettist at the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Eventually, she started taking on more administrative work, which led her to strategy and organisation management. According to La Roche, it's been 'quite a shift', but underpinning it all is an abiding love for creativity and a belief that the arts add 'so much' to everyone's daily lives. Despite living away from Tairāwhiti for some time, she has a deep appreciation for its arts scene. 'It matters to people there. They want to be involved. They want to see it. They want it [to be] part of their lives on a daily basis.' She also pointed to the 'incredible craftsmanship, knowledge and expertise' of Ngā Toi Māori in the region, something she says is special and unique. One of the things La Roche has been praised for is her ability to show compassion, fronting up to creatives and listening to their needs. She wants to continue this in her new role. Gisborne and many other communities have told her in the past that all they want are the tools, the investment, and the mandate to 'get on with it'. She is looking forward to having more of these conversations and putting some serious investment on the table, on top of growing Aotearoa's recognition of the arts. 'We are doing our best to tell that story of why creativity matters,' she said. She believes every New Zealander deserves the opportunity to experience the arts and wants to make sure, despite today's constrained environment, we avoid growing a divide between 'those that can access and those that can't'. When asked if she plans to eventually return to Gisborne, she said she could not think of anywhere better to end up. One day, when she is back performing, she'll keep a keen eye on the newspaper for any gigs going. But for now, she's laser-focused on her new job, even as her clarinet looks at her accusingly from its corner.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Superdrug launches flash sale on bestselling skincare brand – all sun lotions are 25% off but you'll need to be quick
The deal comes just in time for the summer holidays SKIN WIN Superdrug launches flash sale on bestselling skincare brand – all sun lotions are 25% off but you'll need to be quick SUPERDRUG has launched a huge sale on a popular skincare brand, with sun creams slashed by 25%. The deal comes just in time for the summer holidays, but you'll have to be quick to avoid missing out. Advertisement 3 Superdrug has launched a flash online sale Credit: Getty 3 Selected La Roche products are currently 25% off at Superdrug 3 Shoppers will have to be quick to snap up the deal The health and beauty retailer has launched a flash sale on selected La Roche products, including tinted and hydrating suncreams. The offer is only available online and is only running until July 7. Invisible suncream Among the skincare products on offer is La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune Invisible Suncream. The SPF50+ cream has been reduced from £19.99 to £14.98 and is perfect for sensitive skin. Advertisement The bargain buy is water, sand and sweat resistant, and doesn't leave any white marks. Shoppers have been raving about the product on the Superdrug website, including one person who said: "Amazing product, makes my face glow." Another person said: "I use this every day - it goes on well over moisturiser and feels very light. "I wish I'd found it sooner." Advertisement Mist sunscreen Also in the sale is the Anthelios Anti-Shine Mist Sunscreen, which has been slashed from £18.49 to £13.86. The product provides both UVA and UVB sun protection and is perfect for blemish prone and oily skin types. La Roche said: "The highly moisturising spray is easy to apply, quickly absorbed and delivers a double anti-shine action with an ultra-dry finish and no residual white marks." Lidl is selling a £2.99 product beauty fans are racing to nab - you don't have to wear foundation AND it contains SPF50 One shopper said of the product: "Great for dry skin, no white cast, no pilling. Very pleased." Advertisement Another shopper said: "Great to use while out and about can use over makeup doesn't smear or go shiny." Anti-dark spots sunscreen Also on offer is the Anthelios Anti-Dark Spots Sunscreen, which has been reduced from £20.99 to £15.73. The daily facial cream has been specially formulated to prevent sun induced dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Advice for adults and children on sunscreen and sun safety in the UK and abroad The experts at the NHS have warned that sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. They state that despite the common misconception, sunburn ''does not just happen on holiday''. This means that you can burn in the UK, even on days when it's cloudy. ''There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects.'' You can find more tips on their website here. Apply the product just before sun exposure and make sure to reapply frequently throughout the day. Advertisement Tinted suncream The Anthelios UVmune Tinted Suncream has also been slashed from £21.99 to £16.48. It has been "recommended by dermatologists worldwide" and has been specifically developed for sensitive skin. One person said: "This product was very suitable for my sensitive skin, I like the texture and colour of the product and its longevity." A second person said: "Two jobs in one, a brilliant sun protection and light foundation all in one."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NCIS Fans, What Do You Make of That Most Curious Cliffhanger Heading Into Next Week's Finale?
The following contains spoilers from the April 28 episode of CBS' . This week on NCIS, Special Agent Timothy Farragut McGee got his man. More from TVLine NCIS: Origins' Mariel Molino Shares What Was Most Heartbreaking About Finale, Why She's 'Proud' of Final Shot NCIS: Origins Bosses Talk Lala's Fate After Huge Finale Twist, Tease [Spoiler]'s Arrival - Grade Season 1 Cedric the Entertainer Talks Nixed Neighborhood Spinoff, Offers Update on Tracy Morgan Offshoot Crutch Or did he…? The episode 'Irreconcilable Differences' (a nod to the fake-but-real marriage Knight and Torres had to begrudgingly dissolve?) focused squarely on McGee (played by longest-running cast member Sean Murray) and the many late nights he is putting in, trying to get the goods on the highly sus Deputy Director LaRoche (Seamus Dever). Heck, overtired McGee was even having dreams of Gibbs' basement! And at once point called Parker by his former boss' name. McGee was about to rein himself in some and settle in for a night of cozy take-put with Delilah when he spotted LaRoche have a heated phone call in the parking lot, after which he switched cars en route to a third location. McGee tailed his superior and followed him into remote building, where he witnessed LaRoche squabble with an unseen man before shooting him at point blank range. After (d'oh!) knocking over a pipe and startling LaRoche, McGee chased his adversary outside, but lost him after being clipped/concussed by a passing truck. Parker and Torres did their best to believe McGee's accounting of events afterward, but given that no body was found, people started to wonder if this vendetta was starting to unravel the good agent. In fact, an IG showed up to grill McGee and was poised to bench him for a long while, when evidence began to come together incriminating LaRoche in a recent heist pulled off using U.S. Navy tech. McGee eventually caught LaRoche meeting with a second thief he didn't kill, inside a small church. When the gun-toting men ended up in a three-way standoff, LaRoche spun to shot the thief, but not before the man put a bullet in McGee's shoulder. Parker, Torres and Knight then funneled into the room, ordering aRoche to stand down. 'This wasn't supposed to be like this,' LaRoche said, raising his hands up. He then cued Knight to pluck some sort of data card from the dead thief's pocket, and declared, 'This is not about money. It never was. 'It's time you know the truth….' What 'truth' do you think LaRoche is about to offer up, to recontextualize and/or justify his suspicious actions up until now? Share your pre-finale theories in the comments! In next Monday's NCIS Season 22 finale, as the team investigates a dangerous connection between the Nexus cartel and Parker's longtime nemesis, mob boss Carla Marino (returning guest star Rebecca De Mornay), a high-stakes plot involving stolen nuclear material is uncovered. With time running out, Parker is forced into an uneasy alliance that could determine the fate of the operation — and his own futureBest of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amesbury man wins $2 million prize on sugar run
AMESBURY, Mass. (WWLP) – A quick stop to buy sugar turned into a life-changing moment for an Amesbury man, who is now the first winner of the Massachusetts State Lottery's new '$2,500 a Week for Life' instant ticket game. Alfred LaRoche claimed his prize after purchasing the $10 ticket from Black Duck Market & Deli on Federal Street in Newburyport. Rather than opting for lifetime weekly payments, LaRoche chose the one-time cash option and received a $2 million payout before taxes. LaRoche, a carpenter, said his decision to buy the ticket was based on a lucky hunch. Ticket number 19 was on display, and since 19 is his lucky number, he decided to give it a shot. Adding to the superstition, the store clerk even rubbed the ticket for good luck before handing it over to him. With his winnings, LaRoche plans to build a new cottage, fulfilling a longtime dream. The Black Duck Market & Deli will also benefit from the sale, earning a $26,000 bonus from the Massachusetts State Lottery for selling the winning ticket. The '$2,500 a Week for Life' game launched on February 18 and offers players a chance at a lifetime prize from a $10 ticket. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
