SusanT

Agiscuola in Emilia Romagna (the region of northern Italy where Bologna is) has Teo e Zodì in its 2023-2024 catalogue of films for schools. Agis stands for Associazione Generale Italiana dello Spettacolo (Italian Association for Show Business) https://agiscuolaemiliaromagna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/opuscolo-agiscuola-2023-2024.pdf page 29 Teo e Zodì – Un cammello per amico Eric Barbier L’emozionante storia di amicizia tra un ragazzino e un cucciolo di cammello rimasto orfano, che sfideranno insieme i pericoli del deserto per realizzare il sogno della vita. Un’avventura toccante impreziosita dalle musiche di Mika, che per la prima volta firma una colonna sonora per il cinema. Uscita prevista: novembre (emphasis mine) Translation: A touching adventure embellished by music composed by Mika, who for the first time creates a soundtrack for the cinema. .......................... Maybe someone can suggest a better translation for "impreziosita."

I've been to Britain quite a few times and have been teaching English with British coursebooks for years but I I didn't know what Marmite and pasties were until a few days ago. 😄 From the name I would have associated pasties with something sweet (thinking of pastries).

In Italy the movie should be available on the streaming services of Prime Video and Mediaset Infinity. https://www.primevideo.com/-/it/detail/Teo-e-Zodì---Un-cammello-per-amico/0T71WDTAB450KROE6ZSSV8GA3Y I watched over a month ago. It's interesting how the title of the movie changes according to the language. French: Zodi et Téhu, Brothers of the desert Italian: Teo e Zodì, A camel as a friend German: Princes of the desert, Faster than the wind

Beh, immagino che Bolle dovrebbe adattarsi al modo di ballare di Mika ma non viceversa

Here's the article I mentioned in an earlier post. https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/24284144.piano-claudia-winkleman-back-second-series/ The Piano with Claudia Winkleman back for second series 28th April By Alison Rowat Senior politics and features writer The Piano Channel 4 There is a point in the new series of The Piano when the popstar Mika looks at the large crowd gathered on the concourse at Manchester Piccadilly and exclaims to his fellow judge, “Lang Lang, things have changed!” It’s a nice, “top of the world ma” moment in tune with a show that came out of nowhere to be a ratings smash for Channel 4, bringing in 3 million viewers every episode. At first only a few travellers would turn away from staring at the departures board long enough to check out who was playing the station’s public piano. Now, as Mika says, they are watching in their droves. The big difference between then and now is that the judges are no longer secret. You might think that would put a crimp in a second series but Mika disagreed, saying the best bits were not the “big reveals” about the judges but the musicians’ individual stories. Is he right? One episode in and I’m worried. Could it be that you can have too much of a good thing? The first to compete for a place in the final concert was a youngster whose mum bought him a keyboard from Argos when he was four. “I come from a single parent family in a lovely council estate full of needles and students,” he said. He played Ballade No.4 by Chopin, “a very difficult piece” said Lang Lang. I’d have liked to know more about how the contestant got to that level without private lessons, but there was no time to waste as the next person was waiting. And yes, they had a story to tell too. One woman had been through a bad divorce. She played The Winner Takes it All so sadly, Mika ran after her and asked her to choose something else. After one particularly poignant performance, presenter Claudia Winkleman went up to the judges’ room and declared that this contestant was going through to the final. “It’s not a debate,” she said. Eh? When did Claude become a judge? There is still much to like about The Piano, not least Winkleman herself. She is a natural with the contestants and her off-beat humour makes a pleasant change from the wilful blandness of most presenters. At one point she introduced us to a dachshund named Henry, who could not be looked at lest he fly into a rage. “I had a boyfriend like Henry,” said Winkleman, with a grin that suggested it was she who had the last laugh in the end. Mika’s attempt to introduce his fellow judge Lang Lang to the 21st century continues entertainingly. “There’s a pasty shop,” he says to Lang Lang. “Have you ever had a pasty?” Unsurprisingly the answer was no. Back to the amateur pianists. It is good to know how each musician got there, and about any barriers they have faced. Last year’s winner was Lucy Illingworth, a blind 13-year-old. But she was first and foremost a brilliant musician with an exceptional way of communicating with an audience. At times there seemed to be two competitions here - one to discover new talent, and one to find the most affecting back story. Keep going on this road and you come to the X Factor. The show was so successful last time precisely because it let the music do the talking. The result was genuinely moving, inspirational TV. The final will be ticketed this time, with proceeds going to buy more street pianos. It’s another nice touch by Channel 4 in a show that is packed with lovely moments. Here’s hoping it finds its balance again, and soon.

Another article https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/80-year-old-pianist-dementia-love-theme/

The Herald also has a review. Don't have time to post it now but here's the link: https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/24284144.piano-claudia-winkleman-back-second-series/

It didn't work for me either

I'm glad there's finally an article with a reference to Mika's tour. In IG stories or other threads people have written about the pressure Mika has been under for his shows. Here he mentions it himself. I hope he'll be able to thoroughly enjoy his Lucca gig, which will be his only performance in Italy.

So Mika has a cottage outside of Hastings! Is that where he is when he plays "30 Secondes" on the piano? Or when he's at the seaside with his dogs?

As I wrote in another thread, I sent the link for Bougez to the students and teachers of my French class the very first day QTTFT came out as a way of publicizing Mika’s new album. Regarding these lines of the English version . . . Up to the gates of paradise and god, he said to me Here you're not allowed to dance, you'll rest eternally I turned him down respectfully and said I'd take my chance Cause I would rather be in hell where I can freely dance Don’t know why Mika suggests that God (I’m using the name to refer to the divinity in the Bible) should be seen as rejecting dancing. When the Israelites manage to escape being re-enslaved in Exodus, Moses’s sister leads the women in playing tambourines and dancing, which is regarded as a manifestation of joy in other biblical books as well. For example, in Jesus’s parable, the prodigal son’s return home is celebrated with music and dancing. Back in 2022 the Italian Cosmopolitan published an interview with Mika in which he said, “Se ci fosse un Dio, questo Dio sarebbe amore” (If there were a God, this God would be love). I like this idea of the divinity better than the suggestion that he/He is a killjoy. Perhaps though Mika’s dig in the English lyrics is directed more at organized religion than at a real or imaginary deity. Getting back to the French Bougez, I prefer the humor of the original which jokes that you’re told continually to move for the sake of your health, even in “paradise.”

Thanks @Kumazzz! So glad the reviewer mentioned Mika's latest accomplishments.

I reproduced this article in the UK press thread. Maybe someone can reproduce it here better than me. https://www.redbrick.me/live-review-mika/

Found this review of the Wolverhampton gig. Maybe someone can reproduce the article (and pic) better than me in the gig reviews thread. https://www.redbrick.me/live-review-mika/ ve ReviewMIK Live Review: MIKA Music Editor Hannah Gadd reviews MIKA’s cosmic performance at The Halls in Wolverhampton Hannah Gadd Published at 09:00 on 7 April 2024 Images by @MIKA on Facebook MIKA is back on tour, throwing parties all around the nation with his latest live show. Fans were dressed for the occasion, decked out in sequins, body glitter and bold colours preparing to enter the vivacious world of the Apocalypse Calypso tour. The pop icon burst onto stage in a bright red suit, opening with the huge track ‘Origin Of Love’. MIKA’s energy is instantly infectious as he dances around the stage in front of neon visuals. From one hit to another, ‘Talk About You’ and ‘Lollipop’ follow, MIKA darting around the stage holding a captivating stage presence. During the latter track he divided the crowd in half- his angels and devils as he described us- taking it in turns in singing the song back to him. MIKA is as charming and humorous as ever as he welcomes fans to the show following the breathless string of hits, comically adding the show was late starting as he was stuck in traffic. The show continues with beautiful desert scenery illuminating the venue before the singer re-appears in a gold suit for ‘Feels Like Fire’ and ‘Underwater’, MIKA having the audience transfixed on his sensational vocal ability. An animated neon statue fills the screen as MIKA substitutes his gold suit for an even greater glittery one before kicking into the synthpop track ‘Relax’. This performance felt like it was straight out of the 80s with its bright lights, disco beat and big synths. MIKA’s falsetto does not falter once, his voice remarkably powerful. ‘Yo Yo’ propelled us further into MIKA’s euro-pop daydream, the whole venue dancing to the immense anthem. MIKA’s wardrobe seems endless as he struts back out onto the stage, this time in a hot pink suit. He spends the first verse of ‘Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)’ on stage before joining fans for the majority of the song, working his way around the venue, even making his way up to the balcony. Stood by the mixing desk, I wasn’t expecting to come face-to-face with MIKA at any point during the night but there he was in all his pink glory singing with us. One thing that must be said about this tour is that the visuals are phenomenal, with every neon display and animation we are transported into the songs. Despite the venue being too small for the usual set-up, with MIKA’s commanding presence and the neon kaleidoscope which sat behind him, the show was dazzling. ‘Good Guys’ was a perfect example, even when the pace was slowed we never left MIKA’s enthralling world. The smaller venue meant his custom grand piano wouldn’t fit on stage leaving the singer to adapt. Grabbing his piano stool and a mic stand, he hilariously played the air-piano during ‘Billy Brown’, adding ‘some madness needs to stay in Wolverhampton’. Obvious crowd favourite ‘Grace Kelly’ was up next. The performance manifested into a storm of bright colours, immense vocals and unstoppable fun- The Halls was alive and the atmosphere was palpable. ‘Happy Ending’ saw the singer performing the heartfelt track in a pink haze as phone torches raised into the air. A cosmic performance of ‘Love Today’ followed which ended the main set. ‘Any Other World’ brought the singer back on stage for the encore which made for yet another heart-warming moment in the night. A floral backdrop lit up the venue as the gigantic sounds of ‘We Are Golden’ sent the audience into a frenzy of excitement and ended the glorious evening on an electric note. After two hours, eighteen songs and seven outfits, it is clear that MIKA knows how to put on a stellar live performance. The Apocalypse Calypso tour is a magically fun night of astonishing musical talent and I cannot wait to see MIKA live again.

I think this will be a memorable evening for all of you in London! 🤩

I've just seen Mika's latest Instagram post. Love the video with the whole crowd at the Apollo singing and dancing with him! 😍

On mikafanclubtoo it sounds like the audience is enjoying singing along with Mika during the songs

When I saw "Wo. . .r", I thought it was Wolverhampton abbreviated! And I thought "M. .x" stood for Manchester. 😄

I see four jackets and the preceding hangers are holding matching trousers but what are the garments at the opposite end?

Hope the wings are repaired for tonight

Perhaps Mika will include French songs in London since the audience will be more international.

Hi @Josephine! I live in Italy. Glad you decided to join the Forum. As a musician you might also particularly enjoy Mika's soundtrack for "Tehu et Zodi" 😊

I just found out that "budgie" is a short form of "budgerigar" ( a bird), which is Australian in origin, so I think there's no link there. I think Mika himself refers to the firebird being freed but perhaps there are other meanings I'm not aware of. I have the impression that the composer Stravinsky is Mika's inspiration. He composed the music both for "The Firebird" - which is based on a Russian folk tale from what I read - and "The Rite of Spring", the name of Mika's previous tour.

As for Italy in July . . . The Lucca Summer Festival website says this: "General sale lunedi’ 4 dicembre ore 10:00 L’ARTISTA LIBANESE PRESENTERA’ LE SUE HITS E I BRANI DEL NUOVO ATTESISSIMO ALBUM USCITO OGGI" (The Lebanese artist will present his hits and songs from his new long-awaited album released today) I hope Mika sticks to his original plan. If I'm not mistaken, he sang "Elle me dit" in Matera.

Bougez in English! I wonder if Mika will do that with other songs from the French album. By the way, about "bougez" . . . The other day it suddenly dawned on me that the word might have the same origin as the English "budge" (maybe some of you have already thought of it). I looked it up and, sure enough, "budge" comes from the Anglo-French and Middle French "bouger" ("move, stir"). I know this isn't an important detail but I love noticing similarities between languages.