Latest news with #Chapter2
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Mthuthuzeli November and Joshua Williams shine at the 2025 Benois de la Danse Awards
Jozua Williams in Mthuthuzeli November's Stage 2 Image: Paul Seaby In a momentous night of celebration for South African ballet, Mthuthuzeli November and Joshua Williams carved their names in history at the 2025 Benois de la Danse Awards, held at the illustrious Bolshoi Theatre on June 17. The duo was recognised for their remarkable contributions to November's work, Chapter 2, showcased as part of Cape Ballet Africa's inaugural triple bill, SALT. Mthuthuzeli November, the award-winning choreographer from Cape Town, was honoured with the Prize for Best Choreography for his vibrant modern percussive piece, Chapter 2. The work, featuring an original score by composer Peter Johnson, initially premiered in Cape Town in September 2024 and has since garnered international acclaim. Renowned critic Maggie Foyer of Dance Europe lauded the piece, describing it as 'a winner'. Joshua Williams, an artist with Cape Ballet Africa, was jointly awarded the Prize for Best Male Dancer for his standout performance in Chapter 2. His talent shone brightly on the international stage, where he shared the accolade with Dmitry Smilevskiy, a Principal Dancer at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre. The renowned excellence of the awards was further highlighted by the nomination of Camille Bracher for Best Female Dancer for her performance in the same production. Debbie Turner, artistic director and founder of Cape Ballet Africa, expressed immense pride in the achievements of November and Williams. 'The Benois de la Danse Awards are considered to be the 'Oscars' of the ballet world,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Mthuthuzeli November Image: Helena Fagan 'For a young, South African ballet company to be considered and win among such globally esteemed company, is testament to the extraordinary level of talent, skill, dedication, and artistry of our country's dancers. We are humbled and proud to celebrate their win as a win for all South African creatives.' 'This is a profound moment for us, illustrating South African artists can compete as equals alongside our international colleagues. I have had the pleasure of working with Mthuthuzeli since he was a teenager, and Joshua joined our small fledgling company with a big vision shortly after its inception.' She conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the Benois de la Danse for recognising their work and talent. Mthuthuzeli November's career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in Cape Town, he began his dance journey at the age of 15 under the mentorship of Fiona Sutton at Dance For All. After graduating with distinction from the Cape Academy of Performing Arts, November captured the attention of the dance world, winning gold medals at the South African International Ballet Competition in both 2012 and 2014. His dynamic trajectory has seen him create award-winning works for various prestigious companies worldwide. Joshua Williams, too, has a compelling story. Discovered at just six years old by dance teacher Tamsin Williams, Joshua pursued his craft with vigour, training for seven years before earning a scholarship to the Tanz Akademi in Zurich, Switzerland. He has graced the stages of numerous companies, including Mzansi Ballet, and has made Cape Ballet Africa his artistic home since 2024.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Summer 2025 footfall at Kol restos and bars beats pre-pandemic high
1 2 Kolkata: Footfall across Kolkata restaurants is the highest this summer since the pandemic, with most eateries across south and central Kolkata seeing a full house during lunch and dinner. Online orders saw a major spike over the last fortnight. The rise in footfall was around 20% compared to last summer, according to Hotel and Restaurants' Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) president Sudesh Poddar. While the summer vacation is on, the weather, though warm, was better than last summer when the city was gripped by a heatwave. These factors may have contributed to a footfall spurt, felt Poddar. "While footfall rise every summer, this year it was around 20% more compared to last May-June. Unlike 2024, it rained more often this time, making it a comfortable to dine out. It also helped that the IPL playoffs were played till this week. It always attracts the young who love to couple cricket with eating out," said Poddar. Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2 have seen steady growth in footfall since the beginning of May. "It has been rising steadily, and it helped that we had our biryani festival on throughout last month. Summers are usually good for sales, but this year it was even better, possibly due to the improved weather. Despite the occasional scorching period, people have been gorging on biryani and other north Indian fare. At Chapter 2, sales have been moderately higher than last summer's as well," said Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder and owner of Oudh and Chapter 2. Park Street has seen a larger crowd during both lunch and dining hours since mid-May, said restaurateurs. Peter Hu has seen a waiting crowd every evening over the last month. "This has been the best summer since the pandemic, and the footfall was 15% higher. We've had people waiting to get in even on weekdays. One reason could be the weather, which has been more bearable than the last two summers. Secondly, along with the younger generation, the elders, too, are now more into eating out. Online orders, too, have increased," said Siddharth Kothari of Peter Hu. At Mocambo and Peter Cat, waiting crowds have gotten progressively bigger over the last fortnight. "We had full attendance throughout the day since the beginning of May. It has really been a good summer so far, easily the most crowded since the pandemic across all our outlets, including Peter Cat," said Mocambo and Peter Cat owner Nitin Kothari. "We had a near-full attendance even during weekdays since last Sunday. Food sales have jumped appreciably. Liquor sales have dipped since we have more families coming in now. But that has been more than made up by the higher footfall and larger food orders," said Pratap Daryanani, owner of Oasis on Park Street. Footfall has been driven by a bigger family crowd, said Poddar, who owns Songhai, MS Bar & Lounge, and Manthan.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rhea Chakraborty's Journey to Financial Independence and Personal Healing
It's a long-awaited sunrise for Rhea Chakraborty—an actress whose life was upended in the wake of actor 's tragic death by suicide in 2020. Vilified by the media and ostracised by much of the industry, Rhea became the face of a public witch-hunt that few could have survived with grace. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Five years later, she is stepping forward into a new chapter—one not defined by controversy but by creativity, courage, and a quiet determination to rebuild. Alongside her brother Showik, she has co-founded a clothing brand that represents a fresh start. In a personal, long-overdue conversation with a leading publication, Rhea opens up about career setbacks, finding healing through work, and learning to move forward. 'Showik and I both lost out career paths because of everything that happened to us in 2020' The reason behind starting a clothing store - Chapter 2 in Bandra, for Rhea was not born out of a choice. 'We both kind of lost our career paths because of everything that happened to us in 2020. I had lost my acting career because no one would work with me at that point. We were like, 'Okay, what do we do? We have to do something, right?' It's okay that the things that we wanted to do are not happening. (But) You want to wake up and you want to have a purpose,' she recalls. 'It was really difficult to come to terms with acting no longer being a path that existed' Rhea, a former video jockey, started her acting career in 2013 with Mere Dad ki Maruti . Her last film was Chehre in 2021. She admits it was frustrating to be not able to do what she wanted to. 'Honestly, it was really difficult to come to terms with the fact that the dream that you had since you were 17 and the path that you were set on for 10 years is no longer a path that exists. It's not even like ab kaam dhundhna hai , it's like ab koi kaam nahi de raha ya kar sakta hai . Even if somebody wanted to work, they were scared of the trolling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's not like people didn't want to work, there was an interest, but it was not happening. Maybe their investors were saying no, or the platforms were saying no. At one point I had to take a stand for myself – Either I can be delusional and hope that it will happen one day, or I can be like if it happens one day, great, but I need to do something else because I'm young, I'm able-bodied, and I need to work. A large part of my healing will also come from working. If you're just sitting at home, you don't heal,' she explains. Rhea Chakraborty begins a new chapter with Chapter 2. 'The trauma was long drawn' After a tumultuous period in the public eye, Rhea reflects on the arduous process of healing and rebirth, as she learned to separate her identity from her profession. 'The last five years have been really hard for me and for my family and for everyone in different ways. Healing is a process. It doesn't happen overnight. And the trauma was long drawn. It was heartbreaking. I did a lot of therapy sessions around the fact that, 'Okay, Rhea, you're no longer an actor, and that's okay, and you need to let go of this dream because it's just not possible for you'. So, I had to break that piece of your heart and be like, now you don't beat for this role anymore,' she reminisces. 'It finally feels like a sunrise after a really long, dark, deserted, long night' Having weathered years of scrutiny, Rhea has found strength in acceptance and joy in simplicity. Earlier this year in March Rhea and her brother got a clean chit by the CBI in the widely reported case. Rhea chooses to maintain a stoic silence about the clean chit, however, reflects on the year that has gone by: "Just one word for the year that's gone - Gratitude. It's been amazing. It finally feels like a sunrise after a really long, dark, deserted, long night. So, I feel like I wake up in the morning and I have tears of gratitude sometimes. The gratitude level is so immense that the small problems don't bother us as much anymore. And the small happiness and the small joys are now the big things. 'Many people are getting to see who I am and not what they think of me' The actress who became a victim of a media trial, admits she has evolved and credits her 'life experiences' for the evolution. She also credits TV reality show Roadies for helping her heal. ' Roadies has been a huge part of my healing. The previous season was the first season that I came back to work... If there's any change that's happened to me, that's happened because of my life experiences. And of course, Roadies also does teach you a lot of things. It was a platform where I could be myself and not worry about judgment. When you've been brutally trolled the way, I have been, you kind of get a little bit close and cagey. Anything you say can backfire. If you go in a rickshaw also, people can call you names. Then you don't know how to be anymore in public. But with Roadies , I slowly eased up and I gave up the whole guard and I could just be more me. Many people are getting to see who I am and not what they think of me.' 'Want the financial independence that if I ever need a lawyer, I don't have to think twice' While she has been away from movies, she continues to work as a podcaster, a Roadies mentor, and now an entrepreneur. Ask Rhea what she wants next, and her response will warm anyone's heart. 'The one most singular goal that I have is of course my parents and my brother to be happy and peaceful and then to have enough money and financial independence that if I ever need a lawyer, I don't have to think twice. I can just hire the most, the best lawyer without having to think even one second about how expensive they are and how to get the money for it. So that's my financial goal. And whenever I get to that goal, I shall be at peace," she signs off.
Tom's Guide
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Every 'John Wick' movie, ranked — including 'Ballerina'
Ever since "John Wick" first exploded onto the big screen back in 2014, Keanu Reeves' legendary hitman has been adored by action movie fans, myself included. Across the last decade, the "Wickverse" has expanded far beyond the initial setup of "retired assassin gets revenge on the twerp who killed his dog." Since then, Wick's gone global, gunned down countless foes, and taken on some of the most powerful players in the game. And, in that time, the "John Wick" movies have continued to do what they do best: serve up tons of ultra-thrilling on-screen action, time and time again. There simply isn't a "bad" movie among them. In the run-up to the newly released "John Wick" spinoff, "Ballerina," I revisited all four of the previous installments to prepare for more carnage. Following this refresher, here are all five "John Wick" movies, ranked. Alas, our most recent addition to the "John Wick" canon is the weakest of the lot. "Ballerina" is far from a bad watch, to be clear. Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) makes for a great new lead, and the movie packs in plenty of stellar setpieces that fans are going to love — the entire final act is a riot. — But I think the story isn't as well-conceived as it could have been. Past "John Wick" watches set the bar so, so high, and I just don't think "Ballerina" eclipses the past four films. It's a hollow but still entertaining experience, one that is worthy of the franchise name, but isn't quite as propulsive as what's come before. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I'm sure this won't be a popular choice, but while I adore the simplicity of the story and the tight, grittier feel of the original "John Wick," on reflection, I think I like where the franchise goes more than where it starts. Make no mistake, I have a lot of love for the original Wick flick. From the jump, Reeves' assassin means serious business, and seeing Keanu stoically rip through countless bad guys is gleefully fun. "John Wick" is still a blast, and represents the assassin in his purest form, but if I were asked which of the movies was my favorite, this would not be my answer. Watch on Peacock "John Wick: Chapter 2" is, plain and simple, a bigger, bloodier version of what came before. Wick's plans to give up on the killing once more are interrupted by the arrival of Santino D'Antonio, who's here to collect on an old favor. I've just said I appreciate where the franchise goes (probably making the ranking obvious), but "Chapter 2" did exactly what a "John Wick" follow-up needed to: show us John kicking plenty more ass in another set of stylish, skilfully staged action sequences, while also building the mythology out that little bit more. It might opt for the "more is more" approach, but let me remind you that "Chapter 2" contains — among other things — the tube fight with Cassian, the museum melee, the campy shopping montage, the hall of mirrors scene, and the pencil kill. In other words? It's worth it. Watch on Peacock "Parabellum" ups the ante on its predecessor significantly. With John now "excommunicado" and unable to access the resources of the assassin underworld, he's on the run, and there's practically a killer lurking around every corner after the hefty bounty on his head. The stakes feel on another level, and that results in a thrilling opening act (how can you not love the knife store melee, or the library book execution?). We stick the landing, too, with the gripping siege on the New York Continental. I know that some fans don't love the way this leans a little more into its sillier, expansive universe, but I think "Parabellum's" highs are just too good. Oh, and yes, I think the motorcycle katana fight is cool; sue me. Watch on Peacock The first time I sat down to watch 'John Wick 4,' I'll admit to feeling a little skeptical; having clocked the near three-hour runtime, I was a little concerned Wick's fourth outing would outstay its welcome. As we all know, that literally couldn't be further from the truth. 'John Wick 4' is an embarrassment of riches for the action genre. The franchise's fourth installment is a lavish, epic thrill-ride stuffed to the brim with ludicrously cool action sequences that have been burned into my memory ever since I watched them. The Arc de Triomphe scrap that has John and his foes dipping in and out of traffic right by the Parisian monument. The following birds-eye sequence equips John with an incendiary shotgun. The brawl with Killa at the club. The iconic stairway fight. The uber-tense duel with Caine. I could go on. The fight choreography (and the camerawork that captures it) in 'John Wick 4' is just off the charts. It's the franchise at its most maximalist. Excessive? Absolutely. Bloated? Potentially — but gloriously so. Wick's latest outing is a genuine masterclass in on-screen thrills, and I truly believe it to be one of the very best action movies ever committed to the big screen. Watch on Peacock Don't agree with my ranking? Here's how to watch the "John Wick" movies in order so you can plan your own rewatch and reorganize them as you see fit.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celebrating 12 years of BTS: Every Festa song by Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V & Jung Kook from 2014 to 2024
The year 2025 marks a major milestone for BTS and their devoted fandom, ARMY. When the members began enlisting for their mandatory military service in 2022, some wondered if the group's global influence might decline. Instead, BTS only soared higher. Each member embarked on solo journeys under "Chapter 2," showcasing their unique artistry and strengthening their bond with fans. Now, with all seven—Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—set to reunite in June, anticipation is at an all-time high—especially as June 13 marks BTS' 12th debut anniversary. What is BTS FESTA? FESTA is BTS' annual two-week celebration leading up to their debut date. Hosted by BigHit Music, it delivers a packed content schedule for ARMY, including family portraits, unreleased photos, practice videos, member profiles, and surprise songs. The event often concludes with a special performance or concert featuring rare or never-before-seen stages—making FESTA both a tribute and a gift to their fans. Theme for 2025: "Twelve O'Clock" This year's FESTA is themed "Twelve O'Clock," inspired by the group's emotional track 00:00 (Zero O'Clock)—a song about quiet beginnings and hope in uncertain times. The theme reflects where both BTS and ARMY stand: on the verge of a powerful new era, filled with renewed love, strength, and anticipation. As the festivities begin, let's revisit all the past FESTA anniversary songs from 2014 to 2024. While no official 2025 FESTA track has been announced, J-Hope is set to release his third single, Killin' It Girl featuring GloRilla, on June 13 at 1 PM KST. Many believe this exciting release may be this year's unofficial FESTA song—adding to the emotion and energy as BTS steps into a long-awaited reunion. Whether you're a new ARMY or just feeling nostalgic, here's a look back at every BTS FESTA tracks released over the years. So 4 more Performed by all seven BTS members, this song was released in 2014 to mark their first debut anniversary and was later included in the Dark & Wild album. Often mistaken for the B-side 2nd Grade (sometimes mislabeled as So 4 More on streaming platforms), the title is a clever play on the word "sophomore," referencing their second year together. Opening with the line "It's been a year," the song remains a nostalgic and cherished anthem for ARMY. We Are Bulletproof pt.1 Originally released by RM in 2010, this song officially joined BTS' discography as part of FESTA 2015. While "Part 2" made it onto their debut album—a bold move—fans finally got to hear the raw, hip-hop-heavy "Part 1" during their second anniversary. This song is a fierce self-introduction and a powerful nod to their early roots. I Know Released on June 1, 2016, this song marked BTS' first unit FESTA track, performed by RM and Jungkook. Sweet and sincere, the song is dedicated to ARMY, with inclusive lyrics like "Know you love me girl" and "Know you love me boy"—a heartfelt reflection of BTS' message of love and connection with their fans.] 4 O' Clock For their 4th anniversary in 2017, RM and V teamed up to create this masterpiece. It's a gentle, introspective track that perfectly suits the early morning hour. Released on June 9, the song showcases V's soulful voice and RM's poetic lyricism, painting a picture of solitude and reflection just before the world wakes. It remains one of the most beloved FESTA tracks for its calm, emotional resonance. Ddaeng Released for BTS' 5th anniversary, this song is a bold and fiery track written, composed, and produced by SUGA, J-Hope, and RM. Packed with clever wordplay, cultural references, and sharp delivery, the song blends traditional Korean instrumentals with modern trap beats. Though it remains unavailable on streaming platforms, it continues to be a fan favorite. Tonight Released unofficially on June 5, 2019, for FESTA, this song marked Jin's first solo track. His emotional vocals and the soft, nostalgic production—complete with tape-like distortion—gave the ballad a dreamy, intimate feel. Officially released in 2022, it remains a beloved highlight of his solo journey. Still With You This song, sung by Jungkook, was released during FESTA 2020 and officially added to BTS' discography in 2023. With its dreamy intro, jazz influences, and warm vocals, the song felt like a comforting message to ARMY during the pandemic—and remains a fan favorite. Bicycle This track sung by RM, was released during FESTA and later added to his solo discography in 2022. With gentle acoustic guitar and reflective lyrics, it captures RM's signature style—calm, introspective, and full of warmth. It's a quiet ride that feels like spring in song form. My You Jungkook's song which was released for BTS FESTA 2022, is a heartfelt acoustic ballad dedicated to ARMY. With tender lyrics like "thankful to be by your side now," the song reflects his deep love and gratitude for fans. Emotional and intimate, it's a beautiful reminder of their enduring bond. Take Two Released for BTS' 10th anniversary in 2023, this was a special OT7 track marking their first group song in Chapter 2. Emotional and nostalgic, it celebrated a decade of BTS with heartfelt lyrics and a powerful message to ARMY. J-Hope's verse, in particular, stood out—capturing the essence of their journey together. Never Let Go Jungkook released this song on June 7, 2024, as part of BTS' 11th anniversary FESTA. Opening with a soft guitar and a voice memo saying, "Star boy, you're my, you're my hero," the track evolves into a house-inspired anthem. Though upbeat, the lyrics—co-written by Jungkook—carry heartfelt sincerity. He even hoped to choreograph a performance but ran out of time before enlisting, making the release all the more special. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
